Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Connecting Wizarding Worlds

In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them there are many Easter eggs that can be found throughout the book that many Harry Potter fans can easily point out. Most people who have seen Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them are Potterheads who are eager to find the connections between the beloved Harry Potter Wizarding World of mainly Europe and American based Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

WARNING: This discussion post contains spoilers for Harry Potter series and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Read at your own risk. Image from flickeringmyth.com

From the beginning of the film, The New York Ghost is New York's version of the Daily Prophet. Many Potterheads will notice Gellert Grindelwald has been wreaking havoc. Potterheads also know that Grindelwald is the dark wizard Dumbledore beat in a legendary duel.

Hedwig's Theme Song is iconic. Everyone who hears the song will will feel at home with the sense of nostalgia. During the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them theme song, you can hear hints of Hedwig's Theme Song weaved in.

1926 is an important year. Not only does Newt arrive to New York but this is also Voldemort's birth year.

Newt's Hufflepuff Scarf, although faded, represents Newt's Hufflepuff house pride and connection with Hogwarts.

The Goldsteins living New York may have a distant relative named Anthony Goldstein, fellow Ravenclaw during Harry Potter's school years.

Right when I saw the Deathly Hallows pendant that Graves had around his neck, I knew that he had some connection to Grindelwald or the Hallows as a whole. This symbol is so well known and this symbol alone radiates with so much history. It connects the many eras of the Wizarding World.

Dumbledore saw something in Newt and was willing to back up Newt when there was a mishap at Hogwarts involving a magical creature. Sounds familiar? This also reminds me of how Dumbledore backed up Hagrid and knew that Hagrid didn't set Aragog on people in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

During the Great War, Newt worked with Ukranian Ironbelly dragons on the Eastern Front. This is the very same dragon breed that protects the vaults of Gringotts!

Obscurus Books is the Wizarding publisher who published Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. Obscurus books was known even during the age of the Harry Potter books. I love the foreshadowing! Who knew Obscurus Books would lead to something so big for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the film.

When Mary Lou asks Newt, "Are you a seeker? A seeker after truth" Newt responds, "I am more of a Chaser." For Potterheads, we know Newt was thinking about Quidditch and maybe it's hinted that he played or prefers playing as a Chaser.

The Niffler makes an spectacular appearance but it wasn't the first appearance in the Wizarding World that we know of. Nifflers were seen during Care of Magical Creatures classes in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Lee Jordan levitated Nifflers into Umbridge's office in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Pickett the Bowtruckle is one of the creatures that I absolutely adore in the film. However, we've seen Bowtruckles being taught in Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix to fifth years during Care of Magical Creatures.

Erumpent makes an interesting appearance in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Xenophilius Lovegood believed the horn in his house belongs to a Crumple-Horned Snorkack. Haermione claimed it was an Erumpent horn and said it is highly dangerous. Luna Lovegood ends up marrying Newt Scamander's great grandson, Rolf Scamander.

Frank the Thunderbird is the first creature we've seen represent Ilvermorny. Summer of 2016 was when Pottermore announced Ilvermorny and the four different houses. Thunderbird is one of the houses and favors adventurers. Not only am I a Thunderbird but I can proudly say that I live in the state of Massachusetts and I visited the area near Mount Greylock during the summer of 2016.

Leta Lestrange will mystify everyone. Not only is the family name Lestrange well known but everyone wants to know how Newt befriended Leta and what happened to cause Newt to get expelled.

And of course, as mentioned in one of my previous posts, the Obscurial might give hints about Ariana's past and how Grindelwald is so invested in the Obscurial and Obscurus.

What is your favorite Easter egg? Do you like how the Wizarding Worlds connect and overlap? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Time to Aboard the Hogwarts Express!

It's that time of year again where all witches and wizards gather at King's Cross to wait for the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 3/4! The anticipation to wait for the train is unbearable sometimes. Of course you will miss your family but you can't wait to go back to Hogwarts where you will learn a lot in your classes, devour delicious food, cheer on your teammates at Quidditch matches, catch up with your friends in the common room or in the Great Hall, explore Hogsmeade and discover the wonders and secrets of Hogwarts!

Image from Pottermore.com

As you climb onto the train, you walk down the aisle trying to find a compartment. Neville is chasing after Trevor and you spot Luna Lovegood reading the latest Quibbler upside down. Ginny is looking for a seat too with Arnold perched on her shoulder. There's Harry, Ron and Hermione sitting in the compartment next to you! You get the butterflies in your stomach because you know the magic is real when you can finally go back to Hogwarts.

The train ride is fairly smooth. You chat with some of your compartment mates about what you are excited about for the upcoming term. You can't wait the learn advanced potion making, some new spells and more about the magical creatures in the Wizarding World. You miss sleeping in your four poster bed and snuggling near the glowing fireplace with a book in hand and a mug of tea. There is so much to do in Hogsmeade too!

You're about half way there and you decide to get something from the trolley! So many decisions but what to choose? How about some Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties and Cauldron Cakes? You buy a few of each and share with your friends. You're munching on your treats as you stare outside of the train. The picturesque view is breathtaking! Time flies by and you hear some Prefects, the Head Boy and Head Girl mention we are nearing Hogwarts. It's time to change into those wizarding robes! The train starts to slow down to a stop at Hogsmeade Station. We're finally here! Don't forget that Hogwarts will always be there welcome you home.

Image from Tumblr.com

Do you get excited about September 1st like I do? What are you looking forward to at Hogwarts? Share you thoughts in the comments below!

Looking Ahead: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child & Book News

Today has been a wonderful day in the bookish world. Not only do we find out that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is becoming the official 8th book but there is also more information about upcoming re-releases of Harry Potter books! Time to save up money for the Harry Potter book fund!

Siriusly, who would have thought Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will become a book and will be releasing this summer on July 31, 2016!!! This is HUGE NEWS for any Potterhead. Who's ready for the midnight release parties?

We’re thrilled to announce a new publishing programme from @jk_rowling #WizardingWorld: https://t.co/ffbBrlH3dz pic.twitter.com/b3Ks88WiZd

— Pottermore (@pottermore) February 10, 2016

Check out the following links about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as well as some new editions of previous printed books.

Mugglenet chats about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Publishers Weekly discusses about the two versions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as well as some future editions of previously released books. According to Publishers Weekly, The “special rehearsal edition” book arrives the day after the show formally opens in London’s West End on July 30, and will consist of the play’s script from the stage production’s early preview period. The “special rehearsal edition” will be available for a limited time, and will be replaced by a “definitive collector’s edition” at a date to be announced.

P R E - O R D E R   D E A L S

Lately there has been a good amount of cover reveals and pre-order campaigns spreading on social media. I highlighted some of the ones that are on my radar and I hope they are on yours as well.  

The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury | Offer ends February 16, 2016
Submit your proof-of-order to receive a limited edition exclusive map of Zahra's world, signed bookplate and bookmarks! 

Glittering Court by Richelle Mead | While Supplies Last
Show your receipt to receive a welcome kit containing gemstone tattoos and a guide to The Glittering Court. You can also enter for a Glittering Court Grand Prize which includes a Skype call with Richelle Mead, a $500 American Express gift card, $100 Sephora gift card and Glittering Court necklaces.

When We Collided by Emery Lord | Offer ends April 4, 2016
Pre-order When We Collided and fill out the form to receive a set of frameable postcards featuring quotes from and sayings inspired by the book.

C O V E R   R E V E A L S

Mundie Moms revealed the cover art to Foxheart by Claire Legrand. According to goodreads.com, Foxheart is a stand-alone middle grade fantasy adventure about a 12-year-old orphan and thief named Quicksilver, who discovers she is a witch and, after joining forces with her cantankerous and magical older self, goes hurtling back in time with her dog, Fox.

Publication date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 336


According to TMI Source, The Tales of the Shadowhunter Academy will be released later on this fall. This is the print bind up of all the e-novellas published in 2015. According to Goodreads, the series follows the adventures of Simon Lewis, one of the stars of Cassandra Clare’s internationally bestselling series The Mortal Instruments, as he trains to become a Shadowhunter. Throughout the course of Simon’s education, characters from the Mortal Instruments and the The Infernal Devices will make appearances, as will characters from the upcoming The Dark Artifices series and Last Hours series.

Publication date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 528



What upcoming books are you looking forward to?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I are celebrating Pottermas 2015 with one more post for the month! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an epic fast-paced, high energy book with lots twists and turns. Although the book is the end of the series, Harry Potter still lives on forever. It is not the end.

WARNING 
For those who haven't read the Harry Potter series, all book discussions WILL HAVE spoilers. If you do not want to read spoilers, please do not read ahead.

There are two themes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The Trio continues Dumbledore's quest to hunt for Horcruxes. Later, the Trio also look for the Hallows. However, Harry can't master death and defeat Voldemort with the Hallows until all the Horcruxes are destroyed. I find it interesting how each Horcrux is destroyed by a different person. The locating of the Horcruxes and the Hallows are crucial to defeating Voldemort.

Image from Pinterest.com

Horcruxes destroyed by a different person

1. Tom Riddle's diary destroyed by Harry
2. Marvolo Gaunt's ring destroyed by Dumbledore
3. Slytherin's locket destroyed by Ron
4. Hufflepuff's cup destroyed by Hermione
5. Ravenclaw's diadem destroyed by Crabbe's fiendfyre
6. Harry Potter "destroyed" by Voldemort
7. Nagini destroyed by Neville

It is interesting how Dumbledore leaves a few items in his will to the Trio. He predicts that Ron will need some guidance hence the deluminator. Hermione loves to read and The Tales of Beedle and the Bard is the key to figuring out how to master death, why Voldemort is trying to hunt down wand makers and it also helps the Trio defeat Voldemort forever. Harry, on the other hand, is given the first snitch he caught as a Quidditch match. Because of flesh memories, when Harry puts his lips on the snitch, it reveals the message, "I open at the close." Just like Ignotus Peverell, who possessed the Cloak of Invisibility, Harry greets Death like old friends when he is at the brink of death. The sword of Gryffindor is impregnated with the basilisk venom and Dumbledore knows that the sword will help the Trio destroy the Horcruxes.

Image from Pinterest.com

It is curious that Harry owns one of the Hallows since the first book. The Cloak of Invisibility is not an ordinary invisibility cloak. It's the cloak Death gave Ignotus. It was Ignotus that greeted Death like an old friend. His brother Antioch died when someone killed him for the Elder Wand and Cadmus died after committing suicide to be with his loved one.

Speaking of the Peverell family, it is interesting how Voldemort is a descendant of Cadamus and Harry Potter is a descendant of Ignotus. The resurrection stone ring has been passed down through the line of Gaunts and the invisibility cloak has been passed down through the line of Potters. That means Voldemort and Harry are distantly related. Mind-blowing, isn't it?

Harry uses all three Hallows in order to master death and to ultimately defeat Voldemort. Harry obtains the resurrection stone when he puts the snitch in his mouth which opened at the close. He obtains the Elder Wand from Draco after he disarms Draco. At that time Draco obtains the Elder Wand when disarming Dumbledore. And, as said before, Harry inherits the invisibility cloak through his father's side with the help of Dumbledore.

Ollivander talks about how the wand chooses the wizard ever since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and still mentions it in in DH. Has J.K. Rowling been hinting about the Elder Wand since the beginning? I love how everything comes full circle! Rowling is a simply brilliant!

Of course when Hermione and Ron have good advice, Harry doesn't listen. When Hermione mentions that Harry shouldn't go to Godric's Hollow because that's a place where Voldemort and the Death Eaters are expecting him to go. Hermione is right since there's a trap set for Harry. Also, Ron mentions to Hermione and Harry not to mention the name Voldemort because he feels like the name is a jinx which he is correct. Right when Harry says Voldemort, the Snatchers find the Trio in the Forest of Dean.

It took Hermione and Ron seven years to actually admit to each other that they fancy each other. Hermione is so upset that Ron leaves her and Harry to find the Horcruxes. She pretty much bawled her eyes out for a week after Ron left and then attacked Ron when he comes back to camp. And they finally share their first kiss when Ron mentions something about saving house elves. About time! I have been waiting for this to happen ages ago.

GIF form Thoughtcatalog.com

When Voldemort asks Narcissa Malfoy to check on Harry Potter and to see if he is dead. Narcissa doesn't care what happens with Voldemort as long as Draco is okay. This love for her child becomes very important in DH since she saves Harry. I am pretty sure Harry did not bank on someone making sure he is dead for sure. Narcissa plays an important role in defeating Voldemort by announcing Harry Potter is dead. If Narcissa mentioned Harry is alive, how would the Elder Wand react? Yes, Harry is the Master of Death but this is before Nagini is killed and one cannot truly defeat Voldemort until all the Horcruxes are destroyed. It is very fortunate Narcissa tells Voldemort and the Death Eaters that Harry Potter is dead. Narcissa's love for Draco is very similar to Lily's love for Harry. A mother's love is the ultimate protection.

The epilogue is a little off putting for me. I felt like it was a bit rushed and the names could have been better. Maybe this whole entire time, J.K. Rowling was setting up the series not to officially end. Maybe she was opening doors to a sequel. Of course now everyone knows about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child but I find it interesting that J.K. Rowling never said anything about the end to Harry Potter. Look at how the fandom has grown. There are films, prequel spin-off films, a sequel play, multiple Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter, Pottermore and etc. The Harry Potter fandom will never die! It will live on forever!

What is your favorite part of DH? Do you think DH is a good conclusion to the Harry Potter series? What do you think about the epilogue?

Some of my favorite quotes

GIF from mooriin-blog.tumblr.com

Image from Pinterest.com

Pottermas 2015 is officially done for the year but definitely check out Pottermas 2016 next year.  If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15.

What Should You Read After Finishing the Harry Potter Series?

J.K Rowling has written one of the most popular series ever known to man. Not only has all the books been translated into many languages but all the books have been adapted into films. One of the things I love that Rowling includes in her books is the portrayal of strong female characters. What happens when you finish reading the Harry Potter series? Well check out the following books if you enjoy the Harry Potter series. Also, check out Elizabeth from Book YAbber's list as well!

Middle grade series with the adventure and magic!

The Magisterium series by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan
The School for Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman
Redwall series by Brian Jacques

YA series with strong, kick-ass females:

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare

Whimsical stand alone novels:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

What are some of your favorite books that are similar to Harry Potter? What features of the Harry Potter series you would like to see in other books?

Check the blog back on Thursday, December 31st for a discussion about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I are so close to the end of the Harry Potter re-read for Pottermas! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is an important book and definitely my favorite book. HBP's information about the Unbreakable Vow and the Horcruxes are so crucial before we read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

WARNING 
For those who haven't read the Harry Potter series, all book discussions WILL HAVE spoilers. If you do not want to read spoilers, please do not read ahead.

Snape is excellent as a double agent (or maybe triple or quadruple agent) and only very few know where his loyalties lie. The scene with the Unbreakable Vow is one of my favorites and is super important.

Unbreakable Vow
1. Snape will watch over Draco while Draco attempts to carry out his mission as a Death Eater.
2. Snape will protect Draco and make sure he comes to no harm.
3. Snape will do the job for Draco if it seems he will fail.

Image from lecat85.deviantart.com

Snape's promise to Dumbledore is important as well. No one understood what Dumbledore meant when he said, "Severus... Please..." Dumbledore knew he was dying when he put the Resurrection Stone casted in Marvolo Gaunt's ring on his finger. Because it is a Horcrux made by Voldemort, the Horcrux is cursed. The very powerful curse would have killed Dumbledore sooner but the potions master was able to delay the curse for about a year with a special potion. Dumbledore made Snape promise to kill him when need be at the right time.

"Severus... Please..." sounds like Dumbledore is begging for his life which works in Snape's favor since everything thinks he is a Death Eater. However, Dumbledore is implying for Snape to kill him because only the both of them knew that Dumbledore is dying. Dumbledore knew about the unbreakable vow and knew Draco was trying to kill him. This way Snape has Voldemort's trust, Snape fulfills the vow and Draco doesn't have to kill Dumbledore and Snape lives to his promise with Dumbledore.

The Trio follow Draco at Knockturn Alley into Borgin & Burkes. I love how I understand what Draco is trying to get fixed and what Borgin needs to keep safe. Even though Harry is sure that Draco has the Dark Mark on his arm, Hermione and Ron don't believe that Draco is a Death Eater. Harry insists it all makes sense why Draco is a Death Eater; Draco is taking is father's spot in Voldemort's circle. Of course no one believes Harry that Draco is a Death Eater and everyone thinks nothing of Draco's weird behavior during the whole year. I found it odd how Harry, Snape and Dumbledore are the only people who knew Draco was up to something.

Image from Aceshowbiz.com

Hermione and Ron bicker throughout the whole book and it takes them forever to admit their feelings for one another. Ron is teased by Ginny about not snogging with a girl. I think because Ron can't admit his feelings to Hermione, he starts dating Lavender. Hermione fancies Ron as well but hasn't verbally expressed it to him. She confunded Cormac so Ron would make the team and lately she has been blushing a lot when Ron says or does certain things. The only person who is noticing this is Harry. And even with Harry noticing, he does not say anything about it to either Hermione or Ron because he fears about what will happen to their friendship as a trio if the two break up. I guess he was thinking about what happened to himself with Cho.

On the other note, Harry is finally seeing Ginny as a girl that he fancies. It took about 6 years for Harry to realize this when Ginny liked him from the start. I believe Harry fancies Ginny now because of the girl Ginny is now. Ginny use to be timid and viewed as just the younger sister of Ron. Now, Ginny is strong and witty. She is quite athletic being on the Quidditch team and she is confident about herself. She doesn't need people to help her out like before. Also, Ginny can produce one mean Bat-Bogey hex. Ginny has blossomed over the years and Harry is quite interested in her but is worried about what Ron thinks since Ron is always hassling Ginny about who she decides to go out with.

Horcruxes are so important in this book and so are Dumbledore's private lessons. It lays the framework for DH. Understanding Voldemort and why and how he does things is the key to defeat him. HBP is important because this is the last time Harry finds out information from Dumbledore about how to defeat Voldemort. Even though Dumbledore carefully plans out how to help Harry in DH, it is crucial Harry had these one-on-one private lessons with Dumbledore. These lessons helped Harry figure out where the other Horcruxes are located and what the remaining Horcruxes are.

Some of my favorite quotes include:

Image from Etsy.com

Image from Pinterest.com 

Check the blog back on Tuesday, December 29th for a list of books to check out after reading Harry Potter. If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15.

Harry Potter Appreciation Letter and Digital Holiday Card

I can't believe Christmas is around the corner. Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I decided to send digital holiday card to everyone. Not only did we decide to include this festive card but we wanted to write our own Harry Potter appreciation letter to J.K. Rowling for the holidays.

Dear J.K. Rowling,

Where do I begin? My life would not be the same without you writing the Harry Potter series. I am fortunate to have grown with Harry. Anticipating the next book or film is something I treasured and looked forward to. I have met so many people through Harry Potter and I have created countless of friendships. And of course Harry Potter doesn't just stop with the books. Harry Potter lives on in other forms! You have helped me many times when I was a teenage. You have guided me to adulthood and more. You have helped me find where I belong and who I am.

What I love about the fandom is the people who make up the fandom. These die hard Potterheads will create wizard rock, write Harry Potter fan fiction, organize Harry Potter conventions, produce Harry Potter fan made films and will create their own Harry Potter crafts. The series has captured many hearts of readers of all ages which is impeccable. The fact that Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter are opening worldwide is an amazing feat! Even though I never received my letter from Hogwarts, I know I can count being able to be transported into the magical world of Harry Potter because Harry Potter will always live on forever. We will always be coming home! Once again, thank you for writing this amazing series. Harry Potter is my life and without it, I don't know who I would be today.

Best wishes,
Nicole

Do you have an appreciation letter for J.K. Rowling? What would you say to her? How has Harry Potter changed your life?

Image made with photofunmaker.com

Check the blog back on Thursday, December 24th for a discussion about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I are on the fifth book! Crazy how we are almost done with the re-read! Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is my least favorite book out of the series but I still enjoy reading it. However, my favorite character of all time is Luna Lovegood and we first meet her in this installment! I love how whimsical and eccentric she is. Although different and sort of weird compared to others, Luna is a free spirit who believes what she believes in and doesn't care what other people think of her. She is strong and I admire her.

WARNING 
For those who haven't read the Harry Potter series, all book discussions WILL HAVE spoilers. If you do not want to read spoilers, please do not read ahead.

Harry's summer is miserable since everyone is not answering his questions. Sirius and Mr. Weasley tells Harry not to leave Pivet Drive and for good reasons. Just when Vernon Dursley is about to boot Harry out of the house because the dementors are coming after Harry, Petunia lets Harry stay at Pivet Drive. The protection charm by having Harry stay at the house during the summers protects Harry from Voldemort. The same blood that runs in Lily's veins that kept Harry safe and alive also runs in Petunia's veins. Harry is safe until he comes of age.

It's interesting how readers find out that Umbridge sends those vile dementors to Little Whinging to get rid of Harry Potter. The Ministry thinks Harry is making up stories about Voldemort. They do not want to believe that Voldemort has risen once again. It is easier to be in denial than to accept reality. Because of everyone not fully trusting Harry and then leaving him in the dark, Harry grows to become more irritated than usual. He wants answers and no one is giving them to him. However, Harry must learn to control his temper and not to interfere with the Ministry directly. But with Umbridge around, I don't blame him for acting out once in awhile. It's freaking Umbridge! Sometimes I feel like she is worst than Voldemort. Because Harry doesn't know how to behave, he gets into a lot of trouble. I know part of it has to do with the PTSD from the graveyard scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the aftermath. No one really helped Harry process what happened. Too bad J.K Rowling didn't delved more into PTSD and how Harry deals with it.

I understand that Harry is frustrated and that is at the age where they want to know everything and don't want to be ordered around but he lacked some common sense in this book. How many times did people tell him not to do something and he did it anyways? When others tell him to close his mind, he neglects Occlumency and decides to go a little further to see what is behind the door at the Department of Mysteries. His refusal to close his mind let him right into a trap. Sirius was never in trouble. Hermione even mentioned that Voldemort is trying to lure Harry into a trap but of course Harry didn't listen. Hermione and Neville tells him not to pick up the prophecy orb. What does Harry do? Of course he picks up the prophecy. Harry doesn't think in this book. He just does things without thinking about the consequences.

Image from harrypotterconfessions.tumblr.com

Harry could have avoided checking with Kreacher to see if Sirius is okay before going to the Ministry of Magic. Remember that package Sirius gives to Harry before Harry went back to Hogwarts? Yes, the one with the mirror. Harry could have used that mirror to contact Sirius whenever he wanted without sending an owl to Sirius or waiting until he had access to a fireplace.

Remember when the centaurs talk about Mars being bright in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone? Well Firenze mentions about Mars again. Mars is a bringer of battle which is very accurate since a war is brewing in the wizarding world. The Battle of the Department of Mysteries is the first major conflict of the Second Wizarding War and is crucial since Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge finally believes that Voldemort is back!

It is interesting how Dumbledore tells everyone that everyone must stand together and be united. The Sorting Hat also warned everyone during this time of danger to stick together as a team. This is crucial to the Battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In order to beat Voldemort, everyone must be on the same side or they will be defeated.

I know most Potterheads know about the locket that can't be open that was found at 12 Grimmauld Place. The Horcrux was under the Trio's noses before they even knew what the Horcruxes are. When I saw the initials RAB it was so obviously that the locket in the Noble House of Black was obtained by Regulus Black.

What did you think of OotP? Do you have a favorite part? What do you think of Umbridge?

Some of my favorite quotes are:

Image from Tumblr.com

Image from Rgsfilmclub.wordpress.com

Don't forget to check the blog on Saturday, December 19th for the Harry Potter Spells Book Tag. If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I have finally reached the midpoint of the series for Pottermas! Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the turning point in the series. It's probably my second favorite book in the entire Harry Potter series and for good reason. This is the first book where Harry doesn't spend a lot of time at the Dursleys and spends a lot of time at the Burrow and at the Quidditch World Cup instead. It takes over 100 hundred pages before Harry goes back to Hogwarts. By introducing the Quidditch World Cup, it sets the tone of the book for magical foreign relations.

WARNING 
For those who haven't read the Harry Potter series, all book discussions WILL HAVE spoilers. If you do not want to read spoilers, please do not read ahead.

Image from HarryPotter.wikia.com

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will join forces with Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang Institute for the Triwizard Tournament. Beauxbatons means "beautiful wands" in French. Although good looking, the students at Beauxbatons are smart. Of course the students would sit at the Ravenclaw table. Durmstrang Institute is known for teaching the Dark Arts. There is no surprise why the Durmstrang students sit at the Slytherin table. Slytherins have produced the most dark wizards than any of the other houses and have a stereotype that they are evil and dark. It is interesting how the film portrays Beauxbatons as an all female school and Durmstrang as an all male school because in fact both schools are co-ed.

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Ron and Harry often made up things for their Divination homework but it's interesting how they predicted three things unintentionally. One made up predication is how Harry is in "danger of some burns" which they thought is a brilliant idea because they have Care for Magical Creatures and have to deal with Blast-Ended Skrewts. In fact, the duo is predicting the burns from the dragons from the first Triwizard task. Later, Harry is suppose to "lose a treasured possession" which predict the Merpeople taking what Harry sorely will miss. Ron was taken underwater for the second task. Ron then suggest to Harry, "Why don’t you get stabbed in the back by someone you thought was a friend?” Doesn't this ring a bell? Professor Moody becomes good friends with Harry and we find out he isn't Professor Moody at all. 

Remember the whirring Sneakoscope in Moody's office? Yes, the object that looks like a glass spinning top. This dark detector often lights up, spins, and whistles when someone is doing something untrustworthy nearby. Obviously Moody claims he needs to deactivate it because of the students lying about stuff at Hogwarts. However, he probably deactivated because Barty Crouch Jr. is in fact impersonating as Professor Moody.

It is interesting how Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Professor Moody, makes sure that Harry has the advantage during the whole year. He makes sure to tip Harry off about all the Triwizard tasks and even goes as far as turning Draco Malfoy into a bouncing white ferret. Barty Crouch Jr. is fattening up the pig before it gets slaughtered. However, Harry avoids death. Although Harry avoids death once again, Barty Crouch Jr. starts to become obsessed with what happened.

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Harry comes back to Hogwarts with Cedric. Of course from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Firenze mentions something about how the innocent ends up dying first when he talks to Harry when he found the unicorn. In GoF, readers find out Cedric's wand has a unicorn hair core. Harry warns everyone that Voldemort is back! However, very few people believe Harry. The Little Hangleton duel is the start of the Second Wizarding War.

What's your favorite part of GoF? Do you have a favorite Triwizard task? What did you think about Barty Crouch Jr. impersonating as Professor Moody?

Favorite quotes from GoF:

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Check the blog back on Tuesday, December 15th for discussion about how I rank the Harry Potter books and film adaptations. If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I are continuing the Pottermas book discussion with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. J.K. Rowling does any excellent job with description in all installments of the Harry Potter series. I absolutely love how she describes the dementors, Hogsmeade and the different creatures in the book. PoA is a book of change and for good reasons too. And of course Lupin is introduced in the series and he is my second favorite character.

WARNING 
For those who haven't read the Harry Potter series, all book discussions WILL HAVE spoilers. If you do not want to read spoilers, please do not read ahead.

The plot gets darker and even Hermione bends more rules than before. More creatures are introduced, we learn about the Marauders and Sirius Black emerges and this is the only book in the whole series Voldemort does not make an appearance. Sure, Wormtail reveals his true identity but Voldemort doesn't confront Harry until Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Because Harry saves Wormtail's life, Wormtail is debt which will come in handy in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This is also the first book that doesn't feature Voldemort. His servant returns to him but Voldemort doesn't make an appearance.

The mystery for Harry in PoA is who is Sirius Black? Why does he "hunt" Harry down and what is the real story for the showdown that happened on Halloween of 1981?

Speaking of the Marauders, how awesome would it be if, in the near future, there is a spin off based on the Marauders when they were at Hogwarts. Even if J.K. Rowling doesn't write a book about them, I would love to see a film made for the big screen. I know about two fan made films called The Gathering Storm: A Marauders Fan Film and Severus Snape and the Marauders.

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Remember when Professor Trelawney mentions these lines in PoA? Although she hardly predicts anything that is worth listening to, she does predict a few things that do come true.

"I dare not, Headmaster! If I join the table, we shall be thirteen! Nothing could be more unlucky! Never forget that when thirteen dine together, the first to rise will be the first to die!"

Well in the future books like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, this unlucky superstition comes true. This unlucky number is a number of misfortune. It has caused at least two deaths that I know of. Sirius is the first to rise in OotP when sitting with the Order and he is the first in the order to die. After the death of Alastor Moody, thirteen people were at the Weasley's and Remus Lupin is the first to swinish his firewhiskey and ultimately was the first one to die within the group. Voldemort's wand is 13 1/2 inches long. Voldemort and his Death Eaters reunite after thirteen years.

In PoA dementors are introduced and their kiss is supposedly worse than death. It's interesting when Harry faces a boggart, the boggart takes the form of a dementor. Professor Lupin mentions how Harry fears the most is fear itself. So what are your fears? If you approached a boggart, what form will it take?

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I love how the Patronus is a guardian that acts as a shield between the caster of the Patronus charm and the dementor. Since a dementor is fear and hope, happiness and the desire to survive will ward off the dementor. What would your Patronus look like? Mine would be an otter.

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Hermione acts out of character due to the stress of her heavy class workload. Because she is taking all the classes Hogwarts has to offer for a Third Year, her patience is thin. First she slaps Malfoy for his insulting behavior, she walks out of Professor Trelawney's Divination class and she retrieves the invisibility cloak near the witch's hump even though Harry would never go near it because of Snape. Character development for Hermione is definitely a strong point in this novel.

In PoA Harry encounters Hogsmeade for the very first time. Imagine getting Butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks or trying out Jelly Slugs of Fizzing Whizzbees from Honeydukes? The icing on the cake is how the Trio gets to spend some time in Hogsmeade during December. I would love to visit Hogsmeade during the holidays. It would be a great place to meet up with friends and to go shopping. It's the perfect place to take pictures! How stunning would a holiday card be with Hogsmeade in the background with the winter snow?

"Hogsmeade looked like a Christmas card; the little thatched cottage and shop were covered in a layer of crisp snow there were holly wreaths on the doors and strings of enchanted candles hanging in the trees."

Image from Pottermore

What would you do in Hogsmeade if you had a chance to visit it? Also, what drinks and food items would you want to taste during this festive time of year at Hogsmeade or at Hogwarts? 

My favorite quotes from PoA:

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Don't forget to check the blog on Sunday, December 13th for a discussion about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15. 

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I are discussing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets today! Make sure to check Elizabeth's post after you read this one. J.K. Rowling always writes with reason. Every detail, no matter how small, is important to the plot and the characterization of the Harry Potter series. Every character and every event is critical. During this re-read, I am definitely noticing a lot of things that foreshadow events that happen in the later books. It is fascinating how much outlining Rowling does in order for the books to work seamlessly together.

WARNING 
For those who haven't read the Harry Potter series, all book discussions WILL HAVE spoilers. If you do not want to read spoilers, please do not read ahead.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in the Harry Potter series. As most Potterheads know, CoS is directly linked with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. So many important details in CoS foreshadows things that happen in HBP.

When Harry accidentally ends up in Borgin and Burkes, he finds a black vanishing cabinet. However, this is no ordinary cabinet. Although it is mentioned once in CoS, this cabinet is super important in HBP since Hogwarts houses a sister cabinet in the Room of Requirement.

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Also, at Borgin and Burkes, a cursed necklace is displayed. This is the very same opal necklace Katie Bell ended up obtaining in Hogsmeade in HBP. Fortunately, Katie's skin didn't have full direct contact with the necklace but she spent most of the year trying to recover from the curse.

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Of course, Borgin and Burkes houses the Hand of Glory. Draco was fascinated with this object when it was mentioned in CoS and later purchases it to plot against everyone at Hogwarts. This object gives light to the holder which comes in handy when Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder is thrown in the air. When everyone can't see, the Hand of Glory will light the way for the bearer. Draco uses this Hand of Glory in HBP.

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The Chamber of Secrets and everything connected with the chamber connects with HBP. Tom Marvolo Riddle's diary is the first Horcrux the Trio encounters and is first that is destroyed. Because how the diary is destroyed, the Trio uses this knowledge to destroy the other Horcruxes in the last two books. Dumbledore and the Trio uses the information to hunt for Horcruxes and to destroy them in order to weaken Voldemort to his mortal state.

Although this foreshadows Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Dumbledore mentions how Voldemort transferred some of his powers into Harry unintentionally the night Voldemort tried to kill Harry. I believe Dumbledore uses this information about Harry being a Parseltongue to further investigate Horcruxes. Lily's death made Harry into a Horcrux. A part of Voldemort latches onto Harry's lifeline.

If you haven't noticed, the Harry Potter series is a series of mysteries. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the Trio are trying to find out what Fluffy is hiding and when they find out about the stone, they try to narrow down who is trying to steal the stone.

In the CoS, the Trio are trying to find the culprit who opened the Chamber of Secrets and what monster resides in the chamber itself. I mean what normal 12-year-olds will brew Polyjuice Potion for one month just to try to see if Malfoy is up to no good?

In later book discussions, I will chat about the other mysteries for each book.

One of my favorites quotes from CoS include:

Don't forget to stop by the blog on Tuesday, December 8th to find out how I found Harry Potter. I will discuss more in detail about how my love for the Harry Potter series started. You can join me on my magical journey.  If you are new to Pottermas 2015, make sure to check out this post. Also, you can follow Pottermas 2015 on social media with the hashtag #Pottermas15.