The Harry Potter series has long been a premier fantasy franchise, yet it has its flaws. Fans often revisit the story, uncovering nuances that may have been overlooked by the author or editor. While the series doesn’t deter new viewers, its plot holes and inconsistencies become more apparent upon closer examination. These range from minor details to fundamental aspects of world-building, and dedicated fans enjoy compiling and discussing these issues. Below are three significant plot holes, along with some potential explanations.
It’s important to note that the "rules" within the Harry Potter universe are quite flexible. The series operates with a soft magic system, where magic often remains hidden from non-magical people (muggles), which can lead to ambiguities regarding the extent of magical powers. Many perceived plot holes can sometimes be attributed to specific magical circumstances, yet certain elements frustrate fans.
Harry and Thestrals: Harry first encounters the Thestrals—winged skeleton horses that only those who have witnessed death can see—in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." While Luna Lovegood can see them due to her childhood experience of her mother’s death, Harry saw Cedric Diggory die at the end of the previous book. However, despite having witnessed his parents’ deaths as a baby, he is unable to see the Thestrals, which confuses many fans. Even considering that his memories from infancy might not qualify, there are also issues concerning his encounter with Professor Quirrell. When Quirrell tried to touch Harry, he was repelled by the protective magic from Harry’s mother’s sacrifice. If that didn’t allow him to see Thestrals, it raises questions.
Despite these inconsistencies, Thestrals serve as effective plot devices, enhancing Harry’s sense of isolation and becoming a valuable means of transportation as the narrative unfolds.
Snape’s Memories: Throughout the series, Severus Snape’s true allegiance remains a central mystery. Ultimately, he imparts crucial memories to Harry just before his death, revealing that Harry is a living Horcrux, which is instrumental in defeating Voldemort. However, it remains unclear how Harry would have discovered this vital information if he hadn’t accidentally overheard Snape’s murder by Voldemort, raising concerns about plot progression.
Felix Felicis & Time Turners: A significant amount of fan speculation centers on the use of Time Turners and the luck potion Felix Felicis. The Time Turner, which allows Hermione to manage multiple classes simultaneously, could have been utilized in various ways to resolve major conflicts within the storyline. While it is later destroyed, it raises questions about why it wasn’t used to capture Voldemort at critical moments. Felix Felicis, which grants the drinker an entire day of good luck, also poses issues regarding its practicality and consequences, especially since it is described as challenging to brew and potentially dangerous. Limitations on its use are explained through external sources, but these details needed to be established in the main texts for greater credibility.
While the Harry Potter series isn’t flawless, the plot holes and contradictions add to its depth for many fans. Currently, the films can be streamed on Max, and the books are available in various formats. New adaptations are expected next year from HBO and Max.
