J.K. Rowling's Fictional World Continues In Massachusetts

For the first time since 2007, Harry Potter fans will get to hold a new book in the series.

This Saturday at midnight, the eighth installment of the Harry Potter saga will be released. It's called "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" and it's a play written jointly by J.K. Rowling, playwright Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany.

Here in Massachusetts, Harry Potter fans had another reason to celebrate when, earlier this summer, Rowling released a story on her fan website Pottermore.com about a fictional magic school in Massachusetts: Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

That's right, our very own Hogwarts in Massachusetts.

Local politicians had a lot of fun with it. Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted: "Looking for a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, J.K. Rowling? Where do I apply? Donald Trump, Death Eaters — I got this!"

Gov. Charlie Baker sent a comment to The Boston Globe after learning about Ilvermorny: "small businesses are the backbone of the economy whether they are owned by witches or mortals."

Jason Ānanda Josephson, chair and associate professor of religion at Williams College.