591: I Always Wanted to Use That Howler (Chamber of Secrets, Chapters 5 and 6)

On this week's episode, Harry and Ron invent a new way to get to Hogwarts, but break a few international statutes! Settling in to classes would be easier for Harry if Draco Malfoy and Gilderoy Lockhart weren't following him around! Still, it is so good to be back within the castle walls. Join us for Chapter by Chapter segments of chapters 5 and 6 of "Chamber of Secrets."

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

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