J.K. Rowling Adds New Insights Into The Harry Potter Universe Via Essays On ‘Pottermore’
Pottermore unveiled its final book to the timeline on Tuesday. With the addition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fans also get a few extra essays that shed more light into the Harry Potter universe and all those wonderful characters that inhabit it.
The new essays are entitled “Vernon & Petunia,” “The Sword of Gryffindor,” “Alchemy,” “Extension Charms,” and “Hatstall.” Below is a breakdown on what to expect from these new glimpses into the world of Harry Potter:
Vernon & Petunia
J.K. Rowling discusses Harry Potter’s Aunt Petunia and the fact that while Petunia did once hope for magic blood, it is the guilt she felt for shutting out her sister, Lily, that hurt the most. While most of Petunia’s feelings are buried deep, there are clues hidden within the Harry Potter novels that indicate Petunia’s true feelings. J.K. Rowling also discusses why the names were chosen for Veron and Petunia Dursley in this essay.
The Sword of Gryffindor
In this essay on Pottermore, J.K. Rowling discusses the “conflicting laws between wizards and goblins over ownership.” She also addresses why a wizard would use a sword over a wand in the Harry Potter universe anyway. Apparently it is considered “unsporting” for a wizard to duel with a muggle using only their wand, and that is why swords were introduced.
Alchemy
In this Pottermore essay, J.K. Rowling discusses the Philosopher’s Stone and why Hermione never really got into studying alchemy, putting the reason down to “far from wishing to make another Philosopher’s Stone, they would be happy never to see another one in their lives.” Rowling also adds some background into why she chose the names Rubeus Hagrid and Albus Dumbledore in relation to alchemy.
Extension Charms
In this essay, J.K. Rowling discusses the rules for usage in regards to the extension charm – and how Hermione Grainger broke the rules! Yes, Hermione, every teacher’s dream student managed to use this charm for personal use which it against the rules. But, according to the Ministry of Magic, since “the latter played no insignificant part in the defeat of the greatest Dark wizard of all time, no charges have been brought.”
Hatstall
In this new Harry Potter essay on Pottermore, J.K. Rowling discusses those moments when the Sorting Hat had reason to stall over allotting children to their houses once they arrived at Hogwarts. Some of those characters the hat had problems with were Minerva McGonagall, Peter Pettigrew and Neville Longbottom. Neville asked to be placed into Hufflepuff because he didn’t think he was brave enough for Griffindor. Luckily, the Sorting Hat persevered, and the rest – as they say – is history.
Some fans are now concerned with the arrival of the final Harry Potter book to Pottermore, J.K. Rowling might stop adding essays to Pottermore, essays which help to enrich the Harry Potter universe. However, with Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them being penned by her and due for release as a movie in 2016, it is unlikely the author will give up expanding her Harry Potter universe any time soon.
You can check out Pottermore and all it has to offer Harry Potter fans by clicking here.
[Image credit: Pottermore Ltd. / Warner bros. / J.K. Rowling]
