J.K. Rowling reveals new information on Sir Cadogan, Knight Bus, Aunt Marge, Boggart, and Professor Kettleburn in Pottermore

by · December 20, 2012

Earlier today, Pottermore released the first installment from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. As you explore these first chapters, you will find lots of new information from author J.K. Rowling.

We are providing you with only a small sample of what Jo has to say regarding five significant backstories including: Boggarts, Knight Bus, Aunt Marge, Professor Ketttleburn, and Sir Cadogan.

Here is only a tidbit of the information released:

    • Boggarts: Like a poltergeist, a Boggart is not and never has been truly alive. It is one of the strange non-beings that populate the magical world, for which there is no equivalent in the Muggle realm. Boggarts can be made to disappear, but more Boggarts will inevitably arise to take their place. Like poltergeists and the more sinister Dementors, they seem to be generated and sustained by human emotions.
    • Knight Bus: The driver and conductor of the Knight Bus in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban are named after my two grandfathers, Ernest and Stanley.
    • Aunt Marge: I regret making Aunt Marge a breeder of bulldogs, as I now know them to be a non-aggressive breed. My sister owns one and he’s the most loveable, affectionate dog you could hope to meet. On the other hand, they do look grumpy, and on appearance alone seemed to suit Aunt Marge.
    • Silvanus Kettleburn: Kettleburn was a loveable if eccentric man and his continuing employment at the school was evidence of the great affection in which staff and students held him. He finished his career with only one arm and half a leg. Albus Dumbledore presented him with a full set of enchanted wooden limbs on his retirement, a gift that had to be replaced regularly since, because Kettleburn’s habit of visiting dragon sanctuaries in his spare time meant that his prosthetics were frequently set on fire.
    • Sir Cadogan: Sir Cadogan’s portrait, which hangs on the seventh floor of Hogwarts Castle, shows him with the pony he rode forever more (which, understandably perhaps, never much liked him) and accurately depicts his hot temper, his love of a foolhardy challenge and his determination to beat the enemy, come what may.

To find out more on all of these new releases, be sure to head over to Pottermore right now, and begin exploring the interactive website.