J.K. Rowling Just Announced a Brand New Harry Potter Play

In yet another move to expand the beloved Harry Potter universe, on Friday, British author J.K. Rowling announced everyone's favorite wizarding franchise would be returning to the world in the form of a new play, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.

The British author who won a generation's hearts with her original novels broke the news in a series of tweets that began by marking the 18th anniversary of the publication of her first novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in the United Kingdom).

The tweets give a tantalizing glimpse into the play set to open in the summer of 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London's West End. While Rowling insisted it was "not a prequel," British tabloid the Daily Mail reported the storyline would explore the lives of Harry's murdered parents, James and Lily Evans Potter. Informal casting has also begun, according to the paper.

The news brings additional context to several announcements from Rowling earlier this week that provided more depth to the Potter universe. One of the richer nuggets explained the origin of Vernon Dursley's enmity toward Harry, which Rowling said could be traced back to his dislike for James Potter and a stormy dinner party between the two families. After James was a little "too playful with his words" Rowling wrote, "the evening ended with Vernon and Petunia storming out of the restaurant, while Lily burst into tears and James (a little ashamed of himself) promised to make things up with Vernon at the earliest opportunity."

The portentous dinner party, which would go on to have far-reaching ramifications in the wizarding world, is almost certain to be one of the many scenes in the upcoming play. 

Sadly, that is the extent of this author's divination abilities.