Growing up, Harry Potter has been a positive presence in my life. During my teenage years I had a really tough time in school with bullies (turns out if you dye your hair blue at 15, you get grief) But reading the books opened up a world for me, somewhere I could escape, and be part of the adventures; So I jumped at the chance to have Christmas dinner in the Great Hall set at Warner Brothers studio tour London!
Tickets were £220, so not cheap - but there's no experience like it.
Excited much!
Many people were cosplaying, but I just went with looking a bit magical, my bag was a little nod as it looked like a Howler letter.
Had a real flower crown made to match my dress - I feel like some kind of real-life Instagram filter!
Had a real flower crown made to match my dress - I feel like some kind of real-life Instagram filter!
The place was all decked out for Christmas - and I couldn't wait!
Opening the doors to the Great Hall...
Took my breath away!
Everyone gets a wand - I chose Hermione's. She's such a badass and I admire her determination
Such a friendly group of people on my table
They were all accountants and lawyers - and then there's me, an artist!
Trestle tables loaded for a feast
Practicing our wand skills - Lumos!
The doors of the Great Hall flew open, and these threatening lot entered our sanctuary
Giving me evils...
We battled to regain control
Don't worry, I left him stunned, not dead.
We defeated the death eaters and peace reigned down once again
The only disappointment of the night was the food... which is actually quite an important part for me (I love my food)
Now I knew I probably wouldn't be that well catered for because I'm vegan (yep, one of those weirdos ;)) but the starter was just a few bits of lettuce... although for the main, I think I had better than the meat eaters!
The smoked staked aubergine was delicious, but the serving was so small, and it didn't really fill me up.
The smoked staked aubergine was delicious, but the serving was so small, and it didn't really fill me up.
Time to leave the Great Hall - But on to the rest of the studio tour!
The Griffindor common room looked to cosy
What I would give for an office like Dumbledore's!
Don't be fooled into thinking it's all glamour - I'm drying my phone after I dropped it in the sink
Umbridge is one of my favourite characters in the potterverse
Not because I 'like' her, but shes such an insidious menace wrapped up in a genteel coating, and unfortunately I've know too many people like this in real life...
They don't even needs doors - you can go straight through the wall here!
Platform 9 and 3/4s!
Take me away to Hogwarts please
Desert and drinks were served on the platform. I got some fruit made into circles
Mr Dursley is arriving home early
One of my fave photos of the night!
And that says a lot as there are some amazing photos of the evening.
On the Hogwarts bridge.
On the Hogwarts bridge.
Goofing around in Diagon Ally - Almost fell over in heels on the cobblestones
Olivanders. My wand: 11 inches, silverbirch, unicorn hair. Slightly springy
I literally gasped when I saw the model of Hogwarts in the snow. It's just so stunning- then I might have had a little tear...
Remembering the battle...
The end of the tour, reminiscing
But the nights not over yet! There's a dance floor waiting for us in the lobby!
So we got to shake it off before heading home
It's past 12, and the shuttle bus is waiting to take us home
My feet are a little worse for wear after all that dancing, so it's really good to finally sit down.
I'm going home with my letter to Hogwarts at least - I'm a little old to be starting - but I wont let that phase me!
On the train back, missing all the magic already
The word 'magical' is often overused - but if I can't use it about this experience then when can I use it?!