Harry Potter: 10 Biggest Secrets The Characters Kept

The Harry Potter franchise is riddled with secrets. No installment of the wizarding world goes by without unveiling monstrous truths about the history of the universe or foreshadowing events to come. Nearly every central character holds a secret at some point in the series. Whether it be a secret defense club, like Dumbledore’s Army, or a personal choice, such as keeping the past private, there is always something new to learn in each novel and film.

Some of the most massive secrets of the series take place before Harry began at Hogwarts. Although Harry, Ron, and Hermione did several dangerous things that they kept to themselves, some other people had them beat for massive mysteries. Characters like Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore were so secretive that truths about them were only revealed in the final installment of the franchise. Throughout the seven books and films, numerous characters kept vital secrets.

10 James, Lily, Peter, & Sirius: Secret Keeper

One of the most significant secrets of the franchise comes out during Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After years of believing that Sirius had turned on James and Lily, Remus finds out that Peter Pettigrew had been their secret keeper after a last-minute change.

Such a discovery had never been known to the public, as James and Lily had been killed, Pettigrew had betrayed the Potter family and was thought to be dead, and Sirius was in Azkaban. Unfortunately, even knowing the truth does little for Sirius Black’s innocence. Although few people know, without Peter, a trial could not be held, and Sirius was on the run.

9 Severus Snape: Double Agent

Snape always appeared that he was on the dark side. But, it wasn’t until going through Snape’s memories that Harry learned where Snape’s allegiance lay. Although Snape had been a Death Eater, he changed sides after hearing the prophecy and knowing that Voldemort planned to kill Lily.

Snape’s memories not only revealed his loyalty to Dumbledore, but his past with Lily and James. One of the most massive plot twists of the series was that Snape had loved Lily.

8 The Marauders: Illegal Animagus

No one could figure out how Sirius Black escaped Azkaban. Peter Pettigrew’s finger was the only thing anyone found of his body, making everyone sure he was dead. However, there was a much larger secret at play.

To help Remus during his werewolf transformations, James, Sirius, and Peter became illegal Animagi. James took to the form of a stag, which also doubles as Harry’s Patronus. Sirius became a black dog, otherwise known as The Grim. Peter’s Animagus was a rat, and he hid out as Ron’s pet Scabbers, until his reunion with Sirius and Remus.

7 Remus Lupin: Werewolf

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban does a lot to answer questions about James Potter and his friends. The novel takes time to fill in questions about what lead up to the fateful night Harry’s parents died. But, another reveal the installment had was that Defense Against The Dark Arts professor, Remus Lupin, was a werewolf.

Hermione admits to having figured out the truth earlier on. Still, Remus’s identity as a werewolf also opens the world to understanding how werewolves are treated in the wizarding world during later installments.

6 Lord Voldemort: Past & Horcruxes

Voldemort’s past is an exciting story, especially given his name change. Voldemort, once known as Tom Riddle, had a trophy for services to the school in the trophy room, which is confusing if Dumbledore was aware of Voldemort’s identity. But, Harry learns significantly more about Voldemort’s past during Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which is also the first time he learns of Horcruxes.

It is never specified if the Death Eaters knew Voldemort had created Horcruxes, or if they took his return for what it was and never asked questions. At Malfoy Manor, Bellatrix was terrified of Hermione having the Sword of Gryffindor, so perhaps she may have known something. But, since Voldemort’s perspective of events is not the majority of the story, it is hard to tell how many people knew or assumed Voldemort used Horcruxes to latch on to life.

5 Hermione Granger: Time Travel

Throughout her third year, Hermione found a way to attend all of her classes in her complicated schedule. It isn’t until toward the end of the novel that Hermione shows Harry her Time-Turner.

Used to help Hermione attend all her classes, Harry and Hermione utilize it to save two lives. Going back in time, Harry and Hermione save Buckbeak from a tragic end, reliving the day over again from a different perspective. They also manage to save the earlier Harry and Sirius and help Sirius escape later.

4 Neville Longbottom: Frank & Alice

Perhaps it may not be a secret to the rest of the wizarding world, but Neville never mentions the truth about his parents until being at Hogwarts for a few years. Neville’s parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, were members of the original Order of the Phoenix.

While Voldemort killed Harry’s parents, Bellatrix Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr. were among the Death Eaters to attack the Longbottom family. Unlike James and Lily, Frank and Alice did not die in the attack. Instead, they were tortured to insanity and resided at St. Mungo’s Hospital.

3 Albus Dumbledore: His Past

Albus Dumbledore is an enigma in every regard throughout the franchise. Although known as the only man that Lord Voldemort ever feared, not much is known about Dumbledore’s past, other than what he tells Harry and the blurb on his chocolate frog card. It isn’t until Rita Skeeter publishes “The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore” that Harry discovers that he knows almost nothing about his former mentor. The book mentions several things about Dumbledore’s history, and during a conversation at Bill and Fleur’s wedding, Harry learns more about Dumbledore’s family.

With Harry, the audience finds out that Dumbledore had been interested in pursuing power with Grindelwald and had siblings. The bad blood between Albus and his brother, Abeforth, had never been mentioned to Harry, nor had that Dumbledore had grown up in Godric’s Hollow, where Harry had lived when his parents were killed. It isn’t even within the novels or movies that fans learned that Dumbledore was meant to be gay. His relationship with Grindelwald may have been alluded to, but was never confirmed within the canon content.

2 Albus Dumbledore: Harry Needs To Die

One of the aspects that fans find the most problematic about Dumbledore is that he kept many secrets and was considered to be manipulative. Dumbledore learned of Voldemort’s Horcruxes and eventually determined that Harry was one, as well. Dumbledore kept this secret, supposedly never telling anyone but Severus Snape the truth.

Dumbledore raised Harry for war, but also to be prepared to sacrifice himself. Dumbledore never even tells Harry this himself, and it is another discovery Harry makes as he views Snape’s memories.

1 Harry, Ron, & Hermione: Horcrux Hunt

One of the most top-secret missions Harry, Ron, and Hermione embark on is the Horcrux hunt. To defeat Voldemort, they must find and destroy each of the Dark Lord’s Horcruxes. To do it and avoid being seen by Death Eaters and Snatchers, the trio finds themselves on the run, moving from area to area living in a tent.

Tensions run high as they struggle to determine what Voldemort’s Horcruxes could be and where they are hidden. Even though it is a difficult task, the trio never tells anyone else what they are searching for and why choosing to take the burden on themselves.

About The Author

Lindsay Press
(274 Articles Published)

Lindsay Press is a freelance writer. As a graduate of SUNY Purchase College with a degree in Screenwriting and Playwriting, Lindsay has loved television shows and movies since childhood. In addition, she loves to create stories and enjoys dystopian futures, teen drama, and fantasy worlds.

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