MuggleCast: the Harry Potter podcast

* Universal reveals the beasts we can expect to see on Hagrid's motorbike adventure including one never seen in the films! * We take voicemails in defense of Slughorn, on the Room of Requirement, Harry's daydreaming and Hufflepuffs ability to find things * Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 23 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Horcruxes * 7-Word Summary: Secrets are discovered inside the Slughorn office * Compromised security: what's up with the Fat Lady denying Harry entrance to Gryffindor Tower? Could Felix have still been at work? * Dumbledore is initially shocked that Harry has acquired the memory. Did he really think Harry could do it? * Do we actually know where Tom first learned about Horcruxes? * We contrast Tom and Harry's approach to extracting information from Slughorn * Wizards of a certain caliber have always been drawn to Horcruxes... really?!?! Like who? * We learn Dumbledore is particularly fierce about Horcruxes. Why is that? Could Grindelwald have made one? * Horcrux Breakdown: the diary, the ring, the locket, the cup, Nagini and something of either Gryffindor's or Ravenclaw's * Did part of Dumbledore's prophecy explanation reveal that Harry is a Horcrux? * Can Voldemort feel when one of his Horcruxes is destroyed? Not in the books, but it works in the films! * Does Dumbledore's rant about tyrants creating self-fulfilling prophecies mean even more now that we know more about Grindelwald? * The hosts rename the chapter and give their MVPs * Quizzitch: How long does it take to make Felix Felicis? * In celebration of recording on 4/20, we offer thoughts on which characters in the wizarding world like the ganga!

* Slug Club member Sara joins the show! * Muggle Mail covers Bunty The Spy, Snape The Protector and Snape The Bully * Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 22 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, After The Burial * 7-Word Summary: Aragog causes Harry no issues with Slughorn * Despite its dark undertones, is this one of the funniest chapters of the series? * Eric tells us why Hagrid's letter defined his Potter reading experience * Aragog is one of our biggest (literally) connecting threads between Half-Blood Prince and Chamber of Secrets * Will we see Aragog make an appearance in the Fantastic Beasts series? * Thanks to Ron... it's time for Harry to GET LUCKY! * Thoughts of Ginny... are they romantic or a bit disgusting? * If the placebo Felix Felicis effect worked on Ron, do we think it could have done the same for Harry? * Is Slughorn so elusive because he considered Harry would eventually use Felix Felicis? * Venomous tentacula, acromantula venom, unicorn hair... Slughorn has a side-hussle! * House-Elves as poison taste-testers! What does this reveal about Slughorn's character? * I Will Remember You: our patrons pay tribute to Aragog * Let's get drunk! Is this becoming a recurring theme in Half-Blood Prince? * Does Slughorn feel guilty, maybe even responsible, for what happened to Lily? * Francis The Fish is possibly the best addition the filmmakers made to the series * Rename The Chapter and MVP of the Week * Quizzitch: Who tells Nearly-Headless Nick about Dumbledore's whereabouts?

* The latest on JKR's assistant's credit card fraud * Quidditch Through The Ages is getting an illustrated edition! * Team StarKid is turning 10 and they're planning an event in LA! * Muggle Mail covers the cursed DADA position, Dumbledore lecturing Harry and the powers of Hufflepuff's Cup * Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 21 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Unknowable Room * 7-Word Summary: Harry searches for Draco unsuccessfully but determinedly * JKR drops yet another subtle hint to the identity of the Half-Blood Prince * Dobby and Kreacher report back their findings on Malfoy!  * Despite the result, should Harry have been more explicit with his instructions? * Why does Harry never consider that Draco could be entering the Room of Requirement? * What combination of words would we use to try and enter the room? * Given her persistence, should Hermione have offered Harry suggestions on how to acquire the Slughorn's memory? * Snape is having a really bad day (again), but should he be taking it out on his students? * Why was Tonks in this chapter? What did she need to see Dumbledore about? * We draw connections between Moaning Myrtle, Draco and Tom Riddle * The hosts Rename The Chapter and give their MVPs of the Week! * Quizzitch: When Professor Slughorn gets plant leaves from Professor Sprout, what group of students does he say they are for? * In Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon): The creators of the amazing graphic art within the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series visit Chicago, and Eric recaps their event. * Don't forget to follow @MuggleCastPod on Instagram! * This week's episode is brought to you by Robinhood, the easiest way to invest in stocks, ETFs, cryptos and more. Get a free stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint at MuggleCast.Robinhood.com!

* We're now on Instagram! Follow us: @MuggleCastPod! * A first edition Potter book sells for $90,000! Have any hosts ever been tempted to buy a rare piece of Potter memorabilia? * Patreon update: Get ready! Signed album art and our 2019 gift are coming! Pledge now to become eligible to receive the goods. * We take feedback on last week's J.K. Rowling discussion * Voicemails cover a listener who doesn't like JKR (but is nice about it), Fawkes, Horcruxes and Cursed Child San Francisco * Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 20 of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Lord Voldemort's Request * 7-Word Summary: Voldemort tries again to obtain Dumbledore’s allowance * Just how is Draco getting the "ingredients" he needs for Polyjuice Potion? * Hogwarts staffing problem: what's the deal with Trelawney and Firenze? * Dumbledore calmly shames Harry for not retrieving Slughorn's memory. Have we ever experienced anything like this in real life? * Given everything Harry has been through recently, is this a fair request? Why doesn't Dumbledore get off his ass and do it himself? * How might the course of history have changed if Tom Riddle had been allowed to teach at Hogwarts? * Hepzibah, Hokey and Horcruxes * What was Voldemort truly after in Dumbledore's office? * It is clear Dumbledore had inside information on Voldemort early on. Why didn't he do more to stop him? * From tour guide to caretaker, the hosts give Voldemort a job at Hogwarts! * Rename The Chapter and MVP of the Week return!  * We make several connections between this chapter and Order of the Phoenix * Quizzitch: How many points does Harry lose for being later to DADA class? * This week's episode is brought to you by OpenFit! Work out from the comfort of your own home and see great results -- text 'MUGGLECAST' to 303030 to receive a special extended 30-day trial!

- Welcome Slug Club member Kayla! - The cover for Goblet of Fire: The Illustrated Edition is here -- could it be the best one yet? - Micah may've discovered a Cursed Child reference on the cover.... - Details concerning Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure are revealed. Micah was on the scene for an event. - What mysterious beast will we encounter that never made it into the films? - The man behind Fantastic Beasts is out at Warner Brothers -- will JKR say anything? - Main Discussion: J.K. Rowling and The Fans Who Now Attack Her - The hosts react to the recent misleading headlines about Dumbledore and Grindelwald's "intense sexual" relationship - How far apart are the headlines from what J.K. Rowling actually said?  - Do fans of the Potter series owe it to themselves to fact check before reacting? - The Complex History of JKR and Controversy: outing Dumbledore, Ron and Hermione's relationship, Cursed Child, Native Americans and more - Is there a very real possibility that we have burned our bridge to JKR as a fandom? - The hosts and patrons share what they would like to see from JKR in the future. Everyone's responses are available to read on Patreon. - Quizzitch: In her first memory, what time does Tom Riddle come calling for Hepzibah Smith? - Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon): we discuss the latest news on the upcoming iOS and Android game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite!