It's Been A Very Good Eleven Years

The Harry Potter fandom concluded in 2011 with the release of the final film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. For me, I had just re-started my journey. I originally paused reading the books when I was a kid and figured it'd always be too late to return to Hogwarts. Until I did.

I started this blog to share an adventure of re-discovering the series. Little did anyone know back then how the franchise would expand - Pottermore (RIP) into WizardingWorld.com, theme parks, two spin-off series in film and theatre, worldwide exhibitions and the official studio tour. I started attending conventions with a press pass, met amazing like-minded wizards, and grew to see the world in new and magical ways. Companies were kind enough to send me products for review and giveaways. Upcoming authors allowed me to interview them about their latest work. The memories and experiences I made are innumerable and too meaningful to put into words. For the past ten years, this little site gave me so much that I will forever cherish.

While that love (or nostalgia, I should say) will never fully extinguish, it has shifted for a number of reasons. Recently, her choices and actions is not something I can support - including: using gay conversion therapist Robert Galbraith as her new penname, liking tweets referring to the community as LGBTSTUVWXYZ and/or misgendering trans women as men, blocking LGBTQ+ individuals like David Paisley after showing how her supporters as attackers. Rowling once wrote: "I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans," yet she has not mentioned or spoken out against Governor Greg Abbott order to criminalize gender-affirming care, transgender youth and their allies, or once dared to show how the transgender community have been and are currently under attack.

As someone who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, I've tried to shift my love of Harry Potter into being some kind of ally, and change what I posted on the site or social media...but there is always doubt and fear lingering about any impact I might make by bolstering her presence and financial standing. I wholeheartedly believe in women's spaces being safe, but that cannot be fully achieved without transwomen, and want to utilize my time and energy elsewhere, no longer under the banner of this site or franchise any longer.

Every fans' decision is their own, and I respect it. But I hope to call on anyone to visit this site to consider what it means to continue supporting Rowling by supporting Harry Potter, or the next franchise waves including Fantastic Beasts and Cursed Child. Her words made up our childhoods, and now her words on social media are upending generations vying for acceptance and the means to live healthfully and happily. Please listen to transgender voices and the LGBTQ+ community about the issues we are facing.

There are no words that I can really use to explain how hard this decision for me. Like many, this fandom has become a big part of my identity and love of literature. But love is not magic when it is silent in the wizarding world. There is a glaring omittance from the Harry Potter franchise including the studios, third-party companies, and even parts of the fandom about the effects its creator on trans women and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. Hogwarts will always be my home, and I hope its walls will feel safer for everyone to return to it someday.

5 Favorite Moments from Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts Reunion

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone brought the magical series to cinemas in a way that nobody could've dreamed of. We saw the cast grow up on screen, the stories we love grow darker and bolder, and found ourselves escaping to a wizarding world that made us feel seen and whole through trials and tribulations in our own lives. After the eight-film franchise came to an end in Summer 2011, there was no way of knowing just the fandom would expand to what it is today. 

Despite the ups and downs of the muggle world, and controversies within the phenomenon itself, journeying back to Hogwarts with the original cast and crew was just the balm we needed to start the new year. While there are plenty of moments and details that are worthy of being celebrated, here are some of my favorite moments from Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts. 

What were your favorite moments from the reunion? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Please beware: This post contains spoilers for the Return to Hogwarts Reunion. (Gifs are not made by me - click on the image to see the original source).

HBO Max Releases New Poster & Trailer for Return to Hogwarts Reunion

Class is in session! In celebration of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 20th Anniversary, HBO Max has a magical reunion in store that will go down in wizarding world history.

On New Years Day, the cast of the Harry Potter franchise will reunite together in a retrospective of the film phenomenon. 

We've been treated to glimpses of the reunion so far - with an official image of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint conversing together and a teaser of more cast Robbie Coltrane, Mark Williams, and Matthew Lewis receiving their Hogwarts invitation to the event. 

Now, HBO Max has released an official trailer with more footage of the special celebration.

The video kicks off with a Radcliffe's dialogue from Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, ""Make it a powerful memory, the happiest you can remember" before transitioning into Emma Watson returning to King's Cross Station. 

She soon meets with Tom Felton at Warner Bros Studios Tour London within The Great Hall, and we get a wider glance of the reunion of dancers twirling and cast mates Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, and Evanna Lynch enjoying each others company as well as brief interview clips with Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes. 

In one of the clips Emma Watson shares, "When things get really dark and times are really hard, there's something about Harry Potter that makes life richer." Who could sum it up better than that?

Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts streams exclusively on HBO Max as well as SKY (for viewers outside of the U.S.) on New Years Day

FEATURED: Vera Bradley Forbidden Forest Collection Sling Backpack

Planning to venture deep into the Forbidden Forest for a little adventure? Make sure to pack the Harry Potter x Vera Bradley collection with you! 

This bewitching Forbidden Forest collaboration between Wizarding World and Vera Bradley offers backpacks, accessories, apparel, and more inspired by our favorite magical creatures - from the Whomping Willow and Thestrals to Fang and Aragog. There's everything you could need for a trip to the wizarding world and in-between muggle adventures. 

Please Note: I received this backpack from Vera Bradley as a sample product. Opinions are my own. I do not receive commission if you click on any of the links in this post. Chocolate frog box, Hogwarts robe, Bertie's Every Flavor Beans, and wand are my own. If you'd like to send me a product to feature, check out my work with me page. Thank you for supporting my site!

Check out more photos below for more details. Shop the full limited edition Forbidden Forest collection and newest products at VeraBradley.com.

Yule Ball Arrives At the Universal Orlando Tribute Store

Have you received your invitation? It's time to go to the Yule Ball at Universal Orlando Resort.

The Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida transforms throughout the holiday season all year round. 

For Christmas, the theme park elves have transformed the location from Santa's workshop to the Great Hall fully decked out for the Yule Ball. It features the grand ceilings covered in ice, a frozen fireplace embellished with the Hogwarts houses, and snow falling around lit Christmas trees.

You'll also find a wide range of merchandise throughout the various themed rooms. In the Yule Ball, you can purchase gifts for fellow wizards and wizards including holidays jumpers just like the ones Harry and Ron wear in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Hogwarts house shirts and dinnerware, and ornaments.

The Tribute Store is located between The Revenge of the Mummy Ride and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, and will remain open until January 7th, 2022.

Check out the photos below as well as a new reel on my instagram for a fuller virtual experience.

First Look at Harry Potter Reunion Featuring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

In celebration of the first installment Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 20th anniversary, the wizarding world is set to take fans back to where it all began for the eight-film franchise.

On New Years Day, HBO Max will premiere the highly-anticipated reunion of the Harry Potter cast. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts marks the first time that the actors will reunite for a sit-down about the film series phenomenon. 

We got our first look of the series with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson inside the Gryffindor common room.

In addition to the first sneak peek of the golden trio together again above, a teaser was also released with additional cast members returning to Platform 9 3/4. 

The footage shows Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis, and Mark Williams (as well as two obscured actresses) receiving an invitation about the reunion and prompting them to head towards Kings Cross Station. 

A list of credits flash more names we're expected to see: Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Evanna Lynch, and Ian Hart.

The special will join all of the original Harry Potter films currently available on HBO Max, and will also air on TBS and Cartoon Network in Spring 2022 ahead of the theatrical release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

Hedwig Inspired DIY Ornament

Tis the season for decorating the tree. If you're anything like me who loves to tackle a few holiday projects, you might like this tutorial for a Hedwig inspired ornament. 

The idea came to me while I was at Hobby Lobby and found this wooden snowy owl for about $3. A quick tutorial has been included below. I've also included a fun time lapse video on my instagram and tiktok for you to enjoy and share if you need more visuals. Overall, this is a fun and quick DIY for wizarding folks.