Brought to you by Scholastic and Bloomsbury, on 14th October, prepare to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire like never before when it reappears totally reimagined on bookshop shelves.

The artist tasked with recreating this well-loved story was illustrator, Ravenclaw (with a soft spot for Slytherin) and Harry Potter fan, Karl James Mountford. From early character studies to finished artwork, we are thrilled to exclusively reveal some of his sketches that give us a glimpse into how he captured the magic of Harry Potter.

What a treasure trove of treats! This illustration captures the wonder of the wizarding world perfectly – like the rough sketch of Harry and Hedwig in the Gryffindor dormitory. Or the early character study of Harry, Ron and Hermione, their bewildered expressions are adorable. From the wand icons to the snake border, you can see that every single detail was meticulously considered.

Speaking of details, this sketch is crammed full of iconic Goblet of Fire imagery. Frank Bryce climbing the stairs of the notorious Riddle House. The teeny Goblet of Fire. Plus, it’s fascinating to compare the sketch of the Triwizard Tournament champions to the finished version!

Then there is this brilliant early character study of the Weasley family. Percy’s pinched expression. Bill’s famous fang earring. Ron’s hand-me-down trousers which are a bit too short. While they are quite clearly a family, this sketch impressively shows that each Weasley had their own, distinct personality.

This is just a snippet of what you will find in this book crammed full of gorgeously detailed illustrations. In fact, there are over 150! Now that we have had a chance to pore over the art, let’s talk to the artist behind them all! From where his love of Harry Potter started, to which character he thinks is a ‘dude’, here’s what illustrator, Karl James Mountford, had to say.

When did you first discover Harry Potter?

I think my aunt bought me the first two books when I was about 11 or so – I remember that the first film was coming out around that time. However, I didn’t start reading the books properly until a few years later, when my sister insisted I read Prisoner of Azkaban. That was it! I was hooked.

Which scene was your favourite to illustrate?

That’s a tough one! There’s one piece I’m especially proud of – the scene where Harry returns from the graveyard. He’s lying on the Quidditch pitch, surrounded by people, looking up at the stars… while broken, grieving and traumatised. It’s one of those quiet moments in visual storytelling where you get to show real vulnerability. I also think it opens the door for me to create more emotionally gritty illustrations going forward.

Do you have a favourite character to illustrate?

Dumbledore! He’s such a dude. To me, he’s a kind of punk persona – queer, rebellious, wise and yet flawed. In spite of his faults, he’s still willing to grow and learn. He makes mistakes but leads with humility and kindness from the front, rather than fear and hate from the shadows.

What’s your favourite Harry Potter book and why?

That’s a hard one. Prisoner of Azkaban is special because it was my entry point into the world of Harry Potter. I inhaled Goblet of Fire, and I’ve probably reread it the most. Although, Order of the Phoenix has Dolores Umbridge, one of the best villains… dare I say worse than Voldemort? The fifth book introduces some complex but interesting characters and has a real ‘fight back’ energy that makes it unputdownable.

Which Hogwarts House do you most identify with?

Ravenclaw. I took the test and everything. It’s a fact now. They value creativity, wisdom, knowledge, so I feel like I’m a good fit for that house.

I do have a soft spot for Slytherin, though. They get a bad rep, but at their core they’re loyal, ambitious, and unafraid to break the rules. You just can’t judge an entire group by a few rotten individuals!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’s interactive illustrated edition will launch 14th October with Scholastic in the US. In tandem, the book will be published in the UK with Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

The answers to this Q&A have been edited for length & clarity.