6 Harry Potter Secrets That Even Die-Hard Fans Might Have Missed

News18

31-07-2025

From hidden meaning behind the names to certain connections to the real-life scenarios, JK Rowling cleverly hid many clues in the books.
Beyond the spells and dark magic which has been showcased in the Harry Potter film series, there are certain small details that the author of the books, JK Rowling, cleverly hid. The details are such that even fans who have read the book series could have missed them. Now, as the magical world of Harry Potter is set to return to the screen more than one and a half decades after the film series concluded in 2011, let's have a look at some lesser-known facts.
Rowling did not just choose the names randomly. Many names have hidden meanings. For example, Voldemort, which is scary on its own, but in French, vol de mort means flight of death. In Chambers of Secret, it is shown that the name 'I am Lord Voldemort" is made from rearranging the letters of 'Tom Malvoro Riddle." Once, the author also revealed that the 't' in the antagonist's name is silent.
Meanwhile, the meaning of 'Malfoy or mal foi' in Draco Malfoy's name means bad faith in French, which suits his complex personality.
Lupin's Curse Has A Connection To The Real World
Remus Lupin's transformation into a werewolf during a full moon was more than just a fantasy. According to Reader's Digest, Rowling said, 'Remus Lupin's affliction was a conscious reference to blood-borne diseases such as the HIV infection." Even the Wolfsbane Potion that he drinks is like a magical version of the medicines used for the disease. And if you rewatch Prisoners of Azkaban, you would notice that Lupin looked pale and tired, symptoms similar to those of the disease.
Snape's First Words Were A Hidden Message
While the very first line that Snape tells Harry Potter in Sorcerer's Stone might seem cold at first, it had a hidden meaning. The wizard asked the latter about 'powdered root of asphodel and an infusion of wormwood." Asphodel is a kind of lily, and when the words are put together, it means 'I bitterly regret your death," as per Victorian floriography. It seemed like a message to Harry's mother, Lily, whom Snape secretly loved.
On the other hand, every potion that Snape mentions in the films exists in the real world.
When Ginny Almost Didn't Take The Horcrux
In the Chamber of Secrets, the Weasleys nearly left their home for Hogwarts without taking Ginny's diary with them. According to Reader's Digest, they had to turn the car to get it. No one actually knew that the diary was one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. That small moment led to the Chamber of Secrets being opened again.
Two Horcruxes Were Hidden In Plain Sight
In Order of the Phoenix, when the group cleans 12 Grimmauld Place, they casually toss a heavy locket that no one could open, not knowing it was one of the Horcruxes. Later, Harry also hides a dusty tiara in the Room of Requirement without realising it was another piece of Voldemort's dark soul.
A Prank That Gave Draco Malfoy The Key
In Order of the Phoenix, after Fred and George Weasley shoved a student named Montague into a broken vanishing cabinet as a prank, the latter then told Draco Malfoy about the cabinets. That silly moment gave him the tool to sneak in Death Eaters into Hogwarts in Half-Blood Prince.
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First Published:
July 31, 2025, 11:41 IST
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