Comments for The HP Lexicon Podcast

Comment on Welcome to the HP Lexicon Podcast by nickmoline

nickmoline — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:45:42 +0000

Unfortunately, Steve is very busy during the school year and doesn’t have time to record podcasts, I look forward to listening to more episodes this summer

Comment on Welcome to the HP Lexicon Podcast by Brian Gensel

Brian Gensel — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:30:59 +0000

Hey there Steve. Whatever happened to this podcast? I really enjoyed listening and hearing your insight into the series. Don’t know why you would stop making episodes. Come back please!

Comment on Episode 2: “Oh wait a minute, who was that?” by Emily

Emily — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 22:15:27 +0000

I just started listening to the podcast (brilliant!) and the thing about Quidditch teams coming from tiny towns made me smile. My Quidditch team is the Haileybury Hammers, one of the three (?) Canadian teams, and if Haileybury means the Ontario Haileybury, it is the tiniest and cutest town ever! It’s not even technically a town anymore- it’s part of the Temiskaming Shores now. I think it just makes it so much better that these big sports teams come from little towns that nobody has heard of if they don’t live around there.
Also, in my headcanon, because there’s a street in Haileybury where lots of rich people live, Quidditch players make up a lot of them, and there’s all sorts of secret wizarding things going on in Temiskaming Shores. I’ve even gone so far as to figure out the government system in wizarding Canada, and create a couple schools (Canada is so big, and bilingual, so I felt the need to create two)
I’m a wee bit obsessed, but we only get a little bit of information about Quidditch in Canada so there’s so much to imagine!

Comment on Episode 7: “There’s a door … a black door with no handle …” by Martha

Martha — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:14:40 +0000

I keep thinking about that moment just before the family heads to King’s Cross station, when Ginny rememebers her diary (Book 2) and runs back to the house to get it. On the face of it, this moment seems well, monumental. If she hadn’t gone back to retrieve the diary, Harry’s life (and Ginny’s for sure) would have been very different that year. However, Mrs Weasley always reminds Harry and her children that if they’ve forgotten something at The Burrow, she’ll just send it on to school via owl. So I think that Ginny would have gotten the diary either way that year…making this moment maybe less of a clincher than I originally thought.

Comment on Episode 3: “There’s an Elf head hanging outside the window!” by Martha

Martha — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:07:01 +0000

Has anyone ever noticed that the correct pronunciation of Voldemort (without the “t”) rhymes with Dumbledore? Just a funny little thing.

Comment on Episode 1: “Did Dumbledore walk around with it in his pockets?” by Martha

Martha — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:58:51 +0000

Also – I can’t thank Steve and his creative partners enough for their contributions to our understanding Harry Potter and his world! I just bought the Lexicon reader’s guides via Kindle (though I had to buy from a US computer/IP address on Amazon.com rather than Amazon.ca, because these are not available as Kindle editions here in Canada.)I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit on this site, listening to the podcasts and following Steve’s adventures on FB, Twitter and Google+. Thank you!!!!

Comment on Episode 1: “Did Dumbledore walk around with it in his pockets?” by Martha

Martha — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:49:50 +0000

I always wondered the circumstances under which McGonagall and Hagrid discussed Privet Drive, and how Dumbledore would turn up there (which is why McGonagall was waiting for him, poised all day as a cat.)Would this have been at Hogwarts?

Comment on Episode 13: “The budding new baby hero!” by Shaw

Shaw — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:53:56 +0000

I just discovered your podcast after you were on Mugglenet’s Alohomora! podcast. Thank you so much for such a great podcast!

Comment on Episode 9: “The Dark Arts … are you TRYING to be bad?” by Robert F.

Robert F. — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 23:12:54 +0000

Wondrous podcast-excellent adherence to HP canon. As another resource for listeners, not all religious dismiss JKR’s work, one can listen to SQPN’s, “Tje Secrets of Harry Potter” podcast.

http://harrypotter.sqpn.com/HP canon.

Comment on Episode 12: “Why weren’t we told about this sooner?” by Hunter Jones

Hunter Jones — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 09:41:00 +0000

I loved you on Alohomora! I hope THIS podcast stays around for a while.

Comment on Episode 12: “Why weren’t we told about this sooner?” by Brian Gensel

Brian Gensel — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:51:48 +0000

Snape at that point believes that Sirius assisted Voldemort in the murder of Lilly. Snape feels vengeful. He wants revenge.

Comment on Episode 11: “What happened to the whimsy?!” by Kate

Kate — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 21:08:43 +0000

Really enjoy these podcasts Steve! Keep up the good work!

Comment on Welcome to the HP Lexicon Podcast by TJ Burton

TJ Burton — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:59:40 +0000

Steve,
It was great to see this latest episode come up in my downloads. Loved to hear that you will be churning the show out a little more regularly (at least for the time being) and loved that these things are getting longer this is actually one of my favourite podcasts.

Next time I’m in London I will find the places you found and skulk around for a couple of hours. I will also grab a copy of your “In search…” book soon. Great stuff again Steve

Cheers

Tom

Comment on Episode 6: “Only two people are known to have done it … and they’re both dead!” by CK

CK — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:51:31 +0000

I love your podcast.
When i listen to it i feel like in those good old times when we discussed all our theories on HP.
One thing that came to my mind after listening to this episode:
How come McGonagall knows that Neville’s grandma failed her charms exam?
My theory would be that the were in the same year as well, maybe best friends…

Comment on Episode 9: “The Dark Arts … are you TRYING to be bad?” by Lars

Lars — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:45:19 +0000

You wonder what J.K.R.s plans for book four were. Well, you mentioned earlier, that she apparently planned for Peter Pettigrew to be D.A.D.A. teacher. So it is possible that it was planned for Peter to replace Moody after he was killed (“one more death”) instead of merely taken prisoner. Peter would then impersonate Moody through some dark magic or maybe polyjuice potion would also work with parts from dead people. He would probably be accomplished enough to impersonate Moody, knowing him from the Order (unlike Barty Crouch Jr.) and Moody doesn’t play any significant role later on anyway.

Comment on Episode 8: “And then book 3 came along … a bolt of lightning!” by steve

steve — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:46:45 +0000

I don’t think Rowling holds a grudge against me at all and I never had a grudge against her! Everyone concerned has made it clear that they consider the matter a thing of the past and is happy with the way things worked out. That’s a great way for things to be, I think.

I agree with you … life is too short to hold grudges. Who needs to fill their minds and their hearts with that kind of hateful rubbish?

Steve

Comment on Episode 8: “And then book 3 came along … a bolt of lightning!” by MCPaddyB

MCPaddyB — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:19:29 +0000

Completely agree about Pottermore not being a game. I love the new levels and backstories about the books, not the minigames. McGonagall for example was great! Love the podcast, looking forward to the new one!

Comment on Episode 8: “And then book 3 came along … a bolt of lightning!” by Narcissa

Narcissa — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:44:22 +0000

Cant wait for another podcast, loved it.

Comment on Episode 8: “And then book 3 came along … a bolt of lightning!” by Craig Hunter

Craig Hunter — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:25:29 +0000

I really enjoy this podcast. Hopefully you can post another one soon.

Comment on Episode 8: “And then book 3 came along … a bolt of lightning!” by Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:03:14 +0000

The podcasts are great. It’s been too long since you’ve given us a new one. Can’t wait.

Comment on Episode 8: “And then book 3 came along … a bolt of lightning!” by gordon cunningham

gordon cunningham — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:38:01 +0000

brilliant steve to hear you back in the fandom. i too have been reading and listening to the fandom sites until you were ostracized from the whole potter world. love listening to the conundrums a few years back. life really is too short to hold grudges, although i dare say jkr still holds a grudge on you.

lexicon is a belting site by the way

Comment on Episode 8: “And then book 3 came along … a bolt of lightning!” by ZJJ

ZJJ — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:57:45 +0000

I especially appreciated reliving the sense of excitement in the early days of the fandom–I didn’t begin until after the fourth book was published–and especially that moment when lightning struck us and we knew JKR was indeed sneaky… and creative and clever and just a really great storyteller. Ah, those were the days.

And, Steve, I am the kind who will lose sleep until I know what other book series–not Twilight–that you find so interesting and detailed. Please, let us know.

Comment on Episode 1: “Did Dumbledore walk around with it in his pockets?” by Choices

Choices — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:26:13 +0000

I have so enjoyed listening to this. Can’t wait to get to the next one. Thanks Steve!

Comment on Episode 7: “There’s a door … a black door with no handle …” by Cassandra

Cassandra — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:05:29 +0000

Hello Steve,

I wanted to start off by saying thank you for sharing your interest of harry potter with the rest of the world though you’re Lexicon and your written books.

I was just listening to your newest podcast about Charing Cross road and I have to tell you I was super excited to look on Google maps to see what you were experiencing, so I was looking down the Charing cross road on the street view and I found the little nook you were speaking of.

I love to hear your podcasts about in search of harry potter and I like to look up the places when you’re describing them. Keep it up I am really enjoying these.

-Cassie

Comment on Episode 4: “Boom! There comes Neville!” by Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:17:33 +0000

Wands, Priori Incantatum, or something else.
I don’t think the wand connection in the final duel between Harry and Voldemort is creating Priori Incantatum in the movie. As a matter of fact, I don’t think this is exactly what happens each time they duel. Dumbledore explains it as the phenomenon in their first duel when the wands have a twin core, but later – in the race to the burrow when Harry’s wand reacts by shooting golden sparks and then in the final duel – something different is at work. Is it an older, deeper magic happening because of the Voldemort-Harry connection?

Comment on Episode 6: “Only two people are known to have done it … and they’re both dead!” by John

John — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:46:49 +0000

You spoke about platform 9 3/4 and how well it fits the actual location. I agree. I don’t understand why the essay “Harry Potter in London” on the Lexicon complains that the real location of platform 9 and 10 does not fit the description in the book. I think it fits perfectly. There are the tracks for platform 9 and platform 10 and the barrier is between the platforms (in front of the tracks). Platform 9 3/4 is simply between the tracks (with an additional track, or maybe two, on the other side being 9 1/4 )

Comment on Episode 7: “There’s a door … a black door with no handle …” by ZJJ

ZJJ — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:47:36 +0000

Dobby was all about keeping Harry Potter safe because he had benefitted house Elves by defeating the Dark Lord. How did he know the other things he knew? No direct proof, but other house elves are the likeliest sources. He knew of how other house elves were treated both before and after the defeat of the Dark Lord and he likely didn’t learn this from the Malfoys who wouldn’t rate house elves high enough to even talk about. We know he knew Winky and the house elf grapevine was good enough so that Dobby knew when she lost her job.

Read any good novel written during the era when servants were common and it becomes clear that servants always talk to each other and know as much or more about what is going on in theirs and other households than the masters do. Rowlings society isn’t likely to be proof against such underground information exchanges and she likely knew well enough how the Muggle servant spy network often worked in the past and that magical servants would be no different, just more powerful.

There were enough subtle references throughout the books that imply that the house elf injunction about telling others about their Masters’ doings didn’t always apply to telling other house elves. Some, like Winky, kept their own counsel with regard to truly private family matters, but other less critical information would be grist for the house elf rumor mill.

Comment on Episode 7: “There’s a door … a black door with no handle …” by steve

steve — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:11:33 +0000

That’s a good quote, but it still leaves the whole question wide open. The key is that when Dobby comes to Privet Drive, he knows things that even Lucius doesn’t know … things NO ONE knew at that time except Dumbledore and Harry. And the plot, such as it was, had nothing whatsoever to do with Harry. So what was Dobby so afraid would happen?

Comment on Episode 7: “There’s a door … a black door with no handle …” by Nadine

Nadine — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 06:25:27 +0000

Well, I’ve listened to all 7 of your podcasts twice, and I think I could listen to them all several times more! They are so interesting and full of new information and intriguing perspectives that I feel as if I am taking a college course on the Harry Potter series! Thank you so much for your insightful and well thought-out discussions. I can hardly wait for upcoming ‘classes’!

Comment on Episode 7: “There’s a door … a black door with no handle …” by ZJJ

ZJJ — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:18:48 +0000

Steve,
You’ve mentioned a couple of times already that you wonder how Dobby knew so much about what was planned in Chamber of Secrets. I have a surmise.
In HBP we learn most of the details we will ever find out about Lucias, Voldemort and the Horcrux diary when Dumbledore explains to Harry about Horcruxes and the Profesy in Chapter 23, page 508:
“When Voldemort discovered that the diary had been mutilated and robbed of all its powers, I am told that his anger was terrible to behold.”
“But I thought he meant Lucius Malfoy to smuggle it into Hogwarts?”
“Yes, he did, years ago, when he was sure he would be able to create more Horcruxes, but still Lucius was supposed to wait for Voldemort’s say-so, and he never received it, for Voldemort vanished shortly after giving him the diary.
“No doubt he thought that Lucius would not dare do anything with the Horcrux other than guard it carefully, but he was counting too much upon Luciuss fear of a master who had been gone for years and whom Lucius believed dead. Of course, Lucius did not know what the diary really was. I understand that Voldemort had told him the diary would cause the Chamber of Secrets to reopen because it was cleverly enchanted. Had Lucius known he held a portion of his master’s soul in his hands, he would undoubtedly have treated it with more reverence – but instead he went ahead and carried out the old plan for his own ends: By planting the diary upon Arthur Weasley’s daughter, he hoped to discredit Arthur and get rid of a highly incriminating magical object in one stroke.”
Here is my surmise. I think it’s the same way Kreecher knew so much about the Order of the Phoenix. Dobby was there to either hear it all first hand or hear Lucias recount it to Narcissa or some other Death Eater confidante visiting Malfoy Manor. People, especially those accustomed to having them, forget that servants are even around, not to mention actually listening.
We know from what Dobby told Harry about how bad it was for House Elfs under the Dark Lord that he was around at the time Voldemort gave the diary to Lucias, which was just before he disappeared. We also know that House Elfves work all their lives for one master and so we can conclude that Dobby was with the Malfoys then as well. The story of the first opening of the Chamber of Secrets fifty years earlier would be known by Dobby either as part of the history all magical folk around that time knew, or because it was part of the Voldemort lore all the Death Eaters would have been told about.
Whether Voldemort told Lucias about the diary and his plans for it while at Malfoy Manor, or Lucias merely repeated it to Narcissa later, Dobby could easily have been privy to this information. We don’t know for a certainty whether later Dobby overheard Lucias telling his wife or other Death Eaters about his own plan to use the diary to enchant Ginny in order to discredit Arthur Weasley, but we can justifiably surmise that Lucias would have spoken about it within the security of Malfoy Manor and Dobby would have been able to overhear it. While Lucias was aware of Drako’s presence and discrete when talking with Narcissa or other confidantes about it around him, Dobby would be as invisible as a piece of furniture and the matter discussed freely as long as someone like Drako wasn’t around.
Likely, Dobby had been instructed—or it is a part of the House Elf’s servitude—not to repeat anything heard within Malfoy Manor, so Lucias and Narcissa or other Death Eaters would speak freely while at Malfoy Manor, just as the Order members spoke freely in #12 Grimm Old Place. . Dobby had the moral fortitude to go against the constraints on him as a House Elf and accepted the punishment he had to inflict on himself as a consequence of disobeying. It was this same inner strength that made him an oddity among House Elves and long for freedom, clothes, and to be paid.