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J.K. Rowling wrote a real person into "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."
In the book, Natalie McDonald is a first-year student at Hogwarts, who dons the Sorting Hat and becomes a member of House Gryffindor.
In real life, Natalie was a 9-year-old girl with terminal leukemia.
In the book, Natalie McDonald is a first-year student at Hogwarts, who dons the Sorting Hat and becomes a member of House Gryffindor.
In real life, Natalie was a 9-year-old girl with terminal leukemia.
BACKSTORY (Thread):
Natalie McDonald's family friend contacted J.K. Rowling's publisher with one request: a preview of "Goblet's" end.
The Harry Potter series had been Natalie's "respite from the hell of leukemia," and she wouldn't have lived long enough to read the book.
Natalie McDonald's family friend contacted J.K. Rowling's publisher with one request: a preview of "Goblet's" end.
The Harry Potter series had been Natalie's "respite from the hell of leukemia," and she wouldn't have lived long enough to read the book.
Rowling was on vacation when the message arrived and emailed Natalie's mother on August 4, 1999. The email described the fate of the main characters, eleven months before the book's release.
Sadly, Natalie died the day before getting the message.
Sadly, Natalie died the day before getting the message.
Nonetheless, Natalie's mother and Rowling became friends that day forward.
Rowling ultimately honored Natalie's memory in the best way she could… by making Natalie part of the story.
Rowling ultimately honored Natalie's memory in the best way she could… by making Natalie part of the story.
