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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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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
Squib
Points: 175
hermione~granger says:
WOW! She really told us a lot, but now there is even more questions. There were a lot of hints to other things mixed into her answers. :)
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:17 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
Whenever JKR speaks, I end up with more questions than answers...she is good at making people think. If only I could figure all this stuff out ahead of time like other people can...must be the late hour.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:17 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 463
Lamo the Mel says:
ARGH! She reels us in with these little snippets of info and then let's the line out so that we're left flopping about in a sea of confusion. I would give my left arm to get one hour with her to ask her my OWN questions. How much must it have rocked to have been the interviewer? Thanks JKR for leaving us wondering YET AGAIN! *giggles*
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:26 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
annealicious says:
I hate how she teases us like that... I want to find out about Aunt Petunia! I want to know what part of her is more than meets the eye.
And the teaser about Hermione and Ron... not that I'm a shipper, I just want something to happen ;). Too much angst is not good for a person you know...
And the part where she said that the reason DD gives for not killing Voldy isn't the whole truth was really interesting as well. I wonder...
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:28 AM EST
Student
Points: 293
MissRiot says:
Wow that was an awesome interview, she really told us a lot! i agree with everyone that Dumbledore didn't kill Voldermort because of the prophecy and how Harry is the only one who can destroy him, but i have a feeling theres more to it then that. And i have some suspicion that "the steps" Voldermort took to ensure he didn't die have something to do with time travel. I feel like time travel was introduced in book 3 and its gonna turn up again.
PS- i REALLY hope Harry doesn't die at the end of book 7. i don't care how good or suitable an ending it is, it would just leave me heartbroken. I don't thik thats how it will end anyway. It just wouldn't be the best ending. We'll see though.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:32 AM EST
Witch
Points: 707
i_love_tom says:
I have always wondered that. cant wait until the 6th book comes out!!!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 3:10 AM EST
Witch
Points: 579
CurlyHermione says:
It took me a while but i just read the whole transcript. Boy am I glad that I did!!! So many great tid bits. Although they are all hints that I'll only be able to understand when I read the next two books, they'll help in finding the hints easier. SOOOO COOOLL!!!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 3:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 563
Factitious Odd says:
Yes, that clears up a lot about what I was thinking. It was very good to hear answers and not just have rumors floating around in my head. I do have one question though. Will Luna find a Crumple-Horned Snorkack? It would be so funny to see the look on Hermiones face...
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 3:31 AM EST
Slytherin Green Fairy
Points: 3210
The Slytherin says:
WOW... *aplause* Gerat... great...
a good question and good answer. The good news....
I can't wait for the sixth book....
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 5:00 AM EST
Weird Sisters Guitarist
Points: 3573
Prof. Sk8ergirl says:
Well, that's pretty nice of JKR to solve that doubt of ours.....makes me somehow very eager to read the 6th book.....
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 5:56 AM EST
Student
Points: 220
Albus Dumbledore says:
100th! Wow!
This ghost-thing, and portrait-thing interesting! I'm starting to understand it!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 6:55 AM EST
Witch
Points: 645
trezmcgonagall says:
Okay, so Hedwig isn't Harry's animangus godmother, but I still maintain that she is an animangus. Great interview.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 7:00 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 484
Severin says:
I thought that was really interesting. It just makes me want Half Blood Prince even more (I didn't think it was possible, but there you go).
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 7:10 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 559
mr. peloponnese says:
That's cool. Well, i just have to ask her too, why can't Sirius be a portrait too, or James and Lily, they've been in Hogwarts too and they too can leave their auras behind right? to comunicate with Harry and the others..
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 7:46 AM EST
Squib
Points: 141
longbottom says:
Wow, interesting stuff. I just can't get enough of this stuff. Please keep it coming. oh yeah baby
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 8:46 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1149
Weird Sister says:
Wow, so much to think about! I have asked myself very often why Voldemort didn't die when the spell rebounded, but I thought it just got weakened on the way. Well, I will have to think again! I can't wait till HBP!!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 9:17 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
I love reading things like that! It makes the stories so much more interesting to me. She really has a great talent for keeping people interested!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 9:24 AM EST
Points: 3723
emma'shockeyplayer says:
I gotta go read the rest of that transcript because its really interesting...
Im glad she cleared that up and that was a really good question...
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 9:50 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1188
sirius'doll says:
Wow, a great amount of clues, lucky people being able to be there. I really can'[t wait for this book to come out, but I have resigned myself to a wait!
Bam is MY KING-*Nichole the MoE only shows what your heart desires, there really could be no possible way for Harry to have spoken with them...the mirror is only a projection. As for any 2 wands producing the spell Priori Inacantatem...well it will defeat the whole purpose of it being an extremely rare occurance now wouldn't it.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:23 AM EST
Witch
Points: 741
Auror Tonks says:
YEAH!!! Cool i'm going to see it. Don't ask.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:27 AM EST
Legilimens
Points: 3013
Extendable Ears says:
Well, time to re-read the series. I haven't read the transcript yet, but I think I'll print it out. Wow, half way through six. I wonder how long we have to wait. It should be worth the wait, anyway!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:33 AM EST
Sirius' Princess
Points: 5611
nymphadora84 says:
I read it on her website!!!!
Oh man!!!!i loved it! Finally....now i know dumbledore's patronus is a phoenix....and why Sirius really didnt marry...but there seemed to be more to the godmother question than she revealed!!!!!
And i sooooo think Sirius is alive!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 12:46 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
wahnaroo22 says:
All those people who were there are so lucky! Good info from the trascript, though!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 1:07 PM EST
Witch
Points: 532
Obsessed-Harry-N-Dan-Fan says:
Oh Yay! Almost as good as being there...but not quite. I hope she does somethingh like that closer to where i live because it would be great to ask her a question. I'm gonna go read the transcript right now!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 1:54 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1217
shadowlife says:
That was great. Some really good questions, and some really goo food for thought. I so wish I could have gone.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 2:07 PM EST
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