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One billion hours of listening landmark surpassed for Harry Potter audiobooks on Audible

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Mind you, that’s just a number (even if it is a massive one)! What’s immeasurable is the love that fans have for these stories.  To help you visualise that figure, in one billion hours you could hypothetically:

•	Take the iconic train journey from King’s Cross to Edinburgh 222 million times<br>
•	Listen to Harry Potter books 1-7 read by Jim Dale 8,547,009 times<br>
•	Go through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry more than 14,000 times!

Stephen Fry, who narrates the UK English editions of the audiobooks, says: ‘These statistics are astonishing. Almost every day someone will come up and tell me how important the audiobooks have been in their lives, and it means the world to me.’  Jim Dale, narrator of the North American editions, says: ‘Especially rewarding for me has been the opportunity to touch the lives of so many young people, and the knowledge that my spoken words have brought both comfort and support when needed, and, of course always, so much magic!’

Jennie McCann, Pottermore’s MD, explains: ‘We’re so delighted how many listeners have made a permanent place in their lives for these audiobooks. The original recordings that were released on CD are cherished versions of these incredible stories, so we took great care when remastering them to deliver the best sound quality for the new generation of listeners. We’ve since produced and released editions in an array of further languages and continue to add to that list each year both on Audible and via other platforms.’  Diana Dapito, Head of Consumer Content at Audible, says ‘the evergreen popularity and insatiable appetite for the Harry Potter audiobooks on Audible is both staggering and, at once, not at all surprising.’

We’d love to hear your stories of listening to Harry Potter on audio – share your listening love on social media (if you're old enough!) using the hashtag #HarryPotterxAudible #HearTheMagic. 

Hogwarts Legacy showcase reveals game features including character creator, the Hufflepuff common room and combat

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Led by host Chandler Wood, Community Manager at Avalanche and community host James Whitehead from XpectoGo, we were treated to our most [thorough look at Hogwarts Legacy so far](https://www.youtube.com/hogwartslegacy), alongside Game Director Alan Tew and Senior Environment Artist Boston Madsen. 

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So, what did we learn and what did we see?

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## Character Creator 

Your Hogwarts legacy is what you make it, and creating the perfect character is crucial to discovering who you are in the wizarding world. Hogwarts Legacy’s character creator is extremely rich and detailed, full of different skin colors, hair types, and even a voice slider. In terms of your outfit, you can embrace the 1800s with some robes befitting of the period. We spotted some Harry Potter-style round glasses we had our eye on… And Harry Potter Fan Club members who [link their accounts](https://www.wizardingworld.com/legacyconnect) with the game will even be able to grab a special type of robe, called the Fan-atic robe, to make your appearance extra unique.

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## Your common room 

As with any regular Hogwarts experience, it all starts with getting sorted into your house, and then, it’s off to your common room and dormitory. James Whitehead, who was sampling the game for us, got to embrace the wholesome Hufflepuff life, with a common room reminiscent of a badgers’ sett. Fans will be extra-excited to explore Hufflepuff’s space, seeing as we never got to visit it in the books or films. And it certainly doesn’t disappoint, full of plants, light and comfortable furniture.

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## Exploring Hogwarts 

We’ve always wanted to fully explore Hogwarts, and now, this game truly can make that dream a reality. And, as you’ve probably guessed, it looks rather magnificent. We’re sure you’ll recognise a few iconic pieces, such as the grand staircases and the Hogwarts house hourglasses, but there’s all sorts of other impressive features to observe, such as a grand-looking water fountain where the students like to hang out, huge hanging bones in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and a formidable brass Hogwarts crest adorned across a wall. The luscious Scottish greenery is present all over the outskirts of the castle, and the game-makers encourage you to get lost in it all – “no two hallways should look the same at Hogwarts” they say. 

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## Side-quests, characters and familiar names 

The presentation introduces us to characters and side-quests you can expect to embark upon. For example, one young student called Zenobia wants us to help find her Gobstones – and even mentions a fellow student called “Prewett” which is a last name that should ring familiar to certain fans. [Prewett is Molly Weasley’s maiden name](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/witches-and-wizards-you-might-not-have-realised-were-related). Could this be an ancestor?

That is not the only familiarity we came across – [Peeves the poltergeist](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/peeves) is still haunting Hogwarts, showing just how long he has been terrorising the castle before Harry’s era!  

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## Dueling and combat 

Dueling will be a big part of Hogwarts Legacy, and in this preview, we get to see exactly how you train, which includes practicing your skills on a training dummy, an adorable wizard-on-wheels. You can also fight classmates when you’re feeling more au fait with dueling or pick random competitors. Spell combinations are encouraged for maximum impact, and Shield Charms will be crucial to win your battles unscathed. 

## Anything else?

At the end of the showcase, we are treated to a Q&A with the game developers, who run through a few things you might’ve been thinking about. 

Extra-curricular assignments will be available all over Hogwarts, and the richness of the school will offer up all sorts of little details to look out for, so don’t rush through the game or you may miss something! We also learnt about other fun features that will be available, such as being able to visit a hairdressers in Hogsmeade, discovering different identities to our ‘core spells’ and much, much more.

If we weren’t very, very excited about Hogwarts Legacy already, you can add a few extra “verys” to how we’re feeling right now! 

Hogwarts Legacy will launch on February 10, 2023 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The Nintendo Switch launch date will be revealed soon. [Learn all about pre-ordering the game here](https://www.hogwartslegacy.com/en-gb/purchase?utm_source=wwd_web&utm_medium=articlenovember_page&utm_campaign=HL&utm_content=HL-PreOrder), or check out our [Hogwarts Legacy](https://www.wizardingworld.com/hogwarts-legacy) page to explore other trailers.

And remember! If you are a member of our Harry Potter Fan Club, you can actually bring your wand and house into the game experience if you link accounts - which also gets you exclusive in-game goodies. [Here's how you do it.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/legacyconnect)

Order your Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand™

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A wand presented outside of its box. This is the honourable design for the Magic Caster wand.

Upon release, the Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand will come in four distinct looks: Honourable, Defiant, Loyal – and an exclusive design available to Harry Potter Fan Club Members – Heroic. Here’s a little guide on each one.

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__UPDATE: Ollivander would be proud! All Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand, Heroic editions have found their new owner and are no longer available for pre-order. You can still [order the other designs here](https://www.harrypottermagiccasterwand.co.uk/?UTM_Source=wwd_web&UTM_Medium=newsarticle&UTM_Campaign=Wands&utm_content=OrderGeneral).__

Magic is within your reach…

[Now available to order, the Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand](https://www.harrypottermagiccasterwand.co.uk/?UTM_Source=wwd_web&UTM_Medium=newsarticle&UTM_Campaign=Wands&utm_content=OrderGeneral) is ready to bring some Hogwarts-esque magic to the festive season. 

Cast spells, challenge your friends to duels, and immerse yourself in all things Wizarding World with this truly unique wand experience. A motion-activated, smart-connected wand that invites users to immerse themselves in all things Wizarding World, the Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand works with a companion app to connect to compatible smart devices in your home. By connecting the Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand to the companion app, users can cast motion-gesture spells including Expelliarmus and Lumos. Dim the lights, challenge your friends to a duel, perfect your Wingardium Leviosa swish-and-flick, or practice your Patronus – with over 50 spells available on the Harry Potter: Magic Caster app, there’s plenty of magical fun to be had.

The Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand is estimated to ship in early December 2022. Estimated ship date is subject to change. 

[Order your Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand wand now](https://www.harrypottermagiccasterwand.co.uk/?UTM_Source=wwd_web&UTM_Medium=newsarticle&UTM_Campaign=Wands&utm_content=OrderGeneral) and choose from one of four looks – Honourable, Defiant, Loyal and the limited-edition Heroic, available exclusively to Harry Potter Fan Club members. Check out our handy guide, below, to find out more about each of the four designs. 

## Honourable


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Rugged and aged in appearance, this wand was designed for those with powerful intuition and an affinity for the magic of the natural world. Its warmth will draw those with strength, courage, and conviction. For the best or worst of times, this wand feels as exemplary as the one who wields it.

## Defiant

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A wand presented outside of its box. This is the Defiant design for the Magic Caster wand.

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Imposing in appearance, the design of this wand is slightly bent and features visible cracks – attributes, rather than imperfections, which embody a sense of internal strength. It is a perfect match for those who hold fast to their beliefs, regardless of how they are perceived.

## Loyal


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A lit up version of the Loyal Wand, one of the four designs of the Magic Caster product.

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Ethereal and hypnotic, the design of this wand is truly captivating. Striated with a round orb at the end of its handle, it exudes a protective feeling. Appealing to owners who are wise beyond their years, it is a perfect match for those who value grace and artistry.

## Heroic 

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Crafted with elegant curves and ornate details, this wand was designed with magical innovators and inventors in mind.  It exudes confidence, purpose, and trust, appealing to a brilliant mind that appreciates unusual versatility and adaptability.

This wand is extra special as it is exclusively for you, Harry Potter Fan Club members. You can [sign up today](https://my.wizardingworld.com/register) if you haven't already.

***

And there you have it. Which wand design calls to you?

Learn more about Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand at [https://www.harrypottermagiccasterwand.com/](https://www.harrypottermagiccasterwand.com?UTM_Source=wwd_web&UTM_Medium=newsarticle&UTM_Campaign=Wands&utm_content=PreOrderAnnouncement)


Stay up to date with the latest Wizarding World news here. Faster than an owl and more accurate than the Daily Prophet.

Get the latest Wizarding World news here. Faster than an owl and more accurate than the Daily Prophet

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A Harry Potter-themed land is coming to Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

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Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is already home to a whole host of much-loved stories and characters, including The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Tom and Jerry.

From thrilling themed rides and attractions to spectacular shows and fine-dining experiences, on Yas Island visitors can immerse themselves in everything Warner. Bros – and soon this will also include the magic of the wizarding world as a new Harry Potter-themed land is set to join the six existing immersive landscapes.

Speaking about the project, HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral said: “We are very proud of our continuous partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and excited to be bringing this spell-binding first to the Middle East, and the world.” 

Pam Lifford, President, Global Brands and Experiences from Warner Bros. Discovery, added: “The Wizarding World offers something for fans of every age to enjoy. The original Harry Potter stories and the blockbuster film series continue to captivate and inspire fans around the world, and our Global Themed Entertainment team, together with our world-class partner Miral, is looking forward to bringing this magical experience to life at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.  Together with our lands at Universal Parks, this will add a wholly new and spectacular destination for fans to immerse themselves in.”

The Harry Potter-themed land at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will sit alongside six existing immersive experiences: Warner Bros. Plaza, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch, Cartoon Junction, Gotham City and Metropolis.

For more information about Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and to keep up-to-date with the latest news about the all-new Harry Potter-themed land, be sure to keep checking out the [Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi website.](https://www.wbworldabudhabi.com/)

Hogwarts Legacy: The Official Game Guide is coming soon from Scholastic

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Get all the important tips and tricks you need for the exciting upcoming game with Scholastic's Hogwarts Legacy: The Official Game Guide, which will follow the release of Hogwarts Legacy next year.

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In this official game guide, you will discover exclusive information about brand-new characters and locations found in the game, plus unlock hidden secrets and other tips for completing the game’s various missions. Record your achievements in the back of the book, look up wizarding world terms, and simply delve deeper into Hogwarts Legacy’s many mysteries. 

A friendly reminder that the game itself, Hogwarts Legacy, will launch on February 10th, 2023 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The Nintendo Switch launch date will be revealed soon.

[Visit our Hogwarts Legacy page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/hogwarts-legacy) where we’ll be keeping you posted on all the latest updates about the game – including trailers, new footage and instructions on how to link your Harry Potter Fan Club account with your WB Games account, where you can bring your Hogwarts house and wand through to the game. 

The Royal Mint releases commemorative collection of Harry Potter coins

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When it comes to coinage, the Wizarding World might have Gringotts, but we Muggles have The Royal Mint – one of Britain's oldest organisations, with over 1,100 years' experience making coins.

Beginning this month, The Royal Mint is releasing a new collection of UK coins to commemorate the 25th anniversary of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.*

Each coin in the set will feature a much-loved character based on the work of artist Jim Kay, who was commissioned in 2015 by publishers Bloomsbury to create the first fully-illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s classic story. The first coin in the series depicts Harry Potter himself, and is [available to buy on The Royal Mint website now](https://www.royalmint.com/shop/limited-editions/harry-potter "Royal Mint Harry Potter collection").

No, we’re not Knuts: this is real Muggle money we’re talking about.

In total, the collection will include four coins, each depicting a different scene or character from *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* – including The Hogwarts Express, Dumbledore, and Hogwarts itself.

The first two coins in the collection will feature the portrait of Her Late Majesty, and the final two coins will display the official portrait of King Charles III. The collection is expected to be in high demand, as it is amongst a very few series to include both royal portraits

The [Harry Potter design](https://www.royalmint.com/shop/limited-editions/harry-potter/all/ "Shop Harry Potter coin on The Royal Mint website") is available on a range of denominations, including 50p. Modelled by The Royal Mint Designer Ffion Gwillim based on Jim Kay's illustrations, it's the first of the four designs to be released, with others set to follow in the coming weeks.

For more information on the collection, [visit the Royal Mint website](https://www.royalmint.com/shop/limited-editions/harry-potter "The Harry Potter coin collection on The Royal Mint website"). 

Create your ultimate wizarding world avatar with our new Portrait Maker 

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Strike a pose! We want to see you celebrating your love for the Wizarding World by creating a new magical avatar. Head over to [Portrait Maker](https://www.wizardingworld.com/portrait-maker) right now and create your own to share with friends. 

## So, how does it work?

Well, first things first, you will need to register with us. And it’s free! [Sign up to the Harry Potter Fan Club today](https://www.wizardingworld.com/register), and you’ll be invited to create your own wizarding world identity, such as discovering your Hogwarts house, choosing a wand and assigning yourself a Patronus. And now, you can hang your very own portrait, depicting yourself in the wizarding world, in your profile too. Pop over to your profile, and you should see an empty frame just waiting to be filled in. 

## Create your avatar 

On the Portrait Maker page, you will see a canvas and an automated avatar. Indeed, if you’re a bit stumped on what to create, you can just press our randomise button, and let the universe decide for you. 

If you have a very specific vision (maybe you want your avatar to look exactly like you in real life – or maybe you have a magical makeover in mind?) you can toggle through our options, such as face shape, eye shape, hair, hair colours, facial accessories, nose types, lip types, facial details, facial hair, robes, scarves, frames, magical pets, backgrounds, etc. etc. – you get the picture. 

Have a play around, and once you’re ready to save your portrait, simply click “complete portrait” at the bottom of the frame to see the final result.

## Share your portrait 

Voila! You should then be served up with your final piece, which will sit on the left hand side of your profile. From there, you can download it and share it – or you can simply edit it again. We all fancy a rebrand every now and then – so you’ll always have the opportunity to change up your look. We’re sure you’re going to look fantastic. 

And if you fancy sharing your portrait – how about using the hashtag MyWizardingPortrait. 

## What next? 

Perhaps you were playing around with our Portrait Maker and wished there was something to add. Never fear – we will be adding new additions to our Portrait Maker over the coming months. So keep checking WizardingWorld.com and we’ll tell you when we have some new accessories for you to experiment with. 

## I have some suggestions! 

Good, we’d like to hear them! Email help@wizardingworld.com to send in any ideas for our Portrait Maker that you would like to see in the future. 

*** 

For now, enjoy posing for your portrait – and [educate yourself on the magic of portraits in the wizarding world](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/hogwarts-portraits). They say a picture tells a thousand words – make sure to tell a fabulous story with yours. 

[Go to Portrait Maker now](https://www.wizardingworld.com/portrait-maker) and create your best wizarding world self. 

Take a look inside MinaLima’s new twenty-year celebration book 

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Entitled *The Magic of MinaLima: Celebrating the Graphic Design Studio Behind the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Films*, the design team’s latest publication goes more personal than you’ve seen before, revealing a scrapbook of letters that the designers sent to each other in the beginning, alongside concept art pieces and research documents that would lead to some of the most iconic props in the Wizarding World stories.

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From the Hogwarts acceptance letter (handwritten by one half of the MinaLima duo, Mira) to the *Daily Prophet* newspapers, this gorgeously detailed compendium leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the meticulous level of thinking that went behind the magical objects you see in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. Each page is an explosion of colour and imagination, as you can see here.

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Each section of the book is themed around the element of the Wizarding World being celebrated, such as this Luna Lovegood-inspired spread, displaying her Quibbler covers and iconic pink Spectrespecs. 

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If you’re a budding artist looking for an inspirational story, this book certainly contains many.

***

*The Magic of MinaLima: Celebrating the Graphic Design Studio Behind the Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Films* is exclusively available from the House of MinaLima and [minalima.com](https://minalima.com/) from Friday 14th October, with general UK release following on 27th October. Mira and Eduardo will be offering signed copies from the website and London gallery.

A celebration of Jim Kay’s work on the Harry Potter Illustrated Editions series 

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Jim Kay, the award-winning illustrator of J.K Rowling’s acclaimed Harry Potter Illustrated Editions, has announced that he will be stepping down after the publication of [Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix](https://www.wizardingworld.com/linkout?destination=https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/exclusive-first-look-at-the-illustrated-order-of-the-phoenix) to focus on his mental health. After nearly ten years of extraordinary commitment and five spellbinding books, Jim is ready to pass the illustration baton on to future creative collaborators.

To celebrate Jim’s work, here are some key pieces across the first five Harry Potter series that wowed us, and quite frankly, made us feel rather jealous we can only draw stick-men. Take a look.

***

## Hermione – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 

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From the bouncy hair to the determined expression on her face as she casts one of her clever charms, Jim Kay introduces us to Hermione perfectly in the [first Illustrated Edition](https://www.wizardingworld.com/linkout?destination=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone-9781408845646/). The way the illustration is lit up by Hermione’s spell against the rustic wooden panels gives us an insight into her brilliance straight away.

## Harry and the Mirror of Erised – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

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Harry Potter looks sadly into a large mirror, in a dark room full of junk.

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The scene of Harry observing his lost family in the mysterious [Mirror of Erised](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/the-mirror-of-erised) is perhaps one of the most bittersweet moments in the entire series, and Jim’s depiction of the light and darkness of this moment is encapsulated beautifully here.

## Hogwarts – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets


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An illustration of Hogwarts castle in the darkness

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The grand, imposing castle of Hogwarts has been visually interpreted many times over the years, but this tranquil sketch of the grand wizarding school's turrets capture Hogwarts in a quiet moment. 

## Inside Tom Riddle’s Diary – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 


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Jim uses every colour of the rainbow to create this psychedelic explosion as Harry finds himself embroiled in the memories of Tom Riddle. This image is so striking and colourful – but Harry is about to discover some dark secrets on the other side.

## Buckbeak – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 


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Hagrid’s beloved Hippogriff Buckbeak won our hearts in the [third Harry Potter instalment](https://www.wizardingworld.com/linkout?destination=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban-9781526622808/), and all it took was a majestic bow. Here, Buckbeak looks practically zen – and we love the way this grand, magical creature has been drawn in a moment of comfort. 

## The Knight Bus – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 


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Us Muggles love to complain about public transport – but we have absolutely no qualms about the magnificent, triple-decker [Knight Bus](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/the-knight-bus), as introduced to us in the third Harry Potter story. From the details of the advertisements to the illuminated lights, this image cleverly contains the chaos of this big, purple behemoth, and Harry’s pure astonishment, having hailed it down!

## Ron – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 


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Ron Weasley’s home, The Burrow, introduced Harry to the true turbulent ways of a magical family – for this humble ramshackle house was full to the brim with spellbinding wonders. In this picture, embrace the orangeness of Ron’s bedroom, where he celebrates his Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons alongside all manner of other trinkets.

## Beauxbatons Carriage – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 


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The graceful flight of the Beauxbatons carriage arriving to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament gave us a glimpse into other wizarding schools – and in this illustration, we see Madam Maxime’s magnificent carriage making quite the entrance, pulled by Abraxan: flying horses.

## Dumbledore & Harry – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix


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An illustration of Harry and Dumbledore at Harry's Ministry hearing. Harry is at in the chair and Dumbledore is next to him.

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Of course, these illustrations are merely a few of so many that grace the pages of the five illustrated editions Jim worked on, a project Jim called ‘brilliant and all-consuming’.

‘When I received a phone call back in 2013 with an offer of an illustration job, I could never have anticipated the impact it would have upon my life,’ Jim said. ‘I am extremely lucky to have been involved in a franchise that has meant so much to so many people across the world. After ten years of working with Bloomsbury, it is with great sadness that I have to step down from illustrating Harry Potter.

I have been struggling with mental health illness for some time, and it would be wrong to try and continue when I can no longer give the fans and the series the full commitment and energy it deserves. What comforts me is the knowledge that Bloomsbury will continue working with and supporting other artists to make the remaining books both beautiful and inspiring for new generations of young readers.’

‘I would never have travelled this far through Harry's journey without the constant support and patience of Bloomsbury and J.K. Rowling, I must thank them both for giving me ten years of happy scribbling, and for the opportunity of meeting so many Potter fans from all walks of life. We've all found inspiration between the pages of Jo’s books; for myself, it's that intangible moment between reading words and creating pictures that I enjoyed, and shall miss, so much.’

Well said, Jim. We look forward to seeing the work of whoever is next to take on the wizarding world!

[To learn more about the Harry Potter Illustrated Editions, check out these FAQs.](https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/harry-potter/harry-potter-illustrated-editions-jim-kay-announcement/)

***

Jim Kay’s next Illustrated Edition, [Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix](https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-9781408845684/), will be published worldwide on 11th October 2022.

This new full-colour gift book sees the Kate Greenaway medal winner being joined by guest artist Neil Packer, winner of the BolognaRagazzi Award 2021. Harry Potter’s fifth year at Hogwarts is a must-have visual feast featuring magical locations, iconic story moments and favourite characters, including Tonks, Luna Lovegood and more.

German influencers take part in ‘Magical Escape’ event with audiobook narrator Rufus Beck 

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In the beautiful Saxony-Anhault, the wizarding world came to life earlier this month in Germany’s Wernigerode Castle, in a special interactive event called Magical Escape. Maren and Tobias Wolf, Angie (Magieverliebt), Yasmin (Yasminmiina), and Julia (Friederikefox) were put through their paces with a series of Harry Potter-themed challenges, from quizzes to finding the Golden Snitch – and at the end, surprised with the appearance of Rufus Beck. 

![magical-escape-1](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/1vkfxTtsaisTIkFMDTuIZx/a165c95ab02a6bb12be2cb84e74905fc/IMG_6715.jpeg)

Besides his work on stage, on film and on television, Rufus is perhaps best known for his narration of the German translations of the Harry Potter audiobooks. Rufus hosted an audiobook workshop, spending time with each influencer individually to narrate a section from the books with them. Surrounded by recording equipment, and with headphones firmly on, each influencer took it in turns to stand in a private booth, and took instruction from Rufus on timings, tone and enunciation.

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With the castle dressed up to feel like a wizarding world location, the influencers couldn’t help take a trip down memory lane, sharing which Harry Potter character resonates with them the most.

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For Angie, this character is Luna Lovegood. “Luna doesn’t care what others think of her; she does what she likes and stays true to herself. She is a loyal friend and there for everyone even in difficult situations. I think everyone should be a little bit more like Luna!”

![magical-escape-4](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/349UZXkL5aF1M6vcmFYZhq/1408de5c0386d6177b95157c415b9caa/51.jpeg)

Julia also opted for Luna Lovegood, “because she has no prejudice against others and no matter how bad things get, she always perseveres. She has an original, quirky appearance, which I particularly like. She doesn't lie and always speaks the truth.”

![magical-escape-4](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/kjpywJgy2Hes8XRPBKHac/58b90aaacf8d629b028e24a19cc7cb5f/IMG_6737.jpeg)

Yasmin’s favourite is Severus Snape as “he shows that there can be so much more to a character than meets the eye.”

And there you have it. The magic of Harry Potter takes many mediums – and to learn more about the audio formats, [visit the Audible website.](https://www.audible.co.uk/series/Wizarding-World-Audiobooks/B07CMBYBM8)

Festive season begins at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for 2022 

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Wrap up warm and get ready for some Christmassy cheer, wizarding world-style. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter is back with its festive offerings, transforming the sets with a very merry makeover and once again inviting fans to dinner in the Great Hall.

As is tradition, the Great Hall set will soon be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with shimmering silver, dripping icicles and sparkling snow. Look around and you’ll see specially decorated Christmas trees and an orchestra of magical instruments (painted by the Prop-Making department) will also be on display, to give the impression you are visiting Hogwarts in the time of the Triwizard Tournament. 

![WBSTL-christmas-2022](//images.ctfassets.net/usf1vwtuqyxm/UgbsgYlmhgkvwX1MEqrZd/8db0470dfce975afa69e14af99fb8f01/IMG_9253-2.jpg)

The Studio Tour is also set to put on some lavish special events in the Great Hall from 13th December – 15th December, inviting guests to enjoy a delicious Christmas feast. Fans can look out for tickets for [Dinner in the Great Hall](https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/whats-on/dinner-in-the-great-hall/) from 10am BST on Thursday 29th September. And if you’re signed up with us, you even get a 24 hour window to snap up a limited number of tickets before general sale! Harry Potter Fan Club Members can keep an eye out tomorrow (Wednesday 28th September) at 10am BST. 

Beyond the Great Hall, the glamorous costumes of the Yule Ball scene from *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* will be on display, inviting fans to see the works of Costume Designer Jany Temime. Learn about how some of the outfits were created too, such as Hermione’s iconic pink dress, which featured twelve metres of delicate Chiffon to create such a stunning effect.

New for 2022, the Hogwarts Castle fountain will be given a wintery makeover to match the cobbled stones and magical shop fronts of Diagon Alley, Hagrid’s Hut and the Hogwarts Castle model. During filming, a member of the crew climbed aboard an elevated work platform and sprinkled the ‘snow’ mixture of granulated paper and grains of salt onto the model by hand with a sieve – like dusting sugar onto a cake. The same process takes place at the Studio Tour every festive season. Many different types of ‘snow’ were used during filming, each selected for its ability to crunch under foot, float like falling snowflakes, or glisten in the light like ice, but never melt. 

And that’s not all – if you’re planning on visiting the Studio Tour in the upcoming months, look around! There will be festive magic all over the place to really bring out the Christmas spirit.

With limited availability left in Jan, visit the [Studio Tour website for more details](https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/). Yule be silly to miss it!

The best of Back to Hogwarts 2022

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It's been emotional! 

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

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

Same time, next year?