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).

We encourage our listeners to send emails to owlpost@podtrificustotalus.com correcting us, expanding on something we mentioned, asking questions, and sharing their experiences with the Harry Potter series. You can also interact with us through @podtrificus on Twitter, our Facebook page, Tumblr, or by leaving a comment below.

We are also available on podcast services. You can subscribe to us via iTunes, Google Play, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, and more — just search us on your favorite podcast app or use the direct link to our feed. Hit the subscribe buttons on our website to make sure you don’t miss out on new episodes of Podtrificus Totalus.

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

We’re back after a short break for a new episode of Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book!

This week’s episode covers chapter seven of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, “The Sorting Hat.” Harry and his fellow first-years at last arrive at Hogwarts and face the titular Sorting Hat, who places them into the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.

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

• Neville Chamberlain, former Prime Minister
• Longbotom Leaf from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy
• The Fat Friar on the Harry Potter Wiki
• Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington on the Harry Potter Wiki
• Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky“
• Garlic Bread
• /u/principled_principal’s thread about Michael Gambon on /r/harrypotter
• Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter by Galadriel Waters (Ed. Astre Mithrandir; Published by Wizarding World Press in 2003)

Our spell of the week for this episode is Spongify, which Neville may have used when dangled out of a window by his uncle. We also answer a listener email correcting us on information from 1.05 Diagon Alley.

We encourage our listeners to send emails to owlpost@podtrificustotalus.com correcting us, expanding on something we mentioned, asking questions, and sharing their experiences with the Harry Potter series. You can also interact with us through @podtrificus on Twitter, our Facebook page, Tumblr, or by leaving a comment below.

We are also available on podcast services. You can subscribe to us via iTunes, Google Play, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, and more — just search us on your favorite podcast app or use the direct link to our feed. Hit the subscribe buttons on our website to make sure you don’t miss out on new episodes of Podtrificus Totalus.

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you again for 1.08, “The Potions Master!” Have a magical day!

It’s Monday and that means we have a new episode of Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book.

This week’s episode covers chapter six of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, “The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.” Harry travels to King’s Cross station where he meets the Weasleys and befriends their youngest son, Ron, aboard the Hogwarts Express. On the train ride, we’re introduced to a heap of new characters, including Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, among others.

We make a number of references to outside sources and pop culture in this episode, 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)
• Some Random Facts About The Weasley Family from J.K. Rowling’s Official Site
• Hermione Granger on J.K. Rowling’s Official Site (spoiler warning up to & including Goblet of Fire)
• NPR Radio interview with J.K. Rowling (Sean Bullard; 20 October 1999)
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Published by Ballantine Books in 1953)
• My New School by Harry and the Potters

Our spell of the week for this episode is Colovaria, which Ron tries (and fails) to use aboard the Hogwarts Express.

We encourage our listeners to send emails to owlpost@podtrificustotalus.com correcting us, expanding on something we mentioned, asking questions, and sharing their experiences with the Harry Potter series. You can also interact with us through @podtrificus on Twitter, our Facebook page, Tumblr, or by leaving a comment below.

We are also available on podcast services. You can subscribe to us via iTunes, Google Play, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, and more — just search us on your favorite podcast app or use the direct link to our feed. Hit the subscribe buttons on our website to make sure you don’t miss out on new episodes of Podtrificus Totalus.

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you again for 1.07, “The Sorting Hat!” Have a magical day!