International Harry Potter Day (also known as The Anniversary of The Battle of Hogwarts) was created in memorial to the epic importance of the day that Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord. In the books, the battle takes place in the early hours of 2nd May 1998. The Battle of Hogwarts is the final battle in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’; Lord Voldemort and his Death-eaters turn up at the Hogwarts school grounds after You-Know-Who realises that Harry has been destroying Horcruxes.
Potterheads rejoice, today is our day. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (it’s been years, I’m still terrified to speak his true name) has been defeated and all is good in the world. We celebrate this day every year and raise our goblets to the one and only, bringer of peace, Harry Potter. In our current situation we’re unable to meet our fellow witches and wizards but that doesn’t stop us from delving back into the fantastical world J.K. Rowling has spent years creating for us. Pick up your old battered copies, your special editions or your illustrated beauties and escape, once again, into Rowling’s magical realm.Â
Did you know it takes 19 hours and 39 minutes to have a full marathon of all the Harry Potter movies? That’s right, almost 20 hours. With 24 hours in a day, you better start seshing them through as soon as you’ve finished reading my jabber!Â
In my opinion, one of the best ways to celebrate the day everything changed for the better, is to lust over Harry Potter memorabilia sites which I have no way of visiting until this pandemic is over. It does upset me that a trip booked for me to Harry Potter World had to be cancelled but the thought of a post-apocalyptic world containing converted, introverted Potter nerds does seem to excite me.
Oliver’s is an absolute gem for any die-hard fan right on our doorstep – no need to travel miles to get your fix! Having opened in 2017, Oliver’s should be known to all true Potter fanatics, I just like to get in your head and share the cravings I’m having whilst in lockdown (you’re welcome). The wizarding shop is known to many muggles due to its authenticity and team of witches to help you choose the perfect item/s.Â
Selling hats, robes and wands and more (although this is Oliver’s, not Ollivander’s so unfortunately, you’ll have to choose your own wand), this little shop provides everything you need to prepare for your stay at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. On your first day when September arrives, don’t forget to always live by the school’s motto ‘Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus’ (never tickle a sleeping dragon).
I won’t lie to you; lockdown ending is actually a big fear for me right now. The money I’ve saved by not venturing outside my house is definitely all going to be spent at Oliver’s in one day – please, someone stop me… Wizard, muggle, squib, whatever you may be, Oliver’s is a definite haven for you all.
Oliver’s is located a one-minute walk (or broom-ride) from Brighton Train Station at 42 Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ED.
Under normal circumstances Oliver’s is open 7 days a week, 10:00-18:00.
Brighton’s award-winning wizarding shop is not affiliated with the Harry Potter franchise, J.K. Rowling or Warner Bros.
https://www.oliversbrighton.co.uk/
