MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

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This week Chapter-by-Chapter returns, and so does our guest! Professor Julian Wamble, who we first had on our show back in 2023 on MuggleCast #619, once more graces us with his presence as we discuss Chapter 28 of Order of the Phoenix, "Snape's Worst Memory." Julian teaches Political Science at George Washington University, and his podcast Critical Magic Theory as well as Instagram and TikTok content are worth checking out!

Welcome back to the show, Professor Julian Wamble!

News: Tom Felton to reprise his role as Draco Malfoy, in New York's production of Cursed Child!

Chapter-by-Chapter returns with Chapter 28 of Order of the Phoenix, "Snape's Worst Memory."

Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 465 of MuggleCast, titled "How I Met Your Mother." How are we going to top that title on *this* re-read? (Speaking of reading, here is that episode's transcript.)

Umbridge's ascent to headmistress of Hogwarts has some classic authoritarian playbook strategies. The hosts dissect.

Is the appointment of the Inquisitorial Squad merely a natural response to the thought that Dumbledore was raising an army? Andrew explains.

We look at what Umbridge promised Filch, and consider whether she intends to keep those promises.

Harry would've been poisoned, if it weren't for a singularly interesting cat... that reminds us of a scene from Deathly Hallows...

Would Snape have actually given truth serum to Umbridge, and why not? The hosts discuss his loyalties.

Fred and George have a perfect tonic for Umbridge's control, and it perfectly exploits her vulnerabilities.

It's a good thing Harry's Occlumency lesson is interrupted... because he didn't do the homework!

What makes Harry enter the pensieve despite how dangerous the threat of being caught is?

What Marauders' personality traits did the hosts most enjoy on this readthrough?

How will the Harry Potter TV show handle Snape's Worst Memory? Professor Wamble has thoughts.

Are there more traits between Harry and his dad, or Harry and his mom, and what are they?

The hosts pick a favorite moment of mayhem from this chapter.

In our Lynx Line segment for the week, we ask our Patrons to build their own Inquisitorial Squad to serve a purpose at Hogwarts that is currently underserved, and ask what the team would do.

Quizzitch: What band had a song at the top of the UK music charts for every week of May, 1976? A] ABBA, B] Billy Joel, C] Aerosmith, D] David Bowie



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On this week's episode, we’re starting Pride Month 2025 off by revisiting the topic of Potter series author J.K. Rowling, whose recent actions along with the continued assault on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, warrant further discussion. We are joined by a guest who is an ethicist, philosopher and college instructor, and all of our hosts dive head-first into sharing their feelings on what is happening. And to lead off our discussion, we cover the topic of the casting of the new trio for HBO’s upcoming TV series.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Receive 10% off your first month of therapy at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast

News: Harry, Ron and Hermione have now been cast in HBO’s Harry Potter TV series! The hosts react.

Welcome to the podcast, Sunny Williams! Sunny’s roots in fandom and wizard rock, and her impressive academic career, make her a perfect fit for our episode today.

We revisit the topic of J.K. Rowling, whose new ’Women’s Fund’ will help advance anti-trans legal cases.

Our previous episodes that addressed the author were Episode 447b and Episode 469, both worth a re-listen.

The hosts share their thoughts on the last 5 years of disappointment, from infinite double-downs to behavior that is antithetical to the works which we celebrate.

Eric takes us through the most recent year in anti-trans legislation, featuring two huge pseudoscientific reports, not peer reviewed and forcefully discredited by major medical organizations, which are nevertheless being used to strip transgender people from accessing healthcare through legislation.

The actual science is so in-favor of trans people receiving healthcare, that its opponents have suggested other ways of measuring its efficiency, like whether receivers currently have a job.

Rowling’s astonishing cruelty is on display daily on X, and her initiatives and gender-policing have been shown to affect ALL women, as the rise on assaults of women in rest areas has grown around hostility towards anyone seen as gender non-conforming by strangers empowered to act.

The hosts use scenarios from the Potter books to illustrate what’s presently happening.

Sunny guides us through the ethics of financially supporting problematic creators, with thoughts from Socrates, Hannah Arendt, Henry David Thoreau, and others!

To wrap, we discuss our continued strategy for keeping the fandom progressive and inclusive.

Next week, a return to Chapter-by-Chapter will see us introduced to another bully, as it’s time to experience Chapter 28, “Snape’s Worst Memory.”

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With the Harry Potter TV show beginning to film this summer, Andrew conjures an episode-by-episode (Marauder's) map of Harry Potter: Season 1! What will each episode of Season 1 depict from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and what can they do to please longtime fans of the series? HBO has to prove that there's a reason to reboot Harry Potter, and we have some ideas for how they can do just that!



This is a Bonus MuggleCast episode that was released in March for those who support us at Patreon.com/mugglecast. As an independent podcast, we could really use your support while we continue re-reading the books and covering the upcoming TV show! Pledge TODAY to receive access to over 100 more bonus episodes, ad-free episodes of our Chapter by Chapter discussions, and so much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow!

Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast 

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Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com



On this week's episode, we’re aspiring to become friends with Firenze! His cozy indoor forest classroom is really the bee’s knees, and the rest we obtain there helps us stay sharp when having to suddenly exit the Room of Requirement! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah for the next Book 5 chapter discussion.

Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 27: The Centaur and the Sneak. MuggleCast last discussed this chapter on Episode 464!

What is the main force behind Hermione’s comments to Lavender and Parvati?

Is Firenze gearing the children up to prepare for war?

What are the benefits of a non-human-centric approach to Divination?

Firenze also ups Harry’s cool factor considerably.

Two members of the DA can now produce full Patronuses! We examine their meaning, including bringing back a revelation from Micah that’s nearly 20 years old (our minds are still blown.)

What’s the deal with Dobby’s loyalties? Why can Umbridge command him not to speak?

We examine Draco’s choice to apprehend Harry versus later choices he makes in the books.

What is the timeline of events surrounding Umbrage, and “the sneak”’s confession? How does Fudge get to Hogwarts so quickly?!

What makes Marietta cave? And why is it a million times better than in the movie?

The Dumbledore Lie Count (tm) returns!!!

Odds & Ends cover one of Harry’s forgotten schoolbooks.

MVP: Dumbledore’s most Slytherin moments from the chapter

Lynx Line: Our patrons re-name Dumbledore’s Army!

Quizzitch: The fourth planet in our Solar System is Mars, named for the Roman god of war. What did the Ancient Greeks call their god of war?

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Help MuggleCast grow!

Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! Patreon.com/MuggleCast 

Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com

Pick up overstock merch from years past, including our 19th Anniversary Shirt! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com



On this week's episode, get your copy of The Quibbler (and quickly transfigure it) before Umbridge bans it! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they enjoy a brief compliment from Snape and finally get through *that* door at the Department of Mysteries!

Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 26: Seen and Unforseen. MuggleCast last discussed this chapter on Episode 463!

Could Hermione have been a little softer on Harry concerning Cho? Does she share any blame for double-booking him in Hogsmeade?

Hermione criticizes her friends reactions to the outcome of the Quidditch match. Does she have any fun outlets?

Harry is having FOMO watching Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor. But let's face it, it's not easy watching from the sidelines!

Shockingly, Snape comes the closest he ever has to actually caring about teaching Harry Occlumency, but... of course... has to have the last laugh!

We draw comparisons between Lupin teaching Harry the Patronus Charm and Snape teaching Harry Occlumency. Should Harry be farther along given he's been at this for two months?

How did Harry get through the Department of Mysteries door during his Occlumency lesson when he's never been there in his dreams?

The hosts agree that Dumbledore had Firenze in his back pocket to take over for Trelawney. Who did Dumbledore have on tap as a replacement for Hagrid?

Voldemort finally learns only he or Harry can retrieve the prophecy. How is this not more common knowledge in the Wizarding World? How would’ve things been different if Voldemort never wasted time with this plan?

Harry has direct line of sight into Voldemort's plan with Lucius Malfoy, Sturgis Podmore, Broderick Bode and Avery. Why not leak this info to The Quibbler?

Odds & Ends cover The Streisand Effect and The Astronomy Tower

MVP: Best All-Time Trelawney Moments (before she was fired)

Lynx Line: Our patrons write Harry a short piece of fan-mail OR hate-mail to be delivered via Owl Post to the Great Hall at breakfast!

Quizzitch: In banning The Quibbler, Umbridge only raises more interest in it. The concept of banning something only making it more popular is colloquially known as The Streisand Effect, after actress Barbara Streisand sued a photographer for publishing a photo in 2003. What was the photo of?

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