Magic Beyond the Books

We take a portkey to the graveyard for Voldemort’s return (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, chapter 32, Flesh, Blood, and Bone). Jess guest-hosts as we discuss Harry as a protagonist, cauldron weights, how Peter Pettigrew became a Death Eater, and matching tattoos. Tune in to learn about yew trees and find out who in this scene Jess finds sexy (hint: it’s not who you think).

This week we talk all about Dobby, including his undying loyalty to Harry Potter, potentially romantic relationship with Winky, and terrible negotiation skills. John guest-hosts as we get into everything from Dobby’s fashion sense to crazy fan theories. Is Dobby a secret evil genius? Did Dobby make an unbreakable vow with Harry? Is Dobby actually a Death Eater? All these questions and more are answered in this episode.

The newest Harry Potter theme park is open at Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida! In this special episode, I talk all about my trip to Epic Universe and give details of the Battle at the Ministry ride and Le Cirque Arcanus show. I answer your questions, share fantastic beast fun facts, and give tips for the best ways to enjoy the theme park. Grab your interactive wand and take a walk with me down the streets of 1920s Paris.

Expelliarmus! Professors Lockhart and Snape teach the Hogwarts students how to duel in this scene from book 2, Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets (chapter 11). Jessie guest-hosts and we learn her patronus from the HarryPotter.com quiz. We discuss everything from Harry’s signature spell success rate to snake symbolism. Grab your wand, take a bow, and listen to this episode in 3…2…1… LEGO Set Link - https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Harry-Potter-Hogwarts-Castle/dp/B0DJ18LDHN

This one's for the Romione and Hinny shippers. Jess guest-hosts as we discuss the relationships of Ron and Hermione and Harry and Ginny as well as potential other matches for each of them. We compare the books vs movies and talk about romance tropes. Love is in the air this week on Magic Beyond the Books - grab your amortentia potion and do some snogging!

Tabloid Journalist Rita Skeeter - Hero or Harpy?

Jessie guest-hosts as we discuss Rita Skeeter, the writer and unregistered animagus beetle. We discuss the meanings behind Rita’s name, her fashion sense, and, most notably, her written works. Is JK Rowling actually a disguised Rita Skeeter? Were Rita and Bellatrix friends at Hogwarts? How are Veela created? All these questions and more are answered in this episode.

In this scene Harry joins five other students in Professor Horace Slughorn’s compartment on the Hogwarts Express for his first “Slug Club” meeting in book 6, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. We discuss Harry Potter emojis, the Slug Club members, and the meeting menu (who wants cold pheasant?). Calen tells us about the sword of Damocles and Rene shares nogtail facts. You are officially invited to join us for a bite of lunch and chit chat about the Slug Club!

It’s everyone’s favorite guy - Professor Filius Flitwick, the charms professor and head of Ravenclaw house. We discuss Flitwick’s early life and his stark appearance change in the third Harry Potter movie. In this episode we delve into more mysteries of the wizarding world including wizard and goblin lifespans, the categorization of spells, and drinking at wizarding school dances. Cast your charms and bring your stack of books to stand on, it’s time to learn all about Professor Flitwick!

“Well if you’re sure - better be GRYFFINDOR!” In this scene, Harry Potter and the other new students meet the ghosts and are sorted into the four Hogwarts houses (book 1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, chapter 7, The Sorting Hat). We break down the houses, new students, ghosts, and dormitories. You’ll learn which alternatives JK Rowling considered for the sorting system and all about the mysteries of the sorting hat. This episode covers many theories including what’s the deal with Mrs. Norris, the conspiracy behind the sorting stool legs, and the question of students’ choice in sorting. Wh...

Gallop on over to this week’s episode; we discuss one of the Forbidden Forest’s many creatures - Firenze the Centaur! We cover the many mysteries of centaurs, share Firenze’s name origins, and give our fan casts for the character. Everyone loves the rebel centaur…except Trelawney. Warning - there are BIG spoilers in this episode.

Wedding bells chime as Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour get married at the Burrow (book 7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, chapter 8 “The Wedding”). We discuss everything about this big wedding from the decorations to the guest list (i.e. Auntie Muriel). We ponder if Bill and Fleur are still together and give our ideas for different Harry Potter book titles. Rene shares 1990s wedding trends and Calen gives the origins of common wedding traditions. Put some birds in your hat or precious gems on your tie, and slip into your best dress robes, because the ministry has fall...

It’s Gryffindor’s quidditch captain and keeper, Oliver Wood! We discuss Oliver’s coaching abilities and many quidditch-based enemies. Calen shares a new logo design for Puddlemere United and Rene shares her fan theory about Oliver’s love interest. We ponder why Harry Potter fans adore Oliver but hate his coaching. Keep listening for a funny movie catch; let’s just say Sean Biggerstaff is astounded Harry received a Nimbus 2000.

This is part 2 of our special travel episode where we break down all the places Harry Potter fans can travel to in the real (muggle) world. Today we cover all the travel spots outside of England (in the rest of the UK and world). Where did JK Rowling write Harry Potter? Where can you buy a golden snitch wand? Where can you walk through the Hall of Prophecy? All these questions and more are answered in this episode!

In our first two-part special episode, we break down all the places Harry Potter fans can travel to in the real (muggle) world. Today we cover all the travel spots in England! From behind the scenes movie facts to our Hogwarts houses, we cover it all. Where can you buy a horcrux? Why did J.K. Rowling choose Kings Cross for the Hogwarts Express platform? Where can you take broom flying lessons? All these questions and more are answered in this episode.

This is Harry Potter and Cho Chang’s first and only date from book 5 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (chapter 25, The Beetle at Bay). We discuss professional quidditch teams and the dating life of Roger Davies. Cho is not happy with Harry talking about Hermione and we are not happy about Cho’s behavior. Coffee vs tea, Cho vs Ginny, and what’s up with cherubs? This episode has it all.

Woof! This is all about Sirius Black alias Padfoot alias Snuffles alias Stubby Boardman. We cover Sirius’ best moments, many animal friendships, and crazy pureblood family tree. Tangents abound as we discuss Regulus Black’s motivations for betraying Voldemort, Peter Pettigrew’s unlikely friendships, Kingsley Shacklebolt’s work assignments, and alternatives for the Potters’ secret keeper. Grab your leather jacket, hop onto your flying motorbike, and join us for this wild ride through the bad boy life of Sirius Black.

It’s time to talk about the time Hermione and Harry use the time-turner to time travel in book 3, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (chapter 21, “Hermione’s Secret”). We break down the rules of time travel in the Harry Potter universe, share our patronuses, and discuss the recent casting of John Lithgow as Dumbledore in the Max show. Foodies, tune in to the end for a special baking update with time-turner-inspired desserts.

It’s the bestselling author and memory charm aficionado, Gilderoy Lockhart. We learn all about Gilderoy’s exploits as a Hogwarts student and Rene gives her prediction for his future after St Mungo’s. Calen teaches us about hatstalls and Rene shares pixie facts. Join us as we discuss this famously fraudulent wizard.

This is the time Arthur, Ron, Fred, and George visit 4 Privet Drive in book 4, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (chapter 4, “Back to the Burrow”). Rene gives a Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes breakdown and Calen shares Reddit theories. We ponder what Petunia knows about Sirius Black and how Santa visits houses with no chimney. This episode, like the Weasleys, is chaotic.

In our first special episode, we dive deep into the magical world of animagi, covering the differences between animagi and werewolves, patronuses, metamorphmagi, and transfiguration. Calen breaks down the process to become an animagus and Rene proposes the animals we’d turn into. We learn Rene is ready for combat and Calen wants to blend in. Tune in to this bestial episode!

This episode is all about everyone’s favorite gambler. He’s a retired Wimbourne Wasps player and the head of the department of magical games and sports - Ludo Bagman! Rene hits us with facts on quidditch beaters and Calen shares what happens to Ludo after he goes on the run. We give our fan casts and discuss who we think should have won the Triwizard Tournament. Buzz buzz!

This is Nearly Headless Nick’s Deathday Party from chapter 8 of book 2 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. We learn about musical saws and pick out our ghost outfits. Rene shares guillotine facts and Calen answers the question we’ve all been dying to know - what IS Peeves the Poltergeist? You don’t have to be headless to enjoy this episode.

We discuss Professor Quirinus Quirrell’s motivations to explore the dark arts, rate him on an evilness scale, and give our dream fan casts for the character. Calen tells us about Quirrell’s life before he became the defense against the dark arts teacher and Rene shares troll facts. To us, Quirrell is just a useful idiot and a human garlic knot who can’t fly.

This is the first scene of the Harry Potter series - the first half of chapter 1 in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Calen gives drill prices and Rene does a deep dive on bonfire night. We discuss everything from Vernon’s mustache to Hagrid’s motorbike maintenance. In the end, we learn senior wizards can party too. What a happy, happy day!

Calling all Harry Potter fans! In each Magic Beyond the Books episode, we break down a scene or character’s journey from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Warning: there are spoilers in every episode as we discuss the entire series in relation to a certain scene or character. Grab your wands and send owl post to all your friends - join us for this magical journey through JK Rowling’s hit series. This is a Harry Potter podcast you don’t want to miss.