As millions of children around the world are readying their own return to the classroom, we, the fans of the magical world, celebrate our most special day. 1 September is the date when the students of the ‘Harry Potter‘ world board the Hogwarts Express for a new term. This year, HBO Max has transported the magic to Madrid, and I was lucky enough to experience this journey to the school of magic and wizardry first hand.
From the moment I entered the Railway Museum, I could feel the magic in the air. The smoke of a locomotive welcomed me to the platforms and, as the music that marked my childhood reached its crescendo, the illusion was more than palpable. Hundreds of people, many dressed in Hogwarts robes, were entering a fantasy world that we had imagined countless times before. Amidst the strategically themed Renfe locomotives, the atmosphere instantly transported me to the books written by J.K. Rowling.
Magical objects and childhood fantasies
The first thing I encountered was the recreation of the start of the whole adventure: a pile of suitcases stacked at the foot of the train, ready to be transported. Nearby, the iconic Hogwarts letter of admission, an object that many people have dreamed of receiving. But once again, the owl did not arrive. We, mere Muggles, are left to experience this universe through the books and films.
To help live the whole experience, there were several stands on the platforms. At one of them I was able to have my photo taken with my Hogwarts house crest, which I will not reveal, while at another I was offered to try out the latest video game in the franchise, the acclaimed ‘Hogwarts Legacy‘, which at least allowed me to experience and attend the magical school in a virtual format.
The tour didn’t end there. In another corner of the platform, a Quidditch referee challenged me to fly on a broomstick, recreating the scene where Harry demonstrates his prowess in the air to capture the prized Golden Snitch. These are small details that showed me that, without the need for a Time-Turner, you can go back to being that child who discovered magic for the first time.
The departure of the Hogwarts Express
The event culminated on a large stage, from where we could watch the countdown to the departure of the Hogwarts Express. As we waited for the clock to strike 11:00, the Spanish voice actors of Harry, Hermione and Ron took to the stage to interact with us and give us various products based on the magical world of ‘Harry Potter’.
At the climax of the countdown, we could all watch together on a big screen how the most famous train of juvenile literature departed to the castle, in a moment that was synchronised with the event from King’s Cross station in London.
The exhibition was also home to some extraordinary Lego creations, including a replica of the Weasley family’s blue Ford Anglia, the same car that takes Harry and Ron to school in the second book and suffers a mishap with a feisty tree. Many of the attendees got into the replica of the flying car to have their photo taken behind the wheel.
The magic of books
The free admission to the experience is in itself a magical act. This celebration reminded me that the saga is constantly expanding. With a new TV series in production, the magical world promises to continue to grow and captivate new generations of fans.
But in the end, the origin of it all lies in the first novel, ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. And while the exhibitors promoted merchandising and video games, the most important thing about the event was that it invited you to sit in a corner and read the books. Their words were the real magic, as they created a world and a fan phenomenon that has been alive for 28 years.