Five big reveals from JK Rowling's new Harry Potter story

JK Rowling has unveiled the first of four chapters from her History of Magic in North America. Rachel Bache takes a closer look at the lessons we can learn about the wizarding world.

1. Americans have their own word for 'muggle'

In the original Harry Potter stories we learnt that muggle is the term used for the everyday folk that don't possess magical powers. However, it turns out that American wizards have their own slang term for non-magic people: "No-Maj."

2. All knowing wizards

The magical communities of Native Americans, Europeans and Africans knew about each other long before Muggles/No-Maj "discovered" new countries in the 17th century. The communities were also in contact since the Middle Ages thanks to premonitions and modes of magical travel.

3. The legends are real

According to the chapter Native American legends about skin walkers - men who have the ability change into animals - are all completely real. "Native American 'skin walker' - an evil witch or wizard that can transform into an animal at will - has its basis in fact," writes Rowling.

4. Native American wizards didn't need wands

Rowling reveals that the use of magical wands originated in Europe and are used to channel magical to make it more powerful and precise. Native Americans, who exceeded in animal and plant magic did not need the use of a wand to perform their magic.

5. Many accepted, but not all

Unlike the hidden wizarding community in Europe, some magical people were revered by their Native American tribes. "Witches and wizards were accepted and even lauded within their tribes, gaining reputations for healing as medicine men, or outstanding hunters" the chapter explains. However, other magical people were still rejected, thought to have been possessed by "malevolent spirits."

* Read the full chapter at Pottermore.com. The second chapter from History of Magic in North America is out tomorrow and the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set for release in November.

- nzherald.co.nz