Which of These "Harry Potter" Facts Did We Make Up?


By: Brittany Rowland

7 Min Quiz

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures / Heyday Films / 1492 Pictures

About This Quiz

Part of the reason for "Harry Potter's" enduring appeal is its wealth of characters, creatures, spells and locations that seem to come to life right off the page. Readers can almost picture themselves entering the Great Hall at Hogwarts with all its glimmering candles, sitting on the dais, putting on the Sorting Hat and waiting to hear what House they'll be in! 

In the years before the last book was published, fans pored over every detail of the series, looking for tiny clues that might give some hint of how the story would turn out. Who was R.A.B., the person who left a note in the locket? What was Snape's connection to Harry's parents — and was he really a good guy or what? Was Harry Potter a Horcrux himself, and if so, would he have to die for Voldemort to be defeated? It's no wonder that fans read these books over and over again, looking for answers!

So now it's your turn to prove yourself no mere Muggle. If you're a true "Harry Potter" fan, you should be able to pick out the made-up lies from the true facts. You don't need a magic mirror or a wand to ace this quiz — just a memory as sharp as Hermione's and a love for all things "Harry Potter"! 

One of these facts is totally Riddikulus! Can you spot it?

Ron Weasley in fact has six siblings: five brothers and one sister! Bill and Charlie graduate Hogwarts before Ron starts school, but he attends Hogwarts with Ginny, Percy, Fred and George.


Ten points to Gryffindor if you can identify the fake fact!

As Harry and his friends discover, house-elves take care of the cooking and cleaning at Hogwarts, working behind the scenes to keep the school in tip-top shape. Some even fight at the Battle of Hogwarts.


Which of these wizarding facts did we pull out of thin air?

J. R. R. Tolkien wrote "The Lord of the Rings," not "Harry Potter." That accolade belongs to J. K. Rowling, who was a struggling single mother when she published the first "Harry Potter" novel.


One of these facts is as fabricated as Gilderoy Lockhart's memoirs! Which one is it?

The Defense Against the Dark Arts class seems to be cursed because no teacher stays in the position longer than one year! Harry's teachers are Quirrell, Lockhart, Lupin, Moody, Umbridge and Snape.


Can you spot the falsehood among these magic facts?

Diagon Alley is a major wizarding shopping area in London where many Hogwarts students buy their supplies. Witches and wizards can access it through the Leaky Cauldron, an old pub.


One of these fibs would get you detention with Professor McGonagall! What is it?

Garrick Ollivander, the owner of Ollivander's in Diagon Alley, is a renowned wand maker. All young students starting at Hogwarts go to his shop, where the right wand will "find" them.


You can see through one of these "facts" like a ghost at Hogwarts! Which one is it?

The Chamber of Secrets actually contains a basilisk, not a boggart. The basilisk is an enormous snake, and looking into its eyes will kill you! Harry Potter manages to defeat it his second year.


Can you spot the lie among the facts? If so, you're as clever as a Ravenclaw!

Cedric Diggory, one of the Triwizard Tournament champions, is a Hufflepuff. Many students resent Harry Potter for appearing to steal Cedric's thunder when he's selected as a second Hogwarts champion.


Which of these facts is just wrong, like Moaning Myrtle's crush on Harry?

Remus Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry's third year, is secretly a werewolf. When his "condition" becomes public, he resigns before parents start protesting his position.


Can you identify the fake fact with all the wisdom of Albus Dumbledore?

The witch Hermione Granger is actually an only child, like Harry, although Rowling at one point thought she should have a little sister. Her parents are both Muggles (and dentists).


One of these "facts" doesn't smell right, like a Dungbomb! Can you spot it?

Cho Chang is a Ravenclaw at Hogwarts and Harry's crush. She dates Cedric Diggory and is heartbroken when he is killed. Later, she and Harry share a kiss, but their relationship doesn't last.


We made up one of these facts about "Harry Potter." Can you tell which one it is?

Neville Longbottom, like Harry, has a tragic backstory. His parents, Frank and Alice, were in the Order of the Phoenix, but Bellatrix Lestrange and other Death Eaters tortured them to the point of madness.


One of these "facts" is as made up as Professor Trelawney's prophesies! Which one is it?

"I am Lord Voldemort" is an anagram of "Tom Marvolo Riddle." Tom Riddle was a talented wizard, but from an early age he was drawn to dark magic, seeking ultimate power and immortality.


Don't let Professor Umbridge catch you telling this lie! What is it?

Hagrid is half-human and half-giant, which explains his immense size. When he discovers he has a half-brother, a giant named Grawp, he brings Grawp to the Forbidden Forest to protect him.


Can you identify this made-up fact?

Arthur Weasley initially works in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, in part because of his fascination with Muggle objects. He's always quizzing Harry about common Muggle items.


One of these "facts" can't be trusted, much like Rita Skeeter's articles. Which is it?

Severus Snape gave himself the nickname the Half-Blood Prince when he was in school. It comes from his mother, Eileen Prince, being a witch and his father, Tobias Snape, being a Muggle.


Which of these facts is as phony as Lucius Malfoy's smile?

Witches and wizards use owls to deliver their mail. As a birthday present, Hagrid gives Harry a snowy owl named Hedwig, who serves Harry faithfully until her tragic death from a Death Eater's curse.


One of these facts is totally made up. Can you spot it?

Professor McGonagall teaches Transfiguration and later becomes Headmistress at Hogwarts. The no-nonsense witch helps defend the school with defensive spells at the Battle of Hogwarts.


Do you know which "Harry Potter" fact we simply fabricated?

"The Order of the Phoenix" is actually the fifth book in the series, not the seventh. It concerns the formation of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret resistance that fights Voldemort.


One of these facts is actually a lie! Can you spot it?

When Harry joins the Gryffindor Quidditch team, he receives a Nimbus 2000 from McGonagall. Later, after the Whomping Willow destroys his first broom, he gets a new one, the Firebolt.


Don't believe everything you hear! Which of these facts is not true?

Hermione is the owner of Crookshanks, who is half cat and half Kneazle. The clever cat is always going after Ron's pet rat Scabbers, perhaps aware that it's Peter Pettigrew in disguise!


Do you know everything about "Harry Potter"? Then tell us which of these facts is false.

An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can turn into an animal whenever they choose. Some Animagi in the series include James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Minerva McGonagall. But not Ron.


Three of these facts are true, and one is false. Which one is the fake?

Voldemort gives Draco Malfoy the important task of killing Dumbledore ⁠— or else! However, Snape does the dirty deed for Draco. Later, Harry learns that Dumbledore asked Snape to do it.


You don't need Veritaserum to detect the lie here. What is it?

Sirius Black is an Animagus, a wizard who can turn into an animal. However, he takes the form of a black dog, not a horse. He learned how to become an Animagus as a Hogwarts student.


Only a true witch or wizard can identify this lie. Can you?

Harry and his wife Ginny have three children, whom they name James Sirius, Lily Luna and Albus Severus. They clearly believe in naming their children after loved ones or friends they admire.


Can you pick out the false fact like a bogey-flavored jelly bean among the yummy ones?

Harry Potter first meets Stan Shunpike on the Knight Bus, where he works as a conductor. The Knight Bus transports stranded witches and wizards and picks up Harry when he accidentally hails it.


Which one of these "facts" is as cloudy as a Pensieve full of memories?

Hey, this is "Harry Potter," not "Star Wars"! Severus Snape, while he harbors a lifelong love for Harry's mom, Lily, is not Harry's father. He actually resents Harry because he dislikes his dad, James.


You might lose 10 points for your House if you tell this whopper! What is it?

Albus Dumbledore's brother Aberforth is most certainly not a Death Eater! While Albus and Aberforth have their differences, the latter owns the Hog's Head Inn and helps Harry sneak into Hogwarts.


Do you see the made-up lie among the facts?

Professor Filius Flitwick is the Charms teacher, not Potions. The diminutive wizard teaches Hogwarts students various charms, such as "Wingardium Leviosa," or the Levitating Charm.


Three of these facts are true, and one is not. Which is the fake one?

Veteran actress Maggie Smith actually plays Minerva McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher and headmistress at Hogwarts. Julie Walters plays Molly Weasley, the mother of Ron and his siblings.


Do you see the fake fact among the real ones?

While Neville Longbottom is an exemplary Herbology student, he never does well in the Potions class. The most obvious reason is that he is terrified of Severus Snape, who is unkind to the timid student.


Only a sneaky Slytherin would tell this lie! What is it?

Bellatrix Lestrange, the deranged Death Eater and devoted Voldemort follower, is Draco's aunt, not his mom. Draco's mom is named Narcissa, and she's Bellatrix's sister but less evil.


You're obviously no Muggle if you can spot this made-up fact!

As Harry learns on his first trip to Hogwarts, witches and wizards access the Hogwarts Express by running straight through the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. That is, Platform 9 3/4!


One of these facts is completely untrue. Which one is it?

Fleur Delacour does indeed marry a Weasley, but it's Bill, not Charlie. In "The Deathly Hallows," the two members of the Order of the Phoenix tie the knot and make their home at Shell Cottage.


Pointy black hats off to you for spotting this made-up fact! Which is it?

Although the wizarding world has many delectable candies, Galleons, Sickles and Knuts are not among them! These are actually the three denominations of wizarding money. Ask a goblin for the exchange rates!


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