Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Can Grindelwald Transfigure into Anyone He Wants at Any Time?! Day 10 of the 12 Days of #FantasticBeasts


On the tenth day of Fantastic Beasts, my true love gave to me... A return to the fabulous JKRowling.com!

Welcome to day 10 of the 12 Days of Fantastic Beasts!

SPOILERS ABOUND! DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU HAVE NOT YET SEEN THE MOVIE OR READ THE SCRIPT BOOK!

Newt's Trunk by Kayla Perkinson

Yesterday, JK Rowling revealed the new, and very much improved, JKRowling.com. It was a revamped return to the fabulous website she offered during the heights of the Harry Potter days. I'd said several months ago that I believed, I hoped, with the return to the wizarding world through Newt and Fantastic Beasts, that she'd also go back to the fun of her former website. And it looks like she has!

The site is designed, as in the old days, like a view into her office. There are not yet as many rooms or clues to explore...yet. But there are a couple, with hints of more to come. One of the biggest hints that she plans to play again is the day of the reveal: December 20. Solstice eve. She always tied big reveals with a significant date such as the solstice or Halloween.

She also gave us some new clues to obsess over. In her opening news article, she concludes with 7 questions answered about Fantastic Beasts (1 on Chamber of Secrets). The one that fascinates me the most is:
5. Why did ‘revelio’ undo the effects of Polyjuice Potion?
It didn’t. Grindelwald’s Transfiguration surpasses that of most wizards, so he used a spell, not a potion, to take on the appearance of Percival Graves.

I'd speculated in Fantastic Secrets Behind Fantastic Beasts that Percival Graves must be somewhere hidden about if Grindelwald had used the Polyjuice, as we suspected. However, if he used a spell, then that leaves the nature of Graves completely up in the air. Is he, as his name hints at, now a ghost? Did Grindelwald kill him in order to assume his identity? Talk about identity theft!

Whether Graves is alive or dead, however, that Grindelwald has this power to present himself as any person he chooses, without the need for constantly taking the Polyjuice, is frightening. He could be anyone at any time. We will have to be constantly vigilant! 

I suspect that there may be a clue or two in the text giving us a hint as to whether Graves is dead or alive, and with the coming days I hope to research it. If you have any theories, please share them below.

What other hints did you find in JKRowling.com? Do you think she'll return to the games of yore with special days of opening a door to reveal massive clues?!

Be sure to check out all posts for the 12 Days of Fantastic Beasts!

About the Book:

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Fantastic Secrets Behind Fantastic Beasts

Explore JK Rowling's secrets, one clue at a time!

Fantastic Secrets Behind Fantastic Beasts is THE guide for all Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them fans eager to experience anew the excitement of of finding clues and sharing speculation, just like they enjoyed during the height of the Harry Potter series. New fans will be amazed at the secrets lurking underneath the surface of Rowling's newest film. Diving deeply into the story's mysteries, S.P. Sipal offers a detailed analysis of the analogies, myths, and clues JK Rowling hid on screen and on page to charm her fans once again.

Discover and explore such questions as:
  • Is there an Animagi hidden in the story?
  • Why will there be FIVE movies?
  • What secret is Modesty hiding?
  • Did Frank wipe out ALL the memories from that fateful night?
  • And was Grindelwald already in possession of the Elder Wand?

S.P. Sipal has analyzed the mysteries behind the Harry Potter series for over a dozen years. A sought-after presenter at fan, writing, and academic conferences both at home and abroad, her books have also delighted writers, teachers, and fans alike. Now she turns her expert attention to investigating the beginning of Rowling's exciting new series. Join her as she prepares you to dig into the layers of subtext yourself to claim what treasures await...before the Niffler beats you to it!