Hogwarts came to life this past Saturday night as UAB hosted the Harry Potter-themed night “Muggle Madness” at the International Center.
The event started at 9 p.m., but people started lining up an hour early.
Students dressed up as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and other characters from the bestselling series by J.K. Rowling. The International Center was transformed into Hogwarts to celebrate.
Hospitality business junior Jordan Hensley, the head of UAB, said her inspiration came from MSU’s most unlikely sports team — the MSU Quidditch Team.
“I saw the MSU Quidditch Team practicing one day and I thought, ‘How cool would it be to have a Harry Potter event for MSU students?’” Hensley said.
Hensley brought the idea back to her co-workers and they loved it immediately.
As time went on, more aspects were added to enhance the event.
“We decided to include the psychics and the mentalists to add more excitement to the event,” Hensley said. “We wanted to appeal to students who may be into things like that as well, not just Harry Potter.”
Many students attended the event, and Harry Potter-inspired costumes were seen everywhere — from Harry Potter to the serpent-like villain, Voldemort. Even the house elf Dobby made an appearance.
Hospitality business junior Derying Liaw said he was very excited at the idea of a Harry Potter night, and had been looking forward to it for a while.
Liaw, dressed up as Harry himself, said, “I’m very excited about tonight. It’s something about this event that I love and want to be a part of.”
Liaw said he is a big fan of the story and that the movies have been a part of his family throughout his life.
“I’ve followed all of the movies, and my family loves to watch them from time to time ... we love the storyline and all of the characters,” he said. “I’m just really excited to be here.”
Hensley said it will undoubtedly be thrown again next year.
Students participated in the many different activities.
They took photos in front of a green screen to be transported to the magical world of Harry Potter, participated in trivia and had drinks in Diagon Alley.
