The Quiz for Harry Potter Fans Who Know Super Tiny Details

By: Becky
Image: Heyday Films, Warner Bros, 1492 Pictures

About This Quiz

Are you a true Harry Potter fan? Did you read all of the books ... at least twice? Did you see all the movies the second they were released in theaters? Do you own your own copies of the movies on DVD or Blu-Ray so that you can binge watch them when you need a Harry Potter fix? Do you know Harry Potter and all of the characters in the books so well that you could describe them in your sleep? If you answered yes to any of these questions - or all of them if you are a true fan - then this is the quiz for you. Get ready to prove just how much you really know about even the most minute detail of Harry Potter and the wizarding world.

The Harry Potter books and movies are a complicated set of characters and scenes. The good news is that the author of the books, JK Rowling, has been rather forthcoming about details about the characters that may not have made it into those books and movies. After all, she couldn't include absolutely everything, or the books would be the size of dictionaries and the movies would be eight hours long.

How well do you know Harry Potter?

Who does Harry share a birthday with?

Harry Potter shares a birthday with JK Rowling, the series' author. When you're an author, you can pop in whatever details you like into your books, and JK did just that. She also made sure that Hermione shared some of her characteristics when she was the same age.

When did JK Rowling come up with the names of the Hogwarts houses?

JK Rowling scribbled the names of the Hogwarts houses while she was on a flight. She grabbed the first thing she saw that she could write on ... an air sickness bag. How's that for spur of the moment?

What did JK Rowling know before she even finished writing the books?

JK Rowling knew how the books would end before she even wrote all of them. This is not entirely unusual, though. Many successful authors have entire stories fleshed out in their heads before they start writing.

What Harry Potter characters signify depression?

JK Rowling has struggled with depression, and for her, the dementors signify the sad feelings that are common with depression. Watch how Harry Potter characters describe dementors - as if they feel sad and empty when the dementors are around.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was almost called what?

Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone was almost called Harry Potter and the School of Magic. Of course, in the UK, the title is Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

What Harry Potter character was supposed to die in JK Rowling's idea of the story?

Originally, Arthur Weasley was slated to die at the fangs of Nagini. But, because there are so few positive dad role models in the story of Harry, Rowling decided to let him live. Whew!

Which of the following actors was NOT considered for the role of Harry Potter?

Brad Pitt would have been a bit too old to play Harry, so this one is a no brainer. And, as much as we like Haley Joel and Jonathan, Daniel Radcliffe IS Harry Potter.

What color are Harry's eyes?

Harry Potter's eyes are green. Daniel Radcliffe's eyes are blue. The movies reconciled these differences by making Lily's eyes blue in the movies, too.

What were the brooms made out of for the movies?

Mere wooden brooms would have broken during the scenes. To make sure that the actors were safe, the brooms in the movies were made out of titanium.

True or False: Harry's scar was tattooed onto Daniel Radcliffe's face for filming.

Although some actors go deep into their characters for a movie, Daniel Radcliffe did not allow Harry's scar to be tattooed onto his face. The movie makeup artists did get a lot of experience reapplying it over and over, though.

What Harry Potter actress kept an odd part of her character after filming?

Helena Bonham Carter is considered a rather odd bird to begin with, and she's known for really connecting with her characters. She is said to have kept Bellatrix Lestrange's teeth. Now, that's a nice memento.

What iconic singer wanted to head a Harry Potter musical?

Michael Jackson wanted to head up a Harry Potter musical, according to JK Rowling. Most offers of these types of productions, she has turned down.

What famous horror author loved the character of Dolores Umbridge?

Stephen King is said to have been particularly enamored with the character of Dolores Umbridge. We think she would have made a great character in one of his books.

What kind of car is Arthur Weasley's flying car?

Arthur Weasley's flying car was a Ford Anglia. The Anglia was a Ford sold in the UK from 1939 to 1967.

The Harry Potter chapter, "The Boy Who Lived," is known as what in Ireland?

The Harry Potter chapter, "The Boy Who Lived," is known as "The Laddie Wha Lived," in Ireland. And, that's not even the strangest translation of Harry Potter books. They are all mostly tailored to their audience.

What Harry Potter character attended Durmstrang Institute?

Viktor Krum attended Durmstrang Institute. Durmstrang is the wizarding school that is located somewhere in the Netherlands.

What happened to Dolores Umbridge in the books?

Actually, the books don't address what happened to Dolores Umbridge. But JK Rowling clarified the matter in an interview - Umbridge was sent to Azkaban.

What was the name of the cat who played Mrs. McGonagall in Harry Potter?

The cat who played Mrs. McGonagall in Harry Potter was named Mrs. P. Head. We're not sure if any of the other animagus actors had names.

What Harry Potter character was in love with Lily Potter ... besides Harry's dad, that is?

Professor Snape was in love with Lily Potter. Everyone knows that! If you didn't, go back and reread the books.

Professor Dumbledore's name means what?

No, we're not making this one up. The word "dumbledore" really does mean "bumblebee" in Old English. Look it up.

Which one of the three wizard friends was almost killed off by JK Rowling as she was writing the books?

Yup, it's true. As Rowling was writing the books, she found herself in a stressful life situation. Many authors take stress out on their characters. Thankfully, Rowling restrained herself, and Ron got to live to wizard another day.

If muggles aren't supposed to be able to see the wizard world, why is Hogwarts not hidden?

Hogwarts is hidden from the prying eyes of wayward muggles. If muggles accidentally came across Hogwarts, all they would see is an old, falling down building and a "keep out" sign.

Which Harry Potter character did NOT die laughing?

Professor Snape did not die laughing. Sirius Black and Fred Weasley did, and JK Rowling did this intentionally as both were portrayed as tricksters.

What is Hermione's patronus?

Hermione's patronus is an otter. Fun fact ... Ron's patronus is a Jack Russell terrier.

What role did Tom Felton, who played Draco, NOT audition for?

Tom Felton makes a great Draco Malfoy, but he would have made a hideous Hermione. Tom Felton did, however, audition for the parts of Harry and Ron.

What was the birthday of Fred and George Weasley?

Fred and George Weasley were born on April 1st, which is April Fools Day. That JK Rowling is a real wit!

When Fred and George threw snowballs at the back of Professor Quirrell's head, what were they really hitting?

Fred and George were inadvertently hitting Voldemort's face, since he was wrapped in Quirrell's turban. Bet you never thought of that, did you?

What was Remus Lupin's patronus?

Remus Lupin's patronus was a wolf, not a werewolf as some people believe. Remus hated all things werewolf.

How did Professor McGonagall's husband die?

McGonagall's husband was the victim of a venomous Tentacula bite. Fun fact ... when she was young, McGonagall was in love with a muggle.

What is the last sentence of the Harry Potter books?

The last sentence of the Harry Potter book series is "All was well." JK Rowling was actually going to make the last word "scar," but she changed her mind.

What did Ginny Weasley do after she left Hogwarts?

Ginny Weasley became a professional Quidditch player after her time at Hogwarts. However, when she and Harry had children, Ginny retired from sports and devoted herself to raising their children.

What was the name of Ginny's and Harry's first born?

Harry and Ginny named their first born after Harry's dad, James. His middle name was Sirius, after Sirius Black, Harry's godfather.

What did Ron become after he left Hogwarts?

Ron became an Auror after he left Hogwarts. A fitting occupation, we think, since Ron would be hard pressed to write or teach.

What Harry Potter character almost did not attend Hogwarts?

Draco Malfoy almost did not attend Hogwarts. Draco almost went to Durmstrang Institute, the school that Viktor Krum attended.

What was the name of Harry's owl?

Harry's owl was named Hedwig. We thought we'd end on an easier note, since this was a pretty tough quiz. Also, we miss Hedwig and wanted to make sure she was mentioned.

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