Why Can't Harry See Thestrals until Order of the Phoenix? - Harry Potter Explained

[@HarryPotterTheory]

Thanks for watching guys! Leave a LIKE if you enjoyed it! Video on Snape will be dropping later tonight

[@veronicasawyer8776]

Love it

[@Timberwolf69]

Why does that title give me this "déjà vu" feeling? Didn't you do a video about this about six months ago? * 10 minutes later * Okay, now I see why this has had to happen.

[@maximillian875]

D’you HAVE to imitate Luna? I cringed.😂 So how do we explain him not seeing them at the end of the FIRST book, after seeing Quirrel die in the movie version? And since this was something to process, as JK Rowling says, shouldn’t he have seen them in the sequel? Perhaps plot armor would be that he somehow forgot seeing Quirrel die after he fainted. Perhaps most of his memories of that event were taken by Voldemort as he fled. @HarryPotterTheory

[@lizat3185]

Oooh I’m kind of early!

[@Timberwolf69]

@@maximillian875 As far as I remeber, Harry lost his consciousness before Quirrel died. Thus he couldn't really witness his death.

[@OO-jc6ct]

Props for giving Luna Lovegood your best go 🙌

[@MarkBond1111]

I thought she was fabulous!!

[@OO-jc6ct]

@@MarkBond1111 Yeah I thought so too, that's why I said props 🙌

[@Sam-he6vh]

Dude steal my reply wtf man

[@lemonade8328]

His voice when impersonating Luna! 🤣

[@darylsdesigns6679]

Ikr 😂

[@darylsdesigns6679]

That Hagrid impersonation was remarkably accurate

[@finnglover]

NAHH BRO THAT GOT ME ROLLING ON THE FLOOR

[@KbIPbIL0]

When I try to sing like a tenor altino

[@tonillewalsh7796]

😅

[@austinbyrd4164]

How come nobody's ever accidentally walked into one? That's the real question everyone's been thinking.

[@mayukhdutta9393]

Don't they live in the forest? How could someone run into them accidentally?

[@keerah1510]

@@mayukhdutta9393 like when their pulling the carriage

[@mayukhdutta9393]

@@keerah1510 it's probably too dark that they would think that they only bumped into something like a rock and probably dismiss the thought immediately. I mean it is often mentioned that people are always in a hurry and they tend to overlook things. It's often mentioned so in the series and characters like Luna Lovegood stand out because they don't tend to overlook things like this. Anyways you get my point. I mean even when Harry saw those creatures he was like, "I am probably going insane and maybe I shouldn't think about it." (Plus, Luna Lovegood saying, "you are as sane as I am"..... well it doesn't help)

[@austinbyrd4164]

@@mayukhdutta9393 Someone's bound to walk in front of the carriage and bump into it. It's the size of a horse and moves. They literally live in a magic world with ghosts, invisibility through cloaks and spells, and they wouldn't at least question why there's a huge invisible thing in front the carriage?

[@AustynSN]

I'm not certain, but I think in the background of a scene in one of the movies, this happens to one of the Patil sisters.

[@cawre]

I think Thestrals are quite beautiful in their own way.

[@gabrielmartinelli7698]

Really. They kinda just look like bony horses.

[@jjostroff]

@@gabrielmartinelli7698 he was quoting luna

[@jesusothe3rd847]

His Luna voice is amazing🤣😂

[@lilapotter7374]

I agree, but Evanna Lynch was perfect for Luna Lovegood

[@ryanellis9325]

No. No it isnt. That's a horrific accent.

[@AustynSN]

Does Voldemort see Thestrals? Sure, he's seen (and caused) an insane amount of death, but has it ever mattered to him? Has he ever really connected with any of those deaths?

[@ladynawar]

I don't think so. Voldemort feared death; he believed such a fate was reserved for the weak. He is ruthless and shoots killing curses left and right without thinking. He truly believes there is no fate worse than death. As a result, I highly doubt he was capable of accepting death for what it was, and therefore could not see thestrals or hear the voices behind the veil in the Department of Mysteries.

[@MaCabaret]

Honestly, I think JK really just painted herself in a corner on this one. It seems like kind of a cop-out to imply that he didn’t actually see/comprehend the deaths he had been present for. His reaction to the dementors implies that the death of his parents was the most traumatic experience of his life. If it counts for the death of Cedric even though he didn’t actually see it, it should most certainly count for his parents and quirrel.

[@royalpain9281]

Ya I mean before Harry fainted I’m sure he would’ve looked at Quirl’s dust pile

[@xerathotp]

@@royalpain9281 in the books quirrel didnt changed to dust. Tom killed him

[@royalpain9281]

@@xerathotp oh right I forgot

[@nighttimeserenity2447]

Im not surprised that she'd find herself in a corner. Harry Potter is a major world, and she did come up with it on her own. No way can a single author flawlessly execute information from first book up to the very last page of the last one. -Shrug- We're human.

[@cooperminion825]

In the books, Harry's scar was causing him so much pain that it was literally blinding. He didn't actually see Quirrel die. He was blacking out from the pain and the last thing he heard before losing consciousness was Dumbledore calling him

[@Evaristo.Fernandes]

2:35 HP theroy stealing Snape's line Turn to page 394🦇

[@UziMan-Science-Math]

Hahahahahahahaha I know right?

[@xxthealpha_wolfiexx5163]

@@viridxx2343 agree you kidding me-

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

Damn dude... Your Hagrid voice is on point! You should do a rendition of the books as Audio Books. Fairly certain Audible let's people freelance it so you can keep it legal.

[@UziMan-Science-Math]

That's the most hilarious Luna voice I ever heard

[@Perseverance7]

That Luna impersonation is golden! 😂😂😂

[@chocolatecupcake2172]

I love how you use evidence from the books to explain your theory. I’m a new subscriber and I am really loving your videos 😊

[@redacted316]

I’m pretty sure i asked this question in the comment section for one of your vids so thanks for answering it

[@mayukhdutta9393]

This cleared a lot of things. I always wondered why Harry couldn't see Thestrals until the Order of the Phoenix and even after the events of Goblet of fire but I dismissed them as plotholes I guess. Could you make one on why Fred and George didn't notice Peter Pettigrew with Ron or even Percy in the Marauders Map?

[@MysticQD]

Maybe only the marauders or descendents of the marauders can see the other marauders

[@SoumalyaHomRoy]

Watch this kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH69nYB6Zb5qfJY this theory explains your question.

[@mayukhdutta9393]

@@SoumalyaHomRoy thanks

[@lengmanl4807]

Hahahaha man went from a deep voice to luna lovegood in a matter of seconds

[@royalmods3822]

ik that had me cracking up

[@2turnt4yu]

Can you do what happens to the Hallows?

[@2turnt4yu]

@@ashwinsmagicandcardistry some one might have stolen the cloak or found the stone but I'm sure the wand remains in the same place

[@2turnt4yu]

@@ashwinsmagicandcardistry good poitn

[@az1202]

@@darthscotchy471 that’s Just in the movies

[@KnobleSloth]

He watches his mom AND quirrel die. His eyes were closed when cedric died. He didnt see the thestrals at the end of 4th year back to the train. Plot holes. The end.

[@Luffy61C4]

Had to be grievering and completely rebuilt from that And it may take some time to do so

[@KnobleSloth]

@@ashwinsmagicandcardistry you are correct about quirrel. But in the books, harry's eyes are closed when Cedric dies. Chapter 32. Page 638.

[@breadstick8456]

@@ashwinsmagicandcardistry was just about to type that. These people in the comments sound like they didn’t even read the books.

[@ellymarieli225]

You don't have to visually see death to witness it. For example, if you're a 000 telephone operator and someone hears a domestic argument over the call and there is abuse they are 100% witnesses to it. Harry saw green light and the thud of a heavy body then saw it was Cedric. He witnessed that death. Harry passed out before Quirrel died. As a baby he was unable to comprehend what death was and thought his parents died in a car crash because that was what he was told.

[@gabrielmartinelli7698]

Nah. Movie plotholes. It wasn’t like that In the books.

[@angelicadimonte4912]

"10 seconds ago" I'll never be this early ever again

[@ethanbonafede]

You are such a great channel, keep being amazing!

[@alexdredge655]

Great video as always! I’ve always wondered about the Weasley family clock and how it was created, would love a video explaining it 😀

[@matteoviola5760]

It’s not that difficult. In the Order of the Phoenix, Luna states that only people that literally saw the Death right in front of their faces can see them. Harry defeats Voldemort in Little Hangleton’s Graveyard so after that he can see ‘em

[@User-wt8gd]

goblet of fire???

[@matteoviola5760]

@Oof Oooof69 yeah yeah wrong book

[@matteoviola5760]

@@ashwinsmagicandcardistry I didn’t read anything on that comment that suggests that Harry kills Voldemort

[@maleficminx]

‘Tha’s exactly right’, said Phil Mitchel 🤣❤️ love the voices, hehe I adore your videos! I love Harry Potter and if I’m not watching people’s reaction videos to the films, I’m here watching your videos!

[@Austin_Wingfield]

This is epic. Love you for the details

[@yedidyahalibard3588]

Great vid I've been asking that question a lot and this finally answers it. Can u do a vid about why the poison potion in the cave where the locket was hidden has to be drunk and why u can't just stick your hand in and grab the locket?

[@YourFavEl]

When he tries to do Luna and Hagrids voice Me: dies laughing 😂

[@rowangarcia74]

I just bit into an apple and now my mouth is bleeding. That was random

[@bellabyers2929]

That always happens to me

[@rowangarcia74]

@@bellabyers2929 i feel ya

[@tonillewalsh7796]

Lol Are you all right?

[@rowangarcia74]

I mean, theres blood on the apple and i have tissues in my mouth

[@rowangarcia74]

So not bad

[@abdullahshah6982]

2:36 who else remembered when snape said “page 394”

[@Isaac_cox]

I'm literally watching the order of Phoenix and everything you're showing me in this video is a part of the movie I'm watching XD

[@NailsByChelsie]

Why are u suprised? Lol

[@Isaac_cox]

@@NailsByChelsie idk XD

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

When I wrote my own comment, I was tempted to say that I didn’t feel the absence in the film adaptation of Hagrid explaining the thestrals, because the scene in which Luna explains them to Harry is so complete. I also just finished listening over again to the Order of the Phoenix reading by Jim Dale yesterday afternoon .

[@Isaac_cox]

@@Shred_The_Weapon okay

[@Luffy61C4]

I was too at the very moment i saw the notification By the way, love Luna Lovegood

[@tjlove2106]

His luna is spot on xD

[@gavinlawyer9683]

Thank you!!!!!! I was so confused. But can you do a bit on history of the tri wizard tournaments?

[@macwelch8599]

Because he was too young to remember his parents dying in front of him in the Philosopher’s Stone

[@uh_dafuq]

Yea. He said he only saw green light and that was it and he was only a baby so he couldn’t fully understand his parents death

[@macwelch8599]

@@uh_dafuq exactly

[@User-wt8gd]

what about prof. quirrell

[@macwelch8599]

@@User-wt8gd I’m not sure about that

[@User-wt8gd]

wait, does memories dying count? cause if it does the what about tom riddle?

[@SPARTANX530]

1:17 Luna's voice very accurate 10/10 😂

[@maxmetodiev641]

The timing couldn't be more perfect, I saw order of phoenix 2 days ago

[@lapislaboratory3704]

2:35 PAGE 394!!! XDDD

[@muddledlion9593]

Xd

[@OneSockOff_95]

I knew some one would comment on this

[@baked_alaska]

I literally came down to the comments in hopes that someone would make that connection. I died when I heard the page number. 😂

[@zoemichael5153]

What book

[@OneSockOff_95]

@@zoemichael5153 🤦‍♂️

[@joshuasheehan4799]

I'm confused about the the fact that in the pensive in the 6th book Dumbledore ages very little between 1938 and 1945, however by 1956 Harry describes Dumbledore as looking the exact same as he does in 1997 excluding his withered hand and some of the age lines on his face. The more I look into it the weirder Dumbledore's aging system gets.

[@maddiedoesitall4908]

I’ve always wonder this ty so much!

[@havinashnadella7215]

Thank you so much HPT I kept the comment asking the same question to Movie Flame but you answered

[@Uberdude6666]

Because JK Rowling didn't think of Thestrals until she wrote OotP and then she was like "Umh...but he was just a baby when his parents died... Quirrel was like...possessed and smoldering to pieces, totally not a proper death, and Cedric...Surely no one will notice!" I totally buy that "It has to sink in a bit and they appear gradually" though

[@annabelbassett8069]

On a serious note though, this video was amazing and I finally have an answer to the question I have been asking for ages!😄 Thank you HPTheory.

[@annabelbassett8069]

That attempt at Luna’s voice.😂😂😂

[@remysadventures-official8357]

I subbed because of Luna's voice lol (seriously thought)

[@TantiveIV]

Can you do a explanation Of all the ghosts in Hogwarts and how they died?

[@xxthealpha_wolfiexx5163]

@@ashwinsmagicandcardistry nearly*

[@jameswest981]

I study this body of work on a daily basis, I am glad I'm not the only one, magnificent video HP theory 💯

[@harukrentz435]

your impersonation of Luna Lovegood is really SPOT ON! 😉

[@abbeabdallah]

That is the best luna impression ever

[@rohinipensalwar8861]

I used to think that voldemort could see thestrals but as you said one must be able to feel grief, which voldemort certainly did not feel

[@mariafreiji627]

his voice is so calming and satisfying

[@dasaltytrashcan4716]

I lost my mind when he spoke in a higher pitch for Luna 🤣🤣

[@thegreatbocaj]

I wonder if the Weasley's can see thestrals after the Deathly Hollows, after poor Fred's death, especially Ron and George.

[@itsyahomiescott3742]

Only Percy would likely have been able to see them after Fred’s death, as he was standing right next to him, and witnessed his brother die in the explosion. The other Weasleys only saw his corpse after he died, except for possibly Charlie, as he would’ve been high above the battlefield on a dragon at the time, but it’s more likely that he was too preoccupied with fighting the other death eaters to notice his brother dying. It’s also possible that all of the Weasleys could see them after Fred’s death, due to the shear amount of pain and mourning his death caused them, but I find this to be more unlikely than the first option, simply because it’s clearly stated you have to physically SEE the person die in order to see them.

[@krystalgomez2300]

I think so many of them will be ae to witness them. They fought a damn war saw so many getting killed

[@milomedina8833]

I love your videos!

[@Jamsome59]

You have to see and process death to actually see the threstrals. Harry saw his parents die as a baby, but the only thing he processed was *green light shiny*. It wasn’t until he was 14 in GOF that he saw Cedric die, and of course he was well aware of what dead was.

[@alanaalbarado2357]

If only those who “saw and understood” death were able to see Thestrals in full form, why were they all able to ride on a Thestral to the Ministry of Magic in the Order of the Phoenix (meaning Ron, Ginny, Hermione, & Neville)? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@shreyasbhokare7192]

I have been thinking same from ages ??

[@marethyu_77gamer93]

Iirc they explicitely state that only some of them (Harry, Luna and iirc Neville) see them, whereas the others (Ron, Hermione, Ginny) have to rely on them because they personally can't see the Thestrals. Edit : yeah Neville had seen his grandfather die

[@azargurung3629]

That voiceover is lit😂

[@lucasngao47]

It’s the Luna Impression for me 🤣🤣🤣 💀

[@nighttimeserenity2447]

I do like that death is a concept that takes time to digest and fully understand after having witnessed it. But then again, it took me quite the good while to realise my grandfather's death. No tear did i shed for him, regardless of how i held him in my eyes. But during his will being spoken, did i start to cry for the very first time. I merely struggle a lot to comprehend such, to truly realise the importance of certain events. Being capable of understanding what has happened, and to let it sink in... It does make sense.

[@johnlucas2838]

Only when one starts grieving does it seem that one understands death.

[@Cardboard110]

Did you hire someone else to do Luna’s voice or are you just that talented?

[@TheBrickBuildingEnthusiast]

What annoys me most is that in the GOF, Harry didn't actually see Cedric being hit by the killing curse. His eyes were closed tight shut when Pettigrew appeared with Voldemort and just saw a blinding green flash of light through his eyelids. He finally opened his eyes after Cedric was killed which I don't really think counts due to the fact that he didn't witness the murder happen. His eyes were closed, a flash of green light struck through his eyelids and then he saw Cedric's body. Can someone please explain this to me because it's been bothering me for a while now.

[@marethyu_77gamer93]

Well ... he didn't see Cedric die as in "he didn't see the moment at which life quitted Cedric", but he very much saw Cedric dies as in "seeing him alive, hearing the Killing Curse being cast and then seeing Cedric dead". Even if he didn't visually witness the moment, he still witnessed it in other ways and fully understood what had happened.

[@Wxyver_n]

In the movie, harry was not unconscious when Quirrel died, he saw him crumble to dust.

[@M_Dutch97]

That Luna impression😂😂😂

[@starman1004]

Nice vid btw, I always believed you had to truly understand the concept of death after witnessing someone die for the Thestrals to appear.

[@iu01ae86]

Ty now I understand. I was so confused about this

[@richewilson6394]

The movie did a good job of showing that Harry witnessed Cedric's death.

[@BuenoPigeon]

we all know it's because Rowling didn't come up with thestrals until the order of the phoenix

[@clairebrown1162]

That always confused me so thanks for this video

[@Shadowcat107]

this was a very interesting video. Luna can see the thestrals but while Harry couldn't. I watched this movie. I thought only wizards can see the thestrals if someone has seen death. I love being a Potterhead. thanks for this awesome video.

[@randycrawford1132]

It’s not just seeing death it’s also processing it

[@cash_2202]

The reason why he can’t see the thestrals until ootp is because he can’t remember his mum dying exactly and also he fainted before he could see quirrel die.

[@Zafir228]

Yh that’s true

[@dorians2138]

I ask you kindly - *please dont do the voices* It was so painful to hear it

[@brennanperkins6341]

I CRINGED so hard when he did Luna’s voice ahahahaha

[@bernardgabrielluna6322]

agreed, i cried of cringe

[@4263484]

Cringe

[@darkseeker9548]

WHOA I thought Luna was talking for a second. Great impersonation

[@editinqppl]

I suggested this once. If u can confirm that this was me, pls say.

[@silent_aj_lmk4014]

That Luna voice had me in tears 🤣

[@callanmaciver4059]

The Luna Voice Sounds Super Pog

[@ian7064]

Solid Hagrid impression lol

[@ProdByDrestar]

I always assumed you had to comprehend death, not just witness death

[@bradyrobinson4205]

Basically it’s sounds like: you have to witness death THEN have gone threw the stages of grief and accepted what happened and that they are gone

[@Cannablessed]

Always, page 394.

[@papahamdrew9962]

Great luna voice

[@SalaamsBrother]

Lol that Luna impression

[@charliepenny2011]

I was not prepared for the voices

[@Keiranpawlak]

Upon reading the series again recently, the series is full of holes like these, probably due to a combination starting the series aiming the books directly at children and the insane speed she wrote the books, there was always going to be inconsistencies. While not ideal, it probably contributed greatly to the quality of the movies to have that source material ready.

[@ShinyMike90]

Could you do a video on Sirius's death? (Apologies if you already have!) In the book it doesn't specify what colour the jet of light he was hit with! He also changed his facial expression afterwards implying that his death wasn't instant and probably not Avada Kedavra! What spell could it have been? Was it the cause of his death or did it just injure him enough to fall into the Veil and that caused it? 😄

[@trayner]

How come no one ran into them , like walking around the carriage ? Bang runs into an invisible horse

[@storymaster164]

Don’t do voices, bro. It made it hard not to cringe. And not in the fun way.

[@GigaHuxpin]

This is because harry didn't really know his mother was dead or what happened at 1 year old..... That's why he couldn't see them. But after watching cedric bite it.... That was a lot different.... He understood what happened and knew ced was dead.... That's why he could see them after that.

[@blueeyedwitch9840]

Bellatrixs patronus would make a great theory

[@rohith2581]

Impersonating luna 😍😍 thats amazing 😍😍

[@doireannlynch]

I think it's because he had to understand it? And feel the grief, to come to terms with it, that Cedric was not coming back.

[@jaredgandy191]

i think and i could be wrong that the reason that harry can't see thestrals earlier than order of the phoenix is fairly simple. only those who have seen death can see them, and while he may have seen his mother die he was so young at the time that he may not have been mentally mature enough to have seen the thestrals later on. and as for Quirrell, I believe that Harry may have passed out as he was dying so that way he would not see the thestrals after that.

[@hoorahforsnakes]

The real reason is that rowling only came up with the idea of thestrals after finishing the 4th book, and everything else is just a retcon

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

This would be perfectly acceptable for me, except for one nagging point. If Harry did not witness the deaths of his parents, how was his brain forced to latch onto the recollections during Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when he encounters the Dementors for the first time? Now for a total non sequitur to this particular upload. Could you do an entry about how come during Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, none of the fighters for Hogwarts ingested Felix Felicis potion before going into battle? It had proved fruitful for Ginny a year before when Dumbledore was killed.

[@JuanMataCFC]

i've seen a theory saying that whatever Harry saw when near a Dementor was not his own worst memory, but Voldemort's. don't forget that a part of Voldemort's soul was still inside Harry at the time. given how Voldemort's worst fear was death (even his Boggart was his own corpse), it totally adds up that Voldemort's worst memory would be the closest he ever came to death.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Touché, @@JuanMataCFC.

[@BjornV1994]

He didn't knowingly witness the death of his mother, but he still was present and his subconsciousness did register it happening. It was also probably the moment that he was the most afraid as after his mother died, he saw Voldemort and started to cry. He had memories of the event but for the longest time, he never truly understood these memories (as he didn't know exactly what he was remembering and he never had to come to terms that he lost them). Even when he was bombarded by the visions when he encountered the Dementors, it took him awhile to realize what he was seeing, what he was reliving. It would be like driving past an accident where they are removing someone from the wreckage and just the moment you look at the person, he dies. It is unlikely that you know that the person just died, you are unaware of his passing, yet you did witness it. And later you might realize what you exactly have witnessed but it won't have the same impact as being there and knowing you just saw or hear someone die. And that's what happened with Cedric Diggerory. Harry didn't look at his friend when he died but knew what was happening, knew what he just had heard and knew exactly what had happened. At that moment, he knew Cedric had passed on, which is the first condition that has to be met to be able to see a Thestral. The second came when he came to terms with the ramifications of it. Understanding what has happened in the moment and later understanding what it means, is what is needed to see Thestrals, if either isn't fully met, it won't happen.

[@katielynn459]

love the luna voice

[@vigorous_zee]

Because he never seen death before until Sirius Black. In the goblet of fire , bellatrix lustrange killed Sirius black that is why Harry was able to see this in the order of Phoenix

[@Joey15811]

Harry saw thestrals at the start of Order. Sirius died later on.

[@danniandersen5858]

So wand makers has to witness death in order to produce wands with their hair?

[@AteenteenSpirt]

He may have been sleeping when lily died, and quarill was left near death when harry passed out and he never actually saw Diggory die just the blast green light

[@Plan3tMist]

When harry saw cedric die, he understood death, witnessed death, and mourned death (dunno if mournign is part) When he saw his mother die, he witnessed death, mourned it (crying) but he didnt umderstand death, he only knew something wasnt right about his parents

[@micheleminor1106]

I think that one would have to be at least a certain age where they can understand and process what death is and what the loss of a person would be to them. Since Harry was only one year old when his parents were killed he wasn't of an age where he could understand the concept of death. In the Philsopher's Stone he may not have grasped that Quirrell had died only that Voldemort seemed to have been destroyed in that form. When Cedric died he was of an age to understand the concept of death though it took him the summer after his fourth year to really process his death mentally.

[@ShadowDeist]

1:17 no comment that's all im going to say.

[@Mumin._.]

what if two people drank liquid luck then fighted eachother and there goal was to kill the other person

[@merikmalhads1676]

Well the first moment I understood the loss of an individual was when I interacted with a jumping spider which are much more mentally aware and intelligent then people give them credit for. I think in recognizing that such a radically different individual was capable of social interaction and thought really changed the way I looked at nonhuman animals. I mean my dog definitely solidified that point but when you're thinking of intelligent creature you aren't usually thinking of tiny spiders are you?