J.K. Rowling: New Pottermore Ilvermorny story debuts

This past spring, J.K. Rowling began revealing the secrets of the American wizarding world with the first installment of her series Magic in North America. While the short stories posted to the author’s online portal, Pottermore, briefly touched on the subject of schooling and the U.S.’s Hogwarts equivalent, Ilvermorny (pronounced Ill-ver-morn-ee’), much was left unsaid about the mysterious institution ahead of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them‘s November 18 release date.

But now, Rowling is pointing the sparkling end of her wand at Ilvermorny with Magic in North America‘s second installment, which is now live over at Pottermore. The new story sheds some much sought-after light on the founding of the American school and how its culture—less elitist and more democratic—differs from that of Hogwarts.

A key narrative in “Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry” follows Isolt, an Irish orphan who is kidnapped by her aunt Gormlaith Gaunt, a surname that should set off some big dark magic alarms for Harry Potter diehards. Isolt and the stolen wand in her possession play essential roles in the school’s founding.

In addition to learning all about the school and its history, visitors to Pottermore will also be able to get sorted into one of Ilvermorny’s four houses. The new quiz features questions and answers written by Rowling herself and will make the “Which house would I be in?” question doubly complicated.

Check back in to EW.com later today for a full analysis of the new Pottermore story, “Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”