Another day, another Harry Potter treat for fans! Those who want to unlock J.K. Rowling’s new writings have to solve the Weasley riddle below…
Post by Pottermore.
As was the case with yesterday’s riddle, the link in the Facebook post will take you to Pottermore, where — when logged in — you’ll be given the opportunity to answer the question “On what magical street can you find this fun shop?” If you don’t know the answer, you’re thinking too hard. It’s pretty easy! We’ll give you the answer after the spoiler warning.
Pottermore spoilers ahead!
The answer is, of course, Diagon Alley. Entering the answer takes you to a newly unlocked chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at Pottermore. This one is labeled “Ninety-three, Diagon Alley,” which is the address of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop that Fred and George opened after their epic departure from Hogwarts in Order of the Phoenix. In addition to a lovely illustration of the interior of WWW, which shows a cluster of kids (including Harry, Ron and Hermione) eying all of the goodies -- pigmy puffs included! -- the chapter allows you to collect some items and unlock two new writings: "Florean Fortescue" and "The Leaky Cauldron."
One of the new writings is a very short excerpt about Florean Fortescue, the ice cream parlor in Diagon Alley. Though the entry is brief, Rowling reveals a very interesting tidbit about a ghost plot that didn't quite make it into the books. The longer writing is “The Leaky Cauldron,” which explains some of the history of the (actual) oldest pub in London. It also talks about how the pub was almost demolished (and how it was eventually saved).
“The Leaky Cauldron” essay a great read for some interesting background information on the secret entrance to Diagon Alley. But I think for this one, my favorite part is at the very end, where J.K. Rowling explains why she chose Charing Cross Road as the location of the Leaky Cauldron…
Charing Cross Road is famous for its bookshops, both modern and antiquarian. This is why I wanted it to be the place where those in the know go to enter a different world.
That is just… awesome.
If you missed yesterday’s Pottermore riddle, check out our post here. And there’s more where these came from, as we’ve been promised daily updates leading up to December 23.
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