Wizarding World Homepage DO NOT PUB

What if Ron didn't get in the carriage on the Hogwarts Express with Harry?

WEB-FEATURE-what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-showing-scar-hogwarts-express-web-landscape

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

HP-F1

and the Philosopher's Stone 

what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry-text-section-1

Before we dive into what could have been different, lets consider why Ron and Harry’s friendship was so important to the series. 

As soon as Harry and Ron met, the pair of them seemed to get on like a house on fire. They quickly bonded over sweets, their mutual dislike of Malfoy and the excitement of starting a new school. That initial connection only strengthened over time and by the end of the series they were family as well as friends. Without this very important relationship the story could have looked quite different indeed.

If it wasn’t for Ron, Harry would have found the wizarding world a much trickier place to navigate. Having grown up with his Muggle relatives, Harry had no understanding of how the wizarding world worked – despite his fame amongst the wizarding population. It was Ron that gave Harry so many of the useful insights that helped him to integrate into this magical world. He also stood up for him, frequently risked his life on their many escapades and quickly made him an honorary Weasley – which meant everything to Harry. 

And Harry helped Ron in many ways too. Having always felt like he lived in his siblings’ shadow, Ron had been insecure and prone to jealousy. But after he became Harry’s best friend, and went on many adventures with him, he became a hero in his own right. Not only was he instrumental in helping to save the wizarding world, but he also became a Hogwarts Prefect and a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Ron’s friendship with Harry certainly helped him mature and undergo a positive transformation.  

Their relationship may have had ups and downs – like when Ron’s jealousy in *Goblet of Fire* caused him to turn against Harry – but without each other’s support, the two of them could have been very different people with very different stories. 

So how important was that day on the Hogwarts Express? Would their friendship have survived without it? What would their relationship with Hermione look like? And without that encounter, would Harry have been a Gryffindor?

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-ron-playing-chess-great-hall-web-landscape

what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry-text-section-2

## Would Ron and Harry have become best friends?
We would like to think that if Harry and Ron hadn’t been sat together on the Hogwarts Express, they would have still ended up as friends (if not best friends). As two Gryffindor boys in their first year, they still would have shared a dormitory and would have spent many hours together. Their personalities would still have been compatible, and we can definitely see the pair of them still having plenty of fun.

However, there is some question over whether their bond might have been quite so strong. A lot happened on that train ride, despite it being one of the less dramatic parts of the story. It was in those quieter, smaller moments that these two really gravitated towards each other. 

For instance, when Ron let slip that his family didn’t have much money (with his hand-me-down pet rat, second-hand wand and a dry corned beef sandwich as his lunch), Harry sensed his vulnerability and didn’t tease him because he understood where Ron was coming from. Harry had never had anything of his own until he became a wizard, so he wanted to share what he now had with Ron. The second he responded by explaining what it had been like to live at Privet Drive and offered to swap his pasty for Ron’s rather unappealing sandwich, a fledgling friendship was formed. The two of them opened up to one another, despite being virtual strangers, and the rest was history. 

Therefore, it would be easy to assume that if the pair of them had not had this moment on the train and had not walked through the doors of Hogwarts together, they wouldn’t have been so close. Yet, we like to think it probably wasn’t the case. We imagine they would have had that interaction at a different time – whether it was days, weeks or months later. Harry and Ron had a lot in common and their friendship seemed to come so naturally to them. It would have taken an awful lot to keep these two apart and we reckon that one missed day together wouldn’t have changed much.

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-ron-classroom-walking-happy-web-landscape

what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry-text-section-3

## Would Harry have been less resistant to being sorted into Slytherin?
By the time that Harry and Ron came face to face, Harry had heard a few things about Slytherin house… specifically that Voldemort belonged to it and the unpleasant boy he met in Madam Malkin’s wanted to be in it. We think that at this point Harry was already forming his opinion of Slytherin and wasn’t keen on the idea of being one. So, it would be easy to assume that even without meeting Ron, Harry would still have told the Sorting Hat not to place him there. 

Yet would his aversion have been so strong without meeting Ron? They did discuss houses and Harry did find out that all of Ron’s family had been sorted into Gryffindor. He also discovered that Ron would be unhappy to be sorted into Slytherin, so that could have influenced him as well. Not to mention the fact that they had a run in with Malfoy – where he immediately insulted Harry’s new friend. At that moment, everything seemed clear to Harry. He knew that he would always choose someone like Ron over someone like Malfoy – which would have only strengthened his anti-Slytherin resolve.

Ultimately, we believe that Harry would have asked to not be sorted into Slytherin, whether Ron had sat next to him on the Hogwarts Express or not. But we also think that his interactions on the train cemented that feeling. If Harry hadn’t heard about Ron’s background, or seen Malfoy’s treatment of him and others, he might not have been quite as adamant when it came to The Sorting Ceremony.

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-sorting-hat-eyes-closed-web-landscape

what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry-text-section-4

## Would Harry have been more open to becoming Malfoy’s friend?
We reckon Malfoy and Harry would not have been friends – even without the skirmish on the Hogwarts Express. Harry already had a negative impression of Malfoy long before he heard him make any comments about Ron’s family. As soon as Malfoy called Hagrid a savage in Madam Malkin’s Harry had got the measure of him. 

So, if Ron hadn’t been in the carriage when Malfoy extended his hand to Harry, we believe he still would have had plenty of reasons to refuse his offer of friendship. Sooner or later Harry would have discovered the truth about the Malfoy family. He would have realised that they had been followers of the Dark wizard who had killed his parents, would have seen their pure-blood mania, would have seen Draco bully those he saw as weak and would have had plenty of exposure to his awful, entitled attitude. Harry would have rejected such hatred and would not have wanted any part in it.

All that happened with Ron being in the carriage that day was that Harry’s impression of Malfoy was reinforced more quickly. Whether that was when Malfoy said that Ron’s family had more children than they could afford. Or when Scabbers bit Goyle after he, Malfoy and Crabbe had tried to take their food. Or when Malfoy made a comment about the death of Harry’s parents. The train journey was a good example of why Harry didn’t want to be an ally of the boy with the snooty nature and nasty attitude.

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-draco-forbidden-forest-scared-web-landscape

what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry-text-section-5

## Would Harry, Ron and Hermione have become friends sooner?
While Ron and Harry’s first impressions of each other were nothing but positive, the same can’t be said for how they viewed Hermione. On the occasions that she burst into their train carriage, told them all about the books she had read, ridiculed the spell George had given Ron and pointed out the dirt on his nose, they seemed to find her… annoying. 

Though while Harry was a bit taken aback by her, it was Ron who really seemed riled by her presence. The two of them started to bicker immediately – which we later came to discover was just their dynamic. But by the time they arrived at Hogwarts, Harry and Ron were already becoming fast friends and Hermione joining their pair was not close to being an idea in either of their heads. It was so far from Ron’s mind that he groaned when he heard the Sorting Hat announce that she was a Gryffindor.

So, would they have all become friends sooner if they had met under different circumstances? It could be argued that if Harry had met Hermione without Ron being there, he might have been more open to the prospect. We could imagine him reaching out to her when he realised that she didn’t have any friends after a few weeks of term – it would be in keeping with Harry’s desire to look out for the underdog. But Harry’s patience only stretched so far, and he did struggle to warm to her at the beginning, without Ron’s input. 

We also believe that Ron would have needed to have Harry there to have become Hermione’s friend in the first place. Even if she had still overheard him saying mean things about her at Hallowe’en, and she had hidden in the girls’ toilets, it was Harry who convinced Ron that they needed to try and rescue her from the troll. Without the dynamic of Harry and Ron we highly doubt Hermione would have become part of their group.

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-ron-hermione-hogwarts-express-web-landscape

what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry-text-section-6

## Would Harry have been able to reach the Philosopher’s Stone?
The answer to this all depends on whether Harry, Ron and Hermione still became friends without having first met on the journey to Hogwarts. We don’t think that Harry would have been able to reach the Philosopher’s Stone without help, and Ron and Hermione were vital in this adventure.

The obstacles that the teachers set to protect it were no joke. While Harry was a talented flyer who could take on the enchanted keys with no issue, that alone wasn’t enough. It took a combination of all three of them and their skills, including Ron’s excellent chess ability and sacrifice along with Hermione’s cool logic and problem-solving, for Harry to reach the Mirror of Erised. 

So, we think that if the journey on the Hogwarts Express was needed for Harry and Ron to become such good friends, and it never happened, then Harry wouldn’t have had the support he needed to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone.

However, as we have said before, we still reckon that the golden trio would have found their way into each other’s lives. And while it may have taken them a little longer, we imagine they still would have forged a strong enough friendship to take on what was through the trapdoor.

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-ron-hermione-common-room-petrificus-totalus-web-landscape

what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry-text-section-7

What do you think? Do you agree with our musings about Harry, Ron and the train compartment?

If this has made you wonder about other ‘What if’ scenarios – then explore some of our others, such as…

[What if Sirius Black had cleared his name in the Prisoner of Azkaban?
](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-sirius-black-had-cleared-his-name-in-the-prisoner-of-azkaban)

[What if Snape had never been in love with Lily Potter?
](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-snape-had-never-been-in-love-with-lily-potter)

[What if Ginny Weasley had never possessed Tom Riddle's diary?](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-ginny-had-never-possessed-tom-riddles-diary)

What is the significance of Harry's weirdest dreams?

PMARCHIVE-What is the significance of Harry's weirdest dreams?

PMARCHIVE-WB F7 Grimmauld Place Harry wakes up 3nuRvHTasmQPKZeWYYZg0e-b7

WB F7 Grimmauld Place Harry wakes up 

PMARCHIVE-undefined 5lUR5JHSnuUoaoi6CyeWSi-g0

HarryPotter WB F3 HarryPotterInBedWithWandMaraudersMapAndHedwig Still 100615 Land

Harry looking at the Marauders Map in his dormitory

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-0

Although we – as readers – were able to follow Harry’s adventures closely, understanding his thoughts and actions, it was his dreams throughout the books that gave us a deeper understanding of what was going on in his head. He was, for example, often haunted by nightmares of the deaths in his life, from Cedric to recurring ones about his own parents, and sometimes his ‘dreams’ were not actually dreams at all, but his mind being infiltrated by Lord Voldemort. 

Suffice to say, there was a lot going on up there. We’ve analysed some of Harry’s oddest ones – although we’ve left the Voldemort-influenced ‘dreams’ for another day.

## ‘A good one’ with a flying motorbike

PMARCHIVE-undefined 5icfzz85NmQAikuWQIiGSI-g0

PrivetDrive PM B1C1M3 HagridFlyingMotorbike Moment

Hagrid flying into Privet Drive with a baby Harry.

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-2

Right at the beginning of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, even before Harry knew he was a wizard, the magic in his life had already started seeping into his subconscious. During one morning at the Dursleys, Harry awoke in his cupboard from a ‘good’ dream about a flying motorbike – one he felt like he’d had before. To be fair, he kind of had, except it had been real: a memory from when Hagrid first took him to the Dursleys as a baby, on Sirius Black’s enchanted motorbike. No wonder, when he told Vernon about the dream, his uncle’s reaction was more unreasonably outraged than usual – he must have been terrified there was magic on Harry’s mind...

## Professor Quirrell’s talking turban

PMARCHIVE-QuirinusQuirrell WB F1 QuirrellAndHarry Still 080615 Land zcNygnmVOYSgIzCBuqUzu-b19

QuirinusQuirrell WB F1 QuirrellAndHarry Still 080615 Land

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-4

> He was wearing Professor Quirrell’s turban, which kept talking to him, telling him he must transfer to Slytherin at once, because it was his destiny. Harry told the turban he didn’t want to be in Slytherin; it got heavier and heavier; he tried to pull it off but it tightened painfully – and there was Malfoy, laughing at him as he struggled with it – then Malfoy turned into the hook-nosed teacher, Snape, whose laugh became high and cold – there was a burst of green light and Harry woke, sweating and shaking.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

On Harry’s first night at Hogwarts, after being introduced to so many impossibly magical things in such a short space of time, he had a particularly weird dream. It connected quite a few important elements that shaped his first year: meeting Professor Quirrell, his rivalry with Draco Malfoy, his anxiety over the Sorting Hat, his uneasiness around Professor Snape, and a familiar ‘burst of green light’ – the latter of which would haunt Harry for a long, long time. 

The events of his dream presented a distorted version of Harry’s reality, all fused together by his insecurities of the time. First, there was Professor Quirrell, who Harry didn’t really know yet, and particularly the involvement of his strange turban.

PMARCHIVE-undefined 3Abdqr65ugmuwOmIyieyY0-g0

The Sorting Ceremony

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-6

In the dream, the turban took on the role of the Sorting Hat, who Harry had only just met the same day of his dream. The fact that his dream combined his fears of being sorted into Slytherin with Quirrell’s turban, which would eventually be revealed to be concealing Lord Voldemort, is quite interesting. The fact that Malfoy, his new school rival, was laughing at him, and then turned into Snape, who he had not yet met, was also rather telling. In his mind, Harry had merged the two main bullies in his life, even though he didn’t yet know it. 

The inclusion of the flash of green light connected everything back to Lord Voldemort. In essence, this dream combined the typical schoolboy fears of not fitting in, worries about bullies and an over-arching dread of evil drawing near. (Okay, maybe that last one isn’t a typical schoolboy fear...)

## The forest dream

PMARCHIVE-ForbiddenForest PM B1C15M2 NightInTheForbiddenForest Moment 5lUR5JHSnuUoaoi6CyeWSi-b7

ForbiddenForest PM B1C15M2 NightInTheForbiddenForest Moment

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-8

> He was walking through a forest, his Firebolt over his shoulder, following something silvery white. It was winding its way through the trees ahead, and he could only catch glimpses of it between the leaves. Anxious to catch up with it, he sped up, but as he moved faster, so did his quarry. Harry broke into a run and ahead, he heard hooves gathering speed. Now he was running flat out, and ahead he could hear galloping. Then he turned a corner into a clearing and – <br>
> Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry’s third year was defined by Sirius Black and the Dementors – the latter of whom affected him badly. After going through some anti-Dementor lessons with Professor Lupin, Harry finally got to use the Patronus Charm on three Dementors who’d come to interrupt his Quidditch game. As it turned out, it was only Malfoy and his cronies playing a trick, but it was still the first time he had successfully cast his Patronus, even if he was too busy catching the Snitch to notice what form it took. That night, he dreamt of ‘following something silvery white’ and heard the sound of hooves...

Even though Harry did not know his Patronus was a stag yet, this dream was his first clue. The fact that Harry couldn’t catch up to his stag could mean a few things: the fact he had been struggling to cast the Patronus Charm, or maybe even the unconscious fretfulness of never knowing his father, who the stag could be representing. You never know.

## The Grimmauld Place dream

PMARCHIVE-Kreacher WB F5 KreacherAtGrimmauldPlace Illust 080615 Port 5lUR5JHSnuUoaoi6CyeWSi-b9

Kreacher WB F5 KreacherAtGrimmauldPlace Illust 080615 Port

Kreacher at Grimmauld Place from the Order of the Pheonix

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-10

> Harry had a troubled night’s sleep. His parents wove in and out of his dreams, never speaking; Mrs Weasley sobbed over Kreacher’s dead body, watched by Ron and Hermione who were wearing crowns, and yet again Harry found himself walking down a corridor ending in a locked door. <br>
> Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Although the latter part of this dream was Voldemort invading Harry’s thoughts, the rest was based on his first night at Grimmauld Place, where Hermione and Ron were made Prefects and Harry witnessed poor Mrs Weasley’s Boggart, which took the shape of all of her loved ones – dead. After initially being jealous of Ron and Hermione’s elevated status (seen here as them wearing crowns), Harry’s jealousy was put into perspective when he saw the things that troubled Molly. The suspicious presence of Kreacher in the house also inhabited this dream. Harry was right to have this worrisome house-elf on his mind.

## Cho and the Chocolate Frogs

PMARCHIVE-WB F5 ChoChang 6SCrRlIdjNa0iTIq6xEHVH-b3

Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

WB F5 ChoChang

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-12

> Harry dreamed he was back in the DA room. Cho was accusing him of luring her there under false pretences; she said he had promised her a hundred and fifty Chocolate Frog Cards if she showed up. Harry protested ... Cho shouted, ‘Cedric gave me loads of Chocolate Frog Cards, look!’ And she pulled out fistfuls of Cards from inside her robes and threw them into the air. Then she turned into Hermione, who said, ‘You did promise her, you know, Harry ... I think you’d better give her something else instead ... how about your Firebolt?’ And Harry was protesting that he could not give Cho his Firebolt, because Umbridge had it, and anyway the whole thing was ridiculous, he’d only come to the DA room to put up some Christmas baubles shaped like Dobby’s head ...<br> 
> Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

When he wasn’t worried about Lord Voldemort, Harry was just a teenage boy at heart. During his relationship with Cho in Order of the Phoenix, the short-lived romance was overshadowed by her ex-boyfriend’s death. We can see those concerns in this dream, with the Chocolate Frog cards representing Harry’s worth vs Cedric’s worth – Harry was clearly worried he couldn’t live up to a dead man’s legacy. The other many troubles of Harry’s fifth year, such as Professor Umbridge always stifling him and his secret DA lessons, seemed to congeal into abstract disarray. Poor Dobby!  

## The Horcrux dream

PMARCHIVE-PM 7.19.2 Destroyed Locket 03VG illustration Horcrux 4yruDIn7h6meYCGACGam4W-b11

Illustration of Salazar Slytherin's broken locket

PM 7.19.2 Destroyed Locket 03VG illustration Horcrux

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-significance-of-harrys-weirdest-dreams-14

> This mantra seemed to pulse through Harry’s mind as he fell asleep at night, and his dreams were thick with cups, lockets and mysterious objects that he could not quite reach, though Dumbledore helpfully offered Harry a rope ladder that turned to snakes the moment he began to climb ... <br>
> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 

In *Deathly Hallows*, Harry’s hunt to track down Voldemort’s Horcruxes took over his entire life – and seeped into his subconscious as a result. This particular dream saw Albus Dumbledore offer Harry a ladder to the Horcruxes, which then turn into snakes; at this point in the story, Harry had lost trust for his deceased headmaster, due to finding out things about Dumbledore’s past that the old wizard never divulged. The ladder must represent the help Dumbledore tried to give Harry, and the snakes must represent the betrayal Harry felt at this point in the story. Clever.

## Oh, and this one?

> He dreamed that Neville and Professor Sprout were waltzing around the Room of Requirement while Professor McGonagall played the bagpipes. He watched them happily for a while, then decided to go and find the other members of the DA.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

Okay, we have no idea about this one. Maybe sometimes dreams don't mean much.

The significance of Harry's weirdest dreams 

Discover the films

Wizarding World Image Crediting

to Fantastic Beasts

The Cursed Child crossword

WEB-PUZZLE-cursed-child-crossword

PMARCHIVE-Harry with Albus on bed original cast - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 7hptyTcgKvZctgFHE3Z9X9

Harry with Albus on bed original cast - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

cursed-child-crossword

From the golden trio we know and love to the next Hogwarts generation... get cosy and try out our latest crossword all about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. 

<iframe width="550" height="700" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/crossword/20210407/00051/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Visit our puzzles section to enjoy more challenges](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) or visit the Wizarding World app.

Which of Harry's summer holiday destinations would you like to go to?

WEB-FEATURE-which-of-harrys-summer-holiday-destinations-would-you-like-to-go-to

HP-F6-half-blood-prince-harry-ron-hermione-burrow-summer-laughing-web-landscape

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

HP-F6

and the Half-Blood Prince

which-of-harrys-summer-holiday-destinations-would-you-like-to-go-to-text-section-1

## If you’re an avid sports fan… you’d go to the Quidditch World Cup
If you’re someone that lives in their favourite football team’s kit and is happiest when at a match with other fans, then we think you’d appreciate a trip to the Quidditch World Cup. With all the high drama of Bulgaria vs Ireland, the Wronski Feint, the lively mascots and the thrilling final score, you are certainly not going to be bored. We also think you’d enjoy the lively atmosphere of the campsite… well before a certain group of Dark wizards made an appearance that is.

HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-quidditch-world-cup-campsite-ron-harry-hermione-fear-web-landscape

which-of-harrys-summer-holiday-destinations-would-you-like-to-go-to-text-section-2

## If you’re normal thank-you-very-much… you’d stay at 4 Privet Drive
Are you the proud owner of a neatly manicured lawn? Do you like to ensure that your house is just so – with not a throw cushion out of place? Are you proud to be normal and heavily judge those you see as ruffians or eccentrics? Then you would fit in perfectly at 4 Privet Drive. Not only could you and Petunia stare out of the window and gossip about the neighbour’s new car, outfit, haircut or lawn, but you and Vernon could have a good old chat about the price of drills and how to take care of your moustache. As someone who doesn’t hold with any silly nonsense, this is the dream spot for you.

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-vernon-petunia-dudley-dursley-living-room-web-landscape

which-of-harrys-summer-holiday-destinations-would-you-like-to-go-to-text-section-3

## If you enjoy a pint with friends… you’d stay at The Leaky Cauldron
There’s nothing quite like a good drink and a catch up with friends – especially when you’re in an excellent pub like the Leaky Cauldron. If people watching with a pint of Butterbeer sounds tempting, then this would be a great place for you to spend your summer. With witches, wizards and warlocks from all over, you will definitely hear an interesting story or two. And we are sure that Tom the barman would take good care of you with his own brand of customer service. As someone who is laidback and a fan of excellent conversation, you can’t go wrong.

HP-F3-prisoner-of-azkaban-harry-fudge-leaky-cauldron-web-landscape

which-of-harrys-summer-holiday-destinations-would-you-like-to-go-to-text-section-4

## If you’re a fan of dramatic landscapes… you’d stay at the Hut-on-the-Rock
With crashing waves, a howling wind, a pitch-black sky and an imminent sense of danger, the Hut-on-the-Rock might not be the most obvious choice for a summer vacation. But this rustic hut, visited by the Dursleys in *Philosopher’s Stone*, has everything you could possibly want. Only reachable by boat, surrounded by the strong smell of seaweed and with walls that can’t keep the weather out, it certainly has its own… unique charm. So, if you’re a fan of dramatic weather and dramatic scenery, this is where you should go on holiday.

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-hagrid-hut-on-the-rock-web-landscape

which-of-harrys-summer-holiday-destinations-would-you-like-to-go-to-text-section-5

## If you enjoy spending your money… you’d go to Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley is the perfect place for all your magical shopping needs – whether you fancy getting stuck into a good book at Flourish and Blotts or an excellent chocolate and raspberry ice-cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour. With its enticing shopfronts packed full of things you can only dream of, it’s a paradise for shopaholics. And who could turn down the opportunity to purchase a wand from the legendary Mr Ollivander? If you’re someone who loves to spend their days browsing the shops while parting with their money, then Diagon Alley should be the top of your summer holiday hotspots.

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-diagon-alley-hagrid-harry-walking-crowd-web-landscape

which-of-harrys-summer-holiday-destinations-would-you-like-to-go-to-text-section-6

## If you’re a homebody… you’d go to The Burrow
If the sound of a squashy armchair, warm fire and excellent homecooked meal appeals to you, then you would fit right in at The Burrow. We reckon you would have a brilliant time surrounded by the Weasley clan – especially if Molly was feeding you all the bacon sandwiches you could possibly eat. It wouldn’t matter if you were hanging out indoors, playing Quidditch in the orchard or pottering about doing some gentle chores (like a good de-gnome of the garden), if you’re someone who is happiest when at home, then this is the summer holiday destination for you.

HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-the-burrow-dark-web-landscape

Celebrate 20 years of the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

homepage-start-of-20th-anniversary

WB-HP-F1-harry-scar-web-landscape-homepage-crop

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London announces its festive season and special Philosopher’s Stone screenings 

WEB-NEWS-studio-tour-london-announces-festive-season-and-screenings

WBSTL-great-hall-christmas-dinner-darker

warner-bros-studio-tour-london-announces-festive-season-and-anniversary-screenings-text-section-1

Get into the Christmas spirit early as Warner Bros. Studio Tour London launch their much-loved Hogwarts in the Snow feature, more lavish dinners in the Great Hall and some special screenings of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* for the 20th anniversary.

## Hogwarts in the Snow 

This snowy favourite has been enchanting visitors for years at the Studio Tour, and from 13th November 2021 to 16th January 2022, you can come to see Hogwarts dressed in all its festive glory. And it’s not just Hogwarts that has been covered in snow – new for 2021, the trees and woodland of the Forbidden Forest have also been blanketed in filmmaking snow, as well as Diagon Alley and Hagrid’s Hut! Expect festive wreathes, Christmas trees and a seasonal feast in the Great Hall too.

WBSTL-great-hall-christmas-pudding

warner-bros-studio-tour-london-announces-festive-season-and-anniversary-screenings-text-section-2

## Dinner in the Great Hall 

From 13th – 15th December, a lavish feast awaits you in the Studio Tour’s Great Hall. Ticket-holders to this popular event are invited to get their glad rags on (or finest robes, perhaps?) and enjoy a two-course seated dinner, as if you were Hogwarts students yourself. A roam through the Studio Tour after hours then follows - with dessert and Butterbeer on offer too. After that, you’ll be invited to blow off some steam at a special Hogwarts Express disco. And once the night is over? Guests even get to take home their own wand as a souvenir. What a night!

WBSTL-christmas-dinner-in-great-hall-overhead-shot

warner-bros-studio-tour-london-announces-festive-season-and-anniversary-screenings-text-section-3

## Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone screenings

From Friday 19th to 22nd November, fans can gather at the Great Hall set to enjoy a Hogwarts-themed party and a screening of the film that started it all, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. These special evenings will allow you to roam the Studio Tour after-hours, enjoy some Honeydukes snacks and watch the film on a cosy house-themed beanbag. If you remember where you were when you first saw Hogwarts on the screen 20 years ago, this could be the perfect way to commemorate this huge milestone. 

Please note that a special Monday screening will be adapted for visitors on the autism spectrum and for those with other sensory needs.

***  

So, grab some tinsel and some fairy lights – Christmas truly feels like it has come early!

Learn more about [Warner Bros. Studio Tour London’s official website.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/discover/experiences/warner-bros-studio-tour-london-the-making-of-harry-potter)

WBSTL-philosophers-stone-screenings-poster

Join us for 20 Years of Movie Magic as we celebrate the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’s 20th anniversary

WEB-NEWS-20th-anniversary-begins

hogwarts-20th-anniversary-homepage

hogwarts-20th-anniversary-castle-no-text

introducing-20-years-of-movie-magic-text-section

In November 2001, *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, based on J.K. Rowling’s original story, opened in cinemas across the world, introducing fans to the wizarding world on the big screen for the first time. Now, 20 years on, [we’ve selected 20 key moments](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20) from Harry’s first adventure for fans to commemorate. 

So, between now and November, join us every week to celebrate a different iconic scene from the movie that started it all. We’re calling this time of celebration ’20 Years of Movie Magic’ - and we implore you to join us in these digital festivities. 

Today, we’re looking at the scene where Harry is delivered his Hogwarts letter at Privet Drive (well, he got several, actually!) which you can read all about in our new [20 Years of Movie Magic hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20) alongside our usual collection of quizzes, craft videos, puzzles and features. You’ll also be able to watch a new video where graphic design duo MinaLima explain how they created that iconic Hogwarts letter prop. And that’s only the start.

Every week, a new moment will unlock so you can unpack a different key scene with us in different ways. Perhaps your personal favourite moment will feature soon if you stay tuned? And if you’re old enough, our social channels also have some cute magical delights to have some fun with – including an interactive Platform Nine and Three-Quarters Instagram filter coming soon.

Next week, things really heat up as we get ready to honour Back to Hogwarts day on 1st September. This is a date that Harry Potter fans have a special affinity with of course – as this is the day Harry boards the Hogwarts Express at 11 o’ clock and prepares to start his new magical life. This year, we’re once again inviting fans all over the world to join us for that all-important countdown before the Hogwarts Express sets off – and we’re doing it with a livestream that you’ll be able to tune into wherever you are. 

Hosted by celebrity DJ and self-proclaimed superfan Yinka Bokinni, this interactive celebration will be available on our Wizarding World YouTube channel from 10.30am BST on 1st September. Yinka will guide fans through an interactive celebration of 20 years of fandom and share breaking news and features that Harry Potter fans will not want to miss – and Tom Felton, our very own Draco Malfoy, will be making an extra-special appearance. 

You can also expect an emotional montage or two! After all, this fandom now spans over two decades and we know so many of you have so many personal memories connected to the Wizarding World.

As you can see, this 20th anniversary is indeed set to be a big one, with upcoming events such as a  Harry Potter Quiz Show also on the way to you soon. And here on WizardingWorld.com, we’ll have digital treats for you every Wednesday that will come in all shapes and forms. Expect guest contributions from Wizarding World friends, new videos, quizzes, puzzles and articles. After all, we all love to stretch out any special occasion as long as possible, right? 

Join us over at the [20 Years of Movie Magic hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20) to get started! And we won’t blame you if you start staring at your fireplace awaiting your Hogwarts letter. You never know. 

As the first Harry Potter film reaches a pivotal milestone – we want to celebrate 20 Years of Movie Magic with you. 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London’s Dark Arts feature to return in September 

WEB-NEWS-dark-arts-feature-at-wbstl-2021

wbstl-dark-arts-halloween-pumpkins

wbstl-dark-arts-feature-2021-text-section-1

From 24th September to 7th November, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will be an eerie affair, with their famous Dark Arts feature returning. At the Great Hall set, fans can expect to find a glorious scene of 100 floating pumpkins – all handcrafted by the film series’ Head Propmaker Pierre Bohanna and his team. Elsewhere in the Studio Tour, an ominous Dark Mark will be projected throughout your visit. Visitors will be able to pick up a Studio Tour passport and try and hunt down Lord Voldemort’s sign. 


WBSTL-dark-arts-death-eaters

wbstl-dark-arts-feature-2021-text-section-2

As darkness looms throughout the Studio Tour, visitors can learn a defensive spell sequence from the famous battle scene, put together by Wand Choreographer from *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* to *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2*, Paul Harris, to guide their way in a live duel with Death Eaters.

wbstl-dark-arts-pumpkins-great-hall

wbstl-dark-arts-feature-2021-text-section-3

The Studio Tour will also be welcoming the return of their popular Hogwarts After Dark events – commencing 6th, 7th and 8th of October for guests over 18. Guests attending these special evenings will be presented with dry ice cocktails and canapés before a swanky two-course dinner amongst popular interior sets including the Potions classroom and Dumbledore’s Office – and then it’s down to the Forbidden Forest for dessert! Certainly not your traditional dinner party experience. And don’t get too comfortable – for Death Eaters will be roaming around throughout the Studio Tour during your visit too!  

So, feeling in the spooky spirit yet? We certainly are. 

Learn more about Warner Bros. Studio Tour London’s upcoming events at [their official website.](https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/whats-on/dark-arts/)