MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

This week, open up your copy of The Daily Prophet and settle in for some hot goss as the hosts break down Rita Skeeter's Scoop on Rebeus Hagrid and his qualifications as a Hogwarts professor! Plus, between Ludo and some goblins and Rita and Hermione, were we moments away from a good ole fashioned pub brawl at The Three Broomsticks? Join us and find out! Welcome Patreon member, Liza! Check out her book club by following her on Twitter and Instagram We discuss the recent news that all seven Harry Potter audiobooks will be transformed into new full-cast ensemble productions! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 24: Rita Skeeter's Scoop 7-Word Summary: Rita ignites rumors in The Three Broomsticks Do we think Cedric gave Harry a good clue about the egg? Main Discussion #1: Dumbledore's Giant Mistake Draco Malfoy... the 1950’s cartoon villain?! Why does Hermione fail to grasp certain larger wizarding world dynamics? Micah's Hot Take: While definitely scathing, Rita's article about Hagrid is... TRUE! Should Dumbledore sack Hagrid as Care of Magical Creatures professor? Why didn't Hagrid start as an assistant and receive proper training? How do we feel about the students getting a proper Care of Magical Creatures lesson?  Lupin and Hagrid have drastically different reactions to being outed! Why did Dumbledore accept Lupin’s resignation but not Hagrid’s? Main Discussion #2: A Bagman In The Pub. Why is Ludo really meeting with the goblins? Is he trying to plant a story about his boss with Rita? How concerned should we be about Barty Crouch Sr.'s absence? Should Hermione have been more careful calling out Rita in a crowded pub? Main Discussion #3: Justice for Hagrid. Dumbledore shows up for Hagrid on a whole new level! Do the letters of support Hagrid receives actually support his role as professor? Does Dumbledore's trust in people and belief in second chances stem from his own family situation and relationship with Grindelwald? Odds and Ends cover Krum practicing for The Second Task, Sleakeazy’s Hair Potion, goblin rebellions and Aberforth's lust for goats! Next week: We're busting open the Muggle Mail bag, so send us your feedback! Quizzitch question: The tub in the Prefects’ Bathroom features roughly how many golden taps? Submit your answer at MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch! Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Check out the MuggleCast Overstock Store to grab MuggleCast t-shirts, signed album art, and so much more! Supplies are limited, so act fast and help us support the show! For twice-monthly Bonus MuggleCast, as well as other great benefits, including the chance to co-host the show, a new physical gift every year, and a video message from one of the four of us visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hermione's Yule Ball drama, Ron's jealousy and insecurity, Moody's creepy eye, Hermione's decision to shrink her teeth, Sirius' knife gift, Dobby's Christmas gift, mysterious absence of Barty Crouch Jr., Snape and Karkaroff's odd relationship, and more!

On this week's episode, we interrupt your regularly scheduled schoolwork to announce (quite last minute) that there will be a Yule Ball this year! Grab your dress robes and find a dance partner before all the "good ones" are taken! This week's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast! Check out the MuggleCast Overstock Store to grab MuggleCast t-shirts, signed album art, and so much more! Supplies are limited, so act fast and help us support the show! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 22: The Unexpected Task 7-Word Summary: Cho regrets not saying ‘yes’ to Greatness Main Discussion #1: McGonagall's announcement Is Professor McGonagall not being sensitive to Harry's youth? How long have the teachers known about the Yule Ball this year, and why would they announce it a week before Christmas? Laura asks what our high school dances were like and the hosts try to remember. Fred Weasley has the Cha(rizz)ma to win The Unexpected Task of Asking Girls Out Would it be so wrong if Harry, a champion, went stag to the ball? Harry turns on Cedric Diggory after learning he's Cho's date Cho lets Harry down easy, and we compare her character here vs Book 5 Ginny wins at playing the long game; Ron and Harry both mess up at romance This chapter represents the last time Harry will forget about bezoars Next week: Goblet of Fire, Chapter 23: The Yule Ball Quizzitch question: What gift does Harry get Ron for Christmas in 1994? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! For twice-monthly Bonus MuggleCast, as well as other great benefits, including the chance to co-host the show, a new physical gift every year, and a video message from one of the four of us visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, the band is back together! So grab your golden eggs and bring ‘em to the Gryffindor Common Room, because it’s a PAR-TAY and even the House-Elves are invited! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 21: The House-Elf Liberation Front 7-Word Summary: Shrieks and panic erupt from Gryffindor base Main Discussion #1: Blast-Ended Rita Ron or Hermione? Who has the better perspective after The First Task? Anxiety or Relief? How do feel about the The Second Task being three months away? We analyze the different student reactions to Harry opening his egg Sneaky Skeeter: Why is Rita so interested in speaking with Hagrid? What do we make of her tactics? Main Discussion #2: Tea Time With Dobby Who wore it better? Dobby or Mr. Weasley? What is it in Dobby’s character that makes him enjoy being free? What do we make of Winky’s current situation? Her perception of Dobby? Why did it take Dobby two years to come back to Hogwarts? Dobby is gettin' paid and time off! Does this offer stand for all House-Elves working at Hogwarts? Keep The Secrets: Are we to believe Dobby is doing additional work for Dumbledore that makes him “in the know"? We deep dive into the conditioning of House-Elves, their generational trauma, physical treatment and more Next week: Goblet of Fire, Chapter 22: The Unexpected Task Quizzitch question: How many girls ask Harry Potter to the Yule Ball? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! For twice-monthly Bonus MuggleCast, as well as other great benefits, including the chance to co-host the show, a new physical gift every year, and a video message from one of the four of us visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Catherine, a college professor of psychology, joins hosts to discuss Goblet of Fire Chapter 20. Topics include Harry's integrity, Moody's surveillance, Minerva's maternal concern, dragon debate, Harry-Ron reconciliation, and intense moments in the Triwizard Tournament.

Chloé, Meg, and Pam explore motherhood in Harry Potter, discussing Merope Gaunt's sacrifice, Narcissa's role, and the evolving role of women in the fandom. They reflect on the characters' maternal qualities, such as Hermione's friendship with Harry, and how even characters like Umbridge represent motherhood in their own ways.

This week, we're busting open the MuggleMail bag and listening to your voicemails on all things Goblet of Fire! So grab your (stuffed) Hungarian Horntail and Quick Quotes Quill and settle up for our latest installment, where we hear direct from you, our listeners! Controversy! Miriam Margolyes roasted Harry Potter fans in recent interview! The hosts react!  Voicemails cover Security at Gringotts, Portraits & Horcruxes, Rita Skeeter, Viktor Krum, Veelas and their ability to effect Voldemort and much more! A fantastic connection is made between Harry and Ron's divination homework and the three Triwizards Tasks! How do we feel about the way Rita Skeeter's character is first described? Did Dumbledoree see the name of the school Harry Potter was entered under for the Triwizard Tournament? If so, what was it? Could Dumbledore have used a tracking spell (Appare Vestigium) to find who placed Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire, much like how Newt was able to follow Tina in Crimes of Grindelwald? Why doesn't Barty Crouch Jr. (emphasis on the Jr.) show up on the Marauder's Map? Do the first three Harry Potter books mirror the three Triwizard Tasks? Would the Sorting Hat have done a better job than the Goblet of Fire? Who does the laundry at Hogwarts? One mom makes the case for why Hogwarts students are generally ignorant to how their food is made! Did Barty Crouch Jr. teach the students the Imperius Curse as a means of protection, having experienced the curse himself? What if Percy told Barty Crouch Sr. his name was Weatherby so as not to be associated with his father while working at the Ministry? Quizzitch: What is the first bit of Professor Moody’s advice to Harry about the First Task? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Coming up in Bonus MuggleCast, we discuss the final three candidates chosen to write the new Harry Potter TV series! And its upcoming 2026 release date! For twice-monthly Bonus MuggleCast, as well as other great benefits, visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week it's into the woods we go as the MuggleCasters read and discuss Chapter 19 of Goblet of Fire, the Hungarian Horntail. And they are joined by someone who is reading the books for the very first time! Welcome to the show, TikTok icon Kierra Lewis! Harry Potter reaction videos from Kierra are reminding us how fun it was to read the Potter series for the first time! (Find her on Instagram and YouTube, too) Kierra tells us what it's like having hundreds of thousands and people following her reading the Harry Potter books, and how she has successfully avoided spoilers. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 19: The Hungarian Horntail 7-Word Summary: Karkaroff sneaks around Hogwarts suspiciously one night Hagrid invites Harry to a clandestine meeting in the woods, but it turns out that he's a third wheel. Harry watches as 8 grown wizards stun a dragon into submission. Is any ONE Triwizard champion in grave danger? Charlie Weasley warns Hagrid that he's counted the eggs of the dragons. So, he definitely knows his old mentor well! Harry discovers Karkaroff trying to cheat. Is some level of cheating to be expected across all Houses? Does Dumbledore know what the tasks are, and if so, is that fair? Harry finally gets quality time with Sirius, and Sirius is his sounding board for everything that's been bothering him. Aw. The clues multiply that Karkaroff may be the one who put Harry's name in the Goblet. Why wouldn't Sirius be sharing everything he knows about Snape, to Harry here? If Dumbledore knows Karkaroff's history (he does), and suspects him, would he have suggested a replacement representative from Durmstrang for the tournament? Sirius is just about to tell Harry how to defeat a dragon, when Ron ruins everything. Ron and Harry have their first real confrontation and it breaks all of our hearts (while feeling sort of good). Quizzitch question: What class does Cedric Diggory have next, when Harry catches up with him? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Coming up in Bonus MuggleCast, we discuss a recent Wall-Street Journal article describing the tempestuous relationship between Warner Bros and JKR. For twice-monthly Bonus MuggleCast, as well as other great benefits, visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the hosts as they tackle bullying towards Harry, Rita Skeeter's manipulative journalism, and the mysteries of wands in a broom closet interview. Discussion includes the Quick Quotes Quill, Dumbledore's knowledge, and Ollivander's shady behavior. Next up: the Hungarian Horntail and a quirky quiz on Hungarian capitals!

Join your Harry Potter friends as they investigate who put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire. Suspects include Ludo Bagman, Igor Karkaroff, and Mad-Eye Moody. The discussion also touches on magical contracts, the backlash of Harry's inclusion, and the complex character of Barty Crouch Jr. Listen for lively debates and humorous speculations!