7 Times Harry Potter Broke Its Own Rules

The wizarding world of Harry Potter is filled with unique and fascinating lore. To help with world-building, J.K. Rowling incorporated rules into the setting to help readers understand how the magic of the wizarding world operates.

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However, the story ignores these established limitations for the sake of the narrative and to move the plot forward. In the case of the films, the plot ignores these rules to add drama. In these cases, suspension of disbelief may be required by the reader or viewer as they follow along with the story. Harry Potter has frequently broken its own rules, which can be frustrating for die-hard fans.

7 The Fidelius Charm Raises Plot Hole Questions

The reason Voldemort was able to find Harry’s parents when they had gone into hiding was because of Wormtail’s betrayal. In becoming the Secret Keeper for the Fidelius Charm that hid their physical location, Wormtail was able to inform Voldemort of the Potters’ whereabouts. The Potter’s choice to make another person the Secret Keeper seems to imply that anyone under the Fidelius Charm cannot take on that role.

However, the events of The Deathly Hallows reveal that Arthur Weasley is the Secret Keeper for the Burrow and Bill Weasley is the Secret Keeper for Shell Cottage. This then raises questions on why James or Lily did not become their own Secret Keeper, which would have provided another layer of security and perhaps prevented their untimely deaths at Voldemort’s hands.

6 The Films Fluctuate On Students Using Magic Outside Of School

Underage magic is strictly monitored in the wizarding world in the books. Wizards and witches under 17 who use magic outside of Hogwarts are detected by the Trace and sent a warning letter by the Ministry to cease and desist. The movies, however, are inconsistent with this fact. Harry is castigated by the Ministry for using the Patronus Charm in Order of the Phoenix, but he is shown using magic to provide light for his textbook during Prisoner of Azkaban when he is still at the Dursleys before the start of the third-year school term.

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While this could be approved for homework purposes, this doesn’t excuse Hermione blatantly using her wand to fix Harry’s broken glasses in Diagon Alley during Chamber of Secrets. Since neither character is of age in these instances, it does not make sense that they would be freely using their magic without backlash, especially since Hermione is out in public.

5 An Effect Of The Imperius Curse In Its First Appearance Makes It Too Obvious

In the Harry Potter books, the Imperius Curse is virtually undetectable. Numerous characters who are reported as having been under the curse act normally, even if their actions are strange, and exhibit confusion and vagueness only after the Imperius Curse has been lifted. In Goblet of Fire, Barty Crouch Jr. curses Viktor Crum through the Third Task’s maze to remove all obstacles from Harry’s path.

In the film, Krum has blank eyes that immediately signify mind control. This allows Harry to realize what’s happening and stop Cedric from retaliating aggressively against Krum because the latter is not in his right mind when he attacks Cedric. Later films omit this detail altogether when the Imperius Curse is used, reverting it back to its canonical state.

4 The Weasley Twins Show A Lack Of Concern For Ron

Before the events of Prisoner of Azkaban, Fred and George had discovered the Marauder’s Map in Filch’s office and taken it. The map shows the entirety of the Hogwarts grounds and the locations of everyone present. It is odd that in the sizable amount of time they had it, they never noticed Peter Pettigrew’s name constantly accompanying Ron’s.

Even though he was in his Animagus rat form as Scabbers, Pettigrew’s real name still appears on the map, something that causes Harry to roam the school halls late at night to solve why someone supposedly dead is walking around. Ron is established to sleep with Scabbers in his bed and carry him around in his pocket. As such, the Weasley twins’ failure to notice Pettigrew’s presence is noteworthy.

3 Laws Surrounding Food Conjuration Are Inconsistent

According to Hermione, Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration has five exceptions, one of which is food. This dictates that wizards cannot magically create food out of nowhere, just as they cannot spontaneously create love or money. However, food can be summoned from other areas or multiplied if a portion already exists. However, in Goblet of Fire, Mrs. Weasley is described as creating a sauce while cooking that seems to come from midair.

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It is possible that Mrs. Weasley could have summoned the sauce from elsewhere. The wand could have been the conduit through which the sauce was transported. Still, it is never made clear and Gamp’s Law was not mentioned until The Deathly Hallows. Furthermore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione struggle with food supplies during The Deathly Hallows, but they don’t seem to use the rules of food conjuration to multiply food once they do have it.

2 Professor Lupin’s Lycanthropy Is Not Triggered Until He Sees The Moon

Being a werewolf, Lupin’s condition is dependent on the moon calendar. The full moon triggers Lupin’s change into a werewolf, which causes the loss of his human mind and puts him at risk of biting other people. The Prisoner of Azkaban film portrays Lupin’s change in a way that evokes the most dramatic effect. However, this quickly becomes confusing. Lupin does not begin the change or even seem to feel any effects until Hermione points out the full moon.

Upon witnessing the full moon, Lupin immediately freezes and starts his monthly transformation. It almost encourages the rather ridiculous notion that Lupin could avoid his monthly change by not looking at the moon. According to Harry Potter lore, though, a full moon alters all those affected by lycanthropy, regardless of whether they can see it.

1 An Early Edition Of Goblet Of Fire Mixed Up Lily And James’ Deaths

Harry’s wand connection with Voldemort during the climax of Goblet of Fire leads to the spontaneous occurrence of Priori Incantatem. This leads to the spirits of Voldemort’s victims springing forth from his wand in reverse order of how he killed them.

Originally, a mistake occurred in the initial print that allowed James to appear first and ask Harry to hold on long enough so that Lily could see him too. However, because Priori Incantatem shows a wand’s cast spells in reverse order, Lily should appear first since she died after James. This error was noticed and rectified in later reprints of the book.

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