Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Puritans and Salem Witch Trials and a magical Congress, oh my!

Wednesday morning, J.K. Rowling released the second installment of her new writing (you can read about the first here) about magic in America on Pottermore. Here’s what we learned:

Wednesday morning, J.K. Rowling released the second installment of her new writing (you can read about the first here) about magic in America on Pottermore. Here’s what we learned:

Afp / AFP / Getty Images

In the 17th century and beyond, European witches and wizards emigrated to America along with their No-Maj counterparts.

In the 17th century and beyond, European witches and wizards emigrated to America along with their No-Maj counterparts.

Sometimes it was out of adventure, but mostly it was to escape persecution or the wizarding authorities. (Again, No-Maj is the American version of Muggle.)

Pottermore / Via Twitter: @EW

The new witches and wizards tried to blend in with the No-Majs or hid among the existing Native American magical community.

The new witches and wizards tried to blend in with the No-Majs or hid among the existing Native American magical community.

Pottermore / Twitter: @EW

America was a harsher environment for the newcomers compared to Europe because there were unfamiliar magical plants, no established wandmakers, and only one wizarding school — Ilvermorny — but in its roughest early stages.

America was a harsher environment for the newcomers compared to Europe because there were unfamiliar magical plants, no established wandmakers, and only one wizarding school — Ilvermorny — but in its roughest early stages.

Pottermore


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In case you missed it, the Season 6 trailer is FINALLY here. So we decided to take a look at exactly what it all means. Spoilers, obviously.

As the sun rises on Castle Black, we're treated to a cutesy version of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game".

As the sun rises on Castle Black, we're treated to a cutesy version of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game".

"Wicked Game"/Game of Thrones. It's all very clever and we're only a couple of seconds in.

HBO

The camera pans in on a definitely dead Lord Commander, and all hope is removed as someone softly exclaims: "He's gone."

The camera pans in on a definitely dead Lord Commander, and all hope is removed as someone softly exclaims: "He's gone."

It sounds like the voice of lead Snow-stabber Ser Alliser Thorne. But tbh it's someone northern and grumpy so it could equally be Ser Davos.

HBO

Away from winter's reaches (for now), we see Jaime arrive back in King's Landing with the body of his recently murdered daughter.

Away from winter's reaches (for now), we see Jaime arrive back in King's Landing with the body of his recently murdered daughter.

Also I would totally buy that postcard.

HBO

Back on dry land Jaime is trying to convince an almost beaten–looking Cersei that the game isn't over just yet.

Back on dry land Jaime is trying to convince an almost beaten–looking Cersei that the game isn't over just yet.

"We're the only ones who matter, and everything they've taken from us we're going to take back. And more."

HBO


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People Are Not Happy With J.K. Rowling's Depiction Of Native Americans

J.K. Rowling's new Pottermore story about the American Wizarding World had a lot of Harry Potter fans excited, but it also upset plenty, too.

J.K. Rowling's new Pottermore story about the American Wizarding World had a lot of Harry Potter fans excited, but it also upset plenty, too.

Ben A. Pruchnie / Getty Images

In the first installment of the four-part series, Rowling introduces readers to the earliest wizards and witches in North America: Native Americans skilled in animal and plant magic, who don't need wands to conjure spells. Rowling also describes skin-walkers (which, according to some Native legends, is a person who can transform into an animal at will) as Native American animagi — fictional beings of her own creation. She also includes medicine men in her narrative.



BuzzFeed News has reached out to a representative for Rowling for a comment.