Template talk:DYK

Please vote or nominate interesting facts for the Harry Potter Wiki 'Did You Know?'. Promoted DYKs will be added here and displayed on the main page. Rejected facts will be removed but can be resubmitted. For past DYKs, please see the Archive. For all new nominations please add them to the bottom of the list and follow the template given by the other nominations.

Please note: only registered users may vote for Did you knows. All votes from anon IPs will be struck in accordance with policy.

Dumbledore (+3)
...that Dumbledore has a scar above his left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground?

Support

 * Very interesting. -- Margiechocoholic  Medieval_Broomstick.jpg Owl me!undefined 06:55, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Always good to know! -- Darth Jadious 10:29, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Virtually everyone who's read the first book remembers that, but it's still a good fact. --Parodist 11:25, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Death Eaters (-1)
...that the Death Eaters Costumes were radically changed between Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix so that in Order of the Pheonix, they looked less like traditional Pointy-hatted wizards, and all around less silly?

Support

 * I'm for this!!! I never knew!!! Rotinaj 15th July 2009 21:27

Against

 * I think that DYK should be in-universe, like the rest of the Main Page, and otherwise, this fact isn't really very interesting. --Parodist 11:29, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * I thought it was because of the KKK similarities? -- Darth Jadious 10:31, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

Quidditch (+2)
...that Quidditch is less popular in the Far East, because they prefer using the flying carpet than broomsticks?

Support

 * ÈnŔîčö Ravenclawcrest.jpg(Send me an Owl ) 19:44, 11 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Interesting, and it gives some in-universe extra info. -- Margiechocoholic  Medieval_Broomstick.jpg Owl me!undefined 06:54, 26 May 2009 (UTC)
 * WOW! Still, I prefer broomsticks, magic carpets are not as fun...!

Against

 * That is not the most interesting fact and after reading that i really don't care! 92.24.86.161 19:37, 17 April 2009 (UTC)
 * I agree not interestingCloudstrife133 17:02, 25 August 2009 (UTC)

Alan Rickman (+2)
...that Alan Rickman was the only Harry Potter cast member to find out their character's fate before the release of Deathly Hallows?

Support

 * KH 00:04, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Nice. 02:44, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Yeah! (He probably wasn't as excited as we are)Prissymis 06:38, 29 November 2008 (UTC)
 * Sweet --
 * Lucky guy, most HP fans would have given their arms to know!!

Against

 * I think the DYK should be in-universe like the rest of the wiki. -- Seth Cooper 16:53, 30 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Have to agree, DYK should be about the wizarding world and not the films -- Darth Jadious 10:32, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * I read that on Mugglenet. It was to help with his acting.

Cast (-1)
...while the films' principal cast is English, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Zoe Wanamaker, and Verne Troyer are four exceptions?

Support

 * -- Cubs Fan2007 (Talk)  00:39, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
 * 02:44, 27 August 2008 (UTC)

Against

 * I think the DYK should be in-universe like the rest of the wiki. -- Seth Cooper 16:53, 30 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Not really that interesting, and doesn't go into very much detail. -- Margiechocoholic  Medieval_Broomstick.jpg Owl me!undefined 06:56, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Have to agree, DYK should be about the wizarding world and not the films -- Darth Jadious 10:34, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

Knight Bus (+1)
...that the Knight Bus cannot reach places from over the sea?

Support

 * I can dig. Nice fact. --KristiannaEl 09:01, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * is this correct? I thought Stan said something along the lines of "Can't do nowt under water" -- Darth Jadious 10:46, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
 * This isn't correct, like Darth Jadious said it just can't visit places under water, and it wouldn't be a spectacular fact even if it was true. Sorry!

Daisy Dodderige (+1)
...that Daisy Dodderidge (1467-1555) was the first landlady of the Leaky Cauldron?

For

 * Cool, nice fact. (Prissymis 02:20, 20 November 2008 (UTC))

Petunia Dursley (-4)
...that Petunia Dursley was jealous of her sister, Lily Evans? Petunia wrote a letter to Dumbledore asking to go to Hogwarts.

Support

 * Maxwell81350
 * were47

Against

 * lame.--KristiannaEl 00:10, 22 February 2009 (UTC)
 * I think this is already quite obvious to anyone who has read the books, and it's not especially appealing... Margiechocoholic 07:36, 23 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Seth Cooper Owl Post  22:30, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Anthonin Dolohov
 * I think anyone who read Deathly Hallows properly would already know this. -- Margiechocoholic  Medieval_Broomstick.jpg Owl me!undefined 06:57, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Duh.

Caractacus Phelps (+2)
...that in 1979, Caractacus Phelps exploded eight hundred Stink Pellets by droping them from the roof of the Daily Prophet building into Diagon Alley below, as an April Fool's joke?

Support

 * Seth Cooper Owl Post  22:19, 4 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Nice One!-- Darth Jadious 10:35, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

Squibs and Dementors (+2)
...that Squibs cannot see Dementors? Arabella Figg just faked it in Harry's trial.

Support

 * I never knew this... -- Hellabore
 * I really thought she saw them. Freeworld27 09:21, 11 May 2009 (UTC)Freeworld27
 * Very cool --Profiteor

Against

 * She didn't fake it. Squibs can sense the presence of Dementors.--Order of Merlin, First Class 11:47, 4 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Even though squibs can't see dementors Mrs Figg never stated she one just the everything went cold--Dragshot13 23:38, September 7, 2009 (UTC)

Potter-Watch (-1)
...that Remus Lupin used the code name Romulus because in history Remus and Romulus were both Latin Gods?

Against
They weren't latin gods but Roman and were the sons of the god of war. Only Romulus became a good as he killed Remus in a dispute over who should rule. Also the reason why Remus has that name and chose Romulus as a decoy is in the myth they were raised by wolves
 * Actually, I'm pretty sure the reason is this: Romulus and Remus were supposed to be twins who were abandned as babies and raised by wolves (twins with conections to wolves? Genius!) who grew up to found Rome.
 * --  Seth Cooper  owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

The one-eyed witch statue (+4)
...that the name of the one-eyed witch whose statue hides a passageway to Hogsmeade is Gunhilda of Gorsemoor?

Support

 * Great fact -- Hellabore
 * That's really great. ÈnŔîčö Ravenclawcrest.jpg(Send me an Owl ) 19:35, 11 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Never knew that!! =D --KristiannaEl 22:56, 17 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Didn't know that, thanks :D --Finnigan Gorge 18:20, 18 April 2009 (UTC)
 * I like this idea, I've always been curious about all those statues... -User:Tortiekitty
 * Good one. - User:Firebird2102

Prefects/Head Boys (+0)
...that you don't have to be a prefect] to be Head Boy? Lupin was a prefect, but James Potter was Head Boy.

Support

 * me arr
 * Cool! Now that you mention it, this is obvious, but I hadn't made the conection - great fact!

Wealthy Friends (+0)
...that after leaving Hogwarts, Remus Lupin was supported by James Potter due to werewolf prejudice in the workplace?

Support

 * I always thought this was so generous of James. So sweet!

Against

 * boo no point

No Death (-2)
...Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the only book to not have a named character death in it

Support

 * Oh cool! This is true because only 12 Muggles died. But people don't count them! In Philosepher's Stone Quirrel died. In Chamber of Secrets Voldemort "died." In Prisoner of Azkaban no one really died. In Goblet of Fire Cedric died. In Order of the Phoenix Sirius died :( In Half Blood Prince Dumbledore died :) In Deathly Hallows lots of people died. INCLUDING LUPIN :(

Against

 * Rodolphus 13:02, 9 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Seth Cooper Moon.jpg (Owl Post ) 14:44, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * That´s wrong.In the case we count mentions: 12 muggles killed by Peter Pettigrew. --Rodolphus 13:02, 9 May 2009 (UTC)
 * What about named character.
 * Against. Out of universe -- Seth Cooper Moon.jpg (Owl Post ) 14:44, 9 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Plus no one died in Book two -arr

Lily and James Potter (+0)
...Lily and James Potter were only 21 at the time of their murder at the hands of Lord Voldemort?

Support

 * How sad for them! I never knew that!

Comments

 * (I didn't know this until I started editing the Wiki, the films depict them in their late 20s to early 30s.)

King's Cross (-1)
...that the thing Harry saw in King's Cross when he "died" was actually Voldemort's soul?

Against

 * I think everyone would have known this...
 * Bit of a spoiler for those who havn't finished the 7th book (there are some out there!)-- Darth Jadious 10:45, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
 * I think everyone already realised that... although, to be fair, it wasn't directly said...

Comments

 * WOW! How COOL is that!

Cousins (+0)
...that Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley are third cousins, that is if Harry's grandparents are Dorea Black and Charlus Potter. Even if not, they are distant cousins.

Comments

 * I am only introducing this as fact, not because I feel gross, which I don't.--SEATTLE♥WIZARD 03:28, 14 June 2009 (UTC)
 * so cool

Black family (+0)
...that Phineas Nigellus Black was the biological great-grandfather of both Walburga Black and her husband Orion?

Rupert Grint had Swine Flu (-2)
...That Rupert Grint, the actor who portrays Ron Weasley, had Swine Flu?

Against
This is a very rude DYK and should not be shown --Dragshot13 23:49, September 7, 2009 (UTC)
 * DYK should be about the wizarding world and not the films, -- Darth Jadious 10:38, 19 August 2009 (UTC)\
 * Per Darth Jadious

Harry's children (+0)
...That Harry's three children's names were James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna?

Support

 * Lily Luna??? wow, didn't knew that one...Cool!!!!!! Dimikt 19:59, 24 July 2009 (UTC)DimiktDimikt

Comments

 * we all should know this if we read the Deathly Hallows.
 * Um... DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!--pinkblue62

Horseless carriages (-1)
...That J.K. Rowling made an error when she mentioned the horseless carriages at the end of "HP and the Goblet of Fire"? When she mentions the "horseless carriages", Harry had already witnessed Cedric die, so Harry should have been able to see the thestrals that were not seen by Harry until "HP and the Order of the Phoenix."

Support

 * That is true.

Against

 * Jayden Matthews 19:11, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * This is NOT A MISTAKE. JKR has stated the reasons.--Rodolphus 18:05, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Harry Can See Thestral's From When He Was A Baby Because He Saw Lily Potter Die. But They Only Appear In The Order of the Phoenix --<font face="Verdana" color="FireBrick">Bongo2009 [[Image:Gryffindor.jpg|25px]] 18:59, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Incorrect. Harry could not see the Thestrals from when he was a baby because, as a baby, he had no concept of what dying was. And you must have got over the shock of seeing someone die before you can see Thestrals, why is why Harry could not see them at the end of GOF. Jayden Matthews 19:11, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Harry never got over Cedric's death until much much later, though.

Harry Potter is related to Voldemort (-1)
...That Harry Potter is related to Lord Voldemort?

Against

 * All fans of Harry Potter series know that. --<font face="Monotype Corsiva" size="4" color="darkblue">ÈnŔîčö DC [[Image:Ravenclawcrest.jpg|25px]](<font face="Times" color="brown">Send me an Owl! ) 20:12, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * Duh! All of the pure bloods are related. Since one of Voldemort's and Harry's parents were pure blood, they are related in some way. Even Harry and Ginny are distant cousins! And they got married! It's all normal in the wizard world.

Willy Widdershins (+0)
...Willy Widdershins was pardoned by the Ministry of Magic for baiting Muggles with regurgitating toilets?

Araminta Meliflua (+1)
...that Araminta Meliflua tried to pass a bill that made Muggle hunting legal?

Support

 * This is a interesting fact -User:Firebird2102
 * -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Snape (-4)
...That It Was Rumored Severus Snape Was Hidden Underneath The Invisibility cloak when James and Lily Potter died.

Against

 * Both were just rumors, and both are incorrect. Jayden Matthews 19:11, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I don't see why this was even suggested.-- Matoro 183 (Talk) 20:39, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Those are False informations. And i don't think anyone else will be interested in such rumors. --<font face="Monotype Corsiva" size="4" color="darkblue">ÈnŔîčö DC [[Image:Ravenclawcrest.jpg|25px]](<font face="Times" color="brown">Send me an Owl! ) 20:05, 23 July 2009 (UTC)
 * -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * They are incorrect but they are still a Did You Know?..., doesn't matter if they correct or incorrect --<font face="Verdana" color="FireBrick">Bongo2009 [[Image:Gryffindor.jpg|25px]] 19:15, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

Sorting Hat (-4)
...That It Was Rumored That The Sorting Hat was a Horcrux and Voldemort destroyed it without knowing it was a Horcrux.

Against

 * Both were just rumors, and both are incorrect. Jayden Matthews 19:11, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I don't know why this was even suggested.-- Matoro 183 (Talk) 20:39, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
 * J.K. Rowling really hates False informations so i also hate those. --<font face="Monotype Corsiva" size="4" color="darkblue">ÈnŔîčö DC [[Image:Ravenclawcrest.jpg|25px]](<font face="Times" color="brown">Send me an Owl! ) 20:06, 23 July 2009 (UTC)
 * -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * They are incorrect but they are still a Did You Know?..., doesn't matter if they correct or incorrect --<font face="Verdana" color="FireBrick">Bongo2009 [[Image:Gryffindor.jpg|25px]] 19:15, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

Hogwarts to muggles (+1)
...that if a muggle spotted Hogwarts, they would just see an old ruin with a sign "keep out, dangerous building".

Support

 * lol, this would make a good DYK to pupils in the school too - unless they've bothered to read Hogwarts: A History, that is.
 * -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * This was already mentioned in the first book and Harry Potter fans should already know this.

Marauder's Map (+0)
...James Sirius Potter stole the Marauder's Map out of Harry's desk.

Comments

 * Not to be incredibly rude, but how do you know?
 * Yeah, where does it say that? Either your guessing or I'm missing things. It doesn't say that anywhere.
 * www.accio-quote.org/articles/2007/0730-bloomsbury-chat.html - <font face="Monotype Corsiva" size="4" color="FF8000">Nick O'Demus 17:01, September 16, 2009 (UTC)

7th year at Hogwarts (+2)
...Hermione was the only one of the trio to return to Hogwarts to complete their seventh year.

Support

 * I like this one, it's informative and true to the character -- Darth Jadious 10:43, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
 * -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Snape & Petunia (-1)
...That in the fifth book when Petunia mentioned Azkaban and "that horrible boy" she meant Severus Snape, not James Potter.

Against

 * -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * Ya duh! When you read the 7th book and then that part, you will understand that she meant Snape not James.
 * Well duh! Everyone knows that!

Robert Pattinson (-2)
...that both Cedric Diggory and Edward Cullen, each played by Robert Pattinson, both die at the same age of 17 years old?

Support

 * Patr0nus 22:38, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Against

 * Edward Cullen is from Twilight. Twilight has nothing to do with Harry Potter excwpt having the samw genre and sharing an actor.--Rodolphus 14:50, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
 * -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:20, September 8, 2009 (UTC)
 * Twilight and Harry Potter have nothing to do with each other...and this DYK is not cannon. --KristiannaEl 00:20, September 30, 2009 (UTC)

Birthday (+0)
...Harry’s birthday is July 31, 1980. J.K. Rowling's birthday is also July 31 but in 1966.

Support

 * Cool I didn't know that --<font face="Verdana" color="FireBrick">Bongo2009 [[Image:Gryffindor.jpg|25px|]] <font face="verdana" color="FireBrick">Talk 20:49, 6 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Really funny because a lot of people I know b-days is July 31st. Zach (TDADJ)  The awesomeness  Thank me later.  01:48, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

Against

 * OoU -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * Someone do us a favor and get rid of the line in the middle of the user in For. he is now a registered user --<font face="Verdana" color="FireBrick">Bongo2009 [[Image:Gryffindor.jpg|25px|]] <font face="verdana" color="FireBrick">Talk 11:38, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Voting policy says that users must be registered AND have at least 20 article edits (meaning not counting user page, talk page, and forum edits) before they can vote. Once they become elligible, the strike can be removed. - Nick O&#39;Demus 11:48, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Oh okay sorry, I didn't realize it was for everything ^_^; Zach (TDADJ)  The awesomeness  Thank me later.  15:52, 14 August 2009 (UTC)

Actors in-character (+0)
...that when Alfonso Cuarón became director for Prisoner of Azkaban, in order to acquiant himself with the three leads, he asked each of them to write an essay about their characters from a first-person perspective. True to character, Emma Watson (Hermione) wrote a 16-page essay, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) wrote a simple one-page summary, and Rupert Grint (Ron) never turned his in.

Support

 * I actually laughed when I learned this. - Nick O&#39;Demus 11:32, 9 August 2009 (UTC)
 * This is a brilliant one, very funny. Patr0nus  ( Expecto Patronum! ) 11:00, 15 August 2009 (UTC)
 * This is so eefing funny--Dragshot13 23:27, September 7, 2009 (UTC)

Against

 * I do think this is cool but, DYK should be about the wizarding world and not the films -- Darth Jadious 10:41, 19 August 2009 (UTC)
 * OoU -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

The Mirror of Erised (+3)
...that "erised" is "desire" spelled backwards? Because the mirror shows you what you want most in the world.

Support

 * Cool fact, didn't know that --<font face="Verdana" color="FireBrick">Bongo2009 [[Image:Gryffindor.jpg|25px|]] <font face="verdana" color="FireBrick">Talk 10:35, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Great fact. But wouldn't it be better to have that the letters on top of the mirror; erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi are I show not your face but your hearts desire spelled backwards?
 * I agree with ^^(cant see who wrote it but that person above me). DYK is pretty good, but would be better if added the rest of it.--KristiannaEl 00:23, September 30, 2009 (UTC)

Teenage Pregnancy (+0)
...that Sirius Black's grandfather was 13-years-old when Sirius's mother was born?

Comments

 * Subtract 9 months from when Walburga was born and this means Pollux must have been around twelve-years-old when his wife (Were they even married?) conceived. 24.170.248.198 00:28, 17 August 2009 (UTC)

Tom Riddle / Voldemort (-1)
...that Tom Marvolo Riddle turned his name into the anagram "I am Lord Voldemort".

Against

 * Not very interesting... -- <font style="color:#333333;"> Seth Cooper <font style="background:#333333;color:white;"> owl post! 00:30, September 8, 2009 (UTC)

Comments

 * Every Hp fan knows that!LoL!iT WAS STATED AT THE FILM hARRY poTTER AND tHE cHAMBER OF Secrets!avatar ej
 * That is so not interesting. anyone who read the chamber of secrets and watched the film would know that.

Hogsmeade (+0)
...that Hogsmeade was founded by a medieval wizard named Hengist of Woodcroft when he was fleeing persecution by muggles?

Burned Curtains(+0)
...that Dumbledore once set fire to the curtains in the Gryffindor Boy's Dormitory during his Fourth year at Hogwarts (by accident, of course)?

Comments

 * Every one knows that

Voldemort (-1)
...that Tom Riddle was a half-blood?

Against

 * If you have read HBP and DH then you obviously know that. --User:Ssunnyy19:20, September 23, 2009 (GMT)
 * It's in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix too.