Congratulations, Slytherin on winning the inaugural Pottermore House Cup and the Secret Bonus!

July 6, 2012, 1:32 am

≫ Next: Characters - The Weasley Twins

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Pottermore has witnessed some frenzied brewing and duelling over the last few days and we’d like to congratulate Slytherin on winning the inaugural Pottermore House Cup.

Commiserations to the other houses, but your chance will come again as competition for the next Pottermore House Cup is already underway!

As part of their reward for winning the Pottermore House Cup, Slytherin will be able to explore the new chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 24 hours ahead of the other houses.

Please be aware that only students who were in Slytherin when the inaugural Pottermore House Cup was awarded, will get early access.

For students who are not in Slytherin, don’t despair. The first chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will be available for everyone immediately after this 24-hour period.

From then on, all users will be able to explore the new chapters, discover new Moments and continue their journey on Pottermore.

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Characters - The Weasley Twins

July 10, 2012, 9:02 am

≫ Next: The first chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are now available to explore

≪ Previous: Congratulations, Slytherin on winning the inaugural Pottermore House Cup and the Secret Bonus!

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'‘Fred, you next,’ the plump woman said.
‘I’m not Fred, I’m George,’ said the boy. ‘Honestly, woman, call yourself our mother? Can’t you tell I’m George?’
‘Sorry, George, dear.’
‘Only joking, I am Fred,’ said the boy, and off he went.'

- Chapter Six, The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry first meets Fred and George at King’s Cross station, when the Weasley family help him to locate platform nine and three-quarters. The twins help Harry to board the train with his school trunk, before recognising who Harry is.

Fred and George Weasley are well known for their antics in school, but are also very popular amongst their fellow Hogwarts students. And it seems that Pottermore users are firm fans of the twins as well.

We asked you yesterday on @Pottermore what you like about the comic duo and got some great responses:

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 
                         (Tweets via @alexlunamarie, @FlooLumos30918, @tamararizk and @veky1993.)



We’ve also seen some great artwork of the twins on Pottermore, where their sense of humour – as well as their red hair – have been captured:

- Fred and George Weasley -

by QuaffleSky20456

by MidnightNimbus

by ElmOwl95

by SunErised81

by WolfFlame198

by ScaleDust101

The first chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are now available to explore

July 11, 2012, 6:36 am

≫ Next: Quidditch - Poll Results

≪ Previous: Characters - The Weasley Twins

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We are pleased to announce that the first chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are now available to explore on Pottermore.

There’s plenty to discover and enjoy. Read more exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling; view The Burrow for the first time and de-gnome the garden. Collect your second-year shopping list, find more Galleons and visit Diagon Alley, where all Pottermore students can now purchase their second-year school books.

The Chamber of Secrets is being launched in three installments; with the next instalment following in the coming weeks. We will keep you updated on the Pottermore Insider, as well as the Pottermore Gateway and the house noticeboards.

In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy discovering the brand new chapters on Pottermore.

Quidditch - Poll Results

July 13, 2012, 9:34 am

≫ Next: Pottermore Facebook page goes live

≪ Previous: The first chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are now available to explore

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'Harry learnt that there were seven hundred ways of committing a Quidditch foul and that all of them had happened during a World Cup match in 1473; that Seekers were usually the smallest and fastest players and that most serious Quidditch accidents seemed to happen to them; that although people rarely died playing Quidditch, referees had been known to vanish and turn up months later in the Sahara Desert.'

- Chapter Eleven, Quidditch, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

We wanted to know, if you could choose, what position would you play in Quidditch? Over 43,000 Pottermore fans voted and we've got the results.

In the lead, but only just by 10% of the votes, the position of Seeker was your first choice by 39.2%. Check out the results to see how the remaining Quidditch positions fared.

Pottermore Facebook page goes live

July 17, 2012, 4:58 am

≫ Next: Places - Diagon Alley

≪ Previous: Quidditch - Poll Results

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Today, we officially launch our Pottermore Facebook page.

The Pottermore Facebook page is a place for all Pottermore fans aged 13 and over to follow the latest Pottermore news, updates and information.

We hope to cultivate a vibrant, friendly and fun Facebook community and look forward to posting Pottermore material that everyone can share, comment on and discuss.

Our Facebook timeline includes details of the history and conception of Pottermore so check out the page to catch up on any Pottermore news you may have missed out on.

If you haven’t already liked us on Facebook, visit the official Pottermore Facebook page and join us.


                  

Places - Diagon Alley

July 18, 2012, 9:04 am

≫ Next: Have you explored Borgin and Burkes....

≪ Previous: Pottermore Facebook page goes live

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‘He tapped the wall three times with the point of his umbrella. The brick he had touched quivered – it wriggled – in the middle, a small hole appeared – it grew wider and wider – a second later they were facing an archway large enough even for Hagrid, an archway on to a cobbled street which twisted and turned out of sight.
‘Welcome,’ said Hagrid, ‘to Diagon Alley.’

- Chapter Five, Diagon Alley, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Diagon Alley is a bustling cobbled street that hosts a number of mysterious and wonderful shops for witches and wizards. Harry discovers some of these on his first visit with Hagrid.

Harry is able to buy everything from his Hogwarts list at Diagon Alley and it is also here, from Eeylops Owl Emporium, that Hagrid buys Harry his pet owl, Hedwig, as a present for his eleventh birthday.

We asked you to tell us on @Pottermore and Facebook what you’ve been buying or what you would most like to buy from Diagon Alley. Here are some examples of what you’d put your Galleons towards:

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 
                         (Tweets via @AmarisVail, @mrsn0rthman, and comments from our Facebook followers.)



We’ve also seen some brilliant artwork from Pottermore users of the busy street and its fascinating shops:

- Diagon Alley -

by SorcièreTriton114

by SickleVine15

by CrimsonAuror15

by StrikeSword18260

by RoseSnidget27660

Have you explored Borgin and Burkes....

July 20, 2012, 8:58 am

≫ Next: Badges arrive on Pottermore

≪ Previous: Places - Diagon Alley

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The first chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are now available and there are many things to explore, find and see.

Have you discovered everything at Borgin and Burkes yet? Have you seen the Hand of Glory?

Badges arrive on Pottermore

July 25, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Creatures: Goblins

≪ Previous: Have you explored Borgin and Burkes....

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Did you spot the new Pottermore Badges that arrived on Pottermore this Tuesday? Did you like them and have you unlocked all the available ones already?

Badges are a new, fun and rewarding addition, which we hope students will enjoy acquiring as they explore Pottermore.

Currently, three Pottermore Badges are available – the Explorer, Discoverer and Scarlet Engine. More Badges will be coming in the near future so keep a look out and make them a part of your Badge collection.

You can view the Badges on your profile page, where you will be able to see the ones you have been awarded, or learn how to get your next Badge, by hovering over the Badge name and following the instructions.

In the meantime, let us know what you think of the new Badges, which ones you’ve collected and if there are any you’d like to see become available in the future.

You can tell us your ideas and thoughts by commenting in the Great Hall, your common rooms, or on Twitter and our new Facebook page.

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Creatures: Goblins

July 26, 2012, 9:41 am

≫ Next: Happy Birthday Harry Potter – The Boy Who Lived!

≪ Previous: Badges arrive on Pottermore

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‘A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors and they were in a vast marble hall. About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins on brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses.’

- Chapter Five, Diagon Alley, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry first encounters goblins at Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley. The bank is run by the goblins, who keep the building under tight and impressive security control.

Goblins are clever creatures with, as Harry notices when he first sees one, very long fingers and feet.

Goblins have inspired some interesting and creative artwork on Pottermore - keep your pictures coming in! Here are some of our favourites:

- Goblins -

by LumosEye3798

by AshRose6081

by RuneStorm6652

by WaveCentaur1291

We also asked you on @Pottermore and Facebook whether goblins were amongst your favourite creatures and what it is that you like or dislike about them. There were a variety of responses; here are some choice quotes from you:

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 
               (Tweets via @littleredmakeup, @RainRose2604, and comments from our Facebook followers.)

Happy Birthday Harry Potter – The Boy Who Lived!

July 31, 2012, 5:10 am

≫ Next: Japanese Harry Potter eBooks now available from the Pottermore Shopハリー・ポッターの日本語版電子書籍をポッターモアショップで販売開始

≪ Previous: Creatures: Goblins

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''Anyway – Harry,' said the giant, turning his back on the Dursleys, 'a very happy birthday to yeh. Got summat fer yeh here – I mighta sat on it at some point, but it’ll taste all right.'
From an inside pocket of his black overcoat he pulled a slightly squashed box. Harry opened it with trembling fingers. Inside was a large, sticky chocolate cake with Happy Birthday Harry written on it in green icing.'

- Chapter Four, The Keeper of the Keys, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Before his eleventh birthday, Harry’s presents included underwhelming items such as a coat-hanger and a pair of Uncle Vernon’s old socks. With Hagrid's arrival on Harry’s eleventh birthday, he gets a birthday cake and, when Hagrid takes him to Diagon Alley for the first time, a snowy owl (who Harry later names Hedwig) as his present.

Today is Harry’s birthday and, to celebrate, we’re taking a look at what Pottermore students and fans have been saying and sharing about Harry.

Pottermore students have submitted some great artwork on Harry and, to say happy birthday, we’re looking at double the number of these wonderful pictures:

- Harry Potter -

by LumosWitch172

by PhoenixWizard70

by DreamYew1035

by DawnHallow197

by DragonBronze98

by EyeYew8994

by RoseFlight30

by UnicornMarauder110

by JinxCharm212

by RookDraconis

We’ve also been talking about what you would want to give to Harry as birthday gifts and there have been some great ideas on Pottermore's Twitter and Facebook pages. Here are a few of your chosen presents for the Boy Who Lived:

               (Tweets via @SSVicar, @eccmcc, @Thymedeli, @em_tinuviel and comments from our          
                Facebook followers.)


Happy Birthday, Harry!

Japanese Harry Potter eBooks now available from the Pottermore Shopハリー・ポッターの日本語版電子書籍をポッターモアショップで販売開始

July 31, 2012, 2:59 pm

≫ Next: Which first-year lesson would you take?

≪ Previous: Happy Birthday Harry Potter – The Boy Who Lived!

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The Pottermore Shop is growing; we are delighted that even more people can now enjoy the Harry Potter eBooks as they become available today, for the first time, in the Japanese language.

The Japanese editions of the Harry Potter eBooks are published in EPUB3 format and can be read on any EPUB3 device or reading service, with Japanese font enabled.

Pottermore.com, the free-to-use experience centered around the Harry Potter stories, will also follow suit later this year, offering Japanese Harry Potter fans the chance to explore and discover new writing by J.K. Rowling and immerse themselves further in to the magical world of Harry Potter.


ポッターモアショップがさらに充実し、ハリー・ポッターの日本語版電子書籍を今日から販売開始します。より多くの皆さんにハリー・ポッターの電子書籍を楽しんでもらえるようになったことを私たちはとても喜んでいます。

ハリー・ポッターの日本語版電子書籍はEPUB3フォーマットで提供され、EPUB3対応で日本語表示が可能な電子機器、もしくは読書サービスで読むことができます。

また今年の後半にはポッターモアエクスペリエンスも後に続き、日本のハリー・ポッターファンの皆さんにも、ハリー・ポッターで描かれた世界やJ.K.ローリングが新たに書き下ろした物語を無料でお楽しみいただき、ハリー・ポッターの魔法の世界をたっぷり堪能していただけるようになるでしょう。

Which first-year lesson would you take?

August 2, 2012, 9:01 am

≫ Next: Have you visited The Burrow yet?

≪ Previous: Japanese Harry Potter eBooks now available from the Pottermore Shopハリー・ポッターの日本語版電子書籍をポッターモアショップで販売開始

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‘And then, once you had managed to find them, there were the lessons themselves. There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words.’

Chapter Eight, The Potions Master, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

There are a number of interesting classes that Harry takes in his first year at Hogwarts. Given the choice, which first-year lesson would you take from following list?

You have seven days to vote for your top lesson and we will reveal the results on the Pottermore Insider.

Have you visited The Burrow yet?

August 3, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Characters – Dobby, the house-elf

≪ Previous: Which first-year lesson would you take?

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We're exploring another Moment from the Chamber of Secrets - The Weasleys'.

Did you spot the smoke furling from the chimney at The Burrow?

Characters – Dobby, the house-elf

August 7, 2012, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Your favourite lessons - the results are in...

≪ Previous: Have you visited The Burrow yet?

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‘The creature slipped off the bed and bowed so low that the end of its long thin nose touched the carpet. Harry noticed that it was wearing what looked like an old pillowcase, with rips for arm and leg holes.
‘Er – hello,’ said Harry nervously.
‘Harry Potter!’ said the creature, in a high-pitched voice Harry was sure would carry down the stairs. ‘So long has Dobby wanted to meet you, sir ... Such an honour it is ...’’

- Chapter Two, Dobby’s Warning, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Dobby the house-elf first appears to Harry in his bedroom at the Dursleys’. He tries to prevent Harry from returning to Hogwarts by getting him into trouble with his aunt and uncle, and with the school.

Like a lot of house-elves, Dobby is bound in servitude to one wizard family or household for life, and as a sign of his servitude he wears an old, grubby pillowcase in place of clothing.

This has been depicted in some great artwork on Dobby, submitted to Pottermore. Here are just a few of the wonderful depictions of this house-elf.

- Dobby, the house-elf -

by PhoenixWizard70

by NoxPatronus136

by SickleQuill8384

by WingFlame86

by SilverStone14121

We’ve also asked the Pottermore community what their first impressions were of Dobby and here are a few of the responses:

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 
                     (Tweets via @jaynesampei, @Rinalin01, and comments from our Facebook followers.)

Your favourite lessons - the results are in...

August 9, 2012, 9:42 am

≫ Next: Have you spotted everything in the garden…

≪ Previous: Characters – Dobby, the house-elf

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'On Harry’s other side, Percy Weasley and Hermione were talking about lessons (‘I do hope they start straight away, there’s so much to learn, I’m particularly interested in Transfiguration, you know, turning something into something else, of course, it’s supposed to be very difficult –’; ‘You’ll be starting small, just matches into needles and that sort of thing –’).'

Chapter Seven, The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Last week, we asked you on the Pottermore Insider and on our Facebook page, which lesson would you take from the list of first-year classes at Hogwarts. The counts are now in, with surprising results!

Over 24,800 of you voted on the Insider and Defence Against the Dark Arts had a narrow win with 29%, followed very closely by Charms, with 27.7%:




On our Facebook page, it was a slightly different story. Over 4,000 people voted and Defence Against the Dark Arts won, with a impressive number of 1,384 votes. Charms came second with 899 votes:

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Have you spotted everything in the garden…

August 10, 2012, 9:31 am

≫ Next: Places: The Great Hall

≪ Previous: Your favourite lessons - the results are in...

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Something abnormal is happening in the perfectly normal garden of number four, Privet Drive.

Did you catch a glimpse of those enormous green eyes?

Places: The Great Hall

August 15, 2012, 5:01 am

≫ Next: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Update

≪ Previous: Have you spotted everything in the garden…

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‘Harry had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets.’

- Chapter Seven, The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

A number of special, momentous and fun events take place within the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It is here that Harry is Sorted and learns which house he belongs to. It is also where, at the end of his first year, Gryffindor find out that they have won the House Championship for the first time in seven years.

The Great Hall has a most impressive bewitched ceiling, charmed to look like the sky outside. During special feasts and celebrations, the Great Hall is decked out with fantastic decorations, such as tiny icicles at Christmas and live bats at Hallowe’en.

We’ve received some very creative and artistic depictions of the Great Hall. Below are a few of our chosen favourites, submitted to the Pottermore Galleries:

- The Great Hall -

by NimbusFloo107

by SkullNight8890

by MerodeadorSombra3102

by SorcièreTriton114

You’ve also been telling us whether you felt that the Great Hall is one of the more interesting places at Hogwarts. Here are what Pottermore fans have been commenting and tweeting:

                                 

                                 

                                 

                                 
           (Tweets via @DianaDuarte02, @styledbymelissa, and comments from our Facebook followers.)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Update

August 15, 2012, 8:59 am

≫ Next: New to the Pottermore Shop - Quidditch through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

≪ Previous: Places: The Great Hall

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We've been back in the studio this week, finalising more sounds that feature in the second instalment of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

From the cry of the Mandrake to Moaning Myrtle's sobs, we've been making sure the effects are just right.

There will be another development update, here on the Insider next week.

New to the Pottermore Shop - Quidditch through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

August 16, 2012, 4:59 am

≫ Next: Have you been de-gnoming the garden?

≪ Previous: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Update

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The Pottermore Shop has added two new and exciting texts to the Harry Potter eBook collection – Quidditch through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, by J.K. Rowling.

These two additions are essential for readers keen on indulging their interest in the game of Quidditch and expanding their knowledge of magical creatures. They can now be found in the new collection on the Pottermore Shop - Hogwarts Library Books

Quidditch through the Ages, by Kennilworthy Whisp, is one of the most popular titles in the Hogwarts school library. Now you can learn about Quidditch history too. Would you like to know about some of the seven hundred Quidditch fouls that have taken place? Or learn about the more difficult Quidditch moves? Then this is the book for you.

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander, is a duplicate of Harry Potter’s own copy and provides a useful guide to both the mundane and the more unusual magical creatures found in the wizarding world. It comes complete with additional informative notes from Harry and his friends.

Both texts are currently available as part of your eBook collection in English (US and UK editions), and all proceeds from the purchases of these eBooks from the Pottermore Shop will be donated to Comic Relief.

Have you been de-gnoming the garden?

August 17, 2012, 9:18 am

≫ Next: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets update

≪ Previous: New to the Pottermore Shop - Quidditch through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

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Have you been gnoming the garden as best as you can?

What is the furthest you've flung those annoying gnomes? Were you able to clear the garden in the time set or did you have to try again?