Wizarding World Homepage

Lord Voldemort's many names and their meanings

PMARCHIVE-The different meanings behind Lord Voldemort’s many names

PMARCHIVE-Voldemort WB F7 VoldemortStaringAheadAtTheMalfoyManor Still 080615 Land 185eblU13sk8iyaYskmo2Y

Voldemort WB F7 VoldemortStaringAheadAtTheMalfoyManor Still 080615 Land

Voldemort stares ahead while in Malfoy Manor in a film still from the Deathly Hallows Part .

Ironically, He Who Must Not Be Named has quite a few names. Join us as we investigate the meaning behind each of Lord Voldemort's many titles.

Discovering the truth behind Lord Voldemort's many names | Wizarding World

PMARCHIVE-Voldemort WB F5 VoldemortInMinistryOfMagic Still 080615 Land 6YmafSb4eQk4eIK2oQGEQs-b5

Voldemort WB F5 VoldemortInMinistryOfMagic Still 080615 Land

Voldemort holding his wand in the Ministry of Magic from the Order of the Phoneix 

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-different-meanings-behind-lord-voldemorts-many-names-0

Harry’s introduction to the artist formerly known as Tom Riddle came from Hagrid, but with most of the wizarding world refusing to discuss the self-styled Lord Voldemort, it was Dumbledore who first named him for us.

‘It all gets so confusing if we keep saying “You- Know-Who”. I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemort’s name,’ he told [Professor McGonagall](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/professor-mcgonagall) at the beginning of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.* Later he explained to Harry: ‘Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.’

PMARCHIVE-lord-voldemort-harry-potter-illustrated 3YDkSTMzD8QOVOM05QlmA3-b1

lord-voldemort-harry-potter-illustrated

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-different-meanings-behind-lord-voldemorts-many-names-2

As feats of defiance go it might seem a small thing, but given that inciting fear was a key Voldemort tactic, Dumbledore’s casual treatment carried a certain kind of resistance. But if Dumbledore’s resistance was, at least initially, subtle, Voldemort’s was definitely not... 

## Tom Riddle

Tom Riddle inherited little from his witch mother and even less from the Muggle father he would go on to kill. One exception, of course, was the name given to him. Even from an early age, Riddle took against this. ‘There are a lot of Toms,’ he told Dumbledore, irritably, in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*. The traditional Aramaic meaning of Tom is ‘twin,’ and as Tom Marvolo Riddle was such a singular character perhaps it’s not surprising he disliked his common first name.

PMARCHIVE-TheRiddleHouse PM B4C1M1 RiddleHouseExteriorAtNight Moment 5qw0xpbFhmKEA2guOGI8q0-b11

TheRiddleHouse PM B4C1M1 RiddleHouseExteriorAtNight Moment

The outside of the Riddle's house at night from the Goblet of Fire.

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-different-meanings-behind-lord-voldemorts-many-names-4

Still, when Riddle arrived at Hogwarts it was his mother, Merope Gaunt, who was the focus of most of his disdain. Discovering it was actually Merope who gave him his magical heritage doesn’t seem to have done much to soften Riddle’s attitude towards her, but his response to the revelation that his father was a Muggle was absolute. Dumbledore believed it was this discovery that led him to assume the identity of Lord Voldemort.

Riddle’s dislike of his name shows how he held himself apart, even as a child. It continued at Hogwarts, where he rejected every aspect of his own story – except for the parts that suited him. After all, it was by mixing his wizarding and Muggle names that he created his new moniker: ‘Tom Marvolo Riddle’, becoming ‘I am Lord Voldemort’.

## Lord Voldemort

Lord Voldemort was everything Tom Riddle was not. Choosing to style himself as a Lord was a bold move, but from the outset it gave [Voldemort an identity](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/things-you-may-not-have-noticed-about-lord-voldemort) that was far from common.

PMARCHIVE-Voldemort WB F8 VoldemortAndDeathEatersInForbiddenForest Still 080615 Land 33XHb09K64cAYMqME4y4yq-b5

Voldemort WB F8 VoldemortAndDeathEatersInForbiddenForest Still 080615 Land

Voldemort and his Death Eaters in the Forbidden Forrest from The Deathly Hallows 

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-different-meanings-behind-lord-voldemorts-many-names-6

That new identity was also original, based as it was on Riddle’s given names. J.K. Rowling has said that she invented the name Voldemort, and its French origins – ‘vol’ means, variously, ‘flight’ or ‘theft’; ‘de’ means ‘of’ or ‘from’; and ‘mort’ means ‘death’ – give it a sinister backstory entirely in keeping with Voldemort’s image. Whether his name was intended to foreshadow his attempts to fly from death or not, it’s ‘mort’ that’s the crucial bit. With his army of Death Eaters and his disregard for the lives of people who stood in his way, Voldemort was all about death. 

## He Who Must Not Be Named/ You-Know-Who/ The Dark Lord

Considering how much thought he put into it, Voldemort’s name wasn’t actually used that much. Even 11 years after his apparent defeat, Hagrid struggled to voice it, saying: ‘Gulpin’ gargoyles, Harry, people are still scared.’

PMARCHIVE-Voldemort WB F8 VoldemortSqueezingHarrysFace Still 080615 Land 4nhA6IYBjWgAmSOMI00Ace

Voldemort WB F8 VoldemortSqueezingHarrysFace Still 080615 Land

Voldemort grabbing Harry's face in the Deathly Hallows part 2

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-different-meanings-behind-lord-voldemorts-many-names-8

He wasn’t the only one. Ron’s reaction to hearing Harry say ‘Voldemort’ shows how widespread the practise of not using it had become – so much so, Harry felt it as a sign of his ignorance.

> ‘I’m not trying to be brave or anything, saying the name,’ said Harry. ‘I just never knew you shouldn’t…’ 
> Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

So Voldemort gained new aliases: He Who Must Not Be Named, You-Know-Who, The Dark Lord (apparently even Voldemort’s followers were scared to say it). It seems Dumbledore’s words to Harry – about fear of a name increasing fear of the thing itself – were true for most of the wizarding world.

Not Dumbledore, though. In Voldemort’s presence, he insisted on calling him Tom Riddle, subtly reminding the Dark Lord of his past. But when talking to others, it was always Voldemort. In doing so, he forced people to face the truth: that Voldemort remained a man of humble origins even if he was also a dangerous, Dark wizard.

PMARCHIVE-WB F5 Dumbledore wand HP5D-15966 3YDkSTMzD8QOVOM05QlmA3-b9

WB F5 Dumbledore wand HP5D-15966

PMARCHIVE-BODY-OF-the-different-meanings-behind-lord-voldemorts-many-names-10

Harry never saw the sense in avoiding Voldemort’s name either, but it was only when others used it – like Hermione, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – that it became noticeable just how unusual Dumbledore and Harry were. But, of course, Dumbledore was right: if everybody had said the name freely then Voldemort would never have been able to use it to track his enemies, as with the Taboo in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.*

Using his own name to trap those working against him must have given the former Tom Riddle a twisted satisfaction. And yet, while it did lead to Harry’s capture, the Taboo also showed Voldemort’s motivation had never changed. As a commonly-named child in a Muggle orphanage he’d longed to stand out; as the Dark Lord of the wizarding world he wanted much the same thing.

The different meanings behind Lord Voldemort’s many names

Discover the films

Wizarding World Image Crediting

to Fantastic Beasts

Complete the quote quiz: Queenie Goldstein edition

WEB-QUIZ-complete-the-quote-quiz-queenie-edition

PMARCHIVE-FB WB Queenie Goldstein at Dinner Table Set with Candles 2Aus3hhImAsg0Qa86uwaqE

Queenie Goldstein sits at the dinner table in candlelight

FB WB Queenie Goldstein at Dinner Table Set with Candles

Queenie Goldstien rests her chin on her hand as she sits at a candlelit dinner table 

complete-the-quote-quiz-queenie-edition-text-section-1

Good luck!

<div class="quizz-container" data-width="100%" data-iframe-title="QUIZ: Complete the quote quiz: Queenie Goldstein edition" data-height="auto" data-quiz="487016"data-networks="none"></div>
<script src="//dcc4iyjchzom0.cloudfront.net/widget/loader.js" async></script>

Your wand has chosen you – but what does it mean?

WEB-FEATURE-what-does-your-wand-say-about-you

HP-F5-weasleys-wands-da-web-header

Your wand has chosen you, but what does it mean? Discover how rare your wand type is, and what the core and wood say about you. 

What does your Harry Potter Wand say about you? | Wizarding World

wand-right-for-you-text-section-1

First things first, if you haven’t yet discovered your wand, [here’s a link ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/discover-your-wand-on-pottermore) to our test written by J.K. Rowling. And remember... the wand chooses you, not the other way around. 

Now you’ve discovered your personal wand, just like Harry did in Mr Ollivander’s shop in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, you most likely want to find out a bit more about what your wand type would mean for you in the wizarding world… 

## The most common core and wood combinations among Harry Potter fans

1.	Unicorn core and sycamore wood – most common 
2.	Unicorn core and laurel wood 
3.	Dragon core and sycamore wood 
4.	Phoenix core and sycamore wood 
5.	Unicorn core and alder wood 
6.	Unicorn core and vine wood 
7.	Phoenix core and laurel wood 
8.	Dragon core and laurel wood 
9.	Unicorn core and redwood 
10.	Unicorn core and hazel wood 

## The rarest core and wood combinations among Harry Potter fans

1.	Phoenix and poplar 
2.	Dragon and poplar 
3.	Unicorn and poplar 

## Ollivander uses three cores, which does your wand have?

Mr Ollivander used only three substances for wand cores. Three he deemed of enough quality to give the illustrious name of Ollivander: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring and phoenix feather. 

### Unicorn hair

__Wizarding world characters who share this core: Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory__

If your wand is unicorn hair, this core, according to [Ollivander’s notes](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/wand-cores), ‘generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. They are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. The most [faithful of all wands](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/how-loyal-is-a-wand-to-a-wizard), they usually remain attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch of wizard. Minor disadvantages of a unicorn hair core are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may “die” and need replacing.’ 

### Dragon heartstring

__Wizarding world characters who share this core: Hermione Granger, Bellatrix Lestrange, Viktor Krum__

If your wand is dragon heartstring, this core as a rule produces ‘wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be the easiest to turn to the [Dark Arts](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/dark-arts), though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.’ 

### Phoenix feather

__Wizarding world characters who share this core: Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, [Silvanus Kettleburn](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/into-the-pensieve-silvanus-kettleburn)__

This is the rarest core type of our Wizarding World fans, and in the wizarding world itself: ‘Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this.

They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.'

HP-F8-ollivander-wand-02672A

wand-right-for-you-text-section-2

## What type of wood is your wand made from?

These are the top ten wand woods from those who have discovered their wands through WizardingWorld.com (and previously on Pottermore). If your wand wood doesn’t make it on to this list don’t worry – [you can read all about the types of wood in full here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/wand-woods)

__Sycamore – most popular__

•	A questing wand; eager for new experience and loses brilliance if engaged in the mundane. 
•	May burst into flame if allowed to become ‘bored’. 
•	Ideal owner is curious, vital and adventurous. 
•	When paired with its ideal owner, it demonstrates a capacity to learn and adapt that earns it a rightful place among the world’s most highly-prized wand woods. 

__Laurel – 2nd most popular__

•	It is said that a laurel wand cannot perform a dishonourable act, although Ollivander has known them to perform powerful and sometimes lethal magic in the quest for glory. 
•	Seems unable to tolerate laziness in a possessor, and in such conditions, it is most easily and willingly worn away. 
•	Otherwise it will cleave happily to its first match forever and can issue a spontaneous lightning strike if another witch or wizard attempts to steal it. 

__Alder – 3rd most popular__

•	Although an unyielding wood, its ideal owner is helpful, considerate and likeable. 
•	When happily placed, an alder wand becomes a magnificent, loyal helpmate. 
•	Best suited to non-verbal spell work, whence comes its reputation for being suitable only for the most advanced witches and wizards.
 

__Hazel – 4th most popular__

•	A sensitive wand, hazel often reflects its owner’s emotional state and works best for a master who understands and can manage their own feelings. 
•	Capable of outstanding magic in the hands of the skilful. 
•	So devoted to its owner that it often ‘wilts’ at the end of its master’s life – if the core is also unicorn hair, the wand will almost certainly completely ‘die’. 
•	Hazel wands have the unique ability to detect water underground. 

__Vine – 5th most popular__

•	Owners are nearly always those who seek a greater purpose, who have a vision beyond the ordinary and who frequently astound those who think they know them best. 
•	Vine wands seem strongly attracted to personalities with hidden depths and are more sensitive than any other when it comes to instantly detecting a prospective match. 
•	Reliable sources claim that vine wands emit magical effects upon the mere entrance into their room of a suitable owner. 

__Redwood – 6th most popular__

•	Wand-quality redwood has a reputation for bringing good fortune to its owner – however, according to Ollivander, this is the wrong way around. 
•	Redwood wands are strongly attracted to those who already possess the admirable ability to fall on their feet, to make the right choice and to snatch advantage from catastrophe. 
•	Ollivander generally expects to hear of exciting things when such a person is paired with a redwood wand. 

__Beech – 7th most popular__

•	If you are young, you will be best suited to a beech core if you are wise beyond your years. 
•	If you are fully grown, you will be best suited to beech if you are rich in understanding and experience. 
•	Beech wands perform very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant. 
•	When properly matched, beech is capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in other woods.

__Maple – 8th most popular__

•	Those chosen by maple wands are often travellers and explorers by nature. 
•	Maple wands are not stay-at-home wands, and prefer ambition in their owners, otherwise their magic grows heavy and lacklustre. 
•	Fresh challenges and regular changes of scene cause this wand to literally shine, burnishing itself as it grows with its partner in ability and status. 
•	Possession of a maple wand has long been a mark of status, because of its reputation as the wand of high achievers.

__Rowan – 9th most popular__

•	Rowan is reputed to be more protective than any other wand, and renders all manner of defensive charms especially strong and difficult to break. 
•	It is commonly stated that no Dark witch or wizard ever owned a rowan wand – and Ollivander cannot recall one of his rowan wands going out to do evil in the world. 
•	Wands of rowan wood are most happily placed with the clear-headed and the pure-hearted. 
•	However, this reputation for virtue ought not to fool anyone – these wands are the equal of any, often the better, and frequently out-perform others in duels. 

__Cypress – 10th most popular__

•	Cypress wands are associated with nobility. 
•	The great medieval wandmaker, Geraint Ollivander, wrote that he was always honoured to match a cypress wand, for he knew he was meeting a witch or wizard who would die a heroic death. 
•	Fortunately, in less bloodthirsty times, the possessors of cypress wands are rarely called upon to lay down their lives, though doubtless many of them would do so if required. 
•	Wands of cypress find their soulmates among the brave, the bold and the self-sacrificing: those who are unafraid to confront the shadows in their own and others’ natures. 

## A note on the rarest wood amongst Wizarding World fans

__Poplar – rarest__

•	‘If you seek integrity, search first among the poplars’, was a great maxim of Ollivander’s grandfather, and his grandson reports that his own experience tallies exactly with this impression. 
•	Poplar is a wand to rely upon – of consistency, strength and uniform power. 
•	This wand wood is always happiest when working with those of clear moral vision. 

__Something to keep in mind:__ ‘Every single wand is [unique](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/wand-lengths-and-flexibility) and will depend for its character on the particular tree and magical creature from which it derives its materials.

Moreover, each wand, from the moment it finds its ideal owner, will begin to learn from and teach its human partner.’ [Therefore, as J.K. Rowling reminds us through Ollivander](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/mr-ollivander), these notes ‘should be regarded very much as a starting point, for this is the study of a lifetime, and I continue to learn with every wand I make and match.’

Ranked: The best Harry Potter mysteries 

WEB-FEATURE-ranked-the-best-harry-potter-mysteries

WB-F2-chamber-of-secrets-harry-in-chamber

ranked-best-harry-potter-mysteries-text-section-1

__Oh, and we should probably mention we’re in spoiler territory for the seven books here.__

## Who opened the Chamber of Secrets?

In only Harry’s second year, his life at Hogwarts turned much darker when the castle was suddenly plagued with random attacks. A blood-strewn wall bearing the words “enemies of the heir beware” added to the mystery, as did the whereabouts of the elusive Chamber of Secrets. Not to mention the identity of the terrifying creature that was Petrifying Muggle-born students. It came down to one word from Hermione (who herself had been Petrified) for Harry to finally understand: pipes. Only Hermione could solve such a mystery while not even conscious.

__The most shocking part: When Tom Riddle held Ginny Weasley captive.__

WB-HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-harry-on-slytherin-statue

ranked-best-harry-potter-mysteries-text-section-2

## Who put Harry’s name in the Goblet of Fire?

On Hallowe’en night, Harry was faced with something far scarier than ghosts and ghouls: he found himself the fourth champion of the legendary Triwizard Tournament. But with an Aging Line around the Goblet of Fire in place, forbidding students under 17 to take part, how on earth did Harry get wrapped up in this one? Alas, this mystery had one of the darkest endings yet, with Harry’s placement in the treacherous competition all part of an elaborate plot by He Who Must Not Be Named and his followers, with poor Cedric Diggory caught up in the crossfire.

__The most shocking part: Realising that Mad-Eye Moody was not who he seemed to be.__

WB-HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-cedric-puts-name-in-cup

ranked-best-harry-potter-mysteries-text-section-3

## The Deathly Hallows

That odd, triangular symbol (that we know all too well now) would be a pivotal image in the seventh book, symbolising a great legend from an old childrens' story found in *The Tales of Beedle the Bard*. As it turned out, this fairy tale was actually true.

Yes, that mysterious icon adorned by Luna’s father, Xenophillius, actually represented the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Cloak of Invisibility, the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand. Harry would come into possession of all three of them at certain points – and we soon realised that he already one (the Invisibility Cloak) from the very beginning. This is one mystery that paved the path for another – after discovering the Deathly Hallows were real, how could Harry use them in the fight against Voldemort?

__The most shocking part: When Harry used the Resurrection Stone to summon some very important people...__

PMARCHIVE-XenophiliusLovegood WB F7 XenophiliusHoldingDeathlyHallowsPendant Still 100615 Land 3Pde7VNrLG2gWi4AKg0kcw

XenophiliusLovegood WB F7 XenophiliusHoldingDeathlyHallowsPendant Still 100615 Land

Xenophilius Lovegood holding his Deathly Hallows Pendant.

ranked-best-harry-potter-mysteries-text-section-4

## The Philosopher’s Stone 

Right from the first book, a young Harry already had a mystery to solve, and we’re not talking about what happens if you add powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood. 

What was that mysterious package Hagrid got out of Gringotts? Why is it being kept at Hogwarts? Oh, and okay, what is the Philosopher’s Stone? And who is trying to get it? Thankfully, Harry wasn’t alone in trying to suss everything out, with Ron and Hermione on hand to wade through all these questions together. This mystery had everything: red herrings, (when they thought Snape wanted the Philosopher’s Stone) obstacles (a three-headed one, in particular) and a face-off (two faces, actually) between Harry and Lord Voldemort. For an eleven-year-old in his first Hogwarts year, Harry was already off to a flying start.

__The most shocking part: Finding out what was inside Professor Quirrell’s turban...__

WB-HP-F1-philosophers-stone-harry-library

ranked-best-harry-potter-mysteries-text-section-5

## Harry’s dreams 

Harry spent a lot of *Order of the Phoenix* angry. Angry about the events of *Goblet of Fire*, angry he was being kept away from news about Voldemort, angry that Dementors attacking Privet Drive somehow meant he ended up facing expulsion at Hogwarts. To make matters worse, he started experiencing frustrating dreams, often going down a dark corridor to a closed door. Little did Harry know that these were not just dreams, but visions of Lord Voldemort’s mind connected to his – and that door would only open up more questions.

__The most shocking part: Nagini’s attack on Arthur Weasley from Harry’s point of view.__

WB-HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-arthur-attacked-by-nagini-at-ministry

ranked-best-harry-potter-mysteries-text-section-6

## Who is the Half-Blood Prince?

Harry’s sixth adventure was all about delving into the history of Lord Voldemort, although he also ended up learning about the past of another key character.

In between Pensieve sessions with Albus Dumbledore, Harry suddenly found himself excelling in Potions thanks to the helpful scribbles inside an old, battered textbook, owned by one ‘Half-Blood Prince’. Despite Ginny’s (correct) advice not to trust a strange book – or Hermione’s (correct) suspicions of the Prince’s intentions – Harry came to find a kinship with the Half-Blood Prince, making it all the more of a shock when it turned out to be his despised teacher, Severus Snape. 

__The most shocking part: When Harry used one of the Half-Blood Prince’s curses on Malfoy with disastrous results.__

WB-HP-F6-half-blood-prince-snape-harry-draco-attacked-bathroom-with-sectumsempra

ranked-best-harry-potter-mysteries-text-section-7

## Voldemort’s Horcruxes 

We learnt about Horcruxes in the sixth book, but the real hunt to find them started in *Deathly Hallows*. After learning that Voldemort had mastered the deeply twisted art of splitting his soul into various objects and beings, Harry, Ron and Hermione went on a desperate to mission to locate and destroy them. But how on earth do you even begin? We can barely find our keys on most days of the week. 

Suffice to say, this hunt took the trio into some very dark places, both literally and emotionally. We were a long way away from playing chess matches and evading three-headed dogs now.

__The most shocking part: finding out what that final Horcrux was...__

What was your favourite Harry Potter mystery?

WB-HP-F7-deathly-hallows-slytherin-locket-horcrux

Slytherin's locket lies on the floor among grass and dead leaves.

Celebrate Slytherin pride

Slytherin House Pride Homepage Takeover (1)

homepage-sorting-image-slytherin-new

The best of Back to Hogwarts 2022

WEB-NEWS-best-of-back-to-hogwarts-2022

BTH-2022-fans-with-giant-bloomsbury-books

back-to-hogwarts-2022-text-section

It's been emotional! 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/3sDMDNCqqok?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Be sure to check out all of our other [Back to Hogwarts updates over at our official page.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/back-to-hogwarts-2022)

Dark Arts returns to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for 2022 

WEB-NEWS-studio-tour-dark-arts-2022

WBSTL-dark-arts-2022-death-eaters

wbstl-dark-arts-2022-text-section-1

From Friday 23rd September to Sunday 6th November, fans stopping by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will be in for a fright, as the regular Dark Arts feature returns for a new year.

WBSTL-dark-arts-2022-great-hall

WBSTL-2022-dark-arts-great-hall

wbstl-dark-arts-2022-text-section-2

In the Great Hall set, over 100 floating pumpkins will decorate the scene, with each Jack-o-Lantern face individually carved by the talented Prop Making Department.  You can also expect a traditional fare of red apples and cauldrons filled with lollipops to complete the spooky aesthetic. 

wbstl-dark-arts-2022-text-section-3

New for the tour this year, you can discover the secrets of Professor Lupin’s Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons, learning the magic behind the Boggart-banishing charm Riddikulus, and even check out Neville’s grandmother’s iconic vulture hat, as modelled by Professor Snape in *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, to the delight of us all. 

But, as ever with Hallowe’en, alongside the treats there will always be tricks. Be wary as you walk through the Studio Tour’s sets, as Death Eaters will be present – ready to keep you on your toes with some menacing wand moves and dressed in the traditional dark robes and masks you’ll remember from the films. There’ll even be an opportunity to duel with the Death Eaters, using moves as choreographed by Paul Harris, who perfected the combat scenes during the Battle of Hogwarts in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.* 

wbstl-dark-arts-2022-pumpkins

wbstl-dark-arts-2022-text-section-4

You’ll also spot Lord Voldemort’s symbol projected throughout the Studio Tour for you to discover during your visit. Look out for the Dark Mark between the imposing trees of the Forbidden Forest or hidden within the turrets of the enchanting Hogwarts Castle model.

For those not afraid of a sticky situation, you’ll also get to observe some of the more disgusting elements of the wizarding world, as Studio Tour interactors will tell you the secrets behind the making of unicorn blood, troll snot and even the drool of Fluffy the three-headed dog. 

And if all that isn’t enough for the most dedicated of Hallowe’en lovers, the Studio Tour will also be reigniting its “Hogwarts After Dark” events on the 5th, 6th and 7th of October, where guests will be invited to a delicious feast, canapes and special potion-esque cocktails to really get into the spooky mood. And a Dark Arts evening truly wouldn’t be complete without a jaunt through the Forbidden Forest set where you’ll bump into Aragog and Buckbeak along the way. But don’t get too comfortable, for the Death Eaters will also be stalking these special evenings too...

Check out the [Studio Tour’s official website](https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/whats-on/dark-arts/) to learn more about this year’s festivities. 

Cursed Child celebrates 7 year anniversary: your latest updates on all territories 

WEB-NEWS-cursed-child-anniversary-2022

cursed-child-san-fran-albus-scorpius

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

cursed-child-2022-anniversary-text-section-1

As *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* enjoys its latest worldwide anniversary, you can watch the various actors who play Harry Potter across the world get ready for their shows in this new montage. Take a look at all the current Harrys, as seen in London, New York, San Francisco, Melbourne, Hamburg, Toronto and Tokyo right here. 

Seven Harrys | Cursed Child 2022 Anniversary

cursed-child-video-seven-harrys

HPCC-seven-harrys-anniversary-thumbnail

cursed-child-2022-anniversary-text-section-2

This weekend marks seven years since the award-winning production first opened in London’s West End, and since then, *Cursed Child* has been making waves across the globe, including new shows opening in Japan and Canada this year.

Alas, as some doors open, some must close, as it was revealed this week that the production of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* in San Francisco is set to close 11th September, marking the show as the longest-running play in the history of the city. 

‘We are extremely proud of our San Francisco production,’ said producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender. ‘To be the longest running play in the city is an amazing achievement. We would like to thank all our cast, company and creative team for getting us to this incredible milestone. There is a rich culture of arts and theatre here, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to San Francisco audiences for embracing our play.’

To commemorate the closure, the San Francisco production will be putting on extra performances of the show, so fans who haven’t had a chance to see it yet can snap up tickets. [You can learn more about that from the official website.](https://sf.harrypottertheplay.com/)

Elsewhere, productions of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* continue to cast their spell globally, currently playing to sold-out audiences at the Palace Theatre, London, UK; at the Lyric Theatre, New York, US; at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, Canada; and at the TBS Akasaka ACT Theatre, Tokyo, Japan. The play has also broken records as the longest running play in Australia and Hamburg at the Princess theatre, Melbourne, Australia; and at the Mehr! Theater, Hamburg, Germany respectively. 

In fact, *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* has now been seen by over 5 million people worldwide. Have you immersed yourself in the eighth story yet? 

You can learn more about the play, including character guides, quizzes and behind-the-scenes videos at our [Cursed Child hub.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/cursed-child-collection)