From the beginning, Ron has played second fiddle to Harry Potter…or has he? Perhaps Ron’s perception that he was simply there as Harry’s backup was just that: perception. Ron was, in fact, more of an individual and a complement to Harry than just a sidekick. Finally, in Book 7, Ron comes to realize this. In this week’s episode, we look back at Ron’s past and his coming-of-age/growing up in Book 7 and the Epilogue.

In the News:

• USA Today names Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the Book of the Year for 2007.
• Richard Griffiths and Julie Walters will receive distinguished awards.
• OoTP on long lists for the BAFTAS in six categories.
• Daniel Radcliffe has donated his glasses to a Holocaust exhibit.

You can listen to the episode with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

*Deathly Hallows Spoilers Included*

It’s been less than a week since the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, yet most of us have now read the book more than once; inevitably, bits and pieces need to be re-read to make sense of them. In addition to re-reading, the comments on our last post were extremely amazing, and really helped make sense of the book. This week, we look back through the comments and pull out a few topics to discuss further: a possible relationship between Harry and Voldemort? Examples of Voldemort’s spells not working, references to Nazis, the fittingness of Snape’s death. What was the purpose of the epilogue? And what did we need the Deathly Hallows for anyhow? Of course, there’s more questions that need to be discussed (who discovered magic later in life? Where did Harry’s parents get all that money from?), but they’ll have to wait until next time.

Thanks so much for all the great comments, keep them coming, we couldn’t do the show without them!

In the News:

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is breaking sales records.
• JK Rowling on the Today show: Announces Encyclopedia of characters and talks about DH.
• Naomi Watts, Joseph Fiennes, and Stuart Townsend not necessarily in the Half Blood Prince movie.

Make sure to listen to our interview on The James Madison Show from Friday, July 20. The interview can be found a the website if you click the podcast button. Special thanks to James and Frank for having us on.

Don’t forget to order your HPProgs t-shirts! Contact us if you’re interested in a red, white or black limited edition t-shirt.

Join in on the HPProgs Thank-You Book to JK Rowling!

You can listen to the podcast with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

Just in time for Episode #35, Scholastic released the cover for the Deluxe edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. At first glance, the picture seems quite unassuming (even austere, but certainly not threadbare). So we have Harry, Ron and Hermione riding a dragon…but then, the wheels begin to turn, and bits and pieces of information from various parts of the Potter-verse start to collect, theories start to form…and we have interesting ideas on our hands. In this episode, we review the discussion started on our last post about the draconian figure adorning the cover.

Also, we’re announcing our Second HPProgs contest! Anyone is eligible to enter this one, and there’s a really, really, really cool prize. Listen to the episode (near the end) for the details.

Vote for HPProgs on PodcastAlley! Subscribe on iTunes!

In the news:

• HBO to feature a “First Look” at the OoTP movie.
• ABC Family will air Potter movies till we puke.
• Deluxe Edition cover art for HP and the Deathly Hallows has been revealed.
• See the Death Eater Masks (a.k.a. MRI images) on the official OoTP website.
• Good interview with HP producer, David Heyman about Potter series.
• New Competition for French HP fans to win tickets to French Premeire of OoTP.
• OoTP Soundtrack announced and now available (link to HPPROGS Bookstore).
• Scholastic Question 5: Where are the Horcruxes?.

You can listen to the podcast using the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

Since the beginning, Ron and Hermione seem to have been destined to, well, something.  Some think these star-crossed lovers have been fated to be together from the start, while others hold out hopes (dreams?) that perhaps Harry or Victor will capture Hermione’s heart.  In this episode, we discuss just why Ron and Hermione are meant to be together.

As a reference see my post on the old HPProgs blog, Weasley and Granger in Love.  Make sure to read the comments for some classic denial-of-the-obvious H/H shipping.

A roundup of the news:

• Real Movie News: Exclusive New Photos from Order of the Phoenix set
• Goblet of Fire movie nominated for a BAFTA.
• HBO: Win tickets to the Order of the Phoenix premiere.

In other news, thanks and welcome to all the new listeners; we’ve now got a MySpace page, so please add us as a friend.

You can listen to the podcast by pressing the play button above, or download it directly as an mp3.