Learn About Harry Potter

By Holly Nicholson

If you are part of the Potter fan world or if you have always wanted to read or watch the Harry Potter series, don’t miss out on today’s featured badge! This article will give you a sneak peak into the Wizarding World and discuss some of the fun ways that you can earn your Harry Potter Badge. If you have missed any of the Harry Potter movies or books, please proceed with caution.

Spoiler alert. 

If you are a troop/club leader, are in a home-school program, or if you are a member of a scouting organization, the first portion of this article is intended to provide a brief and specific background of the major events that happen in the Harry Potter story line. We highly recommend reading all of the books and watching all of the movies before you continue reading.

Potter’s Young Life & Background

Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter was born in Godric’s Hollow, England in July of 1980. Soon after his birth, Harry’s parents are killed by Voldemort as they tried to protect Harry from the wrath of the dark world. As a child, Harry is raised by his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley. In this arrangement, he grows up with a step brother and is surrounded by common folk, a group of non-magical beings known as the Muggles. Throughout his childhood, the Dudley’s are dishonest to Harry about his entire identity and what happened to his parents. His aunt and uncle oppress and mistreat Harry in an attempt to squander his ability to develop magic. It isn’t until his 11th birthday that he discovers his magical abilities and is enrolled in Hogwarts, a school of Magic and Wizardry. Harry is known by the few Muggles he knows as a normal kid, and by his peers at Hogwarts as the Chosen One. As he studies magic in the House of Gryffindor, Harry becomes Hogwart’s youngest ever Quidditch Seeker and becomes a close friend to two fellow students- Ron and Hermione. Together, the group uncovers that prophecy has declared Harry to be the one to conquer Lord Voldemort.

Harry’s Quest

Harry and his friends discover that Voldemort, a dark wizard, hid his soul in 7 objects, called horcruxes, in an attempt to attain immortality. Only in destroying all 7 of these objects would one defeat him. With the help of his best friends, Harry spends his time at Hogwarts going after these objects, to finally conquer the wizard who killed his parents. This task comes with great danger, extensive risks, and of course- many detentions. Harry, Ron, and Hermione become a well known trio in their institution, and their teachers soon discover that trouble has a tendency to follow them. During their education, the three of them become just smart enough to defy school rules in their favor. While they are unable to destroy all of the horcruxes together, the group- alongside several other Hogwarts students, are able to eventually conquer the Dark Lord and bring peace back into their lives and their beloved school.

Spellcasting:

Become a Hogwarts student today from home by learning 10 spells from Harry Potter, and what they do! To help you out, we’ve listed several of them below and you can find a complete list on the Harry Potter Fandom website.  The website also gives the most probable entymology for the words of the spell (where the words came from) which can be quite interesting.  Before looking up each of the spells below, take a guess as to what they may do based on your knowledge of other languages and Latin.

• Wingardium Leviosa
• Scourgify
• Protego
• Petrificus Totalus
• Lumos
• Finite Incantatem
• Colloportus
• Ferula

Butterbeer recipe:

If you feel left out of the Hogwarts scene, whip up a tasty batch of Butterbeer! We have included one of our favorite variations of this drink below. The smell and taste of the drink  will make you feel like you are in the Three Broomsticks!

Ingredients

• 2 liters – chilled cream soda (we recommend vanilla flavored)
• ¼ tsp – caramel extract
• ¼ tsp – butter extract
• Cream Topping
• 1 cup – heavy whipping cream
• ½  cup – butterscotch topping
• ¼ cup – powdered sugar

Instructions

• In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until it thickens and forms visible peaks.
• Stir in powdered sugar and butterscotch.
• Mix the cream soda with both the butter and caramel extracts.
• Pour the cream soda mix into cups.
• Top with the cream topping!

* Warning: you won’t be able to put this drink down.

Digital Wizard World

The Digital Wizarding World is a place that all Harry Potter fans should visit (with parental permission of course). From exploring more about each of the Harry Potter movies and books, to learning all about J.K. Rowling and experiencing Harry Potter in a new way through online games, you will learn about all things Harry Potter here.

Magic

If you have ever found yourself to be envious of the Hogwarts curriculum, take an afternoon to learn about various spell, incantations, potions and magical items from the series found at the Harry Potter Lexicon website. Do some further research to discover who created which spells and what their original purpose was.

J.K. Rowling Biography:

To learn more about the author who started it all, explore her website! Read all about her other works, awards, and background and even earn the biographies badge with what you learn.