Wizards and witches around the world will be reunited on Friday, November 18th, for the world premiere of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The film takes place in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, but fans are taken back in time to 1926. We follow Newt Scamander, who comes to New York City to continue his research on magical creatures. However, Newt’s research comes to a standstill as some of his own creatures are released into the city. In addition, author J.K. Rowling announced in early October that “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them” will be a five film series. So with more movies coming our way, it’s time for us to into the wizarding spirit! Here are five easy ways to get back to the wizarding world of Harry Potter!!
1. Have a Harry Potter Marathon.
Whether it’s the books or the movies, a Harry Potter marathon is sure to make any wizard or witch feel back home at Hogwarts. I highly recommend grabbing a cozy spot on the couch and a big mug of butterbeer to really get you into the mood.
2. Take the Ilvermorny Sorting Quiz.
Introduced on Pottermore in 2016, the Ilvermorny Sorting Quiz allows you to be sorted in one of the North American wizarding school's houses. Ilvermorny is the only wizarding school in the United States, where students are divided into Horned Serpent, Wampus, Thunderbird, or Pukwudgie. Two of the characters in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", Porpentina and Queenie Goldstein, are both Ilvermony alumni.
3. Read “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them.”
J.K. Rowling wrote "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" to support the charity Comic Relief. Released in 2001, the book is similar to Harry's textbook of the same name. Newt Scamander is the "author" of the book and discusses magizoology, the study of magical creatures. After reading this book, you'll definitely be the best magizoologist out of all of your fellow wizards!
4. Take Pottermore’s Patronus Quiz.
Also introduced on Pottermore this year, the patronus quiz allows wizards to finally figure out what your patronus is! The quiz has some siriusly (Sirius Black appreciation-pun intended) awesome graphics that will make you feel like you're really in the Forbidden Forest.
5. Host a Party before the movie!
Have a group of your fellow wizards over and have a magic-filled party before going to see the movie together. Send out invitations beforehand that look like Hogwarts acceptance letters, or have your friends dress up like characters from the wizarding world so everyone can really get into the spirit. Make sure to serve your guests butterbeer and bake cookies shaped like the house crests! Play the Harry Potter movies as you and your guests prepare to return in the wizarding world in "Fantastic Beasts"!
And if you're looking for other ways to emerge yourself into the wizarding world, don't forget about the Homemade, Wizard-Worthy Butterbeer and the Hogwarts House Crest Cookie Cutters, which will definitely make you feel like you're a part of the wizardly fun!!
