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Happiness in the darkest times: JK Rowling contacts shooting survivor | Happiness in the darkest times: JK Rowling contacts shooting survivor |
(12 days later) | |
JK Rowling has written to a teenager who found strength in the words of a Harry Potter film after her entire family were shot dead. | |
Cassidy Stay, 15, from Texas, survived the attack by playing dead but her mother, father, two younger sisters and two younger brothers were all murdered by the gunman in the 9 July attack. | |
In a moving speech she made at a memorial just days after the murders she quoted the fictional headmaster Albus Dumbledore, telling mourners: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” | |
An online campaign to get JK Rowling to contact the teenager led to the world-famous author writing to Cassidy in the voice of Dumbledore, the Telegraph reported. | |
The handwritten note of comfort, written in purple ink, was accompanied by a wand, an acceptance letter to Harry Potter’s school Hogwarts, a list of school supplies and a signed book. | |
A spokesman for Rowling told the newspaper: “We can confirm that JK Rowling was in touch with Cassidy Stay, however, the contents of the letter remain private.” | |
Asked whether a meeting between the two may happen, she added: “We wouldn’t comment on that but [Cassidy’s] is a remarkable story.” | |
At the memorial Cassidy said: “In The Prisoner Of Azkaban, Dumbledore says, ‘Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light’. | |
“I know that my mom, dad, Bryan, Emily, Becca and Zach are in a much better place and that I’ll be able to see them again one day. Stay strong.” | |
The line quoted by Cassidy is spoken by Harry Potter’s mentor Dumbledore – played by Sir Michael Gambon – as he addresses the pupils of Hogwarts in the Great Hall at the start of the film The Prisoner Of Azkaban. | |
The quote is credited to writer Steve Kloves, who transformed all seven books into screenplays. | The quote is credited to writer Steve Kloves, who transformed all seven books into screenplays. |
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