Kidsmomo

You know how we’re always whining about how we want MORE Harry Potter and that we miss it soooooo much?

Well, obviously J.K. Rowling has been following Kidsmomo and answered our prayers! Obviously (…activate Sarcasm Detector). Because she’s launching a new website called POTTERMORE — Wait, don’t go there yet! I haven’t finished telling you about it! — which will reveal details about the Harry Potter world that Rowling says she’s been “hoarding for years.” The site partially launches on July 31 (Harry’s birthday!) but not everyone will be able to access it until the official launch on October 1.

Check out J.K. Rowling’s official announcement:

So what should we expect? Various sources across the interwebs report that the new website will start with an illustrated experience of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — and just like Harry, you’ll start at 4 Privet Drive (insert teary sniffly face here) and explore Harry’s under-the-stairs-closest-room. It’s unknown if Hagrid will be making an appearance, but you’ll be led to Gringotts, where you’ll withdraw 175 galleons and head over to the Diagon Alley shops to pick up items on your shopping list (including a wand from Ollivanders). Then, it’s on to Platform¾ and the Hogwarts Express (with your personalized trunk, where presumably you’ll store your Chocolate Frog Cards)!

Eventually, Pottermore will include scenes and experiences from all seven books, and just like Harry, Hermione and Ron, you’ll be sorted into a house and compete for the House Cup! The new website will also offer the series as e-books and digital audio books in several languages, which have never been available before.

So… what does an “illustrated experience” look like? Well, we’re not 100% certain, but we found some images that might be what the site will look like on October 1 (or July 31, if you’re part of the lucky group of users with early access).

Click on the images below (found on the wherethewildbooksare blog) to see a larger version.

Based on this image, the sections of the site will include:

• Shop
• Diagon Alley
• Gringotts
• Great Hall
• Common Hall
• Spells
• Potions
• Trunk
• Friends
• Favourites/Favorites

The total number of points for your house appears on the right of the emblem, and the points you’ve contributed display on the left. The feed of what’s going on (in your house? or all of Pottermore? we’ll see!) shows in the center. This page looks kind of like a map of “things to accomplish.”

The Hogwarts Express: Hm, I’d like to actually be able to JUMP INTO THE SCREEN AND TOOT OFF TO HOGWARTS, but since that’s probably not available, I’m guessing when you click on certain items on the page — like the cats, owls, books, or satchels — something happens.

Christmas at Hogwarts: I especially enjoy this one because it involves food. Perhaps we’ll be able to buy gifts for Pottermore friends in Diagon Alley?

The Chessboard Chamber: This looks like some kind of game experience, but I can’t really tell. Also, note to self: learn to play chess by July 31/October 1.

So, there you have it! Okay, you can go to the site now: Pottermore.com. And when you’re done squealing, come back and let us know in the comments — what would YOU like to see on Pottermore?

— Nancy

Nancy totally didn’t dance crazily and squeal with excitement in her office, where she’s supposed to be a mature adult, when she first heard news of Pottermore. Of course not.

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PS – I used to work at Scholastic, and I even worked on the Scholastic Harry Potter website ages ago &#151 but unfortunately, I’m not in any way involved with Pottermore. Sigh…