So how will you pass the time between seeing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and turning the first page of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on the 21st? More importantly, how will you survive once you've finished the final page? Don't worry, there's plenty to see and do on the internet where there's a thriving fan community. Here are five of the best sites.
J. K. Rowling's official site
www.jkrowling.com
The author is very supportive of the readers of her books and her website certainly reflects this. You're offered a wide choice of languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese) as well as a text-only option for slower browsers/connections. It's designed to reflect JKR's own messy desktop and you simply click on any of the items (diary, tabloid, sweet wrapper, etc) to go to different sections, which include wizard of the month (it's currently Godric Gryffindor), news, a biography, rumours and an FAQ, in which fans can ask pretty much anything they like. She also runs special challenges for exclusive information (and boy, are they devious). Silly I know, but the ability to turn the desk lamp on and off amuses me!
Leaky Cauldron
www.the-leaky-cauldron.org
One of the best and most popular fan sites on the net. As well as hosting the largest image gallery online, it also has extensive news, interviews, videos, polls, quizzes, discussions and much much more. It also organises fans in support of various good causes?for example, once a year, fans are encouraged to gift an underprivileged child with a book through Amazon as a protest against the banning of the Harry potter books by libraries in the US. And if you want a better endorsement, JKR herself chose it as one of her favourite sites.
Mugglenet
http://mugglenet.com
Also one of JKR's favourites, this is the other main fan site which offers the usual news and images plus wallpaper, recipes, wallpapers and much more. Both it and Leaky operate a strict no spoiler policy about the books and films and create special areas for discussion about them, so if you haven't seen it/read it, you don't have to worry about accidentally coming across anything that'll spoil them for you. You can also change the layout of the home page to reflect your favourite character.
Lexicon
www.hp-lexicon.org
Not sure what all the Weasley children are called? Or what a horcrux is? You don't have to read every page of every book to find the answer?just go to this wonderfully comprehensive site. I can't tell you how many arguments it's resolved and how many times I've consulted it for that name I can't quite remember. It's all cross-referenced and immensely detailed, covering spells, magical theory, where in the wizarding world, quidditch, magical beasts, items and devices, who's who, potion ingredients and wizarding through the ages. Bookmark it now before Book 7?I have a feeling we'll need it.
Dumbledore's Army
http://joindumbledoresarmy.warnerbros.com
Created to support Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, this lavishly designed site offers the chance to join the DA and get exclusive wallpapers, icons, banners and images. Learn the basic Defence Against the Dark Arts skills (unfortunately, you won't have Harry training you) and fight practice duels?and it's not easy, believe me!
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