MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

HOLY CRAP! Forget about Christmas, there’s a Book 7 title! We discuss what the “Deathly Hallows” could be. Are they the remaining Horcruxes? Does this title encompass the theme of the series as a whole? Is there a connection with the murder of Lily and James on Halloween? Will we see Book 7 in 2007 after all? Micah predicts October 31st. You hear that, Jo? Andrew tries to interpret Jo’s HP dream. Somehow this turns into analyzing life as she writes the final book. We dream of each other. Jamie presents a plethora of puns and jokes. We each discuss what we’ll be doing in the coming week to celebrate the holidays. Have a happy and safe Holiday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The one and only Dylan Spartz (now 100% legal) joins the show. We listen and comment on a Fox 5 report concerning Laura Mallory and her appeal to have the Potter books banned from Gwinnett County schools. Andrew gives us an update on his wizard rock band. We delve into the world of the Hogwarts founders. Did all turmoil in the wizarding world arise from poking a sleeping dragon? Why would Gryffindor be friends with Slytherin? What happened between them? Does Hogwarts have a mind of its own? How was Slytherin able to create the Chamber of Secrets without the other founders knowing? Just how closely related are pureblooded wizarding families? “Favorites” makes a comeback, during which Laura provides insight on her secret fondness for violence. Dylan gives an inspirational quote. (Or does he…?) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Birthday, Jamie! (You’re OLD!) Use extreme caution when playing in bouncy castles. We put faith in our listeners, meaning we don’t double-check their facts. Dementors breeding? Ewwwwww. How much of Draco will we see in OOTP? Jamie chokes, Andrew crashes, and we can’t think of an adequate tale for Ben. A discussion on traitors and innocent characters leads us into some other areas of interest: Is McGonagall a spy? Will Ginny be used as a traitor in book 7? What happens when a Horcrux is destroyed, but a fraction of it resides inside of a host? Could Draco build up enough hatred to AK anyone? Will Micah survive the terrible accident Kevin predicts will befall him? Bill Clinton plays the saxophone? We announce the winner of Andrew’s listener challenge for the month of November! Bloopers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re angry! Rawr! WB uses a clip from Goblet of Fire in the OOTP teaser trailer. Our conclusion: WB is cheap! Could Ginny have seen Myrtle die through Riddle’s diary? Was the stone basin Dumbledore drank out of a Pensieve? When will we hear from Viktor Krum again? Is the goblin tiara the Horcrux from Ravenclaw? What are Dementors classified as? Were Luna’s parents in the Order? Will Harry change his Patronus? How could a werewolf be killed? Would AK not work? Where would a wizard find a silver bullet? How long will Harry spend at the Dursleys in Book Seven? Is Luna a seer? How stable is Vernon and Petunia’s relationship? Dudley’s greatest fear: Petunia in an Unbreakable Vow? An update on Robin’s Challenge. Crackpot Theory of the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew makes a big career-changing announcement. We talk about the latest OOTP developments. Eric and Micah give their thoughts on the trailer. Why was Dobby left out? An explanation for why they changed the writing on Harry’s hand. Azkaban prison’s location: good or bad? HBO: First glimpses of Bellatrix and Evanna Lynch in action. Andrew and Kevin interview two creators of the OOTP video game. Rebuttals concerning Voldemort being evil. Did Snape not want to reveal his own boggart in the staffroom? Why did Dumbledore have different people deliver notes to Harry in Half-Blood Prince? Older listeners: reveal yourselves! Dumbledore/Norris Facts. Two British Jokes. An update on the McDonald’s challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The co-hosts express their dismay at this very slow news week. Actually, it was just MuggleNet being broken for two days. Everyone discusses the trailer highlights. Dumbledore being cool. Snape + Harry = some awesome Occlumency scenes. …Or very bad Occlumency scenes, says Kevin. Harry and Cho kiss! Teehee giggle giggle! The OOTP promotional poster. Main Discussion: Evil and how it relates to Voldemort in HP. Do we think Voldemort is evil only because we sympathize with Harry? He was born evil, so did he really have a choice to be good? The hosts present real-life scenarios of bad choices people make. British Joke. Ben gives us a small P.O. Box Update. Next week: Your OOTP game questions answered! Coming soon: the return of voicemails! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo ranks #5 in top UK fan bases. We don’t endorse the leaking of the trailer online… But feel free to purchase tickets to another movie and sit on the “Happy Feet” previews! Main Discussion: The Forbidden Forest. Is Hagrid the only one who goes in there? Why is it “forbidden”? Did it become this way because of Aragog? Could Voldemort be hiding a Horcrux there? Is Sirius’s bike keeping the Ford Anglia company? What are Aragog’s kids up to? The Dueling Club makes a comeback with Snape vs. Hermione! First Podcast Alley, now… national elections? Listener Challenge: MuggleCast-ify your local McDonald’s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crew discusses the latest update to Jo’s site. A third title?! What could this mean? Apology for the Gilmore Girls comment. We figure out a new way to stay safe against criticism. Listener rebuttals on Peeves. Main Discussion: Luna Lovegood. Is she related to Ollivander? Lupin? Is she as “Loony” as everyone makes her out to be? Her relationship with Harry and the comfort she provides him. Considering that she does not seem to fear death, will Luna be a pivotal character in Book 7? Why is she such a social outcast? Is the Veil a Lethifold? The Missing Day…explained? Is Jo telling us something with the birthday announcements on her site? Voicemails return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we welcome you to the show with our sweet new intro. Why is WB so adamant about keeping the movies 2 1/2 hours long? Check out MuggleNet’s new book, MuggleNet.com’s What Will Happen In Harry Potter 7. Probably Prophecy! (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink!) Jamie’s lack of Halloween enjoyment as a child explains his bitter disposition as an adult. Main Discussion: Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Ghouls, oh my! How should we take Nearly Headless Nick’s advice to Harry at the end of OOTP? What’s with the Bloody Baron, and why is he so… bloody? Was the Grey Lady inspired by the ghost of Lady Jane Grey, who haunts the Tower of London? Could Dumbledore get rid of Peeves? Does Professor Binns know anything crucial about Voldemort? Debate: Halloween is a morally vapid holiday, which encourages delinquency. Andrew and Jamie vs. Micah and Laura. Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul. Laura Mallory update. British/Halloween joke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric enlightens us as to how Dumbledore could be a hairless Demiguise. Sadly, we will not be getting blimps from the Australia Nick Kids’ Choice Awards. Jamie knows his French better than he was given credit for last week. Listener Rebuttals twist our brains with more time talk. Main Discussion: Department of Mysteries finale discussion. Why was the Ministry so easy to infiltrate? Did Ron suffer any long-lasting damage from the attack by the brain? Eric’s brain isn’t worthy to float in the “think tank”. We’re heating it up in the “love room”. Seven doors…? Andrew can’t count. MuggleCast dating service a success! Er… sort of. Laura gives some friendly advice… …while Ben says “dump him.” Debate: Should the ban on underage wizardry be lifted? Andrew & Laura vs. Eric. Attention Jamie fangirls: Blame the Easy Button for the lack of Brit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices