Twitter goes into meltdown…. as #newHarryPotterbooks goes global
From the Philosopher's Stone to the Deathly Hallows, the Harry Potter books have enthralled readers since the very first one was released back in 1997.
By 2007, JK Rowling had concluded her seven-part literary series – and millions of enthusiasts have been desperate for further instalments ever since.
The Scottish author last year announced that she would pen a spin-off play, The Cursed Child, but has otherwise been cautious about implying that the books themselves are anything less than done and dusted.
"I’m not going to say I won’t. I don’t think I will… I feel I am done, but you never know," she said back in 2010.
Such ambiguity is enough to fuel hope too – and many woke this morning to discover that #newHarryPotterbooks was trending globally on Twitter. It was a hashtag which, understandably, sent fans into total meltdown.
Alas, sadly Ms Rowling didn't make any sort of surprise statement this morning – rather the #newHarryPotterbooks movement was kicked-off by Midnight, a late night Comedy Central game show hosted by Chris Hardwick.
The show had asked Twitter users to come up with alternative Harry Potter titles… and evidently it REALLY took off.
In the aftermath, however, many were less than impressed when they discovered that they'd inadvertently been dubbed.
When you realize the #NewHarryPotterBooks trend isn't really about new Harry Potter books.. pic.twitter.com/cSimCMbG3R
— Adorably Evil (@psylxcke_) July 30, 2015
There's a special place in hell for whoever started this #NewHarryPotterBooks trend.
— Ritesh Luckhun (@thatguyrit) July 30, 2015
When you wake up to the hope of #NewHarryPotterBooks and i's all a lie… pic.twitter.com/nHkKDjDZOe
— This Is Pulp (@ThisIsPulp) July 30, 2015
#NewHarryPotterBooks gave me a heart attack this morning. Why lie to me please x
— Kirst.✌ (@_kirstking) July 30, 2015
Me when I saw that #NewHarryPotterBooks is a complete lie pic.twitter.com/1UBGfSwWEg
— ⋆helena (@doctoorwho) July 30, 2015
Don't. Lie. To. Me. #NewHarryPotterBooks pic.twitter.com/0g7k3AOSNY
— tan man (@supurekusu) July 30, 2015
#NewHarryPotterBooks Okay .. you broke my heart …
— Sofia Ventura (@ImNot_A_Muggle) July 30, 2015
I thought finally my day was gonna get better #NewHarryPotterBooks but I guess not. Thanks Twitter
— Kyledove (@DoveKyle) July 30, 2015
And – inevitably – the odd tongue-in-cheek response also duly followed.
I really like this idea "Harry Potter and One Direction" #NewHarryPotterBooks pic.twitter.com/criWACGvwN
— StyPayHorLikSon (@DarinaSy) July 30, 2015
#NewHarryPotterBooks with clickbait article titles pic.twitter.com/J1ZSR7QvKV
— n (@explosivv) July 30, 2015
Although, fans could be forgiven for getting their hopes up: JK Rowling often takes to social media to promote new material. She also regularly answers questions from readers via Twitter.
She furthermore used to platform to reveal details of the three forthcoming Newt Scamander spin-off films she has written for Warner online.
Eddie Redmayne, who plays the lead in the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them trilogy, based on a Hogwarts text book read by Harry, is currently filming the first of the films, which is due out on 16 November 2016.
Ms Rowling is due to publish the third in a crime series written under the pen name Robert Galbraith this October.
