Someone Call A Broombulance (OOTP Chapter 22, 'St. Mungo’s Hospital...')

Summary

MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast – Episode: "Someone Call A Broombulance (OOTP Chapter 22, 'St. Mungo’s Hospital...')"
Release Date: April 15, 2025

MuggleCast delves deep into Chapter 22 of "Order of the Phoenix", titled "St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries". Hosted by Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura, this episode provides an extensive analysis of the chapter, exploring its intricate plot developments, character dynamics, and underlying themes. Packed with insightful commentary and engaging discussions, the episode serves both avid fans and newcomers seeking a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal chapter in the Harry Potter series.

---

Introduction and Chapter Overview

The hosts kick off the episode by acknowledging the sheer volume and complexity of Chapter 22, noting that it was previously divided into two separate discussions due to its depth. Andrew emphasizes, “This episode was so big. This chapter was so big that the last time we discussed it, we split it into two episodes” (02:05). This sets the stage for an in-depth exploration, highlighting the chapter’s significance in expanding the Wizarding World’s lore.

Detailed Plot Analysis

The discussion progresses to dissecting the chapter’s events. Laura remarks on the extensive world-building that the chapter offers, which the films couldn't fully capture:

“It’s pretty much one of the big world-building opportunities that the movies did not take. And there is so much richness of detail going on here” (05:29).

Eric brings up the character of Fox, questioning a potential plot hole related to his role in healing Mr. Weasley:

“I thought that when Double Door sent away Fox earlier in the chapter, that was going to be to come cure Mr. Weasley because, oh, Fox has a history of healing snake bites. Oh, my God. That's a huge plot hole, actually” (07:08).

The hosts critique the movie adaptations for omitting critical elements from the books, suggesting that the upcoming TV series has the opportunity to faithfully recreate these nuances.

Character Dynamics and Development

A significant portion of the episode focuses on character interactions and their implications. The interplay between Harry, Ron, and Dumbledore is scrutinized, especially in the context of Harry’s traumatic experience and his emerging realization that he might be a Horcrux. Micah muses:

“I think that this chapter has seen more of Harry’s inner turmoil than the films could portray” (07:34).

The network of portraits in Dumbledore’s office is analyzed as an ingenious mechanism for surveillance and information gathering. Andrew compares it to having a “web of spies without ever leaving the office” (12:59), underscoring Dumbledore’s strategic advantage.

The dynamic between Harry and Ron is also explored, particularly how Ron’s silence during critical moments might indicate underlying tensions or unspoken concerns about Harry’s state of mind. Laura posits:

“Ron is probably feeling inner conflict right now between his best friend and his father's life” (31:03).

Themes and Insights

The episode delves into several themes, including the burden of secrecy, the complexities of leadership, and the psychological impacts of trauma. The hosts discuss Dumbledore’s decision-making, questioning whether his optimistic facade masks deeper concerns:

“This is my favorite book and one of my least favorite movies because they skip over so much and they advance the plot with newspaper headlines and it's just, ugh” (07:13).

Furthermore, the discussion touches on the ethical implications of using magical means to interfere with or heal magical injuries, contrasting it with non-magical medical practices. Laura raises an intriguing point:

“Does this imply that all other non-magically afflicted illnesses can just be magically addressed? What about cancer? What about heart disease?” (54:37).

Listener Interactions and Community Engagement

Towards the latter part of the episode, the hosts engage with their listeners through the "links line," addressing answers to previous questions and sharing creative fan responses. This segment fosters a sense of community and allows listeners to contribute their perspectives on the Wizarding World.

For instance, listener Julianne shares her idea of enhancing the tea room:

“I would be working in the tea room to provide super healthy yet delicious treats and meals from whole foods” (68:42).

Conclusion and Upcoming Discussions

Wrapping up, the hosts express anticipation for the next chapter, hinting at continued deep dives and analyses. They also promote their other podcast segments, encouraging listeners to explore more content within the MuggleCast universe.

Andrew concludes with a lighthearted quiz question, maintaining the episode’s engaging and interactive atmosphere:

“The correct answer to this week's quiz question is the number of this episode. 701 is the nearest prime number to 700” (73:43).

---

Key Quotes with Speaker Attribution

• Andrew: “This chapter was so big that the last time we discussed it, we split it into two episodes” (02:05).

• Laura: “It’s pretty much one of the big world-building opportunities that the movies did not take. And there is so much richness of detail going on here” (05:29).

• Eric: “I thought that when Double Door sent away Fox earlier in the chapter, that was going to be to come cure Mr. Weasley because, oh, Fox has a history of healing snake bites. Oh, my God. That's a huge plot hole, actually” (07:08).

• Andrew: “This is my favorite book and one of my least favorite movies because they skip over so much and they advance the plot with newspaper headlines and it's just, ugh” (07:13).

• Laura: “Ron is probably feeling inner conflict right now between his best friend and his father's life” (31:03).

• Andrew: “This is my favorite book and one of my least favorite movies because they skip over so much and they advance the plot with newspaper headlines and it's just, ugh” (07:13).

• Laura: “Does this imply that all other non-magically afflicted illnesses can just be magically addressed? What about cancer? What about heart disease?” (54:37).

• Micah: “I think that this chapter has seen more of Harry’s inner turmoil than the films could portray” (07:34).

Final Thoughts

MuggleCast successfully unpacks the complexities of Chapter 22, offering listeners a thorough and entertaining exploration of the events at St. Mungo’s Hospital. Through lively discussions, critical analyses, and community engagement, the hosts provide a rich tapestry of insights that enhance the understanding and appreciation of J.K. Rowling’s intricate world. Whether revisiting familiar moments or uncovering overlooked details, this episode stands as a testament to MuggleCast’s dedication to celebrating and dissecting the Harry Potter saga.

Transcript

[Andrew]

It's Spring Black Friday at the Home Depot. So what are you working on? If you're sprucing up your lawn, you know there's no such thing as too much mulch, so don't miss this special. Buy five bags of Scott's EarthGrow mulch for only $10 at the home Depot. Promote healthier soil, prevent weeds, and beautify your yard with mulch that maintains its color for up to 12 months. Shop 14 days of deals during spring Black Friday, now through April 16 at the home Depot.

[Laura]

Take your plans out of the group chat and get long weekend ready in new Abercrombie. From day to night, pack new outfits for every part of your itinerary, grabbing brunch, throw on the A and F Mila dress, then head to your dinner reservation in their new bubble hem mini dress and yes, permission to overpack for pics with the girls. Abercrombie's best selling Scarlet Squirt deserves a post in your feed. Your plans are worth it. Shop Abercrombie's new Long Weekend collection online or in store.

[Andrew]

Out here, there's no one way of doing things, no unwritten rules, and no shortage of adventure.

[Micah]

Because out here, the only requirement is having fun.

[Andrew]

Bank of America invites kids 6 to 18 to golf with us for a limited time. Sign them up for a free one year membership, giving them access to discounted.

[Micah]

Tetons at thousands of courses. Learn [e-mail] golf with us what would.

[Andrew]

You like the power to do?

[Micah]

Bank of America restrictions apply. See bfa.com golfwithus for complete details. Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation. Welcome to Mugglecast, your weekly ride into the world of Harry Potter. I'm Andrew.

[Andrew]

I'm Eric.

[Eric]

I'm Micah.

[Laura]

And I'm Laura.

[Micah]

We are your Harry Potter friends talking about the books, the movies and the forthcoming TV show. Make sure you follow the show in your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new episode of Mugglecast. And on this week's episode, grab your tissues because we're discussing Order of The Phoenix Chapter 22St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. It's a big Chapter one big adaptation worthy chapter.

[Andrew]

Yes, I'm excited to talk about that. This episode was so big. This chapter was so big that the last time we discussed it, we split it into two episodes.

[Micah]

Oh, really?

[Andrew]

That's how big it is.

[Micah]

Oh, okay. All right.

[Andrew]

So we're that's the only time we did that.

[Micah]

So we're gonna be here for the next Three hours, then let's settle in.

[Andrew]

No, no, no, no. We said everything we had to say, and this would be a quick one.

[Micah]

Oh, good. Okay, good. Cause I'm sitting on the floor and my left leg is already asleep, so this is gonna be a long episode for me.

[Eric]

Well, maybe you need to go to St. Mungo's, Andrew. Oh, yeah.

[Micah]

I need a healer. I don't want a doctor. Healers seem to be way less scary, far less invasive.

[Laura]

Yeah, not those nutters that cut people up, as Ron refers to them.

[Micah]

Well, listeners, if you love Mugglecast, keep things running as smooth as Dumbledore's wonderful network of portraits. Visit patreon.com mugglecast and pledge today you'll get instant access to over 150 bonus Mugglecast episodes. Add free episodes, a new physical gift every year, the chance to co host the show one day, and so much more. We could not do this without you. So we appreciate you like Albus appreciates Harry's connection to the Dark Lord and other great ways to support us. You can pick up [e-mail] you can leave us a review in your favorite podcast app. You can also send an owl to a friend about the show if they need some Harry Potter friends in their lives. And lastly, visit mugglecast.com for more information about the show and to contact us. So, without further ado, time for chapter by chapter.

[Andrew]

The episodes, plural, in which we last talked about chapter 22 were episode 458, titled portrait party. Yeah. And episode 459 titled magicare for all three turns should do it, I think.

[Laura]

What the.

[Andrew]

Episode 458, he's gone the other end of the extreme of ignoring him, that he really won't call him out. And we see this. You know, Harry's telling his whole story and Dumbledore's really not even looking at him. Not once.

[Micah]

Well, Dumbledore's having a party with the portraits and McGonagall comes in and it's like, oh, McGonagall, come on, join the fun. You're going to be headmaster one day anyway, so you should be a part of this. And then, oh, there's the buzz kill. Harry Potter. My scar hurts. Umbridge hates me.

[Andrew]

Episode 459.

[Eric]

I thought that when Double Door sent away Fox earlier in the chapter, that was going to be to come cure Mr. Weasley because, oh, Fox has a history of healing snake bites.

[Micah]

Oh, yeah.

[Andrew]

Oh, my God. That's a huge plot hole, actually.

[Laura]

Come on, Dumbledore.

[Micah]

You see this phoenix fly into St. Mungo's? Maybe that would have been a little much.

[Andrew]

Wait, why don't they just have a team of phoenixes as healers at St. Mungo's and they just cry on the wounds and heal everybody? This is a huge plot hole.

[Laura]

I think they're incredibly rare, so I don't know if they could have a.

[Micah]

Team of them breed them. I know a guy in Oklahoma who may be up for the task.

[Laura]

I was gonna say Andrew, you sounded like you were from my parts just then. Freedom.

[Andrew]

Mysterious thing. Time. Can you tell? We all moved on to the Tiger King era of the pandemic.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Micah]

I was trying to figure out what that was a referen reference to. That's funny.

[Laura]

Oh, gosh. This is such a time capsule in so many ways. Good grief. Getting into this chapter, I think we called this at the beginning of this episode, but literally we need to max this entire chapter because this is pretty much one of the big world building opportunities that the movies did not take. And there is so much richness of detail going on here. I think you get a better understanding of Harry's inner turmoil in this chapter, too, that I don't think we get to see portrayed as deeply in the films because they didn't have enough time, quite frankly, to adapt the entire book. But, yeah, Eric, tell us. Tell us about 2007. What passed the sniff test then and.

[Andrew]

What do we need now in 2007? We got Mark Williams, fine actor in a paper crown, raising a glass to Harry. Great. Amazing. To Harry. He's great. But rereading this chapter has shown us that there is so much more. This chapter has amazing things with Tonks Moody, serious former headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts and everyone and everything at St. Mungo's. All of that, all of it was omitted from the movie.

[Laura]

They better not leave it out this time or we'll have something to say about it. Yeah, that's right.

[Andrew]

They're gonna need a phoenix to take care of what? After we're done with them.

[Eric]

Would you say this was the first of many mistakes for director David Yates?

[Laura]

No.

[Andrew]

No. That's not his fault. That's his fault.

[Laura]

That's fire.

[Micah]

Yeah. But I do like to remind the audience from time to time, we ended up hearing that Warner Brothers seriously considered splitting Goblet of Fire, the book into two movies. And if they had gone through with that, presumably they would have done the same for Order of the Phoenix, Half Blood Prince. And then, of course, they did for Deathly Hallows. So.

[Andrew]

Slippery slope.

[Micah]

Yeah. I'm sure the movies would have done great. Goblet of Fire one and two. And yeah, they would have kept it up. And, yeah, we probably would have gotten some of St. Mungo's, I think. But, yeah, it wasn't David Yates fault. And this is my favorite book and one of my least favorite movies because they skip over so much and they advance the plot with newspaper headlines and it's just, ugh. So I don't want to call it lazy, but just hacked. It's hacked together, stitched.

[Andrew]

I think it's real creative with the montages. I actually love Order of the Phoenix because the things that they managed to condense feel right to tell one story. But this chapter does have so much that, like, it is Harry. It's what he's going through. And I think that the TV show would be able to devote the proper time to going through some of these things.

[Eric]

Oh, I hope so.

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Eric]

The question I wanted to ask, though, is do you feel like, because the world opened that much more with the Ministry of Magic, that they decided not to then include St. Mungo's. They sacrificed one for the other.

[Andrew]

It's like in the Sims or in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Create a skater park where you reach the size limit. They can only introduce one new place per movie. Otherwise the pacing's off, the budget is off. It's crazy. I think this discussion warrants a certain audio clip to be played.

[Eric]

You know, every time I hear that, I'm expecting the Game of Thrones theme to play after it. Just the way it's synced in my head.

[Andrew]

And how many shows have we seen on HBO since then? But still, I'm the same way, Michael.

[Eric]

It's always Game of Thrones for me.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, same. Well, back to this particular fantasy universe. Harry and Ron find themselves swept away by Professor McGonagall, who does believe Harry at the end of the last chapter. He's very insistent and he thinks no one believes him about this vision he's just had. And he's very insistent in saying, I'm. I'm not making it up. I wasn't dreaming. It was real. She says, I believe you, Potter. Let's go. Takes Harry and Ron to Dumbledore's office where Harry recounts the events of his dreamed. Dumbledore in front of Ron, by the way, which definitely feels awkward when he gets to the part about being the snake that attacked Arthur. And to Dumbledore's credit, Andrew, I'm going to give. Give your Boy, some love here. He gets into action immediately.

[Micah]

Yes, Quick official about time. Life saving work. It is about time. And it's good to see though. I mean, the way he immediately gets the band together to investigate the situation that Harry is sharing with him. It's impressive.

[Andrew]

After three months of sitting up in his office and throwing ragers with the other headmasters, Dumbledore's finally getting to business.

[Micah]

Yeah, I also do love how nosy the portraits are in this scene. But you also can't blame them given how boring it must be to be hanging around in a portrait all day no matter where you are. I think being in Dumbledore's office is probably one of the more interesting places to be hanging unless you're in a very busy hallway in Hogwarts. But yeah, they're all pretending to sleep, but they're definitely listening in which I think we've all been there, right? We pretend we're asleep.

[Laura]

Oh yeah.

[Micah]

So our parents can start talking things. Talking about things that they wouldn't otherwise.

[Andrew]

Yeah, that's the only way to learn how your parents really feel about you.

[Micah]

Matter extendable years.

[Laura]

Well, you called out the portraits, Andrew. So Dumbledore is speaking specifically to Everard and Dilys who are former headmasters. And what I love about about this moment and kind of what it implies to me is that it's Dumbledore's expectation that all of the portraits are being nosy because he might need them to act on his behalf at the drop of a hat. And we learn that Everard and Dilys have these special portraits that they're actually allowed to vacate in order to go to a different portrait at a different establishment. And this is where we get our first hint about what was up with the empty portrait at grim old place that Harry kept hearing snickering coming from while he was there over the summer. But it ends up being pretty cool because we find out that Dilys was at one point overseeing St. Mungo's, so that's where her portrait is. And that Everard apparently has a portrait somewhere near where Mr. Weasley was standing guard in the Department of Mysteries. And he was able to go there and make sure the right people found Arthur. So it's actually pretty brilliant to strategically place people in this way and make sure that Dumbledore literally has all the, all the chess pieces kind of close to the vest in his office.

[Andrew]

Yeah, it's kind of like having a web of spies without ever leaving the office. It's like having all your contacts and your rolodex who can find out information for you are just right there on the wall.

[Eric]

How convenient for somebody who is a master manipulator to have a web of spies or a web of portraits. But what I found so interesting about this is for the number of times we've been in Dumbledore's office we've never seen it operate in this way. But it's almost like getting peek behind the curtain a little bit.

[Andrew]

I would agree with that. I think that we've always seen these old former Headmasters sort of napping. The way in which Dumbledore utilizes this network and springs into gear is totally new to us. And I think it has to do with. It's not for Harry's benefit necessarily, but like, for us as the readers. This is our, I don't know, 10th or eighth time in Dumbledore's office. We are getting more information as far as how this place operates and how Dumbledore operates, which is essential to, I think, making sure Dumbledore has any plot in this book.

[Laura]

Yeah, well, he also puts Fox on umbrage patrol. We do get to see towards the end of the chapter before everybody takes the Portkey to grim old place Fox. There's just like a flash in the room and a golden feather appears. And Dumbledore's like, oh, shoot, she knows you're out of bed. So that was the Fox signal. But Fox is also also communicating messages at the same time. They get A letter from Mrs. Weasley, for example, accompanied by a gold feather. So Fox is doing the Lord's work over here, guard duty and letter delivery. We also read about this fragile silver instrument. And the only way I can think of to describe this is that it's like a very eclectic, magical, magical Magic 8 Ball where Dumbledore is asking it a question and it is presumably giving him an answer. Micah, can you remind us what that answer was even though we don't get it confirmed in this book?

[Eric]

So I looked up what the author had to say about this in particular and she said that Dumbledore suspected that the snake's essence was divided, that it contained part of Voldemort's soul and that was why it was so very adept at doing Voldemort's bidding. So I'm curious, do we think at this point he also figured out that Harry was a Horcrux, hence his ability to see through the eyes of the snake?

[Micah]

I think so because he was already curious about Voldemort and Horcrux as his earliest chamber of secrets. With Tom Riddle's diary at this stage, with a few more years of research under his belt and seeing what happened to Harry. Yeah. I can see him being pretty convinced at this point that Harry is a Horcrux.

[Andrew]

Yeah. And just based on what he asks Harry, he, like, Harry is kind of avoided mentioning that he was the snake up until that point. And Dumbledore is like, really fishing for that thing that's going to confirm it. So with the instrument, Dumbledore learns that the snake is a Horcrux and with Harry's reply, can reasonably assume that they all are Horcruxes.

[Laura]

Yeah. It is noted that Dumbledore wears a look of grim satisfaction when.

[Andrew]

Yes, I got it.

[Laura]

Yeah. It's basically like, I hate it when I'm right.

[Andrew]

That's Dumbledore.

[Micah]

Basically sucks always being right.

[Andrew]

It's funny, though, because that. Laura, you'd say that the instrument is a bit like a Magic 8 ball, because that's also what it's like to ask Dumbledore a question before book seven. You know, like, you're like, hey, professor, why is this happening? He's like, reply hazy, Harry, try again later.

[Laura]

Yep. Basically, the first question you ask, I.

[Andrew]

Don'T know, I can't answer.

[Laura]

And then at the end of this book, he's like, I'm gonna tell you everything. Except I'm not gonna really tell you everything.

[Andrew]

Little blue triangle.

[Micah]

I'm gonna tell you everything. Cause now the Magic 8 Ball is giving me permission to do so. Do we think, in essence divided? It is also potentially foreshadowing the fact that Harry is a Horcrux, too.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Andrew]

Well, between this in essence divided line and then the full text of the prophecy, neither can live while the other survives. It really sells that there is sort of this intertwinement happening between Harry and Dumbledore. But there were clues before. Now, the gleam of triumph moment from the previous book when Harry is just revealed that Voldemort used his blood. And so that's another way in which there's just so many ways in which they're connected that I'd be surprised if that instrument didn't say same essence divided.

[Laura]

Yeah, well, Dumbledore is still a man of action here. He sends McGonagall to get the other Weasley kids and he. He sends Phineas Nigellus Black to inform Sirius that Harry and the Weasleys are coming for Christmas. Because supposed surprise, that other portrait at Grim Old Place is Phineas's secondary portrait. And Phineas is such a Diva here. Like, why is he so obsessed with himself? Honestly, the casting of Simon Pegg as this character was spot on and they really should get him for the show.

[Andrew]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I agree.

[Micah]

It was also an interesting bit of lore that we learn here because the other portraits start getting mad at Phineas that he is not assisting Dumbledore as he is supposed to as a portrait in his office. And one of the witches in a portrait starts brandishing her wands in sort of a threatening manner. And now I'm wondering what exactly could she do to Phineas? Can these, what, attack each other? Can it hurt the portrait version? What are the repercussions of being attacked?

[Andrew]

Yeah. If not physical pain, then certainly emotional trauma. I'm trying to think of the fat lady's attacked by Sirius and that bothers her quite a bit. I think more than just her vanity. You gotta imagine that the portraits have some level of ability to feel or sense when someone's coming in to attack them because they won't do their job.

[Micah]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Well. And presumably if you're not doing your job and you're hung up in the headmaster's office, you can be demoted. And I don't know what that means for a portrait.

[Andrew]

Bottom of the ocean, the most boring like existence.

[Eric]

You know Snape's bedroom.

[Laura]

Yeah. I'm imagining them just getting piled up in a broom closet somewhere.

[Micah]

Yeah.

[Andrew]

That would.

[Laura]

Spending eternity there. Like, I don't know. I. I would be motivated to be helpful because I would want to stay in the office.

[Micah]

And what else are you doing all day? I mean, I.

[Andrew]

Right.

[Micah]

The only argument Phineas has is that it's late at night, but you're sleeping all day. You're like a cat or a dog. All you do is sleep.

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Micah]

As a portrait, like you've got nothing else to do all day.

[Andrew]

Yeah. And I love though that there is this sort of dual purpose because it's very common for famous past heads of a school to be represented in some form in a. In a portrait in the school later. That just makes sense. We honor those that have come before. But this network of spies aspect like these headmasters are essentially lending their expertise to the degree which portraits can retain their knowledge or even just personalities. They are all additional helpers for the current headmaster of Hogwarts. It's like ever since presumably day one, every headmaster that has come can continue to help with the running of the school by existing in this form in the portrait. That's enchanted. So I love this idea that they have this honor bound duty to Help and assist, and Phineas is just not having it.

[Eric]

Part of it, though, is. Is I would wonder a little bit more about Everard and Dilys and maybe what house they were in. When you think about Phineas, he was in Slytherin, so there's probably a natural tendency right off the bat for him to be combative with somebody like Dumbledore. And there is also the fact that he's sending him to go to his family home. Right. At least as it stands right now. I don't know how many generations of blacks lived in grim old place, but there's more to this. And so I think it's not just him being a diva, it's him being able to create a little bit of controversy because of who he is.

[Laura]

Do we think this is how the Order communicated before, during the first war, or have they kind of tuned things up here? Portraits, I mean, portraits using Fox in the way that they're using him. The fact that, of course, you know, we learn they use Patronuses as well. I'm just wondering if they learned anything from the last war, apart from, like, the Fidelius charm isn't foolproof, so maybe don't use that one again.

[Andrew]

It's a good lesson.

[Eric]

I would have to wonder, just going off of what we were just talking about with Phineas, that using portraits comes with risk. Who knows if you can actually trust them either to do the work that you're requesting of them or to not share information if they have a portrait somewhere else.

[Micah]

That's interesting.

[Andrew]

It is interesting that this book does seem to have a subplot of security measures and how they fail. Kreacher is another example, who interprets Sirius's flippant remarks to give himself permission to leave, which Dabi could already do. So houses aren't secure. Portraits, we just made the case, aren't secure. It's, you know, a real shame. But I think the one thing that is happening now that didn't happen to the Order the first time is this aggressive oversight of the Flu network specifically. Yeah. And this is a problem now because, you know, potentially Dumbledore would be able to utilize the Flu Network in getting the word out or in saving Mr. Weasley. He doesn't have that option because it's now being monitored by Umbridge. And so that's kind of the thing that. I think that's why we're seeing Fox used in this way. We've never seen Fox used before. And all this other stuff. Like, I think the Flu Network would probably be unregulated. Or it's the kind of thing where you'd have to know where to look. But if you're at Hogwarts and somebody's watching over Hogwarts, they could find you if you try and use it.

[Laura]

Yeah. I did find it so interesting that Umbridge apparently just knew that they were up and out of bed. Like.

[Micah]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Why is she have. Does she have invisible alarms triggered by common room entrances if people are coming and going in the middle of the night? Like, I'm just wondering, is. Is Mrs. Norris spying and then reporting back to Filch?

[Micah]

Is she enlisting other Hogwarts students to spy within the houses?

[Andrew]

Yeah, that would mean a Gryffindor. That would mean there's a new Peter, a budding Peter Pettigrew who went and like, told her.

[Laura]

I would say Percy, but he's not there anymore.

[Andrew]

That's. Yeah.

[Eric]

Laura, you just mentioned Mrs. Norris, but it's McGonagall who tells her to shoo away on their way to Dumbledore's office. So maybe there is something to that.

[Andrew]

There you go.

[Eric]

That's probably how she found out.

[Andrew]

Man, I was. I had this whole idea of like, Umbridge just has a scream detector in Hogwarts and when she's not causing a scream, she like, perks up. It's like something else is going. Because Harry was very noisy, but he's up at the top of a tower, so I don't think he'd really hear it. But yeah, Mrs. Norris, gotta be the way.

[Laura]

Yeah. Well, we're going to talk a little bit about a death that could have been in this chapter right after we get back from this break. Eczema isn't always obvious, but it's real. And so is the relief from Ebglis. After an initial dosing phase of 16 weeks, about 4 in 10 people taking EBGLIS achieved itch relief and clear, or almost clear skin. And most of those people maintained skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing.

[Micah]

EBGLIS Lebricizumab LBKZ, a 250 milligram per 2 milliliter injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema. Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals or who cannot use topical therapies. Ebglis can be used with or without topical corticosteroids don't use. If you're allergic to Ebglis, allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglis. Before starting Epglis, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection searching for real relief. Ask your doctor about ebglis and visit ebglis.

[Laura]

Or call 1-800-LilyRx or 1-800-545-5979.

[Micah]

Hey there travelers. Kaylee Cuoco here. Sorry to interrupt your music great artist BT Dubs, but wouldn't you rather be there to hear it live? With Priceline, you can get out of your dreams and into your dream concert. They've got millions of travel deals to get you to that festival, gig, rave, sound bath or sonic experience you've been dreaming of. Download the Priceline app today and you can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights. So don't just dream about that trip. Book it with Priceline.

[Laura]

Got your happy price? Priceline.

[Andrew]

The missing child is Lucia Blix, 9 years old.

[Micah]

Please let her come back home safely tonight.

[Andrew]

The kidnappers plundered meticulously.

[Laura]

If money is what it takes to.

[Micah]

Get her back, we're going to pay it.

[Andrew]

The secret secrets they hide. You can't talk about this, you can't write about it. Are the clues. The mother's hiding something.

[Micah]

I know it.

[Andrew]

To find her, tell me where she is.

[Laura]

The stolen girl.

[Andrew]

Tonight at 10 on Freeform and stream on Hulu.

[Laura]

And we're back. Andrew, what was the original intent with this attack on Arthur?

[Micah]

Yeah, so I love this bit of behind the scenes info because of course when you're writing a series like this, you have to make a lot of major decisions and maybe at one point you're convinced you're gonna kill a particular character and then you change your mind. That's actually what happened with Arthur Weasley. The author said that she thought about killing Arthur because parents had to die in order to raise the threats of Voldemort in the series. But she also said in a tweet that Arthur lived, so Lupin had to die. I'm sorry I didn't enjoy doing it. The only time my editor ever saw me cry was over the fate of Teddy. So I find it very interesting that Arthur almost died here, but I'm glad he didn't because I think it's wonderful that Harry did actually see this attack happen and was able to save Arthur thanks to it.

[Andrew]

I do agree that if Arthur had died, apart from what he, like, brings to the Weasley family in terms of, like, I don't know, continued comfort until Fred's death, I think the fact that Harry was the snake would have been absolutely awful if he had really died because Harry never would have forgave himself.

[Micah]

Yes.

[Andrew]

And that would have been an even deeper kind of scar that never would.

[Micah]

Have left Harry and so soon after watching Cedric die. Ugh.

[Andrew]

And I think too, it would have put Dumbledore in hotter water for not explaining this sooner. I think at the very end of this chapter, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Tonk says, or maybe it's Moody, that Dumbledore seems to have been waiting for something just like this to happen and this one is the confirmation. So this idea that Harry was not being prepared or only after this occurrence he's taken to occlumency lessons is sort of a part of neglect. If Dumbledore had any idea this was going to happen, he could have prepared Harry a little bit better. And because he didn't, Harry's going to blame himself fully.

[Eric]

So, Eric, I wanted to pull on that thread a little bit with what you were saying about Harry and how he would blame himself because I don't know that the Weasleys would ever forgive him. I don't know that Ron and him would continue to be best buds throughout the rest of his time at Hogwarts. I don't think that there's a likelihood just from how we see, see Fred, George, Ginny, even react to him in this chapter, that that whole dynamic would be completely shattered. So I have to imagine from a writing standpoint that was part of the consideration here, that if you kill Mr. Weasley in this way, it forever damages Harry and Ron's relationship.

[Andrew]

They're never going to trust him. And, you know, I'm glad you bring that up, Micah, because I wanted to ask about Harry and Ron's relationship. Ron is in every scene in this. This chapter, nearly every scene in this chapter. He's quiet, he doesn't say a thing. And granted, a lot of the Weasleys are in shock right now for very understandable reasons. But Harry, you know, Ron is next to Harry when he's telling Dumbledore when they go to the office, when they're at grim old place together. And just apart from shock, what do we think is actually going on in Ron's mind? Is there this possibility that Ron is at like, some Kind of friendship breaking moment with Harry because he's afraid of him or weirded out or concerned.

[Laura]

I think there is something there because at one point when Harry is retelling the story to Fred, George and Ginny, but he's telling it as though he observed it from the side and not from the snake's point of view. Ron does cast kind of an awkward glance at him because Ron heard the first telling of this story where Dumbledore got Harry to say, I was the snake. So I think Ron's probably feeling inner conflict right now between his best friend and his father's life because deep down he knows that his best friend would never intentionally want to do anything to hurt Arthur. But when you're in that state of fight or flight panic, some of that instinct is gonna kick in. And I think that's what's happening here.

[Eric]

I do place a lot of the blame here at the foot of Dumbledore. And Eric see that you were questioning why am I bringing up Dumbledore when you're asking about Ron. But that's kind of the point because this is all taking place in his office and clearly he has more knowledge about the situation at hand. Does he have to share all of it here? No, I will give him that. But he's also the headmaster of this school. He has an obligation to these students. And given the traumatic experience that Harry has just been through, the way he treats him is unacceptable. And by association, the way that he's treating Ron is unacceptable. They need a softer hand here. And they get sent off to arguably, maybe with the exception of Snape, the worst person that they could send him to because he's not emotionally mature or equipped to handle the situation in serious.

[Andrew]

We'll get to bashing Sirius. I have a question and I'm ready for it. And I largely agree. But is it clever though? Is Dumbledore justified? Everything we just been talking about Dumbledore, Is it justified due to the last three seconds before Harry's Portkey kicks in and there they make eye contact and Harry wants to kill Dumbledore. All of a sudden he doesn't know what's going on.

[Eric]

Well, you would want to too. I mean, the guy has ignored you for months at this point he's not said but a word to you. He's playing scared at this point. He's so afraid that there's this connection, which yeah, there's a connection. But you know what, like man up and deal with the situation.

[Micah]

This is a fast moving situation and I, Dumbledore moves In a very quick manner, as we were saying earlier. And I don't think there's too much time for much else. I think the priority is to get all the Weasleys together in a safe place.

[Eric]

Well, there's only been the last few months for him to work with Harry to better prepare him for a situation like this.

[Micah]

Could he have anticipated this?

[Eric]

Well, clearly he anticipates they're connected somehow. He hasn't been looking at them all.

[Andrew]

Year, but it gets confirmed when they make eye contact. And here's the thing, it's not like Harry wants to kill Dumbledore because Dumbledore's been ignoring him. Harry's annoyed with Dumbledore because he's been ignoring him. But this surge of hatred comes pretty much directly from Voldemort through Harry. And that's what happens when they finally make eye contact. And so I think it retroactively might justify Dumbledore's ignoring him, which hurts me to my core. But if that proves that there is this connection, that there's so much more going on. And while I think there's a way for Dumbledore to have been safe and done a lot of this two months ago, I think that when that occurs, you kind of, as the reader, like, oh, Harry's volatile, like, beyond his own control here. We'll obviously get more of this later. But that explains the way the last three months.

[Micah]

Months.

[Eric]

I, I don't think it's all Voldemort, though. I think part of this is Harry. I think this is natural emotion for the way he's been treated for the last several months. I, I wouldn't put this all on the Horcrux or Voldemort. Coming through. Harry. I, I think some of this is. Harry, back me up.

[Andrew]

The eye contact, it's magic.

[Laura]

I was going to say, this kind of makes me think about what we learn about Horcruxes in Deathly Hallows. How they affect some people more than others, depending on what you're going through at the time. So I can definitely see Harry being primed to be vulnerable to the Horcrux in this moment. So I think there's definitely Horcrux impact here. There's no doubt about that. But I think Harry's mental guard is kind of down because he's so angry and that just makes him more susceptible to it.

[Andrew]

Yeah, I agree. It's kind of like what. When we get into the Occlumency lessons later, after those lessons, after you've been stretching that muscle, you are weaker than ever and susceptible to damage. And so that's what sort of the warning is. And I think because Harry's just had this traumatic experience, he's weaker. And I think it really means that Voldemort, even without Voldemort trying, maybe Voldemort's asleep somewhere, you know, all of a sudden can basically see through Harry's eyes as they're able to much, much later with Harry seeing through Voldemort's eyes. In book seven, I think that Voldemort sees all of a sudden the man, the only one he ever feared, his sworn mortal enemy, right through Harry's eyes, all of a sudden gets a vision of him because this is what's happening to another one of his Horcruxes. And I think that's where the hatred comes from. And Harry can, like Harry would have strangled if there were another second before the Porky took him away. I think Voldemort would have possessed Harry, which is a big thing, and actually attacked Dumbledore.

[Eric]

I don't know.

[Laura]

I could also see Harry attacking Dumbledore.

[Micah]

That's a crazy thought. Dumbledore would probably successfully and quickly overpower him. And I think also understand where all of Harry's rage is coming from. I would have liked to have seen that.

[Eric]

I also think it's important to remember that Harry is a 15 year old young man, lots of hormones raging, given everything that just happened, lots of adrenaline pumping and there is no greater sign of disrespect when having a conversation with somebody than to not look at them. And that's what Dumbledore has done for months. And so I'm not saying that I disagree with the fact that Voldemort is part of this equation, but I don't think he's the whole equation.

[Laura]

Yeah, well, let's talk about when Harry and the Weasleys end up at Grimald Place. They take the Portkey from Dumbledore's office. Harry, you know, briefly wants to attack Dumbledore and we know that Ginny and the twins are like ready to throw hands with Sirius who's trying to stop them from going to the hospital right now. And he rightly points out to them, you all can't show up at the hospital claiming to know about an accident that no one else has heard of yet.

[Andrew]

Oh, interesting. That seems like a good mature point. That's a well thought out argument.

[Laura]

It is. Unfortunately, it's not what you say, it's how you say it. And Sirius just isn't. And it's not his fault but he's just not equipped to deal with this super well. And it does kind of feel like a bunch of teenagers trying to reason with each other. But the person that I'm really most interested in here is Ginny because Sirius talks about this. Talks about how you can't go out claiming knowledge of something you know that has not yet come to pass as far as officials and hospitals and even your mother knows. So you kind of have to just stay put and let us work it out. Ginny's the first one to silently go and sit down. And she spends the rest of the night sitting in calm, contemplative silence. And it makes me wonder if she's putting two and two together here and realizing that Voldemort is somehow penetrating Harry's mind.

[Micah]

Well, isn't that interesting coming from the person who had Tom Riddle's diary? Yeah, I could see that. I could also see she's watching all of these boys and men bicker and she doesn't want any part of it right now. And I think there's just a common thread here with the Weasleys in this chapter, the Weasley kids, where they're just left in the dark. And we're going to discuss this a little later too. But it's really awful how they aren't as informed as they should be when it's your father who was attacked. I can understand other people not knowing. Even Harry not. Not being told what happened to Arthur and why Arthur was there to begin with. But for the kids that not even know, that's just. That's just wrong.

[Andrew]

And I'm gonna say something not the most to our about Sirius right now but his first response about it all is that your father knew what he signed up for. The kids don't want to hear that.

[Micah]

Yeah. Yeah. Serious is like that's he was prepared to die. It's fine.

[Laura]

Ah.

[Andrew]

And like Sirius values an honorable death. Good for him.

[Eric]

What?

[Andrew]

It's not what? It's right. He's right. The kids did not want to hear that.

[Eric]

What do we think Sirius's state of mind is at this particular moment? It seems when they first arrive that he might have been on a little bit of a bender.

[Micah]

Yeah.

[Laura]

He smells like stale liquor. I think the text says it's clear that he's been knocking him back.

[Andrew]

Me. On a Friday night. Am I right?

[Micah]

Knocking back of me. Recording episode 700 of Michael Kast.

[Andrew]

Yeah. The 423 is how many bottles are.

[Eric]

No.

[Andrew]

But yeah. I feel like the. Sirius is just happy. He couldn't have asked for a better circumstance, like, terrible circumstance. But he's so happy for company. And this speaks to something that Dumbledore takes credit for as a failing at the end of this book, leaving Sirius in such isolation. Harry knows how miserable Sirius is. It weighs heavily on Harry to the point where it's the whole setup for why Sirius would recklessly go out and get himself in trouble at the Ministry later in the book. But for Sirius to finally have company and even under these negative circumstances, the fact that they're staying for Christmas. I think his life was just made because he's so lonely.

[Micah]

And that's why he's probably drinking when we see him.

[Andrew]

Part of the reason I think he's drinking. Cause he's miserable. Yeah, yeah. Like, nothing better to do. No one to talk to.

[Eric]

I just think it comes down to the fact that at this particular moment he's not mature enough to handle this situation and he lacks the ability to appropriately sympathize with Arthur's kids. He's not wrong in his overall approach in some of the things that he's saying, but it just needs a softer touch.

[Andrew]

Well, there's no. There's no consequences for this. I think he does fine. The kids get to where. Where they need to be.

[Laura]

Well, not to turn this into a hate fest on Sirius but there's another interaction in this chapter where he kind of drops the ball, in my opinion, and it's with Harry. Harry pulls Sirius aside, hoping that, you know, of all people, his godfather would hear him out with his concerns about, honestly, feeling snake like and feeling concerned that he actually does want to attack people. We see Harry later, after this, afraid to go to sleep because he's afraid that he's gonna slither off and attack somebody else. He's really trying to open up to Sirius about this. And Sirius is kind of dismissive about it. I don't think he means to be. I think he's trying in his own way to be reassuring and saying it's probably just, you know, residual, like, energy from, you know, the vision that you had and not really taking the time to think about, hey, we know there's some kind of connection between Harry and Voldemort. Maybe I should listen to what this kid is saying.

[Andrew]

Yeah, I agree. This is. This is. Ceres misses the mark at being able to kind of comfort Harry because he largely doesn't believe that it's a threat or is connected in any way. I would say, you know, for being a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore maybe should have clued in some of the Order members, including Sirius, that something like this might happen.

[Micah]

Do we think Sirius has any idea of what actually is going on and. Because I'm not convinced he does. And then my other question is, is Sirius just trying to make Harry feel better, not worry him too much?

[Andrew]

Yeah. Sirius is like the right answer. When somebody comes to you in great turmoil and they're a child and it's 3am is go to bed, you'll feel better. And it's the wrong thing to say to Harry. It doesn't work because obviously Harry has reasons why he wouldn't want to sleep. But it's that thing about that Micah was saying about his overall approach, right. And so he's like, harry, it's okay. You're still exhausted. You have this great ordeal. If you sleep, I'm sure things will be better in the morning. And it's like that. It's not wrong that you'll feel better because you're sleep deprived now. But it's not what Harry needs. Harry needs somebody to believe him. And especially the fact that, like, Harry doesn't like recounting this story. He hated doing it the three or four times he's already had to do it. But he rushes into the closet with Sirius and is like, I need to tell you what's going on, hoping to get something in return that's of equal value. And he doesn't get it. And Sirius has become an animal. Sirius is Padfoot, is, is, is Snuffles is the dog. And so if Harry is. Thinks he's transforming into a snake maybe Sirius has, like, special insight about that. But it. None of it comes to light because Sirius doesn't kind of hasn't been prepped to believe Harry very specifically about all the snake stuff.

[Eric]

I think the reassurance he needed was from Dumbledore, not from Sirius. And he doesn't get it.

[Andrew]

Well, fortunately for Harry, the narrative quickly becomes, thank God for Harry. Thank God you were in the snake, because we got him in time. And that is something. Although Harry still blames himself to some extent that really greatly eases the tension on the back half of the chapter for the rest of the Weasleys to, like, be really, really worried. Like the fact that Molly's letter soon comes and says, like, he's okay or he's alive, I think really is good for Dumbledore. He got lucky. Harry got lucky that Arthur is okay.

[Eric]

The one other thing I just wanted to raise about this part before we move on is there is another party that is privy to this conversation and is eavesdropping just outside the door, and that's Kreacher. And it's important because it's likely that this information is getting passed on to Voldemort and that's how he begins to learn about how strong the connection actually is between himself and Harry.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Micah]

So could you say that Sirius is suspicious of Kreacher and he doesn't know that Kreacher is listening right now, but he could potentially be overheard. That's why he's holding his cards to the vest.

[Laura]

I don't think so. Personally, not to speak for you, Micah, I don't think Sirius thinks Kreacher is capable of that kind of betrayal at this point.

[Andrew]

Well, Kreacher is loyal to Bellatrix. I think that should be made clear. And Narcissa by extension, they're all blacks. But there's a difference between Kreacher being loyal to Voldemort and going straight to Voldemort and being like, this is what's going on with the Potter boy and whatever he might convey to Bellatrix. Now, Bellatrix is at least smart enough to know what questions to ask. So I'm sure this later gets reported on about this false or this dream kind of a thing that Harry has had. But I guess I'd be really interested as the book goes on to kind of see like what information does Kreacher betray that he's overheard?

[Micah]

To broaden my question out, maybe Sirius was just concerned about anybody overhearing them in this moment. You know, the Weasley twins. What do they do within this Chapter two Use extendable ears. Like I don't. He might not just want to talk about and get into it. Right now is not the place or time to talk about this with Harry.

[Andrew]

Yeah, maybe it is a shame though, because like Harry, this is a great opportunity. All of a sudden you're with your godfather and like you want to confide in him and Sirius just can't, can't meet him one of the last times.

[Micah]

You'Ll get him alone.

[Andrew]

I know.

[Laura]

Well, unfortunately for Harry, this isn't going to be the last time he's subjected to questions about his. But we will be going to St. Mungo's here in a moment to visit Arthur right after this break.

[Eric]

McDonald's meets the Minecraft universe with one.

[Laura]

Of six collectibles and your choice of a Big Mac or 10 piece McNuggets with spicy nether Flame sauce.

[Eric]

Now available with a Minecraft movie meal.

[Micah]

At participating McDonald's for a limited time. A Minecraft movie only in theater theaters. Race the rudders.

[Laura]

Race the sails.

[Micah]

Race the sails. Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching. Over. Roger. Wait. Is that an enterprise sales solution? Reach sales professionals, not professional sailors. With LinkedIn ads, you can target the right people by industry, job title and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started today at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply.

[Laura]

And we're back. So after Molly arrives at Grimald Place and confirms that Arthur survived, the crew gets some breakfast. They get a few hours rest. Except Harry. He is, as I said before, too paranoid to sleep right now. And they are off to visit Mr. Weasley at St. Mungo's Hospital for magical maladies and Injuries. Similar to the entrance to Diagon Alley, the entrance to St. Mungo's is hidden in plain sight so that sick witches and wizards can dress in Muggle clothes to arrive in disguise. And when I read this, I immediately thought of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy and thought, no way would these two ever dane to show up in Muggle clothes to get into this hospital. And that made me wonder, is there you know, a private, more elite hospital or facility for people like the Malfoys?

[Eric]

Oh God, they probably have their own doctor.

[Laura]

There is precedent here comes to their house.

[Micah]

Yeah, there is precedent here in the, in the Muggle world. I was living in the Hollywood, Louisiana area for nine years of my life and one time I needed a doctor and I called them up and they told me they can't see me because it was a doctor's office for celebrities only. Like rich, well known, high profile people only. And I couldn't believe it. They're out there.

[Andrew]

What?

[Micah]

Yeah.

[Andrew]

Your name wasn't on the list. No, you can't.

[Micah]

But I'm a podcaster.

[Andrew]

Do you know who I am?

[Eric]

No. You invented the Sims.

[Micah]

I should have said I'm Will Wright, creator of the Sims. Yeah. And then my other thought is, it is an interesting idea that the Pure Bloods might not want to dress up in Muggle clothing. But also, if your leg is in serious trouble, I don't. Will you even change your clothes? I don't know.

[Andrew]

I think there's another entrance. Here's the thing, you're not going to be forced to dress up, go through Muggle London to get there. That's how these guys get here. But remember that they're still being inconspicuous and undercover at the moment. There's Bound to be flu, flus, fireplaces. Here at Mungos, there's bound to be like, I don't know, a broom entrance. Like broom parking, like on the side.

[Eric]

Right? These are visitors. These are not the people. Like, think about the people who are being brought in. There has to be, to your point, Eric, another entrance that they're coming through.

[Andrew]

I will also say if you are grievously injured, you have bites, or an artifact did something horrible to you, you won't care so much about what you're wearing.

[Micah]

Yeah, exactly. But I also do kind of find it a plot hole. How they enter through this glass exterior and no Muggles on the street happen to notice. And the reason in the book is because the Muggles can't be bothered looking at ugly window displays. Come on. People are still looking in that general direction. This seems like a lazy entrance. She could have thought up something a little more clever, more believable.

[Andrew]

It's a combination of it. Well, it's like, if you remember Harry, this is Harry's first and only time at the entrance of St. Mungo's. But at the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, I think he's able to track people's eyes looking from like the left of where it is to the immediate right. Like their eyes just dart, like, across it. So there's clearly a charm and a spell. Oh, same with platform 9 and 3/4. Another huge one that we sometimes get. Little bits of writing saying nobody's actually watching them disappear through the barrier in general. So I think it's that same spell in addition to the joke dialogue where it's like Muggles don't notice. Nuffink. It's all funny, but it's all an explanation for why nobody's watching them enter.

[Micah]

Carly said, I wonder if there's a broombalance that's fun instead of an ambulance.

[Andrew]

That is fun. That's fun. Like a stretcher suspended between maybe two broomsticks.

[Micah]

Yeah, that would kind of suck to get whipped up by the wind as you're being transported and you're ill, but.

[Andrew]

Oh, yeah, that would be awful.

[Micah]

It's just the crazy wizard for you.

[Andrew]

The. The carriage that Grindelwald breaks out of at the end, at the start of what, the second movie. It's gotta be like a little portable ambulance kind of thing.

[Laura]

Yeah, definitely has to be some kind of emergency intake. But speaking of, like, the infrastructure of the hospital, we do get a high level overview of the range of magical injuries from unliftable jinxes to vanishing sickness. All the Way to broom crashes. So does the broombulance pick you up from the broom crash?

[Micah]

I was gonna say maybe that's why there's no broom balances. Because brooms crash and seriously injure people.

[Laura]

Yeah, perhaps.

[Andrew]

And they'd always be having to upgrade. Think about how often a new broom comes out that's faster. And then there'd be an issue if you.

[Laura]

Ah.

[Andrew]

These broombulances are still clean sweeps. Where is my nimb? Where's my fireball? Broombulance. I like broombalance.

[Micah]

It's a. Yeah. Grindelwald's aerial carriage. Doesn't somebody get pushed out of it or falls out or something like that? So maybe that's not too safe either. I mean, don't open the door when you're in there.

[Andrew]

But it would kind of be a problem if thestrals are taking you to the hospital. You wouldn't have a high degree of confidence that you would get there safely because of the, you know, the bad things that are said about thestrals.

[Eric]

He throws poor Antonio out of the.

[Micah]

Antonio. That's the lizard. Yeah.

[Andrew]

He kisses him first.

[Eric]

Was it a chupacabra?

[Micah]

Yeah, that's it. Yeah.

[Andrew]

Why did. Why did that exist?

[Laura]

Well, thinking about, you know, the various afflictions that we see referenced on the board at the welcome desk, does this imply that all other non magically afflicted illnesses can just be magically addressed? I'm thinking like, like, what about cancer? What about heart disease? Like, are these things that wizards can just magic better? And if so, why are they holding out on everyone else?

[Micah]

Yeah, do good for the world.

[Andrew]

Statute of secrecy.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Micah]

No, but it is interesting to me that they can fix the muggle injuries easily, but not magical damage. Look at Arthur. Still bleeding when Harry and company go to visit him in the hospital. They can't easily fix that. And yet they have a chip on their shoulder because. Oh, we don't have doctors. We have healers. They can do everything without being invasive, but they can't fix Arthur. And I know that's a special circumstance being bit by Voldemort snake, but still check yourself.

[Andrew]

Yeah, I think. I think it makes sense to me that magical wounds would be harder to heal with magic than non magic. It's just like the next level of. Of attack or. Or damage.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah.

[Andrew]

But I do like the idea that there's over the counter potions or of the sort for remedies that still trip us Muggles up. That would be kind of cool if wizards have largely figured out, I mean, they can regrow bones they can. I think Arthur's taking a blood replenishment potion. Like, some of these things that are very just offhandedly mentioned would save real.

[Laura]

Muggle lives, by the way. Just quick shout out here to Broderick Bode. We'll come back to why you're important later, buddy. But nice sneaking little reference to him in this chapter. Yeah, he did have a visitor. What do you think the visitor was there for?

[Andrew]

Yeah, probably just silence the unspeakable forever.

[Eric]

Moral support.

[Andrew]

Oh, yeah, moral support.

[Laura]

Yeah, moral support to make him be quiet forever. Well, as is called out, Arthur is pretty chipper, despite the fact that he can't stop bleeding. And this made me wonder if, you know, we know there's something special about Nagini's poison that prevents his wounds from healing. Is this a Maledictus thing? Like, are all maledictuses deadly in some capacity when they're fully transformed? Or is this just, like, Nagini's specialty because she's Voldemort?

[Andrew]

It's hard to say, but I think it is a Maledictus thing because the Maledictus is referred to as a blood curse. And so everything about Nagini is cursed.

[Eric]

I just don't know if the author had determined that Nagini was a Maledictus at this point.

[Micah]

I haven't gotten that impression.

[Laura]

I don't think. I think that was a little bit of a retcon, if I had to guess.

[Andrew]

Assuming then if at this point in the story's development, writing and publication that she's not a male Maledictus, then the answer has to be she's just a venomous snake, like, with special powers exotic enough to throw the London wizards for a loop with her venom. But there is precedent in nature for the saliva preventing wounds from closing of venomous creatures.

[Laura]

That is a real thing, for sure. But Arthur has other more pressing concerns. Right, Micah?

[Eric]

He wants to see where the Muggles are being treated that have been brought to St. Mungo's.

[Micah]

Oh, Arthur.

[Eric]

I do just love that his love for Muggles just continues to shine through, no matter the situation that he's in.

[Micah]

But I also think part of that.

[Eric]

I think, is a misdirect.

[Micah]

Oh, God. Yeah, it could be partly that, but I think this also just speaks to his current spirits and health, that he's able to think about something like that as opposed to his own health, like, he's ready to get out of the hospital. He says in this chapter, if it weren't for the fact that he keeps bleeding so he's in good spirits. He's feeling like he's on. He's basically recovered or on the road to recovery. And he can get back to his passions of rubber ducks and Muggle things. Other Muggle things.

[Laura]

But, yeah, I think Micah's onto something with saying that this might have been an attempt to distract. Because we see Fred and George really trying to grill Mr. Weasley about what he was doing and why he was doing it, what exactly happened to him. And Mr. Weasley is coming up with every bit of distraction fodder that he can to try and get them to change the subject. And ultimately, Mrs. Weasley shuts it down and everyone gets kicked out of the room. To which Fred and George pull out those extendable ears again, which, you know, it there a bit of a blessing and a curse because unfortunately, this time around, Harry gets to overhear Mad Eye Molly, Arthur and Tonks talking about him very, very candidly in front of all of his friends. Careful what you wish for is where our chapter ends. Pretty awkward.

[Micah]

Yeah. Again, I find it messed up that Arthur and Molly aren't giving at least their children a fuller picture of what went on. I think that's messed up. Imagine if that was our parent and we didn't really know what happened to them or why or where they were. They almost died. And we're not getting answers all because we're in there in the Order of the Phoenix. Greater good. He was prepared to die. Stop. It's still the parent.

[Andrew]

Yeah, I think we could actually blame that one on Molly and Arthur because they would be afforded some level of discretion to communicate kind of more circumstances. Like, Dumbledore wouldn't be super happy with them if they did. But he also wouldn't be like, no, you couldn't tell your kids, yeah, I'm.

[Micah]

Gonna be the parent now. I'm barely Harry, Harry's parent. And now I'm gonna be a parent for the Weasleys.

[Andrew]

Because Dumbledore is all about, like, the greater secrecy and stuff. But, you know, Arthur is the one who firmly chooses to be, like, that's my business. Where I was. Sorry, guys.

[Eric]

I'm interested to see how the story gets spun, though because you're talking about the head of the Misuse of Buggle Artifacts Office being down to the Department of Mysteries. What exactly was he up to? And his kids are smart enough to know that he was doing something related to the otter and they get pretty close. But he's. And I also just don't think this is the right environment. For this conversation to be happening too because they're in a public place. Even though there's only two other people that are in the room with them in these beds near Arthur. But you don't know who's listening. I don't know. I just feel like that should have been like a pull aside conversation where Molly gives a little bit more information to the group because I don't think it's fair that Harry gets revealed in this way either.

[Laura]

Yeah, agreed. I mean, don't they know about the extendable years at this point too? It's not a secret that the Mad.

[Eric]

Eyes see what they're doing.

[Micah]

Yeah, so see, that's what I'm saying about Sirius. He knew people there were prying years around.

[Eric]

I did want to just say too, I thought it was pretty rich that Mad Eye feels entitled enough to say that they all know there's something off about the Potter kiss.

[Laura]

Oh yeah, because he's one to talk.

[Eric]

Right.

[Micah]

Mad Eye Moody has this to say about Potter.

[Eric]

Takes one. Takes one to know one.

[Laura]

Wow.

[Micah]

Takes an eye to know an eye. A mad eye, you could say.

[Laura]

And just one odd. And end this week that I thought was interesting. They're kind of laying the groundwork in this chapter for what ends up happening to Bill himself. Becoming a werewolf when he's attacked by Fenrir Greyback in the next book. Because one of Mr. Weasley's roommates is a werewolf. And Molly actually shares. She expresses some nervousness about Mr. Weasley sharing a room with a werewolf. She asked him, is it safe? And Mr. Weasley's like, of course it's safe. He's, he's medicated and he's doing the gracious and good thing by talking to this person and letting them know and reassuring them, hey, I know somebody who finds the condition pretty easy to manage. Stay on top of it, you're going to be okay. And I think this just perfectly establishes that, like Mr. Weasley has the right attitude towards the condition that his son's about to have in about a year. So I thought that was nice.

[Andrew]

I like that. Also, it's such a Mr. Weasley thing to just befriend and try and offer some comfort. Like, you're both in there. What are you in there for? You know, and kind of just try and cheer up. I also, it's also a Mr. Weasley thing that he fails miserably at it. That guy does not want to hear what Mr. Weasley has to say.

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Andrew]

Threatens to bite him So I think this chapter does a good job of making us appreciate that Mr. Weasley was not murdered.

[Laura]

Yeah, he's too wholesome to be murdered.

[Andrew]

Yeah, too pure, like, unlike Hedwig.

[Laura]

Well, I think we all know that one of the worst things Mr. Weasley could do while he was guarding the freaking prophecy was to fall asleep, which is what we know happens. He kind of nods off and that makes him susceptible to this attack. What is the worst thing to do on duty while guarding the prophecy from our perspective? And we aren't allowed to pick sleeping because Mr. Weasley already did that.

[Micah]

So I'm sitting there in my chair on my phone going, five letters. Last one is a C. Merlin's beard. I was playing Wordle. Five letters. And the word is magic, by the way, because it ends in a C.

[Andrew]

Oh, I love it. Wordle. Oh, I hope you would get signals down in the basement of the Ministry of Magic. But, yeah, I love that. I would probably be doing what I'm doing any other day of the week, which is dancing and singing along to the rise and fall of a Midwest princess. You know, I'm gonna keep on dancing down and Sub level four. Sub level four.

[Laura]

Just kind of chilling.

[Eric]

I would say. Probably leaning against the shelves. Not a good idea.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah.

[Micah]

Causing some problems.

[Laura]

That's how you destroy all the Time Turners. Until cursed child. Of course.

[Andrew]

Until cursed Child.

[Laura]

And then I picked something that sounded like a uniquely Arthur thing to do. If he's sitting in silence, bored, and trying to entertain himself, attempting to enchant a loud Muggle device like an alarm that ends up blaring endlessly and being unable to turn it off. That's another way to alert the snake where you are very, very quickly. All right, well, thanks for playing along with me on that, y'all. We also have our links line. Mugglecast listeners who are members of our community over at patreon.com mugglecast have answered this week's question. And the question is, if you were a healer at St. Mungos, which floor of the hospital would you want to work on and why? And just as a reminder, the floors of the hospital are artifact accidents, creature induced injuries, magical bugs, potion and plant poisoning, spell damage, and visitors to your room. Hospital shop. Man, that feels on brand. It feels like everywhere you go they have to have a shop. And it's like, is this necessary?

[Micah]

Don't forget to exit through the gift shop.

[Laura]

Yeah, basically. Sorry for your trauma.

[Micah]

So Rachel said I would be the handler for all the therapy animals at St. Mungo's. I'm picturing mini unicorns, moon calves, pygmy puffs and a mini chimera like Syrinx from the Crescent City series. There's something involving data and record keeping. Because I'm a nerd, I love the.

[Andrew]

Idea of emotional support. Mooncast. They are emotional support creatures.

[Micah]

They are definitely one of the cutest.

[Andrew]

Fantastic beasts those Indira calls for sure. So Julianne on the links line says I'll be at the tea room slash shop as far away from blood as possible.

[Eric]

Jennifer says I've worked as a labor and delivery nurse for over 20 years and have often wondered how witches had their babies. Unless they apparate the baby out of the mom, they would need a floor at St. Mungo's for moms and babies. Of course that's where I would want to work.

[Micah]

It would make it sound like, you know, like in Luigi's mansion. Right, Micah?

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Oh, I was imagining like a.

[Eric]

Like a put the vacuum up. Never mind.

[Laura]

Like a popping sound.

[Andrew]

I'm just imagining like you cast Episkey and the kid comes out.

[Eric]

That is interesting. There's no maternity ward listed at St. Mungo's.

[Micah]

I guess that's means there's a whole different building, a whole different hospital.

[Andrew]

Yeah, wizards do home birth. There's a spell for that. Makes it really easy.

[Micah]

You would think so. We should do a whole episode on that.

[Laura]

It does feel like a little weird for a book series that is so concerned with.

[Andrew]

With mothers.

[Laura]

With mothers that there isn't a maternity war here.

[Micah]

You become a mother.

[Andrew]

You just do well when mommy dies.

[Laura]

All right.

[Micah]

So sorry.

[Andrew]

Right.

[Laura]

Our next one comes from Leah. Leah says as a current grad student in nutrition, future registered dietitian, I'd have to say I'd be working in the tea room to provide super healthy yet delicious treats and meals from whole foods. And featuring fun magical herbs and fungi. Think about pulled mushroom barbecue, colorful pickled veggie slaw, some raw vegan brownies, golden milk latte. I would brighten up the hospital food for the patients as well as their visitors and my fellow hospital staff. It's insane in the Muggle world. I take huge issue with the prevalence of ultra processed foods in hospitals.

[Micah]

That is really backwards. Good point. And thought about that.

[Laura]

Yeah, very good point, Leah.

[Micah]

Rosalie said I'd be working on the ground floor. In artifact accidents, there are a lot of hazards even with Muggle artifacts. I work in museum collection care, so I can only imagine the absolute chaos. That cursed, exploding and malfunctioning wizarding artifacts would cause. Yikes.

[Andrew]

Ah. Nicole says the author left out a crucial part of the hospital which would be the medical records. I would add this to the fifth floor to be as far possible from any cauldron explosions since without technology they would definitely have paper records. This is my job in the mogul world so I would want to do something similar in the wizarding world. Be healthcare adjacent without any bodily fluids. I love that most A lot of a lot of people who responded are choosing their real life job. Yeah that's like version Mev wrote in.

[Eric]

Potions and plant poisoning. I would be good at making potions. I would try to stay in the background not treating people but brewing potions so other healers can help them. I would love to think my potions also could be used to treat magical creatures as well. Well, or that I brew specifically for the magical creatures.

[Laura]

Oh I love that. And last but not least, Zachary says I would love to set up shop in the tea room as some sort of post traumatic stress slash trauma therapist to help the affected and their families adjust to their new lives and lifestyles. This chapter always makes me wish someone was able or someone was available to Neville and I've always had an urge to help those who need it. I'd also like to head a department that searches and experiments for cures for the incurable using a mixture of Muggle science and wizard magic. I'm sure with the job would be very successful and helpful for everyone affected. Good call.

[Micah]

Thanks to everybody who contributed and you can read more of the [e-mail] mugglecast if you have any feedback about today's episode, you can email or send a voice memo that you record on your phone to mugglecastmail.com next week we will be discussing Order of the Phoenix chapter 23. Oh look at this. Ho ho ho. It's Christmas on the closed ward. Before we get to Quizzage, check out our other weekly podcasts, what the Hype and Millennial for more pop culture and real world talk. This week on what the Hype, Laura and Micah wrapped up their coverage on the White Lotus, and Eric and Laura kicked off coverage for The Last of Us Season 2. Then over on Millennial, we're crying into our retirement accounts as we talk tariffs, but we're also talking about some easy ways to make the most out of your budget right now. And we were also looking at how other millennials are getting by right now given the current economic situation. And now it's time for requisite.

[Andrew]

This week's Question was what is the nearest, nearest prime number to number 700? You guys, it's a quizzage first. The correct answer to this week's quizzes question is the number of this episode. Whoa.

[Micah]

That's actually pretty cool.

[Andrew]

701 is the nearest prime number to 700. And correct answers. 65% of folks said that they did not not look that up. And correct answers were submitted by Blinky the house elf, Elizabeth K. Fluffernutter. Hey, Micah, you're so fine. You're so fine you blow my mind. First time knowing the answer. I spent 2 hours and 30 minutes calculating this because I didn't want to look it up. I have a secret gay crush on Andrew Madeline, Patronus, Seeker Sarah B. Not bad for a girl that took remedial algebra. Scorpio, Slytherin, the Minister of Prime. Transfigure me into Micah's mic. A lot of Micah.

[Laura]

Oh, okay.

[Andrew]

Umbridge's missing educational decree banning Portkeys. And will Professor Vector be proud of me? Now, here's next week's quizzage question. The London entrance to St. Mungo's features a man mannequin that moves and articulates. What is the name given to the ambulatory mannequins in the first episode of the 2005 Doctor who revival? That episode, by the way, is called Rose. Submit your answer to us on the Mugglecast website on the Kwizzitch form [e-mail] Quizzic if you're already on our website checking out our amazing transcripts or our Must Listens page, just click on Quizzage from the main nav.

[Micah]

Thanks everyone for listening to this week's episode. Don't Forget to visit patreon.com mugglecast to support us. Leave us a review in your favorite podcast app and tell a friend about the show. Thanks everybody for listening. I'm Andrew.

[Andrew]

I'm Eric.

[Eric]

I'm Micah.

[Laura]

And I'm Laura.

[Micah]

Bye, everyone.

[Laura]

Bye.