Harry Potter Author Names Key Character 'Elizabeth Warren'

WASHINGTON — Did J.K. Rowling, author of the megabestselling Harry Potter series, just diss Sen. Elizabeth Warren?

In responding to a fan Monday on Twitter, Rowling was asked the full name of the character "Moaning Myrtle," a ghost that haunts Hogwarts, where Harry Potter goes to school. Rowling's reply raised a few eyebrows:

Rowling has been active in U.K. politics, vigorously opposing Scotland's bid for secession, but this appeared to be one of the few times she'd mentioned U.S. policy. For those who haven't read the books, Myrtle is not exactly a positive character and more than lives up to her nickname by wailing in the girls' bathroom, though she does play a key role in assisting Harry in two of the books. Still, tagging Elizabeth Warren to Moaning Myrtle probably wouldn't be meant as a compliment.

However, the author rushed to clarify later that she wasn't talking about our Elizabeth Warren - it was just a coincidence.

Rowling appeared to recognize she was in danger of causing an international incident, adding further clarification:

That appears to have put the matter to rest. But if Rowling later reveals that Severus Snape's middle name is Barney Frank we can safely conclude she's no fan of either financial regulatory reform or of Democrats from Massachusetts.

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