• Director David Yates said Albus Dumbledore's homosexuality won't be addressed in the next "Fantastic Beasts" movie.
• It may still be acknowledged in future entries of the franchise.
• Fans don't see why there's any reason to wait.
• The movies follow the rise of Gellert Grindelwald, a dark wizard who had a romantic involvement with Dumbledore as a teenager.
• Fans are also upset with the casting of Johnny Depp, who allegedly beat his ex-wife in charges that were later dropped, in the role of Grindelwald.

"Fantastic Beasts" director David Yates said Albus Dumbledore's homosexuality won't be addressed in the next movie in the series, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald."

Fans think it should be.

"Not explicitly,"Yates told Entertainment Weekly, referencing whether the movie makes clear Dumbledore is gay. "But I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other's ideas, and ideology and each other."

The story of "The Crimes of Grindelwald"— starring Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore and Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald— continues after the events of the first movie, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," where we meet Newt Scamander, one of Dumbledore's former students at Hogwarts. The arc of the five-movie series will follow the rise of Grindelwald, the dark wizard who had a romantic relationship with Dumbledore during their teenage years. The entire series is set decades before the events of "Harry Potter" and has a planned ending set in 1945, the year Dumbledore vanquishes Grindelwald in a duel.

"He's a maverick and a rebel and he's an inspiring teacher at Hogwarts," Yates told Entertainment Weekly. "He's witty and has a bit of edge. He's not this elder statesman. He's a really kinetic guy. And opposite Johnny Depp as Grindelwald, they make an incredible pairing."

It's possible that Dumbledore's sexuality will be more explicitly addressed in future entries. At a press conference before the first movie's release, J.K. Rowling, who is writing the screenplays for the entire series, said it's a possibility.

"I can't tell you everything I would like to say because this is obviously a five-part story so there's lots to unpack in that relationship," Rowling said. "You will see Dumbledore as a younger man and quite a troubled man. ... We'll see him at that formative period of his life. As far as his sexuality is concerned, watch this space."

Many fans don't see why the movies should be shy.

To many fans, Yates invoking the implicit understanding between the audience and the movie is a cop-out. If we all know Dumbledore is gay, why be shy about it? It's a missed opportunity for diverse representation, they argue.

J.K. Rowling first revealed Dumbledore was gay in 2007.

Although Dumbledore's sexuality wasn't addressed in Rowling's "Harry Potter" books or movies, it was the subject of fan speculation for years. Rowling explicitly said he was gay and in love with Grindelwald in a public event after all the books were already published.

"I always thought of Dumbledore as gay,"she said. "Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was."

She also said she had to push back on heteronormative assumptions from other people working on the movie.

"Recently I was in a script read through for the sixth film, and they had Dumbledore saying a line to Harry early in the script saying I knew a girl once, whose hair…'" she quoted, laughing. "I had to write a little note in the margin and slide it along to the scriptwriter, 'Dumbledore's gay!' If I'd known it would make you so happy, I would have announced it years ago!"

The comments led to a lot of debate about the series.

The movie is also at odds with fans when it comes to Johnny Depp's casting.

Development of the "Fantastic Beasts" movies has also frustrated fans when it comes to the casting of Depp as Grindelwald.

Depp's ex-wife, Amber Heard, accused him of domestic abuse in charges that were dropped during their divorce settlement. In the midst of the #MeToo movement, giving him a prominent role in a series beloved by children has enraged fans. Even Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the original movie series, questioned the wisdom of the decision.

Rowling and Yates have steadfastly defended Depp, clashing with fans of the series.

"Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies,"Rowling said in a statement published in December.

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," will be in theaters on November 16.

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• Fans have long been frustrated by the lack of LGBTQ characters in J.K. Rowling's work.
• Rowling said she always "thought of Dumbledore as gay" after the final book came out.
• 10 years later, Dumbledore is a character in the "Fantastic Beasts" movie franchise.
• And fans are at a breaking point when it comes to the perceived refusal of putting an overtly gay version of Dumbledore on screen.
• INSIDER spoke with several queer "Harry Potter" fans who explained why they're upset.

J.K. Rowling and the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise were already wading in controversy over Johnny Depp's continued presence in the movies, but now fans are at a breaking point after learning that Dumbledore's sexuality wouldn't be openly explored in the coming sequel.

Director David Yates told Entertainment Weekly that "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald" would not make it "explicitly" clear Dumbledore is gay, the fandom reacted strongly (and mostly negatively).

"Not explicitly," Yates told Entertainment Weekly, referencing whether the movie will clearly show Dumbledore as gay. "But I think all the fans are aware of that. He had a very intense relationship with Grindelwald when they were young men. They fell in love with each other's ideas, and ideology and each other."

One only needed to do a cursory search on Twitter and Reddit to see heated debates and fans expressing dismay over this latest comment about the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" sequel. 

INSIDER spoke with several members of the "Harry Potter" fandom to better understand how people were feeling. We spoke primarily with fans who identify as gay or bisexual, and who had been immersed in the "Harry Potter" community for anywhere between 10 to 20 years.

How Rowling first introduced Dumbledore's sexuality to the "Harry Potter" canon

In order to understand the current wave of backlash, it's important to remember why Dumbledore's sexuality is a topic of discussion at all. 

Within Rowling's original seven "Harry Potter" books, there is no character who identifies as gay, bisexual, transgender, or anywhere on the spectrum of LGBTQ+.

But in 2007, several months after "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (the final book of the series) was published, Rowling attended a Q&A at Carnegie Hall, where she revealed that Dumbledore was gay. 

One person asked the author if Dumbledore ever fell in love himself, since he believed love was a prevailing power. 

"My truthful answer to you … I always thought of Dumbledore as gay," Rowling replied, according to "Harry Potter" news site The Leaky Cauldron. "Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was."

Grindelwald, as "The Deathly Hallows" revealed, was a Dark wizard who lived next door to Dumbledore when both the men were teenagers. They spent a summer bonding over shared ambitions and concocting plans to overthrow the wizarding world's statute of secrecy.

But their time together ended in tragedy when Dumbledore and Grindelwald got into a heated argument with the former's brother, Aberforth. The ensuing fight ultimately killed Dumbledore's younger sister, Ariana, and Grindelwald fled.

As he grew more powerful, Dumbledore delayed setting out to confront him partly due to shame and partly out of fear that he would learn exactly who was responsible for the death of Ariana. But he eventually did find Grindelwald and defeated him, winning the allegiance of the Elder Wand and imprisoning Grindelwald for life.

Rowling's answer about Dumbledore's sexuality went on to say that his love for Grindelwald had blinded him to the horrific intentions of the young Dark wizard. Rowling also said that she had given the writers working on a movie script for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" a note about Dumbledore's sexuality. 

"They had Dumbledore saying a line to Harry early in the script saying I knew a girl once, whose hair… [laughter]. I had to write a little note in the margin and slide it along to the scriptwriter, 'Dumbledore's gay!'" Rowling said.

The crowd of fans reportedly erupted in fierce applause and gave Rowling a standing ovation. When she saw the reaction, Rowling reportedly said: "If I'd known it would make you so happy, I would have announced it years ago!"

How the Dumbledore and Grindelwald relationship connects to "Fantastic Beasts"

Rowling herself is penning five total movies for the new "Fantastic Beasts" franchise. The first installment, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," focused on a magizoologist named Newt Scamander as he got up to hi-jinx in New York City in the 1920s.

We found out in that first movie that Newt was a former student of Dumbledore's, and that Newt had unwittingly walked into the middle of a Grindelwald plot. By the end of the movie, the character played by Colin Ferrell was revealed to be Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) in disguise. 

Since the first movie came out, more news has broken about the sequels, including that Jude Law was cast as a younger Dumbledore. Based on the timeline of events, the five "Fantastic Beasts" movies are taking place after the death of Ariana and likely leading up to Dumbledore's legendary duel with Grindelwald.

Two years ago, Rowling spoke at a press conference about Dumbledore's role in the coming movies. 

"I can't tell you everything I would like to say because this is obviously a five-part story so there's lots to unpack in that relationship," Rowling said. "You will see Dumbledore as a younger man and quite a troubled man — he wasn't always the sage. We'll see him at that formative period of his life. As far as his sexuality is concerned … watch this space."

Fans watched the space, but are now finding themselves disappointed.

Why "Harry Potter" fans hoped Dumbledore being gay would be part of the "Fantastic Beasts" sequel

When Elisabeth Joffe, a longtime "Harry Potter" fan who identifies as queer, saw the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie when it premiered last year. She was pleasantly surprised when the movie's ending shifted the focus toward Grindelwald and Dumbledore. 

"I was like, 'This is fantastic,'" Joffe told INSIDER. "'We're actually going to see the manifestation of Dumbledore's queer narrative come into focus in a very large arena.'"

Joffe said she didn't have any expectations of seeing Dumbledore's sexuality explored in the second "Fantastic Beasts" movie until the casting announcement was made for young-Dumbledore (Jude Law). His character could have been off-screen until the third or fourth movies, after all.

"I'm not looking for a gay rom-com out of the 'Fantastic Beasts' series," Joffe said. "That is not my expectation here. But the idea that [Dumbledore's feelings toward Grindelwald] are not essential to the narrative is surprising to me."

Another fan we spoke to, Rebecca, identified herself as an LGBTQ ally whose been a part of the "Harry Potter" fandom for as long as she can remember.

"I am both furious and heartbroken," Rebecca said. "Dumbledore's sexuality is not an Easter egg for fans of the books [...] it is an integral part of the character. It gives the story depth and meaning. To leave it out is to cheat the fans of a well-written movie. Everyone deserves to be represented."

"Harry Potter" followers who identify anywhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum have spent a decade knowing one of the most prominent characters in the series is gay, but have yet to see a single concrete piece of fiction reflecting this simple fact. Ian Thomas Malone, a gay transgender fan who has been immersed in the "Harry Potter" fandom since 2000, feels passionately about Dumbledore's storyline (or lack thereof) in the books and movies. 

"It is a big deal for a major franchise character to be gay, especially in 2007 when it was first revealed," Malone said. "The way this has been handled has turned this moment in a subject of insinuation. He can be gay in Rowling's public appearances and tweets, but not on screen."

This is a particular sticking point: Rowling offered up Dumbledore's sexuality as a post-book tidbit (one of many she has since ret-conned into the "Harry Potter" canon). But for some fans, that's simply not good enough.

Why LGBTQ+ representation matters

Many of the people INSIDER spoke to said the appearance of a queer "Harry Potter" character could or would have a large impact on the lives of many of Rowling's devoted followers. 

Elayna Darcy, who works for MuggleNet and co-produces a "Fantastic Beasts" podcast called SpeakBeasty, is a queer "Harry Potter" fan who also is disheartened by the latest bout of news. She recalls feeling excited back in 2007 when Rowling first broke the news about Dumbledore being gay.

"I was only 17 at the time and still in the closet, but I remember rejoicing like crazy because it meant that one of my heroes was queer," Darcy said. "I sometimes wonder if she acknowledged it sooner, as the books were coming out, if it would have helped me come to terms with my own sexuality sooner."

Another fan, who asked to be referred to only as "Harry," agreed that this news could have had a positive impact on their own struggle with their sexuality.

"I was pissed. When [Rowling] said he was gay I was in the process of accepting my bisexuality," Harry said. "Why would she say that after the fact and not include in the book? That would've helped me through a confusing time in my life."

Representation has become a major talking point in Hollywood. From breakthrough franchise movies like "Wonder Woman" to the highly-anticipated "Black Panther," more groups of previously underrepresented pop culture fans are seeing themselves reflected on screen in meaningful ways. But this has yet to extend to LGBTQ+ characters appearing in major franchises.

"Young people are looking to media to see themselves represented, and it's absolutely critical that they find themselves in the characters they see on screen," Brad Ausrotas, a bisexual "Harry Potter" fan told INSIDER. "You won't be able to ignore that forever — the generation growing up today is the gayest on record. I don't think you're going to find silence from us any time soon."

And though Rowling has implied that Dumbledore's sexuality will be openly addressed at some point in the next four "Fantastic Beasts" movies, many fans don't see why they should have to wait.

"I had very high hopes that — given the previous criticism of the books and films as distinctly lacking in queer representation — Rowling would do better," Ausrotas said. "Time had passed, the world had moved slightly closer to rights and equality for all queer people [...] Maybe she could finally make good on her promise of Dumbledore having this dark, epic gay romance with Grindelwald."

Rowling isn't doing herself any favors with her public statements

Several hours after the EW report began stirring backlash, Rowling tweeted the following: "Being sent abuse about an interview that didn't involve me, about a screenplay I wrote but which none of the angry people have read, which is part of a five-movie series that's only one instalment [sic] in, is obviously tons of fun, but you know what's even *more* fun?"

Then she selected a GIF of rapper Lil Yachty "muting" the audience to accompany her message.

"It's so interesting because J.K. Rowling's presence on Twitter has grown into such a hurricane of nightmares," Joffe said. "What she said in her tweet didn't really give me much assurance. Especially for someone who is queer and is a 'Harry Potter' fan."

"Not that she necessarily owes me anything as a fan, but she has to speak to a large audience that she knows encompasses folks who are queer," Joffe said. "To immediately go on the defense and make it about herself, and also think that it was okay to use a quippy, quirky gif as a response ... it doesn't sit well with me."

Fellow fan Darcy acknowledged that Rowling had a point in her tweet— we haven't seen the screenplay or movie yet, and of course no one should "abuse" her on Twitter.

"But I'm really hoping that she does his character justice, and depicts him in a way that makes queer people feel seen and represented," Darcy said. "While the whole of the queer community cannot obviously be spoken for with a single character, I am (perhaps foolishly) holding out as much Hufflepuff hope as I can that Rowling sees us, hears us, and represents us, despite her sassy retorts on Twitter."

Not everyone is upset — other fans believe people are overreacting to the news

"We should all calm down and see what they do with it," Kyla Szustaczek, a 23-year old fan who identifies as gay, told INSIDER. "Rowling has not yet given me any reason to distrust her. Maybe Dumbledore doesn't even know he's gay yet or maybe he's in the closet. I don't think that's hurting visibility — those are real stages that most of us went through and can relate to."

Claire Furner, who also identifies as gay, echoed similar sentiments about the fandom being preemptively upset. There might just not be space in the coming movie for Dumbledore's sexuality to be mentioned or shown, according to Furner.

"We have no idea what this means or how this will manifest," Furner said. "I strongly suspect we'll only see a few scenes with Jude Law's Dumbledore in this film. If that is the case, surely they will be bogged down in exposition, introducing us to his younger self and establishing his relationship with Newt."

She also believes the "Harry Potter" universe would benefit from introducing other queer characters outside of Dumbledore. Some fans have hoped that Credence, played by Ezra Miller, is a "Fantastic Beasts" character whose treatment and ostracizing for being an Obscurial can be interpreted as a metaphor for the discrimination queer people face. 

"Personally, I don't find Dumbledore particularly original or inspiring as a gay character," Furner said. "If anything, I'm hoping we're introduced to new queer characters, ones whose stories we don't know. No amount of cosy promo photos with Claudia Kim will convince me that Credence is straight!"

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald"arrives in theaters on November 18. 

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• The first teaser for the second "Fantastic Beasts" movie is here.
• It's called "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," following "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
• The movie continues the adventures of Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne.
• We're also introduced to a younger albus Dumbledore, played by Jude Law.
• The villain in the series, played by Johnny Depp, is Grendel Grindelwald, who Dumbledore was in love with when he was younger.
• The series will have five movies in total. Here's what we can expect to see in them.
• J.K. Rowling is writing each of the "Harry Potter" spinoff movies, which is set decades before the original series.
• Watch the trailer below.

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• The first trailer for "Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald"  was just released.
• "Harry Potter" fans immediately noticed how wizards are shown apparating into Hogwarts.
• According to J.K. Rowling's original book series, this isn't supposed to be possible.
• Fans took to Twitter with their criticism and Hermione GIFs to complain. 
• Technically there are ways around the rule, but some fans aren't happy.

The first look at "Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald" was just released, but "Harry Potter" fans were instantly distracted by a perceived mistake in the opening moments of the new trailer.

The trailer kicks off by showing ministry officials apparating onto the walkway and approaching Hogwarts. They have come to talk to Albus Dumbledore (played by Jude Law). But according to J.K. Rowling's own original book series, wizards aren't supposed to be able to apparate or disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds.

One of the recurring bits in the book series was Hermione Granger's constant correction of students around her every time someone assumed it was possible to travel in or out of Hogwarts via apparition.

Rowling wrote the script for "Crimes of Grindelwald" herself, so many fans are placing the possible error at her feet. After the trailer dropped, people on Twitter were quick to cite Hermione's fact about Hogwarts and the rules of apparation.

Of course, we must note that it's possible to lift the apparition restrictions on the Hogwarts grounds. In the "Harry Potter" books, Dumbledore temporarily suspended the enchantments at the borders in order to allow students to practice apparating in the Great Hall. 

But in the book series, Ministry employees or other officials visited Hogwarts many times and were never granted special apparating permissions. Instead they always walked up the full length of the walkway from the grounds' border. 

Perhaps something will happen in "Crimes of Grindelwald" that prompts the established rule about apparating — but we doubt it. This is a minor detail that Rowling and the movie's creative team might have simply overlooked or chosen to tweak for cinematic effect. 

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald" arrives in theaters on November 18.

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• Jacob Kowalski returns to the "Fantastic Beasts" series with the "Crimes of Grindelwald" trailer.
• He's a non-magical person who stumbles into Newt Scamander's adventures.
• At the end of the first movie, his memory was erased, so fans aren't sure how he makes his way back.

When the first "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" trailer dropped, fans noticed that one beloved character was making a return: Jacob Kowalski.

In "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," Kowalski, played by Dan Fogler, is a No-Maj — the American term for a person without magical abilities, or muggle. He was inaugurated into the world of magic when he stumbled into Newt Scamander's quest to get all of his escaped creatures back into his briefcase. As Scamander's romp through New York City turned into a full-blown crisis for the magical community, Kowalski stayed by his side.

At the end of the movie, Queenie Goldstein, a witch who developed a romantic relationship with Kowalski, erased his memory. Still, there were flickers left. Kowalski opened a bake shop and found himself baking pastries in the shape of the magical creatures he encountered. And in the movie's last moments, we see Queenie enter his bakery.

While we knew Kowalski would be back in the sequel, fans are happy to see him again. In the trailer, we see him walking behind Scamander through a dark stone hallway, noticing a magical owl-like creature on a windowsill behind him, and agreeing to join Scamander on a new adventure.

It's not clear yet how Kowalski comes back. Will his memory be fully restored? Did he stumble upon Scamander's world again, or did Scamander purposefully recruit him? Did Queenie restore his memory, or did it come back on its own? Does he go to Paris, where much of the rest of the movie takes place?

We'll find out on November 16, when "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" hits theaters.

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The first trailer for "Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald" has arrived, and "Harry Potter" fans are reveling in the new look at young Albus Dumbledore. Though Johnny Depp's casting as the Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald remains controversial, and diehard fans are dragging J.K. Rowling for an apparition mistake, the trailer has people hyped.

Keep reading for a look at all the smaller details and moments you might have overlooked in the trailer.

Jacob Kowalski is back!

At the end of the first "Fantastic Beasts" movie, Kowalski, a No-Maj who joined up with Newt Scamander, got his memory erased. But the movie's ending suggests he still retained a few fragments, and it looks like he'll reunite with Scamander in "Crimes of Grindelwald."

We have the first good look of Jude Law playing Albus Dumbledore.

In the "Harry Potter" movies, Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris in the first two and then Michael Gambon after Harris passed away. Jude Law plays the younger version of him, when he's the transfiguration professor at Hogwarts.

He's in a different office than we're used to.

In the "Harry Potter" movies, Dumbledore occupied the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. In these films, he has a classroom instead. Armando Dippet was the Hogwarts headmaster in these days.

• A Twitter user shared that she was re-reading the "Harry Potter" series to help her through her depression and tweeted a thank you to author J.K. Rowling for the "magical escape" she created.
• Rowling, who has been open about her own struggle with depression, replied back that the seven stories saved its author too.
• When another user asked the "Harry Potter" author which books she turns to in her toughest times, Rowling responded that she finds inspiration in biographies of people who have had lots to overcome.

Please grab your nearest box of tissues 'cause it's ugly crying time.

A Twitter user named Sally recently tweeted J.K. Rowling to thank the "Harry Potter" author for "the magical escape" she'd created. Sally said she was re-reading the series while struggling with "another bout of severe depression." 

Mother Rowling responded to the tweet reminding Sally that "those stories saved their author, too." In the past, Rowling has opened up about her own struggle with depression while writing the beloved series. She continued, "Nothing makes me happier than to think that they went out into the world to do the same for other people. Keep that Patronus powerful."

Then, another tweeter piped in with a brilliant question for the "HP" authoress: which stories did J.K. Rowling turn to when going through a tough time?

Again, Rowling responded with a thoughtful answer.

"When I’m really stressed or overwhelmed I turn to biographies of people who’ve led turbulent lives," wrote Rowling. "I find it soothing and inspiring to read about people who’ve endured and overcome."

This isn't the first time Rowling has offered support to her fans battling depression. In 2015, when a Twitter user asked, "What would you say to someone who has failed to find meaning and wants to finally give up?" Rowling reflected that "the world is full of wonderful things you haven't seen yet."

In another exchange last year, the author told her 14 million Twitter followers that "some of the most gifted, successful and gorgeous people" she knows also struggle with depression.

Oh, J.K. It is truly magical what that woman can accomplish in 280 characters.

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• J.K. Rowling has said there are no plans to write a follow-up to the "Harry Potter" play.
• "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" works as a stage sequel to Rowling's seven novels.
• "Cursed Child" is all about grown-up Harry, Ron, and Hermione and their children. 
• "I think pushing it on to Harry's grandchildren really would be quite a cynical move, and I'm not interested in doing that," Rowling told Variety. 
• Fans can still look forward to the "Fantastic Beasts" movie franchise.
• But don't expect any new stories — book, play, or otherwise — about Harry Potter.

J.K. Rowling has once again shut down the idea of working on a sequel to "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," the stage play that operates as a follow-up to the events contained in her original seven books. 

"I think we really have now told, in terms of moving the story forward, the story that I [...] wanted to tell," Rowling  told Variety on the opening day of "Cursed Child" in New York City on Sunday.

"Cursed Child"takes place 19 years after the "Harry Potter" books, and follows the now-adult characters of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, along with their children. Albus Severus Potter, Harry's youngest son, is one of the main characters. "Cursed Child" is a two-part play, the script of which is available to buy in book stores for those fans unable to make it to the stage production.

"I think it's quite obvious, in the seventh book, in the epilogue, that Albus is the character I'm moved interested in. And I think we’ve done the story justice," Rowling said. "So I think pushing it on to Harry's grandchildren really would be quite a cynical move, and I'm not interested in doing that."

This isn't the first time Rowling has said she has no plans to write (or co-write, as with "Cursed Child") a follow up to this story. As reported by Bustle, she announced they were "done" back in 2016.

"[Harry Potter] goes on a very big journey during these two plays and then, yeah, I think we're done," she said at the London premiere of the play. "This is the next generation, you know. So, I'm thrilled to see it realized for beautifully, but no, Harry is done now."

For fans still wanting more of the wizarding world, they'll have to turn instead to Rowling's "Fantastic Beasts" movie franchise. The films have been steeped in controversy over the casting of Johnny Depp and discussions about how Dumbledore may or may not be "explicitly gay."

The movies operate as prequels to the events of "Harry Potter," since they tell the story of a younger Albus Dumbledore and other wizards in the 1920s and '30s.

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" arrives in theaters this November, while "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is now on Broadway in New York City and at the Palace Theater in London. 

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• It's the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, the climax of the "Harry Potter" series in which many beloved characters were killed.
• On the anniversary of the battle, J.K. Rowling takes to Twitter to apologize for killing off a character.
• This year, she apologized for killing off Dobby, a house elf who died to save Harry, Ron, and Hermione before the actual battle took place.
• People are beside themselves.

It's the 20th anniversary of the fictional Battle of Hogwarts — and that can only mean one thing: J.K. Rowling is apologizing for killing off a "Harry Potter" character again.

This year, Rowling has apologized for killing off Dobby, a house elf who dies during "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" while protecting Harry, Ron, and Hermione from Bellatrix Lestrange.

People are torn up about Rowling's apology.

Some are beside themselves and appear to be mourning the loss of Dobby all over again.

Others are frustrated with Rowling's repeated amendments to a series that she finished writing over 10 years ago.

In recent years, Rowling has apologized for other controversial deaths in the series including Fred Weasley, Severus Snape, and Remus Lupin, all of whom died during the Battle of Hogwarts.

It's safe to say that there are hard feelings all around.

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• J.K. Rowling apologized for killing off Dobby in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."
• She's right to recognize that it was emotionally wrenching, but wrong to apologize.
• Dobby's character had come to its natural culmination.
• His death was the right move for the good of the series.

Every year, on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, J.K. Rowling apologizes for killing off a character in the "Harry Potter" series. This year, it's Dobby, the house-elf.

"It's that anniversary again,"she tweeted. "This year, I apologise for killing someone who didn't die during the #BattleofHogwarts, but who laid down his life to save the people who'd win it. I refer, of course, to Dobby the house elf."

But here's the thing: It's good that Rowling killed him off. It was the right time for Dobby's life to end in the series.

Dobby's character arc was complete.

Rowling is right to recognize the wrenching sadness of Dobby's death. He's killed in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the final book in the series. Dobby rescues Harry, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and several other anti-Voldemort fighters from Malfoy Manor — just before Voldemort arrives — and whisks them away to a safe place. But just as he gets there, he dies from a knife wound inflicted in the skirmish. Harry buries him, digging his grave with a shovel instead of magic.

But Rowling is also right to have done it. Dobby's time had come to an end.

The house-elf had a beautiful character arc that started in the second book, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," as the abused slave of the Malfoy family. Over the course of the book, he helps Harry figure out who's behind the reopening of the chamber.

By the end of the year, Lucius Malfoy accidentally grants Dobby his freedom. Later in the series, Dobby gets a paid job at Hogwarts and occasionally helps out Harry and the gang with other tasks. He's also supportive of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, a progressive organization founded by Hermione that opposes the enslavement of house-elves.

His triumphant return to Malfoy Manor is the logical culmination of his character's story. He returns a free elf, with magical powers that surpass a normal human's, allowing him to rescue Harry, the person who helped give him freedom. He rebukes Bellatrix Lestrange, an in-law of the Malfoys, telling her "Dobby is a free elf, and Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends!" Everything comes full circle.

Harry never appreciated Dobby enough.

One of the reasons Dobby's death packs such a punch is because Harry never really appreciated him enough.

Dobby was helpful, but he was also clingy and got on Harry's nerves. For the most part, Harry preferred to have Dobby out of the way except for when he required his assistance. When Hermione came up with the idea for an organization that would help house-elves gain their freedom, Harry was initially dismissive.

Harry knew he never showed Dobby enough appreciation, and the guilt he felt over his death made him understand the far-reaching harm of the Death Eaters' lust for death. He never got to make things up to Dobby and never got to say goodbye to the house-elf who idolized him.

That guilt made Harry understand just how important it was to defeat Voldemort. No one was safe.

Dobby didn't belong in a post-Voldemort world.

As a character, Dobby held a peculiar place in the order of things. He was something of a misfit — a house-elf who liked servicing people, but enjoyed his freedom. It was a dynamic that could make sense under the benevolent watch of Albus Dumbledore at Hogwarts, or with the resistance once Voldemort came to power.

But once Voldemort was defeated, what role would Dobby play? Spending the rest of his years at Hogwarts? It's an unsatisfying existence for someone like him, who's full of ambition but wired to be a house-elf. He's a character in limbo, and it would be hard to find a coherent existence for him in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," where the events of the main series is just a memory.

Dobby's time had come to an end. By killing him in "Deathly Hallows," Rowling raised the stakes for the battle to come. It was the right move.

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• JK Rowling made another dig at President Donald Trump on Twitter.
• The "Harry Potter" author shared a paragraph analyzing Trump's large signature.
• The explanation made references to people with large handwriting as "arrogant" and "conceited." 

JK Rowling is not afraid of making jabs online and her latest target is President Donald Trump. 

In a tweet Wednesday, the 52-year-old "Harry Potter" author fired at Trump's large signature. 

Twitter user @RJonesUX posted a photo of Trump holding up a memorandum after he announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran deal asking why Trump's signature was so big. Rowling shared a screenshot of the tweet with another screenshot of a paragraph analyzing handwriting. 

"I didn't believe in graphology until about three minutes ago," Rowling wrote. 

The paragraph she shared from the study on handwriting explained the correlation between large handwriting and self-esteem. 

"Large writing means that we are before an arrogant person, conceited, haughty, who needs to exhibit compliments and recognitions, tyrant tendencies, exhibitionist and phony personality that may become megalomaniac with lack of a critical sense," the paragraph reads. "The insecurity and inferiority complex and lack of self-esteem may be compensated with a large writing. When the signature is larger than the text, this reflects pride, consciousness of self-value and on the negative side it shows the individual has more ambitions than real possibilities." 

It's a subtle drag, but it certainly gets her point across.

Rowling has gone after Trump on Twitter before, like saying "Harry Potter" villain Voldemort was "nowhere near as bad" as Trump and when a Trump supporter threatened to burn the "Harry Potter" movies and she offered her own lighter up. 

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• In an essay titled "Being the Broke Parent," Matt Burke wrote about how reading the "Harry Potter" books with his daughter has been an affordable way to bond with her.
• "I'm a single parent, broke as can be, and reading the Harry Potter series together has become one of the biggest sources of bonding for us," Burke wrote in a tweet sharing the essay with author J.K. Rowling.
• Rowling responded on Twitter: "The gifts you're giving your daughter are priceless and I'm truly honoured that Harry & co are playing a part. DM me your address for a set of signed Potters."
• People responded to the exchange with their own stories of how the fantasy series helped them bond with their kids. 

A 34-year-old self-described "broke" dad wrote about how he uses "Harry Potter" as an affordable way to bond with his 9-year-old daughter — and he got the attention of author J.K. Rowling herself. 

In a Medium essay titled "Being the Broke Parent," Burke wrote about how being unable to afford an internet connection led him to be more resourceful in order to keep his child occupied on rainy days. Instead of watching Netflix, he started reading the "Harry Potter" books with her.

"It pulls the two of us into this world that doesn't actually exist obviously, and got us out of this world that does exist, at least for 30 or 45 minutes," Burke told INSIDER.

Burke shared his essay in a tweet to Rowling — and she responded.

"I'm a single parent, broke as can be, and reading the Harry Potter series together has become one of the biggest sources of bonding for us," Burke wrote. "Doubt you'll come across this or read this piece, but I just wanted to say thanks for the assist."

But to his great surprise, Rowling did come across it.

Just a few hours later, she replied to his tweet: "The gifts you're giving your daughter are priceless and I'm truly honoured that Harry & co are playing a part. DM me your address for a set of signed Potters."

Burke wrote back, "Oh my, my head is about to explode. 😭You are too kind, thank you so much. I'll DM you my address ASAP."

He told INSIDER that he immediately sent Rowling his address and hadn't yet received a response Friday morning.

Burke's daughter has no idea about Rowling's tweet — and he plans to surprise her.

Bailey is completely unaware that Rowling is sending them signed books because she's away at summer camp, her father told INSIDER, but he plans on surprising her once the books arrive.

They're currently on the fourth book: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," he said.

Reading "Harry Potter" lets Burke be "directly involved" with something his daughter loves, he wrote in his essay. The two of them take turns reading chapters out loud to each other.

"This not only allows her to get more used to reading aloud in front of someone, but it gets me directly involved in something she loves, and it gives me the chance to be extra dramatic when I read my chapters and bring myself into the characters in the book, which has proven to be a ton of fun," he wrote. 

"I get to shout and use all the funny voices I've accumulated over the years without her looking at me like I'm a total weirdo," he added. "Fun times for us both and, like I said, I wouldn't change it for the world."

Their love of "Harry Potter" is so great that they're even planning on dressing up as some of the magical characters for Halloween, Burke told INSIDER. He plans on being Harry Potter himself, Bailey will dress up as Hermione, Burke's girlfriend will Professor McGonagall, and her son will be Draco Malfoy. 

He is open with his daughter about his financial struggles and mental health.

Burke told INSIDER that he felt like he was done a disservice by his father growing up because he left the house not knowing what the real world had to offer. He was raised in an affluent, suburban neighborhood in New York, and his family avoided discussing any problems or feelings. 

"I was clueless," Burke said. So he raises his daughter in a different way.

"I'm very, very open with everything with her," Burke told INSIDER. "If I'm going through some sort of fit of depression or if I'm anxious, I'll explain it to her. Obviously she's 9 years old so I'm meeting her where she's at. I'm explaining it to her on a level that a 9-year-old would be able to understand."

If Bailey asks if they can go get milkshakes at a place where milkshakes are $12, Burke explains to her that they can't afford that, but that they can go buy a $2 container of ice cream from the grocery store and make their own milkshakes, he told INSIDER.

Burke said he hopes his openness will prepare his daughter for the real world.

"I feel my relationship with her is stronger because of it," he wrote in his essay.

Burke has been interviewing for jobs for months but hasn't had any luck.

Burke told INSIDER that he's been trying to find a job since August 2017, and despite several interviews, he hasn't been able to land one.

At times, he feels especially low when his daughter tells him about shopping trips or vacations she's been on with her mother and stepfather, who have shared custody. He wrote that hearing these things "really make me take a step back and dwell on the mistakes I've made throughout the years that have put me in these predicaments."

But while rent and other bills have left him unable to pay for fun trips and sometimes birthday presents, it also gave them chance to find other ways to keep his daughter happy and entertained without spending money, Burke wrote.

Burke and Rowling's exchange seems to have restored some people's faith in humanity.

Some shared their own stories of how "Harry Potter" helped them bond with their kids.

Perhaps Albus Dumbledore said it best: "Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic." 

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• US President Donald Trump tweeted about his writing prowess on Tuesday.
• But Trump made an error in his boast, using the word "pour" instead of "pore."
• The mistake was seized upon by the "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and others on Twitter, including the account of the dictionary Merriam-Webster.
• Trump deleted his original tweet, replacing it with one containing the correct use of the word "pour."

J.K. Rowling is laughing at US President Donald Trump on Twitter after he misspelled a word in a tweet boasting about his writing prowess.

Trump said: "After having written many best selling books, and somewhat priding myself on my ability to write, it should be noted that the Fake News constantly likes to pour over my tweets looking for a mistake. I capitalize certain words only for emphasis, not b/c they should be capitalized!"

Though he used the phrase "pour over," the grammatically correct version would have been "pore over." The president swiftly deleted the tweet and reposted it with the correct word in place.

Rowling, the "Harry Potter" author who has been a vehement critic of Trump, could not resist the urge to point and laugh at the mistake in a series of tweets before and after the president's correction.

While many fans praised Rowling's reaction, some were critical. Rowling replied to one Twitter user who threatened burning or discarding the person's "Harry Potter" books, saying that reading the books should make her political leanings obvious.

The official Twitter account for the dictionary Merriam-Webster also made light of Trump's error. It provided definitions for "pore over" and "pour over" and went one step further, defining "comb over"— a not-so-subtle reference to the president's signature hairstyle.

The Trump biographer Tim O'Brien, who wrote "Trump Nation," also weighed in on Trump's tweet, disputing the claim that Trump had written many best-sellers.

"President Trump didn't write any of his books,"O'Brien tweeted on Tuesday. "Ghostwriters on all of them."

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J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" books are the type of novel series that fans can — and do — read again and again. But given how many people haven't revisited Harry, Ron and Hermione's adventures, plus the number of scenes omitted in the movie adaptations, it's possible that you overlooked many of Rowling's smaller details or foreshadowing.

Keep scrolling for a look at the best details that you might have missed, especially without a second (or third) re-read of the series.

The first words Snape speaks to Harry have a hidden reference to Lily Potter's death.

When Harry attends his first potions lesson with Snape in "Sorcerer's Stone," the professor asks him a series of difficult questions. One of the questions is, "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

A Pottermore article detailing Rowling's use of the Victorian language of flowers reveals how Snape's question was really an expression of regret over Lily Potter's death.

"Asphodel is a type of lily and means 'remembered beyond the tomb' or 'my regrets follow you to the grave,' while wormwood is often associated with regret or bitterness," the Pottermore article explains.

When Fred and George Weasley bewitched snowballs to hit Professor Quirrell, they were really hitting Voldemort's face.

In "Sorcerer's Stone," Rowling says the Weasley twins were "punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban."

As several fans have pointed out in the "Harry Potter" Reddit community, Quirrell was sharing his body with Lord Voldemort at the time. Later in the book, Harry sees that Voldemort's face is sticking out of the back of Quirrell's head — which means Fred and George were actually hitting Voldemort in the face with snowballs.

Also in the first book, Harry thinks to himself that Snape might be able to read minds. Four books later, we learned that Snape was a Legilimens.

While fretting over whether or not Snape knew he, Ron, and Hermione had discovered who Nicolas Flamel was, Harry thinks to himself that Snape "could read minds."

Later, in "Order of the Phoenix," Rowling reveals that Snape is an accomplished Legilimens, meaning he sort of can read minds. Here's how Snape describes Legilimency to Harry:

"Only Muggles talk of 'mind reading.' The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader [...] Those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings correctly."

• A fan asked J.K. Rowling why Johnny Depp is remaining in the "Fantastic Beasts" series after he allegedly beat his ex-wife.
• Another actor was replaced in the "Harry Potter" movies after he grew marijuana in his mom's house.
• Rowling apparently responded by blocking her.
• Fans are frustrated with the casting of Depp and want him out.

J.K. Rowling found a solution for people asking her pesky questions about Johnny Depp's casting in the "Fantastic Beasts" series on Twitter: Just block them.

A fan, who goes by the name of Lindsey on Twitter, asked Rowling about the apparent double standards when it came to casting adaptations of her books.

The actor who played Vincent Crabbe in the "Harry Potter" series, Jamie Waylett, was replaced in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" with Louis Cordice, who played another Slytherin student named Blaise Zabini, after he pled guilty for growing marijuana in his mother's home.

Johnny Depp, playing the major character of Gellert Grindelwald in the "Fantastic Beasts" movie franchise, is keeping his role even after he allegedly beat his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

"So if I understand correctly the actor who played Crabbe, a minor character, was fired from Harry Potter for doing drugs,"Lindsey tweeted at Rowling. "Yet Johnny Depp, who abused his wife, gets a major role in your movies? Correct me if I'm wrong." Heard dropped her allegations against Depp in 2016 during their divorce settlement process.

Rowling apparently responded to Lindsey by blocking her.

Surrounded by a growing culture of zero tolerance for harassment in Hollywood, Depp and the producers of the "Fantastic Beasts" series are under fire for his ongoing presence in the series. His character, Grindelwald, will be front and center in the next movie, titled "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," due in theaters on November 16, 2018.

In the past, Rowling has been outspoken when criticizing men accused of assault. In October, she suggested men like Harvey Weinstein are "too dangerous to be at liberty."

Fans are generally upset with Depp's casting because of the abuse allegations. Lindsey — a hardcore "Harry Potter" fan if her Twitter account is anything to go by — interpreted her blocking as Rowling refusing the address the question. Neither Lindsey nor representatives for Rowling immediately responded to INSIDER's request for comment.

Rowling is writing and producing the "Fantastic Beasts" movie series, a spin-off of her "Harry Potter" series set decades earlier. It's expected to have five movies in total and will track the rise of Depp's character as a dark wizard in the magical world. It's not clear how much power Rowling herself has over the casting.

David Yates, who is directing the series, however, defended Depp in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

"It's very different [than cases] where there are multiple accusers over many years that need to be examined and we need to reflect on our industry that allows that to roll on year in and year out," Yates said. "Johnny isn't in that category in any shape or form. So to me, it doesn't bear any more analysis. It's a dead issue."

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• J.K. Rowling defended her decision to keep Johnny Depp in her "Fantastic Beasts" series.
• "The filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies," she said in a statement.
• Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of beating her when they were married. Heard dropped her charges during their divorce settlement process.
• Rowling suggested contractual agreements prevented her from speaking more openly about the situation.

J.K. Rowling responded Thursday to fan backlash about Johnny Depp's casting in her "Fantastic Beasts" movie series, saying she's "genuinely happy" to have him aboard despite the domestic abuse allegations against him.

"Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies," Rowling said in a statement.

Rowling is both writing and producing the "Fantastic Beasts" series, a planned five-part "Harry Potter" spin-off with Warner Bros. Depp plays Gellert Grindelwald, the main villain in the plot, and will be front and center in the next film, "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," due in November 2018.

Depp was accused of assault by his ex-wife, Amber Heard, when they were married. She dropped the charges during their divorce settlement process in 2016. Some fans of Rowling were furious that he remained in the "Fantastic Beasts" series despite the allegations. Rowling even apparently blocked one fan who criticized her on Twitter.

It's part of a growing chorus of voices trying to draw attention to workplace sexual harassment amid the downfall of powerful media figures like Harvey Weinstein and Charlie Rose.

Rowling said stories about Depp "deeply concerned" her and the rest of the filmmakers around the time his scenes were filmed for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the first movie in the series, which was released in 2016. She acknowledged in her statement that fans' concerns about his casting were "legitimate" and said she had considered recasting him.

But in the end, Rowling and the movie's director, David Yates, decided to keep him.

Rowling also suggested that contractual agreements prevented her from speaking more openly about the situation.

"For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful," Rowling said. "However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected."

In a November interview with Entertainment Weekly, Yates was dismissive about Heard's allegations against Depp.

"Honestly there's an issue at the moment where there's a lot of people being accused of things, they're being accused by multiple victims, and it's compelling and frightening," Yates said. "With Johnny, it seems to me there was one person who took a pop at him and claimed something."

Read Rowling's full statement below:

"When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he'd be wonderful in the role. However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise.

"Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting. I understand why some have been confused and angry about why that didn't happen.

"The huge, mutually supportive community that has grown up around Harry Potter is one of the greatest joys of my life. For me personally, the inability to speak openly to fans about this issue has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful. However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected. Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.

"I've loved writing the first two screenplays and I can't wait for fans to see 'The Crimes of Grindelwald.' I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role. However, conscience isn't governable by committee. Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing."

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can visit RAINN or call its hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member.

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SEE ALSO: J.K. Rowling blocked a fan on Twitter after she asked her why Johnny Depp would still be in 'Fantastic Beasts'

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• J.K. Rowling said she blocked a fan on Twitter because the fan insulted someone she works with.
• The fan told INSIDER she's "disappointed" by the way Rowling handled it: "That says more about her than me."
• It comes amid a controversy where Rowling is at odds with her fans over Johnny Depp's casting in the "Fantastic Beasts" series.
  
• Depp was accused of physically abusing his ex-wife, Amber Heard, according to charges that have been dropped.

J.K. Rowling released a statement explaining why she blocked one of her fans on Twitter. It's part of a controversy linked to her support of Johnny Depp being cast as the main villain of her "Fantastic Beasts" movie series.

"Contrary to the fan in question's assertion, they were not blocked because they asked a question about Johnny Depp playing Grindelwald,"Rowling said in her statement, posted to her site. "I have one simple rule when I block people on Twitter, which I do very rarely. I block when my personal line has been crossed in terms of aggressive or insulting language."

Rowling said that the fan — who goes by Lindsey on Twitter, but who Rowling didn't name — said something "that crossed the line of what I'm prepared to accept" about someone she works with.

Lindsey told INSIDER she thinks the tweet Rowling is referring to is one where she said "Fantastic Beasts" director David Yates "can choke." The tweet was a response to Yates saying Depp is a kind person.

Rowling's statement was published on December 7, but wasn't widely circulated until Friday, when a popular Rowling fan account tweeted it out. Rowling herself didn't share it on her own Twitter account, which has more than 13 million followers.

"I'm still very much disappointed," Lindsey told INSIDER. "She has fought god knows how many people on Twitter. She has challenged people to an argument who has said far worse things. But an actual fan who tagged her in one tweet [that] was quite polite, she blocks. That says more about her than me."

Rowling blocked Lindsey in late November, kicking up a controversy among her fans, who assumed she blocked her because Lindsey criticized Rowling's support of Depp.

Depp plays Gellert Grindelwald, the main villain in the "Fantastic Beasts" movie franchise. He's keeping his role even after amid allegations that he abused Amber Heard, his ex-wife. Heard dropped her charges against Depp during their divorce settlement process.

Earlier this month, Rowling and Warner Bros., the company producing the "Fantastic Beasts" movies, doubled down on their support of Depp.

"Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies," Rowling said in a statement.

It didn't go over well for the fans, like Lindsey, who wanted Depp to be booted from the series.

Here's Rowling's full statement about Twitter blocking, from her website:

I have one simple rule when I block people on Twitter, which I do very rarely. I block when my personal line has been crossed in terms of aggressive or insulting language.

Some recent publicity was given to the fact that I blocked a fan on Twitter. Contrary to the fan in question's assertion, they were not blocked because they asked a question about Johnny Depp playing Grindelwald.

I saw several of this particular individual's tweets by chance, and they were saying things to and about me, and about somebody with whom I work closely, that crossed the line of what I'm prepared to accept. The question about Grindelwald was not one of those tweets and I didn't see it until the person in question began claiming that that was why they had been blocked.

Twitter has given me back a way of talking to readers directly and allows me a profound connection with a fandom that is, in the main, kind, tolerant and friendly. However, I have a duty towards my own mental health and happiness, too. The block button, is a useful last resort at times when somebody either forgets, or perhaps doesn't care, that they are talking to a fellow human being.

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• People on Twitter created memes reimagining the "Harry Potter" world as a more diverse one and referring to it as "#BlackHogwarts."
• The concept went viral, and even the writer behind the books, J.K. Rowling, voiced her approval of the memes.
• When a Twitter user asked Rowling if she has seen the memes, she responded, "Seeing them and loving them. #BlackHogwarts."

The "Harry Potter" series has been criticized for lacking diversity, so Twitter users decided to reimagine Hogwarts with more black students — and J.K. Rowling is all in. 

The #BlackHogwarts memes range from new Quidditch uniforms designed by Sean "Diddy" Combs to more black students and professors like Snoop Dogg teaching herbology. Based on fan reactions, people were ecstatic about the reimagined representation.

Rowling, the creator of the franchise, voiced her approval when a fan asked if she was aware of the memes. 

Twin comedians Kenny and Keith Lucas also said that they pitched an idea for an animated show where they get trapped as characters in Hogwarts, but networks passed on the concept.

Take a look at some of the best #BlackHogwarts memes below.

Some people reimagined Hogwarts with an entirely new cast, comprised of actors like Zoe Kravitz playing Hermione Granger and Morgan Freeman playing Dumbledore. 

There were also new suggestions for professors at Hogwarts. Some thought Snopp Dogg would be an appropriate professor for herbology, while others envisioned Samuel L. Jackson as the defense against the dark arts teacher. 

Many people also liked the idea of more black representation in the Hogwarts houses.

Members of the quidditch team take matches very seriously and pre-game dances are necessary. 

Celebratory dances would follow winning quidditch matches.

For the iconic moment when Harry Potter caught the coveted golden snitch, this would be a suitable reaction.

In some posts, students wouldn't be prepared for those tricky moving staircases in the corridors. 

If a duel broke out in the hallways involving rival houses, there would be an audience. 

The marauder's map would be particularly useful when trying to keep tabs on friends, enemies, or frenemies.

Sometimes, spells would be executed perfectly.

And other times, they wouldn't go as planned. 

Parents were not excluded from the memes. Here's how Twitter users thought that they would react to aspects of #BlackHogwarts.

New wardrobe ideas were also taken into consideration, like Timberland shoes for invisibility (rather than a cloak) and black designers. 

And students of #BlackHogwarts would know how to make an entrance. 

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• People are upset over Johnny Depp's presence in the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise.
• Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of domestic abuse. The charges were dropped during their divorce settlement.
• J.K. Rowling and producers have defended keeping Depp in the series. 
• Now Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe is weighing in. 
• He says he "can see why people are frustrated with the response they were given."
• Radcliffe also mentioned how an actor in the original "Harry Potter" movies was reprimanded for growing marijuana.
•  "Obviously what Johnny has been accused of is much greater than that," he said.

The controversy over Johnny Depp's role in the "Fantastic Beasts" movie franchise isn't going away — despite numerous statements from J.K. Rowling herself and producers involved with the film series. 

Now Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, has made a statement about the issues fans have with Depp given the previous allegations of domestic abuse levied against him by ex-wife Amber Heard.

"It's a very hard thing for me," Radcliffe told Entertainment Weekly. The report said Radcliffe "wants to be supportive of the film's producers" who gave the actor his young start.

"I can see why people are frustrated with the response that they were given from that," Radcliffe said. "I'm not saying anything that anybody hasn't already said — and this is a weird analogy to draw — [but] in the NFL, there are lots of players arrested for smoking weed and there is other people's behavior that goes way beyond that and it's tolerated because they’re very famous players."

Radcliffe went on to mention how Jamie Waylett, the actor who played Vincent Crabbe, was unable to return for the final two "Harry Potter" movies after he was arrested for growing marijuana.

"I suppose the thing I was struck by was, we did have a guy who was reprimanded for weed on the [original Potter] film, essentially, so obviously what Johnny has been accused of is much greater than that," Radcliffe said.

People's negative reactions to Depp's casting was renewed when Warner Bros. released the first image of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald." 

Calls for Depp to be removed from the franchise were only stoked after the movie's director defended keeping the actor and called the protests a "dead issue." Then Rowling herself released a statement on the matter. 

"Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies," Rowling said.

You can read Rowling's entire statement here. 

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" arrives in theaters on November 16, 2018. To learn more about all four planned "Fantastic Beasts" sequels, read our full breakdown here.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can visit RAINN or call its hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member.

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• For years Exeter University students have believed that the Old Fire House pub was the inspiration for JK Rowling's "Leaky Cauldron" in "Harry Potter."
• But on Wednesday, the best-selling author revealed she has never even visited the pub.
• The debunking shocked and dismayed students, past and present, at her former university.

JK Rowling has just debunked a "Harry Potter"-related myth about the city she went to university in — and the news has left students reeling.

In the Eighties, the fantasy author studied Exeter University in Devon, in the south of England. She's one of the university's most famous alumni, and among students it has been common knowledge for years that her time in the city helped provide some of the inspiration for her now-world-famous series of books about the fictional wizarding world of Harry Potter.

For example, the picturesque pub Old Fire House is widely believed to be the inspiration for the famous fictional wizarding pub "The Leaky Cauldron." It's a cozy place, lit by candles, famous for its mulled ciders and huge pizzas. Nearly every student viewed the tales of its influence on Rowling as fact (as I found out when I studied at Exeter a few years ago). The university's Harry Potter Society held events there. BuzzFeed published articles about it.

But, as JK Rowling revealed on Wednesday, it's just not true.

In response to a news article about the venue being sold, the author revealed she had never even visited the Old Fire House, much less used it as inspiration for her novels.

She tweeted: "If you want real fantasy, go to an estate agent. Never visited this pub in my life."

Exeter students past and present reacted to the news with horror. 

"Noooo I went to Exeter uni and it was a widely known (non-)fact that you frequented here," tweeted Dan Cash. 

"Why would you crush our dreams like this," pleaded the university's Harry Potter Society.

"My whole uni experience has been a lie," tweeted another.

JK Rowling has however offered up some solace to the tens of thousands of distressed current and former Exeter students — giving a list of pubs in the city she did frequent.

"Red Cow, Black Horse, Mill on the Exe, the Artillery Inn (now sadly gone), but never [Old Fire House], I'm afraid," the author tweeted.

Exeter students looking for a piece of "Harry Potter" history can also still visit Gandy Street, an picturesque little alley in the centre of town that is believed to be the inspiration for the fictional wizarding street Diagon Alley.

JK Rowling hasn't disputed that piece of Exeter folklore — not yet, at least.

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