8 facts we bet you didn’t know about Harry Potter
Harry Potter is easily one of the most popular young adult franchises of the 21st century. It has made author J.K Rowling a billionaire. Brought fame and fortune to its cast especially Emma ‘Hermione Granger’ Watson. It is one of the top 10 top grossing movie franchises of all times and it continues to cast its web of magic, mystery and intrigue with the new, “Fantastic Beasts” franchise. In fact every third dating profile on Tinder, Bumble and OkCupid is a fandom homage to the beloved franchise. But we bet even hardcore fans won’t know these ten facts about Harry Potter, his mysterious world and the stories surrounding the making of the films.
1. Author J.K. Rowling was contemplating killing off either Harry, Hermione or Ron.
In an interview on Daniel Radcliffe’s podcast, series creator J.K Rowling actually confessed she was planning to kill off Ron in the series finale, but was dissuaded from doing so by her editor. Thank God for that, the Potter-verse is a much improved place for that decision!
2. Emma Watson’s pet hamster probably had the coolest burial of all times.
Emma Watson would often bring her pet hamster, “Millie” on set. During one such visit her beloved little critter passed away. To console the bereaved Emma, the set department, actually created a hardwood casket, complete with velvet trim in purple and monogrammed it with the hamster’s name, “Millie” for the burial! Talk about passing on in style right?
3. The ‘Amortentia’ potion gives off one of Hermione’s favourite smells, Ron’s hair!
In an interview, Rowling revealed that the ‘Amortentia’ potion (which reminds a person of the things they love the most), reminds Hermione of her favourite smells including freshly mown grass, spearmint toothpaste, new parchment and of course Ron’s hair! Little wonder then that the two wizards ended up together!
4. Lord Voldemort’s boggart would’ve been a corpse.
A boggart is a creature that reveals a person’s greatest fear, by appearing to the person in that form. In Voldemort’s case, Rowling says that his boggart would’ve appeared to him as his own corpse. Little wonder that the one who wouldn’t be named, was chasing immortality so desperately!
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5. Dumbledore’s name in Old English means ‘bumblebee’.
Wow, who’d have thunk it, right!! Dumbledore’s name and the Yellow Transformer Autobot are the one and the same! J.K Rowling revealed the meaning of his name in an interview where she says while writing sections on Dumbledore she could clearly hear him hum. Talk about being deeply invested in a story!
6. J.K. Rowling says she regrets Hermione and Ron getting together, because she initially wrote Hermione as Harry’s love interest.
Talk about writer’s regret. But in the interest of full disclosure, Rowling later thought that Rupert Grint and Emma Watson’s on screen chemistry made them a better fit!
7. Hagrid was never even considered to be a casualty of the Wizarding War.
According to a 2015 article, Rowling says that at the climax of the Wizarding War, she pictured Hagrid carrying Harry’s then lifeless body out of the Forbidden Forest so clearly that she never once contemplated him being obliterated during the seminal event.
8. The dreaded soul sucking Dementors were the author’s way of representing a real world problem.
In Rowling’s own words she thought of the demonic Dementors when she herself was confronted with depression. We all know that Depression can lead one on the slippery slope to Dementia. Little wonder their name has their roots in this serious affliction!
So there you have it… 8 facts we bet you didn’t know about Harry Potter. Missing the wizarding genius, during the lockdown? Check out our Harry Potter merch here. We’re delivering all over now! Until next time, have a safe and fun time at home.
