The entrance to Diagon Alley
Location:
Through a wall at the back of the Leaky Cauldron pub in London.
How to enter:
Tap the brick in the wall that is three up and two across three times – preferably with a pink umbrella but we’re not sure that’s strictly required…
Favourite moment:
‘The brick he had touched quivered – it wriggled – in the middle, a small hole appeared – it grew wider and wider – a second later they were facing an archway large enough even for Hagrid, an archway on to a cobbled street which twisted and turned out of sight.
‘Welcome,’ said Hagrid, ‘to Diagon Alley.’’
Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place
Location:
Grimmauld Place, London.
How to enter:
Protected by a Fidelius Charm with Albus Dumbledore as Secret Keeper. Location must be revealed by the Secret Keeper orally or in writing.
Favourite moment:
‘Harry thought, and no sooner had he reached the part about number twelve, Grimmauld Place, than a battered door emerged out of nowhere between numbers eleven and thirteen, followed swiftly by dirty walls and grimy windows. It was as though an extra house had inflated, pushing those on either side out of its way. Harry gaped at it. The stereo in number eleven thudded on. Apparently the Muggles inside hadn’t felt anything.’
The entrance to St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
Location:
Near Purge & Dowse Ltd, an old department store in London.
How to enter:
Approach a glass window of Purge & Dowse Ltd and speak very quietly to the ugliest dummy you can see in the window display, with a green pinafore dress. The dummy will nod and beckon you through the glass. Step through the glass and into the hospital.
Favourite moment:
‘They nodded, clustering around her. Moody gave Harry another shove between the shoulder blades to urge him forward and Tonks leaned close to the glass, looking up at the very ugly dummy, her breath steaming up the glass. ‘Wotcher,’ she said, ‘we’re here to see Arthur Weasley.’’
Ministry of Magic: visitor entrance
Location:
The heart of London.
How to enter:
Find the old red telephone box, step inside and then dial 62442. When asked by a cool female voice to state your name and business, do so. If you are accepted as a visitor, you should put on the silver badge provided. The telephone box will then take you down into the Ministry of Magic.
Favourite moment:
‘The further they walked, the smaller and less imposing the buildings became, until finally they reached a street that contained several rather shabby-looking offices, a pub and an overflowing skip. Harry had expected a rather more impressive location for the Ministry of Magic.’
Entrance to the Chamber of Secrets
Location:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, girls’ bathroom, first floor.
How to enter:
Look for the tiny snake scratched on one of the copper taps. Speak Parseltongue – ‘Open up’ would do. The tap will spin and the sink will move downwards, exposing a large pipe for you to slide through.
Favourite moment:
‘‘Harry,’ said Ron, ‘say something. Something in Parseltongue.’
‘But –’ Harry thought hard. The only times he’d ever managed to speak Parseltongue were when he’d been faced with a real snake. He stared hard at the tiny engraving, trying to imagine it was real.
‘Open up,’ he said. He looked at Ron, who shook his head. ‘English,’ he said.’’
Entrance to the Shrieking Shack
Location:
Grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Whomping Willow.
How to enter:
Touch a specific knot on the trunk of the Whomping Willow. This will freeze its dangerous branches and allow you to enter a passageway through a gap in the tree’s roots. The tunnel will take you to the Shrieking Shack.
Favourite moment:
‘Crookshanks darted forwards. He slithered between the battering branches like a snake and placed his front paws upon a knot on the trunk. Abruptly, as though the tree had been turned to marble, it stopped moving. Not a leaf twitched or shook.
‘Crookshanks!’ Hermione whispered uncertainly. She now grasped Harry’s arm painfully hard. ‘How did he know –?’
‘He’s friends with that dog,’ said Harry grimly. ‘I’ve seen them together. Come on – and keep your wand out –’’
The entrance to the Hogwarts kitchens
Location:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, behind a picture of a giant fruit bowl. On the same corridor as the Hufflepuff common room.
How to enter:
Approach the painting of the fruit bow. Tickle the huge green pear. It will giggle and then turn into a green door handle. Enter.
Favourite moment:
‘‘How do you get in there?’ Hermione said, in an innocently casual sort of voice.
‘Easy,’ said Fred, ‘concealed door behind a painting of a bowl of fruit. Just tickle the pear, and it giggles and –’ He stopped, and looked suspiciously at her. ‘Why?’
‘Nothing,’ said Hermione quickly..’’
