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Not only are we celebrating the release of the eighth story, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but today also marks two very special birthdays in the muggle and wizarding worlds: It’s J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter’s birthdays, of course!
Cursed Child celebrations went on through the night, just like old times. Pottermore covered the midnight celebrations from Barnes & Noble in New York:
Waterstones Piccadilly in London also joined in the huge celebrations, showing off Hagrid’s motorbike and sidecar in store, courtesy of Warner Bros, and some amazing wizard shops:
At midnight, the attention turned to the reason we were all celebrating across the world. J.K. Rowling has taken her stories not only across continents, but across a huge variety of medium. Reaching people by page, by screen, through the internet and on stage, she wasn’t exaggerating when she said:
“Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”
It was only fitting, therefore, that she got a birthday cake that matched the beauty of her story – an amazing recreation of King’s Cross, where the journey to Hogwarts for Harry begins, also suggested by Set Designer Christine Jones to have an important part to play in Cursed Child:
‘Few buildings are vast enough to hold the sound of time… there was a superb fitness in the fact that the one which held it better than all others should be a railroad station.’
Few are gifted with such incredible power of expression as J.K. Rowling, so to celebrate her 51st birthday, and Harry’s 36th birthday, IB Times collected 36 quotes from her stories. Entertainment also joined in, collecting photos of Harry Potter stars in their first and final performances.
TIME also explained why 2016 is their biggest birthday yet – thanks to Cursed Child, the power of Harry’s story lives on:
“For some, the date is a pleasant and nostalgic reminder of Harry’s first birthday in the series, when Hagrid brought Harry a cake on the same night he told the boy wizard that he was capable of magic.
For others, though, July 31 is not just a nod back to the beginning of the series but a way to continue celebrating Harry as if he, and his birthday, were real.
‘The Boy Who Lived’ is the first chapter of the Potter series, wherein readers meet Harry as a newborn shortly after surviving a killing curse. Harry survived this, and other battles, despite the odds stacked against him. It seems that this July 31, he’ll simply start doing it again, reminding Potter fans and critics alike why he’ll forever be The Boy Who Lived.”
J.K. Rowling was also named one of 2016’s “Outstanding Women of Scotland” just before her birthday. The Bookseller explains:
“Created in partnership with Glasgow Women’s Library, the “Outstanding Women of Scotland” community aims to recognise and celebrate remarkable Scottish women from all walks of life who have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish society.”
Motto collected 10 inspirational quotes from J.K. Rowling to remind us all how much wisdom she has to offer – on happiness, failure, courage, depression and many other areas of life where we may struggle, she’s always been there to guide us:
On the future: We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better. (via ‘The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination‘)
Harry Potter’s story continues with Cursed Child, however J.K. Rowling has said that his story has come to a close:
“He goes on a very big journey during these two plays and then, yeah, I think we’re done. This is the next generation, you know,” said Rowling, who later appeared on stage during a standing ovation at the end of the show. “So, I’m thrilled to see it realized so beautifully but, no, Harry is done now.”
Harry is 36 today: head Auror under Kingsley Shakelbolt, husband to Ginny Weasley and father of James Sirius, Albus Severus and Lily Luna, Harry is a true hero of the wizarding world.
He reminds us to keep faith, to fight for goodness no matter the odds, to value friendship, love and loyalty, and to learn from the people you admire and respect.
At GeekyCon this weekend, stories like Harry’s have been bringing people together to celebrate their love for good things, to get excited about a book, to sing The Weapon We Have Is Love together and then cry about how powerful love is, because as Potter fans, we’ve learnt to value love above all else.
At Leavesden Studios, at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, at bookstores, book clubs, museums, running clubs, charities and online forums – it’s stories like Harry’s that rock the world, materialise in beautiful ways and change lives for the better, teaching us to come together in a world that may seem dark, to bring goodness to the people that mean most to us, and to be the best parts of ourselves we can be.
We hope you’ve all enjoyed celebrating Cursed Child, and hope that you all have the energy to throw your own Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling birthday parties after most likely staying up reading all night.
Please join us in saying a very happy birthday to both J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter, and share with us how you’ve been celebrating!
Today is not only an exciting day in the muggle world, what with the book release and premiere of Cursed Child, but it is also Neville Longbottom’s 36th birthday!
His determination to help his friends is seen throughout the series: from trying to prevent trouble in The Philosopher’s Stone, to drastically improving his magic in Dumbledore’s Army in Order of the Phoenix, and finally standing up to Voldemort and destroying Nagini, the last horcrux, in Deathly Hallows.
A true Gryffindor, Neville has the courage of ten lions, and was even complimented by Voldemort once!
‘You show spirit, and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom.’
To which Neville (most valiantly) replied:
‘I’ll join you when hell freezes over,’ said Neville. ‘Dumbledore’s Army!’
Pottermore recounts Neville’s journey from a round-faced boy who’d lost his toad, to one of Hogwarts’ most humble heroes. They end with a beautiful tribute to Neville’s story:
“How did the nervous lad with the love of plants grow up to face the Dark Lord? Simple – he never gave up.
Neville didn’t seek sympathy or wallow in despair. Instead he took his pain and channeled it into his training. Spurred by news of the Death Eaters’ escape, he strove to avenge his parents and prevent more innocents from suffering their dreadful fate. The Sorting Hat was right – deep down, Neville Longbottom had the heart of a lion.
Neville’s story is an inspiration to us all. It doesn’t matter how many cauldrons you’ve melted; with hard work and courage, you can still be a hero.”
Please join The Leaky Cauldron in wishing Neville Longbottom, Professor of Herbology, a very happy 36th birthday!
Today we’d like to wish a very happy (belated) birthday to Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), who turned 27 yesterday! Matt–one of the most recent Potter stars to join the Hufflepuff ranks–stars in the new film Me Before You, based on the novel by Jojo Moyes, currently in theaters.
We’d also like to honor our favorite house-elf, Dobby! This “free elf” paved the way for house-elves everywhere with his paid position at Hogwarts and progressive view of house-elf freedom. Though initially somewhat misguided in his attempts to help Harry and his friends, Dobby proved to be a loyal friend and an integral part in the escape from Malfoy Manor in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
We hope that you have had a wonderful April Fool’s Day! We know for certain that a pair of Weasley’s would have taken full advantage of the day.
Fred and George Weasley were two of the greatest pranksters of all time in the Wizarding World. Whether it was sneaking around Hogwarts with the Marauder’s Map, assisting Peeves in terrorizing Umbridge and Filch, or trying to trick their way into the Triwizard Tournament, the twins were always full of mischief and entertainment.
Their fun and games, jokes and tricks were clever and mostly harmless. Even in the darkest time, during Voldemort’s reign, the twins had much success with their inventions of tricker. The two opened their own joke shop, Weasley Wizard Wheezes, in Diagon Alley. The shop is still successful in the Wizarding World, even today.
In honor of Fred and George on their special day, and their day of trickery, Pottermore released this chart (click to enlarge).
Join us in wishing our two favorite Wizarding twins a very happy birthday and Happy April Fool’s Day! (Even if Fred is no longer with us, we still give him much special honor on his birthday–try not to cry!)
Pottermore tweeted this morning, honoring Professor Severus Snape on his birthday by taking a look at his career. A neutral stance to take. J.K. Rowling wasn’t quite sure how to proceed, and posted this tweet:
Snape is a very polarizing figure, we are not going tip toe around that. J.K. Rowling accidentally opened up the can of worms on Snape last November, and relit the Great Snape debate. Today Snape birthday is to be, for lack of a better word, celebrated!
Snape is one of the greatest, grey-area characters in the entire Harry Potter series. He is a hero and a bully. He saved Harry’s life more than once, but also tormented him. Snape taught potions, he was arguably one of the greatest potions masters of Hogwarts–he edited a Hogwarts potions text-book back in his Half-Blood Prince days. However, he was always connected to the Dark Arts.
Whether or not you believe Snape was a good person, love did make him turn from the Dark Arts to working to defeat Voldemort. He died a double agent for Dumbledore, doing his part to bring death to Voldemort, and helping Harry gain an advantage or two over the Dark Lord. His birthday is a notable day; please join us in wishing Severus Snape, one of the bravest character in the Harry Potter series, a very happy birthday.
Today marks the 87th birthday of Rubeus Hagrid – everybody’s favourite half-giant!
Hagrid has had an eventful past. He was expelled from Hogwarts in his third year for his suspected involvement in the opening of The Chamber of Secrets, but Dumbledore’s trust in him thankfully made up for this injustice, being allowed to presume as Gamekeeper. His time is Azkaban in 1993 as a result of the Chamber being opened once again was – thankfully – short-lived.
Hagrid is known also for his role (for a small time) as Professor of Care of Magical Creatures, as a result of his interest in all manner of magical beings (Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Norbet(a) the Norwegian Ridgeback, Fluffy the three-headed dog and Aragog, the giant spider, to name a few of his friends), a Gryffindor and a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
Hagrid delivered Harry’s letter to Hogwarts (after a spot of trouble with the Dursleys), and has been a close friend of his ever since. Albus Dumbledore himself said he ‘would trust Hagrid with [his] life’.
We hope Hagrid is enjoying a glass of warm celebratory Butterbeer by the fire with his friends. Join us here at Leaky in wishing him a very happy 87th birthday!
Today marks William Arthur “Bill” Weasley’s 45th birthday. Bill is the eldest of Molly and Arthur Weasley’s children, husband to Fleur Delacour, and father to Victoire, Dominique, and Louis Weasley.
Described by Harry as “cool,” Bill is a known for being brave and having a penchant for adventure. After graduating from Hogwarts, Bill went to Egypt to work as a curse-breaker for Gringotts; however, after a few years, he returned to England to join the Order of the Phoenix since the threat of Lord Voldemort’s return was imminent. It was during his time with the Order that he met his future wife, Fleur.
During the battle of the Astronomy Tower, Bill was gravely injured by werewolf Fenrir Greyback whilst trying to fend off the attacking Death Eaters. While he was spared Greyback’s fate, he did acquire distinctive scars on his face from Greyback’s claws, and he developed wolf-like tendencies, such as a liking for rare meat.
A year after they met, Bill and Fleur married, but some very unwelcome wedding crashers came in the form of Death Eaters after the fall of the Ministry of Magic. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Shell Cottage, which served as a safe haven for Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Dobby, Mr. Ollivander, and Griphook after their great escape from Malfoy Manor.
Bill fought in the Battle of Hogwarts with the rest of his family, and survived. He went on to have three children with Fleur.
May he have a peaceful birthday with his family, and perhaps some rare steaks.
Last month J.K. Rowling tweeted that she would give us Sirius Black’s birthday if Scotland won their rugby match. The Scottish were victorious, and today we are able to celebrate Harry’s godfather’s birthday!
Sirius Black was an amazing character. He was the father figure Harry never had growing up at the Dursley’s. In addition to his warmth and bravery, after enduring the cells of Azkaban, the cunning Animagus was able to escape the high security prison.
Though his name was not cleared of his wrong imprisonment until after his untimely death, we all knew Sirius to be valiant and true of heart.
In honor of his birthday, Pottermore shared a piece of Sirius concept art…art that may make you shiver. While J.K. Rowling shared her favorite piece of Sirius fan art, which will bring warm fuzzy feelings and perhaps a few tears to fans’ eyes.
Please joining us in wishing one of the Potter fandom’s favorite characters a very happy birthday!
As the resident mom-writer here, I am thrilled to wish Mrs. Molly Weasley a happy birthday from all of us at Leaky. If there has ever been a fictional mum to make a model for good parenting, it’s she! To celebrate her special day, here are just a few of the things we love about Mrs. Weasley.
1. The Weasley Clock keeps better track of the family than any cell phone GPS system ever could, yet she still worries about each and every person when away.
2. Her handmade Christmas gifts may win any ugly sweater contest, but the love they show is priceless.
3. Even though the family is magical, everyone is still responsible for doing the chores. (Gnoming, anyone?)
4. She ALWAYS knows Fred from George.
5. She has a celebrity crush. (Even if it’s Gilderoy Lockheart…)
6. Her loathing of Fleur Delacour.
7. Her love of Fleur Delacour.
8. Percy will always be welcomed home.
9. She lost a son in the Second Wizarding War, but she never would have kept him from fighting.
10. “Not my daughter, you b#!*!”
Thank you for showing us all what a mother can be. Happy birthday, Molly!
Today, we celebrate two Harry Potter birthdays, one a character and one an actor! They are both very real to us of course, because even though one may only exist inside of our heads, Dumbledore tells us that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Professor Filius Flitwick celebrates his birthday today. Though we are not quite sure how old he is, we do know that he has been teaching Charms at Hogwarts for generations, and will be teaching to generations to come. Flitwick, part-goblin part-wizard, is incredibly gifted at wand waving and incantations, and played a vital role in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Having survived the war, protecting Hogwarts as his home, Flitwick went on living the quiet life of a professor. He continues to enlighten young minds–helping both the Hermione Grangers and the Seamus Finnigans of his classes. He is an expert in his field, revered by all, including the likes of Dumbledore.
Guy Henry also celebrates his 55th birthday today. Guy Henry is known in the Harry Potter series as Pius Thickness–the poor wizarding official made Prime Minister by Old Voldy, who was ultimately killed.
Please join us in wishing these two a very happy birthday!
Today we celebrate Garrick Ollivander’s birthday. Though his exact birth year is uncertain, it seems that he is (or would be) roughly 96 years of age today.
Mr. Ollivander is best known as the proprietor of Ollivander’s Wand Shop in Diagon Alley. He descends from a long line of wand-makers, and is widely regarded as the best at his craft. Witches and Wizards flock to his shop from all over the globe to procure wands.
It is no surprise that sage Ollivander was sorted into Ravenclaw house during his time at Hogwarts. Known for his intelligence and remarkable memory, he can recall the details of every wand he has ever sold. He spends his time consumed by wandlore, and to that end he is also known for being rather quirky.
Ollivander’s extensive knowledge of wands and wandlore was coveted by Lord Voldemort, who ordered his kidnapping and subsequent confinement at Malfoy Manor during the Second Wizarding War. There, he was forced to make a wand for Peter Pettigrew, and was interrogated and questioned by Lord Voldemort about the twin cores of Harry’s wand and his own. He was also forced to provide his knowledge about the Elder Wand.
Luna Lovegood was a prisoner at Malfoy Manor at the same time, and she and Ollivander became friends during their imprisonment. After Dobby helped the prisoners escape to Bill and Fleur Weasley’s home, Shell cottage, Ollivander told Luna that she was an “inexpressible comfort” to him during their ordeal. Perhaps Ollivander found in Luna a kindred spirit, as she is also known for her quirkiness. After the war, Ollivander created a new wand for Luna as a token of friendship.
Since we do not know what became of Mr. Ollivander much past the end of the Second Wizarding War, and since magical folk can live remarkably long lives, let us imagine that he is still puttering around his dusty, beloved shop, passing his days with the work he adores.
Today we wish Hermione Jean (Granger) Weasley a very Happy Birthday. Hermione is one of the brightest Witches of her time.
As a true heroine, Hermione not only fought valiantly in the Battle of Hogwarts, but she made the defeat of Voldemort possible. As Ron admitted once about Harry’s quest for Horcruxes, “we wouldn’t last two days without her.”
Hermione’s brilliance brought her back to Hogwarts to finish her education, and then on to becoming the Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement–holding one of the most important positions in Wizarding Government.
After completing school, Hermione married her Hogwarts-sweetheart, and long-time friend, Ronald Weasley. She then took on another important occupation: being a wonderful mother to her daughter and son, Rose and Hugo.
J.K. Rowling expressed her birthday wishes this morning, on Twitter, saying what the rest of us are thinking: we miss the character of Hermione.
Pottermore asked for all to share their favorite Hermione quotes. There are so many!
Please join us in wishing this wonderful character a very Happy Birthday–for the Wizarding World would not be the same without her!
In true pink and kitten covered fashion, it is our duty today to wish Dolores Umbridge a happy birthday. Her party is probably designed and organized by herself, for she will have order. Though none of us are particularly keen on Dolores, especially after J.K. Rowling told us more of her on Pottermore, we wouldn’t like to be impolite. We respectfully wish Dolores Umbridge a happy birthday. Unless you want to become an “Undesirable” we suggest you wish her a happy day too!
Today marks the 39th birthday of previous Gryffindor Head Boy, Percy Weasley.
After the Second Wizarding War, Percy became Head of the Department of Magical Transportation, married a woman named Audrey and had two daughters – Molly and Lucy.
Percy was spotted at the final of the 2014 Quidditch World Cup by Rita Skeeter, who noticed (via a Daily Prophet article on Pottermore) that he had “aged considerably since the Battle of Hogwarts” and was “greying and balding“.
Please join us in wishing Percy a very happy birthday!
Today the Harry Potter world celebrates Ginny (Weasley) Potter’s birthday. Ginny has come along way since her first year at Hogwarts, when she accidentally fell into the hands of Voldemort. She is brave, strong, witty, and an excellent Quidditch Player. One could not imagine a better match for her than Harry.
As an extremely gifted witch, Ginny balances her family life with her husband and three wonderful children with being an excellent professional Quidditch player, and subsequently well-read news reporter. Her loyalty and love is to be admired, and feared by Rita Skeeter. From being a member of the Slug Club, to helping lead Dumbledore’s Army, to facing the Carrows and putting up a fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, we have witnessed many amazing Ginny Moments. Pottermore shared their favorite Ginny quote. What is your favorite Ginny moment or quote?
Please join us in wishing one of our favorite Harry Potter news reporters a very Happy Birthday!
Today marks a mile stone of great celebration for our most beloved author. As Jo Rowling turns 50 today, we all feel like the entire world should be celebrating just wizards celebrated Harry’s victory over Voldemort (twice)! Celebrations that spill out into the streets, and make ignorant muggle folk ask “why?”.
J.K. Rowling told the Today Show last spring that she would indeed be celebrating her 50th birthday with family and friends. She did not cringe, as so many do, when asked about her age, but said it was a time of celebration, for the alternative to aging is “checking out,” and she had so much more like left to live. She updated her Twitter this morning, thanking everyone for the birthday messages; she is enjoying the sun (beach?) with her dog, family and friends…and some fans!
We wish we were there to celebrate with her, too!
Today, many honor all of the great deeds Rowling has accomplished in her life thus far. We also celebrate all of the greatness yet to come. Entertainment Weekly posted a list of the 50 reasons they love Jo, and we quite agree. (Digital Spy supplemented 9 also very valid reasons to love our Harry Potter author.)
For item #20, EW included a 60 Minutes video of Jo from many, many years ago, posted by Leaky (with the old leakynews.com address stamped in the corner). Here are a few of our favorites out of their list of 50 amazing Jo moments:
1. She does not suffer bullies.
2) She’s funny. Her Twitter feed is rife with sly humor, whether she’slaughing at herself for typos, rolling along with followers’ jokes orgetting exasperated by Harry Potter rumors.
3) She’s filling in the Potter story on Pottermore.
4) She gives huge donations to charity (so much that it knocked her off Forbes’ billionaires list).
In 2012, Jo donated an estimated $160 million, and paid all of her hefty taxes (supporting the economy and government of her home country, rather than hiding money in off shore bank accounts). How can you not love her for that?
5) She touts great social causes on social media. As just one example, she recently tweeted support for imprisoned Saudi Arabian blogger Reif Badawi and Ireland’s legalization of gay marriage.
7) She’s kind to her fans, and always seems ready to answer their questions, no matter how random or specific.
8) She admits she made mistakes in the books!
13) She cares about children in need. In 2004, she founded the organization Lumos, to help children who have been unfairly institutionalized get better care.
15) She did her research when coming up with the names of spells (she looked at alchemy, the history of languages, etc.)
She did the same for wands, names of characters, and book titles!
17) She supports Hufflepuffs and has written on Pottermore that she thinks they’re the best.
20) She’s a great artist. Although all the editions of Harry Potter have used other illustrators, Rowling’s not bad at sketching her own characters. Recently, an annotated version of Sorcerer’s Stone with Rowling’s sketches was auctioned for charity.
24) She’s invited die-hard fans to her house.
26) She never talks down to her readers.
27) She proved anyone can take control of their life. At one time, Rowling has said, she was “literally as poor as you can get in Britain without being homeless.” Thanks to work ethic and imagination, she went on to become a celebrated author.
30) She’s completely mastered Twitter, and for someone who very rarely makes public appearances, she makes herself accessible to her followers.
34) She hasn’t read50 Shades of Grey
36) She once gave the best commencement speech we’ve ever heard.
38) She says that she’d want to be sorted into Gryffindor (and specifically answered Pottermore questions so she’d be sorted that way).
46) She owns a “Horcruxes Got Soul” t-shirt
49) She’s fighting to save the BBC.
50) She made Hogwarts tuition-free and subsidized by the Ministry of Magic so all witches and wizards could attend. Imagine if the Weasleys hadn’t been able to afford it!
Please read and enjoy the entire list on EW. Time magazine also decided to do something special for J.K. Rowling’s birthday. In honor of the 17 years it took her to complete one of the best (if not THE best) books series in the world, Time contacted 17 Harry Potter actors, and asked them to write brief birthday messages to Jo.
Many of them are absolutely hilarious, Matt Lewis and Natalia Tena’s messages are rather long and touching. Evanna’s was by far the longest, and she shared her experience of meeting Jo for the first time. These and many more can be read on the Time’s website. We have shared a few, short funny ones; take a look below:
As it is well known, it is also Harry Potter’s birthday today. Harry turns 35. Working as head Auror (and the youngest to ever attain the position, at age 26) for Kingsley Shakelbolt’s Ministry of Magic, Harry continues to make defeating evil apart of his daily work. Harry is happily married, and a family man. He and Ginny will be sending their youngest, Albus Severus off to Hogwarts in a couple years.
Harry is forever the heart of the wizarding community and the wizarding world as we know it. His story will forever be a part of our lives–in our imaginations and in real life. We honor Harry today for his bravery, loyalty, and goodness. Just like his creator (Jo), his large heart shows goodness in small ways, as well as large.
Today, we not only honor the character who saved the wizarding world, but who also ensured Severus Snape’s portrait hung in the Headmaster’s office, made peace and acquaintanceship with Draco Malfoy, and occasionally has mini-family reunions with Dudley.
A Harry Potter fan on staff at the Telegraph wrote her own personal anecdote as to how Harry would be celebrating his birthday today. Not unlike his creator, he is happily surrounded by family and friends. Alice Vincent writes for the Telegraph:
It’s the summer holidays now, so James, Albus and Lily are all back home. Before he’s even able to put on his wire-framed, round glasses, Harry is woken up by them. Specifically, he’s woken up by a floating cake – a fun charm by Ginny, who has inherited her mother’s impressive domestic skills. Unfortunately, it brings back unpleasant memories for Harry, who at 15 risked expulsion from Hogwarts, after Dobby the House Elf dropped a cake on a family friend (an illegal use of underage magic for which he must take responsibility).
Thankfully, he is swiftly distracted by a flurry of owls, descendents of his beloved Hedwig, who died during his final year. They are delivering parcels from his friends, Hermione and Ron, now a married couple with two children, Hagrid, and his in-laws, Molly and Arthur Weasley.
Later, after Harry’s spent the day dealing with dark magical forces – and admin – they’ll all meet up at 12 Grimmauld Place for a bit of a party.
The Scamanders, [Rolf] and Luna (née Lovegood) and their twins Lorcan and Lysander, will be in attendance, along with Neville and Hannah Longbottom and some friends from the Ministry of Magic. As deputy head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement, it can be difficult for Hermione to get away from work. But she’s made an exception this evening, as Ron is bringing along the newest stock from the family joke shop, Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes, and the newest generation of Weasleys, Hugo and Rose, want to see their cousins.
Perhaps surprisingly, Harry keeps contact with his own cousin, Dudley. A birthday card arrived by Muggle post just this morning, with a rather perfunctory message.
When the celebrations are over, Harry will get back to what he usually does in his free time: flying around with his children.
In a less sentimental, in true standup-comedy fashion, Jimmy Fallon acknowledged Harry’s birthday with a “Drunk Ron Weasley” segment. The video can be seen on the Tonight Show’s Facebook page. Pottermore also tweeted a list of Harry’s best and worst birthday gifts over the years.
It is a day for cakes, Butterbeer, and Weasley Wizard Weazes. A collaboration of food artists have come together to bake a collection of sweets for the occasion. The group calls themselves “Birthday Mischief Managed.” Newswire reported:
The group, founded in July 2014, proudly honors some of the world’s most esteemed personalities and award winning artists in the food industry. Audiences may recognize work styles and faces of the participants from hit television series and competitions Cake Boss: Next Great Baker, Sugar Dome, Cake Wars, Ultimate Cake Off, Outrageous Chocolate, Halloween Wars, and more. Each member was asked to join based on their fanatic for the project and to “dress” for the occasion!
To celebrate J.K. Rowling’s birthday on July 31st, which coincidentally is Harry Potter’s birthday, the members of the group chose locations inspired by the books, movies, and Pottermore. Members were given artistic freedom to create original edible fan art celebrating or jinxing the birthdays of J.K. and Harry. An added challenge included incorporating 1-3, twists, “Easter Eggs” for J.K. and fans to find. Some of the sentiments include J.K.’s birthstone, birth month and favorite flowers (the Larkspur and Lily), and an orange support ribbon in memory of her mother.
Birthday creations by food artists and young fans can be see on their website. Maybe some of their Harry Potter themed desserts will inspire you to create your own!
We hope many of you will be throwing your own Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling birthday parties. All those celebrating with Melissa Anelli at GeekyCon have officially made July 31 “Geek Day” in Orange County, FL. Please share with us how you are celebrating today, and please join us in wishing J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter a very happy birthday!
30th July marks the 35th birthday of Neville Longbottom, a character who shows that we can prove ourselves to have more strength and courage than we could ever know.
At first appearance, Neville was an unexpected Gryffindor, and his first few years at Hogwarts were riddled with mishaps. He made his entrance as a clumsy boy looking for Trevor – his toad – on the Hogwarts Express.
He was almost a hatstall at the Sorting Ceremony (pleading with the Sorting Hat to be in Hufflepuff), he melted Seamus Finnigan’s cauldron in his first Potions class, and broke his wrist at his first flying lesson. His luck never seemed to improve, as he was relentlessly mocked and bullied by Draco Malfoy (who pranked him with the Leg-Locker curse in their second term). Even in his first year, however, Neville showed us his courageous side, as he challenged Malfoy (and then proceeded to single-handedly take on Crabbe and Goyle) at the Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff match:
‘Neville went bright red but turned in his seat to face Malfoy.
“I’m worth twelve of you, Malfoy,” he stammered.
Malfoy, Grabbe and Goyle howled with laughter, but Ron, still not daring to take his eyes from the game, said, “You tell him, Neville.” ‘
The Chamber of Secrets saw Neville fearing for his life, facing the prospect of a basilisk in Hogwarts. Though pure-blood, he feared that his squib-like tendencies would lead to him being a target. In one of Gilderoy Lockhart’s lessons he is hung up on a chandelier by his ears, and utters what came to be his most famous quote:
‘Why is it always me?’
In his third year, Neville revealed in Remus Lupin’s Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson on boggarts that his worst fear was Professor Snape, leading into the great scene in which boggart-Snape emerges wearing Neville’s grandmother’s clothes.
He attended the Yule Ball with Ginny Weasley in his fourth year, after being declined by Hermione Granger.
Neville was a devoted member of Dumbledore’s Army in his fifth year, being one of the first to sign up. After we learned that his tortured parents were being treated in St Mungo’s, and that three of their torturers had escaped Azkaban, Neville improved his skills with the DA at a significant rate. He accompanied the trio to the Ministry of Magic to save Sirius Black, was captured and briefly endured the Cruciatus Curse under Bellatrix Lestrange, attempting convince Harry to hand over the prophecy. It is in The Order of the Phoenix that we learn that as both Neville and Harry were born at the end of July to parents who had escaped Voldemort three times, they were both in line to becoming the child Sybill Trelawney’s prophecy spoke of, but Harry had been ‘marked’ as Voldemort’s equal as a baby:
‘The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives… the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies’
Neville returned to Hogwarts in The Deathly Hallows, and re-started Dumbledore’s Army, rebelling against the Death Eaters (specifically the brutal Carrows):
‘Alecto, Amycus’s sister, teaches Muggle Studies, which is compulsory for everyone. We’ve all got to listen to her explain how Muggles are like animals, stupid and dirty, and how they drive wizards into hiding by being vicious toward them, and how the natural order is being reestablished. I got this one ((indicates to a large gash on his cheek)) for asking her how much Muggle blood she and her brother have got.’
After being physically punished for his efforts, the Ministry targeted Neville’s grandmother as a method of blackmailing him, however, she managed to escape capture. This led to plans to kill Neville after singling him out as ring-leader of the rebels, and then to his subsequent hiding in the Room of Requirement, a newly-turned hiding place connected to the Hog’s Head and Aberforth Dumbledore.
During the Battle of Hogwarts, Neville received orders from Harry to set killing Nagini – Voldemort’s horcrux – to their highest priority, which he later fulfilled due to having pulled Godric Gryffindor’s sword out of the Sorting Hat. Neville’s bravery in directly standing up to Voldemort and his followers not only proved him worthy of the sword, but also proved just how much of a Gryffindor he had become (and always had been!).
Later in life, Neville became an Auror, then Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts. He married Hannah Abbott, and they now live together above The Leaky Cauldron. Like other members of Dumbledore’s Army, he has kept his enchanted D.A. coin as a badge of honour, occasionally showing impressed students.
J.K Rowling has said that Neville ‘finds happiness in his grandmother’s acceptance of him as a gifted wizard and as the new herbology professor at Hogwarts’. You can read more about his later life in Rita Skeeter’s Daily Prophet article on Pottermore here.
Join us in wishing Neville a very happy 35th birthday!
Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) celebrates his 26th birthday today! Yes, it is today. According to Twitter, Matt said he had been getting many great birthday wishes from the Harry Potter clan and “Emma Watson and Co.” With this remark, J.k. Rowling rushed to giver her wishes…all to which Matt said thank you, but they were all a day to early. Please join us in wishing Matt a happy birthday, on his actual birthday :).
The Harry Potter universe also honors Dobby, our favorite brave and loyal house elf today. It too is Dobby’s birthday. We are not quite sure how old Dobby would be, but we take this time to remember him and the many times he tried to save Harry (bludgers, brick walls…and of course a rescue from Bellatrix). Pottermore is asking for fans’ favorite Dobby Quotes in celebration of this wonderful house elf. Please join us in wishing Dobby a Happy Birthday.
Today our favorite author, J.K. Rowling, celebrates her 49th birthday! Her literary hero, Harry Potter, also turns 34 today. As these two extraordinary people are the reason the Potter universe, this fansite, and wonderful fan base exist, please join us in wishing Jo and Harry a very happy birthday.
Please join us in wishing one of the Battle of Hogwarts' most humble heroes, Professor Neville Longbottom, a very happy birthday! Professor Longbottom, the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has had an exciting summer attending the Quidditch World Cup with all of his old school mates. He turns 34 today.
Today, March 10, please join us in celebrating the birthday of a beloved Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's birthday: Remus Lupin! To many Lupin was more than just a Hogwarts professor. He was a great member of the Order of the Pheonix, mentor, and family friend. Along side a fellow staff member, we also celebrate the rather unique Professor Trelawney's birthday, as her birthday was yesterday. Please celebrate for these wonderful Hogwarts staff members!
The calendar on Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling's official website has been updated to mark the February 6th birthday of Arthur Weasley. Three cheers to you, Arthur!
Posted on 1/8/2010
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As it is now midnight in the U.K., the calendar at JKRowling.com has flipped to the 9th of January and notes the birthday of Severus Snape. Here at Leaky, we ask you to join us in raising a glass to the ex-Potions Master. Happy birthday, Severus Snape!
The calendar on Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling's website has been updated to note the December 12th birthday of Charlie Weasley. Cheers to you, Charlie!
Happy Birthday wishes are in order, for the calendar on Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling's website has been updated to mark the December 6th birthday of Rubeus Hagrid. Tankard-sized cheers, Hagrid!
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