It is almost impossible to go through life nowadays not hearing about the world of Harry Potter. Whether or not you are a fan, you most likely know what people are referring to when they mention Hogwarts, Dumbledore or the infamous Boy Who Lived himself, Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling has created a universe in which readers from across the globe can connect and obsess over the existence of mystical creatures, wizards and, of course, magic. Her universe has shown no signs of drifting into oblivion 4 years after the last movie release, and here is a list of why it never will.
1. Pottermore
Pottermore is the virtual website J.K. Rowling created that allows Potterheads to relive the story and discover new and exciting details. While it recently underwent a renovation, readers can still visit to read biographies on the characters and catch up on the latest J.K. Rowling announcements. Warning: it can be easy to lose sense of time and spend hours on Pottermore. However, it might be worth it.
2. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
You may have been convinced that the Harry Potter universe had seen its last story after the publication of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," but you were wrong. In June of 2015, J.K. Rowling announced via Twitter that there would be a Harry Potter play coming to London in 2016. She recently unveiled that this play will actually be a sequel to the last story and will focus on Harry Potter's son, thus making it a new tale audiences have never seen before.
3. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Another exciting installment in this magical universe is the announcement of a spin-off movie, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." This movie is set to take place seventy years before Harry Potter and his friends set foot in Hogwarts and is scheduled to come to theaters in 2016. If that's not enough to get you excited, maybe the announcement that Eddie Redmayne, recent Oscar winner for his role in "The Theory of Everything," is playing the protagonist will do the trick.
4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios
If you are able to make the trip any time soon, I highly recommend it. I have been twice in the past four years and I absolutely love it. From finally seeing Hogwarts in person to buying a wand in Ollivander's Wand Shop, the entire experience was thrilling. Each detail is intricately woven into the scenery and incredibly accurate. Even if you're not a dedicated fan, stepping into this section of Universal Studios is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
5. A Celebration of Harry Potter
Universal Studios also hosts A Celebration of Harry Potter in late January. This event brings in millions of fans from across the globe and consists of expos, dueling workshops and a Q&A session with cast members. Also, costumes are highly encouraged.
6. LeakyCon
Have you ever heard of Comic Con? Well, Harry Potter fans have taken it into their own hands to create a Harry Potter themed conference filled with presentations, workshops, and magic. Fans can show their pride in the most creative ways imaginable- and for some of these ideas, you have to see them to believe.
7. Quidditch
Quidditch went from a fictional sport in J.K. Rowling's imagination to a sport being played in colleges around the country. Most schools have Quidditch as a club sport and even compete to go to the Quidditch World Cup, which is basically the World Series of Quidditch. If you always wanted to be a part of this magical universe and never knew how, this may be for you. Warning: it can get physical.
8. The Sheer Love of Harry Potter
No matter how many times I read the books or watch the movies, I will always find something new to love about Harry Potter. Even though I will never again receive the thrill of experiencing it for the first time, I still look forward to reliving the magic. Harry Potter has brought millions a sense of inexplicable childhood giddiness and happiness that can never be replaced.
