I've Been to the Top of the Mountain

July 01, 2016

For the few of you who don't know what this comic is referring to, J.K. Rowling has resently reveiled the location of American Hogwarts. Called Ilvermorny, this wizarding school according to Ms. Rowling is nestled in the forests atop the peak of Mount Greylock in Adams, Massachusetts. We;; I've been to Mount Greylock several times, no wizard school, very dissapointing.

All kidding aside putting the American school of wizardry atop a mountain makes sense, but being familiar with the area Pittsfield is no London, and Adams is no Hogsmeade. Mainly the issue is no one will be taking a magical secret train ride to Ilvermorny. One of the most iconic elements in Harry Potter is the Hogwarts Express, the secret magical train found on platform 9 3/4 in King's Cross Station that most students ride at the beginning of every school year. Problem is there is no platform 9 3/4, there's not even a platform 2. There is only one passenger train line in Berkshire county, and it goes in the complete opposite direction. There is no train to Adams, there's barely a bus route, and it's not enchanted in any way. So unless Ilvermorny students ride to school at the beginning of the year on a train that has an illusion charm to make it look like a CSX freight train, they're not getting there by train.