There’s a lot of talk about bravery in the Harry Potter books. Harry is uncomfortable being singled out to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts to the members of Dumbledore’s Army because it thinks his classmates misunderstand his supposed bravery. He protests that he was doing what he had to do in the moment, terrified, …read more!

LEGO and Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced the summer release of six magical new Harry Potter-themed sets for the master-building wizard and witch. On June 1, fans will be able to create and experience enchanting wizarding world adventures featuring favorite characters, creatures and scenes from across the eight film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s popular book …read more!

In this week’s theater round-up, news abounds of the remarkable way the industry is adapting to the coronavirus pandemic. Ralph Fiennes’ Antony & Cleopatra will stream through National Theatre at Home, James Snyder rehearses with the Cursed Child cast through Zoom sessions, Fiennes and Stephen Fry both joined online campaigns to celebrate the life and …read more!

Even with films postponed, events cancelled and venues closed, this week was as busy as ever in the Wizarding World. Leaky interviewed the director of Tom Felton’s upcoming film Braking for Whales, we shared reopening news from Universal, an anniversary celebration for Hogwarts Mystery, and a new snake named for the Slytherin Founder. The Italian …read more!

J.K. Rowling has been active once again on Twitter, and recently shared that she kept her copies of Harry Potter in her office, and loves seeing all the different editions and cover art. One edition in particular caught her eye: the Italian Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone cover art. Rowling said the edition had always been her favorite …read more!

Leaky recently had the opportunity to interview (socially distanced, using Muggle technology) Monique Peterson, author of The Wand Collection, forthcoming in paperback from Insight Editions on May 12. You can read her insights into wand lore, learn about wand battle choreography, and consider how the concept of magic wands feeds our imagination and perceptions of our own …read more!

The duo who solemnly swore they were up to no good are finally back with season two of the podcast Double Trouble. They returned to the official James and Oliver Phelps YouTube channel Wednesday after a two-year hiatus. The twins debuted their first episode at the opening of Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Madrid back in …read more!

How do you social distance in a queue to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure? What about when waiting for your wand to choose you in Ollivander’s in a Diagon Alley packed with Muggle parents buying Hogwarts supplies for their magical offspring? How about when you want a sundae from Florian Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour …read more!

Last Thursday, April 16, the White House, in collaboration with the CDC, released a set of guidelines for a three phase plan to re-open the country to normal Muggle commerce, recreation, and social interaction after most states have implemented a patchwork of varied closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can be …read more!

Researchers in India recently discovered a new variety of green pit viper, publishing their findings in the journal Zoosystematics and Evolution last week. They called the species Trimeresurus Salazar, after Salazar Slytherin, founder of Slytherin house at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The snake is the symbol, or mascot, of the Slytherin house, known …read more!