Author J.K. Rowling and her greatest creation, Harry Potter, both have birthdays today -- July 31. The author already tweeted her thanks to fans, but did you see the sweet birthday messages shared by several "Harry Potter" cast members to Time?

As Harry turns 35, his mum turns (it's not polite to say but the cast does refer to it) 50. Time celebrated J.K. Rowling's big milestone by getting 17 birthday notes from these movie stars: Alan Rickman (Snape), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Natalia Tena (Tonks), David Thewlis (Lupin), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Clemence Poesy (Fleur), movie director Chris Columbus, Oliver and James Phelps (George and Fred Weasley), Katie Leung (Cho Chang), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Sean Biggerstaff (Oliver Wood), Frances de la Tour (Madame Olympe Maxime), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley).

While some of the messages were short and sweet (Rupert Grint clearly did not put much thought into his simple note, but that's very Ron of him), others were very clever and a few were touchingly heartfelt.


The Phelps twins scored points for references to Puking Pastilles and "Mischief managed" but Imelda Staunton wins for writing her note in full character. Here are some of our favorite b-day cards for the HP queen:

Dear Miss Rowling,
On the occasion of your birthday I trust you will be clothed in delicious pink garments surrounded by plates of purring kittens.
These wishes come By order of Dolores Umbridge

— Imelda Staunton

Happy Birthday! Jo. You don't look a day over 40; everyone knows what a wonderful writer you are, and how much you did to get children to read books, and your charity work, but they perhaps don't know that in private you are very very funny. Perhaps you could celebrate your half century by writing a hilarious film. Perhaps, starring, I don't know, a large Scottish man. Have a great day, you so deserve it, all my love, Robbie C. XX

— Robbie Coltrane

To the woman whose imagination has made half the world feel less alone, afraid and in the dark; may the light you continue to shine always bounce back with interest. And at a flattering angle, naturally.

Jason x

— Jason Isaacs

So where the hell do I start? 50 years ago, a someone was born that has done what most of us dream of. She has made this little planet of ours a better, happier place and will leave a legacy that means that, that joy will continue to exponentially grow, generation by generation. I'm saying something everyone has said and will continue to write and say. Still it needs to be said and written.Let's face it, we all want to live in her world, identify individually with the characters and the magic wielded there which seems to be like a fantastic extension of our tangible world.

She has made children turn back to the loving medium of books, feel the power of a page and fly behind the eyes of witches and wizards.

She has made me remember feeling young.

She deals with the ultimate anchor of our lives: death, and introduces it to children in a healthy, aware way that can propel them to find a concrete way of dealing with it.

She makes me laugh.

Thank you and I'll be having pint of butter beer (JK, please tell us the recipe!) here's to another 50 years (can't believe you're 50 by the way, you look HOT!)

X
— Natalia Tena

Dearest Jo,

When we first met in person it took me a few frozen moments to recognise you. My reaction should have been instant given the level of mega-fan obsessiveness I'd proudly cultivated for years or by the impressive entourage of smiling faces that trailed in after you, or by the heavily expectant silence that was quickly becoming awkward. But it took me several seconds longer than was normal to have the appropriate jumping /squealing /hyperventilating fangirl fit because it seemed impossible to fathom that everything I loved – a vast universe, the very buildings and sets we were standing on, the hundreds of people milling about with one creative vision in mind – all of it, had come from the lovely, glowing, blonde woman before me who was on the small side of human and the miniature side of SuperWoman.

You squatted down by the make up chair to chat and it was very hard to piece words together into sentences because I wasn't sure whether I was talking to a person or a spiritual portal connected to hundreds of different voices, souls and energies, all of whom I wanted to speak to and ask the geekiest of questions. But we continued to talk and it was both marvelous and incredible to realise you were human, to see your warmth, curiosity, the generous gaze and genuine interest you afforded each person you encountered. By the time we parted (rather, when I was dragged sullenly back into tutoring...) you left me with the distinct impression that small, sensitive ladies can change the world.

It's been ten years and you are still reminding me of this. I've come to realise that it was that precise humanity and warmth I experienced when I met you, that curse of caring too much and of feeling too many feelings and that uncontainable imagination that can see far beyond what is real, that make you such a force of change and – and I don't care what disclaimers you make about being Hufflepuff deep down – such a fierce, bold Gryffindor! You inspire me endlessly in your art, your activism and your sassy Twitter comebacks so please keep loving and caring and imagining as hard as you do.

Love you. Happy 50th!! Have the most Magical Happy Birthday ever!!

Evanna xox

— Evanna Lynch

Isn't that beautiful? Read all 17 messages, and share your own if you'd like. Not to linger in the shallow end of the gene pool, but we agree that she does not look 50. Then again, that's magic for you.

Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.