Harry Potter star makes Ukrainian super fan's day at Highgate lights

Ruslana Romanovska fled the war-torn country in May with her mother and grandmother, wearing her Gryffindor scarf.

On Wednesday, she met her hero Rupert, who played Ron Weasley, spending a quiet moment with him before he was mobbed by screaming fans.

Clearly overwhelmed, the 10-year-old said she was “excited”.

Highgate resident Rupert, 34, who was there with his partner Georgia Groome and daughter Wednesday, two, told the Ham&High: “I can’t imagine what it’s been like for them. It’s been an insane year so to put a smile on her face, especially at this time of year.

“Christmas is a family time so I’m really happy to be part of that.”

When Ruslana’s family came to the UK, they were taken into a Hampstead home for six months before relocating to another home within the same area.

They were among the first Ukrainian families who fled to the UK after the conflict with Russia broke out, but Ruslana had to leave behind her father and her pets, which were named after the young Harry Potter characters Ron and Harry.

Rachel Heath, who has been sponsoring and supporting the family ever since their arrival, wished to make Ruslana’s Christmas a magical one by making her meet actor Rupert Grint - who played Ronald Weasley.

After a successful campaign by Ms Heath, the Ham & High and Highgate Society, the girl got to meet her hero.

Rupert Grint with Chris Underhill, Hattie Heath, Ruslana Ramanovska, Alex Zane and Olga Lakhmankova (Image: Polly Hancock)

Olga, Ruslana’s mother, said: “She’s seen the movies many, many times and has read four of the books, I think. From the beginning of the war, all the time she was in a Harry Potter scarf.

“For my mum she was in shock of going to the UK, to an unknown country.

“My daughter was more flexible with this, she missed Ukraine very much but she was very excited of everything new and that she’s in a Harry Potter country.”

Despite Ruslana’s difficult journey, she has remained hard working as she balances both the British education curriculum and the Ukrainian curriculum through remote learning.

The mother said: “Sometimes it’s really difficult for her, but it was her decision to not leave Ukrainian school because she will return to that world.”

Ruslana has been feeling homesick as she misses her friends abroad and constantly talks to her dad who is stuck in the country. During her time in London she “always shares with him what’s happening”.

For Olga the stark reality of escaping the war is more difficult for her.

She said: “My morning starts with checking news about how the night passed in Ukraine - if there were no new missiles, drone attacks.

“I check if the news was bad or if there’s a new mass attack. I am texting, calling to the family, friends, and colleagues asking them if they are ok. Almost all of the day [I am] monitoring the news from Ukraine.”

The mum said she feels blessed to live in London during this time, as Ruslana’s teacher usually explains “the sad reality” that her classmates are in a bomb shelter while having their classes.

Olga continued: “The people in Ukraine live in a permanent tension all these months, with a fear for their lives, children and dearest people. With no electricity, heating, water, gas  but with a strong belief in our victory.”

To her, it was hard to get used to a “peaceful life” in the UK, but Olga is thankful for her hosts Bea Lewkowicz and Ms Heath for their support  particularly with arranging Ruslana’s chance of a lifetime to meet the Harry Potter star.

The switch-on, the first since the pandemic, was hosted by presenter and DJ Alex Zane.

“It’s the fourth time I’ve switched the lights on, it’s a bit of a tradition,” he said. “I’m a huge Harry Potter fan so it’s really exciting to interview him.”

The lights were sponsored by Chris Underhill of Prickett & Ellis and organisations including Channing School, the Highgate Society and the Duke’s Head.