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The Philosopher's Stone obstacles wordsearch

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Cast your mind back to the ending of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, where a number of strange tasks cross Harry, Ron and Hermione's paths, including an unconventional dog, a logic puzzle and a larger-than-life boardgame. That's all the clues you're getting as you navigate today's tricky wordsearch.

And remember to select "Show Magic" in the settings to see a little magical tomfoolery as you play. Enjoy!

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https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20210914/00072/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

__And remember, you can play more wordsearches, crosswords and Number Magic challenges over at our [puzzles hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles). Get cracking!__

The Professor Flitwick Quiz

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Off you go! 

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Can you charm your way through this Flitwick quiz?

 The wizarding world magic we’d like to know more about

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There are certain spells in the wizarding world that have become popular and well established – almost like greatest hits. We all know what *Expelliarmus* means, for example, and we all know what it does; the same can be said for the Levitation Charm or the dreaded Killing Curse. But every now and then we get a glimpse of obscure magic; snapshots of stranger spells with a mystery we’d love to unravel. Here are but a few that leap to mind... 

## Sentient objects

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Just how much magic goes into making an object think and speak for itself? Consider some of the ancient entities of Hogwarts, such as the Sorting Hat, or [the Quill of Acceptance or the Book of Admittance](/writing-by-jk-rowling/the-quill-of-acceptance-and-the-book-of-admittance). These conscious items have been at Hogwarts for many years – and are even trusted to make actual decisions on students. But what sort of spell do you cast on an object to make it ‘aware’? If any? Even Arthur Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia seemed to develop a personality not too long after Harry and Ron crashed it into the Whomping Willow, and all Arthur did was tinker with the car to make it fly.

The Marauder’s Map was also able to come to life: it could recognise the likes of Severus Snape and hurl witty insults at him. But how on earth do you train a piece of parchment to track the whereabouts of every living person at Hogwarts, and also be able to ask it to tell amusing quips? Especially seeing as the map was created by four young teenagers... Surely, this sort of thing required very advanced magic?

The answer may lie in how magical portraits are created. Wizards who sit for portraits are encouraged to spend time with their painting so that they can imprint their personalities. Perhaps just a wizard’s presence is all it takes for things to become more ‘alive’. Or perhaps magic, by its very nature, is a sentient thing in itself – a force of nature with its own will and quirks. 

## Flying

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Snape in his potions class room from the Order of the Pheonix 

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Yes, yes. We know most wizards can fly whenever they want, providing they have a broomstick — or in more extreme cases, a [Hippogriff](/features/pottermore-guide-to-hippogriffs). But it’s also possible, in the rarest of cases, that wizards can fly unaided themselves, as first demonstrated by Lord Voldemort in *Deathly Hallows*, and later Severus Snape. 

It’s unknown quite how they managed this, although we do know that certain spells do levitate things, such as the Levitation Charm, or Snape’s self-penned spell, Levicorpus. But it looks like to actually properly fly, unsupported, is a much more powerful type of magic – and possibly Dark. Snape was described as ‘bat-like’ when he was seen flying, with Professor McGonagall observing he must have learnt ‘a few tricks’ from Lord Voldemort, who presumably was so magically gifted that he invented the spell himself. 

Whether the secrets of flight died with him, however, no one knows. But we can imagine a fair few wizards would be working hard to learn it themselves. 

## Obscurials

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Credence and Nagini on a rooftop in Paris

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In *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* (2016) we discovered a magical ‘illness’, of sorts, that could manifest in a very dark way. An Obscurus, essentially, is an intense and awful energy that bursts from a repressed wizard who is trying to hold back their magic. Usually, an Obscurial dies at a young age, as the dark force becomes uncontrollable. As Credence is the only confirmed Obscurial we have met so far, we’re dying to know more about this otherworldly disorder – and how Credence could deal with the ailment for a longer period of time. 

Unlike the other entries on this list, however, it’s entirely possible that we’ll actually find the answers we seek about Credence. We just have to be patient... 

## Horcruxes

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You may think, of course, that we know all about [Horcruxes](/features/the-horcruxes); that, after an entire series of books devoted to their destruction, we’re more than acquainted with the most notoriously Dark magic the wizarding world has to offer. 

But that’s not entirely true. For we may know what a Horcrux is – a means of binding a piece of your soul to an object in the pursuit of immortality – but we don’t know the actual magic involved in creating one. Indeed, the process has been deliberately obscured from us by J.K. Rowling, who has only ever revealed that it involves a spell and a ‘series of things you would have to do’ that are ‘too horrible’ to say out loud. 

Given that the process of splitting a soul involves murder (the ‘supreme act of evil’, to quote Horace Slughorn) the mind can only boggle at what deviant thing needs to be done to bind that soul to an object. Maybe some things are best left unknown...

Discover the films

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to Fantastic Beasts

11 things the Room of Requirement should’ve turned into 

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Of all of Hogwarts’ vast and glorious quirks and mysteries, the Room of Requirement was one of the best. After all, it was a room that could turn into anything you need it to. Anything. Well, it probably couldn’t turn into France or anything like that – but it always knew what you required it to be.

> ‘Dobby knows the perfect place, sir!’ he said happily. ‘Dobby heard tell of it from the other house-elves when he came to Hogwarts, sir. It is known by us as the Come and Go Room, sir, or else as the Room of Requirement!’<br> 
> ‘Why?’ said Harry curiously. <br>
> ‘Because it is a room that a person can only enter,’ said Dobby seriously, ‘when they have real need of it. Sometimes it is there, and sometimes it is not, but when it appears, it is always equipped for the seeker’s needs.’<br>
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

That’s all well and good, but there were so many more things the room could’ve been used for. Harry, as was his way, used it for mostly noble reasons, like forming Dumbledore’s Army and tracking down Horcruxes. But just think of the endless opportunities he missed out on…

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## A romantic getaway room 

Admittedly, this sort of happens during *Order of the Phoenix*. Harry locks lips with Cho after a D.A. meeting in the room, despite her being in floods of tears, and him making a terrible joke about Nargles. Maybe that’s why she was crying?

But the students of Hogwarts might have missed a trick by not changing this room into an ad hoc romantic getaway: log fire burning, Barry White playing in the background, warm Butterbeer perched within reach...

When Harry and Ginny became an item, they always seemed to be going on ‘long walks by the lake’. Didn’t it get cold out there? Should’ve gone to the Room of Requirement, Harry!

![WB-HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-harry-cho-chang-kiss-room-requirement-web-landscape](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/4UIk6fl4PYOZavVjiGedlE/75dd27bd2b86b906a7f60c979f461072/WB-HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-harry-cho-chang-kiss-room-requirement-web-landscape.jpg)

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## A room full of cheese 

Or The Room of Things We Just Want an Awful Lot. You could argue that an entire room packed with cheese is a (probably quite smelly) daydream, best left to cheesemongers or our deepest-held dreams. 

We would argue that cheese is amazing and should definitely fill an entire room. 

Sadly, thanks to the five exceptions to Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration – which clearly states that food can be summoned but not conjured out of thin air – the cheese room could never happen. Life is cruel. 

## A huge water park 

Life at Hogwarts could be incredibly stressful. You know what isn’t stressful? Water parks. Just think, after the pandemonium that came with a full year at Hogwarts, how great an end-of-year splash-about would be. Chamber of Secrets getting you down? Nothing like a few rounds of water aerobics to cheer you up. Hard time at the Triwizard Tournament? Nothing a good dive bomb couldn’t fix.  

## A candlelit restaurant with only one table and Cedric Diggory sitting at it 

This requires no further explanation.  

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## A perfect replica of the Hufflepuff common room 

The Hufflepuff common room was the only common room that we didn’t get to see in the books. Not fair. What hidden mysteries lay yonder, Hufflepuff? Probably loads of midnight discos and amazing parties, knowing that rowdy lot.

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## A disco room 

Apart from the Yule Ball, when do Hogwarts students ever get to cut loose? Not often. Surely even with a wealth of magic at their disposal, wizards need to dance too. 

## A room where Neville and Professor Sprout are waltzing as Professor McGonagall plays the bagpipes

This actually happens in the books. Well, in one of Harry’s dreams. Yes, at one point, Harry has a dream about Neville and Professor Sprout waltzing around the Room of Requirement as Professor McGonagall plays the bagpipes. What a coincidence, because we can’t think of anything we’ve ever needed to see more. 

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## A relaxing spa 

If anyone was ever in need of a relaxing spa weekend, it was Harry and his fellows at Hogwarts. Also, if anyone could have done with a massage, a sauna and a couple of cucumbers over his eyes, it was Professor Snape. He would’ve definitely been so much nicer with a few spa sessions under his belt. 

## A mini-apartment for Sirius 

In *Goblet of Fire*, Harry, Ron and Hermione go all the way out of Hogsmeade to a tiny cave in a faraway mountain somewhere to meet up with Sirius. Harry’s godfather-at-large was so ravenous from living rough that he spent the majority of their meet-up rapaciously ripping meat apart like a man outside a chicken shop at four in the morning. 

If only Harry could’ve hidden Sirius in the spacious and perfectly hidden Room of Requirement. Surely it would be an excellent hiding place for a wrongfully imprisoned wizard looking for a step up from a cave. What could possibly go wrong?

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## Makeover studio 

Between Ron’s dress robes, Luna’s radish earrings, and Dobby’s beloved collection of terrible socks, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Hogwarts was not exactly the fashion capital of the world. This is why the Room of Requirement really needed to become a fully decked-out makeover studio. That’s right. It’s time Crabbe and Goyle released their inner beauty, deep, deep, deep down. 

## A candlelit restaurant with only one table and Oliver Wood sitting at it 

It would just be nice!

Celebrate Ravenclaw pride week in the Harry Potter shop

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An exclusive first look at images from the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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An illustration of Grimmauld Place where number twelve is hidden

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Bloomsbury and Scholastic have announced that the much anticipated illustrated version of Harry Potter’s fifth adventure is set to be published on 11th October. Not only does this edition once again bring together the extraordinary talents of J.K. Rowling and Jim Kay, but also features award-winning illustrator Neil Packer.

If you take a close look at the incredible jacket illustration you will see Dumbledore’s Army practising their Patronus skills. Can you spot Hermione summoning her silvery otter? Or Harry and Cho watching her swan soar above the Room of Requirement?

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The cover of the illustrated edition of Order of the Phoenix. Harry, Cho and Hermione are in the Room of Requirement. Hermione and Cho are casting their Patronuses.

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And inside the wonder continues with Jim’s fantastic illustration of Harry’s Ministry hearing that captures the dark and tense atmosphere.

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An illustration of Harry and Dumbledore at Harry's Ministry hearing. Harry is at in the chair and Dumbledore is next to him.

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And his colourful depiction of Luna and Neville that beautifully demonstrates both of their personalities, not to mention Luna’s famous Butterbeer cork necklace.

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Luna and Neville sat on the Hogwarts Express. Luna is reading The Quibbler upside down and Neville is holding Trevor.

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As well as the iconic Grimmauld Place, where number 12 lurks hidden away from Muggle eyes.

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An illustration of Grimmauld place where number twelve is revealed

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As the meticulously detailed artwork shows, this illustrated version of the *Order of the Phoenix* has been a mammoth task and nearly two years in the making. As the project unfolded, Jim decided that it was time to bring in guest collaborator and dear friend, Neil Packer, to help bring the story to life. As Jim said: 

‘Illustrating *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* was always going to be a challenge; the scale of the book meant for a huge variety of characters and locations to choose from. It was a great privilege to have Neil Packer helping with this daunting task. As a fan of his work it was wonderful to see his illustrations appear in the text, and so nice to be working with him in the team. He is perfect for Potter.’ 

Neil Packer adds: ‘As both a friend and a colleague it was an honour to be asked to work alongside Jim Kay on this book. Jim has invested so much in this series already and I was very conscious of not wanting to encroach on the stunning work which only he can do. The sheer scale of this book and the wonderful richness of imagination within the writing perhaps left space for a second approach and it has been a great joy and a challenge to try and work in harmony with Jim’s pictures and to visualise some of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world.’

Neil is a well-renowned illustrator in his own right, and his distinctive artwork has been woven through the book complementing Jim’s narrative scenes. One example of his exquisite artwork is this beautiful imagining of Firenze’s Divination classroom.

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An illustration of Firenze's Divination classroom

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These are just snippets of the exciting illustrations set to feature in this edition. You can expect to see so much more, from Jim Kay’s portrait of Dolores Umbridge and stunning visualisation of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries to Neil Packer’s cutaway of the Ministry of Magic and beautifully drawn magical objects. 

And if this fantastic edition isn’t enough, a gorgeous, cloth-bound Deluxe Illustrated Edition will publish simultaneously with a foiled slipcase, gilt-edges and an exclusive pull-out extra inside.

If you are in the UK, you can click [here](https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/harry-potter/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-illustrated-editions-pre-order-offers/) to pre-order this illustrated edition on Bloomsbury’s website. 

If you’re in the US, you can pre-order from the Scholastic website [here](https://kids.scholastic.com/kid/books/harry-potter/).

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened prepares for worldwide launch in 2022

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Warner Bros. Games and NetEase Inc. today announced that the immersive collectible card wizarding duelling game, *Harry Potter: Magic Awakened*, is set for a worldwide launch in 2022. 

The game, which is also distinct for its unique art style, massively multiplayer and immersive role-playing elements, allows players to master their magic in their own illustrious wizarding journey. The game has been a huge hit across China Mainland, and now – it could be coming to your territory. Players in the Americas, Europe and Oceania are invited to pre-register on the game’s official website at www.MagicAwakened.com or Google Play to receive exclusive rewards once the title is released. Players can unlock additional rewards including in-game currency, cosmetic items and a Niffler card after surpassing each pre-registration tier. 

While you wait to learn when the game will be coming to you, watch our behind-the-scenes developer’s diary showcasing their process in creating this immersive collectible card game and its multiplayer wizarding experience.

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened | Behind the Scenes 

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You can also take a look at this teaser of the game right here.

Magic Awakened | Teaser 

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In the game, you’ll play as a young witch or wizard starting your new education at – where else? – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Fans will be able to customise their character accordingly and enjoy the many facets of wizarding world life, such as discovering your Hogwarts house, perusing supplies in Diagon Alley, learning spells that can be cast in the form of cards – and taking part in Duelling Club. There will also be an intriguing story running through the game as you accumulate magical knowledge – so expect to meet a few familiar characters – and some exciting new ones along the way. 

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened is one of many titles that sits under the Portkey Games label, which is dedicated to creating new Wizarding World mobile and video game experiences that place the player at the centre of their own adventure, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s original stories. You can learn more about [Portkey Games here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/discover/portkey-games)

West Coast performances of Cursed Child begin at San Francisco's Curran Theater

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Pictured (L–R): Benjamin Papac as Albus Potter and Jon Steiger as Scorpius Malfoy in the San Francisco production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

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*Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade*

The West Coast engagement of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* triumphantly returned to San Francisco this week, after its performances were put on hold in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020. 

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*Pictured (L–R): John Skelley as Harry Potter, Lily Mojekwu as Hermione Granger, and Steve O’Connell as Ron Weasley in the San Francisco production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade*

Now, [the one-part reimagining of the play](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/cursed-child-returns-reimagined-to-broadway-and-opens-in-hamburg), which also runs in New York, enchanted audiences with a celebratory comeback. 

Press night for the show is set for the 9th February, and you can visit the play's [official website for more details. ](https://sf.harrypottertheplay.com/)

A huge welcome back to this branch of the Cursed Child family! 

__Remember, you can visit [our Cursed Child hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/cursed-child-collection) for quizzes, behind-the-scene videos and features on the hit play whenever you like.__