Deleted Harry Potter scene starring Maggie Smith has fans questioning why it was left out

After the tragic passing of Dame Maggie Smith on Friday 27 September, fans of the Harry Potter franchise have been combing through the films, and quickly realised there was a deleted scene that included the late star.

After Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint penned emotional tributes to Dame Maggie, long-time fans have been in a state of mourning her work.

It came after Dame Maggie's sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said in a statement the actor had 'passed away peacefully' at Chelsea and Westminster hospital.

Smith was a staple in British film and TV, with memorable roles in Downton Abbey, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Sister Act, but she is best known for her excellent work in Harry Potter.

Radcliffe, Watson and Grint worked alongside her for ten years as Dame Maggie played the strict Professor McGonagall in the film series.

It was this character which appeared in a deleted scene that fans have just unearthed.

Posted online to Instagram, @nancet.marques shared a scene which saw the Professor quiz her students about who lost a password, which would allow them into the Gryffindor Tower.

Pinning it on poor Neville Longbottom, Dame Maggie’s character went on to ask the living portraits on the wall whether they let a ‘mysterious man’ into their home, to which he confirmed that he did as the person had the password to get in.

That man was Sirius Black, Harry Potter’s godfather.

The user wrote: “I just came across this deleted scene from Harry Potter. This is a Gem I couldn’t keep to myself. I wish they had kept this in the film.”

In the comments, fans were quick to comment about it being deleted from the final cut.

One person wrote: “That was in the books. Would be nice to not have it deleted.”

Another said: “Why did they delete this?! I loved it.”

Someone else commented: “It definitely should’ve been in the film.”

Even though fans loved her character, Dame Maggie had other thoughts.

Playing Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films is something most of us remember her for, but she explained to ES Magazine: “It seemed to take ages to get away from light comedy.

“I am deeply grateful for the work in Potter and indeed Downton, but it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying.

“I didn’t really feel I was acting in those things.”

When she was interviewed on The Graham Norton Show in 2016, she was asked about how the role in the film had changed her life and she responded: "A lot of very small people used to say hello to me.

"And that was nice."

Radcliffe spoke to The Radio Times about reuniting with her on the wizarding set after playing David Copperfield years prior.

He said: “Maggie Smith I walked up to on David Copperfield because I heard she was Dame Maggie Smith and I had a loose knowledge of what that meant. But, I walked up to her the first day and I was like, ‘Would you like me to call you Dame?’ Which is why I think I endeared myself to her as a eight-year-old or whatever I was because I think it just made her laugh.”