Back in July, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling announced a brand new site that would create a unique experience for her many fans. She called it Pottermore; an interactive Potter site that brings the story to life for readers and takes them through Harry’s journey.
Not only this, but e-Books of the Harry Potter series would be available for the first time. Rowling also informed fans that a select few would be granted special beta access and would be able to enter Pottermore early, before it’s open to the world in late October.
About two months ago the official blog for the site, Pottermore Insider, introduced the Magical Quill Challenge. This challenge lasted for seven days; each day a clue would be released. Potter fans would have to answer a question based on numerical Potter information. For example: how many potions were there in the riddle at the end of Philosopher’s Stone? Multiply that number by 15. Then you would add that number to the end of potter.com and it would take you to the Magical Quill. Once you found that, you would be able to sign up and get a username — which, by the way, you are given four names to choose from. One million beta positions were up for grabs and after seven days all spots were filled.
Initially, I didn’t think much of the beta period. I decided I’d avoid the hubbub and wait until October when Pottermore opened to the world. But I then I changed my mind one day and answered one of the questions correctly, got to the right website and successfully got myself a username (MidnightFrog, if you’re wondering).
Then came the first bit of waiting. I’m not a patient person; the Pottermore Inside blog warned us it could take weeks to receive our welcome emails opening our accounts. But I tried my hardest to grin and bear it, waiting for my day. Never mind that on MuggleCast, the Potter podcast I listen to, the hosts began entering the site and telling us how brilliant it was going through Philosopher’s Stone, getting your wand and being sorted.
Weeks went by (as they warned) and I was tortured further. I checked my email even more religiously than usual and still nothing. I wasn’t the only one; many who hadn’t received their emails were complaining. Then finally one day I opened my email and it was there. It took a second but eventually I was ready to explore Pottermore!
My first order of business was going through the Philosopher’s Stone. I was quite excited at this point as I went through Harry receiving his letter and going shopping in Diagon Alley. You have do locate your shopping list, which is good because it keeps thing interactive. You pick out more school supplies and finally you’re ready for your wand. Mine is Sycamore, 10¼ inches, Dragon core, slightly springy. Pottermore takes you through a series of questions that fit you to the best wand. Or, lets the wand fit you.
After a few more interactive panels on the Hogwarts Express and such you’re ready to enter the castle and be sorted. This is the main event; once you get a Hogwarts house you cannot change it. You can create another account and re-sort yourself but that’s all. I was sorted into Hufflepuff; we’re just and loyal!
Going through the rest of Harry’s story is quite entertaining. Mixing potions and practicing spells are the best parts. Here’s the rub; the wizard duel where you can duel your friends isn’t quick and neither are potions. Not only this, but after you go through the story this is all you have to do. Shopping in Diagon Alley is okay the first time around but you can’t look into any of the shops or books themselves. It’s the same way with your shopping trunk; you can’t take a closer look at the items, you just see them sitting there.
For most users, the best part of Pottermore is the new information J.K. Rowling supplied. McGonagall is the first one we get a big section of information on first. We also get insights into Professor Quirrell’s background before Hogwarts. But after going through Philosopher’s Stone and unlocking all the extra information on characters there isn’t a lot of return value for Pottermore.
I’m just glad I got in on the BETA period; it’s 2012 and they still haven’t opened the site to the general public yet!
The one thing we have to keep in mind is we’re only on the first book. The next six are going to be released one by one and hopefully when they open Pottermore to everyone Chamber of Secrets will be released soon after. To all those in the BETA, feel free to add MidnightFrog. To all those waiting for the grand opening, it’ll be worth it…for the most part.
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