Today JK Rowling announced a new writing on “one of her favorite ‘off stage’ characters…” in her infamous Harry Potter series. Now when I hear any Harry Potter related news I get excited but more often than not it’s always about a character or subject that I never enjoyed in the books, but this one peaked my interest.
If you don’t immediately recognize the name of Celestina Warbeck, don’t worry, because she is only mentioned three times throughout the entire Potter series. Once in book 2, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and another is in book 6, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The final mention is in the companion book, “Quidditch Through the Ages.” She is “…credited with recording Puddlemere United’s team anthem “Beat Back Those Bludgers, Boys, and Check That Quaffle Here.”
Celestina Warbeck is a famous singing Witch, who just also happens to be Molly Weasley’s favorite performer. Every Christmas the whole Weasley Family would gather around the radio and listen to Warbeck sing.
The 500 word entry to Rowling’s Pottermore.com gives you a brief insight to Celestina’s early years at Hogwarts and the beginnings of her career. The story was posted today because as it turns out August 18th is also Celestina’s birthday, so Happy Birthday!!
Another really cool thing that has been released is a recording of the “singing sorceress” most famous song, “You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart.” You can actually see Celestina perform on a daily basis at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Resort. I listened to the song, it’s not really my style but the lyrics are pretty good.
If you would like to read Rowling’s story about Warbeck you can sign up on pottermore.com (it only takes a second) and go to the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Chapter 4 ‘Floo Powder” Moment and click on the radio next to the fireplace. Sit back and listen to the smooth sound of Celestina Warbeck and imagine you are sitting at a small intimate Wizard club sipping drinks with your friends, chatting about the latest Witch gossip. You’ll have a better day, trust me.
(Editor’s note: This article was posted by Paige Clark)