JK Rowling has also updated her official website today with a birthday greeting for Mr. Ronald Weasley. Happy Birthday, Ron!

Apple's iTunes music store recently added movies to its lineup of offerings, and this week they added Order of the Phoenix to their directory. You are now able to rent it for 30 days for $3.99. Once you start playing the movie, you have 24 hours to finish it.

Sorcerer's Stone through Goblet of Fire are also expected to be added to the store in the coming months.

As most of you know, JK Rowling and Warner Brothers are currently in a legal battle with RDR Books concerning a Potter encyclopedia by the Harry Potter Lexicon. JKR and WB are fighting the publication of the book, and just the other day Jo submitted her declaration. In it, she makes several statements about the fandom as a whole. As the AP reports:

Rowling said she was especially irked that the site's owner and the lexicon's would-be publisher, RDR Books, continued to insist that her acceptance of free, fan-based Web sites justified the efforts.

"I am deeply troubled by the portrayal of my efforts to protect and preserve the copyrights I have been granted in the Harry Potter books," she wrote in court papers filed Wednesday in a lawsuit she brought against the small Muskegon, Mich., publisher.

She said she intends to publish her own definitive Harry Potter encyclopedia.

"If RDR's position is accepted, it will undoubtedly have a significant, negative impact on the freedoms enjoyed by genuine fans on the Internet," she said. "Authors everywhere will be forced to protect their creations much more rigorously, which could mean denying well-meaning fans permission to pursue legitimate creative activities."

Leaky has JK Rowling's full declaration right here. Thanks to everyone who's e-mailed with the information, and we'll continue to update you as this case moves forward.

To the discouragement of many, JK Rowling updated her official website today with a new entry to the Rumors portion of her site. She lets everyone know that all of the JK Rowling profiles on popular social networking sites are fake:

I like to imagine them partying with all my imaginary friends ('a close friend confided...') in some bright and shiny alternative universe.

Thanks to Trish for the tip!

According to a report today by The Sun, Gordon Brown has been pressing for change in Romania where children have, in some instances, been kept in cages. He will meet with Calin Popescu-Tariceanu while Jo Rowling will meet with Gordon Brown's wife, Sarah, in an attempt to better the situation.

A Downing Street insider said: "This is an issue which Sarah and JK are passionate about. They’ve been grateful for the willingness of the Romanian government to engage in serious discussion about it."

Jo has previously donated generously to this cause.

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast welcomes a new host: MuggleNet Fan Fiction's Elysa Montfort (who is also celebrating her 21st birthday today)! It's a six-person panel and we discuss the latest Deathly Hallows film developments, continue to analyze the Deathly Hallows book, and much more:

- We discuss the recent unintentional director leak.
- What we think of a new scene being added to Half-Blood Prince.
- Andrew, Laura, Matt and Elysa give a review of Spiderwick Chronicles.
- Chapter by Chapter covers two chapters this week!
- Favorites: HP movie poster/DVD cover.
- Make the Music connection returns, revamped.
- Elysa is great. Laura is fired

All that and much more can be found on this week's episode! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. If you are already subscribed, just refresh your feed. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

As if anyone needed to tell us this, MTV published an article earlier today about research concluding that the Harry Potter series can in fact be addicting. The story notes:

In a just-finished study that's being submitted to the Journal of General Psychology, psych professor Dr. Jeffrey Rudski and two of his undergrad students at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, report that they found characteristics of addiction in at least 10 percent of the 4,000 Potter fans they polled online.

While the doctor discusses that the end of the series did have serious withdrawal symptons for some, likening it to going off a drug "cold turkey," he also said he chose to do the study on the end of the boy wizard's saga over the conclusion of the hit series The Sopranos because of his 15-year old daughter and the things she's taken from it:

"She's picked up guitar because she wants to be in a wizard-rock band," he said. "She's studying Latin because she wants to better understand J.K. Rowling's choices of names for her characters. She started reading Stephen King and John Irving because they spoke with Rowling at Radio City two summers ago." If that's being an addict, he's down with it.

Over the past few months we've been bringing you lots of news and pics focusing around Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando.

Thanks to MuggleNet reader Madeleine, we now have in our gallery some photos taken of construction just last week. As you can see, one structure in particular is quickly coming together with steel beams. There is also one wooden wall being built in the middle of the whole work area.

The theme park is still set to open between December 2009 and Spring 2010. We'll continue to update you as we receive more pictures and reports. Thanks again to Madeleine for the pictures!

After considering more than 600 applicants, and then narrowing the field down to a group of 24 amazing finalists, MuggleNet and Magical Tours are honored to announce the winner of the position: Thomas Pardee of Salida, California!

The alternate is Paula DeSeure of Kansas City, Kansas. Congratulations to both of these truly remarkable Harry Potter fans! Thank you to everyone who participated in voting as well. You were all an integral part of the decision!

The Spiderwick Chronicles was released this weekend in theaters and in IMAX! If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, be sure to go! In December, MuggleNet held a search for the 'Ultimate Fantasy Fan' to find one person to represent MuggleNet at the premiere. Winner Amanda Peterson's report is now online! We were also lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with the authors! Freddie Highmore and director Mark Waters also took time to speak with us at the premiere.

Click 'Read More' to watch the interviews and to read Amanda's report.

David Barron has revealed to the Herald Sun that a new scene has been added in the upcoming Half-Blood Prince film in order to remind moviegoers that nowhere is safe. Having JK Rowling's approval of the scene, Barron is confident that people will like it:

But this was brought in because Jo (Rowling) was able throughout the quite lengthy book to keep dropping little snippets of what was happening in the outside world - there'd be people reading newspapers and talking about how somebody's parents had been killed, or somebody had been withdrawn from school because their parents didn't think it was safe.

And we're making aware that the Muggle world is also experiencing these disasters, but thinks they are disasters rather than the work of Voldemort.

The book is peppered with those moments, but we couldn't do that quite so easily in the film.

So (the extra scene) comes in the middle of the film and it just reminds us the world is no longer a safe place. Even in what would normally be considered the safe haven of the Burrow, nobody's safe.

You can see a full scan of the article over at SnitchSeeker's website. Thanks to SnitchSeeker and everyone who e-mailed with the tip!

A new MTV Movies blog entry comments on yesterday's Deathly Hallows rumors. MTV says that a source at Warner Bros. told them an announcement was coming within the "next week or two," but we've learned that MTV may have not been told this at all.

If true, this falls in line with recent quotes from Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron, who both said an announcement about the DH movie split would come in the "not-too-distant future." We'll let you know as soon as we do!

Lois Lowry, a children's book writer, has updated her online blog with information about The Giver movie. She had hoped Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince director David Yates would be able to direct The Giver. However:

...he has just decided he wants to do the final Harry Potter first, thereby postponing The Giver by several years.

While this is not confirmed by Warner Brothers yet, it appears to be a pretty reliable source. We'll let you know if we know more. Thanks to Ms. Lowry and Leaky for the tip!

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast features refreshes of two of our older segments, and we take a look at Chapter 15 of Deathly Hallows. Plus:

- More evidence of Deathly Hallows being split and an imminent announcement.
- Micah is sad at the idea of no Fleur in HBP.
- Spielberg confirmed to not direct DH, and we make a DH Director Checklist.
- Was the walking-through-the-woods plot necessary?
- Why were Ginny, Neville, and Luna stealing the sword?
- The group discusses Ron's anger and if it was called for.
- Least Favorites: Least favorite movie.
- Make the Music Connection: Drawing parallels between DH scenes and real music.

All that and much more can be found on this week's episode! To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

I'd like to take the time to wish MuggleNet founder and webmaster Emerson "The Lean" Spartz a happy 21st birthday. Congrats, Emmy, you no longer have any age-related legal restrictions (except renting cars in some states, and lower car insurance rates.)

Emerson started the site as a homeschooler at the tender age of 12, many years before he began leaning 10 feet across the pong table. Emerson, now in his third year at the University of Notre Dame, has led the site from its original design (and minimal content) to the Harry Potter mega-site it is today.

From all of the fans and the staff here at MuggleNet: Happy birthday, buddy!

Reports have emerged online today that two new actors have been cast for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. David Legeno will play the role of the werewolf, Fenrir Greyback and Ralph Ineson has been cast for the part of Death Eater Amycus Carrow.

We will keep you posted as more information becomes available. Thanks to The Snitch for the tip!

Vote for your favorite candidate video today! Here's how to cast your vote (please, only one vote per person):

1) Check each candidate's video link on the right side of this page in the Poll area.
2) Watch all of the candidates and decide which person deserves and is most suited for the internship.
3) Come back to MuggleNet and vote!

The competition was intense with over 600 amazingly qualified applicants from 21 different countries. After an exhaustive process, the top 24 finalists were invited to post video presentations on YouTube to be voted on by our fantastic MuggleNet fan base. Several factors will go into the final selection, but your votes on the video "campaign ads" will be major!

Magical Tours plans to announce the winner and one alternate on February 21st right here on MuggleNet.Com. Magical Tours still has space available on their 2008 Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings tours, but some of the tours are almost filled. If you haven't made your summer plans yet, you should definitely check out their website here. Stay tuned to MuggleNet to find out which Summer Intern would be traveling with you!

This year’s Wrockstock tickets are now on sale! The weekend-long festival will be held May 23-26 at the YMCA Trout Lodge in Postosi, Missouri. Wrockstock is a fantastic way to meet fellow wizard rock fans and musicians!

The bands that will be playing this year include: Draco and the Malfoys, The Whomping Willows, The Remus Lupins, Catchlove, The Quaffle Kids, Tom Riddle and Friends, Justin Finch-Fletchly and the Sugar Quills, The Moaning Myrtles, Ginny and the Heartbreakers, Hogwarts A History, Gred and Forge, The Bandon Banshees, and The Mudbloods.

Proceeds from this exciting event will benefit the HP Alliance! Visit the Wrockstock website for details and to register!

The Hermione Granger actress has updated her official site, wishing fans a Happy Valentine's and addressing some false UK tabloid reports recently concerning her.

"This week is Fashion Week and although I have been filming during the day I managed to make it to the Burberry and Vanity Fair party at the National Portrait gallery. The photographs were so beautiful and I was chuffed with the book of all them that they gave me.

I met Christopher Bailey (the designer which was really exciting, I also met Johnny Borrell (who is modeling for Burberry at the moment) and went on to PPQ in the same cab. I'd never met him before so that was great as I'm a big Razorlight fan.

But goodness, I am really going to have to watch who I stand next to from now on! Maybe I should stand next to Orlando Bloom and then we can be said to be 'dating'!"

In a new interview, Jason Isaacs, who portrays Lucius Malfoy, discusses his absence in Half-Blood Prince. At the recent BAFTAs, he told Rotten Tomatoes that it was "a source of great embitterment in the Isaacs household, but he's in Azkaban so what can you do?" However, he has high hopes for the last installment.

"I hope I'm coming back for seven. Dan's going to Broadway to do his play for a long time, so I don't know when or if I'm going to come back. But I'll be even more bitter if I don't get to return for seven!"

UPDATE: Four pictures from the event can be seen here, here, here, and here. Big thanks to Stephen Boyle and Daniel Lynch!

Last night, Jo Rowling was presented by the Literary and Historical Society of UCD in Dublin with the James Joyce award. Over 600 fans turned out to see the author read from Deathly Hallows and answer 10 questions.

Jo said she would "never say never" to another book in the series, but also felt "that the Harry story is now done." She also revealed the character she would most like to meet is "Dumbledore -- to apologise for outing him," even if she had been tempted by a hug with Hagrid (reports La Gazette du Sorcier).

As for the opposition of the Pope to Harry Potter, she confesses that she doesn't follow the issue. Basically, she is definitely opposed to censorship and sees Harry Potter more as a moral book than a proselyte one.

You may remember last week we reported Spielberg is one of the candidates being considered for Deathly Hallows.

However, at last night's BAFTA awards, Digital Spy reports Dan Radcliffe told the press these rumors are not true at all:

"I have no idea how that rumour started or where it came from. It's not true. How's that for a definitive answer? It's absolute rubbish that Spielberg is directing the final film. It's not true. There's absolutely no foundation in that at all."

Currently there isn't any word on other directors being considered, but we expect an announcement in the coming months. Thanks to CJ for the tip!

Over the past few months we've been giving you several Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park updates. Today, Jim Hill Media (a popular theme park insider blog) has some new interesting tidbits concerning JK Rowling's decision to grant the rights, construction, Hagrid's hut, and more:

According to Universal insiders, this bare framework is just the start. In the weeks and months ahead, literally thousands of pieces of metal will be hoisted up & then bolted into place. As a full-sized recreation of Harry Potter's alma mater is built at the southwestern border of IOA's "Jurassic Park" section.

You can read much much more, including a funny story about set designer Stuart Craig, right here. Thanks to Audrey for the tip!

The Daily Telegraph has a new article today focusing on the continuing rumors of the final Potter film being split into two parts. When these rumors started one month ago, all we heard from WB was a big "no decision has been made." Today, we hear from the film's producers:

From David Barron: "We are still discussing it. The announcement will be made hopefully in the not-too-distant future, with regards to the way seven shapes up," Barron tells The Back Room.

The only negative of splitting the book into two films, says Barron, "is that people could possibly perceive it as being one last chance at cashing in. But the real positive, if we were to do that, would be that we wouldn't have quite the battle we always have of 'How do you compress all that book into just over two hours of screen time?'

From David Heyman: "A couple of people have expressed interest, people have gotten a few calls and a few emails, but it's still a year away," Heyman says.

"We won't start filming 'til February next year. So it hasn't really gone bananas yet. We've got thoughts, and I'm sure something will be announced in the not-too-distant future."

We'll continue to update you on this story as we hear more. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the tip!

The 50th annual Grammy Awards was held tonight, where it was announced that Jim Dale (narrator of the US Potter audiobooks) received a Grammy for his reading of Deathly Hallows. Jim also won back in 2000 for Goblet of Fire.

The latest episode of our Harry Potter podcast is now available! Join Laura, Eric, Micah and Mikey for a great discussion of Deathly Hallows Chapter 14, the second part of our Freddie Highmore interview and much much more!

- Spielberg rumors still cropping up - Mikey and Eric provide a strong case for him.
- Jo compares Fudge to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.
- What will happen in HBP since the Dursleys are cut?
- How does Hermione give away the secret?
- Ron saves the trio unknowingly.
- We have some in-depth analysis on Grindelwald's depiction in Gregorovitch's memory.
- If Slytherin only wanted purebloods, why did the sorting hat want to put Harry in Slytherin along with Voldemort and Snape, who were also half-bloods?

To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

Many of Britain's shining stars showed up for this year's BAFTAs today, among them Daniel Radcliffe and Jason Isaacs. Both Potter actors each presented an award for the event. One news report states that Radcliffe "got one of the biggest cheers of the night from the crowd." Order of the Phoenix was up for both "Special Visual Effects" and "Production Design," but lost both awards to The Golden Compass and Atonement, respectively. You can take a look at a few the pictures from the night here in the gallery.

The Literary and Historical Society of University College Dublin will present JK Rowling with a James Joyce Award on Tuesday 12th February in the college. We'll have more on this soon.

UPDATE: Cast, extras, and crew are all now present at the cathedral, reported once again by ThisIsGloucestershire.co.uk. Pictures and a more detailed report can be found here.

As we've reported a few times now (1/2/3), Half-Blood Prince filming at Gloucester Cathedral is scheduled to begin very soon. ThisIsGloucestershire.co.uk has a few new pictures from the temporary set. In their online slideshow, we can see a few extras, tents, and construction vehicles all around the cathedral.

We'll update with more news and pictures as we get 'em!

Spanish publication XLSemanal conducted a special interview with JK Rowling a few months ago, although it has only now emerged online. We now have a (translated) preview of the article, in which Jo discusses Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, likening him to English Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain:

“My model of the world after Voldemort’s return was, directly, the government of Neville Chamberlain in Great Britain during the Second World War, when he tried to minimize the menace of the Nazi regime for political convenience.”

The author talks also about her personal life and relationships, saying of her husband, Dr Neil Murray:

"What I most adore about him is that, everyday, Neil knows more people that want to know if he can help them, without having to ask who he is married to."

More excerpts (in Spanish) can be viewed courtesy of HarryLatino. The article will be published in its entirety in this week's edition of XLSemanal.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

A few weeks ago, we told you about two Deathly Hallows rumors: It could be split in two, and Spielberg is being considered to direct. The latter item picks up an extra piece of evidence today, after Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley in the Potter films) reportedly told TeleText that Spielberg is a candidate:

The veteran actor told Teletext: "Being in a Spielberg film is a pretty good place to be. My agent had conversations with him, so anything is possible.

"I'm not in the sixth film so I want bigger roles. I asked JK Rowling if she could write Vernon a bigger part and she said 'no', so there you go."

It's important to remember that nothing is confirmed. This should not be taken seriously until more solid sources come forward. Thanks very much to Dark Horizons for passing along the article!

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast features an interview with Paul DeGeorge of Harry and the Potters, who talks to us about his Wizard Rock Band and his second annual charity effort. Plus:

- Del Toro isn't directing Deathly Hallows, and we react.
- MuggleMail covers last week's hot topics.
- The MuggleNet song, created in 2005, makes its worldwide debut.
- Chapter by Chapter: Chapter 13.
- Did the locket have any effect on Umbridge?
- Mad-Eye's Eye on the toad's door makes us sad.
- Make the Connection ideas from listeners like you.
- A Pensieve Possibilities list sent in by MuggleCast Fan Forum listeners.

All that and much more can be found on this week's show! Of note, this is our longest episode ever recorded (besides our 12-hour live show). To download, we recommend subscribing for free through either Apple iTunes or the ZUNE Marketplace. You can also find full shownotes and alternate download links at the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

There will be a new face to the character of Pansy Parkinson in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. A&J Management is reporting that Scarlett Byrne has been cast in the role of the sixth-year Slytherin in the upcoming Potter film. The part was originated by Genevieve Gaunt in Prisoner of Azkaban.

Thanks to Leaky for the news!

Those of you in Canada will get a chance to see James Runcie's documentary "JK Rowling...A Year in the Life" this Monday, February 4 at 10:00 p.m. ET on CBC Newsworld.

The documentary originally aired back in December on ITV:

With unprecedented access, cameras follow author JK Rowling in the year that she completes her publishing phenomenon, the Harry Potter series. The programme captures her return to the sources of her inspiration, and she reveals what she is planning on writing next.

We will keep you posted on any plans for it to air here in the U.S. Thanks to Tasha and Kelly!