Podtrificus Totalus

It's Monday, and that means it's time for a new episode of Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione take their final exams, but Harry is bothered by his scar burning and warning him of approaching danger. They learn that Dumbledore has been summoned away from Hogwarts and realize it is up to them to protect the Philosopher's Stone from Snape and Voldemort.

We make a number of references to outside sources and popular culture, which are listed below:

The 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct, explained on Pottermore

Ælfric of Eynsham, an English abbot and writer

The Giant Squid on the Harry Potter Lexicon

Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter by Galadriel Waters (Ed. Astre Mithrandir; Published by Wizarding World Press in 2003)

Cerberus, guardian of the underworld in Greek mythology

Horace's Odes, which describe Cerberus yielding to music

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell (1949) and the Hero's Journey

The Twelfth Tablet of The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Odyssey by Homer

Heracles's Twelfth Labor

Theseus's descent into the underworld

The Harrowing of Hell in Christian theology

Your Journey to Hell and Back by Linda Lappin

The Pottermore illustration of the Potions trial

The Full Body-Bind Curse on the Harry Potter Wiki

Our Spell of the Week for this episode is Petrificus Totalus, which Hermione uses to paralyze Neville when he stands up to them.

It's time to serve detention and explore the menacing Forbidden Forest on Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter read along podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book.

After foolishly forgetting the Invisibility Cloak, Harry and Hermione are caught in their dragon disappearing act by Filch. McGonagall deducts a kiloton of points from Gryffindor House for their transgressions, and Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Draco serve out their punishments in the Forbidden Forest, where a mysterious evil lurks.

We make a number of references to outside sources and popular culture, which are listed below:

The "I Am the Danger" scene in Breaking Bad

Unicorns, the national animal of Scotland

Ronan, a name meaning "little seal"

Seel, the Pokémon

Mars, the Roman god of war

Isildur's Bane from The Lord of the Rings

Chiron, a centaur from Greek mythology

Red Sparks on the HP Wiki

Our Spell of the Week for this episode is the charm for red sparks, Vermillius, which Hagrid taught the children before placing them in mortal danger.

Cloaks and schemes and dragons, oh my! It's time for another episode of Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book.

Quirrell seems to be resisting Snape's efforts to steal the stone, at least long enough for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to be distracted by a sub-plot: Hagrid has obtained an illegal dragon egg, and Malfoy finds out about it.

We make a number of references to outside sources and popular culture, which are listed below:

Origanum dictamnus, or the actual dittany plant

The Aeneid by Virgil

The Disillusionment Charm on the Harry Potter Wiki

Our Spell of the Week for this episode is the Disillusionment Charm, which Harry and Hermione could have used to avoid being caught wandering the castle at night.

Mysteries are solved and soundboards are abused this week on Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione at last discover who Nicolas Flamel is and Cassie relives childhood fears.

After giving a bullied Neville a Chocolate Frog card, Harry remembers where he first heard Nicolas Flamel's name. Hermione pulls out a giant book and the trio finally uncovers what Fluffy is guarding. Snape referees Gryffindor's Quidditch match, and Harry overhears a foreboding conversation.

We make a number of references to outside sources and popular culture, which are listed below:

Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter by Galadriel Waters (Ed. Astre Mithrandir; Published by Wizarding World Press in 2003)

Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel on Wikipedia

The Book of Hieroglyphic Figures, attributed to Nicolas Flamel (1612)

Sir Isaac Newton

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo (1831)

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (2003)

As Above, So Below (2014)

Fullmetal Alchemist (2001-2010)

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel by Michael Scott

The Leg-Locker Curse on the Harry Potter Wiki

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on the PlayStation 2

A bolas, a thrown weapon used to capture animals by their legs

A deleted scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), in which Neville hops into the Great Hall after being jinxed

Our spell of the week for this episode is Locomotor Mortis, or the Leg-Locker Curse, which Draco uses on Neville and which lives eternally embedded in Cassie's memory.

This week on Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book, Cassie and Joe get sad during chapter twelve of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, "The Mirror of Erised."

With the Christmas holidays upon Hogwarts, Harry and the Weasleys are left mostly alone to enjoy snowball fights and lavish Christmas dinners, but a mysterious gift enables Harry to explore the castle unseen at night. He discovers the Mirror of Erised, a magical device that shows the viewer their deepest desire. Harry is entranced by the mirror, but at what cost?

We make a number of references to outside sources and popular culture, which are listed below:

Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures Professor

Rowling had a "childhood fear of scary librarians" via Twitter (25 June 2015)

Rowling's comments on Madam Pince and librarians in "An Evening with Harry, Carrie and Garp" (2 August 2006)

Back at it Again at Krispy Kreme, a popular Vine

The Mirror of Erised is one of Rowling's favorite chapters, per a Channel 4 interview (Richard Madeley & Judy Finnigan; 26 June 2006)

Rowling on losing her mother in "Harry Potter and Me," a BBC Christmas Special (28 December 2001)

The Mirror of Erised on Pottermore

The Ebublio Jinx on the Harry Potter Wiki

Our spell of the week for this episode is Ebublio, a spell which traps the victim in an impenetrable bubble.

This week on Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book, Cassie and Joe get physical for chapter eleven of Harry Potter and the Philsopher's Stone, "Quidditch."

A November chill has hit Hogwarts in this chapter, requiring Hagrid to, for some reason, defrost the school broomsticks while Harry frets over his first Quidditch match as the Gryffindor Seeker. Harry learns the cause of Snape's apparent limp, then a curse mysteriously befalls his broomstick during the game.

We make a number of references to outside sources and popular culture, which are listed below:

The Hogwarts Broomshed on the HP Lexicon

Dean Thomas's Background from J.K. Rowling's Official Site

Dean Thomas's Original Name from J.K. Rowling's Twitter

Midnight Duel Sketch by J.K. Rowling (via the HP Lexicon)

The Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup video games

CHAPPiE (2015)

Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter by Galadriel Waters (Ed. Astre Mithrandir; Published by Wizarding World Press in 2003)

Jim Kay illustration of Hermione and her Bluebell Flames from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: Illustrated Edition

Bluebell Flames on the HP Wiki

AccioBrain, a Harry Potter Fansite

Ligers from Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you again for 1.12, "The Mirror of Erised." Have a magical day!

This week on Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book, Joe and Cassie get spooky for chapter ten of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, "Halloween."

Harry and company continue their magical educations in this chapter when they learn the levitation charm Wingardium Leviosa (which also serves as our Spell of the Week). Harry and Ron's rocky relationship with Hermione comes to a head on Halloween, and Hermione is left crying in the bathroom and in mortal danger when a troll gets loose in the dungeon.

We make a number of references to outside sources and pop culture, which are listed below:

WBUR Radio Interview with J.K. Rowling (Christopher Lyndon; 12 October 1999)

Chasing the dragon, a slang phrase for drug use

The Damsel in Distress trope

Wingardium Leviosa on the Harry Potter Wiki

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you again for 1.11, "Quidditch." Have a magical day!

That's right — Podtrificus Totalus is back! After a long interlude, Cassie and Joe pick up once again to do a Harry Potter podcast, chapter by chapter, book by book.

This week's episode covers chapter nine of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, "The Midnight Duel." Harry's conflict with Draco Malfoy reaches new heights during flying lessons when Draco snatches Neville's Remembrall. Draco challenges Harry to a duel at night, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville are left to discover the mystery of the forbidden third floor corridor.

We make a number of references to outside sources and pop culture in this episode, which are listed below:

WAMU Radio Interview with J.K. Rowling (Diane Rehm; 20 October 1999)

"The Truth About Harry" Interview with J.K. Rowling (Roxanne Feldman; September 1999)

J.K. Rowling's annotations on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on The Guardian (18 May 2013)

MuggleNet and Leaky Cauldron Interview with J.K. Rowling (16 July 2005) (spoiler warning up to & including Half-Blood Prince)

Drarry, a popular Harry Potter ship (spoiler warning up to & including Deathly Hallows; note that many of the links on this page contain mature or nsfw content)

Madam Hooch's LEGO figure

Rolanda Hooch on the Harry Potter Wiki

Parvati Patil on the Harry Potter Wiki

Padma Parvati Lakshmi

Glitter (2001)

Pottercast Interview with J.K. Rowling (Mellissa Anelli, John Noe, and Sue Upton; 24 December 2007)

J.K. Rowling's thoughts on Dolores Umbridge on Pottermore (spoiler warning up to & including Deathly Hallows)

Gregory the Smarmy on the Harry Potter Wiki

Alohomora on the Harry Potter Wiki

Our spell of the week for this episode is Alohomora, as performed by Hermione to open the door to the third floor corridor.

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you again for 1.10, “Halloween!” Have a magical day!

It's time for a slightly late (but no worse for the wear) episode of Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book.

This week's episode covers chapter eight of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, "The Potions Master." Harry and Ron begin their classes at Hogwarts, where Harry butts heads with Professor Snape, who seems to have a mysterious grudge against him. The mystery of the little package from chapter five also develops in this chapter, with the revelation of a break in at Gringotts.

We make a number of references to outside sources and pop culture in this episode, which are listed below:

Argus Filch on the Harry Potter Wiki

Mrs. Norris on the Harry Potter Wiki

Professor Binns on the Harry Potter Wiki

Septimius Severus, emperor of Ancient Rome

The Year of Three Popes

(Major Spoiler Warning for Book 7!) Asphodel, Wormwood, Bezoars, and Aconite, an analysis of Snape's questions to Harry

Our spell of the week for this episode is Scourify, which Snape likely uses to clean up Neville's disastrous first attempt at Potion making. We also respond to tweets from Jose and Justine (of the Cutaways Podcast).

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you again for 1.09, “The Midnight Duel!” Have a magical day!