Pottermore Mania: The Pottermore Experience

I learned that Pottermore was finally available to the public a day before I could actually experience it. At the time, I was on vacation in Washington DC and did not have access to a computer. My friends all changed their Facebook statuses to things like “OMG POTTERMORE!” and “EVERYONE GET ON POTTERMORE”, and I just felt… really, really left out. The next day when I got home, I booted up my computer and set out to sign up for the website that was created by JK Rowling and released to beta testers on July 31, 2011. 

Yes, finally!

I had heard about the website and read about it much earlier than the beta release, but due to my ignorance, I was unable to snatch the opportunity to be a beta tester. So, I chugged down my gallons of antidepressants (aka ice cream) and researched Pottermore like a crazed nerd. I dreamt about the sorting, the e-books, the additional content, and, of course, the chance to experience the World of Harry Potter which I had grown to love so fondly.
I’d rather enjoy the experience first-hand than hear about how my friend got her freakin’ awesome new wand and got sorted into Gryffindor, which by the way is obviously the house I would get into.

My friend sent me this....

JK Rowling claimed it would be open in October, but it took six additional months for it to actually be released to the public. And so, like an anxious Harry Potter student I signed up and waited for the much anticipated… confirmation email. After ten minutes of refreshing my email I decided it wasn’t coming and so like any other practical almost-wizard, I created another account. Both emails arrived at the same time, and I quickly clicked on the link to the site. I was greeted, not by Harry Potter and his friends, but by a message saying, “We’ll send you an email to let you know when you can explore Pottermore.”

Disgruntled, but determined to achieve success, I went into the refrigerator, got more ice cream, grabbed my wand, and paced in front of my computer, refreshing my inbox page so often and so quickly that one would think I was using a spell! The anticipation was giving me a heart burn, and I kid you not. I come home from hours of flying expecting to be greeted by a lovely website of new, totally awesome Harry Potter lovin’ to find I had to wait a long time to get it!
My spirit was beginning to flounder. I resorted to listening to the dreaded Rebecca Black. My poor, weak fingers were getting tired of hitting the refresh button, when the amazing letter arrived. “Your journey begins here!” I squealed and began muttering like a madman. It was finally happening! I moved my hand over the link and clicked…

OMGOMGOMG, I GOT IN! I was so happy, so overjoyed. My life was complete. I looked out at the destiny that lay before me *felt reborn. I got to experience my Harry Potter fantasies. Creating spells, defeating the dark lord, kicking wizard ass. 
I went through a magical gateway and was led to the main page. First I was told to explore Chapter One where I was greeted by a story on Harry Potter and his arrival in Privet Drive. This brought me to an interactive picture of the Drive, and I clicked the hell out of everything hoping to unlock some new awesome Harry Potter stuff. My friends quickly added me. If you’d like to add me, my username is: PixieWizard28168. So boss. I know.
Apparently the website advances based on the concept of Chapters. As you complete the chapters you get the opportunity to unlock new things like a wand, brewing potions, and other amazing goodies. The chapters each introduce a new perspective to the story, with small tidbits of input from JK Rowling about the chapter and the part you are at.

Information from JK Rowling about the Dursleys' house.

So without further ado, I can no longer afford to write, for I have a new world to explore full of new magical adventures and a totally awesome new life… of reading about Harry Potter on the computer. It is definitely one of the most amazing new things of 2011-2012 since the last Harry Potter. If you'd like to delve in, HERE is the link and have the time of your lives! Don’t miss my next post on Holy Musical B@man.

Special Thanks To Miriam-Chan for the Edit.