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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:53:38 GMT
The Death Eaters were originally known as the Knights of Walpurgis, which is a reversal of “Walpurgis Night,” the name of an old witch’s holiday on April 30th celebrating springtime—exactly six months from Halloween. One holiday ushered in the growing season; one marked its passing. On both nights, demons and witches were free to roam. Saint Walpuriga was actually the name of a nun who lived between A.D. 710-779
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:53:59 GMT
The divination textbook used at Hogwarts was written by “Cassandra Vablatsky.” Her last name refers to a real woman, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky who founded the Theosophical Society. Cassandra was the daughter of the rulers of Troy (Priam and Hecuba) who was cursed by Apollo to prophecy the truth but never to be believed
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:54:16 GMT
The Hogwarts school motto is Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus which is Latin for “Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon.” In the novels, the school is located somewhere in Scotland and has various charms to make it appear as an old ruin to muggle eyes
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:54:30 GMT
Hogwarts was founded 1,000 years ago by Godric Gryffindor (fire/lion), Salazar Slytherin (water/serpent), Helga Hufflepuff (earth/badger), and Rowena Ravenclaw (air/raven). Its crest includes each of the animal representations of the four founders.
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:54:53 GMT
In the Hogwarts school, grades include Outstanding, Exceeds Expectations, and Acceptable. The failing grades include Poor, Dreadful, and Troll
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:55:28 GMT
Early in the series’ history, the Harry Potter books received positive reviews; however, later books were criticized as bland and cliché
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:55:56 GMT
Rowling says the idea of Harry Potter just “strolled into her head” during a four-hour train delay.
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:56:15 GMT
According to Rowling, her favorite book as a child was The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:57:18 GMT
An outbreak of lice among the children cast members occurred while filming Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:57:40 GMT
When Coca-Cola won the rights to tie in its product with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Rowling insisted the company donate $18 million to the U.S. Reading Is Fundamental campaign to encourage children to read
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:58:09 GMT
Natalie McDonald, who appeared in Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire, was based on a real girl Rowling knew who was dying of leukemia.
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:58:49 GMT
The driver and conductor of the Knight Bus, Ernie and Stanley, are named after Rowling’s grandfathers.
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:59:17 GMT
In 2003, members of the Jesus Non-Denominational Church in Greenville, Michigan, publicly demonstrated their concern over what they perceived to be evil in the Harry Potter books by gathering around a bonfire and burning Rowling’s books. In the Middle Ages, when books were rare, burning them was a radical statement
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 20:59:49 GMT
Rowling claims that her wizarding world is purely imaginary and she doesn’t believe in the kind of magic found in her books
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Post by Josh Canfield on Mar 4, 2015 21:00:15 GMT
A theme park called the Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in 2010 at Universal Islands of Adventure in Florida. The park will include a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Forbidden Forest, and Hogsmeade Village
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