Pottermore Update: More Revealed About New Harry Potter Website

The mystery behind the new Harry Potter website was finally revealed today, when author of the series J.K. Rowling posted a YouTube video.

In the video, Rowling revealed that Pottermore.com will be a hub for all things related to the series, and will include an interactive reading experience for the novels.

Today is the first day fans can see anything on the site besides the original “Coming Soon” banner. During this initial buzz, it received more than 1 million visits in 36 hours.

The site will launch in October, but those who visit now will be met with a brief introduction page telling users how to register for the site. Most importantly, however, it answers the question, “What is Pottermore?”

“Pottermore is a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books,” the site states. “Come back on 31st July to find out how you can get the chance to enter Pottermore early.”

July 31 is both the birthday of Rowling and Potter.

The website, which Rowling created in partnership with Sony, will also feature access to audio books and, for the first time, ebooks of the beloved seven novels.

It was announced in a press release that “For this groundbreaking collaborative project, J.K. Rowling has written extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the storylines of the books.”

Early screenshots of the site show well-known parts of the Hogwarts world, including the Hogwarts Express, a life-size chess board and Hogwarts at Christmas. The pictures also reveal the menu options “Diagon Alley,” “Gringotts,” “The Great Hall” and “Spells,” among others. House points and other accomplishments are visible as well, but Rowling has yet to mention anything about gaming on the site.

“I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation,” Rowling said. “I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping to shape Pottermore as I have. Just as I have contributed to the website, everyone else will be able to join in by submitting their own comments, drawings and other content in a safe and friendly environment – Pottermore has been designed as a place to share the stories with your friends as you journey through the site.”

The first million users to complete their registration will be able to enter the site early, but Potter fans yearning to explore sooner can heed Rowling’s clue: “Follow the owl.”