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How Scorpius Malfoy proved everyone wrong about Slytherin

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Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy

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Before we begin, here’s a reminder of the part of the Sorting Hat’s song in *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, that specifically relates to Slytherin: 

*‘Or perhaps in Slytherin*

*You’ll make your real friends,*

*Those cunning folk use any means*

*To achieve their ends.’*

Does that tally with your understanding of members of Slytherin house? Here’s how we reckon Scorpius Malfoy helped us see Slytherins in a whole new light… 

## Slytherin and the value of friendship 
In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, our first experience of a Slytherin trying to make friends was Draco Malfoy entering Harry and Ron’s compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Now, we know he hadn’t yet been sorted into Slytherin, but it definitely still counted. Malfoy took one look at Ron, and attempted to befriend Harry – with a snide remark about stopping him from making friends with ‘the wrong sort.’ Not a great start for Slytherin social skills, if we’re honest. But contrast that with Scorpius Malfoy in Cursed Child. He greeted Albus and Rose with incredible warmth, even though Rose was immediately suspicious of him. Then, he shared his sweets with Albus – we can’t see Malfoy sharing anything with well… anyone… can you? 

As Malfoy continued at Hogwarts, he had two Slytherin sidekicks – Crabbe and Goyle – but it was difficult to know whether you could really count them as his friends. He ordered them around and regularly told them how stupid they were, but we never really got an insight into how this Slytherin really felt about the value of friendship. Scorpius, on the other hand, valued his friendship with Albus to the extent that he helped him no matter what – including physically throwing himself after him off of the moving Hogwarts Express! Scorpius was never scared to voice how important Albus’s friendship was to him – saying out loud how Harry Potter’s son was his ‘best friend’. 
This emotional honesty and transparency was something we hadn’t seen in a member of Slytherin house before… except perhaps, in the end, in Severus Snape – though he kept his true feelings hidden from most until after his death. 

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## Slytherin and self-esteem 
What many Slytherins throughout the Harry Potter series seemed to have had was high self-esteem. Draco Malfoy was convinced of his own Quidditch prowess, Pansy Parkinson was always pretty pleased with herself, and even Horace Slughorn had enough self-confidence to establish the Slug Club and never question whether students would want to join. But in Cursed Child, thanks to Scorpius, we saw a different side of Slytherin altogether. 

Teased relentlessly about the rumour that he was the son of Voldemort, Scorpius wasn’t exactly keen on talking about himself. When he did talk – to Rose Granger-Weasley, for example – he was less than self-assured, and often blurted out phrases that didn’t make any sense! Remember that time he told he she smelled like bread? And one of his most heart-breaking lines perhaps summed up this lack of self-esteem: ‘Come on mate, if there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s knowing where we’re not wanted.’ Oh Scorpius! Not exactly the kind of Slytherin we’re used to!

But what can we learn about Slytherin from all this? Well… if the Sorting Hat could sort Scorpius into Slytherin and this Malfoy still felt so unsure of himself – clearly lack of confidence doesn’t bar you from being chosen for the house of the snake. Perhaps there were lots of Slytherins just out of sight at Hogwarts who didn’t feel quite so confident, and perhaps the ones that seemed so self-assured, weren’t so confident on the inside after all? 

## Slytherin and a different kind of ambition
The Slytherins Harry met during his time at Hogwarts had certainly poured themselves a few cups of ambition. Draco Malfoy was so determined to be a Quidditch player, that he bought the whole Slytherin team brooms so he could play Seeker. Horace Slughorn sought to find the brightest and best of witches and wizards to advance the Slug Club and his connections. That’s not to mention the Slytherin Death Eaters we came across – Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange – a thirst for power, to be close to Lord Voldemort, to change the wizarding world drove them on and over to the Dark Lord’s side.
 
Scorpius was ambitious too, but his aims were different. Scorpius just wanted to be liked, to have a friend, to go to Hogwarts and study and be happy. He was clever too, ambitious in his magical studies, for his own future. But Scorpius taught us that ambition doesn’t have to be linked to Dark magic or trying to be better than everyone else. He taught us that Slytherins can be ambitious in different, sometimes smaller, ways – but that doesn’t make your dreams any 
less important or worthy of achieving. And you can admit you’re just a little bit scared along the way… 

                                    ***
                                
The most important lesson we can learn from Scorpius Malfoy about this noble house, is that there’s no right or wrong way to be a Slytherin – and there’s certainly no reason at all to whisper, ‘Not Slytherin’ when you’re undertaking the Sorting Ceremony on [our website](https://my.wizardingworld.com/register). 
We didn’t always see the best of Slytherin house during Harry Potter’s time at Hogwarts, but that doesn’t mean those Slytherins like Scorpius weren’t learning magic alongside him. And we have to admit the Slytherin colours of green and silver are pretty great!

Keen for more articles featuring *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*? Well, we've got some excellent news for you! You can now [visit the Cursed Child Collection here on WizardingWorld.com](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/cursed-child-collection), where you'll find news, videos, features and behind-the-scenes treats all about the eighth story. Enjoy!

10 cute romantic moments from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

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*Expect spoilers from Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts films!*

## 1. The way Ron reacted when Hermione kissed him on the cheek  

> Ron seemed to come to himself slightly as they walked back across the Great Hall. He touched the spot on his face where Hermione had kissed him, looking puzzled, as though he was not quite sure what had just happened.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

As we all know, Ron and Hermione didn’t properly kiss until *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*, (in the words of Sirius – ‘we had done our waiting!’) but an innocuous kiss on the cheek some time before gave us a huge insight into just how much Ron liked Hermione. In this moment, Ron was already in a state of anxiety, as he was about to play Quidditch for the Gryffindor team, but something about Hermione’s simple, encouraging gesture seemed to completely stop him in his tracks... We wonder why.

## 2. When Newt compared Tina’s eyes to a Salamander 

Oh, Newt! The ever-awkward Magizoologist tried his hand at flirting during *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* in the only way he knew how: to compare Tina Goldstein to a magical creature, specifically a Salamander. The compliment sort of worked, however, (telling Tina her eyes looked like ‘fire in water’) leading us to one of the sweetest scenes we’ve ever seen between them. Tina even finished Newt’s sentence for him. 

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## 3. When Harry stood up (literally) for Ginny at the Slug Club dinner

Another adorably awkward moment now, this time from the film, *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*. In this scene, it became transparent just how much Harry had started fancying Ginny, when he stood up in a very gentlemanly fashion when she arrived to one of Professor Slughorn’s dinner parties. The scene’s atmosphere, already overwhelmed with an uncomfortable feeling in the air, was made all the more awkward by this moment of course, but Hermione found it very amusing. And really, we found it quite adorable too.

## 4. Ron tries to defend Hermione against Malfoy 

> __RON__<br>
> Malfoy, you may be all chummy chummy with Harry, and
> you may have produced a relatively nice child, but you’ve
> said some very unfair things to and about my wife . . .<br>
> __HERMIONE__<br>
> And your wife doesn’t need you fighting her battles for her.<br>
> *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*

In *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*, we find Ron and Hermione happily married, but still bickering as much as they did as teenagers, of course. In one sweet scene, however, Ron tries to stand-up to a grown-up Draco Malfoy, who has said some ‘very unfair things’ to Hermione. Hermione casually bats off Ron saying she can fight her own battles, but we love that Ron is still trying to protect Hermione all these years later. Remember when he tried to defend her honour after Draco called her a Mudblood in *Chamber of Secrets* – but ended up just making himself vomit slugs? How far the white knight Ron Weasley has come! 

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Ron and Hermione, from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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## 5. Ginny’s Valentine’s poem for Harry

> ‘His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
> His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
> I wish he was mine, he’s really divine,
> The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.’<br>
> Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 

Well, allegedly this was Ginny – we never got firm proof – but we are fairly sure it was. During *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Ginny’s first year at Hogwarts, the youngest Weasley harboured a huge crush on Harry, and what better way to portray that than with a gruff dwarf dressed as a Cupid reciting a self-written Valentine’s poem? Nonetheless, the similes might not have been all that flattering (‘His eyes were as green as a fresh pickled toad) but Ginny gets 10/10 for rhyming skills and effort. Many years later, they would end up married with children, so this work was certainly not in vain.

## 6. Jacob trying to be cool while drinking Gigglewater with Queenie 

He was a No-Maj aspiring baker, she was a talented witch with the power to hear peoples’ thoughts – can we make it any more obvious? Yes, this is the budding romance of Jacob and Queenie, which we saw come to light in the first Fantastic Beasts film. Being a No-Maj presented certain challenges to Jacob during his courtship with Queenie, including trying to style out drinking some magical Gigglewater – the clue is in the title on what Gigglewater makes you do! Thankfully, for Jacob, he was endlessly endearing to Queenie, and the chemistry between them was plain to see. 

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Queenie Goldstein with Jacob Kowalski in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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## 7. Fred asking Angelina to the Yule Ball

> ‘Want to come to the ball with me?’
> Angelina gave Fred an appraising sort of look.
> ‘All right, then,’ she said, and she turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting, with a bit of a grin on her face.
> ‘There you go,’ said Fred to Harry and Ron, ‘piece of cake.’<br>
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Fred and George’s practical jokes made us forget that the twins could be a bit more grown-up at times, and this moment between Fred and his fellow Quidditch teammate Angelina showed that he could actually be romantic. Well, sort of. Wrapped up in his standard level of bravado, Fred’s casual asking of Angelina to the ball may have seemed a bit abrupt, but Angelina’s smile afterwards showed that these two must have really liked each other for a while.

## 8. Hagrid getting all fancy for Madam Maxime 

> There was an air of enormous excitement about Hagrid. He was wearing a flower that resembled an oversized artichoke in his buttonhole. It looked as though he had abandoned the use of axle grease, but he had certainly attempted to comb his hair – Harry could see the comb’s broken teeth tangled in it.<br>
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 

Bless Hagrid. Bless Hagrid and his horrible hairy suit. In *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*, we got to see the romantic side of many characters as Hogwarts prepared for the grand dance, the Yule Ball. But while the students were wrestling with the teenage anxieties that come with looking for a date, we even saw a new side to the Hogwarts gamekeeper. Upon meeting Madame Maxime, Hagrid had a new tendency to style his hair, wear flowers, and on special occasions, get dressed up to the nines in his hairy, brown suit.

All of this, apparently, was an attempt to woo the visiting Beauxbatons headmistress Madam Maxime. Well, it seemed to be working until Hagrid inferred Madame Maxime was a half-giant at the Yule Ball... not a good thing to say on a date.

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## 9. Ron saying Hermione’s name in his sleep  

Alright, just one more Ron and Hermione moment for this list – although this sweet moment was marred by Ron unconsciously upsetting Lavender. 

After being accidentally poisoned, Ron wound up in the hospital wing, with his friends (and girlfriend) coming to visit him. Unfortunately for poor Lavender, who was dating Ron at the time, Ron took this as an opportunity to ignore her, even pretending to be asleep when she came to visit. The only person a sick Ron wanted to see at his bedside was Hermione, to the extent he called out her name during his sleep. Although we disapprove of Ron’s way of handling his break-up with Lavender, this was yet another subtle moment that Ron had feelings for his best friend. We’re just sad that Lavender had to get caught up in the middle! 

## 10. Molly’s Hogwarts anecdote

> ‘What were you doing out of your dormitory at four in the morning?’ said Bill, surveying Mrs Weasley with amazement.
> Mrs Weasley grinned, her eyes twinkling.
> ‘Your father and I had been for a night-time stroll,’ she said.
> ‘He got caught by Apollyon Pringle – he was the caretaker in those days – your father’s still got the marks.’<br>
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 

In *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,* Mrs Weasley comes to Hogwarts to cheer Harry on in the Triwizard Tournament and shares a memory of her own time as a student. As it turned out, Molly was known to sneak around the corridors with her future-husband Arthur, even getting told off by the Fat Lady for being out so late. Mr and Mrs Weasley give us many adorable moments during the books, but we like this stolen moment from their youth to show off their sassy side.   

***

__Which subtle romantic moment from the Wizarding World is your favourite?__

Famous faces from the Slug Club

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SPOILER WARNING: This article has mild spoilers from *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.*

## Lily Evans

According to Slughorn, Lily was one of his most favourite students and it is easy to see why – what with her charming personality, magical talent and skill at potion-making. Her death clearly had an impact on Slughorn and the fondness he felt for her was evident. Who wouldn’t be won over by someone who gave them a magical pet fish called Francis? In fact, if it wasn’t for Slughorn’s admiration of Lily (and Harry’s knowledge of how he felt mixed with a little Felix Felicis), we doubt he would have ever given Harry the memory of his and Tom Riddle’s conversation about Horcruxes. 

## Harry Potter

There was never any doubt that Slughorn would try to collect Harry as one of his little club members. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with the famous Chosen One? Especially when they just so happened to be the son of his favourite former student. Once he was in, Harry certainly lived up to Slughorn’s expectations. Whether he was excelling at potions (with a little help from the Half-blood Prince) or defeating Lord Voldemort when he was still a teenager – Slughorn certainly got his money’s worth.

## Ambrosius Flume

Now this is one connection that we think is rather genius. Who wouldn’t want to be friendly with the founder of Honeydukes? Although Ambrosius obviously didn’t own the shop while he was a student, it was still a shrewd move of Slughorn to approach him. Slughorn’s investment certainly paid off and he reaped the rewards – including a free hamper of sweets every year for his birthday! All it took for him to be in this enviable position was to introduce Ambrosius to Ciceron Harkiss, who then gave him his first job. Imagine how wonderful it would be to have free access to all those Chocolate Frogs, Fizzing Whizzbees and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans!

## Hermione Granger

We can only envisage how thrilled Slughorn would have been to have had a future Minister for Magic in his club (though we doubt Hermione would be one for bending rules or laws for her old Professors). As the cleverest witch of her age, it only made sense that he found her so fascinating. From the very first time Hermione impressed Slughorn with her knowledge of different potions, we knew that it would only be a matter of time before she started to receive exclusive invites to Slug Club suppers – and sure enough she did.

## Ginny Weasley

Ginny first came to the attention of Slughorn when he witnessed her talent for casting a marvellous Bat-Bogey Hex – and is yet another example of Slughorn spotting a person’s inner potential. Ginny graduated from being the Hogwarts student with a talent for hexes, to a professional Quidditch player for the all-witch Holyhead Harpies, and eventually edited the sports pages for the Daily Prophet. We can imagine that Slughorn was rather pleased with himself when he witnessed her career take off (and probably took some credit too).

## Gwenog Jones

Ginny certainly wasn’t the first sporting star to catch the eye of Slughorn – or even the first player for the Holyhead Harpies. As he loved to tell anyone who would listen, Gwenog Jones had been a prize jewel in his Slug Club collection (even if she was a bit full of herself according to Hermione). Not only did this mean Slughorn was on first-name terms with the Harpies, but he could also get as many free tickets as he liked for their matches.

## Barnabas Cuffe

Being buddies with the Editor of the Daily Prophet can only be beneficial – especially when he is always interested in your take on the news of the day. Just picture how useful it would be to know all the gossip of the wizarding world before anyone else. We can also believe that it would be reassuring to have a former student is such a position of influence. We doubt that any embarrassing or untoward story about Slughorn ever found its way into the paper while Cuffe was the Editor.

Complete the quote quiz: Luna Lovegood edition

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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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Do you know your Nargles from your Crumple-Horned Snorkacks? Only the truest Luna Lovegood fan does...

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Introducing Harry Potter Reading Magic

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Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery reveals new Chocolate Frog feature 

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Feeling hungry for more *Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery* updates? Say no more. The mobile game’s latest challenge is all about the wizarding confectionary Chocolate Frogs, inviting players to complete existing in-game tasks to collect Chocolate Frog cards. Just like in the books and films, Chocolate Frog cards will feature different esteemed wizards, such as Albus Dumbledore and Garrick Ollivander. New cards will be added over time to each new seasonal Chocolate Frogs event – so watch out for more to collect. 

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While the inaugural Chocolate Frogs event will go on until 16th August, there will also be a Scavenger Hunt taking place between 19th July and the 25th. Clues will be posted all over *Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery*’s social channels, hinting at where to find frogs in in-game locations. Players will be rewarded with free energy, the more they find. 

On top of that, there will be added rewards for people who collect full sets of Chocolate Frog cards, where you can win in-game consumable items and valuable prizes. 

So, if you fancy having a go at this new quest – hop to it! 

Developed by Jam City and published under the Portkey Games label, *Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery* invites fans to create their own Hogwarts story, putting themselves at the centre of the narrative. The award-winning RPG is available to download, for free, on Google Play and the App Store. 

Learn more about *Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery* at the [official website.](https://www.harrypotterhogwartsmystery.com/)

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood to reopen with new features 

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In the wake of Covid-19 closures across the world, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood was one of many venues forced to temporarily close. Now, 15 months later, it’s back – with new features, such as a “Storytelling Showcase”, a new and expansive Warner Bros. Studio Store and a fresh grand finale called “Action and Magic Made Here” which celebrates the DC Universe alongside the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. 

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Upon arrival, guests will be greeted at a new Welcome Centre – and will also be able to explore a new Studio Store, packed to the brim with exclusive merchandise from all their favourite film and TV titles. 

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As for new features – the “Storytelling Showcase” examines the history of Warner Bros., from its origins as a cinema chain in 1923, all the way up to present day.  Then there is “Action and Magic Made Here”, where fans can experience the universe of DC but also step behind the scenes of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts – with all new interactive experiences, props, costumes, and photo and selfie opportunities to look forward to.

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If you’ve never been to the Studio Tour before, expect to be able to test your wand choreography skills, learn more about the magical creatures from Fantastic Beasts in Newt Scamander’s shed – and visit Hogwarts’s immaculate Great Hall recreated set for a special Sorting Ceremony. You can download our very own Harry Potter Fan Club app (on [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/harry-potter-fan-club/id1427926466) and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wwdfe.goog.wizardingworld&hl=en_GB&gl=US)) to get sorted into your Hogwarts house before you arrive – which we guarantee will enhance your experience... You’ll even get a chance to meet the famous Sorting Hat itself.  

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Danny Kahn, VP and General Manager said of the reopening: “Entertainment is about connecting with fans and we are thrilled to welcome guests back to the tour after a more than 15-month hiatus. Our new experiences will take guests on a journey through our history, how we bring stories to life and celebrate the DC Universe and Wizarding World.” 

[Learn more about Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood at their official website.](https://www.wbstudiotour.com/hollywood-made-here/)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone to be re-released with Magical Movie Mode

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Harry with Hedwig on his arm from the Philosopher's Stone 

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As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations for *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone*, Magical Movie Mode will be released on 17th August – and will arrive jam-packed with filmmaking secrets, spell incantations, trivia, fun activities and curiosities. 

This new release includes several special features as you watch the film, including a director’s commentary from Chris Columbus, deleted scenes, quizzes testing your potent knowledge of a vast array of topics from the film,and special graphic and audio features that will pop up on select scenes. See what new things you can learn about the beloved first film of the Harry Potter series. 

This is only one part of the many 20th anniversary celebrations you can expect to see this year, as we approach nearly two decades since *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone* first hit our cinema screens. Keep an eye out for more announcements soon. 