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Your Wizarding World: Q&A with Sean Biggerstaff 

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

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and the Philosopher's Stone 

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Sean Biggerstaff had an absolute ball playing Oliver Wood (pun absolutely intended) – and as it’s the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone film’s 20th anniversary, we asked Sean 20 questions about his time working on Harry Potter, what it feels like to ‘play’ Quidditch – and how he once did a line reading for Tom Riddle, AKA Lord Voldemort.

Take a look. 

## 1. Firstly, how does it feel knowing Philosopher’s Stone came out 20 years ago?

The first film does actually feel like an awfully long time ago.  The last film feels like it was last week, which is really scary, given that I was last on set well over a decade ago. 

## 2. And what is your relationship with the Harry Potter fans two decades later?

I’ve probably had more interaction with Potter fans over the last five years than all the preceding years, the demand for cast to appear at events all over the world having not dimmed in the slightest – something I’m incredibly grateful for but still quite baffled by. It’s hard for me to understand that experience from the other side but it’s always lovely when you can see that just saying hello has totally made a kid’s day.

## 3. What was the moment for you during Philosopher’s Stone where you realised this movie was going to be a big deal? 

It happened in a few stages, like seeing the main sets, or when the first packages of fan mail started arriving at my house before we’d even finished filming, but it was only when I got out of the car in Leicester Square at the first premiere that I really understood the scale of what was happening. And even then, I could never have guessed that the level of interest would be sustained for the next two decades (and counting).

## 4. You’re known as a sportsman in the Harry Potter films – what’s your relationship with sport in real life? 

Well, right now it’s non-existent as an old back injury has flared up something terrible! Historically I’ve been pretty athletic, but in a very different way from Oliver Wood. I’m a cyclist – 1st Under 14 in the Scottish Road Race Championships in 1996! - and a martial artist to some degree.  I’ve never had any interest in team ball games, but if there really was one where you could fly, that might be different…

## 5. What is your favourite Wizarding World memory? 

Impossible to narrow it down to one. In general, my favourite memories aren’t from the few scenes that I was heavily involved in – that was too much like hard work – they’re from just being in that world for all that time, seeing all the amazing sets that were built, watching some of the greatest actors in the world do their thing, watching incredible stunts being filmed etc. 

## 6. You revealed recently that you originally auditioned to be Percy – are you happy you landed with Oliver?

Yes and no. Percy would’ve been a lot of fun, more of a stretch, and I’d have been in more movies! But I was hardly going to argue when they said I was more suited to Wood, and I had an absolute ball playing him. I’ve never known a big blockbuster to get so much specific praise from critics for the casting. I reckon they knew what they were doing. 

## 7. Besides Percy, what other characters do you think it would’ve been interesting to play?

I would have loved to have played Tom Riddle, especially since I sort of did: Christian Coulson hadn’t signed on yet when we had the read through for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and David Heyman asked me to read in. That was a lot of fun. 

## 8. Do you still stay in touch with any of the cast? 

Yes, Christian Coulson for one! There’s no one I see in the flesh on a regular basis, simply because we all live in different countries, but I still talk to a lot of folk and see them at events all over the place. The last TV job I did before the pandemic was a thing about Orson Welles with Robbie Coltrane. 

## 9. And what actors do you remember working with the most on set? Any starstruck moments? 

By far the most intimidating star quality on the Harry Potter set was that of Alan Rickman, and I’d already known him for years since he directed me in *The Winter Guest*, so that was ok...more or less! A lot of people seem terrified of Maggie Smith but I always found her really approachable. Most of my scenes were with Harry himself and Dan was an absolute joy to work with. 

## 10. If you could have one spell or one type of magic that you could use in day-to-day life, what would you pick? 

Flying, for sure. 


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## 11. Why do you think people still love Harry Potter all these years later? 

The fact that people love it makes sense to me – it’s a wonderfully vivid fantasy universe – but the sheer scale of its success isn’t something I fully understand. I only really came to know what Harry Potter was from the inside of the behemoth, and I find it impossible to imagine what I’d think about it all if I was only ever looking in from the outside. I know what it means to me, but that’s obviously different. 

## 12. When was the last time you watched the first film? What’s your impression of watching it now?

Honestly? The last time I watched it was at the Scottish premiere on November 5th 2001! I almost never watch things that I’m in. When I’ve seen snippets of it, I’ve thought that it’s aged remarkably well for something that had cutting edge visual effects for its time, and I still think Chris Columbus gets far too little credit for how perfectly he recreated that world on the screen. 

## 13. Let’s talk Quidditch! Oliver Wood is a the Quidditch captain for Gryffindor – how was it filming those famous flying scenes? 

Long, boring and physically uncomfortable! It’s kind of a general rule that the more spectacular what you’re putting on the screen is, the more laborious the process is. Quidditch involved 12-hour days sitting on a stick in the air in front of a blue screen to get a few seconds of finished footage.

They only got round to making the broomsticks comfortable after I’d left! The moment where I finally had a really visceral experience of flying over the Quidditch pitch came the same way it did for thousands of others: going on the Hogwarts ride at the [Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida](https://www.wizardingworld.com/discover/experiences/the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-universal-orlando-resort). That was really something. 

## 14. If the Wizarding World was real, and you could have any magical profession, what would you pick? Or would you be a Quidditch player like Oliver Wood? 

Probably something really undignified in wizard terms, like being the Muggle world’s greatest magician. 

## 15. Were you a fan of the Harry Potter books? Do you have a favourite book or film? 

I only started reading them when I was asked to audition for the films, but I did really enjoy them, yeah. My favourite book was *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* and my favourite film was *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.*

## 16. Is there a particular Wizarding World moment from when you were working on the films that still sticks out? 

The first DVD launch was actually staged on Platform 9(3/4) at King’s Cross, and the cast arrived on the train. I’ll never forget passing through north London stations in the evening rush hour, and the faces of all the commuters as the characters from Harry Potter waved at them from the actual Hogwarts Express.

## 17.Harry had Ron & Hermione.  Which two people would you ask to help you defeat Lord Voldemort? (They can be people in your life, characters from Harry Potter – or famous/fictional people!) 

Severus Snape and my pal Kev. 

## 18. What would be your Boggart? (AKA – the creature that turns into your greatest fear?) 

Probably a Boggart. Wrap your head around that.

## 19. What was your proudest moment playing Oliver Wood?

I am regularly asked how we did the bit where I’m wrestling the Bludger back into the box, and I enjoy answering that it was nothing but mime! All those years of drama games at youth theatre weren’t wasted, it turns out. 

## 20. And finally, we simply must know your Hogwarts house – or the house you most relate to. 

[I did the test](https://my.wizardingworld.com/sorting-hat), and I got Gryffindor. Obviously. 

*For more "Your Wizarding World" interviews, [try our chat with the Phelps brothers next!](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/your-wizarding-world-interview-with-james-and-oliver-phelps-the-weasley-twins)*

***

__This week, we’re celebrating Harry’s first Quidditch match in our [20 Years of Movie Magic hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20). Fly on over to discover more content around the unpredictable wizarding sport, such as quizzes, puzzles and other features.__

As Gryffindor Quidditch ace Oliver Wood, Sean Biggerstaff became a household name when the first Harry Potter film debuted nearly 20 years ago. As we lead up to that all-important anniversary, we chatted to Sean about some of his favourite memories.

How Quidditch made me realise my own sporting potential  

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As a noughties teen obsessed with sport, I often felt adrift in what felt like a sea of girls who were more interested in ‘inside’ activities. I was the first one on the hockey pitch, the last person to leave the netball courts. I cut up oranges for half time matches, collected bibs from the store cupboard and taped pictures of my favourite football players to the inside of my locker.

Back in the early 2000s, there was no Emma Radacanu, Sky Brown or Simone Biles to look up to – and in the UK, women’s football was far less visible than it is now. Without social media or TV coverage, we had to wait for the Olympics to roll around once every four years to find new sporting heroes – especially women. The message in the UK seemed to be: Girls don’t play sport. They’re not interested in watching it and probably, they don’t understand it. I knew that wasn’t true and treasured every crumb of evidence to prove otherwise. I rented the DVD of *Sisterhood the Travelling Pants* and watched Bridget fall in love with Eric on the soccer pitch, I went to the cinema three times for *Bend it Like Beckham* and watched gleefully as girls (!) in London (!) played football (!). Sure, the stars of the film were as interested in their love lives as they were in scoring goals on the pitch and sure, Keira Knightly somehow managed to maintain a post-game glow rather than melt into a ketchup-coloured heap, but seeing young women passionate about sport, learning how to curl free kicks and launch themselves into sliding tackles was inspirational.

But it still felt limiting. The early noughties were crying out for something more for girls. Something that didn’t hinge on romantic peril to make the story work. And then I found Quidditch. I opened *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* and discovered that Harry would be joining not just the boys on the Quidditch pitch but would be flying alongside girls who were as quick, agile and strong as any their male teammates. Angelina Johnson was keen to remind Captain of the Gryffindor team, Oliver Wood that it was women as well as men in his pre-match team talk, and then strode out onto the pitch ready to destroy the opposition. The Hogwarts’ flying coach and referee, Madam Hooch was a powerful female leader. She had the fortitude to decide the outcome of a game with one sharp shriek on her whistle and could make or break a house team’s title challenge. Watching her take charge of that first flying lesson showed me that I had finally found a home for my sporty little heart. 

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Whilst some teams (Slytherin, we’re looking at you) were a less exciting all-male affair in Harry’s first year, Gryffindor showed that having girls on the team wasn’t a compromise. In the first match of the season, Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet brought speed and agility as Chasers. It was up to newcomer Harry to secure the victory over the Slytherin team - but even he had a little help from Hermione, who magically assisted from the stands as Harry’s broom started to behave erratically… 

As the stories progressed, so did the girls’ impact on the sport. From Cho Chang to Katie Bell, some of the finest Quidditch players Hogwarts saw were female. Ginny Weasley was the one, however, to prove that Quidditch could be more than a hobby. As a young girl, her older brothers dismissed her ambitions to be a Quidditch player, but Ginny was undeterred and borrowed her brothers’ broomsticks to practice without their knowledge. This paid off once she arrived at Hogwarts and was selected for the Gryffindor team. A star Chaser and Seeker, she went on to become a professional player for the all-female Holyhead Harpies before retiring as the senior Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet. Ginny’s determination, ambition and physicality were the qualities she needed to take her passion to the next level and into professionalism.

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

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As a keen keep-fit person myself, I might never literally leave the ground, but Harry Potter proved to me that with the right attitude and the right environment I could fly as a sportswoman. And so, I strove harder to score goals, win games and take home gold.

But Quidditch was more than just about trophies. The Hogwarts students discovered that friendship, teamwork and loyalty were at the heart of success, not only for the players, but the supporters as well. From Luna’s home-made lion hat to the cheering fans in the rain to McGonagall’s generous rule breaking in allowing Harry to even try out for the team as a lowly first year, the Harry Potter stories made it clear, that excelling at sport was something to be celebrated and encouraged as a community.

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This was a message that I took to heart. Even when the support at my hockey matches had dwindled to the janitor and his spaniel, even when I was travelling solo to the outskirts of Uxbridge just to play hockey on a Wednesday night, even when the girls’ football team were relegated to using the netball posts for goals, even when we were losing games into the double digits, I thought of the Gryffindor team flying in every weather and the way that Quidditch bonded them. From then on, I knew it would all be worth it in the long run. Or in the Quidditch players case, the long flight! 

There are many heroes in Harry Potter – but the wizarding world’s sporting heroes were just as inspirational – writes Becca Langton 

What would be your signature spell?

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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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## If you’re a clean freak… your signature spell would be Scourgify
Dirty dishes piled up in the sink. Clothes dumped on the floor. Cobwebs left undusted and undisturbed. If any of this fills you with horror and makes you break out into a cold sweat, then your signature charm would definitely be Scourgify. As someone who can only function when things are spick and span, and whose house always looks like a show home, we believe you’d derive real satisfaction and joy from this helpful spell. Dust and dirt would be nothing but a distant memory – with a flick of your wand it would be banished. And unlike Tonks who never really got the hang of household magic, we reckon you would master it straight away.

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## If you’re the mischievous type… your signature spell would be Wingardium Leviosa 
If Fred and George Weasley are your idols and you’re a master of tomfoolery – we think you’d love nothing more than using the Levitation Charm to help you with your hijinks. We can imagine you hiding out of sight and causing all sorts of chaos with this spell. Just imagine the look of surprise on your friend’s face as the cup of tea they’re holding floats out of their grasp. Or your parent’s bewilderment as the newspaper they were reaching for suddenly flies up in the air. With a simple swish and flick, you’ll find the opportunities for practical jokes are endless. Just remember, it’s Levi-*o*-sa not Levi-o-SA.

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## If you’re a couch potato… your signature spell would be Accio
There’s nothing better than settling down on the sofa with a movie marathon, excellent snacks and the knowledge that you don’t have to move from this position for hours. However, there’s also nothing worse than realising that you’ve forgotten to pick up the remote to watch the movie marathon – or the snacks that were meant to accompany it. This is where being a whiz at the Summoning Charm would come in handy. You’d never have to move if you didn’t want to. If this sounds appealing, and you’re the type of person whose favourite thing is to curl up in your special spot on the couch, then this would be your signature spell.

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## If you love to be dramatic… your signature spell would be the Bat-Bogey Hex
While some spells can be rather efficient for irritating your target, they can also be a bit… boring. The Bat-Bogey Hex is certainly not that. With flying bogies in the form of bats attacking the recipient of this spell, it’s nothing if not dramatic. Like Ginny Weasley, we can imagine your use of this hex becoming legendary. So, if you live for spectacle and excitement, are known for your grand entrances and always like to stand out in the crowd, this is the one for you.

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## If you often find yourself in embarrassing situations… your signature spell would be Obliviate
Do you often feel as though you put your foot in your mouth? Do you sometimes forget to think before you speak? Do you find yourself blushing beetroot red every five minutes? Then we think you would be a master of Memory Charms. Gone would be the worry of what people thought of you. No longer would lie wide awake in the middle of the night replaying everything you had said. Your expertise at Obliviating people would mean you always had a do over, making those mortifying moments a thing of the past.

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## If you are rather clumsy… your signature spell would be Episkey 
Sometimes, and we’re sure Neville Longbottom would agree, it can feel incredibly difficult to just walk in a straight line without stumbling into a rogue chair leg, breaking something, or tripping over your own feet. If you’re someone who can relate to this well-known klutz, we imagine you often find yourself covered in bumps and bruises. So, what could be more useful than being a master of a spell that can heal those minor ailments? Whether you slipped on an icy path or misjudged where that last step was– you wouldn’t have to worry about getting into scrapes, as you’d know exactly how to fix yourself.

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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Watch Harry Potter alumni and famous fans of the Wizarding World reveal their Hogwarts houses in the Official Sorting Ceremony 

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Discover the Hogwarts houses of some Harry Potter film alumni alongside some other famous faces today – and see who they nominate to join the Sorting Ceremony next. Using our official Harry Potter Fan Club app, where you can don an AR version of the Sorting Hat, we loved discovering everyone’s houses in this new celebratory challenge. 

Take a look and see if they got the houses you’d expect. 

Bonnie Wright | Sorting Challenge

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Alfred Enoch | Sorting Challenge

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Warwick Davis | Sorting Challenge

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Natalia Tena | Sorting Challenge

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As you’ve probably spotted, we are currently working through 20 iconic moments from *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* – our digital celebration of 20 Years of Movie Magic. [We’re currently on Moment 7](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20), where Harry nervously attends his first Sorting Ceremony – so what better time to get yourself sorted too! Just in case you haven’t, already...

Here’s a handy reminder of how to get sorted via the Harry Potter Fan Club app.

- Download the free Harry Potter Fan Club app and check out the Hogwarts Sorting Ceremony. You can learn more about the [app’s many magical features ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/a-handy-guide-to-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-harry-potter-fan-club-app)here.<br>
- Admire yourself wearing the AR Sorting Hat and snap a selfie! If you’re old enough – you could share it and then nominate a friend to wear the hat next.<br>
- And if you are old enough, you could share your prediction for which house they will be in, using the hashtag #SortingChallenge. <br>
- Are they a proud Gryffindor, a resourceful Slytherin, a wise Ravenclaw or a loyal Hufflepuff? The only way to find out is to take the test and wait for their reply! You may be surprised! 

All of today’s fun is to continue celebrating [20 Years of Movie Magic](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20) – where we still have many major moments to commemorate. Join us over at our official hub to enjoy quizzes, articles, puzzles and features deep-diving into iconic first film scenes. 

Five differences between the younger Draco Malfoy and the Draco we see in Cursed Child

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*Spoiler warning! Before you dive in, we wanted to let you know that this article contains some spoilers for Cursed Child.*

## His views of Voldemort were quite different…
When Draco Malfoy was at school, he believed the abhorrent views of his family. They were all big supporters of Voldemort, who thought that they were superior just because they happened to be pure-blood witches and wizards. They were so invested in this ideology, that Draco and his father were both in Voldemort’s inner circle as Death Eaters. Draco wouldn’t flinch at calling Muggle-borns the derogatory term ‘Mudblood’ and did call Hermione that several times at school. 

However, the older Draco had moved away from that way of thinking. He still had a snobby attitude and some of his old prejudices lingered. Yet, with the help of his wife, Astoria, he had managed to not raise his son with those same bigoted views. While this didn’t excuse Draco’s past behaviour, it did show that he had grown and matured as a person. Where he would have boasted of his connections to the Dark Lord as a teenager, as an adult, that same connection made him feel ashamed.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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## His relationship with Harry, Ron and Hermione had changed… 
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco were never going to be best friends – they would probably never even like each other. However, the animosity between them had definitely subsided since their schooldays. In *Cursed Child*, they were no longer on separate sides and had managed to form an uneasy truce. However, that didn’t mean the past had been forgotten. Ron especially remembered the way that Draco was particularly horrible to Hermione. Yet, things clearly had changed, as we don’t think Hermione would have ever spoken about hugging Malfoy as a teenager…

>__Ron__
<br>
>Malfoy, you may be all chummy chummy with Harry, and you may have produced a relatively nice child, but you’ve said some very unfair things to and about my wife . . .
>
>__Hermione__
<br>
>And your wife doesn’t need you fighting her battles for her.
>
>*Hermione looks witheringly at Ron. Ron takes the hit.*
>
>__Ron__
<br>
>Fine. But if you say one thing about her or me . . .
>
>__Draco__
<br>
>You’ll do what, Weasley?
>
>__Hermione__
<br>
>He’ll hug you. Because we’re all on the same team, aren’t we Ron?
>
>__Ron__ *(hesitating in the face of her unwavering gaze)*
<br>
>Fine. I, um, I think you’ve got really nice hair. Draco.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*

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Members of the Broadway Premiere cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photography by Charlie Gray

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## He was less reluctant to reach out for help…
When Draco was tasked with the murder of Dumbledore at age sixteen, he didn’t ask for any help. He struggled alone under the enormous weight of such an evil task. Even though Snape pleaded with him to allow him to help, Draco refused his offer. In fact, Draco managed to master the tricky art of Occlumency to keep everyone out and ensure that Snape could not assist him with his mission. 

As an adult, Draco had managed to learn that sometimes you need to reach out to others – especially when your child is involved. With the story that Scorpius was the son of Voldemort running rampant, Malfoy had no choice but to ask his former enemy, Harry Potter, to assist him in dispelling those rumours. The amount of pride that Draco would have swallowed to do that shouldn’t be underestimated. There is no way that the young Draco would have done something for anyone else – let alone something so humiliating.

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## His had new hair…
Draco Malfoy was always famous for his sleek, blond hair. While he was at school, he kept it rather short. However, as an adult, Draco seemed to have had quite the makeover and sported a long, luxurious and swishy ponytail. It’s always good to shake up your look and keep things fresh. But don’t be fooled in thinking this new ponytail meant a more relaxed, hippy version of Draco. He still enjoyed the finer things in life and still liked to look his very best – with no hair out of place.

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## And a new love of farmers’ markets…
Ok, so we don’t know what Draco’s previously feeling were on farmers’ markets, but we would hazard a guess that they probably wouldn’t have been on his radar. We thought it was very cute that adult Draco had an appreciation for thatched roof cottages and local produce – it made him seem like a proper grownup.

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For beginners, for novices, for Harry Potter superfans going 20 years-strong, dig deep into the Wizarding World with our collection of features.

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For beginners, for novices, for Harry Potter superfans going 20 years-strong, dig deep into the Wizarding World with our collection of features. We also have 'first-year' quizzes for Harry Potter beginners!

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Your roundup of all the spooky Wizarding World crafts this Hallowe’en

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## Try our Make it Magic Hallowe’en crafts…
If you enjoy nothing more than filling your home with Hallowe’en creations, you needn’t look any further than our Make it Magic video. We have five completely different crafts for you to get stuck into. Watch our video and learn how to make menacing bug filled lanterns, paper pumpkins, balloon owls, scary spiders and even house themed banners. 

[Download the Gryffindor house mascot here](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/5WNpP2Wf0IK8yGJSWJmelJ/587ef05929f8165a97c4ee07141b2361/MiM_House_Mascots_G.pdf)

[Download the Slytherin house mascot here](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/3n1NtEKZJEWBVzyTwEq6F8/07abbb55fcd4906b43781a7221959dc7/MiM_House_Mascots_S.pdf)

[Download the Hufflepuff house mascot here](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/2e6zd30uvtaT678MoWVP1w/12f01c59bb3b54978927b2861dadde9c/MiM_House_Mascots_H.pdf)

[Download the Ravenclaw house mascot here](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/jMSIsSjwrLcpPG5U1W3Em/720bbfba1daf38f99865d50f0b92003b/MiM_House_Mascots_R.pdf)

*__This video involves sharp tools, so adults should always supervise children__*

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/SPbRl1fQYNw?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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## Carve your own wizarding pumpkins…
Nothing quite says Hallowe’en like carving a pumpkin and we’ve got the perfect templates for you. Watch as the Pumpkin Freak shows you how to carve your very own magical designs in his video tutorials. If you’re looking for something basic, why not try the Snitch? Or if you fancy a challenge, you should give the Hogwarts crest a go. If that’s not enough, you can also download step-by-step guides as well as both templates from our website.

[Download your Hogwarts crest here](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/3JCosfZF09FvTlr3xUexC7/782494f7de20db7fd63b8d4efae7bae0/HP20th_20Moments_Pumpkins_Moment12_PumpkinCarving_Crest_220x310mm.pdf)

[Download your Snitch here!](https://assets.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/1ZpQw6npgZaxQcNC9CmjH8/5f334864c40bc64fc71e9c7c6e244e32/HP20th_20Moments_Pumpkins_Moment12_PumpkinCarving_Snitch_220x310mm.pdf)

*__This video involves sharp tools, so adults should always supervise children__*

Pumpkin Freak 1

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breaker

Pumpkin Freak 2

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## Add a little Hogwarts Mystery with these pumpkin templates…
Finally, if you’re looking for even more pumpkin inspiration, we have some brilliant templates thanks to Hogwarts Mystery and Jam City. From watchful owls, to the Sorting Hat, to Hogwarts castle itself, you can download and print these templates and be ready for a Wizarding World Hallowe’en.

[Download here](https://images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/5r3Ek5R7my6KtQBld3JF45/3e30c31abfd55f53501d03eeb5ba8fbc/pumpkin_templates_3.png)

![pumpkin templates 3](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/5r3Ek5R7my6KtQBld3JF45/3e30c31abfd55f53501d03eeb5ba8fbc/pumpkin_templates_3.png)

[Download here](https://images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/54W9NsrPGttAFi1LttPVlA/c300bfcaacd1c6b7e7ab3828f6833a6d/pumpkin_templates_4.png)

![pumpkin templates 4](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/54W9NsrPGttAFi1LttPVlA/c300bfcaacd1c6b7e7ab3828f6833a6d/pumpkin_templates_4.png)

[Download here](https://images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/6w0IOScOJ4WE32E8GIBKP3/2765ce82eb39c6cc1cf49804b1ef5581/pumpkin_templates_5.png)

![pumpkin templates 5](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/6w0IOScOJ4WE32E8GIBKP3/2765ce82eb39c6cc1cf49804b1ef5581/pumpkin_templates_5.png)

[Download here](https://images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/35lahAN1Y94lIu3cqhPGKi/f33a1bb94bf8b930e4a7aaf9abdc191a/pumpkin-template-owl.png)

![pumpkin-template-owl](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/35lahAN1Y94lIu3cqhPGKi/f33a1bb94bf8b930e4a7aaf9abdc191a/pumpkin-template-owl.png)

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Nine of the scariest creatures we meet in Fantastic Beasts

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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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The Crimes of Grindelwald

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There is no arguing that Newt Scamander has a real gift for connecting with all manner of magical creatures. He can make the most ferocious beast look as harmless as a kitten. However, that shouldn’t lull you into a false sense of security. These fantastic beasts are imposing, scary and can cause some serious damage – and should always be treated with the respect and fear that they deserve.

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## Occamy
When we first meet the baby Occamies in *Fantastic Beasts*, they were teeny tiny and rather sweet – what with their beautiful colouring, wings and graceful serpentine forms. However, don’t be fooled, these little fellows are rather aggressive – especially when it comes to defending their eggs (whose shells are made of the purest silver). They are also choranaptyxic – which means they shrink or grow to fit the available space. Which we soon learnt, when one escaped and found itself in an attic and grew to a rather gargantuan size. No matter what anyone (Newt) says, standing next to what looks like a giant, winged snake is bound to be rather alarming. 

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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and Where to Find Them

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## Zouwu
It would be nothing short of petrifying to meet one of these massive, powerful and speedy creatures out in the wild. Not only do they resemble lions with their scraggly manes but are also the size of an elephant, with a tail the length of a python. Their fangs curl up out of their mouths and their snarling roar will make you jump out of your skin. Did we mention that they are fast? They can cover up to 1000 miles a day – so you would have no chance of outrunning one. The Zouwu we met in Crimes of Grindelwald had been held captive in the Circus Arcanus, where it was treated horribly. It’s no wonder it was angry upon escaping and took swipes at passers-by. Luckily, Newt was on hand and was able to tempt this majestic animal into the safety of his case… with nothing more than a little toy bird on a stick and rope. 

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## Erumpent
While the Erumpent in *Fantastic Beasts* seemed to take a real shine to Jacob, they’re generally rather dangerous… and scary. These large, grey beasts are originally from Africa and resemble a rhino from a distance. They don’t attack unless provoked but once they do the results are usually disastrous. Though the scariest thing about an Erumpent is definitely the horn on the front of their head. Those things can pierce anything – from skin to metal. They also contain a deadly fluid which will cause whatever is injected with it to blow up! In fact, the reason that Erumpent numbers are so low, is that during mating season males in competition with each other frequently explode one another…

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## Kappa
In *Crimes of Grindelwald*, we came across this Japanese water demon in none other than the awful Circus Arcanus. When they are not held in captivity, you can find Kappas dwelling in shallow ponds and rivers. These strange looking beasts are said to resemble monkeys which are covered in fish scales rather than fur. As well as looking creepy, they also like to feed on human blood. However, you can stop a Kappa from drinking you dry with one simple trick. Simply carve your name into a cucumber and toss it to the demon. It will be persuaded not to harm you. Yep, that’s right, your life could be saved thanks to a humble vegetable…

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## Matagot
These little cats, that hang out around the French Ministry of Magic, might seem cute… but appearances can be deceiving. When provoked, these spirit familiars turn from docile housecats into big menacing wildcats. With their razor-sharp teeth and claws they are dangerous.  If that wasn’t bad enough, when they change, they also multiply – you can quickly find yourself surrounded by ferocious felines who are ready to attack. So, tread carefully and try to not get on the wrong side of these moggies… the results won’t be pretty (as Newt and Tina soon found out).

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## Kelpie 
Though Newt might appear to have control of the Kelpie that lives in his menagerie, they are normally lethal. Kelpies are British and Irish water demons. They can take various shapes but tend to favour the form of a horse with a mane made of bulrushes. They trick unsuspecting victims into climbing up onto their backs and then drag them down to the bottom of their river or lake – where they consume them. The entrails of their prey then float to the surface (which sounds like something straight out of a horror film). Though they can be controlled if a bridle is put over their head with a Placement Charm… we wouldn’t take the risk as we’d like to keep our innards where they belong.

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## Swooping Evil
The name says it all really. Something with evil as its moniker is hardly going to be as warm and fuzzy as a Pygmy Puff. When flying, they resemble giant butterfly-esque reptiles with spikey, skeletal wings. When they are not gliding through the air, they shrink into a green, spiny cocoon. Oh, they also like to suck out brains, cementing their spot in our list of scariest beasts. But to be fair, Newt’s one did help to rescue Tina from MACUSA, so they’re probably not all bad.

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## Graphorn
Jacob was right to scream when he first saw Newt’s Graphorns (though yet again, his were very well behaved). They are extremely aggressive creatures which are hard to train. They’re also rather unattractive – large and greyish purple, with a humped back and two very long, very sharp horns. Their hides are tougher than a dragon’s and are able to repel most spells… so good luck trying to stop one that has you in its sights.

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## Nundu
Finally, we have arguably the most dangerous beast in the wizarding world, the Nundu… and of course Newt has one in his case. These giant cats have seriously bad breath – no really – their breath can cause a disease that is contagious enough to wipe out an entire village. If one crept up on you it would be too late, they move silently and even the most gifted witch or wizard wouldn’t be able to take one down on their own. It would take at least one hundred to do that – if that’s not a scary magical creature we don’t know what is.

Try our Quidditch wordsearch!

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This wordsearch comes with chances - meaning that if you get a few words wrong - a magical (albeit frustrating) surprise will occur... Sorry about that. Think of it like being hit by a rogue Bludger.

<iframe width="550" height="900" allowtransparency="true" style="background: #FFFFFF" src="https://bridgecard.wizardingworld.com/wordsearch/20200508/00016/" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

So, have a go, and remember to compare your times with friends! 

For more Wizarding World puzzles, [check our puzzles hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles). 

If you have our official app - try to discover this puzzle's secret code for an extra surprise. 

Which Hogwarts ghost are you most like?

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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and the Chamber of Secrets

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## If you have trouble letting things go… you’re like Nearly Headless Nick
Are you someone that holds grudges? Do you find it difficult move past things – however big or small? If someone else were to take the last biscuit from the tin, would you never forgive them? If the answer to those questions is yes, then you’re like Nearly Headless Nick. Despite not meeting the vital criteria, Nick couldn’t get over the fact he was never allowed to join the Headless Hunt (despite having been struck in the neck with a blunt axe forty-five times) and would happily complain to you about it. That was a grudge which had lasted centuries and was set to last for centuries more. He simply couldn’t move on – though that is quite common for ghosts. And if you find yourself sympathising and understanding his position, we reckon you’re most like him.

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## If you love nothing more than a good moan… you’re like Moaning Myrtle (of course)
Moaning Myrtle was always one for… well, moaning. She moped during her time as a human and that certainly continued with gusto when she joined the afterlife. And while we do understand that being a ghost is not the happiest way to exist, she really did seem to enjoy wallowing in misery. In fact, she even had plans to share her toilet with Harry if he didn’t make it back from the Chamber of Secrets, as misery truly does love company. If you’re someone that searches for things to be annoyed about, gets a thrill out of complaining about the weather, your neighbours, or anything really, then you’re most like Moaning Myrtle.

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## If you are a fan of a statement necklace… you’re like the Bloody Baron
Do you like your fashion choices to make a big statement? Do you never go anywhere without a chunky, eye-catching necklace? Then you’re like the Bloody Baron. He’s worn the same chains for years. And yes, he did wear them to punish himself (for unforgivably murdering Helena Ravenclaw), but they certainly caught your eye. We don’t think your story is as dark as the Baron’s and we doubt you have such a profound reason for your choice of neckwear. But if you can’t bear to leave the house without a bit of bling, then he’s the ghost you’re most similar to.

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## If you have a certain air of mystery… you’re like the Grey Lady
The Grey Lady managed to slip under the radar for quite a few years. As a ghost we never really saw her or heard about her until the diadem came into play. And as a human, she managed to sneak off and escape to live in a forest when she stole that precious artefact from her mother (though she was eventually tracked down). If you’re someone who knows how to quietly slink away when you don’t want to be around people, then you’re most like the Grey Lady. We can imagine that you’re the type of person who plays their cards close to their chest, isn’t very likely to text back and knows exactly how to keep people at arm’s length.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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## If mischief is your middle name… you’re like Peeves
Ok, so Peeves was a poltergeist rather than a ghost, but we reckon he still counts. One of the most disruptive forces in the school, nobody (apart from Fred, George or maybe the Marauders) could come close to his trickster ways. Whether he was swinging from (or unscrewing) chandeliers, bursting out of blackboards, loosening the carpet to trip people up or smashing cabinets as a distraction – he was an expert in causing chaos. If you have been known to get into mischief yourself or think there is nothing more hilarious than a practical joke, then we reckon you and Peeves are like two pesky peas in a pod.

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## If you’re always in a good mood… you’re like the Fat Friar 
The Fat Friar always seemed to be rather jolly. Even though he was a ghost destined to be stuck as nothing more than a mere imprint for the rest of eternity – he never seemed bothered. What always stood out was the way he smiled and affectionately chatted to students. He was also one of the only people in the school to think Peeves deserved a second chance. His good-humoured nature was his defining feature. And if you’re like the Friar, we reckon you are someone that is known for their sunny smile, unshakeable positivity and laidback nature.

Five times Wingardium Leviosa came in handy

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## When it first appeared…
The lesson where the Harry and his classmates learnt Wingardium Leviosa might not seem like an obvious example of a time when this spell was useful. Yet it was this lesson that acted as the catalyst for Harry, Ron and Hermione becoming the golden trio. If it weren’t for Ron being irritated by Hermione and her excellent spellcasting, he (probably) wouldn’t have insulted her after the lesson. And if he hadn’t done that and upset Hermione, she wouldn’t have hidden in the girls’ bathroom. Harry and Ron wouldn’t have gone to warn her about the troll… and we all know how that ended up…

>‘You’re saying it wrong,’ Harry heard Hermione snap. ‘It’s Wing-gar-dium Levi-*o*-sa, make the “gar” nice and long.’
>
>‘You do it, then, if you’re so clever,’ Ron snarled.
>
>Hermione rolled up the sleeves of her gown, flicked her wand and said, ‘*Wingardium Leviosa!*’
>
>Their feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads.
>
>‘Oh, well done!’ cried Professor Flitwick, clapping. ‘Everyone see here, Miss Granger’s done it!’
>
>Ron was in a very bad temper by the end of the class.
>
>‘It’s no wonder no one can stand her,’ he said to Harry as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor. ‘She’s a nightmare, honestly.’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

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## When the trio used it to knock out a troll
When Harry and Ron found Hermione in the girls’ bathroom, she had some company in the form of an ugly, smelly, large and dangerous troll. As three first-years, they were no match for such a scary creature. Yet they managed to defeat him. And it was mainly due to Ron remembering his earlier lesson and using Wingardium Leviosa to knock the troll out with its own club. 

>Hermione had sunk to the floor in fright; Ron pulled out his own wand – not knowing what he was going to do he heard himself cry the first spell that came into his head: ‘*Wingardium Leviosa!*’
>
>The club flew suddenly out of the troll’s hand, rose high, high up into the air, turned slowly over – and dropped, with a sickening crack, on to its owner’s head. The troll swayed on the spot and then fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.
><br>*Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone*

From knocking out trolls to helping motorbike sidecars stay afloat, Wingardium Leviosa is one spell that has popped up time and time again. We take a look at five times it proved to be very handy indeed…