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What if Ron didn't get in the carriage on the Hogwarts Express with Harry?

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

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and the Philosopher's Stone 

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Before we dive into what could have been different, lets consider why Ron and Harry’s friendship was so important to the series. 

As soon as Harry and Ron met, the pair of them seemed to get on like a house on fire. They quickly bonded over sweets, their mutual dislike of Malfoy and the excitement of starting a new school. That initial connection only strengthened over time and by the end of the series they were family as well as friends. Without this very important relationship the story could have looked quite different indeed.

If it wasn’t for Ron, Harry would have found the wizarding world a much trickier place to navigate. Having grown up with his Muggle relatives, Harry had no understanding of how the wizarding world worked – despite his fame amongst the wizarding population. It was Ron that gave Harry so many of the useful insights that helped him to integrate into this magical world. He also stood up for him, frequently risked his life on their many escapades and quickly made him an honorary Weasley – which meant everything to Harry. 

And Harry helped Ron in many ways too. Having always felt like he lived in his siblings’ shadow, Ron had been insecure and prone to jealousy. But after he became Harry’s best friend, and went on many adventures with him, he became a hero in his own right. Not only was he instrumental in helping to save the wizarding world, but he also became a Hogwarts Prefect and a member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Ron’s friendship with Harry certainly helped him mature and undergo a positive transformation.  

Their relationship may have had ups and downs – like when Ron’s jealousy in *Goblet of Fire* caused him to turn against Harry – but without each other’s support, the two of them could have been very different people with very different stories. 

So how important was that day on the Hogwarts Express? Would their friendship have survived without it? What would their relationship with Hermione look like? And without that encounter, would Harry have been a Gryffindor?

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## Would Ron and Harry have become best friends?
We would like to think that if Harry and Ron hadn’t been sat together on the Hogwarts Express, they would have still ended up as friends (if not best friends). As two Gryffindor boys in their first year, they still would have shared a dormitory and would have spent many hours together. Their personalities would still have been compatible, and we can definitely see the pair of them still having plenty of fun.

However, there is some question over whether their bond might have been quite so strong. A lot happened on that train ride, despite it being one of the less dramatic parts of the story. It was in those quieter, smaller moments that these two really gravitated towards each other. 

For instance, when Ron let slip that his family didn’t have much money (with his hand-me-down pet rat, second-hand wand and a dry corned beef sandwich as his lunch), Harry sensed his vulnerability and didn’t tease him because he understood where Ron was coming from. Harry had never had anything of his own until he became a wizard, so he wanted to share what he now had with Ron. The second he responded by explaining what it had been like to live at Privet Drive and offered to swap his pasty for Ron’s rather unappealing sandwich, a fledgling friendship was formed. The two of them opened up to one another, despite being virtual strangers, and the rest was history. 

Therefore, it would be easy to assume that if the pair of them had not had this moment on the train and had not walked through the doors of Hogwarts together, they wouldn’t have been so close. Yet, we like to think it probably wasn’t the case. We imagine they would have had that interaction at a different time – whether it was days, weeks or months later. Harry and Ron had a lot in common and their friendship seemed to come so naturally to them. It would have taken an awful lot to keep these two apart and we reckon that one missed day together wouldn’t have changed much.

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## Would Harry have been less resistant to being sorted into Slytherin?
By the time that Harry and Ron came face to face, Harry had heard a few things about Slytherin house… specifically that Voldemort belonged to it and the unpleasant boy he met in Madam Malkin’s wanted to be in it. We think that at this point Harry was already forming his opinion of Slytherin and wasn’t keen on the idea of being one. So, it would be easy to assume that even without meeting Ron, Harry would still have told the Sorting Hat not to place him there. 

Yet would his aversion have been so strong without meeting Ron? They did discuss houses and Harry did find out that all of Ron’s family had been sorted into Gryffindor. He also discovered that Ron would be unhappy to be sorted into Slytherin, so that could have influenced him as well. Not to mention the fact that they had a run in with Malfoy – where he immediately insulted Harry’s new friend. At that moment, everything seemed clear to Harry. He knew that he would always choose someone like Ron over someone like Malfoy – which would have only strengthened his anti-Slytherin resolve.

Ultimately, we believe that Harry would have asked to not be sorted into Slytherin, whether Ron had sat next to him on the Hogwarts Express or not. But we also think that his interactions on the train cemented that feeling. If Harry hadn’t heard about Ron’s background, or seen Malfoy’s treatment of him and others, he might not have been quite as adamant when it came to The Sorting Ceremony.

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## Would Harry have been more open to becoming Malfoy’s friend?
We reckon Malfoy and Harry would not have been friends – even without the skirmish on the Hogwarts Express. Harry already had a negative impression of Malfoy long before he heard him make any comments about Ron’s family. As soon as Malfoy called Hagrid a savage in Madam Malkin’s Harry had got the measure of him. 

So, if Ron hadn’t been in the carriage when Malfoy extended his hand to Harry, we believe he still would have had plenty of reasons to refuse his offer of friendship. Sooner or later Harry would have discovered the truth about the Malfoy family. He would have realised that they had been followers of the Dark wizard who had killed his parents, would have seen their pure-blood mania, would have seen Draco bully those he saw as weak and would have had plenty of exposure to his awful, entitled attitude. Harry would have rejected such hatred and would not have wanted any part in it.

All that happened with Ron being in the carriage that day was that Harry’s impression of Malfoy was reinforced more quickly. Whether that was when Malfoy said that Ron’s family had more children than they could afford. Or when Scabbers bit Goyle after he, Malfoy and Crabbe had tried to take their food. Or when Malfoy made a comment about the death of Harry’s parents. The train journey was a good example of why Harry didn’t want to be an ally of the boy with the snooty nature and nasty attitude.

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## Would Harry, Ron and Hermione have become friends sooner?
While Ron and Harry’s first impressions of each other were nothing but positive, the same can’t be said for how they viewed Hermione. On the occasions that she burst into their train carriage, told them all about the books she had read, ridiculed the spell George had given Ron and pointed out the dirt on his nose, they seemed to find her… annoying. 

Though while Harry was a bit taken aback by her, it was Ron who really seemed riled by her presence. The two of them started to bicker immediately – which we later came to discover was just their dynamic. But by the time they arrived at Hogwarts, Harry and Ron were already becoming fast friends and Hermione joining their pair was not close to being an idea in either of their heads. It was so far from Ron’s mind that he groaned when he heard the Sorting Hat announce that she was a Gryffindor.

So, would they have all become friends sooner if they had met under different circumstances? It could be argued that if Harry had met Hermione without Ron being there, he might have been more open to the prospect. We could imagine him reaching out to her when he realised that she didn’t have any friends after a few weeks of term – it would be in keeping with Harry’s desire to look out for the underdog. But Harry’s patience only stretched so far, and he did struggle to warm to her at the beginning, without Ron’s input. 

We also believe that Ron would have needed to have Harry there to have become Hermione’s friend in the first place. Even if she had still overheard him saying mean things about her at Hallowe’en, and she had hidden in the girls’ toilets, it was Harry who convinced Ron that they needed to try and rescue her from the troll. Without the dynamic of Harry and Ron we highly doubt Hermione would have become part of their group.

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## Would Harry have been able to reach the Philosopher’s Stone?
The answer to this all depends on whether Harry, Ron and Hermione still became friends without having first met on the journey to Hogwarts. We don’t think that Harry would have been able to reach the Philosopher’s Stone without help, and Ron and Hermione were vital in this adventure.

The obstacles that the teachers set to protect it were no joke. While Harry was a talented flyer who could take on the enchanted keys with no issue, that alone wasn’t enough. It took a combination of all three of them and their skills, including Ron’s excellent chess ability and sacrifice along with Hermione’s cool logic and problem-solving, for Harry to reach the Mirror of Erised. 

So, we think that if the journey on the Hogwarts Express was needed for Harry and Ron to become such good friends, and it never happened, then Harry wouldn’t have had the support he needed to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone.

However, as we have said before, we still reckon that the golden trio would have found their way into each other’s lives. And while it may have taken them a little longer, we imagine they still would have forged a strong enough friendship to take on what was through the trapdoor.

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What do you think? Do you agree with our musings about Harry, Ron and the train compartment?

If this has made you wonder about other ‘What if’ scenarios – then explore some of our others, such as…

[What if Sirius Black had cleared his name in the Prisoner of Azkaban?
](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-sirius-black-had-cleared-his-name-in-the-prisoner-of-azkaban)

[What if Snape had never been in love with Lily Potter?
](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-snape-had-never-been-in-love-with-lily-potter)

[What if Ginny Weasley had never possessed Tom Riddle's diary?](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-if-ginny-had-never-possessed-tom-riddles-diary)

10 things you might not have known about the Hogwarts Express

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*Stop right there! This article contains spoilers from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child!*

## 1. Before the Hogwarts Express came to be, students got to school any way they fancied 

According to [J.K. Rowling’s piece on the Hogwarts Express](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/kings-cross-station), she explains what life was like for Hogwarts students before the train’s creation. Some students took brooms, others commandeered enchanted carts and some students tried riding magical creatures. Apparition did also occur – but it is never recommended, due to Hogwarts having several anti-Apparition charms cast upon it.

## 2. The Minister for Magic, Ottaline Gambol, conceptualised the idea of the Hogwarts Express

Eventually, it was up to the Minister for Magic of the time, Ottaline Gambol, to introduce a mode of travel that all students could take far more easily. After all, several Muggle sightings of travelling students often occurred – and after the Statute of Secrecy was put in place in 1692, things needed to become far more discreet. For a while, the trick was Portkeys, which were strategically placed all over Britain, but students ended up getting Portkey-sick or missing their time slots altogether... So Ottaline Gambol, a fan of Muggle inventions, suggested the idea of a train. 

## 3. The logistics surrounding the Hogwarts Express involved a top-secret operation from the Ministry of Magic 

It has never been proven where the Hogwarts Express was acquired from, although it is said that a group of bemused Muggle railway workers in Crewe felt like ‘they had mislaid something important’ shortly after the Hogwarts Express magically appeared in the village of Hogsmeade, which also didn’t previously have a railway station. It is said that the Ministry of Magic performed the country’s biggest ever Concealment Charm and one hundred and sixty-seven Memory Charms in order to bring the Hogwarts Express to the wizarding world.

## 4. And there was resistance from various wizarding families around the Hogwarts Express

And yet, after all that effort, certain pure-blood wizards and witches strongly disliked the idea of a Muggle mode of transport taking their children to school, deeming the Hogwarts Express unsafe and demeaning. The Ministry waved off such complaints, saying it was either this or they didn’t go to Hogwarts at all, which seemed to swiftly silence people who had a problem.

## 5. Across the Harry Potter books, we very rarely see adults riding the train
The Hogwarts Express really is designed for young students to get to Hogwarts – but we have seen a number of Hogwarts staff take the train too, such as Remus Lupin and Horace Slughorn, who used the opportunity to acquire new Slug Club members on his journey.

## 6. In the Harry Potter films, the Hogwarts Express is portrayed by the GWR 4900 Class 5972  Olton Hall

The amazing scarlet steam engine was brought to life in the Harry Potter films, and it is based on a real-life locomotive. The Great Western Railway model was built in the 1930s and was painted red for its role in the films. (It is usually a green train!) 

## 7. Harry met Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna on the Hogwarts Express 

We all know that Harry met his two future best friends, Ron and Hermione, on the Hogwarts Express, after both turned up in his compartment at one point or another. But Harry also met two other very close friends there – including Neville (looking for his lost toad) and Luna, who was reading a Quibbler upside down. 

## 8. And a young Albus Potter met Scorpius here too 

History repeated itself when Harry’s son, Albus, met his future best friend, Scorpius Malfoy, on the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Much like Harry and Ron, the pair bonded over sweets! 

## 9. King’s Cross Station usually has plain-clothed Ministry of Magic employees patrolling the area 

Due to students having to slip between platforms nine and ten at King’s Cross Station to get to the Hogwarts Express, there have inevitably been wizarding faux pas’ over the years, such as students dropping biting spellbooks or spilling potions ingredients. As you might imagine, there are disguised Ministry members on hand to perform hasty Memory Charms, if required.

## 10. The Trolley Witch was allegedly over 100 years old during the events of Cursed Child 

After trying to escape the Hogwarts Express, Scorpius and Albus have to confront the usually friendly Trolley Witch, who goes to great lengths to stop them. During the altercation, she revealed she had worked on the train ever since the Hogwarts Express began, which would make her extremely old, even for a witch. By Scorpius’s calculations, she would’ve been working on the train for 190 years! That’s a lot of Pumpkin Pasties she’s had to get through...


This glorious scarlet steam engine takes Harry from the Muggle to the magical. But how much do you know about the Hogwarts Express’s history?

Imagine if you’d read the Harry Potter books from Hermione's perspective

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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and the Goblet of Fire

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## Book 1: Hermione Granger and the adventures that nearly got her expelled
Hermione Granger is thrilled to discover that she is a witch and starts her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. On the way there she meets two infuriating boys – one who even had dirt on his nose – but little does she know that they will become a big part of her story. 

Being a very studious sort of person, she excels at everything but does have some difficulty making friends. Nevertheless, those two infuriating boys (Harry and Ron) become two of her closest chums after an incident in the girls’ bathroom involving a troll, *Wingardium Leviosa*, and lying to a teacher (which was the most painful part of that experience). 

The three of them embark on numerous adventures that could get them killed, or worse, expelled. This ends up with them protecting the Philosopher’s Stone from one very Dark wizard. That adventure led Hermione to demonstrate her logical side (a puzzling potions puzzle), her ruthless side (using the full Body-Bind spell on Neville) and proved that she was the cleverest witch of her age. 

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## Book 2: Hermione Granger and the time she solved the mystery before anyone else
Hermione Granger is back and ready to start her second year at Hogwarts. Now with her two best friends at her side, she truly does feel at home in the wizarding world. 

However, the Chamber of Secrets is opened. With a monster attacking Muggle-borns, Hermione finds herself in grave danger. Though that doesn’t stop her from being proactive about the situation. To help find the heir of Slytherin, she successfully brews Polyjuice Potion, which is way beyond the level of an ordinary second-year (even if the hair she used for her dose wasn’t puuurrfect). 

She also solves the mystery of what the creature is before anyone else. When disaster strikes! Hermione is Petrified before she can inform Harry and Ron that there is a Basilisk attacking students and using the school’s plumbing to move around. She ends up in the hospital wing for weeks before they figure it out. Luckily, she has left them some clues. Harry and Ron are able to piece it together, defeat the Basilisk and Hermione is back and raring to go – despite her disappointment at the cancellation of the end-of-year exams.

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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and the Chamber of Secrets

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## Book 3: Hermione Granger and the year she did literally everything
Hermione’s third year at Hogwarts is set to be a very busy year for her. There’s an escaped murderer on the loose who appears to be after one her best friends. And there’s friction between her, Harry and Ron. Having bought the wonderful Crookshanks, she has to deal with Ron’s (unfair) hatred of her furry, ginger pet. And Harry is all snotty with her because she told Professor McGonagall about her legitimate concerns when a Firebolt arrived for him with no note.

Yet, that isn’t the only thing she has to contend with. As the brightest in her year, she has taken on more subjects that there are hours in the day. However, she is secretly entrusted a Time-Turner and so can be in two places at once.

She keeps it a secret from Harry and Ron for a long time. But after a particularly eventful night where she discovers Sirius Black is not a murderer, her half-cat half-Kneazle is an excellent judge of character, Scabbers is a man in disguise and her Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher transforms into a werewolf (though that was one secret she had already figured out), she has to tell Harry. 

The two of them use the Time-Turner to try and save Sirius’s soul. And with werewolves, Dementors and the laws of time to grapple with, they have an awful lot on their plate. But once again, the bright and plucky witch pulls through – saving the day.

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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## Book 4: Hermione Granger and the time she impressed a professional Quidditch player
Hermione’s fourth year doesn’t seem to be any quieter than the previous three. With an exciting Quidditch World Cup Final, her best friend competing in the Triwizard tournament, a new romance on the scene, her other best friend’s jealousy to deal with and the return of Voldemort – there’s always something going on. 

When Harry is selected as the fourth Triwizard champion, it brings a lot of upheaval. She finds herself in the middle between Ron and Harry who aren’t talking. She is the subject of many false and awful articles by the odious Rita Skeeter. She also has to try and help Harry figure out how he’s going to complete the tasks, which involves a lot of research. 

Those trips to the library do unlock a new relationship, as she gets to know Viktor Krum – the dashing Bulgarian Seeker and Triwizard champion. Krum invites Hermione to the Yule Ball, and she has a wonderful time right up until Ron ruins it for her. 

With romance, jealousy, dancing, death and studying – this year is one Hermione will never forget.

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## Book 5: Hermione Granger and the year she created Dumbledore’s Army
Hermione Granger is a Prefect! And while this year may be overshadowed by the return of Voldemort, there are plenty of other things Hermione needs to focus on. Not only does she have the responsibility that comes with being a Prefect, but she has to sit her O.W.L. exams.

With her future on the line, this is not the year for Hermione to get a new and dreadful Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Unluckily for her, the saccharine and sinister Umbridge is installed at Hogwarts – and is hellbent on changing things for the worse.

A proactive person, Hermione decides that now is the time to take her education into her own hands and comes up with the idea for Dumbledore’s Army. Having persuaded Harry to teach a group of students, this ragtag bunch become quite a force to be reckoned with. 

And when Harry sends them all on a wild goose chase to the Department of Mysteries, she more than proves her worth. Even though she is severely injured, Sirius dies and it turns out to be one of Voldemort’s tricks, Hermione demonstrates that yet again she is someone you need on your team. 

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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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## Book 6: Hermione Granger and the year she wished people had listened to her
Hermione starts her sixth year at Hogwarts feeling (unnecessarily) disappointed with her O.W.L. results – Ten Outstandings and One Exceeds Expectations if you must know. Though she has little time to stay disappointed when there are plenty of other things she needs to focus on. 

With Harry suddenly excelling at Potions and outperforming her (unfairly), she needs to knuckle down. Although, when she finds out that he has been getting help in the form of notes written in an old copy of *Advanced Potion-Making*, by someone called the Half-Blood Prince, she is rightly sceptical. But despite her pleas – Harry just won’t listen to her. 

While the mystery of the Half-Blood Prince is a pressing concern, Hermione also has to deal with another important rite of passage – teenage heartbreak. The infuriating boy with the dirt on his nose has found his way into her heart, only to crush it as he takes up with Lavender Brown. Yet, an accidental poisoning helps to improve that situation remarkably.

And on top of everything else there is the revelation about the Horcruxes, the Death of Dumbledore by Snape’s hand (who turns out to be the Half-Blood Prince), Slug Club parties to attend and magic to be learnt. Hermione is in for one busy, frustrating and important year.

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

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## Book 7: Hermione Granger and the time she was the only one who had properly prepared for the Horcrux hunt
The hunt for the Horcruxes is well and truly on! Hermione may not be heading back to Hogwarts this year, but she is as prepared as she possibly can be for the mammoth task ahead. In fact, she is far more prepared than her companions Harry or Ron. With her trusty beaded bag full of all sorts of useful things, she is ready to find and destroy all those bits of Voldemort’s soul.

It won’t be plain sailing. As a Muggle-born she is very much at risk in Voldemort’s new regime. Not to mention the fact that she’s aiding and abetting Undesirable No. 1. There’s also all the danger that she will need to face. Whether it is breaking into the Ministry of Magic, being tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange, or having her heart torn in two for a second time, when Ron decides to leave them.

And even with Ron’s return, she still must face the final Battle of Hogwarts. Though this is a moment where she finally manages to share a kiss with her favourite redhead and has a turn at destroying a Horcrux.

While the battle is incredibly tough, she manages to fight with the best of them – even when it looks like Harry is dead. Luckily, he isn’t, and Hermione can finally have her happy ending. She and Ron are together, with a family of their own, and she’s still the cleverest witch of her age.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

Ranked: Jacob Kowalski's top five funniest moments so far

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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and Where to Find Them

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__A warning! Spoilers for both Fantastic Beasts films are featured in this article.__

***

## 5: When Jacob met Nicolas Flamel

It's always awkward meeting new people - but imagine meeting someone who is essentially immortal. This is exactly what happened to Jacob when he met the famed alchemist and creator of the Philosopher's Stone, Nicolas Flamel. And what's the best thing to say to an immortal person? "You don't look a day over 375", of course! 

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## 4: When Jacob tried to style out Newt’s Niffler robbing a jewellery store 
This was certainly a moment that made us chortle. While Newt was trying to catch his Niffler, who was happily causing chaos in a closed jewellery shop, Jacob was just stood there trying to act casual and not draw attention to this amusing scene. His little winces were excellent. And when he found himself facing the police, while inexplicably covered head to toe in jewels, he tried to style it out by saying ‘they went that way’ – and gave us all a good laugh in the process.

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## 3: When Jacob saw Newt climb into his case for the first time
Jacob has some brilliant reactions to things and this moment is no exception. The little scream he emits when Newt climbs into his case gets us every time. It was so involuntary but also so loud – he was clearly struggling to process what was going on in front of him. Though, he does quickly accept what he has seen and follows Newt – providing us with more merriment. The sight of Jacob climbing into the case and ungracefully falling down the ladder is never not going to be funny.

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## 2: When Jacob tried Gigglewater 
In second place we have yet another Jacob noise. This time it’s his giggle when he tries Gigglewater. Poor Jacob. Here he is trying his best to fit into a world that makes no sense, while attempting to act all suave and flirt with Queenie… and then he takes a sip of that magical drink. Out of nowhere comes a loud and ridiculous laugh that he can’t stifle. While we reckon that this was not the impression that he was trying to make, we couldn’t help but find it endearing and hilarious. 

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No-Maj Jacob Kowalski gets a glimpse into New York's secret magical world with Queenie Goldstein at The Blind Pig speakeasy

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## 1: When Jacob was chased by an Erumpent 
The top spot really couldn’t belong to anything else. While we thought the mating dance that Newt did was funny, it was no match for the hilarity that ensued when Jacob accidentally spilled Erumpent musk on himself. Watching him be chased, while wearing his little helmet, by an amorous Erumpent was just so funny. The No-Maj had gone from trying to get a loan at the bank to finding himself slap bang in the middle of creature chaos. His expression as he was hanging from a tree was priceless... and we bet he was trying to work out just how he had ended up in this ridiculous situation.

FB-F1-erumpent-central-park-zoo-web-landscape

Which Marauder are you most like?

WEB-FEATURE-which-marauder-are-you-most-like

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-marauders-school-james-peter-sirius-web-landscape

which-marauder-are-you-most-like-text-section-1

## If you’re supremely confident… you’re most like James
James Potter was known for being very sure of himself – and he did have good reason. He was a talented Quidditch player, very intelligent and had a group of friends who adored him. Sometimes that confidence could seem like arrogance (just ask Severus Snape), but you have to applaud James for his unshakeable belief in himself. If you’re the type of person who knows they can do anything they put their mind to, carries themselves with their head held high and whose attitude sometimes border on arrogant, you’re most like James Potter.

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-james-sirius-cropped-web-landscape

which-marauder-are-you-most-like-text-section-2

## If you’re a mischievous rebel… you’re most like Sirius
If there was one thing that Sirius was good at, it was getting himself into trouble – whether he was messing around with his friends at school or sneaking out of Grimmauld Place when he was supposed to stay put as an adult. If there was any chaos, you’d find him at the centre of it. His devil-may-care attitude may have been reckless, but Sirius’s mischievous nature always seemed to land on the right side of charming. So, if you’re someone who was frequently in detention, still doesn’t always think before they leap and sees themselves as a bit of a rogue, you’re most like Sirius Black.  

HP-F5-order-of-the-phoenix-sirius-black-leaning-doorframe-smiling-web-landscape

which-marauder-are-you-most-like-text-section-3

## If you like to follow the leader… you’re most like Peter
Do you find it hard to make decisions for yourself? Do you prefer to hide behind those who are more confident and talented than you? Do you have a real instinct for self-preservation? Then you’re most like Peter. Now, we are not saying that you would betray your friends like he did. And we are not saying you would ever go down the same dark path. But if you’re someone who would tell on a friend to avoid getting into trouble, have taken credit you don’t deserve and are always looking for how a situation benefits you, you’re most like Peter Pettigrew.

HP-F3-prisoner-of-azkaban-peter-pettigrew-shack-web-landscape

which-marauder-are-you-most-like-text-section-4

## If you are kind to others… you’re most like Remus
Remus Lupin was compassionate. Having been an outsider himself, he made sure to extend the kindness he was not often shown to others. He certainly looked out for the underdog, even if it did get in the way of his better judgement – he was the one to befriend Peter after all. He also accepted that people had flaws, even if he wasn’t very good at accepting his own. If you’re like Remus, we imagine that you’re the type of person to be a mentor to others, a person whose friends turn to for non-judgemental advice and someone who believes that most people deserve a second chance in life.

HP-F3-prisoner-of-azkaban-harry-lupin-bridge-web-landscape

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

Features - Wizarding World

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Five of the funniest times house points were lost

WEB-FEATURE-five-of-the-funniest-times-house-points-were-lost

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## The time a crocodile was involved…
It’s always fun when a loathsome character like Malfoy gets their just desserts. And while we would never condone throwing things at people in anger… we can’t help by laugh at the image of a crocodile heart flying through the air and landing on Malfoy’s face. It almost makes the loss of fifty points seem worth it…

>Malfoy spent much of their next Potions class doing Dementor imitations across the dungeon; Ron finally cracked, flinging a large, slippery crocodile heart at Malfoy, which hit him in the face and caused Snape to take fifty points from Gryffindor. 
> *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

HP-F2-chamber-of-secrets-malfy-slytherin-common-room-smug-hands-on-hips-web-landscape

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## When Malfoy’s Dementor impression didn’t quite go to plan… 
This was another moment where Malfoy didn’t end up looking too good – and this time it was his turn to lose points! We think it is absolutely brilliant that Harry managed to conjure a Patronus while playing Quidditch and adored the chaos it caused to those playing the prank. The thought of Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Flint all piled up on the ground, and flailing around at the feet of a furious McGonagall, is too perfect.

>Harry stared. Lying in a crumpled heap on the ground were Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Marcus Flint, the Slytherin team captain, all struggling to remove themselves from long, black, hooded robes. It looked as though Malfoy had been standing on Goyle’s shoulders. Standing over them, with an expression of the utmost fury on her face, was Professor McGonagall. 
>
>‘An unworthy trick!’ she was shouting. ‘A low and cowardly attempt to sabotage the Gryffindor Seeker! Detention for all of you, and fifty points from Slytherin! I shall be speaking to Professor Dumbledore about this, make no mistake! Ah, here he comes now!’ 
>
>If anything could have set the seal on Gryffindor’s victory, it was this. Ron, who had fought his way through to Harry’s side, doubled up with laughter as they watched Malfoy fighting to extricate himself from the robe, Goyle’s head still stuck inside it. 
> *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*

HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-malfoy-crabbe-goyle-yule-ball-outfit-web-landscape

five-of-the-funniest-times-house-points-were-lost-text-section-3

## The time Montague ended up who knows where…
Ok, so we aren’t entirely sure if this one counts – but it was so funny we had to include it. Fred and George were the kings of mischief, so it is only right that they made an appearance on our list. With Umbridge’s Inquisitorial Squad roaming the halls and docking points, it was only a matter of time before they ended up on the wrong side of those they had mistreated. And (un)luckily for Montague, he probably had weeks to sit and reflect on what he had done…

>‘Malfoy just docked us all about fifty points,’ said Harry furiously, as they watched several more stones fly upwards from the Gryffindor hourglass. 
>
>‘Yeah, Montague tried to do us during break,’ said George. 
>
>‘What do you mean, “tried”?’ said Ron quickly.
>
>‘He never managed to get all the words out,’ said Fred, ‘due to the fact that we forced him head-first into that Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor.’ 
>
>Hermione looked very shocked.
>
>‘But you’ll get into terrible trouble!’
>
>‘Not until Montague reappears, and that could take weeks, I dunno where we sent him,’ said Fred coolly. 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

HP-F6-half-blood-prince-vanishing-cabinet-room-of-requirement-web-landscape

five-of-the-funniest-times-house-points-were-lost-text-section-4

## The time Ron decided sarcasm was the way forward…
Harry’s answer to Snape’s question about the difference between ghosts and Inferi was a little silly. However, Ron’s reaction to Snape’s smug explanation was brilliant. Dripping with sarcasm, he truly earned every one of those points he lost…

>‘The Inferius is a corpse that has been reanimated by a Dark wizard’s spells. It is not alive, it is merely used like a puppet to do the wizard’s bidding. A ghost, as I trust that you are all aware by now, is the imprint of a departed soul left upon the earth ... and of course, as Potter so wisely tells us, transparent.’ 
>
>‘Well, what Harry said is the most useful if we’re trying to tell them apart!’ said Ron. ‘When we come face to face with one down a dark alley we’re going to be having a shufti to see if it’s solid, aren’t we, we’re not going to be asking, “Excuse me, are you the imprint of a departed soul?”’ 
>
>There was a ripple of laughter, instantly quelled by the look Snape gave the class. 
>‘Another ten points from Gryffindor,’ said Snape. 
> *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

HP-F6-half-blood-prince-ron-weasley-common-room-smirk-web-landscape

five-of-the-funniest-times-house-points-were-lost-text-section-5

## When McGonagall had just had enough of Harry’s nonsense 
Professor McGonagall was not a witch to be trifled with. She may be a Gryffindor, but she’s still not going to put up with Harry’s angsty attitude. We very much enjoyed her sharp comeback to Harry’s protestations at being docked points. Sorry Harry, next time you should probably heed your Head of House’s advice. 

>‘What’s this, Potter?’ said Professor McGonagall sharply, rounding on Harry. ‘Detention? From whom?’ 
>
>‘From Professor Umbridge,’ muttered Harry, not meeting Professor McGonagall’s beady, square-framed eyes. 
>
>‘Are you telling me,’ she said, lowering her voice so that the group of curious Ravenclaws behind them could not hear, ‘that after the warning I gave you last Monday you lost your temper in Professor Umbridge’s class again?’ 
>
>‘Yes,’ Harry muttered, speaking to the floor. 
>
>‘Potter, you must get a grip on yourself! You are heading for serious trouble! Another five points from Gryffindor!’ 
>
>‘But – what –? Professor, no!’ Harry said, furious at this injustice, ‘I’m already being punished by her, why do you have to take points as well?’ 
>
>‘Because detentions do not appear to have any effect on you whatsoever!’ said Professor McGonagall tartly. 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

HP-F3-prisoner-of-azkaban-mcgonagall-harry-reaching-out-courtyard-web-landscape

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## Special mention...
We have to give a special mention to what could be considered one of Harry’s funniest moments. While Harry’s witty comment didn’t result in him losing house points, it did result in a detention – so we still think it deserves a shout out for being truly perfect.

>‘Do you remember me telling you we are practising non- verbal spells, Potter?’ 
>
>‘Yes,’ said Harry stiffly.
>
>‘Yes sir.’
>
>‘There’s no need to call me “sir”, Professor.’
> *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

HP-F4-goblet-of-fire-snape-quizzical-look-web-landscape

Inside Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature

WEB-ARTICLE-fantastic-beasts-wonder-of-nature-extract

NHM-header-image

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__This article is an extract from Issue 44 of the Natural History Museum's Evolve Magazine, written by Kate Whittington. For more information on Membership, visit www.nhm.ac.uk/membership__

This December, you’re invited to enter an extraordinary world where mythical animals roam, where spiky fossils look like dragon skulls, and where natural curiosities are revealed.

Our new exhibition – Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature – celebrates creatures, real and magical, through the lens of J.K. Rowling’s spellbinding world of magic and adventure.

In the wizarding world, Newt Scamander is a Magizoologist on a mission to study and describe magical animals in his book, *Fantastic Beasts and
Where to Find Them*. Step into our exhibition, created in partnership with Warner Bros., and you’ll follow in his footsteps, surrounded by props
from the Fantastic Beasts films and real specimens from the Museum’s collections.

Uncover the origins of mythical animals, explore parallels between the remarkable creatures Newt cares for and real-life species, and discover how we’re fighting to protect them.

## ZONE 1: FROM DRAGONS TO DINOSAURS

For centuries, humans have whispered tales of mysterious creatures. Some are terrible and fierce, others pure and benevolent, and many boast remarkable magical properties.

Mythological creatures such as unicorns, dragons, merpeople
and sea serpents are given a wizarding-world twist in the pages
of *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*. But could they have
their origins in nature?

Scholars think that early descriptions of these extraordinary creatures may have been inspired or reinforced by encounters with real, but unfamiliar, wild animals. So for each fantastic beast, the exhibition explores the real-life species that may be responsible for the myths.

The most iconic of these creatures is the dragon. Its likeness appears in many cultures throughout the ages. Could this firebreathing behemoth be inspired by snakes or crocodiles with their smooth scales, long tails, sharp teeth and often impressive sizes?

Or might human imagination have conjured up giant reptilian creatures after seeing strange bones pulled from the earth?

## MEET THE HOGWARTS DINOSAUR

In 2004, a spectacular dinosaur skull was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota in the US. It bore a close resemblance to a Western fairytale dragon, with its bony head covered in spikes
and knobs.

Fossil collectors Brian Buckmeier and brothers Steve and Pat Saulsbury donated their find to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and, in
2006, a team of scientists formally described the new species. Inspired by its dragon-like appearance, they named it Dracorex hogwartsia, which translates as the ‘dragon king of Hogwarts’, in honour of Harry Potter’s
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dracorex proved to be a type of ‘bone-headed’ dinosaur known as a pachycephalosaur. Despite its fearsome spiked skull, these dinosaurs are thought to have been mainly plant-eaters that lived sociably in small groups. As with many herd animals, individuals may have competed with each other for mates.

Indeed, the vertebrae show evidence of strong neck muscles that supported its flat-topped head. Experts think Dracorex may have fought by pressing their heads together and pushing, using upward thrusts to force their opponent backwards, a behaviour seen in some types of cows today.

The ridges and knobs on the skull of Dracorex may also have helped to stop its head slipping when pressed against another’s in a battle of strength.
Scientists have speculated that Dracorex may have used its horns to gore the flank of its opponents or in defence against predators, a behaviour seen in modern-day antelope known as oryx. Though it may not have been able to breathe fire like a mythical dragon, Dracorex was clearly not a dinosaur to be messed with.

Thanks to modern scientific techniques, we can infer how a dinosaur might have behaved from a fossil. Yet take one look at the extraordinary Dracorex skull in the exhibition and you’ll see why people pulling fossils
from the ground hundreds of years ago might have taken them for enormous, horned reptiles.

## ZONE 2: AMAZING ABILITIES

Leaving behind creatures of ancient legend, the next step on your journey of discovery takes in modern-day marvels. Like many real-life naturalists, Newt Scamander travels the world observing the remarkable adaptations and abilities of his fantastic beasts in their natural environments. From the Mooncalf’s elusive lifestyle to the Demiguise’s ability to vanish, and the Niffler’s compulsive collecting to the Erumpent’s fondness for dance, all of these ‘magical’ powers have parallels among real-life animals.

## THE OCCAMY

Newt describes the Occamy as a ‘plumed, two-legged winged creature with a serpentine body’. He explains that the Occamy is ‘choranaptyxic’, a word invented by Rowling to describe the animal’s magical ability to
change its size to fit the available space. Though the instant and dramatic shape-shifting displayed by the Occamy – which expands to fill a room and then shrinks to fit into a teapot – has not been observed in real
animals, some species can alter their size and shape in surprising and impressive ways.

When threatened by a predator, the porcupinefish can triple the volume of its body by drawing water into its extremely stretchy stomach. Its skin is covered in sharp spines, which are forced upright as the fish
expands.

Faced with a large, spiky ball, most predators will think twice before trying to take a bite. While porcupinefish expand to avoid death, queen
termites expand to produce life. The queen begins life around 17mm long, the same size as most other termites. But once the queen has mated, its body grows to up to seven times its original size. When its abdomen is around the size of a human finger, it’s too large to leave its small underground cell. The queen will remain there for the rest of its life, being cared for by its normalsized offspring, while it lays around one egg every three seconds.

That’s about 30,000 eggs a day and as many as 219 million eggs in its roughly 20-year lifespan. The queen produces the entire colony, hatching workers that build the termite mound, collect food and nurse young, soldiers that defend the colony, and winged adults that start new colonies of their own.

While the Occamy’s ability to expand is not unheard of in nature, shrinking is a much rarer and more challenging biological feat. Galapagos marine iguanas have adapted to shrink during times of stress. Living on the rocky coasts of the Galapagos islands, these lizards feed only on algae and seaweed. During El Niño years – a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean – the iguana’s food becomes scarce.

Their usual diet of green and red algae is replaced by brown algae, which they struggle to digest. Scientists measuring the lizards’ body lengths noticed they became shorter by up to 7cm, around 20 per cent of their regular length. If the average person were to shrink by 20 per cent, they would become around 33cm shorter.

It’s thought that by reducing in size, marine iguanas can reduce their need for food and therefore expend less precious energy foraging. When their favourite food regrows, the iguanas return to their original length. The shrinking process can take up to two years, so it’s not as
fast as the magical Occamy, but still a remarkable feat.

## ZONE 3: PROTECTING FANTASTIC BEASTS

Newt’s book, *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*, is not just an ID guide – it aims to inspire his fellow wizards to love and protect all magical creatures. He explains that many magical beasts are hunted for their valuable horns or silver eggs, or are persecuted due to fear or misunderstanding. So we felt it was important that the exhibition highlights some real-life endangered creatures and reveals how – just like Newt – conservationists are working to change people’s opinions in order to save ‘unpopular’ species from extinction.

When developing any exhibition, many ideas are explored and developed that don’t make the final line-up. Outside of the exhibition, it’s been interesting to learn about some of the wizarding world’s less
charismatic beasts, and explore how our perceptions of animals can influence the way we treat them and, as a result, affect their survival.

In the wizarding world, [werewolves are outcasts](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/werewolves), and people living with the condition are seen as evil and corrupt. In the Harry Potter series, the character Remus Lupin was a Hogwarts Professor and a werewolf.

Unbeknown to many, Lupin struggled with his ‘furry little problem’ until he was eventually forced to resign from Hogwarts when his condition was revealed. However, Lupin was the first werewolf to be awarded the Order of Merlin, and his kindness and courage helped challenge the stigma faced by
all werewolves.

In real-world mythology, werewolves are similarly feared and reviled, and some people feel the same antipathy to their natural world counterpart, the wolf.

Whether they’re depicted as evil, gluttonous predators, respected hunters, or symbols of wildness, wolves stir strong feelings in many cultures. Popular Western fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs cast wolves as sly and untrustworthy predators to be defeated. 

However, unlike werewolves, wolves are highly unlikely to
attack humans, though occasional depredations on farmers’ livestock can bring them into conflict with local communities.

In response, humans have driven wolves to extinction across much of their natural range.

Yet these top predators are incredibly important to the health and diversity of their environment, and help control populations of grazing animals, such as deer. With rewilding initiatives on the rise, wolves are
steadily returning to much of their former European range. As populations recover, conservationists are trying to find ways to help us live with the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ once more.

## WHAT’S IN A NAME?

From killer whales to vampire bats, the names we give to animals can have a lasting negative influence on how they’re perceived. In the wizarding world, the unfortunately named ‘Swooping Evil’ is feared for its ability to suck the brains out of its prey. However, its venom, when properly diluted, can be used to erase bad memories.

To counteract negative attitudes, scientists are trying using names to improve how we ‘see’ animals. Tom Saunders, an entomologist from the University of Auckland, wanted to challenge people’s dislike of wasps by naming a newly discovered species Lusius malfoyi, after the Harry Potter character Lucius Malfoy. Though widely considered a villain for his work as a Death-Eater under the Dark Lord, Voldemort, Malfoy later gives evidence against other Death-Eaters, aiding in their capture.

Humans can’t survive without nature, and as we discover more about how interconnected our world truly is, conservationists like Newt are working to transform our feelings from fear and dislike to respect and admiration when it comes to animals such as wasps, wolves, spiders and sharks. We hope the exhibition will help inspire a love of all beasts, furry,
scaled, slithering, flapping and crawling.

As Newt Scamander says: ‘Why do we continue… to attempt to protect and conceal magical beasts, even those that are savage and untameable? The answer is, of course, to ensure that future generations of witches
and wizards enjoy their strange beauty and powers as we have been privileged to do.’

PMARCHIVE-Dragon WB F4 TriwizardTournamentTaskOneDragon Still 100615 Land 3BnjawvtUk26a4Qim24iM4-b1

Dragon WB F4 Triwizard Tournament Task One Norwegian Ridgeback Still 100615 Land

fantastic-beasts-wonder-of-nature-extract-text-section-2

For centuries, humans have whispered tales of mysterious creatures. Some are terrible and fierce, others pure and benevolent, and many boast remarkable magical properties.

Mythological creatures such as unicorns, dragons, merpeople
and sea serpents are given a wizarding-world twist in the pages
of *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*. But could they have
their origins in nature?

Scholars think that early descriptions of these extraordinary creatures may have been inspired or reinforced by encounters with real, but unfamiliar, wild animals. So for each fantastic beast, the exhibition explores the real-life species that may be responsible for the myths.

The most iconic of these creatures is the dragon. Its likeness appears in many cultures throughout the ages. Could this firebreathing behemoth be inspired by snakes or crocodiles with their smooth scales, long tails, sharp teeth and often impressive sizes?

Or might human imagination have conjured up giant reptilian creatures after seeing strange bones pulled from the earth?

## MEET THE HOGWARTS DINOSAUR

In 2004, a spectacular dinosaur skull was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota in the US. It bore a close resemblance to a Western fairytale dragon, with its bony head covered in spikes
and knobs.

Fossil collectors Brian Buckmeier and brothers Steve and Pat Saulsbury donated their find to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and, in
2006, a team of scientists formally described the new species. Inspired by its dragon-like appearance, they named it Dracorex hogwartsia, which translates as the ‘dragon king of Hogwarts’, in honour of Harry Potter’s
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dracorex proved to be a type of ‘bone-headed’ dinosaur known as a pachycephalosaur. Despite its fearsome spiked skull, these dinosaurs are thought to have been mainly plant-eaters that lived sociably in small groups. As with many herd animals, individuals may have competed with each other for mates.

Indeed, the vertebrae show evidence of strong neck muscles that supported its flat-topped head. Experts think Dracorex may have fought by pressing their heads together and pushing, using upward thrusts to force their opponent backwards, a behaviour seen in some types of cows today.

The ridges and knobs on the skull of Dracorex may also have helped to stop its head slipping when pressed against another’s in a battle of strength.
Scientists have speculated that Dracorex may have used its horns to gore the flank of its opponents or in defence against predators, a behaviour seen in modern-day antelope known as oryx. Though it may not have been able to breathe fire like a mythical dragon, Dracorex was clearly not a dinosaur to be messed with.

Thanks to modern scientific techniques, we can infer how a dinosaur might have behaved from a fossil. Yet take one look at the extraordinary Dracorex skull in the exhibition and you’ll see why people pulling fossils
from the ground hundreds of years ago might have taken them for enormous, horned reptiles.

## ZONE 2: AMAZING ABILITIES

FB-fantastic-beasts-demiguise-web-landscape

fantastic-beasts-wonder-of-nature-extract-text-section-3

Leaving behind creatures of ancient legend, the next step on your journey of discovery takes in modern-day marvels. Like many real-life naturalists, Newt Scamander travels the world observing the remarkable adaptations and abilities of his fantastic beasts in their natural environments. From the Mooncalf’s elusive lifestyle to the Demiguise’s ability to vanish, and the Niffler’s compulsive collecting to the Erumpent’s fondness for dance, all of these ‘magical’ powers have parallels among real-life animals.

## THE OCCAMY

WB-F1-FB-fantastic-beasts-occamys-hatched-web-landscape

WB-F1-FB-fantastic-beasts-occamys-hatched-web-landscape.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Occamy

fantastic-beasts-wonder-of-nature-extract-text-section-4

Newt describes the Occamy as a ‘plumed, two-legged winged creature with a serpentine body’. He explains that the Occamy is ‘choranaptyxic’, a word invented by Rowling to describe the animal’s magical ability to
change its size to fit the available space. Though the instant and dramatic shape-shifting displayed by the Occamy – which expands to fill a room and then shrinks to fit into a teapot – has not been observed in real
animals, some species can alter their size and shape in surprising and impressive ways.

When threatened by a predator, the porcupinefish can triple the volume of its body by drawing water into its extremely stretchy stomach. Its skin is covered in sharp spines, which are forced upright as the fish
expands.

Faced with a large, spiky ball, most predators will think twice before trying to take a bite. While porcupinefish expand to avoid death, queen
termites expand to produce life. The queen begins life around 17mm long, the same size as most other termites. But once the queen has mated, its body grows to up to seven times its original size. When its abdomen is around the size of a human finger, it’s too large to leave its small underground cell. The queen will remain there for the rest of its life, being cared for by its normalsized offspring, while it lays around one egg every three seconds.

That’s about 30,000 eggs a day and as many as 219 million eggs in its roughly 20-year lifespan. The queen produces the entire colony, hatching workers that build the termite mound, collect food and nurse young, soldiers that defend the colony, and winged adults that start new colonies of their own.

While the Occamy’s ability to expand is not unheard of in nature, shrinking is a much rarer and more challenging biological feat. Galapagos marine iguanas have adapted to shrink during times of stress. Living on the rocky coasts of the Galapagos islands, these lizards feed only on algae and seaweed. During El Niño years – a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean – the iguana’s food becomes scarce.

Their usual diet of green and red algae is replaced by brown algae, which they struggle to digest. Scientists measuring the lizards’ body lengths noticed they became shorter by up to 7cm, around 20 per cent of their regular length. If the average person were to shrink by 20 per cent, they would become around 33cm shorter.

It’s thought that by reducing in size, marine iguanas can reduce their need for food and therefore expend less precious energy foraging. When their favourite food regrows, the iguanas return to their original length. The shrinking process can take up to two years, so it’s not as
fast as the magical Occamy, but still a remarkable feat.

## ZONE 3: PROTECTING FANTASTIC BEASTS

Newt’s book, *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*, is not just an ID guide – it aims to inspire his fellow wizards to love and protect all magical creatures. He explains that many magical beasts are hunted for their valuable horns or silver eggs, or are persecuted due to fear or misunderstanding. So we felt it was important that the exhibition highlights some real-life endangered creatures and reveals how – just like Newt – conservationists are working to change people’s opinions in order to save ‘unpopular’ species from extinction.

When developing any exhibition, many ideas are explored and developed that don’t make the final line-up. Outside of the exhibition, it’s been interesting to learn about some of the wizarding world’s less
charismatic beasts, and explore how our perceptions of animals can influence the way we treat them and, as a result, affect their survival.

In the wizarding world, [werewolves are outcasts](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/werewolves), and people living with the condition are seen as evil and corrupt. In the Harry Potter series, the character Remus Lupin was a Hogwarts Professor and a werewolf.

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Unbeknown to many, Lupin struggled with his ‘furry little problem’ until he was eventually forced to resign from Hogwarts when his condition was revealed. However, Lupin was the first werewolf to be awarded the Order of Merlin, and his kindness and courage helped challenge the stigma faced by
all werewolves.

In real-world mythology, werewolves are similarly feared and reviled, and some people feel the same antipathy to their natural world counterpart, the wolf.

Whether they’re depicted as evil, gluttonous predators, respected hunters, or symbols of wildness, wolves stir strong feelings in many cultures. Popular Western fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs cast wolves as sly and untrustworthy predators to be defeated. 

However, unlike werewolves, wolves are highly unlikely to
attack humans, though occasional depredations on farmers’ livestock can bring them into conflict with local communities.

In response, humans have driven wolves to extinction across much of their natural range.

Yet these top predators are incredibly important to the health and diversity of their environment, and help control populations of grazing animals, such as deer. With rewilding initiatives on the rise, wolves are
steadily returning to much of their former European range. As populations recover, conservationists are trying to find ways to help us live with the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ once more.

## WHAT’S IN A NAME?

From killer whales to vampire bats, the names we give to animals can have a lasting negative influence on how they’re perceived. In the wizarding world, the unfortunately named ‘Swooping Evil’ is feared for its ability to suck the brains out of its prey. However, its venom, when properly diluted, can be used to erase bad memories.

To counteract negative attitudes, scientists are trying using names to improve how we ‘see’ animals. Tom Saunders, an entomologist from the University of Auckland, wanted to challenge people’s dislike of wasps by naming a newly discovered species Lusius malfoyi, after the Harry Potter character Lucius Malfoy. Though widely considered a villain for his work as a Death-Eater under the Dark Lord, Voldemort, Malfoy later gives evidence against other Death-Eaters, aiding in their capture.

Humans can’t survive without nature, and as we discover more about how interconnected our world truly is, conservationists like Newt are working to transform our feelings from fear and dislike to respect and admiration when it comes to animals such as wasps, wolves, spiders and sharks. We hope the exhibition will help inspire a love of all beasts, furry,
scaled, slithering, flapping and crawling.

As Newt Scamander says: ‘Why do we continue… to attempt to protect and conceal magical beasts, even those that are savage and untameable? The answer is, of course, to ensure that future generations of witches
and wizards enjoy their strange beauty and powers as we have been privileged to do.’

*Fantastic Beasts™: The Wonder of Nature opens on 9 December 2020 and
is free to Members and Patrons.*

In this extract from the Natural History Museum's magazine, Evolve, learn more about their exhibition celebrating Fantastic Beasts.

What type of house point earner would you be?

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## If you’re a team player… you’d earn points on the Quidditch pitch
Are you someone that is dedicated to their favourite sport? Are you determined to make your team the best it can possibly be? Do you value teamwork over individual performance? Then we think you’d earn most of your house points for Quidditch reasons. While we are sure that you would be rewarded for being an excellent Chaser, Beater, Keeper or Seeker – it would be your ability to get everyone to work together that really helped pull in those important points. We reckon that not only would you make an excellent Quidditch captain, but Madam Hooch would be particularly impressed by the unwavering support and encouragement you gave to every member of your team. 

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## If courage is your middle name… you’d earn points saving the school from Dark wizards
For a magical school, Hogwarts does seem to have its fair share of drama involving Dark wizards. Whether its Voldemort possessing the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher or Death Eaters sneaking in via a Vanishing Cabinet – there always seems to be a threat that needs defeating. So, if you’re someone who is unfazed by danger, likes to dive headfirst into adventure and will happily duel with the best of them, then we think you’d earn quite a few points for sticking your neck out and saving the school. Though if you’re not successful, this could also be a way to lose valuable points…

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## If you’re a know-it-all… you’d earn points in every class
If you and Hermione Granger are similar in any way, then this is how you would earn house points. As a highly intelligent and knowledgeable person, we’re sure you would be sticking your hand up and answering every question you could. No matter whether it’s Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures or even Potions – your detailed answers and enthusiasm for learning would amaze all of your professors. In fact, they’d be so impressed, you would be showered in a constant stream of house points – and certainly on your way to winning the House Cup.

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## If you’re the caring type… you’d earn points for helping your friends
Are you someone that likes to put others before themselves? Do you take pleasure in helping your friends and family? If someone is moving house, or stuck on their homework, or struggling with organising a party, are you the person they turn to for help? If this is you, then we think you’d earn house points for assisting your friends. We can see you mentoring someone with a particularly tricky bit of Transfiguration, helping the new first-years find their classrooms and we can imagine that you’d be in the running for Prefect. Your caring attitude wouldn’t go unnoticed, and your kindness would earn your house a lot of points.

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## If you’re hardworking and conscientious… you’d earn points for being a homework hero
If you’re the type of person who is highly organised, wouldn’t dream of missing a deadline and is unafraid of a little hard work, then this would be the attitude that helped you secure those points. One thing that both magical and Muggle schools seem to love is homework, and you would be the very best when it came to that. No matter whether you’re writing an essay on goblin rebellions or trying to master the Summoning Charm, you always try your best and only ever turn in your highest standard of work. Your professors would be suitably awestruck, and you would be known as a homework hero.

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## If you’re savvy… you’d earn points for helping your teachers 
To win the House Cup, you need house points. And to earn house points, you need to be on the good side of those who award them, which is mainly the professors. Therefore, it only makes sense to keep them sweet. If this style of thinking makes sense to you and you’re known for being shrewd, then this is how you would earn house points. We can just see you now – helping Madam Hooch with sorting out the spare broomsticks, collecting weird and wonderful ingredients for Potions and watering magical plants in the Greenhouse when Professor Sprout is too busy… all with that coveted trophy in mind. Though your desire to help is fuelled by your ambition, it’s a win-win for everyone – and where’s the harm in that?

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A guide to magical languages

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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## Parseltongue
If you are lucky (or unlucky) enough to speak Parseltongue, you have the ability to communicate with snakes. Salazar Slytherin was one very famous Parselmouth – it’s why Slytherin’s symbol is a serpent! However, as Harry (another Parselmouth) found out, it’s a language which is often regarded with suspicion and seen as the mark of a Dark wizard. In some ways that could make sense, as Voldemort was someone who could communicate with snakes, as well as being a descendent of Slytherin. Although, as Harry demonstrates, not all those who speak this language are bound to do Dark deeds.

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## Gobbledegook
Goblins have a long and complicated history in the wizarding world – from their many rebellions to working at Gringotts bank. But did you know that they had their own language, Gobbledegook? It was one of over two hundred languages that Barty Crouch spoke. Which is much more impressive than Ludo Bagman who only knew the Gobbledegook word for pickaxe – which is Bladvak if you were wondering. 

From Parseltongue to Gobbledegook to Troll to Mermish and Runes... we explore the different magical languages of the wizarding world. 