On the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter catching a train on Platform 9 3/4 for his first day at Hogwarts, author J.K. Rowling made a Muggle mistake.
As Seventeen.com noted Friday about the traditional Sept. 1 start of wizarding school:
“J.K. Rowling got involved in the celebrations too, but soon realized what happens when you get your Harry Potter dates mixed up online. The author tweeted: ‘If you’re at King’s Cross, the Potter, Granger-Weasley and Malfoy families are there too. Albus Severus starts school today. #19YearsLater.’
Her hashtag was a reference to the last part of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” which sees Harry, Ron and Hermione sending off their own kids to Hogwarts 19 years after their final showdown with Voldemort.
“But Rowling clearly got her math muddled up, because fans were quick to point out that the last book was set in 1998, meaning September 1, 2016, would actually be 18 years later.”
Rowling deleted her original tweet, and blamed the “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” play for the mistake.
I got the year wrong: blame #CursedChild! In my head it’s already 19 years later! #BackToHogwarts
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 1, 2016
The celebration and comments continued:
I mean, they got the time wrong but it’s the thought that counts… #BackToHogwarts pic.twitter.com/tl4ePlYoT9
— Hogwarts Magic (@HogwartsMaglc) September 2, 2016
Seems legit #BackToHogwarts pic.twitter.com/ZDy6ST5Atr
— Hogwarts Logic (@HogwartsLogic) September 1, 2016
Going into your cupboard underneath the stairs and crying because you’re not a wizard on your way #BackToHogwarts
— Hogwarts Logic (@HogwartsLogic) September 1, 2016
can you believe its been 25 years since this happened?#BackToHogwarts pic.twitter.com/CUg3WLYqk2
— sascha (@herrmiones) September 1, 2016
One of the most powerful trios met 25 years ago today! #BackToHogwarts pic.twitter.com/3AMYKFC6wb
— Miss Granger (@Otter_Patronus) September 1, 2016