MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

It's time for a very important H-word to be introduced to Harry. No, Fat Lady, it's not the one you experienced over your holiday break! Join the MuggleCasters as we discuss Chapter 17 of Half-Blood Prince, in which Dumbledore introduces Harry to 'A Sluggish Memory'.

The Fat Lady seems to be telling herself to practice abstinence after the holidays. Sounds like it was a party in the portraits over Christmas!

How do students end up missing the new Common Room passwords? Is it the school's fault, or is it the students?

It's time for the students to learn how to apparate! ... For a price. We look at why Hogwarts and the Ministry might be charging for these additional lessons.

Dismissive Dumby: Albus' ego is on full display as he plays off Harry's questions about Snape and Draco. As expected, Andrew comes in with a #DumbleDefense. 

Back in the memories, Dumbledore shows Harry more about Tom Riddle's time at Hogwarts.

Why didn't Dumbledore do more when Tom Riddle was at school and clearing causing trouble?

We learn the real reason Dumbledore asked Slughorn back to teach, and we hear that certain H-word a first time (No, it's not 'Hufflepuff' or 'Horace')

Connecting the Threads: There are some big parallels between Chapter 17 of Chamber of Secrets, and this Chapter of Half-Blood Prince!

MVP: Which memory truly is THE most important memory Dumbledore has collected?

Lynx Line: You've just learned to Apparate. Where are you going first?

Quizzitch: While Lord Voldemort commits patricide by killing Tom Riddle Sr., what is the broader term used when someone kills a near-relative of theirs such as a grandparent?

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This week, Andrew, Micah and Laura enter a new era of MuggleCast, as we kick off the first in a series of monthly episodes focused on the new Harry Potter TV Show. The Trio talk about the latest news, lay down some predictions and play some new games!

Set photos of the TV Show's Hogwarts Courtyard have leaked: will these new House Sigil Hedges come to life?

Laura and Micah react to Ravenclaw’s sigil finally being an eagle!

How much are the show's creators taking inspiration from Hogwarts Legacy?

Beyond The Books: Lox Pratt, the actor playing Young Draco, says we’ll be seeing Draco at Malfoy Manor in the first season!

Nick Frost manifested getting the role of Hagrid by writing Hagrid 7,000 times while watching the movies. He also took up knitting!

MAX That: Can we expect to see more Vampires in this version of the Wizarding World?

The hosts test their Harry Potter knowledge: Was This Line in the Sorcerer’s Stone Book AND Movie?


Our Lynx Line asked our patrons: Who will be the first character to appear on screen?

When can we expect our first trailer?

In Bonus MuggleCast, available exclusively on Patreon: We make our official predictions for the new TV show and even throw down a few knuts to keep things interesting! Will we see Voldemort on screen in Episode 1? Will the Sorting Hat sing the full song? Over the series, will we ever get a full episode without Harry present?

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Bundle up, because it’s about to get really cold inside the Burrow! The MuggleCasters have reached “A Very Frosty Christmas” in their Chapter-by-Chapter reread of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. And they’re not alone. This week the Real Weird Sisters Alice and Martha have joined us! Topics cover the new Minister for Magic’s cunning, Mrs. Weasley’s faults, and the Weasley Brothers’ violent tendencies.

New Throwback Content: Be sure you’re following us Lon our Twitch where we are currently streaming the Chamber of Secrets PC game as part of our lookback content this year. All videos will eventually be posted also on our YouTube channel.

Welcome Alice and Martha of the Real Weird Sisters! They have been podcasting for 10+ years and are awesome.

Chapter by Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 16: A Very Frosty Christmas

The MC Pensive segment takes us back to an episode we recorded seven years ago.

Are we surprised that people still aren't believing Harry about Draco, even Ron?

What's with all the rough housing going on in the Burrow between Ron and his brothers? Is this a dangerous escalation or par for the course?

Should Bill be stepping in between Fleur and Mrs. Weasley's feud?

The hosts analyze Remus Lupin's story and his backstory.

What is Lavender expecting from Ron, as indicated by her flashy piece of jewelry for him?

Does anyone buy Scrimgeour's story that he and Percy were "just in the area"?

Is Scrimgeour any more smooth than Cornelius Fudge was?

Did Percy give Scrimgeour advice on tips for how to appeal to Harry? It kinda feels like he did, which is why Rufus failed so badly.

Our MVP segment asks what Harry’s sassiest line in the chapter is.

Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: What did Fred and George try to make Ron do with the Unbreakavable Vow?

Coming up on Bonus MuggleCast for Slug Club patrons, we analyze our personal romantic histories broken down by the Hogwarts houses of our partners. It's a not-to-miss discussion!

Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch!

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As Valentine's Day approaches in the Muggle world, romance is also a focus in this area of Half-Blood Prince. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they watch Harry watch Draco, watch Hermione regret her revenge against Ron, and watch Snape learn that Harry is suddenly good at Potions. 

New Throwback Content: This Saturday, February 14 at 11am ET, MuggleCast will stream the Chamber of Secrets PC Game LIVE on our Twitch! It will later be available on our YouTube channel.

A listener recently reviewed us being “as cozy as a warm blanket on a cold day.” We’re very touched! If you feel similarly, be sure to tell us by leaving a review.

Chapter by Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 15: The Unbreakable Vow

The MC Pensive segment takes us back to an episode we recorded seven years ago.

Hermione decides to take Cormac McLaggen to Slughorn's Christmas Party, just as Ron feared she would. Is this revenge satisfying for the readers? Do we feel bad when it doesn't work out for Hermione?

Should love potions be taken more seriously than they are, by everyone? Harry is (rightly) worried.

Eric asks, how does Cormac not know how to show someone a good time?

Harry says that he kinda always thought Filch and Madame Prince were a thing. The hosts pick apart that offhand comment...

...and then we speculate. COULD that be a thing? Filch and Madame Prince? What do they have in common? How does Mrs. Norris feel?

Is Snape's attempt to detect Draco's lying ethical? We know there's more in it at stake for him.

Should Draco have been suspicious that Snape was working for Dumbledore, based on Snape's emphasis on the importance of DADA for Crabbe and Goyle?


What If?: Harry overheard that Draco's mission was to kill Dumbledore? What if it was said aloud? What would Harry do?

Odds and Ends include the Number 12 (our favorite), and vampires.

Our MVP segment asks who is the best character to take to Slughorn's Christmas party?

Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: Who should Snape and Trelawney have invited as their dates to Slughorn's party? And, what would their pick-up lines have been?

Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch!

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Who feels lucky? The only thing bottled up and ready to be unleashed in this chapter is a tidal wave of teenage angst! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they navigate the emotions of Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione.

Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 14: Felix Felicis

Slug Club invite: was Hermione making a romantic push towards Ron?

Does Harry have legitimate concerns about becoming The Third Wheel?

What would happen to the Trio if it all went wrong with Ron and Hermione?

Ron is looking for fight, but picks the WRONG opponent in Ginny!

Should Hermione have had more confidence in Ron's Quidditch abilities?

Did Harry do more harm than help by giving Ron a Felix Felicis placebo?

Was Ron intentionally trying to make Hermione jealous with Lavender?

Could Harry's raging chest monster be partially influenced by the Horcrux?

Our MVP segment asks who is the most chaotic character of the chapter?

Our Lynx Line topic this week for Slug Club patrons: Have you ever started dating someone that you knew for years first, or were friends with, and if so, how did it turn out?

Participate in our weekly trivia segment by answering this week’s Quizzitch question at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch!

Throwback Content includes a video game playthrough  with Eric, Meg and Martha of the “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone PC Game” over on our MuggleCast YouTube.

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