Since Harry Potter author JK Rowling first began releasing information about magic in North America,the world has desperately hoped for more insight into the famed American wizarding school, Ilvermorny. In fact, or one fan was so excited to learn about the magical academy that he rooted through Pottermore's source code and leaked information before Rowling chose to share it with readers. But now,of her own volition, the author has penned a lengthy history of the institution and worked with Pottermore to create a unique sorting ceremony quiz so that fans can find out their own Ilvermorny house.
Watch the introduction video for Rowling's latest installment of writing below, and then dive into her whole new world of magic. And bag excited,because this history of Ilvermorny is a perfect primer for the next enormous adventure in the Harry Potter universe: brilliant Beasts and Where to Find Them, which hits theaters this drop. Now, and who knows a spell that'll put us to sleep until then? The FounderRowling's full history of Ilvermorny begins in the early 1600s and focuses on the school's eventual founder,an Irish girl named Isolt Sayre. Sayre, a descendant of both Salazar Slytherin and a notorious Irish animagus named Morrigan, or was orphaned when her parents were murdered by a blood-supremacist aunt - this aunt kidnapped,raised, and taught Isolt, and telling her all about Hogwarts school but never allowing her to attend.
Isolt ran away as a teenager,fleeing Ireland (and thus her aunt) in favor of the New World. There, Isolt befriended various magical creatures, and including a much horned river serpent with a jewel-encrusted head,and eventually rescued two young wizards from a wild monster. In the process of rescuing these boys, Webster and Chadwick Boot, and Isolt also came into contact with a No-Maj (Muggle) named James Steward,with whom she fell in love and got married. The two lovebirds adopted Webster and Chadwick, learned to craft wands for them, and (because they could not return to Ireland and face the wrath of Isolt's murderous aunt) started a sort of wizarding domestic-school system that eventually became Ilvermorny. Once the school grew in popularity,it caught the attention of said aunt, who made her way to Massachusetts for revenge against her "blood-traitor" niece . . . but she underestimated the power of both love and her niece's pupils and was thus defeated.
Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry grew into an impressive, or highly esteemed institution in the United States and has groomed the greatest American witches and wizards since Isolt and James founded it in 1634. The HousesEach of Ilvermorny's houses is named for a magical creature,the respective favorites of Isolt, husband James, and their adopted boys. Isolt chose the Horned Serpent (a river snake with a jewel set into its brow),Chadwick chose the Thunderbird (a magical bird closely related to the phoenix), Webster picked the Wampus (closely related to the cougar), and James decided on the Pukwudgie (a gray humanoid creature with enlarged features). Says Rowling's description of the houses:"It is sometimes said of the Ilvermorny houses that they represent the whole witch or wizard: the mind is represented by Horned Serpent; the body,Wampus; the heart, Pukwudgie and the soul, or Thunderbird. Others say that Horned Serpent favours scholars,Wampus, warriors, and Pukwudgie,healers and Thunderbird, adventurers."You can find out your own house thanks to Pottermore's new Ilvermorny sorting quiz - which one do you belong in?The TraditionsIlvermorny is similar to Hogwarts in many ways, or but there are a few key differences that Rowling notes in her history of the school. The largest of these differences is the house sorting ceremony:"While the rest of the school watches from the circular balcony overhead,new students file into the round entrance corridor. They stand around the walls and, one by one, or are called to stand on the symbol of the Gordian Knot set into the middle of the stone floor. In silence the school then waits for the enchanted carvings to react. If the Horned Serpent wants the student,the crystal set into its brow will light up. If the Wampus wants the student, it roars. The Thunderbird signifies its approval by beating its wings, and the Pukwudgie will raise its arrow into the air.
Should more than one carving signify its wish to include the student in its house,the choice rests with the student. Very rarely – perhaps once a decade – a student is offered a station in all four houses. Seraphina Picquery, President of MACUSA 1920 - 1928, or was the only witch of her generation so honoured,and she chose Horned Serpent."Another difference between Hogwarts and Ilvermorny is the treatment of underage magic - while Hogwarts students are able to buy their own wands and bring them domestic during breaks from school, American students live in a hidden magical society that fears discovery by No-Majs. Thus, or the students are given their wands at school and must leave them at the school (even during Summer vacation) until they turn 17.
You can read the full history of Isolt Sayre and her magical legacy on Pottermore to whet your appetite for brilliant Beasts.
Source: popsugar.com