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“This Is What Aunt Petunia Is Really Doing”: Potterheads Discover New Easter Egg
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“This Is What Aunt Petunia Is Really Doing”: Potterheads Discover New Easter Egg

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Hidden like treasures within our favorite films, Easter eggs, if you will, serve as cinematic enigmas. And what better movie franchise than Harry Potter to unearth such secrets, keeping the magic of the essence of the movie?

Redditors have just uncovered a new carefully concealed gem in the fantasy drama, revealing once again the delightful secrets that filmmakers have scattered like breadcrumbs for those with keen eyes and a sense of adventure.

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    Fans have revealed what Aunt Petunia was actually doing in a scene of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

    Image credits: Warner Bros

    During the initial moments of the first Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, there’s a familiar sight that you’ve likely encountered numerous times but may not have fully absorbed.

    As you’re likely aware, Aunt Petunia can be spotted in the background in the kitchen, while much more captivating events unfold.

    As Harry’s uncle, Mr. Dursley, casually peruses his mail and the young sorcerer marvels at the Hogwarts envelope bearing his name, a subtle detail unfolds in the background where Petunia is observed stirring a collection of clothing within a sizable pot.

    As Mr. Dursley, casually peruses his mail and Harry marvels at the Hogwarts envelope, Petunia is observed stirring a sizable pot

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    Image credits: Warner Bros

    However, within the Reddit community, Harry Potter enthusiasts have been highlighting precisely what the English muggle woman was really engaged in.

    “In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone, Aunt Petunia is visible in the background of this scene dyeing Dudley’s old clothes grey for Harry’s uniform,” a Redditor explained. “This is only ever mentioned in the book,” they added.

    In the book, Harry’s guardians preferred to enroll him at Stonewall High instead of sending him to Dudley’s prestigious Smeltings Academy

    Image credits: Warner Bros

    In J.K. Rowling’s original book series, the Dursleys had initially intended to enroll Harry at Stonewall High, as opposed to Dudley’s prestigious Smeltings Academy.

    To create his school attire, Aunt Petunia had dyed a selection of Dudley’s former garments grey for Harry to put on.

    Fortunately, the young wizard received his Hogwarts letter just in the nick of time, sparing him from donning the rather ugly uniform that resembled “elephant skin.”

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    “Harry says he went downstairs and smelled something bad,” another Redditor explained, continuing, “and in the kitchen, there was a big metal pot in which grey rags were swimming in dirty water.

    “He asked Petunia what it is and she says ‘it’s your new uniform’, and Harry says something like ‘I didn’t realize it had to be so wet’.”

    To create Harry’s school attire, Aunt Petunia had dyed a selection of Dudley’s former garments gray

    Image credits: Warner Bros

    Devotees of the Harry Potter franchise were taken aback when the Easter egg was brought to their attention, leaving them perplexed by their failure to notice it independently.

    “I don’t remember that from the books, guess it’s time to read them again,” one person commented.

    Another Reddit user wrote: “Definitely didn’t notice this before! Cheers.”

    Someone recalled that Harry asked Petunia what she was boiling before being revealed that it was his new uniform 

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    Image credits: Warner Bros

    In recent years, the Harry Potter fanbase has been grappling with a disheartening reality – the controversial and divisive views about the transgender community expressed by J.K. Rowling.

    Tia Latham, an intersex woman with what she has described to be a transgender experience, told Bored Panda: “As someone who grew up reading and loving her books, seeing her attack my community at every opportunity she gets is devastating.”

    Some people argued that “real” Harry Potter fans would’ve known this, as it is explicitly mentioned in the books

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

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    Andréa Oldereide

    Andréa Oldereide

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I’m a journalist who works as Bored Panda’s News Team's Senior Writer. The news team produces stories focused on pop culture. Whenever I get the opportunity and the time, I investigate and produce my own exclusive stories, where I get to explore a wider range of topics. Some examples include: “Doberman Tobias the viral medical service dog” and “The lawyer who brought rare uterine cancer that affects 9/11 victims to light”. You've got a tip? email me: andrea.o@boredpanda.com

    Gabija Palšytė

    Gabija Palšytė

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    Gabija is a photo editor at Bored Panda. Before joining the team, she achieved a Professional Bachelor degree in Photography and has been working as a freelance photographer since. She also has a special place in her heart for film photography, movies and nature.

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    Gabija Palšytė

    Gabija Palšytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Gabija is a photo editor at Bored Panda. Before joining the team, she achieved a Professional Bachelor degree in Photography and has been working as a freelance photographer since. She also has a special place in her heart for film photography, movies and nature.

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    Amy Smith
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As with most of these things, there is a lot lost in translation between the books and the films. Whole characters missing (I mean, we missed out on the chance to see Rik Mayall as Peeves the Poltergeist on screen for one). Petunia wrote to Dumbledore begging to be allowed to attend Hogwarts with Lily but she was told that she had no magical ability. She loved her sister and was more jealous of her magical ability than hating or fearing it. She could have had Harry packed off to an orphanage when Lily and James died, after he was dropped off with her, but she kept him all those years, probably because he reminded her so much of her sister. There is some depth to Petunia Dursley and it's not all bad. But saying that, limited screen time etc, some things are going to be missed. I can't remember if that detail was in one of the films or not. Also, the Goblet of Fire was an excellent book and a crappy film.

    Shelli Aderman
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s all in the books. None of this is “New,” or “Revealing.” 🤦🏽‍♀️

    Samsquatch & Monko
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wOw So ShOcKiNg, We NeEd To MaKe An EnTiRe ArTiClE tO uNdErStAnD tHiS/s

    Load More Comments
    Amy Smith
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As with most of these things, there is a lot lost in translation between the books and the films. Whole characters missing (I mean, we missed out on the chance to see Rik Mayall as Peeves the Poltergeist on screen for one). Petunia wrote to Dumbledore begging to be allowed to attend Hogwarts with Lily but she was told that she had no magical ability. She loved her sister and was more jealous of her magical ability than hating or fearing it. She could have had Harry packed off to an orphanage when Lily and James died, after he was dropped off with her, but she kept him all those years, probably because he reminded her so much of her sister. There is some depth to Petunia Dursley and it's not all bad. But saying that, limited screen time etc, some things are going to be missed. I can't remember if that detail was in one of the films or not. Also, the Goblet of Fire was an excellent book and a crappy film.

    Shelli Aderman
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s all in the books. None of this is “New,” or “Revealing.” 🤦🏽‍♀️

    Samsquatch & Monko
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wOw So ShOcKiNg, We NeEd To MaKe An EnTiRe ArTiClE tO uNdErStAnD tHiS/s

    Load More Comments
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