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There is something very important about Harry's mother that he hasn't yet discovered, that he's not going to find out in the next book. It's too important for book 4, he finds it out later in the series. Press Club interview (October 1999, transcribed by Anna Moon at SQ)

You’ll find out a lot more about [Lily] in Book 5, or you’ll find out something very significant about her in Book 5, then you’ll find out something incredibly important about her in Book 7. But I can’t tell you what those things are so I’m sorry, but yes, you will find out more about her because both of them are very important in what Harry ends up having to do.The Connection interview

[And I'm going to ask one other question which you'll say isn't clever at all. The significance of the place where Harry and his parents lived, the first name - Godric Gryffindor.] Very good, you're a bit good you are, aren't you? Thank you. I'm impressed. My editor didn't notice, I said to her haven't you noticed any connection between where Harry's parents were born, not born, where they lived and, one of the Hogwarts houses and she's sitting there going erm, I'm not being rude about Emma she's brilliant editor, the best I've ever. But know she didn't pick that up either. You're a bit good, you are. Newsround Interview (July 2000)

[Do we find out more about James Potters' family history in the next books?] Yes, you do. Comic Relief chat (March 2001)

What did James and Lily Potter do when they were alive? Well, I can't Go into too much detail, because you're going to find out in future books. But James inherited plenty of money, so he didn't need a well-paid profession. You'll find out more about both Harry's parents later. AOL Chat (October 2000)

[What did the Potter parents do for a living before Voldemort killed them?] I'm sorry to keep saying this, but I can't tell you because it's important to a later plot. But you will find out later! AOL Chat (October 2000)

[Rumor: Lily Potter is still alive] No, afraid not. JK Rowling Offical Site (May 2004)

[Rumor: Lily Potter Was Once a Death Eater] How dare you?! JK Rowling Offical Site (May 2004)

[What houses were Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter and (Peter Pettigrew) in? Everyone tells me they were all Gryffindor, but I won't believe it unless I hear it from Ms. Rowling herself!] This is JK herself saying that they were indeed in Gryffindor! World Book Day chat (March 2004)

Sirius

Can't tell you [if Sirius is going to be cleared], that's too important a bit of information! Yahooligans chat (October 2000)

[What made Sirius decide to send Snape to the Willow?] Because Sirius loathed Snape (and the feeling was entirely mutual). You'll find out more about this in due course. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[I noticed in the Black Family tree that everyone is named after a constellation. Is this intentional? Does this have any bearing on the plot?] It's just one of those family traditions, although Narcissa breaks the trend. I had always thought of her as 'Narcissa' so I decided not to change her to match the others when I came up with their names. There's been a lot of speculation that she is in some way linked to Lily and Petunia, because of the flower theme, but I can put that rumour to rest here: she isn't related to them. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[If we ever see Sirius again, what form will he be in?] I couldn't possibly answer that for fear of incriminating myself. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[Will the two way mirror Sirius gave Harry ever show up again?] Ooooo, good question. There's your answer. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[Whatever happend to Sirius' flying motorbike?] Ah, good question. You'll find out, but the real sleuths among you might be able to guess. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[Why did you kill Sirius? It made me very sad :( ] I'm really, really sorry. I didn't want to do it, but there was a reason. If you think you can forgive me, keep reading, you'll find out. (I feel really guilty now). World Book Day chat (March 2004)

Lupin

Will we be seeing Lupin anytime soon? Yes, Harry will be seeing Lupin again. He's another of my favourite characters. AOL Chat (October 2000)

[Now the future - Lupin comes back in Book Five...] You see Lupin in Book Five. Do you like him? [Lizo: Yes, he's one of my favourites.] And me. I always looked forward to writing Book Three because of Professor Lupin. I love him. Yes you see a lot of old characters in Book Five. Yes. I'm not even going to tell you what happens in Book Five! I'm just recovering from the stress of Book Four!! Newsround Interview (July 2000)

[Lupin's] being a werewolf is really a metaphor for people's reactions to illness and disability. Conversations with J.K. Rowling (September 2001), quoted by Angua on the SQ Quote Research Thread

I was also playing with that [intolerance] when I created Professor Lupin, who has a condition, which is contagious of course and so people are very frightened of him and I really like Professor Lupin as a character because he's someone that also has a failing, because although he is a wonderful teacher (one I myself would have liked to have had as a teacher) and a wonderful man, he does like to be liked and that's where he slips up. He's been disliked so often that he's always so pleased to have friends, so he cuts them an awful lot of slack. Royal Albert Hall (June 2003)

[If you had to choose one teacher from your books to teach your child, who would it be and why?] It would be Professor Lupin, because he is kind, clever, and gives very interesting lessons. Scholastic Chat (February 2000)

[Is Remus a pureblood?] Half blood. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[What does the "J" in Remus J Lupin stand for?] 'John'. Boring but true! World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[Rumor: Professor Lupin has a twin] No, but this obviously sprang from the fact that Lupin's Christian name (Remus) comes from one of the mythical founders of Rome who had a twin called 'Romulus'. (They were raised by wolves, incidentally). JK Rowling Offical Site (May 2004)

Wormtail

You have Voldemort, a raging psychopath, devoid of the normal human responses to other people's suffering, and there ARE people like that in the world. But then you have Wormtail, who out of cowardice will stand in the shadow of the strongest person. Entertainment Weekly interview (August 2000)

[Rumor: Neville Longbottom is Peter Pettigrew's son] See response for 'Lily Potter was a Death Eater' above. JK Rowling Official Site (May 2004)

[Will Wormtail ever pay Harry back?] You'll see... keep readingWorld Book Day chat (March 2004)

[Did the debt Wormtail has to Harry carry over to Voldemort when he sacrificed his arm to restore his body?] No. Can't say any more than that! World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[What happened to Wormtail?] You'll find out in book six. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[What about Wormtail? Is there hope for redemption?] There's always hope, of course. You'll find out more about our rat-like friend in book six. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

Snape

Snape's 35 or [36]. Comic Relief chat (March 2001)

[Why did you make Quirrell the bad guy instead of Snape?] Because I know all about Snape, and he wasn't about to put on a turban. AOL Chat (October 2000)

[Is there a link between Snape and vampires?] Erm... I don't think so. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[Why specifically does Dumbledore trust Snape?] Another excellent and non-answerable question. I shall merely say that Snape has given Dumbledore his story and Dumbledore believes it. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[I wonder if you can let us know what form will Professor Snape's Boggart and Patronus take? I am very curious.] Well, I'm not going to tell you, Ernie, but that's because it would give so much away. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

[The character of Professor Snape fascinates me. Will you reveal his back story further in the next Harry Potter book?] You will find out more about Snape in future books; keep an eye on him! Yahooligans chat (October 2000)

Dumbledore believes there are all sorts of lessons in life; horrible teachers like Snape are one of them! Barnes & Noble chat (October 2000)

[Who's your favorite character besides Harry Potter?] It's very hard to choose. It's fun to write about Snape because he's a deeply horrible person. Hagrid is someone I'd love to meet. Family Education interview (September 1999)

[Stephen Fry: Then there's characters like Snape, who are bad but there is a certain ambiguity about him. You can't quite decide because there's something quite sad about him. Something very lonely. We're slowly (after five books) getting the idea that maybe he is not so bad after all.] Yes, but you shouldn't think he's too nice. Let me just say that. It is worth keeping an eye on old Severus Snape, definitely. Royal Albert Hall (June 2003)

When Professor Dumbledore took Professor Snape onto the staff and Professor Snape said he'd like to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, please, and Professor Dumbledore felt that it might bring out the worst in Professor Snape, so Dumbledore said: "I think we'll let you teach potions and see how you get along there." Royal Albert Hall (June 2003)

Who on earth would want Snape in love with them? That's a very horrible idea. [There's a certain redemptive pattern to Snape.] He, um, there's so much I wish I could say to you, and I can't because it would ruin. I promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to you that I’m slightly stunned that you've said that and you’ll find out why I’m so stunned if you read Book 7. Connection Interview (October 1999, transcribed by Catwoman at SQ)

Tonks

[I love Tonks, she's my favorite new character. Will she play a large role in future books and/or in Harry's life?] Tonks is hanging around. I really like her, too. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

Lockhart

Gilderoy's still in Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Ailments and Injuries because his memory's just gone but I'm making no promises about Gilderoy.Newsround Interview (July 2000)

Gilderoy Lockhart was loads of fun, but he was a bit of a one-joke character, and I think I did as much as I could with him. Comic Relief chat (March 2001)

I have only once set out to depict somebody I have met and, unlikely though it might seem, the result was Gilderoy Lockhart. I assure you that the person on whom Gilderoy was modelled was even more objectionable than his fictional counterpart. He used to tell whopping great fibs about his past life, all of them designed to demonstrate what a wonderful, brave and brilliant person he was. Perhaps he didn't really believe he was all that great and wanted to compensate, but I'm afraid I never dug that deep. You might think it was mean of me to depict him as Gilderoy, but you can rest assured he will never, ever guess. He's probably out there now telling everybody that he inspired the character of Albus Dumbledore. Or that he wrote the books and lets me take the credit out of kindness. JK Rowling Official Site (May 2004)

Irish Quidditch Side

The Irish Quidditch team players are all named after people I have known. 'Moran', 'Troy' and 'Quigley,' are good friends. 'Troy' is one of my very oldest friends and she also happens to be a passionate supporter of West Ham Football Club. It is in her honour that the only soccer team ever mentioned in the books is West Ham. JK Rowling Official Site

Arthur & Molly

Before her marriage Mrs. Weasley was Molly Prewett. As you will note from chapter one, Philosopher's Stone, she has lost close family members to Voldemort. JK Rowling Official Site (May 2004)

Arthur Weasley was one of three brothers. JK Rowling Official Site (May 2004)

Vernon & Petunia

In book five, we will finally learn why Harry has to spend every summer with those lousy Dursleys. InfoPlease article (January 2000)

Does Harry know that he is protected as long as he lives with his family? He sort of knows now... but he won't know the whole truth about that for a little while. Yahooligans chat (October 2000)

There's stuff coming with the Dursleys that people might not expect, but I'm not going to give too much away there if that's OK...Oregonian Article (October 2000)

[My children and I love your books, and we care about Harry Potter. We are wondering if Harry will continue to live with the Dursley's every summer.] Well, you have to decide whether you want to give up the fun of seeing Harry getting the better of the Dursley's or whether you'd rather see Harry happy. I've made my choice, but I can't tell you what it is because it will ruin future plots. Barnes & Noble chat (September 1999)

He said to me, "If Harry's aunt and uncle hate him so much, why don't they just throw him out?" Well, that's a very shrewd point, and it will only be explained in book five. American Library Association Book Links interview (July 1999)

[Which character do you most dislike?] Probably Uncle Vernon. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

Lucius & Narcissa

[Will we see more of Narcissa Malfoy now that Lucius is unavailable?] Yes, you will. World Book Day chat (March 2004)

The Sugar Quill was created by Zsenya and Arabella. For questions, please send us an Owl!