'Harry Potter' author's site is still cloaked in mystery, but there are a few things we'd like to see on her Web creation.
By Kara Warner
J.K. Rowling
Photo: Daniel Barry/Getty Images
There's a lot of "Harry Potter"-related excitement going around these days, what with the release of the eighth and final film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" in just a few weeks, and our own Harry Potter World Cup heating up. And on Thursday morning (June 23) in London, "Potter" creator J.K. Rowling made an official announcement about the mysterious "Pottermore" project she introduced last week.
Pottermore.com will deliver a free, online reading experience including, according to a press release, "extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories" and a digital capability in which "the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly commissioned illustrations and interactive 'Moments' through which you can navigate."
"[It's] a way I can be creative in a medium that didn't exist when I started the books back in 1990," Rowling told reporters during the press conference.
Vote in the Harry Potter World Cup here!
That's exciting stuff for "Potter" fans, considering the books have long since been completed and the final film hits theaters this summer. But at this point, with no Muggle having yet explored the site, we don't know exactly what Pottermore will offer. Here are five things we hope we can see and do while playing in Rowling's latest fantastical creation — now or in the future.
Open Class/Character Development System
No matter your house, heritage or O.W.L. scores, with the appropriate amount of training or playing time, you too can become an esteemed member of the wizarding community. No matter how basic or inexperienced you are when you begin exploring "Pottermore," there should be opportunities for advancement and/or shifting skill sets. If you want to be an animagus, an auror, a healer, or even a professional Quidditch player, you need only put in the time.
Quidditch
Speaking of professional Quidditch players, there ought to be a recreational area in "Pottermore" where characters learn, play and eventually compete against one another at the hugely popular game. Instead of pitting competitors and teams against one another based solely on their houses, it would be great for players to be able to assemble themselves into teams.
Virtual Place to Unwind, Be Entertained
One of the main reasons Rowling's masterworks have so many millions of fans is because she's created a world so magical and alluring that we all dream of apparating into the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer or taking a walk through Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It would be great if Pottermore featured a competition-free area for socializing in and around virtual versions of Rowling's most beloved fictional shops and assorted hotspots.
Annual "Pottermore" Gatherings
Although Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter is currently a perfect place to mix and mingle with fellow Potterphiles, we would love an annual event in the vein of GenCon or Comic-Con, where fans from all over the world meet to share in everything Harry Potter. In addition to pointed panel discussions on a variety of subjects, why not also host a few live action duels in the spirit of the tri-wizard tournament? Maybe an attempt at a grounded game of Quidditch or two?
Special Guest Stars And/Or Participants
It's nearly impossible to assemble the entire "Harry Potter" film casts for "Pottermore" participation, but perhaps before they all move on from their Potter associations, the actors can record special interactive greetings and messages, to be carefully placed throughout "Pottermore"? Maybe Daniel Radcliffe and company can pre-record video messages of encouragement for players? Alan Rickman could instruct a brief beginner-level Defense Against the Dark Arts Class? We'll even settle for video clips from the movies popping up every now and again. Also, if Rowling is taking the time to make this special announcement, we're hoping she's going to stay involved enough that she'll consider recording some messages as well.
So what did we miss? What do you want from Pottermore? Tell us in the comments!
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