Fans of Harry Potter should grab their wands, spell books and invisibility cloaks as they prepare for the next level of J.K . Rowling’s magical world of Harry Potter. Pottermore , a new online experience for those that simply aren’t ready to let go of “the boy who lived,” is ready to give them more time at Hogwarts.
The website, which opens to the public in October, is essentially an entire online community that gives avid fans access to unreleased material and back stories written by Rowling herself. As well, it provides visuals and summaries that coincide with the different books in the series. Fans of the series can even be sorted into one of the four houses at Hogwarts, just as their wizarding counterparts are.
Currently, the site is open to a select group of 1,000,000 beta-testers who successfully found the magical quill in the online scavenger hunt that began on July 31, Harry Potter’s birthday. For seven days, fans waited anxiously, sometimes staying up for the entire night, in order to successfully solve the clue that was released for that day.
One clue was released per day, and only a certain amount of people were lucky enough to find the quill each day until it was no longer available. Those that found the quill were promised an email that would allow them to access the site before the general public.
Starting September 2, emails began to go out allowing users to access the beta site. Not only were these lucky fans the first to experience the site, but they were also given the opportunity to send in feedback and suggestions in order to ensure the site is ready for its final unveiling.
The question is if the site will be enough to satisfy the cravings of Potter-heads all over the world, as well as continue to catch the interest of new readers.
“I think Pottermore can only make the fan base rise,” Joy Nunez, a freshman in history, said. “Fans are truly excited which makes others curious as to what it’s all about.”
It’s no wonder the fan base is growing. The summer release of the final film broke movie records, and the book series itself has become famous worldwide, with fans of all ages including those that grew up alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Also, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida has allowed fans to come together and feel as if they are stepping inside the pages of the books. From choosing their wand at Ollivander’s to sipping butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, Potter-heads can fully immerse themselves in their favorite world of magic.
In essence, Rowling hopes Pottermore will be an online supplement to the actual wizarding world, allowing fans to feel as if they are a part of the magic.
Users begin their journey on Privet Drive, where they can start out just as Harry did. They then go on to the Hogwarts Express to reach Diagon Alley, where they will acquire all of the supplies they need for Hogwarts, including a personalized wand from Ollivander’s .
Finally, users arrive at the acclaimed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where they are sorted into their respective houses based on a series of questions designed by Rowling herself. Once sorted, the Hogwarts students can earn points for their houses by mixing potions and dueling with other wizards.
Jenn Wenger, a junior in animal science, enjoys how much extra information about the Harry Potter world is available.
“The backstories on a lot of the different characters you might not know about are available,” Wenger said, “like the professors. There are paragraphs detailing their entire lives before coming to Hogwarts.”
Though Pottermore may be an extension of the Harry Potter experience, it is by no means an online game. Rowling wanted to site to be more about “the literary experience,” which is why the site is more similar to the book series, rather than the movies.
According to USA Today, there were over 213,000 users by midnight on September 7. This number is continuing to climb as the lucky first 1,000,000 users gain exclusive access.
These growing numbers, however, are bound to create some concern. In this digital age, online involvement seems to be rising steadily as actual social interaction is sacrificed. For college students that are Potter fans, there may be some concern about necessary study time.
“The site will definitely take time away from studying, especially for the diehard Potter fans,” Nunez said. “They see this as a foot into that world, a world they have always wanted to be a part of. Now that they have their chance, they can take it.”
For now though, there’s no need to worry, at least until October, when the site is officially opened. Though Rowling has no plans to write another novel, we can rest assured that Harry Potter will live on in our digital hearts.
