New Pottermore Stuff

[Jorlem]

So, there's a ton of new info up on Pottermore, mostly regarding the various accredited Wizarding Schools of the world. Here are some of the highlights:

So, we've finally gotten a canon, non-wand method of spellcasting:

The wand is a European invention, and while African witches and wizards have adopted it as a useful tool in the last century, many spells are cast simply by pointing the finger or through hand gestures. This gives Uagadou students a sturdy line of defence when accused of breaking the International Statute of Secrecy ('I was only waving, I never meant his chin to fall off').

Also, students at this school are informed of their acceptance by Dream Messenger, not by owl:

Students receive notice that they have gained entrance at Uagadou from Dream Messengers, sent by the headmaster or headmistress of the day. The Dream Messenger will appear to the children as they sleep and will leave a token, usually an inscribed stone, which is found in the child’s hand on waking. No other school employs this method of pupil selection.

Uagadou is also at least one thousand years old, and the only given address is "Mountains of the Moon".

Other interesting things from Pottermore's new entries on the Wizarding schools of the world:
Beauxbatons: (France)

Apart from the Flamels, famous ex-students of Beauxbatons include Vincent Duc de Trefle-Picques, who escaped the Terror by casting a concealment charm on his neck and pretending that his head had already been cut off

Mahoutokoro: (Japan)

Students are presented with enchanted robes when they arrive, which grow in size as they do, and which gradually change colour as the learning of their wearer increases, beginning a faint pink colour and becoming (if top grades are achieved in every magical subject) gold. If the robes turn white, this is an indication that the student has betrayed the Japanese wizard's code and adopted illegal practices (which in Europe we call 'Dark' magic) or broken the International Statute of Secrecy. To 'turn white' is a terrible disgrace, which results in instant expulsion from the school and trial at the Japanese Ministry for Magic.

Castelobruxo: (Brazil)

Castelobruxo is an imposing square edifice of golden rock, often compared to a temple. Both building and grounds are protected by the Caipora, small and furry spirit-beings who are extraordinarily mischievous and tricky, and who emerge under cover of night to watch over the students and the creatures who live in the forest.

Durmstrang: (North Europe?)

Durmstrang is one of the most secretive of all schools about its whereabouts, so nobody can be quite certain. Visitors, who must comply with memory charms to erase their knowledge of how they got there, speak of vast, sprawling grounds with many stunning views, not least of the great, dark, spectral ship that is moored on a mountain lake behind the school, from which students dive in summertime.

Here are the relevant URLs:

http://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-j ... ng-schools
http://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-j ... ahoutokoro
http://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-j ... ng/uagadou
http://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-j ... stelobruxo
http://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-j ... y-of-magic
http://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-j ... ilvermorny
http://www.pottermore.com/writing-by-j ... -institute
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Stand between the Silver Crystal and the Golden Sea.
"Youngsters these days just have no appreciation for the magnificence of the legendary cucumber."  --Krityan Elder, Tales of Vesperia.