Much to the confusion of many (or me, anyway) the #BacktoHogwarts was top of the worldwide Twitter trends yesterday.
The reason #BacktoHogwarts was trending? Because yesterday – 1 September 2015 – would have been the day that James Sirius Potter – Harry Potter’s eldest son – started at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Yes, you really are that old.
As every Harry Potter fan knows, the train to Hogwarts leaves from Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station every 1 September at 11am sharp.
The book’s epilogue is set on 1 September 2017, when Harry and Ginny’s second son, Albus Severus Potter, starts school – James is already as school at that point, meaning he started in 2015.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling herself kicked off the pandemonium with the following tweet:
I’m in Edinburgh, so could somebody at King’s Cross wish James S Potter good luck for me? He’s starting at Hogwarts today. #BackToHogwarts
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 1, 2015
And she even responded to some fans who claimed to have spotted James throughout the day.
Thanks! Say ‘hi’ back, but only if it won’t interrupt any burgeoning friendships. https://t.co/Al54tGHvWK — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 1, 2015
Now worried that he’ll be irritated by the number of people saying hi. https://t.co/6keaEOsKS0
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 1, 2015
The revelation about James prompted some Twitter users to ask the big question that’s crossed every Harry Potter fan’s mind at some point:
WHAT IF THIS IS TRUE #BackToHogwartspic.twitter.com/7OG0fTlm4N
— kim⭐️ (@starlightxniall) September 1, 2015
So true #BackToHogwarts #PotterheadsAreGoingHome pic.twitter.com/vIzLyHouOa
— Harry Potter Fans (@__HpFans__) September 1, 2015
While others used it as an excuse to have a giggle:
Running head first at random walls today in a last ditch attempt to get #BackToHogwarts — Hogwarts Logic (@HogwartsLogic) September 1, 2015
Maybe Voldermort has no nose because he ran into the wrong wall at Kings Cross Station #BackToHogwartspic.twitter.com/DC5sgauPhk
— Harry Potter Fans (@__HpFans__) September 1, 2015
While it just made some people (including this journalist) feel pretty old.
@jk_rowling How time does fly… pic.twitter.com/aO9VcZSCjU
— Rachel Watkins (@RWatkinsphoto) September 1, 2015
Main image via Shutterstock