Alohomora! counts down their favorite moments of the past year

They laugh. They analyze. They laugh some more. They make up crazy theories - and they prove them to be true (50% of the time anyway). They're readers. They're podcasters. But most of all, they're Harry Potter fans.

MuggleNet's very own global re-read, Alohomora!, has come a long way in just one year. Over just 26 episodes, with 28 unique and special guests (including the likes of author Lev Grossman, HP Expert Steve Vander Ark, and of course, beloved actor Warwick Davis), the Alohomora! team has discussed a LOT of topics. From everyday topics like Professor McGonagall and Broomsticks, to desks that are pigs that are really desks, if nuns are allowed to become ghosts when they die, and if Mandrakes deserve to have a union - they have literally discussed it all.

To celebrate their one year anniversary, every week between now and April 18th, the hosts of Alohomora! are going to share one of their favorite moments with you. You might be surprised as to which moments some of them pick...or not surprised at all. Be sure to read each of their posts carefully though, as they will provide hints and clues to a very exciting announcement that the podcast is making on its actual anniversary, April 18th.

Our resident 'homeboy', Caleb, shares his favorite moment with fans - and if you know anything about Caleb, this one you could've guessed. But, if I'm being honest, it was pretty freakin' incredible.

When we started Alohomora! last year, I never dreamed it would take off like it did. I just thought, “Awesome – people want to re-read Harry Potter and talk about it over and over. I’ve been doing that forever – now I don’t have to talk to myself!”

Immersing myself all over again in something I love more than almost anything in this world has been incredible. So far, my favorite moment has been getting author and TIME book critic Lev Grossman on the show. I’ve been a huge fan of Lev Grossman for many years, ever since I started reading his Magicians series in college (I highly recommend!). I got to meet and even interview him at LeakyCon, and then he graciously agreed to come onto the show.

It was an amazing experience talking to someone who is first a Potter fan himself, second has written extensively about the series for TIME, and third has written one of my current favorite series. The best thing about it? Lev talked to us as simple fellow Potter fans. We had an amazing discussion on Episode 17, talking about Hufflepuff, Dudley Dursley, and many other topics. Getting to chat with an author I really admire about the books that made me fall in love with reading was absolutely magical.

It’s been amazing first year, and here’s to many more great episodes to come!

If you want to check out this episode, or catch up with the all the latest episodes of Alohomora!, you can do so by subscribing to our iTunes feed (for free) right here! Keep up to date with all other updates by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Also, leave us a voicemail at our phone number: 1-206-GO-ALBUS (462-5287) or message AlohomoraMN on Skype with your comments!