15 Facts About “Harry Potter” That Even the Most Avid Fans Have Probably Missed

The world of Harry Potter is one of the most beloved franchises across several generations. The seven books covering the captivating story of young wizards, in total, sold more than 450 million copies, and the movies grossed more than $7 billion. A part of such great success has been the detailed work of all people involved which we, as fans, can admire infinitely.

We at Now I’ve Seen Everything wanted to dive deep into this magical universe and brought you our curious finds.

1. One might think that Aunt Petunia is cooking in this scene. But she is actually dyeing Dudley’s old clothes grey for Harry’s uniform. This is only ever mentioned in the first book.

2. Number 7 on Harry’s Quidditch uniform

  • Actually, the number 7 is a symbolic number in the world of JK Rowling. Moreover, Lord Voldemort has 7 Horcruxes and the last one, as we know, was Harry, which is quite symbolic too. However, the costume designer noted that the choice of this number for the Quidditch uniform is a reference to David Beckham, who played under this number a while back.

3. In the third movie, when Hermione appeared in class out of nowhere, we can actually see her time turner around her neck, which she hides in the next shot.

4. The scarves of Hermione, Ron, and Harry

  • The costume designers decided to hint at the character of each person with the help of tiny detail — a scarf. If you’re paying attention, you know that each character ties it in their own way. Hermione tightens it as neatly as possible, according to the rules. Harry throws the end of the scarf over his shoulder. Ron doesn’t tie this accessory at all.

5. Although it may have gone unnoticed amidst all the chaos, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 we get to see a reunion between Hermione and Viktor Krum.

6. As the story progresses and Harry and his friends begin to destroy the Horcruxes, you can see how Voldemort’s clothes become discolored, his eyes droop, and small lesions appear on his skin as a sign that he is getting weaker.

7. The changing costumes of Dolores Umbridge

  • In the image of Dolores, it was important to outline that she has power. We see that she, like many other powerful people, is rather conservative. For example, she wears the same hairdo and sticks to the same colors. Umbridge adores the color pink but its hues change as the plot develops.
  • The costume designer commented on it in the following way, “I started with a lighter pink, and then as the film developed the pinks get hotter and hotter and hotter because she’s getting more and more hysterical.”

8. Harry’s scar

In the final shot of the film, Harry’s scar is noticeably faded and barely visible. It’s the reference to the last line of the novel series, “The scar had not pained Harry for 19 years. All was well.”

9. Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) asked for a hook to be added to Voldemort’s wand so that he could move more fluidly and “snake-like” without the wand falling from his hand.

10. In the last movie, Lucius Malfoy is seen sporting a new tattoo on his neck. This is the prisoner number he was given when he entered Azkaban.

11. Gilderoy Lockhart’s wig

  • In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, attentive viewers can notice that the professor of Defence against the Dark Arts, has a wig lying on his table. As we will later learn, Lockhart is a liar, who was cheating everyone and hadn’t done any feats. That is, he lies about everything and even his golden curls are fake.

12. Professor McGonagall has a secret talent.

  • The Quidditch trophy from Harry Potter and the Sorcerers’ Stone not only features James Potter, Harry’s father but Professor McGonagall as well. Who would have guessed she was such a great player.

13. Hermione’s valuables.

  • When Lockhart unleashes the pixies, Hermione immediately throws her books to the ground while no one else does because she knows the pixies will rip anything in plain sight apart.

14. Severus Snape and Gryffindor’s scarf

  • Severus Snape is one of the most controversial characters. It’s not without reason that we see a striped scarf from Gryffindor hanging on the wall in the scene where he is killed. Perhaps he personifies the true inclination of Severus, and in due time he should have gone to Gryffindor, not to Slytherin.
  • In the book, Dumbledore once says the following phrase relating to the distribution of students by faculty, “Sometimes I believe we sort too soon.” Perhaps, the professor was right. Perhaps, the scarf hanging in the closet is saying that people can change for the better.

15. As strange as it may seem, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, a portrait of Voldemort can be seen on the side of the staircase.

What details in Harry Potter did you manage to notice only after re-watching or re-reading each one?

Preview photo credit Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets / Warner Bros. PicturesHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 / Warner Bros. Pictures

My Neighbors Left a Note That Shattered My Heart — My Granddaughter Discovered It and Gave Them a Learning Experience

The music I played on my piano was my last link to my late husband. But cruel neighbors shattered that joy with a hurtful message on my wall. When my granddaughter found out, she made things right, leaving those entitled neighbors scratching their heads.

“Oh, Jerry, did you love it today, darling?” I asked softly, the last notes of “Clair de Lune” filling my cozy living room as my fingers lifted from the ivory piano keys. My eyes fixed on the framed photo of my late husband, Jerry. His kind eyes seemed to twinkle back at me, just as they had for over fifty years of our marriage…

Willie, my tabby cat, stretched lazily near my feet, purring contentedly. I reached down to scratch behind his ears, feeling the familiar ache in my chest as I carefully lifted Jerry’s photo.

“I miss you so much, darling. It’s been five years, but sometimes… sometimes it feels like yesterday.”

Pressing a gentle kiss to the cool glass, I whispered, “Time for dinner, my love. I’ll play your favorite before bed, okay? ‘Moon River,’ just like always.”

As I set the frame back down, I could almost hear Jerry’s warm chuckle. “You spoil me, Bessie,” he’d say, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

I shuffled towards the kitchen, pausing to look back at the piano, my constant companion these past 72 years.

“What would I do without you?” I murmured, running my hand along its polished surface.

That night, as I lay in bed, I whispered into the darkness, “Goodnight, Jerry. I’ll see you in my dreams.”

The next morning, I was lost in Chopin’s “Nocturne in E-flat major” when a sharp rap on my window startled me. My fingers stumbled, the music cutting off abruptly.

A red-faced man glared at me through the glass. He was my new neighbor.

“Hey, lady!” he shouted, his voice muffled. “Cut out that racket! You’re keeping the whole neighborhood awake with your pathetic plinking!”

I stared at him, shocked. “I… I’m so sorry,” I stammered, even as a small voice in my head protested. It was barely 11 a.m., and none of my other neighbors had ever complained before.

The man stomped away, leaving me trembling. I closed the lid of the piano, my sanctuary suddenly feeling tainted.

The next day, I closed all the windows before sitting down to play. The music felt muffled and constrained, but I hoped it would keep the peace.

I was barely ten minutes into Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” when my doorbell rang insistently. With a heavy heart, I answered it.

A woman with pinched features glared at me. “Listen here, old lady,” she spat. “The grave’s calling, and you’re still banging on that piano? Cut the noise, or I’ll report you to the HOA!”

It was only then that I understood she was my new neighbor’s wife.

I felt like I’d been slapped. “I… I closed all the windows,” I said weakly.

“Well, it’s not enough!” she snapped, turning on her heel. “Quit making noise with your stupid piano!”

I slumped against the door frame, tears welling in my eyes. “Oh, Jerry,” I whispered. “What do I do?”

I could almost hear his voice, gentle but firm. “You play, Bessie. You play your heart out. Don’t stop… for anyone.”

But as I sat at the piano, my fingers hovering over the keys, I couldn’t bring myself to press down.

Days passed, and I tried everything. I taped cardboard over the windows, played only in short bursts, even considered moving the piano to the basement where it might not be heard.

But nothing seemed to satisfy my new neighbors, the Grinches, as I’d started calling them in my head.

The thought of being separated from my cherished instrument, even by a flight of stairs, made my heart ache. This piano wasn’t just an object; it was an extension of my soul, a living connection to Jerry and our life together.

Forgetting about those bothersome neighbors for a moment, I lost myself in the music as I played the piano that night.

The next morning, I stepped outside to tend to my small herb garden. The sight that greeted me stopped me cold.

The cruel words “SHUT UP!” were spray-painted across the wall in angry red letters.

I sank to my knees and wept. “Jerry, I can’t do this anymore.”

That day, for the first time in decades, I didn’t touch my piano.

As night fell, I sat in Jerry’s armchair, clutching his photo. “I’m so sorry, my love. I just don’t have the strength to fight anymore.”

The shrill ring of the telephone startled me from my thoughts. I fumbled for the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Mom? It’s me,” my son Jacob’s warm voice filled the line. “How are you doing?”

I swallowed hard, fighting back tears. “Oh, I’m fine, sweetie. Just a quiet day at home.”

There was a pause. “Mom, you don’t sound fine. Is everything alright?”

I sighed, debating whether to burden him with my troubles. “It’s nothing, really. Just… some issues with the new neighbors.”

“Issues? What kind of issues?”

I found myself spilling everything… the complaints, the threats, the vandalism.

“I don’t know what to do anymore, honey. I feel so… lost.”

“Oh, Mom, why didn’t you tell me sooner? We could have helped.”

“I didn’t want to worry you. You have your own life, your own problems.”

“Mom, you’re never a burden. Never. Your music has brought joy to so many people over the years. Remember all those Christmas parties? The school recitals you played for? You’re not a nuisance… you’re a treasure.”

“Listen, I’m going to call Melissa. She’s closer. Maybe she can come check on you. And we’ll figure this out together, okay?” Jacob finished.

As I hung up the phone, I felt a small flicker of hope. Maybe I wasn’t alone in this after all.

Days crawled by. My piano sat untouched, gathering dust. I felt like a part of me was withering away.

One evening, a loud knock startled me from my melancholy. I opened the door to find my granddaughter Melissa standing there, her face glowing with a warm smile.

“Surprise, Nana!” she exclaimed, enveloping me in a tight hug.

As she pulled back, her eyes widened in horror. “Nana, who did this to your wall?”

I burst into tears, the whole story spilling out between sobs. Melissa’s expression darkened with each word.

“Oh, Nana,” she said softly, leading me to the couch. “How dare they do this to you? Did you report them?”

“I didn’t want to make a fuss. It’s just… it’s been so hard, sweetie. That piano, it’s all I have left of your grandpa.”

Melissa’s eyes filled with tears. “I know, Nana. We’ll fix this, I promise.”

“How?” I asked, feeling hopeless. “They hate my music. They hate me.”

Melissa took my hands in hers, her grip firm and reassuring. “They can shove their hatred up their butts, Nana. They don’t even know you. These entitled brats are about to learn what happens when you mess with the wrong pianist!”

The next day, Melissa was a whirlwind of activity. She made calls, ordered some supplies, and even enlisted the help of some neighbors I’d known for years.

“Nana, we’re going to teach those Grinches a lesson about respect.”

That evening, Melissa set up small speakers around the Grinches’ property, carefully hidden in the boxwood bushes under their windows.

When their car pulled into the driveway, she winked at me. “Show time, Nana!”

As soon as the Grinches disappeared inside, soft piano music began to play from the hidden speakers, barely audible at first. They rushed out, looking confused. Then suddenly, the music changed to a medley of barking dogs and car alarms.

I couldn’t help but giggle as I watched them run around, trying to find the source of the noise.

Melissa grinned triumphantly. “And now, for the grand finale,” she said, pressing a red button on a remote control-like device.

The air was filled with the most ridiculous assortment of fart sounds I’d ever heard. I doubled over with laughter, tears streaming down my face.

“Melissa!” I gasped between giggles. “You’re terrible!”

She hugged me tight. “Nobody messes with my Nana. Besides, a little harmless payback never hurt anyone.”

As we watched the Grinches frantically searching their yard, I was pleased. “Thank you, sweetheart,” I said softly. “For reminding me to stand up for myself.”

The next morning, a crew arrived at my house. To my amazement, they began converting my piano room into a state-of-the-art soundproof studio.

“Now you can play whenever you want, Nana,” Melissa said, squeezing my hand. “No one will ever tell you to stop again.”

As the workers finished up, I sat down at my newly polished piano. My fingers trembled as they touched the keys, but as soon as I began to play, it was like coming home.

The familiar strains of “Moon River” filled the air, and I closed my eyes, feeling Jerry’s presence all around me.

“That’s my girl,” I could almost hear him say. “Play on, Bessie. Play on.”

Melissa danced around the room, a glass of wine in hand. “You rock, Nana!” she cheered. “Grandpa would be so proud.”

As the last notes faded away, I turned to her with tears in my eyes. “Thank you, sweetheart. You’ve given me back my voice.”

“No, Nana,” Melissa said, kneeling beside me. “You’ve always had your voice. I just helped you remember how to use it.”

All too soon, it was time for Melissa to leave. As we stood in the driveway, waiting for her taxi, she handed me the remote control-like device.

“Just in case those Grinches act up again,” she winked. “One press, and it’s fart city. But I don’t think you’ll need it. The whole neighborhood’s got your back now, Nana!”

I hugged her tightly. “I love you so much, Melissa. Thank you for everything.”

“I love you too, Nana. Promise me you’ll keep playing, no matter what anyone says.”

“I promise,” I said, my voice strong and sure.

As I watched the taxi disappear down the street, my phone buzzed. It was a text from my son: “How are you doing, Mom? Melissa told me everything. I’m so proud of you. Love you. ”

I smiled, tears pricking my eyes as I typed back: “I’m doing better than I have in weeks. Thank you for being there for me. I love you too. ”

Turning back to my house, I could have sworn I saw Jerry standing near the piano, arms wide open, beckoning me to play.

I wiped away a stray tear of joy and walked inside, closing the door behind me. The piano was waiting, and this time, nothing would stop me from playing.

As my fingers touched the keys, I felt whole again. The music swelled, filling every corner of my home and my heart. And somewhere, I knew Jerry was listening, smiling, and dancing along.

“This one’s for you, my love,” I whispered, as the melody of our favorite song carried me away. “And for our family, who never gave up on me!”

The notes of “Moon River” floated through the air. As I played, I felt stronger than ever, surrounded by the love of those who mattered most, both here and beyond.

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