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Comparing Lord Voldemort and Grindelwald's paths 

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Voldemort holding his wand in the Ministry of Magic from the Order of the Phoneix 

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## Followers over friends

When teaching Harry about Horcruxes in *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, Dumbledore shared memories he had collected about the childhood of Lord Voldemort – or Tom Riddle, as he was then known. During Riddle’s Hogwarts days, Dumbledore observed: 

> ‘As he moved up the school, he gathered about him a group of dedicated friends; I call them that, for want of a better term, although as I have already indicated, Riddle undoubtedly felt no affection for any of them.’ 
> Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

These early followers – for Riddle was their leader, even if he pretended to be their friend – were ‘forerunners of the Death Eaters, and indeed some of them became the first Death Eaters after leaving Hogwarts.’ From then on, the people who surrounded Lord Voldemort were referred to as his followers, his Death Eaters, but very rarely was the word ‘friend’ used by either Voldemort or others. And the same can be said of Gellert Grindelwald. As the entire city of Paris was covered in his dark banners, Tina warned, ‘it’s Grindelwald. He’s calling his followers.’ 

Followers not friends. 

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Voldemort casts a spell in front of his Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor in a film still from The Deathly Hallows Part 1 

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## The making of impassioned speeches

On stage at the underground amphitheatre in *Crimes of Grindelwald*, Grindelwald spoke, and people listened. Grindelwald addressed those listening as ‘my brothers, my sisters, my friends’. But we know many of those in the crowd were not ¬– and would never be – his friends; Tina was there, as were Newt and Leta. What he was doing was making a speech, trying to persuade, trying to anger, trying to gain followers. And most of all trying to justify his actions. 

Interestingly, Lord Voldemort also made epic, justificatory and impassioned speeches. He made a speech to the Death Eaters that gathered in the graveyard at Little Hangleton the night he returned to his body:

> ‘But I want there to be no mistake in anybody’s mind. Harry Potter escaped me by a lucky chance. And I am now going to prove my power by killing him, here and now, in front of you all, when there is no Dumbledore to help him, and no mother to die for him.’
> Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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And he couldn’t help but make a speech to Harry at their very last encounter, even as they circled each other to fight the duel that would end it all. 

> ‘Is it love again? […] Dumbledore’s favourite solution, love, which he claimed conquered death, though love did not stop him falling from the Tower and breaking like an old waxwork? Love, which did not prevent me stamping out your Mudblood mother like a cockroach, Potter – and nobody seems to love you enough to run forwards this time, and take my curse. So what will stop you dying now when I strike?’ 
> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Both Voldemort and Grindelwald knew the power of words; their ability to scare and to encourage, as well as their power to spread disharmony and fear. Both men also appeared to like the sound of their own voices – their speeches were long, rhetorical and often focussed on themselves, bringing others into their own mythologies rather than recognising other people’s stories. 

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A green beam comes from Voldemort's wand after he casts a killing curse.

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## Spontaneous acts of violence

As well as the power of words, both knew the power of violence – particularly spontaneous acts of violence – as a means of spreading fear and asserting their dominance. 

‘Kill the spare’ Voldemort casually said as he ordered the murder of Cedric Diggory. This coming moments before he used the Cruciatus curse on Avery ¬– one of his own Death Eaters – as Avery begged for his master’s forgiveness. 

Grindelwald committed these violent acts too, despite claiming otherwise in his speech in the underground amphitheatre: ‘Go forth from this place and spread the word: It is not we who are violent.’ 

Grindelwald hid out in Parisian homes and his every move was tinged with the green light of the Killing Curse. While he waited on a street, his followers killed those inside to allow his entry. He didn’t cast the curse himself but we assume it was on his orders, and he tapped his cane carelessly on the pavement whilst he waited.

Inside, a baby was left alive only to face the green light of Carrow’s Killing Curse a few moments later, again on Grindelwald’s nod. The baby’s crime? Being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Years later, Lord Voldemort murdered Frank Bryce at the beginning of *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* for eavesdropping. 

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## Obsession

Gellert Grindelwald and Lord Voldemort both had obsessions, and they are oddly aligned.  Voldemort was obsessed with Harry Potter – the Boy Who Lived – to the extent that he did not allow his Death Eaters to come to his aid in the graveyard at Little Hangleton, though he had been reborn for mere minutes. As the cores of Voldemort’s and Harry’s wands connected, Voldemort shrieked: ‘Stand aside! I will kill him! He is mine!’ In *Goblet of Fire*, Wormtail suggested using another wizard’s blood for Voldemort’s rebirth because it would be easier, but his master replied: ‘I have my reasons for using the boy, as I have already explained to you, and I will use no other.’ 

Gellert Grindelwald was similarly focussed on another: Credence Barebone. In contrast to Voldemort’s obsession with killing Harry, though, Grindelwald wanted Credence on his side. Though we still don’t know the full depths and reasons for this obsession, Grindelwald gave us clues along the way.

>  ‘So . . . Credence Barebone. Nearly destroyed by the woman who raised him. Yet now he seeks the mother who bore him. He’s desperate for family. He’s desperate for love. He’s the key to our victory.’<br>
> Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald 

Interestingly, at one time or another Grindelwald and Voldemort waited for Credence and Harry respectively to approach them of their own accord. In the Forbidden Forest during the Battle of Hogwarts, Voldemort said of Snape and Lucius: ‘Neither of you understands Potter as I do. He does not need finding. Potter will come to me.’ And when Grindelwald’s followers asked him why they couldn’t just grab Credence and leave, his answer was very similar, though for different ends: ‘He must come to me freely — and he will.’ 

Both also shared an obsession with the Deathly Hallows, though Lord Voldemort is only interested in the Elder Wand rather than all three, like Grindelwald. 

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Of his and Grindelwald’s friendship, Dumbledore said:

>  ‘And at the heart of our schemes, the Deathly Hallows! How they fascinated him, how they fascinated both of us!’ <br>
> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Lord Voldemort sought one of the Hallows by travelling across the wizarding world. And when he thought he had finally truly possessed it, he was jubilant. He thought himself unbeatable:

> ’[…] and the Elder Wand, the Deathstick, the Wand of Destiny is truly mine! Dumbledore’s last plan went wrong, Harry Potter!’<br>
> Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

It is perhaps unsurprising that both these Dark wizards, who sought power at any cost, were stirred by the idea of the Deathly Hallows. Their shared obsession with the Elder Wand was an insight into what lay behind their respective rises to power, and later, their downfalls. 

Ranked: The best and worst choices of the wizarding world

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## The best choices

## 5. Harry deciding not to be friends with Draco Malfoy

You may think that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were enemies from the word go. And while it is true that Harry never warmed to him, it didn’t stop Malfoy from trying to collect the famous Boy Who Lived as a friend. However, despite being an 11-year-old thrown into a new world – Harry was still astute enough to recognise that making friends with Malfoy wasn’t the best idea. 

From the moment he called Hagrid a savage, to insulting Ron’s family on the Hogwarts Express, Harry saw Malfoy for who he really was and turned him down. We think Harry’s instincts in this situation were spot on – and this decision stopped any chance of him straying down a dark path and strengthened his fledgling bond with Ron. 

[You can read our article debating on if there was ever a scenario where this pair could've been friends here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/could-harry-and-draco-ever-have-been-friends)

## 4. Dumbledore choosing to step away from Grindelwald

While you may think that it was a terrible decision of Albus Dumbledore to associate with such a wizard in the first place, we believe that it was his choice to break away from Grindelwald that should be admired.
It is easy to forget that Dumbledore was once a young impressionable man and not the wise headteacher we are familiar with. To him it must have been thrilling to find another wizard as gifted as he was with a vision to change the world for ‘the greater good’. However, after a devastating row, which left his sister Ariana dead, Dumbledore knew that he and Grindelwald had to part ways. 

It is incredibly fortunate that Dumbledore did this. If he hadn’t, he may not have become the great man he was. He also probably would never have fought against Grindelwald and defeated him in their famous duel. Imagine how different the wizarding world would have been if Dumbledore hadn’t seen Grindelwald’s ideas for what they were and had supported him in his quest for wizard domination. 

## 3. Hermione deciding to form Dumbledore’s Army

Hermione was often full of clever ideas and this one was no exception. From the moment she realised that her and her classmates would not be getting an adequate education she took matters into her own hands. Harry may have ended up being the teacher, but it was Hermione’s decision to create the group in the first place. It was also Hermione’s shrewd thinking and excellent magical ability that enabled them to know which member had betrayed them to Umbridge (those purple pustules on Marietta Edgecombe’s face were nasty but impressive). 

Not only did this decision enable many Hogwarts students to keep up with their education – it actually helped them to excel. The fact that so many members could produce a corporeal Patronus, which is an advanced piece of magic, is testament to this. It also meant that when the second wizarding war was on the horizon, they were a group that was as prepared as possible. Without Dumbledore’s Army we doubt someone like Neville would have had the confidence or the ability to fight the way he did. It may have started off as just a club – but it ended up being so much more.

## 2. Harry asking Mrs Weasley for help on platform nine and three-quarters

It is safe to say that when Harry and the Weasleys met each other for the first time their impressions of each other were positive. Mrs Weasley even commented on what a polite boy he was, and Harry admired their family dynamic. It was a chance meeting that led to one of the most important friendships in the series.

But what if Harry hadn’t worked up the courage to ask Mrs Weasley for help? Would things be different? If Ron hadn’t seen Harry on that platform – would he have asked to share his compartment? Would they have bonded in the same way? If Harry had felt he was all alone, would he have been more tempted to accept Draco Malfoy’s offer of friendship? Could that have meant Harry being sorted into Slytherin? 

If Harry hadn’t made that choice, things may have been very different. He may never have become a member of the Weasley family, and he may not have been best friends with Ron (and he might still be stuck between platforms nine and ten at King’s Cross Station.)

## 1. Harry and Ron deciding to warn Hermione about the troll

In a similar vein to the previous decision, if Harry and Ron had not decided to risk it all to save Hermione, we may never have had the Golden Trio. If they had stayed away, Hermione would not have seen a different side to Harry and Ron, and they wouldn’t have seen Hermione covering for them with an irate Professor McGonagall. There is no doubt that their famous bond was forged in the girls’ bathroom with a snotty, unconscious mountain troll lying at their feet. 

While it was Ron’s mean comments that lead to Hermione crying in the loos in the first place, it did pave the way for their eventual friendship. Just imagine how different things would have been if they hadn’t made that choice. Firstly, Hermione might have met her end only a few weeks into her new life as a witch. Even if she had survived, we doubt she would want anything to do with the boys who made her so miserable in the first place. 

We also wonder whether it would have led to Voldemort’s victory. It was Hermione that provided Harry and Ron with key information about Nicolas Flamel and it took all three of them to make it past the obstacles to the Philosopher’s Stone. So, while it was an… unusual start to a friendship, we are secretly grateful for that troll.

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## The worst choices

## 5. Snape choosing the Dark Arts

Oh Snape – his life was really quite tragic. He was bullied at school, lost the (unrequited) love of his life and died protecting the son Lily left behind. The Prince's tale is a sad one, but Snape made a lot of questionable choices and his obsession with the Dark Arts cost him an awful lot. 

Snape was obsessed with hexes and curses from when he was young, and we can understand why, to some degree. Being unloved by your parents and tormented by your classmates is sure to have an impact on anyone. Yet, Snape was not completely without love – he had Lily. If he really wanted to protect that relationship, he could have.

When he saw that Lily was getting close to his nemesis James Potter, he pushed her even further away and strengthened his bonds with a group of dodgy Slytherins – who were also obsessed with the Dark Arts and on their way to becoming Death Eaters. It was his inability to let go of that obsession that cost him Lily and ultimately sent him down a dark and dangerous path.  

## 4. Ron deciding to leave the Horcrux hunt

When Ron decided to leave the hunt for Horcruxes he really hurt Harry and Hermione. Not only did he allow jealousy to get the better of him, but he also refused to consider that the Horcrux might be the reason he was feeling that way. His stubbornness and insecurity allowed him to abandon his friends – a decision he would come to deeply regret. 

While Ron was away, Harry and Hermione found themselves in a bad place, ending with their trip to Godric’s Hollow where Nagini created a harrowing experience for them. If Ron had been there, he might have been able to prevent Harry’s wand from breaking or may have even stopped them from going in the first place. While we don’t know what would have happened if Ron stayed, we do know that this decision to leave only made things harder. It’s just lucky that Dumbledore had left him his Deluminator – otherwise there would have been no coming back from that choice. 

## 3. Harry casting one of the Half-Blood Prince's curses on Draco

Harry should have listened to Hermione. He should have listened to Ginny. In fact, Harry should have listened to anyone who raised concerns about his faith in the Half-Blood Prince. Despite having tackled Tom Riddle’s diary in his second year – Harry still wouldn’t listen to those who begged him to use caution when it came to trusting an unknown author. What Harry should not have done is use a homemade spell ‘for enemies’ on Draco Malfoy. 

While he wasn’t aware of just how horrific or bloody Sectumsempra was, it was still his choice to use it and still his fault that Malfoy ended up seriously maimed on the bathroom floor. Now, we know Harry and Malfoy weren’t close, but Harry was not a violent person (his signature spell is Expelliarmus after all) and this terrible decision weighed heavily on him. Not only did he have to face detention, but also the angry faces of the Gryffindor Quidditch team when they found out he was temporarily off the team. Although, Harry did learn a lesson from this incident – but what a miniscule silver lining.  

## 2. Harry deciding to go to the Department of Mysteries

Sometimes there really is no getting through to Harry. Despite multiple people imploring him to take Occlumency seriously, he just couldn’t do it. It’s strange, Harry doesn’t normally give up at the first hurdle – but for some reason, Occlumency continued to trip him up. Having Snape as his teacher certainly didn't help motivate him, either.

Unfortunately, this led him to make a decision he would live to regret. Harry knew that Voldemort could plant false images in his brain and knew he shouldn’t trust anything he saw through Voldemort’s eyes. However, despite being told this multiple times by multiple people, he was compelled to go anyway – especially as this ‘skill’ had enabled him to save Arthur Weasley from Nagini. So, when Voldemort, planted the vision of Sirius being tortured in the Department of Mysteries, he decided it must be real. Although Harry meant well, his heart often ruled his head.

As such, not only did he risk his own life, but he also risked his friends’ lives. If Harry hadn’t fallen for the set-up, then Sirius wouldn’t have come to the Ministry to rescue him – and we all know how that turned out. Ultimately, Voldemort created the perfect trap for Harry - knowing his emotions would outweigh the logic. Although a teenager shouldn't be outright blamed for something that Lord Voldemort manipulated, Harry’s tragic choice left him without his godfather but with a lifetime of regret.

## 1. Bartemius Crouch smuggling his son out of Azkaban

It may seem strange for us to say that this was the worst choice in the wizarding world – but hear us out. We believe if it wasn’t for Barty Crouch smuggling his son, Barty Crouch Jr, out of Azkaban, then Voldemort may not have returned. 

Barty Crouch may not have been aware of just how devastating the consequences would be when he decided to honour his dying wife’s wish. Yet, by freeing Barty Jr he set off a runaway train of events that culminated in that awful night of the third Triwizard task. If Barty Jr hadn’t been released, then he wouldn’t have managed to overpower his father, kidnap Mad-Eye Moody, take his place, enter Harry into the Triwizard Tournament, fix said tournament and finally ensure Harry was deposited in the graveyard where Wormtail could use his blood to resurrect the Dark Lord. As far as bad decisions go – this one was certainly up there.

Why we can't help but root for Jacob and Queenie

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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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From the moment that Jacob and Queenie met in *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*, they certainly had chemistry. Jacob was won over by Queenie’s charm, ability to read minds and beauty. Not only that, as a baker, he also appreciated her magical apple strudel. In return, Queenie was fascinated by this No-Maj who seemed to take being flung into the magical world in his stride, having never really interacted with one before. 

Before long, their relationship developed from mutual curiosity into something real and they forged a romantic connection. Even Jacob’s memories being wiped at the end of the first film couldn’t keep them apart, and they soon managed to find their way back to one another.

This was a pair that truly seemed to belong together. They complimented each other and brought out each of their best sides. The majority of their interactions were adorable, from the time Jacob was trying to act cool and flirt with Queenie in a speakeasy (despite the effects of Gigglewater), to Queenie coming into Jacob’s bakery after his memory was erased just to see him. What was clear is that if it were up to them, they would have happily spent their lives together. 

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Jacob and Queenie standing at the bar of The Blind Pig looking at each other and smiling. Jacob is holding a glass of Gigglewater.

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However, we soon came to learn that circumstances always seemed to be conspiring against these two. Specifically, what could be considered the rather outdated laws of the American wizarding community. Unfortunately for Jacob and Queenie, the US had a no fraternisation rule between the magical community and the No-Maj one. No No-Maj was allowed to know about the magical world and a witch or wizard certainly wasn’t allowed to marry one or start a family with them. This was one of the first things that put a terrible strain on the couple and was arguably what sent Queenie down a dark path.

By the time it came to *Crimes of Grindelwald*, Queenie’s desperation had intensified, and she was willing to do things that we would never condone to ensure that she and Jacob ended up together. It was completely wrong of Queenie to take Jacob to London to be married while he was under the influence of an enchantment. All that resulted in was the cracks between these two widening and her sense of hopelessness increasing. It was that vulnerability and frustration at their situation which made her the perfect target for Grindelwald. By the time she walked through the flames, she was completely brainwashed by him and was convinced that this was her only option to be with the one she loved.

Yet we can’t help but root for this couple. We know that Queenie joining Grindelwald’s cause was wrong. We know that realistically it would be difficult for the pair of them to reconcile after such an event. But if anyone can get through to Queenie and convince her to change her mind, it’s Jacob. It was her desire to be with him when faced with the harsh rules of MACUSA that made her susceptible to Grindelwald’s spiel. And while she has to take responsibility for her poor choices, if she does, then we hope that she and can get a second chance. After all, Queenie is not the first person to be hoodwinked by Grindelwald – even Dumbledore believed in him once.

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Queenie and Jacob in the crowd at Grindelwald's rally. Jacob looks concerned and Queenie is stroking his face.

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We also reckon that there is still hope for them as a couple. Obviously, we don’t know what will happen as the story goes on, but we don’t think that Jacob is quite ready to give up on her just yet. In the first trailer for *The Secrets of Dumbledore*, he seems to be fully invested in the fight against Grindelwald and we wonder whether a lot of that was motivated by his desire to try and help Queenie. We hope that if he does manage to be reunited with her, that she is reachable and willing to listen to reason. 

If the pair of them were to get back together, you never know, it could help to change the way that MACUSA viewed No-Maj and wizarding relations. Especially as, if successful, they would owe Jacob a debt for helping to bring down one of the most infamous Dark wizards of all time. If they were allowed to be together, their relationship could pave the way for a new era of the American wizarding community. 

However, all this aside, we just believe that these two are happiest and strongest when together. They make sense as a couple and we truly hope that this is just a blip in what should be a long and happy future together.

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Jacob and Queenie trying to capture the escaped Occamy. Jacob is out of breath and Queenie is wearing a silver bowl like a helmet.

The Hogwarts Portrait quiz

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Will your quiz result be a masterpiece? Or will you need to paint over a few mistakes?

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<script src="//dcc4iyjchzom0.cloudfront.net/widget/loader.js" async></script>

Revealed: The Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore posters

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*Watch how you go: we’ll be talking about spoilers for the first two Fantastic Beasts films here.* 

## Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) 

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Poster of Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore.

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It was an absolute pleasure to be reacquainted with a younger Dumbledore in *The Crimes of Grindelwald*, and the future Hogwarts Headmaster looks set to be even more involved in this film. Many revelations came out about Dumbledore at the end of the last film, such as his blood pact with Grindelwald, and Grindelwald’s revelation that Credence may be part of his family. As this film is called ‘The Secrets of Dumbledore’, we’re guessing there are plenty more truths to be unveiled... and we’re guessing it goes deeper than the secret of how he keeps his beard so neat. 

## Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) 


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Poster of Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore

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Many new heroes await us in the third film, and our magical creature loving Newt Scamander is back with his trusty case here. The modest Magizoologist was integral in both Grindelwald’s initial capture and the ensuing struggles after his escape – so we’re interested to see what he’ll bring to the table this time. As we know, Dumbledore is highly invested in him. Good to see Pickett is still firmly by his side too! 

## Teddy the Niffler  


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Teddy the Niffler in the poster for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

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Teddy?? That’s right, Newt’s Niffler has a name! And we are already in love. This is the second “Teddy” we know of in the wizarding world, as many years in the future, Nymphadora Tonks and [Remus Lupin](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/remus-lupin) would call their son the very same name. We’re thrilled that Teddy is getting a moment to shine here. 

## Pickett the Bowtruckle

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Pickett the Bowtruckle in the poster for Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore

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This extremely sassy pose from Newt’s other companion, Pickett the Bowtruckle, is making us bow-chuckle. We can excuse Pickett for nabbing a wand here, as it is literally a Bowtruckle’s job to protect wand wood trees. Good to see him back in the mix for the third escapade. Good luck, little friend. 

## Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) 

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Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski in the poster for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

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Our favourite non-magical character (Well it was hardly going to be Uncle Vernon, was it?) is back! And he’s looking distinctly more magical than we last remember, as our endearing baker is holding a wand here. We also saw him with a wand in the first trailer for this film. We are still unsure if this wand is simply a fake one or something more than that, but it seems to be particularly sparky here... 

## Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner)

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Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander for the poster of Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore

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In *The Crimes of Grindewald*, Theseus was the subject of sibling rivalry with his brother Newt, as well as tragically losing his fiancé, Leta Lestrange, towards the film’s climax. We know that Theseus is far more intertwined in Newt’s journey this time around, and we expect the brothers will have let their differences lie in the wake of Leta’s passing. The extremely talented Auror will be an excellent team member to have in the fight against Grindelwald. 

## Lally Hicks (Jessica Williams) 


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Jessica Williams as Lally Hicks in the Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore poster

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We met Professor Hicks extremely briefly in *The Crimes of Grindelwald*, in a book at [Nicolas Flamel’s](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/nicolas-flamel) home. Now, we are pleased to see her play a larger part, where we hope to learn more about not just her – but maybe the American wizarding school [Ilvermorny](https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/ilvermorny) too, where she is a professor. Newt and Dumbledore could certainly use a talented [Charms](https://www.wizardingworld.com/quiz/how-well-would-you-do-in-professor-flitwicks-charms-classes) teacher (her specialty) as part of their circle! 

## Bunty (Victoria Yeates)

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Bunty in the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore poster, played by Victoria Yeates.

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Newt’s assistant Bunty gets her own poster! Which surely means she’ll be far more involved in the new film. Bunty is usually left in charge of Newt’s magical creatures when he goes off on his own adventures, but this time, it looks like she’s had a promotion! 

## Aberforth Dumbledore (Richard Coyle)

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That hat... that coat... it all looks rather familiar. Yes, this is Albus’s brother, [Aberforth,](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/who-are-the-dumbledores) who we briefly met in the Harry Potter series, albeit many years into the future. We’re fascinated to learn more about Aberforth’s history in this film – and the fact he has his own poster feels rather promising!  

## Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam)

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Yusuf Kama played by William Nadylam in the Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore poster.

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You’ll remember Yusuf, the enigmatic French wizard, from the second Fantastic Beasts film, where we learnt about his connections to Leta Lestrange’s family. Yusuf was a mysterious force in his first appearance in the films, so we’re truly fascinated to see where his story goes next.  

## Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen)

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Gellert Grindelwald left the second Fantastic Beasts film in a strong position, having successfully assembled a band of supporters (including Queenie!) to further his personal battle against the Muggles, after revealing he knows a devastating world war will soon take place. Not only this, but he has also told Credence some vital information about his own past – if indeed, it is to be trusted. So, what now? Surely the only wizard powerful enough to stop him is Albus Dumbledore – but that blood pact still stands in between these two wizards. 

## Credence/Aurelius (Ezra Miller) 


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As more mysteries develop around Credence, his hair seems to get even longer. We imagine there isn’t much time for haircuts when you’re learning about your past and fraternising with Gellert Grindelwald. For indeed, this is where we left Credence at the end of the last film – in Nurmengard with the Dark wizard, discovering secrets about his history. So, is this Credence, or is this Aurelius Dumbledore, as Grindelwald told him is his alleged birth name? And how will Credence’s life as an Obscurial affect him in this latest story? We’ll be watching with bated breath.

## Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol) 

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Oh, Queenie. The charming [Legilimens](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/a-guide-to-legilimency) found herself going down a dark path in *Crimes of Grindelwald*, after she struggled to contend with the fact she could never marry Jacob due to American wizarding laws of the time restricting the unions of magical people and No-Majs. In the end, she sided with Grindelwald as a result of wanting to break down these strict laws. We were devastated to see Queenie crossover to join the Dark wizard – but where will she go in this film? We remain tentatively optimistic. 

So that’s one Goldstein sister. But what about Tina? As mentioned in *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald*, Tina was reinstated as an Auror at MACUSA, so perhaps she’s off attending to official business? But, seeing as she will one day marry Newt Scamander, we’re pretty sure it won’t be long before she reappears!

## Vinda Rosier (Poppy Corby-Tuech)


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The name “Rosier” has strong ties to the [dark side of the wizarding world](https://www.wizardingworld.com/quiz/the-death-eaters-quiz) – a future character also called Rosier was named as one of Voldemort’s Death Eaters in the Harry Potter stories. Here, we see another Rosier side with a different Dark wizard in the past, Gellert Grindelwald. We met this French witch in the previous film, who played her part in growing Grindelwald’s band of followers. Her loyalty to him seems unwavering so far... what will she get up to in this instalment? 

## Helmut (Aleksandr Kuznetsov)

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Helmut is a new character, not known to us before now.  He appears to be on Grindelwald’s side, but how does he fit into the story?  Watch this space…

## Liu Tao (Dave Wong) 

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Now here’s a brand new face we haven’t seen before! Liu Tao appears to be an authoritative character of some sort, judging by that suit. But who or what he’ll take charge of, we’ll have to wait and see.

## Anton Vogel (Oliver Masucci)

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Anton Vogel cuts a mysterious figure in an elegant outfit. But what side of the ensuing battle with Grindelwald is Anton on? 

## Vicência Santos  (Maria Fernanda Cândido)


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Our final figure boasts tall hair and an elegant outfit. Again, another authoritative presence, perhaps? Note that none of these three characters in the final three posters seem to be holding wands either. So, are they even witches or wizards – or Muggles embroiled in the fight against Grindelwald? Perhaps we’ve over-thinking. But time will soon tell! 

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An exclusive first look at images from the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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An illustration of Grimmauld Place where number twelve is hidden

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Bloomsbury and Scholastic have announced that the much anticipated illustrated version of Harry Potter’s fifth adventure is set to be published on 11th October. Not only does this edition once again bring together the extraordinary talents of J.K. Rowling and Jim Kay, but also features award-winning illustrator Neil Packer.

If you take a close look at the incredible jacket illustration you will see Dumbledore’s Army practising their Patronus skills. Can you spot Hermione summoning her silvery otter? Or Harry and Cho watching her swan soar above the Room of Requirement?

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The cover of the illustrated edition of Order of the Phoenix. Harry, Cho and Hermione are in the Room of Requirement. Hermione and Cho are casting their Patronuses.

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And inside the wonder continues with Jim’s fantastic illustration of Harry’s Ministry hearing that captures the dark and tense atmosphere.

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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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And his colourful depiction of Luna and Neville that beautifully demonstrates both of their personalities, not to mention Luna’s famous Butterbeer cork necklace.

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Luna and Neville sat on the Hogwarts Express. Luna is reading The Quibbler upside down and Neville is holding Trevor.

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As well as the iconic Grimmauld Place, where number 12 lurks hidden away from Muggle eyes.

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An illustration of Grimmauld place where number twelve is revealed

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As the meticulously detailed artwork shows, this illustrated version of the *Order of the Phoenix* has been a mammoth task and nearly two years in the making. As the project unfolded, Jim decided that it was time to bring in guest collaborator and dear friend, Neil Packer, to help bring the story to life. As Jim said: 

‘Illustrating *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* was always going to be a challenge; the scale of the book meant for a huge variety of characters and locations to choose from. It was a great privilege to have Neil Packer helping with this daunting task. As a fan of his work it was wonderful to see his illustrations appear in the text, and so nice to be working with him in the team. He is perfect for Potter.’ 

Neil Packer adds: ‘As both a friend and a colleague it was an honour to be asked to work alongside Jim Kay on this book. Jim has invested so much in this series already and I was very conscious of not wanting to encroach on the stunning work which only he can do. The sheer scale of this book and the wonderful richness of imagination within the writing perhaps left space for a second approach and it has been a great joy and a challenge to try and work in harmony with Jim’s pictures and to visualise some of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world.’

Neil is a well-renowned illustrator in his own right, and his distinctive artwork has been woven through the book complementing Jim’s narrative scenes. One example of his exquisite artwork is this beautiful imagining of Firenze’s Divination classroom.

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An illustration of Firenze's Divination classroom

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These are just snippets of the exciting illustrations set to feature in this edition. You can expect to see so much more, from Jim Kay’s portrait of Dolores Umbridge and stunning visualisation of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries to Neil Packer’s cutaway of the Ministry of Magic and beautifully drawn magical objects. 

And if this fantastic edition isn’t enough, a gorgeous, cloth-bound Deluxe Illustrated Edition will publish simultaneously with a foiled slipcase, gilt-edges and an exclusive pull-out extra inside.

If you are in the UK, you can click [here](https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/harry-potter/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-illustrated-editions-pre-order-offers/) to pre-order this illustrated edition on Bloomsbury’s website. 

If you’re in the US, you can pre-order from the Scholastic website [here](https://kids.scholastic.com/kid/books/harry-potter/).

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened prepares for worldwide launch in 2022

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Warner Bros. Games and NetEase Inc. today announced that the immersive collectible card wizarding duelling game, *Harry Potter: Magic Awakened*, is set for a worldwide launch in 2022. 

The game, which is also distinct for its unique art style, massively multiplayer and immersive role-playing elements, allows players to master their magic in their own illustrious wizarding journey. The game has been a huge hit across China Mainland, and now – it could be coming to your territory. Players in the Americas, Europe and Oceania are invited to pre-register on the game’s official website at www.MagicAwakened.com or Google Play to receive exclusive rewards once the title is released. Players can unlock additional rewards including in-game currency, cosmetic items and a Niffler card after surpassing each pre-registration tier. 

While you wait to learn when the game will be coming to you, watch our behind-the-scenes developer’s diary showcasing their process in creating this immersive collectible card game and its multiplayer wizarding experience.

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened | Behind the Scenes 

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You can also take a look at this teaser of the game right here.

Magic Awakened | Teaser 

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In the game, you’ll play as a young witch or wizard starting your new education at – where else? – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Fans will be able to customise their character accordingly and enjoy the many facets of wizarding world life, such as discovering your Hogwarts house, perusing supplies in Diagon Alley, learning spells that can be cast in the form of cards – and taking part in Duelling Club. There will also be an intriguing story running through the game as you accumulate magical knowledge – so expect to meet a few familiar characters – and some exciting new ones along the way. 

Harry Potter: Magic Awakened is one of many titles that sits under the Portkey Games label, which is dedicated to creating new Wizarding World mobile and video game experiences that place the player at the centre of their own adventure, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s original stories. You can learn more about [Portkey Games here.](https://www.wizardingworld.com/discover/portkey-games)

West Coast performances of Cursed Child begin at San Francisco's Curran Theater

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Pictured (L–R): Benjamin Papac as Albus Potter and Jon Steiger as Scorpius Malfoy in the San Francisco production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

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*Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade*

The West Coast engagement of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* triumphantly returned to San Francisco this week, after its performances were put on hold in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020. 

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*Pictured (L–R): John Skelley as Harry Potter, Lily Mojekwu as Hermione Granger, and Steve O’Connell as Ron Weasley in the San Francisco production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade*

Now, [the one-part reimagining of the play](https://www.wizardingworld.com/news/cursed-child-returns-reimagined-to-broadway-and-opens-in-hamburg), which also runs in New York, enchanted audiences with a celebratory comeback. 

Press night for the show is set for the 9th February, and you can visit the play's [official website for more details. ](https://sf.harrypottertheplay.com/)

A huge welcome back to this branch of the Cursed Child family! 

__Remember, you can visit [our Cursed Child hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/cursed-child-collection) for quizzes, behind-the-scene videos and features on the hit play whenever you like.__

Take part in our official wand ceremony

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