Over the course of seven books that were subsequently split into eight movies, J.K. Rowling created a universe that was at once tangible and yet so other-worldly to readers.
For those of us who grew up in parallel with Harry, Ron, Hermione et al, the books had a profound effect on our childhoods, and conjure vivid imaginings of how our own magical education would play out.
J.K. Rowling's books managed to tackle ostensibly adult themes like love, loss and betrayal in a manner that was at once accessible to children yet also rang true to adult readers, part of what made the series so astronomically successful.
It is testament to the books' enduring appeal that, more than 20 years after Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released, fans are still avidly re-reading them, theorizing and obsessively discussing minute details that appear to hold major significance with the benefit of hindsight.
In the spirit of such forensic investigation, then, here are some incredible details from the Harry Potter movies that you might have missed the first time round.
1. Professor Snape deflecting McGonogall's curse onto the Death EatersHe was trying to protect Harry et al all along.
2. McGonogall the quidditch playerLook closely on the right hand side. There it is.
3. Lockhart's wigWe know he was vain, but vain enough to wear a wig? Apparently so, look closely on his desk.
4. A closer look will tell you that what Neville has, in fact, forgotten, is his robes 5. A Brief History of TimeThis wizard is reading Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, appropriate, considering that much of the Prisoner Azkaban story centers around a time turner.
6. The Deathly HallowsThe sign of the deathly hallows appears as early as in the Goblet of Fire movie, remarkable seeing as the film came out two years before the Deathly Hallows book was published.
7. Equus
In the background of the cafe scene in Deathly Hallows Part One, there's a poster for Equus, the play in which Daniel Radcliffe appeared alongside Richard Griffiths in real life.
8. BreakfastWhat is the breakfast cereal of choice for Hogwarts students? Cheeri Owls. Naturally.
How many of these did you already know? Personally, I'm even more astounded by the Potter series than I was before.
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