the skin peeking out on this torso unfortunately suffers from the same light print on dark base issue whereby the outcome makes it it’s decidedly lighter than intended. While unexciting, this area provides welcome space for minifigures and maintains the sombre atmosphere apparent throughout 12 Grimmauld Place. For instance, Bellatrix Lestrange, Narcissa Malfoy and Draco Malfoy are situated in the bottom corner, with Sirius' seared image above Bellatrix. The barrel piece is also new in Sand Blue in this set, representing part of a troll-leg umbrella stand, which will no doubt also prove popular in mech and engine construction.

This isn't terrible, but something about it doesn't quite capture the true feel of the Ministry in the films. Insert photos show close-up photos of various details and the play feature with the facade transforming. This looks to be Kreacher’s living space judging by the packed area and the printed curtain lifting to uncover a certain portrait. Medium nougat dominates the upper levels and the brick texture changes between the ground floor and those above. There's Slytherin's locket (the object of the trio's infiltration), a bumblebee in Arthur's brief case for some reason, and a Time Turner in Thicknesse's briefcase.Nymphadora Tonks has also only appeared once before, but this version impresses with more elaborate printing, including on the legs, and a pig snout from when Tonks is joking with Hermione and Ginny showing her Metamorphic abilities.

My only real gripe is the lack of RAB initials in Regulus Black's room and I wish the skull area at the top had a railing or something to add a little more detail. This dark bluish grey sheet further distinguishes Kreacher from Dobby and seems accurately worn, including various scuffs and stains.There are numerous details in this room including a fully laden kitchen table, cupboards, and cooker making for a great central point of the house. One level up, we find two sitting room-like rooms containing a large armchair and a piano, and then off to the right is the room with the Black family tree. I will here add a photo of the beds – not because they look awesome, but to state that these must be some of the worst beds that LEGO has designed in recent years. I am regularly perplexed by minor design decisions like these in the Harry Potter line, as well as the choices for which characters should receive new face prints and which shouldn't.

As a brief comment on the build process and experience, The Ministry has quite a tedious and repetitive build, as if it wasn't obvious from looking at the set itself. The case will arrive flat-packed and comes with instructions to easily assemble the front and back acrylic panels with the sides, using the 8 screws provided. On first impressions I really liked this set but it’s as though the buildings have an added illusion of appearing larger than they actually are. The architecture corresponds precisely with the terraced houses in areas of central London and the distinct proportions of these houses are perfect, although they are one floor shorter and accordingly narrower than their onscreen counterparts.

Like Kingsley, she’s only appeared once before as minifigure, in her example in the Attack on The Burrow set from 2020. Offering the same balance between exterior display and interior play as any number of other LEGO Harry Potter sets, 76408 12 Grimmauld Place takes things to a new level with a smart and unexpected play feature that pays true homage to the books and films that inspired it. The three other rooms are a sitting area with a nice armchair, and bedrooms for both Sirius and Regulus. The minifigures are exciting though and I am pleased with this rendition of Grimmauld Place, but I think the location offers potential for something larger and maybe even better. Hogwarts isn't complete without Grimmauld Place, and your display case won't be complete without this set!