Why Didn't Voldemort Choose To Become a Ghost? And More MuggleMail

Summary

MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

Episode: Why Didn't Voldemort Choose To Become a Ghost? And More MuggleMail

Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts: Andrew, Eric, Micah, Laura

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Episode Overview

This engaging MuggleCast episode centers on listener questions from the "MuggleMail" mailbag, with a particular focus on Voldemort’s fate: Why didn’t he choose to become a ghost? The hosts dive deep into various thoughtful and amusing HP fandom queries, including adaptation hopes for the upcoming Max TV series, lingering book mysteries, whimsical “what-ifs,” and listener impressions of Harry Potter characters. The tone is lively, humorous, and insightful, peppered with inside jokes and earnest gratitude to loyal listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Updates on the Harry Potter TV Show

[00:51–06:48]

• On-Set Leaks & Fan Excitement: The hosts discuss recent leakages of TV show filming, especially scenes around Little Whinging recreating moments like Vernon Dursley bumping into Daedalus Diggle, complete with visual details straight from the books (“He was still so worried that he walked straight into someone just outside the door…” [01:17]).
• Book Accuracy: Eric highlights, “This is another example of the TV show seemingly giving us more than we got from the movies.” [02:29]
• Casting Speculation: Hosts joke about “hot” versions of side characters and HBO’s reputation for attractive casting.

2. Comparing Movie vs. TV Adaptations

[06:49–17:12]

• Set Design Choices: The show seems to favor on-location shoots, adding authenticity, and allowing (sometimes unavoidable) public glimpses.
• Adaptation Potential: Responding to listener Daniel, the crew weighs in on how much book content the HBO series could realistically fit into each season, suggesting that longer or split seasons for later, lengthier books are likely.

3. MuggleMail Listeners’ Questions & Hosts’ Takes

Mrs. Black’s Portrait in the Films

[09:05–13:12]

• Listener Samantha suggests the portrait appears (albeit subtly) in the fifth film. Eric is skeptical: “If you didn’t cast someone in the role, it doesn’t count as an official appearance.” [11:54]
• The debate turns playful, with jokes about Laura hiding Mrs. Black behind her own curtain.

The Order of the Phoenix TV Adaptation & Bertie Bott’s Beans

[13:12–17:12]

• Daniel’s email leads to a fun detour about Bertie Bott flavors (“I really like the green apple one. But … booger … I don’t need to as an adult.” - Micah [14:46]), plus speculation that later seasons could be split for longer books.

Why Didn’t Voldemort Become a Ghost?

[18:17–21:53]

• Laura’s Key Argument [19:56]: “All the horcruxing probably damaged his soul too much for him to be able to become a ghost. … Was there enough left to even make a ghost?”
• Eric on Immortality Obsession: “He was searching for immortality in a different kind of way.” [21:38]
• Micah adds: “Tom Riddle strikes me as the type ... who would have explored and tried to research becoming a ghost. And I think he probably would have landed on not wanting to go that route.” [21:09]
• The crew also jokes about “ghosting” as a dating term: “Every time you ghost me there, you split your soul into multiple Horcruxes too.” – Andrew [22:05]

Crookshanks is the Potters’ Cat?

[22:24–23:37]

• Listener Kiri revives the theory that Hermione’s cat might be the Potters’ lost pet, which the crew enjoyably “declares canon.”

Thestrals & Non-Visual Witnessing of Death

[23:45–28:26]

• Blind listener Salome asks: “In order to see a Thestral, must you have visually seen death?”
  • Andrew reasons that witnessing (not seeing) death may suffice.
  • Eric agrees: “They are tangible creatures that take up space and interact with the world regardless of one person’s ability …” [26:00]
• Laura wonders if heightened senses could provide alternative means of perceiving Thestrals for those who are blind.

Arthur Weasley and the Imperius Curse

[28:26–32:28]

• Becky speculates Arthur Weasley’s career may have been derailed by being under the Imperius Curse during the First War.
• The hosts lean towards Arthur just following his passions, but Eric muses, “What if there was this mystery...? … it’s fun to think of these darker possibilities.” [32:03]

Bellatrix & Voldemort’s "Love Affair"

[33:15–39:02]

• Listener Bev strongly opposes the (Cursed Child-inspired) idea that Voldemort ever truly loved Bellatrix or intentionally sired a child.
• The hosts enjoyably debate whether Voldemort’s motivations could include lust or a desire for a legacy:
  • Laura: “I could just see Voldemort being, like, a lustful man and not being very careful…” [35:33]
  • Eric: “He absolutely is incapable of love ... but that doesn't mean he's not, as a human or former human, susceptible to lust.” [35:03]
  • Laura notes Bellatrix as a “groupie.”
  • Discord user Sam’s idea is cited: “Is it possible that Voldemort sees Delphi as a meat suit for his soul? Like another Horcrux, potentially?” [38:03]

Diary Horcrux & Chamber of Secrets Memory Link

[39:15–41:45]

• Lucy asks whether Voldemort "remembers" the events of Chamber through his diary’s experience. The hosts explain that the diary-horcrux is its own entity, gaining knowledge via Ginny's writing—not via a hive mind with Voldemort.

What Does the Basilisk Eat?

[42:06–45:37]

• The crew discusses the plot hole of the basilisk never eating its petrified (not killed) victims.
  • Eric jokes that the “pile of bones” Harry lands on means rats have long been its staple prey.
  • Micah proposes that, for plot darkness reasons, J.K. Rowling likely avoided actual on-page student deaths in Book 2.

Throwback: Bellatrix & Voldemort, Canon Hints

[45:44–48:53]

• Sarah’s 2007 email notes Bellatrix’s ambiguous line about being entrusted with Voldemort’s “most precious.” The hosts have fun with the theory that the “most precious” was not just the Hufflepuff Cup, but maybe a child as well.
• Eric: “He makes her feel more special than any other servant ever by saying, ‘Can you guard this for me?’ ... She would have been elated.” [47:12]

4. Listener Impressions: Character Voices!

[49:54–54:52]

• Fans submit audio impressions of Hermione, Snape, Lockhart, Umbridge, McGonagall, and Fudge, earning much praise and delight from the hosts.

Notable Quotes from Impression Segment:

• Eric (on Snape impression): “There’s a depth to the voice. There’s a dangerousness to the voice. And it’s not just doing an Alan Rickman impression.” [51:33]
• Laura: “Gave me goosebumps!” [51:30]
• Laura (on Fudge impression): “I actually shed a couple of tears. That was very. Was very good. Well done, Barry.” [54:29]

5. Kwizzitch Returns

[56:25–58:50]

• The trivia question returns, with fans competing and shout-outs to clever usernames.
• Next week’s quiz to focus on oldest London bridge, tying into the opening chapter of Half-Blood Prince.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On TV Show Adaptation:
  “I’m thrilled about this ... The first chapter of the first book is one of the best chapters of any of the books for this purpose.” – Eric [02:39]

• On Mrs. Black in the Movie:
  “They cast a curtain. That’s not Mrs. Black.” – Eric [12:16]

• On Ghosts and Horcruxes:
  “All the horcruxing probably damaged his soul too much for him to be able to become a ghost.” – Laura [19:56]

• On Cursed Child “Canon” Debate:
  “I declare canon. And just like that, it’s done. Somebody add it to the Wikipedia.” – Andrew on Crookshanks [23:37]

• On Arthur Weasley's Job:
  “Arthur traded money for happiness and following his passion and there's nothing wrong with that.” – Andrew [31:44]

• On Voldemort’s Possible Child:
  "He absolutely is incapable of love ... but that doesn't mean he's not, as a human or former human, susceptible to lust." – Eric [35:03]

• On Basilisk Diet:
  "It's a pile of bones." – Micah, referencing Harry's landing spot and the basilisk's rat feasts [43:32]

• On Listener Impressions:
  “There’s a depth to the voice…not just an Alan Rickman impression.” – Eric [51:33]
  “I actually shed a couple of tears. That was very…well done, Barry.” – Laura [54:29]

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Notable Segment Timestamps

• TV Show Filming & Discussion: [00:51–06:48]
• MuggleMail Mrs. Black’s Portrait: [09:05–13:12]
• TV Adaptation & Bertie Bott Beans: [13:12–17:12]
• Voldemort as a Ghost Discussion: [18:17–21:53]
• Crookshanks Theory: [22:24–23:37]
• Thestrals & Accessibility: [23:45–28:26]
• Arthur Weasley Wonderings: [28:26–32:28]
• Bellatrix & Voldemort "Affair": [33:15–39:02]
• Diary Horcrux/Memory: [39:15–41:45]
• Basilisk Diet Plot Hole: [42:06–45:37]
• Throwback Bellatrix "Canon": [45:44–48:53]
• Listener Voice Impressions: [49:54–54:52]
• Kwizzitch Segment: [56:25–58:50]

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Final Thoughts

This MuggleCast episode is a must-listen (or read!) for Harry Potter fans, mixing thoughtful lore debates, fandom theories, TV adaptation hopes, and plenty of humor. The lively MuggleMail session delivers both nostalgia and fresh perspectives—including sharp arguments about the metaphysics of ghosts and horcruxes, reader shout-outs, and delightful improv magic from the hosts and audience alike.

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For new and returning listeners alike, this episode is a magical blend of re-read analysis, fandom celebration, and raucous speculation—with plenty of heart.

Transcript

[Micah]

Tron.

[Laura]

Ares has arrived.

[Andrew]

I would like you to meet Ares, the ultimate AI soldier.

[Eric]

He is biblically strong and supremely intelligent. You think you're in control of this?

[Andrew]

You're not. On October 10th.

[Eric]

What are you? My world is coming to destroy yours. But I can help you.

[Andrew]

The war for our world begins in IMAX. Tron Ares, rated PG13. May be inappropriate for children under 13. Only in theaters October 10th. Get tickets now. I personally accept that Bellatrix and Voldemort really did conceive a child.

[Eric]

Well, and you also never see her with her husband Rudolphus, because Voldemort was.

[Andrew]

A better man and she saw that. Welcome to mugglecast, your weekly ride into the world of Harry Potter. I'm Andrew.

[Eric]

I'm Eric.

[Micah]

I'm Micah.

[Laura]

And I'm Laura.

[Andrew]

We are your Harry Potter friends talking about the books and the movies and the upcoming TV show. So make sure you press that follow button in your favorite podcast app and you'll never miss an episode. And this week, before we get to chapter by chapter, Half Blood Prince, Chapter one. Next week we have a Muggle mail episode for everybody. And we have a update concerning the Harry Potter TV show. Filming continues and scenes set around little Wing Jing before and after the first downfall of Voldemort were shooting last week. Most notable, in my opinion, we saw Vernon Dursley in a scene with Daedalus Diggle, and it appears to be right out of book one. The scene from book one quote he vernon found it a lot harder to concentrate on drills that afternoon, and when he left the building at 5 o', clock, he was still so worried that he walked straight into someone just outside the door. Sorry. He grunted as the tiny old man stumbled and almost fell. It was a few seconds before Mr. Dursley realized that the man was wearing a violet clo. He didn't seem at all upset at being almost knocked to the ground. On the contrary, his face split into a wide smile and he said in a squeaky voice that made passerby stare, don't be sorry, my dear sir, for nothing could upset me today. Rejoice, for you know who is gone at last. Even Muggles like yourself should be celebrating. So if you watch the scene, it looks just like what I just read from the book down to the violet cloak.

[Micah]

And he actually falls over.

[Eric]

Yeah, there's a shot of like the. The mattress and him like fully on his back, legs up after getting knocked over.

[Andrew]

The reason I bring this up is this is another example of the TV show seemingly giving us more than we got from the movies.

[Eric]

I'm thrilled about this. The first chapter of the first book is one of the best chapters of any of the books for this purpose. It's great at introducing the character of the Dursleys and yeah, to get to spend time kind of witnessing this and also start world building because Daedalus Diggle is the first wizard that we as an audience are going to come across. Essentially this weird dude who's like more than a little giddy that Voldemort's done, you know, finally. So, yeah, I'm excited for. For those purposes of seeing maybe even shots on the news report about people, strange people, all about, you know, I think that like the owls swooping, I hope that they go all in showing.

[Andrew]

Footage, include the owl swooping, include and.

[Eric]

Also cast peeves, guys. But okay, you know, this is going to be your.

[Micah]

Your long standing request empire.

[Eric]

I said that wrong. Actually. It's not even that. This is the hill I will die on.

[Micah]

The real question is, is this just Daedalus Diggle or is it hot Daedalus Diggle?

[Eric]

Oh, I know what you do is.

[Andrew]

In the eye of the beholder. We already have hot Vernon. So it might be too much to have hot Vernon and hot Daedalus Diggle on screen at the same time.

[Laura]

Yeah, yeah, but I mean, they got HBO money.

[Andrew]

Yeah, yeah.

[Eric]

Everyone on Game of Thrones is hot.

[Andrew]

Right. So what I also like about this is Daedalus Diggle comes back into the storyline in Deathly Hallows when he goes with another Order member to help the Dursleys hide from Voldemort. So, you know, he could come back in season seven, eight, nine or ten. Kind of put a bow on the whole series.

[Eric]

Oh, I hope they've already filmed that just between Vernon, because it was, you know, between Vernon and Daedalus Diggle. They do that scene and then the scene where he comes and picks up Harry.

[Andrew]

Yeah, so they were filming these little whinging scenes. And we also see wizards celebrating Voldemort's downfall as Vernon makes his way to work. You see wizards blocking his car as the wizards cross the street and they're hooting and hollering. And then there was also a shot of possibly James and Lily walking through a park. The people who were watching this get filmed were at an angle where you just see their. Their sides and sort of their backside. So it's hard to say for sure, but you would think Lily and James Potter will be appearing as well in season one. So pretty exciting stuff.

[Micah]

Presumably we're just going to keep getting more and more of this. This is. It feels a little different from when we went through the movies the first time around, where everything was very much under lock and key. Is it just a matter of the world we live in today, where people are naturally, everyone's got their cell phone and record.

[Eric]

Plus, when they were filming these movies the first time, I was 11, 12, 13. Like, it wasn't until we started Mugglecast and they were already halfway through the series that any of us would have even known what to make of some of these filming shots. But as I recall, the shots we were getting from outdoor work were at, like, the middle of nowhere, wilderness, Scotland type stuff, you know, and they'd have a big, giant blue screen up in a field, and it's like, what can you really see, you know, versus the day at the zoo, the day of Vernon trying to cross the street. These are things that have to be by their nature in public. And so I'm excited. You know, the footage that's coming through shows us that this will be a more accurate treatment of the books and a wider look at the world as a whole.

[Andrew]

Yeah. I'd also add that it seems like they're filming on location quite a bit. They could have rebuilt these sets in a private studio where no prying eyes could find them, but for whatever reason, they're choosing the film a lot on location. Maybe that has to do with the budget, too, I don't know. But then also, when you're comparing how much they need to film for a TV show compared to a movie, there's going to be many more opportunities for people to capture them filming out and about. And I like that they're filming on location. It adds a level of authenticity to it.

[Micah]

Yep.

[Andrew]

Well, stick with Mugglecast for continuing coverage of the Harry Potter TV show. Again, make sure you follow us in your favorite podcast app or on YouTube. Also, just want to share with everybody that the Mugglecast Collectors Club Year 4 stickers have shipped. So patrons hope you are enjoying those. And Eric, we just placed the order for the 20th anniversary yearbook. Right. So now it's at the printing press.

[Eric]

The final checks are all done. I was down to the minute with updates and improvements, and I'm very excited. Everyone who's signed in for signed up for one of these should be very excited about what's about to come.

[Andrew]

Yeah, look forward to those and thanks everybody who supports us on Patreon. We could not do this without you. If you don't support us on Patreon and you want to help us keep this show running smoother than Vernon's trip around Little Whinging after the downfall of Voldemort with We invite you to become a member of our [e-mail] mugglecast by supporting us. You can get instant access to two bonus episodes of the show every month and add free episodes and access to our live streams. You also get a personal video thank you message from one of the Mugglecasters. And each year that you are a patron, you will be getting a new physical gift, including stickers or whatever gifts we come up with next. So there are lots of [e-mail] Mochocast and if you're looking for other ways to support us, you can visit mocastmerch.com to buy official show gear. I'm wearing the security consultant hat tonight. You can also leave us a review in your favorite podcast app and or you can tell a friend about the show all right, time to open up the Muggle Mailbag. What can we expect today? Micah Tease it for the audience.

[Micah]

We have quite the array of different voicemail and email topics. Some of it is on Order of the Phoenix, some of it touches on the TV show, some of it touches on just broader Potter questions in general. Cool. We like to, you know, keep us on our feet a little bit. We can't can't just be a reflection.

[Andrew]

On chapter by chapter and we'll be challenging our listeners. At the end of today's episode we asked them to do some character impressions for us, so look forward to those as well. So let's get started with a voicemail From Samantha concerning Mrs. Black in the movies.

[Listener]

Hi Mugglecast. I am a long time listener that has rediscovered Mugglecast after years and years and years of being away. When I was in high school you guys were everything and I'm happy to discover that you still are everything. So I am going back and working my way through all of the amazing episodes that I've missed since I stopped listening probably back in, oh, 2000, 2009 or so. So incredibly, I have so much material to get through and I just can't believe you guys are still going. It's one of the happiest discoveries that I've made recently. I just wanted to give a quick comment about the Order of the Phoenix reread episode about chapter four, Grimald Place. You guys had talked about Mrs. Black's portrait and it not being in the movie, but actually I think it is in the movie and it's just that the curtain kind of remains covered and you can just. I think it zooms in on her, like, muttering things. So instead of yelling and screaming, it's. It's just like muttering kind of things from behind the curtains. I just wanted to point that out because I think there was some question about whether it was actually included. But I'm pretty sure that it is. So happy to be corrected if I'm wrong. But having just recently re. Watched that movie and actually in the context of playing the score live to film. I'm a violinist and I play with an orchestra that we do these movie projects and we're working our way through the Harry Potter films right now. We're on number five. We just did that a couple weeks ago. I did manage to look up from my music at one point and believe that I caught that scene. So, anyway, I love what you guys are doing. I've always loved it. So happy to be back in the fold, listening. And also, I just bought Laura's pants and I'm very much looking forward to them arriving. So thank you guys so much.

[Micah]

That's the only reason why I put this voicemail in the show today.

[Laura]

Every time we talk about this, I feel the need to clarify for our UK listeners. These are trousers. Because we learned at one point that, like, while we might call. We might call trousers pants here in the United States, in the UK they refer to. I mean, that. That pants are underwear. So.

[Eric]

Well, Laura, it's so magnanimous. It's so selfless of you to offer up your trousers to folks at the Mugglecast store.

[Laura]

Yes, this is a good catch, though, Samantha. And actually our Discord is verifying this in real time that apparently Kreacher is talking with her in this scene.

[Eric]

Well, I'm gonna argue that if you didn't cast somebody in the role that it doesn't count as an official appearance.

[Andrew]

No, I disagree. Maybe they were cast. They just didn't share who it was. She could be in the credits.

[Eric]

From what I'm seeing, she's not.

[Andrew]

Oh, okay.

[Micah]

The portrait, however, is right. It is behind a black.

[Eric]

It's a portrait frame. They cast a curtain. That's not Mrs. Black.

[Micah]

Well, actually, Laura, what's behind that black curtain? Behind you?

[Eric]

Wait a minute.

[Laura]

That's top secret.

[Andrew]

Are you hiding Mrs. Black from us?

[Micah]

But I do seem to recall as Harry is first entering Grimoald Place, he comes across Kreacher, who is engaged with the portrait. Got it.

[Andrew]

And Mev back you up there.

[Eric]

And Peeves was actually in all the movies too. He was just always around the corner from where the camera was. I mean, come on, this is what this sounds like.

[Andrew]

Hey, if you hear it, if you see Mrs. Black a little bit, I count it.

[Eric]

Personally, I do think that. I do think it's an intentional Easter egg or nod, but I wouldn't go so far as to credit the filmmakers with, like, putting Mrs. Black in the movie. That doesn't feel right to me.

[Andrew]

Well, listeners, we love hearing from you, so please send in a voice memo at any time. You can record your message via the voice memo app on your phone and send it to mugglecastmail.com we'll get to some voice messages later today when we hear people's character impressions onto some emails. This first one is from Daniel on adapting Order of the Phoenix for Television. Ahoy, Mugglecast. I appreciate the escape you have given us. Order the Phoenix recap. Wow, this was a long book, so I don't know where to start. Thoughts on how the new HBO Max series will cover this book in its entirety? It's such a long book that I am wondering if eight hours of content is enough. It is more than enough for the first book, in my opinion, but might be pushing it for the fifth book, which is two and a half times as long. Then on Half Blood, Prince Daniel says, this is a great book and one that I see a lot of potential for in digging into Voldemort's backstory in the TV show. Besides this, what are a few things that were omitted from the movie that you would like to see in the HBO Max series? And then finally, Dan asks, what is your favorite and least favorite of Bertie Botts? Every flavor beans. My favorite is a gin flavor. My least favorite is a vomit.

[Eric]

Gosh, I like grass.

[Laura]

I can't think about the last time. I actually, I agree, Eric. I have. That one is very good. Surprisingly so.

[Eric]

Shockingly, it's amazing.

[Andrew]

They're talking about the real ones. I was just making.

[Laura]

Oh, I thought you were actually talking about the real ones.

[Andrew]

I was not.

[Laura]

They do have an earwax flavored one from what I recall, and it's gross.

[Eric]

It's. It's okay.

[Laura]

The ear wax flavor.

[Micah]

I really like the green apple one. But then one that is not very far off in color from that is booger. And I mean, I'm sure I ate plenty of boogers growing up, but I don't need to as an adult.

[Andrew]

Ew. I'm just Ladies, you didn't hear that. He didn't care.

[Eric]

It probably weren't Somebody else's. You know.

[Andrew]

I can't remember the actual Bertie Botts every flavored bean. So I assume there's a gin flavored one and I would enjoy that. That's why I said gin.

[Micah]

There's a gin flavored one.

[Andrew]

Yeah. Concerning Order of the Phoenix, maybe the seasons for the later books will be longer than eight episodes. I think a big factor for them in deciding how long each season is going to be is how popular the series ends up being. If it's massively popular, why not add more episodes or add more seasons that expand on the books even further?

[Laura]

I also feel like HBO has already been known to do this, like splitting seasons. So season five, part one, season five, part two. I mean, they've done that with a number of their series at this point. And haven't we heard them say that this'll be a ten year project?

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Laura]

That would kind of support the idea that perhaps some of the longer books are gonna be broken up into multiple seasons. Really?

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Eric]

I also think eight hours is, I mean, a good amount. I certainly think I'm one of the people that thought that Order of the Phoenix was done pretty darn well in the movie, which is kind of. A lot of people might disagree with that. So the longest book getting only eight hours still is okay with me because I thought they did it okay in two and a half.

[Micah]

The thing to remember is that Order of the Phoenix movie was only about 2 hours and 20 minutes. So you're getting quadruple that in the TV show and that's a lot of airtime to fill.

[Andrew]

We're going to be quite spoiled with.

[Micah]

Every season and we're assuming the episodes are only an hour, whereas in some cases you could easily go beyond that.

[Andrew]

Don't we know it here at mugglecast.

[Micah]

On that note, let us continue moving.

[Andrew]

Along here, but I just will say on the note about Half Blood Prince. Stay tuned for our thoughts on what should be maxed from the book. We'll discuss those in chapter by chapter starting next week.

[Eric]

Also, if we're talking about Bertie Botts beans and you want to know how some of them taste, I just found this old YouTube video from Mugglenet. It says Bertie Botts Bonanza taste testing every flavor beans. I'm in it and we have some fun. So go check that out.

[Sponsor]

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[Micah]

Well, our next email comes from Meg on the topic of Voldemort becoming a ghost. She says. Hi Mugglecast. Here's my question. In the final chapter of Order of the Phoenix, Nick tells Harry that he was afraid of death and that's why he chose to become a ghost. Why did Voldemort not become a ghost? We know death was his greatest fear. Does Horcruxing perhaps ruin one's chances of ghosting? Thanks for all you do. I love the show and Eric makes me swoon.

[Andrew]

Oh, so this is Eric's Meg for sure.

[Eric]

Or you know, there could be another admirer of mine out there named Meg Fair. It's Meg. I saw her write this. What are your guys thoughts?

[Andrew]

I don't think Voldemort would want to come back as a ghost. I think he would fear that coming back as a ghost reminds everybody that he lost against Harry. I don't. And I don't think he could face people.

[Eric]

Would that mean that he's alive though? At any cost? Like still in existence at any cost? Andrew.

[Andrew]

I don't. I just. I still just think he wouldn't want to be on earth as a ghost. And are the Death Eaters gonna respect him in ghost form because he wants somebody else come up? He wouldn't be able to kill Harry anymore, which would drive him nuts.

[Eric]

Oh, he gets to see Harry grow up and be happy.

[Andrew]

Yeah. Yeah, that sounds awesome.

[Eric]

No, I know. I like what you said now too. I understand. Like, it would also remind him that he lost. Right?

[Andrew]

Yeah. And he can't do anything anymore. Really?

[Eric]

Yeah. He already survived as like an ethereal form for like 12 years once. I don't think he'd be quick to return to it.

[Laura]

I actually think Meg is right here with suggesting that she often is all of the Horcruxing. I know. She usually is all of the horcruxing probably damaged his soul too much for him to be able to become a ghost. I mean, think about it. At the moment that he died, I mean, that was the final bit of his soul that was left. And when you think about destroying the locket and the diary and the diadem and Nagini and all of the other things, like those were pieces of his soul that were unequivocally destroyed. So was there enough left to even make a ghost? I don't think so, Baby Mort.

[Micah]

That would be a creepy ghost, by the way.

[Eric]

Well, I'm glad you made mention baby Mort, Micah, because that's probably where the last bit of his soul went to this afterlife sort of plane where he's this tortured creature that Dumbledore makes a weird comment about, you know, to Harry about. What is that? Oh, you can't help that. It's like Voldemort already is in the afterlife in of King's Cross in a sort of punishment way. So he's definitely not, you know, walking around as a ghost. Maybe he can't.

[Micah]

Tom Riddle strikes me as the type of person who would have explored and tried to research becoming a ghost. And I think he probably would have landed on not wanting to go that route. And that's why he dug deeper into the dark arts to find out about Horcruxes. I don't think becoming a ghost is enough for somebody like Voldemort.

[Eric]

He.

[Micah]

He was searching for immortality in a different kind of way.

[Eric]

I agree fear is death, but I think that's kind of why he wouldn't become a ghost, is because he literally can't conceive of a situation where he would die. That's why he took so many steps to prevent himself from dying.

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Was to avoid that eventuality.

[Andrew]

Listeners, let us know what you think. And speaking of Horcruxes and ghosting, I just want to say to everyone who has ghosted me on Tinder that every time you ghost me there, you split your soul into multiple Horcruxes too. Okay. So be careful, Andrew.

[Eric]

But I was just joshing with you. Okay. I, like, get so far and I put it. I just want to know a little bit more about you in a different setting. So I get so far. And then when I. I'm sorry, I don't mean it personal.

[Andrew]

Go ahead, Eric.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Eric]

That devastating note. This next email comes from Kiri on Crookshanks, AKA the Potter's Cat. Dear Lara, Micah, Andrew, and Eric, I found a theory that doesn't really have much or any info to support it, but I thought it was cute and kind of wanted it to be true. Crookshanks is the Potter's cat, it says in Prisoner of Azkaban. Its face looked grumpy and oddly squashed, as though it had run headlong into a brick wall. So maybe that happened when Voldemort attacked and he was running away. This could also be why he knows Sirius and Wormtail are Animagi. Presuming he knows about he's like recognize them. Anyway, thanks so much for making a good such a good show. Love you all. Aww.

[Laura]

I think I remember this being a theory back in the day that Cruikshank specifically had it out for Scabbers because.

[Eric]

He knew I like it.

[Micah]

Yeah, it's one of those things that I don't know that I've ever seen debunked officially by the author. And so it's do we want to declare canon here? From our perspective for Kiri?

[Andrew]

Yeah, why not?

[Laura]

Hey, if Cursed Child gets to be.

[Andrew]

Canon, then I declare canon. And just like that, it's done. Somebody added to the Wikipedia.

[Laura]

All right, our next piece of mail comes from Salome, who writes to us on Seeing Festrals. Salome says, I've been listening since episode 496, but lately I've fallen behind. And I'm on the episode about Chapter 34. In that chapter, Dumbledore's army flies on Thestrals to London. I'm blind, and I had a couple of questions about Thestrals for Blind people. The book says that in order to see a Thestral, you must have seen death. But what does it mean by see? Are blind people just not allowed to know they exist? We couldn't see someone die? Or does that just mean to witness death? Also, if you haven't seen someone die, can you still touch the Thestral? You were saying that Hermione should have died on the way to London. I'm wondering if she. I'm wondering if she felt the Thestral. If she felt the Thestral beneath her and got her bearings from her sense of touch. I can see Hermione being resourceful like that. And also, if you're flying in the middle of the air, I'm guessing she'd know to stay as still as possible. Thanks. Just wanted to see what your opinion on this was. There's no wrong answer that I know of. Congratulations on getting married, Eric. Congratulations for having a name I can't spell. Micah. Actually, Salim, you did spell it right. So congratulations on spelling that right. And Then they also added, you've done this show for 20 years. Keep doing it. I love it. Yours from Gryffindor slash Ravenclaw slash. Maybe Hufflepuff.

[Andrew]

So, Salome, I think we can say that you don't necessarily need to visually see somebody die. And by the way, it sounds brutal when we're like, hermione should have died. Out of context. I think it made sense at the time.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Andrew]

But I think we can extend it to say you just need to be in the presence of death to then be able to see or maybe feel a Thestral. But I've also gotten the impression that even if you can't visually see the Thestral, you could still feel it.

[Eric]

Yeah, they pull the carriages.

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Right.

[Andrew]

So with that in mind, they are.

[Eric]

Tangible creatures that take up space and interact with the world regardless of one person's ability or encounters with death.

[Micah]

If I remember correctly from that episode, we were thinking that it was highly unlikely that all of these members of the DA would have made it safely to the Ministry, when, in fact, a good percentage of them could not see what they were riding on.

[Eric]

Right. And because even if you can't see what you're riding, you can see the ground being thousands of feet beneath you. And it would, at least for me. No, really, like, that's the aspect. Like, I wouldn't mean to, but I would tip. I would, like, lean forward or I.

[Micah]

Would let go of being in an airplane and basically it being glass and you can just see everything below you.

[Eric]

Yeah. Or a roller coaster that you can't see and you have no seatbelt for it. The fact that they had to grip for hours in the cold, like thousands of feet above the Earth and witness it all. Utterly absurd. So that's why we think Hermione should have died. But I'm glad she did.

[Laura]

Well, if I recall correctly, too, and I'm testing my show knowledge here, I think we had a lot of fun on our last Order of the Phoenix, chapter by chapter, poking fun at Hermione about her kind of ignorant comment, saying, oh, I wish I could see Thestrals. And it's basically like, oh, Hermione, you're wishing you saw someone die.

[Andrew]

Cool.

[Laura]

So maybe that's where it came from. But, Salome, I have a question for you, and I don't mean for this to sound ignorant. So I'm just curious to know if we're talking about how would the experience of seeing a Thestral look different for someone who's blind. I'm wondering if there's potential for heightened senses in the absence of eyesight that could perhaps allow someone who's blind to perceive other aspects of the thestrals like physical presence that maybe someone who isn't blind wouldn't pick up on. Just a thought.

[Andrew]

Yeah. All right, let's move along. This next one is from Becky on Arthur Weasley. Here's another listener actually who recently returned to the show. Hi, I'm Becky and I have been a long time on and off listener. I remember I first discovered the Pod way back in the summer of 2007 when I was 11. Waiting for the release of the final book, I would listen to Mugglecast and Potter cast every week. I did fall off the bandwagon for quite a while, but I am now going back and listening to the episodes I missed. Welcome back, Becky. I am currently in the year 2020. Oh, we're so sorry of the Pod. Oh, okay. And I'm listening to a lot of the Fun Theory episodes. One thing I would like to bring up, as I haven't heard anyone even theorize about this, is could Arthur Weasley have potentially been under the Imperious Curse during the First War? I'm only bringing it up because it's the unforgivable curse that Ron brings up in Moody's class in Goblet of Fire. I think it would be interesting if Arthur being placed under the Imperious Curse was one of the reasons his career got derailed. What if he had been onto something like investigating the Malfoys or the Blacks and Lucius? Another Death Eater had to steer him away. Just an idea I had and thought it would make an interesting discussion. Thank you for being with us through the years, from my days as a young middle schooler to now as an almost 30 year old. Much love, Becky. It is interesting to ask why did Ron jump to the Imperious Curse in that class with Moody? As for Arthur's career getting derailed, I think my issue is did it get derailed? I don't think it got derailed.

[Eric]

I think that it's that his love for Muggles, like his obvious love for Muggles, may have closed some doors that would otherwise have been open to a pureblood wizard in certain areas of the ministry. But I also think, look, we know Arthur too. His excitements and his musings are a little oddbally. And so I think he ended up in the department, the exact department that he wanted to be in despite. I mean, that's why Percy's complaint is that he has no Ambition. But I love this idea of like a scandal and something that maybe the Weasleys know, but absolutely no one else does. As far as what happened to Arthur. And I love specifically the act of picking up a tiny moment in the books, like Ron knowing the Imperius Curse or being affected by it, like knowing it a little better and then theorizing why that could be so. I love this email. I love every time we get something.

[Micah]

Like this, Ron knowing about the Imperious Curse. By itself, though, it makes sense because Arthur worked at the ministry and probably shared stories of fellow colleagues being under that curse during the first War. Yeah, but I really do like this. But at the same time, I agree with what you're saying, Andrew. I really have a hard time believing that Arthur's career got derailed. I just see him as this fun loving guy and I almost think it in a way could take away from his character. If the reason why he's now in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office is because he was previously under the Imperious Curse and they find him to not be trustworthy. Yeah, I think he's there because he likes being there.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Andrew]

And I think this is a good lesson in just following your passion. You know, sure, you can go off and try to pursue a career that's going to make you millions of dollars, but will you be happy in that role? Arthur traded money for happiness and following his passion and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, that's what a lot of people should probably do.

[Eric]

But what if there was this mystery? Like, what if Arthur was imperious and what if he committed some horrible crime that he's been absolved for? But like, still, what if it's like something that would come up if anybody ever wanted to blackmail him or something like that, you know, like, it's fun to think of these darker possibilities for the world that is clearly pulled over our eyes by the narration of the book.

[Micah]

Have you ever seen the TV show Father Brown? No, it's Mark Williams. And so where I'm going with this here is he's actually a priest who fancies himself as a detective. So perhaps this was Arthur Weasley back in the day. Ah, you should check it out. I really feel like you would enjoy at least a couple of episodes.

[Eric]

You're living with all the HP alums. You watch Slow Forces. You watch Father Brad, which by the.

[Micah]

Way, Slow Horses season five just came out.

[Eric]

How is it five seasons in? You just started talking about the show like last week. It's on season five. My God.

[Micah]

Just dropped.

[Eric]

Amazing.

[Micah]

All right, well, everybody buckle up for this next email. This is from Bev on Voldemort and Bellatrix's love affair.

[Eric]

Here we go.

[Micah]

She says, hey, y'. All. This is something that I get quite worked up about. Voldemort is not someone who understands love. And he isn't someone who needs other people around him for personal or emotional support. He thinks of himself as far above all that. To be honest, if he could do all this without the Death Eaters to do his dirty work for him, I think he would. In addition, he's created seven Horcruxes to, as he hopes and believes, guarantee his immortality. Plus, he's someone who wants to have all the credit for bringing the Wizarding World into line. He's not about to share this with anyone. So why would he ever get Bellatrix pregnant? Why? All through their interactions, he toys with her affections and hers are totally genuine. In one moment, he might make her think she's special to him and a moment later insult her to her face in front of others, which is how he treats his followers anyway. But with Bellatrix, it's sharper because she's so obsessed with him. And even if we think it is likely, surely the fact that he has become even more snake like and has drunk goodness knows how much of Nagini's venom the poor woman with the blood curse. Now, a snake for life, would mean he might not even be able to bear any children. So, no, I do not think Cursed Child is canon. Save the relationship between Albus and Scorpius.

[Andrew]

Mistakes happen. Maybe he accidentally got her pregnant. But I think we've also discussed the idea that maybe Voldemort just wanted to, you know, like, oh, sure, why the heck not? Like, yeah, sure, I'll sleep with you.

[Eric]

He absolutely is incapable of love, both giving it and understanding it. But that doesn't mean he's not, as a human or former human, susceptible to lust. I think it's very possible and even possibly conceivable that Voldemort would have, you know, done that and that Bellatrix would have been either oblivious or, you know, we would have still gotten Cursed child.

[Micah]

Laura, I think in one of the episodes, though, you talked about how Voldemort may have just wanted a legacy.

[Laura]

I could definitely see Voldemort. I mean, honestly, just. No, no offense, no offense to any listeners, but, like, I could just see Voldemort being, like, a lustful man and not being very careful with how he navigates that landscape that's kind of a tale as old as time. But then I could see him being happy at the thought that he could have a legacy, that there could be some piece of him that gets to live on.

[Andrew]

I think that's really important too. He likes the idea of a next of kin, somebody, you know, continuing the family tree a little while longer if, when, heavens forbid, he were to really die.

[Eric]

I mean, this is like the ghost question for me with Voldemort too is like, I don't think he cares about a next of kin because he wants to be. He wants to live forever. He is putting all of his. He's the next of. He is like, that's the difference in choosing immortality. Either you yourself want to live forever or you understand as a person that you're but a cog and that your children and your children will carry on your legacy. And you can't do both. So Voldemort put all of his eggs in the immortality basket, succeeded beyond anyone else's ever, like, past achievements, and eventually now is no longer with us. But I don't think he would ever intentionally seek out a child for the specific purposes of attaining some kind of legacy. I just remember though, when Cursed Child first came out and Delphi's kind of identity was revealed, we were all a bit squigged out. And I remember Andrew in particular asking the question, how does this work? And is Voldemort, like, does he have a forked. You know, and like, how is this at all possible? And we were all a bit bamboozled.

[Micah]

Let's say if Voldemort just wants to get laid at the end, maybe that's it. You know, he's working hard for his Death Eaters.

[Andrew]

He wants to blow off some steam.

[Laura]

Yeah, I mean, like, like Eric was saying, like, this could just be pure lust. And Bellatrix was a groupie.

[Eric]

Effectively speaking of his journey toward snakehood and snake altering appearances, did you know that all male snakes have two penises?

[Andrew]

I didn't.

[Laura]

No, I didn't.

[Andrew]

That's not something I want to picture on Voldemort.

[Eric]

AI.

[Laura]

I do want to call out Sam in our discord just made an interesting point. Is it possible that Voldemort sees Delphi as a meat suit for his soul? Like another Horcrux, potentially?

[Eric]

That would be creepy. Like if, if he would need to dark magic some way for him to survive, then somebody that's like his blood, literally his blood and Bellatrix would, you know, be needed for a spell. I could, I could see that being a motivation to have a kid, maybe.

[Micah]

Yeah, she does go back in time for him.

[Eric]

It's very, it's very Voldemort, the way that we're thinking of that.

[Andrew]

And Bev, stay tuned for a throwback email from someone who actually caught the love affair. Back in 2007, we pulled one of our old emails out of the archive. Micah found it. And this might make you feel better, make you feel like it really was canon.

[Laura]

They caught the love affair like were Voldemort and Bellatrix at a Coldplay concert or something? Like.

[Micah]

We're taking some liberties with the email, but.

[Laura]

Ah, okay, you'll see.

[Andrew]

See you, Eric.

[Eric]

And this next one comes from Lucy about the diary Horcrux. Does Voldemort have memories from what happened with Harry in the Chamber of Secrets? Because I know that he was a memory preserved in a diary. It's his Horcrux. But when he was talking about Harry in the Chamber, he was talking to him from the perspective of his future present self. He asked Harry how he defeated him. So he knew that he was defeated. He knew what his future self had faced. He knew who Harry was, which means it's not just his standalone memory at that age. So when he comes back to body form in Harry's fourth year and confronts Harry, why doesn't he mention seeing him in the Chamber? When Priori and Cantatum happens, the Phoenix Song plays. Does he not remember in the second book the connection to the Phoenix? Does the Phoenix Song playing not spark his memory from the Chamber of Secrets? Or does he literally not remember that because it was just his memory that spoke to Harry? We can actually answer this with stuff from the books, but it's believed that Ginny Weasley, writing to her diary, would be the one that was telling Tom all about Harry. And this is why Chamber. This is why Chamber Riddle knows all about future Lord Voldemort. Because he would ask pointed questions like, oh, there was this big dark wizard. Or remember, Ginny had a crush on Harry, so she was going to write all about Harry and it's like, oh, what's. He's famous. You say, what's he famous for? You know, killing the Dark Lord. Oh, what? So Tom, meaning Teenage Tom Diary. Tom learned all about his own essential future being an imprint from when he was 15 or 16. And that knowledge propels him to seek out and wanting to find and kill Harry at the end of the book. So they are separate, they're not at all connected. And whatever the Voldemort in the Chamber found out or interacts with would not be known to the Voldemort that gets his body, which was a different Horcrux, it was the one that was in Albania, that was jettisoned from his body when he first encountered Harry Potter.

[Micah]

So there's no hive mind.

[Eric]

Right. And in fact, there's not even a moment. I mean, the communication that Harry's scar gives him with Voldemort is still not Voldemort getting to talk to his old part of his old self, you know, so it's. It's not direct.

[Laura]

Kind of seems like an oversight, don't you think? Like, I don't know if you. If you were trying to become the master of Death and have seven different pieces of your soul separated out. I mean, I would think you having a hive mind would be like requirement number one on that list.

[Eric]

Well, a lot of them. A lot of them have very boring lives. They're just in a Gringotts vault and buried in the woods like you wouldn't. You know, you'd only need them as a last resort.

[Laura]

All right, next email comes from Willow, who's wondering, what does the basilisk snack on in Chamber of Secrets? I've been listening since I was 7 years old and I love the show. You always have such thoughtful ideas and I get very excited whenever a new episode comes out. I've recently been re reading the Chamber of Secrets and I noticed something that could be a plot hole. Harry hears the basilisk say, so hungry for so long right before it kills Mrs. Norris or petrifies her. But it never actually eats any of its victims. It doesn't rip or tear anyone either, which it also says it will do. How come the basilisk never eats anyone? What does it eat? Anyway, I found a website that said the basilisk survives on rats. But a snake of its size would need hundreds of rats each day. How would that work? Is this a plot hole or am I missing something? It's a good catch, Willow. I don't think we've ever catching anything before.

[Andrew]

I think the basilisk is just super.

[Eric]

Hungry for rats when Harry falls into the Chamber.

[Micah]

The reason he doesn't say that.

[Eric]

Yeah, the reason he doesn't die is because of what he lands on. Micah, take it away.

[Micah]

It's a pile of bones.

[Eric]

Piles and piles and piles of. Thousands of years. Well, a thousand years of rat, of course. Think of Hogwarts. This ancient castle is having the absolute worst mouse problem ever. And it's kept. But it's kept at bay. By a very, very starving, oversized basilisk.

[Laura]

Yeah, not anymore.

[Micah]

My sense for this is that the.

[Eric]

Rats are going to be coming out of the walls. I'm so sorry, Mike. I just had this. This idea of like, the basilisk kept the mice in check so that in its absence, there's just. Now somebody else has to go take care of it.

[Micah]

So now the school should be overrun by rats.

[Eric]

That's exactly right.

[Micah]

Well, that's why Pettigrew shows up in Prisoner of Azkaban.

[Eric]

You're right.

[Micah]

But my sense is the book couldn't get any darker. Remember, this was book two in the series. Could you really have this monster actually killing people at the school?

[Eric]

No. And rip. Terror scares me. Like, terrifies. Like, I think, let me rip you. Let me tear you is like the scariest line in any of the Harry Potter books. Like, it's a very malicious but. But it is a sort of plot hole, I think. Why? Why the basilisk doesn't do that. What exactly makes the basilisk retreat two after a student is petrified? Is it just the fact that somebody finds them real quick and. Yeah, right. But like, if Dumbledore had encountered the basilisk, he probably would have killed it right away.

[Andrew]

Yeah, because the basilisk doesn't want to get caught is why it runs away.

[Eric]

He's like, I haven't eaten in a thousand years, but I'm very sneaky. You can't see me. It's like, no. I mean, he didn't go after any of his prey. So it is a little bit inexplicable. Like, I love the question.

[Micah]

Maybe it's magic. Honestly. Maybe that's how it self sustains.

[Andrew]

Maybe that's kind of terrifying too.

[Laura]

The basilisk is just like, I love magic.

[Andrew]

Fill my belly. O yeah.

[Eric]

It has one of those refilling food bowls that you can get for your pet.

[Laura]

Oh, yeah. Good cat.

[Eric]

Yeah.

[Laura]

Good catch, Willow. I had never thought about that before. What were you gonna say, Micah?

[Micah]

I was gonna. I was going the whole New guinea milk. Never mind. We don't want.

[Eric]

It does have venom.

[Micah]

Well, to wrap up the mailbag, we mentioned this throwback earlier and it is on Bellatrix and Voldemort's love affair. It's from Sarah at the time, age 19. This was back on July 13th of 2007 and she writes in hey, Mugglecast. I was rereading Half Blood Prince and something stood out to me. In the sixth book, page 29, when Bellatrix and Snape are arguing, Bellatrix says something really interesting. She says The Dark Lord has, in the past, entrusted me with his most precious. Then changes the subject. What do you think Voldemort entrusted to Bellatrix Horcruxes? Maybe I only thought of this because the author said that Bellatrix was important in the final book. I would really like your input. Well, Sarah, 18 years later, we're here.

[Andrew]

To answer it for you. I think this kind of suggests that Bellatrix made it clear in the books, or implied in the books, that she actually did carry Voldemort's baby.

[Laura]

We do know that she. I mean, she has the sword of Gryffindor. She thinks she does.

[Eric]

Well, it's. Right. It's that. It's the Horcrux aspect too, because isn't. Was the cup with her? It's the cup.

[Micah]

She's got a.

[Laura]

Was it the cup? Sorry, I had that.

[Eric]

No, no, no. Yes, she. Well, the sword of Gryffindor, I think, does come into play in Deathly Hallows specifically, but Voldemort was. When Voldemort was still alive, he clearly went to her like he trusted Lucius with a diary. And he went to his next most ardent supporter and said, bella loca, please store this. I have something that's very important to me and you. Like, he would have made her feel more special than any other servant ever by saying, can you guard this for me? It's a matter of utmost importance. And she would have been elated for the opportunity.

[Andrew]

His most precious, though.

[Eric]

His most precious. So he probably. He definitely didn't tell her what it was because that's a risk that he even. He won't take. Yeah, but that's what I think she's indicating.

[Laura]

But I think he also gave her something else precious, maybe two.

[Eric]

Something else?

[Laura]

Yeah.

[Micah]

If I were Jack Thorne or John Tiffany, this would be the place I would point to and say, look, it's canon.

[Andrew]

Ah. See? And earlier in our. Chapter by chapter reread, I think we. Eric, you were selling me. I think on this being canon as well. I'm forgetting.

[Micah]

He did a great job.

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Was it just that discussion point at the Battle of the.

[Andrew]

Oh, yeah.

[Eric]

Chapter.

[Andrew]

Yeah, we were kind of talking ourselves up on the idea. Or at least me, I was becoming. I think it was.

[Eric]

Yeah, it was like a circle hype. We were all just getting. Getting really into it.

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Because of what Voldemort himself said. Like he shortens her name. Like he never does that. So they totally had something weird going on.

[Andrew]

I know it's a shocking revelation for people. I know the cursed child has its issues, but I personally accept that Bellatrix and Voldemort really did conceive a child.

[Eric]

Well, and you also never see her with her husband, Rodolphus, because Voldemort was a better man.

[Andrew]

And she saw that.

[Micah]

Because he's got two. He and Rudolphus only had one. Oh, my God.

[Andrew]

All right. Well, Sarah, we hope you're still listening for this week's links line. With the new Harry Potter audiobooks imminent. The first one comes out in November. We asked our supporters on Patreon to take a line from one of their favorite characters, in Order of the Phoenix or Half Blood Prince, since we're in between those two books right now, and submit their best impression of the character. We said, consider this your audition for the audiobooks. And I will say not everybody did a line from Order the Phoenix or Half Blood Prince, but we appreciate you submitting anything.

[Micah]

Andrew, is this fair? They can't even follow directions.

[Andrew]

I know, but that was kind of mean. They support us on Patreon, so we have to be nice and forgiving. So here's the first one. This is from Shannon.

[Laura]

Hi, Mogulcast.

[Listener]

Shannon from Virginia. Here to do my character impression.

[Laura]

Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? Of course. Only try a few simple ones myself, but they are. What for me, for example? Oculus Repairo. That's better, isn't it? Holy cricket, you're Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger. And you are Ron Weasley. Pleasure. You two better change into robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon.

[Andrew]

So. That was an excellent impression, but my favorite part was her jumping into the Ron voice. I'm wrong. Yeah, that was very good. Yeah.

[Eric]

It reminds me of just how much joy can be had from just thinking about, like, the movies and our fondness for them.

[Andrew]

Yeah, the delivery of the line sticks with us. All right, this next one is from Zachary, and he does a snape. It so happens that I know of the plan. I'm one of the few the Dark Lord has told. Nevertheless, had I not been in on the secret, Narcissa, you would have been.

[Micah]

Guilty of the great treachery to the Dark Lord.

[Andrew]

I like that a lot. It's sultry, kind of.

[Eric]

Yeah, it's good.

[Laura]

It's gave me goosebumps.

[Eric]

It's a really great snape that is not divine from the Alan Rickman portrayal. It's like just a really. There's. There's a. There's a depth to the voice. There's A dangerousness to the voice. And it's not just doing an Alan Rickman impression.

[Andrew]

Yeah. My mind. I just squeeze my nose and I.

[Eric]

It's very fun now.

[Andrew]

Okay. Fun, but not good.

[Eric]

No, it's good, too. I really like it.

[Andrew]

Thank you.

[Eric]

Well, here I'm message you on Tinder. Later, I'm going to tell you that I like it.

[Andrew]

Finally. You're not going to ghost me anywhere. All right, this next one is Jared doing a Lockhart. Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking.

[Eric]

It's all right for him.

[Andrew]

He's an internationally famous wizard already. But when I was 12, I was just as much of a nobody as you are.

[Micah]

From one lock card to another, Eric, it was excellent.

[Eric]

Yeah, it's very. It's been different. Very nice.

[Andrew]

And by the way, listeners, feel free to call in anytime and do an impression for us. It can be at any random time. Just send one. We'll get a kick out of it. Even send us a voice message, like with your question, and do it in a character's voice. That would be fun, too. All right, this next one is from Robert, and he does an umbrage. I'm terribly sorry to have to contradict you, Minerva, but as you will see from my note, Harry has been achieving very poor results in his classes with me. I should have made my meaning plainer. Said Professor McGonagall, turning at last to look Umbridge directly in the eyes. He has achieved high marks in all Defense against the Dark Arts and test set by a competent teacher. Very good.

[Laura]

Well done, Robert. That was great.

[Micah]

Yeah.

[Eric]

Chilling. And it reminds me this. This whole challenge really reminds me of the type of people and the type of theater. Where do you really gravitate? You focus on every single syllable of every word. Like, very rich and drawn out. Yeah. Love it.

[Andrew]

Speaking of McGonagall, here's Rachel's McGonagall.

[Listener]

Are you sure I can't offer you.

[Laura]

A cough drop, Dolores?

[Andrew]

It's a good one to have on standby when somebody's annoying you.

[Eric]

McG at her. Absolute sassiest.

[Andrew]

And then finally, Barry, who was on the show last week, caught in with his fudge, don't you know.

[Eric]

Amelia, let me explain. He's been thinking it through and decided Dementors would make a very nice little cover story. Very nice indeed. Muggles can't see Dementors, can they, boy?

[Andrew]

Highly convenient.

[Eric]

Highly convenient. So it's just your word, no witnesses.

[Andrew]

I need to see Barry doing this.

[Laura]

I. I actually shed a couple of tears. That was very. Was Very good. Well done, Barry.

[Micah]

Yeah, and he's also said that his podcast got a lot of downloads this past week thanks to his appearance on Live. Glad to hear he was very complimentary of the Mugglecast community.

[Andrew]

Cool. Well, thanks everybody who submitted one of their impressions. And again, seriously, submit an impression anytime we get a kick out of those. You all know we do a lot of impressions on the show, good and bad. So let's hear how you all do with your impressions.

[Eric]

I think you opened the box, Andrew. There's currently.

[Andrew]

Yeah.

[Eric]

How many tens of thousands of emails are in our inbox right now? There's going to be double that by next Wednesday.

[Andrew]

Well, the link sign is a great way to have your voice heard on the show, whether or not you're listening live. We ask a new question every week. You can become a member of our community by visiting patreon.com mugglecast and pledging today. If you have any feedback about today's episode, you can email Millennial. You can contact us by emailing or sending a.

[Eric]

If you accidentally email millennial showmail.com you know what? It will actually reach most of the same people.

[Andrew]

True, true. Yeah. So let's keep this in. You can contact us by emailing or sending a voice memo that you record on your phone to mugglecastmail.com actually. And next week, Half Blood Prince chapter by chapter begins.

[Micah]

And that, you know, impersonation by Barry is such an appropriate lead in to this chapter by chapter that we're going to be doing for real.

[Andrew]

Don't forget also to visit mugglecast.com for quick access to all of the information that we shared today and lots more, including our contact form. And if you're looking for more podcasting from the four of us, listen to our other shows, Millennial and what the Hype for more pop culture and real world talk. And now it's time for Kwizzitch. It's back.

[Laura]

It's back.

[Eric]

This week's question, the chapter titled Second War Begins inspired this question. Perhaps the most well known second war in the Muggle world, wwii, began on what day? What day is generally agreed that World War II began? The correct answer was September 1st in the year 1939. But September 1st, we know it as Back to Hogwarts Day. It was the beginning of World War II when Germany invaded Poland. 53% of people with the correct answer did not look this up, according to those people. And this week's winners were the number one Andrew Fan. A healthy breeze. I know they're brightening to quiz your mom wrote in. Thanks A healthy breeze, A Muggle from Poland. Bonnie Prince Charlie Bort, Voldemort, Dumbridge, Elvis Dumbledore, HP and WW2 know it all. I want the corduroy jacket Dan wears in Deathly Hallows Part 2. Laura's personal umbrella Academy heckler. How you doing with that, Laura?

[Laura]

I have no comment, Lord Son of.

[Eric]

A Muggle, TGIF that Gryffindor is Fire the other other minister, the secret wizard from Dananda and Tofu Tom.

[Andrew]

You know, my mom actually loves war related trivia so that actually makes a lot of sense that she wrote in this time.

[Eric]

That makes sense. Okay. Okay. Well thanks to all. It's great to be back for Kwizzitch. It's great to be looking down doing more Hapa Prince inspired quizzic starting next week. So very exciting. And here is next week's Quizzic question. This upcoming chapter discuss discussion that we've got features a bridge in London built in 1175, the year. What is the oldest bridge in London? It's on the River Thames. What is the name of the oldest bridge in London? It's not Brockdale. Submit your answers to us on the quizzage form on the Mugglecast website mugglecast.com, click on Quizzage from the main nav or go to mugglecast.com quizzage while you're on our website, check out transcripts and must listens and all sorts of other cool stuff.

[Andrew]

Everybody grab their copies of Half Blood Prince and join us next week for chapter one. I'm excited to dive in a new book. Yay after all this time. Thanks everyone for listening. I'm Andrew.

[Eric]

I'm Eric.

[Micah]

I'm Micah.

[Laura]

And I'm Laura.

[Andrew]

Bye everyone.

[Micah]

Bye bye.

[Andrew]

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