HEDWIG'S THEME

A LEITMOTIF

One of the only piano pieces I can play by heart is the opening of Hedwig's Theme, from the Harry Potter movies. Composed by John Williams, it is one of several leitmotifs from the first movie. The notes are simple, but the tune is otherworldly: describing a kind of childlike wonder and enchantment. My piano version is a bit wonky, and still needs some fine-tuning, but I like to work on it occasionally, simply playing it out by ear.

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Here is my current, plinky plonky version of Hedwig's Theme:

b e g f# e b a f#

e g f# d f b

b e g f# e b d g# c 

g c b Bb Bb g e

g b g b g c b Bb

f# g b Bb Bb c b

g b g b g d c# c 

g# c b Bb Bb g e

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OWL POST

Now, everyone knows that birds make great couriers, and the practice of using homing pigeons to carry messages is as old as the ancient Persians. Post birds were also used by the Ancient Greeks, French soldiers, and even now by news agencies wanting to report on yacht racing. 

Of all mail-carrying birds, Owls may be some of the best, as evidenced by the world of Harry Potter. Owls in the wizarding world seem to have some sixth sense, and are able to find the letter's recipient even if they are on holiday, on the run, or are being addressed under a pseudonym.

If you lack your own owl, and your neighbourhood does not run an Owlery, then never fear! A small paper owl, some string and a quick charm will do the trick.

THE LETTER & THE OWL

You are going to want to arrange your letters and invitations before conducting the spell. So first gather your quills and parchment, and get writing. Then seal that letter in the envelope with some kind of stamp or wax, as you do not want it to fall out mid-flight. Next, draw up a paper owl, and attach it with a string to that letter. 

 

CASTING THE SPELL

Next comes the enchantment. We are going to use transfiguration here, and the spell we are using is called the Avifors Spell, from the Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2. A few quick tips first:

““When transfiguring, it is important to make firm and decisive wand movements. Do not wiggle or twirl your wand unnecessarily, or the Transfiguration will certainly be unsuccessful.” ”

— Emeric Switch - A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration

Now, the Avifors spell will turn a target object into a bird, or a flock of birds. Use your Avifors spell to turn that paper owl into a real, hooting, postal Owl. Aim your wand at the paper owl, recite the incantation as shown in the Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2, and watch as it transforms. Just be sure to give it the directions to the letter's recipient, as paper owls are much less reliable than the real thing. 

HARRY POTTER SWEETS

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CHOCOLATE FROGS

While the wizarding world of J. K. Rowling never fails to capture my imagination, perhaps one of the most enchanting parts of that world is the imagery surrounding wizard candy.

Could these magical sweets ever be replicated in this world, I am sure many young muggles would be wanting to try a Sugar Quill, or even an Exploding Bonbon. And the actual creation of Toothflossing Stringmints would be both practical and fun. Sadly, we have yet to find the recipe for a chocolate frog, but one can still daydream. In the meantime, for those of us who are magically challenged, I have a few simple ideas to make your own wizard sweets and candy, starting with the ever-popular chocolate frog. 

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INGREDIENTS AND THINGS

Try a nice dark chocolate, one with over 70% Croakoa is preferable, and more authentic.

YOU WILL ALSO NEED:
Baking paper
Plastic ziplock bag
Printer and paper
Card paper

Find a good template for the box... I found mine here:
foodinliterature.com

Method

Melt your chocolate using the double boiler method, then place it into the plastic ziplock bag. Cut a tiny hole in one corner of the bag, this is how you will pipe out the chocolate.

Pipe the chocolate in frog shapes onto your baking paper and let it cool. 

Print out your boxes from the template, assemble and decorate them as you wish, then make up some Wizard cards to put inside.

““What are these.” Harry asked Ron, holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs.

“They’re not really frogs, are they.” He was starting to feel that nothing would surprise him.

“No,” said Ron. “But see what the card is. I’m missing Agrippa.”

“What?”

“Oh, of course, you wouldn’t know — Chocolate Frogs have cards, inside them, you know, to collect — famous witches and wizards. I’ve got about five hundred, but I haven’t got Agrippa or Ptolemy.” Harry unwrapped his Chocolate Frog and picked up the card. It showed a man’s face. He wore half- moon glasses, had a long, crooked nose, and flowing silver hair, beard, and moustache. Underneath the picture was the name: Albus Dumbledore.”

— Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

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BERTIE BOTT'S EVERY FLAVOUR BEAN

These variously flavoured jelly beans were invented by Bertie Bott, and are advertised as being 'A Risk With Every Mouthful.' They seem to be one of the odder sweets of the Wizarding World, and the flavours encompass everything from: Almond to Watermelon, Earthworm to Mushroom, and Toast to Earwax.

You can make your own boxes of every-flavour beans using Jelly Belly beans, but unfortunately the risk is lessened as all the disgusting flavours have not been created yet. Find a good box template, I got mine here: Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans Template.

““You want to be careful with these. When they say every flavour, they mean every flavour - you know you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. George reckons he had a bogey-flavoured one once.””

— Ron Weasley - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

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““Ah! Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans! I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavoured one. And since then, I’m afraid I’ve lost my liking for them. But I think I could be safe with a nice toffee... Hum! Alas! Earwax.””

— Albus Dumbledore - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

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OTHER IDEAS

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COCKROACH CLUSTERS

These unappetising sweets could be made in a variety of ways, and while they are supposed to look like peanuts, I have gone for a more crunchy-cockroach effect by pouring melted chocolate onto broken pretzels. Let it cool, and you have a particularly tasty snack.

LICORICE WANDS

Licorice wands are not much use for casting spells, but they make a great treat. Better yet, they are easy to create. To make some, simply dip your licorice sticks in chocolate, and maybe add a few swirls of sprinkles. Cast the Glacius spell, and they will cool in a flash.

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MORE, YOU SAY?

The world of wizard sweets does not start with Chocolate frogs and stop with Every Flavoured Beans, and luckily the books do describe a plethora of magical food items, many of which are only mentioned once or twice - sparking the imagination, yet providing no set template. So what are you waiting for? These inventions need a creator, and you could be the first person to make a proper Canary Cream, or Pepper Imp. 

A LIST OF AS-YET UNREALISED MAGICAL SWEETS:

Cauldron Cakes

Sherbet Lemons

Fizzing Whizzbees

Pumpkin Pasties

Drooble's Best Blowing Gum

Sugar Quills

Acid Pops

Exploding Bonbons

Toothflossing Stringmints

Caramel Cobwebs

Chocolate Wands

Hiccough Sweets

Peppermint Toads

Sugar Mice

Canary Creams

Pepper Imps