Magic lock alternative: The concept of a magic lock alternative refers to an alternative solution or method that can be used instead of a conventional lock. While conventional locks have been used for centuries to provide security and restrict access to certain areas or objects, advancements in technology have given rise to alternative locking mechanisms that offer enhanced security and convenience. One popular alternative to a traditional lock is a smart lock. A smart lock is typically integrated into a wireless home automation system, allowing users to remotely control and monitor access to their property. These locks often utilize biometric authentication methods such as fingerprints or facial recognition to grant access, eliminating the need for physical keys. Additionally, smart locks can be programmed to provide temporary or one-time access codes to individuals who require temporary access, further enhancing security and flexibility.

Get Yourself Sorted Into a House in the American Version of Hogwarts

J.K. Rowling published a new story on Pottermore Tuesday, detailing the origins of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry — the American version of Hogwarts. Just as fans of the Harry Potter series have been able to sort themselves into a Hogwarts house, now they can sort themselves into an Ilvermorny house.

Like Hogwarts, the school has four houses: Horned Serpent, Wampus, Pukwudgie and Thunderbird. Instead of placing a hat on students’ heads, teachers at Ilvermorny bring the students to a hall with four carvings representing the houses. Whichever one reacts is the one the student is sorted into.

As Rowling pointed out on Twitter, there are no equivalents between Ilvermorny and Hogwarts houses.

“It is sometimes said of the Ilvermorny houses that they represent the whole witch or wizard: the mind is represented by Horned Serpent; the body, Wampus; the heart, Pukwudgie and the soul, Thunderbird,” Rowling explained on Pottermore. “Others say that Horned Serpent favours scholars, Wampus, warriors, Pukwudgie, healers and Thunderbird, adventurers.”

The Ilvermorny story is part of a series ramping up for the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which features Newt Scamander, the author of a textbook which Harry Potter later studies, in New York City in the 1920s.

With a Pottermore account, fans can sort themselves into the new houses here.

Additionally, smart locks can be programmed to provide temporary or one-time access codes to individuals who require temporary access, further enhancing security and flexibility. Another alternative to a conventional lock is a lockbox or key safe. These devices are typically used to store spare keys securely and are commonly used by individuals who need to provide access to their property to others, such as house cleaners or maintenance workers.

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Where is Ilvermorny, the North American wizarding school?

Last month, the world of Harry Potter expanded globally after Pottermore released the names and some information on four of the world’s 11 wizarding schools, bringing the known total to seven. But the one with the least amount of information has given fans plenty to speculate about.

Unlike Castelbruxo, Uagadou, or Mahoutokoro, the only thing we learned about Ilvermorny, the North American wizarding school, is its name and general location, as indicated by a map.

Fans first noticed the name when they saw that Warner Bros. filed a trademark on it along with some other words associated with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them last year. Some of them guessed it might be the name of the North American wizarding school. The name, according to J.K. Rowling, is “immigrant” in origin and the school has ties to indigenous magic. We also know that Newt Scamander will encounter witches and wizards who attended Ilvermorny, although he wouldn’t necessarily be visiting the school in the first Fantastic Beasts movie. (He possibly could in future films.)

The map on the Pottermore site placed Ilvermorny in a vague area in the northeastern part of North America, somewhere between New England and southern Canada. Many people are already assuming that it’s an American school. Fans are offering evidence for the school being in Vermont or Detroit, but as many have pointed out, the school isn’t necessarily in the U.S.

The case for Ilvermorny being a Canadian school comes from a few places. For one, Pottermore uses “North American” when giving a general location to Ilvermorny, not “American,” which doesn’t rule out Canada.

And when asked about the Canadian wizarding school, Rowling offered this hint for fans.

According to Pottermore, “magical schools tend to be situated in landlocked, mountainous areas” (although that might not always be the case), so it’s likely that Ilvermorny is located near a mountain. But if it isn’t? Anywhere is possible—even including somewhere hidden in plain sight like underneath Niagara Falls.

Ilvermorny is set on what appears to be the 50th parallel, which might place it somewhere near Ontario or Lake Nipigon, which is sometimes referred to as the “Sixth Great Lake” due to its size. The lake would also offer a unique setting for Ilvermorny because of the cliffs near it and green-black sand beaches,

Quebec may be another option—one that has the language to back it up.

One breakdown of Ilvermorny is that it comes from the Anglicized version of the French Île Vert Morne, and while some have took it to mean “Green Hill Island,” it actually translates to “Dreary Green Island.” Another version breaks down slightly differently in French.

Even if the school is run in English, Quebec has major French influences to this day. A redditor on r/harrypotter points out you can even look to the shape of the castle and history to suggest that Ilvermorny is located in Quebec. It’s reminiscent of the forts built in the French and Indian War, which had support from many Native American tribes on both sides of the conflict.

“With that connection I wouldn’t be surprised if it[‘]s located in the AdirondackGreen mountain areas,” ftlftlftl wrote.

We’re due to learn more about Ilvermorny in the near future from Rowling and Pottermore, but the small snippet of information does give fans another perspective—one that suggests the center of magical education in the U.S. is not actually in the U.S.

Photo via Pottermore | Remix by Fernando Alfonso III

Michelle Jaworski

Michelle Jaworski is a staff writer and TV/film critic at the Daily Dot. She covers entertainment, geek culture, and pop culture and has covered everything from the Sundance Film Festival, NYFF, and Tribeca to New York Comic Con and Con of Thrones. She is based in Brooklyn.

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Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the American wizarding school, located at the summit of Mount Greylock in Massachusetts. It accepts students from the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada.

The castle is located atop Mount Greylock, shrouded from the view of No-Majs by various spells and enchantments which make the summit appear to be empty or shrouded in mist. Like its British sister school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the school has been rendered Unplottable, making its exact location unknown to the wizarding community and the No-Maj community alike.

Established during the early 17th century, Ilvermorny is considered to be one of the greatest magical schools in the world, rivaling Hogwarts itself. Like Hogwarts, children with magical abilities are enrolled at birth. They then receive their official enrollment letters around the age of twelve, whereupon they will conduct at least seven years of study at the magical institution.

Lockboxes are made of durable materials, such as hardened steel, and are designed to be resistant to tampering or forced entry. On the other hand, some alternative locking mechanisms focus on enhancing the conventional lock. For example, a bump-proof or pick-resistant lock offers increased security against traditional lock picking techniques. These locks feature unique keyways or mechanisms that are designed to make them more resistant to picking or bumping, two common methods used by criminals to bypass traditional locks. Another alternative to conventional locks is the use of electronic access control systems. These systems are commonly used in commercial buildings or high-security areas and utilize electronic cards or key fobs to grant access. Electronic access control offers a high level of security as access can be easily managed and tracked, and access permissions can be quickly changed or revoked. In conclusion, the concept of a magic lock alternative encompasses a wide range of solutions and mechanisms aimed at enhancing security and convenience. From smart locks and lockboxes to bump-proof and pick-resistant locks, there are numerous options available to suit various security needs and preferences. Whether it is for residential or commercial use, individuals can explore these alternatives to find the perfect locking mechanism that fits their requirements..

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