20 Things to Do Before the Final 'Harry Potter'

1. Read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Since the last book was split into two movies, it's a good time to go back and read or revisit the entire Potter finale again to get immersed in the epic emotion of the series conclusion and get reacquainted with what didn't make it into the movies.

2. Get Sorted and Learn Spells

With the official Harry Potter Spells App (in iTunes for iPad and iPhone), you can get sorted into your official house and then start learning spells like Expelliarmus and Petrificus Totalus to use against other wizards in a dueling game.

3. Play Harry Potter Scene It

The second edition of the DVD trivia game covers questions from the films up through Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. See who earns the bragging rights of Potter-Know-It-All amongst your friends. 

4. Visit Harry Potter: The Exhibition

If you're local to the east coast, New York City's Discovery Times Square is now hosting this traveling show until September 5, 2011, when it will leave North America for an international tour. It features tons of props used in the films and fun interactive exhibits.

5. See Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway

Daniel Radcliffe is already moving on to his post-Potter career as the lead in the Tony-winning Broadway revival, How to Succeed in Business without Even Trying. Tickets are on sale or you can just buy the cast soundtrack and listen to Harry sing.

6. Bookmark Pottermore

Out-of-the-blue, J.K. Rowling announced a brand new website called Pottemore, that launches in October. You’ll finally be able to buy Potter e-books and read Rowling’s never-released Potter material. Check back on July 31st to get a chance to enter the site early.

7. Watch all 7 movies on DVD or Blu-ray

You haven't seen all the movies yet? What are you waiting for? All of the Potter movies are available in pan and scan, widescreen and deluxe Blu-ray editions with hours of extra features and material to keep you busy until July. (Available on Amazon)

8. Dissect the Last Trailer

It's the last Harry Potter movie trailer ever and it's legitimately epic. Watch it on a loop to pick out some of the most anticipated scenes including the Battle of Hogwarts and Harry vs. You Know Who.

9. Test Your Potter Knowledge

If your Potter knowledge lies more towards the books, then Rowling's publisher Scholastic has a fun Wizard's Challenge that allows you three strikes until you have to start again.

10. Play Harry Potter LEGO

Set to John William's iconic score, the Harry Potter LEGO videogame lets you play the characters from the first four films in block form as you travel around Hogwarts learning magic, battling foes like trolls and collecting bricks.

11. Get Matched to Your Wand at The Wizarding World in Orlando

You've still got some time pre-movie to visit Universal Studios Orlando to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The theme park features Ollivander's Wand Store where the wizard will match you to your own unique wand (for a charge, of course).

12. Collect Points to Gain Potter Swag

The official WB Harry Potter website is hosting a game called The Quest where you collect points to buy Potter swag and other fun stuff.

13. Meet New Muggle Friends

No one understands your Potter pain like your friends, and you can make some new pals at this website meant to connect like-minded Muggles.

14. Load Up on Potter News

The Leaky Cauldron is one of the oldest and most respected fan sites on the web, and it covers everything Potter related (including all the latest news). Head over there and see if you missed anything good.

15. Host a Potter Party

Celebrate the opening of the last movie in style by inviting your friends and family to a party feast featuring chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Cauldron Cakes and homemade Butterbeer.

16. Read "The Tales of Beedle the Bard"

Dumbledore bequeathed a copy of this fairy tale book to Hermione after his death. In 2007, Rowling released it to readers and it features five stories with original illustrations by the author.

17. Learn More about Harry's Creator

The author's story is just as fascinating as her boy wizard so explore J.K. Rowling's personal website to discover her story; get new project news, and the real story on any rumors swirling.

8. Follow the cast on Twitter

@pindippycave (Plays Lavender Brown)
@EmWatson (Plays Hermione Granger)
@WarwickADavis (Plays Professor Filius Flitwick)
@chrisrankin (Plays Percy Weasely)
@James_Phelps (Plays Fred Weasley)
@OliverPhelps (Plays George Weasley)
@Mattdavelewis (Plays Nevlille Longbottom)
@TomFelton (Plays Draco Malfoy)
@WillDunn_ (Plays James Sirius Potter)

19. Read our exclusive set visit reports and interviews

We've been to Hogwarts and returned to tell the tale. Check out our Deathly Hallows: Part 1 coverage: Set Visit, Daniel Radcliffe interview, and Matthew Lewis interview.

20. Turn Back Time

When all else fails, buy yourself a Time Turner. In the best case scenario, it may enable your denial as you try to turn the clock back from July. Worst case, you'll have an excellent memento for your room or office.

Arthur Weasley

A staunch believer in the equality of all magical and Muggle people, Arthur is a pure-blood wizard in the employ of the Ministry of Magic, a member of the second Order of the Phoenix and the patriarch of the Weasley family. After graduating from Hogwarts, Arthur married Molly Prewett and the couple had seven children: Bill, Charlie, Percy, twins Fred and George, Ron and daughter Ginny.

Kreacher

Left to Harry upon the death of Sirius Black, Kreacher is an aged house-elf who served the House of Black with fanatical loyalty for most of his life. He was particularly fond of “his mistress” Walburga Black, whose portrait still shrieks orders from the wall in the front hall of the Black house. After her death, Kreacher let the house fall into disarray, doing little, if any, cleaning.

Nymphadora Lupin (Tonks)

A half-blood witch and a Metamorphmagus, she joined the Ministry of Magic shortly after graduating from Hogwarts and trained to become an Auror under Alastor Moody. She fought in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and fell in love with Remus Lupin. Lupin felt he was too old, poor and dangerous for her and rejected her feelings. Tonks would later fight in the Battle of Astronomy Tower and, after seeing the love Fleur Delacour held for Bill Weasley despite his injuries, publicly declared her love for Lupin. She would fight in the Battle of Hogwarts and face off against her aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange.

George Weasley

Brother of Ron and son of Molly and Arthur Weasley, twin brother of Fred Weasley, he sustained injuries in the Battle over Little Whinging. George was an equally skilled and mischievous wizard who co-owned a joke shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, and was a member of Dumbledore’s Army. He also participated in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Dean Thomas

A half-blood wizard, Dean was a student of Hogwarts and a member of the Gryffindor House. His life was put in danger when Lord Voldemort took over the Ministry of Magic when he couldn’t prove he had any wizarding heritage. He was forced to go on the run to avoid arrest and imprisonment by the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, missing his seventh year of school. He was eventually captured by Snatchers but escaped from Malfoy Manor along with several other prisoners.

Madame Olympe Maxime

Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, her preferred mode of transportation when travelling with her students is a great powder-blue carriage drawn by 12 winged Abraxan horses, which are bred at the school. She attended the Triwizard Tournament, where she and Reubus Hagrid shared a short romance before her departure. She attends the wedding of her student Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley.

Dudley Dursley

The Muggle son of Vernon and Patricia Dursley and cousin to Harry Potter, Dudley was raised as a very spoiled child. He grew up fat and insolent and his group of friends often tormented Harry. Upon his first encounter with a Death Eater, he was saved by Harry, after which he became kinder to his cousin.

Percy Ignatius Weasley

The over-achieving third child of Molly and Arthur Weasley, Percy worked in the Department of International Magical Cooperation under Barty Crouch Sr. and later as the Assistant to the Minister of Magic. His rise within the Ministry caused a rift between him and his family following the return of Voldemort. His father thought the promotion to Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge’s office was a ploy to keep tabs on the Weasley family and through them, Albus Dumbledore. Percy denied this and remained fiercely loyal to the Ministry. When it was later proved that the Dark Lord had indeed returned, Percy did not reconcile with his family, until the Ministry fell to the Death Eaters.

Neville Longbottom

Throughout his years at Hogwarts, Neville grew from a shy, introverted boy to a courageous defender of the school. An important member of Dumbledore’s Army, he fought in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, and plays a key role in the final battles against Voldemort.

Minister Kingsley ShackleboltMinister Kingsley Shacklebolt

A wizard who worked for the Ministry of Magic, he served as an Auror and joined the reconstituted Order of the Phoenix after being convinced of the return of Voldemort. Working undercover within the Ministry, he fed the Order information and misdirected the Ministry in its attempts to locate Sirius Black.

Vernon Dursley

Harry’s uncle lived at Number Four, Privet Lane and was the director of a company called Grunnings, a drill manufacturer. When Harry received his invitation to attend Hogwarts, Vernon became very angry and detested anything to do with magic. He along with wife Petunia and son Dudley, left their house in order to be hidden from Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Fred Weasley

A pure-blood wizard and son of Molly and Arthur Weasley, Fred along with his twin brother George, were popular students at Hogwarts, known for their sense of humor and frequent pranks. In his seventh year, he joined Dumbledore’s Army, but would go on to become a successful entrepreneur with George, opening a joke shop called Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. Fred was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix and participated in the final battles against the Dark Lord.

Viktor Krum

A Bulgarian wizard and a Seeker for the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team, Krum participated in the Triwizard Tournament, hosted by Hogwarts. During the tournament, he had a brief romance with Hermione. Following the tragic conclusion of the tournament, which saw the death of Cedric Diggory, Viktor returned home. He would attend the wedding of Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley.

Fenrir Greyback

A werewolf known for his savagery and preference for attacking children, he is responsible for turning Remus Lupin into a werewolf. During the Second Wizarding War, he and a pack of werewolves allied themselves with Lord Voldemort, though the Dark Lord never considered them Death Eaters.

William "Bill" Arthur Weasley

The eldest son of Arthur and Molly Weasley worked as a Curse Breaker at the Gringotts Wizarding Bank before returning to join the revived Order of the Phoenix. During this time, he started dating Fleur Delacour, and eventually asked her to marry him after a short romance. Like all Weasleys, Bill remained a strong advocate against the Dark Arts and fought to ensure Harry's safety.

Petunia Dursley

Mrs. Dursley is the older sister of Muggle-born witch, Lily Potter. During her childhood, she became jealous of Lily’s magical abilities and stopped contact with her sister. She married a Muggle, Vernon Dursley and had a son Dudley. When Lily was killed by Lord Voldemort, she was sent her nephew, Harry, who she sheltered but disliked and treated badly.

Dolores Jane Umbridge

She started as a Senior Undersecretary to the Ministry of Magic, but in her quest for power, climbed her way to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Hogwarts High Inquisitor and eventually Headmistress of Hogwarts. She receives her own dose of justice, however, and her crimes against Muggle-borns do not go unpunished.

Albert Runcorn

Runcorn served as a Ministry of Magic employee during the Pius Thicknesse administration. His main function was intimidator and blackmailer of alleged Muggle-borns. He uncovered the falsified family tree of Dirk Cresswell, a Muggle-born wizard who forged his family tree in order to claim wizarding heritage when Lord Voldemort took over the Ministry of Magic.

Molly Weasley

This pure-blood witch is the matriarch of the Weasley family, married to Arthur Weasley. Following the return of Voldemort, Molly was a member of the revived Order of the Phoenix and participated in the final battle with a showdown with the powerful Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange.

Gregorovitch

A famous wandmaker and expert in wand lore, he supplied many witches and wizards in European countries with reliable wands. He came into the possession of the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows and the most powerful wand in existence, and upon realizing its true nature, began experimenting to try and duplicate its powers. Hoping to improve business, he started a rumor about him possessing the wand and his efforts to replicate it. One night, Gregorovitch heard someone break into his workshop and promptly ran inside to see a young blonde-haired man take the wand. The man shot a Stunning Spell at Gregorovitch and escaped. He never found out who stole the wand.

Peter Pettigrew

Also known as Wormtail, Pettigrew became one of the Marauders along with best friends James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Together, they created the Marauder’s Map. During the First Wizarding War, Pettigrew was part of the Order of the Phoenix, but became a double agent and defected to the Death Eaters. He became a Secret-Keeper for the Potter family when they went into hiding with the use of the Fidelius Charm, but betrayed them to Lord Voldemort. After Voldemort’s fall, he faked his own death and framed Sirius for betraying James and Lily Potter. He spent 12 years in his animagus form as the Weasley family’s pet rat, Scabbers. His identity was exposed by Sirius and Remus and with nowhere else to turn, he sought protection in returning to the services of Voldemort. When his loyalties affect his services, he indeed gets his comeuppance.

Narcissa Malfoy

The wife of Lucius Malfoy and the mother of Draco, she was the youngest sister of Bellatrix Lestrange and Andromeda Tonks, who affectionately named her “Cissy.”Although never officially a Death Eater, Narcissa believed in the importance of blood purity and supported her husband in following Lord Voldemort. That is, until Draco’s life was put in jeopardy by the Dark Lord…

The founder of the Slug Club returned from retirement to teach at Hogwarts at Dumbledore's request. Slughorn formerly taught Potions to Harry's mother Lily, and Tom Riddle, the latter of whom convinced Slughorn to disclose information on becoming immortal. Later, Riddle murdered Harry's parents. Ridden with guilt on aiding Riddle, Slughorn modified his own memory, but Harry was able to convince him to disclose the truth with the help of a good luck potion, Felix Felicis.

Rubeus Hagrid

As a boy, Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts when Tom Riddle blamed him for opening the Chamber of Secrets, which resulted in the death of a student named Myrtle. Dumbledore convinced the headmaster at the time to let him stay at Hogwarts as gamekeeper. The gentle half giant was later entrusted to teach students Care of Magical Creatures. His love for monsters continued to get him into trouble, but he was the one who gave Harry a pet owl, Hedwig, and if not for Hagrid's Hippogriff Buckbeak, Sirius Black would not have had an escape from the Dementors. Hagrid remained loyal to Dumbledore until the end, and carried his body to be interred at his funeral.

Griphook

The Gringotts Bank Goblin went on the run when Voldemort returned to power, refusing to recognize any wizard as master. His expertise on Goblin-made artifacts, such as Gryffindor's sword, and the deep passageways and enchantments in the wizarding bank, become critical to Harry, Ron and Hermione in their hunt for Horcuxes

Xenophilius Lovegood

If you're wondering where Luna gets her idiosyncrasies, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Luna's father publishes his odd theories in his newspaper The Quibbler. His media becomes instrumental in disseminating the truth about Potter and rallying his supporters, unfortunately also garnering the attention of Death Eaters.

Lord Voldemort

The darkest wizard of all time struck such fear and reverence in followers and non-followers alike that only the bravest even dare speak his name. Hungry for power and terrified of death, Voldemort used any and all means—including sadistic measures—to secure his immortality and omnipotence. He deemed his most trusted group of supporters the Death Eaters, who attempt to purge the wizarding world of "mudbloods," a derogatory term for Muggle-born. Ironically, though, the Dark Lord himself is not a pure-blood.
Fun Fact: I Am Lord Voldemort is an anagram of Voldemort's birth name, Tom Morvolo Riddle.

Severus Snape

Upon meeting Harry for the first time, the sarcastic potions professor has an immediate and mutual disliking for Harry, due to the bitter rivalry between Snape and James (Harry's father). Along with concocting potions, Snape is also highly skilled in Legilimency (extracting feelings and memories from another's mind) and Occlumency (compartmentalizing one's emotions to protect their thoughts). He's also skilled in the Dark Arts and eventually takes the highly coveted Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Perhaps one of Rowling's most complex characters, Snape's loyalties as a Death Eater/Hogwarts professor double agent are questioned until the very end.

Rufus Scrimgeour

Selected as the successor to Cornelius Fudge as Minister of Magic, Scrimgeour was thought to better lead the resistance against Voldemort. The former Auror, however, did not fully trust Dumbledore and clashed with Harry on his methods of fighting against the Death Eaters. Scrimgeour imprisoned Stan Shunpike despite his obvious innocence to keep up appearances that the Ministry was in fact making progress in finding the Dark Lord's followers.

Ron Weasley

The youngest son and sixth of Arthur and Molly Weasley's seven children, the freckle-faced red-head grew up with an inferiority complex and a need to prove himself. He sometimes feels overshadowed by Harry's fame and fortune, but as his and Hermione's best mate, he's always been a loyal companion. Ron's strengths include his tactical ability, as proven by his wicked game of Wizard's Chess.

Ron has a debilitating fear of WHAT?  Earn 25 house points for being the FIRST to tell me.

Rita Skeeter

This sensationalist Daily Prophet reporter and biographer has no problem digging up dirt. Skeeter is notorious for her libelous stories, unethical ways of obtaining information, and entirely false accounts – all in the name of selling her work. Her run-ins with Harry have not been pleasant, as they've resulted in articles suspect about his claim that Voldemort has returned. Skeeter received her end of justice when Hermione forced her to print the truth in The Quibbler, by threatening to report her as an unregistered Animagus. She still managed to tarnish the reputation of Dumbledore with her biography on the deceased Hogwarts headmaster.
Fun Fact: Skeeter's Animagus form is a beetle.

Remus Lupin

As part werewolf, Lupin's close friends James Potter (Harry's Dad), Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew became Animagi to help him, and keep him company when he transformed by full moon. In the year that Dumbledore recruited him as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, he taught Harry the valuable spell of warding off Dementors by procuring a Patronus.

Mr. Ollivander

We first see the deft wandmaker when he helps young Harry find his first wand. It's a tricky task – because "the wand chooses the wizard," he says. Mr. Ollivander is the owner of a wand shop in Diagon Alley, and his knowledge on wand lore is so extensive that Voldemort finds him useful for his own motives.

Minerva McGonagall

Stern, strict, yet always discerning and fair, the Transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor House holds her own against raucous students. A wise witch, registered Animagus and exceptional duelist, she serves as one of Harry's greatest allies in the darkest of times.

Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody

As one of the most skilled Auror's of all time, Moody earned the nickname "Mad-Eye" for his paranoia and battle-scarred body. He had lost an eye, leg and part of his nose fighting against the Dark Arts. For almost the entirety of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, Moody was held captive in his own magical trunk by Barty Crouch Jr., who impersonated him using Polyjuice Potion. Moody fought bravely for Harry's safety in the battle that followed.

Lucius Malfoy

Lucius is the patriarch of an aristocratic pure-blood family and father of Draco Malfoy. Although he served and fought for Voldemort in the First Wizarding War, he avoided imprisonment by claiming he was under the Imperius Curse. He did however continue to show prejudice to Muggle-borns, and attempted to discredit Arthur Weasley by planting the Dark Lord's diary amongst Ginny's schoolbooks. When Voldemort returned to power, Lucius once again served him as a Death Eater.

Gellert Grindelwald

When Dumbledore was young and rather rash, he met and befriended Grindelwald, who was expelled from his school for experimenting with dark magic. The two boys aspired to attain power and glory with the phrase "For the Greater Good." Their plans went awry when an argument and a three-way duel broke out among them and Dumbledore's brother Aberforth, which resulted in the accidental death of their sister. This effectively ended the friendship between Grindelwald and Dumbledore, and they went their separate ways. Voldemort and Harry discover their paths cross again, and must delve into their history to find what they're searching for.

Hermione Granger

Born to Muggle parents, this whip-smart witch blew everyone away with her thirst and penchant for knowledge. Author J.K. Rowling considers her the "brightest character," and that's difficult to disagree with, even by wizarding standards. She's not afraid to fight for what she believes is right, regardless of whether it's popular or not. Hermione's gifted with logic, resourcefulness, and loyalty, which serves her friendship with Ron and Harry to the very end.
Fun Fact: Hermione used to have very large front teeth until Goblet of Fire. Draco Malfoy hit her with a spell that caused them to grow uncontrollably, and Madam Pomfrey magically shrunk them to normal size – probably something her dentist parents wouldn't approve of.

Dobby the House Elf

Voice Actor: Toby Jones

House Elves have special magical powers but are bound to obey their masters. Dobby was formerly the Malfoy's house elf, but Harry tricked Lucius into setting him free. As a free elf, Dobby went to work at Hogwarts and although he was at times an annoyance, he remained loyal to Harry, using his special powers to protect him in the direst of times.

Harry Potter

The main protagonist of the titular story, Harry Potter was orphaned early on in life when Lord Voldemort discovered a prophecy that stated "either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives." Although the prophecy refers to Voldemort and possibly two other wizards, Voldemort marked Harry as his equal, inadvertently giving him the lightning bolt scar on his forehead and a share of his own special powers. Harry lives with his surviving Muggle aunt and her family and does not come to know of the wizarding world until he receives an invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As he grows up, he witnesses Voldemort's return to power and must take up the fight himself to vanquish the Dark Lord forever.
Fun Fact: Harry would've been placed in the Slytherin House at Hogwarts (the same as Voldemort's), but Harry emphatically requested the Sorting Hat not to.

Ginny Weasley

The only daughter of Molly Weasley, Ginny sports a toughened persona to keep company with her bros. Skilled at Quidditch, she played as Chaser and Seeker for the Gryffindor House team. She developed a huge crush on Harry, and the two of them survived quite an ordeal when she became possessed with Tom Riddle's diary, opened the Chamber of Secrets and put in grave danger herself, Muggle-borns at Hogwarts, and Harry.

Fleur Delacour

Half Veela and half witch, Fleur possesses extraordinary beauty and the ability to entrance men supernaturally. Fleur first appears in Goblet of Fire when her French academy participates in the Triwizard Tournament. She later meets Bill Weasley while working at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and the two fall in love and become engaged. Their wedding ceremony is not without an unwelcome interruption, however, due to the perilous times of Voldemort's return.

Draco Malfoy

Harry's rival at Hogwarts takes after his father's pure-blood instincts, demonstrating prejudice to Muggle-borns as well as bullying other students. He's recruited to join the Death Eaters' effort and charged with the daunting task of killing Dumbledore when his father falls out of favor with Voldemort. A few of his failed attempts injured other students and, when he is unable to complete the task, Snape carries out the deed. Draco was instrumental in finding a way for the Death Eaters to enter Hogwarts.

Bellatrix Lestrange

As Voldemort's most devoted Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange's magical prowess is employed with her own sadistic and mentally unstable flair; she tortured Neville Longbottom's parents to the point of insanity to gain information about Voldemort's whereabouts, and killed her own cousin, Sirius Black. Sentenced for life, she spent 14 years in wizarding prison Azkaban before she escaped and rejoined Voldemort in his return to power. Since then, she's been his number one in command, executing his bidding.
 
Fun Fact: Although Bellatrix is married to another Death Eater, Rowling has made it known that she truly loved Voldemort.

Albus Dumbledore

The beloved headmaster of Hogwarts is known for his many magical contributions, endearment of students and fearlessness when facing Voldemort. Deathly Hallows explores Dumbledore's past and a side of him only a privileged few had come to know. Despite his untimely death, the white-haired wizard continued to be a mentor and friend to Harry through the things he left behind in his last testament and will. At the close, he pays Harry a special visit.

Luna Lovegood

Aptly named, and known for being a little more eccentric than most, Luna possesses a slightly off-kilter, yet composed persona. The Ravenclaw student is among the first to believe Harry when he claims that Voldemort has returned; she joins Dumbledore's Army, sparking the beginning of a strong friendship with the protagonist trio. Like a Patronus that appears in dire situations, Luna's presence never fails to procure hope and solace for Harry even in the darkest hours.

25 points for the FIRST person to tell me what is Luna's patronus.

Aberforth Dumbledore

 

The estranged younger brother of Albus Dumbledore owns the Hog's Head pub in Hogsmeade. The two were opposites and hardly got along, and after the unfortunate death of their sister, their relationship became all the more strained. After Dumbledore's death, Aberforth provides much-needed aid to Harry, Ron and Hermione in the war against Voldemort.