Anthropologists have found evidence of storytelling throughout history, from orators in hunter gatherer tribes to modern writers and actors. To actualize a story--that is, to live it out in any way--plays on two of humanity's greatest desires: learning and having fun. People are biologically wired for survival, which implies that we are biologically wired to learn: We need to gather and process information in ways that increase the odds of our survival and success. When we have fun, the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine kick into high gear. If they are present while we are learning, then the learning experience is surrounded by positive emotions that increase the odds of intrinsic motivation and retention. Teaching that uses play and fun therefore is a surefire way to pass along information and skills in ways that invite learners to participate. Actualizing a story through play is a strategy that serves out-of-school time (OST) programs particularly well, as informal educators are not held to the same standards and structures as schools. In keeping with these precepts, coauthor Leigh Anne Wilson, a youth services librarian at Carol Stream Public Library in Carol Stream, Illinois, discusses how she recreated and implemented a Potions class from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the magical academy Harry Potter and his friends attend.