I Will Riot If This Iconic Harry Potter Book Moment Doesn’t Make It Into HBO’s Reboot

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HBO has all the resources and capabilities to create a successful reboot, and with sufficient time, they could produce an amazing version. Fans are eager to see the memorable Half-Blood Prince conversation between Harry and Snape brought to life. It feels like only yesterday that Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) first became known to the world and entered the public eye. Yet, it’s been nearly 15 years since the Harry Potter movies concluded so brilliantly with Deathly Hallows Part II. Initially, it seemed like another adaptation wasn’t needed, but HBO is quickly proving that’s not the case.

In 2027, viewers will finally meet the new generation of heroes in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout have been cast as the new Harry, Hermione, and Ron, an announcement made in May 2025. Since then, many other actors have been chosen for various roles, and most of these decisions have been well-received by both fans and critics. Even though the show isn’t scheduled to air for another two years, HBO has been sharing regular updates about its Harry Potter adaptation, repeatedly emphasizing its commitment to closely following the original books. As the series gets a fresh start on television, there’s one scene from the books that absolutely must be included (when the story reaches that point, naturally).

Harry Potter Is One of the Sassiest Characters

It’s really difficult to picture anyone else in the part, though it’s certain that McLaughlin will fully commit to the role. However, it’s worth remembering that Harry’s portrayal isn’t quite the same in the books as it is in the movies. Notably, and probably most obviously, Harry’s defining physical feature in the books-aside from the scar-is his green eyes, which he inherited from his mother.

Similarly, Harry’s hair is often depicted as dark black and messy, similar to his father’s. In the movies, Daniel Radcliffe’s eyes are a striking blue. His hair color closely resembles the book description in Goblet of Fire, but is generally styled and neater than how it’s described.

Daniel Radcliffe truly embodies Harry Potter’s personality on screen. However, the filmmakers didn’t showcase two key parts of his character: Harry is often very anxious (especially after Voldemort comes back), and he can be quite quick-witted and bold. Throughout the movies, Radcliffe portrays Harry as brave and resolute (as expected), but also noticeably clumsy and lacking in social grace. While it’s clear Harry is introverted and quiet, the books show he isn’t afraid to defend himself, correct others, or make a sarcastic comment.

Throughout the books, Harry frequently argues with others because he has a short temper and struggles to manage his emotions. This happens with characters like Hermione, Ron, Ginny Weasley, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Seamus Finnegan. In Order of the Phoenix, after a particularly stressful event, Harry has a major emotional outburst in Dumbledore’s office, causing significant damage. However, this scene-including Dumbledore’s efforts to console Harry-is completely cut from the film adaptation. In Half-Blood Prince, Harry gets very angry with Ron and Hermione several times when they doubt his suspicions about Draco Malfoy. While the films show some of these disagreements, they don’t emphasize them as much as the books do.

When it comes to Harry’s quick wit and sarcastic comments, Malfoy and Dudley Dursley usually bear the brunt of them. Harry can’t really hide his dislike for people. For example, in Goblet of Fire, he delivered a particularly cutting insult to Malfoy: “You know your mother, Malfoy? That expression she’s got, like she’s got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?” Harry briefly confronts Dudley in the , but in the books, he consistently teases his cousin whenever he gets the chance.

Half-Blood Prince Omitted Harry Potter’s Best Line

It’s disappointing that the film adaptation of Half-Blood Prince feels rushed. A lot of the book’s story-even crucial details like Voldemort’s past-were cut, leaving significant gaps in the narrative. Though some scenes are funny and the actors do a great job, the sixth Harry Potter book doesn’t feel fully realized in the movie. However, with HBO dedicating a full season to each Harry Potter book, they seem to have plenty of time to create a detailed and immersive version of The Wizarding World. Early looks at the cast and announcements from HBO suggest they’re working hard to capture the magic of the books while also bringing something new to the story.

If HBO truly wants its to be more faithful to Rowling’s novels (and a hit with diehard fans), the network/streaming service must include one of Harry’s best lines across all seven books. In chapter nine of Half-Blood Prince (“The Half-Blood Prince”), Harry and his classmates are attempting to get through a Defense Against the Dark Arts class, now being taught by Snape. When Snape attempts to get under Harry’s skin and remarks that Harry should call him “Sir,” Harry quickly turns the tables and delivers one of his best burns across the entire series: “There’s no need to call me ‘sir’, Professor.”

Harry’s response is instantly memorable because of how witty and bold it is, but it’s the way everyone *reacts* to what he says that truly makes the scene so famous in the movie. Hermione is shocked and immediately scolds Harry, while Ron, Seamus, and Dean Thomas all smile, enjoying the moment. As you’d expect, Harry is given detention right away, and Snape declares, “I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter…not even ‘the Chosen One.'”

Given what happens right up until the very end of Deathly Hallows, having this conversation would really enhance both characters. Plus, it would provide a welcome bit of humor, as the last few Harry Potter books are mostly quite sad.

Other Harry Potter Moments the Reboot Must Include

With the Harry Potter series being reimagined, there’s a great opportunity to include details, quotes, and characters that the original films missed, or to give them a better portrayal. For instance, the romance between Harry and Ginny felt rushed in the movies (and was made even more noticeable by the lack of on-screen connection between Daniel Radcliffe and Bonnie Wright). This new Harry Potter​​​​​​reboot could not only do justice to their complex relationship as depicted in the books, but also give Ginny Weasley a more developed and compelling character overall.

Concerning Ginny Weasley, her personality and role became less prominent in the later Harry Potter movies (though she was present, she mainly served to move the story forward). Rowling frequently referenced Ginny’s well-known Bat Bogey Hex in the books, but it wasn’t included at all in the films. The new HBO series has a chance to showcase more magical spells that weren’t featured in the original adaptation, including Scourgify (which cleans things), Anapneo (which helps someone breathe), and Impervius (which makes things waterproof).

Regarding Half-Blood Prince, even though the sixth season of HBO’s Harry Potter adaptation is likely a long way off, there’s a crucial scene that should definitely be included to stay true to the book: the fight at Hogwarts following Dumbledore’s death and Harry’s showdown with Snape. The book features Harry battling several of Voldemort’s Death Eaters. Harry and Snape also clash, culminating in Snape revealing his true identity. Dumbledore is also honored with a long and moving funeral. However, the movie version of Half-Blood Prince omits the battle, shows only a brief exchange of spells between Harry and Snape, and completely leaves out Dumbledore’s funeral.

It’s ironic that Deathly Hallows was made into two films to include as much as possible, but still couldn’t fit everything from Rowling’s last book. If the reboot could faithfully add just one scene that was left out, the best place would be during the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry doesn’t just tell Voldemort information he didn’t know – like who really controlled the Elder Wand – but also, for a short time, asks Voldemort to change his ways, demonstrating significant growth in Harry’s character.

Although Voldemort’s death in Deathly Hallows Part II is shown in a dramatic way, it’s actually more powerful to imagine his death happening as described in the book-just falling to the ground, like a normal person.

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2025-10-02 02:08