Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Take London

An alternate title of this post can be something along the lines of: Two Nerds in Sweaters Go on an Adventure. 

I've decided to create a little series entitled Ravenclaw & Gryffindor. Basically posts are part of this series when Kalli and I are doing Harry Potter related things. This post is technically the first one in the series, but it has been posted second. 

To begin this post, I'll need to once again provide background so everyone reading is on the same page. I wouldn't want to leave any of you lovelies behind! I'll label this section so those of who are familiar with The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the world of Harry Potter can jump ahead. 

But for the rest of you, here is some stuff you need to know before reading about the following adventures: 

The Background Information that Maggie Promised 

Now, I'm sure you've all heard of the Harry Potter books and movies, right? If not, here he is. Harry's this dude right here. But he's not just any dude, he's a wizard dude. Which causes all sorts of problems in his life. He attends school at a magical school called Hogwarts, where young magical folk go to learn about their magical skills, cool creatures, potion making, and so on. Hogwarts is divided into four houses. Gryffindor, the house that Harry Potter and myself belong to, is the most well known.

The other houses are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each of these houses have their own color and set of values that they uphold. Gryffindor is bravery, Ravenclaw is intelligence, Hufflepuff is loyalty, and Slytherin is ambition.

The kind of sweaters we're wearing in all of our pictures is the sort sported by the athletes of the wizarding sport of Quidditch. It's a crazy sport played on the back of a broom, and, in fact, I have played it myself. It's a mix between dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, and capture the flag. And it's probably the best sport ever.

 I just started my journey into Harry's world this past summer for the first time, and, believe it or not, it's been life changing. The topic really deserves a blog post or an article of its own. However, the Harry Potter series has had its share of controversy, which makes it unpopular with some parents, as there is a common belief that the books promote witchcraft (they really don't).

And to finish this little spiel, I'll add that my friend and travelling companion Kalli is a Ravenclaw.

Background Finished

Kalli brought home a brochure one day, and on that fateful piece of paper was a list of all the nearby locations where many pieces of the Harry Potter movies were filmed, as well as places that you could buy HP memorabilia, like chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans, jelly slugs, and galleons. 

We began our little tour at, where else, Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station, where young wizards and witches would push their luggage carts through the wall to meet the Hogwarts Express on the other side.  Unfortunately, the photographer was a Slytherin, and as everyone knows, Gryffindors and Slytherins usually don't get along very well. 

So we heckled each other for a while. It didn't help that one of my shoes flew off an almost knocked out an innocent Hufflepuff. The great part was that all of us got a great laugh together, people from around the world bonding on something magical that was, in reality, all too real to all of us. 

Kalli and I explored London, our House sweaters drawing many faces and whispers from children and adults alike. I was pretty sure some kiddos were convinced that I was a witch (this is where playing witches in previous stage productions comes in handy). 

But instead of me telling you about all the Pottery places I've puttered around in London, let me just show you! 

A pilgrimage location for every good Potterhead, Platform 9 3/4 is smack dab in the middle of King's Cross station. 

Left: Kalli and I on platform 4, where the scene was actually filmed. Platform 9 is elsewhere.
Right: Molly and Ginny Weasley look on as one of the older ones runs between the space between the platforms. 

Left: We're on our way to the Ministry of Magic!
Right: Ron Weasley on lookout duty nearby the Ministry of Magic

Left: Us on the windy Millennium Bridge
Right: The Millennium Bridge after the evil Death Eaters had their way with it. 

Left: A delicious chocolate frog from a candy shop

Right: Uh oh, Harry! Your frog's trying to escape!

Left: Kalli and I on one of the streets that inspired Diagon Alley
Right: Diagon Alley, a shopping thoroughfare for wizards, in all its glory. 

Roar Roar Gryffindor! 

Trafalgar Square, not only a central area in London, but where the world premiere of  'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' was held!

Not to worry, friends. This is only where are adventures began; there's so much more ahead.
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