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“This Is What Aunt Petunia Is Really Doing”: Potterheads Discover New Easter Egg
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“This Is What Aunt Petunia Is Really Doing”: Potterheads Discover New Easter Egg

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Hidden like treasures within our favorite films, Easter eggs, if you will, serve as cinematic enigmas. And what better movie franchise than Harry Potter to unearth such secrets, keeping the magic of the essence of the movie?

Redditors have just uncovered a new carefully concealed gem in the fantasy drama, revealing once again the delightful secrets that filmmakers have scattered like breadcrumbs for those with keen eyes and a sense of adventure.

Fans have revealed what Aunt Petunia was actually doing in a scene of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Image credits: Warner Bros

During the initial moments of the first Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, there’s a familiar sight that you’ve likely encountered numerous times but may not have fully absorbed.

As you’re likely aware, Aunt Petunia can be spotted in the background in the kitchen, while much more captivating events unfold.

As Harry’s uncle, Mr. Dursley, casually peruses his mail and the young sorcerer marvels at the Hogwarts envelope bearing his name, a subtle detail unfolds in the background where Petunia is observed stirring a collection of clothing within a sizable pot.

As Mr. Dursley, casually peruses his mail and Harry marvels at the Hogwarts envelope, Petunia is observed stirring a sizable pot

Image credits: Warner Bros

However, within the Reddit community, Harry Potter enthusiasts have been highlighting precisely what the English muggle woman was really engaged in.

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“In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone, Aunt Petunia is visible in the background of this scene dyeing Dudley’s old clothes grey for Harry’s uniform,” a Redditor explained. “This is only ever mentioned in the book,” they added.

In the book, Harry’s guardians preferred to enroll him at Stonewall High instead of sending him to Dudley’s prestigious Smeltings Academy

Image credits: Warner Bros

In J.K. Rowling’s original book series, the Dursleys had initially intended to enroll Harry at Stonewall High, as opposed to Dudley’s prestigious Smeltings Academy.

To create his school attire, Aunt Petunia had dyed a selection of Dudley’s former garments grey for Harry to put on.

Fortunately, the young wizard received his Hogwarts letter just in the nick of time, sparing him from donning the rather ugly uniform that resembled “elephant skin.”

“Harry says he went downstairs and smelled something bad,” another Redditor explained, continuing, “and in the kitchen, there was a big metal pot in which grey rags were swimming in dirty water.

“He asked Petunia what it is and she says ‘it’s your new uniform’, and Harry says something like ‘I didn’t realize it had to be so wet’.”

To create Harry’s school attire, Aunt Petunia had dyed a selection of Dudley’s former garments gray

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Image credits: Warner Bros

Devotees of the Harry Potter franchise were taken aback when the Easter egg was brought to their attention, leaving them perplexed by their failure to notice it independently.

“I don’t remember that from the books, guess it’s time to read them again,” one person commented.

Another Reddit user wrote: “Definitely didn’t notice this before! Cheers.”

Someone recalled that Harry asked Petunia what she was boiling before being revealed that it was his new uniform 

Image credits: Warner Bros

In recent years, the Harry Potter fanbase has been grappling with a disheartening reality – the controversial and divisive views about the transgender community expressed by J.K. Rowling.

Tia Latham, an intersex woman with what she has described to be a transgender experience, told Bored Panda: “As someone who grew up reading and loving her books, seeing her attack my community at every opportunity she gets is devastating.”

Some people argued that “real” Harry Potter fans would’ve known this, as it is explicitly mentioned in the books

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acsdp86 avatar
Amy Smith
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As with most of these things, there is a lot lost in translation between the books and the films. Whole characters missing (I mean, we missed out on the chance to see Rik Mayall as Peeves the Poltergeist on screen for one). Petunia wrote to Dumbledore begging to be allowed to attend Hogwarts with Lily but she was told that she had no magical ability. She loved her sister and was more jealous of her magical ability than hating or fearing it. She could have had Harry packed off to an orphanage when Lily and James died, after he was dropped off with her, but she kept him all those years, probably because he reminded her so much of her sister. There is some depth to Petunia Dursley and it's not all bad. But saying that, limited screen time etc, some things are going to be missed. I can't remember if that detail was in one of the films or not. Also, the Goblet of Fire was an excellent book and a crappy film.

saderman avatar
Shelli Aderman
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s all in the books. None of this is “New,” or “Revealing.” 🤦🏽‍♀️

cupimack88 avatar
Samsquatch & Monko
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wOw So ShOcKiNg, We NeEd To MaKe An EnTiRe ArTiClE tO uNdErStAnD tHiS/s

d4rkpone avatar
TotallyNOTAFox
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the version running on TV they include the scene that explains that, on DVD and in the cinema they don't though. And what is with the people calling others toxic, they just point out that it's explained in the books and that people that read them knew this

benitavaldez avatar
Benita Valdez
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I was getting so confused since I've watched this so many times on TV and the scene is there. I was really wondering what was going on with this post so thank you for explaining that

Load More Replies...
el_8 avatar
EL
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only just discovered? Never mind the books, I see this same "easter egg" in different articles every few months. Click bait title.

subtler-exploit-0v avatar
MadameMalfoy
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

um bestie this is not new information. this is in the book and another version of the movie that shows some cut scenes

teerat avatar
Tee Rat
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on what network airs the movie. On the E Network she tells Harry what she is doing and he responds 'it will fit me like an old elephant skin'. Whereas every other network has the scene deleted along with other scenes including the scene of Petunia cracking eggs to find Harry's acceptance letters.

midoribirdaoi avatar
Midoribird Aoi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, get off it; there is a well known deleted scene that shows this.

arianahale avatar
AspieGirl88
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who always preferred the HP books, I definitely remember this scene. Poor Harry thought he’d be going to his new school looking like he’s wearing bits of elephant skin, LOL. Thankfully Hagrid was able to intervene before Harry was forced into the horrible “uniform”, though. 😄

lilcatia12639 avatar
lonely miso
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guys she mentions it in the book and the movie (I rewatched movie 1 today).! How is this an Easter egg???

hargreavesbeth6 avatar
CatLady
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ummm, I thought everyone had noticed that in the first movie. It wasn't really hidden.

squifflenoses avatar
Squiffle Noses
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I realised the other day that the reason the spell Ron used in epside 1 - make this fat rat yellow- might have been no use because IT WAS NOT ACTUALLY A RAT he was using it on. Someone will no doubt take this thought and say Rowlings did it intentionally for that reason. I very much doubt it.

ryumusu avatar
Ryu Musu
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who read the book, I don't remember this *proceeds to disintegrate*

valrico63 avatar
Sam Cook
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ABC Family and other channels have included the deleted scene with the explanation nearly every time I've rewatched it over the years.

bjenkins3988 avatar
brittany
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for anyone who wishes to see a more inclusive telling of the harry potter series, go to tiktok and look for a gentleman named Adrian hogarts transfer student. hes got lovely blue hair. cant miss him. hes redoing the whole series and including a broad spectrum of lgbt characters and themes. personally i see his series as THE official canon. JKR Who?

yomow35730 avatar
T0t@lly-f!ne!
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting. But ew, JK Rowling. (here comes the down votes)

animalgirl5000 avatar
venintherogue
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no one f*****g cares. jkr is a terf can we like not put her content on her. BP get better articles

naomivannijnatten1979 avatar
Naomi van Nijnatten
Community Member
6 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Cause books are for smart people. Just read them before watching a movie.

benicia_99 avatar
Azure Adams
Community Member
6 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This comment has been deleted.

god_2 avatar
Vix Spiderthrust
Community Member
6 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I read the books. They're...fine, I guess. I didn't memorise them. I haven't reread them and probably won't. Kids' books are supposed to be a jumping off point to better books.

Load More Replies...
acsdp86 avatar
Amy Smith
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As with most of these things, there is a lot lost in translation between the books and the films. Whole characters missing (I mean, we missed out on the chance to see Rik Mayall as Peeves the Poltergeist on screen for one). Petunia wrote to Dumbledore begging to be allowed to attend Hogwarts with Lily but she was told that she had no magical ability. She loved her sister and was more jealous of her magical ability than hating or fearing it. She could have had Harry packed off to an orphanage when Lily and James died, after he was dropped off with her, but she kept him all those years, probably because he reminded her so much of her sister. There is some depth to Petunia Dursley and it's not all bad. But saying that, limited screen time etc, some things are going to be missed. I can't remember if that detail was in one of the films or not. Also, the Goblet of Fire was an excellent book and a crappy film.

saderman avatar
Shelli Aderman
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s all in the books. None of this is “New,” or “Revealing.” 🤦🏽‍♀️

cupimack88 avatar
Samsquatch & Monko
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wOw So ShOcKiNg, We NeEd To MaKe An EnTiRe ArTiClE tO uNdErStAnD tHiS/s

d4rkpone avatar
TotallyNOTAFox
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the version running on TV they include the scene that explains that, on DVD and in the cinema they don't though. And what is with the people calling others toxic, they just point out that it's explained in the books and that people that read them knew this

benitavaldez avatar
Benita Valdez
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I was getting so confused since I've watched this so many times on TV and the scene is there. I was really wondering what was going on with this post so thank you for explaining that

Load More Replies...
el_8 avatar
EL
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only just discovered? Never mind the books, I see this same "easter egg" in different articles every few months. Click bait title.

subtler-exploit-0v avatar
MadameMalfoy
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

um bestie this is not new information. this is in the book and another version of the movie that shows some cut scenes

teerat avatar
Tee Rat
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on what network airs the movie. On the E Network she tells Harry what she is doing and he responds 'it will fit me like an old elephant skin'. Whereas every other network has the scene deleted along with other scenes including the scene of Petunia cracking eggs to find Harry's acceptance letters.

midoribirdaoi avatar
Midoribird Aoi
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, get off it; there is a well known deleted scene that shows this.

arianahale avatar
AspieGirl88
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who always preferred the HP books, I definitely remember this scene. Poor Harry thought he’d be going to his new school looking like he’s wearing bits of elephant skin, LOL. Thankfully Hagrid was able to intervene before Harry was forced into the horrible “uniform”, though. 😄

lilcatia12639 avatar
lonely miso
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guys she mentions it in the book and the movie (I rewatched movie 1 today).! How is this an Easter egg???

hargreavesbeth6 avatar
CatLady
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ummm, I thought everyone had noticed that in the first movie. It wasn't really hidden.

squifflenoses avatar
Squiffle Noses
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I realised the other day that the reason the spell Ron used in epside 1 - make this fat rat yellow- might have been no use because IT WAS NOT ACTUALLY A RAT he was using it on. Someone will no doubt take this thought and say Rowlings did it intentionally for that reason. I very much doubt it.

ryumusu avatar
Ryu Musu
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who read the book, I don't remember this *proceeds to disintegrate*

valrico63 avatar
Sam Cook
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ABC Family and other channels have included the deleted scene with the explanation nearly every time I've rewatched it over the years.

bjenkins3988 avatar
brittany
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for anyone who wishes to see a more inclusive telling of the harry potter series, go to tiktok and look for a gentleman named Adrian hogarts transfer student. hes got lovely blue hair. cant miss him. hes redoing the whole series and including a broad spectrum of lgbt characters and themes. personally i see his series as THE official canon. JKR Who?

yomow35730 avatar
T0t@lly-f!ne!
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting. But ew, JK Rowling. (here comes the down votes)

animalgirl5000 avatar
venintherogue
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no one f*****g cares. jkr is a terf can we like not put her content on her. BP get better articles

naomivannijnatten1979 avatar
Naomi van Nijnatten
Community Member
6 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Cause books are for smart people. Just read them before watching a movie.

benicia_99 avatar
Azure Adams
Community Member
6 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This comment has been deleted.

god_2 avatar
Vix Spiderthrust
Community Member
6 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I read the books. They're...fine, I guess. I didn't memorise them. I haven't reread them and probably won't. Kids' books are supposed to be a jumping off point to better books.

Load More Replies...
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