MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

Unplug your Alexa's: Our Slug Club guest this week had her name stolen from Amazon! Vans' new line of Harry Potter shoes is causing some ripples amongst fans -- how'd Hufflepuff gets the short end of the stick? Andrew is in Orlando for the opening of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Follow us on Instagram to get looks at the new ride! MuggleMail: What would've happened if the Death Eaters weren't waiting for Dumbledore back at Hogwarts? And the best DVD/Blu-ray collection question gets answered. Chapter by Chapter: Half-Blood Prince Chapter 28, Flight of the Prince. Have we ever felt like Harry did in the opening of this scene, as if we're hurling through space because of a life-changing event? Hogwarts Is A Security Nightmare Example #9134891: Kids running around while hearing ruckus. Where's the lock-down? Warning: Never light Laura's house is on fire while her dog is inside. She will be enraged. Harry has to remind Hagrid to put out his burning home. He ALSO has to remind him how to conjure one of earth's core elements: WTF? Even while working for the Greater Good, Snape still takes the opportunity to besmirch James. Why so mean? The Half-Blood Prince is revealed, and Snape can't stand being called a coward. What's going through his mind in this moment? The movie version of this chapter is different to say the least. We compare and contrast. Dumbledore's pockets are now available for everyone to peruse, and the locket presents itself. Uh oh. Quizzitch: From whom does Lupin learn that Dumbledore has died? Thank you to this week's sponsors: The Harry Potter Figurine Collection (HeroCollector.com/Wizards), Scentbird (Scentbird.com/MUGGLECAST for 50% off), and ThirdLove (Thirdlove.com/MuggleCast for 15% off). Support the show by supporting supporting our advertisers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined by Slug Club member Alicia, who wants to know: How does Ollivander's stay in business? Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to Canada -- it's the sixth production! MuggleMail: Horcruxes probably can't be made via assisted suicide; what's the best DVD/Blu-ray set available?; thank goodness the Trio didn't have to go into The Cave; in defense of Harry Potter. We've passed 1,000 Patrons, an amazing milestone! Thank you to everyone for their support. Chapter by Chapter: Half-Blood Prince Chapter 27, The Lightning Struck Tower. Harry has to face one of the worst situations for a child to be in. Dumbledore once again experiences The Surge: He's damn good on a broom. Dumbledore speaks to Draco in a way that's reminiscent of how he'd speak to Tom. Harry needs a cloak that deflects spells -- he's been frozen under the cloak twice in one book. Why is Draco incapable of killing Dumbledore? Would this have been a different situation if Draco were a few years older? Severus... Please: This line was an amazing bit of work from Rowling. Snape's Avada Kedavra isn't written like the Killing Curse typically is. Is it because Snape was also trying to A) Prove he meant it, and B) move the body away from further harm? To say goodbye to Dumbledore, we read Patrons' favorite Dumbledore lines in Dumbledore (and Micah) voices. In light of analyzing this scene, we revisit Andrew's Astronomy Tower of Terror ride idea. This time it has exciting new twists! Quizzitch: Who did Draco mistake for being dead? This week's episode is brought to you by The Wizarding World Figurine Collection from Eaglemoss Hero Collector (get two figurines for the price of one, plus free shipping, at HeroCollector.com/Wizards) and OpenFit (text MuggleCast to 303030 for a FREE month trial)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're live from Andrew's living room in Chicago! The new WizardingWorld.com website (sort of) goes live and we get our official passports! Question is… what do we do with them? Wizarding World Gold: what is it and how much is it going to cost fans? Following Crimes of Grindelwald and a Fantastic Beasts 3 delay, is this news breaking at the wrong time? What benefits would we like to see from a premium Wizarding World service? Muggle Mail covers where people listen, politics, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, security at Hogwarts and "good" Horcruxes Why did Voldemort put so little protection around his other Horcruxes? Did Dumbledore experience a "surge" before his inevitable fate on the Lightening-Struck Tower? Why didn't we talk more about the fact that Draco was crying when Harry found him in the bathroom? Did Snape create Sectumsempra for James Potter and Sirius Black? Quizzitch: Where do Harry and Dumbledore apparate to upon their return from The Cave? We're off next week! Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon): What if… Dumbledore had told Harry the truth about Snape in that moment of hesitation? This week's episode is brought to you by Scentbird (visit Scentbird.com/MuggleCast and use code MUGGLECAST for perfume or cologne for $7.50!) and ThirdLove (visit ThirdLove.com/MuggleCast for 15% off your first purchase!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Slug Club member Natalie! News: we get our first look at animatronic Hagrid and discuss the changes coming to Pottermore! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 26, The Cave 7-Word Summary: Together they enter the mysterious boat ride The perfect breaststroke: what do we make of Dumbledore's new-found agility? Is it pure adrenaline? His eagerness to find the Horcrux? Next level magic: it leaves traces and can be felt! Might J.K. Rowling explain this further in the Fantastic Beasts series? Why does this Horcrux have the highest level of protection? Is it because it once belonged to Voldemort's mother? Has Voldemort visited the cave since he placed the Horcrux here? Why is Harry's blood more valuable upon entering the cave but not for exiting? The simple approach: even in the most dangerous of situations, Dumbledore is still teaching Harry Is it possible that because part of Voldemort resides within Harry, that the magic within the cave is mistaking him for Voldemort? Magical weight vs. human weight and how Voldemort's tends to overlook those he considers to be "less than himself" Does Dumbledore's reaction to the bodies in the lake reflect the fact that he's resigned himself to his fate? What do we think Dumbledore is seeing when he drinks the potion? We recall we didn't have the context of Ariana when we first theorized about this in 2005! Dumbledore's Ring of Fire: what spell does he cast to ward off the Inferi? Despite her absence Laura does an amazing job Connecting The Threads (and planning the discussion)! The hosts reveal their Horcrux Hidey Hole, MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter! Quizzitch: Which Death Eater calls Dumbledore "Dumby"? We've finally got @mugglecast on Instagram! Thanks for the help, Amy and Amanda! This week's episode is sponsored by AWAY. Get $20 off a suitcase by going to AwayTravel.com/mugglecast20 and using promo code MUGGLECAST20. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in five years, J.K. Rowling stays quiet on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts Fantastic Beasts 3 filming is delayed until 2021! How will this impact the fandom? Will people lose interest in the series? This Week in MuggleCast History returns! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 25 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Seer Overheard 7-Word Summary: Harry discovers who listened to the prophecy Harry and Ginny: why did Rowling gloss over some of the happiest moments of Harry's life? Hermione begins to unravel the identity of the Half-Blood Prince... and Harry "just knows" it isn't a woman! Is he being sexist? Why is Harry still so defensive of the Half-Blood Prince? Truth is, we've seen him behave this way before! The Room of Requirement: easier to access than previously thought - you just need to be drunk! Why has Dumbledore been so reluctant to see Trelawney lately? Harry learns Snape was the one who overheard the prophecy! Would Dumbledore have ever told him? What does it say about Snape's character that despite playing a role in Harry's father's death, he still continues to insult James? Is Albus and Aberforth's relationship as contentious as we're led to believe in Deathly Hallows? Lax security: is there any reason to think the school will be safe with Harry and Dumbledore headed to The Cave? The hosts Rename The Chapter and give their MVPs of the Week Quizzitch: What is the first spell Harry casts at the Inferi? Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon): what if Hermione had discovered the identity of the Half-Blood Prince in this chapter? Would it have been too much for Harry to deal with? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which character, if any, will JKR pay tribute to on May 2? MuggleMail covers the power of love, Felix Felicis and interesting listening locations Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 24 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Sectumsempra 7-Word Summary: Harry almost gets discovered by Snape bathroom Breakup Central: Ron and Lavender and Dean and Ginny are splitsville! Charms Class and Quidditch: we reflect on how Harry's time at Hogwarts is coming to an end Katie Bell has finally returned and Harry remains convinced Draco was behind her attack Harry is hung up on Felix Felicis and Hermione draws an interesting conclusion about the effects on the potion Ravenclaws and Gryffindors: how Quidditch championship matches bring out their wild side! Let's go to the bathroom… because it's where all the important shi*t happens in the Potter series Sectumsempra: Why would Harry use a spell on Draco when he has no clue of its effect? Why doesn't Harry argue that he was defending himself against an Unforgivable Curse? Was Snape also keeping tabs on Draco? Was Moaning Myrtle assisting him? Should a professor be able to use Legilimency on a student to find out the truth? Does Harry's punishment fit the crime? Shouldn't it have been more severe? The Room of Requirement: we get brief glimpses of the Vanishing Cabinet and the Diadem Horcrux The Half-Blood Prince's book has done a lot of good for Harry and he lets Hermione know it! Ginny rushes to Harry's defense and SLAMS Hermione not once, but twice! Snape detention has an interesting twist to it!The hosts believe it's important that Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup without Harry Harry and Ginny: did it feel rushed? Forced? Or about damn time?!?! We Rename The Chapter and give our MVPs of the Week! Quizzitch: What unlikely companion does Harry find outside the Room of Requirement? This week's episode is brought to you by OpenFit! Text MuggleCast to 303030 to receive full access to all the workouts and nutrition info for a month! In Bonus MuggleCast, available exclusively on Patreon, we discuss what would have happened if Draco had died as a result of the Sectumsempra attack! [podcoin] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Universal reveals the beasts we can expect to see on Hagrid's motorbike adventure including one never seen in the films! We take voicemails in defense of Slughorn, on the Room of Requirement, Harry's daydreaming and Hufflepuffs ability to find things Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 23 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Horcruxes 7-Word Summary: Secrets are discovered inside the Slughorn office Compromised security: what's up with the Fat Lady denying Harry entrance to Gryffindor Tower? Could Felix have still been at work? Dumbledore is initially shocked that Harry has acquired the memory. Did he really think Harry could do it? Do we actually know where Tom first learned about Horcruxes? We contrast Tom and Harry's approach to extracting information from Slughorn Wizards of a certain caliber have always been drawn to Horcruxes... really?!?! Like who? We learn Dumbledore is particularly fierce about Horcruxes. Why is that? Could Grindelwald have made one? Horcrux Breakdown: the diary, the ring, the locket, the cup, Nagini and something of either Gryffindor's or Ravenclaw's Did part of Dumbledore's prophecy explanation reveal that Harry is a Horcrux? Can Voldemort feel when one of his Horcruxes is destroyed? Not in the books, but it works in the films! Does Dumbledore's rant about tyrants creating self-fulfilling prophecies mean even more now that we know more about Grindelwald? The hosts rename the chapter and give their MVPs Quizzitch: How long does it take to make Felix Felicis? In celebration of recording on 4/20, we offer thoughts on which characters in the wizarding world like the ganga! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slug Club member Sara joins the show! Muggle Mail covers Bunty The Spy, Snape The Protector and Snape The Bully Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, After The Burial 7-Word Summary: Aragog causes Harry no issues with Slughorn Despite its dark undertones, is this one of the funniest chapters of the series? Eric tells us why Hagrid's letter defined his Potter reading experience Aragog is one of our biggest (literally) connecting threads between Half-Blood Prince and Chamber of Secrets Will we see Aragog make an appearance in the Fantastic Beasts series? Thanks to Ron... it's time for Harry to GET LUCKY! Thoughts of Ginny... are they romantic or a bit disgusting? If the placebo Felix Felicis effect worked on Ron, do we think it could have done the same for Harry? Is Slughorn so elusive because he considered Harry would eventually use Felix Felicis? Venomous tentacula, acromantula venom, unicorn hair... Slughorn has a side-hussle! House-Elves as poison taste-testers! What does this reveal about Slughorn's character? I Will Remember You: our patrons pay tribute to Aragog Let's get drunk! Is this becoming a recurring theme in Half-Blood Prince? Does Slughorn feel guilty, maybe even responsible, for what happened to Lily? Francis The Fish is possibly the best addition the filmmakers made to the series Rename The Chapter and MVP of the Week Quizzitch: Who tells Nearly-Headless Nick about Dumbledore's whereabouts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest on JKR's assistant's credit card fraud Quidditch Through The Ages is getting an illustrated edition! Team StarKid is turning 10 and they're planning an event in LA! Muggle Mail covers the cursed DADA position, Dumbledore lecturing Harry and the powers of Hufflepuff's Cup Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 21 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Unknowable Room 7-Word Summary: Harry searches for Draco unsuccessfully but determinedly JKR drops yet another subtle hint to the identity of the Half-Blood Prince Dobby and Kreacher report back their findings on Malfoy! Despite the result, should Harry have been more explicit with his instructions? Why does Harry never consider that Draco could be entering the Room of Requirement? What combination of words would we use to try and enter the room? Given her persistence, should Hermione have offered Harry suggestions on how to acquire the Slughorn's memory? Snape is having a really bad day (again), but should he be taking it out on his students? Why was Tonks in this chapter? What did she need to see Dumbledore about? We draw connections between Moaning Myrtle, Draco and Tom Riddle The hosts Rename The Chapter and give their MVPs of the Week! Quizzitch: When Professor Slughorn gets plant leaves from Professor Sprout, what group of students does he say they are for? In Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon): The creators of the amazing graphic art within the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series visit Chicago, and Eric recaps their event. Don't forget to follow @MuggleCastPod on Instagram! This week's episode is brought to you by Robinhood, the easiest way to invest in stocks, ETFs, cryptos and more. Get a free stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint at MuggleCast.Robinhood.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're now on Instagram! Follow us: @MuggleCastPod! A first edition Potter book sells for $90,000! Have any hosts ever been tempted to buy a rare piece of Potter memorabilia? Patreon update: Get ready! Signed album art and our 2019 gift are coming! Pledge now to become eligible to receive the goods. We take feedback on last week's J.K. Rowling discussion Voicemails cover a listener who doesn't like JKR (but is nice about it), Fawkes, Horcruxes and Cursed Child San Francisco Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 20 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Lord Voldemort's Request 7-Word Summary: Voldemort tries again to obtain Dumbledore’s allowance Just how is Draco getting the "ingredients" he needs for Polyjuice Potion? Hogwarts staffing problem: what's the deal with Trelawney and Firenze? Dumbledore calmly shames Harry for not retrieving Slughorn's memory. Have we ever experienced anything like this in real life? Given everything Harry has been through recently, is this a fair request? Why doesn't Dumbledore get off his ass and do it himself? How might the course of history have changed if Tom Riddle had been allowed to teach at Hogwarts? Hepzibah, Hokey and Horcruxes What was Voldemort truly after in Dumbledore's office? It is clear Dumbledore had inside information on Voldemort early on. Why didn't he do more to stop him? From tour guide to caretaker, the hosts give Voldemort a job at Hogwarts! Rename The Chapter and MVP of the Week return! We make several connections between this chapter and Order of the Phoenix Quizzitch: How many points does Harry lose for being later to DADA class? This week's episode is brought to you by OpenFit! Work out from the comfort of your own home and see great results -- text 'MUGGLECAST' to 303030 to receive a special extended 30-day trial! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Slug Club member Kayla! The cover for Goblet of Fire: The Illustrated Edition is here -- could it be the best one yet? Micah may've discovered a Cursed Child reference on the cover.... Details concerning Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure are revealed. Micah was on the scene for an event. What mysterious beast will we encounter that never made it into the films? The man behind Fantastic Beasts is out at Warner Brothers -- will JKR say anything? Main Discussion: J.K. Rowling and The Fans Who Now Attack Her The hosts react to the recent misleading headlines about Dumbledore and Grindelwald's "intense sexual" relationship How far apart are the headlines from what J.K. Rowling actually said? Do fans of the Potter series owe it to themselves to fact check before reacting? The Complex History of JKR and Controversy: outing Dumbledore, Ron and Hermione's relationship, Cursed Child, Native Americans and more Is there a very real possibility that we have burned our bridge to JKR as a fandom? The hosts and patrons share what they would like to see from JKR in the future. Everyone's responses are available to read on Patreon. Quizzitch: In her first memory, what time does Tom Riddle come calling for Hepzibah Smith? Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon): we discuss the latest news on the upcoming iOS and Android game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the MuggleCasters as they watch Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald together! This is a commentary track in which we watch the entire movie and discuss everything that's going on. Don't stop once the credits start rolling -- we end up talking all the way through them, and after. We're those people in the theater who refuse to leave! This is a movie commentary track meant to be played in sync with your own copy of the film. This commentary is designed to work with American DVDs (which are in NTSC format) and all digital and Blu-ray copies of the movie. At the beginning of the commentary we help you sync up with us. ENJOY! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News on Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is coming! MuggleMail covers the Goldstein last name, Accio-ing bullfrogs and the Deathly Hallows Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 19 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Elf Tales 7-Word Summary: Quidditch takes a backseat to Draco’s activities Horace Slughorn: Death Eater or Target? Is Dumbledore being reckless again? Hermione's voice of reason: is anyone listening? Harry has saved most of the Weasley family. Where was he when Fred needed him most? Hagrid's conversation with Harry and Hermione has strong ties to Chamber of Secrets Why is Dumbledore angry with Snape? Hagrid displays a side of him we haven't seen before! What does it say about Ron that more people aren't concerned about what happened to him? A "rogue" bludger lands Harry in the hospital... sounds familiar! Harry takes his stalking of Draco to a new level with Kreacher and Dobby Connecting The Threads, Rename The Chapter and MVP of the Week Voicemails cover Fawkes, Newt as an Animagus, Dumbledore and more Quizzitch: Who was the DADA teacher when Lord Voldemort was at Hogwarts? Our Crimes of Grindelwald commentary is headed your way next week! This week's episode is brought to you by AMC Shudder (Visit discoveryofwitchestv.com and use promo code 'mugglecast' for a free 30-day trial) and Robinhood (visit MuggleCast.Robinhood.com for a free stock!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News: WB CEO speaks out on the Crimes of Grindelwald Harry Potter Wizards Unite will be released this summer! JKR returns to Twitter… sort of… MuggleMail: One listener surprises her daughter in a very cool way on her 9 3/4 birthday Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Chapter 18 of Half-Blood Prince, Birthday Surprises 7-Word Summary: Ron doesn't really love Romilda Vane wholeheartedly Harry must juggle telling Ron and Hermione about Dumbledore's task Why aren't more questions about Horcruxes being asked? Harry once again masters Potions Class: is it foretelling of what's to come later in the chapter? JKR drops another subtle hint that Snape is the Half-Blood Prince Do we feel bad that Hermione is working her butt off while Harry is essentially cheating his way through Potions? Harry and his mother: A deep discussion about Lily, Snape, Potions and Slughorn Would the Internet have helped Hermione's Horcrux search? The hosts debate which mode of transport is better: flying or Apparition Maraudering Malfoy: Is Harry borderline stalking Draco at this point? How do all of these tainted/poisoned items continue to get into Hogwarts? Patreon Question of the Week: Should anyone in Lavender’s situation forgive Ron due to the love potion? Is it an excuse? Or does it destroy a relationship? Connecting The Threads, MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: Who is the “big Hufflepuff” player that gets the Quaffle from Ginny during Quizzitch? In Bonus MuggleCast, the gang work together to play BuzzFeed's viral "How many Harry Potter characters can you name?" quiz. We won't spoil how well we did, but we were pretty pleased with our results. This week's episode is brought to you by CHEGG (visit Chegg.com/MuggleCast and use promo code MuggleCast for $5 off) and OpenFit (Text MuggleCast to 30-30-30 for a free 30-day trial)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slug Club member Jac joins the show all the way from Australia! Fantastic Beasts 3 is seemingly delayed! When can we expect it in theaters? Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is set to open this June! We dive deep in the Crimes of Grindelwald deleted scenes & featurettes Credence and Nagini: why was their budding romance left on the cutting room floor? There was a completely different opening to this film and we discuss why it would have worked! Dumbledore reveals the truth behind why he sent Newt to New York! Who is the man Grindelwald fears above all others? Is it truly Dumbledore? The Romance That Will Never Be: Dumbledore & McGonagall Hello, Yaxley! Leta's mysterious ballroom dance: Can she hear other people's thoughts just like Queenie? What does “her brother will lead us from the shadows…” mean? Newt's Basement gives us more Augurey screen time and another look at those Baby Nifflers We geek out with Ezra & Evanna as they watch select scenes from Crimes of Grindelwald It's clear Dumbledore knows something about Credence, but Ezra can't divulge! J.K. Rowling: A World Revealed includes her feelings on the differences between the first two films, Heyman's analysis of Grindelwald vs. Voldemort and a great Yates' hero quote! JKR makes it clear that the line between good and bad is not as defined in this series: "Good guys cross over, bad guys are redeemed!" What?!? "Make no assumptions. Whatever you think you know at the end of the movie may not be the case when you get to the end of the third movie." Quizzitch: What prop did the art department make 100 copies of to place in the French Ministry of Magic? This week's episode is brought to you by the new podcast One Plus One! The show tells the story of some of the world’s most legendary creative unions like Beyonce & Jay-Z, Google’s Sergey Brin and Larry Page, and Lorne Michaels and the first cast of Saturday Night Live. Bonus MuggleCast, available on Patreon.com/MuggleCast: Distinctly Dumbledore - we discuss some notable revelations, including that Jude Law now knows everything Rowling does about Dumbledore and that there was, in fact, a sexual component to the Dumbledore-Grindelwald relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News covers Cursed Child in San Fran, Fantastic Worlds and Crimes of Grindelwald Uh oh! Dan Fogler says Fantastic Beasts 3 is bigger than the first two films combined! Voicemails cover a furry little correction, mother in-laws and unbreakable vows Chapter-by-Chapter continues with A Sluggish Memory 7-Word Summary: Young wizards can make Horcruxes from murders What is the Fat Lady getting at by making the common room password “abstinence”? Is Hermione too harsh to Ron when she returns, ignoring his existence entirely? Is it time for Hermione to put a little more stock in Harry's theory about Draco? Harry is Dumbledore's man through and through. Based on the headmaster's reaction, is this his final happy moment? Were we surprised by Dumbledore’s reaction to Harry’s story about Snape & Draco? Is it fair for him to tell Harry to just cast his thoughts aside? Is it impressive how advanced Tom Riddle is at this young age? Given his ability to change the memory of his uncle Morfin? Tom’s good looks are noted multiple times in this chapter. Is it a coincidence that both he and Harry are said to look like their fathers? When did Slughorn alter his memory? Why doesn't Harry ask what Horcruxes are? Connecting The Threads to Chapter 17 of Chamber of Secrets - The Heir of Slytherin The hosts give their MVPs of the Week and Rename of the Chapter Quizzitch: What is the name of the Apparition instructor? In Bonus MuggleCast, we dive deeper into the motley crue that Tom surrounded himself with at Hogwarts. Why didn't Dumbledore keep a closer eye on them? What other teachers did Tom charm? This week's episode is brought to you by Care/Of (Visit TakeCareOf.com and use code MuggleCast50 for 50% off!) and Robinhood (Get a free stock at mugglecast.robinhood.com)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s up with JKR’s Twitter? Larry Potter gets nixed from the latest LEGO movie Chapter-by-Chapter continues with A Very Frosty Christmas 7-Word Summary: Rufus tries to convince Harry by persuasion Do the words unbreakable vow finally make Ron a believer? Harry’s Draco argument has been rejected so many times he can hear Hermione’s response to the latest development in his head Arrests for the sake of arrests. Perception vs. reality. We dive deep into the Ministry under Rufus Scrimgeour. Does Lupin’s current state make him more sympathetic to Snape? Lupin may unknowingly provide some hints to the identity of the Half-Blood Prince How is Lupin able to go undercover without other werewolves knowing who he is? Could the Ministry take a page out of Voldemort’s book - playing to the underserved and underrepresented? We discuss how Scrimgeour goes about his conversation with Harry all wrong. Why, why would the Minister use Umbridge’s name to try and strengthen any argument he made? Is it fair Harry takes out all of his frustration towards the Ministry on Scrimgeour? Could Harry and Dumbledore have benefited from working with the Ministry? Connecting the Threads, MVP of the Week and Rename the Chapter Quizzitch: How much does it cost to take Apparition lessons? This week's episode is brought to you by Away Travel (Get $20 off your suitcase by using promo code MuggleCast) and AMC Shudder (Use promo code MuggleCast for a free 30-day trial)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Slug Club member Kristy to the show! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with The Unbreakable Vow 7-Word Summary: Harry parties hard when with Luna Partygood Harry has taken to secret passageways to avoid his admirers - is he overreacting? Ron's behavior toward Hermione: toxic masculinity or teenage immaturity? Hermione cautions Harry about being a target for Love Potions. Are Fred and George creating a security risk at Hogwarts? Argus Filch and Madam Pince? OTP or a casual Harry joke? What would Mrs. Norris say? Why Luna is a better friend to Hermione and Harry than we may realize Why does Harry immediately regret asking her? Why didn't he ask Hermione? Why didn't he go stag? Hermione announcing her date for all to hear - over-the-top or perfectly justified? Slughorn's Christmas party: vampires, drunk seers and the Rotfang Conspiracy The hosts and patrons take a crack at titling Harry's biography Draco gatecrashes and we discuss why Snape shows a hint of fear Should Draco take Snape up on his offer to help? Connecting The Threads: Harry The Auror. What other professions could he have pursued? MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter Voicemails cover Tom Riddle The Obscurus, old Illustrated Edition predictions, Cursed Child Australia and more Quizzitch: What Christmas gift does Harry receive from Kreacher? This week's episode is brought to you by OpenFit! Text MUGGLECAST to 303030 for a free 30-day trial. Bonus MuggleCast: Is Ginny a Mary Sue? Available at Patreon.com/MuggleCast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wizard dogs! Anna joins the show to talk about her Internet famous pup and how she taught Remus all of those spells! What can we expect in the Crimes of Grindelwald Extended Edition arriving in March? Our thoughts on why Fantastic Beasts 3 production has been delayed until Fall 2019 Will this impact the release date in 2020? Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Felix Felicis 7-Word Summary: Ron hates being left out of snogging LOTS OF TEENAGE ANGST! Harry, for the first time, acknowledges the possibility of a Ron-Hermione relationship What if… Ron and Hermione did get together and then broke up? What if… they became like Bill and Fleur? We explore Harry's feelings to seeing Ginny with Dean. Sorry Harry, it's more than you just being like a big brother! Ginny OWNS Ron in an epic sibling duel! The Slug Club & snogging: Is Ron just upset that he's always the one who gets left out? Eric makes an important observation about the "girl" with the toadspawn in the seventh floor corridor Harry fakes putting Felix Felicis into Ron's pumpkin juice and calls out Hermione on her Confundus Charm! How hypocritical in his reaction to Hermione when he learns that there was no Felix Felicis? Would Ron have snogged Lavender if he wasn't treated so poorly throughout the chapter? Connecting the Threads, MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: In Chapter 15 of Half-Blood Prince, what is the title of the book that Harry is assigned to read for Charms class? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News covers a Goblet of Fire Illustrated Edition release date and a Cursed Child cast change Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Chapter 13 of Half-Blood Prince: The Secret Riddle- 7-Word Summary: Tom is very disturbed by Albus’ presence Exactly what does Dumbledore know about the necklace situation? Is he aware Draco is responsible? How was Harry able to watch Caractacus Burke on the surface of the Pensieve? How do we feel about Dumbledore confunding Ms. Cole and then getting her drunk? Do Hogwarts professors normally make house calls to witches or wizards headed to Hogwarts? Or were Harry and Tom the exceptions because of their situations? When we first meet young Tom Riddle in this memory, is he beyond saving? Why does Dumbledore let Tom believe the lie that his mother couldn’t have been a witch? We realize Dumbledore visits Tom's orphanage during the Fantastic Beasts timeline! Was he the only one? If Tom hadn’t been left to fester in an orphanage for his first 11 years, would he have turned out differently? Collecting trophies: Dumbledore drops a major Horcrux clue at the end of the chapter! From Harry entering a memory about Tom Riddle to Dumbledore's auburn hair, we connect the threads to Chapter 13 of Chamber of Secrets: The Very Secret Diary MVP of The Week and Rename The Chapter are back! Quizzitch: At what time is the first Gryffindor quidditch practice without Katie Bell held? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura returns as we hit 400 episodes! What Potter gifts did the hosts get for the holidays? Does Andrew have to return his to NJ Transit? See a photo of the gift on MuggleCast.com. Our patrons put Laura on the hot seat as she answers some tough Potter questions Pottermore's #NationalTriviaDay tweet creates a real sh*t storm by saying Hogwarts didn't have bathrooms pre-18th Century So… did they really just do their business wherever they stood? Who teaches younger students how to wipe up after themselves? Why bother adding bathrooms to Hogwarts at all? Did wizards never see a need for a private place for them to relieve themselves? We dig deep into our MuggleMail bag and retrieve some vintage emails just for Laura After six years, Laura finally becomes Lady Geek of the Week, learns she correctly predicted Neville's head on fire and has a best friend named Eve Voicemails cover a Kowalski descendant, Newt's expulsion, Queenie's mental state, a Leta horcrux and more The Dueling Club is back featuring characters from The Crimes of Grindelwald Quizzitch: Which Slytherin student prevented the Chamber of Secrets from being discovered? Chicken Soup comes all the way from Pakistan! And the hosts entertain this Crackpot Theory: Is Aurelius Dumbledore a homunculus? In Bonus MuggleCast, available on Patreon, we discuss a strange Harry Potter book, Crimes of Grindelwald's prophecy, and Hermione's actions in Half-Blood Prince. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our final episode of 2018 & our last of the 300s. We count down our Top 7 Potter Moments of 2018! 7. A great year for us at MuggleCast 6. The New Wizarding World logo (Seriously!!) 5. Hogwarts Mystery 4. Harry Potter RPG trailer leaks 3. From Nagini to Aurelius Dumbledore, 2018 was full of canon additions 2. Cursed Child opens on Broadway 1. Crimes of Grindelwald hits theaters worldwide What can we look forward to in 2019? Harry Potter Wizards Unite? A new Wizarding World theme park attraction? Will we learn the title of Fantastic Beasts 3 and get our first promo? When will Goblet of Fire: Illustrated Edition hit store shelves? Quizzitch: Graduates of the magic school Uagadou are particularly skilled in these subjects: Self-Transfiguration, Astronomy, and ??? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode is brought to you by Wondery’s Imagined Life podcast — listen to their Fantastic Beasts episode! It’s also brought to you by Care/Of, makers of monthly vitamin and supplement subscriptions. Visit TakeCareOf.com and use code ‘MuggleCast’ for 25% off your first month. Laura is back and gives us her thoughts on the Crimes of Grindelwald! Plus, we share an exciting announcement about the future of the show. Cursed Child is a go in San Francisco Main Discussion: Predicting Fantastic Beasts 3 (it's never too early!) Are we headed to Rio? Austria? Both? We examine JKR's tweets. Laura gives us a World War II history lesson Will Castelobruxo make an appearance? Ilvermorny? What amount of time will pass between Movies 2 & 3? What Harry Potter-era character will make his or her debut? Are we about to see the original Order of the Phoenix? Each host has an interesting take on Movie 3's opening scene Will McGonagall actually have a bigger role, like the actress' publicist says? Will Queenie be revealed as a double agent? Where is Yusuf Kama and does his Unbreakable Vow still apply? Is Leta alive? Will Newt finally stand up to Dumbledore? Will Dumbledore destroy the Blood Pact? Can we expect a Dumbledore / Grindelwald confrontation? Will Dumbledore open up about his relationship with Grindelwald? Will Eulalie Hicks save the day? Quizzitch: Which Castelobruxo alum is/was Captain of the world-renowned Quidditch team… the Tarapoto Tree- Skimmers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zoe Kravitz tells Dan Fogler that Leta getting "Blue Fired Toasted" may've been a "last minute change" -- What does that mean? Fantastic Beasts 2 raised a lot of questions, but what about the questions the first movie raised? We revisit the first movie to see what FB2 didn't answer. Including.... What's going on with that Obscurus in Newt's suitcase? Where is the real Graves? WHO is taking care of Jacob's bakery? Which bad memories were erased by the Swooping Evil? Why was Newt expelled? Inconsistencies between FB1 and FB2: MACUSA, Credence's haircut, Queenie, and Accio Voicemails address a theory on Voldemort making Nagini a Horcrux, McGonagall and Time Turners, and why Credence must go 'freely' to Grindelwald. Quizzitch: What historical accuser of witches, later among the accused herself, is name dropped by Tina Goldstein and is also a character in Arthur Miller’s ‘the Crucible?’ This week's episode of MuggleCast is brought to you by Robinhood! Start investing today and receive a free stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Slug Club member Jamima! Crimes of Grindelwald continues to struggle at the box office - what can they do to improve future numbers? Harry Potter: Wizards Unite releases their first official trailer Andrew speaks with Universal Orlando's Manager of Entertainment Creative Development, Lora Sauls, to discuss the Wizarding World's holiday plans Main Discussion: Aurelius Dumbledore Theories Does Ariana's obscurus live within Credence? Is Grindelwald speaking to the obscurus or Credence at the end of the film? Could it be possible Dumbledore is unaware of his brother's existence? Are Ariana and Aurelius twins? Why was Aurelius never mentioned by Aberforth? Unearthed by Rita Skeeter? Why was Aurelius being shipped off to the United States? Is there still a chance that Credence is Corvus Lestrange Jr.? Could Credence be Ariana? One patron provides an alchemy theory and another asks if Dumbledore and Grindelwald created Credence through their blood pact? Did the fandom misjudge how old Professor McGonagall actually is? Could Queenie be a double agent? Quizzitch: What does Yusuf Kama say upon awakening in Nicolas Flamel's home? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We check our initial predictions - who got the opening weekend box office total right? Eric and Andrew give their thoughts after seeing the movie for a second time Could an elusive iceberg creature have caused the Atlantic shipwreck? What's up with the Deathly Hallows being carved into a Hogwarts desk? How did Dumbledore know to warn Theseus about Grindelwald's rally? Did he tip off Nicolas Flamel as well? Mirror of Erised: Is Dumbledore's greatest desire now undoing the blood pact? Andrew and Micah dive deep into the Crimes of Grindelwald script book Do a few initially missed moments suggest Grindelwald is leading Credence on? We analyze Dumbeldore's description of an obscurus and The Predictions of Tycho Dodonus Did we miss an early clue when Leta says to Dumbledore: "not unless you had a brother who died too"? Dumbledore was in the Room of Requirement when he looks into the Mirror of Erised Was Leta's death intentionally ambiguous? If both her and Corvus Jr. are gone, how does the Lestrange bloodline continue on? JKR has been hinting at Aurelius for over two years on her website! Voicemails cover calls from inside the theater, Queenie's allegiance, Tina, Leta, Nagini and more! A great email analysis on Aurelius, Credence, Corvus and the raven/phoenix chick Listeners call in live with their thoughts and questions! Quizzitch: According to the “Crimes of Grindelwald” screenplay / film, what is Travers' official position at the Ministry of Magic? This week's sponsors are Stamps.com (enter code 'MuggleCast' for a four-week trial plus postage) and Bombas (visit Bombas.com/MuggleCast and use code 'MuggleCast' to get 20% off your first order) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hypable's Danielle joins the show as we review The Crimes of Grindelwald! What better place to start than with THAT ending! Is Grindelwald lying to Credence about who he really is? What we know (or think we know) about the Dumbledore family The blood pact: what happens if you attempt to break it? Who initially turned Credence on to trying to discover his family history? The Lestrange red herring: were Leta and Yusuf even necessary? Why was Yusuf still beholden to an Unbreakable Vow given... ...that night on the boat in the middle of the ocean Most talked about pre-release spoilers: Nagini and McGonagall Going back to Hogwarts! Newt and Dumbledore: was their relationship well established? Jacob and Queenie: were we surprised by the sides they chose? Who exactly did the Prophecy implicate? Nicolas Flamel, Abernathy, Spielman and Grimson Favorites: New Beast & Scene What exactly are the Crimes of Grindelwald? Quizzitch: What is the Crimes of Grindelwald's Opening Weekend U.S. box office total? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back Patrick, and Slug Club member Shannon joins the show! News: a shifty JKR assistant and several new Crimes of Grindelwald promos! MuggleMail covers Dumbledore understanding parseltongue and nonverbal spells The hosts give their official Crimes of Grindelwald predictions! What characters will be Team Grindelwald by the end of the movie? What will be the big shock about Credence that JKR mentioned? Will we learn where Fantastic Beasts 3 is set by the end of the film? Will Nagini be more than Credence's emotional friend? How will Jacob remember Queenie? What other Potter characters will be name-checked? How explicit will the Grindelwald/Dumbledore relationship be? Why can Dumbledore not move against Grindelwald? What does it mean that Leta is implicated by prophecy? Who will be the unsuspecting hero of the movie? Will the core four make it through the film? Who else likely won't? Will we see Jacob's bakery? Nurmengard? We reveal our Most Anticipated New Character and Most Anticipated New Beast! Quizzitch: What are the names of Newt’s three pet Kneazles? Next week: Our Crimes of Grindelwald spoiler-FILLED review! Call or e-mail us after you see the movie with your own thoughts! This week's episode is sponsored by Casper (Visit Casper.com/MuggleCast and use code 'MuggleCast' at checkout) and Robinhood (Visit MuggleCast.Robinhood.com for a free stock!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura's back! #ProtecttheSecrets! Some fans have gotten to see Crimes of Grindelwald early! We speak to Lucas, one of the lucky few. JKR all but reveals that Rio will be the location for Fantastic Beasts 3! HQ Trivia - Harry Potter Edition is coming November 14! If we can't win this one, we've got issues. Voicemails cover Hermione confunding Cormac, Potter Halloween costumes, Potter pickup lines, Dumbledore and parseltongue and a theory on Draco's real father Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Silver and Opals 7-Word Summary: Draco is trying out poisoned necklaces hooray! Harry continues to test spells from the Half-Blood Prince. Is this safe to be doing on fellow students? Filch? Ron? How do we think wizards create spells? Clues abound over Snape being the Half-Blood Prince! Why does Hermione take a liking to the Slug Club meetings? Harry and Dung square off in Hogsmeade How good is Draco's plan to get the cursed necklace to Dumbledore? Where's the security to prevent all of this Imperius-ing in Hogsmeade? Is Draco being given orders or coming up with these plans on his own? Should Harry put more trust in McGonagall? The hosts give their MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: To date, the Wizarding World film series has won ONE Academy Award. In what category was the award? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slug Club member Nicole joins the show! Claudia Kim weighs in on the Nagini controversy The hosts predict the U.S. opening weekend box office total for The Crimes of Grindelwald MuggleMail covers obsessive love and Care of Magical Creatures Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Hermione’s Helping Hand 7-Word Summary: Harry tries to prune Buckbeak’s big lunch Hermione reveals why Harry is so appealing... and it definitely bothers Ron! Did people think this provided a window for Harry and Hermione? Or was it always Hermione and Ron? Stan Shunpike's comments land him in Azkaban. What does this tell us about the current state of wizarding affairs? Gryffindor tryouts - whose vetting these people?!?! Why is Hagrid letting Buckbeak just chill outside his hut? Couldn't he be recognized? Shouldn't Hagrid be more mature in his initial reactions to the Trio? Time Turners: were they really all destroyed? Cursed Child begs to differ! Did Hermione confunding Cormac help along the Ron/Lavender relationship? Is Harry to blame at all for not replacing Ron with Cormac after he found out the truth? Connecting The Threads: The Evening Prophet, Stan Shunpike & Aragog The hosts give their MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: Who delivers the message to Harry about Dumbledore's second lesson? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Slug Club member Sam! News: JKR shares why everyone is headed to Paris… Credence! Voicemails cover Book 1 and 7 connections, Hogwarts professors, Leta Lestrange and more Chapter-by-Chapter continues with 'The House of Gaunt' 7 Word Summary: A memory comes before another big reveal Sam shares why this chapter is one of her favorite in the series Why can't Hermione accept following alternate directions? Does Slughorn remember Snape as a student? Do Trelawney's mumblings shed insight on future Pensieve memories? Stepping inside Bob Ogden's memory Pureblood mania is alive and well inside the House of Gaunt Merope is part of a horrible family dynamic with Marvolo and Morfin. Is her family lineage at all to blame for her actions? Do we blame Tom Riddle Sr. for abandoning his son? What if he didn't? Horcrux alert: the ring and the locket As readers, what are we to make of all this guesswork by Dumbledore? Who is the worst character in this chapter? Merope? Marvolo? Morfin? Connecting the Threads: Parseltongue, snakes on doors and Bob Ogden The hosts give their MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: How old is Stan Shunpike? In Bonus MuggleCast, available exclusively on Patreon for Dumbledore's Army members and above, we discuss news on Yusuf Kama, Queenie & Grindelwald, the Chupacabra and the French Ministry escape Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is brought to you by ZipRecruiter and Bombas! News covers Harry Potter: A History of Magic in NYC, Beedle The Bard Illustrated Edition and a cool Funko Advent Calendar The hosts try and guess the official runtime of the Crimes of Grindelwald and analyze recently released photos and posters Fans can see Crimes of Grindelwald early at your their AMC! We take voicemails on Nagini, Moody, Cursed Child, Hogwarts Mystery and more Chapter-by-Chapter continues with 'The Half-Blood Prince' 7 Word Summary: Potions is taught by a quirky walrus Harry is still trying to convince his friends Draco is a Death Eater Is Hagrid even qualified to teach a N.E.W.T. level course? Why do teachers accept certain O.W.L.s for N.E.W.T. level courses but others don't? Snape is again the focal point of the chapter. Are there any clues in this chapter to suggest that he is the Half-Blood Prince? What do we think of Snape's remodeling of the DADA classroom? The importance of non-verbal spells Do we think Hermione's DADA comparison of Snape and Harry is a fair one? Potions Class: should Harry really be using a mysterious book with mysterious handwriting? What if Ron had gotten the book instead? Patrons joint he hosts in sharing their MVPs of the Week and Rename the Chapter Quizzitch: What is the topic of Hermione's essay in Chapter 10? In Bonus MuggleCast, available exclusively on Patreon: Johnny Depp finally talks Fantastic Beasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's sponsor is BeachBody OnDemand! Text 'MuggleCast' to 303030 to try it for free! Welcome Slug Club member Lottie! Our first glimpse at the new ride coming to Wizarding World Orlando! Is a new open world Harry Potter video game on the way? We discuss the recently leaked trailer! Lethal White is headed to the BBC in a four-part series! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Snape Victorious One listener writes in to reveal Slughorn's full name 7 Word Summary: Harry feels really frustrated by Snape's attitude Connecting The Threads: Late arrival to Hogwarts and a confrontation with Snape Tonks finds Harry on the train; much like the movie, would we have preferred Luna? Why aren't alarms going off and an official manhunt underway if Harry is missing? The security measures in place set a much darker tone at Hogwarts We discuss Snape's behavior towards Tonks, Harry and as a professor overall Did Dumbledore appointing Snape DADA professor seal his own fate? Why does Ron think Moody was a professor - does he not know the truth about Barty? Why won't Ron still not believe Harry about Draco being a Death Eater? Grawp's New Mountain Home - could it play a role in Fantastic Beasts? We give our MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: What is Snape's first DADA arts lesson about? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take listener feedback and voicemails on the latest Crimes of Grindelwald trailer Chapter-by-Chapter continues with The Slug Club 7 Word Summary goes off the rails: The tasty pheasant boards scrumptiously Belby’s mouth Connecting the Threads: this isn't the first time Harry has suspected Malfoy of something very serious! Why do Ron and Hermione have such a hard time believing Draco could be a Death Eater? Is his age a legitimate concern? Why does Arthur Weasley not take Harry seriously? Crushes and The Cool Kid's Table: the hosts share their experiences Harry acknowledges that Neville could have been The Chosen One Hugh "H.E.F." Slughorn... what does the E.F. in his name stand for? What are our initial impressions of the Slug Club? Elitist or a chance for house unity? If Draco were a true Death Eater, why didn't he just off Harry in the train compartment? We give our MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: Who comes to Harry’s rescue when he finds himself locked out of Hogwarts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Slug Club member Laura! Andrew and Eric recap their trivia party The final Crimes of Grindelwald trailer is released! Our reactions to the big Nagini reveal! Will this change how we think about Nagini in the Potter series? Why is she on Voldemort's side in later years? Is it possible she's our first thread between Grindelwald and Voldemort? Could Credence be helping her try to control her power much like himself? Why is Nagini at Circus Arcanus? Is it by choice? Or is she being held captive? Do we really believe JKR has been keeping this secret for 20 years? Jamie Campbell Bower & Toby Regbo reprise their roles as young Grindelwald & Dumbledore What does this mean for future films? Will their relationship finally be explored? Why can't Dumbledore move against Grindelwald? Convenient excuse or something more magical? Is Nicolas Flamel's home the "safe house" Dumbledore tells Newt about? What's Tina doing in the Parisian sewer system? What's draping all of the buildings in Paris? New beasts, bomber jets, cool portkeys, Newt's basement and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You asked, we answered: Our latest movie commentary is for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! This audio file features our commentary on the sixth Potter movie as we all watch it. The beginning of the file offers instructions on how to sync up with us so that you can watch along! (The movie's audio is not included in this commentary track.) Patrons were able to join us as we recorded the commentary, and we incorporate their feedback throughout the episode. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special guest Kamilah joins the show! A plug for Alanna Bennett's excellent piece on what a Black Hermione represents Evanna Lynch is Dancing With The Stars! Eric has all of the info. Lethal White hits store shelves next week! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Draco's Detour Our seven word summary makes a little more sense this week: Diagon Alley looks really sad and desolate End of the Innocence: they kidnapped the ice cream guy and the wandmaker! JKR provides some insight on Fortescue‘s intended role Quidditch Captain = preferred bathroom access Why has Molly's perspective on security changed in one chapter? How is Hagrid a viable security guard? Harry and Narcissa face off in Madam Malkin's Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes provides some much needed levity in an otherwise dark chapter We’re all impressed by the twins’ level of magic Inside Borgin and Burkes: Vanishing cabinets, necklaces, dark marks and more Why does Hermione take such a uncalculated risk? The hosts given their MVPs of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: Who is in the first train compartment that the trio run into on the Hogwarts Express? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News: Back to Hogwarts featurette, JKR's old website returns and just when was SS released in the US? Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 5 of Half-Blood Prince We rename the chapter to... the best of our ability: Fleur was entering Harry’s room and existed Harry and Dumbledore arrived to The Burrow sooner than expected. What else did the Headmaster have up his sleeve to pursue Slughorn? What business does Dumbledore have with the Minister? Why is Tonks so visibly upset? Slughorn taught Molly and Arthur. Could there be a Fantastic Beasts cameo in the works? We discuss the themes of security, comedy and xenophobia Harry lets Ron and Hermione in on the fact that he will be having lessons with Dumbledore and the truth about the prophecy OWL mayhem Quizzitch returns! What classic childrens' game gets a magical upgrade in Chapter 6, Draco's Detour? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is sponsored by Puffs the Play! Receive a special discount on ticketsto see Puffs at New York City's New World Stages. Slug Club member Matt joins the show! Back to Hogwarts: Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law surprise fans at King's Cross Potter movies return to theaters this September Get your velvet Slytherin bath robe! Pottery Barn releases an amazing new line up of Potter stuff! It's the 20th anniversary of Sorcerer's Stone - the hosts and patrons share their memories of picking up the first book! Main Discussion: Crimes of Grindelwald Set Report (spoiler alert) We explore Paris' version of Diagon Alley... and their sewer system! Credence has drawn everyone to Paris and is himself in search of someone important Grindelwald escapes! Who will he be able to rally to his cause? Will we see Nurmengard? Magic lungs, ministerial hearing parchments and sorcerer's stones What interesting information could be found inside the French Ministry's Ancestral Archives? New Beasts are revealed as we are introduced to the Matagot, Zouwu, Firedrake and Leucrotta The latest on Yusuf Kama and the Maledictus, plus several of Grindelwald’s supporters have familiar names Voicemails cover owls, wizarding jobs and trivia night in Chicago Introducing our new Chapter by Chapter archive! Quizzitch and Chapter-by-Chapter return next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat joins the show and shares his Wizarding World experience and why he still plays Hogwarts Mystery The hosts review two recent interviews with Eddie Redmayne and David Heyman Newt's apartment, his relationship with Theseus, Dumbledore's manipulation and more Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 4 of Half-Blood Prince The hosts recap the chapter in 7 words with a new Group Summary game! Harry is allowed to use magic outside of school, but is it his first time truly Apparating? We learn that Voldemort is now on the defensive (against Harry's mind) Dumbledore continues to put his final plan in motion by recruiting Slughorn References two and three - what's up with Dumbledore's blackened hand? Why does Harry never check that Dumbledore... is in fact Dumbledore? How does Dumbledore know where Slughorn is living - has he been tracking him? Does Slughorn recognize what's truly happened to Dumbledore's hand? Is Horace correct that he would be better off/safer not at Hogwarts? The Master Collector: why does Dumbledore want Harry to become a member of the Slug Club? Harry will receive private lessons this year - about time! The hosts give their MVPs of the Week and Rename the Chapter We receive an email on the recent Crimes of Grindelwald trailer specific to Leta Lestrange's Hogwarts house Quizzitch: The night Harry arrives at the Burrow, which characters does he spot who aren't in the film adaptation, and which characters does he NOT interact with that he does in the movie? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hypable.com writer Kendra joins the show! Eric recaps a great LeakyCon weekend in Dallas! We meet a brand-new Fantastic Beast - the chupacabra - and get our first glimpse at baby nifflers Newt is headed to Paris to "track" Credence, but how does he even know he's alive? Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 3 of Half-Blood Prince Are the media headlines meant to make readers and the wizarding community feel safe despite Voldemort's known return to power? Why has Dumbledore been reinstated as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot? Our first (passing) mention of Inferi Is Harry's lack of trust in Dumbledore showing up at Privet Drive a result of their relationship from Order of the Phoenix? Why didn't Harry tell the Dursleys that Dumbledore would be visiting? How would they have reacted if he did? We discuss Dumbledore and Petunia's prior correspondence. Was Dumbledore ready to play that hand if necessary? Privet Drive Payoff: Dumbledore puts the Dursleys in their rightful place! Are we seeing a Grindelwald-era Dumbledore based on the way he intimidates the Dursleys or is he just setting affairs in order? Dumbledore's hand, mead, Grimmauld Place, Kreacher and more! We learn that Harry must return to Privet Drive one more time The hosts give their MVPs of the Week and Rename the Chapter; plus a great Crackpot Theory on Felix Felicis Quizzitch: Who gave Ambrosius Flume his first job, thanks to Slughorn? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

… Did that work? Is he listening to this episode? With Micah gone this week, we're joined by two of our listeners, Alex and Stefanie, who do their best impressions of the NY News Anchor. Patrons in the U.S. have received their mugs, but we need to know if they arrived okay! And if yours arrived broken (rare but possible), let us know. This week's episode is sponsored by Puffs the Play! Receive a special discount on tickets to see Puffs at New York City's New World Stages. Chapter by Chapter continues with Chapter 2 of Half-Blood Prince: Spinner's End. The brilliance of this chapter is how Snape is playing Bellatrix and Naricissa simultaneously but in different ways. How much does Voldemort know about Dumbledore's injury? He can't know about the Horcrux… right? Does one line from Bellatrix help make Delphi's existence canon? Why would Bellatrix have such a hard time trusting Snape's word when Voldemort is content with his reasoning? And what should she do if she had ever learned the truth? Who is the MVP of the chapter? Those poor elves… We rename the chapter to reflect what really happens. Crackpot Theory: Has Bellatrix made an unbreakable vow before? Have questions or comments about HBP Chapter 3? E-mail [email protected], or use the voicemail line or feedback form on our website! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Birthday Harry & Jo! We rank Harry's birthdays from worst to best MuggleCast turns 13 years old on August 7! We break down the details of two new Crimes of Grindelwald posters ZouWu? JKR reveals the mysterious beast in the recent Crimes of Grindelwald trailer! Ezra Miller talks about Credence's character development The biggest Harry Potter LEGO set ever hits store shelves August 15 Patrons share their thoughts and questions on the latest trailer Does Dumbledore see Grindelwald in the Mirror of Erised because he desires him to be captured? What role exactly will Nicolas Flamel play in The Crimes of Grindelwald? How will Jacob find himself with Newt? Will Credence be reunited with his true family? Will he ever get the chance to go to wizarding school? Was Abernathy working for Grindelwald the whole time? Did he help him capture Graves? We compare Grindewald's populist movement and Dumbledore's timid response to that of the U.S. in the 1930s Voicemails cover the Deathly Hallows, splitting the films into five parts, Johnny Depp and more Chicken Soup For The MuggleCast Soul returns Don't forget: Cormoran Strike is back in Lethal White on September 18 Quizzitch: What floor is Vernon Dursley's office on at Grunnings? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew and Eric reminisce on their latest trivia night battle, which leaves Andrew and friends with a huge prize. The new Crimes of Grindelwald trailer is here and we go scene-by-scene! There is some mixed reaction to Dumbledore's DADA lesson with Newt What interests Credence so much about Circus Arcanus? Who is Grindelwald addressing when he says hiding in the shadows serves us no longer? A flying black curtain - is this a new obscurial effect or perhaps a Lethifold? Dumbledore's deepest desire is not socks - he sees Grindelwald in the Mirror of Erised! Newt, Tina and Leta team up to escape the French Ministry of Magic! The Niffler is back! What's up with those cats? And is Newt trying to rescue the Oni Oni? Is Leta referring to herself when she tells Newt he never met a monster he couldn't love? Could Grindelwald be referring to his own failed relationship with Dumbledore when he asks Newt if Dumbledore will mourn for him? Could it be a reference to Ariana? Does Abernathy help Grindelwald escape from prison? What are Newt and Jacob up to in Nicolas Flamel's home? The hosts react to Johnny Depp's in-character appearance at Comic-Con Patrons weigh in with their thoughts on the new trailer Quizzitch: On what historic date was the actor who plays Grimmson born? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slug Club member Chris joins the show David Heyman says Grindelwald is scarier than Voldemort! Why is Dumbledore teaching a young Newt Defense Against the Dark Arts? "After all this time," Chapter-by-Chapter returns! And just in time for HBP's birthday! We analyze the chapter that had been brewing in JKR's mind for more than 13 years Would The Other Minister have worked earlier in the series? Where's Harry? Our first Potter book that doesn't begin with the boy wizard! Voldemort is on the rise and its clear the tone of the series has shifted Fireplace entrances, shady portraits, secret staff - do wizards have a superiority complex? Should the Ministry have considered lifting the International Statute of Secrecy? Does Fudge ever consider enlisting the help of the Muggle Prime Minister? Do other heads of state have similar relationships with their Muggle counterparts? Rufus Scrimgeour: our thoughts on the new Minister and do we have cause to trust him? Kingsley Shacklebolt "Undercover Secretary" Whatever came of the Ministry's inquiry into the death of Sirius Black? How much control do magical governments have over their Muggle counterparts? Two new segments debut with Character MVP and Rename The Chapter! Patrons weigh in with their thoughts on the first chapter of Half-Blood Prince! Quizzitch: What is the name of the bridge that gets destroyed by Death Eaters? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cursed Child is coming to two new cities... San Francisco (2019) and Hamburg, Germany (2020). Could a Midwest location be next? Chamber of Secrets turns 20 years old! We begin our Half-Blood Prince discussion looking back at some popular fan theories Patrons share their midnight release party memories! We discuss how parts of Half-Blood Prince were originally written for Chamber of Secrets and that it was Book 2’s working title The hosts revisit some of MuggleCast’s theories following the release of the sixth book Who is the Half-Blood Prince? Harry? Voldemort? Felix Felicis? We dive deep into The Underground Lake, one of MuggleNet’s notorious series of editorials What did Dumbledore mean by Remember My Last, Petunia? Who will take over the DADA vacancy? Why does Dumbledore trust Snape? Voicemails cover a Deathly Hallows symbol in Goblet of Fire, deluminators, Cho Chang and more! Quizzitch: What two Order members does Harry bump into (in order) in the HBP chapter, "Silver and Opals"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slug Club member Sarah joins the show! Warner Brothers cracks down on unofficial fan events Main Discussion: The Department of Mysteries & The Prophecy Who are The Unspeakables? The Brain Room: just what are they studying in there? What does each of us think is beyond The Veil? Does the Veil have magical properties to draw one in? Was the Ministry built around the amphitheater that houses the Veil? How is security so lax around such a dangerous room? The Love Room: why is it locked? The Planet Room: what can you do in here that makes it worthy of the Department of Mysteries? Are there alien wizards? The Time Room: do we believe this is where Time Turners were invented? The Hall of Prophecies: why are they kept locked away? Should who the Prophecy concerns be able to hold onto the prophecy? Do we forgive Dumbledore for withholding this information until now? Patreon Question of the Week: What other rooms could be within the Department of Mysteries? Quizzitch: What is the spell that Hermione uses to mark the doors in the revolving room? Coming this July... chapter-by-chapter for Half-Blood Prince! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slug Club member Karen joins the show Listeners share their Order of the Phoenix release party memories Cursed Child cleans up at the Tony Awards Universal Orlando adds Harry Potter to their nighttime water show Main Discussion: Major Events of the Phoenix Grimmauld Place: Was this truly the safest place for the Order to be headquartered? Do Sirius and the Order underestimate the threats within the Black Family home? Ministry Interference at Hogwarts: What are Umbridge's credentials for becoming DADA professor? Was it always Fudge's intention for Umbridge to become Headmistress? Do the Educational Decrees expose weaknesses in Dumbledore's leadership? The Formation of Dumbledore's Army: we discuss the Hog's Head, the Room of Requirement and the importance of unifying (almost) all of the Houses Welcome to St. Mungo's: why was it cut from the film? Augusta Longbottom, Neville's parents, Lockhart and Harry's connection to Nagini We reminisce on those gum wrapper theories! Patrons share their top 5 moments from Order of the Phoenix Don't worry, we'll spend Episode 374 inside the Department of Mysteries and discussing The Prophecy Quizzitch: Who was the last member of the Dumbledore's Army to sign up in the Hog's Head? Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon) includes memorable lines from the fifth book and Crimes of Grindelwald trailer speculation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paris, London, New York: Pottermore offers fans the chance to attend the Fantastic Beasts 2 premieres for charity Cursed Child is up for 10 Tony Awards Main Discussion: Fresh Faces of the Phoenix What would have happened to Harry without the support of Luna and her father? We discuss Bellatrix exposing Harry's ignorance and her unwavering loyalty to Voldemort Does Tonks make the Order of the Phoenix cool? Dolores Umbridge has one redeeming quality - she's the reason for Dumbledore's Army! Do we overlook the importance of Ms. Figg? Was she best equipped to keep Harry safe? What's up with the relationship between Squibs and cats? Mundungus Fletcher... enough said! What if these characters were introduced earlier in the series? What if they never were? This episode's lone voicemail asks about a Hermione-based movie with Emma Watson Quizzitch: Who did JKR say would win in a fight: Crookshanks or Mrs. Norris? MuggleCast Vault: Luna Lovegood and Dolores Umbridge character discussions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slug Club member Amy joins the show! The Crimes of Grindelwald screenplay cover is revealed... And we analyze every beast, symbol and little detail Did Alan Rickman feel Snape was an underutilized character in the films? JKR reveals her next project will be a children's book! We start June off with our first Order of the Phoenix discussion What were the biggest theories prior to Order of the Phoenix being released? Like: What exactly is the Order of the Phoenix? Will Snape ever teach DADA? Is he a spy? Is Lupin really James Potter in disguise? What is the gleam of triumph and what does it mean? What's up with Ms. Figg? Which character(s) won't make it through Book 5? Quizzitch: A witch or wizard who is gifted at reading minds is called a what? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices