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! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, grab your tissues because we're discussing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 21: The Eye of the Snake. And speaking of Hagrid-centric chapters, it looks like the Harry Potter TV Show has found its Rubeus!  Harry Potter TV Show News: Nick Frost is reportedly up for the role of Hagrid! We discuss if he can pull off this pivotal role and what we know him from. Chapter by Chapter resumes with Order of the Phoenix Chapter 21, The Eye of the Snake (gulp). Despite Hermione's best efforts, Hagrid decides to teach a class on Thestrals. We break down the pro's and con's of this decision. If most of the class can't see a creature, does that make it a bad lesson? Not necessarily! But Hagrid could've designed this class better. What did Hagrid's 'shrieking cry' sound like? Shouldn't there be some magic that allows those who haven't seen death to be able to see Thestrals? At least for research purposes it would make sense! Speaking of seeing death, is it strange that Umbridge herself can't see Thestrals?  Should Dumbledore have warned Hagrid about what Umbridge has been up to at the school? Or DID they talk once Hagrid returned? The second half of this chapter has a big Life Moment for Harry: His first kiss! Was it Cho or Harry who made the first move? And how should Harry have reacted when she was crying? We recount our First Kiss stories, and this week's Lynx Line asks Patrons if they had a bad first kiss themselves! Quizzitch: Capable of reaching a length of roughly 19 feet and weighing around 28 lbs, what is the largest known venomous snake species in the world? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, don't forget when sneaking out of the house to cover your footprints in the snow!  We're getting the lowdown from Hagrid on what he's been up to for the last few months, until, of course, we're interrupted by one, giant b*tch! Chapter by Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 20: Hagrid's Tale. MuggleCast last discussed the chapter on Episode 456! Upon his return to Hogwarts, do readers and the trio experience a different side to Hagrid? Honestly, can Harry, Ron and Hermione give Hagrid a minute to get settled in? It seems like Hagrid is simultaneously annoyed and proud of the trio for being able to put two and two together about his journey. Could Umbridge have been responsible for putting a tail on Hagrid and Maxime? Our first and only real exposure to Giant Culture in the Wizarding world: a fascinating dynamic to another marginalized community. How is Dumbledore recruiting the giants any different than Voldemort? Did Hagrid and Maxime's gifts to Karkus ultimately get him killed? What does it say about the giants that some are closed off to new ideas, but others can be open to them? Mommy Issues: Hagrid doesn't speak too kindly about his mother. Fridwulfa Does Umbridge spend all her time spying? Is this what Petunia would have been like at Hogwarts? Did Harry, Ron and Hermione visiting Hagrid open the door for Umbridge's visit? The hosts share their Best Hagrid Moment from this chapter they want to see get the MAX treatment! Lynx Line: If you could go on a magical adventure with any wizarding world character to do Dumbledore’s bidding, who would it be and why? Quizzitch:  In the English fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Jack, who later meets a husband and wife that are giants, trades WHAT to obtain a handful of magic beans? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com This week, Draco goes so hard against the Gryffindor Team, and Umbridge awards herself total control over student lives in our latest Chapter by Chapter series. Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they discuss the line between bullying and fair play, and analyze whether Umbridge is making enemies of the whole school. News: The Harry Potter TV show on HBO has cast its Snape and McGonagall, and the HP illustrated editions now have their new illustrator. Chapter by Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 19: The Lion and the Serpent. MuggleCast last discussed the chapter on Episode 455! Hermione reveals the dark origins of her idea for the enchanted Galleons. Why wasn’t she sorted into Ravenclaw, we also wonder? Andrew says coins are easy to lose, and the other hosts weigh in. Where is the line between sportsmanship and bullying? We feel for Ron, but wonder if any of the Slytherins’ behavior is okay. What makes Draco SO extra? Is he compensating for being an unskilled Quidditch player? Did Umbridge put Draco up to the taunting, in order to get Harry & co. expelled?? is McGonagall’s punishment more fitting than Umbridge’s? And hey! It looks like Dumbledore has been doing something after all! in banning Harry from Quidditch, does she give Harry more free time to plot against her? Lynx Line: If you had to chant something at Malfoy to distract him while playing Quidditch, what would it be? Quizzitch: What ice hockey player had a rule named after him after he displayed unsportsmanlike tactics in an attempt to intimidate goalie Martin Brodeur, by waving his hands and hockey stick in his face? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits like Bonus MuggleCast! On this week's edition we discuss the best use of 8 hours to tell the story of the first season of the upcoming TV show! Patreon.com/MuggleCast  Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, put on your ballet shoes and meet us on the Seventh Floor of Hogwarts, because we're holding secret meetings, breaking rules and firing defensive spells at each other. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Pam for the first official meeting of Dumbledore's Army! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with  Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 18: Dumbledore's Army. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 454 for our prior Chapter 18 analysis! Should Umbridge be thrown in jail for opening Harry's mail? Connecting the Threads between Vernon Dursley, Dobby and Umbridge! 🤯 Why does Hermione have buyer's remorse about Dumbledore's Army? Horcrux Alert: Harry ponders the weird connection between himself and Voldemort that Dumbledore has (still) failed to explain! Did House-Elves use their magic to help build the Room of Requirement? The Tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy: is it more than just trolls trying to do ballet? How do we rate Harry on his first lesson as the new Defense Against The Dark Arts professor? Lynx Line: What do the House-Elves use the Room of Requirement for? Quizzitch: The abbreviation D.A. may most commonly refer to this position as chief prosecutor in a United States criminal case. What is the position, with those initials, that has a history stretching back to 1813? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits! Patreon.com/mugglecast Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, sit tight. Because the overreach by Professor Umbridge interfering with the everyday lives of Hogwarts students is just beginning! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they continue Chapter-by-Chapter with Chapter 17 of Order of the Phoenix. This week’s episode is brought to you by BetterHelp, receive 10% off your first month of therapy at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast, and by Factor, for 50% off your first meal box plus free shipping (code: FACTORPODCAST) TV Show News: John Lithgow confirms he will be playing Dumbledore for HBO! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with  Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 17: Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 453 for our prior Chapter 17 analysis! The walls of freedom are closing in around Harry and his friends. Once again the hosts reflect on how the chapter, and Umbridge, applies to modern day US politics. Since Hermione has revealed that she jinxed the DA sign-up sheet, do we now think her actions were untoward? Do we feel bad for Marietta? Laura asks: Were we ever part of a student group that got disbanded? Umbridge unfairly allows Slytherin to continue playing Quidditch, while keeping Gryffindor in review. Is this in effort to control Harry? Hedwig’s injury causes a stir, and McGonagall tries again to warn Harry what is happening at Hogwarts. Should magical animals be able to better communicate with humans? Is there a spell for that? Neville snaps. Is he justified in going after Draco? Will Draco ever learn? Umbridge v. Snape leaves us short of needing a mop or shovel. What did we learn from their encounter in Potions? Sirius delivers Molly’s message. Is it fair for her to ask Ron not to participate in the DA? Is she living in the same world as everyone else? Odds and Ends covers Fred and George’s latest (successful) attempt to obey school rules, and Crookshanks’ love for Sirius. The Lynx Line: What did Mundungus do to get banned from the Hogs Head 20 years ago? Quizzitch: What bird did the Ancient Greeks, Ancient Romans, and Genghis Khan all use to send their messages? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits! Patreon.com/mugglecast Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, grab a dirty bottle of Butterbeer from the bartender who kind of looks familiar and pull up a seat or two, because Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura are hosting underground meetings in Hogsmeade's most iconic dive bar! News covers the recently announced interactive edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and new Cursed Child city and tour dates Chapter-by-Chapter continues with  Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 16: In The Hog's Head. Our Time Turner segment has us spinning an old recording from past discussions! Be sure to check out Episode 452 for our prior Chapter 16 analysis! The Hog's Head: site of many an important event in the Harry Potter series We give our initial reactions to Hogsmeade's most iconic dive bar! Given it is quiet and off-the-beaten-path, was the Hog's Head the best choice for the first, unofficial meeting of Dumbledore's Army? FINALLY! Some inter-House unity! Well, kind of... Do we fault Cedric's housemates for wanting to know more about his death? Should Hermione have prepared Harry more for this moment? What would it have taken to convince each of us to sign up for Dumbledore’s Army? Luna vs. Hermione: our favorite Ravenclaw does not back down! Odds & Ends cover a pair of eavesdroppers in Mundungus Fletcher and Willy Widdershins Micah plays bartender, whipping up some Hog's Head cocktails for Andrew, Eric and Laura Lynx Line: If you had to disguise yourself as someone in the Hog’s Head, what would you dress up as and how would you avoid detection? Quizzitch: In the mid-20th century United Kingdom, pint glasses replaced what type of drinking vessel, commonly made of glass, ceramic, or pewter? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits! Patreon.com/mugglecast Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, we're preparing to be inspected as the new High Inquisitor of Hogwarts sets her eyes on some easy prey. Chapter-by-Chapter covers OotP 15, and we also discuss the latest (huge) Dumbledore casting rumor for the HP TV series!. Welcome to the show, Slug Club guest host Jordan! The latest HP TV Show news is that actor John Lithgow is close to finalizing talks to play Albus Dumbledore. The hosts react! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with  Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 15: The Hogwarts High Inquisitor. Our Time Turner segment has us spinning an old recording from past discussions! Be sure to check out Episode 451 for our prior Chapter 15 analysis! Laura takes us back through the history of various “inquisitors.” How clued-in is Percy to the inner workings of Umbridge and Fudge’s plot? Did Dumbledore know the Ministry would pass midnight legislation if he did not fill the DADA vacancy? Did he choose not to act? Do we think the Ministry SHOULD have greater oversight into Hogwarts? Snape gets a T for Tool. Or, is that Troll? Have any of the hosts ever been inspected while doing their job? Where does Hermione err in her confrontation with Umbridge? What was Dean Thomas doing to his mouse in Transfiguration? Lynx Line: What educational decree would YOU pass / what rule would YOU enforce at Hogwarts? Our Patrons were asked! Quizzitch: in the USA, the College Board administers the SAT, which has a possible perfect score of 1600. What is the lowest score possible to receive on the SAT? Don’t forget you can support the show over at Patreon.com/Mugglecast! You’ll get great benefits such as Bonus MuggleCast, live streams, yearly stickers, Lynx Line participation, a physical gift, a video message from one of the four of us made just for you, our private Facebook and Discord groups where you can hang out with fellow Potter fans, and so much more! Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Help MuggleCast grow! Become a MuggleCast Member and get great benefits! Patreon.com/mugglecast Grab official merch! MuggleCastMerch.com Pick up overstock merch from years past! MuggleMillennial.Etsy.com On this week's episode, we're taking deep breaths and going through Percy's letter to Ron, as Chapter-by-Chapter tackles Chapter 14 of Order of the Phoenix. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with  Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 14: Percy and Padfoot. Our Time Turner segment has us spinning an old recording from past discussions! Be sure to check out Episode 450 for our prior Chapter 14 analysis! Despite lots of folks being divided, we focus on examples of residents at Hogwarts helping fellow students out! Including: Nearly-Headless Nick saving Harry's life (probably). What is the meaning behind Filch's baseless claims against Harry? Ron Weasley, a smart character, has an idea that even Hermione agrees with! When Percy's letter arrives, Harry and Ron are shocked. We go through what the worst parts are about what he wrote to his brother and why. Andrew asks: Have we ever been asked by a family member to 'sever ties' with another? And what were the consequences? The chapter ends with Sirius's conversation, and a few Odds and Ends. MVP: What should Ron have said (or written) back to Percy? Lynx Line: Our patrons have drafted their coded messages to Sirius, describing the plot of their favorite movie in a way that Umbridge would not understand. Quizzitch: First discovered in the year 1610, the four largest moons of the planet Jupiter are called Io, Europa, Ganymede, and… __what? Don’t forget you can support the show over at Patreon.com/Mugglecast! You’ll get great benefits such as Bonus MuggleCast, live streams, yearly stickers, Lynx Line participation, a physical gift, a video message from one of the four of us made just for you, our private Facebook and Discord groups where you can hang out with fellow Potter fans, and so much more! Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, bust out your day planner because we've got plenty of classes, loads of homework and a few detentions! And keep your hands off of the knitted hats, those are for the House-Elves!This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Learn how to identify red and green flags with a therapist at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast. Welcome Quizzitch master and winner, James! In the middle of this winter season our Comfy Cozy Combo Pack is nearly sold out! Containing our MuggleCast show beanie and our specialty throwback socks, grab these soft and warming items before it's too late at the MuggleMillennial Etsy store! Chapter-by-Chapter returns with  Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 13: Detention with Dolores. Our Time Turner segment has us spinning an old recording from past discussions! Be sure to check out Episode 449 for our prior Chapter 13 analysis! Could there be a common theme running through the Chapter 13s of the Harry Potter series? Main Discussion #1: Radical Hermione Spin Cycle: Have the hosts ever gotten caught up in the news and believed something that turned out to be false? Why is Umbridge allowed to teach the students during their O.W.L.s year? Could Hermione be working smarter, not harder, by threatening to write to Mrs. Weasley about Fred & George? We debate the ethics of them testing products on first years! And did the Twins drug Hermione later in the chapter? Should Hermione be tricking House-Elves into freedom by hiding knitted hats beneath bits of rubbish? Would she even have the authority to free the Hogwarts House-Elves? Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Unite: Luna and Ernie show support for Harry! Main Discussion #2: Detention Our initial reactions to one of the most cringe-worthy moments in the Harry Potter series! How is The Black Quill legal? Does it have any relation to the Quick Quotes Quill? Why is Harry suffering in silence? Could past abuse and trauma be at play? How much is Dumbledore to blame for Harry's resistance to go to an authority figure? We discuss the significance of Umbridge giving Harry his second permanent scar! Quidditch Tryouts: is Ron a nepo baby? When Umbridge touches Harry, his scar burns. Should we assume she's connected to Voldemort or was this pure coincidence? Odds & Ends cover Hagrid's absence, McGonagall's confidence in Neville, angry bowtruckles and more! MVP: What would we have thought if we’d been onlookers at the Third Task in Goblet of Fire and seen Harry return from the maze clutching Cedric’s dead body? Lynx Line: Our patrons weigh in on what they would do to resist the Umbridge regime at Hogwarts. Quizzitch: In this chapter, Harry is tasked with completing an illustration of a Bowtruckle. What English children's book author started out as a biological illustrator, a subject matter which certainly influenced the animal characters of their books? Don’t forget you can support the show over at Patreon.com/Mugglecast! You’ll get great benefits such as Bonus MuggleCast, live streams, yearly stickers, Lynx Line participation, a physical gift, a video message from one of the four of us made just for you, our private Facebook and Discord groups where you can hang out with fellow Potter fans, and so much more! On this week's Bonus MuggleCast, we have a blast re-sorting the Weasley family! Percy to Slytherin? Ron to Hufflepuff? Splitting up the Twins? Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first Muggle Mail episode of the year is here! And more than ever, listeners are boldly telling us who we have been too critical of in our latest read-through of Order of the Phoenix. Does planning things out make them worse? Can Sirius be blamed for his behaviors? And where does little Dumbledore go when he's not on the Chocolate Frog cards? All this and more on Episode 690. Welcome to the show Slug Club guest Evalynda! In the middle of this Winter season our Comfy Coz Combo Pack is nearly sold out! Containing our MuggleCast show beanie and our specialty throwback socks, grab these soft and warming items before it's too late over at the MuggleMillennial Etsy store! In our first voicemail of 2025, a listener points out something very interesting about the Triwizard competitors and their Hogwarts house affiliations. We look back on our Books 4 and 3 discussions with a round of MuggleMail regarding Karkaroff and Remus Lupin. Given the importance to Dumbledore of his appearing on the Famous Witch and Wizard Cards, could he be using them to spy on unsuspecting kids like Harry?! On the upcoming TV show, what changes to Snape might be concerning, and which ones wouldn't? Petunia and Vernon's relationship to each other and to the Potters is examined in depth! Are all of the adults in the Order just disorganized? Does Arthur Weasley deserve a pass for not scouting the route? Are Muggle primary schools looking for the M.I.A. Hogwarts students? Why doesn't Sirius ever seek out his favorite cousin, Andromeda? Should the role of Hogwarts Prefect come with a set of clear instructions? The Lynx Line segment asks for everyone's takeaways regarding our Book 5 read-through so far. Quizzitch: Which US fast-food chain was the first to add savory biscuits to their menu, in the 1970s? Don’t forget you can support the show over at Patreon.com/Mugglecast! You’ll get great benefits such as Bonus MuggleCast, live streams, yearly stickers, Lynx Line participation, a physical gift, a video message from one of the four of us made just for you, our private Facebook and Discord groups where you can hang out with fellow Potter fans, and so much more! Visit MuggleCast.com for transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices