Yesterday fans of the Harry Potter universe were introduced to the history of the North American (not american… north american) wizarding school, Ilvermorny. Not only that, but fans were able to find out which of the four houses they would be sorted into if they were to attend. I am proud to say, besides being a Ravenclaw for Hogwarts, I would be a Thunderbird at Ilvermorny.

I had read a piece by a fan stating that they really appreciate the story that Rowling created because it feels like a personal letter to the fans here in North America. We grew up with Harry Potter and certainly dreamed of what it would be like if we could go to Hogwarts. The story manages to give us characters that feel the same, and by the greatness of their dreams and will they were able to create such a place where those hopefuls could go. We now have our own wizarding school and a wizarding culture that will be brought to us through Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Of course, there is a lot we still don’t know about the school. How do students get there? Where are the house common rooms and how are they decorated? Are there house rivalries? What subjects are taught? What interesting things are in the castle? I believe these are things that will be revealed in time but for now we are the school that has received perhaps the greatest deal of information.

The wizarding world continues to grow and as it does my hope is that JK Rowling will elaborate and dig deeper into the other schools. We’ve gotten a fair bit of Uagadou, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Mahoutokoro, Castelobruxo, and of course Ilvermorny. However, we have not heard anything of the Russian school, Koldovstoretz or the three remaining schools yet to be revealed.

As she has let american fans taste the history of our school I hope she will allow fans from all over the world do the same. Perhaps corny, but Harry Potter has been something that has brought people together and taught acceptance, loyalty, kindness, and the richest form of adventure. My hope is that everyone gets to participate equally.