After seven books and eight movies, you’d figure that the Harry Potter phenomenon would die out. It’s been nearly 15 years since the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was released, in which a young Harry Potter becomes introduced to the world of witchcraft and wizardry. The books all on their own maintained a widespread fan base up until the end. In 2001, Hollywood finally took advantage of the Harry Potter series’ popularity, and transformed it into a multi-billion dollar industry. With the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, it appeared that the Potter franchise had finally seen its end.
It wasn’t until the release of a website known as Pottermore.com by Sony Entertainment, in conjunction with J. K. Rowling, that Potter fans were able to have something to look forward to again. Pottermore is a free online game that allows users to go through the story of Harry Potter once more, with the added benefit of uncovering new facts provided by J. K. Rowling. These new facts are derived from the notes of Rowling herself, giving key information regarding overlooked details of the Potter series. For instance, we learn the reasons behind her choice of “Privet Drive” as the street Harry Potter lives on. Pottermore also provides side games, such as wizard duels, that users can participate in and interact with other users.
The books provided us with the ability to imagine the world; the movies let us watch this world come to life; now, Pottermore allows us all collectively to become part of the world itself, a transformation only available through the use of the internet. Games have been developed that let Potter fans become Harry –but these games are unable to do what Pottermore does. Pottermore does not let us be Harry. Instead, Pottermore lets us be us. We are no longer controlling avatars through a predetermined story. We are the story. We are the ones dueling against others, competing, and practicing alchemy. This new form of interaction, between Potter fans and the internet, lies at the center of my cultural hypertext study.
In Potterheads, I will introduce the concept of internet culture, and establish the reason in which the Pottermore site falls within this category. In Muggle Studies, you will find an ethnographic account of the characteristics of this particular internet culture. In The Boy Who Lived, I will detail and describe the ways in which Pottermore allows Potter fans to interact with the internet in a unique way, keeping the spirit of Harry Potter alive. Finally, the Tongue-Tying Spell can be used to reference any strange words that may pop up within these pages (as well as introduce you to some basic Potter jargon).