Harry Potter star Grint carries olympic flame

Ronald Weasley certainly recognizes a goblet of fire. Rupert Grint — who played Ron in the famous Harry Potter films — lent a touch of Hogwarts magic to the Olympic torch relay Wednesday by carrying the flame for a leg in northwest London. Grint, known for his shock of red hair and for being Harry's faithful friend, started his turn at Middlesex University and was mobbed as he finished his run. The 23-year-old actor said that he had not known what to expect, as running was "kind of a new thing" for him. "I don't usually run for anything, but it was all downhill so I was OK," he said. "It was all a bit of a blur. I'm just so proud to be a part of it." Some 8,000 people have taken part in the 70-day, 8,000-mile (12,900-kilometer) Olympic torch relay that crossed the length of the U.K. and even ventured into Ireland. The relay ends Friday when the last torchbearer lights the cauldron at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, marking the official start of the London games.