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Pub trivia – fun facts you didn't know about wizarding inns

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__Spoiler warning! There are some mild spoilers ahead – turn back now if you’re not familiar with the stories…__

## The Leaky Cauldron is the oldest pub in London

Despite what many [Muggles](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/muggles) think, the title of oldest pub in London goes to this well-loved wizarding establishment. Found on Charing Cross Road, the [Leaky Cauldron](/fact-file/locations/the-leaky-cauldron) was built in the 1500s – long before Charing Cross Road was even planned! Its true address is number one, [Diagon Alley](/fact-file/locations/diagon-alley).

## Muggles used to frequent the Leaky Cauldron

This wizarding institution wasn’t always a place that where only magical folk congregated. As it was built two centuries before the imposition of the International Statute of Secrecy, it was initially visible to Muggle eyes too. Muggles weren’t made to feel unwelcome or turned away. Having said that, thanks to the *interesting* conversations and even more *interesting* magical pets, many scarpered before finishing their mead.

![LeakyCauldron WB F1 SomeoneOutsideLeakyCauldron Illust 080615 Land](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5sxx5inySIAWsKA0gcuUEG/ca736eb81e715e092136f42c579a2719/LeakyCauldron_WB_F1_SomeoneOutsideLeakyCauldron_Illust_080615_Land.jpg)

## Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott lived above the Leaky Cauldron

In a turn of events that we find extremely adorable, after leaving [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) not only did [Neville](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/neville-longbottom) continue his passion for magical plants as [Herbology](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/herbology) professor, but he also married [Hufflepuff](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/hufflepuff), [Hannah Abbott](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hannah-abbott-fact-file). The happy couple decided to make a home for themselves living above the one-and-only Leaky Cauldron.

## A pub was the headquarters of a rebellion

Although we never learnt which one it was, according to *Sites of Historical Sorcery*, one of the wizarding pubs in [Hogsmeade](/fact-file/locations/hogsmeade) was said to have been the headquarters of the 1612 [goblin](/fact-file/creatures/goblin) rebellion. Could it have been the [Hog’s Head Inn](/fact-file/locations/the-hogs-head) which was known for its dubious dealings and schemes? Or perhaps it was the cosiness of the [Three Broomsticks](/fact-file/locations/the-three-broomsticks) that convinced the goblins to make it their base?

![pottermore-moments-hp-b5-hogs-head-homepage-hero](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/2zygTLqXtChkWM7Asbbca3/14624eac244b6e0d0dd667458176dd1a/pottermore-moments-hp-b5-hogs-head-homepage-hero.jpg)

## The Hog’s Head Inn was run by a Dumbledore

While [Albus Dumbledore](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-dumbledore) ran Hogwarts, just down the road his brother, [Aberforth Dumbledore](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/aberforth-dumbledore-fact-file), ran the Hog’s Head Inn. Crochety and a big fan of goats, he and his brother didn’t always see eye-to-eye. Ultimately, they were both extremely good people and Aberforth even helped the resistance at Hogwarts after Albus’ death – thanks to a secret passage that connected the [Room of Requirement](/fact-file/locations/the-room-of-requirement) to his pub.

## Sybill Trelawney made her infamous prediction at the Hog’s Head Inn

The Hog’s Head Inn was the location of many crucial story moments from the founding of [Dumbledore’s Army](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/dumbledores-army) to [Hagrid](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/rubeus-hagrid) winning a dragon egg in a game of cards. However, there was one particular moment that changed the course of wizarding history forever. On a gloomy night, Albus Dumbledore went to interview [Sybill Trelawney](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sybill-trelawney) for the role of [Divination](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/divination) teacher. He was thoroughly unimpressed until, among the ramshackle décor and sticky floor, she made her prediction about the boy destined to end [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort) and rid the world of his evil!

![pottermore-moments-three-broomsticks-homepage-hero](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/YvfQFf3Sc7Y1rQNcmqoKm/7278f0704d0a659047a66375127ed129/pottermore-moments-three-broomsticks-homepage-hero.jpg)

## Katie Bell was given the cursed opal necklace at The Three Broomsticks

Run by Madam Rosmerta, the Three Broomsticks was a warm and welcoming establishment in Hogsmeade. Yet Dark Magic still managed to worm its way in there in the form of the cursed opal necklace. Part of a clumsy attempt on Dumbledore’s life, [Gryffindor](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/gryffindor) Quidditch team member, [Katie Bell](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/katie-bell), took the necklace from the pub while under the influence of the [Imperius Curse](/fact-file/spells/the-imperius-curse) and narrowly escaped its deadly power.

## It wasn’t just witches and wizards who frequented the Three Broomsticks

Said to be as old as the only all-wizard village in Britain, the Three Broomsticks was a bit of a haven for all sorts of magical beings, such as hags, who couldn’t disguise themselves particularly well in the Muggle world. In fact, Ron and Hermione once thought they spotted an ogre!

Every quote to live by from your favourite witches

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Hermione wearing a red dress and smiling at Bill and Fleur's wedding.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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## The importance of keeping things in perspective

![HP-F1-philosophers-stone-hermione-charms-learning-classroom-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/qVjLFPXczR2mwGR54M1JK/5ffbc10854b90be415e66d18504a0f56/HP-F1-philosophers-stone-hermione-charms-learning-classroom-web-landscape)

‘Books! And cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery…’

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Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

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Despite being known for her exceptional brain power, [Hermione](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hermione-granger) also knew the importance of nurturing the other elements of her personality too. It’s a lesson she learnt in her first year after finding genuine friendship. It is also one that we could do with remembering too.

## Don’t be afraid to be bold

![HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-ginny-da-wand-determined-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/3yxtbUPaKL5YRyOXEmcss7/b5f3840e6afd0c2e76548570d0532593/HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-ginny-da-wand-determined-web-landscape)

‘…anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.'

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Ginny Weasley: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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If you don’t ask you don’t get! As [Ginny](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ginny-weasley) reminds us, if we shy away from a challenge, we’re never going to achieve our dreams. If we find our courage? Well, the world is our oyster.

## Be proud of who you are

![HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-mcgonagall-desk-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/71JqjFqxFPKBLmoFUGKYJD/22d4d28400d268c5d1382d675b5ce1ae/HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-mcgonagall-desk-web-landscape)

‘It’s high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have...’

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Minerva McGonagall: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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The no-nonsense [McGonagall](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/minerva-mcgonagall) was a witch worth listening to! It’s all too easy to get caught up in the comparison trap, trying to think about who you *should* be and feeling inadequate next to others. However, you are brilliant just the way you are. You are one-of-a-kind. If the Head of [Gryffindor](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/gryffindor) can see that – so can you.

## There is always hope

![HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-luna-da-room-of-requirement-casting-patronus-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5zrwB81bovDEUXWbMyCWia/26babee3a72e41ff8557681a28703f5a/HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-luna-da-room-of-requirement-casting-patronus-web-landscape)

‘The things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end. If not always in the way we expect.’

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Luna Lovegood: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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When times are hard, it can be easy to give up hope and become despondent. Yet this poignant point from the wonderfully eccentric [Ravenclaw](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/ravenclaw) is a reminder that good days are on the horizon – even if we can’t quite see them yet.

## Don’t be afraid to dream big

![WB-HP-F7-hermione-reading-promo-crop](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7uWvZ2RIgkybj8J1lCs5RA/39672ce02de6ff4e27d39381deb3c05f/WB-HP-F7-hermione-reading-promo-crop.jpg)

‘I’m hoping to do some good in the world!’

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Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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No matter who you are, you *can* make a difference. If you channel Hermione’s determination, we’re sure you will go on to do great and brilliant things.

## An excellent reminder

![HP-F5-molly-weasley-harry-potter-web-10744](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/1ugOAEKJsmxHxy7rDSEkO8/d6f828346ab08de9e2eb69ed086fdf71/weasley-quiz-title-.jpg)

‘A good first impression can work wonders.'

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Molly Weasley: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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A sage piece of advice from [Mrs Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/molly-weasley)! She might have said this to Harry before his [Ministry](/fact-file/locations/the-ministry-of-magic) hearing, but we think this is something that can be applied to many different areas of your life. From making friends to job interviews, things are always easier if you start off on the right foot.

## Do what is right, not what is easy

![WB-HP-F2-hermione-examining-potion-ingredients-with-cauldron-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/4L5hkIozTd68acqd3hpP2I/27590dc492caea34621b56bdd472e45b/WB-HP-F2-hermione-examining-potion-ingredients-with-cauldron-web-landscape.jpg)

‘Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fine… I don’t want to break rules, you know. I think threatening Muggle-borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion.’

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Hermione Granger: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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Hermione was the witch who once declared being expelled to be a fate worse than death. To hear her trying to convince [Harry](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) and [Ron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) to break the rules was rather shocking. Yet she raises an extremely valuable point. Sometimes you need to push the boundaries to do what is right. Following the rules can only go so far – especially if those rules cause more harm than good. It can be hard to stand up and be counted but we should all try to do so.

## Protect what is important

![WB-HP-F8-professor-sprout-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/6PcDR4xjlhQ8xtErVUHYBc/198864f4ef4413d1ed6e50f91411088e/WB-HP-F8-professor-sprout-web-landscape.jpg)

‘I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil.’

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Pomona Sprout: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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This was a brave statement from [Professor Sprout](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/pomona-sprout) in the wake of [Dumbledore’s](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-dumbledore) death. [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) was so much more than a school. For many like Harry, it was a sanctuary and place they could call home. A place that should be protected. This is a sentiment we could all take on board. We should all work hard to take care of what, and who, is important to us.

## Don’t judge a book by its cover

![hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7L4Bw903CP5Rnv0MuCknWF/16abc8334d6185d0b8be2af4c5f93c45/hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape.jpg)

‘What do I care how ’e looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave!’

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Fleur Delacour: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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You might think glamorous and goodlooking [Fleur Delacour](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fleur-delacour) would also be extremely vain. Yet she wasn’t. Filled with self-confidence, she didn’t judge her husband based on his appearance – she knew it was the content of his character that truly mattered. That attitude is one we think everyone should embody.

## Boundaries are good

![mcgonagall-web-header-wand](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/6J6heLMpK9Lee0eL8faPnj/18ebb3e1a6694c1ed440bf094b02a127/mcgonagall-web-headrer.jpg)

‘I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking.’

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Minerva McGonagall: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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Quite right too! Don’t let anybody try to take your voice or diminish you. If someone tries to talk over you, channel your inner McGonagall and lay down the law – they’ll soon learn a valuable lesson.

Your birth month tells us your Harry Potter soulmate

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## January: The determined and dedicated Oliver Wood is your perfect match

![WB-HP-F1-philosophers-stone-oliver-wood-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7iJHeRIUbca989dspC4c2t/a8eae533de5cb364c2b8ef17aa39c857/WB-HP-F1-philosophers-stone-oliver-wood-web-landscape.jpg)

When considering your ideal partner, you don’t want someone who is afraid of commitment and isn’t willing to put the work in. You want someone who is going to give the relationship their all. This is why you and [Oliver Wood](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/oliver-wood) make a perfect pair. This [Gryffindor](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/gryffindor) proved his determination time and time again as [Quidditch](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/quidditch) Captain. He was always coming up with training techniques and drills to make the team better. Yes, some of his teammates might have complained about the early starts, but it didn’t put Oliver off… and it worked. That’s the type of dedication you admire.

## February: Your soulmate is the creative and eccentric Luna Lovegood

![WB-HP-F5-luna-lovegood-wears-spectrespecs-with-quibbler-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5jiVEF9rz3GdDt6go666da/6431193cd66631881320a9921f2913fe/WB-HP-F5-luna-lovegood-wears-spectrespecs-with-quibbler-web-landscape.jpg)

There is nothing that bores you more than blending into the crowd. From your curious insights to your wacky wardrobe, you march to the beat of your own drum. You are proud to celebrate your uniqueness, and you are looking for a partner that doesn’t shy away from their individuality too. This is why [Luna Lovegood](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/luna-lovegood) with her [Spectrespecs](/fact-file/objects/spectrespecs) and radish-like earrings is your ideal match. The two of you would have a joyful relationship that celebrated creativity, eccentricity and a shared belief in the Crumple-Horned Snorkack.

## March: The brilliantly hilarious Ron Weasley is the one for you

![HP-F6-ron-in-bed-smiling-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/51khMqIDGh7ltBpFgDIet4/4390b7228f2368b128a11304e8a73108/HP-F6-ron-in-bed-smiling-web-landscape.jpg)

Life’s too short not to have fun. Who wants to be miserable? Yes, serious things happen but you still want to find the joy in life, and you want a partner who can do that too. This is why you and [Ron Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) would make the perfect pair. From his ‘Merlin's most baggy Y-fronts’ exclamations to quippy ‘Oh, of course… I forgot we’ll be hunting down [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort) in a mobile library’ comebacks – his quick with would keep you entertained for life.

## April: The elegant and poised Fleur Delacour is your ideal soulmate

![hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7L4Bw903CP5Rnv0MuCknWF/16abc8334d6185d0b8be2af4c5f93c45/hp-f4-fleur-arrival-beauxbatons-great-hall-uniform-web-landscape.jpg)

Graceful, elegant and gliding through life – that’s the ultimate dream. You aren’t interested in awkward situations and embarrassing encounters; you want life to be as serene as possible. As you want this from your partner too, you and [Fleur Delacour](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/fleur-delacour) would make a flawless duo. No matter what situation she faced – from walking into the [Great Hall](/fact-file/locations/the-great-hall) for the first time to rejecting [Yule Ball](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/yule-ball) dates, she was always perfectly poised which is something you appreciate.

## May: The thoroughly good Cedric Diggory is who you’re drawn to

![HP-F4-goblet-fire-cho-cedric-walking-into-yule-ball-together-happy-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/7Gg3rW3wpho401kh28ueXG/2ce6bdeb293a9f962407b31ab38c3c2b/HP-F4-goblet-fire-cho-cedric-walking-into-yule-ball-together-happy-web-landscape)

You have no time for people that like to play games in relationships. You abhor anyone who has a mean streak. You really can’t stand when people are rude to those around them. This is why [Cedric Diggory](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/cedric-diggory) is the perfect person for you. Despite being handsome, intelligent and an extremely talented wizard, this [Hufflepuff](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/hufflepuff) was also humble. He was *good*. He helped Harry despite him being his [Triwizard](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/triwizard-tournament) rival and never let being the rising star at [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) go to his head. Cedric is a partner you would always feel safe with… and he is perfect for you.

## June: Your soulmate is Lavender Brown who wears her heart on her sleeve

![HP-F6-half-blood-prince-weasleys-wizard-wheezes-lavendar-looking-at-ron-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/41iicwNjHTdrMVNZoiTdoC/ddf961f7074d912a9307c0dc9e2716aa/HP-F6-half-blood-prince-weasleys-wizard-wheezes-lavendar-looking-at-ron-web-landscape)

As someone who is often described as vivacious and an open book, you have real difficulty bonding with people who are closed off or reserved. You find those who keep their cards close to their chest rather unsettling – which is why [Lavender Brown](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lavender-brown) is your soulmate. Whether she was snogging Ron in front of the whole [Gryffindor common room](/fact-file/locations/the-gryffindor-common-room) or giving him gaudy necklaces as a token of her affection, she was not afraid of her emotions or letting everyone else see them. This type of openness is something you can’t help but be drawn to.

## July: Your perfect match is loyal Neville Longbottom

![HP WB F4 Neville and his plant crop ](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/66z5lwGFVYTJTiW2dNdKfw/e99e49796545303b7dec644c11004840/NevilleLongbottom_WB_F4_NevilleLongbottomWithPlantPromoShot_Promo_080615_CROP.jpg)

Don’t underestimate [Neville](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/neville-longbottom). He might have initially been a clumsy underdog, but he soon surpassed that and became a [sword-of-Gryffindor-wielding](/fact-file/objects/the-sword-of-gryffindor) hero. One who was loyal to his friends, his school and loyal to what was right. As someone born in July, this is what you would like to find in a partner. You don’t want a person who could easily be swayed. You want someone who is as committed to you as Neville is to his [Mimbulus mimbletonia](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/mimbulus-mimbletonia), which is why he is the one for you.

## August: The logical and intelligent Hermione Granger is the one for you

![HP-F7-deathly-hallows-part-one-hermione-bill-fleur-wedding-red-dress-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/5aJclseoYsrr4a0y0XPiQY/be44e1bfabc2a5f7422ed6e87a5df30e/HP-F7-deathly-hallows-part-one-hermione-bill-fleur-wedding-red-dress-web-landscape)

As somebody who is known for their sharp mind and love of learning, we think you and the [cleverest witch of her age](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/hermione-granger), who takes the largest books out of the [Hogwarts library](/fact-file/locations/the-hogwarts-library) for ‘light reading’, would get on like a house on fire. Your days would be spent verbally sparring with each other, debating Ancient Rune translations and generally broadening your minds and you wouldn’t want it any other way.

## September: The discerning Draco Malfoy is your wizarding soulmate

![WB-F3-draco-in-care-of-magical-creatures-with-monster-book-of-monsters-web-landscape](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/4FeDA9gWYlkm3iFXZMUOF5/47927d38da6fcc8d4660a5cd92a7e6d6/WB-F3-draco-in-care-of-magical-creatures-with-monster-book-of-monsters-web-landscape.jpg)

There’s nothing wrong with being shrewd or ambitious, these are traits that you rather admire. In fact, you find someone who knows exactly what they want and how to get it extremely attractive. This is why [Draco Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/draco-malfoy) is the one for you. We are in no way saying you are prejudiced or a bully like he was. However, the embodiment of [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin) traits, he was not afraid to openly say he liked the finer things in life or believe he deserved them – just like you.

## October: Fiery Ginny Weasley is your magical match

![GinnyWeasley WB F6 GinnyAtSlughornsParty Still 080615 Land](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/4otWY19HKE4WyOOy4Q0wSu/66177ea78a84f5e28b9fb79b2b961e51/GinnyWeasley_WB_F6_GinnyAtSlughornsParty_Still_080615_Land.jpg)

If there was a witch that knew exactly who she was, it was [Ginny Weasley](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ginny-weasley). Having had a rough start at Hogwarts she blossomed into a fierce and phenomenal person – with an excellent talent for the [Bat-Bogey Hex](/fact-file/spells/the-bat-bogey-hex). That self-assuredness is something that you are looking for in a partner. You don’t want somebody who doesn’t take the time to work on being the best version of themselves. You want someone who is confident and powerful – exactly like Ginny.

## November: Harry Potter’s bravery is what makes him your soulmate

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[Harry Potter](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) is not afraid to confront the difficult things in life. He doesn’t shy away from a challenge or let fear stop him. He puts himself out there whether that’s soaring through the sky on his [broomstick](/fact-file/objects/broomstick), fighting the forces of evil or summoning up the courage to ask his crush to the Yule Ball. This is something that you strongly relate to. You’re not one to be called timid and you can’t stand cowardice. We’re not saying you’re necessarily an extrovert, but you stand up when it matters and that’s why Harry is your ultimate wizarding soulmate.

## December: The glass half-empty Moaning Myrtle is your perfect match

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There is no person that gets on your nerves more than the one who is relentlessly optimistic. You don’t have time from all that chirpiness and being constantly told to look on the bright side. In fact, being stuck with someone like that would be your worst nightmare. You want someone who will always look on the gloomy side – which is why [Moaning Myrtle](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/moaning-myrtle) (emphasis on the *Moaning*) is your perfect match. Despite her crush on Harry Potter, with your maudlin outlook, we’re sure you could win her over and many (un)happy centuries sitting in the [u-bend of a Hogwarts toilet](/fact-file/locations/moaning-myrtles-bathroom) discussing all the reasons why everything is awful.

For beginners, for novices, for Harry Potter superfans going 20 years-strong, dig deep into the wizarding world with our collection of features.

Features - Wizarding World

Some interesting data about your favourite Quidditch teams 

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When you sign up to the Harry Potter Fan Club, one of the fun things you can do is pick your Favourites: AKA your top things about the wizarding world, from favourite characters to favourite Quidditch teams. You can learn more about [Favourites here](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/10-interesting-facts-about-your-wizarding-passport-favourites) if you haven’t chosen yours yet!

With the upcoming release of Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition coming soon (published 6th October – [learn more about that here](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/bloomsbury-reveal-cover-for-new-illustrated-edition-of-quidditch-through-the-ages)) we’ve been looking into some of your favourite Quidditch teams, all of which are beautifully illustrated in the new book. 

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First, a quick reminder: in the wizarding world, there is a British and Irish Quidditch League, with teams up and down the country representing select villages, towns and cities. Think of it like the wizarding world’s equivalent of the football league. As you can see from Emily Gravett’s illustration above – each team comes with its own history, colours and crest, and you can pick some of these to be your favourite team on your profile here. So, which team resonated with our fans the most? Take a look.
<br>
## The most popular Quidditch team is... 

The Holyhead Harpies! Yes, the Quidditch team (famous for being the only one to be made up entirely of women) struck a chord with our Harry Potter Fan Club members the most, winning the top slot by a landslide. Interestingly, Ravenclaws were the house most likely to pick this team. 

And a fun fact for you: the Holyhead Harpies is the team that Ginny would go on to play for after Hogwarts.
<br>
## And in second place...

The Chudley Canons! Ron Weasley’s beloved team, famous for their vibrant orange colours, came in second place in our list altogether – although Slytherins favoured this team far less than the other three houses... It should be no surprise, however, that Ron’s house, Gryffindor, was the house that were most likely to pick Chudley Cannons as their team. 
<br>
## In third place...

The Falmouth Falcons! A bit more of a leftfield choice makes up our top three, but all four houses are in agreement on this one. Again, Ravenclaws loved them the most, and Hufflepuffs the least. 
<br>
## Other interesting things...

- Ravenclaws were most likely to pick Puddlemere United, the oldest team in the Quidditch league, as their favourite. Also, their outfits are blue which suit the Ravenclaw colours! 

- Slytherins were most likely to pick the team Ballycastle Bats as their favourite. Interesting – Snape, who was Head of Slytherin house, was once described as a bat. 

- In regards to our Favourites and our users, Hufflepuffs were the least interested in picking Quidditch teams, usually placed last looking at the data of each team. Slytherins weren’t far behind them either. Quidditch isn’t for everybody, and that’s OK!

- Ravenclaws, however, just seem to really like Quidditch! Based on these results, anyway. More often than not, Ravenclaws were top of the list when it came to picking favourite teams – seven of them, in fact. 

****

So, did your favourite team make our top three? Or are you yet to pick your [Favourites](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/10-interesting-facts-about-your-wizarding-passport-favourites)?

And remember, *Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition* is released 6th October with [Scholastic in the US](https://scholasticlibrary.digital.scholastic.com/978-1-338-34056-3.html) and [Bloomsbury in the UK](https://harrypotter.bloomsbury.com/uk/quidditch-through-the-ages-illustrated-edition-9781526608123/?ewid=153). Or you can visit our [Quidditch hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/quidditch) to learn all about the wizarding sport, with quizzes, features and more. 

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Which wizarding career would be right for you? 

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Tonks in the Ministry of Magic from the Order of the Phoenix.

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## Auror: for the brave-hearted dueller 

__Notable Aurors: Mad-Eye Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Harry Potter__ 

*Main responsibility: To protect the wizarding world from Dark forces* 

Auror would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

the only thing you fear is fear itself. We’re kidding, but you do have to be very brave in this line of work. You’d be on the front-line, duelling and catching Dark wizards, in order to protect the wizarding world no matter what. But it’s not all brawn over brains, McGonagall advises Harry that he’d need at least five NEWTs and nothing under “Exceeds Expectations” grade to have a chance of working at the Auror office. For this career, we think you’d also need perseverance (we hear the training programme is gruelling), as well as a strong sense of justice and loyalty.  
<br>

## Hogwarts Professor: for the school-loving over-achiever  

__Notable professors: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape__ 

*Main responsibility: Passing on your knowledge to the next generation of witches and wizards* 

Hogwarts professor would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

you’re the kind of person who likes to specialise and then learn as much as you can about a particular topic. You’d need to have patience, especially if you had students in your class like troublemakers in chief, Fred and George Weasley. You would also REALLY need to love your subject, whether it be Charms, Transfiguration or Defence Against the Dark Arts – otherwise you’d have a pretty rubbish time and so would your wizarding students. The professors at Hogwarts are all experts in their field, but you’d also need to be able to take that knowledge outside of the classroom and use it to, for example, defend the school in times of peril.  
<br>

## Shop owner: for the creative entrepreneur   

__Notable shop owners: Fred & George Weasley, Florean Fortescue, Mr Borgin & Mr Burke__ 

*Main responsibility: Selling magical wares to the wizarding masses* 

Shop owner would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

you’re an extrovert who likes chatting to strangers and enjoys the hustle and bustle of a busy shopping street. You’d need to be savvy about how many Knuts to a Sickle there are, as well as being a creative type who can come up with innovative ways of presenting your magical goods. You’d have to decide what you’d sell of course, but you’d need to stand out from the crowd if you set up shop in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. So if the spectacle of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes fills you with ideas and artistic spirit then this might be the wizarding career for you.   
<br>

## Healer: for the responsible all-rounder 

__Notable Healers: Dilys Derwent, Poppy Pomfrey, Hippocrates Smethwyck.__ 

*Main responsibility: Dealing with magical injuries and illnesses*   

Healer would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

you’re a high achiever across the board. To be Healer in the wizarding world you would need at least an “E” at NEWT level in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts. But that’s not all, you have to have a pretty strong stomach when faced with magical injuries – Madam Pomfrey saw some pretty gruesome ones throughout her time, including Harry’s boneless arm! A strong constitution and an excellent mind are a must for this career, but so is a kind and caring heart.  
<br>

## Wandmaker: for the secretive forager  

__Notable Wandmakers: Ollivander, Gregorovitch__ 

*Main responsibility: Making wands and selling them to witches and wizards* 

Wandmaker would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

you’ve got an eye for detail and don’t settle for less than perfection. You’d need to be good at crafts and working with materials – wands don’t make themselves! You’d also need to be a relentless forager, searching for the exact woods and core materials you’d need to make each individual wand. We feel like this career would also suit someone a little mysterious – the wand chooses the wizard after all…  
<br>

## Curse-Breaker: for the adventure-seeking intellectual 

__Notable Curse-Breakers: Bill Weasley__ 

*Main responsibility: Finding treasure for Gringott’s bank*  

Curse-Breaker would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

you’re interested in a ‘challenging career involving travel, adventure and substantial, danger-related treasure bonuses’ – or at least that’s what is said on the pamphlet. Bill Weasley was a curse-breaker and it sounds like you’d need to be pretty smart – he got twelve OWLs. Judging by his example, this career would suit you if you’re into Arithmancy, and you’re cool in a crisis as well as interested in travelling the world. Oh, and you should probably be okay with risk taking – it doesn’t sound like the safest career option out there…  
<br>

## Wizarding writer: for the curious wordsmith 

__Notable writers: Rita Skeeter, Gilderoy Lockhart, Bathilda Bagshot__ 

*Main responsibility: Sharing wizarding stories, knowledge and gossip with quill and ink* 

Writer would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

you just can’t stop scribbling. You would likely be an expressive person who loves to get their thoughts down on paper and has a way with words. If you like investigating and talking to people you might be more suited to the journalistic route like Rita Skeeter. If telling stories is more your cup of Pumpkin Juice then it might be that magical books are your calling – though make sure you avoid presenting fiction as fact like the once-famous Lockhart.   
<br>

## Professional Quidditch player: for the competitive sports-lover  

__Notable Professional Quidditch Players: Viktor Krum, Ginny Weasley, Oliver Wood__ 

*Main responsibility: Playing the glorious game of Quidditch for a living and entertaining the masses* 

Professional Quidditch Player would be the right wizarding career for you if…  

you’re competitive and courageous. Quidditch isn’t for the faint-hearted so you’d need to be fine with the danger of soaring Bludgers and dizzying falls off moving broomsticks. You’d need to be a team player as well as motivated as an individual – particularly if you’re playing a position like Seeker. Fame can come with being a professional player – as Viktor Krum knew very well – so you’d need to be okay with celebrity status and attention too.  

Which of these wizarding careers sounds most like you? Let us know on our Wizarding World Twitter, Instagram or Facebook pages! 

13 interesting things we noticed in the Hogwarts Legacy trailer 

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You can learn more about the [upcoming game, slated for 2021 here](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/introducing-hogwarts-legacy-open-world-role-playing-game-set-in-wizarding-world). And for a deep dive into the trailer, simply read on! 


Hogwarts Legacy | Official first trailer

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## The flying carriage 

We are immediately greeted with a flying carriage, carrying some packed luggage and a barn owl perched atop, soaring to Hogwarts by moonlight. A familiar image. In the Harry Potter books, there are two ways to get from the Hogwarts Express to the castle – first-years travel by boat (and hope to Merlin they don’t fall into the Great Lake like Dennis Creevey once did) while the older students take flying carriages. But, as we learn in *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*, these are actually carriages pulled by Thestrals: magical horse-type creatures who can only be seen by those that have witnessed death.  This moment also reminds us of the opening of *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald*, where the titular villain is seen riding a similar one.

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## “Hogwarts, Late 1800s”

The trailer establishes when the game is set very early on – the late 1800s. What with all the candles and quills and parchment, Hogwarts was always an old-worldly establishment, even when we visited the Harry Potter stories in the 1990s – so we wonder how really different the school will be in an earlier century? 

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## A familiar voice  

To many, the voiceover from the trailer may have seemed quite familiar. That’s because this happens to be Jim Dale, the much-loved voice of the Harry Potter audiobooks in the US. Hearing Jim’s commentary over the top of Hogwarts Legacy trailer will no doubt be a great comfort to the many fans who grew up with him narrating the books. 

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## The Great Hall 

Speaking of familiar sights, it isn’t long before we are ushered into the Great Hall, complete with floating candles and students happily tucking into one of Hogwarts’ legendary feasts. The impressive graphics of the game allow us to see this location in a whole new light, with reams of detail packed in, from the stained-glass windows to the Hogwarts house crests draped over the tables.  

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## The Hogwarts library, moving portraits and staircases that like to change 

It becomes quickly apparent just how detailed every room of Hogwarts really is in the game, with glimpses of hallways, suits of armour and enchanted staircases, fully developed in high definition. You also see shots of different corridors and maybe even common rooms – which presumably we’ll get to frequent, depending on what house we’re in! One particular room we get to see a lot of in the trailer is the Hogwarts library, packed to the brim with intricately placed nuances. We can see new portraits of wizards we have yet to learn about, shelves full to the brim with books, and even a student fast asleep on top of their work. The attention to detail is stunning!

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## The Sorting Hat 

As we cut to the Sorting Ceremony, we see Hogwarts staff supervising a student about to be sorted. They may be new staff to our eyes, but some things never change, such as the inclusion of the beloved Sorting Hat. Even over a century ago, it was still all shabby and patched up! 

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## New Hogwarts professors

Actually, that should really be old Hogwarts professors. Throughout the trailer, there are Hogwarts staff members dotted everywhere, including the aforementioned two wizards supervising the Sorting Ceremony and a red-headed professor in the greenhouses teaching Herbology. We also see a sullen wizard with long, dark hair strolling around with some sort of bottle. Perhaps a Potions Master? If so, it sounds like the profession lends itself well to sullen, dark-haired wizards, if Severus Snape is anything to go by. 

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## Trolls, dragons and other fantastic beasts  

The trailer showcases magical creatures that we recognise from both Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts films, including one student feeding some adorable, wide-eyed Mooncalves. We also spotted a troll, a dragon, a hippogriff, a Graphorn and a few darker creatures that we’ll come on to shortly. 

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## Imaginative magic

This mechanical wizard caught our eye, seemingly Transfigured from a mirror. We’re sure we can expect to see all sorts of imaginative spells and interesting new pieces of witchcraft taught to us during our studies in *Hogwarts Legacy*.


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## Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest 

The nearby wizarding village of Hogsmeade will be a key location students can visit during some downtime from their studies. We’re already looking forward to getting a flagon of Butterbeer in the Hog’s Head. 

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## “A larger world beyond these walls”

We all know how impossibly grandiose and huge Hogwarts castle is, but the game also promises that we’ll be able to go “beyond those walls”. While we already know we’ll be visiting Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest, in one shot of the trailer, we see a Hippogriff flying over the grounds to a rocky area in the distance. In another shot, we see a stone, spiral wall magically opening, as well as otherworldly caves and underground crevasses. So, while Hogwarts and its grounds will feel comfortingly familiar to Wizarding World fans, expect to also explore the unfamiliar...

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## The Inferi, Acromantula and Dementors 

Of course, this wouldn’t be the wizarding world without the darker elements, and the trailer reveals that both Inferi (undead corpses) and Dementors (soul-sucking beings) will appear in the game at some point, most likely for you, the player, to overcome. The presence of these beings also suggests we’ll be visiting them in their habitats – the Inferi seem to be roaming a cave (surely not the one Harry and Dumbledore go to on an ill-fated trip?) and the Dementors could well be coming from Azkaban. We also spot a battle with a giant spider, which we’re assuming is an Acromantula. Arachnophobes, beware. 

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## The man behind the mask 

It also appears that we’ll be meeting some new Dark wizards and witches too. A wizard in an animal skull-esque mask appears towards the end of the trailer, immediately conjuring up connotations of the Death Eaters. He’s also draped in animal attire – look closer and you’ll see his clothes are themed around fur and fangs. What could this mean? 

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__What did you spot?__

We want to know what you thought of the trailer, and any easter eggs you may have found along the way. If you’re old enough, visit our [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/wizardingworld), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/wizardingworld) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/wizardingworld) and tell us what you’re most excited about.

*Hogwarts Legacy*, part of the Portkey Games label, is due for release in 2021. [Visit the official website for more details. ](https://www.hogwartslegacy.com/en-us)

Why Albus Potter was a true Slytherin

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__Caution! There are spoilers for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as well as the whole Harry Potter book series in this article__

## He is cunning 
Slytherins are a cunning lot, and there are all kinds of examples of Albus Potter using his wiles to come up with schemes and plans worthy of any member of Salazar’s house throughout Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Just think of the first time we ever meet him – he’s already trying to plan for if the Sorting Hat tries to place him in the house of the snake.

*Albus: ‘Dad . . .*

*Albus pulls on Harry’s robes. Harry looks down.* 

*Do you think – what if I am – what if I’m put in Slytherin . . .’*

*Harry: ‘And what would be wrong with that?*

*Albus: ‘Slytherin is the house of the snake, of Dark Magic . . . it’s not a house of brave wizards.’*

*Harry: ‘Albus Severus, you were named after two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.’*

*Albus: ‘But just say ...’*

*Harry: ‘If it matters to you, you, the Sorting Hat will take your feelings into account.’*

By his fourth year, Albus has got bigger plans than politely asking the Sorting Hat to take his choice into account. Using his full Slytherin cunning, he manages to get himself and Scorpius off of the Hogwarts Express, and into St Oswald’s – no mean feat – and join forces with the alluring Delphi. And let’s not forget his scheming with Polyjuice Potion and illegal Time-Turners. When everything reaches a head near the end of Cursed Child, Albus comes up with a genius scheme to send a message to his dad – from the past to the future – by way of a very special blanket. This Potter has a sharp and shrewd mind worthy of any member of Slytherin house.  

## He is ambitious
Escaping off a moving magical train by way of the terrifying Trolley Witch? No problem. Bringing Cedric Diggory back to life by way of an object that is both illegal and highly dangerous? Why not? Breaking into the Ministry of Magic disguised as your Dad’s best friend? What could possibly go wrong? Communicating with your father in the future when you’re stuck at a point in his past when he couldn’t even walk yet? Albus Potter is on the case. Arguably, Albus is even more ambitious than his father when it comes to his own ability to accomplish near-on impossible tasks. But perhaps Albus’s greatest – most secret – ambition, is to feel his father’s love and respect – not as a result of Albus pretending to be someone Harry wants him to be, but through his own achievements. An ambition which, in the end, is realised.


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Albus & Scorpius in Cursed Child. By Matthew Murphy

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## He is proud
Pride is a key Slytherin trait, and arguably Albus has it in cauldrons. Sometimes this is to his advantage, like when he takes pride in having a friend like Scorpius Malfoy, who is funny and clever and kind, no matter what the rumours say about him and his parentage. At other times, his pride comes before his fall in quite catastrophic ways. Remember when, so proud of the brilliant plan they’ve come up with – and probably wanting to succeed in front of Delphi – he refuses to heed warnings from Scorpius, about the difficulties of saving Cedric and messing with time? Yeah. That didn’t go so well. Voldemort Day. That’s all we’re saying. 

It takes Albus a while to be proud of his house too, but he accepts it long before his fellow students – or indeed, his father does. We love this exchange between Scorpius and Albus and we hope Slytherins all cheered and glowed with house pride when they heard it: 

*Scorpius: ‘Did you really think she’d come to us? Potters don’t belong in Slytherin.’*

*Albus: ‘This one does.’*

## He is brave
Not necessarily one of the most famous traits of Slytherin house, but Harry said it himself on platform nine and three-quarters when Albus questioned him about the Sorting Ceremony: 

*Harry: ‘Albus Severus, you were named after two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.’*

You would need some serious courage to spy on one of the most dangerous Dark wizards of all time – especially for as long as Snape did it. But that’s not the only kind of bravery he showed. The courage to love, the courage to carry on, the courage to trust Dumbledore. Snape showed all of this bravery, and he was head of Slytherin house at one time. And Albus Potter, who shares his middle name with the mysterious Potions master, demonstrates a lot of bravery throughout Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. He faces all kinds of monsters, from the Trolley Witch to Delphi herself. A particularly brave moment was when he stood up to her without a second thought:

*Albus: ‘We won’t. We won’t obey you. Whoever you are. Whatever you want us to do.’*

*Delphi: ‘Of course you will.’*

*Albus: ‘You’ll have to use Imperio. You’ll have to control me.’*

Sounds quite a bit like his dad, Harry there, doesn’t he? 

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So, there we have it! Any Hogwarts house would have been lucky to count Albus Potter amongst its numbers, but with apologies to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Huffepuff – we reckon the Sorting Hat got it right with Albus – even if it was a rather big shock that one of Harry Potter’s children ended up in Slytherin.  Still need to find out which house you belong in? [Take the Sorting Ceremony on our website here](https://my.wizardingworld.com/register), and find out!

And we have plenty more Cursed Child treats for you in our special [Cursed Child Collection](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/cursed-child-collection). You'll find exclusive video interviews, quizzes, character discussions and a trailer of the award-winning production [here](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/cursed-child-collection). 

Unannounced Apparition and other wizarding practices bound to cause family rows

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## Unannounced Apparition
Though witches and wizards have to take a test to legally Apparate, most of them do pass eventually. And we reckon that in the context of normal wizarding family life, there are plenty of ways this could get on a family’s nerves. A sibling Apparating right behind you to give you a shock, perhaps? Or what about those distant French cousins appearing on the doorstep for a visit just as you were about to sit down to read the tales of Beedle the Bard? And what if you wanted some peace and quiet? You wouldn’t be able to shut anyone out of your room – if someone wanted to bother you, they could just – well – Apparate straight on in. Annoying or what? 

## Conjuring food
As we know, food is the first of the five exceptions to Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration, which means that essentially you ‘can’t produce food out of thin air’. However, you can Summon food if you know where it is, transform it, and increase the quantity of what you already have (thanks Hermione). We can see this causing a family row or two. Imagine how rude it would be to Summon food you’d made at home rather than accept the meal made for you at a family dinner? Awkward. We would hope you’d never do this, but what if you were really hungry? What if the food was really bad? It might be tempting to summon that Chocolate Frog from your bedside table… 

## Surprise arrivals by Floo Powder
As a general rule, in the Muggle world, if you’re going to pay someone a visit you tell them what time you’re setting off and how long it’ll take you to get there. But with Floo Powder in the wizarding world, this useful delay would be non-existent, giving you no time to tidy up, wash, brush your hair, or quickly run out for essential snacks. Nightmare. Imagine if your mother-in-law just appeared in the fireplace, dusting off her clothes and tutting at the general state of your living room. And another thing – in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry uses Floo Powder to try to talk to Sirius and only his head travels to Grimmauld Place. Imagine the spying possibilities here – you’d be constantly on edge in case you were complaining about your uncle’s cooking. He might just be listening in from the fireplace!

## Whipping wands out for every tiny thing
This was a particular nuisance to Mrs Weasley when Fred and George came of age and were allowed to do magic outside of Hogwarts. And we can imagine that this delight in the freedom to use wands outside school is something common to many young witches and wizards – and indeed an irritation to many exasperated wizarding parents! Magic isn’t always quiet, and the bangs, sparks, fizzes and general disruption caused by a trainee witch or wizard’s spellwork in progress is bound to get on everyone in the family’s nerves at some time or another…  

## Buying basically anything from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
 Extendable Ears for listening in on secret conversations about you; Instant Darkness Powder and Decoy Detonators for causing distractions and disarray; Skiving Snackboxes for getting out of helping clear up; fake wands that turn into rubber chickens for a laugh; Patented Daydream Charms for when you’re trying to look like you’re paying attention to a boring story told by your Great Aunt. Essentially, what we’re saying is, if not all of your household is up for a laugh and a joke, any item from Fred and George’s shop is likely to cause some kind of row. Though maybe not the Pygmy Puffs though… you might be safe with one of those! And their cuteness might just avoid an argument, you never know!

## Unauthorised riding of broomsticks
Whilst witches and wizards under the age of seventeen aren’t allowed to practise magic outside of Hogwarts, those who come from wizarding families – like the Weasleys – are likely to be riding broomsticks from a young age. Just think about that photograph of Harry as a tiny child zooming around on a toy broomstick Sirius gave him before his parents died. But we reckon that as children get older there might just be a few rows centred around unauthorised riding of broomsticks – perhaps they break into the family broom shed like Ginny Weasley? And what if instead of practising Quidditch they decide to take the brooms on a little jaunt to visit friends or sneak out to a party a few towns over? There would be a Mrs Weasley-style showdown if they were found out, no doubt. 

## Hogwarts pets at home
Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely love that Hogwarts students are permitted to bring a pet to Hogwarts. Imagine being able to bring your cat along to school? Or have an owl companion like Hedwig who delivered your post for you? The trouble is, wizarding siblings do go home for the holidays and their pets go with them. And as we know from Ron and Hermione, pets don’t always get along – alright so Scabbers was in fact a man posing as a rat, but we’re not sure cats and rats keep particularly good company with each other, even at the best of times. Scraps between owls and cats, or various other combinations aside, what about all the work and mess these pets would make? The owl droppings! The cat fur! Even if you didn’t have a wizarding sibling, all that mess – and cleaning it up – would surely be bound to cause some family unrest.


A first year’s guide to Harry Potter Fan Club Pin Seeking

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Denim jacket Pins collection

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## 1. Did you know that some Harry Potter Fan Club pins are rarer than others?

Some are limited edition, some are exclusively available in a particular set, some are glow-in-the-dark and some have hidden surprises to unlock. So keep a look out and see what secrets you’ll discover.

## 2. You can collect the Harry Potter pins in sets or as individual pins.

Some of the individual pins are one-off specials and limited editions that won’t come around again so snap them up when you can. [Explore the ones currently available here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/store?path=/collections/pin-seeking&passthrough=true). 

## 3. There’s a little secret hidden in the hexagonal pin set boxes.

Magnets in the walls of each box mean that you can connect multiple sets together and build a magical display. 

![Pins Box Set Pile](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/1sCX8w6DIy4T5VazIboeYE/2a77fe533c74dfaa134305855f04db7f/Pins-vault-images_5.jpg)

## 5. You can unlock extra surprises within the Harry Potter Fan Club app 

If you discover an Enchanted Key or Secret code on the packaging, try scanning or entering it into the app and see what secrets you discover.

## 6. Each pin set contains a set exclusive - an extra rare pin that you can’t get anywhere else

![GRYFFINDOR BOX 01 V1](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/2XlhnWvxZymin7RaBbHkT5/f24259a02b419ee24971a17945624c56/GRYFFINDOR_BOX_01_V1.jpg)

You can collect the Hufflepuff Badger, Slytherin Snake, Ravenclaw Eagle and Gryffindor Lion when you collect the house sets. 

## 7. Share your pins online with us 

Every pin tells a story, what’s yours? See what other Harry Potter fans have been doing with their collections and share your pin seeking pictures using #HarryPotterPinSeeking. For a chance to be featured, read our Submission Terms.

## Fancy getting your hands on new pins as soon as they’re released? 

Harry Potter Fan Club members get early access to the latest pin releases*. If you haven’t already, [join for free here. ](https://my.wizardingworld.com/register)

![Hermione Set-Campaign Image 3 CORK LANDSCAPE](//contentful.harrypotter.com/usf1vwtuqyxm/79Y2ZMtAfUMP8VvRgytvxF/7d019e873a2df51defc1ea23b04f2693/Hermione_Set-Campaign_Image_3_CORK_LANDSCAPE.jpg)

There is lots more pin magic to come so keep a Seeker’s eye out for updates and new releases. 

*Early access requires Harry Potter Fan Club membership and pins are subject to availability. Stock of some pin designs may be very limited. Offer applies to purchases from the Harry Potter online shop only. Other limitations and terms and conditions apply.*

Eight moments we loved from the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince film

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## 1.	Welcome to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes… 
We always knew that seeing Fred and George’s shop brought to life on screen was going to be a treat, but this scene really did surpass all expectation. The cheeky music, the giant top hat being lifted on the outside of the shop, the twins’ matching sharp suits – it was perfect. And that’s before we even get started on the joy of seeing all their long-developed products on the shelves (watch out for the young wizard trying out Puking Pastilles!). You might have to watch this scene several times to take it all in, with the some of the most playful parts of magic whizzing across your screen.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/vxRqPmvGlUY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## 2.	Ron in love with Romilda Vane…  
‘It’s beautiful isn’t it, the moon?’ says… Ron? He isn’t exactly his usual self in this scene and that is part of the genius of the exchanges between him and his best friend. Harry’s confusion between Lavender and Romilda is priceless, and we love Harry’s exasperation at Ron’s declarations of love: ‘Fine you’re in love with her. Have you ever actually me her?’ Lesson learned from this scene: in the wizarding world, it’s best not to eat a whole box of Chocolate Cauldrons that’ve been lying around… 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5VMy-erDsDw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## 3.	Harry’s Acromantula impression at Aragog’s funeral…  
We don’t know about you, but as soon as Professor Slughorn introduced Felix Felicis we started to dream about trying some, and Harry’s ‘devil may care’ attitude in this sequence makes it look like an absolute hoot. The way the effects of Felix Felicis on Harry are portrayed made us giggle something chronic, particularly when contrasted with the sombre atmosphere of Aragog’s funeral. The best part? When Hagrid laments – ‘Seriously misunderstood creatures, spiders’ – pay close attention to Harry’s Acromantula impression. It’s priceless.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/_8mtV1eyM7A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## 4.	Introducing Horace Slughorn…
With Voldemort’s return, the wizarding world feels like a much more dangerous place throughout Half-Blood Prince, including at the beginning when Dumbledore and Harry enter a dark Muggle house. It appears to have been the target of a wizard attack, all turned upside down and blood dripping from the ceiling. That is until Dumbledore sees right through Slughorn’s disguise. We loved the touch of Dumbledore prodding the wand into the armchair, as well as Dumbledore’s calm introduction of Harry without any comment that Slughorn has just turned from a nicely upholstered armchair into a man. Watch and enjoy… 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ju4GW_E6T_o?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## 5.	Snogging at the Three Broomsticks…  
A cosy fire, Butterbeers and a whole lot of wizarding gossip. We love any scene set at the Three Broomsticks, but this one is a real cracker. Things to look out for: Ron’s reaction to Dean and Ginny kissing is brilliant – ‘I’d like to leave’ –although so is his awkwardness when Hermione talks about snogging him! Of course, there’s also Harry’s cringe-worthy sucking up to Slughorn to enjoy, as well as a little moment between Ron and Hermione when she gets some Butterbeer on her top lip…  

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/nZRHXx4DIqI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## 6.	Luna Lovegood’s Spectrespecs come in handy…  
Luna Lovegood might be a bit wacky, but she’s a Ravenclaw for a reason. This scene is so perfectly Luna it makes us grin every time. Decked out in her Spectrepecs, she opens the door of a Hogwarts carriage and somehow manages to spot Harry under the Invisibility Cloak, where he has been left by Malfoy. Harry can’t believe that she has been able to find him, but of course she puts it down to Wrackspurts! We love a Luna and Harry moment, especially this one when Harry says they’re friends and Luna kindly fixes Harry’s nose: ‘Have you ever fixed a nose before?’ says Harry. ‘No, but I’ve done several toes, how different are they really?’ If you’re a fan of Luna, this clip is well worth the watch… 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/meywQFptbfU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## 7.	Quidditch tryouts…  
Is there anything better than a bit of Quidditch drama? This clip starts beautifully, with a shot of the whole Quidditch pitch and stands, before zooming in on the action. Harry is Quidditch captain and holding tryouts, though it’s Ginny who is able to get people to be quiet by telling them to ‘shut it’. Look out for the Quidditch uniforms  – they’re ace, as well as that moment Cormac McLaggen catches a fly in his fingers. What we love the most in this clip though, is the playful music as Ron and McLaggen go head to head for the position of Keeper… 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/fAFK6QWTNuc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## 8.	But I am the Chosen One…   
This clip is an absolute treat. We’ve got Harry and Hermione in the library – who doesn’t love a scene where books are being magically being returned to their shelves? – some cheeky music for a sassy Harry, as well as Romilda Vane in background, checking out the Chosen One. When Hermione urges Harry to choose his date carefully for Slughorn’s party, he responds: ‘I’ll take someone I like, someone cool.’ Cut to Luna Lovegood in an absolutely fabulous dress. And listen out for her piece of Luna-style wisdom about wearing shoes to bed… 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/UUR5UFUBp5s?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ranked: The 7 most memorable Diagon Alley moments

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## 7. Gilderoy Lockhart’s book party (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) 

> Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 

The introduction of Harry’s second Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was just as chaotic as you might expect – after all, he didn’t have much luck with his first one. Lockhart’s book party (to launch his new autobiography, *Magical Me*) took place in Flourish and Blotts, giving us several memorable moments – such as Lockhart’s general tomfoolery, a confrontation between Lucius Malfoy and the Weasleys, and a general insight into the world of a wizarding world celebrity – one that actually enjoyed the limelight. 

## 6. Meeting Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) 

> ‘Hullo,’ said the boy, ‘Hogwarts too?’
> ‘Yes,’ said Harry.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 

A pivotal moment from Harry’s first visit to Diagon Alley saw him meet his first fellow Hogwarts student. Upon bumping into this blond, pale drawling boy (who he would later learn to be called Draco Malfoy) in Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Harry was greeted with the opportunity to make his first friend. But after Malfoy insulted Hagrid and generally came across as quite narrow-minded, it wasn’t until their second meeting on the Hogwarts Express that Harry knew not to shake his hand. How different things could’ve been if he had taken it, though... 

[In fact, we speculated about that right here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/could-harry-and-draco-ever-have-been-friends)

## 5. Diagon Alley abandoned (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) 

> Diagon Alley had changed. The colourful, glittering window displays of spellbooks, potion ingredients and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind the large Ministry of Magic
> posters that had been pasted over them.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince  

We’re used to seeing Diagon Alley as a jolly old place – full of the hustle and bustle of Hogwarts students and their families getting ready for a new school year. The shopping district is supposed to be brimming with promise, curiosity and excitement. However, upon revisiting the shopping district after Voldemort's ascent, Harry, Hermione, Hagrid and the Weasleys were crestfallen to discover that the once-vibrant location had become a shadow of its former self. Shops boarded up, noted absences of Diagon Alley regulars, and an anxious energy permeating their surroundings. The place that Harry had once known as a busy hub of childhood wonder was suddenly tainted with fear.  

## 4. Harry’s Knight Bus escape  (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) 

> He could even go wherever he liked, as long as it was in Diagon Alley, and as this long cobbled street was
> packed with the most fascinating wizarding shops in the world, Harry felt no desire to break his word to Fudge and stray back into the Muggle world.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 

After an argument with Uncle Vernon’s sister Aunt Marge got a little overheated (or should that be overinflated) Harry went on the run, boarding the outrageous Knight Bus quite accidentally, then finding himself taking refuge in the only safe place he could think of: Diagon Alley. Thankfully, he chose very wisely, and was set up at the Leaky Cauldron pub at the behest of the Minister for Magic himself. After an awful time with Aunt Marge continuously belittling him and his late parents, a summer away from the Dursleys was much needed.  In Diagon Alley, Harry was free to be himself, befriend the regulars and feel safe in his accepting wizarding community. 

## 3. Weasley Wizard Wheezes (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) 

> ‘Whoa,’ said Ron, stopping in his tracks.
> Set against the dull, poster-muffled shop fronts around them, Fred and George’s windows hit the eye like a firework display.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

With a little help from Harry’s sack of Triwizard Tournament winnings, Fred and George Weasley finally got the funds they needed to achieve their dreams: opening a joke shop, naturally. After a year of product ‘experiments’ (including poor Neville turning into a canary) Fred and George revealed their talents with Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a colourful paradise for Hogwarts students looking to infuse some magical fun into their days. From Pygmy Puffs to U-No-Poo, the mischief-making stock on sale actually showcased the twins’ knack for advanced magic – and a number of their products came in use for beyond the classroom.  

## 2. The introduction of Crookshanks (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) 

> ‘What was that?’
> ‘It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger,’ said Harry.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 

Adopted by Hermione after many years without a home at the Magical Menagerie, the fluffy, ginger squashy-faced cat would soon become a staple of the Harry Potter series, and reveal himself to be a very intelligent mystery-solver. Without Crookshanks and his suspicion of Scabbers and befriending of Sirius Black, who knows how the events of *Prisoner of Azkaban* may have ended... 

## 1. Harry’s first trip (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) 

> Harry wished he had about eight more eyes. He turned his head in every direction as they walked up the street, trying to look at everything at once: the shops, the things outside them, the people doing their shopping.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 

Of course, the most magical and profound moment Diagon Alley gave us was seeing it through Harry’s eyes for the first time. Whisked away from the Dursleys with Hagrid, this really was Harry’s first taste of the wizarding world – and it was a thrill to see him pulled away from his lonely Privet Drive life inside a happy London microcosm, bursting with magic and magical people. This would be the place of many firsts for Harry – where he would meet his first, fellow Hogwarts student, where he would first meet Hagrid, get his first wand... the first time, maybe, that Harry truly realised what his life was actually supposed to be like.  

## Special mention to...

The poor Flourish and Blotts bookshop manager, who had to deal with a rather animated book order in *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.*

> A loud ripping noise rent the air; two of the Monster Books had
> seized a third and were pulling it apart.
> ‘Stop it! Stop it!’ cried the manager, poking the walking stick
> through the bars and knocking the books apart. ‘I’m never stocking
> them again, never! It’s been bedlam! I thought we’d seen the
> worst when we bought two hundred copies of The Invisible Book
> of Invisibility – cost a fortune, and we never found them ... Well, is
> there anything else I can help you with?’<br>
> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

A hero among us all. 

*What’s your favourite Diagon Alley moment?*

A look at the making of the Journeys to Hogwarts immersive Harry Potter audio experience

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As you know, this year it wasn’t possible for fans to gather at King’s Cross station on 1st September to celebrate Back To Hogwarts. To celebrate the moment remotely, Pottermore Publishing created an immersive Harry Potter audio experience especially for the occasion: *Journeys to Hogwarts*.

In the experience, you are transported to a bustling King’s Cross alongside Harry Potter – accompanied by rattling trolley and the flapping wings of Harry’s owl, Hedwig. The sounds around you take you into memorable moments on the Hogwarts Express during Harry’s different journeys back to school, including scenes from *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, *Prisoner of Azkaban*, *Goblet of Fire* and *Order of the Phoenix*. 

The voices of the characters are by members of the London cast of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*. But how did the team make it sound exactly like you’re at the station and on the Hogwarts Express with Harry? That’s where the sound technicians at the post-production studio [Molinare](https://www.molinare.co.uk/) come in. 

The team at Molinare used the latest acoustic techniques to create the immersive soundscape, including taking a binaural microphone to King’s Cross station itself to record ambient noises. 

The team donned face masks and kept their distance at the station to record in a Covid-secure way. Molinare’s Creative Director, Glen Gathard, explains further: ‘We recorded all of our atmosphere beds from scratch with our Neumann KU100 microphone, or as we call him ‘Barry Binaural’ [a dummy human head with microphones in the ear positions]. Barry and our amazing recordists Alex and Guy visited King’s Cross, roamed the streets of London for voices and even took foley props on to the platforms of the station and performed the sound around the Dummy head, with our Foley Artist, Zoe Freed, to give a truly immersive binaural listening experience with correct positioning in your listening field.’


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Journeys to Hogwarts: Barry Binaural

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In case you need reminding, ‘Foley’ is the reproduction of sounds created in a studio and mixed into the audio afterwards. For example, replicating the rattle of a trolley excitedly rushing towards a wall. Barry has a history in the Wizarding World – he was used to capture the footnotes in the *Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them* audiobook, narrated by Eddie Redmayne.

But what exactly is binaural sound? ‘Binaural recording is a method of recording sound that uses two microphones, arranged with the intent to create a 3D stereo sound sensation for the listener,’ explains Glen. ‘When the recorded audio signal is reproduced through any headphones the listener perceives a sound image almost identical to the one that they would have heard at the recording location of the dummy head (this is known as ‘head-related stereophony’). When played back through loudspeakers, the sound matches to a high degree that of conventional stereo microphones, placed in the same position. However, a superior quality is added – that of a distinct spatial depth perception. Barry was positioned at different points of the station and at times on the back of our recordists to create the sense of the motion of walking or running in the station. Not only was this an excellent method to capture these sounds it was also really amusing to watch our team carrying a grey bald head on their shoulders in public!’

Aside from this strange sight, the team went back to some favourite techniques and innovated some new ones when doing the rest of the sound design. The Dementors were recreated using props that were used on the Harry Potter films (some of Glen’s team worked on those and the two Fantastic Beasts films), with the voices of family and loved ones in the team’s creative bubbles mixed in. 

Sound designer Alex Gibson frequently breathed and whispered into Barry’s ears to create new sounds, and Glen credits him for creating the depth and detail of the Hogwarts Express soundscape. Alex even recorded his cats at home for the cats populating Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. According to Glen, he wasn’t the only one who was pleased with his work: ‘One of our sound recordists, Francesca, is particularly proud of her scream in the Dementors section. She was extremely proud to be part of the soundscape.’

When it came to mixing it all together, the process was extremely detailed and the team took inspiration from their work with video games to get the richness of the soundscape exactly how they wanted it. They changed direction a few times following feedback from members of the sound team, some of whom weren’t actively on the project, for an outside perspective. Glen and his team saw the project as ‘an opportunity of true escapism and an experience of wonderment and something that is very sonically different to anything you would have heard before.’

It was hard work under a tight deadline, but Glen makes it sound like it was a lot of fun for everyone making it. Ultimately, he had the most fun seeing everyone’s reactions to it: ‘…watching the amazing positive feedback from the fans on social channels about the great performances and the immersion. The world is a tricky place right now and the fact so many people got to enjoy this and for free is a great gift from Pottermore Publishing. So, by far the most fun was listening to the voices of the fans.’

Are you one of those fans? You can listen to *Journeys to Hogwarts* for free [here](https://www.wizardingworld.com/chapters/listen-new-journeys-to-hogwarts-audio-experience). It is also available for free on a variety of platforms until 30th September. Stream on Audible via Wizarding World landing pages or in Audible Stories, look for the Harry Potter feed on Spotify, or find it on Storytel and Nextory. You can even ask: ‘Alexa, take me to Hogwarts’.


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