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The Harry Potter movies brought the magic of Hogwarts to life, but like with many book-to-screen adaptations, not everything made it in. With limited screen time, the filmmakers had to make some tough choices, leaving out several smaller book moments to focus on the main plot. Most of these omissions were understandable, but one particular cut created a confusing plot hole that still bothers fans, and it has everything to do with Fred and George Weasley’s joke shop.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, there’s an iconic scene where Fred and George spectacularly drop out of Hogwarts. They fly off into the sky with fireworks blazing, leaving the dreadful Dolores Umbridge behind in a haze of magical chaos. The scene is unforgettable, fun, rebellious, and perfectly fitting for the mischievous twins.
Soon after, we see them in Diagon Alley with a full-fledged joke shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, packed with colourful products, magical pranks, and a storefront that clearly cost a lot of Galleons to build. It’s a great visual, but one thing the movies never explain is how they were able to afford it. The Weasleys, as we’ve been shown repeatedly, don’t come from money. In fact, their financial struggles are mentioned often, from secondhand robes to hand-me-down books. So, where did two teenagers suddenly get enough money to open a fancy shop in one of the busiest parts of the wizarding world?
The answer lies in a deeply meaningful detail from the books, one that the movies completely skipped. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, after Harry wins the Triwizard Tournament, he’s awarded a huge cash prize. But after the traumatic events of the final task, especially Cedric’s death, Harry has no interest in keeping the money. So what does he do? He secretly gives the entire sum to Fred and George, encouraging them to follow their dream and open their joke shop.
This moment is more than just a financial exchange. It shows Harry’s generosity, his deep bond with the twins, and his desire to support others even in the midst of his own grief. It also makes the twins’ journey feel earned. Without this scene, their sudden leap from school dropouts to successful business owners feels like a bit of a stretch, especially in a world where money clearly matters.
The good news is, HBO now has the chance to fix this. With the upcoming Harry Potter TV reboot being planned as a long-form series, there will be far more room to include the smaller, emotional moments that the movies had to skip. And this one deserves a spot. Whether they recreate the full scene where Harry gives them the winnings or simply mention it in passing, the show needs to make this moment part of the story.
Including this detail will not only close a major plot hole but also make Fred and George’s success feel far more believable and heartfelt. It will show a different side of Harry — one that’s thoughtful and quietly generous, and give even more emotional weight to the twins’ storyline, especially considering how their story ends later on.
Many fans are understandably cautious about the upcoming show. After all, the original films hold a special place in people’s hearts. But if HBO wants to win over longtime fans and justify retelling this beloved story, paying attention to small yet powerful book details like this one could make all the difference. It’s not just about fixing mistakes, it’s about honouring the emotional depth that made the books so magical in the first place.