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News18
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
6 Harry Potter Secrets That Even Die-Hard Fans Might Have Missed
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. view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 11:41 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
6 biggest Harry Potter secrets only the most devoted fans know
The world of Harry Potter is loaded with spells, dark magic, and epic battles-but some of its most surprising moments don't come from wands. They come from details so subtle, they slip past all but the most obsessive readers. A lot of hidden details in the series might have been missed even by the most ardent fans. With a new series on the way, let's take a look at some secrets about the series. All of these have been pulled from the books themselves or confirmed by J.K. Rowling, via the Wizarding World site (formerly Pottermore), as first compiled by Reader's Digest. J.K. Rowling hid a lot of details in her Harry Potter series that only few devoted fans know about.(AP) Also read: HBO finds its Voldemort for Harry Potter TV series, but won't say who: Report Names weren't just names-they were warnings Rowling didn't just assign names at random. She left trails. Start with 'Voldemort.' It sounds evil enough, sure. But in French, "vol de mort" translates to 'flight of death.' Fitting for a guy desperate to live forever. And Draco Malfoy? 'Mal foi' means 'bad faith.' Then there is that bit from Chamber of Secrets, where 'I am Lord Voldemort' gets unscrambled into 'Tom Marvolo Riddle.' And here's the kicker: Rowling has said the final 't' in Voldemort is silent. Lupin's curse meant more than just full moons Remus Lupin's werewolf condition was not just a fantasy plot device. Rowling admitted she based it on real-world stigma around illnesses like HIV. 'Remus Lupin's affliction was a conscious reference to blood-borne diseases such as the HIV infection,' Rowling wrote, as per Reader's Digest. That is why he is forced out of Hogwarts when the truth gets out. The Wolfsbane Potion Snape brews him? It is basically magical antiretroviral therapy. The emotional toll of isolation was key to Lupin's character. If you watch closely in Prisoner of Azkaban, you will notice how ill and pale he always looks. Also read: What to watch on Netflix? From Wednesday Season 2 to Hostage, top ten shows to stream in August First words, first clues Snape's very first line to Harry is not just textbook arrogance. It is a love letter to Lily. In Sorcerer's Stone, Snape asks Harry about 'powdered root of asphodel and an infusion of wormwood.' Asphodel is a type of lily. In Victorian floriography, that combo meant 'I bitterly regret your death.' Then he brings up bezoars and wolfsbane. Every potion ingredient he mentions exists in the real world. These were not throwaway lines, but layered with significance. Ginny nearly left the Horcrux at home According to Reader's Digest, in The Chamber of Secrets, the Weasley family almost left without Ginny's diary. They had to turn the car around to grab it-unaware that the diary was actually one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. That small moment accidentally led to the Chamber of Secrets being reopened. Two Horcruxes were right under their noses During the cleanup of 12 Grimmauld Place in Order of the Phoenix, the group casually tossed out a heavy locket no one could open. That locket turned out to be a Horcrux. Later, Harry hides a 'dusty old tiara' in the Room of Requirement-unknowingly placing another Horcrux right back where it had been hidden for decades. A school prank gave Malfoy the key In Order of the Phoenix, Fred and George shoved Slytherin student Montague into a broken vanishing cabinet as a prank. Montague eventually reappeared and told Draco about the cabinets. That throwaway moment gave Malfoy the exact tool he needed to smuggle Death Eaters into Hogwarts in Half-Blood Prince. FAQs Is Voldemort's name really based on a French word? 'Vol-de-mort' means 'flight of death' in French. Did Sirius Black appear in the first Harry Potter book? Yes, he is mentioned by name in Chapter One of Sorcerer's Stone. Why did Rowling make Lupin a werewolf? She did so to reflect the stigma around chronic illnesses, especially HIV. What did Snape's first line to Harry actually mean? It was a hidden message expressing grief over Lily's death. Is the 't' in Voldemort really silent? Rowling confirmed: Yes, the last 't' is silent.
NZ Herald
10-07-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Thank you New Zealand!
Royal Canin voted 'Most Trusted Dog Food' for 2025. This article was prepared by Royal Canin and is being published by the New Zealand Herald as advertorial. Striving to make the world a better place for cats and dogs by delivering tailored and effective nutrition for pets of all ages and stages has been Royal Canin's mission for more than 50 years. And there's no better endorsement than the vote from happy pet owners, which has seen Royal Canin named as the winner of Reader's Digest Most Trusted Dog Food Brand for 2025. 'This recognition reflects the trust that Kiwis across the country place in Royal Canin every day,' says Jeremy Sassoon, General Manager, Royal Canin ANZ. 'Thank you, New Zealand, for allowing us to be part of the journey to make a better world for pets.' Royal Canin's commitment extends far beyond nutrition. It's dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of pets across New Zealand backed by proven science and research, driven by innovation. 'At Royal Canin, we believe that every dog and cat is unique, and their nutrition should be too. That's why we create diets tailored to the specific needs of pets based on their age, breed, size, and health requirements,' says Mr Sassoon. Among Royal Canin's happy customers is Freyja, a one-year-old Golden Retriever cross Irish Red Setter from New Plymouth. 'She's one clever and agile puppy and Royal Canin has played a pivotal role in supporting her health since birth,' says Freyja's owner Tegan Frost. 'Freyja has been on a Royal Canin diet since she was eight weeks old. We are currently feeding her the Royal Canin Maxi Puppy diet that meets all of her nutritional requirements.' 'The quality of her diet is truly reflected in her abilities. We're looking at enrolling her in dog obedience training and she has some strong scenting skills already. When she plays a game where she has to smell food under the right cup she always gets it right, my sons love it!' For Royal Canin, the focus is not just on providing nutrition alone, with its dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of pets across the country, reflected in strong and meaningful partnerships with New Zealand charities including Paw Justice, the Blind Low Vision New Zealand and the K9 Medical Detection Centre based in Dunedin. 'Our commitment extends beyond nutrition,' says Mr Sassoon. 'Working with these organisations aligns with all our goalsto make the world a better place for cats, dogs and their owners,' says Mr Sassoon.
New York Post
02-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
Restaurant servers ‘hate' this common customer habit — and it's something most people are guilty of doing
Excuse me! Servers everywhere agree that this one common dining habit is more disruptive than diners realize. Calling your server over multiple times on separate occasions for things such as extra napkins, a lemon wedge, more dressing or another spoon seems innocent but in reality, it pisses off servers. 3 Waving your server over to the table to ask for one more thing multiple times can drive them crazy. estradaanton – It even has a name: one-timing. While each request is reasonable on its own, one-timing can significantly disrupt a server's flow and add stress to an already busy shift. 'This habit does bother me, especially when I was first starting out as a server and was relatively inexperienced, because it really slows everything down,' says Stephanie S., a server at a chain restaurant in Utah, told Reader's Digest. 'I felt like people were being too needy, and it stressed me out.' During slower hours, servers might not mind the extra trips. But making them run in circles during a dinner rush will likely upset them. 3 Nothing is worse for a server than having their workflow disrupted during a busy shift. Andrey Popov – 'I'll admit, it kind of makes me hate people if they do this at peak dinner rush,' Sarah S., a server at an Asian-fusion restaurant in Florida, told the outlet. 'When we're slammed, it turns into a logistical nightmare, but when we're not busy it's not a big deal and I don't mind as much.' However, April O., a server at a chain restaurant in Texas, said that this isn't just the diner's fault. She claimed this happens because 'customers forget to ask for everything they need and the server fails to anticipate their needs.' 3 Servers want customers to anticipate their needs so they can ask for everything all at once. estradaanton – 'If both server and patron are doing their parts, there shouldn't be any 'one-timing.'' 'To reduce these kinds of guest requests, I always try to anticipate needs — especially for big parties or families with little kids, who are the most likely to one-time me to death,' Valerie P., a server at a family restaurant in Washington, explained. To avoid being this type of customer, servers want customers to think ahead and check their needs—extra utensils, condiments, drinks — and ask for them all at once. And if people are dining with a large group — the table should ask each other if they need anything before the server comes by to check in.
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
McDonald's fans startled famous billionaire businessman has card for free food
McDonald's exclusive McGold Card grants holders free meals for life or a set period, depending on whether it's issued by corporate or a local franchise, and fans are outraged to learn who owns one McDonald's has sparked outrage after it was revealed that one of its exclusive McGold Cards, which grants the holder free meals for life or a designated period, has been given to American billionaire Bill Gates. The fast food giant's card is a rarely issued perk with some recipients able to use them at any McDonald's restaurant worldwide, while others are restricted to their local area. Social media users were left fuming after learning that the Microsoft co-founder, who is reportedly worth $117.1 billion (£85billion) holds the coveted card, with many arguing he is undeserving due to his wealth. The Instagram page How Things Work shared the news about Gates' McGold Card, leading to a flurry of critical comments. One user sarcastically quipped: "Glad to see McDonald's helping those truly in need." Another added: "Pretty sure he can afford a happy meal babes." A third humorously remarked: "McWhy." A fourth user commented: "Because billionaires need free fast food." A fifth suggested: "Give it to a poor family." A different critic shared their disdain: "Couldn't pick anyone underprivileged and hungry? No, give free food to one of the richest men in the we fight for children to be fed at school." According to the caption on Instagram, the shiny McGold Card that Bill Gates has can be used at any McDonald's around the globe. Gates revealed his unique card during a TikTok video with chef Nick DiGiovanni, proudly displaying his pass which reads: "Entitled to a complimentary meal at any McDonald's. Michael R. Quinlan Chairman and CEO McDonald's Corporation." Though Gates openly shared in the video that he rarely uses the card given his ability to pay for meals himself. Joining Gates in the elite circle of McGold Card holders is Warren Buffett, the renowned American billionaire investor, entitled to free lifetime McDonald's in Omaha, Nebraska only. Reader's Digest disclosed Rob Lowe had a McGold Card limited to Santa Barbara and Goleta, California, courtesy of David Patterson, whose father was behind the Egg McMuffin. His card expired in 2016. The magazine hinted at the exclusivity of the McGold Card, indicating it's not within easy reach for regular people. According to Reader's Digest, the fast food giant McDonald's held a 'McDonald's for Life' competition in December 2022 as part of their 'SZN of Sharing' promotion. Over a fortnight, each purchase made through the McDonald's app earned customers another entry to win the coveted McGold Card, along with three more entries to share with family or friends. The card entitled the lucky winner to two complimentary McDonald's meals every week for a whopping 50 years.
