It’s Monday, and this week we have a super exciting new episode of Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book. In this episode, we are joined by our first guest: Zoë from the Tea & Strumpets podcast. We had an amazing chat with Zoë about her history with the Harry Potter series, but if you want to jump straight to the chapter discussion, fast forward in your podcast app to the 24 minute mark.

This chapter sees Harry and Ron stranded at King’s Cross station. The barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters has mysteriously closed, and the two friends must find their own way to Hogwarts — which ends in disaster and adventure.

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

• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
• Hamilton, a musical by Lin Manuel Miranda
• Dr. Filibuster’s Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks on the Harry Potter Lexicon
• Filibuster in the Oxford English Dictionary
• George of the Jungle (1997)
• Apparition on the Harry Potter Wiki

Our Spell of the Week is Apparition, which adult wizards use to get around instead of flying cars.

We encourage our listeners to send emails to [email protected] 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, or by leaving a comment below.

We are also available on podcast services. You can subscribe to us via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Pocket Casts, Spotify, 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.

You can hear more from Zoë on the Tea & Strumpets podcast, which covers Regency romance novels from a modern perspective. Follow them on Instagram @tnstrumpets or on Twitter @tnstrumpets, and subscribe to them anywhere you find podcasts! You can also see a picture of Zoë’s collection of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone copies below, along with a bonus image of her well-read copy of Chamber of Secrets.

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you again for 2.6, “Gilderoy Lockhart!” Have a magical day!