Bloomsbury J.K. Rowling chat transcript
Rowling answered post-Deathly Hallows questions in this chat transcript.
I'm putting some of the most interesting and important questions and answers behind the cut. (Definitely some things that should help HP fic writers.)
Did Lucius Malfoy, and all the other escaped Death Eaters, go back to Azkaban?
J.K. Rowling: No, the Malfoys weaseled their way out of trouble (again) due to the fact that they colluded (albeit out of self-interest) with Harry at the end of the battle.
On people's careers:
J.K. Rowling: Hermione began her post-Hogwarts career at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures where she was instrumental in greatly improving life for house-elves and their ilk. She then moved (despite her jibe to Scrimgeour) to the Dept. of Magical Law Enforcement where she was a progressive voice who ensured the eradication of oppressive, pro-pureblood laws.
Ron joined George at Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes, which became an enormous money-spinner..
After a few years as a celebrated player for the Holyhead Harpies, Ginny retired to have her family and to become the Senior Quidditch correspondent at the Daily Prophet!
Kingsley became permanent Minister for Magic, and naturally he wanted Harry to head up his new Auror department.
The new improved Percy ended up as a high-ranking official under Kingsley.
What happened to Luna, did she get married, who to?
J.K. Rowling: She ended up marrying (rather later than Harry & co) a fellow naturalist and grandson of the great Newt Scamander (Rolf)!
What was Dudley's worst memory?
J.K. Rowling: I think that when Dudley was attacked by the Dementors he saw himself, for the first time, as he really was. This was an extremely painful, but ultimately salutory lesson, and began the transformation in him.
Who killed Remus and Tonks?
J.K. Rowling: Remus was killed by Dolohov and Tonks by Bellatrix.
Was the absence of Snape's portrait in the headmaster's office in the last scene innocent or deliberate?
J.K. Rowling: It was deliberate. Snape had effectively abandoned his post before dying, so he had not merited inclusion in these august circles. However, I like to think that Harry would be instrumental in ensuring that Snape’s portrait would appear there in due course.
[I'm really glad to hear that Snape ended up getting a portrait eventually. I think he deserved one and I like to think that portrait-Snape and portrait-Dumbledore are still talking to each other and helping out the current headmaster.]
How is George getting along without his twin?
J.K. Rowling: Well, I don’t think that George would ever get over losing Fred, which makes me feel so sad. However, he names his first child and son Fred, and he goes on to have a very successful career, helped by good old Ron.
What did Dumbledore truly see in the Mirror of Erised?
J.K. Rowling: He saw his family alive, whole and happy - Ariana, Percival and Kendra all returned to him, and Aberforth reconciled to him.
Do you think Snape is a hero?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, I do; though a very flawed hero. An anti-hero, perhaps. He is not a particularly likeable man in many ways. He remains rather cruel, a bully, riddled with bitterness and insecurity - and yet he loved, and showed loyalty to that love and, ultimately, laid down his life because of it. That’s pretty heroic!
[Interesting that this answer is a bit different to the one she gave The Today Show. I agree with her here, I think Snape was an anti-hero.]
Did Lily ever have feelings back for Snape?
J.K. Rowling: Yes. She might even have grown to love him romantically (she certainly loved him as a friend) if he had not loved Dark Magic so much, and been drawn to such loathesome people and acts.
Does the wizarding world now know that Snape was Dumbledore's man, or do they still think he did a bunk?
J.K. Rowling: Harry would ensure that Snape’s heroism was known. Of course, that would not stop Rita Skeeter writing ‘Snape: Scoundrel or Saint?’
Is Teddy Lupin a werewolf?
J.K. Rowling: No, he’s a Metamorphmagus like his mother
Are house divisions as prevalent in Harry’s children’s Hogwarts as in the previous generations?
J.K. Rowling: Slytherin has become diluted. It is no longer the pureblood bastion it once was. Nevertheless, its dark reputation lingers, hence Albus Potter’s fears.
Lily detested Mulciber, Avery, if Snape really loved her, why didn't he sacrifice their company for her sake?
J.K. Rowling: Well, that is Snape’s tragedy. Given his time over again he would not have become a Death Eater, but like many insecure, vulnerable people (like Wormtail) he craved membership of something big and powerful, something impressive. He wanted Lily and he wanted Mulciber too. He never really understood Lily’s aversion; he was so blinded by his attraction to the dark side he thought she would find him impressive if he became a real Death Eater.
What child did Harry give the Marauders Map to if any?
J.K. Rowling: I’ve got a feeling he didn’t give it to any of them, but that James sneaked it out of his father’s desk one day.
[That is so cute. Does anyone else think that James's middle name is Sirius?]
What did Petunia want to say to Harry at the end of the Dursleys Departing?
J.K. Rowling: I think that for one moment she trembled on the verge of wishing Harry luck; that she almost acknowledged that her loathing of his world, and of him, was born out of jealousy. But she couldn’t do it; years of pretending that ‘normal’ was best had hardened her too much.
Can Harry speak Parseltongue when he is no longer a horcrux?
J.K. Rowling: No, he loses the ability, and is very glad to do so.
What is Dumbledore's boggart?
J.K. Rowling: The corpse of his sister
What is toadface umbridge doing now?
J.K. Rowling: Glad to see you like her as much as I do! She was arrested, interrogated and imprisoned for crimes against Muggleborns.
How exactly do Muggleborns receive magical ability?
J.K. Rowling: Muggle-borns will have a witch or wizard somewhere on their family tree, in some cases many, many generations back. The gene re-surfaces in some unexpected places.
Is Rita Skeeter still reporting?
J.K. Rowling: Naturally, what could stop Rita? I imagine she immediately dashed off a biography of Harry after he defeated Voldemort. One quarter truth to three quarters rubbish.
Was Hermione able to find her parents and undo the memory damage?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, she brought them home straight away.
Was Minerva in love with Albus?
J.K. Rowling: No! Not everybody falls in love with everybody else…
How come no one seemed to know that Lily and Snape were friends in school they were obviously meeting for chats, etc.? Didn't James know their past?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, it was known that they were friendly and then stopped being friends. Nothing more than that would be widely known. James always suspected Snape harboured deeper feelings for Lily, which was a factor in James’ behaviour to Snape.
[I found this very interesting! I had assumed that the reason Lupin and Sirius never mentioned to Harry that Snape was Lily's friend was because they never knew! I thought that perhaps Lily and Snape kept mostly to their respective houses, keeping up their friendship more over the summers at home. This also makes me feel a bit better about James; I can see why he'd pick on Snape if he thought that Snape loved the girl he was in love with.]
Is Scorpius as misguided as his father, or has Draco improved and taught his child(ren) better?
J.K. Rowling: Scorpius has a lot going against him, not least that name. However, I think Scorpius would be an improvement on his father, whom misfortune has sobered!
Did Draco and Harry lose their animosity towards each other when voldemort died?
J.K. Rowling: Not really. There would be a kind of rapprochement, in that Harry knows Draco hated being a Death Eater, and would not have killed Dumbledore; similarly, Draco would feel a grudging gratitude towards Harry for saving his life. Real friendship would be out of the question, though. Too much had happened prior to the final battle.
What ever happened to Aberforth?
J.K. Rowling: He is still there, at the Hog’s Head, playing with his goats.
Is Narcissa Malfoy really a Death Eater?
J.K. Rowling: No, she never had the Dark Mark and was never a fully paid-up member. However, her views were identical to those of her husband until Voldemort planned the death of her son.
[Interesting! I never realized she wasn't a Death Eater.]
Was Firenze ever welcomed back into the herd?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, the rest of the herd was forced to acknowledge that Firenze’s pro-human leanings were not shameful, but honourable.
Since Voldemort was afraid of death, did he choose to be a ghost if so where does he haunt or is this not possible due to his horcruxes?
J.K. Rowling: No, he is not a ghost. He is forced to exist in the stunted form we witnessed in King’s Cross.
Will we see Harry and his friends having their own history on chocolate frogs cards?
J.K. Rowling: Definitely, and Ron will describe this as his finest hour.
Was Snape the only death eater who could produce a full patronus?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, because a Patronus is used against things that the Death Eaters generally generate, or fight alongside. They would not need Patronuses.
Have you had another alternatives as book title apart from deathly hallows?
J.K. Rowling: The two other possibilities were ‘the Elder Wand’ (used instead as a chapter title) and ‘the Peverell Quest’, which I decided against quite quickly. I think the word ‘Quest’ is a bit corny!
Does the Dark Mark remain on those that Voldemort has branded after his death or does the tattoo disappear now he is gone?
J.K. Rowling: The Dark Mark would fade to a scar, not dissimilar to the lightning scar on Harry’s forehead. Like Harry’s, these scars would no longer burn or hurt.
How is the Quibbler doing these days?
J.K. Rowling: Pretty well, actually. It has returned to its usual condition of advanced lunacy, and is appreciated for its unintentional humour.
Did Bellatrix ever love her husband, or did she have love only for Voldemort?
J.K. Rowling: She took a pureblood husband, because that was what was expected of her, but her true love was always Voldemort.
How did Snape keep his patronus secret from the rest of the Order?
J.K. Rowling: He was careful not to use the talking Patronus means of communication with them. This was not difficult, as his particular job within the Order, ie, as spy, meant that sending a Patronus to any of them might have given away his true allegiance.
Did the D.A. keep the coins?
J.K. Rowling: Naturally. They would be like badges or medals of honour - proof that the owner had been at the heart of the fight against Voldemort from the start! I like to imagine Neville showing his to his admiring pupils.
How did Snape get into Grimmauld Place to get the second half of the letter, if there were protection spells on the house stopping Snape getting in?
J.K. Rowling: Snape entered the house immediately after Dumbledore’s death, before Moody put up the spells against him.
Well, hell. I intended to put only a few behind the cut, but I ended up putting down a ton of them! XD There were a lot of really good and revealing questions. Some of the answers surprised me.
A few people still haven't picked up their Divination Challenge banners (and I'm doing fics for all the participants). Don't forget to check this post when you finish reading the book.
I'm putting some of the most interesting and important questions and answers behind the cut. (Definitely some things that should help HP fic writers.)
Did Lucius Malfoy, and all the other escaped Death Eaters, go back to Azkaban?
J.K. Rowling: No, the Malfoys weaseled their way out of trouble (again) due to the fact that they colluded (albeit out of self-interest) with Harry at the end of the battle.
On people's careers:
J.K. Rowling: Hermione began her post-Hogwarts career at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures where she was instrumental in greatly improving life for house-elves and their ilk. She then moved (despite her jibe to Scrimgeour) to the Dept. of Magical Law Enforcement where she was a progressive voice who ensured the eradication of oppressive, pro-pureblood laws.
Ron joined George at Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes, which became an enormous money-spinner..
After a few years as a celebrated player for the Holyhead Harpies, Ginny retired to have her family and to become the Senior Quidditch correspondent at the Daily Prophet!
Kingsley became permanent Minister for Magic, and naturally he wanted Harry to head up his new Auror department.
The new improved Percy ended up as a high-ranking official under Kingsley.
What happened to Luna, did she get married, who to?
J.K. Rowling: She ended up marrying (rather later than Harry & co) a fellow naturalist and grandson of the great Newt Scamander (Rolf)!
What was Dudley's worst memory?
J.K. Rowling: I think that when Dudley was attacked by the Dementors he saw himself, for the first time, as he really was. This was an extremely painful, but ultimately salutory lesson, and began the transformation in him.
Who killed Remus and Tonks?
J.K. Rowling: Remus was killed by Dolohov and Tonks by Bellatrix.
Was the absence of Snape's portrait in the headmaster's office in the last scene innocent or deliberate?
J.K. Rowling: It was deliberate. Snape had effectively abandoned his post before dying, so he had not merited inclusion in these august circles. However, I like to think that Harry would be instrumental in ensuring that Snape’s portrait would appear there in due course.
[I'm really glad to hear that Snape ended up getting a portrait eventually. I think he deserved one and I like to think that portrait-Snape and portrait-Dumbledore are still talking to each other and helping out the current headmaster.]
How is George getting along without his twin?
J.K. Rowling: Well, I don’t think that George would ever get over losing Fred, which makes me feel so sad. However, he names his first child and son Fred, and he goes on to have a very successful career, helped by good old Ron.
What did Dumbledore truly see in the Mirror of Erised?
J.K. Rowling: He saw his family alive, whole and happy - Ariana, Percival and Kendra all returned to him, and Aberforth reconciled to him.
Do you think Snape is a hero?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, I do; though a very flawed hero. An anti-hero, perhaps. He is not a particularly likeable man in many ways. He remains rather cruel, a bully, riddled with bitterness and insecurity - and yet he loved, and showed loyalty to that love and, ultimately, laid down his life because of it. That’s pretty heroic!
[Interesting that this answer is a bit different to the one she gave The Today Show. I agree with her here, I think Snape was an anti-hero.]
Did Lily ever have feelings back for Snape?
J.K. Rowling: Yes. She might even have grown to love him romantically (she certainly loved him as a friend) if he had not loved Dark Magic so much, and been drawn to such loathesome people and acts.
Does the wizarding world now know that Snape was Dumbledore's man, or do they still think he did a bunk?
J.K. Rowling: Harry would ensure that Snape’s heroism was known. Of course, that would not stop Rita Skeeter writing ‘Snape: Scoundrel or Saint?’
Is Teddy Lupin a werewolf?
J.K. Rowling: No, he’s a Metamorphmagus like his mother
Are house divisions as prevalent in Harry’s children’s Hogwarts as in the previous generations?
J.K. Rowling: Slytherin has become diluted. It is no longer the pureblood bastion it once was. Nevertheless, its dark reputation lingers, hence Albus Potter’s fears.
Lily detested Mulciber, Avery, if Snape really loved her, why didn't he sacrifice their company for her sake?
J.K. Rowling: Well, that is Snape’s tragedy. Given his time over again he would not have become a Death Eater, but like many insecure, vulnerable people (like Wormtail) he craved membership of something big and powerful, something impressive. He wanted Lily and he wanted Mulciber too. He never really understood Lily’s aversion; he was so blinded by his attraction to the dark side he thought she would find him impressive if he became a real Death Eater.
What child did Harry give the Marauders Map to if any?
J.K. Rowling: I’ve got a feeling he didn’t give it to any of them, but that James sneaked it out of his father’s desk one day.
[That is so cute. Does anyone else think that James's middle name is Sirius?]
What did Petunia want to say to Harry at the end of the Dursleys Departing?
J.K. Rowling: I think that for one moment she trembled on the verge of wishing Harry luck; that she almost acknowledged that her loathing of his world, and of him, was born out of jealousy. But she couldn’t do it; years of pretending that ‘normal’ was best had hardened her too much.
Can Harry speak Parseltongue when he is no longer a horcrux?
J.K. Rowling: No, he loses the ability, and is very glad to do so.
What is Dumbledore's boggart?
J.K. Rowling: The corpse of his sister
What is toadface umbridge doing now?
J.K. Rowling: Glad to see you like her as much as I do! She was arrested, interrogated and imprisoned for crimes against Muggleborns.
How exactly do Muggleborns receive magical ability?
J.K. Rowling: Muggle-borns will have a witch or wizard somewhere on their family tree, in some cases many, many generations back. The gene re-surfaces in some unexpected places.
Is Rita Skeeter still reporting?
J.K. Rowling: Naturally, what could stop Rita? I imagine she immediately dashed off a biography of Harry after he defeated Voldemort. One quarter truth to three quarters rubbish.
Was Hermione able to find her parents and undo the memory damage?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, she brought them home straight away.
Was Minerva in love with Albus?
J.K. Rowling: No! Not everybody falls in love with everybody else…
How come no one seemed to know that Lily and Snape were friends in school they were obviously meeting for chats, etc.? Didn't James know their past?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, it was known that they were friendly and then stopped being friends. Nothing more than that would be widely known. James always suspected Snape harboured deeper feelings for Lily, which was a factor in James’ behaviour to Snape.
[I found this very interesting! I had assumed that the reason Lupin and Sirius never mentioned to Harry that Snape was Lily's friend was because they never knew! I thought that perhaps Lily and Snape kept mostly to their respective houses, keeping up their friendship more over the summers at home. This also makes me feel a bit better about James; I can see why he'd pick on Snape if he thought that Snape loved the girl he was in love with.]
Is Scorpius as misguided as his father, or has Draco improved and taught his child(ren) better?
J.K. Rowling: Scorpius has a lot going against him, not least that name. However, I think Scorpius would be an improvement on his father, whom misfortune has sobered!
Did Draco and Harry lose their animosity towards each other when voldemort died?
J.K. Rowling: Not really. There would be a kind of rapprochement, in that Harry knows Draco hated being a Death Eater, and would not have killed Dumbledore; similarly, Draco would feel a grudging gratitude towards Harry for saving his life. Real friendship would be out of the question, though. Too much had happened prior to the final battle.
What ever happened to Aberforth?
J.K. Rowling: He is still there, at the Hog’s Head, playing with his goats.
Is Narcissa Malfoy really a Death Eater?
J.K. Rowling: No, she never had the Dark Mark and was never a fully paid-up member. However, her views were identical to those of her husband until Voldemort planned the death of her son.
[Interesting! I never realized she wasn't a Death Eater.]
Was Firenze ever welcomed back into the herd?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, the rest of the herd was forced to acknowledge that Firenze’s pro-human leanings were not shameful, but honourable.
Since Voldemort was afraid of death, did he choose to be a ghost if so where does he haunt or is this not possible due to his horcruxes?
J.K. Rowling: No, he is not a ghost. He is forced to exist in the stunted form we witnessed in King’s Cross.
Will we see Harry and his friends having their own history on chocolate frogs cards?
J.K. Rowling: Definitely, and Ron will describe this as his finest hour.
Was Snape the only death eater who could produce a full patronus?
J.K. Rowling: Yes, because a Patronus is used against things that the Death Eaters generally generate, or fight alongside. They would not need Patronuses.
Have you had another alternatives as book title apart from deathly hallows?
J.K. Rowling: The two other possibilities were ‘the Elder Wand’ (used instead as a chapter title) and ‘the Peverell Quest’, which I decided against quite quickly. I think the word ‘Quest’ is a bit corny!
Does the Dark Mark remain on those that Voldemort has branded after his death or does the tattoo disappear now he is gone?
J.K. Rowling: The Dark Mark would fade to a scar, not dissimilar to the lightning scar on Harry’s forehead. Like Harry’s, these scars would no longer burn or hurt.
How is the Quibbler doing these days?
J.K. Rowling: Pretty well, actually. It has returned to its usual condition of advanced lunacy, and is appreciated for its unintentional humour.
Did Bellatrix ever love her husband, or did she have love only for Voldemort?
J.K. Rowling: She took a pureblood husband, because that was what was expected of her, but her true love was always Voldemort.
How did Snape keep his patronus secret from the rest of the Order?
J.K. Rowling: He was careful not to use the talking Patronus means of communication with them. This was not difficult, as his particular job within the Order, ie, as spy, meant that sending a Patronus to any of them might have given away his true allegiance.
Did the D.A. keep the coins?
J.K. Rowling: Naturally. They would be like badges or medals of honour - proof that the owner had been at the heart of the fight against Voldemort from the start! I like to imagine Neville showing his to his admiring pupils.
How did Snape get into Grimmauld Place to get the second half of the letter, if there were protection spells on the house stopping Snape getting in?
J.K. Rowling: Snape entered the house immediately after Dumbledore’s death, before Moody put up the spells against him.
Well, hell. I intended to put only a few behind the cut, but I ended up putting down a ton of them! XD There were a lot of really good and revealing questions. Some of the answers surprised me.
A few people still haven't picked up their Divination Challenge banners (and I'm doing fics for all the participants). Don't forget to check this post when you finish reading the book.