June 17, 2025

Episode #709: Hotwarts (OOTP Chapter 29, ‘Career Advice’)

1 hour 17 minutes

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This week’s episode dives into some serious daddy drama as Harry throws caution to the wind and breaks into Umbridge’s office to have a heart-to-heart with Sirius about his father. Join Andrew, Eric, Micah, and Laura for career advice, a few cough drops, and plenty of laughs. Plus, things get slightly unhinged as we’re upping the sexy factor for every character in the new Harry Potter TV show!

News: Hogwarts? More like HOTwarts! The new Harry Potter TV Show announces nine new actors, including Draco, Molly, and the Dursleys! And the internet has feelings about the Vernon and Petunia actors.

Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 29: Career Advice. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to Episode 466 of MuggleCast, titled “Weasleys Victorious.”

Harry feels betrayed and disillusioned after witnessing James’s behavior. Is it fair to let this one memory define James as a character?

Should Harry have shared the contents of the memory with Ron and Hermione? Could McGonagall or Hagrid have helped to ground him a bit?

Snape’s Worst Memory explains quite a bit, but it doesn’t validate his treatment of Harry! Should Harry feel bad for Snape?

Despite the author’s commentary, some of us are still befuddled as to how memories viewed in the Pensieve are unbiased.

Mirror, Mirror: why didn’t Harry remember Sirius’ gift? And why didn’t Sirius point this out to Harry during their Floo conversation?

Super Petty Snape: the symbolism of him smashing Harry’s Invigoration Draught

MAX THAT entire Career Advice scene between McGonagall and Umbridge!

It’s nice to see McGonagall balance encouragement with realism when giving Harry advice. But is too much emphasis being put on O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s?

Make the Real Life Connection: Did the hosts ever have career conversations like Harry when we were in school?

Should Umbridge even be present for Harry’s career consultation?

We discuss the “sirius” risk(s) Harry took by breaking into Umbridge’s office!

Does the conversation with Sirius & Lupin actually do anything to reassure Harry?

The Great Weasley Escape and… Hot Peeves?!

The hosts share the best advice Harry actually receives in this chapter!

In our Lynx Line segment for the week, we ask our Patrons what’s really going through McGonagall’s head as she is constantly interrupted by Umbridge?

Quizzitch: Filch seeks approval for whipping from Umbridge. The sound of a bullwhip cracking is caused by what specific thing occurring with the whip?

Download now OR, now read the Episode 709 Transcript!

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