Early Admittance to Pottermore
As I have mentioned on occasion, I come from a family obsessed with Harry Potter.
Absolutely obsessed.
And so when J.K. Rowling announced the creation of Pottermore, we could not be more intrigued by what lay in store for us. Would it be another book? Or series of books? Would it be the eagerly anticipated Harry Potter encyclopedia? Or set of encyclopedias? We read across the internet for everyone’s guesses as to what Pottermore could be and our excitement elevated.
When it was announced that Pottermore is a “a unique and free-to-use website which builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books,” I will admit that I was a wee bit surprised.
Another website? Aren’t there enough Harry Potter websites and video games already in existence? It was a tad disappointing.
I quickly overcame my moment of disappointment, though, and proceeded to await more news. After all, if J.K. Rowling created it then IT MUST BE AMAZING.
Within no time it was announced that Pottermore would host a Magic Quill Challenge where one million winners would be granted early access to the website. They announced “7 books, 7 days, 7 challenges” that would appear beginning July 31, whereby correctly assessing a clue would earn you early admission!
Since I was completely consumed with odd-hour video/photo editing at this time, my super-cool-awesometastic-thank-goodness-I-was-born-to-her-family sister Anna was dedicated to the Magic Quill task and scored three early entry spots to Pottermore. One for herself, one for Jill, and one for me!
Can I get three cheers for Anna?
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
HUZZAH!
Once the Magic Quill Challenge time period was complete, it was time to wait in the wings once again.
They began opening Pottermore to small groups of people in mid-August. However, day after day I did not receive the email for the next step in registration.
Finally, yesterday, September 4, I received my WELCOME TO POTTERMORE email announcing that my account was ready for use.
I wasted no time finding a working computer to let my wizarding experience begin.
I don’t want to give away the surprises for everyone (although if you have questions, feel free to ask below!), but will tell you that it is absolutely deeeeelightful!
It all begins with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Chapter 1: The Boy Who Lived and progresses through each chapter.
You follow the story and complete a variety of scavenger hunts and challenges to move forward through the book. All the while you can devour exclusive information from J.K. Rowling that was never revealed in the books!
The things I’ve learned about Professor Minerva McGonagall are quite inspiring.
Anywho, in Chapters 5 and 7 you are, respectively, assessed a unique wand (JK Rowling created approximately 33,000 different combinations of wands for the website!) and sorted into a Hogwarts House! Although you are only asked a series of 7 questions for the wand and 7 questions for the sorting, I am pleased to report that it is extremely accurate!
Here’s what I received:
From Mr. Ollivander, on maple wood: I have often found that those chosen by maple wands are by nature travellers and explorers; they are not stay-at-home wands, and prefer ambition in their witch or wizard, otherwise their magic grows heavy and lacklustre. Fresh challenges and regular changes of scene cause this wand to literally shine, burnishing itself as it grows, with its partner, in ability and status. This is a beautiful and desirable wood, and wand quality maple has been among the most costly for centuries. Possession of a maple wand has long been a mark of status, because of its reputation as the wand of high achievers.
From Mr. Ollivander, on unicorn hair: Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard.
Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing.
Perfect, eh? As for my house:
The welcome letter for Hufflepuff is quite lengthy and contains so many fascinating factoids you cannot find in the books! I’ve read it three times already!! And although a vast number of people would be disappointed by being sorted into Hufflepuff, I am not one of them. I feel I truly belong in this house and am happy to have an accurate placing! PUFFS FOREVER!
Although only the first book/level is available for Beta testing (I've made it through the book and now spend my time brewing new potions), I cannot wait for books/levels 2-7 to be open! I will happily invest my time into this amazing adventure.
Harry Potter fans have truly hit the jackpot here.
Thank you J.K. Rowling and Pottermore.com!
Oh, and when you join Pottermore, let's be friends! Find my username: ProphecyDawn205
