As she was cuddled up in bed last night (our assumption), Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling answered a few questions for fans on Twitter.
The biggest news out of her slew of tweets was that there are many students at Hogwarts that practice religions other than Christianity, a topic that’s been brought up in the fan community many times over the years due to the series’ occasional references to only the Christian faith.
To everyone asking whether their religion/belief/non-belief system is represented at Hogwarts: the only people I never imagined there 1/2
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
are Wiccans.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
Her reason for no Wiccans? Based on this follow up tweet on Wednesday, it sounds like Rowling can’t imagine the two types of magic intersecting:
.@GredxForgex Me too! But it's a different concept of magic to the one laid out in the books, so I don't really see how they can co-exist.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 17, 2014
After being asked whether or not there are Jewish students at Hogwarts, Rowling specifically named one of her original 40 characters in Harry’s year:
.@benjaminroffman Anthony Goldstein, Ravenclaw, Jewish wizard.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
The following morning, Rowling added that Anthony Goldstein is not the sole Jewish person at Hogwarts:
OK, let me clarify that! Anthony isn't the first Jewish student, nor is he the only one. I just have reasons for knowing most about him!
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 17, 2014
She also voiced her support for LGBT students at Hogwarts:
@jk_rowling it's safe to assume that Hogwarts had a variety of people and I like to think it's a safe place for LGBT students
— tiny gay tati // 8 (@claraoswiin) December 16, 2014
.@claraoswiin But of course. pic.twitter.com/Galu47MT4X
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
And she pushed off a question about what Horcrux she would want to have because, you know, THEY’RE HORCRUXES.
.@ingridfonsecasj I would never have a Horcrux! They are evil objects created by murder!
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
Finally, Rowling revealed her favorite quote from the Harry Potter books:
.@LisaKTrainor 'Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?'
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
It was an exciting evening for Harry Potter fans who have come to love Rowling’s presence on Twitter. As of today, she’s penned 400 tweets.
Seven minutes to midnight… time for bed. You people never run out of great questions. Sleep well/have a great day! X
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
Goodnight, Jo!