10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The Harry Potter Books

10. The Mirror Of Erised Was Inspired By The Death Of Rowling’s Mother

Many people know that Rowling came up with Harry Potter whilst on a train from Manchester to London – the idea just popped into her head. Fans are less familiar, however, with the death of Rowling’s mother.

In December 1990 (roughly six months after the aforementioned train journey), Anne Rowling died of multiple sclerosis. She was just forty-five years old.

Rowling’s vision for her seven-part series then darkened considerably. And one particular chapter was directly linked with her mother’s death. In 'The Mirror of Erised', Harry stumbles across a large mirror following a close shave with Argus Filch, the Hogwarts caretaker.

Before long, Harry realises this is no ordinary mirror. When he looks into it, he sees his long-lost family staring back at him, including his mother and father.

Rowling’s idea for this scene stemmed from her desire to see her own mother again. Just like her protagonist, she longed to spend more time with her deceased family.