JK Rowling Finally Answers Fans’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Questions On New Site
JK Rowling's web presence is the final stitch holding together the fabric of life as we know it.
We can imagine the dark, swirling chaos that awaits us, should she ever decide to leave us, and honestly, none of us are trying to mess with that.
The “Harry Potter” author launched a new site on Tuesday, December 20, and, after a few technical glitches, it's up and chugging along smoother than the Hogwarts Express (LET ME HAVE THIS ONE).
In an introductory post, the universe's mom-elect told readers,
I wanted to bring my website back to what it used to be: something real and personal. This is a faithful representation of my writing desk, except that I haven't put on the bits of stale popcorn and biscuit crumbs that usually litter the surface. Everything looks a bit tidier and cleaner than it really is, but after all, it's only polite to make an effort for guests.
She made a point to promise rabid HP fans the answers they seek regarding the new “Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them” series.
She wrote,
With four more Beasts movies to come, I decided my Christmas gift to wizard-lovers should be to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the plot of the new franchise.
One glaring concern fans addressed on Twitter was why, after years of subconsciously burying his magical gifts in the Dursley's home, didn't Harry Potter become an Obscurus like (SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER — BREATH — SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER — BREATH — SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER — BREATH — SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER) Credence or, as many now believe, Ariana Dumbledore?
Mama Jo explained,
An Obscurus is developed under very specific conditions: trauma associated with the use of magic, internalized hatred of one's own magic and a conscious attempt to suppress it. The Dursleys were too frightened of magic ever to acknowledge its existence to Harry. While Vernon and Petunia had a confused hope that if they were nasty enough to Harry his strange abilities might somehow evaporate, they never taught him to be ashamed or afraid of magic. Even when he was scolded for "making things happen," he didn't make any attempt to suppress his true nature, nor did he ever imagine that he had the power to do so.
That. Makes. So. Much. Damn. Sense.
Now let's all resist the urge* to make endless allusions to sexuality and gender, even though every woke one of us as been thinking on these terms since we saw the first “Beast” movie.
*Kidding. Do not resist the urge. That is how Obscuruses are created. Obscuruses? Obscuri? You get it.
Citations: J.K. Rowling's new website contains a handy 'Fantastic Beasts' FAQ (Mashable), JKRowling.com
