meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

Party in the Portraits (Half-Blood Prince Chapter 17, 'A Sluggish Memory')

MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

mugglecast

News, Arts, Tv & Film, Entertainment News, Books

4.64.5K Ratings

🗓️ 3 March 2026

⏱️ 59 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

It's time for a very important H-word to be introduced to Harry. No, Fat Lady, it's not the one you experienced over your holiday break! Join the MuggleCasters as we discuss Chapter 17 of Half-Blood Prince, in which Dumbledore introduces Harry to 'A Sluggish Memory'. The Fat Lady seems to be telling herself to practice abstinence after the holidays. Sounds like it was a party in the portraits over Christmas! How do students end up missing the new Common Room passwords? Is it the school's fault, or is it the students? It's time for the students to learn how to apparate! ... For a price. We look at why Hogwarts and the Ministry might be charging for these additional lessons. Dismissive Dumby: Albus' ego is on full display as he plays off Harry's questions about Snape and Draco. As expected, Andrew comes in with a #DumbleDefense.  Back in the memories, Dumbledore shows Harry more about Tom Riddle's time at Hogwarts. Why didn't Dumbledore do more when Tom Riddle was at school and clearing causing trouble? We learn the real reason Dumbledore asked Slughorn back to teach, and we hear that certain H-word a first time (No, it's not 'Hufflepuff' or 'Horace') Connecting the Threads: There are some big parallels between Chapter 17 of Chamber of Secrets, and this Chapter of Half-Blood Prince! MVP: Which memory truly is THE most important memory Dumbledore has collected? Lynx Line: You've just learned to Apparate. Where are you going first? Quizzitch: While Lord Voldemort commits patricide by killing Tom Riddle Sr., what is the broader term used when someone kills a near-relative of theirs such as a grandparent? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

But I just want to also add that when stuff like this happens in media, a movie, a TV show, or book,

0:05.1

these like tender moments between two characters, one of them is going to die.

0:09.4

They're working in the last moments of love before one of them dies.

0:13.4

Oh, no.

0:14.1

This always happens in storytelling.

0:16.7

Welcome to Michael Cast, your weekly ride into the world of Harry Potter.

0:19.8

I'm Andrew. I'm Eric.

0:21.7

I'm Micah.

0:22.7

And I'm Laura.

0:23.6

We're your Harry Potter friends here to talk about the books and the movies and the upcoming TV show.

0:28.4

So make sure you press that follow button in your podcast app and you'll never miss an episode.

0:32.8

And this week, get ready for the H word to finally be mentioned because we're discussing chapter 17

0:39.3

of half blood prints, a sluggish memory.

0:43.3

Haberdestry, honky tongue, epipotamus, horticulture, what's the H word? I'm dying to know.

0:48.3

Or something or other. We'll have to have to see.

0:51.3

Horace Slughorn.

0:52.3

That word starts with a W, Andrew.

0:55.2

No, no, no.

0:57.9

Horace.

0:59.8

Oh, oh, Eric.

1:00.7

Oh, Eric.

1:06.4

Well, listeners, if you love Mugglecast as much as Dumbledore loves telling Harry to put things out of his minds, we invite you to support us at patreon.com slash

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from mugglecast, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of mugglecast and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.