Buzz
Explore some fascinating details about the beloved characters in gold and red, along with a few hidden gems about their silver and green rivals.
1. Hermione's original name was nearly "Hermione Puckle."
The name didn't quite fit, did it? J.K. Rowling agreed and opted for a name that better matched the character's personality. Rowling has mentioned that Hermione reflects her own childhood traits, as she was also a bit of a know-it-all. Initially, Hermione was planned to have a younger sister, but Rowling couldn't find the right place to introduce her in the series.
2. Gilderoy Lockhart, the unbearably self-absorbed professor and celebrity from The Chamber of Secrets, was inspired by someone Rowling knows personally.
While some speculate he was modeled after her ex-husband, Rowling has firmly denied this. "He would spin outrageous tales about his past, all crafted to paint himself as a heroic and extraordinary figure. Maybe he didn't truly believe in his own greatness and felt the need to overcompensate, but I never delved that deeply," she explained. "He's likely out there now claiming he inspired Albus Dumbledore or even wrote the books himself, letting me take the credit out of sheer generosity."
3. Hedwig, Harry's Snowy Owl, isn't entirely true to nature.
After the first book was published, Rowling discovered that Snowy Owls are diurnal. While writing the second book, she learned they are also silent, making Hedwig's expressive hoots and noises unrealistic. She acknowledges this as a research oversight but suggests readers can attribute Hedwig's unique traits to her magical nature. Interestingly, though Hedwig is female, she is portrayed by a male owl in the films, as male Snowy Owls are completely white.
4. Rowling has always had a passion for collecting unique and intriguing names and words.
Rowling has shared her love for collecting unique names and words, often drawing inspiration from war memorials, baby name books, and other sources. She meticulously notes her favorites, many of which have found their way into the Harry Potter series. Some terms, like "quidditch," are entirely her creation. She experimented with five pages of "Q" words before settling on the perfect one. Names like "Voldemort" and "Malfoy" are also her original inventions.
5. If a muggle were to stumble upon Hogwarts, they would only see a crumbling castle with warning signs declaring it a hazardous structure.
This might seem odd to those in the U.S., but the U.K. is known for its abundance of ancient castle ruins.
6. Fred and George Weasley share a birthday on April Fool's Day.
Fitting, isn't it? Speaking of the Weasleys, a cousin named Mafalda was originally planned for The Goblet of Fire but was cut to make space for the infamous Rita Skeeter. This decision aligns with the lore that Ginny Weasley was the first female born into the Weasley family in generations.
7. The wand cores of Harry, Ron, and Hermione are linked to their birthdates.
The Celtic tradition assigns trees to individuals, similar to how gemstones are assigned today. Rowling had already chosen holly for Harry's wand before discovering the Celtic tree calendar, which confirmed her accidental accuracy. Draco Malfoy's hawthorn wand also aligned with this system. Ron and Hermione, however, were intentionally given wands matching their birth trees—ash for Ron and vine wood for Hermione. This pattern wasn't applied to every character, though.
8. Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat, is named after a character in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.
Appropriately, Austen's Mrs. Norris shares a similarly unpleasant and acerbic personality.
9. Snape's character was partly inspired by a teacher J.K. Rowling encountered in her own life.
Despite his flaws, she enjoys writing his character because she finds him deeply pitiable.
10. King's Cross station serves as the magical departure point for young wizards boarding the Hogwarts Express.
Few know that King's Cross holds personal significance for J.K. Rowling—it’s where her parents first met. Both were traveling to Arbroath, Scotland, when they crossed paths on the train. Rowling intentionally chose King's Cross as the portal to Hogwarts as a tribute to her parents.
