Latest Blogs - THE PROTEGO FOUNDATION

McGonagall's Gingerbread Cut Out Cookies

12/21/2021

Minerva McGonagall is known for a great many things: her Transfiguration prowess, her no-nonsense attitude, and her always chic tartan ensembles, just to name a few.

The Scottish Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts is also famous for giving literally zero Snitches when Dolores Umbridge paraded around the castle, attempting to squash her, her students, and the other professors into submission.

Case in point?

When Harry is kicked out of Umbridge’s classroom after a heated is-You-Know-Who-back-or-isn’t-he debate with the wicked woman herself, McGonagall asks him: “Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge? Called her a liar? Told her He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back?”

Upon Harry’s confirmation, she replied with the now iconic, “Have a biscuit Potter,” and offered him a ginger newt biscuit from a tartan tin on her desk.

We could hardly think of a better wizarding world treat to veganize for the holiday season!

Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature Exhibit Review

12/17/2021

Credit: The Natural History Museum

Last call for magic! The Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London will close its doors on January 3, 2022. Did you have a chance to visit?

The exhibit truly celebrates Newt Scamander’s passion for speaking up for misunderstood creatures and is an homage to naturalists and explorers in the non-magical world.

As soon as we walk into the exhibition, the words of our beloved Magizoologist greet us:

“I offer this work as a mere introduction to the wealth of fantastic beasts that inhabit our world.”

This section spotlights the props used by Newt Scamander actor Eddie Redmayne in the Fantastic Beasts movies, such as Newt’s clothes, his wand, his suitcase, and the first edition of his book!

10 Ways To Celebrate International Animal Rights Day This December

12/8/2021

December isn’t just the holiday season (or Sagittarius season, for our Divination lovers out there). It’s also a month which includes a very special day—International Animal Rights Day!

International Animal Rights Day was introduced on December 10th, 1998 by the Sheffield, England-based anti-vivisection society, Uncaged. It marked the nonprofit taking an active stance against animal abuse and experimentation and was their demand for the need for universal rights for animals.

Now, over twenty years later, International Animal Rights Day continues to be an important day to practice love and kindness towards animals.

Here are 10 things you can (safely) do to celebrate International Animal Rights Day this year!

The Protego Foundation’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

12/1/2021

December is here, and with it, the holiday season and our annual magical gift guide!

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gifts for friends or doing some self-indulgent shopping for yourself, embrace the generosity and giving spirit of the season by supporting small businesses this year. You’ll be sure to find something for everyone with these ten magical ideas!

From artisanal soaps, to sticker packs, and even to wands for your tree (yes really), all of these enchanting finds are created by independent artists and fans of the Potter series rather than large companies.

So toss a yule log onto the Common Room fire, crank up another round of Celestina Warbeck’s holiday tunes, and get ready to become the most magical gift giver this season! Remember to stay clear of those Nargles in the mistletoe!

Kinder Beauty Box Review

11/23/2021

Kinder Beauty is a self-care products subscription box co-founded by vegan activist and Harry Potter star, Evanna Lynch. Every product is cruelty-free AND vegan, so you can rest assured that no animals were harmed or exploited in the creation and curation of each box you choose!

We’ve gathered everything you need to know about this incredible subscription service.

If you’re anything like me, the idea of receiving quality 100% vegan and cruelty-free beauty products at your doorstep each month sounds like a dream. I’m very passionate about animals and I also love makeup, and I do not believe that the two should intersect. I am so proud to have helped bring the Kinder Beauty Box to life!"
- Evanna Lynch, Co-Founder of Kinder Beauty

Creatures We Would Like to See in "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore"

11/11/2021

Shock waves rippled through the wizarding world fandom when the name and release date for the long-awaited and highly anticipated third installment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise was announced.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is set to hit screens on April 15, 2022 and Wizarding World Digital has given us a peek at what we can expect from the film’s plot:

“Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches, and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?”

10 Vegan Recipes from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”

11/3/2021

At The Protego Foundation, we believe there’s no better way to celebrate our magical cooperation in the fight for creature rights than by veganizing an array of magical meals from Goblet of Fire!

Whether you’re competing as a Triwizard Champion, rocking and waltzing at The Yule Ball, or taking direct action for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, drink a gulp of Gillyweed and dive head first into these scrumptiously vegan recipes.

Halloween Great Hall Celebration

10/25/2021

With the spooky season upon us, there’s nothing better than getting into the Halloween spirit by popping on one of the Harry Potter films.

We particularly admire the enchanting decorations that can be seen when Professor Quirrel runs into the Great Hall, declaring, “Troll! In the dungeon!” in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party for your friends, decorating the front of your house with a Hagrid-sized pumpkin patch for trick-or-treaters, or planning a cozy night in with a Harry Potter movie marathon, we’ve got you covered for everything you’ll need for a Potter-filled Halloween!

In the Muggle world, there are a few aspects of Halloween that aren’t so magical. From buying new costumes and decorations, to filling cauldrons full of plastic-wrapped treats, to discarding carved pumpkins, Halloween can end up generating a lot of waste.

With that in mind, we’ve been thinking about the best eco-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween this year, while also crafting a celebration fit for the Great Hall at Hogwarts!

Vegan Pumpkin Juice Recipe

10/21/2021

While pumpkin-themed food and drink features all year round in the wizarding world, in the Muggle world it is synonymous with autumn - and more specifically, October.

This time of year, Hagrid’s pumpkin patch is bursting with garden-shed-sized pumpkins ripe for the picking (or in this case, juicing)! This drink is an iconic element of the Halloween feast at Hogwarts every year.

Our pumpkin juice recipe also has an autumnal-worthy twist! We devised our very own plant-powered version, including special notes from The HPP (Half-Plant Prince), which will give your drink maximum flavor!

Our recipe differentiates from many others out there in that we have added plant milk. We found that this makes it more creamy and comforting for autumn. So without further ado, let’s get brewing!

Ethical Animal Use? A Close Look at High School Dissection and Harry Potter’s Potions Class

10/15/2021

Crushed snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, Ashwinder eggs, Bicorn horns…these are just a few of the things you’ll find in Professor Snape’s Potions storeroom.

From dragonhide gloves to unicorn hair wand cores, we see plenty of animal products being used in daily wizarding life, yet we don’t see any discussions happen about animal rights or welfare within the series. Hermione stands up for the rights of elves used in houses but doesn’t question how Bicorn horns are collected and sold for her to throw into her Polyjuice Potion.

It’s an accepted part of ordinary wizarding life. Students are expected to use these ingredients as part of their mandatory classes – similar to how Muggle students are required to dissect a frog or other animal in their Biology classes.

But if you think about how many students need to do this each year, that comes out to millions of animals being killed and preserved for a dissection experience that students may not believe in or even need the skills for in a future career.

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The Protego Foundation and its activities are not licensed by, sponsored by or associated with Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, or their affiliates. 'Wizarding World,' 'Harry Potter,' ‘Fantastic Beasts' and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. - Harry Potter publishing rights © J.K. Rowling.