MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

The friendship between Ron and Hermione receives its greatest test to date, while the friendship of your MuggleCast hosts remains solid as ever. We tackle Chapter 13 of Prisoner of Azkaban, "Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw" and ask Micah all of the sports questions as it pertains to Harry's new broom and Cho Chang's sports tactics. There is also an appearance from Sirius Black, and four Slytherin students are busted but ultimately given a light slap on the wrist for their attempted sabotage. All of that and more on this week's MuggleCast! The MuggleCast Patreon is now offering free trials for 7 days as a way of promoting our amazing bonus content, as well as the upcoming physical gift. Join our Patreon today! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 13: Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw Seven Word Summary: Cho distracts Harry with her amazing looooooooooooks Is Ron being overdramatic about Scabbers' disappearance? Do we side with Ron or Hermione now that the worst has presumably happened? Expert thread-connector Laura details moments when the trio argues with each other in the future. Did we ever argue with our friends when we were 13 and are we still mad about it today? On the Quidditch field, Cho has a strategy that gets Harry's attention. We examine whether it's fair to play in this way and whether Hogwarts should give everybody the same broom. Harry succeeds in casting his first full Patronus, but is it really an accomplishment given the circumstances? Does McGonagall go easy on Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and Flint? The hosts examine Harry's latest dream and connect it to future books. Did nobody show Sir Cadogan a picture of Sirius Black? How secure is Hogwarts anyway? Quizzitch: What does Flitwick do to the front doors of Hogwarts? Next Week: Chapter 14 of Prisoner of Azkaban, "Snape's Grudge" This week's episode is brought to you by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now. In Bonus MuggleCast, Laura takes us through stories that seem to be full-on Harry Potter rip-offs, worldwide. Join our Patreon at Patreon.com/MuggleCast today to listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expecto Patronum! On this week's episode of MuggleCast, Andrew, Micah, Laura and Chloé join Harry as he faces down his biggest fears under the tutelage of his greatest teacher! Plus, just what's up with Oliver Wood? Was he really going to bench The Chosen One? Happy 20th anniversary to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! On this week's bonus MuggleCast on Patreon, we celebrate 20 years of the fifth book! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 12: The Patronus Seven Word Summary: Lupin teaches Harry how to fight Dementors How does the faculty feel about Lupin searching their personal spaces for a boggart? Why is it that a boggart Dementor has the same effect on Harry as a real Dementor? Harry struggles to find a powerful enough memory to conjure a Patronus. If we were in Harry’s position, what would we choose? Harry's internal struggle: for as much as he wants to fight the Dementor, he also wants to hear his parents How much is the Horcrux influencing Harry at certain moments throughout this chapter? Lupin is the first adult figure to really believe in Harry! We examine Lupin's reactions to the mentions of both James and Sirius What if the dementor’s kiss was your FIRST (and only) kiss? ::vomit:: Lupin challenges Harry on Sirius receiving the Dementor's Kiss. Is this as a friend, a compassionate human being or a bit of both? Anywayyyyyyy, back to the Firebolt Fiasco! Wouldn’t a teacher have found out eventually that Harry had a super cool new broom, and wonder where it came from? Which begs the question... shouldn't there be standardized equipment for school-based Quidditch? Did Oliver Wood plan to bench Harry? Is there nothing he wouldn't do to win? Odds & Ends cover Lupin's condition, Neville's password problem, Hermione's favorite subject, and more! Quizzitch: What does Percy win from his girlfriend Penelope when Gryffindor beats Ravenclaw? Next Week: Chapter 13 of Prisoner of Azkaban, Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw This week's episode is brought to you by Factor (visit FactorMeals.com/MuggleCast50 and use code mugglecast50 to get 50% off your first box)and BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month). Our Patreon is now offering 7-day free trials: Get full access to Bonus MuggleCasts and behind-the-scenes extras for a limited time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, it's Christmas break at Hogwarts and the castle is full of emotions... and mostly the not-so-good kind. Since Hogwarts doesn’t have a guidance counselor, we’ll be the trio’s guiding light today! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura and Jason as they enjoy a special meal inside The Great Hall with all the stress and awkwardness of a normal holiday family get-together! Welcome Slug Club member, Jason! Our Patreon is now offering 7-day free trials! Get full access to Bonus MuggleCasts and behind-the-scenes extras for a limited time! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 11: The Firebolt Seven Word Summary: Somebody sends a Firebolt mysteriously to Harry “A hatred such as he had never known before was coursing through Harry like poison." Harry quickly grows obsessive over hating Sirius Black. How much could his Horcrux be fueling these emotions? Why didn't anyone ever tell Harry that the reason James and Lily Potter died was because their best friend Sirius had betrayed them? We discuss how in both Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix, Harry not being given information negatively impacts his mental health and leads to reckless decision-making! We analyze Harry's treatment of Ron and Hermione in this chapter Comparing Gryffindors: Peter Pettigrew and Neville Longbottom Comforting Hagrid: Lucius Malfoy’s influence rear its ugly head again! Did they not learn from the previous year when he threatened the Board of Governors? Hagrid goes into grim detail about his time in Azkaban. Should Azkaban just be for maximum security prisoners? Fan Fic Alert: “The Other Prisoner of Azkaban” by Jack Ichijouji The Firebolt: Does Hogwarts not have a security measure in place for packages delivered to the school? Why, just now, are they “evaluating” the broom? When 13 dine, the first to rise is the first to die: did Trelawney get it right after all? What crawled up McGonagall's @$$? Hermione's Most Gryffindor Moment Odds & Ends cover Manticores, Lupin's condition, Pettigrew's finger and more! Quizzitch: In which location does Harry’s first Patronus lesson take place? Next Week: Chapter 12 of Prisoner of Azkaban, The Patronus This week's episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and ZocDoc (visit ZocDoc.com/MuggleCast, download the app, and schedule your next health appointment today)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From pranksters to marauders, this week’s chapter by chapter episode of MuggleCast is PACKED with all of our favorite characters and overflowing with plot. Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah for a trip to Hogsmeade where we learn all about Sirius Black and his secret connection to Harry. Also, Professor Lupin reminds us why he’s our favorite teacher. Our Patreon is now offering 7 day free trials! Get full access to Bonus MuggleCasts and behind the scenes extras for a limited time! This week, we read through Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 10, “The Marauder’s Map”! Seven Word Summary: Secrets are divulged via Professors drinking Butterbeer The hosts reflect on Harry’s attachment to his broken Nimbus 2000 and their own attachment to inanimate objects from their youth. Harry’s isolation is hard to watch as with Book Five, but why doesn’t he reach out to Hermione and Ron? And, is Dumbledore to blame for all of it? When Lupin reaches for Harry, should we have intuited more about his relationship to the boy? What about when he drops his briefcase? Just how hard is it to learn the Patronus Charm and why isn’t it more widely taught? Is the Marauder’s Map a dangerous magical item? Are Fred and George reckless for giving it to Harry? How did Fred and George learn to use the map? Did the map itself help? What impressive magic is involved in the function of the map? Secrets are revealed and we wonder how the teachers could have kept this from Harry. Quizzitch: What date is set for the Ministry hearing of Hagrid and Buckbeak? This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're taking a break from your regularly scheduled programming! BUT, Micah recently got a chance to preview Harry Potter: The Exhibition in New York City! Enjoy this MuggleMiniCast, which includes an interview with Tom Zaller, the President & CEO of Imagine Exhibitions. Harry Potter: The Exhibition is now open in NYC’s Herald Square! Micah speaks with Tom Zaller, the President & CEO of Imagine Exhibitions Eric and Micah discuss how this exhibition differs from previous ones, what to expect as you make your way through, favorite moments, exclusive merchandise and more! Next week: Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 10: The Marauder's Map And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! Most recently we discussed if HBO Max should gear the new Harry Potter TV show towards adults and the next Wizarding World park coming to Universal Orlando! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, join us as we elude mass murderers with a sleepover in The Great Hall, attend a brutal Defense Against The Dark Arts class and play Quidditch in the worst possible conditions! What could possibly go wrong? Harry Potter: The Exhibition is now open in NYC’s Herald Square! Micah got a chance to preview the experience, so keep an eye out for a Muggle MiniCast set to be released Memorial Day Weekend, which includes an interview with Tom Zaller, the President & CEO of Imagine Exhibitions. Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 9: Grim Defeat 7-Word Summary: Suspicions rock the Hogwarts student body tonight With Sirius Black running around Hogwarts, shouldn’t at least one professor have stayed WITH the students in The Great Hall? How did Sirius Black break into Hogwarts? Could Crookshanks have been involved? Has Sirius formed a connection with him at this point? Why isn’t the Ministry alerted? This is now TWICE that Sirius has gotten past the Dementors! What was the conversation like between Sirius Black and the Fat Lady? We analyze Snape's conduct in teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts, his great joy in criticizing the students’ lack of knowledge on the subject, and his attempt to sow seeds of doubt amongst about Lupin’s effectiveness as a teacher! Snape is trying to OUT Lupin! Is Snape more vicious in Prisoner of Azkaban than he is at any other point in the series? Do we think Sirius knows Lupin is at Hogwarts? Did he use Lupin’s "time of the month" to his advantage as well? Could Lupin be “sick” because of the guilt of knowing that Sirius broke into the castle? Quidditch Controversy: What's up with the Slytherin favoritism? Did the dementors come onto the Quidditch pitch because of Sirius? Odds & Ends cover Cedric Diggory, Harry's worst memory, Hermione's bloodshot eyes and more! Quizzitch: In what school year of theirs did the Weasley Twins obtain the Marauder's map? Next Week: Reminder, we’re off BUT you will get a very cool MuggleMiniCast all about the new Harry Potter: The Exhibition! This week’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month)! And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! This week, we’ll have a new look at the next Wizarding World park coming to Universal Orlando! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Hogsmeade weekend approaches! Will Harry get his permission slip signed by a stand-in guardian in time? This week we are joined by Slug Club guest Ashley as we discuss Chapter 8 of Prisoner of Azkaban, Flight of the Fat Lady! We discuss Snape's continued bad attitude, Lupin's secret, and whether Harry could've gotten more out of him during their unplanned tea time. Enjoy! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 8: Flight of the Fat Lady Welcome Slug Club guest Ashley! Host the show just like Ashley by joining us at Patreon.com/MuggleCast 7-Word Summary, Justice for Micah Edition: Teachers forbid Harry from going to Hogsmeade Snape picks on Neville worse than ever because he's Snape. But does Trelawney pick on Harry due to her prophecy? Did we ever have a teacher we were close with in the way that Parvati and Lavender are with Trelawney? Is Oliver Wood justified in feeling desperate about this year's Quidditch Cup? Is McGonagall mean for not signing Harry's permission slip? She knows about the Dursleys after all. Hosts connect some great threads between Book 3 and Book 5. Harry's Hogsmeade FOMO hits us in the feels. What makes Remus Lupin able and willing to say Voldemort's name? What If: Harry told Lupin about seeing the black dog off Privet Drive? Is Hermione wrong to point out the evidence against Trelawney's prediction about Binky? Could her doing so point to neurodivergent behavior? Rename the Chapter returns! And hosts assign MVP of the Week. Quzzitch: What does Hannah Abbott tell the students that Sirius Black can transform into? Next week: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 9: Grim Defeat This week's show is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and HelloFresh (use code "muggle16" for 16 free meals at HelloFresh.com/Muggle16), and by ZocDoc. Visit Zocdoc dot com slash mugglecast, download the app, and schedule your next health appointment today. And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! This week, we discuss how the Harry Potter TV show could appeal more to adults! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waddiwasi! On this week’s episode, grab your wand and get ready for the best magical classroom session to date …following the WORST magical classroom session to date! We compare and contrast Snape and Lupin's teaching styles and the impact it has on the students of Hogwarts! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 7: The Boggart in The Wardrobe 7-Word Summary: Neville fears rebuke when Snape “poisons” Trevor We compare and contrast Harry's worst class to date (Potions) with his best class to date (Defense Against The Dark Arts) What do we make of Snape's treatment of any student that is not in Slytherin? We analyze the effects of bullying vs. collaboration in a classroom setting What types of emotions does Snape elicit from Harry? Neville? Hermione? Snape The Enabler creates an unsafe learning environment for his students Micah plays devil's advocate and rationalizes Snape's actions toward both Neville (paying attention to detail) and Hermione (listening to the teacher) What is the world is up with the Shrinking Solution? Do Lupin and Peeves the Poltergeist share a history? We contrast Snape's treatment of Neville with Lupin's desire to instill confidence in him (very reminiscent of how Harry works with Neville in Order of the Phoenix) Does Lupin's past with Snape inform his instruction to Neville about his Boggart? Should Lupin have explained to Harry why he didn't let him have a turn at the Boggart? Connecting The Threads includes taking a look at the non-practical nature of Harry's first class in Order of the Phoenix and a very important Boggart scene with Mrs. Weasley Odds & Ends cover the origin of Boggarts, Draco's knowledge of Sirius Black, Hermione's secret, rat references and more! Quzzitch: What is the name of the Fat Lady's close friend? Next week: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 8: Flight of The Fat Lady This week's show is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and HelloFresh (use code "muggle16" for 16 free meals at HelloFresh.com/Muggle16). And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! This week, we discuss how the Harry Potter TV show could appeal more to adults! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the hosts dive deep into the MuggleMail bag to bring listeners' latest thoughts on recent Chapter-By-Chapter segments, as well as the new Harry Potter television series announcement! Voicemails include a 10 year old asking if Harry abuses Hedwig by making her travel so far, and someone has a theory about a Dementor that we all adopt on the spot as canon. Check out this laid back correspondence episode and be blown away by the opinions of our listeners. Main Discussion: It's a MuggleMail bag episode! Voicemails ask if the WWOHP theme park will adjust itself to accommodate the new TV series, a potential Cursed Child adaptation featuring the original trio, and an HP cartoon. More ideas for the HP TV series abound, with one listener asking how far the creators will stray from the look and feel of Hogwarts and surrounding areas. Will members of the HP movies be brought into new roles as a nod to their original performances? Who do we think would be most likely? One listener fan-casts the HP TV series for an actor from the Sandman series. Could the TV show flesh out the moments when Hermione and Ron learned that they would be attending Hogwarts? An eagle-eyed listener points out the use of the term 'Azkaban guards' disappears once we are introduced to Dementors. We hear a tragic story of school bullying where the school covered it up, and comparisons are made to Hogwarts The hosts reveal that double decker buses are not as prominent in the US as in the UK, in response to an email. And, the Sneakoscope was always right when Peter was around. Our latest "Legacy" E-mail from 2006 asks us if we think Draco and Harry will work together to defeat Voldemort. We offer our theories 17 years too late. Quizzitch: What animal causes the death of Lavender Brown's rabbit? Next Week: We return to Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter By Chapter with Chapter 7, "The Boggart in the Wardrobe"!! This week’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month), and also Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now. And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! Most recently, we discussed more breaking news... a brand-new Quidditch video game! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, get ready to broaden your minds and see past the mundane as we take our first Divination class! And remember to bow and blink while listening to this episode or your may be attacked by a hippogriff! News covers a new Quidditch video game is coming soon… for consoles! We’ll discuss it in this week's Bonus MuggleCast, which is available exclusively on our Patreon! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 6: Talons and Tea Leaves 7-Word Summary: McGonagall shades Trelawney during Transfiguration class, ooooooo! We meet Professor Trelawney, who we later learn made the prophecy about Voldemort and Harry/Neville. From Neville's grandmother to Parvati's stalker to an Easter departure, we keep track of Trelawney’s predictions and see if they come true! Have any of the hosts ever seen a fortune teller or tarot card reader? What did we make of the experience? Do we think Hermione is too quick to judge Trelawney? Does McGonagall influence her opinion? Professor Hagrid... Micah argues Dumbledore set him up for failure from the start! Name Origins: The Grim & Hippogriff Does Harry offer to approach Buckbeak to test the validity of his death omen? Odds & Ends cover paying attention in Transfiguration class (cough, animagi), Hermione's busy class schedule, Sir Cadogan and more! Quizzitch: What form does Parvati Patil's Boggart take? Next Week: It's a MuggleMail bag covering Prisoner of Azkaban and the new Harry Potter TV show announcement This week’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month). And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! This week, we discuss more breaking news... a brand-new Quidditch video game! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CHOO CHOO! On this week's episode, we’re on the Hogwarts Express for what is sure to be another lovely… enchanting… peaceful… safe….. ride to Hogwarts. As they say, the third time’s the charm, and this year everything’s gonna be A-OK! News covers the recently confirmed Harry Potter television series! Be sure to check out Episode 606, where we dive deep into the initial news leak and this week's Bonus MuggleCast, where we discuss all the new details! And... check out MuggleCast Episode 483, where we fan-casted a Harry Potter television show, and Episode 566, where the hosts developed ideas for an all-new Harry Potter television series! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 5: The Dementor 7-Word Summary: Fear about the murderer abounds on trains We contrast Harry's trips to King's Cross in Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix How much information do we think Arthur would have offered to Harry about Sirius Black if Harry didn't tell him he was already "in the know"? Welcome, Remus Lupin! Check out the full Pottermore article on him and his family! How did Dumbledore convince Lupin to take the post of Defense Against The Dark Arts? Laura offers some interesting insight on the Wolfsbane Potion, lyncathropy and the AIDS epidemic of the 1990s Why is Snape so angry with Lupin being named to the Defense Against The Dark Arts post? We analyze the effect the Dementor had on Harry, Ginny and Neville Could a Dementor have removed the Horcrux from Harry? What if it took Harry’s soul and left Voldemort’s? Could anything have been done to prevent the Dementors from boarding the train? Did Dumbledore intentionally place Lupin on the train for this very reason? With McGonagall tending to Harry and Hermione, just who the hell hosted the Sorting Ceremony? Odds & Ends cover Sneakoscopes, Hogsmeade, the Shrieking Shack, secret passages, thestrals, forgetting passwords and more! Quizzitch: Who guides the trio to their first Divination class? Next Week: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 6: Talons and Tea Leaves This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and MeUndies (get 25% off your first order, plus free standard shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast). And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! This week, we discuss breaking news... a brand-new Harry Potter TV show is coming to HBO! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week saw news of a Harry Potter television series cascading across the interwebs as it seems like Warner Bros and HBO are in final talks to develop a straight adaptation of the original 7-book series, this time for TV! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they discuss the news, read a ton of listener feedback, and provide their must-haves for any live action Potter TV adaptation. According to Bloomberg, a new Harry Potter television series which follows the storyline of the 7 books is nearing final talks over at Warner Bros. Discovery. Given that the TV show would adapt the 7 books, whose final film adaptation was released in 2011, Micah asks "is it too soon?" What steps would the television show take to distance itself from the HP films? Would they ever adapt The Missing 24 hours? Could we ever see new actors actually taking the place in our hearts of the actors who originated the role? What role will the book series' author have in the development of the show? Laura senses a real opportunity for bringing fresh voices and more diversity into the Potter universe. Check out MuggleCast Episode 483 in which we fan-cast an HP television show, and also Episode 566 where the hosts develop ideas for all new HP television series. Eric gives his must-haves for the would-be TV adaptation. Number one: the color yellow? Twitter feedback on this news includes: would we ever see an animated version?; problematic politics and the struggle to find joy with the series in 2023; is a Peeves backstory on the table?; what can the show learn from HBO's House of the Dragon? Facebook feedback includes: the stories we'd rather see told in the Wizarding World; embracing new cast members so soon after the films; and a cry for justice for Ron Weasley IG feedback includes places we still want to see, and differing perspectives of characters. This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month)! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we kick back, relax and enjoy some ice cream every half hour from our pal Florean Fortescue! Join us for some delicious sundaes as we bum around Diagon Alley, meet up with our best friends and get some surprising news about a recently escaped convict! In celebration of April Fool's Day, check out Episode #508: How To Tell Fred and George Weasley Apart, and More Twin Talk News covers Daniel Radcliffe expecting his first child and his Moderating A Trans and Nonbinary Youth Roundtable for The Trevor Project, which you can watch in full right here! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 4: The Leaky Cauldron 7-Word Summary: Discoveries are everywhere around this Leaky Cauldron Harry is free to roam all of Diagon Alley by himself! How old were we when our parents started letting us venture out on our own? Do we think that this is foolish of Molly and Arthur, to just let Ron roam around Diagon Alley given he is Harry’s best friend? Ron gets a his own wand! We analyze what the core and wand wood mean for his character! Something is definitely up with Scabbers! We start putting the pieces of the puzzle together! Molly and Arthur get into a heated argument about Harry. Which parent do the hosts ultimately side with? Connecting the Threads to Order of the Phoenix: Molly's protection of Harry, the safety of the larger wizarding community and Harry's escort to King's Cross Odds & Ends cover the Grim, the Firebolt, Dementors, the No. 12, Percy and more! Quizzitch: What is Professor R.J. Lupin’s middle name? This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and Zocdoc (go to Zocdoc.com/MuggleCast and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor)! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Harry is saved by a (violently purple) knight in shining car wax as the Knight Bus whisks him away to London, where Uncle Cornelius pats him on the back and tells him everything is fine. Join Andrew, Laura, Eric and Micah as they dive into Chapter 3 of Prisoner of Azkaban, The Knight Bus! This week the hosts provide alternative identities to help them escape detection... Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 3: The Knight Bus 7-Word Summary: Help arrives for Harry after an encounter Harry's frustration and short-sightedness mirrors our own in times of stress. Do we relate to Harry following his incident with Aunt Marge? Andrew has a full tally of all the times Harry thinks he is about to be expelled. It's higher than our Dumbledore Lie Count :'( We ask again, just why was Sirius Black not given a full trial? Is Dumbledore, or the government, to blame? Laura reminisces about an old campaign asking readers if they spotted The Grim. We ask, What If? Sirius had introduced himself to Harry? Would Harry believe him then and there? Why can't the Knight Bus go underwater, if it can do all the other things that it does? Not one but TWO Name Origins segments help us appreciate the details on display. Why did Harry choose a pureblood wizard that Stan might have known as his alias? Why didn't Harry know about the Knight Bus sooner? Fudge being described like an 'uncle with a favorite nephew' raises our interest. Why can Fudge trust Harry to follow his orders? Quizzitch: In Chapter 4 of POA, a hag orders what from the Leaky Cauldron? Next week: We continue with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 4: The Leaky Cauldron And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! Last week, we discussed the recent Harry Potter Almanac news and reflect back on the history of all the times we were promised a Harry Potter Encyclopedia! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we get a visit from one of Harry's favorite relatives, Aunt Marge! They share wine, brandy and have so much fun that she even let's Harry perform magic on her at the end of the chapter! Oh wait... Welcome Slug Club member, Sherry! Sherry, who is blind, shares her story of finding the Harry Potter series! Be sure to check out her fan fiction: Sirius Black and Becoming a Father and her book: Haven! Andrew and Laura will be discussing the potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. on their podcast, #Millennial. Follow the show for free in your favorite podcast app! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 2: Aunt Marge's Big Mistake 7-Word Summary: Aunt Marge enjoys abusing Harry every minute What do we make of Vernon's assessment of Sirius Black? What do muggle relations offices look like at the Ministry? Hogsmeade Permission Slip: Harry learns how to play on Vernon's prejudices Aunt Marge was based on J.K. Rowling's grandmother, who preferred her dogs to human relatives While Marge is generally nasty to Harry, the gloves really come off when she starts to drink; is this an indictment on abuse levels rising (both verbal and physical) when family members have a drinking problem? Did Harry have to sit with Marge on multiple occasions during her visit? Is it actually to protect Vernon? Why doesn’t Petunia stand up more for her sister? Is Colonel Fubster, Marge’s boo? Quizzitch: What name does Harry give to Stan Shunpike when he boards The Knight Bus? Next week: We continue with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 3: The Knight Bus This week’s episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and BetterHelp (visit BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast today to get 10% off your first month)! And don’t forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! This week, we discuss the recent Harry Potter Almanac news and reflect back on the history of all the times we were promised a Harry Potter Encyclopedia! Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we begin our third year at Hogwarts as we open up the pages of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Harry celebrates his birthday, Ron can't figure out how to use the telephone, Hermione is enjoying France and Hagrid is still, well... Hagrid! Main Discussion: Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 1: Owl Post The hosts reflect on when they read Prisoner of Azkaban for the first time! 7-Word Summary: Owls deliver presents to Harry’s bedroom window Is this the last time we get the big “previously on Harry Potter” info dump? Should Ron have known how to use a telephone given his father's job? What are some other examples of common muggle technology that would vex unknowing wizards? Vacation Time: the Weasleys head to Egypt, Hermione is off to France! Why did nobody ask Harry to tag along? What do we think Ginny’s summer has been like post-Chamber of Secrets? Harry receives gifts from Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid that all pertain to events that will occur later in this book! If the Sneakoscope works to detect untrustworthy people, is there a case to be made that it should have gone off constantly around Harrym, since he’s a Horcrux? Harry, why didn't you just forge your Hogsmeade permission slip? The hosts agree to disagree about Percy's Head Boy braggadocio! Quizzitch; How much does Dudley get paid to hug Aunt Marge? Next week: We continue with Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 2: Aunt Marge's Big Mistake This week's episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now) and Zocdoc (go to Zocdoc.com/MuggleCast and download the Zocdoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor)! And don't forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments! This week, March Madness takes over as the hosts compare their brackets pitting wizarding world items against each other! What item will emerge supreme? Become a patron of ours today at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we delve into our MuggleMailbag for the first time in 2023! Coming off our recent review episode of Hogwarts Legacy, listeners share their thoughts and discoveries about the game. And we properly wrap up our Chamber of Secrets Chapter By Chapter series by choosing ONE 7-Word Summary to redo, based on patron feedback. Join Andrew, Eric and Micah as they get caught up on their inbox this week! First, our vintage segment "What's Buggin' Micah?" makes its triumphant return to the show. MuggleMail starts with Hogwarts Legacy feedback. On PC, there's a mod to mute the Floo Lady. Eric learns the composer of his first ever PlayStation game also scored Hogwarts Legacy. Is there an Easy Mode in Hogwarts Legacy? And which common room would the hosts party in? Chamber of Secrets comes to a close with MuggleMail feedback. Did the Weasleys go to Egypt TWICE in one year? More name origins for Gilderoy Lockhart One listener's thoughts on criminal justice in the Wizarding world. There's more to Hermione's 2nd Year class signup sheet than we realize. Did Tom Riddle spend more time making the diary so it could be more than just a Horcrux? Was Dumbledore REALLY absent from COS? Did Hagrid ever find out who really opened the Chamber? We choose a 7 Word Summary to redo, vroom vroom. Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul features an OG listener who now listens with her 8-year-old son. Quizzitch: How long did Harry go without hearing from his friends until his thirteenth birthday? Submit your answer on the MuggleCast web site. Next week: We begin our Chapter By Chapter reread of Prisoner of Azkaban! This week's episode is brought to you by BetterHelp, Indeed, and MeUndies! Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast. Visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now! For 20% off your first MeUndies order and free US shipping, visit MeUndies.com/MuggleCast And don't forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast segments. Become a patron of ours today at Patreon dot com slash mugglecast. As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we immerse ourselves into the Wizarding World in a completely different way! Our 600th installment welcomes back an old favorite as we review the highly-anticipated Hogwarts Legacy video game! The game has blown us away in a lot of ways, but it's not without issues. Please note: We acknowledge the conflict many in the fandom feel about supporting this game and address this at the top of show. For past episodes discussing the author's position on trans issues please see Episode 469 and this episode from January 2020. Fans can join us in supporting and volunteering with organizations such as Trans Lifeline, Lambda Legal, The Trevor Project, Transgender Law Center, and the Marsha P Johnson Institute. Welcome back, original MuggleCast co-host, Kevin! Main Discussion: Our Hogwarts Legacy Review How far have each of us made it in the game? Are we playing as ourselves? Or did we create an original character? Does the game live up to all of the expectations? What are we most enjoying? What are some of the little things that make us smile? What don't we like? What's really grinding our gear slots? And how is Laura making all that coin? Does the plot work for us? Have there been any story moments that we didn’t see coming?! Would we recommend the game to people who don’t usually play video games but want to experience the Wizarding World? Next week: We’ll catch up on MuggleMail we’ve received over the last couple months, and we’ll wrap up our re-read of Chamber of Secrets! And don't forget! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon, including Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we make good on our Valentine's Day promise with dirty Harry Potter pick-up lines and a spicy fan-fiction reading! (Please note: this specific bonus segment is not kid-appropriate). As always, we appreciate your support of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Harry and Ron rack up substantial points for Gryffindor, and Dobby is freed! It's the final Chapter-by-Chapter segment of our read-through of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with Andrew, Eric, Laura and our social media manager Chloé! Eric tries desperately to up Dumbledore's Lie Count, but Andrew isn't having it. Finally, Quizzitch looks ahead to the third book, which we will be starting in a few weeks' time! We revisit last week's topic of inter-Horcrux communication, with quotes from the later books. Main Discussion: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 18: Dobby's Reward 7-Word Summary: Harry accepts Dumbledore’s comforting advice on Voldemort Dumbledore is back! But unlike last year, he did not save Harry beneath the school. How much does the headmaster really know about the events of the past year? Who are his sources regarding Voldemort's current location? Is what happened in the Chamber a perfect recruiting opportunity for DD of Molly and Arthur? Dumbledore pays Voldemort a compliment. The hosts cringe. Examining Harry's ability to speak Parseltongue Dumbledore pays Voldemort a compliment. The hosts cringe. Lucius finds himself out of his depth when confronting Albus directly. Connecting the Threads: In books 2 and 6, a Malfoy is Voldemort's prime connection to events at Hogwarts. Quizzitch: What witch performed a Flame Freezing Charm, allowing herself to be burned at the stake at least 47 separate times? Next week: It's Episode #600! We will be reviewing Hogwarts Legacy.. This week's episode is brought to you by BetterHelp, Indeed, and ZocDoc! Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast. Visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now! Go to ZocDoc.com/MuggleCast to download the Zocdoc app for FREE; then find and book a top-rated doctor today. Support the show! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon! Benefits include Bonus MuggleCast, early access to each episode of the show, ad-free episodes, access to our recording studio, an exclusive Discord and Facebook group, you’ll become a member of the MuggleCast Collectors Club, and at the Slug Club level you’ll receive a physical gift every year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Harry finally enters the Chamber of Secrets! But does he leave with more questions than he had coming in? And, knowing what the diary truly represents, the hosts dive deep into the world of Horcruxes! Join us as we discuss the penultimate chapter of Chamber of Secrets! Welcome, Voldemort enthusiast and friend of the show, Tylor Starr! Be sure to follow him on social media and check out his Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook! Main Discussion: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17: The Heir of Slytherin 7-Word Summary: Memories reveal answers about Tom’s legacy fulfillment Are Horcruxes self-aware? Do they have a hivemind? Does the diary-version of Tom Riddle know he’s a Horcrux? How does a Horcrux work when another form still exists? If Tom Riddle weren’t killed here, would there have been a current Voldemort and a Tom Riddle, or would they have merged together? What if… Ginny had found fulfillment and happiness instead of being teased by her brothers, feeling like she didn’t fit in, and harboring unrequited feelings for Harry? Would Riddle have been able to manipulate her otherwise? Should Harry have told Tom Riddle what he knew about Voldemort's downfall? Did it inform Voldemort's future actions? We explore Signs that Tom Riddle is Voldemort: did we suspect this when we first read the book? If he didn’t have the brains or the power, why was Hagrid a good person to frame? Connecting The Threads to Half-Blood Prince: Fawkes, teenage Tom Riddle, the charming manipulation of others and the similarities between Harry and Tom Connecting The Threads to Deathly Hallows: The Sword of Gryffindor and Basilisk Fangs Ever wondered what other anagrams come from Tom Marvolo Riddle? Check out this great list from Katie Rose! And we have few international versions that will make you laugh out loud! Quizzitch: What does Fred drop on George’s head after he learns Percy has a girlfriend? Next week: We wrap up our chapter-by-chapter discussion of Chamber of Secrets with Chapter 18. This week's episode is brought to you by MasterClass (get unlimited access to EVERY class, and as a MuggleCast listener, you get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast) and Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to starting hiring now)! Support the show! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon! Benefits include Bonus MuggleCast, early access to each episode of the show, ad-free episodes, access to our recording studio, an exclusive Discord and Facebook group, you’ll become a member of the MuggleCast Collectors Club, and at the Slug Club level you’ll receive a physical gift every year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What exactly did the Forbidden Forest do to the Flying Ford Anglia? What did the teachers do all day when Ginny Weasley was discovered missing? And, should Hogwarts lock its front door? These questions and more are asked as your MuggleCast hosts delve into Chapters 15 and 16 of Chamber of Secrets on this week's jam-packed Chapter-by-Chapter episode of MuggleCast! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura, Micah, and Slug Club guest Kimberly (who came prepared with some fun HP-themed Valentines greetings) as we near the final chapters of Book 2. Welcome to the show Slug Club guest Kimberly! Is it really Valentine's Day without some Harry-Potter-themed greetings? The hosts are delighted to hear something new. Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 15: Aragog 7-Word Summary: Andrew and Micah devise, "Spiders spiders spiders spiders vroom vroom vroom" Parallels abound between life at Hogwarts without Dumbledore in Book 2, and a similar time for students in Year 7. Should Hogwarts lock its front door at night to prevent students leaving so easily as Harry and Ron do? Harry and Ron are up to their eyes in spiders, and is Dumbledore responsible for their Anglia-driven rescue? Aragog's origins and his tale are explored in depth. In Odds and Ends for Chapter 15, Draco jokes prophetically, the Hufflepuffs come around, Fang gets some relief, and Percy is caught fooling around. Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 16: The Chamber of Secrets 7-Word Summary: Laura and Eric come up with, "Gilderoy is revealed to have no integrity." Is it fair that Hogwarts doesn't (yet) cancel exams for the 1992 school year? Hermione provides Ron and Harry the key to solving the whole puzzle, while unconscious. Her most impressive feat yet! Ginny tries to tell Ron and Harry something, but is interrupted... ...and Lockhart reveals himself to be every bit as incompetent as everybody feared. For once, Ron and Harry brought a teacher into their circle, but it came at a cost. What are the teachers all doing the entire day while Ginny is gone? Would the person who put Hogwarts' plumbing in have discovered the Chamber of Secrets, and (literally) covered it up? Wouldn't it have been better if the tap on the sink had actually functioned? Next week: We dive into Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 17, The Heir of Slytherin! Quizzitch: Who really opened the Chamber of Secrets 50 years ago? Support the show! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon! Benefits include Bonus MuggleCast, early access to each episode of the show, ad-free episodes, access to our recording studio, an exclusive Discord and Facebook group, you’ll become a member of the MuggleCast Collectors Club, and at the Slug Club level you’ll receive a physical gift every year! This week's episode is brought to you by HelloFresh. Use code muggle65 for 65% off plus free shipping at HelloFresh.com/Muggle65. Also, by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another episode, another attack at Hogwarts! Join us as we enter the pages of a secret diary, get treated to a special Valentine's Day by Professor Lockhart and witness an epic showdown in Hagrid's Hut between Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and Cornelius Fudge! All as the threads between Chamber of Secrets and Half-Blood Prince continue to grow stronger! Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 13: The Very Secret Diary 7-Word Summary: Memories are misleading within Riddle’s secret diary Don't touch that book! Ron provides some important wizarding world advice to his best friend. Harry, Ron and Hermione begin to connect the dots between The Chamber of Secrets opening 50 years ago and Tom Riddle being at Hogwarts 50 years ago... they just draw the wrong conclusion! Harry notes it was "almost as though Riddle was a friend he’d had when he was very small, and had half-forgotten.” Is this our first introduction to the Horcrux connection? Could Tom Riddle have killed Harry by trapping him inside the diary? Connecting The Threads: memory alteration and manipulation are integral plot points in Half-Blood Prince! Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 14: Cornelis Fudge 7-Word Summary: Hagrid receives terrible news about leaving Hogwarts Harry, Ron and Hermione are surprised to learn it was Hagrid who opened the Chamber of Secrets, but they’re not really surprised, are they? As Hermione begins to piece things together, why doesn't she seek out a professor? Hermione is petrified and Tom Riddle's Diary is stolen! But whose the culprit? Checkout “A Very Secret Diary” by Arabella, which details Ginny Weasley’s interactions with the diary for her entire first year! Note: this is intended for a mature audience. Would the Invisibility Cloak prevented Harry & Ron from being killed by the basilisk? So many questions surround Hagrid's arrest, first and foremost... WHERE'S THE ACTUAL EVIDENCE? Do any alternatives exist for Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge? Much like Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore leaves the school (in absolute chaos), with Harry shouldering the burden of solving the mystery! Next week: We dive into Chamber of Secrets, Chapters 15 & 16! Quizzitch: Who escorts the Gryffindors to their Herbology lesson? Support the show! There’s much more MuggleCast waiting for you on Patreon! Benefits include Bonus MuggleCast, early access to each episode of the show, ad-free episodes, access to our recording studio, an exclusive Discord and Facebook group, you’ll become a member of the MuggleCast Collectors Club, and at the Slug Club level you’ll receive a physical gift every year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Snape demonstrates the famous Disarm Charm to a clearly impressionable Harry. Harry, meanwhile, throws a well-placed firework into Goyle's cauldron. And it's pandemonium when Harry is revealed to be a Parselmouth, leading the entire school to suspect him of being Slytherin's heir (except Dumbledore, who weirdly lets Harry leave without interrogation.) Tons to talk about as the hosts cover chapters 11 and 12 of Chamber of Secrets during Chapter-by-Chapter! News: Eddie Redmayne says he's not aware of a 4th Fantastic Beasts movie. Is this the end? Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11: The Dueling Club 7-Word Summary: Students get ready for their dueling club We rank the trio's plans to break into Snape's personal potions storage and their successful execution! Would Harry have been less suspected by Snape if he sabotaged a fellow Gryffindor? After being discovered as a Parselmouth, the whole school suspects Harry is opening Slytherin's chamber. We examine ALL the evidence against Harry and see if we are convinced. When people are petrified, are they conscious or unconscious until they get cured? Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12: The Polyjuice Potion 7-Word Summary: Draco confirms that he isn’t Slytherin’s baddie Dumbledore lets Harry leave his office without any explanation or follow-up questions. Why? Could Dumbledore have probed Harry's mind deeper than we realize and gotten all the answers? If so, what did he do with that information? Despite Hermione's amazing planning, Ron and Harry stumble through their Polyjuice adventure. They don't even know where the other common room is! Does Harry ever visit Hedwig? We rank Harry's Christmas presents!! Next week: We dive into Chamber of Secrets, Chapters 13 & 14! Quizzitch: What Spell does Hermione use on T.M. Riddle's diary? This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chamber of Secrets is officially opened! But as Dumbledore says, the question is not who, but how? Join us as we learn more about the Chamber's legend, check books out from the Restricted Section, evade Rogue bludgers and handle (un)helpful House-Elves. Plus, we continue to connect some major threads to events of Half-Blood Prince! Welcome Slug Club member, Alyssa! Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 9: The Writing on The Wall 7-Word Summary: Filch scares Harry because he’s acting accusatory Was the attack on Mrs. Norris a trial run? Was Filch the intended target? Or is Mrs. Norris too meddlesome for her own good? What do we make of Ron's reaction to Filch being a Squib? How is it possible that no other students were aware? Why is Snape seemingly trying to implicate Harry? At this early stage, might Snape suspect Harry’s susceptibility to having his mind infiltrated by Voldemort? Do we think students actually checked out all copies of Hogwarts: A History, or was it a strategic choice by Madam Pince to remove them from the library? Harry struggles internally with almost having been sorted into Slytherin. Could he in fact be the heir? Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10: The Rogue Bludger 7-Word Summary: Broken bones consume Lockhart’s reputation at Quidditch Lockhart continues to draw suspicion with his questionable actions Do Muggle schools have restricted sections? Rule-breaking Hermione: let's brew some Polyjuice Potion! Why didn’t Madam Hooch notice the tampered bludger? And... where are the adults? The decision to continue play is not Harry's to make! Why is there no medical personnel present at Quidditch matches? Did Lockhart ever get in trouble for removing Harry's bones? Welcome back, Dobby! But... why are you trying to kill Harry? Colin Creevey becomes the first human casualty of the basilisk! Next week: We dive into Chamber of Secrets, Chapters 11 & 12! Quizzitch: During the Dueling Club, who does Snape pair Hermione with? This episode is brought to you by MeUndies (get 20% off your first order and free US shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast) and ZocDoc (go to ZocDoc.com/MuggleCast to download the Zocdoc app for FREE; then find and book a top-rated doctor today). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! As we begin 2023, and celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chamber of Secrets, we examine the some of the book's and series' biggest themes! Join us as we hit the Quidditch pitch, visit Hagrid's hut, spend detention with Lockhart and celebrate Halloween with Nearly-Headless Nick on our latest episode of MuggleCast! Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 7: Murmurs & Mudbloods 7-Word Summary: Nepotism reigns supreme when Draco receives brooms We begin to see the influence of the Malfoy family’s wealth and the impact it has at Hogwarts and in the larger wizarding community! Is it fair to assume Draco made the Slytherin Quidditch team on money alone? Unconscious bias: Why were we okay with McGonagall giving Harry a Nimbus 2000 in Sorcerer's Stone but against Lucius giving the Slytherins Nimbus 2001s in Chamber of Secrets? Why isn't there greater punishment for Malfoy using the term mudblood? Why do the male characters seem to be onto Lockhart, but most of the female characters come across as hoodwinked by his charm and good looks? Laying the Groundwork: Blood purity, Hagrid's expulsion, Ginny's strange behavior, Riddle's trophy, the cursed DADA position and more! Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 8: The Deathday Party 7-Word Summary: Nick helps Harry out with Peeves’ assistance What does it say about Filch that he’s working while he has the flu? Is he trying to prove himself given he is a Squib? Peeves drops an important piece of furniture with strong ties to Half-Blood Prince! Would the Deathday Party have been a good film adaptation? The hosts make some interesting observations about Moaning Myrtle and The Bloody Baron. The Chamber of Secrets is opened! What does it say about Harry that he runs toward an issue rather than away from it? Or better yet, that he doesn’t go and get a teacher to help investigate? Next week: We dive into Chamber of Secrets, Chapters 9 & 10! Quizzitch: What curse does Lockhart say was probably performed on Mrs Norris? This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and MasterClass (get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast). On Bonus MuggleCast, we discuss Pottermore's sales dropping 40% in 2022! Bonus MuggleCast, which we now release twice per month, is just one of many great benefits of becoming a patron of the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MuggleCast returns January 10th with new episodes, but until then we're releasing one of our favorite episodes of Bonus MuggleCast that we initially recorded for Patrons earlier in the year! In this installment, we discuss the late actor Alan Rickman's diary entries about playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movies. As you might expect from a diary, he is very candid about his work and the cast members around him. Prepare to be surprised by how he felt while filming each Harry Potter movie! For more installments of Bonus MuggleCast, pledge to our Patreon today at Patreon.com/mugglecast. In 2023, we'll be releasing two Bonus MuggleCast episodes every month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Holidays! Join us for our final episode of the year! What were some of our top moments? Our favorite episodes of the show? Then we open up our MuggleMail bag one last time and look ahead to what to expect in 2023 for Harry Potter fans! Our top 5 Social Media Moments Why do you wish you were a teenager in the early 2000s? MuggleCast #tbt! Black Harry Potter content creators you should follow this Black History Month! Dan Fogler’s Cameo to celebrate Micah’s Birthday! MuggleCast Through the Years Timeline Last-minute MuggleCast Halloween Costumes! Each host shares their favorite episodes of the year: Andrew: Episode #566: WB is Planning HBO Max Harry Potter Shows — We Pitch Lots of New Ideas! and Episode #555: ’98-’99 Hogwarts School Year Deep Dive Eric: Episode #567: ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ Illustrator Thomas Taylor Reveals the Secrets Behind the Cover and #573: ‘MuggleCast, A History’ Trivia Game! Laura: Episode #576: How Are Spells Created? Discussing the Physics of Harry Potter and Episode #551: The Importance of Black Representation in Harry Potter Micah: Episode #580: Sorting Too Soon (Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapters 7 – 8) and Episode #548: Will There Ever Be Another Harry Potter-Level Book Series? Muggle Mail covers HBO Max's Hogwarts Holidays: Fireplace feature, Lucius Malfoy's Ministry job status, crackpot theories, thread connecting and more! What can Harry Potter fans expect in 2023? Hogwarts Legacy hits store shelves in February! Does the Discovery/Warner Brothers merger mean good things ahead? A Harry Potter television show, perhaps? We'll celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chamber of Secrets! Quizzitch: What does Oliver Wood say the Nimbus 2001 brooms do in comparison to the Cleansweep series? This week's episode is brought to you by MeUndies (get 20% off your first order, free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast), BetterHelp (save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and MasterClass (give the perfect gift of an annual MasterClass membership and get one free at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast). Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Our next episode is headed your way January 10, 2023! In the meantime, be sure to visit our Wall of Fame and keep your eyes out for a Bonus MuggleCast available to all in the coming weeks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Harry and Ron invent a new way to get to Hogwarts, but break a few international statutes! Settling in to classes would be easier for Harry if Draco Malfoy and Gilderoy Lockhart weren't following him around! Still, it is so good to be back within the castle walls. Join us for Chapter by Chapter segments of chapters 5 and 6 of "Chamber of Secrets." Welcome Slug Club guest Miranda! Announcement! Slug Club members of our Patreon will be able to participate in our holiday year-end MuggleCast AMA this coming Saturday, December 17 at 1pm ET. The event will be viewable by ALL when it goes live, and Slug Club members can submit their Q's! Stay tuned to our social for reminders. Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 5: The Whomping Willow 7-Word Summary: The tree captures the Ford toughly, rawr! Are there further investigations into why the Kings Cross barrier didn't let Harry through, after his and Ron's story come out? What makes Ron leap right to taking the car, instead of waiting for one of the many parents on the platform to come find them? Which other ways of transport can someone take to get to Hogwarts? Portkeys? Floo powder? The hosts discuss the prevalence of herbology-related mentions in this book as foreshadowing. Does the Anglia's arrival at Hogwarts prove that Hogwarts is a Security Nightmare? Do Ron and Harry get off a little easy for their world-exposing stunt? Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 6: Gilderoy Lockhart 7-Word Summary: Chaos ensues when Lockhart takes over class Mrs. Weasley's Howler to Ron may have consequences that she doesn't intend. Could she have been more discreet with her reprimand, and even shown up in person? For all things Professor Sprout, whose introduction occurs in this chapter, check out MuggleCast #513 which covers her presence throughout all 7 books! Has the Whomping Willow injured Sprout, or has she deftly applied the bandages? Words in the book are hard. Micah makes a piercing connection between the Mandrakes and the Basilisk. The hosts review Gilderoy Lockhart's early life, full of interesting tidbits from his extended canon backstory. Was Dumbledore really trying to expose Lockhart during the events of Harry's Year Two? The subtle way in which Colin and Justin are introduced to Harry as Muggle-born is sending us. Write this down! The students at Hogwarts have washed themselves! We award our standard MVP of the week to chapters and characters. Next week, MuggleCast does our annual Year in Review / MuggleMail extravaganza, after which we break for the holidays. Quizzitch question: Which potion makes Madam Z. Nettles of Topsham, patron of Kwikspell, the center of attention at parties? This episode is brought to you by MeUndies (Get 20% off your first order and free shipping at MeUndies.com/mugglecast) and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we make our first visit to The Burrow and meet several characters for the first time in Diagon Alley! Plus, hold onto your Sorting Hat as we connect a handful of threads between Chamber of Secrets and Half-Blood Prince! Micah visits Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience in New York! Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 3: The Burrow 7-Word Summary: Weasley’s House Features New Magic And... Gnomes Fred & George are truly their father's sons (be sure to check out our Weasley Twins episode from April 2021) Right family, wrong motive - Dobby DOES belong to the Malfoys! What if... Molly and Arthur had gone to pickup Harry at Privet Drive? Comparing and contrasting Harry and Ron's view of The Burrow Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 4: At Flourish & Blotts 7-Word Summary: Lucius takes Ginny’s father in a fight Should the Weasleys have given Harry a bit more assistance with Floo Powder? Inside Borgin and Burkes: vanishing cabinets, necklaces and hands of glory, oh my! What is Lucius Malfoy's true motive in getting Tom Riddle's diary to Hogwarts? Several characters are exhibiting odd behavior, Percy and Hagrid included! What are our first impressions of Gilderoy Lockhart? 7 BOOKS?!?! Why is Hogwarts bankrolling Gilderoy's bad habits? Bookstore Throwdown: Lucius and Arthur get into it! Next Week: Chapters 5 & 6 of Chamber of Secrets This week's episode is brought to you by Stamps.com (visit Stamps.com, click on the microphone, and enter code MUGGLECAST for a special offer that includes a 4-week trial, plus free postage, and a free digital scale), BetterHelp (save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and MeUndies (get 20% off your first order, free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast)! On Bonus MuggleCast, we uncover and discuss some exciting new info about what Harry Potter attraction is coming to Epic Universe! Bonus MuggleCast is just one of many great benefits of becoming a patron of the show! And special thank you to those who have shared that MuggleCast appeared in their Spotify Wrapped’s this year! The show was the top podcast for 1,500 listeners, in the Top 5 for 4,600 listeners, and in the Top 10 for 6,700 listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our fourth Harry Potter holiday gift guide episode! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they share their latest favorites Harry Potter-adjacent merchandise. Autobiographical works from several of the films' biggest stars are now published, and certain handcrafted and fan-made items are too good to resist. Looking for the gift that your HP-obsessed friend doesn't already have? Start here, with us, on this week's MuggleCast! This year's holiday gift guide episode features largely Harry Potter-adjacent items for the HP-obsessed friend who has everything, or so they think! We'd like to draw attention to BookShop.org, where with their special Store Locator page you can support your local bookstore through the purchase of books mentioned on this episode, and all books in general. Check it out! This year's fiction recommendations include 'The Magicians' by Lev Grossman, the 'Percy Jackson' series by Rick Riordan, the 'Simon Snow' trilogy of books by Rainbow Rowell, Michael Scott's 'Immortal Nicholas Flamel' series, and the 'Eerie-on-Sea' mystery books by the delightful Thomas Taylor. MuggleCast Patrons chime in with their favorite fiction recommendations, including a series by a familiar name for some of us. In our "From the Stars" category, Evanna Lynch's Kinder Beauty Box subscription service, her deeply personal autobiography, Bonnie Wright's how-to book 'Go Gently', the posthumously released diaries of Alan Rickman, and Tom Felton's hilarious memoir. Friend of the show Tylor Starr has recently released The Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook, with over 75 mouth-watering recipes we can't wait to try. Our fanmade recommendations include Heartwood Wands on Etsy, customized HP Bobbleheads for you or your friends, Expedition Roasters' 'Accio Coffee', Frostbeard Studio's magical assorted candle line, and even these flameless floating candles for your home decoration. Finally, we go truly wild with celebrity prayer candles, celebrity Cameo videos, toilet decals, vintage HP merch from eBay, and more favorites from The New York Puzzle Co.! If you want even more gift ideas, check out our previous gift guides on Episode 444, Episode 493, and Episode 540. If you want to support us, consider asking someone to gift you a subscription to our Patreon! Next week: We return with Chapters 3 and 4 of Chamber of Secrets Chapter-by-Chapter! This week's episode is brought to you by MeUndies! Visit MeUndies.com MuggleCast for 20% off your first order, and free shipping, with a 100% moneyback guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we begin Chapter-by-Chapter of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! Harry's abuse rises to new levels, the Dursleys obtain Death Eater status, and Dobby complicates Harry's life despite his good intentions. From horcruxes to house-elves, from animal cruelty to servitude, there's lots to unpack from on this weeks' episode! We reflect on reading Chamber of Secrets for the first time and what we're expecting to get out of our re-read Main Discussion #1: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 1: The Worst Birthday 7-Word Summary: The Day Harry Was Beaten By Family We deeply analyze the Dursley's mistreatment of Harry and add animal cruelty to the list of offenses Wouldn’t Petunia know that Harry can’t do magic outside of school? Perhaps she does not want to reveal her knowledge of the wizarding world to Vernon? How could Harry overcome the Dursleys’ restrictions except for the rescue from the Weasleys? How does Dumbledore allow for this level of abuse to go on for so long? Don't use THAT word (MAGIC)... are the Dursleys the Death Eater equivalent in the Muggle world? Can we glean anything positive from Dudley remembering Harry's birthday? Main Discussion #2: Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 2: Dobby's Warning 7-Word Summary: Surprises await Harry in his bedroom tonight We analyze the Mystery of Dobby's Ownership When would Lucius Malfoy have begun planning to unleash the Diary Horcrux? Connecting the Threads: we compare the behavior of Dobby in this book to Kreacher in Order of the Phoenix What is our general consensus on Dobby? Helpful or super, super annoying? Harry and Dobby: both are servants in their respective households, both are bound by magical contracts and both are treated horribly! Next week: we're off for Thanksgiving... (or are we)? Quizzitch: In Chapter 3 of Chamber of Secrets, what is the last of Harry's possessions to leave Privet Drive? This week's episode is brought to you by BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we dive deep into the final chapter of Sorcerer's Stone, connect some serious threads to Deathly Hallows and get after everyone's favorite headmaster. Dumbledore apologists beware! News: Leslie Phillips, voice of the Sorting Hat passes away at 98 The 6th Annual MuggleCast Patreon Holiday Gift Exchange is now live! Chapter-by-Chapter for Sorcerer's Stone concludes with Chapter 17: The Man With Two Faces 7-Word Summary: Dumbledore comes at the situation with lies Main Discussion 1: Dumbledore’s Task - we draw some strong parallels between Sorcerer's Stone and Deathly Hallows Does Voldemort read Harry’s mind, is it the Horcrux connection or just a lucky guess? What made Dumbledore initially move the stone from Gringotts? What tipped him off? Do we know how Quirrell found out about its location? Could Dumbledore not trust himself enough to keep the Stone in his own possession? We analyze Snape's "protection" of Harry throughout his first year Main Discussion #2: YOU LIAR! We dissect the conversation Harry and Dumbledore have in the hospital wing “Humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.” How much is Dumbledore referring to himself in this moment? Does Dumbledore's refuse to tell Harry the truth for his own protection or to serve Dumbledore's own selfish purposes? How much is Dumbledore himself a Security Nightmare? Odds & Ends cover iconic quotes, Quirrell's twitching, Hagrid's drinking and more The Dumbledore Liar count finishes Sorcerer's Stone at 8 while we revisit all of our 7-Word Summaries Next Week: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets begins! Quizzitch: What color are Dobby the House-Elf’s eyes? Bonus MuggleCast covers a new Hogwarts Legacy video, Dobby's gravesite in Wales and Harry Potter book sales being up 35% in 2022! Become a patron today and receive great benefits just like Bonus MuggleCast! This week's episode is brought to you by Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now), BetterHelp (save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and MeUndies (get 20% off your first order, free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans! Don't forget to vote in the 2022 Midterms by Tuesday, November 8! Visit IWillVote.com to find your local polling place. This week the hosts are joined by Slug Club guest Michele, and Chapter by Chapter continues with chapters 15 and 16 of Sorcerer's Stone. Listen as we discuss how the Centaurs may have been right all along, while Harry serves detention in "The Forbidden Forest." After that, follow along as the trio go "Through the Trapdoor"! And we analyze each of the obstacles designed to protect the Sorcerer's Stone. All this and more, including: Welcome Slug Club guest Michele! If you would like the chance to guest-host on our show, visit our Patreon News: New Warner CEO David Zaslav wants "More Harry Potter movies!" What does that mean?! Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 15: The Forbidden Forest 7-Word Summary: Mars might tell of future conflicts forthcoming Harry experiences exclusion like never before, after Gryffindor is down so many points. Have we ever disappointed our classmates in this way? What If? Harry told McGonagall the truth about Hagrid and the dragon. Would things have turned out the same? This detention in the Forbidden Forest is WAY too dangerous! And Hagrid even wants to split up! What are the Centaurs seeing in the sky, and why are they so hesitant to interfere? Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 16: Through the Trapdoor 7-Word Summary: Voldemort is hiding behind Quirrell’s incompetence – keys Would it have made more sense for Ron to impersonate the Bloody Baron? Still, props to Harry for pulling it off! Hermione has a tendency to freeze up under pressure. When else has this occurred? Why wasn't Snape's logic puzzle included in the movie? We close out the chapter with our MVPs of the Week Next Week: we finish our Chapter by Chapter re-read of Book One! Quizzitch: What does Voldemort tell Harry that he will do once he has the Elixir of Life? This week's episode is brought to you by MeUndies (Get 20% off your first order and free shipping at MeUndies.com/mugglecast), MasterClass (Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/mugglecast), and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode we dig deep into our MuggleMail bag as listeners weigh in on our latest chapter-by-chapter discussions. One voicemail leads the hosts to take sides in a Harry Potter date debate! Plus, we have fun paging through the beautifully illustrated Order of the Phoenix by Jim Kay. We review the Order of the Phoenix Illustrated Illustrated Edition. There's SO much to love in this one! Speaking of books, don't forget to check out The Magic of MinaLima, which is an exhaustive look at MinaLima's work for the Harry Potter movies. Voicemails cover magic's origin, a Harry Potter first date, a Draco-focused Harry Potter TV show and more Several listeners write in about Christmas gifts and Quidditch rules Why doesn’t Hermione use her own wand to stop the troll? Why did Hagrid really go to get Harry from the Dursleys? Should Ron be allowed to have a rat at Hogwarts? Is it the job of the Sorting Hat to equally divide the first year students? One listener presents a strong defense of Petunia Dursley Is the Hogwarts Express super inconvenient for students who already live close to Hogwarts? Troll in the Dungeon: is Dumbledore sending the Slytherins to their doom? Quizzitch: When McGonagall gives detentions to the trio and Neville in Book 1, she says she's "never heard of such a thing before." What is the "thing" to which she is referring? Next week: Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Chapters 15 (The Forbidden Forest) & 16 (Through The Trapdoor) of Sorcerer's Stone This week's episode is brought to you by MasterClass ( get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the hosts are joined by Andy of Harry Potter Fan Zone, and Chapter by Chapter continues with chapters 13 and 14 of Sorcerer's Stone. Listen as we discuss the real-life origins of Nicolas Flamel, debate whether 'Sorcerer's Stone' or 'Philosopher's Stone' is a better title, and revisit a fan theory about what Dumbledore did with alchemy. Then, the trio visit Hagrid's Hut and Harry uses his powers of persuasion that he may or may not have inherited from Voldemort?! All this and more, including: Welcome back, Andy! Check out Harry Potter Fan Zone, the top Australian HP fan site. News: Many new books are now available including Tom Felton's autobiography, Alan Rickman's posthumous diary, and Order of the Phoenix illustrated by Jim Kay. The hosts discuss which ones they'll be checking out. Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 13: Nicolas Flamel 7-Word Summary: Secrets are revealed when chocolate is eaten. We never did find out what work Dumbledore and Nicolas did on alchemy. Did Fantastic Beasts reveal more? We review an old fan theory that we love about Credence's origins. In talking about the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, Andrew explains who was responsible for the title change. Which is better, saying "Sorcerer's Stone" (snappy, alliterative) or "Philosopher's Stone" (boring)? Andy and the American hosts all debate. The hosts review some early Mary GrandPré artwork including an alternate cover that Andy shares with the title "Harry Potter and the School of Magic". In fact, Harry Potter Fan Zone has the most impressive gallery of official artwork, exhaustingly sourced and categorized by Andy. Worth your time to check out! Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 14: Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback 7-Word Summary: Hagrid reveals illegal practices inside his hut This rare chapter is, in many ways, completely self-contained. The conflict presented is resolved at the end. Life lessons from HP #???: Flattery will get you ev-erywhere! Andrew's new proposal of an HBO Max television show features Hagrid and his pet dragon. We're in love. Hagrid clearly has a soft spot for clearly dangerous creatures. Is this intentional foreshadowing to his plotline in Chamber of Secrets? Is it reckless for Ron not to be honest with Madame Pomfrey about his bite? What if it's magically infected? The scene with Charlie's friends is unspoilt by adaptation. What do we see when we see it in our heads? We close out the chapter with our MVPs of the Week Next Week: It's a MuggleMail episode! Send us your thoughts on our recent chapters or tell us what's on your mind! Quizzitch: Which real-life Wizard Rock artist wrote a classic spurned love ballad titled "1991 - Charlie Weasley" This week's episode is brought to by Stamps.com (Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/mugglecast. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!), BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast), and Shudder (Get your first 30 days free by using code 'mugglecast')! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we pay tribute to Robbie Coltrane, whose iconic role as Rubeus Hagrid made him beloved to costars and fans alike. Chapter-by-Chapter continues as we take flight with Harry in his first Quidditch match and explore the halls of Hogwarts beneath the Invisibility Cloak. We remember Robbie Coltrane, the beloved actor who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter series Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 11: Quidditch 7-Word Summary: Gryffindor surprises Hogwarts with winning very tastily Why does Snape choose to confide in Filch after being attacked by Fluffy? Why does he not go to Madam Pomfrey? Or heal himself? What is going through Snape's mind when Harry sees him in this vulnerable situation? Does Professor Quirrell’s attack on Harry during the Quidditch match do Quirrell more harm (for him) than good? Security Nightmare: Why are there not more protections in place during Quidditch matches? Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer’s Stone, Chapter 12: The Mirror of Erised 7-Word Summary: Dumbledore gives Harry some advice about life The hosts rank Harry's Christmas gifts from best to worst, using math How does this new information on The Mirror of Erised influence our thoughts on the magical device? We discuss Harry’s (reckless) tendency of using gifts from anonymous sources Laura connects the threads between several Mirror of Erised and Resurrection Stone passages Why is Nicolas Flamel not more well-known? Who did the hosts select as their Most Valuable Character/Chapter of the Week? Next week: Chapter-By-Chapter continues for Sorcerer’s Stone with Chapters 13 and 14! Quizzitch: In Sorcerer's Stone, how old is Nicolas Flamel at the time of Harry’s first year at Hogwarts? This week's episode is brought to you by: the Audible Original The Sandman: Act III, MeUndies (Go to MeUndies.com/MuggleCast for 20% off your first order and free shipping) and Indeed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are certain things you can't do without becoming best friends, and podcasting about Harry Potter together is one of them! Chapter-by-Chapter returns with analysis of Sorcerer's Stone's "The Midnight Duel" and "Halloween"! Our trio of heroes get goaded by Malfoy into a trap, and then accidentally lock a troll in a bathroom. Harry also finds the one thing that he is naturally good at. News: Jim Kay has announced he will be stepping down from making the illustrated edition Potter books. We thank him for his work. Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 9: The Midnight Duel 7-Word Summary: Draco challenges Harry to a Midnight Fakeout After Neville's injury, the students leap to his defense. Have the hosts had similar moments at school, or were we all too scared to speak up? In what is clearly another security nightmare, Madame Hooch abandons her class of 11-year-olds who 5 minutes ago were handed a very fast and dangerous broomstick for each of them. No wonder something bad happens next! Laura asks what (specifically) makes Harry a natural at flying? Maybe abuse from Dudley made his reflexes better? How blatant is what McGonagall does 'favoritism' toward Gryffindor House, and why does the First Years rule exist to begin with? After narrowly avoiding trouble during the day, Harry and Ron immediately go wandering the castle at night. Shouldn't they be more careful? Should Harry have known that Malfoy was planning a trap? How does Malfoy have an inside line to Filch? Did NOBODY walk Neville home from the hospital wing to make sure he could get in the Common Room? Fluffy's origins and comments on the movie adaptation are covered in 'Odds and Ends' Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 10: Halloween 7-Word Summary: Dinner is interrupted by a massive disturbance Major things almost always happen to Harry on Halloween. Micah recounts some of the big ones. Are Ron's choice of words against Hermione a bit too much? It is Hermione's pronunciation advice which helps Ron successfully tackle the troll! Have any of the hosts befriended people they were not expecting to like? Examining Hermione's motivations to lie, the act which solidifies her friendship with Harry and Ron. HOW is it that Quirrell is not caught or at least hugely suspected for letting in the troll? Should Voldemort have used someone else instead? The students of Hogwarts do not seem to dress up for Halloween, but if they DID, Andrew has ideas as to what they would be. Harry and the Golden Snitch meet for the first time. Our hearts are all aflutter If McGonagall had not discovered Harry's talent during the first flying lesson, when would there be another chance? Next Week: Chapter-By-Chapter for Sorcerer's Stone, Chapters 11 and 12! Quizzitch: In Chapter 9 of Book 1, Which secret passage out of Hogwarts do the Weasley Twins suspect Lee Jordan has found? This week's episode is brought to by the Audible Original The Sandman: Act III, Masterclass (go to Masterclass.com/mugglecast for 15% off an annual subscription), and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we're busting open our MuggleMail bag as listeners send in owls about the first several chapters of Sorcerer's Stone! We entertain a few What Ifs about Petunia and Dudley and get some enlightening perspectives on Narcissa and Lupin! Hey, Apple Podcast users! You can now subscribe to the show right within the Apple Podcasts app. For $2.99/month, you'll receive early episode releases and ad-free MuggleCast! Thanks in advance for your support. We're opening up our Chapter-by-Chapter MuggleMail bag! Why was Hagrid sent for Harry? How big is the student body at Hogwarts? What happened to both sets of Harry's grandparents? How did Dudley's pigtail finally get removed? Did Harry's Horcrux impact the Dursley's treatment of him? What if... Petunia had magical ability and had been accepted at Hogwarts? What if... Dudley was a wizard? Would Vernon have disowned him? Could House-Elves be responsible for sending the Hogwarts letters? Other MuggleMail covers Leta Lestrange, The Elder Wand, Narcissa Malfoy and Remus Lupin Should Dumbledore have been sorted into Slytherin? Why wasn't Dobby asked to be in The Order? Quizzitch: In one of their very first History of Magic classes, which two famous wizards do the students in Harry's class get mixed up? On next week's episode: Chapters 9 & 10 of Sorcerer’s Stone: The Midnight Duel and Halloween In this week’s Bonus MuggleCast available exclusively to Patrons, we discuss excerpts from Alan Rickman's recently released diary, Truly Madly! This week's episode is brought to you by The Happiness Lab Podcast, BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and HelloFresh (use code muggle65 for 65% off plus free shipping at HelloFresh.com/Muggle65)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we are joined by Potter film actor and director Rohan Gotobed! He joins Andrew, Eric, Laura, and Micah as they continue their Chapter-by-Chapter readthrough of Sorcerer's Stone, covering Chapters 7 and 8! Harry is sorted into Gryffindor House, and learns that Snape really hates him! Welcome to the show, film and theater actor Rohan Gotobed, who you might recognize from playing Young Sirius Black in DH2! Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 7: The Sorting Hat 7-Word Summary: Students arrive into the Great Hall nervously Is the Sorting Ceremony too much pressure for First Years? Should there be something easier or a private ceremony? Why is the hat kept a secret from all students and possibly not even mentioned in Hogwarts, a History? We know Hermione checked... Americans struggle with British terms example 4,723, as McGonagall tells the students to 'smarten themselves up.' New Segment Alert: The hosts play "MAX That!" bringing an element from the chapter to life as a new Harry Potter streaming series Harry has a dream that the hosts find to be VERY illuminating. Was it right for Seamus' mom to keep her magical secret from his dad? Rohan pays tribute to all of Harry's peers who made it to the Sorting Ceremony but were never seen again... Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 8: The Potions Master 7-Word Summary: Eagerly Harry begins classes with angry teacher What were our first impressions of McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick and Snape? New Segment: Mini Origin, where we dive into the name Quirinus and Quirrell in an effort to understand him better. Snape speaks of potions very romantically, but is he overcompensating for the lost romance of Harry's mom? The ability to spot exactly where a potion went wrong is impressive, but Snape should not be teaching students. Harry seeks refuge at Hagrid's hut, and the hosts describe their in-school hideout locations. The hosts reveal their coveted 'Most Valuable Character/Chapter of the Week' award nominees. Next Week: it's our first Muggle Mailbag episode since starting our Chapter-By-Chapter! Quizzitch: According to Book 1, if you’re in the Great Hall facing the staff table, from LEFT to RIGHT what is the order in which the houses are seated? This week's episode is brought to by The Happiness Lab Project, Stamps.com ( Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/MUGGLECAST. Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!), and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapters 4 - 6 of Sorcerer's Stone! Join us as Harry learns he's a wizard, ventures to Diagon Alley and boards the Hogwarts Express for the very first time! Plus, we meet Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, Draco and more! It's been a big week in the UK. Andrew and Laura covered the good and bad that comes with The Queen and the new Prime Minister in their latest episode of #Millennial! Follow the show for free in your favorite podcast app for more fun like we have on MuggleCast! Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 4: Keeper of the Keys 7-Word Summary: Suddenly, Hagrid bursts through the door... BAM! You're a wizard, Harry! Does Petunia’s angry response hint at her own desire to have become a wizard? Do we find Hagrid to be convincing in his claims about Harry and his parents? Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 5: Diagon Alley 7-Word Summary: Magic is being shown in the shops Harry enters the Wizarding World for the first time! Irresponsible Hagrid: is he the right person for this job? What is with all of the Hufflepuff hatred? Inside Ollivander's: Does Harry's wand foreshadow his Hogwarts House? This scene also explains Harry's scarf colors on the U.K. cover! What do we make of Harry's Impostor Syndrome towards the end of the chapter? Main Discussion #3: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 6: The Journey From Platform 9 3/4 7-Word Summary: Aboard the train Harry meets the Weasleys Worst to First: From The Dursleys to The Weasleys Ron & Harry: Bros forever at first sight What are Harry's first impressions of Hermione? The hosts give their Most Valuable Chapter or Wizard of the Week Next Week: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapters 7-9 Quizzitch: From which vault number does Hagrid retrieve the philosopher's/sorcerer's stone? This week's episode is brought to you by Backbone (visit PlayBackbone.com/MuggleCast to order your Backbone, for a limited time, and get FREE access to over 350 console games and perks), Masterclass (get 15% off an annual membership at Masterclass.com/MuggleCast) and Indeed (visit Indeed.com/MuggleCast to start hiring now). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on MuggleCast we bring back the most heavily listener-requested segment, Chapter by Chapter! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they begin Sorcerer's / Philosopher's Stone with Chapters 1, 2 and 3! Our read-through of the Potter series contains segments both old AND new (complete with sound effects) and the hosts are all much older now than when they first started more than 16 years ago! On this week's episode: Chapter by Chapter is rebooted! We first started the segment March 19, 2006 on Episode 31 (transcript here). What to expect from CbyC includes: 7 Word Summaries, the same (but older) hosts, and brand new segments and games. Main Discussion Part 1: Sorcerer's Stone Chapter One, "The Boy Who Lived." 7 Word Summary: Vernon thinks that people are behaving oddly Eric asks, "What are the wizards and witches thinking?! The Statute of Secrecy is at stake here!" Laura makes an excellent point about what humans do after being cooped up and being afraid for long. Was it safe for Dumbledore to leave Harry unattended on a doorstep overnight? Despite the magical protection, we ask, WERE the Dursleys the best option for Dumbledore to choose? Why didn't Albus raise Harry himself? Main Discussion Part 2: Chapter Two, "The Vanishing Glass." 7 Word Summary: Dudley can’t understand why he sucks badly Having read the whole series, how do we account for the magic that Harry did when he was young? Where exactly did the "Vanished" glass go? In the book, it is not put back. Would the zoo be able to stay in business after such an incident? The hosts get depressed about the Dursleys' abuse of Harry, which hits differently now! Main Discussion Part 3: Chapter Three, "The Letters From No One." 7 Word Summary: Chaos awaits the Dursleys everywhere and above How is it exactly that the letters change addresses for Harry? Is Vernon right, and are the Dursleys being watched? Why don't Petunia and Vernon just tell Harry who/what he is? Why are they SO resistant? The hosts play What If? regarding Harry opening his Hogwarts letter while in the foyer. Most Valuable Chapter/Character of the Week returns Next week's Quizzitch question: Who are the four known members of Dudley’s Gang, from Chapter 3 of Book 1? On next week's episode: Chapters 4-6 of Harry Potter Book One This week's episode is brought to you by Indeed (Go to Indeed.com/mugglecast to start hiring now), BetterHelp (Go to BetterHelp.com/mugglecast and get 10% off your first month), and MeUndies (Go to MeUndies.com/mugglecast for 20% off your first order) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate going Back to Hogwarts, each MuggleCaster brings their own Hogwarts Lesson to the table, and you better pay attention because House Points are up for grabs. Class is now in session! Welcome Slug Club member, Robbie! Check out his wand collection on Instagram! Main Discussion: Build Your Own Hogwarts Lesson as a new year at the school kicks off. Professor Andrew teaches about the Hogwarts Express in History of Magic. Spend Muggle Studies with Professor Eric Professor Laura introduces us to Proper Spell Enunciation Explore International Wizarding Cultures with Professor Micah Professor Robbie drops some serious Wandlore knowledge on us all! Beware of pop quizzes, homework and security nightmares! Quizzitch: From what neighborhood does Harry first (accidentally) hail the Knight Bus? On next week's episode: Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Chapters 1-3 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone! This week's episode is brought to you by Upside (download the FREE Upside App and use promo code mugglecast to get $5 or more cash back on your first purchase of $10 or more) and BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, the subject of many a late night with Laura and her boyfriend is made into a main discussion for MuggleCast as the hosts and Marc talk through the physics of Harry Potter! Surely magical objects don't come from 'nowhere,' and there must be a magical cost for doing magic somehow? Those big questions and more are our target as Andrew, Eric, Laura, Micah and Marc put on their thinking caps and dive in! Welcome to this week's special guest, Laura's boyfriend Marc! Marc is a game designer with a passion for physics. A new trailer for Hogwarts Legacy has debuted, and we now know what all versions of the game will cost us. You might need to break into Gringotts to be able to afford the Collectors Edition!? Main Discussion: The physics of Harry Potter Just what is 'physics' and what answers does the study of physics seek to find? In the Wizarding World, is there a cost for doing magic? What kind of magic seems limitless, and what kind does not? Where does magical ability come from and how does it work? Are new magical spells created, or discovered? Next the MuggleCasters ask: where does the food come from, and where does your sh** go? What do our known laws (such as conservation of mass) have in common with Gamp's known laws of Elemental Transfiguration? We go point by point. Does the Vanishing Charm break down an object's atoms, or teleport it to a different dimension? In this week's Bonus MuggleCast available exclusively to Patrons, the hosts examine the physics of some magical objects including Invisibility Cloaks, Time Turners and Dumbledore's Deluminator. Quizzitch: In Year 4, What does Ron smush in anger after Draco taunts him about having inside-Ministry information regarding the TriWizard Tournament? Next week's episode: The hosts are building their own Hogwarts lesson! Come prepared for lectures and a pop quiz! This week's episode is brought to you by Backbone! Go to PlayBackbone.com/mugglecast NOW to order your Backbone. For a limited time, and get FREE access to over 350 console games and perks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, we’ll be continuing our conversation that began in Episode 568, where we argued in defense of some of the most controversial, least favorite, most complicated characters in Harry Potter. There were plenty of characters we didn’t get to last time, so it’s time for Round 2! Welcome back, Pat! Happy Birthday, Micah! We share the very special video he received from Dan Fogler and react to it. Hogwarts Legacy has been pushed to February 2023! What do we make of the announcement and this very cool A Hot Summer Day ASMR Video? Main Discussion: Indefensible Characters in Harry Potter, Round 2 What did Lucius Malfoy, Mundungus Fletcher, Horace Slughorn and Merope Gaunt do to put themselves in our cross-hairs? What characters do we love to hate? Professor Binns, Vernon Dursley and Cornelius Fudge make the cut! Can the hosts actually defend the indefensible? We try our best with Narcissa Malfoy and Barty Crouch Jr. New game alert: One Gotta Go Quizzitch: What did the Muggle, Mr. Roberts, say to the Weasley family as they left the Quidditch World Cup? Next week's episode: The Physics of the Wizarding World This week's episode is brought to you by: Audible's Genesis, BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast) and Indeed (start hiring now with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/MuggleCast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inspired by a popular Reddit thread, this week's episode asks the question: what was something that a 'good' character from the Harry Potter series did which rubbed us the wrong way? Are characters like Molly Weasley or Remus Lupin above reproach? You may find yourself nodding along with Andrew, Eric, Micah and special guest Chloé as they detail just what these supposed 'heroes' of the series did to get on our nerves! As we announced last week, Chapter By Chapter will be returning soon with Book One! Now that we are all grown-up. Look for it in September! Our hosts have recently appeared on each other's other podcasts, including Eric appearing on #Millennial, and Micah appearing on Thank You for Spieling! This week's main discussion was inspired by this great Reddit thread. Shout-out to Pamela G.'s brother for suggesting! Each host picks a supposedly 'good' Harry Potter character and lists their most heinous offenses. Molly Wealsey may be the motherly type, but her love is not evenly spread. What did Hermione or Fleur ever do to receive her ire? Albus Dumbledore may be the series' biggest 'good guy' after Harry, but his reckless endangerment of students via his choices for DADA staffers are preposterous. Remus Lupin was our very favorite teacher, but when it comes to being a dad or a romantic partner, his skills are somewhat lacking. Hermione's activism might win her some points, but she's much colder to anything that is somebody else's idea. Especially if she hasn't read about it in a book! Consulting the Reddit thread, the MuggleCast hosts pick a few more of their favorite examples. Why did EVERY adult let Ron use his broken and unsafe wand? Did Dobby go too far when stopping Harry's mail? Did the Weasley Twins go too far trying their products on students? August's Bonus MuggleCast will cover personal secrets from the hosts' early days podcasting and working on the Web. The latest Trelawney Tea Edition will be available exclusively via our Patreon. Quizzitch: in book canon, what color hair does Firenze have? This week's episode is brought to you by MeUndies (Get 20% off your first order and 100% satisfaction guarantee at MeUndies.com/mugglecast), Shudder (Stream 30 days free by using code mugglecast), and Masterclass (Get 15% off an annual subscription at Masterclass.com/mugglecast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Birthday, MuggleCast! To celebrate our 17th year of podcasting, we host a very special edition of Quizzitch Live! Do you think you know everything about our hosts? What about our special guests? How good are you with episode titles and past segments? It's time to put your MuggleCast knowledge to the test! Plus, we have a very big announcement about the future of the show! Watch the full episode of Quizzitch Live: MuggleCast, A History! It's official! Chapter-by-Chapter returns this September! This week's episode is brought to you by MeUndies (get 20% off your first order and free shipping at MeUndies.com/MuggleCast), MintMobile (get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks per month, and have the plan shipped to your door for FREE at MintMobile.com/MuggleCast) and BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast)! On next week's episode we're talking about things that "good" characters did that rubbed us the wrong way in the Harry Potter series! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Armed with the brand new Secrets of Dumbledore: The Complete Screenplay book, the MuggleCasters go to work finding answers for mysteries that were not made clear by the 3rd Fantastic Beasts movie, but may have been clearer during production! What revelations do we have from the new Fantastic Beasts 3 screenplay? The MuggleCasters are hosting an Instagram Live event this Wednesday, August 3rd at 8:30 PM ET to celebrate our birthday! More birthday fun: MuggleCast is hosting a LIVE Quizzitch game about ourselves this Saturday at 11 AM ET! Stay tuned to our social media for links. Don't miss our 2022 Patreon Gifts - The MuggleCast Collectors Club and the MuggleCast Wand! Pledge to our Patreon by August 7, 2022 and fill out the form(s) to receive your gifts! We are so proud of this year's items and hope you check them out! The Secrets of Dumbledore screenplay offers some very tiny moments that did not make it to the movie, but no deleted scenes. Dumbledore and Grindelwald's tea time was likely a flashback, the Qilin comes from China, and Jacob's bakery has some vermin trouble! Concept art provided with the screenplay includes Lally's Charms book, and Whiskey the Goat! Was Yusuf Kama passing secret messages to Queenie? Mirror World confirmed! Albus and Credence's battle takes place within the Deluminator. The visual effects department points out a fun fact. SUPREME MUGWUMP CONFIRMED! Posters for the candidates reveal the use of word that was omitted from all the dialogue in the movie. Eric cries with joy. The 'little lobster creatures' and the giant manticore at the bottom of the pit are the same creature, the screenplay confirms. Dumbledore's fist fight is detailed on his family tree, with a mysterious page number we'll be speculating about for years to come. MuggleMail includes Sorting Madame Pomfrey, James and Lily's love, whether Squibs can talk to cats, Jedi in Harry Potter, Percy's motives, and a new Marvel version of Voldemort! Quizzitch: Who succeeded Albus Dumbledore as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards? This week's episode is brought to you by Indeed (Claim your $75 credit now at Indeed.com/mugglecast), BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast), and MeUndies (Get 20% off your first order and free shipping at MeUndies.com/mugglecast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we wrap up our month-long Deathly Hallows 15th anniversary celebration by discussing a number of "What If" scenarios from the final installment of the Harry Potter series! What if things had gone drastically different at several key moments of the seventh book? Would Harry, Ron and Hermione have found another way, or would it have just been GAME OVER? Welcome back Sequoia, from Fanatical Fics and Where to Find Them podcast! Don't miss our 2022 Patreon Gifts - The MuggleCast Collectors Club and the MuggleCast Wand! Pledge to our Patreon by August 7, 2022 and fill out the form(s) to receive your gifts! We are so proud of this year's items and hope you check them out! News: Quidditch is changing its name to Quadball We continue our Deathly Hallows 15th Anniversary Celebration! Main Discussion: What if... Deathly Hallows Edition What if... Harry had been sorted into Slytherin? What if... Harry had not inadvertently destroyed the Diary Horcrux in Chamber of Secrets? What if... Lily and James had kept Sirius as their Secret Keeper? What if... Cedric Diggory didn't die in Goblet of Fire? What if... Draco had changed allegiances and served as double agent for Dumbledore's Army? What if... he was a double agent all along? What if... Rita Skeeter never published The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore? What if... Dumbledore got it all wrong and Harry died? How would the Epilogue be different? What if... Snape never shared his memories with Harry? What if... Harry didn't disarm Draco at Malfoy Manor? What if... Draco had given up the Trio to Voldemort? What if... Ron or Hermione had died? Listener What Ifs cover Hermione leaving instead of Ron, Narcissa's confirmation of Harry's death, Dobby and more! Next Week: We will be reviewing the Secrets of Dumbledore script book and see if we can gleam any new details from it! Quizzitch: What resident of Little Hangleton is quoted as saying that Frank Bryce definitely killed the Riddles no matter what the police think? This week's episode is brought to you by Upside (Download the free Upside app and use promo code 'mugglecast' to get $5 or more cash back on your first purchase of $10 or more), Shudder (stream your first 30 days of Shudder for FREE at Shudder.com/MuggleCast) and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month of therapy at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the hosts grab their Time Turners and summon all the nostalgia that will fit in their beaded bag as they revisit the day after receiving Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Andrew, Eric and Laura were in London for a live podcasting event at Waterstones, and Micah was stateside. We reflect on our initial impression of the book, what things we feel differently about 15 years later, and how magical it felt to witness the "end" of an era together. Also on this episode: dramatic line readings of some Book 7 reactions and e-mails from the day after that we finally respond to! We've just announced our 2022 Patreon Gifts - The MuggleCast Collectors Club and the MuggleCast Wand! Pledge to our Patreon by August 7, 2022 and fill out the form(s) to receive your gifts! We are so proud of this year's items and hope you check them out! Main Discussion: Revisiting MuggleCast #101, our first Deathly Hallows reactions episode Why did we start off Episode 101 talking about Lord of the Rings? Eric reminds us of how things have changed since 2007. Laura and the hosts lament the lack of return to the Department of Mysteries, across two time periods! Podcasting had made all the hosts cold, hard people. Did the deaths in Book 7 really even affect them? Did any of the deaths feel 'unnecessary' to us then, and do they now? 15 years later... does the epilogue feel satisfying? And what about those names for the kids? The hosts listen to themselves predicting what the Deathly Hallows movie will entail. We read some of the most dramatic reactions to the book, found in the MuggleNet Comments Section on July 21, 2007. Listener e-mails include: Who was the late-blooming Hogwarts student? What was it about Lily's eyes? And, what happened to Kreacher? Quizzitch: Who witnessed Dumbledore using the Sword of Gryffindor to destroy the Gaunt Ring? This week's episode is brought to you by BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month of therapy at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) and HelloFresh (Get up to 16 free meals and three free gifts by going to HelloFresh.com/muggle16 and using code muggle16 at checkout!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we begin our celebration of the 15th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by looking at the burning questions the seventh book didn't answer. In the weeks ahead, stay tuned for more Deathly Hallows book discussions in honor of the anniversary! We're excited to announce our 2022 Patreon Gifts - The MuggleCast Collectors Club and the MuggleCast Wand! Pledge to our Patreon by August 7, 2022 and fill out the form(s) to receive your gifts! We are so proud of this year's items and hope you check them out! Main Discussion: Burning Questions Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Didn’t Answer Did Deathly Hallows provide the conclusion we all wanted? Which character(s) got the most disappointing Deathly Hallows resolution? Lavender Brown: dead or alive? What retributions (if any) were there for Death Eaters and Voldemort sympathizers after the second war? Did Kreacher live through the Battle of Hogwarts, and did he ever find out that the locket was destroyed? Gringotts, The Room of Requirement & Grimmauld Place: what happened to some of our favorite wizarding world locations? Listeners share their questions on everything from The Veil to Snape's Boggart to Fawkes and more! How did Harry figure out so much during his time at Shell Cottage? Did the snake Harry set free in Sorcerer's Stone ever make it to Brazil? Nagini & Bathilda Bagshot... HOW?!? What was the relationship like between Harry and Ginny? Luckily, Eric's filling in the gaps in his fan-fiction! Was the taboo on Voldemort's name a copout? Was Azkaban absolutely PACKED after the Battle of Hogwarts? On next week's episode, we'll revisit our reactions to Deathly Hallows after reading the book for the first time, and read old e-mails from the days just after the book was released! Quizzitch: In Deathly Hallows, during the camping scenes, after complaining about their meal to Harry and Hermione and saying his mom can conjure food from thin air, what does Ron Summon for dinner? This week's episode is brought to you by MasterClass (get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast) and BetterHelp (get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices