MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

This week, make sure you know the difference between spattergroit and spaghetti, because we're squeezing the family ghoul into a pair of Ron's old pajamas. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they dodge wedding chores from Mrs. Weasley and get a crash-course in destroying Horcruxes from Professor Granger! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Deathly Hallows, Chapter 6: The Ghoul in Pajamas 7-Word Summary: Upstairs resides a creepy groaning nasty Weasley With Mad-Eye gone, who should step and up and lead the Order? What exactly was Dumbledore's plan for the adult Order members once the Trio departed? Sit patiently until the Battle of Hogwarts? Mrs. Weasley is doing her best to keep Harry, Ron and Hermione apart: is she actively doing more harm than good? Despite Harry's best efforts, Ron and Hermione are making plans to join him on his Horcrux Hunt! Hermione makes the ultimate sacrifice: modifying her parents memories! Ron, Arthur, Fred and George transform the family ghoul to have spattergroit (a condition Ron was mistaken to have at St. Mungo's in Order of the Phoenix) Having the ghoul pretend to be Ron sounds like a good plan, but hold on a minute! Why has it been allowed to just hang out in the Weasley’s attic all these years? Ruh Roh! Dumbledore was an active member of the Banned Booked Club! Hermione has become quite the Horcrux expert (after pilfering Dumbledore's office) We get a double-dose of Sword of Gryffindor foreshadowing! Lynx Line: If you were Mrs. Weasley, what is the most outrageous task you would give Harry to keep him away from Ron and Hermione? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, avoid using your most obvious spells and be careful who you let through the door! A stressful battle with Death Eaters has left Harry and co. on edge during our Chapter-by-chapter reread. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura for this holey harrowing readthrough. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Deathly Hallows, Chapter 5: Fallen Warrior 7-Word Summary: Paranoia ensues as survivors return from danger The chapter title has us on edge. Do we remember suspecting the worst for a different character following the battle? Why did Mad-Eye Moody insist on bringing Mundungus, who clearly didn't want to be there? Could Mundungus have been decent if he wants to fight? Does he know more magic than Harry, Ron and Hermione since he is older? We are glad that George is A-OK and that Molly can now tell her twin sons apart. Whose side are we on between Harry and Lupin's arguments surrounding the Stan Shunpike encounter? Is Lupin unfair to bring up James Potter's betrayal? We discuss the effectiveness of the 7 Potters escape plan, after the fact. How comes the Order members don't always follow through on the personal question / security check? Are they being reckless? Could Bill or someone else have recreated the magic surrounding "Thief's Downfall" at Gringotts, or only goblins? Ron's death count has risen by 1! Blink and you will have missed it. But what does that say about his overall character? How will this death impact him? Lynx Line: Pick a character who wasn’t forced to identify themselves, and choose an identifying fact that would have proved their identity? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we hope you like the taste of Polyjuice Potion because we're all transforming into Harry to (narrowly) escape Privet Drive! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and Grace as they climb aboard Hagrid's motorbike for a fun ride to the home of Ted and Andromeda Tonks! Welcome to the show, Grace Candido-Beecher, author of Voldemort: An Unofficial Exploration! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Deathly Hallows, Chapter 4: The Seven Potters 7-Word Summary: Moody helps Harry escape safely from Voldemort Let’s discuss this plan: is it brilliant or unnecessarily risky? Do any other options come to mind that may have been overlooked? Which of the seven Potters surprises us the most (putting Mundungus aside)? We analyze the characters willing to transform into Harry and why they'd be so willing! Grace compares the 7 Harrys to the 7 Divine Virtues Does Hedwig's death symbolize the end of Harry's childhood more than any other moment in the series? Did the movie do it better?  MAX THAT: Everybody out here is playing Grand Theft Auto, and Hagrid is playing Mario Kart (and winning, by the way)! Expelliarmus: If they thought this had become Harry's signature move, why did they not direct him to cast any spell but this one? Why didn’t Voldemort’s (Lucius') wand work against Harry? Lynx Line: Which Order member would you trust most if you were flying alongside them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're taking a break from releasing new episodes this week, so please enjoy this Bonus MuggleCast episode that was released on our Patreon! Become a member TODAY to receive instant access to lots of magical benefits! It's now '19 years later' following the release of the final Harry Potter book! In light of this anniversary, and our Chapter by Chapter re-read of Deathly Hallows approaching, we look back at the July 2007 midnight release! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, it's a series of awkward goodbyes at Privet Drive! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they say so-long to Dudley, Petunia and Vernon in Deathly Hallows, Chapter 3: The Dursleys Departing! 7-Word Summary: Goodbyes are flying through awkwardly among family Why is Vernon Dursley so impressed by Kingsley Shacklebolt? Are Daedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones really the best the Order have to offer? Would any of the Dursleys actually sell out Harry to Voldemort? What If... the Dursleys were kidnapped? Would Harry come to their rescue? Why can't Vernon bring himself to shake Harry's hand? Dudley does a complete 180! What made him warm up to Harry? What was Petunia going to say to Harry? The movie got it right, but why was the scene deleted? Lynx Line: In this chapter, the Dursleys are off with Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones into the unknown. What adventures will they go on over the next year? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, don't believe everything you read in the paper, because we’re reading criticism of the great Albus Dumbledore, penned by the untrustworthy Rita Skeeter. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they continue the read-through of Deathly Hallows! Quizzitch Question: What is the term used for when students take a year for travel between secondary and tertiary education? Chapter-by-Chapter of Deathly Hallows continues with Chapter 2, "In Memoriam" Our DH2 Seven-Word Summary: Rita maliciously attacks Dumbledore’s back in media Could the reader infer maybe there was more going on between Elphias Doge and Albus Dumbledore, from the tone and content of his memorial essay in print? How was Dumbledore making money for his family right after he left school? Was he borrowing some from Nicolas Flamel? We connect Elphias' mention of the Grindelwald and Dumbledore battle back to Book One and Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog Card writeup. Briefly, the hosts talk about how that moment was never brought to life in Fantastic Beasts (R.I.Parked) Who would bring Grindelwald and Dumbledore to life in a TV Adaptation? Would it be someone who's played the role before? While Harry feels left out of knowing Dumbledore better, would Dumbledore ever have really confided in him? Rita Skeeter is selling something! It stinks. How accurate can it be, if it is kind of a rush job, we ask? And, there is real life precedent to hastily published biographic works. The Mirror makes its appearance, and we imagine James and Sirius using them as boys. On our Lynx Line, we asked our patrons what the Dursley's did with all of Harry's left-behind possessions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we hope you brought your appetite, because we’re joining Nagini for dinner. Pull up a chair alongside Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura at the dining room table inside Malfoy Manor for some delicious Death Eater tea! We're going chapter-by-chapter through Deathly Hallows for the first time since 2007! Deathly Hallows: A History: we reflect back on the ultimate midnight release party and the fastest selling book ever in a 24-hour period! Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Deathly Hallows, Chapter 1 - The Dark Lord Ascending 7-Word Summary: Voldemort hosts his people menacingly around updates Can Voldemort trust the portraits inside Malfoy Manor? Snape and Yaxley jostle for Voldemort's affection: who has the better intel on Harry Potter? The Ministry has been infiltrated! The Castration of Lucius Malfoy: we discuss the symbolism of Voldemort taking his wand and utter humiliation the Malfoy family receives inside their own home The irony of Voldemort discussing blood status So long, Charity Burbage! We asked our patrons via our Lynx Line: Lucius has peacocks strutting around his property - what creature would you want to live on yours? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ahead of our Chapter-by-Chapter re-read of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, which first premiered in 2010. The film is a favorite of several of the hosts for its time spent on characterization and the acting quality of the leads, so this is a real treat to experience. As usual, you will need to bring your own copy of the movie and be sure to follow instructions in order to sync up the film with your own TV! Thanks also to our Patrons who were watching and listening live as well as commenting on our Patron-only Discord server. Their comments added greatly to the discussion! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're less than six months away until the premiere of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on HBO Max (!), and this week we're sharing some exciting casting news, looking at the possibility of characters being introduced earlier than they were in the Harry Potter books, and more! Welcome back, friend of the show Ivana! Check out her Tumblr and her Charlie Weasley fan fiction! Peeves has been cast! Why did the news come so late? We break down the poltergeist's history in the Potter films! Ginny has been recast for Season 2 due to "unforeseen circumstances". What does this mean for the character's screen time in Season 1? A "new" clip of Ollivander?! We debate his somewhat sinister tone, and why fans love a relatively minor character! Should we anticipate a new Harry Potter TV show trailer on September 1? If not, when? MAX That: Philosopher's Stone: Charlie Weasley. There's LOTS that could be brought to screen! What other Weasleys should be getting more screen time? Or a better performance? Prediction Lynx Line: What character do you believe will be introduced EARLY (that we aren’t already aware of being involved), and why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we hope you can sing in Mermish or fire an arrow cleanly, because we’re paying tribute to the great Albus Dumbledore. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they wrap the sixth book in the Harry Potter series! Welcome Slug Club Member Sam! Chapter-by-Chapter of Half-Blood Prince concludes with Chapter 30, "The White Tomb" Harry has developed a mantra of all of the remaining Horcruxes. Did we ever establish similar practices when we were younger? Could the rope ladder turning to snakes in Harry's dream actually be the Horcrux within him preventing him from obtaining the others? Harry makes some astute observations about Snape and Voldemort. Do we think it's a fair comparison? Pity for Draco: What does this say about Harry’s character development? Is Dumbledore’s funeral is as much about paying tribute to him as it is about a transfer of responsibility? Should Harry have accepted the offer to have Auror protection/assistance? Dumbledore is clearly beloved by the wizarding community. Is his funeral a reflection of the unity he was so desperately working toward? We celebrate and question the presence of certain characters who attend Dumbledore's funeral The Symbolism of The White Tomb On our Lynx Line, we asked our patrons how they would pay tribute to Dumbledore? Quizzitch: With an in-person attendance of only 2,000 people, what funeral took place in the UK during the 90’s whose television audience is estimated to be 2.5 billion? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has everyone got their tissues handy? Our chapter-by-chapter segment at last reaches the penultimate chapter of Half-Blood Prince, wherein the recent actions of a certain “Prince” are discovered by Harry and friends. Also, there’s a new headmistress in town and she intends to rule by committee?! Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura discuss all of that and more on episode 756 of MuggleCast. Chapter by Chapter: Half-Blood Prince Chapter 29, “The Phoenix Lament” Harry retraces Snape’s final steps. And they involve knocking out Flitwick! Is this protective or adversarial behavior from Snape? Could Snape have helped the Order when they were pinned in the corridor? Did he, and we just don’t know it? Harry refuses to tell McGonagall about his and Dumbledore’s mission. He thinks he’s being faithful, but is this smart? Is Harry’s decision partly to protect Minerva? Andrew has a HUGE foreshadow alert Micah blows Eric’s mind with a comparison between Hogwarts founders and the current heads of house Harry forces a funeral to happen for Dumbledore before the students leave. Is this safe? Odds and Ends: what does Horace mean that he thought he knew Severus Snape? You, like Bill Weasley, are bitten by a magically cursed beast, but not during the beast’s “time of the month.” What’s the beast you wanna be bit by and why? In this chapter, Harry feels the healing power of Fawkes’s song. In a 1984 study done by Roger Ulrich, he examined the healing properties of bird song in real life. Ulrich’s research, done between 1972 and 1981, took place in a hospital in which US State? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, saddle up your Hippogriff and prepare for the hunt - there's a fleeing Potions Master on the loose. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura as they pursue Snape across the Hogwarts grounds, determined to avenge their fallen Headmaster. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 28 of Half-Blood Prince, “Flight of The Prince” With Dumbledore Dumbledead, Harry has no choice but to step up. Has Dumbledore adequately prepared him for the road ahead? MAX THAT BATTLE! Keep your mouth shut and your mind closed! Despite the circumstances, is Snape actually teaching Harry? Given the need to maintain Harry's hatred and preserve his cover, could Snape have acted differently during his escape, or was his approach the only one that could have worked? What is it about being called a coward that rocks Snape to his core? Buckbeak to The Rescue: Connecting The Threads to Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban Locket Loss: Who is RAB? Lynx Line: You’re Harry Potter, enraged at Severus Snape for killing your boy Albus Dumbledore. You’re ready to call him a name to accuse him of being the weak mean you think he is. But the word COWARD doesn’t come to mind. What’s the word you’re throwing at him to shake Snape to his core? Reminder: Year 5 of the MuggleCast Collectors Club is here! You can receive SIX exclusive stickers by joining us on Patreon. These stickers can go on the custom Collectors Club Card we released a few years ago, or you can put them wherever else you like! Sign up by June 10! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on MuggleCast: “SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!” It’s time to discuss one of the biggest shocks in the entire Harry Potter series. Join us as we begin to wrap up our chapter-by-chapter re-read of Half-Blood Prince! Chapter by Chapter continues with Chapter 27 of Half-Blood Prince, “The Lightning Struck Tower” (cue Andrew pitching Universal his attraction idea once again) Draco thinks he has the upper hand here, but Dumbledore shows grace and humility. Is Draco trying to blame Albus for the trouble they’re both in? Did Dumbledore know about the Vanishing Cabinet? This chapter offers us a couple of clues. Micah offers several fascinating bits of symbolism concerning the Lightning-Struck Tower itself. We look at how the idea to use coins to communicate has come around full circle, from Death Eaters, to Hermione, and back to Death Eaters. Did Dumbledore think such a large audience would witness his death? For a big planner like Albus, he may not’ve seen that twist coming. The Astronomy Tower has made several appearances across the Harry Potter series to date. We review the times that it’s popped up. Lynx Line: You’re Dumbledore in the afterlife. When Snape gets there next year, what’s the first thing you’re saying to him? Reminder: Year 5 of the MuggleCast Collectors Club is here! You can receive SIX exclusive stickers by joining us on Patreon. These stickers can go on the custom Collectors Club Card we released a few years ago, or you can put them wherever else you like! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode... are Molly and Vernon are having an affair?! Join Andrew, Micah, Laura and special guest Amanda as we catch up on the latest Harry Potter TV show news and have fun discussing the newly released Full-Cast Audiobooks! Welcome to The Leaky Cauldron's Amanda Kirk, who visited the Harry Potter TV Show Set! Read her TV show set report. What was it like being on the set of the show, and how does one feel after getting to experience it? Amanda shares how she's feeling about the show after getting a first-hand experience! It's a Harry Potter TV Show-themed episode and Chamber of Secrets has been renewed for Season 2! What do we think this means for its release date? Basilisk Blasphemy! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chamber of Secrets is the most disliked book! Do we agree? Why are Molly and Vernon so chummy in this paparazzi photo?! We discuss what we're most looking forward to in Philosopher's Stone and reveal what we think Will Be Impossible to Do Better Than The Movies! All seven Harry Potter Full-Cast Audiobooks are now available through Audible! What were some of our favorite chapters? Which voice actors stood out? Reminder: Year 5 of the MuggleCast Collectors Club is here! You can receive SIX exclusive stickers by joining us on Patreon. These stickers can go on the custom Collectors Club Card we released a few years ago, or you can put them wherever else you like! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we're following Dumbledore and Harry into an unholy place... and finding deep comparisons between the chosen location for Voldemort's most protected Horcrux, and the legacy of the item it is contained within. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura as they discuss a particular cave filled with water you wouldn't want to drink, and an important bonding moment between Harry and his headmaster. This week we're discussing Half-Blood Prince Chapter 26, “The Cave” The hosts analyze a new metaphor for the Cave by comparing it to a mother's womb. Harry and Dumbledore hope to retrieve a life form from the center, but it will cost them. What is the significance between Voldemort choosing his mother's locket, and this natural formation as its hiding spot? Real Talk, Part One: Could Harry have ever "beaten" the cave without Dumbledore's help? Real Talk, Part Two: Does the punishing difficulty of the Cave set an unreasonably high standard for readers regarding future Horcrux retrievals? Are Dumbledore's secrets being revealed while he takes the potion? Just what can we make of what he is experiencing, based on what he says? Micah's new theory about Dumbledore's visions stuns Eric. Do our Ariana Dumbledore theories re: the cave and Albus's protestations still hold water? Lynx Line: You are drinking from the basin and going through all the feelings. What are you screaming to the person who is forcing the liquid down your throat? Quizzitch: With a span of over 426 mapped miles, made of limestone, WHERE is the world’s longest known cave system located? In Bonus MuggleCast, we watch and react to 5 classic episodes by the Potter Puppet Pals! Only half of the hosts have ever seen these classic fan entries into canon, despite their popularity! What things new and old will we find in the content? Watch along with us and discover, only on our Patreon, located at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, don't talk to your Divination professor when she’s had a few too many because she might just SET YOU OFF! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they confront Dumbledore about that night at the Hog's Head. Year 5 of the MuggleCast Collectors Club is here! You can receive SIX exclusive stickers by joining us on Patreon. These stickers can go on the custom Collectors Club Card we released a few years ago, or you can put them wherever else you like! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 25 of Half-Blood Prince, The Seer Overheard Harry is contemplating retrieving the Prince’s book from the Room of Requirement. Hasn't Harry learned anything from trusting mysterious books? Hermione discovers an old newspaper clipping featuring Eileen Prince, Captain of the Hogwarts Gobstones Team. But the Prince can't be a woman, right?! Connecting the Threads: much like Hermione discovers the monster in the Chamber of Secrets is a basilisk, she begins to unravel the identity of the Half-Blood Prince. Trelawney seems pretty miffed at Dumbledore these days. Now that's she served her purpose, is Sybill old news? Or is Albus just too busy for anyone not named Horcrux? Could Snape overhearing the prophecy be the biggest secret that Dumbledore has kept from Harry? Does Dumbledore downplay the impact of this revelation? Was he ever planning to tell Harry? The Lightening-Struck Tower: we recall the first time we read this chapter... and not feeling good about Dumbledore’s chances. Hunting Horcruxes: does Dumbledore sacrifice the safety of the school to go on an adventure with Harry? Lynx Line: You’re Harry and you run into Snape on your way to Dumbledore’s office after just learning he overheard the prophecy… What happens? Quizzitch: What is the more common name of the ailment known as pertussis? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, don’t get on Harry’s bad side! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura as they discuss the bathroom duel between Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. This week we're discussing Half-Blood Prince Chapter 24, “Sectumsempra” What did Harry hope to achieve in barging in on Draco? Would it have been smarter for him to have waited and developed a plan? Given the escalation in severity of the spells cast, was Harry right to use Sectumsempra on Draco? What made Harry’s casting of the spell so successful the very first time he tried? Was it his being in imminent danger? Was Snape tailing Draco and therefore able to get to the bathroom so quickly? Why else might he have been nearby? Snape calls Harry a liar. Does he KNOW from which source Harry learned that particular spell? We notice that the Prince’s diary is hidden right next to a Horcrux, and feel it fits. Is the Room of Requirement more, or less, secure becoming the same room for everyone that wants to hide or dispose of their valuables? Is Harry’s punishment of weekly detentions fitting for the circumstance, or too much? Ginny and Dean split up! She’s single. Harry is free! Andrew asks: would the hosts ever date the sibling of a friend? Lynx Line: What would you hide in the Room of Requirement and why? Quizzitch: In this chapter Gryffindor has to succeed over Ravenclaw by at least 300 points, which they do. In US College Football, a record-holding October 1916 match ended in Georgia Tech scoring 222-0 over their opponent. Who was that match against? In Bonus MuggleCast, we discuss the state of MuggleNet.com, which has removed all of its volunteer-generated content and is the subject of new litigation from its former staff members. Topics such as these arend others relevant to Harry Potter fans can always be found on our Patreon, located at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, get ready for the worst scavenger hunt ever! Join Eric, Micah, Laura and special guest Rachel as they take a trip down Horcrux memory lane and learn what near-impossible task lies ahead for Harry and company!  Welcome Slug Club member and host of The Menuscript, Rachel! This week we're discussing Half-Blood Prince Chapter 23, "Horcruxes" The Slughorn Files: UNREDACTED What do we make of Slughorn's interest in Tom becoming Minister of Magic? Did Tom learn some of his less-than-wholesome skills from observing Slughorn? What was the inciting event that made Dumbledore so “fierce” about a no-Horcrux curriculum?  And should Horcruxes be a banned topic at Hogwarts? Why was Voldemort willing to risk part of his soul to reopen the Chamber of Secrets? Hallows Happy Dumbledore: with both the Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone in his possession, why didn't Albus ask Harry for his Invisibility Cloak and just dip? When Dumbledore suggests the possibility of a living Horcrux in Nagini, should this not have been MAJOR confirmation that Harry was a Horcrux as well? Why does Harry’s capacity for love give him power the Dark Lord knows not? Lynx Line: If Horcruxes were a subscription service, what would their tagline be? Quizzitch: On July 7th, 2007, the “New 7 Wonders of the Modern World” were unveiled by the New 7 Wonders Committee in Switzerland, with input from around the world. Of the NEW 7 Wonders of the Modern world, which one is the MOST modern? In Bonus MuggleCast, we're keeping with the Horcrux theme… and giving the Harry Potter TV show license to change one major character death. Find out what the hosts came up with at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, it's time for Slughorn Unfiltered. We're going into the true memory that Dumbledore and Harry have been after, opening a significant path forward in the quest to defeat Voldemort! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 22: After the Burial Is Hagrid being a bad friend by asking the trio to break curfew? This isn't the first time Hagrid has put Harry in danger re: Aragog; we recall moments in Chamber of Secrets which connect. Hermione and Ron's reactions to Harry taking liquid luck still make us giggle. How did Hagrid actually fend off all of Aragog's family to get him to his hut? Is Harry being a bad friend to Hagrid by inviting Slughorn to the funeral, knowing Slughorn wants to turn a profit? Could Harry have gotten Horace's memory without using Felix Felicis? We go through why Harry is successful and what steps are taken which ensure his victory with the memory. Does Horace Slughorn appear again in this book? Does he avoid Harry after this? Odds and Ends discuss the first Potions lesson of the year, which was an important one for both Harry and Draco. Lynx Line: When did you successfully persuade someone to do something they didn’t want to do, and how did you do it? Quizzitch: 1 On which Earth continent would you find the world’s biggest spider, Theraposa blondi aka “The Goliath Birdeater”? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we hope you know the difference between a ghost and an Inferius, lest you want to incur the sass of Severus Snape. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as we suffer through Defense Against The Dark Arts while trying very hard to break into the Room of Requirement. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 21: The Unknowable Room Main Discussion #1: Distracted by Draco Fudge Flashback: We reflect on the Minister's comments in the very first chapter of this book: "The other side can do magic too." As Hermione consistently reminds Harry throughout the chapter, he is taking his eyes off the prize. Why is Harry not more focused given how testy Dumbledore was with him during their last lesson? We debate whether or not Dumbledore should have offered Harry more guidance Snitch Report: Given how Dobby behaves after tailing Draco, should Harry have been more mindful of what he was asking the former Malfoy house-elf to do? Why did it take Harry (and Hermione) 452 pages to realize Draco was using the Room of Requirement? Main Discussion #2: EMO Slytherins Snape is in rare form. Do we attribute his more-than-sassy nature to Draco? Dumbledore? Or did he just not have his coffee? Draco is in over his head. Do we have any sympathy for him? Lynx Line: What would you say to make the Room of Requirement open for you to reveal what Draco is up to? [Wrong answers only] Quizzitch: In Chapter 21, Harry is searching for a phrase that’ll get him into the Room of Requirement… kind of like a password. WHO was the host of the United States television game show called “Password,” from 1961 to 1975? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As if last week's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone TV Show trailer wasn't enough, HBO Max has released a new documentary giving us a behind the scenes look at the making of the upcoming book to TV adaptation! We react to this new documentary called Finding Harry and how it leaves us feeling about the new Harry Potter TV show. The thought and detail that is going into this series is nothing short of incredible, and we explain why we're feeling reassured about rebooting this story. From the numerous animatronics to an earthy Hogwarts to making illogical magic logical, we go moment by moment through this documentary. Your Harry Potter friends at MuggleCast are continuing to cover the TV show now through the December 2026 premiere and beyond. Be sure to follow us in your favorite podcast app and tell a fellow Muggle about our TV show analysis! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EMERGENCY EARLY POD RELEASE! Our first BIG look at the Harry Potter TV show is here, and it's way earlier AND bigger than expected! The first season of the upcoming TV show is now titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and Holy Dumbledore do we have thoughts. Heads up! For one week only: Celebrate the TV show coming out THIS YEAR by using code '2026' from now through April 1 to receive 26% off your first month of our Patreon! Visit Patreon.com/mugglecast and pledge now! Your support helps us cover the TV show. Before we can even analyze the trailer, we have to talk about that title (RIP "Sorcerer"), and the equally surprising release date: Christmas 2026! How many episodes will they release at the launch, and do we expect more episodes on New Years? I guess we won't be taking a break over the holidays... After discussing those developments, we go scene-by-scene through the trailer. One of our big takeaways is that this TV adaptation is being more loyal than the movies ever were! From Petunia cutting Harry's hair to Hagrid knocking three times on the entry doors to Hogwarts, no detail seems to be overlooked. We also discuss the slew of character reveals (Laura thirsts over the new Snape, Eric celebrates the confirmation of Peeves), discuss the familiar-yet-different changes to the look and feel of the Wizarding World,  and point out the little things you may have missed. For example, WTH are Ron and Harry doing running on tables!? Heads up! For one week only: Celebrate the TV show coming out THIS YEAR by using code '2026' from now through April 1 to receive 26% off your first month of our Patreon! Visit Patreon.com/mugglecast and pledge now! Your support helps us cover the TV show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we take another trip down memory lane. Be sure to hide your valuable family heirlooms because there is a thieving Dark Lord lurking. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they do the Hokey Pokey and they turn themselves around... because that's what it's all about! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 20: Lord Voldemort's Request Memory #1: Hepzibah, Hokey & Helga Hufflepuff We debate whether or not Tom Riddle should have been given a post at Hogwarts vs. allowing him to dabble in dark artifacts at Borgin and Burkes Hokey The Scapegoat: we compare how Tom Riddle used her much like he used Morfin and Hagrid! Hepzibah Smith displays some of Hufflepuff's less-than-flattering character traits. Do we agree she is Slughorn "lite" in her behavior? What do we make of the “young, attractive man charming the older, wealthy woman” trope? Memory #2: Awkward Job Interview Given how his appearance has begun to change, does Dumbledore already suspect Horcruxes during Voldemort's trip to Hogwarts? Do we agree with Dumbledore that Voldemort didn’t actually come to Hogwarts to get the Defense Against The Dark Arts (DADA) post? Doesn’t the Ministry, school governors, and other faculty notice the turnover rate for the DADA position? Why isn’t anything done to break the curse? Lynx Line: In an alternate universe where Dumbledore decided to give Tom a second chance, what Hogwarts position should he have offered Tom instead of DADA Professor [wrong answers only]? Quizzitch: In Chapter 20, we learn why Hogwarts cannot have a DADA teacher for more than year. In United States history, which two American Presidents served less than one year in office? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the hosts discuss the ethics of commanding your House-Elf to tail your enemy. Why isn't Kreacher punishing himself for being so rude to Harry, when Dobby couldn't do the same about his masters? And, have any of us ever worried about being replaced like Ron does after missing out on the Quidditch match due to being poisoned? All these discussion points and more on the latest episode of our Chapter-by-Chapter analysis for Half-Blood Prince. Welcome to the show Slug Club member Stef! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 19: Elf Tails How is it that Kreacher can speak ill of his master, Harry? When Dobby struggled hard to do so? Has Kreacher been bending the rules due to technicality? Does Peeves operate an underground House-Elf fight club? How is he so tuned in to Dobby and Kreacher's fight?... And how does he follow them? Ethically, is Harry asking the elves to follow Draco sound? Should there be limits to what you can ask your House-Elf to do? What alternatives might Harry have used to track Draco - how about a magical AirTag? Is Draco's plan too convoluted to work? Where do we stand on the Dumbledore vs Snape argument that Hagrid overhears? This week's Lynx Line: Have we ever felt in danger of becoming replaced? How did we handle it? MVP of the week has us creating new Quidditch nicknames for Harry, inspired by Draco's. Our weekly Quizzitch segment returns (now with 800% more 14-year-olds.) Which 1950's BBC Radio programme first coined the term, meaning a nonfatal, unspecified illness such as a cold or flu, and called it "The Dreaded Lurgi"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, unless you have a bezoar (and a bit of cheek) handy, we highly recommend you brush up on on all of Golpalott’s laws! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura for a show full of alchemy, apparition and plenty of teenage angst! News: Warner Bros. Discovery has a new home in Paramount; plus several dozen young actors have been cast as various Hogwarts students Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 18: Birthday Surprises We analyze Golpalott’s Third Law: could this Potions class teach Harry something about how to ultimately destroy Voldemort? Does the creation of a Horcrux have an alchemical element to it? How does alchemy present in other book series, such as The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel? Can we expect to learn more about Dumbledore and Flamel's partnership in the new Harry Potter TV Show? Apparition: Just put your mind to it! Does this class pass our sniff test? Bezoar! Hermione is upset (again) with Harry’s success in Potions. Does Harry's cheek make him a bit to overconfident when trying to acquire Slughorn’s unredacted memory? When Harry can't locate Malfoy on the Marauder's Map, why does overlook the Room of Requirement? MVP: Destination. Determination. Deliberation. Which is the of the Three D’s? Lynx Line: Name a time in school where you found yourself totally out of your depth subject-wise. Did you overcome your knowledge gap? If so, was it due to hard work and determination? A good teacher or tutor? Or did you merely squeak by in class and never take up the subject again? Quizzitch: In this chapter, a bezoar from the stomach of a goat is used as a cure for poison. In reality, bezoars can appear in humans as ailments. What popular soft drink brand is used to treat bezoars in humans? Answer next week's question via the Quizzitch Form! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for a very important H-word to be introduced to Harry. No, Fat Lady, it's not the one you experienced over your holiday break! Join the MuggleCasters as we discuss Chapter 17 of Half-Blood Prince, in which Dumbledore introduces Harry to 'A Sluggish Memory'. The Fat Lady seems to be telling herself to practice abstinence after the holidays. Sounds like it was a party in the portraits over Christmas! How do students end up missing the new Common Room passwords? Is it the school's fault, or is it the students? It's time for the students to learn how to apparate! ... For a price. We look at why Hogwarts and the Ministry might be charging for these additional lessons. Dismissive Dumby: Albus' ego is on full display as he plays off Harry's questions about Snape and Draco. As expected, Andrew comes in with a #DumbleDefense.  Back in the memories, Dumbledore shows Harry more about Tom Riddle's time at Hogwarts. Why didn't Dumbledore do more when Tom Riddle was at school and clearing causing trouble? We learn the real reason Dumbledore asked Slughorn back to teach, and we hear that certain H-word a first time (No, it's not 'Hufflepuff' or 'Horace') Connecting the Threads: There are some big parallels between Chapter 17 of Chamber of Secrets, and this Chapter of Half-Blood Prince! MVP: Which memory truly is THE most important memory Dumbledore has collected? Lynx Line: You've just learned to Apparate. Where are you going first? Quizzitch: While Lord Voldemort commits patricide by killing Tom Riddle Sr., what is the broader term used when someone kills a near-relative of theirs such as a grandparent? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Andrew, Micah and Laura enter a new era of MuggleCast, as we kick off the first in a series of monthly episodes focused on the new Harry Potter TV Show. The Trio talk about the latest news, lay down some predictions and play some new games! Set photos of the TV Show's Hogwarts Courtyard have leaked: will these new House Sigil Hedges come to life? Laura and Micah react to Ravenclaw’s sigil finally being an eagle! How much are the show's creators taking inspiration from Hogwarts Legacy? Beyond The Books: Lox Pratt, the actor playing Young Draco, says we’ll be seeing Draco at Malfoy Manor in the first season! Nick Frost manifested getting the role of Hagrid by writing Hagrid 7,000 times while watching the movies. He also took up knitting! MAX That: Can we expect to see more Vampires in this version of the Wizarding World? The hosts test their Harry Potter knowledge: Was This Line in the Sorcerer’s Stone Book AND Movie? Our Lynx Line asked our patrons: Who will be the first character to appear on screen? When can we expect our first trailer? In Bonus MuggleCast, available exclusively on Patreon: We make our official predictions for the new TV show and even throw down a few knuts to keep things interesting! Will we see Voldemort on screen in Episode 1? Will the Sorting Hat sing the full song? Over the series, will we ever get a full episode without Harry present? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bundle up, because it’s about to get really cold inside the Burrow! The MuggleCasters have reached “A Very Frosty Christmas” in their Chapter-by-Chapter reread of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. And they’re not alone. This week the Real Weird Sisters Alice and Martha have joined us! Topics cover the new Minister for Magic’s cunning, Mrs. Weasley’s faults, and the Weasley Brothers’ violent tendencies. New Throwback Content: Be sure you’re following us Lon our Twitch where we are currently streaming the Chamber of Secrets PC game as part of our lookback content this year. All videos will eventually be posted also on our YouTube channel. Welcome Alice and Martha of the Real Weird Sisters! They have been podcasting for 10+ years and are awesome. Chapter by Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 16: A Very Frosty Christmas The MC Pensive segment takes us back to an episode we recorded seven years ago. Are we surprised that people still aren't believing Harry about Draco, even Ron? What's with all the rough housing going on in the Burrow between Ron and his brothers? Is this a dangerous escalation or par for the course? Should Bill be stepping in between Fleur and Mrs. Weasley's feud? The hosts analyze Remus Lupin's story and his backstory. What is Lavender expecting from Ron, as indicated by her flashy piece of jewelry for him? Does anyone buy Scrimgeour's story that he and Percy were "just in the area"? Is Scrimgeour any more smooth than Cornelius Fudge was? Did Percy give Scrimgeour advice on tips for how to appeal to Harry? It kinda feels like he did, which is why Rufus failed so badly. Our MVP segment asks what Harry’s sassiest line in the chapter is. Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: What did Fred and George try to make Ron do with the Unbreakavable Vow? Coming up on Bonus MuggleCast for Slug Club patrons, we analyze our personal romantic histories broken down by the Hogwarts houses of our partners. It's a not-to-miss discussion! Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Valentine's Day approaches in the Muggle world, romance is also a focus in this area of Half-Blood Prince. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they watch Harry watch Draco, watch Hermione regret her revenge against Ron, and watch Snape learn that Harry is suddenly good at Potions.  New Throwback Content: This Saturday, February 14 at 11am ET, MuggleCast will stream the Chamber of Secrets PC Game LIVE on our Twitch! It will later be available on our YouTube channel. A listener recently reviewed us being “as cozy as a warm blanket on a cold day.” We’re very touched! If you feel similarly, be sure to tell us by leaving a review. Chapter by Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 15: The Unbreakable Vow The MC Pensive segment takes us back to an episode we recorded seven years ago. Hermione decides to take Cormac McLaggen to Slughorn's Christmas Party, just as Ron feared she would. Is this revenge satisfying for the readers? Do we feel bad when it doesn't work out for Hermione? Should love potions be taken more seriously than they are, by everyone? Harry is (rightly) worried. Eric asks, how does Cormac not know how to show someone a good time? Harry says that he kinda always thought Filch and Madame Prince were a thing. The hosts pick apart that offhand comment... ...and then we speculate. COULD that be a thing? Filch and Madame Prince? What do they have in common? How does Mrs. Norris feel? Is Snape's attempt to detect Draco's lying ethical? We know there's more in it at stake for him. Should Draco have been suspicious that Snape was working for Dumbledore, based on Snape's emphasis on the importance of DADA for Crabbe and Goyle? What If?: Harry overheard that Draco's mission was to kill Dumbledore? What if it was said aloud? What would Harry do? Odds and Ends include the Number 12 (our favorite), and vampires. Our MVP segment asks who is the best character to take to Slughorn's Christmas party? Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: Who should Snape and Trelawney have invited as their dates to Slughorn's party? And, what would their pick-up lines have been? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who feels lucky? The only thing bottled up and ready to be unleashed in this chapter is a tidal wave of teenage angst! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they navigate the emotions of Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 14: Felix Felicis Slug Club invite: was Hermione making a romantic push towards Ron? Does Harry have legitimate concerns about becoming The Third Wheel? What would happen to the Trio if it all went wrong with Ron and Hermione? Ron is looking for fight, but picks the WRONG opponent in Ginny! Should Hermione have had more confidence in Ron's Quidditch abilities? Did Harry do more harm than help by giving Ron a Felix Felicis placebo? Was Ron intentionally trying to make Hermione jealous with Lavender? Could Harry's raging chest monster be partially influenced by the Horcrux? Our MVP segment asks who is the most chaotic character of the chapter? Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: Have you ever started dating someone that you knew for years first, or were friends with, and if so, how did it turn out? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Throwback Content includes a video game playthrough  with Eric, Meg and Martha of the “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone PC Game” over on our MuggleCast YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, bring your finest gin (Andrew's is indigo!) to a party at the Muggle orphanage where Mrs. Cole is meets Dumbledore, as our Chapter-by-Chapter series continues discussing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Our Chapter 13 discussion of "The Secret Riddle" is thought-provoking and focused largely on Dumbledore's actions and his intentions, based on what he might have known about things way back in the early 1940's. News: We discuss two new castings for the recent Prisoner of Azkaban full cast audiobook release. Stay tuned for a review of these new audiobooks! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 13: The Secret Riddle Is Harry treating Dumbledore differently at the start of the chapter than Young Tom Riddle treats him during the memory? What changes in Dumbledore's response to Harry if he already knows what Harry is saying about Draco is true? The Pensieve memory with Burke might seem different - but we've actually seen something like it before! A listener email asks, could Dumbledore have sent Mundungus to raid Grimmauld Place for Aberforth? How is what Dumbledore does to Mrs. Cole different than what Young Tom does to his fellow orphans? What made Merope still honor her father when naming Tom? We discuss Tom Riddle's mental state and one possibly identifiable diagnosis for his behavior. How come Harry didn't turn out like Tom Riddle given their similar trajectories? Was Dumbledore intentionally trying to impress Tom by making fire? Is he therefore playing with fire? Our MVP segment asks what the creepiest thing Young Tom Riddle does in this chapter? Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: Which character would you most like to Confund and get to spill all the tea? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Coming up in Bonus MuggleCast: it's another edition of Harry Potter Hot Takes, NSFW! Pledge to MuggleCast on Patreon to listen to this and all of our bonus episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, be careful what you say, be careful what you touch! From sinister nonverbal spells to cursed jewelry,  Hogwarts is more of a security nightmare than normal! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and Channell as they brave the frigid cold of Hogsmeade.  Welcome, Slug Club member Channell! Music to our ears! Hans Zimmer will score the new Harry Potter TV Show! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 12: Silver and Opals Where the hell is Dumbledore and what is he doing? Harry is asking, not us! What is it about the Prince that endears Harry to him? How are spells created in the Wizarding World? We explore this question in great detail in this week's Bonus MuggleCast and Andrew even challenges the hosts with some creations of his own! Reckless Harry! Why is he casting spells with no clue what they do? Should Harry use the Prince's work to help curry Slughorn's favor? Hot Take: Snape would have been a great teacher if he taught with the same enthusiasm he has when writing his notes! Do we think Slughorn is even more interested in Harry given it’s been so hard to get him to come to the Slug Club? Connecting The Threads to Chamber of Secrets: More bathroom problems! Why doesn't anybody believe Harry? The evidence is starting to pile up against Draco! Our MVP segment asks what would have happened if Dumbledore had received the cursed necklace? Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: how could Hogsmeade do a better job of protecting visitors and residents from security nightmares? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy 2026! No trio member is safe, as Chapter by Chapter covers Chapter 11 of Half-Blood Prince, “Hermione’s Helping Hand.” Does Hermione do the wrong thing for the right reasons? Should Harry do the right thing and expose her actions or, even worse, not choose Ron for the Gryffindor Quidditch team? And, separately, is Hagrid letting his brother join classes? All that and more on this latest episode of MuggleCast. What did the hosts get from Santa this year? And is Andrew about to reveal more than ever before? Chapter by Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 11, “Hermione’s Helping Hand.” Nonverbal spells are now standard in several classes, but does the trio ever learn them? Should teachers be required to eat meals in the Great Hall? Some appear to be skipping out. A comment from Hermione makes Harry warm, and may ignite some fires in the shipping community. Do we pity Ron for his need to show off and overcompensate? What Hermione does at Quidditch practice is highly risky. Why does she take the chance when she could be exposed? Should Harry have made another decision once he discovers Hermione’s actions? Despite his friendship with Ron? An email asks: should Hermione have kept Care of Magical Creatures given her established future career trajectory? It turns out Hagrid is dealing with more than just the kids not taking his class. Should the kids have to lie about another teacher just to make Hagrid feel better about himself? Our MVP segment has us ranking the beasts that Hagrid introduced the trio to. Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: “Have you ever stacked the odds in favor of a friend for something that they wanted? And did you cheat to do it?” Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MuggleCast is off from releasing new episodes until 2026, but we wanted to share this Bonus episode recorded for Patreon earlier in the year! In it, we reminisce over the greatest month in Harry Potter fandom history: July 2007, when the Deathly Hallows book and Order of the Phoenix movie were released. We look at what we were doing while working for MuggleNet / MuggleCast, and share some unforgettable stories. Get two bonus episodes of MuggleCast every month by becoming a member at Patreon.com/mugglecast today! Your support helps us run this show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we make a few end-of-year predictions for what 2026 will hold in store for Harry Potter fans, and open up the MuggleMail bag further than ever, as we read recent comments from YouTube and Spotify in addition to Discord, voicemails and e-mail! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura for our final episode of 2025! Looking ahead: what news will we get about a Hogwarts Legacy sequel? How about the HBO TV series? Will more series be green lit? Andrew leads the group in making unhinged predictions including genderbent books and a line of adults-only official merchandise. Our own 2026 plans for MuggleCast include content that looks ahead as well as back, including more talks on the TV show and classic components of HP fandom history. Voicemails sent in include a Hermione Granger impression, and ask the question, "how do children learn Voldemort's name?" Was Arthur Weasley's originally-planned death hinted at in the text of Book 5 and before? Spotify listeners want to know: is Snape projecting? What is the general skill level of your average every day wizard? And will Micah tell more dad jokes? Is Severus Snape a good teacher? What about his old Potions book? Why doesn't Dumbledore ever tell Harry exactly how to destroy the Horcruxes? And, does Hermione belong in Ravenclaw? Additionally, folks tell us their feelings on the Full Cast Harry Potter Audiobooks as well as the Tonks and Lupin romantic subplot. Our Lynx Line segment asks our most dedicated listeners for recommendations of books they've read this year and enjoyed. See the full list of suggestions here! Bonus MuggleCast, available over on our Patreon, will have the hosts discussing their behind-the-scenes stories of contributing to MuggleNet.com MuggleCast will return January 12, 2026! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! It’s the holiday season and you can get 20% off your Patreon membership at Patreon.com/MuggleCast. Just use code HOLIDAY at checkout and receive a slew of great benefits instantly! And don’t forget, Patreon memberships can be gifted! Get cozy this winter with a MuggleCast hoodie, Laura’s pants, or a long-sleeve tee! And if you’re Down Under, stay cool this summer with a short sleeve tee or crop top. Get 20% off all official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com when using code HOLIDAY at checkout! Pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! This week, we're taking a trip down Gaunt memory lane. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura, Bob, Harry and Dumbledore as they visit the outskirts of Little Hangleton for a mighty Morfin good time! The new Chamber of Secrets audiobook is now out, featuring Game of Thrones star Kit Harington as Gilderoy Lockhart. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 10: The House of Gaunt. The MuggleCast Pensieve segment highlights our last discussion of this chapter back on MuggleCast #390! With Harry continuing to use the Half-Blood Prince's Potions book, the hosts revisit their original positions about the ethics of Harry’s work. Does the Half-Blood Prince's handwriting provide any clues to their true identity? What conclusions can be drawn from the cards Harry overhears Trelawney reading? Dumbledore claims that much of his lesson time with Harry will be based on the wildest of guesswork. We beg to differ! Marvolo, Morfin and Merope: we analyze the Gaunt family dynamic and their connection to Salazar Slytherin What is the main reason Dumbledore chose to show Harry this memory? MVP: Best Bob Ogden Moment The Lynx Line asks our patrons what Salazar Slytherin would have thought about the Gaunts as his direct descendants. Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! It's the holiday season and you can get 20% off your Patreon membership at Patreon.com/MuggleCast. Just use code HOLIDAY at checkout and receive a slew of great benefits instantly! And don't forget, Patreon memberships can be gifted! Get cozy this winter with a MuggleCast hoodie, Laura’s pants, or a long-sleeve tee! And if you’re Down Under, stay cool this summer with a short sleeve tee or crop top. Get 20% off all official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com when using code HOLIDAY at checkout! Pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! This week, explore the various teaching competencies of Hogwarts staff, and join the MuggleCasters as Harry dusts off an old potions book to find a cramped surprise within! With Slug Club member Audrey joining the discussion, it’s a can’t-miss episode covering the ethics of letting someone else do all the work. Welcome to the show Slug Club member Audrey! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 9: The Half-Blood Prince The MuggleCast Pensieve segment highlights our last discussion of this chapter back on MuggleCast #389! How does McGonagall’s attentiveness, which makes her a great teacher, compare with Slughorn’s incentivizing students to achieve their best work yet? Do less successful teachers (cough, Trelawney, cough, Snape) have something to learn from other teaching styles? Does the arrangement between Firenze and Trelawney to both teach Divination make sense? Was Snape really going to attack Harry? (All signs point to yes!) Crackpot Theory: Is Snape only being as awful as ever to Harry because Malfoy, now a Death Eater, is watching? Is Horace Slughorn... a good teacher?! His first lesson seems amazing. What would he be like with younger students? What are the pros and cons of Harry coming clean, and is what he chooses to do ethical? Is Hermione or Ginny closer to being right? Connections between this chapter and books 2 and 1 are plentiful! We discuss all the ones we found. MVP: Top sassy Harry lines that AREN’T “There’s no need to call me sir, professor.” Lynx Line: Have you ever had a school subject that you loved be taught by someone that you didn’t? How did it go? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holy Horcrux! WB is selling Harry Potter to Netflix! What does Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros mean for the future of the Wizarding World franchise?  How will it impact the new Harry Potter TV Show? What does it mean for potential spin-offs? Join Andrew and Micah as they react to the breaking news.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're off for Thanksgiving, but here's a look at the fun you can experience in Bonus MuggleCast on our Patreon! To celebrate Back to Hogwarts month, the MuggleCasters are creating their own Hogwarts Houses from scratch! We share the name of each of our Houses, the sigil, how to get into the Common Room, what each of these new Houses stands for, and so much more! Which of these Houses would you join? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! It's the holiday season and you can get 20% off your Patreon membership at Patreon.com/MuggleCast. Just use code HOLIDAY at checkout and receive a slew of great benefits instantly! And don't forget, Patreon memberships can be gifted! Get cozy this winter with a MuggleCast hoodie, Laura’s pants, or a long-sleeve tee! And if you’re Down Under, stay cool this summer with a short sleeve tee or crop top. Get 20% off all official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com when using code HOLIDAY at checkout! Pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! This week, make sure you're on time for the start of term feast, lest you want to be berated by your (least) favorite Hogwarts professor! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah for an angst-ridden stroll up to the castle. TV Show Update: Daniel Radcliffe pens letter to  Dominic McLaughlin Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 8: Snape Victorious. The MuggleCast Pensieve segment highlights our last discussion of this chapter back on MuggleCast #388! What if… no one had discovered Harry was missing before the train left Hogsmeade? Why doesn’t Hogwarts staff or the conductor perform a sweep? Micah doesn't see an issue, but others on the panel see a big nightmare. Why isn’t Dumbledore searching for Harry the moment he doesn’t show up? What causes one’s Patronus to change? The hosts retake the quiz! Oh hell, Doe! Snape is in no position to criticize someone else's Patronus! Do we think Snape is projecting his bitterness toward James onto Harry? Could Snape’s taunting be an attempt to get Harry to reveal what happened? We connect Harry's "grand entrance" back to Chamber of Secrets Slughorn is the new... POTIONS MASTER?!? Which means... Snape is the new... Defense Against The Darks Arts Professor?!?! NOOOOO! MVP: Who wore their injury better? Harry or Dumbledore? Lynx Line: If Snape had never met Lily, what form do you think his Patronus would take? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Join us at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including bonus episodes, recording studio access, ad-free episodes, and much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com, now more affordable than ever! This week, MuggleCast discusses a surprise invitation for Harry to the inaugural meeting of this year’s Slug Club. And one of our own Slug Club members, Nicole, joins us to chat! Plus, she and Andrew just met up in the new Wizarding World - Ministry of Magic themed land at Epic Universe, and are reviewing the latest park! Welcome back Nicole! She last co-hosted the show with us on MuggleCast 391. Andrew and Nicole recently met up inside Universal Orlando's Epic Universe, and give their take on the new Wizarding World land. How does the new Ministry of Magic ride stack up against the other Harry Potter rides, and why did 1920's Paris leave Andrew's jaw on the floor? Nicole discusses the Circus Arcanus-themed attraction which she was very impressed by. Despite the glowing review, Andrew still recommends waiting to visit Epic Universe while they work out the kinks. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 7: The Slug Club The MuggleCast Pensieve segment highlights our last discussion of this chapter on MuggleCast #387 Why don’t Ron and Hermione believe Harry about Draco? Are Ron and Hermione basing their agreeability on the recent fiasco at the Ministry, where Harry bungled things? What would an alternate explanation be for what Draco is up to, that the trio saw? Does Harry have a sixth sense about Draco because of his Horcrux connection to Voldemort? We analyze and pick apart the incredulity around Voldemort recruiting Draco, Age 16 for his followers. There is series precedent! Micah makes several brilliant comparisons between Slughorn and slugs. Why aren’t there any Hufflepuffs at this Slug Club meeting? Harry underestimates Draco, in a huge way, and pays the price. Oops. Lynx Line: Patrons invent their own version of the Slug Club based on their strengths, and tell us who would be in it! Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Join us at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including bonus episodes, recording studio access, ad-free episodes, and much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com, now more affordable than ever! This week, don’t get distracted by the WonderWitch product line; a love potion is captivating but Draco Malfoy sneaking off is gonna have longer-lasting implications! Join Micah, Eric and Julian as they wind their way through the twists and turns of an otherwise dark and desolate Diagon Alley. Welcome back Professor Julian Wamble, PhD - host of Critical Magic Theory podcast! We first spoke with Julian on MuggleCast 619 (Professor Trelawney’s Prediction) and then recently on MuggleCast 708 (Snape’s Worst Memory). You can also find him on Instagram and TikTok!  Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 6: Draco's Detour The MuggleCast Pensieve segment, highlighting our last discussion of this chapter on MuggleCast #384, features a deep analysis of U-No-Poo! The Ice Cream Man: Florean Fortescue had a ghost plot? How is Bill able to take Harry's money out of Gringotts without his permission? Why did Dumbledore refuse Auror protection for Harry in Diagon Alley? And is Hagrid really the best alternative? We discuss Weasley's Wizard Wheezes being a beacon of light in an otherwise very dark time Does Molly's concern for Fred and George stem from the loss of her brothers Gideon and Fabian in the First Wizarding War? Inside Madam Malkin's: who was worse, Narcissa or Harry? We compare the this confrontation to the one inside Flourish & Blott's in Chamber of Secrets. Why is Draco trying to operate in secrecy from his mother? And what in the world was Hermione thinking at the end of the chapter? Lynx Line: Patrons tell us what's really on Malfoy’s forearm (wrong answers only!) Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Join us at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including bonus episodes, recording studio access, ad-free episodes, and much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com, now more affordable than ever! This week, get ready for Veela kisses on both of your cheeks, as Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura, and special guest Kathlyn, discuss "An Excess of Phlegm" from our Book 6 chapter-by-chapter re-read! Andrew and Micah review Audible's brand-new, full cast Sorcerer's Stone audiobooks, which is available now. It's an amazing addition to the world of Harry Potter, and we can't wait for the remaining books! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 5: An Excess of Phlegm The MuggleCast Pensieve segment, highlighting our last discussion of this chapter on MuggleCast #383, features questions about that special clock. SEVERAL people tell Harry he wasn't expected for many more hours. Just what was Dumbledore's backup plan if Slughorn were not so easily persuaded? Does Dumbledore have a "dropping in on people" problem? Arthur is the only one following the Ministry's guidelines around security... and we stan him for it. Molly's opinions of Bill and Flaur's engagement spark a real life discussion about marriage in tough times. The hosts sympathize with Fleur Delacour and understand why she was excited to see Harry after waht must have been a tumultuous week. Eric questions Bill's intentions in leaving Fleur to "the wolves" of the Weasleys. Was there a better alternative to them getting to know her? Slug Club guest Kathlyn talks about the differences between UK culture and the other European countries, which provides insight into the Wealseys' reactions to Fleur. Harry's confiding in Ron and Hermione warms his heart... and ours, too. Hosts rate the most surprising grade of Harry's for O.W.L.'s. Lynx Line: Patrons tell us adorable pet names that they have for their loved ones, and the stories behind them! Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Join us at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including bonus episodes, recording studio access, ad-free episodes, and much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com, now more affordable than ever! This week, get ready to apparate to the charming village of Budleigh Babberton - but keep your wands at the ready because something is afoot! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they attempt to find... and recruit an old friend out of retirement! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 4: Horace Slughorn The MuggleCast Pensieve segment, highlighting our last discussion of this chapter on MuggleCast #381, features some raspberry jam analysis! Why don’t Dumbledore and Harry simply Apparate into Slughorn’s home? Should Harry have so willingly trusted that Dumbledore was, in fact, Dumbledore, given the danger and uncertainty of the times? What do we think of Dumbledore’s plan to use Harry to lure Slughorn back to Hogwarts—is it clever strategy or subtle manipulation? What does it say about Slughorn that he isn’t aligned with Voldemort, yet refuses to take a stand against him? Slughorn “The Collector” is one of the most morally gray Slytherins of the series How does Slughorn’s casual bigotry—his need to say “You musn't think I'm prejudiced!”—reveal a subtler form of bias in the wizarding world? Does Slughorn’s “collector” mentality mirror real-world networking culture? Isn't the Slug Club just Hogwarts’ version of a professional society? MVP: What's the best perk Slughorn gets from his Slug Club alumni? Lynx Line: Patreons tell us about a talent/accomplishment that would get them recruited to the Slug Club! Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Join us as our patron at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including more than 60 hours of bonus episodes, 30 hours of chapter readings, and much, much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com, now more affordable than ever! This week, join us as we witness Albus Dumbledore welcoming himself into the Dursley's perfect kept home. It's the depants-ing we've been waiting for! Plus, we look at why Dumbledore decided to take care of the Kreacher business in front of the Dursleys, if Albus had any right criticizing the parenting of Dudley, and more. Welcome back to the show, Meg! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 3: Will and Won't The MuggleCast Pensieve segment, highlighting our last discussion of this chapter on MuggleCast #380, features a Kreacher possibility. Harry's back! And he's ever more undignified than ever. From flower beds to pigstys, is our hero losing his cool factor? What's the beef between Albus Dumbledore and Rufus Scrimgeour that the Prophet is eluding to? It may have been hinted at already. Do we approve of the Ministry's guidebook for protecting oneself during the current era? Why didn't Harry believe Dumbledore was going to show? Does this has to do with Dumbledore's treatment of Harry in the last book? Why are the Dursleys awake and cleaning at 11pm? Dumbledore goes hard against the Dursleys. Finally! But why did it take this long for them to meet, and for Albus to depants them? MVP: What is the most effective guideline from the Ministry? Lynx Line: If Dumbledore could’ve left a Yelp review for the Dursleys, what would it say? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Join us as our patron at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including more than 60 hours of bonus recordings, 30 hours of chapter readings, and much, much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! This week, join us as we wind our way to Spinner's End and throw ourselves at the mercy of everyone's (least) favorite Potions Master. Grab a tall glass of elf-made bloodred wine and toast the Dark Lord because its unlikely you'll make it out of this chapter without making an Unbreakable Vow. Welcome back, Irvin! Check out his new book Malfoy: The Most Treacherous Family, which is available now! Potter TV Show News: Our first look at John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 2: Spinner's End We analyze Snape's decision to remain in his childhood home. Could it be because of Lily? And why is it such bad shape? The Sisterhood of Bellatrix and Narcissa: do the two actually care for each other? Would Bellatrix rather be right or wrong about Snape's loyalty?  Snape vs. Bellatrix: we're here for snarky, sassy Severus Snape! Snape’s allegiance: do we recall how we felt when first reading this chapter? Could there be trouble in paradise with Voldemort and Bellatrix? Did Narcissa manipulate Snape during the final step of the Unbreakable Vow? MVP: Who’s the better chess master - Snape or Dumbledore? Lynx Line: Snape’s childhood home is clearly a little drab - if Snape’s home were the subject of a home makeover show, what would it be called? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Join us as our patron at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of great benefits instantly, including more than 60 hours of bonus recordings, 30 hours of chapter readings, and much, much more! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! That new assistant named Kingsley is a high performer! This week we're starting our Chapter by Chapter re-read of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and discussing all the problems that Cornelius Fudge has just dumped on the British Prime Minister's doorstep. It's a rare Harry-less chapter this week, titled "The Other Minister." News: Congratulations to SIR Gary Oldman! (He really puts the Sir in Sirius) Chapter by Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince Chapter 1: The Other Minister Where were the hosts when the sixth Potter book came out? It was only 3 weeks shy of MuggleCast's first episode! The MuggleCast Time-Turner segment is now the MuggleCast Pensieve! It's Book-6-themed and, this week, flashing back to MuggleCast #376, from July 16, 2018! The hosts compare favorite chapters and discuss this is one of them. The poor British PM believes the chaos was his to own, only to find out that the wizards are at fault for all of it! Do wizards have a superiority complex? It sure seems like it, around the Muggle PM. Is this chapter tied to a particular politician or administration from years past, when the book was set? Or perhaps when it was written? The hosts speculate. Is the portrait of the "frog-like" man (Umbridge's dad?) a privacy concern for the Muggles? MVP of the Week: Who was the best working man in this chapter? Lynx Line: What event from human history was magical in origin, but was covered up between the two governments? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch!  On Bonus MuggleCast, we discuss the newly released album art for the upcoming full cast production audiobooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! On this week's episode, we're as excited as Dedalus Diggle bumping into Vernon Dursley after Voldemort's downfall, as we bust open our Muggle Mailbag to hear directly from YOU - our listeners! Filming News: We react to new behind-the-scenes footage from around Little Whinging before and after the first downfall of Voldemort. It's our Order of the Phoenix Muggle Mail episode! How will HBO adapt lengthy books like Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince for the new Harry Potter TV show? Is eight episodes truly enough? Why didn't Voldemort choose to become a ghost? Were Arthur Weasley's early career ambitions derailed by the Imperius Curse? We Declare Canon: Crookshanks is the Potter's cat! Listeners make the case for and against ♥️ Voldemort & Bellatrix ♥️ How did the Diary Horcrux have knowledge of Voldemort's future self? And by the way... does the basilisk ever eat? We're concerned about its diet. Lynx Line:  With the new Harry Potter audiobooks on the horizon, we asked supporters on Patreon to take a line from one of their favorite characters in Order of the Phoenix or Half-Blood Prince and submit their best impression! AND THEY DO NOT DISAPPOINT! Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week it’s time to wrap our Order of the Phoenix re-read with Quizzitch Live, to test your knowledge of the fifth book! Special guest Barry of the Harry Potter podcast Retold joins us to host this Harry Potter trivia night. Listeners competed live against one another across seven rounds of Order of the Phoenix questions. Do you remember the book and movie as well as your fellow Muggles do? Play along and find out! Thanks again to Barry and to all of our listeners for joining in our live event, and a special thank you to those who support us on Patreon. Without you, we couldn't host trivia nights like this! Next week, we'll catch up on MuggleMail before proceeding onward to our Half-Blood Prince read-through in October! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! You have until September 18 to become a member at the Slug Club level to receive this year's incredible physical gift: The MuggleCast 20th Anniversary Yearbook! Pledge now at Patreon.com/mugglecast, and receive a slew of other great benefits instantly! Listeners can browse our official merch at MuggleCastMerch.com and pick up overstock items from years past at MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com! Another book, gone! This week we're wrapping up our Chapter by Chapter re-read of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It's a feel-good chapter that ties up a lot of loose ends and teases what's to come in the final two Harry Potter books! To celebrate the end of this re-read, we'll be hosting a Quizzitch LIVE themed around Order of the Phoenix this Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 PM ET! Don't miss it! A link will be available on social media. Welcome Slug Club guest Ivana! In the news: Harry Potter production designer Stuart Craig has passed away, so we look at the legacy he left on the franchise. Meanwhile, the upcoming Harry Potter audiobooks have announced several more big name starts joining its ranks. Game of Thrones fans will be pleased! Chapter by Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix Chapter 38: The Second War Begins. Tying up loose ends: Fudge immediately fumbles how the Ministry is handling the return of Voldemort. What could they have done differently? We're impressed by how Dumbledore got Umbridge out of the forest, but how exactly did he do it? And should Ron have responded to Umbridge's attack in the way that he did? Harry is looking for some Sirius comfort, and finds some in Hagrid and Luna. There's also one line from Harry that is extremely relatable, especially as we age: “Whenever he was in company he wanted to get away, and whenever he was alone he wanted company.” Nearly-Headless Nick offers Harry some disappointing information, but it has us wondering why wizards choose not to return as a ghost after they pass. The Order decides to greet Harry at King's Cross... but why haven't they been there for Harry's previous journeys to and from Hogwarts? MVP of the Week: Who had the most meaningful moment with Harry in this chapter? Lynx Line: What would happen if the Order had to pay a visit the Dursleys because Vernon and Petunia were mistreating Harry? Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week's Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch!  On Bonus MuggleCast, we celebrate Back to Hogwarts season by creating our OWN Hogwarts Houses! Let us know which of these new five are your favorite! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices