Character Guide

Throughout the level walkthroughs of Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7, I mentioned needing certain characters to complete a level with all collectibles unlocked (ex. strong character, book character, etc.). Here, I’ve provided a full list of the types of characters mentioned and their abilities, along with a list of every character in the game and what categories they fit into.

Types of Characters

Regular Wizards have access to all main spells (Wingardium Leviosa [pink], Diffindo [red], Lumos [white], Aguamenti [blue], Expecto Patronum [white], and Reducto [orange]); therefore, they are needed for pretty much everything in the game.

Dark Wizards have access to all of the same spells as Regular Wizards, along with two others. Crucio appears with Wingardium Leviosa and works in the same way; however, the objects will glow red instead of pink if a Dark Wizard is needed. Their other spell, Avada Kedavra, can be used to kill minor enemies such as Death Eaters, Red Caps, and Acromantulas with a single shot.

Digging Characters are used to dig up spots on the ground with paw prints. They are usually either Animagi or pets that appear along with other characters (ex. Crookshanks, who can only be accessed through variants of Hermione), with the exception of Fang, who appears alone as a character.

Animagi (singular Animagus) are wizards who can transform into animals. Remus Lupin and Fenrir Greyback, although technically not Animagi, are included in this category. Although very inaccurate, I often use this term to refer to animals who can crawl through tunnels. (Sorry!)

Goblins are normally the only characters who can open vaults with a key; however, a new character called Mrs. Cole can open vaults as well, so she is also included with these characters despite being a Muggle. (After looking back at some of my old posts, I noticed that I occasionally referred to Goblins as Key Characters. Just a little reminder here that they are the same thing.)

Weasleys are, simple enough, members of the Weasley family. They get their own category simply because they are the only characters who can access Weasley boxes.

Strong Characters have the ability to pull orange handles found attached to numerous things throughout the game. Occasionally you can make a strength potion as an alternative to using a Strong Character, if the materials are present.

There is only one Bag Character, but for some reason, I didn’t just write “Hermione” in my walkthroughs. She can use her bottomless purse in areas marked with a pink plate on the ground, thus making her a Bag Character.

Similar to Hermione being the only Bag Character, Ron is the only Deluminator Character. When you see a lantern that seems to sparkle, that’s your indication that a Deluminator Character is needed. Where most characters would have the spell Lumos, Ron has the Deluminator– an object used to move light between lanterns in the game.

And, another live the previous two, Arthur Weasley is the only Mechanic character. If you see a vehicle or object that seems to emit blue sparks, this character is needed to fix it.

Book Characters are the only characters who can open bookcases with four symbols on them.

Parselmouths are very similar to Book Characters, although they can only solve puzzles with four different colored S’s. Although not a Parselmouth, variants of Ron can also be used to solve these puzzles. (This is a reference to the final book/movie in the series, when Ron fakes Parseltongue to open the Chamber of Secrets.)

Character List

If only one type of a character is listed, only that character fits into the category. Also, if a character has access to another character, they will be in parentheses (ex. Hermione (Crookshanks)). If a character’s name under the Digging Character and Strong Character categories is italicized, it means they only have that ability while transformed (used for Animagi and werewolves).

Animagi/Characters with Pets: Hermione Granger (Crookshanks), Ron Weasley (Pigwidgeon), Dragomir Despard (Pigwidgeon), Fang, Argus Filch (Mrs. Norris), Fred Weasley (Decoy Detonators), George Weasley (Decoy Detonators), Ginny Weasley (Arnold), Professor Slughorn, Professor McGonagall, Neville Longbottom (Trevor), Wormtail,Remus Lupin, Rita Skeeter, Sirius Black

Bag Characters: Hermione Granger (all variants)

Book Characters: Hermione Granger (all variants), Professor Dumbledore (all variants), Professor McGonagall (all variants)

Dark Wizards: Alecto Carrow, Amycus Carrow, Bellatrix Lestrange (all variants), Death Eater, Antonin Dolohov (all variants), Fenrir Greyback, Grindelwald (all variants), Lucius Malfoy (all variants), Wormtail, Pius Thicknesse,Scabior, Snatcher, Tom Riddle (all variants), Thorfinn Rowle, Lord Voldemort, Mrs. Black, Yaxley

Deluminator Characters: Ron Weasley (all variants), Dragomir Despard

Digging Characters: Hermione Granger (Crookshanks), Fang, Fenrir Greyback, Professor McGonagall, Neville Longbottom, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black

Goblins/Key Characters: Bogrod, Griphook, Mrs. Cole

Mechanics: Arthur Weasley (all variants)

Parselmouths: Harry Potter (all variants), Ron Weasley (all variants), Tom Riddle (all variants), Lord Voldemort

Regular Wizards: Harry Potter (all variants), Hermione Granger (all variants), Ron Weasley (all variants), Aberforth Dumbledore, Albert Runcorn, Slytherin Twin #1, Slytherin Twin #2, Anthony Goldstein, Arthur Weasley (all variants), Bill Weasley (all variants), Charlie Weasley, Percy Weasley, Blaise Zabini (all variants), Charity Burbage, Cho Chang (all variants), Cormac McLaggen (all variants), Cornelius Fudge (all variants), Vincent Crabbe (all variants), Dean Thomas (all variants), Dedalus Diggle, Dirk Cresswell, Professor Umbridge (all variants), Draco Malfoy (all variants), Dragomir Despard, Professor Dumbledore (all variants), Elphias Doge, Emmeline Vance, Fleur Delacour, Fred Weasley (all variants), George Weasley (all variants), Ginny Weasley (all variants), Gregory Goyle (all variants), Gregorovitch, Professor Grubbly-Plank, Hannah Abbott, Hestia Jones, Professor Slughorn (all variants), Madam Irma Pince, James Potter (Young), Justin Finch-Fletchley, Katie Bell, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Lavender Brown, Lily Potter (all variants), Luna Lovegood (all variants), Madam Hooch, Madam Pomfrey, Madam Malkin, Madam Rosmerta, Mad-Eye Moody, Mafalda Hopkirk, Marcus Belby, Marietta Edgecombe, Mary Cattermole, Michael Corner, Ministry Guard,Molly Weasley (all variants), Mundungus Fletcher, Narcissa Malfoy, Professor McGonagall (all variants), Neville Longbottom (all variants), Nymphadora Tonks (all variants), Ollivander, Padma Patil, Parvati Patil, Penelope Clearwater, Ernie Prang, Professor Flitwick, Remus Lupin, Professor Sprout, Professor Trelawney, Reg Cattermole, Regulus Black, Rufus Scrimgeour, Seamus Finnegan (all variants), Professor Snape (all variants), Sirius Black (all variants), Susan Bones, Xenophilius Lovegood (all variants), Zacharias Smith

Strong Characters: Fang, Fenrir Greyback, Hagrid (all variants), Dudley Dursley (all variants), Remus Lupin, Sirius Black (all variants)

Weasleys: Ron Weasley (all variants), Arthur Weasley (all variants), Bill Weasley (all variants), Charlie Weasley, Percy Weasley, Dragomir Despard, Fred Weasley (all variants), George Weasley (all variants), Ginny Weasley (all variants), Molly Weasley (all variants)

Other Types of Characters

• Muggles/Characters with No Abilities: Bathilda (Snake), Dobby, Kreacher, Skeleton, Dudley’s Gang Member, Argus Filch, Dudley Dursley (all variants), Vernon Dursley, Milk Man, Mrs. Figg, Muggle Orphan, Petunia Dursley, Station Guard, Waitress (Luchino), Waitress (Treats)
• Ghosts: Fat Friar, Fat Lady, Grey Lady, Moaning Myrtle, Professor Binns, Bloody Baron, James Potter (Ghost)
• Harry is the only character in free play mode with access to the Invisibility Cloak.
• Variants of Harry, Mad-Eye Moody, Regulus Black, Snape, Voldemort, and nearly all other Dark Wizards can use the yellow spell learned in Year 5 known as Focus.

Red Brick Guide

In total, there are 24 Red Bricks in the game. Four of these are already unlocked as you begin and only have to be purchased (Advanced Guide, Carrot Wands, Comedy Specs, and Disguise), while the other twenty must be found on your own as you explore Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and all of the other various places found in the game. After finding a Red Brick, you must carry it to an owl that sits on a red stand in order to unlock it. Then, you must go to the upstairs of the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley to purchase it. Now you’ll be able to turn it on or off in the Extras section of the start menu. If you’ve unlocked a Red Brick but haven’t purchased it, the name will appear, followed by “Available to buy.” And, finally, if you haven’t unlocked a Red Brick yet, it will just show up as “Red Brick (insert number): Locked.”

Similar to my Power Brick guide for Lego Star Wars: TCS, this guide includes information about what each Red Brick does and how it’ll help you in the game.

Advanced Guide***: In this post about the differences between Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Years 5-7, the first thing I mentioned was the feature that appears above Sir Nicholas’s head that shows what collectibles are found in the area, and how many of each. However, this feature is only available after your first completion of story mode. To make this feature available before then, you’ll need to purchase this Red Brick.

Carrot Wands*: Changes all characters’ wands into carrots. (Unlike the similar Power Brick in Lego Star Wars: TCS, characters will still be able to use their wands.)

Character Studs**: After killing an enemy (not a boss) such as a Death Eater or Red Cap, you will be awarded with studs.

Character Token Detector***: Detects character tokens during levels or while freely roaming the map.

Christmas*: Gives all characters Santa hats.

Collect Ghost Studs**:  Allows you to collect the coins that Sir Nicholas leaves behind while guiding you around the map.

Comedy Specs*: Changes Spectrespecs into gag glasses.

Disguise*: Gives all characters glasses/fake nose/mustache.

Extra Hearts****: Adds two extra hearts to your health.

Fall Rescue****:  Automatically has your “buddy” character levitate you back up if you accidentally fall over the side of an area that would kill you.

Fast Dig****: Allows digging characters to dig faster.

Fast Magic****: Allows you to assemble pieces faster.

Gold Brick Detector***: Detects Gold Bricks during non-level gameplay.

Hogwarts Crest Detector***: Detects Hogwarts Crest pieces during levels.

Invincibility****: Makes you invincible.

Red Brick Detector***: Detects Red Bricks while freely roaming the map.

Regenerate Hearts****:  Hearts regenerate every few seconds.

Score x2**: Every stud you get counts as twice that amount. (Ex. if you collect a blue stud, it’ll be worth 2000 instead of 1000.) (Combining score multipliers will multiply those too– ex. turning on Score x2 and Score x10 will give you a x20 multiplier.)

Score x4**: Every stud you get counts as four times that amount. (Ex. if you collect a blue stud, it’ll be worth 4000 instead of 1000.) (Combining score multipliers will multiply those too– ex. turning on Score x4 and Score x10 will give you a x40 multiplier.)

Score x6**:  Every stud you get counts as six times that amount. (Ex. if you collect a blue stud, it’ll be worth 6000 instead of 1000.) (Combining score multipliers will multiply those too– ex. turning on Score x6 and Score x10 will give you a x60 multiplier.)

Score x8**: Every stud you get counts as eight times that amount. (Ex. if you collect a blue stud, it’ll be worth 8000 instead of 1000.) (Combining score multipliers will multiply those too– ex. turning on Score x8 and Score x10 will give you a x80 multiplier.)

Score x10**: Every stud you get counts as ten times that amount. (Ex. if you collect a blue stud, it’ll be worth 10,000 instead of 1000.) (Combining score multipliers will multiply those too– ex. turning on Score x2, Score x4, Score x6, Score x8, and Score x10 will give you a x3840 multiplier.)

Stud Magnet**: Exactly how it sounds– if you’re walking near a pile of studs, they will be pulled to you like a magnet. However, this does not work long range.

Super Strength***: Gives every character the ability of a strong character or strength potion.

*Just for fun extras: do nothing but change appearance or trivial ability.
**Stud extras: help improve your stud count.
***Collectible extras: help you get other collectibles (character tokens, Gold Bricks, Students In Peril) more easily during free play.
****Other useful extras: generally help you during gameplay.

Achievements Guide

If you’re playing on Xbox 360, there is a total of 49 achievements to unlock throughout the game. Some achievements are unlocked automatically, others you must work to earn. Here is each achievement, in alphabetical order, a description, and if needed, an explanation on how to unlock it. I’ve added an asterisk in front of the ones that are automatically unlocked during a certain point in the game.

*Accordion to Grawp: Complete “A Giant Virtuoso.” – 10 G

*Albus Percival Wulfric Brian: Complete “Dark Times.” – 10 G

*All Was Well: Complete Year 8. (Yes, I know there wasn’t really a Year 8, but the creators of the game used 7 and 8 instead of 7, Part 1 and 7, Part 2. Just had to get that out there; you wouldn’t believe how many HP fans I’ve seen freak out over this.) – 50 G

*Attempt to Resist: Complete “Focus!” – 10 G

Avid Reader: Use a Quibbler dispenser 25 times. It doesn’t actually have to be a Quibbler dispenser; you can use a Spectrespecs dispenser with the same results. – 25 G

But… I Am the Chosen One: Complete the game to 100%. I’m not marking this as “automatically unlocked,” just because so many people will complete all of the levels and say they’ve beaten the game without going back for the collectibles, etc. – 100 G

*Cake or Death Eater?: Complete “The Seven Harrys.” – 10 G

*Chair-ismatic: Complete “Out of Retirement.” – 10 G

Collector’s Dream: Complete the bonus level. – 25 G

Dark Times Ahead: Unlock every bad wizard. (Fernir Greyback, Alecto Carrow, Amycus Carrow, Mrs. Black, Snatcher, Antonin Dolohov, Dolohov (Workman), Scabior, Yaxley, Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort, Lucius Malfoy, Lucius (Death Eater), Bellatrix Lestrange, Bellatrix (Azkaban), Wormtail, Grindelwald (Young), Grindelwald (Old), Pius Thicknesse, Thorfinn Rowle) – 25 G

*Did Santa Eat That Cake?: Complete “Kreacher Discomforts.” – 10 G

A Dish Best Served Cold: Defeat Bellatrix with Neville (Waiter) in a duel. The easiest way to do this is in the final level, 8-6: The Flaw in the Plan, where you duel Bellatrix early on in the level and don’t have to play through an entire level just to unlock this achievement. – 20 G

*Dumbledore’s Demise: Complete “The Horcrux and the Hand.” – 10 G

Halfway There: Unlocked on hitting 50% game completion. I’m not marking this as “automatically unlocked,” just because so many people will complete all of the levels and say they’ve beaten the game without going back for the collectibles, etc. – 30 G

*He’s Back!: Complete “A Veiled Threat.” – 10 G

*Here Lies a Free Elf: Complete “DOBBY!” – 10 G

Hogwarts Has Changed: Visit the Hogwarts foyer in Year 7. This achievement is easily missed, and you must start the game over if you want to go back for it. During Year 7, use the Marauder’s Map in the tent to go back to Hogwarts as Ginny, Neville, and Seamus and the achievement will unlock. – 30 G

*I Am the Half-Blood Prince: Complete Year 6. – 25 G

Idling: Stand still with no controller input for five minutes. Don’t pause the game; just don’t do anything for five full minutes and the achievement will unlock. – 20 G

*Kick the Bucket: Complete “Snape’s Tears.” – 10 G

Knuts and Vaults: Collect one billion studs. It’s best to unlock this after getting all of the multiplier Red Bricks, then turning them all on and playing through a level or just exploring. – 50 G

*Lessons Learned: Complete all lessons. – 30 G

*Lighten Up: Use the Deluminator. Automatically unlocked during level 7-1: The Seven Harrys. – 10 G

A Minifig’s Best Friend: Unlock every character with a pet. (Hermione Granger, Hermione (Ball Gown), Hermione (Cardigan), Hermione (Grey Coat), Hermione (Gringotts), Hermione (Jumper), Hermione (Mafalda), Hermione (Ministry), Hermione (Red Dress), Hermione (Scarf), Ron Weasley, Ron (Blue Pyjamas), Ron (Green Shirt) Ron (Quidditch), Ron (Red Sweater), Ron (Reg Cattermole), Ron (Underwear), Ron (Wedding), Ron (Winter Clothes), Neville Longbottom, Neville (Cardigan), Neville (Pyjamas), Neville (Tank Top), Neville (Waiter), Neville (Winter), Ginny Weasley, Ginny (Dress), Ginny (Pyjamas), Lucius Malfoy, Lucius (Death Eater)) – 30 G

Not “Fun Guys”: Defeat 30 Red Caps. Also known as those little evil mushroom guys. – 15 G

O Children: Complete the scene where Hermione and Harry dance in the tent. Basically all you have to do for this one is go into the tent during Year 7 and play the music, causing them to dance. – 20 G

*Off the Beaten Track: Complete “Dumbledore’s Army.” – 10 G

*Phoenix Rising: Complete Year 5. – 25 G

Pyjama Drama: Unlock every pyjama character variant. And they don’t mean unlock in the sense that you find them, but rather you have to buy each of them at Madam Malkin’s for this achievement to be unlocked. The characters included in this achievement are: Harry (Pyjamas), Ron (Blue Pyjamas), Fred (Pyjamas), George (Pyjamas), Ginny (Pyjamas), Slughorn (Pyjamas), McGonagall (Pyjamas), and Neville (Pyjamas). – 20 G

*A Riddle Revealed: Complete “Felix Felicis.” – 10 G

*Sectumsempra: Complete “Love Hurts.” – 10 G

*Shedding Skin: Complete “In Grave Danger.” – 10 G

A Sirius Family Issue: Defeat Bellatrix as any Sirius Black character variant in a duel. This can be easily unlocked during level 5-6: A Veiled Threat, during the duel with Bellatrix. – 20 G

*The Slug Club: Complete “Just Desserts.” – 10 G

*Soul Searching: Complete “Sword and Locket.” – 10 G

*The Tale of the Three Brothers: Complete “Lovegood’s Lunacy.” – 10 G

Tall Order: Unlock all of the Order of the Phoenix character variants. (Aberforth Dumbledore, Arthur Weasley, Arthur (Cardigan), Arthur (Suit), Arthur (Torn Suit), Molly Weasley, Molly (Apron), Bill Weasley (Wedding), Charlie Weasley, Dedalus Diggle, Professor Dumbledore, Dumbledore (Cursed), Elphias Doge, Emmeline Vance, Fleur Delacour, Hagrid, Hagrid (Wedding), Hestia Jones, James Potter (Ghost), James Potter (Young), Lily Potter, Lily (Young Casual), Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mad-Eye Moody, Mrs. Figg, Mundungus Fletcher, Professor McGonagall, McGonagall (Black), McGonagall (Pyjamas), Nymphadora Tonks, Tonks (Pink Coat), Remus Lupin, Professor Snape, Snape (Underwear), Sirius Black, Sirius (Azkaban) – 40 G

*”That’s Unfortunate”: Complete “The Thief’s Downfall.” – 10 G

*To Be Continued: Complete Year 7. – 25 G

*Undesirable No. 1: Complete “Back to School.” – 10 G

*Voldemort’s Demise: Complete “The Flaw in the Plan.” – 10 G

We Are the D.A.: Unlock all of the members of Dumbledore’s Army. (Harry Potter, Harry (Albert Runcorn), Harry (Brown Jacket), Harry (Christmas), Harry (Godric’s Hollow, Harry (Locket), Harry (Pyjamas), Harry (Winter), Hermione Granger, Hermione (Ball Gown), Hermione (Cardigan), Hermione (Grey Coat), Hermione (Gringotts), Hermione (Jumper), Hermione (Mafalda), Hermione (Ministry), Hermione (Red Dress), Hermione (Scarf), Ron Weasley, Ron (Blue Pyjamas), Ron (Green Shirt), Ron (Quidditch), Ron (Red Sweater), Ron (Reg Cattermole), Ron (Underwear), Ron (Wedding), Ron (Winter Clothes), Neville Longbottom, Neville (Cardigan), Neville (Pyjamas), Neville (Tank Top), Neville (Waiter), Neville (Winter), Luna Lovegood, Luna (Blue Jumper), Luna (Overalls), Luna (Pink Dress), Luna (Purple Coat), Luna (Yellow Dress), Ginny Weasley, Ginny (Dress), Ginny (Pyjamas), Cho Chang, Cho (Winter), Seamus Finnigan, Seamus (Winter), Dean Thomas, Dean (Winter), Fred Weasley, Fred (Pyjamas), Fred (OWLs), Fred (Winter), George Weasley, George (Pyjamas), George (OWLs), George (Winter),  Anthony Goldstein, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, Katie Bell, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Lavender Brown, Marietta Edgecombe, Michael Corner, Susan Bones, Zacharias Smith) – 30 G

Weasley Does It: Use a Weasley box with every Weasley. – 25 G

*Weasley’s Wizard Woes: Complete “A Not So Merry Christmas.” – 10 G

What If? – Defeat every Harry free play variant as Lord Voldemort. Easiest way to do this: go into the Leaky Cauldron and use the Polyjuice potion. Turn one character into Voldemort, another into Harry. Switch to Voldemort and use Avada Kedavra on Harry. When he comes back, use the Polyjuice potion to switch to another form of Harry. Continue to do this until you’ve gotten all of them and unlocked the achievement. – 20 G

*A Wise Disguise: Complete “Magic Is Might.” – 10 G

*Wit Beyond Measure…: Complete “Fiendfyre Frenzy.” – 10 G

Witch!: Unlock all witch characters. (Hermione Granger, Hermione (Ball Gown), Hermione (Cardigan), Hermione (Grey Coat), Hermione (Gringotts), Hermione (Jumper), Hermione (Mafalda), Hermione (Ministry), Hermione (Red Dress), Hermione (Scarf), Luna Lovegood, Luna (Blue Jumper), Luna (Overalls), Luna (Pink Dress), Luna (Purple Coat), Luna (Yellow Dress), Ginny Weasley, Ginny (Dress), Ginny (Pyjamas), Cho Chang, Cho (Winter), Hannah Abbott, Katie Bell, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Lavender Brown, Marietta Edgecombe, Susan Bones, Penelope Clearwater, Charity Burbage, Emmeline Vance, Hestia Jones, Molly Weasley, Molly (Apron), Nymphadora Tonks, Tonks (Pink Coat), Professor McGonagall, McGonagall (Black), McGonagall (Pyjamas), Professor Grubbly-Plank, Professor Sprout, Professor Trelawney, Professor Umbridge, Umbridge (Wizengamot), Madam Pince, Madam Hooch, Madam Pomfrey, Madam Malkin, Madam Rosmerta, Alecto Carrow, Bathilda (Snake), Bellatrix Lestrange, Bellatrix (Azkaban), Narcissa Malfoy, Mrs. Black, Mafalda Hopkirk, Mary Cattermole, Mrs. Figg, Fleur Delacour, Lily Potter, Lily (Young Casual), Rita Skeeter) – 50 G

*You and Whose Army?: Complete “Burning Bridges.” – 10 G

New Features of Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7

There are numerous differences and new features of this game, ones that I didn’t understand until a while after I first started playing the game. Hopefully this guide will help you out, whether you’re just starting these games or transferring from Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4. I’ll be updating this post whenever I find something new to add, so check back every so often for additions.

The first and probably most helpful change that was made to this game is the collectible information found with Sir Nicholas. Sir Nicholas, better known as Nearly Headless Nick, was known through the first game as a sort of tour guide around Hogwarts so you didn’t get lost in between levels. He functions the same way in this game, only a minor change was made to make everything a lot easier: in each area you enter that has one or multiple collectibles, he will have a little indication above his head that shows which collectibles are found in the area, and how many of each. This really helps so that you’re not scouring one area for a collectible that could be the whole way across the map. So, for example, let’s say you’re in the London Street, and you haven’t yet found any of the collectibles there. Above his head will be four faded icons (not necessarily in this order): a white circle that represents character tokens, with “0/4” underneath; the head of a student that represents Students In Peril, with “0/1” underneath; a gold Lego brick that represents Gold Bricks, with “0/1” underneath, and a red Lego brick that represents Red Bricks, with “0/1” underneath. The “0/?” shows you how many you’ve collected out of the total found in the area, and the fact that they’re faded shows that you haven’t collected all of them. (Another example: if you had collected the Red Brick and nothing else, the Red Brick icon would look normal and not faded, and it would show a “1/1” underneath. However, the rest would all be faded and show zeroes.)

Weasley boxes are these big orange and purple cubes you’ll find throughout the levels and other areas in the game. It’s weird at first, yet extremely simple: in order to use one, you need to be playing as any Weasley (if you try to use one as another character, the box will punch your character in the face). Weasley boxes usually contain either a pair of Sticky Trainers or a sort of firecracker. If the box contains Sticky Trainers, it means you must use them to climb a nearby wall; these are very distinctive as they are the same colors as the box and have an arrow pattern that shows where you need to walk. Alternatively, if the box contains a firecracker, all you have to do is levitate it into its holder and it will destroy a barricade that you need to get through. There is also the chance that it may contain a random object that will be useful to the level you’re playing or to gain something, such as a collectible. The ability to use these Weasley boxes will be unlocked between level 5-4 and 5-5 in a scene with Fred and George.

Another interactive item is the Spectrespecs, which you may recognize as Luna’s crazy-looking glasses from the movies. By finding a dispenser and putting these glasses on, you will gain the ability to see invisible Lego pieces that you’ll need to build something useful. These pieces are marked by a strange blue glowing on the ground, and this glowing is also a sign that a Spectrespecs dispenser is nearby. The ability to use them will be unlocked between levels 6-1 and 6-2 during a scene with Harry and Luna.

Characters will be able to Apparate after completing level 7-1. Apparition plates are silver and brownish orange, and you can use them to access areas you wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise.

After completing level 7-1, Hermione will have access to a bottomless purse. Whenever you find a purple plate on the ground, have Hermione use it to access the purse and pull a useful object out of it.

Also after completing level 7-1, Ron will gain the ability to use the Deluminator. This was Dumbledore’s gadget from the first book/movie, which he used to put the streetlamp out. When you see a streetlamp with gold surrounding it, it means you can trap this light in the Deluminator. Then, take it to another lamp, which will look exactly the same but with no light inside, and put it there. This skill is used to melt the snow off of objects, remove vines as Lumos would do, or grant access to other areas.

Another new feature is Arthur Weasley’s ability to fix things. This is how you will earn a portion of your collectibles.

A new form of fighting in Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is dueling, which is pretty fun and simple. You can use a shield while your opponent throws spells at you, then find the correct spell to match the color of the ring surrounding you and shoot them with it. Mash the button it tells you to and you should win easily.

In the first game, when you had to use Parseltongue, all you had to do was stand in front of a snake and press a button. In this game it has been updated so that you must memorize four colors, similar to opening the bookcase.

One very minor difference between the two games: in the first, you had to pull a chain to get what you needed after using the Strength Potion/a strong character, while in the second, it is an orange handle.

There are also a number of new characters, of course. You can still purchase them in Madam Malkin’s, although the layout of Diagon Alley is different. However, other things must be purchased in different places than the first game. Both Red Bricks and Gold Bricks were previously purchased at another store in Diagon Alley, Eeylops Owl Emporium. Access to this store has been removed from the game, so Red Bricks can now be purchased in the first room in the upstairs area of the Leaky Cauldron, while Gold Bricks can now be purchased at Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. Similarly, the area where you purchase spells has been moved to Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes in this game.

You’ll learn the new spells throughout the lesson portions of the game, so I’ll just give you a brief explanation of the basic spells:

• Wingardium Leviosa: levitates objects. Nothing new here if you’ve played the previous game; if you haven’t, it’s just the only spell you start out with in Dark Times.
• Expecto Patronum: repels Dementors. Again, nothing new here if you’ve played the previous game. You’ll use it for the first time in Dark Times, when the Dementors begin to attack.
• Reducto: destroys shining silver objects. Once again, nothing new, but this spell is very useful and will be the last spell you unlock during lessons.
• Lumos: removes vines or weeds from an object. Another of the spells from the last game.
• Aguamenti: allows you to shoot water from your wand. This is one of the new spells and is used pretty often during gameplay.
• Diffindo: use this spell on a red brick wall and follow the pattern to get some Lego pieces, which can be put together into something useful. Another new spell, and a pretty useful one.
• Focus: used to control others and/or show someone’s thoughts, as seen in the level Focus!. This spell is only available to Harry, Professor Snape, and variants of Lord Voldemort (ex. Tom Riddle) after level 5-3. This is a reference to Legilimency/Occlumency from the books and movies, just with a different name.

Update 7/7/13: Added extra information on Weasley boxes
Update 7/8/13: Added extra information on Spectrespecs
Update 7/11/13: Added extra information on Hermione’s bag and the Deluminator
Update 7/12/13: Added extra information on Apparition, added information on strength handles
Update 3/11/14: Minor additions to information overall
Update 6/18/14: Added information on Sir Nicholas, fixed/added information about Focus, fixed information on Parseltongue, added information on stores in Diagon Alley