• Podcast Episode
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Here’s the answer to the most common question I get in email: Yes, the Lexicon is still being updated and edited. The changes are kind of hard to notice, for the most part, since they consist mostly of reformatting pages and making small edits and corrections to the content, but… Read More
• Podcast Episode
Posted by in About Sources
Synopses by William Silvester Chapter 1 – The Boy Who Lived In which we meet the Dursleys and learn of the peculiar happenings surrounding the arrival of Harry Potter on their doorstep including a conversation between Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall. Chapter 2 – The Vanishing Glass In which… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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This morning I was working through the emails I’ve received noting various Lexicon errors or edits. One email asked why the Minister for Magic page didn’t list Pius Thicknesse. I knew the answer to that one. The reason Thicknesse isn’t listed it that the Minister for Magic page hadn’t been… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I just received this email from Rose: “Just thought you should know that Jo has updated her site. Where her diary used to be is now a notebook with multiple pages. It’s called “Everything You Might Want to Know”, and it has info on herself, her books, different awards and… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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It’s September the first, and young witches and wizards have converged on King’s Cross Station in London for the journey north to Hogwarts. Me, I’m just working through all the emails I’ve received with suggestions for edits, updates, corrections, and additions to the Lexicon. Unfortunately, there’s no Welcoming Feast awaiting… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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This recommendation is way overdue, and I apologise for taking so long to post it. John Kearns, formerly an editor here at the Lexicon, is putting together a fantastic reader’s guide to the Harry Potter series called The Harry Potter Companion. The Companion offers commentary on each chapter of… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I made it home at 3:30 this morning, my head buzzing. Did I like the “Half-Blood Prince” film? Absolutely! I loved it! I think this film captures more detail of the original book than any other of the films have managed to do. It’s what the film of “Prisoner of… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I just finished two interesting Harry Potter books (and I’m starting on a third). One is “Harry Potter Should Have Died” from our friends at MuggleNet. I wouldn’t call this a book of “literary analysis” — it’s too lightweight for that. But that’s not a criticism: I very… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Eager to hear the entire soundtrack of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and don’t want to wait until it’s released on 14 July? AOL Radio just sent me this: AOL Radio has an exclusive premiere of the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince soundtrack. The movie hits theaters… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I’ve been using my Twitter account to send out tidbits of Harry Potter trivia once or twice every day. I try to find particularly interesting odds and ends in the Lexicon book to send out. If that sounds like something that would brighten your day, follow Lexicon_Steve. And feel free… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I’ve been puttering around and editing pages over the past few days. Mostly, I’ve been fixing errors here and there, catching up on my rather lengthy to-do list. I’ve added a few of the new details from Tales of Beedle the Bard — Herbert Beery has now joined the character… Read More
• Podcast Episode
Posted by in Canon discussion
Stuff we still wonder about, even after book seven … the other secret passage “There are seven in all. Now, Filch knows about these four” — he pointed them out — “but we’re sure we’re the only ones who know about these. Don’t bother with the one behind the… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I just finished reading through my copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard, and I am absolutely delighted with it. It’s so wonderful to read J.K. Rowling’s storytelling and tongue-in-cheek humour again. The stories are great, but I was particularly happy with the commentary. She gives us even more tantalising… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Well, I can finally tell you all what’s been keeping me so busy for the last six months. Today we announced the publication of The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials, which will come out on the 12th of January. This book has been… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I am delighted to let you all know that my book In Search of Harry Potter is on the shelves. The book was published by Methuen Publishing in London and is now available in shops in Britain. From what I’ve been told, it should be in the stores in the… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Thanks to Claire M. Jordan, the author of an excellent essay in our collection, I have been able to update the page listing differences between the UK and US editions of Deathly Hallows. Most of the differences are simply substitutions of US terms for British ones (e.g. ‘crib’ for… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Recently, some of my friends have been receiving unwanted and annoying phone calls from members of the press, trying to get in contact with me. This is definitely not appreciated. One friend has had to change her phone number several times to avoid these kinds of calls, but is still… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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There’s been a decided lack of new posts here, I know. Sorry about that. I spent most of the week in London at the publisher working on the new book, In Search of Harry Potter, which is due out October the 9th, and so I’ve been commuting back and forth,… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I’ve fixed the Google search for the site, so have at it. Unfortunately, the Remembrall isn’t working right now because it’s fixed on the wrong domain. I’m sure we’ll be able to sort it out, but for now just use the Google search. Podcast:… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Great news! Thanks to Roonwit, we have our timelines back. Well, almost back. The back-up file was dated March 2007, so some material was lost. Also, since the domain names have changed, the links in the timeline entries themselves don’t work at the moment. However, we’re hoping to get things… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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As you might have noticed, the Lexicon has had some technical problems over the past week or so. We’re in the process of updating and upgrading everything. Part of the process involved transferring some domains around, and along the way an error resulted in the www.hp-lexicon.info domain losing its DNS… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Last night I finished entering Quidditch Through the Ages into the Portkey database. That’s the last of the books to be entered, so now the Portkey covers all seven novels and the two Schoolbooks, as well as all the Famous Wizard cards. Surprisingly, there was actually an earthquake just… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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With yesterday’s emphasis on Quidditch, I’ve been muddling about with the Portkey, adding information to the Timeline, and testing out how it all fits together. When I add a date to the Timeline, for example, it’s supposed to appear on the Timelines tab of the associated Portkey entries. I tend… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Over the years, there have been a number of strange Quidditch matches played, many of them famous for their length or some odd circumstances surrounding them. Since February 22 is the anniversary of one of the strangest Quidditch matches in the Harry Potter books, I thought I’d mention it here,… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Questions have been asked and accusations made which require some kind of response. Specifically, I have been accused of lying in my declaration. This is a very serious charge. I want to make a clear statement of the facts. In my declaration, I wrote that the income from the advertising… Read More
• Podcast Episode
Posted by in Characters
From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Vernon: He cleared his throat nervously. ‘Er … Petunia, dear … you haven’t heard from your sister lately, have you?’ As he expected, Mrs Dursley looked shocked and angry. After all, they normally pretended she didn’t have a sister. ‘No,’ she… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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Quotes by and about Sirius Black From Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present THE MARAUDER’S MAP (PA10) Madam Rosmerta: “Of all the people to go over to the Dark… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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From Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban “And Professor Lupin stepped over you, and walked toward the dementor, and pulled out his wand,” said Hermione, “and he said, ‘None of us is hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks. Go.’ But the dementor didn’t move, so Lupin muttered something, and… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone “I’m the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left – Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy’s a prefect. Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Ginny to Draco: “Leave him alone, he didn’t want all that!” said Ginny. It was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She was glaring at Malfoy. “Potter, you’ve got yourself a girlfriend!” drawled Malfoy. Ginny went… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘Oy, Fred! C’ mere and help!’ (PS6) ‘What’s that? Said one of the twins suddenly, pointing at Harry’s lightning scar. ‘Blimey,’ said the other twin. ‘Are you –?’ ‘He is,’ said the first twin. ‘Aren’t’ you?’ he added to… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone The Sorting Hat: “Hmmm,” said a small voice in his ear. “Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There’s talent, oh my goodness yes — and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting…. So… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘The firs’-years, Professor McGonagall,’ said Hagrid. ‘Thank-you, Hagrid. I will take them from here.’ (PS7) ‘Welcome to Hogwarts,’ said Professor McGonagall. ‘The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets To Draco: “I would remind you that it is not – prudent – to appear less than fond of Harry Potter, not when most of our kind regard him as the hero who made the Dark Lord disappear – ah, Mr. Borgin.”… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix “Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure,” said Luna in a sing-song voice. (OP10) “She didn’t enjoy it very much,” Luna informed him. “She doesn’t think you treated her very well, because you wouldn’t dance with her. I don’t think… Read More
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Quotes by and about Hermione Granger From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone “I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. We could have been all killed — or worse, expelled.” (PS9) “You’re saying it wrong,” Harry heard Hermione snap. “It’s Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, and make the ‘gar’ nice and long.”… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘Gran, I’ve lost my toad again.’ ‘Oh, Neville,’ he heard the old woman sigh. (PS6) ‘Sorry,’ he [Neville] said, ‘but have you seen a toad at all?’ When they [Ron and Harry] shook their heads, he wailed. ‘I’ve lost… Read More
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Quotes by and about Draco Malfoy From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘My father’s next door buying my books and mother’s up the street looking at wands,’ said the boy. He had a bored, drawling voice. ‘Then I’m going to drag them off to look at racing brooms,… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Dumbledore: “I would trust Hagrid with my life.” (PS1) To Dumbledore: “–house was almost destroyed, but I got him out all right before the Muggles started swarmin’ around. He fell asleep as we was flyin’ over Bristol.” (PS1) “Ah,… Read More
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 From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone To Minerva McGonagall: “It’s lucky it’s dark. I haven’t blushed so much since Madame Pomfrey told me she liked my new earmuffs.” (PS1) To Minerva McGonagall: “Famous before he can walk and talk! Famous for something he won’t even remember! Can’t… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban The first Divination class: A voice came suddenly out of the shadows, a soft, misty sort of voice. ‘Welcome,’ it said. ‘How nice to see you in the physical world at last.’ Harry’s immediate impression was of a large,… Read More
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From Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone “You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking,” he began. […] I don’t expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through… Read More
• Podcast Episode
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I have begun a sweep of the character pages, but it is going slowly because it is so complicated. First, old style pages need to be switched to the new design, then double-checked for Book 7, all the old [Y-whatever] dates have to be removed, and then I need to… Read More