10 Harry Potter Plot-Holes That Are Actually Aren't
Annoyed at Potter critics poking fun at your favourite series? Prepare to fight back.
Harry Potter is a beast, a near epoch-defining work of fiction so entrenched in our culture that it is near impossible to imagine our world without it (almost like Frozen, but without the singing).
With that kind of influence it should came as no surprise that it is one of the most heavily scrutinized series in history, and with fans combing the books with the keen eyes of Sherlock Holmes it should also come as even less of a surprise that mistakes have been found.
Some are valid, such as when, during the Priori Incantatum incident in Goblet of Fire, the echo of Lily Potter appeared before James Potter despite the fact that James was killed first. But a great many are not and while seeming to be iron-clad, bonafide plot-holes, are in fact easily explained with only a little careful thought.
Normally this type of list demands a fair bit of, how shall we say? out-of-the-box creative licence (*cough* Unapologetic BS *cough*). But with Harry Potter there is no need. Because such is JK Rowling’s attention to that detail that, channel your inner Sherlock hard enough and you’ll find the evidence you’re looking for.
So, let’s dive into some of the mistakes and find out why the mystery lies not in the mistake, but in the reason why it was considered a mistake in the first place.
10. Why Did No Other Nation Stand With Britain Against Voldemort?
The Plot-Hole
The British were left to fight Voldemort entirely on their own. But with the threat he poses why did other nations not send forces to help?
But Wait...
Simple, the answer here is Dumbledore.
Dumbledore was internationally recognized as the only wizard Voldemort feared. It is logical, then, to go one step further and assume that only Dumbledore could defeat him. With Dumbledore dead resistance against Voldemort would be seen as pointless, as would be sending wizards to help fight him.
Instead many nations would see to their own defence, hoping to make one last defiant stand on their home ground. Many others would probably wait to see how the war progressed in order to decide whether to spin at least a passable excuse for their inaction or just how quickly to grovel at Voldemort’s feet. Some had likely already sent envoys suing for peace.
Rather than being a plot-hole the absence of the wider world is a perfectly understandable response to an extremely difficult situation. Cause when you're staring down the barrel, it's awful hard not to cower.