8 Things We All Need To Find Out In Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

On February 10th, Pottermore announced the upcoming release of the newest programme from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World: A Special Rehearsal Edition of the script book of the new play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II. The book will be available on July 31st. The day after the London opening of the new Harry Potter play of the same name.

I, myself, am beyond excited about this announcement, as I just recently read the series. I know, I know. Better late than never, right?

Anyway, I’m not sure what exactly made me do it. Admittedly, it was probably out of my discontent with my job at the time and because I was board and unhappy sitting in a dirty, dusty cubicle. But something made me download Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to my iPhone, back in October.

I finally finished Deathly Hallows last month. After a few weeks of reflection and, with a heavy heart, I’m ready to break out the old parchment and quill to jot down my thoughts and questions about the best books I’ve ever read. I can’t imagine what it must be like for the people that have been forced to wait five years.

J.K. Rowling is a master of the subplot and the sub-subplot. Most writers aim to cut as much as possible but with Rowling, though I’m sure she did more than her fair share of cutting, decided to make the latter books way longer. Her ability to make even the seemingly smallest details seem of the utmost importance is, er-, magical.

My heart longs to know what has happened to the characters since the epilogue (not to mention the 19 years leading up to the epilogue). Harry, Ron, and Neville became Auror’s; with Harry eventually becoming the head of the department in 2007. And Hermione has been rumored to be Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, as of 2014.

1.

It’s 2016. Harry is now 35 and surely on the fast track for the Ministry’s top job. After a few terms in office for Kingsley Shacklebolt, wouldn’t the timeline make sense for The Boy Who Lived to be his successor? After all, they are friends and allies; both being members of the Order of the Phoenix.

2.

Did Harry ever return to Hogwarts to finish his N.E.W.T.s? Perhaps it was Hermione, not Harry, who reached the top-spot in the U.K.s magical government. She was the only member of the trio that we know returned to Hogwarts to get her N.E.W.T.s. How does Minister Granger and Deputy Minister Potter sound?

3.

Is it a stretch to think it could be Ron who took a top spot in the magical cabinet? Being a small-business owner and former Auror is a pretty stellar resume. Not to mention the business acumen he has undoubtedly learned since partnering with his brother George to run Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, the ultra popular joke shop in Diagon Alley. Besides, who would be a better wartime leader than Harry’s right hand man in the Battle of Hogwarts and one of the people directly responsible for Lord Voldemort’s demise?

The last two theories are my favorite. Here’s why: to me, it makes sense that Harry, like his mentor Albus Dumbledore, would turn down the public’s cry for him to be Minister if he had the right offer on the table. Perhaps the retirement of Minerva McGonagall – Headmistress at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – would tempt The Chosen One?

Personally, the allure of the office where the portraits of Headmasters Dumbledore, Snape, and even Phineus Nigellus Black hang ever so ghostly and ceremoniously, seem to be more up Harry’s alley. Then again, Harry has never been one to shy away from the public’s eye, has he? Perhaps he may pen the book Dumbledore’s Army: A Real-Life Lesson In Fighting The Dark Arts and become a speaker or professor.

4.

A little more far-fetched is the idea that the Muggle world catches wind of the trio’s fame and that their star rises to a point where they become celebrities outside of the world of magic. Hermione would have no part of it but, in this day and age, I wouldn’t put it past Ron to secretly want his own reality T.V. show. I’m already a fan of Keeping Up With The Weasley’s.

5.

I would also stand in line to go to a motivation seminar taught by former Auror and overall badass, Professor Neville Longbottom – Dumbledore’s Army’s top enforcer and the slayer of the great snake Nigini. His book would be a can’t-miss bestseller too.

6.

Maybe it’s just the kindness in my heart but I can’t help thinking that the event of his seven years at Hogwarts didn’t force Draco Malfoy to make a 180-degree turn in life. Picture this: Professor Draco Malfoy – Defense Against The Dark Arts Teacher – Hogwarts. Though, surely if Harry is Headmaster it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see Draco forced to prove himself as Potions teacher for a few years prior to his promotion.

Random note/addition: J.K. stated that of the 200 total chapters that make up the series, chapter 34 of Deathly Hallows is the most popular. Perhaps not coincidentally, it is so far the only chapter that I read more than twice, so far.

7.

Can we finally put to rest the whole ‘Harry should have been with Hermione’ thing? Ginny is perfect for Harry, you know it and I know it.

Seriously though, J.K. recently came out and said that the feminist heroin should have been with the hero, not his best friend. I wholeheartedly disagree. I thoroughly believe that during the writing process, the characters develop very real personalities, tendencies, and even desires. It’s no stretch to say that Hermione and Ron are together for a reason. The ink has chosen.

Also, it’s anti-feminist to say that the female lead should be or deserves to be with the hero. No. She deserves to be with whoever makes her laugh and smile. That person seems to be Ron.

Okay, enough with the sappy stuff.

8.

Finally, throughout the entire series, nothing upset me more than discovering that Snape was a traitor. I couldn’t believe it. Even after he killed Dumbledore, I refused to accept it was true. I may have shed a tear or two and spent the ensuing day conjuring up any possible theory as to how it could all be part of some big master plan.

The only moment that came close was when I discovered that he was not a traitor and that I was right all along. It was all part of the master plan. Talk about an onslaught of feels.

Severus Snape gave his life to Harry, Dumbledore, and Lily. In the end, Professor Snape never needed to be the Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. He devoted his entire existence to battling the Dark Lord. He embodied the position and was The Order of the Phoenix’s most valued asset.

2016 will be a big year for Potterhead’s with the opening of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opening at the Palace Theatre London and the premiere of the film version of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the Harry Potter prequel. Maybe it’s a coincidence but it seems more and more people, like myself, are getting into HP now for the first time. It’s a great time to get on board.