Albus Dumbledore, Superstar (OOTP Chapter 8, The Hearing)

We're right in the thick of things this week on MuggleCast, as Chapter by Chapter continues where we left off, with the trio having infiltrated the Ministry of Magic. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura for the fun as they run for the exits and hope to get away toward safety without getting caught by Death Eaters. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 13 of Deathly Hallows, "The Muggle-Born Registration Commission" Quizzitch: What is the title of Rita Skeeter's biography of Armando Dippet? 7-Word Summary: Dementors patrol the Ministry sham outside courtroom. Moments in to the mission, Harry is alone and sees firsthand how taken-over the Ministry has become. What plan would the trio have made that involved the three of them not being separated? Wouldn't it have drawn more attention to them if their marks didn't know each other previously? The Ministry's propaganda arm is in-house. We draw real life historical comparisons to WWII and beyond. Staffers folding booklets don't agree with what the booklets contain. Why don't they revolt? Lessons that Hagrid has taught us show how wayward the Ministry's present course of action is. Is Dolores Umbridge emotionally stinted? We discuss the broader implications of Ministry workers having rain in their offices. Is the building itself reacting to the political climate? The "trial" of Mary Cattermole is a masterclass in cruelty, we discuss why. Umbridge's hypocrisy goads Harry into action, and we compare to real life. Lynx Line question: "Umbridge has kitten plates. What cute decor item immediately tells you someone is evil?" Our patrons weigh in. Next week Chapter-by-Chapter continues as we learn about “The Thief”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, best learn how to apparate properly back on the top step of Grimmauld Place because we're taking turns scouting the Ministry of Magic! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they undertake the most absurd plan in wizarding world history with the help of a little, Polyjuice, Polyjuice, Polyjuice! MUGGLECAST NEWS REMINDER: Beginning Wednesday, December 2, MuggleCast is floo-ing to full coverage of the Philosopher's Stone TV show with two new episodes per week through March 2027! This Year’s Physical Gift for Patrons is here! The MuggleCast Pensieve: a journal for the Harry Potter TV show and beyond! With the TV show approaching, we want to help you get your thoughts sorted!  Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 12 of Deathly Hallows, Magic is Might Quizzitch: Two of the four contents of Weasley Twins’ Skiving Snackboxes are used by the trio to subdue their Ministry targets . Which two Skiving Snackbox products are NOT used at this time? 7-Word Summary: The plan coalesces when the trio commit Harry, Ron and Hermione’s Ministry stakeout is a dangerous game of chance. How long can they keep sneaking around before someone catches on? Snape takes over as Hogwarts Headmaster, while the Carrows bring a sinister twist to the classroom. Is there any silver lining to Voldemort’s new regime? Harry’s scar continues to connect him to Voldemort’s hunt for Gregorovitch. Is Hermione right to be upset or has this connection become a valuable asset? Polyjuice Potion, terrible impersonations, limited intel and zero backup plan: just how reckless is the trio’s plan to infiltrate the Ministry? Which begs the question: why go to such lengths to sneak into the Ministry? Why not just break into Umbridge’s house or send Kreacher after her? Would Harry have been better off tackling this mission alone? The Ministry’s new Magic Is Might statue replaces the Fountain of Magical Brethren with a chilling symbol of pure-blood supremacy. Has the Ministry changed, or has its true nature been exposed? Lynx Line: Which Ministry official would you most like to impersonate and why? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Dr. Potter's office is closed for therapy, so please leave your problems at the door! Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as they endure a very uncomfortable visit to Grimmauld Place from Remus Lupin. MUGGLECAST NEWS: Beginning Wednesday, December 2, MuggleCast is floo-ing to full coverage of the Philosopher's Stone TV show! Chapter by Chapter will be parked as we go all-in on discussing and analyzing the HBO Max TV show. Full coverage continues through March 2027. After, we'll resume Deathly Hallows Chapter by Chapter. For now, Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 11 of Deathly Hallows, The Bribe Quizzitch: Who successfully disarms Mundungus Fletcher at Grimmauld Place? 7-Word Summary: Remus wants Harry to allow him along Death Eaters stake out 12 Grimmauld Place, raising questions about whether the Order’s safe house is truly secure. Lupin delivers a grim update on Voldemort’s takeover of the Ministry. With the government and Death Eaters working toward the same goals, where can witches and wizards turn for help? The Ministry launches the Muggle-born Registration Commission, using propaganda to justify persecution. Why do people accept obvious lies, and what happens when society becomes desensitized to injustice? Harry refuses to share Dumbledore’s mission with Lupin. Is Harry right to keep the Horcrux hunt limited to the Trio, or should he trust other members of the Order to help? Lupin offers to join the Trio before revealing his fears about his marriage to Tonks and his unborn child. Where did this side of Lupin come from, and does his character arc feel earned? Harry and Lupin clash over courage, fatherhood, and responsibility. Is Harry justified in calling Lupin a coward, or does he go too far? An excerpt from Rita Skeeter’s book reveals more about Dumbledore’s family history. How much did Harry really know about his mentor, and can he reconcile the man he admired with these troubling revelations? Lynx Line: What could Lupin have said that WOULD HAVE convinced Harry to let him go with them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Because the past sure can hurt a lot, MuggleCast this week celebrates a direct connection between Harry Potter and his mother Lily. Hopefully her letter isn't the only secret hidden away in the dusty corners of Grimmauld Place. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura, and special Slug Club guest host Hanna for another Chapter-by-Chapter focused episode from Deathly Hallows! Having issues with MuggleCast Gold on Apple Podcasts? Move to Patreon and get 1 month free! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 10 of Deathly Hallows, Kreacher's Tale Welcome Slug Club member Hanna to the show! Quizzitch: What item of Mrs. Black’s is Mundungus said to have run off with (and presumably sold?) 7-Word Summary: Kreacher makes Harry listen to his tale. Is Lily's letter the first time Harry is hearing directly from the *real* Lily Potter? Will it be the last? The hosts are all impressed that Harry, at only one year old, can ride a broom so well. He was probably just born with it. The Potter's cat may have more to it than meets the eye... according to an old fan theory. Would Dumbledore have taken James' cloak specifically to prevent him from visiting Sirius while in hiding from Voldemort? What if the Order had thrown the locket out? Wouldn't a landfill be the most unexpected (and therefore secure) place to hide one's soul? Kreacher tells his tale... but doesn't tell us what specifically he saw after drinking the potion. We speculate. How long has Kreacher been in the Black family? Did he raise family members before Sirius and Regulus? Micah makes an apt comparison between Regulus Black and Draco Malfoy. Harry's kind gesture to Kreacher has lasting consequences... the good kind. Lynx Line question: "How does Sirius and Regulus’ teenage bedrooms compare to your own?" Our patrons weigh in. Next week Chapter-by-Chapter continues as we learn about "The Bribe"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, WHAT'S THAT?! Keep one eye over your shoulder because Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura are podcasting live from The Luchino Cafe off Tottenham Court Road. Best watch out for Death Eaters disguised us ugly workmen! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 9 of Deathly Hallows, A Place to Hide Quizzitch: What does Hermione order for herself and Ron in the cafe off Tottenham Court Road 7-Word Summary: Uncertainty looms heavy over the muggle world Did Harry, Ron and Hermione make the best choice in disapparating to the Muggle World? What would have been a better option? We have a few questions about Hermione's small, beaded handbag! How exactly does the Undetectable Extension Charm work? Even with the taboo in place, how did Dolohov and Rowle arrive at the cafe so quickly? And dressed for the occassion? Even in a remote London cafe, shouldn't the trio have been more discreet? Micah is not satisfied with Dolohov's performance What in the world are these security protocols at Grimmauld Place? Dusty Dumby is scaring who exactly? Harry's mind connection to Voldemort is back with a vengeance! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices