7 Times J.K. Rowling Saved the Internet by Revealing Harry Potter Secrets
by Phil Pirrello
The only thing the internet loves more than Harry Potter is the woman that created him, J.K. Rowling. With the help of Twitter, she has made fans very happy by dropping behind-the-scenes trivia about favorite characters and scenes. In honor of "Sorcerer's Stone" turning 15, here are few truth bombs Rowling dropped on us.
1. Dumbledore Was Gay
When a fan asked Rowling if Dumbledore was ever in love, she revealed that she always thought he was gay -- which was met with massive applause. She went on to say that he had fallen for fellow wizard, Gellert Grindelwald. The fans were so elated about this reveal, the author commented that "If I had known this would have made you this happy, I would have announced it years ago."
2. She Messed Up Shipping Ron and Hermione
Who doesn't love the Harry-Ron-Hermonie love triangle? The author who created it. In a 2014 interview with Emma Watson, Rowling admits that she wrote Ron and Hermione as a sort of "wish fulfillment," and that the hero of the books should have been the guy who gets the girl in the end.
3. Why the Dursely's Gotta Hate
Harry's live-in relatives are epic d-bags. (You'd think after one or two movies, Harry would have realized that and AirBnB'd it out of there, but...) According to Rowling, this hate was kind of justified -- especially Petunia's. She had an inferiority complex when it came to her magical sister-turned-Harry's mum. And Vernon was a proud Anti-Wizardite long before Harry came along, and Dudley, well, he's just crap because Dudley. Man, they were the worst.
4. Her Favorite Chapter Is...
Rowling has written 200 chapters throughout the book series. Of those, Chapter 34 from "Deathly Hallows" is her fave -- when Harry set out to take on Voldemort once more time. Speaking of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"...
5. Voldemort and Harry Share a Bloodline
Yep, one of the greatest heroes ever is a blood relative of one of the worst villains in the history of always. Blame the Peverells, Rowling says. Because, according to the author, "all wizarding families are related if you trace them back through the centuries."
6. What's My Name?!
Yup, we've been saying it wrong, too. It's okay. Thanks to Jo, we can stop finally hanging our heads in nerd shame. The "t" on the end of the Big Bad's name is silent, but the author Tweeted that she is probably the only one who pronounces it that way.
7. 'Always'
Many shared their reactions and personal anecdotes in response to Alan Rickman's death. Of course, Rowling had her own story about her time with the once and future Snape. Rickman was, at first, reluctant to play the wizard, given how unlikable he appears. To help alleviate his concerns, she told him the significance of "Always": It alludes to the love he will always have for Lilly, and to an extent, her son. And nope, those aren't tears. It's allergies. I swear.
