17 details you might have missed in the 'Harry Potter' books

Kim RenfroJun 23, 2020, 08:54 IST

Severus Snape's revelation about Lily Potter was threaded into earlier "Harry Potter" scenes.Warner Bros.

J.K. Rowling uses a lot of foreshadowing and callbacks into the "Harry Potter" book series.
If you haven't reread the books in awhile, you may not have noticed many of these moments.
From Snape's early reference to Lily Potter to a hint about Malfoy's vanishing cabinet and more, we've taken a closer look at all the details fans might have missed.

J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, which has recently been reexamined in new cultural context after the author became outspoken about her TERF beliefs, are the type of books many people read again and again.

Throughout all seven books there are threads of foreshadowing and smaller details about character backstories that might go unnoticed the first time through. If you're a fan who hasn't reread the books in awhile, it's possible that you overlooked many of the best details.

Keep scrolling for a look at the smaller moments and references in the "Harry Potter" books you might have missed.

The first words Snape speaks to Harry have a hidden reference to Lily Potter's death.

Snape bullied Harry from the moment he stepped into his classroom. Warner Bros.

When Fred and George Weasley bewitched snowballs to hit Professor Quirrell, they were really hitting Voldemort's face.

Fred and George Weasley had no idea they were actually attacking Lord Voldemort. Warner Bros.

Also in the first book, Harry thinks to himself that Snape might be able to read minds. Four books later, we learned that Snape was a Legilimens.

Harry and Ron were distrustful of Snape from the start. Warner Bros.

Peeves was the one who broke the Vanishing Cabinet that Malfoy later repaired.

Peeves doesn't exist in the "Harry Potter" movies, but Argus Filch the janitor does. Warner Bros.

When Harry wonders why Tom Riddle got an award from the school, Ron correctly (but jokingly) guesses the truth about him murdering Moaning Myrtle.

Tom Marvolo Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort. Warner Bros.

In "Prisoner of Azkaban," Harry overhears a wizard saying Ireland are favorites for the Quidditch World Cup. In the next book, they win the Cup.

The Irish International Quidditch team as seen in "Goblet of Fire." Warner Bros.

Dumbledore's death was inadvertently predicted by Professor Trelawney during Christmas dinner in "Prisoner of Azkaban."

Dumbledore was killed in "Half-Blood Prince." Warner Brothers

At the end of "Prisoner of Azkaban," Dumbledore hints at Professor Trelawney's prophecy regarding Harry and Voldemort.

Most of Trelawney's predictions belong in the Hall of Prophecy, to be honest. Warner Bros.

At the beginning of "Goblet of Fire," Voldemort tells Wormtail he'll perform a task "many of [Voldemort's] followers would give their right hand to perform" — and he meant it literally.

Voldemort rewards Pettigrew with a new silver hand in the graveyard. Warner Bros.

At the beginning of "Goblet of Fire," Voldemort tells Wormtail he'll perform a task "many of [Voldemort's] followers would give their right hand to perform" — and he meant it literally.

Professor Trelawney mistakenly guesses that Harry was born in "midwinter," but she might have been picking up on the part of Voldemort inside him.

Harry's actual birthday is July 31. Warner Bros

Harry and Ron made up fake predictions for Divination, but they all came true anyways.

Harry and Ron don't take Divination very seriously. Warner Bros.

The passcode to get into the Ministry of Magic spells out M-A-G-I-C on standard telephone buttons.

Mr. Weasley brought Harry to the Ministry of Magic for his hearing in "Order of the Phoenix." Warner Bros.

In "The Half-Blood Prince," Dumbledore mentions that he's corresponded with Aunt Petunia, but we don't learn about the letter she sent him until "The Deathly Hallows."

Petunia spent her life resenting magic because her sister was a witch while she wasn't. Warner Bros.

Dumbledore explained Tonk's struggles with her powers while discussing Merope Gaunt's unrequited love for Tom Riddle.

Tonks was first introduced in "Order of the Phoenix." Warner Bros.

There are several clues leading up to the reveal that Aberforth Dumbledore is the barman at the Hog's Head.

Aberforth helps Harry, Ron, and Hermione in "Deathly Hallows." Warner Bros. Pictures

During the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione repeats a line to Ron about forgetting he can do magic, and it's a perfect callback to "Sorcerer's Stone."

Hermione and Harry in "Sorcerer's Stone." Warner Bros.

Last but not least, the dedication of "Deathly Hallows" is formatted into the shape of a lightning bolt.

We can't believe we didn't notice this all those years ago. Scholastic

Every actor who's played Batman, ranked from worst to best

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

17 details you might have missed in the 'Harry Potter' books

The first words Snape speaks to Harry have a hidden reference to Lily Potter's death.

When Fred and George Weasley bewitched snowballs to hit Professor Quirrell, they were really hitting Voldemort's face.

Also in the first book, Harry thinks to himself that Snape might be able to read minds. Four books later, we learned that Snape was a Legilimens.

Peeves was the one who broke the Vanishing Cabinet that Malfoy later repaired.

When Harry wonders why Tom Riddle got an award from the school, Ron correctly (but jokingly) guesses the truth about him murdering Moaning Myrtle.

In "Prisoner of Azkaban," Harry overhears a wizard saying Ireland are favorites for the Quidditch World Cup. In the next book, they win the Cup.

Dumbledore's death was inadvertently predicted by Professor Trelawney during Christmas dinner in "Prisoner of Azkaban."

At the end of "Prisoner of Azkaban," Dumbledore hints at Professor Trelawney's prophecy regarding Harry and Voldemort.

At the beginning of "Goblet of Fire," Voldemort tells Wormtail he'll perform a task "many of [Voldemort's] followers would give their right hand to perform" — and he meant it literally.

Professor Trelawney mistakenly guesses that Harry was born in "midwinter," but she might have been picking up on the part of Voldemort inside him.

Harry and Ron made up fake predictions for Divination, but they all came true anyways.

The passcode to get into the Ministry of Magic spells out M-A-G-I-C on standard telephone buttons.

In "The Half-Blood Prince," Dumbledore mentions that he's corresponded with Aunt Petunia, but we don't learn about the letter she sent him until "The Deathly Hallows."

Dumbledore explained Tonk's struggles with her powers while discussing Merope Gaunt's unrequited love for Tom Riddle.

There are several clues leading up to the reveal that Aberforth Dumbledore is the barman at the Hog's Head.

During the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione repeats a line to Ron about forgetting he can do magic, and it's a perfect callback to "Sorcerer's Stone."

Last but not least, the dedication of "Deathly Hallows" is formatted into the shape of a lightning bolt.