We should have seen it coming.
Harry Potter fans were whipped into a frenzy today after Pottermore, the digital hub of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World announced that by answering just a few quick fire questions they could determine your Patronus.
In case you need reminding – in which case, shame on you – a Patronus is a defensive charm summoned by the power of a happy memory. It’s an incredibly difficult spell to pull off, but there’s no more effective shield against the soul-sapping Dementors.
Famously Harry’s Patronus took the form of a stag, just like his father’s, and wannabe wizards all over the world have spent years wondering what their own might be.
Thanks to the new Pottermore feature – designed by Rowling herself – they can finally find out.
People naturally took to social media to discuss their results.
This just made my entire day. #ExpectoPatronum pic.twitter.com/j8U5ymzO2X
— Author Jacqueline⁷ 💜✨🌸🐈⬛ (@JackieSmith114) September 22, 2016
I love my dragonfly #Patronus. I used to think they were the distant ancestors of Anne McCaffrey's fire lizards on Pern. #ExpectoPatronum pic.twitter.com/tr1kfxSfBM
— Abigail Strom (@AbigailStrom) September 22, 2016
You know what, the dementors can have me. This. is. a. JOKE. #ExpectoPatronum pic.twitter.com/9THuwSAsZs
— Olly Gibbs (@OllyGibbs) September 22, 2016
And then this happened.
Wow @pottermore @jk_rowling too soon pic.twitter.com/zPMFM4Ch6R
— theCHIVE (@theCHIVE) September 22, 2016
Yes, the late gorilla Harambe, 2016’s most sensational meme, was never going to be left out of the latest online fad.
The much-celebrated primate – who was sadly shot dead earlier this year after a child climbed into his enclosure at Cincinnati Zoo – has already had people campaigning for his induction into the Pokemon universe, and here he is at the heart of another pop culture phenomenon.
J.K. Rowling retweeted the Harambe Patronus, which got his legion of loyal supporters very excited indeed that it was genuine.
But it wasn’t long before the author had to come out and publicly clarify the truth.
I've been asked to make it clear that Harambe is not a Patronus you can actually get on @pottermore. The previous RT is a joke. As you were.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 22, 2016
I thought it was very funny, btw.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 22, 2016
Shame, but the whole affair did spawn a decidedly more family-friendly version of the famous “dicks out for Harambe” role call.
https://twitter.com/pottrshorcrux/status/778999330472652800
You heard him, wizards.
