Canon discussion
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The Book of Prophecies: How "Order of the Phoenix" Predicts the Plot of "Deathly Hallows" - Part 2
• Essay
In Part I of this series, I delved into specific chapter-level comparisons between Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows, and how the events in the former predict or foreshadow those in the latter. In this article, I will… Read More
The Book of Prophecies: How "Order of the Phoenix" Predicts the Plot of "Deathly Hallows" - Part 1
• Essay
The Harry Potter series is masterfully plotted, both as individual books and across the series as a whole. Within the fandom, there is a large focus on ring theory for understanding how the series is structured. In ring theory, each book has its… Read More
Making the Calendar Fit
• Essay
I recently received two comments on two different entries in the Lexicon which brought up the same problem: the real world calendar doesn’t always agree with the days and dates in the books. I’m sure some of you are saying “Of course, we know that, this has been discussed in… Read More
Exploring April in the Harry Potter Universe
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
April, like March, tends to be fairly quiet at Hogwarts. The Fifth and Seventh Years are working harder than ever with the OWL and NEWT exams looming in just a few months. Here are the highlights for March: During Harry’s Time at Hogwarts: 1992 On or about the 24th, Hagrid’s… Read More
Exploring March in the Harry Potter Universe
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
March is typically an uneventful month for Harry and the others at Hogwarts. Hermione starts studying intensely for the exams: Hermione, however, had more on her mind than the Philosopher’s Stone. She had started drawing up revision schedules and color-coding all her notes. Harry and Ron wouldn’t have minded, but… Read More
Exploring February in the Harry Potter Universe
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
February is dominated by Valentine’s Day, of course, but a lot of other interesting events happen during this month. Probably the biggest February event during Harry’s time at Hogwarts was the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament. I’m particularly intrigued by the antics of Minister for Magic Pricilla Dupont who was… Read More
Exploring January in the Harry Potter Universe
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
The excitement of the impending holidays during December gives way in January to the dull routine of the beginning of the winter term at Hogwarts. The students return, typically aboard the Hogwarts Express, the first weekend of the month. Quidditch practices begin again and the first match of the new… Read More
Exploring December in the Harry Potter Universe
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
In December, the weather turns colder and even snowy. The first school term ends just before the Christmas holidays. Almost all the students go home for the two-week break but a few stay. They are invited to a Christmas feast which involves magical crackers and quite a bit of alcohol… Read More
Exploring October in the Harry Potter Universe
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
After the hustle and bustle of September, October sees life settle down quite a bit for students at Hogwarts. The most exciting part of the month is undoubtedly Hallowe’en, the very last day of the month. And in fact, most of the October events in the Harry Potter canon are… Read More
Exploring September in the Harry Potter Universe
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
I’ve updated all the entries and artwork that will appear on the home page scroller. The theme this time around is “September.” A lot happens at Hogwarts in the first month of the school year: Quidditch tryouts, the first classes for each subject for the year, the First Years… Read More
🎙️ OP36: Of Magic and Duels Part Two
• Essay
In my last podcast, I talked about the first of two magic duels in chapter 36 of Order of the Phoenix, the one between Harry and Bellatrix. Now it’s time to move on to the main event, the massive duel between Albus Dumbledore and Voldemort. There is no… Read More
🎙️ Of Umbridge and Macnair
• Essay
Umbridge is one of those characters the reader is supposed to hate and despise, but she isn’t a Death Eater, she’s just a nasty person. Sirius sums this up well by saying “The world isn’t split into good people and Death Eaters”, and Umbridge is the perfect embodiment… Read More
🎙️ OP36: Of Magic and Duels Part One
• Essay
In this podcast we’re going to take a look at the incredible magical duels in chapter 36 of the Order of the Phoenix. Before we get to the main duel in the chapter, however, that between Voldemort and Dumbledore, we learn a bit about the Unforgivable Curses when… Read More
Celebrating the Canon Celebration and Looking Forward
• Essay
The Lexicon is 20 Years Old! To celebrate in true Lexicon fashion, we spent the second half of 2020 celebrating what many consider go be the truest form of Harry Potter canon: the Harry Potter novels. Every week from July through the end of the year we… Read More
Deathly Hallows 26-36 and the Epilogue Canon Celebration
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
And we’ve finally reached the end — the last eleven chapters of the last Harry Potter book, plus the epilogue. For the past six months we’ve been exploring a different part of Harry Potter canon in sequence. Back in the late 1990s and 2000s, fans read each of these… Read More
Deathly Hallows 9-25 Canon Celebration
• Essay
Things get darker now all around the wizarding and Muggle worlds. Lord Voldemort’s people have taken over the Ministry of Magic. Harry, Ron and Hermione have escaped thanks to Hermione’s skills and planning. But nothing is straightforward – arguments, adventures and angst are on the way…. Take a deep breath… Read More
Deathly Hallows 1-8 Canon Celebration
• Essay
Finally, we arrive at the last book of the series. While we know that Harry has decided (along with Ron and Hermione) not to return to Hogwarts this school year, we have still to find out exactly what he has in mind to be able to… Read More
Half-Blood Prince 25-30 Canon Celebration
• Essay
Posted
by Steve VanderArk
in Canon discussion
In the final six exciting chapters that end this book, revelations, betrayals and death were promised – and so there shall be – but what they also contain is love. Handkerchiefs at the ready? Onwards we go! Podcasts: Episode 25: The Horcrux Conundrum by Nick Moline and Steve VanderArk… Read More
🎙️ Half-Blood Prince 7-24 Canon Celebration
• Essay
Summer is over and it is time to return to Hogwarts. Harry has lessons with Professor Dumbledore to look forward to. He becomes surprisingly talented in Potions class and works hard as the new Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. But what is his… Read More
Half-Blood Prince 1-6 Canon Celebration
• Essay
What in the Wizarding World will happen during Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts? Lord Voldemort has returned and the safety of families and students is at risk. And, there will be yet another appointment to the Defence Against the Dark Arts teaching post. Ready for revelations? Here… Read More