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Why the Yule Ball was crucial for Ron and Hermione's relationship

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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and the Goblet of Fire

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The Yule Ball was supposed to be an evening of fun, dancing and even romance. For many it was, but for Ron and Hermione the night was more about anger, jealousy and arguing. Yet, without all that unpleasantness, they might not have ended up together. It was arguably the event that showed that they potentially were more than just friends. 

Firstly, while Ron’s behaviour was in no way acceptable – Hermione had every right to attend the ball with Viktor Krum – seeing Hermione go with someone else did wake him up to the fact that she wasn’t just his pal, but someone who he might have different kinds of feelings for (even if he couldn’t recognise it yet). He had always relied on Hermione just being there and didn’t see her as ‘a girl’. In fact, it seemed that particular detail took him by surprise when he asked her to the dance as a last resort – what a charmer. 

We also think it was important that Viktor Krum was the one to ask Hermione to be his date. Not only was he someone that Hermione seemed to have a crush on, but Ron also happened to be a massive fan of his. He had even bought his own miniature version of Krum at the Quidditch World Cup. We reckon that if someone else (like Neville for example) had asked her, Ron’s response upon seeing her in the Great Hall wouldn’t have been quite so pronounced.

There’s no doubt that seeing these two together brought a lot of feelings to the surface. To him, it might have almost seemed like a betrayal that his sporting hero would ‘take’ one of the people he was closest to. He probably also felt rather embarrassed about his own previous adoration of Krum. It must have been tricky to come to terms with the idea that neither Viktor nor Hermione had done anything wrong.

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Though rather than address things maturely (in all fairness he was only fourteen at the time), Ron tried to deflect his anger by suggesting that Hermione was ‘fraternising with the enemy’ and causing a fight. However, during the screaming match the pair of them had afterwards, Hermione hit the nail on the head when she yelled: ‘Next time there’s a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!’. Due to his embarrassment, Ron tried to play that off, but it was the first time that either of them had acknowledged out loud that there could be something between them. Without Ron’s envy, or Hermione reaching boiling point, they may have left that unsaid, or might not have realised that there was something deeper going on.

You might still believe that without the Yule Ball Ron and Hermione would have eventually realised what they meant to one another. Nevertheless, according to *Cursed Child*, it was that one night which proved vital to their story. As we discovered, it was crucial that the pair of them didn’t attend the dance together but did allow the green-eyed monster to bubble to the surface. In an alternate reality where they had been each other’s date – they never went any further than being just friends. Instead, they danced together in a purely platonic way. Ron then went on to dance with Padma Patil and realised that there was a spark between the two of them. Rather than ending up married to Hermione with two kids named Rose and Hugo, he married Padma and ended up with a son called Panju. If nothing else, that just strengthens the argument that the entire foundation of their romantic relationship was hinged on this one event. 

Ultimately, the Yule Ball was the turning point for both Ron and Hermione. Though Ron had the strongest reaction initially, it also led to Hermione acknowledging that there might be something more between them. It forced feelings to the surface that they had probably tried to suppress. And without this one night, Ron and Hermione may never have existed as a couple at all.

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Explore behind the scenes of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with this special video series

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## Building the Hogwarts Castle with Robbie Scott

Robbie Scott was the model supervisor on *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, creating several for this film. But Hogwarts was the model that really stayed in his mind...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/V_Lk1T2Pwsw?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## Behind the Movie Magic with John Richardson

Special effects supervisor John Richardson spearheaded many of the many magical moments you see in the first film. Learn how Wingardium Leviosa was executed via a fishing rod and a feather and much more...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/RDlnjT08YyA?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## The Making of Quidditch with Pierre Bohanna

Pierre was the head propmaker on the first Harry Potter film, creating all manner of spellbinding magical objects. Here, he discusses his favourite props created across the Quidditch pitch - including the intricate details on brooms - and of course, the Golden Snitch.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/AQgLmz9imNI?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## Wizard Chess with Gary Tomkins and Neil Lamont

Gary Tomkins and Neil Lamont discuss the inspiration behind the giant wizards' chess set. While neither of them thinks they could navigate a match to checkmate, they share which Hogwarts house they’re a part of and what Quidditch position they’d be.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Sl53WaoY6Ns?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## Magical Creatures with Nick Davis

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

Visual effects supervisor Nick Davis dives into the creation of Norbert the Dragon – the first (but not the last) dragon featured in the Harry Potter film series, and the special effects that made the scene come to life for both the actors and in the film.

***

And there you have it! Which behind-the-scenes fact did you enjoy learning the most from our selection of experts?

__Find more nostalgic Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone goodness on our [20 Years of Movie Magic hub.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/harrypottermovie20)__

Does the Sorting Hat sort too early?

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## Yes, the Sorting Hat sorts too early 
>‘And are you tempted to join him?’
>
>‘No,’ said Snape, his black eyes on Fleur and Roger’s retreating
figures. ‘I am not such a coward.’
>
>‘No,’ agreed Dumbledore. ‘You are a braver man by far than Igor Karkaroff. You know, I sometimes think we Sort too soon …’
><br>*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows* 

Dumbledore said it himself to Snape when he highlights how brave he has been, perhaps suggesting Snape could’ve been a Gryffindor in another lifetime. And it is true that there are certain Hogwarts students who turned out to be very different people than first impressions let on. The Sorting Hat uses a degree of [Legilimency](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/a-guide-to-legilimency) when it decides a student’s Hogwarts house, but surely it can’t know everything when looking into someone’s head. Peoples’ heads are complicated! Especially when they are so young. 

The best example to consider is Peter Pettigrew – who was sorted into Gryffindor and ended up befriending James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. But even when we dip into an old memory – Peter seems out of place, always following the others around, more of a parasite than a friend. And yet he was in the house of chivalry, where ‘dwell the brave at heart’? You could argue that he was brave in the sense he betrayed his friends and took Lord Voldemort’s side. But that feels determined more so than chivalrous... the trait more naturally attributed to a Slytherin. 

This is not to say all ‘bad’ wizards and witches should immediately go to Slytherin, though. Although the likes of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters were usually to be found in that house - is that because Tom Riddle, a cunning Slytherin, simply led the others astray? Even though founder Salazar Slytherin permeated his house with so much of himself and his own views – he was still only one person – and there are so many Slytherins that didn’t share his mindset. Even Draco Malfoy, who was taught to embody the values of Salazar in his youth, showed a more compassionate and softer side in his later years – and his son, Scorpius, was notably kind and hyper-intelligent – far more a Hufflepuff or a Ravenclaw on paper than a Slytherin. Is this an instance of the Sorting Hat simply assuming the son of Draco Malfoy would be just like him? Because it more feels like Scorpius represents a different side of Draco that got lost, due to all the pure-blood standards Lucius Malfoy was stamping into him as a child. 

So, does a person’s influences affect which Hogwarts house they go to? Look at Regulus Black, Sirius’s brother – who showed great bravery towards the end of his life, making a choice to defy Lord Voldemort. Regulus started off just like many Black family members, as a Slytherin, and later on, as a Death Eater. But did the Sorting Hat foresee this – or did the Sorting Hat inadvertently end up carving this path out for him? Why did the Sorting Hat not see the same bravery in Regulus as he did in Sirius, who was placed in Gryffindor despite the odds? Had Regulus’s family simply instilled too many of Salazar’s values into him already, whereas Sirius seemed to have a far clearer viewpoint at a young age? But if the hat had seen the bravery in Regulus that he later showed – this could’ve ended up re-shaping Regulus’s life. Who knows – Regulus might’ve made different friends and never ended up a Death Eater. Look what the Sorting Hat did for Neville – it saw a fire in him that Neville was yet to see himself. 

It’s true that the Sorting Hat seems to see things in people others can’t – but at the end of the day, it is still just a hat with an opinion. And although it was right most of the time, even sentient objects can make mistakes.

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

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and the Philosopher's Stone 

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## No, the Sorting Hat doesn’t sort too early 
First things first, there have been a couple of occasions when the Sorting Hat has possibly made a mistake. The most obvious example would be Peter Pettigrew – who rather than demonstrating courage and chivalry, was weak with a real knack for self-preservation. You could say he probably should have been in Slytherin, but that is quite insulting to the many excellent students who are members of that house. However, out of all the witches and wizards who have passed through the corridors of Hogwarts, that is just one example of where the Sorting Hat may have made a mistake. He was the exception – not the rule. On the whole, the Sorting Hat has got it spot on.

Also, you need to remember that the Sorting Hat is one of the cleverest magical objects to exist within the wizarding world. It contains the intelligence of all four of the Hogwarts founders. Not only can it speak, but it can also use Legilimency to look inside the mind of the person who is wearing it to determine their capabilities. It can even respond to what the wearer is thinking and take their choices into consideration. This is what it did with Harry, changing its initial idea of placing him in Slytherin to Gryffindor. This is important because it shows that the Sorting Hat considers who you want to be too. It doesn’t just pluck a house out of nowhere, but really gets to grips with the person as a whole before making its decision.

And while it is true that people can grow and change as they get older, and their personalities can evolve – you could say that the core of who you are and want to be remains the same. This is what the Sorting Hat looks for – even if the house it settles on doesn’t seem like the clearest choice at the time. It considers the different ways you can belong to a Hogwarts house, that don’t necessarily conform to the stereotypes, and judges which one you would make the best contribution to.

The perfect example of this would be Neville Longbottom. There is the belief that Neville would have done better in Hufflepuff and that he didn’t have the necessary traits to belong in Gryffindor. Yet, that proved not to be the case, and the Sorting Hat knew that from Neville’s very first day at Hogwarts. 

When we first met Neville as a nervous first-year, he didn’t scream bold and daring Gryffindor. Nevertheless, by the end of the schoolyear he had already begun to demonstrate a courageous side – which only continued to grow. From the first time he stood up to Harry, Ron and Hermione in *Philosopher’s Stone* (which Dumbledore even said took a great deal of strength) to running the DA and keeping up the resistance during Harry’s absence in *Deathly Hallows*, he more than proved that he belonged there. In fact, he even pulled sword of Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat – which could only be done by a true member of that house.

Ultimately, for the many centuries that the Sorting Hat has been doing its job, it has got more right than it has wrong. Its mistakes are few and far between – and it really knows how to spot the true nature or potential of budding witch or wizard. As it is filled with the intelligence of the four founders, it knows exactly what capabilities they want in their houses, and it considers the entire person before making its decision.

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So, what do you think? Do you think the students of Hogwarts are sorted into their houses too soon? Or do you still think there isn’t a clear-cut answer? 

Seven things in the first film that became important later

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## Neville’s bravery
When we first met Neville Longbottom, it was quite hard to believe that he would have had the courage to stand up for himself. Insecure and lacking in confidence, you’d think he would have wanted to fade into the background and not draw attention to himself. Nevertheless, towards the end of the first film he tried to stop Harry, Ron and Hermione from sneaking out of the common room to stop them from breaking any more rules. Unfortunately for Neville, Hermione puts a full Body-Bind Curse on him, and they head out anyway. Yet that moment of bravery was the first glimpse of the wizard Neville turned out to be. In the final film, he summons that same strength and stands up to none other than Voldemort himself.

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## Harry’s first Snitch
Harry’s first Quidditch match ended in victory but not before he almost swallowed the Snitch – we guess that’s one way to catch it. Little did he, or we, know how important that small golden ball would become. When Dumbledore died, Harry was left the Snitch in his will. It turned out that Snitches have a flesh memory and remember the touch of the first person to handle them. In this case, that was Harry. When he put it to his lips it revealed the message ‘I open at the close’. Sure enough, when Harry went to the Forbidden Forest to meet Voldemort in the final film, he raised the Snitch to his lips and whispered, ‘I am about to die’. The Snitch fell open revealing the Resurrection Stone, one of the three Deathly Hallows. Harry was then able to make that terrifying walk to meet Voldemort in the clearing surrounded by those he had loved and lost.

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## Harry being left with the Dursleys
When Harry’s parents were killed, he was brought to live with the Dursleys. As his only relatives, it made some sense that Dumbledore would have taken him there. Yet Harry was clearly mistreated by this uptight family and spent ten miserable years in their company before escaping to Hogwarts. Still, there was a deeper meaning behind Dumbledore’s decision to place him there – which we discovered later on. 

When Lily sacrificed her life to save her son, it invoked an ancient magic – giving Harry a protection that flowed through his veins. Dumbledore being the wise wizard that he was, realised that Voldemort would probably make his return. So, he put his trust in Lily’s blood and left Harry with Petunia, Lily’s last remaining blood relative. The moment Petunia reluctantly took Harry in, she sealed the Charm. While Harry could still call Privet Drive his home, he could not be touched or harmed by Voldemort. Lily’s blood and protection lived on and would last until he came of age.

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## Scabbers
In *Philosopher’s Stone* Ron’s hand-me-down rat seemed to be a rather boring pet. All he did was sleep and refused to be turned yellow (though that might have been the spell). But in *Prisoner of Azkaban*, we learnt that this dull and uninspiring rat was actually the weak, selfish and treacherous Peter Pettigrew. He was the one that told Voldemort where Harry’s parents were. He was the one that framed Sirius Black. And he was the one that helped bring Voldemort back to power in *Goblet of Fire*. Who would have thought a rodent would have such a significant role in the story?

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## Invisibility Cloak
On Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts, he receives his famous Invisibility Cloak – which had once belonged to his father. While it was clearly a very cool present, not to mention incredibly useful for sneaking around when breaking school rules, it wasn’t until much later on that we learnt just how valuable this object actually was. It turned out that Harry’s cloak was one of the three Deathly Hallows which made it one of a kind. We doubt Harry would have treated it quite so casually if he had known it’s true significance…

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## Sirius’s motorbike
When Harry is brought to Privet Drive from Godric’s Hollow as a baby, it is on the back of a flying motorbike ridden by Rubeus Hagrid. There is so much going on at that moment you’d be forgiven for not paying much attention to that magical mode of transportation which belonged to someone called Sirius Black. However, not only does the bike reappear in *Deathly Hallows*, as the way that Harry leaves the Dursleys for the final time, but Sirius Black turns out to be an incredibly important character. He was one of James Potter’s closest friends, Harry’s godfather, a member of the Order of the Phoenix and one of the authors of the very important Marauder’s Map. 

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## Harry freeing the snake at the zoo
At the start of the first movie, Harry and the Dursleys take a trip to the zoo to celebrate Dudley’s birthday. During that visit, Harry finds himself in conversation with a snake that he accidentally manages to set free. While we hope that friendly snake managed to slither away and live a happy life out of captivity, it did reveal an important plot point that wasn’t acknowledged until *Chamber of Secrets*. Harry could talk to snakes – and that wasn’t a common magical ability. 

As he soon found out, the ability to speak Parseltongue was something that was often treated with suspicion by the wizarding community. Other famous Parselmouths included Lord Voldemort and Salazar Slytherin – and many considered it to be a sign of a Dark wizard. Though as we discovered in *Deathly Hallows*, the only reason Harry had this ability was because he was an accidental Horcrux bound to Voldemort. Once the piece of Voldemort’s soul that lived in Harry was destroyed, he found he could no longer talk to his serpent friends.

Why Hagrid was the best father figure Harry had

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## He was the one who brought Harry to (relative) safety when his parents died
On that awful night when Voldemort murdered Harry’s parents, Hagrid was the one who took him from his house in Godric’s Hollow and brought him to Privet Drive. The care he had for infant Harry was clear from the moment we met him in that very first chapter. When Dumbledore asked Hagrid to hand him over so he could leave him with the Dursleys, Hagrid clearly didn’t want to be separated from him. Not only did he burst into tears, but he also worried like any parent would about leaving him there. We know we felt very emotional when Hagrid said his goodbyes to Harry.

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## He introduced Harry to the wizarding world
The day that Harry found out he was a wizard had to be one of the best days of his entire life – and it was Hagrid who gave him that wonderful news. He burst into the hut-on-the-rock, gave the Dursleys a piece of his mind (not to mention Dudley a new tail) and even presented Harry with his first ever birthday cake. If that wasn’t enough, he told Harry who he was and introduced him to the wizarding world. 

Though it was what happened next that really made us view Hagrid as a father figure. Any child starting a new school needs to get their school supplies together, and often it is your parents who help with that. In this instance, the role fell to Hagrid, and he was the one who took Harry shopping in Diagon Alley. He made sure Harry had everything he needed, from his books to his wand and even stepped in to stop him from impulse buying a solid gold cauldron. The whole day could have been a father and son bonding trip – especially when Hagrid bought Harry his beloved Hedwig… and a delicious ice cream.

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## He always remembered him on Christmas and birthdays
Growing up with the Dursleys, Harry didn’t expect much (if anything) when it came to Christmas and birthdays. The best he could hope for was a pair of Uncle Vernon’s old socks. Yet Hagrid never forgot about Harry. He gave him presents on all of his birthdays and every Christmas – and never forgot him. While some of the gifts (like Hedwig) were more appreciated than others (like his homemade treacle toffee), it proved that Harry was never far from Hagrid’s thoughts. He loved him, wanted to make sure that he knew he was always there and that he could be relied upon.

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## He wasn’t afraid to tell him off when he needed to 
Like all teenagers, Harry was prone to messing up and Hagrid was there to gently chastise him when needed – just like a father would. In *Prisoner of Azkaban*, Harry and Ron stopped talking to Hermione over Harry’s Firebolt and weren’t being particularly good friends to her. Hagrid noticed their behaviour and sat them down for a little chat. While Hagrid wasn’t often one for serious talks, this proved he could step in and take a parental role when needed. While we are sure Harry found it rather uncomfortable and probably wished the ground would swallow him up, there were only a handful of people who would be willing to have those awkward chats and put him on the straight and narrow.

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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## He always supported Harry and helped him where he could 
Lots of parents like to support their kids whenever they can – whether it is cheering them on when they play in a football match, watching them be sheep number three in their school nativity, helping them with their homework, or just supporting their life decisions. Hagrid was no exception. He was there in the stands at Harry’s Quidditch matches yelling words of encouragement. He was there for all of the Triwizard Tournament tasks – and even gave him a heads up about the dragon in the first task. Most importantly, he believed and supported Harry in bringing about an end to Voldemort. If that’s not excellent dad behaviour, we don’t know what is.

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## Harry was always welcome at Hagrid’s hut 
When Harry was at Hogwarts, he knew he could always go to Hagrid’s cabin whenever he needed to – from the first time he was invited to pop over for a cup of tea. Harry clearly made the most of having Hagrid close by on campus. After all, it was the first place he thought to take Ron after that memorable slug vomiting incident. Like when it comes to visiting your parents, Harry needed no excuse to visit – and often didn’t provide any advance warning. On the whole, Hagrid was always pleased to see him and didn’t mind if Harry was coming for a catch up, to try and get information from him or to ask his advice. He would be there with a hot drink, (often inedible) snacks and a listening ear. 

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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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All the different ways you can be a Slytherin

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## You can put others before yourself and belong in Slytherin
Those who belong to Slytherin are well known for their skills of self-preservation and using cunning techniques to get exactly what they want. So, you would probably believe that all Slytherins just want to look out for number one. However, that is a massive stereotype. There are plenty of Slytherins who have gone above and beyond – one that immediately springs to mind is Leta Lestrange. At the end of *Crimes of Grindelwald*, Leta realised that Newt and his brother Theseus were in peril and decided to rescue them. She pretended to join Grindelwald, but it was just a ruse. Instead, she destroyed his skull hookah to cause a distraction and give them both enough time to escape. Leta ended up paying a heavy price for this when she was swallowed by the flames. Though she had been known for her self-serving attitude, she ultimately sacrificed herself to save those she loved from certain death. She certainly proved that being a Slytherin doesn’t automatically mean you are selfish.

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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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## Ambition doesn’t always mean seeking power when you’re a Slytherin
Slytherins have a reputation for their ambition being rooted in seeking as much power and influence as possible. You can understand why, when former students included witches and wizards like Lucius Malfoy, Dolores Umbridge and the one who was after control of the entire wizarding world… Lord Voldemort. Nevertheless, there are those whose ambition manifests itself in a different way. Scorpius Malfoy was one such Slytherin. His ambitions were smaller and lot of his were rooted in doing the best he could academically and expanding his magical knowledge. Who can forget just how thrilled he was to come across Hermione Granger’s very impressive book collection? He demonstrated that not all Slytherins are driven by the same thing and proved that just because his goals appeared to be smaller, it didn’t make them any less worthy or important.

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## You don’t always have to have a hard exterior to be a Slytherin
Haughty, regal, snobby, high-maintenance – these are just some of the rather unflattering assumptions people make about the members of this house. While Draco Malfoy was someone who lived up to this image of what Slytherins are like (he certainly liked to sneer at others), there are plenty who didn’t have quite such a hard exterior – you could hardly call Horace Slughorn unfriendly. Yes, he had his Slug Club and like to surround himself with people who he could benefit from, but he wasn’t overtly mean or cruel. In fact, he was often rather jovial and very full of compliments for those he thought deserved them. And he wasn’t the only pleasant Slytherin to spring to mind. There was also Andromeda Tonks, Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter (when he was in a good mood) to name a few. It just goes to show that you don’t have to be cold and detached just because you belong to Slytherin.

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

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## Love can be your driving motivation and you can be a Slytherin
Andromeda Tonks was a Slytherin whose primary incentive in life seemed to be love. She gave up her entire family because of her love for Ted Tonks. There is no doubt that she deeply cared for her daughter Nymphadora – she even became an ally of the Order of the Phoenix because of it. She was also devoted to her grandson Teddy, who she ended up raising single-handedly after Tonks and Remus both died in the Battle of Hogwarts. For Andromeda, love came before ambition or power, and she demonstrated how that wasn’t incompatible with being a Slytherin. And if we are talking about love, we should also give a nod to her sister Narcissa. While she wasn’t a good person – what with her support of Voldemort and highly unpleasant views – she was devoted to her son and valued that above all else. She even defied Voldemort in the Battle of Hogwarts, when she lied and told him that Harry was dead so she could get back to the castle to find Draco. Her desire to do this wasn’t noble, but it was because of love. So as much as some of them may try to hide it, Slytherins do have big hearts after all.

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## You don’t have to be brimming with confidence to be a Slytherin 
If *Cursed Child* taught us anything, it is that you shouldn’t get caught up believing that all Slytherins are extremely self-assured. Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy were two wizards that didn’t always feel confident about their place in the world. Scorpius’s self-esteem wasn’t particularly high – and it probably had a lot to do with the false rumours about him being the son of Voldemort. Albus Potter felt like an outsider as the only Slytherin in a family full of Gryffindors, that clearly dented his confidence. And even though Draco Malfoy seemed to have a lot of swagger during his time at Hogwarts, he still struggled with insecurity – especially after he found himself in over his head with the Death Eaters. So, while a lot of Slytherin folk might seem to be very self-possessed, inside they could well be struggling – but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong in the serpent house.

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## You can be incredibly brave and be a Slytherin
Bravery and chivalry are the most recognised traits when it comes to Gryffindor – though they don’t have the monopoly on courage. There have been many Slytherins who have also demonstrated these characteristics. Regulus Black and Severus Snape are two perfect examples. Both of these men were complex and had made poor decisions earlier in life – they had been members of Lord Voldemort’s Death Eaters after all. Yet, both had been incredibly daring and turned against their former leader, risking their lives to do the right thing. Whether it was Regulus stealing Slytherin’s locket – with the intention of destroying the Horcrux and defeating the Dark Lord, or Snape becoming a spy for Dumbledore which placed him in constant danger, there is no way you could call either one of them cowards. And we reckon that there would be plenty of other Slytherins willing to step up to the plate too.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

All the different ways you can be a Ravenclaw

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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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## You can be creative rather than academic and be a Ravenclaw
Those who belong to Ravenclaw house are thought to be the brainiest students at Hogwarts. Many assume that means all Ravenclaws are very academic and enjoy nothing more than spending their time in the library. While there are plenty of Ravenclaws who fit that description, there are many others who demonstrate that cleverness doesn’t just apply to book learning. In fact, intelligence can mean being creative and Luna Lovegood is certainly one example of that. From her carefully crafted vegetable-themed jewellery, to the painting of her friends that adorned her bedroom ceiling, she was a Ravenclaw that was incredibly artistic. And she wasn’t the only one. Professor Trelawney could also be described as being rather creative. We reckon it would take a lot of out of the box thinking to keep inventing so many fake predictions in her Divination classes. If you’re a Ravenclaw that doesn’t see the appeal of getting bogged down in the nitty gritty of academia, it doesn’t mean you can’t belong to this wise house.

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## You can be sporty and a belong to Ravenclaw
The problem with being known as the house which is obsessed with learning is that it gives way to a lot of stereotypes about nerds – specifically that they can’t be sporty. However, this isn’t necessarily true. There are many Ravenclaws who have a knack for games and sports – without them there wouldn’t be a Ravenclaw Quidditch team. One of the members of that team who encapsulated this was Cho Chang. She was a sports enthusiast who was a long-time supporter of the Tutshill Tornadoes, not to mention an exceedingly talented player herself. She was even able to give Harry Potter a run for his money as a Seeker. When they faced one another in *Prisoner of Azkaban*, it was only because Harry’s Firebolt was faster than Cho’s Comet that he managed to win the match. So, just because you might be a Ravenclaw with a natural talent for learning, there’s nothing to say you can’t also be a whizz at sports. 

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## You can be motivated by kindness and be a Ravenclaw
When you think of the kindest house in Hogwarts, Hufflepuff is probably the one you would settle on. Nevertheless, Ravenclaws can be caring and empathetic too. Though some may come across as a bit distant and detached (thanks to their habit for having their heads in the clouds), many could still give Hufflepuff a run for their money in that regard. Professor Flitwick was one of the warmest and most welcoming of all the Hogwarts professors. He was supportive and always seemed to be happy to praise his students – especially when they needed a little boost. Luna was another person who had tonnes of empathy and was highly intuitive. On more than one occasion she helped Harry out when he was struggling – from helping him cast a Patronus in the Battle of Hogwarts, to explaining what Thestrals were to make him feel less alone. It might not be their most stereotypical trait, but thanks to their insightful natures, Ravenclaws can be a very compassionate bunch.

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## You can be the life and soul of the party and be a Ravenclaw
Ravenclaws are often thought to be introverts who would rather not be the centre of attention – they’d rather leave all that to the Gryffindors thank-you-very-much. Many would assume that they would shy away from a good knees-up. Yet there are quite a number of them that don’t fit this description – you could hardly call Gilderoy Lockhart a wallflower. He relished his fame – even if it wasn’t well deserved. He wasn’t the only Ravenclaw who broke the introvert mould. The former Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold, did too. She was the Minister before Cornelius Fudge and was in office on the night that Harry survived Voldemort’s attempt on his life. She let the wizarding community celebrate and party – even though it got her in trouble with the International Confederation of Wizards for breaching the International Statute of Secrecy. Millicent didn’t care about that and responded by declaring: ‘I assert our inalienable right to party’. If you’re a Ravenclaw that is more outgoing than you think you ought to be – don’t worry you’re not alone.

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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and the Chamber of Secrets

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## Just because Ravenclaws prize individualism it doesn’t mean they don’t help others
If there is one house known to be filled with many different eccentric characters, it’s Ravenclaw. They pride themselves on their uniqueness as free thinkers and are always looking to push magical boundaries. You may believe that they’re little self-involved and could possibly struggle with teamwork as they are so focussed on being one of a kind. Yet, that doesn’t seem to be the case a lot of the time. Luna Lovegood undoubtedly did a lot to help others – she was loyal to her friends and stood with them on numerous occasions including the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Additionally, plenty of Ravenclaws decided to stay behind to help fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, putting themselves at risk to help defend the wizarding world. Just because Ravenclaws come across more like a bunch of individuals than a collective group, it doesn’t mean they don’t know how to work together.

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## You don’t have to be stuck-up to be a Ravenclaw
If you know that you have a reputation for being the most intelligent students in your school, it’s no wonder that it might go to your head, and you may come across as a bit arrogant or superior. Although Ravenclaws were known for sometimes being rather self-important (Gilderoy Lockhart clearly was), they weren’t the only house that had a big-headed streak, both Gryffindor and Slytherin were guilty of this too. Having said that, there were some who weren’t like this at all. Luna was never one to care about her reputation or status – she wouldn’t compare herself to others. The head of Ravenclaw, Professor Flitwick, was someone you wouldn’t call conceited. His helpful and charming personality didn’t lend itself to that kind of attitude. While being humble and down-to-earth is often more associated with Hufflepuff, you can have easily have these characteristics and be a good match for Ravenclaw.


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All the different ways you can be a Hufflepuff

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## Hufflepuffs aren’t always pushovers
The problem with being a house which is often underestimated, is that many imagine that they can just walk all over you. Yes, Hufflepuff might have a reputation for being the kindest of the four houses, but in no way does that mean its members are weak willed. There are plenty of witches and wizards who prove this wrong. Nymphadora Tonks was hardly someone you could call a pushover. A perfect example would be her relationship with Remus Lupin. She refused to just let him decide that they shouldn’t be together for the sake of her safety and didn’t give up, eventually winning him round to her way of thinking. Justin Finch-Fletchley and Ernie Macmillan were also two Hufflepuffs that seemed to have a stubborn streak. After the incident in *Chamber of Secrets* with the snake in Duelling Club, there was nothing you could say to convince them that Harry wasn’t the heir of Slytherin. So, if you’re a member of this hard-working house, it doesn’t mean you are able to be easily swayed.

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## You can be brave and be a Hufflepuff
While the primary Hufflepuff traits don’t specifically mention courage, they're often still a brave bunch who are willing to stand up for what they believe in. You only have to look at how they behaved in the Battle of Hogwarts to see that. Many of them stayed behind to fight – the only house that had more volunteers was Gryffindor. And before the battle, they were the second quickest after Gryffindor to stand up and defend Harry from the Slytherins. And if we are talking about bravery, we must mention Cedric Diggory. He volunteered to represent his school in the Triwizard Tournament – a competition that was known to be difficult, challenging and have its fair share of scary moments. You couldn’t go up against a fully-grown dragon guarding its eggs without having nerves of steel. There probably are some Hufflepuffs who aren’t particularly courageous, but we reckon there are a lot more who are.

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## You can be adventurous and be a Hufflepuff
Gryffindor is normally the house which is associated with having a thirst for excitement and adventure – but witches and wizards in other houses can share that personality trait too. Take a glance at Newt Scamander and you’ll recognise that. He was a Hufflepuff that travelled the world looking for weird, wonderful and often dangerous magical creatures. He had so many escapades – there was his time in New York where he not only had to round up all the beasts that had escaped from his case, but made a daring escape from MACUSA, and he came face-to-face with the Dark wizard Grindelwald. He even went to Paris, at Albus Dumbledore’s request, to try and track down Credence while knowing that it was hardly risk free (especially as he was banned from international travel at the time). So, if Newt is anything to go by, there’s nothing to say you can’t be a Hufflepuff with a love of travel, a need to explore and a desire to discover new things.

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## Hufflepuffs aren’t bland or boring
Out of all the houses, many would say that Hufflepuff has the least exciting characteristics. Where Gryffindors are known for their daring, Slytherin for their cunning and Ravenclaw for their intelligence, being known for working hard might not seem quite as glamorous. However, that is just an assumption. Nymphadora Tonks was a highly skilled Auror with a punky style, a penchant for bright pink hair and as a Metamorphmagus was able to change her appearance at will. You don’t get more exciting that that. Having said that, just because Hufflepuff might not appear to be quite as flashy as the other houses, that doesn’t make them dull in the slightest. They don’t need to show-off or be attention seeking – and it’s the other house’s fault if they choose to underestimate or not see the value of this loyal and trustworthy bunch.

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## Hufflepuffs can be just as intelligent as the other houses
Unfortunately for Hufflepuff, they seemed to have picked up an unfair reputation for being the least clever of all the houses. Nevertheless, you only need to scratch the surface to realise that wasn’t true. The Head of Hufflepuff, Professor Sprout, was a supremely talented witch with an extensive knowledge of magical flora and fauna. What she didn’t know about those plants and fungi just wasn’t worth knowing. Grogan Stump was one of the most popular Ministers for Magic of all time and he was also a Hufflepuff. He was even responsible for establishing the Department of Magical Games and Sports. There was also Bridget Wenlock, the famous Arithmancer from the thirteenth-century. She was the person who uncovered the magical properties of the number seven – she definitely needed to have some brains to make that discovery. Even though Hagrid may have referred to Hufflepuff as ‘a lot o’ duffers’, there are so many people that prove that wrong.

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## You don’t have to toil away in the background because you’re a Hufflepuff
Cedric Diggory was a Prefect, Quidditch star, a heartthrob and a Triwizard champion – he also happened to be a Hufflepuff. He didn’t just fade into the background but was a fantastic role model for his house, and certainly challenged some of the stereotypes surrounding it. Many think that as a hardworking bunch, most Hufflepuffs are happy to fly under the radar and have no desire to be in the spotlight, seek glory or do great things. Yet, as Cedric proved, that is incorrect. He wasn’t the only one to challenge this view – lots of other Hufflepuffs have done brilliant things. One such person was the founder of this house, Helga Hufflepuff, whose achievements speak for themselves and whose name has gone down in history. When you think about it, if you belong to a house that is known for always trying their best, it’s no wonder so many have gone on to do fantastic things.

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All the different ways you can be a Gryffindor

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## You can have an anxious disposition and be a Gryffindor
Courage and chivalry are two of the most recognisable qualities when it comes to this house – but that doesn’t mean that every Gryffindor is always supremely confident and self-assured. Some can be nervous or unsure of themselves and still belong there. Courage doesn’t have to involve flashy or daring gestures. Bravery can be found in what appears to be smaller actions. Whether it is overcoming shyness to speak up when needed, facing a situation even though it makes you anxious, or standing up to those who are your friends – those are all still examples of courage. Neville Longbottom was one Gryffindor who was often nervous. When we first met him, he had no faith in himself and questioned where he belonged. But by the end of *Philosopher’s Stone*, he had proved himself to be a worthy Gryffindor by standing up to Harry, Ron and Hermione and even earned some house points from Dumbledore for doing so.

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## You don’t have to love being in the spotlight to be a Gryffindor
One Gryffindor stereotype is that they all love being the centre of attention and the loudest in the room. While there are many members of that house who do enjoy having all eyes on them – or wish that they did more often (like Ron) – there are also those who would rather eschew the spotlight. Harry Potter certainly wanted to. And yes, as one of the most famous people within the wizarding world you might find that hard to believe. Yet, Harry didn’t want all the attention that came his way and often felt uncomfortable when thrust into the limelight. A perfect example of this was when he found himself as a Triwizard Champion in *Goblet of Fire*, despite not entering. Harry had actually been looking forward to a quiet year – where someone else could be the main focus of the school’s attention for once. Even if he had been eligible to put his own name into the Goblet, he wouldn’t have necessarily wanted to. When it turned out he was the fourth champion anyway, it was mortifying, frustrating and not what he wanted at all. 

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## There’s nothing to say you can’t be highly intelligent and a Gryffindor
Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Minerva McGonagall, Hermione Granger – these are arguably some of the cleverest witches and wizards to exist in the wizarding world and they are all Gryffindors. In fact, some might think that they would be a better fit for Ravenclaw, but it was how they chose to use their intelligence which made them a perfect match for their house. Whether it was Dumbledore using his brains to find a way to defeat Voldemort, Lupin using his intelligence as a member of the Order of the Phoenix, Professor McGonagall using complex magic to defend the school in the Battle of Hogwarts, or Hermione using her abilities to create S.P.E.W. to try and help house-elves – they didn’t just pursue knowledge for the sake of it but used it to fight for what they believed to be right.

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## You can be ambitious and belong to Gryffindor house 
Ambition is most often associated with Slytherin, but that that didn’t mean there weren’t Gryffindors who had big dreams and goals in their life. Percy Weasley was highly ambitious. He wanted to rise through the ranks of the Ministry of Magic and benefit from the respect and recognition it would bring him. Fred and George were also incredibly motivated – with a real nose for business. The pair of them used their skills as mischief makers to develop a successful joke shop. They went from testing their pranks on fellow students, to running Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes – one of the most popular shops in Diagon Alley. They even managed to stay open during Voldemort’s return to power whilst selling products like ‘U-No-Poo’… which was certainly a very bold move.

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## You don’t have to be naturally reckless to fit into Gryffindor
Gryffindors have a reputation for acting first and thinking later – Sirius Black, James Potter and even Harry were all frequently guilty of this. However, there were plenty of others who didn’t fit that stereotype. Hermione Granger springs to mind. She was not somebody who threw herself into a situation like breaking school rules without thinking it through carefully and weighing up the pros and cons. When she decided to brew the Polyjuice Potion in *Chamber of Secrets*, it was only because the threat to Muggle-borns was much more important to her than risking detention. When Umbridge banned groups from gathering in *Order of the Phoenix*, she forged ahead with the DA because getting a proper Defence Against the Dark Arts education was worth facing Umbridge’s wrath. Hermione may have been careful, but she certainly wasn’t afraid to take bold and brave risks – which is a very Gryffindor trait – she just approached things less hot-headedly than her peers.

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## Loyalty can be one of your defining characteristics and you can still be a Gryffindor
Loyalty is a characteristic that is mainly associated with Hufflepuff house – they certainly would do anything for their friends and family, but Gryffindor has their fair share of dependable members too. They are often loyal to causes as well as people, especially when it comes to following their own moral code. Sometimes their dedication to protecting others can slip into stubbornness and put them in dangerous situations. Harry, Ron and Hermione’s loyalty to one another, and to defeating Voldemort, definitely meant they found themselves in peril on more than one occasion. But whether they were stopping Voldemort from getting his hand on the Philosopher’s Stone or hunting Horcruxes, their devotion was never in question.

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What sort of Great Hall dinner guest would you be?

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Which Hogwarts character are you spiritually connecting with today? Let us see!

## If you’re the sort of person who likes to look up the menu and decide your order before you go to the restaurant, you’d be like Ron 

What’s the best thing about the feast? The feasting, of course! Ron knew the score. He was always to be spotted tucking into Hogwarts’ bountiful food selections during a feast – to the extent Hermione once asked him if he ever stops eating. We can’t blame Ron, though. After years of Mrs Weasley’s delicious dinners, no wonder he is a food-lover! This lad simply appreciates the culinary delights the world has to offer, and if you’re drawn to this section, you relate to him. We have always wanted to join the Hogwarts Great Hall feasts too – the book descriptions of the food were always so mouth-watering. Our kingdom for a flaming Christmas pudding!

## If you’re constantly schmoozing, you’d be like Percy 

Some people shirk small-talk at parties, but not you. Every social event is an opportunity to make a new friend – or depending on the occasion – take a step up the job ladder if you meet the right person. This was very much Percy’s prerogative, especially during the Yule Ball where he was representing Barty Crouch to absolutely anyone who would listen. But while Percy could be overbearing at times, you’ve got to respect his hustle! Percy knew how to get ahead in life, even if he sometimes lost his head in the process. We can definitely understand you wanting to meet as many people as humanly possible at Hogwarts feasts – you certainly get a lot of interesting characters there. 

## If social situations cause you great anxiety, you’d be like young Derek 

Maybe you read the Percy section thinking, “Nope, can’t relate. Talking to people is terrible,” – so perhaps you’re more in tune with Derek the nervous first-year. Derek was a young lad who found himself in a very bizarre Christmas dinner situation in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After a wider berth of Hogwarts students flocked home for the holidays (Sirius Black had tried to break into the castle a few months prior, remember) Dumbledore hosted a more-modest feast for the remaining students, which included Harry and poor Derek. And when the mighty headmaster of Hogwarts, Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock and holder of an Order of Merlin, first class, offers you some chipolatas – you can’t blame Derek for being shocked to the core by such a moment. 

## If you are louder than life itself, you’d be like Fred & George 

Do you like to bring the party? Easy – you’re Fred and George, who also liked to provide a bit of pizzazz to the Hogwarts feasts when they weren’t hosting rambunctious parties in the Gryffindor common room. Often known to put their stamp on proceedings (whether that’s singing Hoggy Warty Hogwarts as a slow funeral march or simply yelling out “You’re joking!” during Dumbledore’s Triwizard Tournament announcement) – the Weasley twins brought energy to wherever they were. Even during exam season, they made quite the statement thanks to a couple of fireworks and some portable swamps. Maybe this all reminds you of yourself a little bit. Because without you, things might be a tad quieter, but life would also be way less fun! 

## If you simply love hosting, you’d be like Albus Dumbledore 

Maybe you’d rather be the one dishing out the Hors-d'œuvres rather than chomping on them? If so, you strike us as a natural host – the one who holds everything together and makes sure everyone is fed, watered and entertained. This was very much Dumbledore’s job at Hogwarts, who kicked off proceedings with a few words (sometimes these words were just, “Nitwit, Blubber, Oddment, Tweak”) and set the tone for these fabulous occasions. At the Yule Ball, he kindly showed everyone how to order food to their plates (simply say what you want!) and always made sure the feasts of Hogwarts felt that little bit more magical. If you like to bring your own spark to your own dinner parties, we see a lot of Dumbledore in you.

The Hogwarts Great Hall feasts are some of the greatest feasts around. And they always prove eventful. Today, we’re wondering what type of dinner guest you’d be, based on your personality. Picture yourself in the Great Hall and pull up a chair. 

The Great Hall wordsearch

WEB-PUZZLE-great-hall-wordsearch

Pull up a chair and try our latest puzzle - a wordsearch quizzing you on the food and festivities of Hogwarts and the Great Hall.