10 Harry Potter Mysteries JK Rowling Has Actually Answered
1. Why Didn't The Basilisk Destroy The Horcrux In Harry?
Over the years, JK Rowling has enjoyed sharing a wealth of information about her world. The notoriously shy author that first appeared many years ago has blossomed into someone more confident, yet she doesn't give too many interviews. Due to this, those that she does give are almost always fascinating. Over the years, though, one question seems to have been asked a few too many times.
Why didn't the Basilisk destroy the Horcrux in Harry?
On her new website, Rowling calls this question, "an oldie but a perennial favourite,' but in other places, such as her Leaky Cauldron interview, she is more honest:
A lot of people immediately said, having finished Hallows, “But then, that means in Chamber of Secrets, when he was pierced by the basilisk…” But no, no, no, no, he didn’t die! He didn’t die. That was stated right in the beginning with the Horcrux, the receptacle has got to be destroyed. His body wasn’t destroyed! He got a bit poisoned, and then he got the antidote, immediately. So that’s not going to drive out this piece of soul. Sorry if I sound frustrated, but occasionally…
You know what, occasionally, you feel some frustration. People, please, just read the book, because it’s there. And then ask something that’s not there. Which plenty of people do, don’t get me wrong. But on that one, I felt - there was a certain feeling of weariness.
Bonus Question: While this isn't an interesting an answer as the others, Rowling responded to a Twitter question: 'What's the worst way to start a conversation in an elevator?' with "Why is the Golden Snitch in Quidditch worth 150 points?" (Clearly another she's starting to struggle with!)