It's a big season for "Harry Potter" fans! For those who don't know, author J. K. Rowling has a website, Pottermore, where she regularly posts short stories and information about the world of "Harry Potter." Lately, she has taken to talking about the wizarding schools all over the world. Last week, Rowling posted a new story, her longest yet, about the North American school Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which stands "at the highest peak of Mount Greylock," located in Massachusetts.
The story discusses how the school was founded by Islot Sayre. It describes her trials and tribulations as well as how her family was brought together. Sayre is considered the founder of modern magic. After being orphaned as a child, she was taken in by her aunt, who taught her a little magic. Sayre stole her aunts wand, the wand of Salazar Slytherin (#TeamSlytherin) and came to America on the Mayflower. The story goes into more details and is a wonderful read, but anymore would spoil the story for readers.
Like Hogwarts, Ilvermorny has four houses. The houses were all named by Islot Sayre's family, each naming their house after their favorite magical beast. The houses are as follows.
Horned Serpent
"A great horned river serpent with a jewel set into its forehead." This house represents the mind and favors scholars.
Pukwudgie
"A short, grey-faced, large-eared creature." This is the house of the heart and favors healers.
Thunderbird
"A creature that can create storms as it flies." The house of Thunderbird is the soul and favors adventurers.
Wampus
"A magical, panther-like creature that is fast, strong and almost impossible to kill." The Wampus represents the body and favors warriors.
The sorting ceremony for Ilvermorny is different from Hogwarts, and sometimes students get to pick their own houses.
Along with the short story of the history of Ilvermorny, Rowling also posted a small video, which plays out some of the scenes of the story and a sorting quiz. By taking the quiz, you can learn what house you would be in if you attended Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (I was placed in Horned Serpent). Sadly, you must create an account or log into Pottermore to be sorted.
All of this, as well as a few other short stories and information, is to prepare for the release of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," a film based on one of Harry Potter's text books. The movie will be released on November 16. "Fantastic Beasts" will follow the story magizoologist Newt Scamander and his adventures in North America. In order to prepare us, Rowling has been releasing information on the magic world in North America.
If this doesn't excite you enough, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" will be released on July 31, which is Harry's birthday! The book is essentially the script for the play written by Rowling, which premieres this month in England.
As someone who grew up with "Harry Potter," and as a die hard fan, all I can say is I'm excited!
