Exploring Pottermore

I was so excited when I got my confirmation email from Pottermore. It was like getting my Hogwarts letter without the owl droppings. For those of you who don't know, Pottermore is an interactive companion to the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. You can literally follow along with the books in an online world, chapter by chapter. You are there when Harry gets his first letter in the mail, when Hagrid breaks down the door of the shack on the rock, and when the Sorcerer's Stone reveals itself in Harry's pocket.

Also, you play part in the sorting ceremony. You'll never guess what house I got sorted into....

SLYTHERIN.

For those of you who know me, this is totally ridiculous. I mean, I know that I could do very well in Slytherin, but I think that I have a true Harry Potter situation, but Pottermore does not have a "not Slytherin, not Slytherin" option.

Anyway, besides the fact that I am a true Gryffindor, I have enjoyed my experience on Pottermore immensely. I'll give you an inside look, just to whet your appetite for when the site opens officially in October.

I hope that you are ready to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Charms class is no laughing matter.



The illustrations, as you can see, are beautiful. They are also interactive! If you drag your mouse over a certain quill, you'll know where Seamus Finnigan is sitting (wink, wink). Chocolate frog cards, exclusive content never before revealed by J.K. Rowling, and other collectible items are scattered throughout these illustrations. There's a lot to look for on every page.



Pottermore takes to chapter by chapter to explore the wonderful Wizarding World. You might notice the Nimbus 2000 on the bed, Harry has just been recruited as Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Knight to E5! The Forbidden Corridor holds many surprises for young Harry and friends. See if you can solve Snape's riddle and get across McGonagall's chess board.

Not only can you experience these unique and beautiful illustrations, but you can learn spells, brew potions, and duel to earn House Points. Here is my profile, so when you get into Pottermore we can be friends!

I can't wait to delve into the other books! If the first one is this awesome, the rest must be totally spectacular! Tweet me @1shortofawisdom and tell me what you think about the site or if you have any questions you want answered!

I'm a Pottermore Beta Tester

That's right, I'm a Pottermore Beta Tester, literally one in a million.

For those of you who have been living in Giant colonies or have been locked up in Azkaban, Pottermore is the next level of the Harry Potter reading experience. Basically, it is an online, interactive companion to the books. You get to experience the Wizarding World book by book chapter by chapter and also play a part at key events such as the Sorting Ceremony and take a walk down Diagon Ally.



Turns out, Pottermore is offering early access to a group of particularly zealous fans to experience the awesomeness before everyone else does. I am one of these few. Tee-Hee. These Beta Testers go through the website and alert the creators if there are any bugs that need to be taken care of before the site officially opens in October.

On the night of early registration, I stayed up till 3 a.m. and found the magic quill. Not really that big of a deal since I'm usually up that late anyway, but I got in and I did a happy dance.



Within the next few weeks I should be allowed into the site to explore and give feedback to the Pottermore creators. I'm really excited about this online companion to the books because nothing like this has ever been done before. I love HP fans! They just don't want the story to end!

Also, J.K. Rowling will be revealing facts about the Wizarding World that have never before been seen by muggle eyes.

So, if you are a beta tester too, let me know! And if you want to get a sneek peek inside this magical online world stay tuned and keep reading.

Need to Read: Harry Potter

These books will change your life... like seriously. If they don't, then you aren't reading them right.

I am proud to say that I am part of the Harry Potter generation. We grew up with Harry, we made mistakes and held victories, we saw the great evil in the world, but also the good. Sometimes I think the Wizarding World is more of a home to me than anything. The world is so tangible and real that I can't imagine that there will ever again be a story as celebrated or intensely followed.

What I loved most about J.K. Rowling's story is that it got kids reading again! When a new book or movie was about to be release, people lined up for hours, sometimes days, to be one the the first to know the story and immerse themselves in that world once more.

Read them. Read them all.

First is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: I am actually just about to re-read this one for like the sixth time. Since the last movie came out I wanted to remember Hogwarts as it was meant to be, a wonder, a home to welcome you.

 

 

 

Second is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Harry, realizes that his life will forever be a perilous journey and the Lord Voldemort will return more ferocious and vengeful than before. Also, we meet Dobby the house elf, an unlikely but terribly lovable little hero.

 

 

 

Third is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Here we realize that Hogwarts is no longer safe. The Wizarding World, for all its magical glory, is a dangerous place especially for the young boy, Harry Potter. Dementors, Animagi, and prophecies, OH MY! One teacher's terrifying secret and the escape of the mass murderer Sirius Black leads Harry on a discovery of how his parents died and who should feel his vengence.

 

 

 

Fourth is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Harry is entered (without his knowledge) in the extremely perilous Triwizard Tournament. People die in the tournament and it is a serious burden for the possibility of eternal glory. Harry, the youngest and least experienced of the champions must battle dragons, grindylows, dizzying mazes, and eventually You-Know-Who himself. The Wizarding World is about to enter a very dark time indeed, history is made and tingles with the beginnings of war.

 

 

 

Fifth is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Harry is labeled as a liar and the Ministry of Magic is taking control of Hogwarts. Delores Umbridre, a toad of a woman, is determined to see that the Ministry has full control and that the students don't listen to Harry's account of the Dark Lord's return. Harry, Ron and Hermione organize Dumbledore's Army to spite her efforts to control the school and, due to something sinister in the Department of Mysteries, break in to the Ministry of Magic, a battle that is only the beginning.

 

 

Sixth is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Headmaster Dumbledore seeks to prepare Harry for battling Voldemort. They uncover a memory that is a key to Voldemort's past and his demented quest for immortality. Voldemort is has a chink in his armor, and Harry learns of a way to defeat the greatest evil the world has ever known. However, an unbreakable vow and a bitter betrayal are on the horizon. Hogwarts has never witnessed a loss so great since the incident on the Astronomy Tower.

 

 

  Seventh is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Harry, Ron and Hermione are on a mission to destroy    Voldemort. They leave, Hogwarts, the place they have called home for so many years, to follow their quest, risking capture, torture, and death. The fate of the Wizarding World lies with them in the Tales of Beedle the Bard and in Harry himself. Battles rage, and the boy who lived, must accept death. This is a truly chilling book. Until the very end.

 

 

When I am old, I will still read Harry Potter with as much enthusiasm and tears as I do now and my family will ask me:

"Still? After all this time?"

and I will reply

"Always."