Book Ginny vs. Movie Ginny: Which One Did You Like Better?

      For the past few days, I've been re-watching all of the Harry Potter films as well as re-reading all of the books. That got me wondering more about one of the most interesting characters in the series: Ginny Weasley.

    From the early Harry Potter books we can see that Ginny is going to grow up to be one kick-ass, no-bullshit kind of girl. She keeps up with all of her brothers (and with your brothers being two of the most well-known pranksters to ever step foot on Hogwarts grounds, that's saying something), can take care of herself, and is funny as hell.

Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley 

     However, when we get to movie version of Ginny, there is a lot to be desired in my opinion. In the early movies, I thought they were doing pretty well with Ginny. After all Ginny does start off to be shy and timid around Harry towards the beginning of the series. However, as Ginny got older, she didn't seem to evolve that much. She only seemed a little less shy. The biggest difference was that Ginny had boyfriends.

Fan art of Ginny Weasley

    In my opinion, they could've done so much better with Ginny. For example, they could've added that  bit where she hexed some Slytherins. Or they could've just included Ginny more with the Trio. After all, Ginny was good friends with Hermione. She did hang out with them pretty often.

The Harry Potter Movies Are Returning to Theaters?!

      If any of you are anything like me, nothing can replace the magic of seeing the Harry Potter films for the first time in theaters. At least that's what I used to think. What if I told you that you could have the opportunity to relive the magic as an adult?

     Since October 13, select theaters throughout the United States have been hosting showings of all eight Harry Potter films. This is only lasting for a week though, so be sure to see all of the films at a nearby theater if you get a chance. Not only will you have the chance to see all eight HP films, but here in a few weeks you'll get to feast your eyes on the newest film from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

      I don't know about you guys but this is personally something I am SO FREAKING EXCITED for. It's the ultimate Harry Potter marathon. If this is something you are able to do, do it!

The Illustrated Version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

      I don't know about you guys, but ever since the illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released, I've been excited to see more. Fortunately, the illustrated version of the Chamber of Secrets was recently released so I got the opportunity to check it out. And let me tell you, was it awesome.

Illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Ron Weasley illustration

Harry Potter illustration

Draco Malfoy illustration

Hermione Granger illustration

     The colors that illustrator Jim Kay used were absolutely vibrant and really brought out some of the details that the Harry Potter movies missed. It was interesting to see another artist's interpretation of the Harry Potter World. At one point you even get to see Dobby's bare ass running down a hallway. There are pages upon pages of this amazing artwork. To get a closer peek, check out this video:

Three New Harry Potter Books?!

       Your humble blogger here has had a giant void in her heart since the Harry Potter series ended. Fortunately though, J.K. Rowling is going to refill it again. After learning about The Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts, I thought that would be the last we'd hear from the wizarding world for a while. However, I'm happy to have learned that Jo has released three new Harry Potter books (which are available as ebooks only). I don't know about you guys, but I am personally very excited about this.

The Harry Potter ebooks

     Although these books are not specifically about Harry, they're bound to be a good read. These three books dive into the details of the lives of several favorite characters, including the detestable Dolores Umbridge and Gryffindor's Head of House,  Minerva McGonagall.  Each book is about 10, 000 words long.

The three books are entitled: Power, Politics, and Pesky Poltergeists, Heroism, Hardship, and Dangerous Hobbies, and Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide. The books are currently available for purchase.

Harry Potter Fan and Employee Honored

     On June 12, the United States was shaken by a terrible tragedy. Forty-nine people were murdered at a gay club in Orlando, Florida. Dozens more were wounded. A few of the people killed during the shooting were Harry Potter fans who worked at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One of them was named Luis Vielma.

Luis Vielma

        A stranger paid tribute to him in a very heart-felt way. He created a figure of Luis Vielma using Pop!'s online customization tool where anyone can create a design. He has no plans to sell the figure. He just wants to offer it to Vielma's friends and family.

     In my opinion, this is a very kind way to remember Luis. Although I believe the other victims should be represented somehow, the fact that a figure of Vielma was created is a good way for his family and friends to remember him.

Daniel Radcliffe Won't Be Seeing 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'

      Although there is a whole new cast taking the places of some of the old cast members from the movies, many of us are undoubtedly wondering if any of the previous cast members will be queuing up to see the newest installment in the HP series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. 

      Daniel Radcliffe had a bit to say on the matter. During a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Dan had this to say... "I want to see the show. I genuinely am intrigued and I;ve heard it's fantastic... I just feel like sitting in an audience of what for the most part - for the near future - will be very enthusiastic Harry Potter fans might be... not a relaxing way to see the show, I guess. So not for the time being."

Daniel Radcliffe

     Radcliffe went on to say that he thinks Jamie Parker (who will be playing the older version of Harry) is a great actor. "I'm very excited to see him playing me," he said. "And maybe a lot of questions can shift to him now. He can do all the Harry press!" 

Daniel Radcliffe and Jamie Parker (the actor playing Harry in The Cursed Child)

     Personally I think that it is very thoughtful of Daniel Radcliffe not to see the show, even though he would like to.  He's right in thinking that his appearance at the play will cause an uproar because avid Harry Potter fans are definitely going to be filling all of the seats for a long time. His appearance there, I think, would distract the audience from the fact that there is an entirely new cast and story.

More Things That Have Happened in the Harry Potter Universe Since the Series Ended

1.)  Harry and Ginny got married and had three children: James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna.

Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter, and their three children: Lily, James, and Albus.

2.) Ron and Hermione got married and had two children: Hugo and Rose Weasley.

Fan art of Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley with their children Hugo and Rose.

3.) Draco Malfoy married Astoria Greengrass, younger sister of Daphne Greengrass. They had a child named Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy.

Fan art of Draco Malfoy, Astoria Greengrass, and their son Scorpius

4.) After the death of his parents, Teddy Lupin was raised by Andromeda and Ted Tonks, his grandparents.

Fan art of Teddy Lupin at his parents' gravestones. 

5.) George Weasley married fellow Gryffindor and Quidditch teammate Angelina Johnson. They had two children, Fred and Roxanne Weasley.

Fan art of Angelina Johnson, George Weasley,  and their son Fred, and Fred Weasley's ghost

6.) Harry and Ron joined the Auror Department of the Ministry of Magic. Hermione became a high-ranking official of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Fan art of a pregnant Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter

7.) Dementors are no longer used by the Ministry of Magic.

Dementor fan art

8.) Bill and Fleur Weasley's first child was born on the first anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. She was named Victoire which means "victory" in French.

Fan art of a pregnant Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley

9.) Ginny Weasley became a profession Quidditch player. When she retired from Quidditch, she became the Quidditch correspondant of the Daily Prophet.

Fan art of Ginny Weasley as Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies

10.) Hermione went back to Hogwarts to complete her N.E.W.T.'s.

Fan art of Hermione Granger

11.) Arthur Weasley eventually fixed Sirius' old motorcycle and gave it to Harry.

Fan art of Hagrid with Sirius' motorcycle

12.) Luna Lovegood married Rolf Scamander, the grandson of naturalist Newt Scamander. They had two children, named Lorcan and Lysander.

Fan art of Luna Lovegood and her children, Lorcan and Lysander

13.)  Harry ensured that Snape's portrait was restored to its proper place in the Headmaster's office.

Fan art of Severus Snape's portrait