Reporting from Watford, England -- The real honor roll at Hogwarts Academy in the " Harry Potter" films has nothing to do with child wizards and their magical aptitude: It's the list of esteemed British thespians who have been brought in to cast their spells as the colorful supporting players.

Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith, Miranda Richardson, Kenneth Branagh, Ralph Fiennes, John Hurt and the late Richard Harris are just some of the elite performers who have trod the stone floors of the sorcery academy. And don't think Jim Broadbent wasn't waiting for his call.

"Well, yes, you know, I was waiting," Broadbent said with a burr of mock indignation. Broadbent has plenty of opportunity for vainglorious moments in his role as professor Horace Slughorn, the latest colorful faculty member to join the movie franchise, which (finally) returns this summer with " Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."