The lone survivor of a shooting last month, which killed her parents and all four of her siblings, spoke out at a memorial merely three days following the tragedy and quoted J.K. Rowling. Now the Potter series author has reached back to the girl in her own way.
image credit via Tim Whitby/INFevents.com
Nearly a month ago Cassidy Stay, 15, played dead when a bullet grazed her skull while the rest of her family was murdered before alerting police as her ex-uncle made his way to her grandparents home. The Telegraph reports that days later Stay stood before supporters as she spoke and quoted Professor Albus Dumbledore, a character in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series by stating, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
Through tiny tears the young girl thanked the first responders and medical assistants who have been helping her as she said she is on the road to a full recovery. A Facebook campaign began not long after called, “We want JK Rowling to meet Cassidy Stay,” as members of the group believed this would help the girl grieve.
It worked, kind of. While Stay has yet to meet the author, she did receive a personalized ‘Dumbledore’ note, written in purple ink, from Rowling as well as a wand, Hogwarts acceptance letter, list of books needed for classes and a signed copy of Prisoner of Azkaban, where the quote can be found. Whether it was the campaign that got the news to Rowling is unknown, as Rowling was so moved by Stay tracked down her contact information to get in touch.
Members of the page are still hoping that a face-to-face meeting will occur between the two but nothing is confirmed for now. Watch Cassidy Stay’s incredible speech below.
image via Facebook at We want JK Rowling to meet Cassidy Stay