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Everything we’re excited about from the Hogwarts Legacy gameplay reveal

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It’s been an exciting week for the upcoming action RPG game, [Hogwarts Legacy](https://www.hogwartslegacy.com/en-us), as fans were treated to several glimpses of what to expect during a PlayStation State of Play showcase. Two exciting new videos revealed [a behind the scenes trip with the developers](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/go-behind-the-scenes-of-hogwarts-legacy), while the other offered a full 14 minute run-down of gameplay. You can watch the behind the scenes featurette here and you can watch that gameplay right here...

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And, of course, if you want to go into the game knowing absolutely nothing, this article will naturally contain many, many spoilers! 

## 1. Hogwarts looks stunning 

![hl-hogwarts-timelapse](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/7Ay3pUQhMserd2fYWSS8ZW/498d0419d4596bd1d10ce715abbb6124/hogwarts-timelapse.gif)

We’ll start with a pretty primitive point: Hogwarts looks incredible. In fact, this is perhaps the most meticulously detailed interpretation of Hogwarts castle we have seen yet, with every room richly detailed and crammed with blink-and-you’ll-miss-them titbits.

## 2. Many familiar (and some unfamiliar) creatures  

![hl-niffler](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/tfJP8Bu7kSGIWIcxwzLNd/89391eb1bb85b71a0251e0117306d089/hl-niffler.gif)

Alongside witches and wizards, the usual array of fabulous magical creatures also popped up during this preview.

We spotted centaurs, a Graphorn, Mooncalves, a Kneazle and a Niffler to name a few. 

But we also spotted some magical creatures that seemed less familiar – after all, this game is from the 1800s, so there could be certain magical beasts that were more common back then. Apparently, some creatures that live on the outskirts of Hogwarts have been corrupted by dark magic, while others are susceptible to poachers – but don’t worry, you’ll have the ability to rescue them and nurse them back to health. Newt Scamander would approve.

## 3. “Powerful ancient magic”

![hl-ancient-magic](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/3pVX1yBhCGbl74627RP5a3/973602d90ab1544c43f597042fcd4d97/hl-ancient-magic.gif)

Dedicated Harry Potter fans will know all the wizarding world basics by now: Invisibility Cloaks, Summoning Charms, Animagi, you name it. But in this extensive look at Hogwarts Legacy, there were many instances of magic that seemed from another time. In fact, there is mention of ‘forgotten magic’ and to beware those seeking to harness it to ‘destroy wizard-kind’.  So, what sort of forgotten magic can we expect to see? In one moment, we see a character touch a mirror like it’s liquid, before it transforms into a wall. In another sequence, we see a potion turn someone into a rock-like texture. Which piece of magic intrigued you the most from this teaser?

## 4. Your character is a fifth year! 

One major thing that we learnt from the Hogwarts Legacy walkthrough is more detail about our character, who we can shape and form in any way we like. (More on that in a moment.) But one thing that is constant is the fact that you’ll be playing as a fifth year joining Hogwarts late – so there will be lots of catching up to do. (But don’t worry, you’ll still experience your Sorting Ceremony!) 

This preview seems to allude to the fact that our character is very special. And as the voiceover mentions, they may have a little something to do with ‘the fate of the entire wizarding world’. No pressure, then. 

## 5. Create the witch or wizard you want to be !

![hl-robes-rotation](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/4yd0G9XabQUgTm0sAvztyk/d878d51c32e0ad0b89aa366c044b4547/hl-robes-rotation.gif)

You decide what your character looks like and what they specialise in. The preview shows us an impressively detailed glimpse at how uniquely you can design your character. 

## 6. You’ll get to hang out in your Hogwarts house common room (including Hufflepuff!) 

Depending on what Hogwarts house you find yourself in, you’ll get to frequent your common room once you’ve partaken in the Sorting Ceremony. This includes a fully fleshed out Hufflepuff common room, complete with a badgers’ set inspired interior and cute little plants. This is the common room we did not get to visit during the Harry Potter stories, so we’re particularly excited to see the wholesome nature of the Hufflepuff students’ home. You can learn more about the Hufflepuff common room here.

## 7. Same Hogwarts lessons, new professors! 

Once you’re all settled in at Hogwarts, you’ll get to fully embrace student life and start attending classes! The dream! Many of the famous classes you know and love will be playable, from Charms to Defence Against the Dark Arts to Herbology. But as this is the 1800s, you can expect to meet a whole different group of professors from another time. There’s the quirky red-headed Herbology professor, keeping it on theme in a floral hat, the extremely charming Charms professor in flowing purple robes, and a rugged Potions professor who seems a tad more enthusiastic than Severus Snape. We’re already dying to get to know them! 

## 8. Duelling

![hl-duelling](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/6RZwktMoGyusebMRbBMan7/9b83434741d3efe71fc3ad55d3157128/hl-duelling.gif)

You’ll remember Malfoy and Harry’s intense showdown in Duelling Club during Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and it seems this little tradition has stemmed back for centuries. We all love a bit of healthy competition, so these lessons should help you up your game when duelling in slightly more dangerous settings...

## 9. Explore Hogwarts’ secrets

![hl-forbidden-forest](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/2IHdqBZilstalxQwlxAW1b/8d43bd32a36bd15405d9e801c37c8990/hl-forbidden-forest.gif)

If you’re anything like us, sometimes we simply love to roam around open-world games and just enjoy the vibes. Hogwarts Legacy will give you the opportunity to do exactly that. From dungeons to portraits to hidden corridors to rooms we don’t even recognise, this is your chance to uncover some of the castle’s big secrets. You’ll need to use certain spells to get around (as you know by now how unpredictable Hogwarts can be) and expect to solve puzzles along the way too. And although some areas of the castle seem unfamiliar, there are certain artefacts and rooms that we recognise from Harry’s time at Hogwarts. We’re quite sure we spotted the Fat Lady at one point. 

## 10. Is that the Prefect’s bathroom? 

We visited the Prefect’s bathroom in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, with a little help from Cedric Diggory. And in the game, one shot boasts a luxury chamber with a mermaid portrait and a huge swimming pool. But on closer inspection of the video, was that a swimming pool? Or in fact, a very big bath, complete with a series of twisty and complicated taps? We suspect this is the very bath that Harry would dip into many years later to uncover the secrets of his Triwizard Tournament clue. We’d definitely love to be a Hogwarts Prefect – simply for the facilities! 

## 11. Ghosts with the most 

![hl-peeves](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/28Xgd9viMDenNezEbrt3al/afec220f7d8019179a85d93e36f1300b/hl-peeves.gif)

While many characters are brand new (or old, we should say...) there are certain faces that do stand the tests of time. You know, because they’re ghosts! In the teaser, we spot History of Magic professor Professor Binns, a colourful poltergeist that surely must be Peeves – and the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick. This teaser reveals that poor Nick was obsessing over joining the Headless Hunt 100 years before he was telling Harry about it! We simply have to admire his ability to stick to his guns.

## 12. Extra-curricular activities 

Beyond your lessons, there will be plenty of side-quests to take part in to help you catch up to the other students – but of course, it was flying that really caught our attention. We wonder if we’ll be a totally natural flyer like Harry, or endlessly shouting “up” grumpily at our brooms like Hermione? 

Mastering broom flight comes ‘highly recommended’ in the game – which is not surprising – there is a lot of ground to cover when exploring. We even spot a chance to fly a Hippogriff later on too...

## 13. The fallen wizard 

There are myriad enchanting rooms in this game to get excited about, but this huge cavernous space with a looming statue of a fallen wizard stood out. For a moment, it looked like the statue of Salazar Slytherin from the Chamber of Secrets with that curling beard, but we suspect this is someone else. Any ideas on who this could be? And whereabouts in Hogwarts is this? 

## 14. Professor Fig

![hl-fig-360](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/Zrl5NVG3V8sAoHUwx3PjU/3fbaa58b91719e4f4de9869aa4b4162e/hl-fig-360.gif)

As we move into the ‘adventure’ portion of the teaser, we are told we will befriend this well-accessorised chap called Professor Fig. And no, before you ask, we suspect this is not an ancestor of Arabella Figg from the Harry Potter stories, due to the spelling of the name. Nonetheless, we’re still excited on what this new character will bring to the story.

## 15. Outside of Hogwarts

As huge and sprawling as Hogwarts is, the game will also open up uncharted territories. Beyond Hogsmeade and the Forbidden Forest, Hogwarts Legacy boasts gorgeous landscapes and rocky terrain never seen before. We hope these Hogwarts students have hiking boots –we want to go exploring!

## 16. Master your favourite magic 

Your Hogwarts legacy is what you make it – and that includes the sort of magic you intend to master. A lot of spells featured in this preview are very familiar to us, such as Blasting Curses and Shield Charms, and it sounds like it will be important to practise them during various conflicts – while combining them as sequences. But there is other magic to think about as well. 

Maybe you would prefer to master Herbology or Potions – which both have their own advantages in battles too, such as unleashing Mandrake seedlings on opponents or having your own-brewed Potions to increase your power. Basically, you can play to your strengths rather than simply be a whizz at hexes. Never forget Professor Sprout lobbing Mandrakes at the Battle of Hogwarts!

## 17. New friends 

Hogwart is full of cliques and alliances, just like any school. So, who will be your Ron and Hermione? The preview introduces us to three characters who accompany you at various points in the game and have their own stories. Natsai Onai is a justice-driven adventurer, Poppy loves magical beasts, and Sebastian Sallow is a charismatic Slytherin with a family secret... 

## 18. The Room of Requirement! 

We’re sure we speak for every Harry Potter fan when we say we’ve always wanted our own version of the Room of Requirement, and Hogwarts Legacy aims to please. This is your own space in the game where you can work on your craft, be that nurturing your own menagerie of magical beasts, brewing your potions or harvesting magical plants. There is even a house-elf called Deek that can help you out. If only we could have a Room of Requirement in real life to work on our best selves! 

## 19. Visiting Hogsmeade 

After all that duelling, potion brewing and castle exploring, remember to partake in a bit of R&R at Hogsmeade village. We’re quite excited about seeing Hogsmeade station – not to mention the fact we can shop around in all the establishments we know from the books and films. Watch out for Dark wizards and witches who hang out around the village outskts, though. 

## 20. Enjoy Hogwarts whatever the weather

Come rain or shine, you’ll be able to live your student life across all the seasons – including our absolute favourite, Hogwarts in the snow. 

***

So, there you have it. Just 20 things we adored about the Hogwarts Legacy walkthrough. What sort of witch or wizard will you be? 

__Scheduled for release holiday 2022, Hogwarts Legacy will be published by Warner Bros. Games under the Portkey Games label. The game will be available for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™ system and PC.__

Keep visiting WizardingWorld.com for more news on Hogwarts Legacy and other Portkey Games updates as they come. [Remember to register](https://my.wizardingworld.com/register) and sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive magical goodies.  

Which wizarding world witch would be your role model?

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## If your career means everything to you… your role model would be Tina Goldstein
Tina Goldstein was dedicated to her job as an Auror and it meant everything to her. Although she temporarily lost her job after defending Credence from his horrible mother (which was the right thing to do), she did everything in her power to get it back. She was diligent, focussed on her goal and her perseverance eventually paid off. When she found herself back in her dream position, she fully committed to it and didn’t look back. If dedication to career is something you admire, then we think Tina would be your role model. We reckon you’re someone that has already found their passion in life and are willing to do anything it takes to work towards achieving it. Whether that’s setting up your own business, snagging that latest promotion or pay rise, studying incredibly hard, or putting in hours of practice, you have your dream job in mind, and you’ll do anything to get it.

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Tina walking along the street while wearing a long black coat with her hands in her pockets

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## If you’re happy to be unashamedly yourself… you’d look up to Luna Lovegood
If the word unique applies to anyone, it’s Luna Lovegood. There is nobody in the wizarding world quite like her and she couldn’t care less if she stands out from the crowd. From her Spectrespecs to her radish earrings to her belief in the weird and wonderful, she’s not someone to give into peer pressure and doesn’t get embarrassed. If you’re someone that has a strong sense of self and wouldn’t allow anyone to pressure you to change, then Luna is your role model. The two of you would appreciate each other’s individuality and would support and encourage each other to explore your likes, dislikes and what makes you distinctly you.

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Luna walking in to the Great Hall wearing a giant and extravagant lion headdress 

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## If you like to run a tight ship… then you would be inspired by Molly Weasley
Molly Weasley was a witch that knew how to get things done. Even though she had seven children, she was a whizz at keeping them all in line – which was no easy feat when it came to Fred and George! She also managed to do this while running her household and being a member of the Order of the Phoenix. What made her even more special, was that although she could be as fierce as any dragon, she was also kind and loving. She expertly tread that tricky line and kept both sides of her personality balanced. If you are someone who has a lot on your plate, and admires the way Mrs Weasley juggles everything, then we reckon she would be your role model. We imagine that you’re someone that likes to keep on top of things whether that’s at home, work or school and are no stranger when it comes to multitasking. 

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A close-up of Molly Weasley looking determined and holding her wand up while duelling in the Great Hall at the Battle of Hogwarts

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## If you are a fan of adventure… Nymphadora Tonks would be your role model
Does the thought of just sitting at home watching the TV fill you with dread? Are you someone that wouldn’t enjoy having a normal 9-to-5? Then we think Tonks would be your role model. She wasn’t someone who stuck to convention. Not only did her job as an Auror take her on exciting and dangerous missions but she was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix – and there was certainly nothing dull about that. She threw herself into everything and was incredibly brave. If you’re the adventurous sort, not only do we think you would you admire her courage, but we think she would inspire you to push yourself out of your comfort zone and find something that truly excites you. Whether that’s travelling, a new career or a thrilling new hobby like bungee jumping, her actions would motivate you to live your life to the fullest.

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A close-up of Tonks standing outside with blood on her face while looking to her left

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## If you’re looking for a sporting hero… you would admire Cho Chang
Cho Chang was a fantastic Quidditch player who worked extremely hard to earn that reputation. Though she suffered from some injuries, she didn’t allow that to get in the way of her talent or skill – even Oliver Wood (reluctantly) recognised her sporting prowess. In fact, she was just as, if not more, talented than Harry was as a Seeker. It was only because he had the faster broom that he was able to defeat her when they met on the Quidditch pitch. As the only witch on the Ravenclaw team, she would have been a role model to all the witches in Ravenclaw (and other houses) that had ambitions of playing the famous wizarding sport too. If you’re a sporty person, who works hard to ensure you’re at the top of your game, then we think that Cho Chang would be who you looked up to. You would admire her perseverance, dedication and talent, would look to emulate her excellent sportsmanship and she would inspire you to become a sporting role model yourself. This is one impressive witch we would have loved to have seen more from.

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A close-up of Cho Chang's face. She looks thoughtful.

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## If you want to change the world… Hermione Granger would be your role model
Whether she’s rising through the ranks to become Minister for Magic, helping defeat Lord Voldemort or fighting for the rights of house-elves, Hermione Granger is someone that wants to change the world for the better. She isn’t happy to let injustice lie and always wants to help. If that sounds like an appealing personality trait to you, then we think that Hermione would be your role model. We imagine that you are dedicated to the causes that are close to your heart – from protesting to signing petitions to encouraging others to get involved. Yet, it never feels quite enough, and you wonder what else you can do. So, we reckon that you would really respect Hermione’s drive to always do more. And her attitude and achievements would help fuel your desire to make a positive impact on the world.

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Hermione sat on a bench in the Great Hall. She has a book open on her lap and is smiling.

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## If you admire confidence… then you would look up to Professor McGonagall 
Professor McGonagall is an extremely confident witch. She’s unafraid to say exactly what she thinks and is very sure in her sense of right and wrong. Who can forget the time she basically called Dolores Umbridge incompetent when she tried to suggest Harry would never be an Auror? Though many find her a little stern, there is no doubt that she commands the respect of those around her. If you’re a person that is never afraid to give their opinion and doesn’t second guess their decisions, Minerva McGonagall is the role model for you. We imagine you are straight-talking, know how to command a room and always walk with your head held high. 

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Professor McGonagall sat at the teachers' table in the Great Hall looking to her left

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## If loyalty is what is important to you… then you would admire Fleur Delacour
When you think of Fleur, her beauty is probably something that immediately comes to mind. But there are many more layers to this inspirational witch. One of those things happens to be her loyalty. Fleur is dedicated to those she cares about. You just have to look at the way she stuck by Bill after he was attacked by Fenrir Greyback to see that. There was also the way the way she stayed loyal to Harry – years after he rescued her sister during the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. Not only did she help in the fight against Voldemort, but she provided shelter for Harry, Ron and Hermione at her home after the events of Malfoy Manor. As someone who prides themselves on being loyal, we think you would look up to Fleur. You would admire the way she sticks by her loved ones and would try to take a leaf out of her book when it comes to your relationships.

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A close up of Fleur Delacour. She is wearing her Beauxbatons uniform and is slightly smiling.

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## If you think it’s important to always try and grow as a person… then you’d be inspired by Ginny Weasley
If you compare the person you were a few years ago to the person you are today – does it fill you with pride? Are you unafraid to learn from your mistakes? Then we think you would look up to Ginny Weasley. Out of all the characters in Harry Potter, Ginny was probably someone who had one of the biggest transformations. She went from being the timid child who struggled to say a word to Harry, to one of the fiercest and most resilient witches in the wizarding world. This growth is perfectly illustrated by how she managed to overcome the traumatic experience of being possessed by Tom Riddle’s diary. It would have been easy – and very understandable – if she had withdrawn into herself after that event. But she didn’t. Though the incident always remained with her, she not only managed to get on with her life but grew in confidence too. During the rest of her time at Hogwarts, her sense of humour, sporting skill, rebellious streak, Bat-Bogey Hex ability and emotional practicality flourished. She’s definitely a witch that would inspire you to keep working to become the best version of yourself. 

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Ginny Weasley in the Room of Requirement holding up her wand and looking determined.

12 of our favourite moments from the Triwizard Tournament tasks

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## When Harry walked out to face his dragon in the first task
This was the moment when the Triwizard tournament truly became real. We can’t begin to imagine just how terrified Harry would have been to walk out into that crowd… coming face to face with a giant dragon wouldn’t have helped things either.

>He saw everything in front of him as though it was a very highly coloured dream. There were hundreds and hundreds of faces staring down at him from stands which had been magicked there since he’d last stood on this spot. And there was the Horntail, at the other end of the enclosure, crouched low over her clutch of eggs, her wings half furled, her evil, yellow eyes upon him, a monstrous, scaly black lizard, thrashing her spiked tail, leaving yard-long gouge marks in the hard ground.
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry took to the skies 
It was exhilarating when we realised that Harry’s Summoning Charm had worked. Suddenly, he was able to play to his strengths on the back of a broomstick. This was the moment we knew that he had a real chance as a competitor in the tournament – if he could just harness those excellent Seeker skills of his.

>He swung his leg over the broom, and kicked off from the ground. And a second later, something miraculous happened...
>
>As he soared upwards, as the wind rushed through his hair, as the crowd’s faces became mere flesh-coloured pinpricks below, and the Horntail shrank to the size of a dog, he realised that he had left not only the ground behind, but also his fear... he was back where he belonged...
>
>This was just another Quidditch match, that was all... just another Quidditch match, and that Horntail was just another ugly opposing team...
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry successfully retrieved the golden egg (and in the quickest time too)
Harry had a hard time before the first task. Many of his fellow Hogwarts students weren’t exactly rooting for him (even Ron). Therefore, when he managed to snatch the golden egg from the clutches of an angry Hungarian Horntail, it was brilliant. What made this moment even better, was that he finally seemed to have won over the rather hostile crowd. 

>And then she reared, spreading her great black leathery wings at last, as wide as those of a small aeroplane – and Harry dived. Before the dragon knew what he had done, or where he had disappeared to, he was speeding towards the ground as fast as he could go, towards the eggs now unprotected by her clawed, front legs – he had taken his hands off his Firebolt – he had seized the golden egg –
>
>And with a huge spurt of speed, he was off, he was soaring out over the stands, the heavy egg safely under his uninjured arm, and it was as though somebody had just turned the volume back up – for the first time, he became properly aware of the noise of the crowd, which was screaming and applauding as loudly as the Irish supporters at the World Cup
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry and Ron made up 
It was awful when Harry and Ron weren’t speaking to one another. Fuelled by Ron’s jealousy, they spent a good few weeks giving each other the silent treatment – and it probably drove poor Hermione up the wall. We were absolutely ecstatic when they buried the hatchet after the first task… and in such a typically teenage way too. 

>‘Harry,’ he said, very seriously, ‘whoever put your name in that Goblet – I – I reckon they’re trying to do you in!’
>
>It was as though the last few weeks had never happened – as though Harry was meeting Ron for the first time, right after he’d been made champion.
>
>‘Caught on, have you?’ said Harry coldly. ‘Took you long enough.’
>
>Hermione stood nervously between them, looking from one to the other. Ron opened his mouth uncertainly. Harry knew Ron was about to apologise and, suddenly, he found he didn’t need to hear it.
>
>‘It’s OK,’ he said, before Ron could get the words out. ‘Forget it.’
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry grew gills
Harry had real trouble figuring out how he was going to hold his breath for an hour underwater. Despite his and Hermione’s research, it seemed like he was never going to solve that puzzle. Even when Dobby presented Harry with Gillyweed, we were still rather sceptical that it would work out. In that brief moment, after the task had started and he’d waded into the water, we were worried he was about to face a humiliating defeat. However, as soon as the Gillyweed kicked in and Harry sprouted gills, we knew he was back in the game.

>The first gulp of icy lake water felt like the breath of life. His head had stopped spinning; he took another great gulp of water and felt it pass smoothly through his gills, sending oxygen back to his brain. He stretched out his hands in front of him and stared at them. They looked green and ghostly under the water, and they had become webbed. He twisted around and looked at his bare feet – they had become elongated and his toes were webbed, too; it looked as though he had sprouted flippers.
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When we met the merpeople for the first time
The lake at Hogwarts was something of a mystery before the second task. We knew there was a giant squid that lurked there, but we didn’t know what else was beneath the surface. It was incredibly cool to see what else dwelled in those waters – and it was fascinating to meet the merpeople and see how and where they lived. 

>The merpeople had greyish skins and long, wild, dark green hair. Their eyes were yellow, as were their broken teeth, and they wore thick ropes of pebbles around their necks. They leered at Harry as he swam past; one or two of them emerged from their caves to watch him better, their powerful, silver fishtails beating the water, spears clutched in their hands.
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry tried to save Ron and Hermione
We liked that Harry wanted to save both of his best friends. His determination to free them both showed that he didn’t really value one above the other. While Ron was the person he was supposed to rescue, it didn’t stop Harry from putting up a good old fight to free Hermione too. 

>At once, several pairs of strong grey hands seized him. Half-a-dozen mermen were pulling him away from Hermione, shaking their green-haired heads and laughing.
>
>‘You take your own hostage,’ one of them said to him. ‘Leave the others...’
>
>‘No way!’ said Harry furiously – but only two large bubbles came out.
>
>‘Your task is to retrieve your own friend... leave the others...’
>
>‘She’s my friend, too!’ Harry yelled, gesturing towards Hermione, an enormous silver bubble emerging soundlessly from his lips. ‘And I don’t want them to die, either!’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry showed ‘moral fibre’
It’s hard to argue that Harry doesn’t have a bit of a hero complex. While we all know that there was no way any of the hostages would have been allowed to die, Harry didn’t seem to grasp that. Yet, despite his antics, which saw him rescuing Fleur’s sister Gabrielle, it still seemed to work out for him. He certainly impressed most of the judges if their comments and scores were anything to go by…

>‘Mr Harry Potter used Gillyweed to great effect,’ Bagman continued. ‘He returned last, and well outside the time limit of an hour. However, the Mer-chieftainess informs us that Mr Potter was first to reach the hostages, and that the delay in his return was due to his determination to return all hostages to safety, not merely his own.’
>
>Ron and Hermione both gave Harry half-exasperated, half- commiserating looks.
>
>‘Most of the judges’ – and here, Bagman gave Karkaroff a very nasty look – ‘feel that this shows moral fibre and merits full marks. However… Mr Potter’s score is forty-five points.’
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Bill and Mrs Weasley came to wish Harry luck in the first task 
Ok, so while strictly speaking this was before the third task, it was such a heart-warming moment we had to include it. When the champions were told that family members would be there to wish them luck before the final task, Harry didn’t expect anyone to come and cheer him on – there’s no way the Dursleys would ever have done that. To find that he had Bill and Mrs Weasley in his corner was especially moving, and a sign that he was part of the Weasley clan.

>‘Surprise!’ Mrs Weasley said excitedly, as Harry smiled broadly, and walked over to them. ‘Thought we’d come and watch you, Harry!’ She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.
>
>‘You all right?’ said Bill, grinning at Harry and shaking his hand. ‘Charlie wanted to come, but he couldn’t get time off. He said you were incredible against the Horntail.’
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When we saw one of Hagrid’s beloved Skrewts again
Hagrid’s Blast-Ended Skrewts really were unappealing beasts, and we can imagine that the last thing Harry wanted to do was face this faceless monster. Though at least they finally seemed to have some kind of purpose…

>Cedric was right – it was enormous. Ten feet long, it looked more like a giant scorpion than anything. Its long sting was curled over its back. Its thick armour glinted in the light from Harry’s wand, which he pointed at it.
>
>‘*Stupefy!*’
>
>The spell hit the Skrewt’s armour, and rebounded; Harry ducked just in time, but could smell burning hair; it had singed the top of his head. The Skrewt issued a blast of fire from its end, and flew forwards towards him.
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry met a sphinx 
This was a moment where Harry proved that he had logical thinking skills to rival Hermione’s (well… almost). Coming up against this impressive creature must have been rather intimidating, but Harry held his own and managed to solve the riddle set by this imperious beast. 

>It was a sphinx. It had the body of an overlarge lion; great clawed paws, and a long yellowish tail ending in a brown tuft. Its head, however, was that of a woman. She turned her long, almond-shaped eyes upon Harry as he approached. He raised his wand, hesitating. She was not crouching as if to spring, but pacing from side to side of the path, blocking his progress.
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## When Harry and Cedric decided to win the Triwizard Tournament together
This moment is so bittersweet – especially as we know what happened after they picked up the Triwizard Cup. Harry and Cedric had both helped each other out at various points throughout the tournament, so it was lovely when they both decided to share the glory and bring home a joint Hogwarts victory. It undoubtedly showed the strength of both of their characters.

>‘Both of us,’ Harry said.
>
>‘What?’
>
>‘We’ll take it at the same time. It’s still a Hogwarts victory. We’ll tie for it.’
>
>Cedric stared at Harry. He unfolded his arms. ‘You – you sure?’
>
>‘Yeah,’ said Harry. ‘Yeah... we’ve helped each other out, haven’t we? We both got here. Let’s just take it together.’
>
>For a moment, Cedric looked as though he couldn’t believe his ears; then his face split in a grin.
>
>‘You’re on,’ he said. ‘Come here.’
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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What if Quirrell had never let a troll loose in the dungeon?

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

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and the Philosopher's Stone 

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First, let’s have a look at why this decision was important in the first place…

Quirinus Quirrell was a timid and nervous person, but he was also highly intelligent and gifted. At school he was most likely teased because of his shy nature and made to feel inadequate by others. To try and prove that he wasn’t a nobody, he developed an interest (theoretical at first) in the Dark Arts. That, coupled with his desire to make people take notice of him was what led him to seek out Voldemort. 

However, Quirrell was immature, arrogant and underestimated Voldemort. He was no match for what remained of the Dark Lord and was possessed by him. While Quirrell still had his soul, he was weakened by having to share his body with an evil, more powerful one. 

When Harry started his first term at Hogwarts, Quirrell was under this control. The famous turban he wore was to hide the monster that lurked underneath. Voldemort was looking for a way to return to power and had his sights set on the Philosopher’s Stone – which produced the Elixir of Life. If Voldemort had the Stone, he would be strong enough to create a body of his own and he would be immortal. Quirrell had already tried and failed to take it from Gringotts for him before term began. This attempt was noticed, and the Philosopher’s Stone was transported to Hogwarts for safekeeping. 

This is where the troll came into play. Voldemort still wanted Quirrell to steal the Stone. To do that, Quirrell needed to have a proper look at what was guarding it on the third floor corridor. By letting the troll into the school, he caused a distraction and knew he would have time to investigate… he just didn’t foresee quite how pivotal that choice would be.

The troll in the dungeon set off a whole chain of events that were crucial to the first story. It added to Snape’s suspicions about Quirrell. It was what made Harry and Ron suspect Snape. It also led to the formation of the golden trio. 

Without it, just how different would things have been? Would Hermione have ever become their friend? Would Voldemort have been able to achieve immortality? Most importantly, would Ron have ever been able to master Wingardium Leviosa?

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## Would Harry, Ron and Hermione have become friends? 
The struggle between Harry, Ron, Hermione and the troll in the girls’ bathroom was a defining moment in *Philosopher’s Stone*. While Harry and Ron were already good friends, Hermione was not somebody they hung out with. Before this, they didn’t like her (Ron especially). They found her confidence and know-it-all tendencies to be rather jarring and it was Ron’s mean jibes that put her in the path of the troll in the first place. 

After a Charms lesson, in which Hermione had thoroughly shown Ron up when it came to levitation, Ron vented his frustration by making nasty comments about her to Harry. Not only did he say she was a ‘nightmare’ but also said she had no friends. Hermione overheard them and ran to the girls’ bathroom crying – where she stayed all day. Now this day happened to be on Hallowe’en, the very same Hallowe’en that the troll entered the castle. In all the chaos, Harry realised Hermione would have had no idea about the danger she was in. They went to rescue her. Ron managed to pronounce Leviosa correctly. The troll was knocked out. Hermione covered for them. A bond was formed… and the rest was history. 

If it wasn’t for the troll, there is the possibility that they wouldn’t have become friends. Without it, all that would have happened was Ron’s horrible comments and Hermione being very upset. It would be completely understandable that she would want nothing to do with the people who spoke about her behind her back. Rather than growing closer, this would have only pushed them further away from one another. While we reckon Harry and Ron would have felt some guilt about upsetting their classmate, we don’t think they would have been too fussed about not being her friend. 

Although, that is not to say that they wouldn’t have become friends later. After all, they were always in close proximity to one another – being in the same year and house. While the troll acted as the catalyst to push them together, we can imagine them building a tentative bond more slowly over the course of their first year. Whether it was Harry or Ron sticking up for Hermione, or Hermione offering to help them with some tricky wand work in class, we think they would have got there eventually. They had more in common with each other than just defeating a troll… it feels wrong to reduce their entire friendship to just one moment.

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## Would Snape have realised what Quirrell was up to? 
We think that Snape would have still figured out what Quirrell was up to without this incident. In fact, Quirrell told Harry that Snape had already begun to suspect him before Hallowe’en. So, when the troll was let into the dungeon, Snape already knew to head to the third floor to try and stop the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. However, at that point he had no solid evidence of what Quirrell was doing and was relying on his gut instinct (and a vague hint from Dumbledore) that he was doing something he shouldn’t.

Therefore, we think that the troll in the dungeon probably did more to push Snape towards confirming his theory rather than alerting him to Quirrell’s misdeeds in the first place. After that incident he was firmly on his radar. He even confronted Quirrell in the Forbidden Forest to try and discover just how close he was to stealing the Philosopher’s Stone. 

Ultimately, if the troll hadn’t been let loose in Hogwarts, we think Snape may not have confirmed his suspicions about Quirrell so quickly. But we think he would have figured it out eventually – especially after the attempt on Harry’s life at the Quidditch match. Snape was intelligent and more than capable of piecing the puzzle together. As we learnt in *Deathly Hallows*, Dumbledore had asked him to ‘keep an eye on Quirrell’. With that request and the strange incidents that kept happening that year, it was only a matter of when Snape realised Quirrell’s true intentions and not if.

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## Would the golden trio still have suspected Snape?
This is a little trickier. On Hallowe’en, when Ron and Harry went to rescue Hermione, they saw Snape heading towards the third floor. At the moment, they were rather distracted with the dangerous business of a troll roaming the halls to pay too much attention, but they did spot him. They already knew that the third floor was out of bounds, and they knew that Fluffy (Hagrid’s three-headed dog) was guarding something there. For Snape to be sneaking around when all the other teachers were heading in a different direction was suspicious to say the least.

Their misgivings were reinforced when Harry went to get his confiscated book back from Snape and saw his nasty bite from Fluffy. That combination of factors, plus their intense dislike of their Potions teacher, made them believe he was up to no good. As a result, you could argue that without the troll they might not have started to suspect Snape. However, we don’t think that this would have been the case. We believe that they would have questioned his intentions anyway. 

If Harry had still seen Snape’s injured leg, we think he still would have come to the same conclusion. If he hadn’t seen it, then we think they would have doubted him after the Quidditch match in which Harry’s broomstick seemed to have a life of its own – especially after they spotted Snape mouthing what we now know was a counter-curse but looked like an attempt on Harry’s life. After that, they misinterpreted the conversation between Quirrell and Snape in the Forbidden Forest as further evidence of Snape’s guilt. Even though they had the wrong end of the stick, there was more than one event that led them to doubt him. Overall, we believe their hatred for him, and his shifty behaviour, was enough to make them not trust Snape – with or without the troll in the dungeon.

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## Would Voldemort have got the Philosopher’s Stone?
If the troll had never been in Hogwarts, we think that Voldemort might have been able to come into possession of the Philosopher’s Stone – especially if the Harry, Ron and Hermione hadn’t become friends as a result of that night. 

Once they went through the trapdoor, each of the trio had a significant role to play in rescuing the Stone. If it wasn’t for Harry’s flying skills, they might not have got past the keys. If Ron hadn’t been so great at wizard chess, they might have been stuck there. Finally, if Hermione hadn’t figured out the potions puzzle, and they had taken a drink from the incorrect bottle, they could have died. We highly doubt they would have undertaken such a dangerous adventure together if they weren’t firm friends. 

Besides, they probably wouldn’t have got to that stage without Hermione as part of the team. While they all played a part in retrieving the Stone, it was Hermione who figured out the identity of Nicolas Flamel, and what was being hidden at Hogwarts in the first place. Without her brain, Ron and Harry would probably have been stuck. 

If they were friends, without this specific incident, there is the slim possibility that they might not have realised that whatever Fluffy was guarding was under threat until it was too late. It wasn’t until they began to suspect Snape that they really started to put this together. Having said that, we are confident that Harry, Ron and Hermione would have managed to stop Quirrell and Voldemort in time – even if figuring out the initial mystery of what was being kept at Hogwarts took them a few extra weeks.

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## Most importantly… would Ron have ever mastered Wingardium Leviosa?
The Levitation Charm didn’t seem to come all that easily to Ron – he just couldn’t get the hang of Levi-*o*-sa vs Levi-o-SA. By the end of Flitwick’s lesson, all he had managed to do was get very cross at Hermione and be mean. Yet, when confronted by the troll later that day, he managed to use that spell to knock it unconscious with its own club.

Although, without finding himself in an extremely stressful situation, which required him to act on the spot, it could be argued that Ron would not have mastered Wingardium Leviosa. After his very frustrating lesson, he could have just tried to put it from his mind. His fury at Hermione might have made him too stubborn to correct his mistakes. Nevertheless, we think that he would have learnt it eventually. 

Not only was it likely to come up again in some exam or class, but as a handy and basic spell Ron would definitely have had the capability to get to grips with it in the future. If he didn’t manage it on that Hallowe’en, with a bit of practice (and a change of pronunciation) he would have got there eventually.

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Do you agree with our thoughts on this topic? What do you think would have happened if Quirrell had never brought a troll into Hogwarts?

Explore more ‘What if’ scenarios with us, such as…

[What if Ron didn't get in the carriage on the Hogwarts Express with Harry?](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-ron-didnt-get-in-the-carriage-on-the-hogwarts-express-with-harry)

[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)

There’s no doubt that the troll in the dungeon was an iconic moment in the Philosopher’s Stone… but what if it never happened? Would things have been different? We explore the answers to this in the next of our ‘What if’ series.

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Le Sportsac release Fantastic Beasts-themed range

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The Fantastic Beasts™ x LeSportsac Collection invites you to embrace the vintage stylings of the movies, with this selection of bright and colourful accessories. 

Fantastic Beasts™ x LeSportsac Collection

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The collection features cute magical creatures (such as Teddy the Niffler and Pickett the Bowtruckle) while other pieces showcase the gorgeous retro aesthetic that the Fantastic Beasts films have become known for. 

Check out two all-over prints as well – Transﬁguration Today, composed of various creatures seen throughout the ﬁlms grounded on a newspaper background, and Downtown MAJ, inspired by the New York subway tile.

This assortment also offers unique collectible pieces exclusive to the collection, including a Suitcase Crossbody, inspired by Newt Scamander's briefcase, and a puffy Owl Crossbody featuring a soft owl face for a fun 3D effect.

We're sure Newt Scamander himself would love these looks!

[Take a look at the full collection here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/linkout?destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lesportsac.com%2Fpages%2Ffantasticbeasts)

Cursed Child officially opens in San Francisco after stunning premiere 

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Watch back on this emotional montage of Cursed Child’s opening night in San Francisco, where cast, crew and fans came together for a very magical event. 

Cursed Child San Francisco opening night

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Before the show, San Francisco’s City Hall was proudly lit up in Hogwarts house colours, with Mayor London Breed (who got sorted into Gryffindor during the festivities) making an apearance.

San Francisco's production of Cursed Child has been boldly restaged as one singular performance by the award-winning creative team, with the entire venue transformed to immerse visitors into the wizarding world. 

The San Francisco cast includes John Skelley as Harry Potter, Angela Reed as Ginny Potter, alongside Benjamin Papac as their son Albus Potter; Steve O’Connell as Ron Weasley, Lily Mojekwu as Hermione Granger, and Folami Williams as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley; and Lucas Hall as Draco Malfoy, and Jon Steiger as his son Scorpius Malfoy.

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For details on how Cursed Child's performances in San Francisco, visit their [official website in this territory.](https://sf.harrypottertheplay.com/) Tickets ($59–$199) are currently on-sale through Sunday, September 4, 2022. 

And be sure to [keep visiting our Cursed Chid hub for all the latest news on the eighth story.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/cursed-child-collection)