7 ‘Harry Potter’ Book Scenes I Wouldn’t Forgive the HBO Series For Leaving Out

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HBO’s new Harry Potter series has a great chance to bring many beloved moments from J.K. Rowling’s books to life that the original movies left out or didn’t fully explore—and fans will be quick to point out any missteps! While some longtime Potter fans think it’s too early for a reboot, a TV series, particularly on a platform like HBO, offers much more time to tell the story. This means the show can finally include scenes, characters, and details that were cut from the films, potentially creating a version of Harry Potter that’s even more faithful to the books than what we’ve seen before.

The new Harry Potter series is already different from the original, but many are questioning whether they should watch it at all, given J.K. Rowling’s controversial views on transgender people. Her statements have made it hard for some to get excited about the reboot, while others are trying to separate the work from the author to still enjoy the show. Despite this, Harry Potter remains incredibly popular and profitable, so it’s not surprising Warner Bros. is sticking with a familiar formula instead of taking risks with other Wizarding World stories like the unsuccessful Fantastic Beasts films. While trying to recreate the magic of the original is understandable, certain key moments absolutely must be included.

Snape’s Potion Puzzle in ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’


Warner Bros. Pictures

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry, Ron, and Hermione face several obstacles while trying to find the Sorcerer’s Stone before Professor Snape. The first movie includes most of these challenges, which are created by different Hogwarts teachers, but it strangely leaves out Snape’s and Professor Quirrell’s. While Quirrell’s challenge (simply a troll that he’s already defeated) isn’t crucial, Snape’s potion puzzle should be included. Hermione solving the riddle highlights her intelligence and confirms Hagrid’s earlier statement: Snape is actually trying to protect the Stone. This is important because it establishes the foundation for the complex relationship between Harry and Snape, showing Harry that his initial judgment of Snape was incorrect, and foreshadowing their complicated interactions throughout the entire series, up to Deathly Hallows.

Dumbledore Remaining Calm in ‘Goblet of Fire’

It’s become a famous story among Harry Potter fans: in the movie Goblet of Fire, director Mike Newell and actor Michael Gambon made a surprising choice. They had Dumbledore rush at Harry and shout, “HARRY, DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE?!” This shocked many viewers, because in J.K. Rowling’s book, Dumbledore asks the same question very calmly. While filmmakers often take liberties, Dumbledore’s sudden outburst felt very out of character and is still joked about today. Rowling established Dumbledore as a wise and generally calm leader, making his rare moments of anger particularly impactful. I’m worried that if John Lithgow plays Dumbledore with the same level of agitation as Michael Gambon did, it will remind fans of a questionable choice made by the original film team – and I want to avoid that kind of jarring experience.

Peeves the Poltergeist Flying into Battle


Wizarding World Digital

Most fans agree that Peeves is the most irritating character in the Harry Potter series, which is likely why he wasn’t in the movies. However, it’s strangely rewarding to see him cause trouble throughout the books, especially when he unexpectedly helps during the Battle of Hogwarts. Ever since he was left out of the first film, fans have wished for Peeves to appear on screen. Bringing him back could be a good move – while he might be annoying at first, viewers would enjoy seeing him torment Dolores Umbridge later on. It would also be fun to watch him team up with Fred and George Weasley and create chaos for Filch. Even though he’s a constant nuisance, fans are ready to finally see Peeves get the attention he deserves, along with many other overlooked characters from the Harry Potter world.

Dumbledore’s Funeral

David Yates’ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince gives a moving farewell to Dumbledore, featuring a powerful scene with wands raised against the Dark Mark over Hogwarts. Experiencing that emotional moment again truly requires seeing the whole sequence. Dumbledore’s death is incredibly sad because it forces Harry to say goodbye to a key mentor, leaving him and his friends to face Voldemort alone.

This scene offers a rare glimpse of Harry truly breaking down, a departure from Daniel Radcliffe’s often reserved portrayal, allowing newcomer Dominic McLaughlin to show a more vulnerable side. Most significantly, a full funeral for Dumbledore would bring together characters from all parts of the wizarding world – centaurs, merpeople, members of the Order of the Phoenix, and even someone like Umbridge – to honor the greatest wizard of all time. If this scene doesn’t leave viewers deeply moved and emotional, the filmmakers won’t have succeeded.

The Fountain of Magical Brethren Coming to Life During Voldemort and Dumbledore’s Duel


Warner Bros. Pictures

I really disliked Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, so I was thrilled when the Fountain of Magical Brethren came to life to defend Harry, allowing Dumbledore to fight Voldemort. The fountain’s golden statues – a wizard, witch, centaur, goblin, and house-elf – magically spring to life when Dumbledore arrives at the Ministry of Magic, and the wizard statue actually saves Harry from Voldemort’s deadly curse. It was a genuinely exciting moment in an otherwise dark book, which is why it was disappointing to see it left out of the Order of the Phoenix movie.

HBO can really improve things by adding some visually stunning moments to the epic fight between Voldemort and Dumbledore. Imagine seeing Bellatrix trapped under the witch statue, and I wouldn’t mind at all if Fawkes the phoenix appeared to absorb Voldemort’s Killing Curse, just like in the book, before dramatically bursting into flames. These additions would bring much-needed excitement to the darker tone of the fifth story, and honestly, if the fountain scene isn’t included in the new show, I might be very disappointed!

Molly Weasley Screaming the Best Line in the Series

Julie Walters absolutely nailed the most powerful line in all the Harry Potter movies, bringing fierce, protective energy to the scene where her character’s daughter, Ginny, is fighting Bellatrix Lestrange. However, when I first watched Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the moment didn’t quite have the impact it did in the book. J.K. Rowling wrote it so vividly – Ginny nearly gets hit with the Killing Curse, but Molly Weasley jumps in front, knocking Harry aside and screaming, “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU B––!”

Mrs. Weasley is at her absolute fiercest here, and the use of all caps makes the scene both powerful and surprisingly funny. Bellatrix is a truly cruel villain, responsible for the deaths of Sirius, Dobby, and even her own niece, Tonks, so her death is incredibly satisfying to watch. The latest Potter adaptation has a chance to really amplify Molly’s anger, especially considering her son Fred just died in the Battle of Hogwarts. We’ve already seen her initial fury – now we need to see Molly completely lose control and utterly destroy Bellatrix.

The Marauders Finally Getting Their Glorious Origin Story


Warner Bros. Pictures

Many fans consider Prisoner of Azkaban the best Harry Potter book and movie, largely because of the introduction of James Potter’s friends – nicknamed Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. This addition, especially through the Marauder’s Map, is a perfect example of giving fans what they want. The map not only reveals that Peter Pettigrew is still alive, despite being thought dead, but also gives Harry a connection to his father he’s never experienced before. While Alfonso Cuarón’s film is a cinematic triumph, the story now has a unique chance to delve into the history of the Marauders – something Azkaban fans have eagerly awaited for years.

Fans would love to see more of the Marauders – James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter – especially scenes of them becoming Animagi and exploring Hogwarts as animals, and how they came up with their nicknames and the Marauder’s Map. While some believe a dedicated Marauders spinoff should already be in the works, the new Potter series has a great opportunity to really delve into their friendship and show what led Peter to betray his friends. It would be a huge mistake not to give these beloved characters plenty of screen time, and many fans would be disappointed if Andrew Garfield wasn’t cast as Lupin.

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2025-12-14 00:37