Where Did Harry Potter Take Place

When Does Harry Potter Take Place

Time in the Harry Potter franchise seems to function as usual for the most part. In each book and its film counterpart, Harry grows another year older, from 11 to 17. However, one question that isnt answered is when the Harry Potter series takes place.

While we get plenty of glimpses of the muggle world through the films, there arent any clear features that could provide an exact date. Additionally, in the main Harry Potter series books and associated material, there is enough contradictory information and dates to keep fans guessingeven if Harry Potter does take place in a world that largely mirrors our own.

In this article, well be sharing the best theory for when the series takes place.

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

Harry’s fifth year begins with him being attacked by Dementors in Little Whinging. Later, he finds out that the Ministry of Magic is in denial of Lord Voldemort’s return. Harry is also beset by disturbing and realistic nightmares, while Professor Umbridge, a representative of Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge, is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Harry becomes aware that Voldemort is after a prophecy which reveals: “neither can live while the other survives.” The rebellion involving the students of Hogwarts, secret organisation Order of the Phoenix, the Ministry of Magic, and the Death Eaters begins.

The Directors Werent Famous Enough

Thought theyd never admit it, Oscar voters love a good selfie with a celebrity, which is why they were probably disappointed when barely-known British TV director David Yates took over the series from number five onwards.

Chris Columbus was recognisable but as a mainstream middle-of-the-road helmer, while Mike Newell was anonymous and Alfonso Cuarón was a critical darling with the well-received Y Tu Mamá También behind him but was yet to become the Hollywood powerhouse who won the Academy Award for Gravity, and became a major contender this year with Roma.

Compare that to Spielberg, Peter Jackson and James Cameron all massively successful but also deemed Oscar-worthy and its unsurprising that Harry Potter is perceived by the Academy as not highbrow enough to merit awards love.

The perfect illustration of this is Hugo, the middling kids adventure from critical darling Martin Scorsese that somehow landed 11 Oscar nominations . The last Harry Potter film was just as technically accomplished and far more popular, but won nothing.

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Why Did Harry Potter Never Win Any Oscars

Its the second-biggest film franchise of all-time and beloved by millions across the globe, but although it was nominated for 12 Academy Awards across eight movies, the Harry Potter series never won one.

Thankfully, the Wizarding World was finally recognised by the Academy in 2017 when Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them broke the hoodoo, winning Best Costume Design for Colleen Atwood. The 2018 follow up Crimes of Grindelwald didnt receive any Oscar nods.

It was on this day 20 years ago that the first instalment, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, had its worldwide premiere, but why did the hugely successful series get completely overlooked by the Oscars? We have some theories.

Chapter 1: The Unforgivable Curses

“Now, according to the Ministry of Magic, I’m supposed to teach you countercurses and leave it at that. I’m not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you’re in the sixth year…How are you supposed to defend yourself against something you’ve never seen? …You need to be prepared. You need to be alert and watchful.”

Moody presenting the Unforgivable Curses to the class

A spider receiving an Unforgivable curse

In their first lesson with Moody on Thursday, Moody, after revealing he will only be staying for the year, decides to show the fourth-year Gryffindors the Unforgivable Curses. Despite some fear amongst the students , Moody shows the entire class the three curses using spiders as his test subjects: The Imperius Curse, a mind control spell, The Cruciatus Curse, a pain inflicting spell, and The Killing Curse, a spell that causes instant death to any living thing it hits. He also reveals the the use of these spells gain the user a one way ticket to Azkaban

Sirius says there are rumours about Harry’s scar hurting and he is returning to Britain. Harry feels worried about Sirius coming back and possibly getting caught by the Ministry, all because he hastily sent the letter. He goes to bed unsettled.

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I Was Renting A Room In A Flat Over What Was Then A Sports Shop The First Bricks Of Hogwarts Were Laid In A Flat In Clapham Junction

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JK Rowling has revealed where she started writing the Harry Potter books, contradicting fans who believed for years that Edinburgh was its birthplace.

The Elephant House Cafe in Edinburgh is widely regarded as the place the now 54-year-old author wrote the first of the seven fantasy novels.

While it is true that Rowling used to frequent the cafe in the early days of her writing career, the author revealed yesterday that she actually started the series in London, in a flat above a sports shop in Clapham.

Referring to the sign on Elephant House which reads birthplace of Harry Potter, Rowling tweeted: Id been writing Potter for several years before I ever set foot in this cafe, so its not the birthplace, but I *did* write in there so well let them off!

Rowling then shared a picture of the Clapham flat where she started her writing process. This is the true birthplace of Harry Potter, she said. If you define birthplace as the spot where I put pen to paper for the first time.

Chapter 1: The Goblet Of Fire

“The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment… And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out – Harry Potter.”

The Goblet of Fire chooses Harry Potter

The Goblet of Fire

The students sit down at their tables , and the Welcoming Feast begins. Hagrid, Ludo Bagman, and Barty Crouch all arrive late. After the feast, Dumbledore announces that Bagman and Crouch, who helped organise the tournament, will also serve as judges alongside the three headmasters to evaluate the Champions’ performances. Dumbledore then announces that the three champions will be chosen by the Goblet of Fire, an enchanted artefact. Students must drop their names into the Goblet, and the Goblet chooses the most worthy entrants to compete in three dangerous tasks. Dumbledore finishes by stating the champions will be selected the following night during Hallowe’en. On the way out, the Durmstrang headmaster Karkaroff gives Harry a look of displeasure before Moody forces him to move along. The Goblet is placed in the Great Hall and an Age Line is drawn around the Goblet to prevent underage students from submitting their names.

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Bonus: A Harry Potter Filming Location In Norway That Nobody Talks About

Appeared in: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I love Norway, so I was delighted to discover that a small portion of the Half-Blood Prince features the snowy wonderlandy landscapes of this Scandinavian gem. According to a few sources, including this Norweigan newspaper, some crew members came to Norway to film scenes along the Rauma Railway between Oslo and the Fjords region to use as window/background shots for the Hogwarts Express. Specifically, they shot around Bjorli.

If you cant immediately recall this scene, let me help you! Remember Lavenders peak psychotic moment when she walked past Ron and Harrys train carriage and draws a big heart on the glass with her and Rons initials? Super kyuuute. Anyways, those snowy shots outside the window as she does this were shot in Norway.

Harry Potter Fan Tours

Join an immersive Harry Potter Fan Tour and you’ll be part of a one-of-a-kind wizarding adventure across England and Scotland. Guests on the tour are brought into an interactive storyline filled with magic and mystery. While travelling to visit all the filming sights, youll be introduced to characters and surprises at every turn. Hunt for beasts and fight against dark magic, and even stay in your very own castle of wizardry. Wands at the ready!

• Harry Potter Fan Tours: The Fantastical Tour 2 Immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter!

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Snape Was Remembered As Headmaster:

Despite the conspicuous absence of Snapes portrait during Harrys final visit to Hogwarts headmasters office in The Deathly Hallows, Rowling has explained that Harry would make sure his sacrifice was not forgotten.

Snape had effectively abandoned his post before dying, so he had not merited inclusion in these august circles, she said during a web chat. However, I like to think that Harry would be instrumental in ensuring that Snapes portrait would appear there in due courseHarry would ensure that Snapes heroism was known.

Chapter : The Dark Mark

Draco Malfoy: “Granger, they’re after Muggles. Do you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around… they’re moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh.”

Harry Potter: “Hermione’s a witch.”

Draco Malfoy: “Have it your own way, Potter… If you think they can’t spot a Mudblood, stay where you are.”

Draco Malfoy during the riot

Riot at the Quidditch World Cup

After the wizards around the campsite celebrate before going to sleep, that night, a group of masked wizards attack the camp and torment some local Muggles. While Mr Weasley heads out with his older children to face them, the rest of the group hides in the woods. When Ron trips on a tree branch, he, Harry, and Hermione, lose Fred, George, and Ginny. They run into Draco Malfoy, who goads them about the riot and tells them to keep Hermione, the “mudblood“, safe. Shortly afterwards, Harry realises his wand is missing, and they find Winky behaving strangely, as if she were to trying to restrain something. After finding a place to hide, they hear someone nearby incant “Morsmordre“, and they watch the Dark Mark float into the sky.

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Ollivander Loses Money On Every Wand He Sells

The Harry Potter tribute band Harry and the Potters has a fantastic song about how wizard economics make absolutely no sense. The best example is how a unicorn hair costs 10 galleons while a wand from Ollivander some of which contain unicorn hair and other expensive cores like dragon heartstring and phoenix feathers will only cost you seven galleons.

Assuming he doesn’t cut the hair while making the wand, Ollivander is selling his wands at a loss of at least three galleons.

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

During Harry’s fourth year, Hogwarts plays host to a legendary event: the Triwizard Tournament. Three European schools participate in the tournament, with three ‘champions’ representing each school in the deadly tasks. The Goblet of Fire chooses Fleur Delacour, Viktor Krum, and Cedric Diggory to compete against each other. However, curiously, Harry’s name is also produced from the Goblet thus making him a fourth champion, which results in a terrifying encounter with a reborn Lord Voldemort.

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The Actual Harry Potter Set At The Warner Bros Studio Tour

Appeared in: ALL THE HARRY POTTER MOVIES

Okay, so duh we cant really create a list of Harry Potter filming locations without FIRST giving a shoutout to the most magical attraction in the cosmos: the Warner Brothers Studio in Leavesden, which house a truly sob-worthy assortment of sets, props, costumes and more used throughout the franchise.

During your visit, you get to prance through the Great Hall, snoop around the Gryffindor common rooms, lurk creepily in Diagon Alley, taste Butterbeer, and so. much. more.

You can click here for my full guide to visiting the studios, but just know that if your ideal day trip consists of nerdy drooling and ugly-crying your way through real-life set pieces, this is a must-do!

You can even check out a model of Hogwarts!

Swinley Forest Aka One Of The Forests They Camp In

Appeared in: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Parts of Swinley Forest in Bracknell were used for miscellaneous scenes in Deathly Hallows Part 1, like when theyre being chased by Snatchers but most of them used green screens to add more dramatic landscapes, so I wouldnt go out of my way to see this place.

That said, I found this hilarious news article about how the crew kept denying that they were filming Harry Potter there, until a 10 year old boy literally just found a callsheet in the bushes that had ALL THE ACTORS ON-SET TIMES, where they would be, and a map of the locations! Luckily, he only found this after the filming wrapped up, otherwise it would have made fangirl stalking a little too easy.

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Chapter : Mayhem At The Ministry

“What if You-Know-Who had got you, and the last thing I ever said to you was that you didn’t get enough O.W.L.s? Oh, Fred…George…”

Molly Weasley on her children

Ron’s dress robes

The next morning, the group quickly departs the campsite and arrives at the Burrow, where a worried Mrs Weasley greets them. Mrs Weasley shows them the Daily Prophet article covering last night’s attack, which is filled with some inaccurate details penned by Rita Skeeter, a journalist well known for her heavily negative stories. This forces Mr Weasley to head to the Ministry with Percy to straighten things out, as he is indirectly mentioned in the article.

Heading into Ron’s room, Harry tells Ron and Hermione about his scar hurting and his letter to Sirius, as well as the dream. The three remark on how strange it is that Harry’s scar hurt so soon before the Dark Mark appeared for the first time in thirteen years.

On the final day before they are to return to Hogwarts, Harry hears that the Ministry of Magic has come under heavy fire for failing to stop the riot at the Quidditch World Cup or arrest any of the culprits because of Rita Skeeter’s article. Mr Weasley mentions that Rita is also attacking the Ministry because of the disappearance of Bertha Jorkins. Meanwhile, Ron is dismayed by his hideous hand-me-down dress robes, which he will need to wear at Hogwarts for a formal occasion later in the year.

Chapter : The First Task

“He stared hopelessly down at the index of Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed… instant scalping… but dragons had no hair… pepper breath… that would probably increase a dragon’s firepower… horn tongue… just what he needed, to give it an extra weapon….”

Harry ways to defeat a dragon

Harry mastering the Summoning Charm

After Harry tells Hermione everything he learned recently, they try to research ways to get past a dragon in the library without success. On Monday, realising the other schools’ champions know about the dragons, Harry tips off Cedric to make sure the contest is fair. Moody then appears and gives Harry some general advice on how to beat his Dragon: play to his strengths and use a simple spell to get what he needs. With Hermione’s help, Harry manages to master the Summoning Charm after working on it until 2 a.m. On Tuesday, the day of the task, Mr Bagman reveals that their task is to get the Golden egg each dragon is guarding. The model dragons each champion would draw out of a small bag would determine the order they’ll be going in and which dragon they’ll face.

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The Dursleys Owned A Flat

J. K. Rowling has revealed tidbits about what happened to the Harry Potter cast after the events of The Deathly Hallows during interviews and on her Twitter account.

We know that Vernon Dursley was a fan of the TV show Top Gear, as Rowling stated he signed an online petition to bring Jeremy Clarkson back to the show, as he was the only reason he watched it. Vernon Dursley’s love of television may explain why he has a flat screen television in 1995, even though they weren’t commercially available until 1997, when they cost around fifteen thousand dollars to buy.

Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, based on J. K. Rowling‘s1997 novel of the same name. Produced by David Heyman and screenplay by Steve Kloves, it is the first instalment of the Harry Potter film series. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. Its story follows Harry’s first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers that he is a famous wizard and begins his formal wizarding education.

Warner Bros. bought the film rights to the book in 1999 for a reported £1 million . Production began in the United Kingdom in 2000, with Chris Columbus being chosen to create the film from a shortlist of directors that included Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner. Rowling insisted that the entire cast be British and Irish, with the three leads chosen in August 2000 following open casting calls. The film was shot at Leavesden Film Studios and historic buildings around the United Kingdom, from September 2000 to March 2001.

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