I solemnly swear that I am up to no good :)

Y'all, I don't even know how to begin to write this post. On our first day in London, we did my absolute favorite thing so far (and it'll be next to impossible to beat, honestly). Several months ago, while getting ready for work and watching GMA, I heard a snippet calling all Harry Potter fans. I started reading the series when I was in sixth grade, read them countless time, and never missed a midnight opening/preorder for the rest of the series or first day showing of the movies from that point on. Basically, I've been obsessed since I was 10. So naturally, this segment caught my attention.

In March 2012, Warner Brothers opened Leavesden studios --the site of the filming of all 8 Harry Potter movies -- for tours. I knew immediately this is what I wanted for my birthday. It was SO incredible. Call me a nerd, it won't phase me. It was my childhood come to life.

Disclaimer: if Harry Potter doesn't interest you, you need to stop reading now. I'm about to gush :)

We saw the Great Hall, visited Diagon Alley, saw the horcruxes, the Ford Anglia, the Knight bus, the Burrow, Snape's potion dungeons, the Gryffindor Common Room, the boys' dormitories, hundreds of costumes, the creatures, thousands more props, and so many more amazing things. I don't want to put you on picture overload (I took probably 300+), but here are a few (or a lot). The rest will go on Facebook eventually.






The Great Hall













The make-up department






Front gates of Hogwarts


The boys' dormitory


All of the major wands



Gryffindor Common Room








Headed to the Leaky Cauldron


Headed to Dumbledore's office






The Pensieve


Snape's potions classroom


Hanging out at the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets


The Marble staircase



The Burrow




Umbridge's office at the Ministry






Using the Floo Network




And a major highlight-visiting Diagon Alley. This set is almost still "hot" or ready for filming.




Ollivander's


Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes





In the Anglia



Hanging out on the Knight Bus


And on Hagrid's bike




Number 4 Privet drive



All after a Butterbeer of course (delicious in case you were wondering)



We then headed to the creature department. I'll spare you that part for now, but it was incredible. I even saw my favorite house elf, Dobby.

The end of the tour was absolutely unreal. It was the scaled version of Hogwarts - the one that was used for all aerial shots in all of the movies. Don't let it fool you, it's it takes up an entire two-floor room. It actually took my breath away.









Seriously, Best. Day. Ever. And definitely one of the best birthday present ever. I'm still in awe :)


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Location:Rue Lhomond,Paris,France