September 1st is always a meaningful day in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, because today is when students go back to Hogwarts. But this year’s trip on the Hogwarts Express is extra special, since today is when the final scene from the franchise takes place, when Harry and Ginny send their younger son Albus Severus to school for the first time. That’s why Pottermore used this magical day to announce an all new interactive feature: the Hogwarts Experience.
Once you sign into your Pottermore account (if you don’t have one, they’re very easy to create), you can begin exploring “the castle’s exterior, get lost in the Forbidden Forest, and fly around the Quidditch pitch” while looking for 100 “hotspots.”
We don’t want to rob you of the pleasure in discovering your own first day experiences at school, but as you zip around you’ll see glowing dots throughout the school that you can click on. They’ll then give you information about that location, its traditions, and famous events that took place there. They range from as simple as talking about Halloween at Hogwarts to a long entry on the Great Hall.
The only irony is that Pottermore waited until the day the frightened young Albus had to leave for school. He really would have benefited from being able to acquaint himself with the layout of Hogwarts before going. But hey, at least he got his owl to attend! This is as close as we’ll ever come to being students there.
What part of Hogwarts would you most like to explore? Tell us in the comments below.
Featured Image: Warner Bros.
Want more Harry Potter?
- Get sorted with a Harry Potter bath bomb.
- Two new Harry Potter books are on the way.
- Make some alcoholic butterbeer.
