Wingardium Leviosa

"Why were you lurking under our window?"
"Yes -- yes, good point, Petunia! What were you doing under our windows, boy?"
"Listening to the news," said Harry in a resigned voice.
His aunt and uncle exchanged looks of outrage.
"Listening to the news! Again?"
"Well, it changes every day, you see," said Harry.

Howler (Mrs. Weasley)RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU STEAL THAT CAR? I AM ABSOUTELY DISGUSTED! YOUR FATHER'S NOW FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU PUT ANOTHER "TOE" OUT OF LINE, WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT HOME! And Ginny, dear, congratulations on making it into Gryffindor. Your Father and I are so proud.

Allow me to introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; me. Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award. But I don't talk about that; I didn't get rid of the Banden Banshee by smiling at him.

***

Last month we made the pilgrimage to Sydney to see the Harry Potter exhibition at The Powerhouse Museum.  Braved the crowds, the gift shop and the three hour journey on the Hogwarts Express A.K.A the City Rail South Coast Line from Kiama to Central Station. (That in itself is another story!)

We hot-footed it over to Darling Harbour from Central Station and joined the queue for our timed and pre-booked admission. This timed ticketing arrangement seems to be the latest thing for managing crowds to popular/blockbuster exhibitions. But it does rather reduce gallery going to a precision factory line. Doesn't allow for spontaneous visits. 

Fortunately, once you make it through the first two rooms of the HP show which involve audience participation with the sorting hat and a bit of theatre with a partial remake of the Hogwarts Express, the crowds thin, and you can stay as long as you like. Which we did, backtracking and revelling in the clever displays and movie artefacts. 

We had a second go at pulling Mandrakes out of pots, sauntering through Hagrid’s hut, eyeing Buckbeak the Hippogriff and the giant Acromantula spider.  I loved the exquisite costumes and truly gorgeous carved wands.

You have to be a true believer to appreciate the value of the experience.  This one is a commercial juggernaut. I'm almost a convert.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition. The Powerhouse Museum : science + design, Sydney, January 2012.