We met several new wizards and witches in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Some we’d actually met before, but never really got to know properly; others were brand-spanking new characters.  Each one, of course, comes with a mini-mystery in their name, a tiny puzzle only to be attempted by a stalwart few.  This week, we take a look at some of the new witches and wizards and try to decipher something from their names.  So, Elphias Doge, Bathilda Bagshot and, of course, Pius Thicknesse: step on up, it’s your moment to shine!

A few pages referenced in the podcast:

• A page with details on a few Potter character’s names and their relation to people from the real world.
• HogwartsProfessor.com (John Granger) on the possible connection between Pope Pius XII and Pius Thicknesse.
• Sword of Gryffindor on the Fabian Society.

No news this week.

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It’s our one year podcastversary! We’re really excited that we’ve made it one whole year, and were really happy that all of you have been along for the ride! In celebration, we’ve got a bit of a potpourri for you in our special anniversary episode. We’ve got news, games, music, contest winners and, of course, a tiny little bit of prognosticating.

A special thanks to *you*; we couldn’t have done it with you.

In the news:

• Harry Potter the highest grossing movie franchise in history: until the Star Wars fans calculate the rate of inflation.
• Scholastic announced which schools will be part of JKR’s tour in LA and New Orleans.
• JKR coming to Toronto- Greg in Toronto better go.
• Jim Broadbent will play Horace Slughorn in HBP.
• OOTP movie being released on December 11. New boxed set with a lot of cool stuff as well.
• First complete set of signed Harry Potter books now up for auction. In a related story, we have declared bancruptcy.

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This episode is about the Deathly Hallows. Not the book “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” but rather the Deathly Hallows in the book Deathly Hallows. Does that make sense? I hope so, since the Deathly Hallows (the things, not the books) is pretty confusing. We’re not quite sure we’ve got them figured out, but we’ve taken our best shot. It’s very zen-like: When is the Deathly Hallows not really the Deathly Hallows?

Oh, and this is our 50th episode! Hurray!

No news this week.

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Hi all. I just wanted to give y’all the heads up that episode #50 is going to be delayed. Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year) is this week and unfortunately Greg and I will not have time to edit the episode and get it up in its normal timely fashion. You can expect it on Saturday night or Sunday.

In the meantime though I have a mini-activity/contest for you all to do. Answer these 5 simple questions to show that you have been a fantastic hpprogs listener and send them to us at harrypotterprogs at yahoo dot com (regular e-mail format) and we’ll send 10 of you (we will pick the names randomly) a really cool color HPPROGS bookmark. Trust me, it is cool! Here are the questions:

• What is Greg’s favorite book of the Harry Potter series (episode #8 “Rating the Books”)?
• What date is our 1 year podcastversary (that is an anniversary in the podcast world and YES, I made it up)?
• What house does Penny want to be sorted into? (episode #44 “Prophecy Recap”)?
• What was one thing that Voldemort ignored that lead to his ultimate downfall? (episode #49 “Voldemort’s Downfall”)
• Come up with your own version of the hpprogs tag line, “If you thought Harry Potter was just for _______, think again!” (no wrong answers but points will be awarded if you make us laugh out loud!!)

We look forward to hearing from all of you and getting some of you some great bookmarks.  Please get the answers in by our podcastversary (you’ll have to look that one up) so we can get the winners the prizes ASAP.  Also, This Saturday, Sept. 15 is the deadline for the thank-you book entries.  Make sure to get them in!!

In the meantime, if we have any fellow Rosh Hashana celebrators in our little community, we wanted to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

-Penny:)

Voldermort’s downfall was a long time coming. Despite his efforts to ensure his longevity, Voldemort’s overall approach to life almost guarunteed his defeat. By ignoring the signifcance of some very important “deeper magics,” Voldemort opened up a proverbial chink in his armor that ultimately led to his demise. In Chapter 35, King’s Cross, an etherieal Dumbledore sums it up nicely:

That which Voldemort does not value, he takes no trouble to comprehend.  Of house elves and children’s tales, of love, loyalty and innoncence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing.  NOTHING.  That they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond the reach of any magic, is a truth he has never grasped.

In this week’s episode, we take a deeper look at the general and specific causes of Voldemort’s downfall, paying particular attention to Dumbledore’s assessment.

In the news:

• Daniel Radcliffe’s December Boys jump the gun and premiere on September 14.
• Equus may come to Broadway. In other news, the Kentucky Derby has been cancelled.
• Dumbledore makes Wizard of the Month on JKRowling.com. It’s about time he was recognized for all his hard work.
• Order of the Phoenix second most profitable Potter film. But still the worst book.
• Scholastic announces 40 schools of very lucky children. I think I can still pass as a sixth grader if I shave really close.

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OK, so we spoke to Michal and she has graciously offered to extend the Thank You book Entry deadline to Saturday, September 15.

But here is the good news. Everyone who sends in an entry will be entered into a drawing to win a free limited edition HPPROGS t-shirt!

So, here is your chance to let JK Rowling know how much you appreciate what she has done for you and have a chance to get a new article of clothing (that happens to broadcast your favorite podcast on it)!!