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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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Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
What an interesting session. I feel more of the focus was spent on JKR saying to not think of things than it was on her saying to think of things. I do like the two questions she posed - both of which I have always assumed would be answered later - and cannot wait to hit the forums to join the discussions!
I am glad JKR is happy with HBP now - although she never came right out and said she was only halfway finished. Not much clarity was given on that answer!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 7:21 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 97
BornToSlow371 says:
I wish i coulda been there...
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 7:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 849
*SkyHighandFallen says:
Ive got a lovely bunch of coconuts, dodaledoo...
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 7:29 PM EST
Wizengamot Member
Points: 3231
Jencameby says:
I just read the transcipt its very interesting, I never gave Aberforth much thought until now, I wonder what role he will play. I can't wait until HBP!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 7:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1614
hermy-ninny712 says:
I can't wait to read the whole thing!! I really wish I could've been there.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 8:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1391
RavieGirlZ says:
Wow I just read the whole thing. it is so cool. I wonder what kind of thing is going on with Petunia? and what sort of character will Aberforth be?
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 8:12 PM EST
Heir of Slytherin
Points: 5499
Spazzingduck says:
Awesome! I'll hafta re-read OoTP again to clear things up! I've been wondering about the portraits thing for quite a while.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 8:18 PM EST
Ravenclaw's Heiress
Points: 3926
PhoenixFire says:
That was a very interesting transcript. It has gotten me to think more about the books. Which means more questions are being added to my very long list :-D.
Blaise Zabini...JKR said we'll hear more about him...I wonder what... Is he the HBP? Haha...
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 8:20 PM EST
Princess of the Heliopaths
Points: 5276
Ginny Weasly says:
Ya I get in now...I always wondered about the portrates. I really wish she would have given us more hints about book 6 though. I think she likes keeping us in suspence!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 8:27 PM EST
Student
Points: 235
BertieBott says:
I'm so excited!!Going to read now!! Thanks J.K.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 8:39 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2022
Lac_Ov_Imajinashun says:
I've always known about the portraits, and how you have to leave an imprint of yourself, so Lily and James wouldn't be that informative. Dunno why everyone was wondering that........
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 9:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 578
Neville'sBestFriend says:
Thank you very much for the transcript for those who couldn't be there! I'll read them now to see what new information she is giving.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 9:41 PM EST
Pixie Liaison
Points: 11797
carina says:
Oh wow, I just read that whole thing!! I wish she answered whatever question that person was asking about Sirius!! *sigh*.. I wish everyone there had read the book!! :(
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 9:58 PM EST
Lady of Godric's Hollow
Points: 5292
GodricsGirl says:
This is all extremely interesting.
I really think that anyone who think that Sirius will somehow "magically" reappear should probably give it up. He is gone, sadly to be no more. Harry is truly on his own. JK said this had to be done. Do you remember? When rumors of the books started flying and that paper published that she had cried while writing the death of a character? Her husband asked her, "Why don't you just leave it, if it's that hard?" or something like that and she said "it had to happen."
I think it "had to happen" in order for Harry to truly realize that the ultimate battle is all about him. It will come down to him and Voldemort and no one will be there to intercede. I think that is one of the reasons Dumbledore didn't attempt to kill him at the Ministry. He knows it will be up to Harry.
Just a theory.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 10:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 911
bethysmalls says:
That was OUTSTANDING! We don't think about why voldemort didn't die because hagrid told us! Something about you stumped him that day and the spell didn't work... i guess we just suspended disbelief a little further (i mean the whole wizard world was enough of a stretch that this little extra detail didn't make much difference). And what was the other one? well anyway, she's amazing, what great answers. And i think i speak for every one when i say that we wouldn't care if she exploited the HP series and gave us a prequel. We love love stories. Let's fill the world with silly love stories... James and Lily 2gether 4ever.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 10:20 PM EST
Witch
Points: 696
quidditch_seeker says:
That's really cool! It's a pretty good interview.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 10:28 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1645
morgana witch says:
That was really interesting! I'm especially glad that she explained the whole portraits thing. I think that there might still be more to the portraits...well it gave me plenty to think about tonight...
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 10:33 PM EST
Squib
Points: 126
Ninina says:
Ohhh Gooddy!! This just keeps getting better and better!!!
I´m gonna go tho J.K's page right now...be right back HPANA!
:)
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 10:44 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
Ahh that was a really good transcript. I love the thing about bad boy syndrome i cracked up laughing. Ahh i just can't wait for this book any longer!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 10:49 PM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
Oh my goodness, too much to soak in...my brain is going to explode! Hehehe...
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 10:59 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1588
SeamusFinnigan says:
Look at this, I found it on the transcript.....
J.K. Rowling,"I found the name McClaggan the other day, which I think is a great name. There is a McClaggan in book six because I thought that it is a surname that is too good to waste."
Here at HPANA it says McLagan, is that who shes talking about, see they sure do sound very familiar, does anyone else noe NOTICE! Well if anyone can help me I would give you thanks**laughs** because im in a confused situation right now.
~ZACK~
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 11:05 PM EST
The Chosen Hobbit
Points: 2447
Enisnitch Baggins says:
Bunch of informations! I like soooo much! I think I'm gonna read it over and over again!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 11:20 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4464
PowerGranger says:
Wow, the wheels are turning! There was more unsaid than said, so to speak, but in not saying, she often says. (or something). I had been trying very hard not to consider that Harry will die at the end of 7 up until now, but with JKR's question about why Voldemort didn't die and how that relates to the prophesy.....yikes. Could it be?
It was pretty funny how JKR kept reprimanding all the Malfoy and Snape lovers out there. I would also like to know - who fell in love with the Malfoys and Snape from the books, not Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs and Alan Rickman? As the characters are written, I cannot see it. I think they're all cool, in an evil way, but not, uh, lovable.
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 11:29 PM EST
Obliviator
(Moderator)
Points: 8468
Prof. Dish says:
That took me a bit of time, but I finished it off pretty well! I guess we know a few more things that weren't mentioned in the brief synopsis, I guess we get to go and discuss those now!
Posted Aug 15, 2004 at 11:34 PM EST
Goddess
Points: 3987
Banshee_05 says:
Thanks Geri! It's terrific! Now we have loads to talk about about in the forums. Most of theories & "what we've wondered about" were answered! Well, almost. Most were teasers and it's refreshing to read Jo's [i]wicked[i] sense of humour in tact. I just love it!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 12:58 AM EST
Mrs. Percy Weasley
Points: 2762
FairyPrincess says:
I'm glad she cleared that up about the portraits, I was sure that was the case but I'm glad she made it clear. Well, I'm off to read the rest of the transcript.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 1:34 AM EST
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