Harry Potter and the Green Flame Torch
"Harry Potter and the Green Flame Torch" was a very popular rumored title for a future Harry Potter book in the early 2000s. The title was usually, but not always, connected to the sixth book. While most rumored Potter titles never had any meaning attached to them, the rumored "Green Flame Torch" title was inextricably connected to the rumor that the eponymous item could heal good and kill evil.
The rumor apparently began on The Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club in early 2000, before even Goblet of Fire was released. As of a February 23, 2000 update, the following rumor appeared on the site:
- Zelda writes: "The title of the sixth book will be Harry Potter and the Green Flame Torch [Peter Pettigrew returns] when Harry finds a torch that gives off a green flame that will heal good and kill anything evil."
Presumably by accident, this rumor was placed under the "Book 7" heading even though the text refers to the sixth book.[1] As of March 4, 2000, Harry Potter's Realm of Wizardry listed "Harry Potter and the Green Flame Torch" as a rumored title for the seventh book.[2] By May 6, the UHPFC had corrected its mistake and moved the rumor under the "Book 6" heading,[3] with the Realm following suit by October 17.[4]
Meanwhile, the first of many fanfic stories called "Harry Potter and the Green Flame Torch" was posted on FanFiction.Net on August 6, 2000.[5] As of a September 21, 2000 update, at least one fansite regarded "Green Flame Torch" as a rumored title for the fifth book.[6] As of February 3, 2001, MuggleNet listed "Harry Potter and the Green Flame Torch" as a rumored title for the sixth book.[7]
The rumor persisted until May 15, 2004, when J.K. Rowling launched a new official website, on which she addressed "Green Flame Torch" and other rumored titles:
- Not even close! Who makes these up?! And this green torch business seems to be cropping up everywhere. Do you really think getting rid of Voldemort would be that easy?[8]
The next month, it was announced that the actual title of the sixth book would be Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.[9]
References
- ^ The Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club Facts & Rumors
- ^ Book Seven Rumours
- ^ The Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club Facts & Rumors
- ^ Book Six Rumours
- ^ Harry Potter And The Green Flame Torch: Chapter1, a harry potter fanfic | FanFiction
- ^ Azkaban and Beyond!
- ^ MuggleNet-Harry Potter News, Games, Humor and More!
- ^ J.K.Rowling Official Site
- ^ New Harry Potter title revealed by author - Jun. 29, 2004