When a Harry Potter fan needed help from J.K. Rowling on Wednesday, she received a powerful spell from the author over Twitter.
Update (May 12): You can now purchase a temporary tattoo version of the hand-written “Expecto Patronum” from MomentaryInk.com. We’re told that profits from the sale of each tattoo will go to To Write Love On Her Arms, “a non-profit organization that supports those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.”
Original story (May 11): @AlwaysJLover tweeted Rowling a message in which the fan revealed she has been a victim of sexual assault, bullying, and has made several attempts at committing suicide. To help her prevent further damage to herself, the fan asked Rowling for a hand-written “Expecto Patronum” that she could have tattooed on the area of her arm she cuts the most. Here’s her full note:
@jk_rowling i wanna get 'expecto patronum' tattooed & it'd mean the world if it was in ur handwriting. here's why:') pic.twitter.com/fhldRiju3w
— ㅤ (@AlwaysJLover) May 11, 2016
As you would expect from a wonderful person like J.K. Rowling, she answered the call:
.@AlwaysJLover I love that you're working to heal and protect yourself. You deserve this. I hope it helps. pic.twitter.com/T2nDG3z2MJ
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 11, 2016
“Expecto Patronum” is a charm that conjures the witch or wizard’s Patronus, which can push away soul-sucking Dementors. The spell, and Harry’s Patronus, is first introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Presumably JKR shared the photo publicly so others could also get “Expecto Patronum” in the author’s handwriting tattooed on themselves. We’re sure having this ink could be a powerful message for many Harry Potter fans, for a variety of reasons.
Way to go, @JK_Rowling.