JK Rowling's official website has been updated for March 1st to wish Ronald a Happy Birthday!

The Scottish Medicines Consortium will deny patients of Tysabri (a drug which combats an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis), ahead of a debate on the drug tomorrow. The reason being that it's too costly - 15,000 pounds sterling a year per patient. The decision also means doctors must apply to the health board in each individual case for funding of the drug.

Jo Rowling, who lost her mother to the disease and is the patron of the MS Society of Scotland, has condemned the SMC's decision:

"I know from personal experience that MS can have a devastating effect on everyone who comes into contact with it. My mother suffered terribly with MS and it was so frustrating that there was little or nothing doctors could do to help her.

"If a drug can help tackle MS - particularly the very aggressive type of relapsing MS we are talking about - it should not be ruled out because of cost alone.

"Once again, decisions about treatment are being made by accountants rather than clinicians, and I hope MSPs will speak up on behalf of the thousands of families affected by MS across Scotland."

Equus opened last night in London where it was greeted with enormous enthusiasm and praise. Daniel Radcliffe in particular received a standing ovation at the end of the performance, and many celebrity guests commented positively on his role. Click here to see a video interview with Dan and Richard Griffiths (co-star, and Mr. Dursley in Potter).

Other reviews: The Independent, The Guardian, The Times, Reuters, AP.

Lia Wyler, the Brazilian Harry Potter translator, speaks in a new interview about how she got the coveted job and the process of translating some of the novel's unique words:

"Initially the series was meant for children so I tried to convey the idea behind each of Rowling's creations. Quidditch, a game played with four balls, became 'quadribol' and 'Muggles' became 'trouxa' (fool), a lucky guess among hundreds of possible meanings."

NECA's official website has been updated with pictures of its Series 1 Order of the Phoenix toys in their packaging. These action figures will be released next month.

Thanks to HPANA for the tip!

See it here. Thanks to DL!

Equus officially opens tomorrow, and in a new interview, Daniel Radcliffe discusses how the play is a far cry from Potter:

Completely. There came a point on the third Potter film when I thought, acting is what I want to do. I thought it would be a bad idea to wait till the Potter films were all finished to do something else. There are certain people who will be more than happy to see you in any other role you like, and there will be some who will never, ever see you as anything other than Harry Potter. Once you've accepted that, it's fine - you just do whatever you like. With this, they can say I'm good or terrible but the one thing they can't say is I haven't challenged myself.

On playing the role nude:

I didn't look at the nudity and go, oh great. But it's the same as doing a role with an accent or a particular affectation. You look at the character first. Lots of the actors that I've admired have at one stage or another taken their kit off. It's a rite of passage. That iconic scene is the physical and emotional climax of the play. So if I do that with pants on, it would be crap.

In other Dan news, he's at #2 on Forbes' list of the highest-paid Hollywood teen stars, receiving around $13m for his role in OOTP.

Thanks to Dominic for the tip!

Jo Rowling previously wrote on her website about her request for eBay to adopt preventative measures against the sale of illegal and forged merchandise. However, the online market giant was unhelpful.

Unauthorized copies of the Harry Potter books have been sold on the Indian version of eBay, and JKR has now obtained an injunction which prohibits illegal copies of her work being listed. This court order is binding until the hearing resumes on May 23rd.

Rowling's legal representative stated, "If they can do it in this case then they can do it a lot more. This is the first time eBay has been compelled to take measures to prevent e-books being sold."

A series of Harry Potter stamps is set to be released in France later this year, and we now have two more photos of them. This one is our first look at the Thestrals, and this one shows Grawp.

Thanks to UHP!

Last week it was named an Editors' Choice book, and today MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7 entered the New York Times Children's Paperback Bestseller List at #4, with only Bridge to Terabithia, High School Musical, and Eragon selling more copies.

Harry Potter fans rock! We love you guys!

Here's a new photo of young Peter Pettigrew from "Snape's Worst Memory."

Thanks, HarryLatino.

A survey carried out among 2,000 children showed that Sorcerer's Stone is the favorite movie of UK kids. In second place was Prisoner of Azkaban, followed by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Thanks to Tobylicious for letting us know!

In a new interview, Michael Gambon speaks of how playing Dumbledore has changed his fanbase: "I was in the makeup chair recently, and someone brought in two kids. I peeled the beard off, and they started crying. They couldn't believe what they were seeing."

Gambon also commented on Dan Radcliffe's stage debut in Equus: "He's growing up. He's a proper theater actor now. He's naked in this thing, so all the girls will go out and see it. I'd be frightened running around the stage with nothing on at all. When you stop running, one thing keeps moving. I bet he didn't think of that."

Thanks to Lusine and Gloria!

Our weekly Harry Potter podcast is now available with the return of Jamie! Also join Eric, Micah, Mikey and myself for a discussion on Fawkes and more British humor than you can handle. Plus:

- An interview with Joe Fulton of MillionairePlayboy.com about the latest OOTP toy news.
- We discuss some new OOTP photos.
- Andrew and Jamie's meet-up in England!
- Was Fawkes's song at the end of Half-Blood Prince a message, a warning or even a rally cry?
- Phoenixes choose their owners...let the Pokemon tangent ensue.
- Will we finally learn what it means that the biggest connection between Harry and Voldemort is Fawkes?
- Why is Dumbledore so closely tied to a bird symbolic of rebirth?
- Will Fawkes choose Harry and help save him in the final battle?

All that and much more can be found by downloading this week's episode. We recommend subscribing through iTunes (for free) to have the show automatically download to your computer each week. You can also directly download the show on the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

Warner Brothers is apparently hoping to film parts of the Half-Blood Prince movie in Ireland. The company believes it has exhausted possible locations in the UK, and some of the film's producers have already visited parts of Ireland. They are particularly keen on an Irish setting as the landscape is very similar to Britain's.

Thanks to Freyja for the tip!

HarryPotter.com has gone back to its early days with a Sorcerer's Stone theme. We're guessing this is probably a glitch in WB's website, and this might mean they are working on a new official Potter website.

We'll update you as soon as we know more! Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the tip.

A new photo of the former Order of the Phoenix (which Moody shows Harry in Grimmauld Place) can be seen here.

EDIT: Sorry, guys. This is actually old and was taken from the ABC special on the Order a few months ago.

EA, the maker of the Harry Potter videogames, has released details on the production of the upcoming Order of the Phoenix videogame.

WB Interactive Entertainment stated, "Working with EA, we look forward to offering fans the most authentic Harry Potter game to date, one which captures the compelling story of the fiction and high visual quality of the movie."

Also, a preview of the videogame's cover can be seen here. Remember that you can see some fantastic screenshots from the game in our gallery.

Several images of Daniel Radcliffe from a recent press photocall for Equus are now online. Daniel can in some photos be seen smoking, but it should be noted that Dan doesn't generally smoke and only smokes in one pivotal scene of the play.

We expect to have some more pics very soon. Thanks to DanRadcliffe.com!

We now have a new candid photo of Natalia Tena (Tonks), sporting purple hair.

Thanks, UHP!

HarryLatino.com has two new photos online from the Pensieve scene in Order of the Phoenix:

- Young Snape
- Young Marauders

HDTV News has a very positive review of the recently released Goblet of Fire High-Definition DVD:

The Goblet of Fire is possibly one of the best HD transfers to date, with clean crisp pictures looking stunning and at times almost 3D like in quality. Warner have made a real effort to provide all of their High Definition release with Dolby TrueHD which adds to the superb mix, especially when pushed through a decent quality amp. The whole experience is an assault on the senses that will leave you demanding more of the same.

Unfortunately, these discs require a very pricey HD DVD player or an XBOX 360 with a separate HD add-on. Prices for this new technology will likely decrease over the next year.

Michael Riedel of the New York Post recently posted his thoughts on Equus (starring Dan Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths) and notes that the production is already being considered for Broadway:

The London revival of Peter Shaffer's powerful drama about a teenage boy who takes off his clothes and blinds horses began previews on Friday, but it has caused so much buzz that producers already are planning to bring it to Broadway in the fall.

One problem, though, is the length.

"Equus" clocks in at nearly three hours, which is a bit of a slog, according to London theater sources who sneaked in early because they couldn't wait to get a look at John Napier's stunning set.

We'll keep you updated.

The Professor Snape actor turns 61 today. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the reminder!

Last week we told you about LEGO's plans for a new Hogwarts Castle set to coincide with the Order of the Phoenix film release. Our friends at MillionairePlayboy.com have now informed us that this is the only set planned to be released in 2007.

This is the first time that LEGO has only created one set to go along with a Potter movie. Goblet of Fire saw four sets released alongside the film. We will have more about LEGO's plans on this week's episode of MuggleCast!

We're thrilled to announce that MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7, written entirely by MuggleNet staff, has been selected as an Editors' Choice by The New York Times Book Review! More than 100,000 copies of the book have been printed.

We're incredibly grateful for all the support you guys have given us, and we welcome the feedback!

As of late, many British tabloids have falsely reported that Warner Bros. is displeased with Daniel Radcliffe's decision to perform in the play Equus. A WB spokesperson has in response to these claims issued the following statement:

"Daniel Radcliffe is an extremely talented actor, as well as a great collaborator and friend to Warner Bros. Pictures. We've had great experiences working with him on our films and fully support him in the artistic choices he makes as an actor."

In related news, here are some photos of Daniel signing autographs following Friday night's performance. Thanks, WENN.

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast is now online! Join Ben, Eric, Kevin, Mikey and me for a discussion on Argus Filch and Mrs. Norris. Plus:

- We talk about the latest OOTP pics.
- More talk on the deathly cries discussed last week.
- Could Harry use his and Voldemort's wands at the same time?
- Look out, Voldemort - Fawkes wants his feather back.
- Andrew has a big revelation: Harry HAS to die.
- Two of our hobbit wannabes talk about Lord of the Rings.
- Mikey tells us a fact about shampoo that blows our minds.

All that and much more can be found on this week's show! To download, we recommend subscribing for free in iTunes. By subscribing, you will automatically receive the show as soon as it is released each weekend. If you can't use iTunes, you can always direct download the show off our website.

UK Meet Up: Jamie and I are looking into hosting a MuggleCast fan meet up on March 17th in London. Visit the MuggleCast site for more details!

The lovable teen web master that captured the hearts of the fans and eye of the media is a teen no longer. MuggleNet.com's Emerson Spartz, who founded this website eight years ago, turns 20 today. Having lost his once youthful appearance, Emerson has traded his teddy bear for a walking stick. Just kidding. Happy birthday, buddy!

Last night, the first performance of Equus starring Dan Radcliffe took place in London's West End. DanRadcliffe.com now has a great review online, a snippet of which is below:

Throughout the entire show Radcliffe was well poised, well spoken, in character and emotionally charged. He hit every mark spot on... he portrayed the right balance between insanity and reverence, spirituality and emptiness, awakening and shutting down... it just all clicked in one go. He definitely struck the right balance on stage.

The Daily Mail says: For Radcliffe, it was a big mental leap from portraying JK Rowling's boy wizard to taking on a character in the psychoreligious exploration of equine worship. Radcliffe could have stood on the stage and read the London telephone book and the play still would have sold out. That he took on such an intellectual theatrical challenge was brave - and he succeeded.

You can see a new photo of Dan in the play here.

Ginny Weasley actress Bonnie Wright celebrates her 16th birthday today. From everyone at MuggleNet, have a fantastic day, Bonnie!

This one looks to be in the Forbidden Forest. Thanks, DanLatino!

Richard Griffiths, Vernon Dursley in the Potter movies and the psychiatrist in Equus (starring Dan Radcliffe), says his presence in the Order of the Phoenix film is fleeting. He also discussed his character's relationship with Harry:

"With this fifth movie, Vernon is much more frightened of Harry than vice versa, and as it goes on, you see that it ends up with Harry as the master and Vernon as the shivering idiot, the shivering coward."

Thanks to everyone who emailed!

Check it out here! Thanks to DanLatino.

In a new interview, Equus director Thea Sharrock expresses her thoughts on the seminal play, and also on Daniel Radcliffe playing the lead role, nude in some parts:

"The peculiar life Dan's led has prepared him for things that most people will never have to deal with. To watch the ease with which he deals with things is extraordinary and immediately gave me great faith in the fact that he had as good a chance as anybody of pulling it off, if not better."

Previews of Equus in London's West End begin tonight. More on performances and booking information can be found here.

In an interview with the Times Online, a chief NASA scientist says that a "micro-gravity sports competition" is not out of the question when their first ever space settlement arrives on the moon in 2024:

"If you had a large, pressurised habitat, people could take advantage of the low-gravity environment by attaching wings to themselves and flying about."

While the typical Harry Potter fan may never be able to get to the moon, NASA says the Quidditch-like area would be used to keep their space inhabitants in shape. Thanks to Elizabeth for the link!

Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) is currently performing in the West End play The Dumb Waiter. In a new interview, he talks about the play and, of course, briefly discusses Harry Potter.

"It's absurd a man of my age doing that stuff. And then you get there and realise you're doing scenes with Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter. I look at the call sheet and they're going to be there today, I'm going to get to talk to them. Before you know it you're having lunch and sharing HP sauce. It's fantastic.

"If you're someone like me who finds work enjoyably tortured - I'm constantly niggling away trying to make it better and realer and more three-dimensional - it's nice to leave all that at home and turn up at Harry Potter and just be unalloyed Nazi evil."

Are you a talented photoshop wizard who's spent the past few weeks pondering what the cover of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will look like? If so, we have the perfect contest for you! Show us your best creative work and win awesome - trust us - prizes (to be announced at a later date). For more information, click here.

Please send all submissions to covercontest at staff dot mugglenet dot com.

Good luck!

HarryLatino.com has a new scan from ViveCine magazine picturing Harry and Luna in a hallway of Hogwarts. We hope to have a larger version of this image soon. Thanks to Dan for the tip!

Our friends at MillionairePlayboy.com have some great new photos online from the display of upcoming OOTP products at the NECA Toy Fair. The event was held this past weekend in New York City.

Deagostini will release a weekly HP chess magazine, and each issue will contain a chess piece inspired by the first Potter film. Each chess piece has "magical effects"; for example, the Rooks magnetically move with use of a wand (also included), and the Queen glows. Future issues also promise a free replica Time-Turner and magical floating pen. The first issue is priced at £1.99, and the magazine can be purchased only in the UK.

EDIT: The magazine is also available in Germany, Austria, Ireland, and Poland.

Thanks to those who emailed.

This one, thanks to DanLatino.com, shows an emotional Harry with cuts on his forehead.

As firms continue to prepare to release Order of the Phoenix merchandise this summer, we now have some more information on various products. Figures.com has announced when NECA will be releasing their action figures, including the trio, Death Eaters, and Sirius. You can also now see some photos of new Potter masks (from Row M) and a new Hogwarts LEGO set, featuring Umbridge.

Thanks to everyone who emailed!

Warner Brothers has sent us high resolution versions of the pictures found in Newsweek's Order of the Phoenix preview. Enjoy!

- Harry during Snape's Occlumency lessons
- Harry in the Ministry of Magic
- The Atrium

A new OOTP photo has surfaced showing Aberforth, the Hog's Head barman.

Thanks to HarryLatino!

The US Harry Potter publisher has now released a Deathly Hallows poster, available for download here. Bloomsbury previously released a UK DH poster which can be saved here.

This week's episode of our Harry Potter podcast is now online! Join Ben, Laura, Eric, Kevin and me for some more talk on Deathly Hallows, plus:

- Andrew shares his theory on why Jo wrote on the bust of Hermes.
- Is there more of a meaning behind the statue of Hermes at the Balmoral?
- Despite quotes to the contrary, is it possible there's anything more to Petunia or Dudley?
- This week our main discussion is replaced by our favorite Deathly Hallows theory submissions!
- Would Umbridge try to interfere with the Tonks/Lupin pairing?
- Is Jo just trying to make us feel better?

To download, we recommend subscribing through iTunes (for free) to automatically receive the show as soon as it's released. You can also directly download it via the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

New merchandise for Order of the Phoenix was unveiled this weekend. A new line of toys and action figures were exhibited at the NECA Toy Fair in New York City (photos can be seen at Figures.com), and they are set to hit shelves beginning next month.

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the links!

Dumbledore
Umbridge

Thanks to HarryLatino.com for the the pics!

Voldemort - or rather, "Chunky Lord Voldemort" - was mentioned in today's Opus comic strip!

Thanks Kristina for the tip!

MuggleNet visitor Daniel recently had the opportunity to speak with Mary GrandPre (the US book illustrator) for his school. In the interview, which he's decided to share with our site, Mary talks about her thoughts on Deathly Hallows:

I'm anxious for this to be the last book as much as I've enjoyed the journey. It's nice to kind of wrap it up and celebrate it as a whole and to just kind of look back and take a deep breath and go, "Whew! That was quite a ride!," so you know...I'm excited for it to end and to find out how it ends and yeah, I might be a little sad about it, but generally I'll be really happy that this check's closing and that I can kind of go on to other things personally and creatively. Yeah, so I'm happy about it, I'm happy that it has come to this point.

You can read much more (including Mary's thoughts on the title and the process of illustrating the books) at the link below! Thanks again to Daniel for allowing us to share this interview with our visitors.

MSNBC has posted a brief interview with production designer Stuart Craig where he reveals some interesting info about the changing sets throughout the years.

He also says that work for Half-Blood Prince is already underway: "It has to be impressive and beautiful and poignant. So I'm looking forward to doing that." And he's eager to start reading Deathly Hallows:

"I can't wait. We need to know which sets to retain for the last film." Not that he'll get an early peek. "I never have before. I just have to go to the bookshop" -like every other fan.

UPDATE: Scans from these articles can be seen here, thanks to Jenna!

The Times Online and The Observer have both released new interviews with the Harry Potter actor.

Of particular interest to book fans, the latter website provides an interesting experience Dan had with Jo during one of her OOTP set visits:

"Jo came down to the set at one point and I said, 'Oh hello, why are you here today?' And she said, 'Oh I just needed a break from the book - Dumbledore's giving me a lot of trouble.' And I said, 'But isn't he dead?' And she said, 'Well, yeah, but it's more complex...' I was like, [briskly] 'OK, I'm not gonna ask anything else!'"

The interview also includes talk on Equus and Dan's personal life. The Times article finds Dan discussing what he wants to happen to Harry at the end of Deathly Hallows:

"I want him to die because I have a melodramatic yearning for a death scene. And the prophecy in the fifth book says only one of Harry and Voldemort can live. Or is it that neither can live while the other survives? Oh God, what is it? The fans will kill me if I've got that wrong."

Thanks to DanRadcliffe.com for the links!

First up, the picture of Draco that we brought to you the other day is now online in higher quality.

Second, a scan of an upcoming German calendar can be found here, which features Harry and a new photo of Hermione.

Lastly, a large photo of an upcoming stamp to be used in France as part of a promotional campaign can be seen here. It includes a new photo of Harry and Ginny.

Thanks to Christine, TLC, and UniversHarryPotter!

The February/March issue of The Saddle Club features a new interview with Rupert Grint where he talks about the sixth film, the fandom, and recent rumors concerning Emma Watson:

I heard that Emma Watson might leave the series before it's over. Do you know the story there?
I'm not actually sure. I don't really know the details, but I have heard that. I don't know. It would be weird without her, and it would be a sort of shame if she doesn't stick it out. It's not up to me because they do take up so much of your life. I don't know what she thinks, but I do hope that she doesn't leave.

Did she say anything while you've been filming like, "I can't take this anymore!"
No, not really. She hasn't really talked about it. I know me and Dan [Radcliffe] are going to stick it out. So we'll just have to see really. I hope she doesn't leave.

It's important to note that, even though Rupert has heard them too, rumors of Emma leaving the series before the seventh film should be taken with a grain of salt. Thanks to Kylie for sending in this article!

The two most recent comic strips from "Get Fuzzy" have included Voldemort and Chamber of Secrets, respectively. Thanks to everyone who's e-mailed with the tip!

The Scotsman reports today that Half-Blood Prince is the most borrowed book in Scottish libraries:

The PLR's registrar, Jim Parker, said the regional trend in Scotland was much more pronounced than in other UK areas. The Welsh top ten, for instance, features only one Welsh writer, Iris Gower, at number ten.

"Whether it's because they want to read Scots writers, or because there are so many good Scottish crime writers, I'm not sure. Perhaps a bit of both.

HBP was followed by two Ian Rankin novels: A Question of Blood and Freshmarket Close. Thanks to Jamison for the tip!

A few new pictures from the film are a part of MSNBC's special preview of Order of the Phoenix. You can now see high-res versions below:

- The Atrium
- Harry in the Ministry of Magic
- Harry preparing for Occlumency lessons

To read their article, click here, then click on "Exclusive look at new 'Harry Potter'" on the right.

Check it out right here. Thanks to Harry Latino!

This Sunday's edition of the New York Times will feature a review of MuggleNet.com's What Will Happen in Harry Potter 7:

The authors of "What Will Happen" run MuggleNet.com, a delightfully thorough and fanciful Web site devoted to all aspects of the world of Harry Potter. Though they self-deprecatingly call themselves Muggles - a Muggle is a person without the powers of a wizard - the authors of this rapt little volume appear to have magically transported every bit of information in the Potter epic into their own lively, teeming brains. They are as adept at parsing plot details as they are at anatomizing the characters' motives and predicting their next steps. The founder of MuggleNet.com - established when he was 12 - even has a name right out of Hogwarts: Emerson Spartz. Spartz and his colleagues apply themselves to every question and conundrum that Rowling (or J.K.R., as they affectionately refer to her) has created and thus far left unresolved.

You can read the full review online now and expect to find it in print this Sunday. There is also a small article on the online fandom (including a blurb about MuggleCast) that will accompany the review at this link. Interested in purchasing your own copy of the book? Click here!

A new photo of the actor as Draco in OOTP can be seen here. Thanks, UHP!

Jo has updated several sections of her official site. The biggest update is in her diary, where she shared her thoughts on finishing the seventh novel:

I always knew that Harry's story would end with the seventh book, but saying goodbye has been just as hard as I always knew it would be. Even while I'm mourning, though, I feel an incredible sense of achievement. I can hardly believe that I've finally written the ending I've been planning for so many years. I've never felt such a mixture of extreme emotions in my life, never dreamed I could feel simultaneously heartbroken and euphoric.

She goes on to say that Deathly Hallows is her favorite book of the series. In the rumors section, she cleared up why the announcement made last week didn't sound so happy:

This could not be further from the truth! The 21st July publication date has given me enough time to write the book I wanted to write, and for the manuscript to be properly edited. These are the most important things to me. An earlier date - eg, 7/7/07 - would have meant that either the writing or editing was rushed, and neither my publishers nor I wanted that. Any brevity in my announcement was down to the fact that I was busy editing!

Lastly, Jo made two updates to her FAQ section, one addressing what the two other titles she considered for Book 7 were, and another refusing to tell us what "Deathly Hallows" means, as it would give too much away about the story.

The 2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards nominations have been announced, and the Potter series is up for the "Favorite Book" category. It is competing against How to Eat Fried Worms, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (series).

Voting will commence March 5th on Nick's website, and Justin Timberlake will be hosting this year's ceremony live on March 31st.

JK Rowling has updated her official website to wish Mr. Weasley a Happy Birthday for February 6th!

Although most fans were not expecting one, a lawyer for JK Rowling's literary agency confirmed today that Deathly Hallows would not be released in an e-book format. The previous six Potter novels were not released as e-books either.

Concerns for releasing a legal e-book include online piracy and the "desire for readers to experience the books on paper."

This Saturday night edition of our weekly Harry Potter podcast runs for over 90 minutes while we discuss the Deathly Hallows release date, Horcruxes, and a lot more:

- The debate continues on who decides the release date.
- Reactions from fans to the release date.
- What will the cover of the book look like?
- Did we all miss an important line in Goblet of Fire?
- Chris from Georgia clears up the debate over Voldemort's soul.
- Could Dudley be the character to exhibit magic late in life?
- Why couldn't Harry just shoot Voldemort?
- Would any of the Death Eaters step forward to lead after Voldemort falls?

All that and more is discussed with Eric, Laura, Kevin, Micah, Mikey B., and me on this week's show! To download, we recommend subscribing via iTunes to automatically receive the show as soon as it's released. You can also directly download from the MuggleCast website. Enjoy!

We're doing it again! This summer Magical Tours will again team up with MuggleNet for a Harry Potter theme tour in Britain: Illuminating Harry's Wondrous World - An Adventure for MuggleNet Fans. The dates of this special tour for MuggleNetters on a budget will be July 4-14, 2007 so you can spend the final days before the Book 7 release getting stoked with fellow fans!

Check out the other tours, too - including a chance to be in Edinburgh for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Also, click here to read what last year's group thought of the experience!

NOTE: To clarify, this trip with Magical Tours differs from HP Fan Trips' Sorcerer Tour for MuggleNet fans. You can find full details about the HP Fan Trip right here!

New details have emerged surrounding the message Jo scrawled on a marble bust (stating that she had finished Deathly Hallows) in Edinburgh's Balmoral hotel. The hotel said that it has no immediate plans to turn the room into a "tourist shrine," and rather interestingly, the bust is believed to be of the Greek god Hermes.

Also, this hotel is located on Princes Street. A Snape reference - did Jo do this deliberately? Thanks to Hunter for pointing this out.

Photos promoting the upcoming production of Equus in London's West End were recently released. They showed a distinctly different side of Daniel Radcliffe (who plays the lead role), and were received with surprise by some. However, Dan says he's fine about playing the part naked.

"Equus is an iconic play. The nude scene is part of it. I can't do it with my pants on. That would be rubbish.

"We've done the scene a couple of times in rehearsal. I had no particular qualms. There's nothing that would stop me getting my kit off if that's what the work demands. The key to serious acting is to lose your inhibitions, to become free and fearless."

Thanks to Inger for the tip!

Waterstone's has announced plans to set up a special helpline for fans after Deathly Hallows comes out this summer. JKR revealed in June that two more characters would die (who she hadn't intended on dying), and the UK book chain says "this could be a similar moment to when Take That split up - there could be a lot of upset teenagers out there. We are looking to set up a helpline for them."

On semi-related notes: The article mentions that Jo delivered the manuscript "recently" to Bloomsbury. Also, JKR is currently "busy editing," according to CBBC.

According to The Sun, JK Rowling wrote the following message on a marble bust at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh: "JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (652) on 11th Jan 2007." A picture of this message can be seen here.

UPDATE: The BBC reports: "We can confirm JK Rowling did write some of the book at the Balmoral last month and did complete the book at that hotel."

JKRowling.com was updated today with news that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be released on Saturday, July 21st, 2007, one week after the fifth movie hits theaters.

Scholastic has followed with a press release in which Lisa Holton, President of Scholastic Children's Books said, "We are thrilled to announce the publication date of the seventh installment in this remarkable series. We join J.K. Rowling's millions of readers - young and old, veterans and newcomers - in anticipating what lies ahead." You can read the full press release here.

The hardcover will sell for $34.99 with the deluxe edition fetching $65.00. These high prices could mean the book will be longer than any of the previous six. However, if you click here you can pre-order it now on Amazon.com for just $18.89.

UPDATE: Just a few hours after the release date has been announced, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows already holds the top spot on both the Amazon and Barnes and Noble bestseller lists.

SPECIAL PODCAST: A mini episode of our weekly Harry Potter podcast is now online! Download and listen to hear our thoughts on the release date and what it means for the summer. Update your iTunes feed or direct download here to join in on the fun!