Tonight, the lucky winners of Scholastic’s Open Book Tour sweepstakes congregated at New York’s Carnegie Hall, where author J.K. Rowling read from chapter nineteen of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, answered sixteen questions, and signed a copy of Deathly Hallows for each attendee.
Much of the media interest after the event surrounded comments made about Dumbledore’s sexuality. Rowling revealed that the former Hogwarts headmaster was in love with friend and dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. ‘If I had know this would have made you so happy, I would have told you years ago’, added Jo.
Rowling also answered a number of other Harry Potter questions, summarised below:
- Jo gave a note to director David Yates to remove a line in the Half-Blood Prince film script which referenced ‘a girl Dumbledore was once attracted to’.
- Neville Longbottom married Hufflepuff Hannah Abbott, who became the new landlady at The Leaky Cauldron.
- What would Petunia Dursley have said to Harry before he left at the beginning Deathly Hallows, had she the courage? ‘I know what you’re up against and I hope it turns out okay.’
- Remus Lupin was unemployable before book three — James and Lily supported him with their own money. James, Sirius, Remus and Lily were ‘full time fighters’ during the first war.
- Inhabitants of Hogwarts paintings can only visit other paintings in which they are depicted. Harry ensured Snape’s portrait was hung in the Headmaster’s Office but never spoke to it.
- Draco Malfoy does not owe Harry a life debt.
- Lily and James went into hiding when she was first pregnant with Harry.
- Hagrid never married. The half-giant had a flirtation with a giantess who found him ‘a tad unsophisticated’.