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Seven times Ron Weasley was a brilliant friend

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A close-up of Ron standing in his pyjamas and smiling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

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## The time he sacrificed himself on the chessboard
Ron was always willing to join Harry on his many adventures (despite the risks they posed) and their journey through the trapdoor was no exception. When they reached the giant chessboard, Ron proved himself to be an excellent friend. Not only did he make sure that Harry and Hermione were kept out of harm’s way, but he also sacrificed himself so that the other two could get to the Philosopher’s Stone before it was too late. 

>‘We’re nearly there,’ he muttered suddenly. ‘Let me think – let me think...’
>
>The white queen turned her blank face towards him.
>
>‘Yes...’ said Ron softly, ‘it’s the only way... I’ve got to be taken.’ 
>
>‘NO!’ Harry and Hermione shouted.
>
>‘That’s chess!’ snapped Ron. ‘You’ve got to make some sacrifices!
>
>I take one step forward and she’ll take me – that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!’
>
>‘But –’
>
>‘Do you want to stop Snape or not?’
>
>‘Ron –’
>
>‘Look, if you don’t hurry up, he’ll already have the Stone!’
>
>There was nothing else for it.
>
>‘Ready?’ Ron called, his face pale but determined. ‘Here I go – now, don’t hang around once you’ve won.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*


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Harry, Ron and Hermione walking across the giant chess board

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## When he rescued Harry from the Dursleys
When Harry was locked in his bedroom after the incident with the Hover Charm, Aunt Petunia’s pudding and a rogue house-elf, he had no way of getting in touch with his friends. However, Ron was not going to stand for that. After not hearing from his best friend, he took matters into his own hands and decided to rescue him. He most certainly broke the rules (and risked the wrath of his mother) but proved himself to be a true friend to Harry. 

>‘What’s been going on?’ said Ron. ‘Why haven’t you been answering my letters? I’ve asked you to stay about twelve times, and then Dad came home and said you’d got an official warning for using magic in front of Muggles...’
>
>‘It wasn’t me – and how did he know?’
>
>‘He works for the Ministry,’ said Ron. ‘You know we’re not supposed to do spells outside school –’
>
>‘Bit rich coming from you,’ said Harry, staring at the floating car.
>
>‘Oh, this doesn’t count,’ said Ron. ‘We’re only borrowing this, it’s Dad’s, we didn’t enchant it. But doing magic in front of those Muggles you live with...’
>
>‘I told you, I didn’t – but it’ll take too long to explain now. Look, can you explain to them at Hogwarts that the Dursleys have locked me up and won’t let me come back, and obviously I can’t magic myself out, because the Ministry’ll think that’s the second spell I’ve done in three days, so –’
>
>‘Stop gibbering,’ said Ron, ‘we’ve come to take you home with us.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

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The Weasley's blue flying car in the air, with a rope tied to the bars on Harry's window at Privet Drive.

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## When he stood up for Hermione against Malfoy 
Draco Malfoy was often incredibly foul, and this incident was no exception. Calling Hermione a ‘Mudblood’ was an awful thing to do. Ron clearly felt the same way and stood up for her… despite his broken wand and the slug-filled consequences. 

>‘At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to *buy* their way in,’ said Hermione sharply. ‘*They* got in on pure talent.’
>
>The smug look on Malfoy’s face flickered.
>
>‘No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,’ he spat.
>
>Harry knew at once that Malfoy had said something really bad because there was an instant uproar at his words. Flint had to dive in front of Malfoy to stop Fred and George jumping on him, Alicia shrieked, *‘How dare you!’* and Ron plunged his hand into his robes, pulled out his wand, yelling, ‘You’ll pay for that one, Malfoy!’ and pointed it furiously under Flint’s arm at Malfoy’s face.
>
>A loud bang echoed around the stadium and a jet of green light shot out of the wrong end of Ron’s wand, hitting him in the stomach and sending him reeling backwards onto the grass.
>
>‘Ron! Ron! Are you all right?’ squealed Hermione.
>
>Ron opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead he gave an almighty belch and several slugs dribbled out of his mouth onto his lap.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

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Harry and Ron standing side-by-side with their wands raised. Both look determined.

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## His willingness to follow the spiders into the Forbidden Forest despite his fear
Ron was terrified of spiders. So much so, his Boggart even took the shape of a giant one. Yet, he forced himself to get over his fear after Hermione was Petrified in *Chamber of Secrets*. He and Harry were determined to find out what had hurt their friend and the other students, so they went to Hagrid for some help. Unfortunately, they witnessed Hagrid being wrongly arrested, but not before he managed to leave them the cryptic clue to ‘follow the spiders’. Though we have no doubt that Ron was terrified, he still did it – because that’s what makes a good friend.

>Instead he contented himself with scrawling a note to Ron: *‘Let’s do it tonight.’*
>
>Ron read the message, swallowed hard and looked sideways at the empty seat usually filled by Hermione. The sight seemed to stiffen his resolve, and he nodded.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

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Harry and Ron walking together in the Forbidden Forest at night. Harry holds a lantern and both look nervous..

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## When he stood up to Snape
Ok, Ron and Hermione might not have always seen eye-to-eye, but that didn’t mean Ron was going to let anyone else say anything about her. Despite the fact that he would happily call her a know-it-all, he still instantly stood up to her against Snape – and landed himself in a lot of trouble for his efforts. 

>‘That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger,’ said Snape coolly. ‘Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all.’
>
>Hermione went very red, put down her hand and stared at the floor with her eyes full of tears. It was a mark of how much the class loathed Snape that they were all glaring at him, because every one of them had called Hermione a know-it-all at least once, and Ron, who told Hermione she was a know-it-all at least twice a week, said loudly, ‘You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don’t want to be told?’
>
>The class knew instantly he’d gone too far. Snape advanced on Ron slowly, and the room held its breath.
>
>‘Detention, Weasley,’ Snape said silkily, his face very close to Ron’s. ‘And if I ever hear you criticise the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

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## How he refused to sever ties with Harry
When Voldemort returned not everybody was willing to believe it. In fact, many decided that Harry was lying. Not Ron though. He stood by Harry the entire time and never questioned his story. When his brother Percy suggested that Ron should stop hanging out with him, Ron wasn’t having any of it. He was furious. Yet again, this proved that he could be a wonderful friend. 

>Harry looked up at Ron.
>
>‘Well,’ he said, trying to sound as though he found the whole thing a joke, ‘if you want to – er – what is it?’ – he checked Percy’s letter – ‘Oh yeah – “sever ties” with me, I swear I won’t get violent.’ 
>
>‘Give it back,’ said Ron, holding out his hand. ‘He is –’ Ron said jerkily, tearing Percy’s letter in half ‘the world’s –’ he tore it into quarters ‘biggest –’ he tore it into eighths ‘git.’ He threw the pieces
into the fire.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

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Harry and Ron next to each other at their desk in a lesson. Both are facing forward and listening.

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## When he came back after leaving Harry and Hermione
Yes, Ron was completely in the wrong for leaving Harry and Hermione behind. And yes, that is an example of him being a terrible friend. But he immediately realised that, swallowed his pride and tried his hardest to return to them. He was eventually successful – and saved Harry’s life in the process. Owning up to your mistake is something that takes a lot of courage. Ron being willing to fight for two of his most important relationships demonstrated that, at his core, he was truly loyal.  

>‘I’m sorry,’ he said in a thick voice. ‘I’m sorry I left. I know I was a – a –’
>
>He looked around at the darkness, as if hoping a bad enough word would swoop down upon him and claim him.
>
>‘You’ve sort of made up for it tonight,’ said Harry. ‘Getting the sword. Finishing off the Horcrux. Saving my life.’
>
>‘That makes me sound a lot cooler than I was,’ Ron mumbled.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

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Hermione and Ron outside in a snowy wood. She is angrily hitting him with a bag and Harry is stood in the background.

How Hermione Granger made me realise you shouldn’t hide your intelligence

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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and the Order of the Phoenix

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As a kid, I was a bit of a… okay, a massive geek. While I am in no way saying my level of intellect is close to Hermione’s, or that I was the cleverest person in my year group at school, I loved to learn and threw myself into every experience, just like Hermione would. I always did my homework, raised my hand in lessons, joined the debate team, got to the national finals of a children’s literature quiz and even won a prize for making the most effort in all of my classes. Very reminiscent of Hermione collecting up Gryffindor house points! 

To begin with I didn’t feel ashamed – I adored trying new things and broadening my horizons. However, as I grew up, I started to realise it wasn’t cool to be so enthusiastic. The social side of school was rather difficult, and like Hermione, I didn’t have the easiest time making friends. When reading the Harry Potter books, I could always empathise with the way she managed to get on the wrong side of her peers – including those closest to her. After all, it was Ron that called her ‘a nightmare’ with no friends back in *Philosopher’s Stone*. To be honest, I am pretty sure similar words were said about me.

It wasn’t just my classmates that found me to be annoying, it was also some of my teachers. There was one that suggested at a parents’ evening that it might be a good idea if I just put my hand up less. That was a devastating blow to my confidence. Not only did it seem like my peers thought I was too much, now my teachers did too. Every time I re-read the moment where Snape called Hermione an ‘insufferable know-it-all', I felt it deeply. It transported me right back to that humiliating time where I felt that I had to make myself smaller and hide a big part of my personality.

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Hermione sitting at a desk with a quill, looking thoughtful.

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Nevertheless, despite connecting with the tougher elements of Hermione’s experience while at school, I could always turn to the stories and to her character for comfort. It was great to find a character that had similar difficulties to me, but it was even better to find one which I could draw strength and inspiration from. I admired the way she handled those situations – and especially the way she kept going. 

Hermione kept on learning as much as she possibly could and had confidence in her abilities. She never allowed the people who called her a know-it-all or exasperating to stop her. From the moment she burst into Harry and Ron’s train carriage on the Hogwarts Express, she was unapologetically herself. In fact, if she had allowed the nastiness of others to influence her, then the wizarding world would probably have been a very different place. 

There were so many times that Hermione was the hero of the story and came to the rescue. In her very first year at Hogwarts, she was the one that figured out the mystery of Nicolas Flamel. In her second, she solved the puzzle of the Basilisk – long before Harry and Ron. In her third, she was allowed to use incredibly complex magic to travel in time so she could cram in more studying. Hermione was the one who really helped Harry get ready for the Triwizard Tournament. The formation of Dumbledore’s Army was her idea. And out of the golden trio, she was the one that managed to be the most prepared for the Horcrux hunt. What makes her more brilliant, is that these are merely a handful of examples of the fantastic things she did – they barely scratch the surface. If Hermione had let the critics get to her and squashed her talents, where would Harry and Ron have got to?

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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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That’s not to say Hermione always brushed everything off easily – she still showed vulnerability which only made her seem more relatable. Sometimes the animosity she faced did get to her. The most memorable incident being when she hid in the girls’ bathroom in *Philosopher’s Stone*. As a child, that was often described as ‘sensitive’, that more human side of her was reassuring. She proved to me that it’s how you move forward from hurtful things that matter, there’s no shame or harm in admitting something has caused you pain, but nothing good comes from allowing anyone to keep you down for too long.

This attitude is something that I still try to mimic as an adult. No longer am I the kid who felt as though they needed to curb their personality to suit those around them. I fully embrace my nerdy side and I don’t care if people don’t appreciate that part of me. I still enjoy learning and I won’t pretend to be less intelligent to stroke the ego of others. Luckily, I have found that as I have grown up and moved on from the confines of school, people actually like that part of me – which I didn’t believe was possible as a teenager. 

I am also sure that I’m not the only one to take these lessons from this character. There will be plenty of other geeky folk that found it a struggle to find their place and fit in. Yet, Hermione will always be there to show that you should never be ashamed to embrace who you are. That is why the cleverest witch of her age continues to be my hero today.

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Does the Sorting Hat sort too early?

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## Yes, the Sorting Hat sorts too early 
>‘And are you tempted to join him?’
>
>‘No,’ said Snape, his black eyes on Fleur and Roger’s retreating
figures. ‘I am not such a coward.’
>
>‘No,’ agreed Dumbledore. ‘You are a braver man by far than Igor Karkaroff. You know, I sometimes think we Sort too soon …’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows* 

Dumbledore said it himself to Snape when he highlights how brave he has been, perhaps suggesting Snape could’ve been a Gryffindor in another lifetime. And it is true that there are certain Hogwarts students who turned out to be very different people than first impressions let on. The Sorting Hat uses a degree of [Legilimency](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/a-guide-to-legilimency) when it decides a student’s Hogwarts house, but surely it can’t know everything when looking into someone’s head. Peoples’ heads are complicated! Especially when they are so young. 

The best example to consider is Peter Pettigrew – who was sorted into Gryffindor and ended up befriending James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. But even when we dip into an old memory – Peter seems out of place, always following the others around, more of a parasite than a friend. And yet he was in the house of chivalry, where ‘dwell the brave at heart’? You could argue that he was brave in the sense he betrayed his friends and took Lord Voldemort’s side. But that feels determined more so than chivalrous... the trait more naturally attributed to a Slytherin. 

This is not to say all ‘bad’ wizards and witches should immediately go to Slytherin, though. Although the likes of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters were usually to be found in that house - is that because Tom Riddle, a cunning Slytherin, simply led the others astray? Even though founder Salazar Slytherin permeated his house with so much of himself and his own views – he was still only one person – and there are so many Slytherins that didn’t share his mindset. Even Draco Malfoy, who was taught to embody the values of Salazar in his youth, showed a more compassionate and softer side in his later years – and his son, Scorpius, was notably kind and hyper-intelligent – far more a Hufflepuff or a Ravenclaw on paper than a Slytherin. Is this an instance of the Sorting Hat simply assuming the son of Draco Malfoy would be just like him? Because it more feels like Scorpius represents a different side of Draco that got lost, due to all the pure-blood standards Lucius Malfoy was stamping into him as a child. 

So, does a person’s influences affect which Hogwarts house they go to? Look at Regulus Black, Sirius’s brother – who showed great bravery towards the end of his life, making a choice to defy Lord Voldemort. Regulus started off just like many Black family members, as a Slytherin, and later on, as a Death Eater. But did the Sorting Hat foresee this – or did the Sorting Hat inadvertently end up carving this path out for him? Why did the Sorting Hat not see the same bravery in Regulus as he did in Sirius, who was placed in Gryffindor despite the odds? Had Regulus’s family simply instilled too many of Salazar’s values into him already, whereas Sirius seemed to have a far clearer viewpoint at a young age? But if the hat had seen the bravery in Regulus that he later showed – this could’ve ended up re-shaping Regulus’s life. Who knows – Regulus might’ve made different friends and never ended up a Death Eater. Look what the Sorting Hat did for Neville – it saw a fire in him that Neville was yet to see himself. 

It’s true that the Sorting Hat seems to see things in people others can’t – but at the end of the day, it is still just a hat with an opinion. And although it was right most of the time, even sentient objects can make mistakes.

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## No, the Sorting Hat doesn’t sort too early 
First things first, there have been a couple of occasions when the Sorting Hat has possibly made a mistake. The most obvious example would be Peter Pettigrew – who rather than demonstrating courage and chivalry, was weak with a real knack for self-preservation. You could say he probably should have been in Slytherin, but that is quite insulting to the many excellent students who are members of that house. However, out of all the witches and wizards who have passed through the corridors of Hogwarts, that is just one example of where the Sorting Hat may have made a mistake. He was the exception – not the rule. On the whole, the Sorting Hat has got it spot on.

Also, you need to remember that the Sorting Hat is one of the cleverest magical objects to exist within the wizarding world. It contains the intelligence of all four of the Hogwarts founders. Not only can it speak, but it can also use Legilimency to look inside the mind of the person who is wearing it to determine their capabilities. It can even respond to what the wearer is thinking and take their choices into consideration. This is what it did with Harry, changing its initial idea of placing him in Slytherin to Gryffindor. This is important because it shows that the Sorting Hat considers who you want to be too. It doesn’t just pluck a house out of nowhere, but really gets to grips with the person as a whole before making its decision.

And while it is true that people can grow and change as they get older, and their personalities can evolve – you could say that the core of who you are and want to be remains the same. This is what the Sorting Hat looks for – even if the house it settles on doesn’t seem like the clearest choice at the time. It considers the different ways you can belong to a Hogwarts house, that don’t necessarily conform to the stereotypes, and judges which one you would make the best contribution to.

The perfect example of this would be Neville Longbottom. There is the belief that Neville would have done better in Hufflepuff and that he didn’t have the necessary traits to belong in Gryffindor. Yet, that proved not to be the case, and the Sorting Hat knew that from Neville’s very first day at Hogwarts. 

When we first met Neville as a nervous first-year, he didn’t scream bold and daring Gryffindor. Nevertheless, by the end of the schoolyear he had already begun to demonstrate a courageous side – which only continued to grow. From the first time he stood up to Harry, Ron and Hermione in *Philosopher’s Stone* (which Dumbledore even said took a great deal of strength) to running the DA and keeping up the resistance during Harry’s absence in *Deathly Hallows*, he more than proved that he belonged there. In fact, he even pulled sword of Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat – which could only be done by a true member of that house.

Ultimately, for the many centuries that the Sorting Hat has been doing its job, it has got more right than it has wrong. Its mistakes are few and far between – and it really knows how to spot the true nature or potential of budding witch or wizard. As it is filled with the intelligence of the four founders, it knows exactly what capabilities they want in their houses, and it considers the entire person before making its decision.

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So, what do you think? Do you think the students of Hogwarts are sorted into their houses too soon? Or do you still think there isn’t a clear-cut answer? 

What sort of Great Hall dinner guest would you be?

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Which Hogwarts character are you spiritually connecting with today? Let us see!

## If you’re the sort of person who likes to look up the menu and decide your order before you go to the restaurant, you’d be like Ron 

What’s the best thing about the feast? The feasting, of course! Ron knew the score. He was always to be spotted tucking into Hogwarts’ bountiful food selections during a feast – to the extent Hermione once asked him if he ever stops eating. We can’t blame Ron, though. After years of Mrs Weasley’s delicious dinners, no wonder he is a food-lover! This lad simply appreciates the culinary delights the world has to offer, and if you’re drawn to this section, you relate to him. We have always wanted to join the Hogwarts Great Hall feasts too – the book descriptions of the food were always so mouth-watering. Our kingdom for a flaming Christmas pudding!

## If you’re constantly schmoozing, you’d be like Percy 

Some people shirk small-talk at parties, but not you. Every social event is an opportunity to make a new friend – or depending on the occasion – take a step up the job ladder if you meet the right person. This was very much Percy’s prerogative, especially during the Yule Ball where he was representing Barty Crouch to absolutely anyone who would listen. But while Percy could be overbearing at times, you’ve got to respect his hustle! Percy knew how to get ahead in life, even if he sometimes lost his head in the process. We can definitely understand you wanting to meet as many people as humanly possible at Hogwarts feasts – you certainly get a lot of interesting characters there. 

## If social situations cause you great anxiety, you’d be like young Derek 

Maybe you read the Percy section thinking, “Nope, can’t relate. Talking to people is terrible,” – so perhaps you’re more in tune with Derek the nervous first-year. Derek was a young lad who found himself in a very bizarre Christmas dinner situation in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After a wider berth of Hogwarts students flocked home for the holidays (Sirius Black had tried to break into the castle a few months prior, remember) Dumbledore hosted a more-modest feast for the remaining students, which included Harry and poor Derek. And when the mighty headmaster of Hogwarts, Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock and holder of an Order of Merlin, first class, offers you some chipolatas – you can’t blame Derek for being shocked to the core by such a moment. 

## If you are louder than life itself, you’d be like Fred & George 

Do you like to bring the party? Easy – you’re Fred and George, who also liked to provide a bit of pizzazz to the Hogwarts feasts when they weren’t hosting rambunctious parties in the Gryffindor common room. Often known to put their stamp on proceedings (whether that’s singing Hoggy Warty Hogwarts as a slow funeral march or simply yelling out “You’re joking!” during Dumbledore’s Triwizard Tournament announcement) – the Weasley twins brought energy to wherever they were. Even during exam season, they made quite the statement thanks to a couple of fireworks and some portable swamps. Maybe this all reminds you of yourself a little bit. Because without you, things might be a tad quieter, but life would also be way less fun! 

## If you simply love hosting, you’d be like Albus Dumbledore 

Maybe you’d rather be the one dishing out the Hors-d'œuvres rather than chomping on them? If so, you strike us as a natural host – the one who holds everything together and makes sure everyone is fed, watered and entertained. This was very much Dumbledore’s job at Hogwarts, who kicked off proceedings with a few words (sometimes these words were just, “Nitwit, Blubber, Oddment, Tweak”) and set the tone for these fabulous occasions. At the Yule Ball, he kindly showed everyone how to order food to their plates (simply say what you want!) and always made sure the feasts of Hogwarts felt that little bit more magical. If you like to bring your own spark to your own dinner parties, we see a lot of Dumbledore in you.

The Hogwarts Great Hall feasts are some of the greatest feasts around. And they always prove eventful. Today, we’re wondering what type of dinner guest you’d be, based on your personality. Picture yourself in the Great Hall and pull up a chair. 

Discover your wizarding world persona

Your Wizarding Persona Homepage

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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)

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.  

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. 

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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)