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We have a few pieces of news and rumors regarding Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to update you on.

First, thanks to Oclumencia for alerting us they have posted what they believe to be a new photo of Harry (Dan Radcliffe) from "Half-Blood Prince." While you can see that photo here via this link, we do not know where this photo came from, nor what scene this may be from, and are working to find out more about this.

Also, as we all have been anxiously awaiting the teaser trailer for the sixth Harry Potter film, it looks (at this point) that the rumor about the trailer being attached to Prince Caspian opening this weekend is not holding true, alas alas. We have heard nothing new about when the trailer may surface in the coming days, and we promise we will update should we hear anything more on this matter. Sorry folks!

On a related note, while her name was not listed in the official WB press release regarding the cast for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, SnitchSeeker let us know they spoke to reps for actress Shirley Henderson, who confirmed indeed the actress would not be appearing as Moaning Myrtle in HBP. Finally a last week, we told you of minor casting for the sixth Harry Potter movie, with Lord John Paul Castrianni cast in the role of a un -named Death Eater. Bloghogwarts spoke to the actor who did not reveal much detail, but did say "My scenes were filmed several months ago and I finished in february (2008). I was in the scenes regarding Alan Rickman, Dan, Michael (Dumbledore) Tom (Malfoy) and several other cast who I believe have not been officialy published by Warner Brothers yet, so unfortunatly I cannot comment on that yet."

Thanks to all who emailed!

Once again our one of a kind Leaky Lounge Reading Groups have opened their doors and begun sorting for their latest round of community book club readings. This time around we will be going back to where it all started with a reading of the first book in author J. K. Rowling's series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." In order to participate, Lounge members may click to enter the Inn and follow the instructions on how to be sorted into one of our many fun and family-like Reading Groups. Those who are not yet Lounge members, sign up right here!

Also, for the first time, we will be introducing a Side Along Reading Group which will focus on author Lisa Wright DeGroodt's first novel: Oracle Quest. This optional addition to our standard reading groups will offer participants the opportunity to explore and discuss the journey both novels take us on. Lisa was heard on a previous episode of our Harry Potter podcast, PotterCast, and copies of her book can be found in our Cauldron Shop. Enjoy!

Lift your glass, give a cheer, for today a Hufflepuff's birthday is here! :)

This editor is quite pleased to report that as noted by the calendar on JKRowling.com, birthday wishes are in order for the Head of Hufflepuff, Pomona Sprout. Cheers!

The two finalists in Amazon.com's Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest have been chosen after a week long voting period we told you about earlier where the public picked a top entry in the 13-17 age group and 18 and over categories. As we reported previously, the winner of this contest will receive a weekend with the handwritten tale by Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling in London, England. In the 13-17 year old category, 16-year-old Rhiannon D. from Australia was chosen along with Laura H. of Fresno, Calif., who was named the finalist in the 18 and older category. In the press release, Rhiannon said this of being picked as one of the two finalists:

“I’m so excited to have made it this far in the contest. I never imagined I’d be chosen as a finalist. Thank you, Amazon customers!”

Laura H. of the 18 and older group shared the enthusiasm and is quoted as saying:

“It’s a dream come true to be a finalist in this contest. I want to thank all the Amazon customers who voted for me. I couldn’t have made it this far without you.”

The final round of voting is open now and will run through May 19th. You can vote for the winner on Amazon.com at this link. Amazon.com will announce the winner on May 22nd.

As readers will remember, Amazon.com purchased this handwritten copy of "Tales of Beedle the Bard," stories which were mentioned in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," at a charity auction earlier in the year. One of only seven in existence, until now only photos and short summaries have been revealed to the public. Amazon.com features further information and photos at this link.

With production on "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" nearing completion in England, there is a new report regarding early production for the final two films in the series due to take place in the highlands of Scotland. The Scotsman newspaper is reporting tonight that filming for both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies "will be shot in Lochaber later this year." As readers will recall, producer David Heyman stated that full production on both films which will be filmed simultaneously, is due to begin in February of next year, so it is uncertain at this point how much, if any, of the cast will actually take part in this filming. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One will be released in November of 2010, with part two due in May 2011. You can read more about the Scottish Highland Film Commission here, and more about the Lochaber/Ft. William area in Scotland via this link.

We have a real treat today, as there is a detailed report now available regarding a visit to the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Originally posted in our Leaky Lounge forum, TLC reader Tash kindly sent along a fantastic report of her visit to the set of the sixth Harry Potter movie, where she gives some tidbits about things we can see in the coming film. Of note are details about Weasley Wizard Wheezes (including U-no-poo!), an intriging case containing vials of memories, tidbits on the Sectumsempra scene, mentions of Knockturn Alley, Borgin and Burkes sets, the orphanage set and more. Also of note is this new photo of actor Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy. To read this lengthy detailed report, scroll down for more (slight spoilers) or click here to read in our forum.

Many thanks Tash!

Happy Birthday wishes go out today to actor Robert Pattinson, who portrayed Hufflepuff Cedric Diggory in the "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" film. Mr. Pattinson is celebrating his 22nd birthday today.

Also today, actress Zoë Wanamaker, who portrayed Madame Hooch in "Sorcerer's Stone," is celebrating her 59th birthday. Many happy returns on the day!

Happy Birthday, Robert and Zoe! Cheers!

Ok, now this is cool. Long rumored to have been filmed for the "Order of the Phoenix" film, thanks to Oclumencia, we can now see at long last, the prisoner of Azkaban...Lucius Malfoy. You can see the photo of Jason Isaacs as Lucius, sitting in his cell in Azkaban, holding his prisoner id card, via this link.

Many thanks to Thiego!

The 151st episode of PotterCast, our Harry Potter podcast, is now online with the latest in Harry Potter and much more. First up, we bring you news on the "Half-Blood Prince" film including new images, information from actress Natalia Tena, set footage, and casting announcements. Additional news about a decision regarding the privacy case filed by J. K. Rowling along with an update on media reaction to the RDR Books vs. WB/JKR lawsuit is also featured. We then jump into our latest Canon Conundrums discussion which focuses on Aberforth Dumbledore and which Hogwarts house he called home. We then have for you a new Bit-by-Bit where we turn to Chapter 12 and talk of the Death Eater presence outside Grimmauld Place along with what is going on inside the house. The third round of the first set of Acting Troupe Auditions follows with six auditions for the younger girl roles in the production. Our Scribby5 ladies the take the stage and have for you a discussion on one of their newest essays. Finally, the drums bring you to talk about comfort food, the upcoming Harry Potter Day, a possible East Coast PotterCast tour, and Terminus house talk. To listen, just hit the "Play" button on the right side of the page (--->), or use iTunes, or direct download.

"Spontaneous Combustion"

- Harry Potter and the sexy yarn.
- Film news from the actress who plays Tonks.
- To which house does Aberforth Dumbledore belong?
- Kreacher is Mr. Mom.
- Sue’s Harry Potter/Scooby Doo connection.
- The last of the first round auditions.
- Come see us in Ft. Lauderdale... it’s next week!

RT: 96:51

Editors: Stede Bonnett, Jeff Gregory, Samantha McManus, and Andrew Garner

LeakyCon 2009: A Harry Potter Conference in Boston
Podcast Alley
Digg
Terminus 2008

Direct download (44 MB).
Direct download low-bandwidth (11 MB).

Remember you don't need an iPod to listen. Listen easily on iTunes, which you can download and install here, by clicking here to listen, or you can just use the streaming Flash player at PotterCast.com or just on the right side of this page. Discussion of the PotterCast is right here. Enjoy!

The winners of our April Poetry Contest have been chosen and are ready to be announced. As April was National Poetry month, we asked you to write a poem about the Harry Potter series. After many splendid entries, we now have the winners along with a few honorable mentions. Starting this month the first prize winners of our regular monthly contests will receive a custom made wand from Wizard Wood Wands for their efforts. Only our first prize winners will receive this wand which is crafted based on your specific instructions. Many thanks to Wizard Wood Wands for donating these custom wands. Here now are the winners:

First Place: cazzadragon

It Wouldn't Work Out Anyway

I know I am doomed to wander
Alone for all eternity,
So why is it this charming girl
Declares she is in love with me?

She is so young, what would she know
About the life she'd have to live?
I am old and have no money,
Nothing but despair can I give.

For I'm a creature of nightmares
Altered by the full moon's pure light;
The beast harbours a fierce bloodlust
Which the man has no strength to fight.

She does not think of the dangers,
She cannot even comprehend
Miserable is what she'd be,
And she'd regret it in the end

Therefore I must push her away,
Though I see she hurts when I do,
But the thing which hurts most of all
Is that I'm in love with her too.

Second Place: Erin McCarty

First Kiss

This was not the time for snogging,
Not the instant for a tryst.
This was not the vision-fogging
Perfect moment to have kissed.

Not the time to start confessing
Love in such a carnal way.
Romance shouldn't have been pressing
On Hermione's heart today.

But then Ron suggested something
Indicating that he knew
It had never been a dumb thing
To be so concerned with SPEW.

At his empathetic worry
Over every kitchen elf,
She flew at him in a flurry.
She could not restrain herself.

Ron, in shock, recovered nicely;
They entwined like Devil's Snare.
Harry wondered when, precisely,
They would both come up for air.

Ron's compassion lit the ember;
This was not just for themselves.
What a moment to remember!
Score another for the elves!

Third Place: S DeMann

The Courageous Dobby

In the cool night air
The burial of an
Old friend begins.
As the moon shines down
Upon the grass,
I dig my friend his
Cold dark grave.

As tears trickle
Down my face
I think of him,
Of how he was
So daring
So bold,
And oh so brave.

I remember the day
I had set him free,
With tears in his
Huge eyes he
Had thanked me,

And now I must say
Good-bye to him
One last time,
Say a good-bye to
Him from me,
My dear friend
The House-Elf
The Courageous Dobby.

Honorable Mention: Phoenix_226

Well, old man
You're very wise
You thought of all
And said no lies
Though here you lay
Down in this tomb
Your phoenix sings
And roses bloom
My hands will shake
From grief and hate
But I'll push through
Accept my fate
I'll show the boy
Which path to take
He'll realize
What choice to make
It's all for good
To kill the foe
Who took my love
Who killed my doe

Honorable Mention: Susie Haberfeld

Dumbledore's Regret

Responsibility's the hardest way to gain
adulthood—siblings become children and a boy
must take the place of prisoned dad and mother slain.
Each day in work does pass, each night devoid of joy.
And so it seems a miracle, when suddenly
a bird—no, boy—no, golden bird—alights and shares
the very dreams that nights he's held to secretly,
and a few he'd daren't dreamed; love—or fear—ensnares.

Does danger lurk beneath such beauty there that floats?
Apollo here himself proffers another fate
than this dull life. No girl's mad pain nor boy's wise goats
could yet bedim his twinkling eyes nor th' ardor pall.
But sister's dead, the friendship's lost! He knows too late
that Family is the greatest Hallow of them all.

Honorable Mention: Angela Willhoite

Here I Go Gently

It's a quiet walk to the forest's dark,
Without pounding rage, without soaring heart.
I am ready to destroy this cursed mark.

Know I could turn with even one remark.
Plaintively passing those I must depart,
It's a quiet walk to the forest's dark.

Behind me the battle is also stark.
Forgive me for this night and for my part,
I am ready to destroy this cursed mark.

I open my token just as a lark.
Though it brings me those once a world apart,
It's a quiet walk to the forest's dark.

Without a weapon, I step through the dark.
Though this is the end, let it be the start;
I am ready to destroy this cursed mark.

I'll face what comes. I'm ready to embark
On the path that will cut you from my heart.
It's a quiet walk to the forest's dark;
I am ready to destroy this cursed mark.

Honorable Mention: Martha Harris

Reconciliation

as my life flashes before your eyes
I wonder what your reaction will be
to the truth I've been hiding all these years
it's better this way we'll never have to talk about it
I'll never have to see the pity in your eyes her eyes
I never wanted pity
I just wanted respect
so desperately that I sold my soul in order to obtain it
but I'm sure you'll forgive me because you're noble like that
and I do value your forgiveness even though I would never admit it
too stubborn to change now
keeping all my feelings buried deep inside the impenetrable fortress of my mind
pretending I didn't care pretending I was in control
pretending that being feared was better than being loved
but now you see inside and there's nothing left to hide
so I can finally say
good luck Harry

Honorable Mention: Kiara Zani

Ethereal as it pierces the silence,
A mournful melody ebbs and flows,
The blood-red bird lifts the veil of denial,
A dear man gone, half-moons and crooked nose.

A covenant kept, a wrong man accused,
One Hallow is safe from Tom's long, white grasp,
As the lone phoenix thrusts forth its final note,
The costly gold heart is closed with a clasp.

And The Boy Who Lived makes his guarantee,
To avenge Dumbledore and fulfill the prophecy.

Congratulations to all the winners! As we told you earlier, the first place winners of all our regular monthly contests, not our specialty contests, will receive a custom made wand donated by Wizard Wood Wands.