J.K. Rowling updated on the history and background of famed witch singer Celestina Warbeck on
Pottermore, noting that this Monday is indeed her birthday. Details from the excerpt on the site, about a person Rowling considers a ‘favourite “off-stage” characters in the whole series’, include her career highlights, personal ups and downs, and her philanthropic work.
The new biography on Warbeck can be found in the Floo Powder’ moment in
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on Pottermore.
Quote:
Birthday: 18th August
Wand: Larch and phoenix feather, 10 1/2 inches long, flexible
Hogwarts house: Gryffindor
Special abilities: Ability to drown out a chorus of banshees, tap-dancing, fancy baking
Parentage: Wizard father, Muggle mother.
Family: Has married three times; one son
Hobbies: Travelling in fabulous style, breeding rough-coated Crups, relaxing in any of her eight homes
Celestina Warbeck is one of my favourite 'off-stage' characters in the Harry Potter series, and has been part of the Potter world ever since its inception, making an early appearance in the short-lived 'Daily Prophet' series I produced for members of the equally short-lived fan club run by my British publisher, Bloomsbury. Although we never lay eyes on Celestina during the whole seven volumes of the Potter books, I always imagined her to resemble Shirley Bassey in both looks and style. I stole her first name from a friend with whom I worked, years ago, at Amnesty International's Headquarters in London; 'Celestina' was simply begging to be scooped up and attached to a glamorous witch.