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The Patronus crossword

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Think of a happy memory...

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Visit our [puzzles page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) for more challenges!

The Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes quiz

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Fred and George inside Weasley Wizard Wheezes.

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The Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes Quiz

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How much do you know about Fred and George’s joke shop – Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes? Our new quiz will let you know! 

A helpful guide to Legilimency 

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Queenie Goldstein sits at the dinner table in candlelight

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Queenie Goldstien rests her chin on her hand as she sits at a candlelit dinner table 

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Legilimency might have been associated with Voldemort – the world’s most accomplished Legilimens, according to Snape – but not every Legilimens was a terrible Dark wizard. Dumbledore was pretty good at Legilimency, and *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*’s Queenie Goldstein was born with the ability to extract other people's memories and feelings.

So it wasn’t always a Dark Art – it’s just that, as with all magical skills, the important thing was how it was used.

## What was Legilimency?

Legilimency was the practise of using magic to enter another person’s mind. It was more than mind-reading, as it often involved interpreting another person’s thoughts – as when Queenie identified the story behind Newt’s reaction to Leta Lestrange – or even turning a person’s mind against them, as Voldemort did to Harry when he planted his false vision of Sirius.

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Harry and Sirius standing in the Department of Mysteries 

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## How was it performed?

Most Legilimens needed to be near the person whose mind they wanted to invade in order to read it. As Snape told Harry, ‘Time and space matter in magic...’ 

That wasn’t always the case though. Harry’s connection with Voldemort, forged when Voldemort failed to kill him as a baby, left the two of them with a link that had no regard for the usual rules. Harry’s ability to invade Voldemort’s mind often happened at great distances – when he was asleep at Hogwarts, or when he was out hunting Horcruxes. Theirs was a special case though. Even for Voldemort, Harry’s was the only mind he could enter from a distance.

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Snape telling Harry to be quiet at the Tallest Tower 

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Those learning Legilimency began with a spell and an incantation – Legilimens. Snape demonstrated this to Harry during their first Occlumency lesson, in a bid to teach him the skills needed to shut his mind to Voldemort’s Legilimency attacks. Once the spell was cast, if the victim was not sufficiently accomplished in Occlumency they would feel their minds being invaded, just as Harry did, with often unwanted memories forced to the surface.

However, accomplished Legilimens like Snape, Queenie and Voldemort needed neither incantation or wand to enter another person’s mind. For them, a glance was often enough.

## Was it a learned skill?

Most Legilimens learned the skill, but there were exceptions. Queenie was one. The fact that she was born able to see into other peoples’ minds was very rare, but for her it was something she did without trying. There was no malicious intent in Queenie’s Legilimency and yet in its way, it could be as intrusive as Voldemort’s. Newt certainly didn’t like it, but Queenie often seemed unable to stop herself. As she said to Newt:

>‘I know, I’m sorry, I can’t help it. People are easiest to read when they’re hurting.’<br>
>*Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)*

## Why was it useful?

Newt might have found it intrusive but there’s no doubt that Legilimency did have some uses. Without it, Dumbledore would not have discovered the truth about Kreacher, and Harry wouldn’t have been able to warn the Order of the Phoenix about Voldemort’s attack on Arthur Weasley. Even Queenie’s observations had their uses, as they helped both Goldstein sisters understand Newt in a different way.

Legilimency could also be passed onto objects, as the four founders of Hogwarts did with the Sorting Hat. The Hat was then able to look into the minds of students and so determine which house they should be placed in – certainly useful, if not a bit of a strange way to start your first year.

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Voldemort holding his wand in the Ministry of Magic from the Order of the Phoneix 

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But, of course, Legilimency was useful to Dark wizards too. Voldemort’s skill as a Legilimens enabled him to lure Harry to the Department of Mysteries; it helped him kill unsuspecting Muggle Frank Bryce in the Riddle House, and it probably led to the deaths of many others, given he used it to determine who was lying to him.

## How could it be dangerous?

Mostly Legilimency was dangerous for those it was used against. Without mastering Occlumency – the art of defending your brain against Legilimency attacks – a victim was likely to have all their feelings and memories ransacked. If the ransacking was being done by Voldemort it was particularly dangerous, especially if you happened to be lying to him at the time.

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Harry and McGonagall in Dumbledore's Office 

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But it could also have dangers for the Legilimens. On the few occasions Harry successfully deflected Snape’s attacks, he ended up attacking Snape without meaning to. The first time, it was a Stinging Hex and the second time, Harry broke into Snape’s mind. Not necessarily dangerous in a classroom setting, but potentially problematic for the attacker if they were trying to keep particular thoughts hidden. If you attacked another person’s mind, you’d be opening yourself up to counter-attack. Much like the connection between Voldemort and Harry...

## And by the way, how is Legilimency pronounced?

Er, just say it quickly and hope for the best.


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to Fantastic Beasts

Lord Voldemort's many names and their meanings

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Voldemort stares ahead while in Malfoy Manor in a film still from the Deathly Hallows Part .

Ironically, He Who Must Not Be Named has quite a few names. Join us as we investigate the meaning behind each of Lord Voldemort's many titles.

Discovering the truth behind Lord Voldemort's many names | Wizarding World

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Harry’s introduction to the artist formerly known as Tom Riddle came from Hagrid, but with most of the wizarding world refusing to discuss the self-styled Lord Voldemort, it was Dumbledore who first named him for us.

‘It all gets so confusing if we keep saying “You- Know-Who”. I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemort’s name,’ he told [Professor McGonagall](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/professor-mcgonagall) at the beginning of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.* Later he explained to Harry: ‘Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.’

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As feats of defiance go it might seem a small thing, but given that inciting fear was a key Voldemort tactic, Dumbledore’s casual treatment carried a certain kind of resistance. But if Dumbledore’s resistance was, at least initially, subtle, Voldemort’s was definitely not... 

## Tom Riddle

Tom Riddle inherited little from his witch mother and even less from the Muggle father he would go on to kill. One exception, of course, was the name given to him. Even from an early age, Riddle took against this. ‘There are a lot of Toms,’ he told Dumbledore, irritably, in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*. The traditional Aramaic meaning of Tom is ‘twin,’ and as Tom Marvolo Riddle was such a singular character perhaps it’s not surprising he disliked his common first name.

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The outside of the Riddle's house at night from the Goblet of Fire.

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Still, when Riddle arrived at Hogwarts it was his mother, Merope Gaunt, who was the focus of most of his disdain. Discovering it was actually Merope who gave him his magical heritage doesn’t seem to have done much to soften Riddle’s attitude towards her, but his response to the revelation that his father was a Muggle was absolute. Dumbledore believed it was this discovery that led him to shed the moniker of [Tom Riddle](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/unravelling-the-riddle-of-tom) and assume the identity of Lord Voldemort.

Riddle’s dislike of his name shows how he held himself apart, even as a child. It continued at Hogwarts, where he rejected every aspect of his own story – except for the parts that suited him. After all, it was by mixing his wizarding and Muggle names that he created his new moniker: ‘Tom Marvolo Riddle’, becoming ‘I am Lord Voldemort’.

## Lord Voldemort

Lord Voldemort was everything Tom Riddle was not. Choosing to style himself as a Lord was a bold move, but from the outset it gave [Voldemort an identity](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/things-you-may-not-have-noticed-about-lord-voldemort) that was far from common.

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Voldemort and his Death Eaters in the Forbidden Forrest from The Deathly Hallows 

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That new identity was also original, based as it was on Riddle’s given names. J.K. Rowling has said that she invented the name Voldemort, and its French origins – ‘vol’ means, variously, ‘flight’ or ‘theft’; ‘de’ means ‘of’ or ‘from’; and ‘mort’ means ‘death’ – give it a sinister backstory entirely in keeping with Voldemort’s image. Whether his name was intended to foreshadow his attempts to fly from death or not, it’s ‘mort’ that’s the crucial bit. With his army of Death Eaters and his disregard for the lives of people who stood in his way, Voldemort was all about death. 

## He Who Must Not Be Named/ You-Know-Who/ The Dark Lord

Considering how much thought he put into it, Voldemort’s name wasn’t actually used that much. Even 11 years after his apparent defeat, Hagrid struggled to voice it, saying: ‘Gulpin’ gargoyles, Harry, people are still scared.’

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Voldemort grabbing Harry's face in the Deathly Hallows part 2

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He wasn’t the only one. Ron’s reaction to hearing Harry say ‘Voldemort’ shows how widespread the practise of not using it had become – so much so, Harry felt it as a sign of his ignorance.

> ‘I’m not trying to be brave or anything, saying the name,’ said Harry. ‘I just never knew you shouldn’t…’<br>
> Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

So Voldemort gained new aliases: He Who Must Not Be Named, You-Know-Who, The Dark Lord (apparently even Voldemort’s followers were scared to say it). It seems Dumbledore’s words to Harry – about fear of a name increasing fear of the thing itself – were true for most of the wizarding world.

Not Dumbledore, though. In Voldemort’s presence, he insisted on calling him Tom Riddle, subtly reminding the Dark Lord of his past. But when talking to others, it was always Voldemort. In doing so, he forced people to face the truth: that Voldemort remained a man of humble origins even if he was also a dangerous, Dark wizard.

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Harry never saw the sense in avoiding Voldemort’s name either, but it was only when others used it – like Hermione, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – that it became noticeable just how unusual Dumbledore and Harry were. But, of course, Dumbledore was right: if everybody had said the name freely then Voldemort would never have been able to use it to track his enemies, as with the Taboo in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.*

Using his own name to trap those working against him must have given the former Tom Riddle a twisted satisfaction. And yet, while it did lead to Harry’s capture, the Taboo also showed Voldemort’s motivation had never changed. As a commonly-named child in a Muggle orphanage he’d longed to stand out; as the Dark Lord of the wizarding world he wanted much the same thing.

The different meanings behind Lord Voldemort’s many names

All the exciting things we noticed during our Hogwarts Legacy demo

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Latest Hogwarts Legacy showcase reveals the Room of Requirement, battle arenas and broomstick flight

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Today, Chandler Wood is back to guide us through some more beautiful gameplay of Hogwarts Legacy, alongside community guest host Ben Snow and Avalanche Team, Alan Tew, Mekenzey Toner and Andrew Corum.

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So, what do we have today?

***

## Broom (and Hippogriff!) flight 

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Although the game may be called “Hogwarts Legacy”, this game goes far beyond the castle itself. In fact, with a little help from a broom, you can soar across the Hogwarts outskirts and visit other areas around the beautiful Scottish highlands. Here, you’ll discover small hamlets and communities, giving you the opportunity to meet other witches and wizards with their own stories and side-quests. 

In terms of flying, you will indeed be using a broom, something any aspiring witch or wizard has no doubt dreamed about. And throughout the game, you’ll be able to upgrade your broom during visits to Hogsmeade. 

Those who have pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition of the game will also have access to a special Onyx Hippogriff, which allows you to fly in a very different style.  You’ll no doubt remember Harry’s eventful first flight with Buckbeak in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 

There are different environments out in the world as you fly around, like swamps and fields. At one point we fly past a rustic old windmill. You can even watch the seasons change. The snowy exterior in particular has certainly got us in the Christmas mood. 

## Digital Deluxe access brings you to the Dark Arts arena 

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Hogwarts Legacy hosts a variety of battle arenas for you to try out your duelling prowess, but those pre-ordering the Digital Deluxe edition of the game will get to go to an extra arena: the Dark Arts arena.

Alongside two normal combat areas, this one carries a darker aesthetic, an excellent place to practise Unforgiveable Curses, you might say…

Indeed, you get to see Avada Kedavra enacted in this preview – and it should come as no surprise that the Killing Curse obliterates your opponent’s health bar immediately. 

But the magic you can perform in Hogwarts Legacy goes deeper than the spells we learnt about in Harry Potter’s era. Ancient Magic can be performed during your battles, and it does an awful lot of damage too. We can’t wait to learn more about it.

There are also certain potions or magical plants you can brew or grow to add depth to your battling techniques. For example, you could put down some Venemous Tentacular or Mandrakes if you wanted to live out your best Professor Sprout battle vibe. 

## Room of Requirement 

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Time to go to the Room of Requirement - a perfect space to brew things, grow things and care for beasts. And many will, of course, recognise this very handy room from the Harry Potter books and films – a room Harry liked to use a lot.

And, as a testament to the detail that is put into Hogwarts Legacy, eagle-eyed fans should spot a bust of Ignatia Wildsmith (the inventor of Floo Powder!) on the way in. 

Once you’re inside the room, you are able to change the architecture to really make the space feel like your own.  Tables, rugs, statues, banners on the ceilings… your legacy is what you make it, and this is also true of the Room of Requirement. 

Once you’ve stopped redecorating (we won’t blame you if this takes a while!) you’ll also discover some of the creative activities you can do here. For example, you can use a loom to upgrade your gear. You can even add defensive magic to clothes you wear. You’ll also be able to bring items here and examine what they mean, alongside learning recipes and generally upgrading your arsenal. There’s always room for improvement in the Room of Requirement! 

If all that wasn’t enough, outside the room is a green area to meet and look after magical creatures. Budding Magizoologists can pet, feed and play with all manner of fantastic beasts here. In the preview, we see a little Niffler, a cute Kneazle and a huge Graphorn. You can extract fur, feathers and other materials from your beasts (gently & safely!) to create more enhancements to your gear too.

You can also conjure things in this space, like a cottage, trees, pumpkins or archways to make the area extremely personal to you and your beasts. There's even a food processor, so beasts can automatically be fed if you're busy attending to other wizarding duties. There's also a toy box and a breeding pen. We wouldn’t blame you if you sacked off the game’s main quest just to hang out with your animals, to be honest. Oh, and the icing on the cake: you can name them, too. 

Our latest preview of Hogwarts Legacy really shows the breadth and depth (not to mention wholesomeness!) that the game has to offer. Only a few short months before we can live out our own legacies for real. (Not to mention name our own Niffler immediately!) 

*Hogwarts Legacy is scheduled to launch worldwide for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on February 10, 2023, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One will launch on April 4, 2023 and Nintendo Switch on July 25, 2023.*

And remember! If you are a member of our Harry Potter Fan Club, you can actually bring your wand and house into the game experience if you link accounts - which also gets you exclusive in-game goodies. [Here's how you do it.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/how-to-connect-your-account-on-hogwarts-legacy)

New multi-language advert celebrates a Wizarding World Christmas 

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From Harry Potter decorations on Christmas trees to Wizarding World stockings, everything in this video features Harry Potter products! Take a look at this cool new take on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, performed in different languages, to really show the worldwide love of Harry Potter. And you might get a few late Christmas shopping tips too! 

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One billion hours of listening landmark surpassed for Harry Potter audiobooks on Audible

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Mind you, that’s just a number (even if it is a massive one)! What’s immeasurable is the love that fans have for these stories.  To help you visualise that figure, in one billion hours you could hypothetically:

•	Take the iconic train journey from King’s Cross to Edinburgh 222 million times<br>
•	Listen to Harry Potter books 1-7 read by Jim Dale 8,547,009 times<br>
•	Go through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry more than 14,000 times!

Stephen Fry, who narrates the UK English editions of the audiobooks, says: ‘These statistics are astonishing. Almost every day someone will come up and tell me how important the audiobooks have been in their lives, and it means the world to me.’  Jim Dale, narrator of the North American editions, says: ‘Especially rewarding for me has been the opportunity to touch the lives of so many young people, and the knowledge that my spoken words have brought both comfort and support when needed, and, of course always, so much magic!’

Jennie McCann, Pottermore’s MD, explains: ‘We’re so delighted how many listeners have made a permanent place in their lives for these audiobooks. The original recordings that were released on CD are cherished versions of these incredible stories, so we took great care when remastering them to deliver the best sound quality for the new generation of listeners. We’ve since produced and released editions in an array of further languages and continue to add to that list each year both on Audible and via other platforms.’  Diana Dapito, Head of Consumer Content at Audible, says ‘the evergreen popularity and insatiable appetite for the Harry Potter audiobooks on Audible is both staggering and, at once, not at all surprising.’

We’d love to hear your stories of listening to Harry Potter on audio – share your listening love on social media (if you're old enough!) using the hashtag #HarryPotterxAudible #HearTheMagic. 