J.K. Rowling Says There Were Actually Two Harry Potters

Author J.K. Rowling is never finished building the world of Harry Potter, and a recent update shakes up the entire Potter family tree.

In a post on her Pottermore website, Rowling revealed that Harry is actually named after his great-grandfather Henry Potter. Why is that significant? Because Henry's friends called him "Harry."

The first Harry "was a direct descendant of Hardwin and Iolanthe, and served on the Wizengamot from 1913 to 1921. Henry caused a minor stir when he publicly condemned then Minister for Magic, Archer Evermonde, who had forbidden the magical community to help Muggles waging the First World War. His outspokenness on the behalf of the Muggle community was also a strong contributing factor in the family's exclusion from the 'Sacred Twenty-Eight.'"

In Rowling's wizarding world, the "Sacred Twenty-Eight" are families who were considered to be pure-blooded wizards in the '30s. "Muggles" are regular people without any magical powers.

The elder Harry Potter is the father of Fleamont Potter, whose son, James Potter, who went on to marry the muggle Lily Evans. Their only son, Harry, became the bespectacled wizard we all know.

If you've never checked out the Pottermore website, it's the definitive source for Harry Potter details and backstory. You can also find out which Hogwarts House you would be sorted into and what your Patronus is, which is something everyone should know.

Meanwhile, check out false facts about Harry Potter you always thought were true and disturbing realizations about the Harry Potter universe.