639: Christmas Lights or Chaos? (GOF Chapter 9: The Dark Mark)

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we're wrapping up 2023 at the Quidditch World Cup! Grab your best pair of running shoes and dont forget your wand (*cough* Harry *cough*), as we try to avoid Death Eaters, Veela and annoying Ministry officials!

*Please note that we discuss some heavy topics in this episode and while we certainly pride ourselves on being a family-friendly podcast, the content may not be suitable for all ages.*

• Happy Holidays and New Year to all of our listeners! It’s our final episode of 2023, but don't fret because we'll be releasing a couple of bonus segments over the break!
• Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9: The Dark Mark
• 7-Word Summary: Winky struggles to explain herself to Crouch
• Main Discussion #1: Death Eaters & The Dark Mark
• Death Eaters & Terrorism: Voldemort's followers use the Quidditch World Cup celebration to cause mass hysteria
• The Death Eaters are dressed in hooded cloaks with masks, and are marching in a clan-like formation. We discuss similarities to the KKK here in the United States.
• We react to the torture of the Roberts family and exactly what Draco suggested be done to Hermione
• The Dark Mark & the Swastika: Both marks inspire fear and convey hatred. As an adult that lived through Voldemort’s reign, what must it have been like to see the Dark Mark return?
• Hermione is the only one of the trio who understands the gravity of the Dark Mark. What does this say about the wizarding world’s ability to insulate their children from the terror that Voldemort inflicted on the wizarding world?
• Was the Dark Mark cast to inspire fear in those at the Quidditch World Cup or in the Death Eaters themselves?
• Main Discussion #2: The Conviction of Winky & The Treatment of House-Elves
• Winky is found at the scene of the crime and is unjustly accused (and convicted). 
• Similar to other situations we’ve experienced with Ministry justice, much of the real evidence is ignored!
• Our eyes are opened even further to the treatment of House-Elves by the larger wizarding world
• How has Hermione growing up in the Muggle world informed her views on House-Elves? Do we attribute Ron’s views to immaturity or his own upbringing?
• Hermione begins her outspoken criticism of the Ministry!
• Evanesco That returns as Andrew lays waste to all of the  he-said-she-said-elf-said back-and-forth, blah, blah, blah in this chapter!
• Odds & Ends cover Fred & George's winnings, Beauxbatons, Madam Maxime, Stan Shunpike, Priori Incantato and more!
• Quizzitch: What did Rita Skeeter once call Bill Weasley in an interview with Gringotts curse-breakers?
• And don’t forget you can join our community at Patreon.com/MuggleCast and receive magical benefits, including Bonus MuggleCast! We have two brand-new ones for you in December, including our recap of the biggest events in fandom of 2023 and a look ahead to 2024! And, we celebrate with some of our favorite holiday Headcannons!
• This week’s episode is brought to you by MasterClass! This holiday season, give the gift of one annual membership and get one free at MasterClass.com/MuggleCast!

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