7 Ways to Prepare for the Release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
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“All was well.”
Those are the last words we read in the seven-book saga of Harry Potter, and since 2007 J.K. Rowling has kept their promise, of unruffled retirement for Harry and the gang. Though she has regaled us with tales of Quidditch World Cups and wizarding world pop stars, made our wildest headcanon dreams a reality, and even questioned the soundness of her own OTPs, she hasn’t contradicted her final word on Harry’s story. For nine long years, all has been well for the Weasley-Potters and the Granger-Weasleys.
Until now, thank McGonagall. We learned in 2013 that Harry Potter’s story would receive an eighth chapter, picking up 19 years after he vanquished Voldemort, in the form of London stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Readers all over the world considered the feasibility of popping to London for a weekend of theater, in between losing our collective minds. Then we learned about the imminent release of script book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts I & II, hitting shelves on a most fortuitous day for Potter fans: July 31, the birthday of both Harry and his creator, as well as the day after the play’s premiere.
We all know what we’re doing on July 30/31: heading to B&N for the midnight release party, then scuttling home with our precious to break a land speed record for reading. But how to prepare ahead of time for the most anticipated release since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? As the days tick down, here’s how to prepare for the release, and the chance to once again spend a few magical hours with the Boy Who Lived.
Reread all the Potter books
Like you needed an excuse. (Pretty sure you’re already an expert on all things Potter? Take this surprisingly challenging quiz and prove yourself wrong!)
Get yourself sorted
So you think you’re a Gryffindor? Be prepared to learn you’re actually a Hufflepuff (we’re a steadfast and noble breed!). Or if you’ve already got your Hogwarts colors on lock, find out how you’d be sorted at preeminent North American magic school Ilvermorny, home to the Horned Serpent, Pukwudgie, Thunderbird, and Wampus houses. (As a proud Ravenpuff, I was chuffed and kinda confused to find myself placed into Thunderbird, the house of adventurers. I guess there’s some Gryffindor in my heart after all.)
Dive into fan theories
There’s a whole wide world of theories out there for Potter fans who need moremoremore after devouring the books and movies too many times to count. Whether you are a “Draco is a werewolf” truther, have always suspected Neville is the true chosen one, or need to believe despite all evidence to the contrary that Ron is a time-traveling Dumbledore, you’ll find your poison somewhere on the internet, which at times seems to be held together by nothing but Jennifer Lawrence GIFs, Twitter feuds, and people who believe Professor Trelawney actually wasn’t the world’s worst seer.
Follow J.K. Rowling on Twitter
The queen of the Potterverse isn’t just a great, unfiltered tweeter of opinions on worlds both fictional and very, very real, she’s a stealth deliverer of Twitter blessings, responding at random to fan’s questions, praise, and pleas for her to adjudicate in all manner of Potter disputes. She’s funny, charming, and fully capable of making your day by tweeting back.
Read everything on Pottermore
J.K. Rowling, bless her heart, keeps expanding the Potter canon, with background on other magic schools and the history of the Potter family, riffs on the wizarding world covering topics ranging from wand cores to technology’s place in the magical realm, and more. Don’t get caught out not knowing everything there is to know about the Floo Network: devote a day to catching up on your Pottermore!
Ready your reading nook
Turn off the wifi—the internet is going to be a massive sinkhole of Potter spoilers—wrap yourself up in your Ravenclaw throw, make a pitcher of Butterbeer, and dive back into the magical world we never really left. To have on hand: Kleenex (J.K. Rowling once killed off a beloved Weasley, she could do it again!), the original seven books for reference, a Time-Turner, because this much uninterrupted reading time can be hard to find.
CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR
July 31 is going to be one long and glorious 24 hours. Once you’ve read the book (and recovered from the midnight release party), you’re going to want to freak out with fellow fans. Head back to Barnes & Noble on July 31 to share your excitement and celebrate the day away with games and activities!
“All was well.”
Those are the last words we read in the seven-book saga of Harry Potter, and since 2007 J.K. Rowling has kept their promise, of unruffled retirement for Harry and the gang. Though she has regaled us with tales of Quidditch World Cups and wizarding world pop stars, made our wildest headcanon dreams a reality, and even questioned the soundness of her own OTPs, she hasn’t contradicted her final word on Harry’s story. For nine long years, all has been well for the Weasley-Potters and the Granger-Weasleys.
Until now, thank McGonagall. We learned in 2013 that Harry Potter’s story would receive an eighth chapter, picking up 19 years after he vanquished Voldemort, in the form of London stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Readers all over the world considered the feasibility of popping to London for a weekend of theater, in between losing our collective minds. Then we learned about the imminent release of script book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts I & II, hitting shelves on a most fortuitous day for Potter fans: July 31, the birthday of both Harry and his creator, as well as the day after the play’s premiere.
We all know what we’re doing on July 30/31: heading to B&N for the midnight release party, then scuttling home with our precious to break a land speed record for reading. But how to prepare ahead of time for the most anticipated release since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? As the days tick down, here’s how to prepare for the release, and the chance to once again spend a few magical hours with the Boy Who Lived.
Reread all the Potter books
Like you needed an excuse. (Pretty sure you’re already an expert on all things Potter? Take this surprisingly challenging quiz and prove yourself wrong!)
Get yourself sorted
So you think you’re a Gryffindor? Be prepared to learn you’re actually a Hufflepuff (we’re a steadfast and noble breed!). Or if you’ve already got your Hogwarts colors on lock, find out how you’d be sorted at preeminent North American magic school Ilvermorny, home to the Horned Serpent, Pukwudgie, Thunderbird, and Wampus houses. (As a proud Ravenpuff, I was chuffed and kinda confused to find myself placed into Thunderbird, the house of adventurers. I guess there’s some Gryffindor in my heart after all.)
Dive into fan theories
There’s a whole wide world of theories out there for Potter fans who need moremoremore after devouring the books and movies too many times to count. Whether you are a “Draco is a werewolf” truther, have always suspected Neville is the true chosen one, or need to believe despite all evidence to the contrary that Ron is a time-traveling Dumbledore, you’ll find your poison somewhere on the internet, which at times seems to be held together by nothing but Jennifer Lawrence GIFs, Twitter feuds, and people who believe Professor Trelawney actually wasn’t the world’s worst seer.
Follow J.K. Rowling on Twitter
The queen of the Potterverse isn’t just a great, unfiltered tweeter of opinions on worlds both fictional and very, very real, she’s a stealth deliverer of Twitter blessings, responding at random to fan’s questions, praise, and pleas for her to adjudicate in all manner of Potter disputes. She’s funny, charming, and fully capable of making your day by tweeting back.
Read everything on Pottermore
J.K. Rowling, bless her heart, keeps expanding the Potter canon, with background on other magic schools and the history of the Potter family, riffs on the wizarding world covering topics ranging from wand cores to technology’s place in the magical realm, and more. Don’t get caught out not knowing everything there is to know about the Floo Network: devote a day to catching up on your Pottermore!
Ready your reading nook
Turn off the wifi—the internet is going to be a massive sinkhole of Potter spoilers—wrap yourself up in your Ravenclaw throw, make a pitcher of Butterbeer, and dive back into the magical world we never really left. To have on hand: Kleenex (J.K. Rowling once killed off a beloved Weasley, she could do it again!), the original seven books for reference, a Time-Turner, because this much uninterrupted reading time can be hard to find.
CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR
July 31 is going to be one long and glorious 24 hours. Once you’ve read the book (and recovered from the midnight release party), you’re going to want to freak out with fellow fans. Head back to Barnes & Noble on July 31 to share your excitement and celebrate the day away with games and activities!