The Pottermore Welcome Emails Have Gone Out; Be Alert, Potterheads

I still haven’t gotten my welcome email to Pottermore. This is undoubtedly going to cause unspeakable amounts of angst in my heart until I finally refresh my email enough times to see it waiting for me there, and even more so if I take that sorting test and get sorted into the wrong house. It’s all this massive identity crisis just waiting to happen. But it’s Pottermore. A few friends have gotten in already, and shared their experiences, which is how we bring you these glimpses into the virtual world Jo Rowling and her many loyal minions have set up for us.

(Now updated with more pictures)

It’s been rumored that the Pottermore emails are going out incrementally, based on the day you originally registered for the site. There’s also the distinct possibility that they’re going out at random. So, there’s that.

Here’s what the official Pottermore blog had to say about it:

We’re excited to announce that early access to Pottermore has begun, so if you’re one of the million people who found The Magical Quill and registered for early access, please read the rest of this Insider post carefully.

The most important thing to know is that we need to stagger entry to the ‘Beta’ (early) version of Pottermore so we can properly collect all the feedback. To begin with, we’ll be inviting a very small number of people onto the website, so you may not receive your Welcome email straight away.

We’ll be sending those Welcome emails out over the coming weeks and, once yours arrives, you’ll be able to log in and start helping us develop the Pottermore experience.

The site takes you through the books chapter by chapter–so far the only book available is Sorcerer’s Stone, with the other being released book by book at a later time. With the benefits of the first book, you are introduced to the Wizarding World as a witch/wizard, going to Diagon Alley to collect your school supplies, getting a wand (it chooses you), riding the Hogwarts Express, and getting sorted.

Arriving at Diagon Alley:

The wand choosing the wizard:

One sorting outcome:

Potions class.

UPDATE: Two more pictures

WE. CAN’T. WAIT.

(Photos via Kellie Liston and SeverusDRacoWeasley, via Pottermore)