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Sirius Black – role model or bad influence? The debate

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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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__And a friendly warning: this article does contain some big spoilers. If you’re good to go, lend us your (extendable) ears…__

## Sirius Black was an excellent role model
We think it’s pretty obvious that [Sirius Black](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sirius-black) was a role model. Fundamentally, he was a *good* person. He fought for what was right and was unafraid to stand against Voldemort. He joined the Order of the Phoenix not once, but twice. Despite being a pure-blood, he didn’t believe that he was superior to other witches, wizards and Muggles. He had a lot going for him and his well-placed morals were even more impressive if you think about the start that he had in life.

Sirius came from a family of pure-blood fanatics. Most of his family were Slytherins with ties to Dark magic. [Bellatrix Lestrange](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/bellatrix-lestrange) and [Narcissa Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/narcissa-malfoy) were his cousins and they both were intrinsically linked to Voldemort. His mother was clearly a bigot – her screaming portrait reminding us of that over and over again. Sirius had grown up in a house where vile views were the norm and those who didn’t buy into the family philosophy were cast out – as demonstrated by the burn marks on the Black family tapestry. However, Sirius refused to fall into line. 

Even as a teenager, Sirius firmly rejected his family’s views, and was kicked out of his home as a result. We shouldn’t underestimate how difficult that would have been: no teenager should be forced out into the world on their own. As Dumbledore says, ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends’. We reckon that sentiment extends to family too. These were the people that were supposed to take care of him, but even then he was willing to risk it all because he knew it was important to do what was right and not what was easy. His actions here are very much that of a role model.

Ok, so maybe there are a few not-so-great things that we need to address. It could be said that Sirius tended to be reckless – joining Harry at King’s Cross in his Animagus form could be seen as not an entirely wise choice. But he was human. He had been cooped up in [Grimmauld Place](/fact-file/locations/number-twelve-grimmauld-place) going increasingly stir crazy. He slipped up – but that should not mean that it negates all his other positives qualities. And surely, having a role model demonstrate that everybody can make mistakes is ultimately a good thing? Nobody is perfect and trying to be perfect will only cause you stress and heartache in the end.

And yes, there isn’t much of an excuse for how he joined in with the treatment of Severus Snape as a teenager. Yet, he was *also* a teenager and prone to poor judgement. The important thing was that he owned these mistakes later on, when Harry witnessed his actions through a Pensieve. 

But for all of Sirius’ faults, and Snape aside, there were plenty of examples of Padfoot embracing his friendly doggish ways and being caring and kind to others. The way he accepted Remus Lupin at school was a big testament to his character, for example. As a [werewolf](/fact-file/creatures/werewolf), a large chunk of the wizarding world would have rejected Remus – but Sirius embraced him for who he was, even becoming an Animagus along with James and Peter (a long, complicated and risky process!) to ensure that Remus would never have to endure the pain he experienced at the full moon alone again.

Then there was Sirius’ relationship with Harry. He was the father figure that Harry so desperately needed. For one of the first times in his life, Harry experienced what it was like to be unconditionally loved and that family doesn’t necessarily mean your blood relatives. Sirius also helped Harry navigate some complex emotions – remember how he spoke to Harry about how the world was not black and white? Or divided into good people and [Death Eaters](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/death-eaters)? That’s valuable advice from somebody who had experienced his fair share of horrors, but could clearly still find light in the world. Passing that advice down to Harry was so important.

Then there was his willingness to do anything for those that mattered to him. Some may argue that such a trait is reckless, but we think it’s pretty heroic. Those who call him irresponsible probably think he shouldn’t have raced to the Ministry of Magic when he learnt Harry had gone there on an ill-fated rescue mission. However, what did you expect him to do? His best friend’s son, his own godson, was in danger. Would Sirius have been able to forgive himself if Harry had come to any harm? These sorts of actions make it clear to see why Sirius was placed in Gryffindor. And that kind of love is something that we think should be admired.

Overall, there is no doubt that Sirius was a complex man. However, he was, at his core, a person worthy of being looked up to. He knew right from wrong, was willing to take risks, could see the nuances of the world and was unafraid to love fiercely. He might not have been perfect, but he was human and clearly showed that (in his own words) ‘We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on...that’s who we really are'.

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## Actually, Sirius Black was not that great a role model, when you think about it  
Ok, hear us out – by taking on the other side of this argument, this by no means is us saying that Sirius Black wasn’t a wonderful and captivating character, or that our hearts were not broken into a thousand little pieces when we lost him so early in the stories. We assure you, we were clutching our books in sheer devastation just like you. However, there were times in the books and films where the more rebellious side of Sirius could’ve put the young, impressionable Harry in even more danger than he already (frequently) found himself in. To Harry, Sirius was a remnant of the relationship he could’ve had with his dad, so of course Harry was more than happy to make dangerous choices with his newly found godfather! Harry, too, was a natural adventurer – just like Sirius’s old best friend. A fact not lost on Sirius, and a fact that maybe caused Sirius to be so reckless with Harry in the first place, just like he was with [James](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/james-potter). 

After the two become acquainted in *Prisoner of Azkaban*, there are numerous times where Sirius leads Harry (who lest we remind you is a young teenager at this point!) into troublesome scenarios. In *Goblet of Fire*, as a man on the run, Harry is often communicating with Sirius in risky ways – such as bringing him food on the outskirts of [Hogsmeade](/fact-file/locations/hogsmeade) or having frenzied secret meetings with him via Hogwarts fireplaces. Sure, Sirius was the one encouraging all of this, and the conversations were important ones, but by putting Harry in increasingly dicey situations, Sirius could’ve risked Harry getting in serious trouble at school – or indeed – got himself thrown back in [Azkaban](/fact-file/locations/azkaban), as Hermione is sure to point out.  

Things come to a head in *Order of the Phoenix*, after Lord Voldemort’s return, with Harry desperate for information during an infuriating, isolated summer at Privet Drive, designed for his own protection.  

All of these frustrations eventually culminate in Harry wanting to join the resurrected resistance group to fight the Dark Lord, the Order of the Phoenix – a group comprised of confidants of Albus Dumbledore, [Aurors](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/auror), teachers, and most importantly: adults. This request created a fascinating clash between Sirius, Harry’s living father figure, and Molly Weasley, who had acted as a surrogate mother to Harry since their first meeting. This exchange helps sum up our argument quite nicely…


‘He’s not a child!’ said Sirius impatiently.
‘He’s not an adult either!’ said Mrs Weasley, the colour rising in
her cheeks. ‘He’s not James, Sirius!’
‘I’m perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly,’ said Sirius coldly.
‘I’m not sure you are!’ said Mrs Weasley. ‘Sometimes, the way
you talk about him it’s as though you think you’ve got your best
friend back!’

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This blow from [Molly](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/molly-weasley) was quietly devastating– although Harry was happy to argue alongside Sirius – happy to be compared to his late father and to challenge Molly: “what’s wrong with that?” Molly’s retaliation was simple: Harry was merely 15 years old, asking to be initiated in an army fighting the Darkest wizard of all time – one that was intent on murdering Harry himself as part of his terrifying ascent. Call us squares, but Molly has a convincing point here! From a story-telling point of view, it is important that Harry was eventually able to remain privy to the Order’s meetings, but from a responsibility-of-care-point-of-view, Sirius was only encouraging Harry’s more dangerous instincts. At the time, Harry saw Molly as getting in the way, but can’t you see it all from her perspective? Why put this young teenage wizard, her son’s best friend, a crucial cog in this Wizarding War, in even more danger? And was Sirius inviting Harry into the Order for the right reasons, or did he just want his childhood best friend back? 

Although Sirius did offer sage, godfatherly advice to Harry, his rash decisions and, ahem, doggish personality caused more trouble than good – eventually leading to Sirius’s own tragic demise, and Harry blaming himself for it. If Sirius had only been less audacious, things might have turned out differently. But perhaps Harry Potter, James Potter’s son, was simply too much like his father for this pair to never not be enticed by mischief. 

***
So, there you have it. Two compelling arguments! But what do you think? Was Sirius Black Harry’s short-lived mentor, or too immature to take on fatherly duties? Join us next time for another wizarding world debate.


Make your own Christmas wrapping paper design with these Harry Potter themed potato stamps

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So, do you solemnly swear you are up to no... spud? (Sorry.)

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For more crafting fun and games, [try out some of our other tutorials.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/crafting-magic)

The festive Hogwarts quiz 

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The Festive Hogwarts Quiz 

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‘Tis the season for a good old fashioned Christmas quiz. Try out our latest trivia challenge all themed around the Christmasses of the Harry Potter books.

Some Harry Potter book quotes that celebrate winter

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## Defrosting broomsticks 

> As they entered November, the weather turned very cold. The mountains around the school became icy grey and the lake like chilled steel. Every morning the ground was covered in frost. Hagrid could be seen from the upstairs windows, defrosting broomsticks on the Quidditch pitch, bundled up in a long moleskin
overcoat, rabbit-fur gloves and enormous beaverskin boots.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* 

__While Muggles must contend with using their credit cards to shift ice from their Muggle car windshields, the wizarding world has similar frosty issues on their chosen mode of transport: broomsticks. Thankfully, Hogwarts has Hagrid, always dressed for all-elements...__
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## Professor Flitwick’s enviable Christmas decorating skills 

> Two weeks before the end of term, the sky lightened suddenly to a dazzling, opaline white and the muddy grounds were revealed one morning covered in glittering frost. Inside the castle, there
was a buzz of Christmas in the air. Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, had already decorated his classroom with shimmering lights that turned out to be real, fluttering fairies.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* 

__We love this description of the ‘opaline white’ sky that cascades over Hogwarts in this quote from Prisoner of Azkaban. And, naturally, Professor Flitwick is making the inside of the castle just as charming with some ingenious decorating ideas with the help of some fairies.__
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## The introduction of Hogsmeade 

> Hogsmeade looked like a Christmas card; the little thatched cottages and shops were all covered in a layer of crisp snow; there were holly wreaths on the doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging in the trees.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

__Thatched cottages! Snow everywhere! Enchanted candles in the trees! Everything about Hogsmeade just sounds so twee and festive, it makes us extra-livid that Uncle Vernon wouldn’t sign that pesky permission slip. Oh, to drop by the Three Broomsticks with a flagon of comforting Butterbeer.__
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## Drinking Butterbeer for the first time 

> Harry and Hermione made their way to the back of the room, where there was a small, vacant table between the window and a handsome Christmas tree which stood next to the fireplace. Ron came back five minutes later, carrying three foaming tankards of hot Butterbeer.<br>
> 
> ‘Happy Christmas!’ he said happily, raising his tankard.
>Harry drank deeply. It was the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted and >seemed to heat every bit of him from the inside.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

__Speaking of Butterbeer, the first time Harry drinks the comforting concoction made us extremely jealous. The way this warming beverage is described here puts it on a whole level beyond our Muggle hot chocolate. The Christmassy setting of the pub with the roaring fireplace just adds to the ambience too.__
<br>
## Fred and George: snowballing connoisseurs 

> Hermione ploughed her way back to Hagrid’s cabin through two feet of snow on Sunday morning. Harry and Ron wanted to go with her, but their mountain of homework had reached an alarming height again, so they remained grudgingly in the common room, trying to ignore the gleeful shouts drifting up from the grounds outside, where students were enjoying themselves skating on the frozen lake, tobogganing and, worst of all, bewitching snowballs to zoom up to Gryffindor Tower and rap hard on the windows.
> 
> ‘Oi!’ bellowed Ron, finally losing patience and sticking his head out of the window, ‘I am a prefect and if one more snowball hits this window – OUCH!’
> He withdrew his head sharply, his face covered in snow. ‘It’s Fred and George,’ he said bitterly, slamming the window behind him.
> ‘Gits …’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

__Ron may have thought his Prefect status in his fifth year would’ve earnt him a bit of respect in the family, but this simply gave the Weasley twins more ammunition to flout his authority. Still, what’s more winterry than a snowball in the face?__

__Of course, this was not the only time the Weasley twins got creative with the weather!__

## Throwing snowballs at Voldemort’s face

> “Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban.”
><br>*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

__This moment seems perfectly cheeky and innocent at first, but when we later learnt exactly what was inside Quirrell’s turban, we realised the Weasley twins were basically doing some extra-curricular Defence Against the Dark Arts!__

__And that's snow joke.__

The Christmas at Grimmauld Place wordsearch

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Can you find all the words related to Harry's fifth wizarding world Christmas?

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*If you're enjoying our puzzles, look out for more in our [Potter Puzzles hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles). If you have our app, you can play regular challenges in our app feed.*

Sydney to put on Harry Potter-themed festive light display

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With a wave of the wand, one Muggle home in the Australian suburbs will transform into a spellbinding display of festive splendour, bringing the magic of Hogwarts to life with some beautiful arranged Christmas lights.

On the streets of Ramsgate Beach, just in time for the holiday season, the Harry Potter Christmas Lights house is surrounded by some of Sydney's brightest street and a must-see on Sydney’s Christmas lights trail this year.  

Sydney Harry Potter Christmas Lights

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Visitors will delight in much-loved elements from the Harry Potter stories, with everything from floating candles, Patronus animals, glowing Golden Snitches, Christmas trees adorned in Hogwarts house colours, Thestrals pulling the carriage on the roof, and even five Dobbys hidden amongst the decorations for fans to find.

To top things off, watch out for a huge Whomping Willow tree in the yard! As such, be careful where you park your car.  

Sasha Mackie, Senior Director, Marketing of Warners Bros. Discovery, described the event as a "must-visit display". 

“Whether you’re a lifelong fan or looking for a new Christmas tradition, our magical Harry Potter Christmas Lights house is a must-visit display and something everyone can enjoy. The Harry Potter Christmas Lights house will be lighting up every night from now until 26th December, giving fans and families enough time to visit Sydney with their wands (and cameras) in hand to experience the magic this Christmas.”  

The arrival of the Harry Potter Christmas Light house in Sydney is the latest drop of magic to make its way to Australian shores, following the four-year spell of *Harry Potter & The Cursed Child* at the Princess Theatre and the recently announced Forbidden Forest, coming to Melbourne in 2024.

__The details for the Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights are below__ 

• What: The Harry Potter Christmas House <br>
• Where: 30 Alfred Street, Ramsgate Beach in Sydney <br>
• When: Wednesday 13 to Tuesday 26 December, from 7:30pm daily <br>
• Cost: Free

New interactive art experience Harry Potter: Visions of Magic casts a spell in Germany

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From today, Harry Potter fans are invited to 'illuminate the invisible', with curious wizarding world locations recreated in a series of beautiful tableaus and atmospheric arrangements. 

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Opening today until June next year, the experience promises to be a one-of-a-kind affair, using immersive art instalments to tell the stories of Harry Potter with bold architecture and original soundscapes. There are even interactive elements, where you'll be invited to illuminate your own visions.

This week, a group of lucky visitors (including Harry Potter royalty, the Weasley twins, AKA James and Oliver Phelps) got to experience the space for the first time, where displays focused on key iconography from the wizarding world, from Daily Prophet covers, to the enigmatic Black family tapestry, to the glowing purple brilliance of the Knight Bus. 

The twins were even treated to a spellbinding fireworks display, extremely reminiscent of the explosive works of [Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!](https://www.wizardingworld.com/fact-file/locations/weasleys-wizard-wheezes)

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Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President for Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, described the experience as "absolutely spectacular".

"Harry Potter fans in Germany are about to experience something absolutely spectacular and unlike anything they’ve seen from our iconic franchise,” he said. 

“This experience harnesses the best of art and technology and brings them together in a unique way that will allow fans to explore elements and locations of the Wizarding World that have never been seen in a touring experience.” 

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*Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is open until 2nd June, 2024. [Visit the website to check ticket information or join waiting lists.](https://harrypottervisionsofmagic.ticketmaster.de/)*

Five festive things you can do at the Harry Potter New York store

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**Update: Get your wands ready, because a VIP experience is opening at the New York Store on the 11th and 14th December! You'll be able to beat the crowds and enter the store earlier, get personalised shopping bags, and much more. [Take a look before tickets snap up](https://www.viator.com/en-GB/tours/New-York-City/Exclusive-Harry-Potter-New-York-Store-VIP-Shopping-Experience/d687-425922P5)!**

![HPNY-promotional-asset-VIP-shopping-exp](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/3OdE4KOn3qovzJk2I3fUGp/f192ffb9a108404796f7495d2fdf1db2/HPNY_VIP-story_final-72-.jpg)

Harry Potter New York is no ordinary shop. Set over two floors, it has the largest amount of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products in one place making it *the* shop for any Harry Potter fan. And at Christmas, the magic reaches a whole new level...

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The Harry Potter New York window display. The window says Happy Christmas Harry. The mannequins are wearing different Christmas themed tops and a Weasley jumper.

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## Admire the Christmas window…
First things first, you don’t even need to step into the store for the Christmas joy to start. That begins with the window displays which are transformed for the festive season. All along 22nd St, fans can admire a snow-covered Hogwarts castle and grounds with special Christmas products proudly displayed amongst the wintry scene. Once you cross the threshold into the store, the windows are transformed to capture the glow of Hogwarts at Christmas. Remember to keep an eye out for Harry Potter taking a moment to warm himself by the fire in the Great Hall.


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The inside of the Harry Potter New York window display with a mannequin wearing Christmas jumper and a pile of presents.

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## There’s a perfect gift for everyone…
It can be so hard to find the perfect gift for your nearest and dearest at Christmas (you don’t *really* want to get yet another ‘World’s best dad’ mug for your father). Luckily for you, with over 15 different themed areas Harry Potter New York leaves you spoilt for choice. From stocking fillers to showstoppers, there is something for everyone whether that’s a toy or game for a child (or grownup) in your life or an Azkaban inspired gift for a special Dark Arts fan. You can even pick up a Christmas tree ornament or stocking for yourself thanks to the special holiday range of products. Best of all, at this flagship store you can find products not available for purchase anywhere else – we especially like the look of the Harry Potter New York Fawkes Hoodie

If you want to get a little more personal, head over to the Things That Must Not Be Named section of the store where you can get everything from journals, robes and even wands personalised with a name of your choice.


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The Harry Potter New York Christmas window display. The mannequin is wearing a Christmas top, holding a cushion and carrying a wand. The display features Hogwarts castle and trees and a variety of products from a Hedwig toy to socks.

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## Choose your perfect wand (or will it choose you?) …
Speaking of wands, you can’t visit a store all about Harry Potter and not go and visit the wand section. In fact, we think that after buying everyone else Christmas goodies you should buy yourself a little treat – you deserve it. This area has been inspired by Ollivanders and contains over fifty different wands that have been influenced by characters, locations and props from the Wizarding World. There’s even a Griffin Stairwell wand exclusive to the store.

And if you look between the piles of wand boxes, you’ll spot some digital windows that show you a magical forest that changes throughout the day and reflects the seasons (just imagine how glorious it will look at during the festive period). If you keep an eye out, you might even spot some familiar Patronuses – including Dumbledore’s Phoenix. 


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A photo of the griffin in the Harry Potter New York store. The griffin is the same as the one outside Dumbledore's office and is at the top of the stairs.

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## Pose for some fun photos…
Harry Potter New York is more than the products on its shelves – it’s an experience. Everything in the store has been carefully designed with thoughtful details so you can fully immerse yourself. There are so many fan favourite moments from the stories that you can spot as you make your way around the store. There are even authentic props from the movies. With so much detail, there are plenty of opportunities to snap a few photos. You can stand in the Atrium of Awe and admire the Griffin that guards Dumbledore’s office (interestingly the Griffin in the store is cast from the original prop seen in the films). You can also pose in a London phone box like the one outside the Ministry of Magic. You also wouldn’t want to leave without getting a picture of the huge floating model of Fawkes the Phoenix which was handcrafted by propmakers in the UK and weighs over 100kgs! 

![HPNY-phoenix-floating](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/2EvWJKCaxQzKiKkVHs4NWc/0096468ddf547e613738b1d62eb1cf0e/_A7_0819.jpeg)

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## Check out the Butterbeer bar…
Once you have found your perfect wand, done all your Christmas shopping and taken a photo or two (or fifty), remember to visit the Butterbeer bar. If you are old enough, place your order under the cascading bottles of Butterbeer – each of them adorned with a collectible label created by MinaLima and watch as the bottles glow. Speaking of MinaLima, you can also find a bottled Butterbeer label exclusively designed for the New York store. Inspired by the Magical Congress of the United States of America, the label contains deep reds, whites and blues – a bit like the U.S. flag. And the fun doesn’t stop there – spotted something whizzing above your head? That will be the Butterbeer that soars across the ceiling through the network of copper pipes as Butterbeer bottles rise up from the floor and float across the bar. Oh, and don’t forget to take your souvenir tankard! 

***
We don’t know about you, but thinking about all the things you can do at Harry Potter New York has left us feeling rather Christmassy! You can find all the information you need for your festive visit on their [website](https://www.harrypotterstore.com).
