582: Have a Broomstick, Potter (Sorcerer's Stone, Chapters 9 - 10)

There are certain things you can't do without becoming best friends, and podcasting about Harry Potter together is one of them! Chapter-by-Chapter returns with analysis of Sorcerer's Stone's "The Midnight Duel" and "Halloween"! Our trio of heroes get goaded by Malfoy into a trap, and then accidentally lock a troll in a bathroom. Harry also finds the one thing that he is naturally good at. 

• News: Jim Kay has announced he will be stepping down from making the illustrated edition Potter books. We thank him for his work.
• Main Discussion #1: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 9: The Midnight Duel
• 7-Word Summary: Draco challenges Harry to a Midnight Fakeout
• After Neville's injury, the students leap to his defense. Have the hosts had similar moments at school, or were we all too scared to speak up?
• In what is clearly another security nightmare, Madame Hooch abandons her class of 11-year-olds who 5 minutes ago were handed a very fast and dangerous broomstick for each of them. No wonder something bad happens next!
• Laura asks what (specifically) makes Harry a natural at flying? Maybe abuse from Dudley made his reflexes better?
• How blatant is what McGonagall does 'favoritism' toward Gryffindor House, and why does the First Years rule exist to begin with?
• After narrowly avoiding trouble during the day, Harry and Ron immediately go wandering the castle at night. Shouldn't they be more careful?
• Should Harry have known that Malfoy was planning a trap? How does Malfoy have an inside line to Filch?
• Did NOBODY walk Neville home from the hospital wing to make sure he could get in the Common Room?
• Fluffy's origins and comments on the movie adaptation are covered in 'Odds and Ends'
• Main Discussion #2: Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 10: Halloween
• 7-Word Summary: Dinner is interrupted by a massive disturbance 
• Major things almost always happen to Harry on Halloween. Micah recounts some of the big ones.
• Are Ron's choice of words against Hermione a bit too much?
• It is Hermione's pronunciation advice which helps Ron successfully tackle the troll!
• Have any of the hosts befriended people they were not expecting to like?
• Examining Hermione's motivations to lie, the act which solidifies her friendship with Harry and Ron.
• HOW is it that Quirrell is not caught or at least hugely suspected for letting in the troll? Should Voldemort have used someone else instead?
• The students of Hogwarts do not seem to dress up for Halloween, but if they DID, Andrew has ideas as to what they would be.
• Harry and the Golden Snitch meet for the first time. Our hearts are all aflutter
• If McGonagall had not discovered Harry's talent during the first flying lesson, when would there be another chance?
• Next Week: Chapter-By-Chapter for Sorcerer's Stone, Chapters 11 and 12!
• Quizzitch: In Chapter 9 of Book 1, Which secret passage out of Hogwarts do the Weasley Twins suspect Lee Jordan has found?
• This week's episode is brought to by the Audible Original The Sandman: Act III, Masterclass (go to Masterclass.com/mugglecast for 15% off an annual subscription), and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast)

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