Jk Rowling has treated Harry Potter fans to a whole new story on her site Pottermore, introducing wizarding school Ilvermorny, the ‘American Hogwarts’. Ahead of the release of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, which is set in the US, Rowling explained the rich backstory behind the school, introducing us to its founder Isolt Sayre and its four houses.

Eddie Redmayne in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find ThemEddie Redmayne in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them.

Like Harry, Irish-born Isolt Sayre suffered the death of her parents at an early age. After their death she was forced to live with her aunt, Gormlaith Gaunt, an evil witch, who possessed a powerful wand.

Gormlaith had a hatred for non pure-bloods and kept Isolt isolated, even barring her from taking a place at Hogwarts. But when Isolt had developed sufficient skill she escaped from her aunt, taking her powerful wand with her and travelling to American for a new life.

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In the US Isolt met magical creatures, including the Pukwudgie, “a short, grey-faced, large-eared creature distantly related to the European goblin.” She also learnt she could speak Parseltongue.

Isolt married a muggle named James Steward and adopted two sons who they raised alongside their two daughters. Together they founded Ilvermorny, which was modelled after stories Isolt had heard of Hogwarts.

Ilvermorny, like Hogwarts, has four houses Thunderbird, Wampus, Horned Serpent and Pukwudgie. It is said that “Horned Serpent favours scholars, Wampus, warriors, Pukwudgie, healers and Thunderbird, adventurers.”

Ilvermorny is described as the most “the most democratic, least elitist of all the great wizarding schools," and it soon became internationally renowned. It differs from Hogwarts in that its sorting ceremony takes place in the school’s round entrance hall.

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During the ceremony the new pupil steps into the center of the room and waits for giant wooden carvings representing the four houses to react. If more than one shows an interest, the student may choose his or her house.

Ilvermorny will feature in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, which stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander. Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them hits theatres on November 18th.

Watch the trailer for Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them below: