Wizard Con Dublin Experience

When I first found out that Wizard Con Dublin is coming, I was so excited and thrilled. I've been a Harry Potter fan for years, since I was four years old when my father first introduce me "The Philosopher's Stone." I told myself that I can go, then made my decision in going. I got my ticket online, and started to feel even more excited and couldn't wait to go. I have to admit, this was my first actual Harry Potter/Wizarding World experience. I've always wanted to be in a Wizarding World experience, in my dreams of course, and going to the actual locations where the Harry Potter stories were filmed. It was a matter of a week time to feel so much of my patience of going to Wizarding Con. So I just overcome my excitement and watch some of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movie.

The Day has Come!

From my place, I have to take two buses going to the RDS. One bus going from my area to O'Connell Street, then another to the RDS. As I was prepared to leave, I got my camera and equipment ready, even for my friend Amy whom I've given her a Hufflepuff student photo shoot. When I took the second bus from O'Connells, I just noticed two people wearing their Hogwarts student costume. I said to myself that I should go to the Wizarding World and buy a Slytherin uniform and robe, or even get a blue-coloured Hogwarts costume from Fantastic Beasts. When I arrived to the RDS, it was a long queue from the entrance to the other side of the building. Everyone was in their Wizarding World-styled costumes. All of them wearing their fantastic Hogwarts costumes and wearing everything Harry Potter. It's like everyone is ready for a wondrous event.

Butterbear to Flying Car Photo Booth

As I met Amy while in queue, both of us were excited and ready. It was my second time to be in Amy's video blog for her YouTube channel. As the queue started move, we both got inside along with everyone else and retrieve our wristbands. We got inside the RDS, and everything is filled with all Harry Potter stalls, photo booths and other stands. We both felt overjoyed in seeing everything fun and wondrous. First, we then got each photos of the Three Broomsticks photo booth. We pretend to drink butterbeer, but in a comical way. I've always wanted to drink an actual butterbeer so I can imagine and taste the sweetness. Next, we got into the Weasley's car known as the blue Flying Ford Angela. I noticed seeing Hedwig in a cage. It's our Hedwig is our little companion during the booth. Amy and I just love how comfortable the inside of the car feels. Funny thing, if I fiddled its gear and controls and starts flying, we're both doomed!

Take me to Platform Nine and Three Quarters

After our fun with the car, we make our approach to the Platform Nine and Three Quarters booth. Everything is set with the trolley filled with suitcases, making its way through the wall. We just play along with the trolley by taking a couple of snaps. I've decided to make the shoot for Amy so realistic. The way how its done is that imagining on pushing the trolley through the wall. It makes it magic and real of course. Same thing for me too.

Potion Making Reenactment

We then approach to another booth. It's a "Have you seen this Wizard" photo booth. I just couldn't believe that I'm wanted by the Ministry of Magic as the world's most notorious wizard of doing such and evil crime, and so does Amy. Yeah, it's a big laugh!... But we looked to good and comical when holding the sign. As I found a potion-making booth, I instructed Amy on reenacting potion-brewing like in an actual potion class, even by playing all the bottles by pretending to throw all potion liquids and magical materials onto a cauldron. The same thing with me too. The way how we both do it is like being a student with an exceptional potion-making skills, or like a potions master. I should thank Professor Snape for this...

Being in a Hogwarts moving frame

I've always imagined in being a moving picture frame, just like those picture frames in the moving staircase or in the corridors of Hogwarts. Well, my time has come, even for Amy. We arrived at the both. I make my move by giving Amy the snap, as she's in the booth like she's one of the moving portraits. We go from different frame orientation and continuously giving her some snaps. As for me, I got into a bigger portrait frame, ready to make my funny pose.

Exploring the market stalls and buying my wand

It was a huge fun playing around with different photo booths, pretending that we're in the Wizarding World (not in a muggle world). We walked around seeing all the stalls, selling all the Harry Potter merchandise. From t-shirts, accessories, house accessories, toys and replicas. What fascinates me most of all is buying an actual wand. Of course, a replica version is nice. I can imagine that I'm holding the actual wand from the movie and pretend to wield with it. I did try to hold and wield Professor McGonagall's wand. I do looked too good when holding it for a shoot. Seeing all those beautiful jewelries, the Deathly Hallows pin and ring is my favourite, including a time-turner necklace. We continued to stroll around the market stalls, as Amy found her Funko Pop. As for me, I caught my eye on seeing my two favourite wands: the Elder Wand and Dumbledore's wand. I decided to get the Elder Wand... so why did I buy one? Because it's my favourite kind of wand, since watching how Dumbledore wield it through the movies, and even Grindelwald wielding it in The Crimes of Grindelwald. I do hope someday to buy Dumbledore's wand from the Fantastic Beasts movie, especially Snape's and Harry's. I was so happy that I got my first wand, even for Amy as she films it with surprise.

Meeting with Chris Rankin

What I enjoy about coming to Wizard Con is meeting the stars of the Harry Potter movies. That was the time when me and Amy first met Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley). We were both excited to meet him. I even recognised some of the pictures from his autograph collection, especially the Weasley Family's trip to Egypt. It's a good thing Amy got that picture and signed by Chris himself. We then both got pics with him, including his best selfies from my phone. You guys will love him if you met him in person...

Farewell...

The hours passed so Amy and I decided to leave, as I give my hopes for coming for next year's Wizard Con.

What I decided is to do my own YouTube video (which needs to planned and have it live for January), me and Amy in our Hogwarts costume with our wands, more photo shoots, and of course, money around 500 Euro to buy all Harry Potter merchandise.

Everything that Amy and I experienced at Wizard Con was the best times, always as friends and both shared the same love for Harry Potter.

Thank you for reading

- Jedd

An autograph from Chris Rankin to Amy. "Believe in Magic..."