Wizarding World Homepage 

The Harry's gifts crossword

WEB-PUZZLE-harrys-gifts-crossword

PMARCHIVE-WB F3 Firebolt HarryReceivesAFirebolt HP3D-1700 UP HPE3 5LfuKgg2SQgu2weUGaayua-b4

WB F3 Firebolt HarryReceivesAFirebolt HP3D-1700 UP HPE3

harrys-gifts-crossword

Remember to toggle our "Show magic" setting to see some cute little enchantments! 

<iframe width="550" height="700" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="
https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/crossword/20210927/00075/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

We have plenty more puzzles at our [Puzzles Hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) or our Harry Potter Fan Club app if you fancy some more. You can download said app just here.

![QR-code-app-smaller](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/62musW78K6YiZOWTismUtp/d10808f21a994a16448f2821acfe04f0/qr-app-smaller.jpg)

***

And remember, we're currently celebrating 20 Moments of Movie Magic in the upcoming weeks and months. [Pop over to our page and see which moment we are currently celebrating.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20)

Harry was bestowed with many wonderful and magical items during his birthdays and Christmasses - but how well do you remember his gifts? This crossword will jog your memory!

Ranked: Harry's birthdays from worst to best

WEB-FEATURE-ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-hedwig-outside-robes-web-landscape

Harry stood outside in his Hogwarts robes and Gryffindor scarf with Hedwig perched on his arm.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

HP-F1

and the Philosopher's Stone 

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-1

## 7th: His 12th birthday
The most miserable of Harry’s birthdays has to be his twelfth. For Harry to have to return to Privet Drive, after he had spent a year at Hogwarts (where he had made new friends and gone on wonderful adventures), must have been a major shock to his system. And when his birthday arrived and no cards did, it must have felt terrible. Of course the Dursleys weren’t going to remember – but you would think Ron and Hermione would. Though it turned out that they hadn’t forgotten him, and it was Dobby that had been hiding his post, the day he turned twelve must have felt pretty awful and lonely.

>Harry left through the back door. It was a brilliant, sunny day. He crossed the lawn, slumped down on the garden bench and sang under his breath, ‘Happy birthday to me ... happy birthday to me ...’ 
>
>No cards, no presents, and he would be spending the evening pretending not to exist. He gazed miserably into the hedge. He had never felt so lonely. More than anything else at Hogwarts, more even than playing Quidditch, Harry missed his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They, however, didn’t seem to be missing him at all. Neither of them had written to him all summer, even though Ron had said he was going to ask Harry to come and stay. 
><br>*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-harry-dobby-bedroom-web-landscape

Dobby is in Harry's bedroom at 4 Privet Drive. He is smiling at Harry.

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-2

## 6th: His 15th birthday
Harry’s fifteenth birthday was not a joyous or fun occasion – and Harry didn’t help the situation. Again, being stuck at the Dursley’s meant Harry didn’t expect to have the best time. However, while his friends did try to improve things by sending him presents, Harry was feeling too jealous and bitter to appreciate their gesture. He thought his two best friends were together and having fun without him. So instead of being happy to receive their gifts – he threw them away. Which just resulted in him making an already wretched birthday even worse.

>But when were they going to see him? Nobody seemed too bothered with a precise date. Hermione had scribbled I expect we’ll be seeing you quite soon inside his birthday card, but how soon was soon? As far as Harry could tell from the vague hints in their letters, Hermione and Ron were in the same place, presumably at Ron’s parents’ house. He could hardly bear to think of the pair of them having fun at The Burrow when he was stuck in Privet Drive. In fact, he was so angry with them he had thrown away, unopened, the two boxes of Honeydukes chocolates they’d sent him for his birthday. He’d regretted it later, after the wilted salad Aunt Petunia had provided for dinner that night. 
><br>*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-harry-ron-hermione-grimmauld-place-bedroom-web-landscape

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-3

## 5th: His 14th birthday
Who doesn’t love cake? And what’s better than one birthday cake? Four birthday cakes! Harry’s fourteenth birthday was actually not the worst. Now that Harry had his godfather in his life, he had an extra person to help celebrate his birthday! While this one wasn’t fantastic, as he was still stuck at Privet Drive, it was better than some of his others. With Dudley on a diet, Harry could take extra pleasure in knowing that he had a delicious secret feast hidden under his floorboard… and for once it would be Dudley that went without.

>And then on Harry’s birthday (which the Dursleys had completely ignored) he had received four superb birthday cakes, one each from Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and Sirius. Harry still had two of them left, and so, looking forward to a real breakfast when he got back upstairs, he started eating his grapefruit without complaint. 
><br>*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*


HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-harry-sirius-grimmauld-place-tapestry-discussion-web-landscape

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-4

## 4th: His 13th birthday
Harry’s thirteenth birthday was one of the very first times that he knew people were thinking of him. Although it is easy to assume that cards and gifts are a given on your birthday, that’s not the case for Harry. His thirteenth was when things changed. Harry realised he could enjoy his birthday, as there were people out there who cared about him and wanted to mark the occasion. And getting a brand-new Sneakoscope and Broomstick Servicing Kit would have been the icing on the cake. 

>Then he took off his glasses and lay down, eyes open, facing his three birthday cards.
>
>Extremely unusual though he was, at that moment Harry Potter felt just like everyone else: glad, for the first time in his life, that it was his birthday.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

HP-F3-prisoner-of-azkaban-harry-ron-hermione-smiling-snow-hogsmeade-web-landscape

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-5

## 3rd: His 16th birthday
Ok, so hear us out when it comes to this one. Yes, Harry’s sixteenth birthday was marred by awful news of disappearances and deaths, but it was one of the first birthdays that Harry got to spend with his favourite people. Yes, the birthday tea was gloomy, but at least he was with Ron, Hermione and all the other Weasleys. They had at least made an effort – which is more than the Dursleys ever did.

>It would have been a happy, peaceful holiday had it not been for the stories of disappearances, odd accidents, even of deaths now appearing almost daily in the Prophet. Sometimes Bill and Mr Weasley brought home news before it even reached the paper. To Mrs Weasley’s displeasure, Harry’s sixteenth birthday celebrations were marred by grisly tidings brought to the party by Remus Lupin, who was looking gaunt and grim, his brown hair streaked liberally with grey, his clothes more ragged and patched than ever.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

HP-F6-half-blood-prince-harry-ron-hermione-burrow-summer-laughing-web-landscape

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-6

## 2nd: His 17th birthday
There may have been the cloud of Voldemort’s return hanging over Harry’s seventeenth birthday – not to mention an impromptu visit from the Minister for Magic, but this was still up there with one of Harry’s very best celebrations. From the cake that was shaped like a Snitch, to the beautiful birthday feast conjured by Mrs Weasley, to spending it surrounded by loved ones, to the watch which meant everything to Harry – it certainly had its heart-warming and wonderful moments. 

>‘It’s traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age,’ said Mrs Weasley, watching him anxiously from beside the cooker. ‘I’m afraid that one isn’t new like Ron’s, it was actually my brother Fabian’s and he wasn’t terribly careful with his possessions, it’s a bit dented on the back, but –’
>
>The rest of her speech was lost; Harry had got up and hugged her. He tried to put a lot of unsaid things into the hug and perhaps she understood them, because she patted his cheek clumsily when he released her, then waved her wand in a slightly random way, causing half a pack of bacon to flop out of the frying pan on to the floor.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-molly-harry-grimmauld-place-happy-web-landscape

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-7

## 1st: His 11th birthday
How could the top spot be anything else? It’s not every day that you are told you are magical and belong to the wizarding world. In fact, we reckon it was one of the best moments of Harry’s entire life. This birthday included meeting Hagrid, getting his wand, being brought an ice cream, being given Hedwig and finding out that his parents had left him a small fortune – what’s not to love? Harry even said this was his very best birthday – when he found himself reminiscing while trying to break into Gringotts bank…

>Harry looked up at it, and all of a sudden a knife-sharp memory came to him: standing on this very spot on the day that he had turned eleven, the most wonderful birthday of his life, and Hagrid standing beside him saying, ‘Like I said, yeh’d be mad ter try an’ rob it.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-walking-diagon-alley-web-landscape

ranked-harrys-birthdays-from-worst-to-best-text-section-8

## Special mention... 
Harry’s first birthday deserves to have a special mention. While he can’t remember it (which is why it isn’t on the list), it was the only one he got to spend with his parents (and Bathilda Bagshot). There was a birthday tea and a new toy broomstick, and he was surrounded by those who loved him the most in the world.

The Herbology quiz

WEB-QUIZ-the-herbology-quiz

HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-greenhouse-herbology-sprout-mandrake-lesson-class-web-landscape

A second year Herbology lesson in the greenhouse. The students stand round a table of Mandrakes as Professor Sprout talks to them.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

HP-F2

and the Chamber of Secrets

the-herbology-quiz-text-section-1

Good luck!

<div class="quizz-container" data-width="100%" data-iframe-title="QUIZ: The Herbology quiz" data-height="auto" data-quiz="488794" data-networks="none"> </div>
<script src="//dcc4iyjchzom0.cloudfront.net/widget/loader.js" async></script>

Eight reasons why we love Neville Longbottom

WEB-FEATURE-eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom

HP-F8-deathly-hallows-part-2-neville-luna-sword-of-gryffindor-battle-of-hogwarts-great-hall-web-landscape

Luna and Neville sat on a table in the Great Hall after the Battle of Hogwarts. Both have cuts and bruises and Neville is holding the sword of Gryffindor. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

HP-F8

and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-1

## His love for all things Herbology
Neville didn’t have the easiest time when it came to his lessons at Hogwarts. We know our hearts broke every time Professor Snape was cruel to him in Potions. But Neville did have a wonderful gift for Herbology. We couldn’t have been happier than when we found out that he had gone on to become a Herbology professor – it was the perfect fit for him. We adored the passion that he had for the subject, the way he would light up when talking about magical flora and how it was the one class that helped to raise his self-esteem. 

>‘Oh yes,’ said Neville, ‘I’m fine, thanks. Just reading this book Professor Moody lent me ...’
>
>He held up the book: Magical Mediterranean Water-Plants and Their Properties.
>
>‘Apparently, Professor Sprout told Professor Moody I’m really good at Herbology,’ Neville said. There was a faint note of pride in his voice that Harry had rarely heard there before. ‘He thought I’d like this.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-herbology-lesson-mandrakes-gryffindors-web-landscape

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-2

## His clumsy nature
We secretly love that Neville wasn’t the most coordinated person – it undoubtedly brought some lighter moments to the story. Whether he was tripping over a stool on his way to the Sorting Hat, breaking his wrist in his first ever flying lesson, smashing teacups in Divination or melting Seamus’s cauldron in Potions – it just made him all the more relatable.

>Neville had never been on a broomstick in his life, because his grandmother had never let him near one. Privately, Harry felt she’d had good reason, because Neville managed to have an extraordinary number of accidents even with both feet on the ground.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-neville-pixies-ears-classroom-flying-web-landscape

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-3

## His rebellious streak
When we first met Neville, he didn’t strike us as someone that was a risktaker or rulebreaker. In fact, sometimes it seemed as though he was using all his concentration just to get through the day without any major accidents or disasters. He certainly didn’t seem to have space to be thinking about mischief or mayhem. Yet he grew as a person throughout the series and, by the time we reached *Deathly Hallows*, he had become a strong leader – with a rebellious side. We think the way he stood up to the Carrows and Snape was fantastic, he never gave them a moment’s peace. Who would have believed that the Neville we met as a first-year would be the Neville that broke into the Headmaster’s office or graffitied the walls of Hogwarts?

>‘The Carrows never rumbled how we were communicating, it drove them mad. We used to sneak out at night and put graffiti on the walls: Dumbledore’s Army, Still Recruiting, stuff like that. Snape hated it.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

HP-F8-deathly-hallows-part-2-neville-passageway-portrait-web-landscape

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-4

## His bravery 
We would suggest that Neville is one of the bravest characters in the entire story. And while it is possible to think of plenty of examples that demonstrate this from later in the series, one of our favourite brave Neville moments has to be the very first time he stood up for himself. As Albus Dumbledore said in *Philosopher’s Stone* ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends’.

>‘You can’t go out,’ said Neville, ‘you’ll be caught again. Gryffindor will be in even more trouble.’
>
>‘You don’t understand,’ said Harry, ‘this is important.’
>
>But Neville was clearly steeling himself to do something desperate.
>
>‘I won’t let you do it,’ he said, hurrying to stand in front of the portrait hole. ‘I’ll – I’ll fight you!’
>
>‘Neville,’ Ron exploded, ‘get away from that hole and don’t be an idiot –’
>
>‘Don’t you call me an idiot!’ said Neville. ‘I don’t think you should be breaking any more rules! And you were the one who told me to stand up to people!’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-neville-smiling-sitting-web-landscape

Neville Longbottom is sitting in a chair and smiling

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-5

## His loyalty
One other excellent thing about Neville was his loyalty. Despite being a pure-blood who would be accepted in Voldemort’s new world, he was never tempted to do anything other than the right thing. He showed loyalty to his friends, his school and also his parents. Neville continued their work of fighting Dark wizards – from the Battle of Department of Mysteries to the Battle of Hogwarts and never wavered in his resolve. 

>‘But you are a pure-blood, aren’t you, my brave boy?’ Voldemort asked Neville, who stood facing him, his empty hands curled in fists.
>
>‘So what if I am?’ said Neville loudly.
>
>‘You show spirit, and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom.’
>
>‘I’ll join you when hell freezes over,’ said Neville. ‘Dumbledore’s Army!’ he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort’s silencing charms seemed unable to hold.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

HP-F8-deathly-hallows-part-2-neville-sword-of-gryffindor-battle-of-hogwarts-web-landscape

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-6

## His hard-working nature
As we’ve touched upon before, Neville did struggle when it came to learning magic. It didn’t come as naturally to him as it did to people like Hermione or Ginny. However, rather than wallow in self-pity, Neville worked hard. He was determined, never gave up and ended up being able to hold his own amongst his peers. We were particularly proud of the way he threw himself into being a member of Dumbledore’s Army and were thrilled to see all that hard work eventually pay off.

>In fact, Neville barely spoke during the DA meetings any more, but worked relentlessly on every new jinx and counter-curse Harry taught them, his plump face screwed up in concentration, apparently indifferent to injuries or accidents and working harder than anyone else in the room. He was improving so fast it was quite unnerving and when Harry taught them the Shield Charm – a means of deflecting minor jinxes so that they rebounded upon the attacker – only Hermione mastered the charm faster than Neville.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-neville-harry-dumbledores-army-room-of-requirement-web-landscape

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-7

## His resilience 
Harry Potter wasn’t the only student in his year to have had a troubled or traumatic upbringing. Neville was raised by his gran after Bellatrix Lestrange and her cronies tortured both his parents into insanity. Nevertheless, Neville did not let that horrific event hold him back or break him. When he came face to face with the person responsible for upending his life, he did not wilt or crumble – even when she used the same Cruciatus Curse on him. The strength it must have taken to do that shouldn’t go unnoticed. 

>‘No, no, no,’ said Bellatrix. She looked transported, alive with excitement as she glanced at Harry, then back at Neville. ‘No, let’s see how long Longbottom lasts before he cracks like his parents ... unless Potter wants to give us the prophecy.’
>
>‘DON’D GIB ID DO DEM!’ roared Neville, who seemed beside himself, kicking and writhing as Bellatrix drew nearer to him and his captor, her wand raised. ‘DON’D GIB ID DO DEM, HARRY!’
>
>Bellatrix raised her wand. ‘Crucio!’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

HP-F3-prisoner-of-azkaban-neville-lupin-boggart-lesson-defence-against-dark-arts-web-landscape

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-8

## His love for his family
While Neville didn’t really mention his parents and often seemed to be a little terrified of his gran, we still got the sense that he loved them all deeply. We know we were particularly touched when he pocketed the sweet wrapper his mother presented to him as a gift in St Mungo’s, rather than tossing it away as his Gran suggested. We also adored the way he seemed to be so proud of the woman who raised him, especially when she was battling Death Eater’s like the best of them. The fact that he kept her letter in a pocket close to his heart says it all really… 

>‘Thing was,’ he faced them, and Harry was astonished to see that he was grinning, ‘they bit off a bit more than they could chew with Gran. Little old witch living alone, they probably thought they didn’t need to send anyone particularly powerful. Anyway,’ Neville laughed, ‘Dawlish is still in St Mungo’s and Gran’s on the run. She sent me a letter,’ he clapped a hand to the breast pocket of his robes, ‘telling me she was proud of me, that I’m my parents’ son, and to keep it up.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-neville-room-of-requirement-thoughtful-web-landscape

eight-reasons-why-we-love-neville-longbottom-text-section-9

Do you agree with our reasons behind our love for Neville Longbottom? Or do you have different reasons for loving this courageous wizard?

Visit the Starting Harry Potter hub

SHP homepage hero

SHP-2022-side-crop-hero

SHP-2022-mob

Immerse yourself in the first Harry Potter book with our brand-new Starting Harry Potter hub 

WEB-NEWS-introducing-shp-2022 PUB 2pm 

shp-2022-text-section

This year marks 25 years since J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book was published – introducing several generations to Harry’s adventures at Hogwarts. But is there a young person in your life who has yet to discover the magic of the wizarding world? We have a fun digital treat for you and them this summer that is the perfect entry point. 

Introducing [StartingHarryPotter.com](http://startingharrypotter.com/?utm_source=wwd_web&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=shp-2022), our new interactive space for children and parents, carers or teachers alike to enjoy all the elements of the first book in an enchanting new way. 

If you are brand new to J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World, this handy website will serve as your friendly guide on what to expect (complete with a checklist of everything you’ll need) and an opportunity to read the first chapter of the book online. Or, if you prefer, you can listen to the first chapter via the UK audiobook, as lovingly narrated by Stephen Fry.

The hub will have a selection of games to partake in, such as Remembrall Rush, where you can test your memory, or Trapdoor Trials, which will quiz you on a series of interesting conundrums. You can also design your very own Hogwarts crest or flip through our miniature interactive polls to impart your own thoughts on the wizarding world. Our snackable Harry Potter guides will help newcomers educate themselves swiftly, such as pronunciation guides (Hermione’s name used to get us too!) or fast-track summaries on Quidditch and the Hogwarts houses.  

We’ll also have the usual slew of puzzles and quizzes to keep you on your toes too, alongside craft tutorials for all you budding creatives out there. Our friends, Bloomsbury and Scholastic, who publish Harry Potter in the UK and US respectively, have also contributed to the Starting Harry Potter hub, with an assortment of activities for you to try out with others. There will even be a section for fans to send in Harry Potter artwork for us ([try it out here!](https://submit.startingharrypotter.com/)) to display as proudly as a portrait on a Hogwarts wall. 

Worried your wizarding world knowledge isn’t tip-top yet? Never fear, our Discover section will give you a potted (mind the pun) history of key characters, spells, objects or location syou encounter in the first book. Then you can play our challenges to your heart’s content. 

We don’t just have the hub for you to enjoy, either. To celebrate Starting Harry Potter, the first Harry Potter audiobook is available to stream free on Alexa from Audible in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese, beginning on July 1st and through August 15th by saying: “Alexa, read Harry Potter Book One.”

So, there you have it. And to all you Harry Potter experts out there who are the sort to get 112% on a Charms exam, we won’t blame you if you fancy starting the Harry Potter books from the very beginning too and visiting our hub also. It is the 25th anniversary, after all!

Visit [StartingHarryPotter.com](http://startingharrypotter.com?utm_source=wwd_web&utm_medium=nav&utm_campaign=shp-2022) today for a bewitching interactive experience. Maybe Muggle technology isn’t so bad after all. And if you want to submit any artwork, please do! [Right here.](https://submit.startingharrypotter.com/)

While you’re with us, you can [register with the Harry Potter Fan Club](https://my.wizardingworld.com/login) today to get sorted into your Hogwarts house or discover other things about your wizarding identity. You can also download our Harry Potter Fan Club app, the perfect tool for wannabe wizards on the go. 

SHP-square

SHP-square-crop-2022

Bloomsbury celebrate 25th anniversary of Philosopher’s Stone with special edition book and asking fans their top memories 

WEB-NEWS-bloomsbury-fans-celebrate-25th-anniversary

HP-25-bloomsbury-key-art-first-book-lifestyle-philosophers-stone

bloomsbury-celebrate-25-anniversary-text-section-1

__Image © Bloomsbury, Aashfaria A. Anwar__

We’re sure UK-based Harry Potter fans remember the first book well – that big scarlet train, Harry’s inquisitive face... and now, you can revisit it, 25 years on, with this special version produced by Bloomsbury, with some additional features, such as drawings from J.K. Rowling’s archive and the original iconic cover art by Thomas Taylor. 

bloomsbury-25-anniversary-cover-annotated

bloomsbury-celebrate-25-anniversary-text-section-2

You can learn more about this [edition from Bloomsbury here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/linkout?destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomsbury.com/uk/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone--25th-anniversary-edition-9781526646651/)

Bloomsbury also asked a selection of fans to dig into their Pensieves and extract their early memories of the first book, some of which you can watch below. 


25th anniversary | Bloomsbury ask fans for their favourite Harry Potter memories 

bloomsbury-25-anniversary

bloomsbury-25-anniversary-thumbnail

In the video, we meet fans such as Ben, who learnt to ‘accept yourself, love yourself’ from the books. Charlotte talks about her dyslexia growing up but says that Harry Potter helped her get through it. “That book opened up a relationship for me with literature. I will forever be grateful for the accessibility the Harry Potter books offered me,” she says. 

Bloomsbury also chatted to fans like Catie, who reminisced about “struggling to fit in at school because I was more interested in books and knowledge than sport”, while Amy told a moving tale about finding the books after falling behind at school after heart surgery. “I had never read a full book before (outside of school) and the thought of reading was daunting. But I decided to give it a go. I slowly read the 1st book, which took me about 3 months (my reading and writing was still very behind back then) but I loved every word.”

Inspired, we also decided to take a little trip down memory lane and asked our followers for some of their memories too. We just simply can’t have enough of your stories! 

Susan on Facebook picked a favourite moment we’re sure you can relate to: “I was hooked from the first page but my favourite part is when Hagrid blasts the door open on that island shack, tells Harry he is a wizard and tells Dursley to go stuff it. Then off they go in that row-boat to the start of Harry's amazing new life.”

Laura on Instagram said: “I picked up my copy from a school car boot sale wen the third book had just been released and I got hooked on the magic. I found out years later this was a first edition.” 

Vale on Twitter said: “I was 7 years old when I found *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* under the Christmas tree. I read it during holidays, and I was so into it that I played scenes with my sister. We used what we had for costumes and props (magic wands were straws wrapped in aluminium paper.”

25 years on, and people still remember the exact moment they entered the wizarding world. Here’s to a very special silver anniversary – and onwards to the next! 

__Please note: the answers to this article have been edited for spelling/grammar/clarity.__

Pottermore Publishing and Ximalaya release the first Chinese versions of the Harry Potter audiobooks

WEB-NEWS-pottermore-publishing-ximalaya-release-first-chinese-versions-harry-potter-audiobooks

HP1-chinese-audiobook-jacket-illustration-title-crop-web-landscape

A colourful illustration of Harry Potter on platform nine and three-quarters looking happily at the Hogwarts Express. Ron and Hermione are in the distance with their trollies. The Sorting Hat, wizard chess board and flying key all feature.

pottermore-publishing-ximalaya-release-first-chinese-versions-harry-potter-audiobooks-text-section-1

Pottermore Publishing have collaborated with one of the world’s largest audiobook platforms, Shanghai-based Ximalaya, to create the first ever Chinese recordings of the Harry Potter stories. All seven books are set to be released starting with *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*, which was launched in full on the 21st June 2022, with the rest of the books set to follow in daily, episodic instalments.

Excitingly, these new audiobooks are the first time that the Harry Potter stories have been recorded with sound effects and a specially commissioned musical score. And if that’s not enough, these new versions, created by the critically acclaimed Voice Gem studio in Beijing, feature three voice actors that help to bring the stories to life. With a narrator and one voice actor each for the male and female characters, these are set to be dynamic retellings of these beloved books. 

This new project wouldn’t be complete without some stunning artwork either. Design house Daxi have risen to the challenge and created fantastic new jackets for each of the audiobooks. These illustrations have not only incorporated beautiful and traditional Chinese artistic principles but have also stayed true to the stories – as demonstrated in our sneak peek below.

HP1-chinese-audiobooks-jacket-artwork-web-square

pottermore-publishing-ximalaya-release-first-chinese-versions-harry-potter-audiobooks-text-section-2

As you can see, the artwork for *Philosopher’s Stone* includes the iconic Hogwarts Express, the golden trio as well as nods to key details within the book. From flying keys to wizard chess, to the Sorting Hat – there is no doubt that this cover has managed to capture the magic of the first story while maintaining a unique and innovative charm. 

It’s set to be an exciting time for Harry Potter fans in China! Following the release of the audiobook version of *Philosopher’s Stone*, fans can expect the immersive magic to continue with the rest of the stories until early spring 2023. 