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AUGUST 15, 2004 at 3:08 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: JKRowling.com
Earlier today JK Rowling appeared at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and now her official web site has been updated with the transcript
, in which she answers fans' questions.
Here is an excerpt:
Question: All the paintings we have seen at Hogwarts are of dead people. They seem to be living through their portraits. How is this so? If there was a painting of Harry’s parents, would he be able to obtain advice from them?
Rowling: That is a very good question. They are all of dead people; they are not as fully realised as ghosts, as you have probably noticed. The place where you see them really talk is in Dumbledore’s office, primarily; the idea is that the previous headmasters and headmistresses leave behind a faint imprint of themselves. They leave their aura, almost, in the office and they can give some counsel to the present occupant, but it is not like being a ghost. They repeat catchphrases, almost. The portrait of Sirius' mother is not a very 3D personality; she is not very fully realised. She repeats catchphrases that she had when she was alive. If Harry had a portrait of his parents it would not help him a great deal. If he could meet them as ghosts, that would be a much more meaningful interaction, but as Nick explained at the end of Phoenix - I am straying into dangerous territory, but I think you probably know what he explained—there are some people who would not come back as ghosts because they are unafraid, or less afraid, of death.
Read the rest of the transcript HERE.
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Professor
Points: 1031
HPfanatic10 says:
Cool! Cant wait for the book to release!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 4:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2022
Lac_Ov_Imajinashun says:
OH MY GOSH! I couldn't read the interview at first, but now I can! It. was. awesome!!!! I loved it!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:04 PM EST
Witch
Points: 741
Auror Tonks says:
Kool!!!! I'm only typing this for points.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:17 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
Excellent I can't wait... I mean I've re-read the books so many times now I need the next one.. I know you'll all agree.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:31 PM EST
St. Mungo's Mental Patient
Points: 41834
Phil_ says:
I will be relaly looking forward to reading that, but it is just finding tthe time to do so....*sighs* i just am too busy right now...
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:51 PM EST
Boy of Steel
Points: 4507
Superboy says:
Whoa its great that she answered all these questions, and clarified all this stuff, for all of the HP fans out there!
Eddie
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:30 PM EST
Magical Music Professor
Points: 5133
MagicalMusicDreamer says:
Thanks for giving us the link to the transcript. I don't go to Rowling's website often because it doesn't change every day.
She just gave us a few small pieces of the puzzle, but I am glad to get them.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
Molly the Destroyer says:
Wow! I just read it it was so awesome! I can't wait for the book.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 12:04 AM EST
Witch
Points: 502
maggie_and_mags says:
Great of her to clarify everything, not that I really thought about these stuff, but anyway.. I won't read the transcript though, I'm still studying.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 3:49 AM EST
Witch
Points: 562
accio_rupert says:
I read it!! its pretty kool! i cant wait for 6th book, but dont want anyone to die!!:p
xx
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 4:55 AM EST
Witch
Points: 604
Lady Luna says:
YES! Luna is her favorite new character! I'm SO HAPPY!
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 10:28 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 391
sliver_arrows_~.^ says:
Nice Question!
I read the whole article on Jo's website.*(ramdom)*
Enjoyed it alot!
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 5:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 704
Muggleborn22 says:
Well I guess there goes all hope of a Sirius portrait... Just because he didn't expect to die, and of course he was not afraid of Death! He was Sirius Black!
But at least I can put that to rest...
MB22
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 10:27 PM EST
Weird Sisters Lead Singer
Points: 5747
Annie Potter says:
I read the transcript just moments ago. Some of the audience had really good questions! I wouldn't have thought of asking them.
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 12:02 PM EST
Squib
Points: 125
SPhinX cHIcK says:
Those are some interesting clues. i am still pondering them... *runs to reread the books....AGAIN*
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 2:47 PM EST
Honeydukes Sweetie Pie
(Moderator)
Points: 4719
Keng says:
Great! I've always wondered about the moving people action going on in the paintings.... well, now I know! :)
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 8:04 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Alessandra says:
Thanks bunches for posting these links. I particularly like her comments regarding the fans who love the bad boys...
...but oh, boy, do I like Jason Isaacs when he plays a bad boy.
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 8:21 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1166
ThelostWeasley13 says:
I've always wondered about that. I thought that maybe they could talk like they were alive but I guess not.
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 9:47 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2787
PunkyDunky says:
That's pretty cool. I never really understood that whole thing, so I'm glad she answered it. I'll have to check her website out.
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 7:37 PM EST
Points: 2203
Disillusioned78 says:
Arrrrhhh! I need to know more abot book six! It's just killing me that I have to wait, but I will-none the less-wait until it is published.
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 9:47 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 28
aristides says:
I have just read the whole transcript. Wow. This is one of the reasons why I am not very eager to find out something about the future books. They make my head ache. but don't get me wrong, because I'm just excited as most of you are.
Posted Aug 21, 2004 at 11:04 AM EST
Witch
Points: 688
hpgirl0701 says:
Wow, transcript is awesome. Good to hear more hints about "Prince". I have to go read the rest of it.
Posted Aug 21, 2004 at 4:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1247
Matt12 says:
I always wondered about the paintings, i thought she may have led herself into a bit of a trap but obviously not. I wonder how clever the Albus Dumbledore Chocolate Frog cards are??
Posted Sep 2, 2004 at 5:06 AM EST
Harry's Soul-Mate
Points: 3337
Lea says:
WOW, loads of new informations!!!!!! I've read and re-read every phrase for about five times and here's what I have to say:
1. I'm glad we received full explanations about THE PAINTINGS!!
2. I wonder what's with AuntPetunia... --so, she's NOT a Squib, she's really a MUGGLE,...then WHAT??...
3. I was sure about Dumbledore's Patronus being A PHOENIX!!
4. So the barman of the Hog's Head is indeed ABERFORTH! --hmm, strange relation....!
5. I have my own (very subjective and selfish) reasons to be VERY HAPPY about Harry NOT HAVING A GODMOTHER!!!
6. I'M VERY MUDDLED BY THE WORD "CHRISTENIG"!!!
7. I'm glad she cleared up that Snape is a Pure-Blood, and the fact that "Muggle-borns are not allowed to be Death-Eaters, EXCEPT IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES"! --now I wonder: will we see one of these exceptions??....
8. I'm ABSOLUTELY HAPPY about what she said regarding the "bad boy syndrome" and that GIRLS SHOULD "STOP GOING FOR THE BAD GUY"!!!
I'm also delighted that DAN RADCLIFFE IS "VERY MUCH AS SHE IMAGINED HARRY"!!!
9. It's a good thing she cleared up once and for all that VOLDEMORT HAS NEVER LOVED ANYBODY, because (obviously -I must say!) "if he had, HE COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE WHAT HE IS"!!
10. I'm still TERRIBLY WORRIED by the question: WILL HARRY SURVIVE IN THE END?? ...OR JUST TO BOOK 7?--GOD FORBBID!!!!!!!!!
11. It's true, I never thought much about "Why didn't Voldemort die?" -because I've always assumed it was because he did something to himself to become immortal, as it is clearly explained by Dumbledore in the books, and although he didn't achieved full immortality, he managed to become... uh... "partly indestructible"... But now I must conclude that it must have been another reason, more meaningful, besides this one!
12. As for "Why didn't Dumbledore try to kill Voldemort in the ministry?"... well, I have never thought about that either, because... I've always assumed that DUMBLEDORE WOULDN'T KILL ANYBODY!!-NOT EVEN VOLDEMORT!!! (sure, I know he has defeated Grindewald, but I always thought he hasn't actually killed him, I immagined Grindewald just vanished for good when he lost his powers, or something...) --maybe I was wrong; maybe I was too childish... But you know, I'M NOT GONNA THINK ABOUT THIS, EVEN IF J.K.R SAYS I SHOULD!! -I'll just wait for her explanations, in book6or7!
Posted Sep 3, 2004 at 12:27 PM EST
Witch
Points: 562
nearly-headless-spring says:
I've always wondered if the portraits could think for themselves, but that makes a lot more sense. Cool!!
Posted Sep 9, 2004 at 1:04 PM EST
Witch
Points: 617
S.Black13 says:
I read most of it on her site. It was really interesting I'm glad that she did it. Still all the suspence though!
Posted Sep 10, 2004 at 11:41 PM EST
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