Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Doesn't Make Sense?

[@merphynapier42]

Clearly my dyslexia got me on that Katie Bell being moved to the hospital line. Sorry about that one!

[@Embetebe]

Even if it did say she had left *from* St Mungo's then there still wouldn't have been an inconsistency as the line would have only stated she had left the hospital - the line wouldn't have stated she had gone straight back to Hogwarts. Hence later when Ron and Harry are talking about her not returning, narratively speaking she could have been recovering at home for a week before returning at a later date at Hogwarts.

[@amanekabbaj]

Embetebe which she had right? She told them later that she had spent time at home.

[@ms.honiqualisha4529]

So Lord Voldemort would have been around 16 years and 7 months old at the time. The power of the spell would have been waning. As well as the factor of they only know magic was cast not the caster. As well the killing curse being so advanced that Moody once say the whole of the 4th year class in the room at the time could cast it and he would not get a bloody nose. So to a magical law person it would not be with in reason to suspect a beraly 17 year old wizard to be the one to cast it. The cave would not reconize harry's magic as he was still underage. So harry could probally use some minor spells once they were at the water.

[@davidwilson6577]

@@ms.honiqualisha4529 regarding the efficacy of the unforgivable curses, we're told that it's related to the sincerity of the caster. Moody's right that the class' curses wouldn't harm him, but that's because they wouldn't actually want to murder him. When it comes to the ministry's perspective it seems pretty naive of them to assume an underage person couldn't have the conviction necessary when they have no information about the situation. They might be sceptical but they wouldn't, or rather shouldn't, rule out the possibility off-hand.

[@Giondi]

@@davidwilson6577 The Ministry's incompetence was a major theme throughout the series, especially the latter half. They had a confession and, just like with Sirius, they went the easy way instead of investigating further.

[@abbys6260]

I've just came to the conclusion that the wizard world's justice system is awful.

[@manonthemoon692]

The muggle justice system is awful too

[@abbys6260]

I know. And I don't know if she was intentionally showing how prejudice, position, and connections effect justice or if it was just plot holes.

[@JSKETCHthebest]

Lol you just noticing this now

[@Begeru]

Even in the muggle world just a confession isn’t enough to convict someone of a crime if theres no evidence nor motive. And confessions can be recanted.

[@sualtam9509]

@@Begeru When Voldemort changed Morphin's memories, he could also implant a motive. It's not so unbelievable that a known anti-social, muggle hating likely practioner of dark arts would kill a muggle that "seduced" his daughter. The teenager who was coincidentaly around when it happened is odd, but we don't know which distance a minor must have to a spell to trigger the ministry. Maybe just walking past the house is enough.

[@SpiceWeazel]

Slughorn was carrying all that potion because he was selling it illegally as a side hustle

[@t.e.650]

It was made by Snape and he just pretended he made it! But don't ask me why Snape isn't a luckier person in that case... maybe he likes like he lives more than we think and made it for academic reasons ;-)

[@ErimlRGG]

also he could be carrying it to escape multiple times if he had to. I don't know about you but I would take my chances with the severe side effects against being dead or tortured by Voldemort

[@noone9472]

He also could have just bought it in a store once at Hogwarts

[@GayAnnabeth]

or Snape was already making it for the purpose Slughorn uses it for

[@maqpi8335]

Slughorn is basically heisenberg without cancer :p

[@TheEnrisoto]

On vanishing charms: “Where do vanished objects go?" "Into nonbeing, which is to say, everything," replied Professor McGonagall. (Book 7)

[@noone9472]

Enri Skywalker so they killed the frogs they vanished :/

[@milkismurder]

So poop goes everywhere

[@Trainwheel_Time]

Well... that explains it....

[@lexilala1968]

@@noone9472 That's not exactly the worst thing they do to animals at Hogwarts, is it?

[@rebeccathegachatuber3040]

Immediately thought of this when she said that

[@Dormazain]

I think trace and serum are major instances of "JKR didn't think this through" :D

[@robertofontiglia4148]

The Trace is definitely a major clusterfuck of nonesense. Like "Oh, we put it on every wizarding child, but for an overwhelming majority of them it serves no purpose because they live with magical parents who keep setting it off for no reason." -- What the actual fuck ? Why even have it in the first place ? And then it works very inconsistently through the books, too.

[@Tomgd420]

Yea the only way to look at the "Trace" is vicinity of but that doesn't work due to parents..... Spell by someone not of age doesn't work either because Dobby. Unless we look at it as magic by an unauthorized individual?

[@Dormazain]

@UCCPVdbdDJ1eeQ6sPEljZ1lQ That is very unlikely since Harry casted a patronus further away from Privet Drive in book 5 and the trace went off.

[@JonPITBZN]

The trace is just a metaphor for systemic racism. Muggle-born students don't get to practice magic during the summer, which just makes it even harder for them to transition into the wizarding world.

[@Dormazain]

@@JonPITBZN I really think for not one single second JKR had any thought like this in mind. She might claim she had now, because "systemic racism" would be a huge buzzword for her, but if that was her idea, any half-sentence in the books would have been like "...while Ron got to practice over summer..." which it didn't. It is rather shown that wizard's children aren't allowed to perform magic either, since Fred and George celebrate it a lot to cast spells once they turned 17.

[@alexmarkadonis7179]

Harry, who is polyamorous, was able to get Dumbledore to safety by relying on his mermaid lovers. You don't see them because they deserve privacy.

[@ravenevermore7338]

😂😂

[@uptown3636]

Alex, please put the nsfw fan fiction down and step away. 😉

[@alexmarkadonis7179]

@@uptown3636 I expect Rowling to come out with that one day. She likes to fill plot holes with vapid virtue signals that amount to other plot holes.

[@h.b.2003]

😂

[@Bull-me8tz]

This... this is not a sentence I ever wanted to read

[@javonf]

A dear author suggestion. Things protagonist do that we dislike.

[@bernardoblanchetramirez6032]

I see your point, but it would make it harder for us to follow them.

[@maybe7980]

"I just like physically reading books." Same here

[@pretendtheresaname9213]

I feel disconnected with the book if I'm reading e-books or listening to audiobooks.

[@yessir.7937]

@@pretendtheresaname9213 I really tried with audiobooks... but it's not for me. I barely take in anything. I go on a walk for 30-60 minutes most evenings and audio books seemed perfect for it, but I had to read summaries of chapters to ever realize what was going on. I just stick to physical books... with the library it's dirt cheap as well anyways :)

[@nikithaanil9160]

Yeah same with me too

[@Letoh32]

Here too. It was even harder for me to sometimes know how some names have to be pronounced because i read Harry Potter in French, and those names aren't translated (well... because you just can't translate "Trelawney" i guess) So yeah... i had to wait untill the movies came out to know it and (way later on) to understand it when i started to learn english (cause i was a kid back then) :p

[@DaneofHalves]

I like to read things myself. Audio feels....well, not for me.

[@darrenfreyauthor]

Funny, it's my favorite book in the series and my least favorite movie in the series. All they had to do was cut back on their love lives and give Tom Riddle more screen time. Ending the movie with Dumbledore's funeral would have also been a great way to end it. And if they had just done those few things, this could have been the best movie along with the best book.

[@D0MiN0ChAn]

Also, why the hell did they show death eaters *burning down* the burrow?! This still makes me mad after all these years!

[@darrenfreyauthor]

@@D0MiN0ChAn I think they did that for dramatic effect, but you're right, It made no sense. Even then, The way Arthur said his wife's name made it sound like she was going to be in the house and then they suddenly show her the next shot. It was very lazy writing. I mean since they were going to botch it. Anyway, they should have just left the Death Eaters out all together and used the opportunity to let Harry and Ginny have their first kiss there instead of the room of requirement. Their relationship was so damn awkward And rammed down our throats. I will give Ron and Hermione's drama a pass, but Even that was annoying when this was supposed to be Voldemort's story and he was robbed. Harry and Ginny's Entire relationship was awkward, almost as awkward as Ron and Hermione finally kissing.

[@shawnn7502]

Favorite book of the series. Agreed that the movie was disappointing, though still good. The Tom Riddle flashbacks were the most boring part of the book. I would like to have seen and read more about Harry and Ginny, personally.

[@darrenfreyauthor]

@@shawnn7502 all the Tom Riddle backstory was what made Half Blood Prince so much fun for me. There were a lot of other factors as well, such as How Disturbing Dumbledore's reaction actually was when he drank the potion in the cave compared to the book. As well as he and Harry getting back into Hogwarts. And again, Dumbledore's funeral. The funeral was so beautifully written in the book and there was no reason why that should have been excluded from the movie. Not only would it have made a better place to actually end the movie, but it would have given everyone a chance to say goodbye to one of our favorite characters properly.

[@Amcsae]

Also, they could have remembered to light the set so you could see what the heck is going on! I get that the tone is dark and all, but it was almost impossible to see the scenes at times. That seems to be happening in several movies these days.

[@Musicteachersheff]

I can believe that Slughorn would have a cauldron full of the Liquid Luck brewing because I bet, if he makes it well, he probably sells it to people. That’s just the kind of person he is. He likes to make a quick buck selling things.

[@laurennesic]

I don't think he had a cauldron full of liquid luck wasn't it just the vial, there was only 3 cauldrons. Veritaserum, Amortentia and Polyjuice Potion.

[@jawstrock2215]

@@laurennesic I think it said 4(too lazy to get my book and check), in the movie I think it's only 3 + the vial

[@laurennesic]

Jaws Trock I checked it was 3

[@alexman378]

My thoughts exactly. Not only is it in character for him, it also just makes sense. He’s on the run, and he can’t have a constant money flow, why wouldn’t he have a stock of something so valuable and time consuming to be able to sell it immediately?

[@avanishdutta2658]

@@laurennesic He was retired. He must have brewed liquid luck and sold it to the people. I think the vial was the last of what he brewed before taking the position of teaching potions in hogwarts. Are there any pension plans for the teachers in hogwarts? Just asking. I mean, how will they spend their life without money after retiring, sure they must have deposits in gringotts, but they must earn some pension.

[@agnete1994]

At 8:22 it says "Katie was removed TO St. Mungo's Hospital" not from so the narative makes sense IMO. As I understand she is removed from Hogwarts to St. Mungo's from which she later in the books still hadn't returned from

[@bobmortimerisweird]

Yeah, and even if it did say "from" instead of "to", the sentence in the next chapter could mean Katie still hasn't returned to Hogwarts after being removed from St. Mungo's. She is in transit.

[@uptown3636]

Agnete1994, good eye. You’re spot on.

[@ferniecom-go8ig]

I scrolled too far to find this comment. I’m glad someone pointed this out!

[@DanyLassard]

yes!!!! I was looking for this comment! It wasn't an inconsistency, it is clear that at the next day she was removed FROM Hogwarts TO St mungo's

[@n.u.k.2188]

Dumbledore "swam??" through the water with his wand in his mouth with lumos on. So you can use magic outside of the cave. I suppose Harry could have used the spell Sirius used to carry Snape out of the Shrieking Shack. So Harry would only have to drag Dumbledore from the middle of the Island to the boat, sail over the pond in the boat and drag him out of the cave. He is also able to use magic in the cave, he is magically drying Harrys clothes in there and still has lumos on his wand, and he burns the inferi after he wakes up. Harry can't use aquamenti on the bowl with the horcrux, because the bowl is enchanted. Sorry for my spelling errors i'm from scandinavia.

[@ThePreciseClimber]

Next up: Harry Potter & the Joys of Camping.

[@markamashov]

More like Harry Potter & The Final Battle that ends with 2 spells

[@uptown3636]

Ugh! Don’t remind me. In my mind, HP ends on a cliffhanger at the end of HBP.

[@TheMiels]

uptown3636 that would be very frustrating. Without knowing Snapes true motivations

[@ignertz]

@@uptown3636 sigh i hate people like Why do you not think the last book exists

[@uptown3636]

ignertz simple lesson on manners, maybe don’t tell people you hate people like them. Not a fun way to start a conversation. About Deathly Hallows, I like certain aspects, but I miss the hogwarts setting. The bleak tone is more depressing than exciting (in my opinion). And the resolution was less than satisfying for me. I really liked the infiltration of the ministry and gringotts, but book 7 just wasn’t my cup of butterbeer. I’m glad you like it, though, and I wish I liked it too.

[@brybjarn3358]

What if Snape had been brewing those potions in preparation for that class and slughorn just used his "stash". Cuz Snape didn't know he was getting the DADA post until month before start of term

[@hannahsonnenburg7718]

That would also explain why the potions are so well done but I think slughorn says during class that he prepared the potions himself.

[@couch.patati-patata]

Gnargles. Or is it knargles?

[@annikoho7375]

Or maybe Slughorn had planned to sell the potion? To earn a large chunk of money with one delivery and then change safe houses again so that he could not be tracked?

[@pederotterson4119]

I totally agree!

[@drogadepc]

Snape would never lend his stuff to anyone.

[@333pinkelephant333]

Hermione was carrying around a whole library, a camping set and a closet full of clothes for 3 people during their roadtrip in 7th book all in that little bag of hers. I can imagine Slughorn lugging at least 10 cauldrons full of handy potions in a similar bag/trunk at all times lol

[@judegrindvoll8467]

nightowl And Newt Scamsnder lugs around a whole safari park 🦁 🐅 🦒 😂

[@Voltorb1993]

@@judegrindvoll8467 magic is just amazing XD

[@gwentaylor6830]

I've always wondered how three children under the age of ten could have gotten to this remote, dangerous location, and how after two of them were traumatized there they all still somehow got back safely.

[@chingizzhylkybayev8575]

Who? When?

[@megrich2106]

I’ve always wondered the same! So my explanation was that there was an easy way to get there when Riddle was a boy, but severe storms over the years eroded that away. Seems plausible, I guess?

[@alexman378]

@@megrich2106 It also seems possible that the area was cursed afterwards. Similarly to what Voldemort did with the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position.

[@rexstil]

In the book it said Voldemort made the rocks easy to navigate with magic where most people wouldn’t be able to get to the cave

[@junior523]

I've got a funny explanation. So we all know that Tom was a parsel mouth right? I bet he called on a bunch of pythons and anacondas (you know really kind snakes) to bite each other's tails and create a really long rope that the kids used as safety ropes to go down the mountain slope. Voldemort then fiddles with the kids minds and after sight seeing the snakes pulled them all up and boom. Called it a day

[@mayaag4703]

I guess the ministry detected magic when Harry did it because he was The ONLY underage wizard at 4 private drive so it was easy to blame him if any magic happened around this region.

[@drlc6051]

And the Patronus incident was close to Privet Drive, so we don't actually know how specific the Ministry's magic GPS is. Riddle House may have been close enough to the Gaunt's place that it would register

[@hannahsonnenburg7718]

I feel like we see a little more of Harry’s Slytherin side in this book. Many people have already pointed out multiple times that harry would be a good fit for Slytherin (including the sorting hat) and he is extremely sassy, determined and sarcastic in this book. Sadly a little more mean too. I personally loved to read the potions classes and the story behind the horcruxes. My favourite book by far.

[@xMRxZEROx]

That's the thing though. Harry didn't really have a "Slytherin side". As has been confirmed by JK Rowling, when Harry first wore the sorting hat and it made the comments about him doing well in Slytherin and considering placing him there, it's becuase of that piece of Voldemort's soul in him. The hat was reading that piece of Tom Riddle that had infected Harry's body and therefore his personality. It explains all the struggles and anger Harry felt. Not that some of it wasn't justified. But still. He never really had a Slytherin side to him. Just a bit of Slytherin soul hitching a ride. 😂

[@roshnirana2098]

It was always said that but I think there is a part of him that actually has those attributes as well he can be very short tempered

[@GnipMuffin]

@@roshnirana2098 Being short-tempered is not a very Slytherin trait, but definitely a passionate Gryffindor one - it would be counter-intuitive to constantly fly off the handle at a moment's notice when you are carefully and quietly scheming in the background - not very cunning at all; a Slytherin would never see the use in it. We Slytherins prefer to save up our resentments and deal them out in due course.

[@annasporrong4845]

To be fair (the way I remember it) the Sorting Hat just argued he'd fit in with Slytherin when Harry started freaking out after already being biased against them 'cause of what Ron told him about them and he hated Malfoy's attitude straight away... We don't know if he would've chosen Slytherin for Harry either way

[@xMRxZEROx]

@Feänor Elèssar To say it simpler. Harry himself didn't have Slytherin qualities. He had a piece of Voldemort's soul in him that made him SEEM to have Slytherin qualities. But without that bit of soul in him, Harry didn't have those qualities.

[@LolaLink]

Where do vanished things go? "Into non-being, which is to say, everything." McGonagall answers this question to.get into the Ravenclaw common room next book 😊 just in case you were interested.

[@manaalsidd]

My question is why is the Avada Kedavra curse so easy to perform. Like we see students struggling to learn regular spells in their classes...like they don’t get it on the first few times...screw it up (except...well of course Hermione because she’s a genius), but somehow the Killing Curse is so easy to execute that we see different underaged characters trying to perform it or using it on instances with such ease throughout the books. Shouldn’t it be a little difficult to kill someone and require a lot of ‘practice’ to do?

[@MrRys]

I don't think it's easy to use, but when you are a psychopath that really wants to kill, it will work easily... like when harry used crucio on belatrix, but it wasn't very strong and she told him that he must truly mean it for it to work

[@ShadowDogProduction]

I have no problem believing that even the teenage version of the most clever and powerful dark lord of all time could foresee the trace issue and devise a magical method to overcome it. It's a good point to raise, but I believe Voldemort simply outwitted the Ministry during this teenage killing spree/coverup.

[@gabriellebrown1480]

ShadowDogProduction and maybe this was why the trace was instituted?

[@imperium3556]

@@gabriellebrown1480 Riddle was never caught during all this (hence the need for Dumbledore's detective work), so that can't be the reason. But maybe the old Trace was somehow easy to circumvent (or didn't exist), and once enough young people got caught, they decided to bring in a stronger Trace.

[@sirus13019]

Trace is always easy to get around because the ministry never knows who uses the magic only if its cast near an underage wizard

[@PhilBagels]

There is so much incompetence (and corruption) in the ministry, that outwitting them can't be all that hard.

[@Tomgd420]

MrBubbles Yea it's basically a something happened by someone. Like red light tickets in the US....

[@andrewwall4250]

I haven’t read this book in a long while but didn’t Dumbledore also say that he couldn’t use Veritaserum to get information from Slughorn because he wanted him to give it freely. He wanted to keep Slughorn around at Hogwarts so didn’t want to use tricks to get him to spill secrets or any method that may offend him in some way and make him leave.

[@andrewwahba5006]

He believed that Slughorn would be carrying an antidote as he's been super suspicious the whole book

[@auguschm]

We can add all the excuses we want but the truth is Veritaserum doesn't really make sense and it should've never been used or at least it should've been explained better.

[@alysszhang5053]

Vanished objects apparently go into non-being, which is to say, everything. (Source: McGonagall, in book 7.) Maybe he bought/borrowed the potion/s from another Potions Master just for display purposes? I'm not sure JKR explicitly stated that Slughorn himself brewed the potion/s.

[@Predated2]

Perhaps it was a final year project for an advanced potions class, one that finished correctly being put together during the finals, and then taking 6 months to fully brew, meaning it would be finished by the time the next schoolyear starts

[@taylor_green_9]

It could've been brewed by Snape for unrelated reasons and then borrowed by Slughorn. It is also possible that Slughorn was indeed brewing it while on the run so he could keep a vial of Felix for an emergency

[@amberfickes9102]

Two things I’d like to add, not specifically about this book. Apparating isn’t consistent across the series. Sometimes it’s described as a loud crack unless the situation calls for quiet and then it’s a faint pop. Moving on to splinching in book 2(?) Arthur is talking about it and everyone shudders. Then in this book one girl does it in practice and it’s more of a funny situation, she’s hooping on one leg and they fix her immediately. In book 7 when Ron does it’s back to being a really bad thing and he can’t travel for days. I’ve never seen anybody talk about those two thing and I wondered why. I love the series but even as an adult they are above my reading level so I would never have made it through them without the audiobooks. And I tried I really tried I “read” all of them but I didn’t realize just how much I didn’t comprehend until I listened to the audiobooks as an adult.

[@xMRxZEROx]

@@robertschmobert1 Exactly. That's how I see it as well. It's the same with all magic. Everyone has their own style and ability level. One person's patronus is just silver vapor, anothers is a full fledged corporeal patronus with a full form. And I assume in regards to apparating that it also depends on where you're going and how far it is. It intent is also a factor behind it. Kind of like closing a door. You can shut it lightly or you can slam it. And yes, as far as splinching I think everyone just shuttered because I imagine it can be a painful thing depending on what part gets splinched. And there were professional trainers and experienced wizards there to help the kids if it happened. When Ron got splinched all they had on hand was some Dittany I believe.

[@ooi97]

even if apparating makes a sound of a set volume, it can be described differently depending on the surroundings. In a loud crowd it would be barely heard, in an empty cave it should be echoing thunder. And unless you can magically control the sound, you are stuck with trying to mute the sound physically. I don't know what the source of the sound is. It is the air being pushed away? or is it just some sound coming out of your gut? then you could mute it using clothes. otherwise you're screwed

[@PirateParadox]

Also, if they could have gone back to #12 Grimmauld Place they could have used magic to replace the piece of Ron that was cut from him. They could not go back, though. In the apparition practice room any missing body parts were in the room with them to quickly reattach!

[@kristen1684]

you're a grown ass adult and using audiobooks because your brain can't comprehend the series? Im 14 and I finished the deathly hallows less than an hour ago and I fully got everything. You're making it seem like it's some advanced scientific shit when it's not

[@Rapeliina]

@@kristen1684 Hello Kristen. You should look up what dyslexia means. For some people reading or comprehending what they just read doesn't come as easy and naturally as it does for most people. It doesn't mean these people are stupid, they just learn things differently than you.

[@andrewshearsby8125]

Got a head canon on the potions for Slughorn, Snape was brewing the batch we saw for his 6th year and when he got promoted to DADA professor he gave the finished potion's to Slughorn

[@SchwaAlvarez95]

I see three possibilities with Slughorn and Felix Felicis. The first is that he simply bought it. The second is that Snape already had some in storage or already being brewed at Hogwarts for teaching purposes. The third, and I think more likely, is that he was carrying it with him. Like you said, it was a whole cauldron, but we have seen bigger-on-the-inside magic (timelord technology, if you will) before in this magic world. It seems completely plausible that they have a system for transporting whole cauldron-loads of potion around, otherwise it seems a lot would go to waste. Additionally, we know Slughorn to be a collector or valuable and praise-worthy things, so I could see him having the lucky potion with him, even if he didn't plan to actually drink it.

[@drogadepc]

Snape would never lend his stuff to anyone else including his stock of potions and ingredients. Considering how Slughorn had to be on the go all the time, moving from one place to another I doubt he had time to brew the Felix Felicis unless he did it way before he had to run from Death Eaters.

[@SchwaAlvarez95]

@@drogadepc What I am saying is that its possible he brewed it before he had to run from the Death Eaters, and kept it around, since he loved to keep special things like that in a collection. And since magic bags that are bigger on the inside exist, it wouldn't be that hard to transfer from place to place. I agree that Snape would not have lent his stuff out, but that its a small possibility, idk. I still think the third possibility is the most likely

[@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda]

Slugg could also just have presented in class a fake potion and before handing out the final vial just switch it for the real thing. He could have even given Harry a completely fake potion and all its effects were just placebo. I don't see it being beyond him to get away with a few fakes here and there if he already has fame as already having the best of everything which means no one would suspect him or dare to publicly contradict him

[@DeadlyDeadlyBeees]

I just like to imagine the series semi-addressing the plot holes when Harry or anyone else asks about them. Harry: "But Professor Dumbledore, didn't Voldemort have the Trace on him when he killed his father? How does that work?" Dumbledore: "Damn it Harry, the Trace works when it wants to work! Okay? Now we haven't got more time for interruptions..."

[@kylewood2715]

It’s been ages since I read Harry Potter-so take this with a grain of salt-butI can think of two reasons why the trace wasn’t effective when Voldemort killed his family: 1.) He’s the future “most dangerous dark wizard of all time” and took countermeasures against being traced (lazy answer). 2.) The trace did work, but no one was monitoring it (Voldemort) closely. Let me explain: in the instances regarding Harry, at that point, Harry was arguably the most important wizard in the world (or at least the European portion of it) and was definitely the most important underage wizard as far as the Ministry of Magic was concerned. So, it is likely that Harry’s trace was under constant, active surveillance, which is why the MoM knew exactly when, where, and how Harry broke wizarding law and was thus able to respond so promptly. Voldemort, on the other hand, was a talented only an extremely talented and charismatic student at Hogwarts when he killed his parents, and although he undoubtedly had the trace, and despite what others in the Ministry might have thought Of his promise at the time, I doubt he was a high priority subject at that point in his life-certainly nowhere near as important as Harry ever would be during his childhood-and was thus not an underage wizard worthy of active surveillance. I would guess, then, that even though Young Tom triggered his trace, by killing his father, it likely did little more than set off a general alarm rather than a high alert, or, at the least, by the time a ministry wizard noticed much of the specific information the trace recorded of the event had likely been brushed aside by other instances of underage magic also triggering their own alerts shortly thereafter. Put simply, Tom wasn’t very important yet, and the Ministry can only closely monitor so many underage wizards at one time with the number of wizards available to them.

[@monkeygoesbananas]

Also I dont think the ministry's incompetence can discounted. lazy police work happens. Morphin and his family were known bigots and criminals and had a history of attacking the Riddles - it's not that crazy for the cops to immediately make the connection and consider the case "open and shut" regardless of whatever else was going on in the area at the time.

[@nicholasn8480]

”Things that vanish go into non-being, which is to say, everywhere.”

[@Embetebe]

Re: The Trace It is entirely possible that the way the trace worked in Tom Riddle's day and in Harry Potter's day are completely different and not directly comparable. My guess is that prior to Tom Riddle the trace was simply to make sure teenager wizards weren't blowing themselves up with magic but once Tom Riddle turned evil the ministry thought it might be better to keep a closer track on all child wizards in case they showed signs of being Tom Riddle version 2.0. It might be why the ministry was slow to work out what Tom was up to. Of course, it is entirely possible too that considering Harry's well known back story, that the ministry is purposely keeping a closer eye on any extra curriculum activities.

[@drogadepc]

Or the Ministry is incompetent when J. K needs it to be.

[@matthewfinis6723]

I don't think the trace is attached specifically to people, moreso areas? That's why Harry gets charged with Dobbys crimes and stuff, because the ministry detects that magic is used in the area and there is only one known wizard in that area. It's said that it doesn't apply in wizarding villages because there are also adult wizards there, so it's up to the parents to keep their children in check.

[@matthewfinis6723]

She goes on to explain why the trace isn't on the house, no that's because it's on the larger area like little winging

[@matthewfinis6723]

The ministry would have known there was magic in the riddle house, and given the gaunt's history and LOCATION they would have been suspected to have performed it, since there are no other wizarding families closer to the scene

[@Predated2]

Well, I think it's a bit different though, I think it has more to do with Grindelwald's war. Why do I think so? 1. Tom Riddle was under The Trace from 1926-1943. 2. Grindelwald was defeated in 1945. Besides, that is assuming that The Trace was indeed altered. Considering Tom's Uncle was in Tom's Vicinity and Tom's Uncle's Wand had cast all the spells. Since there is a spell that allows you to track spells used, with the fact that his Uncle truly believed to have been doing those things. You simply have a murder weapon, that is owned by someone and that someone truly believes that he used said murder weapon to murder people. Sure, there are some other questionable things, but if someone confesses having used a murder weapon that they own, would you really suspect the 15 year old to have brainwashed their own uncle?

[@peacefulinvasion684]

Another thing. You'd think the ministry would have a way to detect memory charms given how common they are in the books.

[@McMerlin11]

Katie was like “Oop, guess I’m out of the hostpial.” *gets magically teleported back there* Katie: throws hands up in frustration

[@monkeydgarp9663]

Even though there’s all these videos plot holes in Harry Potter is still live this series, I really enjoy listening to the audiobooks when I’m falling asleep at night. There’s something about Jim. Dale’s voice that’s very soothing

[@Marenks]

I think it was mentioned that an antidote to veritaserum existed in the Harry Potter universe. That would explain why it would be unreliable to use on Slughorn or on a accused at a trial. It would also explain why it would work on Barty Jr. It would also explain why Dolores seemed to believe that it would work on Harry Potter in book 5 when Dolores asked a vial from Snape in front of Harry after he was caught in her fireplace.

[@raitorino7520]

What if Minister of Magic Death Eaters advocate against the use of the serum for their own selfish reasons and have paid some researchers to tell the wizard-kind that it's not usable if the user is aware of it to cover their own hides lol

[@TheBakabeans1980]

One thing that always got me is why when harry was at aragog's funeral Hagrid said he never had much to do with Slughorn, when Riddle and Hagrid went to Hogwarts at the same time, you have potions at least your first 5 years. Also when Hagrid got expelled from Hogwarts he was allowed to stay on as gamekeeper, in Harry's firs 2 years Hagrid still ate in the great hall with the teachers at meals. Would Hagrid not have had plenty of interactions with Slughorn before Slughorn retired.

[@rayan-k-nasr]

I wanted to talk about Katie Bell she said she went to her parents but then I saw your comment. Concerning Vanished objexts, in chapter 30 of books 7 McGonagall is asked where they go by the Ravenclaw common room door. Her answers, which was right was: "Into nonbeing, witch is to say everything." The door replies: "Nicely phrased."

[@lavinialadlass9432]

In the book the ministry knew it was Morphin because I think they monitor an area like a city. because earlier at Harry’s hearing someone mentioned that they only have a record of one wizard in Harry’s area Of Little Whingeing. which is why they didn’t know about Mrs. Figg.

[@crushedjaguar4915]

2:34 Well... it's clearly stated that the Ministry realised straight away that the crime was committed by a wizard but it was also aware of a wizard - who had already once been imprisoned for attacking one of the victims - living across the valley. Also he confessed and his wand was the one used to kill the Riddles. And a few paragraphs below Harry asks (I don't have the book in English... I'm translating it a bit freely): "How did the Ministry not become aware of what Voldemort did to Morphin? He was underage, wasn't he? I thought they could detect underage sorcery" and Dumbledore replies: "You're right• they detect the sorcery but not the perpetrator. If you remember, when you were accused of performing the 'flying' charm by the Ministry, it had been actually performed by..." and then Harry adds: "Dobby. So, if you are underage and you do sorcery in an adult wizard's house, the Ministry won't understand a thing?" and Dumbledore confirms: "Surely it will not know who did it. They count on the wizard parents, who are obliged to force their children to be obidient" etc etc Hence you can't really use as an example the situation in the Dursleys. He's the only wizard in their house so every charm performed there is thought to have been performed by him

[@a.m.s6611]

Did anyone else love the dissapparation training in this book, when one of the students (can't remember which) closed his eyes, turned in a circle inside his hoop and did a sort of pirouette jump into the other hoop without realising it and thought he'd managed to dissapperate until he looked over and saw (I think) Seamus laughing at him

[@pharmacologyclassroom870]

Well there's another point I want to add that only Harry gets punishment for his wrongdoings but others do not. When Harry gets a massive hit in his face in the quidditch match, the offender maclaggen (or whatever) doesn't get any punishment. That's ridiculous.

[@ferransilves907]

Regarding Slughorn's felix felicis, the only thing that makes sense to me is that he bought the potion. Surely teachers can get funds from Hogwarts to buy things they need for lessons (i.e Professor Sprout is probably buying plants, like the mandragoras, for her classes using the school's funds). And I can't imagine there not being brewed potions on sale in the market. Not every wizard is good at potion making, and some wizards are excellent at it, so it's only logical that some of them open potions shops where you can buy small flasks or even an entire cauldron, and they're probably brewing stuff all the time.

[@YTLawnGnome]

My favorite book in the whole series. It was such a breath of fresh air after two extremely dark chapters in the story.

[@Maxificent]

My favourite part of this video is when you throw the book up into the frame 0:02 So smooth :3

[@SlidellRobotics]

10:20-10:22: "I don't know where things go when things are vanished". This was answered in the next book at the door to the Ravenclaw common room by McGonogall "Into non-being, which is to say, everything."

[@nathanbaca5131]

If Voldy's uncle Morfin was a powerful wizard you could call him Mighty Morfin.

[@kasey670]

With the Felix Felicis problem, I reckon it's a pretty standard lesson to show NEWT students in their first lesson all those amazing potions. So I reckon Snape had been brewing them the past 6 months to show the students. He wouldn't have known he'd be teaching DATDA instead.

[@simze-vegan9593]

Also adding to your last point with Harry needing to swim back to the castle Harry had admitted in the 4th book that he was never a really good swimmer so him needing to swim with dombledore would have been a much harder task.

[@geonunes10]

"Where does vanished objects go?" that's a quote from book seven and McGonagall answers that question

[@Simmi_]

I get so excited every time you post one of these videos. I like every one of them before even watching 😂

[@occheermommy]

Just a note on Tom Riddle still living with his parents. This would have taken place in the 30’s first off. Or maybe early 40’s so extended family lived together more but above that if u look at period tv or movies or even books you can see that The Riddle family is a wealthy one. They aren’t as rich as say Downton Abbey but if u watch that u will see that large manor houses house multiple generations of family. So I’m not saying he never would have moved out of his parents house but having not remarried it’s not too unusual that he still lives there. The House is described as a large manor house on the hill and they own the surrounding property and were very snobby based on description.

[@basicoptimalmouse]

I love that "okay so" finally got acknowledged in a video hahaha

[@lilajanick]

Literally 4:46AM where I live and I have no issue with waking up to watch these videos as soon as I can!! Love your perspective!

[@lauraanderson8785]

Another thing supporting the theory that the minister didn't always monitor underage magic, was that Petuania in book 1 said something along the lines that Lily used to come home turning tea cups into mice. Something like that, but it was clear that Lily also used magic outside of school and didn't get in trouble for it (at least for all we know). So the ministery must've started their underage monitoring sometime after Lily was in school and before Harry went to school.

[@a.m.s6611]

on the trying to get back through the water one - maybe the tide went out? If not can't think how he managed it especially since in book 4 it's mentioned that he's not a strong swimmer, the only reason he managed with the second task was because he was using gilly weed

[@anthonyparkernearlifeexp]

There should NOT have been potion in the basin with the fake locket/horcrux in it. Why? Because it's established in Book 7 that the potion doesn't just sort of autofill itself back up after the drinker finishes the potion. In book 7 Kreacher specifically says that after Voldy made him drink all the potion, he put the locket in the basin and "refilled it with potion". And besides, why would voldy want it to auto refill in case it's emptied by someone else? This part bothered me.

[@WilbertBeltman]

The thing that confused be about the trace part, is that the ministry also seems to know WHICH spell is performed, they knew Harry did a Patronus, They knew it was a levitation charm that Dobby did, so when Tom modified his uncle's memory, they should know a memory modify charm was cast right? So they could have known that his memory was modified.

[@hindigente]

That's an interesting point.

[@TommyLellan]

I’m looking forward to re-reading this for the first time. I HATED it in 2005. My least fav in the series. But GOF was my least favourite until I re-read it recently. Now it’s my favourite. So we’ll see.

[@zx_style]

So in my mind, the reason they didn't use veritaserum on death eaters is because people are can still under control and no one knows who to trust. Imagine if they tried giving that to a death eater but there was another death eater controlling someone who can change it or administered something different. That would lead to the disuse of Veritaserum during the courts of death eaters. Or so i would think

[@TheMbangel]

How I understand the Trace to work is that it is placed on the individual (and most likely linked to where that individual lives) and only activates when the child starts schooling. The Trace is also basically useless in wizarding families because the wizards and witches in that family overpowers the child's magic and thus the Ministry will not know who really did the magic. With Voldemort, what I understand is that he disarmed his uncle Morfin and then used Morfin's wand to kill the Riddle's (thus when the Ministry check Morfin's wand to determine the last spell used they will see that he used the Killing Curse). Then Voldemort used his own wand to change Morfin's memories and let him believe that he killed the Riddles. And since Voldemort was in a wizarding house (i.e. The Gaunt residence) the Ministry would not have picked up on underage magic being used.

[@smrutikshirsagar7760]

I think Harry was able to apparate them to Hogsmeade from the edge of the cave. Dumbledore couldn't during the TO journey because he wasn't familiar with the location and didn't wanna take risks of inaccurate Apparition

[@elenaasavelieva]

I have been waiting for this video! Thank you a lot!

[@HunchbackJack]

I love your Harry Potter doesn’t make sense series. They are a great episode by episode follow up to each of your reviews of the series. It’s great to be able to see the flaws in something you love, and yet still love it anyway.

[@mackdmara]

Someone probably said as much somewhere, but Slughorn is a potions master. He has to know how a particular potion feels to take (excluding poisions). Thus, he will know what a truth serum feels like when taken. It makes you not lie, but wouldn't effect your abilities elsewhere it seems. "Slughorn has taken his own potions." Seems reasonable to assume. I imagine that it is sometimes how he insured they work. I didn't find that a plothole in the book. I do think there is a point there overall. This is very selectively applied in the books though. It doesn't seem too overly plot aromry to me. Interesting take here.

[@mariah9213]

In my opinion the trace should be on the wand instead of the wizard. It’s not fair that Harry got in trouble for something he didn’t even do!

[@tarlochansingh620]

Did anyone notice that the Hand of Glory was mentioned in the book after four whole books and it just seemed to pop in because no one had ever talked about it before.

[@JimmyFigueroa]

In reference to the trace plot hole, is it possible that over time the ministry of magics method of detecting underage magic has evolved? Perhaps like in the muggle world, better protocols and better technology advances the way we go about our daily lives?

[@cassielee8462]

Maybe Slughorn made a cauldron of felix felicis because he was planning on selling individual viles of the potion.

[@meppstue1036]

In HP7 it doesnt make any sense that Voldi does not also hunt down Fred und George like he does Harry! Why you asked? Because they hexed snowballs to Smash into quirrels backhead in year one, when he had Voldi with him! Dont tell me he forgot, cuz Voldi Voldi never forgets and doesnt forgive easily! There you have it. Complete Lore is screwed over now, in the Battle of Hogwarts at the end it should have been: "no harm towards HP, FW and GW, i am the one Who will Kill them" ... and: "you have one hour, bring me Potter ... and the weasley twins!" Hopefully you include that for your video of book 7 merphy :D

[@chrono9503]

I don’t understand why luck is an effect that can be changed by a potion. It should be a world effect, like a charm.

[@pyrogreg8]

If memories could be modified wouldnt that make confessions unreliable and they should know that

[@starfruit2513]

I love how you come up with really original ideas for things that don't make sense! I'm not sure if anyone else has commented this, but if you're interested in how to pronounce Felix Felicis, in the movies, it's feel-ix fel-ees-is.

[@katevgrady]

Re Slughorn's Felix stash: how about he just bought some? There are certainly people who make and sell potions, and even if Felix is restricted, who could be more qualified/licensed to purchase some than a Potions Master and Hogwarts professor?

[@20023665]

Regarding Slughorn and the cauldron of Felix Felicis, is it possible that Snape was brewing it and gave it to Slughorn? This potion could be a regular part of the sixth year curriculum, and Snape probably couldn't have known that Slughorn would teach potions that year. So, he could have thought he's still teaching potions and already had it brewing, then gave it to Slughorn when he found out he was teaching the class.

[@odintheterridorable8097]

10:20 Into non-being, which is to say, everything.

[@leelamers9017]

I think Voldemort would have taken steps to remove his trace or block its detection as early as possible.

[@deanryanmartin]

Half Blood Prince is one of my two favorite books in the series. It makes me wonder, however, how many re-reads Merphy has done to see the plot inconsistencies. I mean, good work on it Merph! This takes a lot of effort to do, and never I see myself doing it. I am a character-driven bookworm; therefore, I don't remember much about the plot once I finished reading.

[@britlitsch6571]

The Super Carlin Brothers have a video where they theorize that the Felix Felicies is a placebo

[@Moluskenhort]

They couldnt apperate into The cave because they didnt know the Limits. So they had to move causualy inwards.

[@piotrszczepanek468]

3:10, it is because Umbridge sent the Dementors and she could have suggested Ministry that it was him, who used the magic. Also, it could have been because he was the only wizard (probably) in the place where he lived.

[@couch.patati-patata]

The other potions too took a long time to brew. Hermione took half the term to make Polyjuice potion. The book does say the Felix Felicis cauldron was a small one, bubbling merrily. Maybe small quantities can be brewed sooner.

[@majesticmicrobes60]

Do we know exactly how old Voldemort was when he killed his father and grandparents? If he was 17, the trace would be gone, but he’d still be in school.

[@Mandaiish]

Think its mentioned he was 16

[@straaths]

He was 16, born december '26, murder happened summer 43'.

[@majesticmicrobes60]

Jakub Mintal was Morfin underage? Because we learn in the chamber of secrets, that the trace doesn’t necessarily show who did the magic, only that if it’s done near an underage wizard, it can be traced.

[@Mandaiish]

@@majesticmicrobes60 the harry potter wiki says he was born 1900 and he attacked tom riddle in 1925 so he was 25 I guess.

[@robvin94]

Considering Harry was a famous wizard, the ministry probably made it a point to pay close attention to magic around him. Tom Riddle was at that point relatively unknown, so the magic performed around him was not as closely monitored.

[@katira4064]

I didn't know that Harry knows lifeguard tricks to get Dumbledore through the water ^^

[@katevgrady]

Headcanon: veritaserum wasn't used on suspected Deatheaters during the first war because the Malfoys aren't only the richest English magical family, they're one of the richest families in England, period. Stupid, stupid rich. And at that point Abraxus, Lucius' father/Draco's grandfather, was still alive and able to pull strings for Lucius and his friends, so he did, in a huge way. Why that didn't work during the second war? I'm gonna say Lucius didn't have nearly the respect his dad did and he made it way too difficult to ally with him (due to reputational liability but also he just isn't as charming). Plus, maybe the Wizengamot was way more corrupt back then. Just my own explanation.

[@teadanilovic4909]

this is incredible I love this

[@robertgronewold3326]

Okay, a little explanation on how the Trace spell works. It is placed upon a wizard child, however, it is not specifically linked to that individual child. When the Ministry gets news that a spell has been cast around a child with the Trace on them, they have to work with other factors to know if it is legal magic or not. For Harry, they know that he lives in a muggle neighborhood and is the ONLY local wizard, so they instantly assume that he is the one doing magic at that location. The same thing goes for Hermione. Ron, however, lives with his magical family. Whenever a spell is cast by someone around the Weasley children, the Ministry knows the spell and location, but since it's a wizard house, they discount it. This is quite unfair, as many wizard children could do magic whenever they want to in magical locations, and never get caught. For example, in the films, Hermione does a Reparo on Harry's glasses, but since it's Diagon Alley, the spell won't be remarked upon, because so much magic is happening all around. Now, in the context of Tom Riddle murdering his family, the Ministry would only be monitoring his orphanage, since he is the only wizard there. When he is performing magic in Little Hangleton, the Ministry did not know which wizard child in the entire wizarding world was present, though they would have known a wizard family lived there, probably among others not mentioned. As a result, there would have been a delay in noting the horrible magic performed there. In addition, I would not put it beneath a wizard like Voldemort to even as a teenager be able to make his spells unable to be Traced.

[@teenagemutantgeek9102]

this is a great explanation

[@fightingmedialounge519]

So the adults were just incompetent.

[@robertgronewold3326]

@@fightingmedialounge519 In a lot of these cases, yes.

[@junior523]

Wrong Do you remember in deathly hallows how Hermione and Ron were worried that Harry still had the trace on him and that's how the death eaters found him? If the truth is only in the neighborhood where the wizard lives, an underage wizard that is, then they wouldn't be worried about the trace being used to find him would they?

[@robertgronewold3326]

@@junior523 Dumbledore literally explains this in the book. Plus that was just conjecture on their part, because they were confused and Ron doesn't always know the specifics of how a spell works. Plus, if they could specifically track Harry, they would have known the hover charm that Dobby did was not performed by him.

[@jerseyeddcase]

Surely Harry getting in trouble for Dobby using his wand to do the hovering spell is an argument that the trace is on the wand and not the person? Not the other way round as is suggested

[@kencrum2524]

jerseyeddcase The book never said that the wand was used. I was pretty sure that it said he snapped his fingers or something like that

[@jerseyeddcase]

@@kencrum2524 Okay, then if no wand is used by Dobby then the trace must be based on location (ie the minsitry knew where Harry was staying and assumed it was him). That could mean that people could go into different student's houses and use a charm by incantation (not by wand) and try to get them expelled from Hogwarts...

[@couch.patati-patata]

The Trace Law was enacted after Voldy died the first time, when the Ministry had more free time. There was a spell cast around Muggles. The Ministry would go after the first witch or wizard in the vicinity. And since Gaunt and Morfin were known to live there and from time to time curse Muggles, the Ministry would go straight to him.

[@tilhanab6307]

Aha! I've got a solution! I've heard other people mention the inconsistency with the Felix Felicis taking 6 months to brew, and it wasn't until you mentioned the idea of him carrying a vial on himself that this occurred to me: the refilling spell! Hermione elaborates on this in book 7, the five Principles Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration: "It's impossible to make good food out of nothing. You can summon it if you know where it is, you can transform it, you can increase the quantity if you've already got some..." although I agree with your point from the last video about how the increasing/refilling spell must wreak havoc on the wizard economy. Granted, potions aren't exactly food, but I suspect the principle applies to any consumables and possibly any kind of transfiguration. For a skilled potion maker, it would make sense to carry a vial full of several key essential potions that are very difficult to brew, if you knew you could always pour one into a cauldron and do a simple spell to make it fill to the top. Then when you've used all you need, you refill the vial and "evanesco" the rest. This would also explain how Slughorn managed to also have polyjuice potion, veritaserum, and amortentia at that first lesson. Polyjuice potion is another one that takes several months, and incidentally would also be useful to have a bit of on hand, especially if one is trying to evade death eaters. Veritaserum, according to Snape, takes only a full moon cycle to mature, so he might have brewed that right before the term started, but on the other hand that's another potion that one might want to keep handy at all times. This solution would also explain why Slughorn is so cavalier with these seemingly precious potions. While it certainly makes for a riveting first class, I always felt some aversion, due to my frugal nature, to the way Slughorn seems apparently brews these very difficult and seemingly valuable potions to show his class, but no one ever uses any of it save the single vial of Felix Felicis! What happens to the rest of that potion? Does he just throw it out?? What a waste! But this makes more sense - throwing out extra potion is no big deal if you can save a bit and increase it whenever you want.

[@legacyrxt7570]

I think snape was making felix felicis

[@aleksandarkrastev5879]

About Felix Felicis at 8:45; since this is taught to every 6th year wouldn't it make sense for the school to have a supply/start preparing in advance for classes of the year? As Snape was still the effective teacher then he could've started that brew only for Slughorn to come and take over when he was rehired.

[@Mpiewizard]

An easy way to fix that trace plothole would be by saying that instance was when the trace was officially enacted on minor witches.

[@AlexLifts777]

So excited to see you hit 100k!! Your channel is growing so fast!! I'm so happy you're getting bigger because you clearly deserve it! Your love for books and discussions is precious. I still can't believe you agreed to review my Novel! See you at 100k!

[@middenway]

I regards to Tom Riddle's underage magic, I just assumed he had found a way to disable or trick the monitoring system. (Also, this is my favourite book of the seven :) )

[@Red-Wolf-Ben]

A big problem I have here is Snape FINALLY being appointed as the DADA teacher. Dumbledore had gone to great lengths before to keep from giving him this position. Once he hired Lockhart, who may well be the most useless teacher ever, and another time he allowed the Ministry to bring in the utter nightmare that was Umbridge rather than just give Snape the job. Clearly, he did NOT want Snape in this particular position. And then... he just gives it to him. What was keeping him from it before, and what changed?

[@vijayanandvadhyar7224]

I think I can put this to you . Hold on. During the summer preceding Harrys 6th year Dumbledore went to Little Hangleton and retrieved Marvolo Gaunts ring from Gaunt house . Then he wore it impulsively owing to his incessant thirst to see his dear ones returning from death . The curse spread and his wand hand shrivelled indicating the extend and spread of curse . Snape reprimanded him for not summoning him earlier for doing the cure and predicted that Dumbledore will not live for more than an year , on his request . Dumbledore doesn't want to die an intimidating death , let Draco tear up his soul , suffer under the wand of inhumane deatheaters like Bellatrix or Fenrir . So he requests Snape to step in when time has come and kill him ,according to his request , and save several unfortune events mentioned above from happening . Snape turns a deaf ear initially but finally yields . Dumbledore lets Snape take up the DADA job because he want to make the task of killing him unevadable for Snape because both of them know that the job is jinxed . This emphasises that Snape will not be able to continue as DADA professor in the 7th year , neither can he return to the post of potions master as Horace Slughorn is currently holding it .Snape had already promised Dumbledore that he will protect Hogwarts after Voldemort had infiltrated ministry and Ministry has send deatheaters to look after the school. In order to keep his promise and keep playing the part of double agent Snape has to remain in Hogwarts and that too as the most influential headmaster , if preferable . Killing Dumbledore helped him to cement the image of his as a loyal servant in the mind of Dark lord , which is why he was eventually appointed as the headmaster . It was because of him replacing Dumbledore , that all the Gryffindor sword drama took place and Harry refound the potential weapon to destroy horcruxes . Please also remember that Elder wand failed Tom at last because of his unawareness regarding the word between Snape and Dumbledore

[@Christoph-ce4hj]

Thanks for the video, I have been a fan ever since I stumbled upon your channel

[@JCbeMe]

Trace: it's detects when magic is performed near any underaged wizard. It has nothing to do with muggles being near. They also don't know who performs the spell, just that a spell is performed. So in wizard houses kids can get away with magic, up to parents to enforce rules. Harry keeps getting caught because the ministry knows he lives with a muggle family - so he's the only one who could perform magic (so they think). Voldemort could get away with magic at the gaunt house because it's a wizard household. For his muggle relatives however the ministry should have known something was up. Morfin was not underaged and the trace should have told them that there was at minimum an underaged wizard was near and likely involved in some way. The way you read how the spell works is why it seemed to not work for you - which arguably is enough to warrant clearer writing. But it does (mostly) make sense if you read it in the intended way.

[@TheRubberDuck77]

So to your point, it would just be an underaged wizard was near by... Still not who, but she could be right and there was no trace at the time. OR, this is Voldy we're talking about. Maybe he had figured out how to lift the trace, at least temporarily. It doesn't specifically say tho that he used the killing curse. He could also have poisoned them with a wizarding poison that muggles can't detect. That would actually be the easiest explanation.

[@PhilBagels]

@@TheRubberDuck77 Or he could have just killed them by non-magical means, like stabbing them. IDHMBIFOM. But yes, the "trace" is definitely very inconsistent. They don't detect when he lets the snake out of the cage at the zoo, but they do detect Dobby's hover charm in the house. They detect him blowing up Aunt Marge, but don't really care, then they are particularly upset about the patronus that wasn't in the house. So the trace is not on the person (they can't tell Harry from Dobby), nor on the house (patronus wasn't in the house), nor on the wand (his wand wasn't used on the glass, or Aunt Marge, or Dobby's charm). And they don't seem to notice him using "Lumos Maxima" in his room - but that might have just been in the movies. And they don't seem to take into consideration that Harry's muggle family already knows about wizards, so there's no violation of magical secrecy. And Vernon never seems the least bit concerned that the Ministry of Magic is monitoring his house, and presumably all the people in it! You'd think this especially magic-hating muggle would be outraged that his house and family are being spied on by wizards! But it may be that this trace requires active monitoring by someone or a team of wizards at the ministry - that it's not automatic. They could easily miss something if the guy monitoring Harry happened to be in the bathroom or looking at some other underage wizard, or otherwise distracted. Also there is plenty of precedent in the book for massive incompetence and corruption within the ministry. It's a government bureaucracy, after all - not any better at their jobs than muggle bureaucracies are at theirs.

[@TheRubberDuck77]

@@PhilBagels He couldn't have stabbed him in the books. It says that they didn't have any marks on them. The Muggle police couldn't figure out how they died. As for the trace, the stuff he does before going to hogwartz doesn't count because he isn't In control yet because he hasn't learned a Hogwarts yet. After Starting Hogwarts theme idea is he should now be in control? Ask for the inconsistency of I'm carrying or not. , and Prisoner of Azkaban they are worried about Sirius getting him but when he cast the Patronus the ministry is looking for any excuse to get at Harry. It is even mentioned in the books that it should just be a minor case of underage Wizardry and not this huge full. Wizengmot case

[@rv5232]

It would make sense that minors weren’t monitored at that point because it would also clear up the thing with lily coming home in the summer and “turning rats into teacups” or whatever petunia complained about

[@musichere3287]

Why would Dumbledore not mention that when Harry was questioning how ministry didn't notice Tom killed his parents?

[@WItowsky]

It says Katie was removed TO St. Mungos not from St. Mungos

[@merenwen4495]

What doesn’t make sense to me is why Draco was trying all year to repear the vanishing cabinet, while apparently house elves can apparate people in and out of places with wards on them. Why didn’t the death eaters just use their house elves to get into hogwarts?

[@youdontneedtoknowwhoiam6640]

He was the son of Narcissa, a Black, so Kreacher would've happily done whatever Malfoy told him to. Sixteen year olds are complete idiots. That's something I feel a lot of people forget when reading the series, every character is a child, and all of them are idiots. JK is very aware of that, which is different from most series/books out there. We can't judge all of them too much, because kids/tweens/teens are about as smart and observant as butterbeer.

[@merenwen4495]

You Don't Need To Know Who I Am Draco might have been a 16 year old at the time, but Voldemort, his parents and the rest of the death eaters weren’t. They could have gotten into Hogwarts whenever they wanted.