8 Magical things you never knew about the 'Harry Potter' universe

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By VT

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Many Harry Potter fans think they know everything there is to know about the boy wizard and his adventures in the wonderful world of magic. But we've got news for you: when it comes to J.K. Rowling's fabulous creation, there is always more to be learned.

For example, do you know where James and Lily got all their money? Did you know there are actually two Harry Potters walking around in the magical universe? Are you aware of all of the tricks movie bosses used to make the magic come to life onscreen? Well, have no fear, because you're about to learn all of this and more...

1. The boy wizard is so rich because his ancestor was a pharmaceutical tycoon

When Harry heads to Gringotts for the first time, he discovers that he is secretly rich - but how? This was explained further on Pottermore when Rowling revealed that, in the 12th century, Harry's ancestor Linfred of Stinchcombe developed pharmaceutical remedies that were the basis for Skele-gro and Pepperup Potion and built a business out of this. Years later, Harry's grandfather Fleamont Potter quadrupled the family fortune by inventing hair potion.

Harry Potter film scene
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2. There's a recurring character in the films that you never spotted

Filmmakers hid a secret character in the movies' fake newspapers named The Ginger Witch. She appeared in almost every movie, with stories of her multinational criminal antics often hitting the front pages.

Harry Potter film scene
Credit: 2000

3. Newt Scamander was a Hufflepuff

In case you didn't spot it in the films, Newt Scamander wears a canary-and-black scarf, signaling that he was sorted into Hufflepuff at Hogwarts. Well, what else would he really be?

Newt Scamander
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4. There are two Harry Potters in the family, with the original living around the time of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series

Harry is named after his great-grandfather, Harry Potter. In Rowling's own words on Pottermore:

"Henry Potter (Harry to his intimates), was a direct descendant of Hardwin and Iolanthe, and served on the Wizengamot from 1913 - 1921. Henry caused a minor stir when he publicly condemned then Minister for Magic, Archer Evermonde, who had forbidden the magical community to help Muggles waging the First World War. His outspokenness on the behalf of the Muggle community was also a strong contributing factor in the family's exclusion from the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight.'"

EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 15: Harry Potter author JK Rowling arrives at Edinburgh Castle where she will read passages from the sixth magical children?s title ?Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince?, on July 15, 2005 in Edinburgh, Scotland. 70 junior reporters from around the world, aged between eight and 16, make up the audience, and meet and ask questions to the author ahead of the midnight release of the new volume. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
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5. Every part of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore's name has meaning

"Albus" is Latin for "white," and "Percival" was one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table who went in search for the lost grail. Furthermore, "Wulfric" is said to be a reference to the Wulfric of Haselbury, who was known as a miracle worker, and "Brian" is believed to be derived from an Old Celtic word that roughly means "noble."

As for "Dumbledore"? It's an Old English word for "bumblebee", which Rowling has claimed represents the headmaster's habit of constant humming.

Dumbledore
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6. Colin Farrell didn't read a single page of the Harry Potter books before seeing the script for Fantastic Beasts

Apparently, he wanted to play the role of auror, Percival Graves, based on the screenplay alone.

7. Gringotts exchanges magical and muggle money

As Rowling has pointed out, it's the only way Muggle-born wizards and witches could buy wands and other magical items.

Harry Potter film scene
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8. Producers used green gloves to make the books fly around in the Hogwarts library

The gloves worked in exactly the same way that a green screen does, and were removed in post-production so it looked like the books floated on their own.

Harry Potter film scene
Credit: 6433

Do you desperately need more Harry Potter facts? Not a problem - did you know that you've probably been saying Lord Voldemort's name wrong all this time?