Magical Theory, a Harry Potter podcast

Turn to Page 152, The Woes of Mrs. Weasley. Today’s lesson is called Everyone In The Family

The chapter begins with the aftermath of the trial. Harry is shocked, Dumbledore has fled, and the Wizengamot ignore Harry and Mr. Weasley (with a couple exceptions).

Malloy and a fudge are seen talking together. The entire Order is relieved by a result they claim was a certainty.

Hogwarts lists arrive, with a new book for Defense Against the Dark Arts, a post that was apparently difficult to fill. Ron is named Gryffindor prefect, as is Hermione, leaving Harry feeling odd.

Sirius is gloomy as the calendar flips to Hogwarts, Moody gives Harry an old photo of the Order, and Harry finds Mrs. Weasley sobbing over the dead bodies of her children and Arthur - the forms of her Boggart and deepest fear.

Turn to Page 137, The Hearing. Today’s lesson is called Three Hours Early

The chapter begins with Harry entering the courtroom and recognizing it from the Pensieve. The Wizengamot comes to order and Harry recognizes Percy, who makes no indication back.

Dumbledore arrives in the nick of time, but also avoids Harry’s attention. Amelia Bones leads the questioning of Harry, who recounts the attack. Dumbledore brings in Mrs. Figg to corroborate. Tensions escalate between Dumbledore and Fudge regarding why there were two dementors in Little Whinging.

Harry is acquitted by a majority and cleared of all charges.

Turn to Page 121, The Ministry of Magic. Today’s lesson is called Anxiety

The chapter begins with Harry waking early but fully. He barely touches breakfast as Lupin and Mr. And Mrs. Weasley listen to Tonks tell of her night shift fatigue. They reassure Harry that Madam Amelia Bones will give him a fair hearing.

Harry joins Mr. Weasley on his way to work. They take the Underground then the visitor’s entrance to the Ministry. Harry is taking in his surroundings without emotion. Perkins arrives to tell Arthur that Harry’s hearing has had a time and location change. It’s now in Courtroom Ten by the Department of Mysteries, five minutes ago.

Turn to Page 98, The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Today’s lesson is called The War at Home

The chapter begins with the kids going to bed after the revelation of Voldemort’s seeking a weapon. In the morning, they join Molly and Sirius in battling a Doxy infestation. Harry meets Kreacher, the Black family house-elf and Sirius and Harry ponder the Black family tapestry. Sirius bemoans the fact he is stuck in this house that he hates. Finally, Harry learns that Dumbledore came through last night without stopping in to see Harry.

Turn to Page 79, The Order of the Phoenix. Today’s lesson is called Lost Innocence

The chapter begins with Sirius telling Harry about his family home and predicament. Molly makes a stew, the twins make a mess, and Tonks makes faces.

After dinner, Sirius prompts Harry to ask about the Order and the wizarding world. Molly defends her position that Harry is too young, but is overruled by other Order members.

Harry learns about Dumbledore’s trouble, Voldemort’s silence, and ultimately the suspicion that Voldemort is after a weapon he didn’t have in the last war, but Molly puts her foot down before Harry learns details.

Turn to Page 59, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Today’s lesson is called I’ve Had It Worse

The chapter starts with Harry entering a newly appeared door and building, under the advice to be quiet and not wander. Molly Weasley emerges and beckons the advance guard into a meeting while directing Harry upstairs.

Hermione and Ron are elated to see their friend, but Harry is sour with their withholding from him and eventually that boils over to angered yelling. Fred and George arrive with extendable ears and Ginny stops in to see Harry as well. Apparently Dumbledore has organized the Order of the Phoenix, and while the underaged witches and wizards aren’t allowed, Bill and Charlie have joined. Meanwhile, Percy has had a falling out.

The chapter ends with Harry being greeted by a screaming portrait and then a welcome face, his godfather Sirius.

Turn to Page 42, The Advance Guard. Today’s lesson is called Best Kept Lawn Winners!

The chapter begins with Harry writing three identical letters and sending Hedwig to deliver them. The Dursleys leave the house, and others enter. Lupin and real Moody lead a pack of witches and wizards to gather Harry and accompany him by broomstick to an unknown location. Once they arrive, Harry is given a bit of parchment declaring he is at the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.

Turn to Page 20, A Peck of Owls. Today’s lesson is called Petunia is the muggle Snape

The chapter begins with Mrs Figg revealing what she knows, as a squib, including her communication with Dumbledore. Mundungus returns and goes to tell Dumbledore.

Harry lugs Dudley into their house and Petunia and Vernon go insane. Letters from the ministry arrive to label Harry a criminal. Petunia pulls a fact about Dementors out of nowhere. Sirius sends a letter telling Harry not to leave, but Vernon concludes he must and is in the process of kicking Harry out when Petunia gets a Howler, and declares Harry must stay.

Turn to Page 1, Dudley Demented. Today’s lesson is called 0 to 100

The chapter begins with a bespectacled boy in the garden. Harry is listening to the news for any inkling of Voldemort's activity. His friends are vague and withholding in their letters, but the news day-after-day, holds nothing. A loud disapparating-esque sound causes Harry to start, and then his aunt and uncle to freak out. Harry trudges off, eventually encountering his cousin Dudley, and then, shockingly, two dementors - that attack him and Dudley. Harry barely fends them off and saves his cousin before Mrs. Figg finds him.

Turn to Page 716, The Beginning. Today’s lesson is called Truth & Honor

The chapter begins with Harry in a blur of pain and memory, taking small solace in being alone with Hermione and Ron. Hagrid gets Harry to smile for the first time since the Graveyard. He shares with the trio his expectation that Voldemort would return and his readiness to fight. Karkaroff and Bagman are both fled to parts unknown.

At the final feast, Dumbledore honors Cedric and Harry by telling the school the truth: that Voldemort killed Cedric, that he was back and powerful, and that Harry fought him.

On the train home, Hermione reveals she captured Rita Skeeter, an unregistered animagus. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle enter to bully, but get wrecked by jinxes and hexes from many sources. Fred and George reveal that Bagman fled over his debts and that he had swindled them out of their winnings at the Quidditch World Cup. Harry decides to give them his winnings from the Tournament.

Turn to Page 692, The Parting of the Ways. Today’s lesson is called Freakin’ Fudge

The chapter begins with Dumbledore processing Barty Crouch Jr.’s confession. He dispenses new tasks to Snape and McGonagall, and requests Harry to come to his office. There, they meet Sirius, and Harry recounts his experiences in the graveyard, with some difficulty. Dumbledore is stoic except for when Harry mentions Voldemort using Harry’s blood for the potion.

Harry sees his friends and the Weasley crew, but Dumbledore requests they let Harry rest. Harry is awoken by shouting, and Dumbledore returns to learn that Fudge administered the Dementor’s Kiss to Crouch, preventing him from future testimony. Dumbledore tells Fudge that Voldemort is back, Fudge discredits Harry based on Rita’s writings, and Fudge departs on bad terms after leaving Harry’s winnings.

Sirius is revealed to the fledgling Order, Bill hurries to help his father recruit at the ministry, Sirius rushes to reconnect with other allies, and Snape is given a secret mission. Just before Harry returns to sleep, Hermione makes an unexpected, brief commotion.

Turn to Page 670, Veritaserum. Today’s lesson is called Nothing But The Truth

The chapter begins with Harry traveling by Portkey, with Cup and Cedric in hand. He keeps his eyes shut as he lands, and people begin talking near him, and to him, and about him. The news that Cedric is dead passes through the crowd and Dumbledore attempts to survey the situation. Fudge is panicked. Moody removes Harry from the crowd.

In Moody’s office, Harry answers the old auror’s questions about his experience that night. Harry recounts some: the cup portkey, the graveyard, the restoration of Voldemort’s body, their duel, priori incantatem, and the revelation that a Death Eater was at Hogwarts.

Moody reveals himself to be the Death Eater, who put Harry’s name in the Goblet of Fire, and helped him directly and indirectly to succeed at the tasks. Tonight, he stunned Fleur and Imperiused Krum to attack Cedric. He declares his intention to kill Harry but as he raises his wand, Dumbledore’s stunning spell crashes through the door and incapacitates Moody.

Dumbledore gives Professors Snape and McGonagall instructions. He smells the Polyjuice Potion in Moody’s flask and searches the office for the real Moody, finding him in a locked trunk. The Professors return and Dumbledore administers Veritaserum to fake Moody and ennervates him.

Fake Moody reverts to Barty Crouch Jr. and, under the effects of the potion, shares the truth of what has happened: his survival and escape from Azkaban, his imprisonment by Winky and his father under the Imperius Curse, Bertha Jorkins’ discovery of his survival and his father’s memory charm on her, his reward for good behavior: the quidditch world cup, how he stole a wand at the match and used to cast the Dark Mark in the sky, how his father’s dismissal of Winky weakened the defenses, so when Voldemort and Wormtail arrived, they easily overpowered Barty Crouch Sr. and set Jr. free, and finally the plan to become Alastor Moody and enact the plan that culminated early that night.

Turn to Page 659, Priori Incantatem. Today’s lesson is called The Past is Never Far Away

The chapter begins with  Harry receiving his wand from Wormtail so that he can properly duel Voldemort. Voldemort makes Harry bow and then leads with Cruciatus. He asks Harry if he wants the pain again, and when Harry doesn’t respond, Voldemort uses the Imperius Curse. Harry resists and breaks the spell, jumping behind a gravestone.

Voldemort promises to end it and kill Harry, and Harry decides to face him head-on. He spins out from behind the headstone and casts Expelliarmus, which meets Voldemort's killing curse in the air.

The spells lock and an epic experience follows. Harry sees small beads of light riding the connection between their wands, and focuses on pushing the beads to Voldemort's wand. They release shades of Voldemort’s spells: Wormtail’s new hand, then Cedric, then Frank Bryce and Bertha Jorkins, and finally, Lily and James Potter. They comfort him and share a plan, then rush toward Voldemort and the Death Eaters to give Harry enough time to grab Cedric’s body and accio the Cup portkey.

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Turn to Page 644, The Death Eaters. Today’s lesson is called Old Habits

The chapter begins with Voldemort. He taunts Wormtail and pretends that he will heal Wormtail's missing hand, but instead he calls forth his Death Eaters using the Dark Mark tattoo.

Voldemort pontificates aloud about their loyalty and their fear. When they arrive, he taunts them with a recounting of his downfall and his despair, and his expectations that they prove themselves. Voldemort also shares parts of his plan and how Wormtail and Nagini helped him gain enough strength to execute tonight’s finale.

Harry listens closely. Voldemort gives Wormtail a new hand. Finally, attention turns to Harry, and Voldemort releases him and insists he be given his wand.

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Turn to Page 636, Flesh, Blood, and Bone. Today’s lesson is called RIP Cedric

The chapter begins with Harry and Cedric emerging from the portkey into a graveyard. A figure carrying something enters and Harry is incapacitated by pain, while a disembodied voice says “Kill the spare.”

An Avada Kedavra spell kills Cedric, and Harry recognizes Wormtail, who ties him up and proceeds to complete a ritual into a large cauldron. It involved a bone from the grave of Tom Riddle, Wormtail’s hand, and Harry’s blood, but at the end - Lord Voldemort is back.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 605, The Third Task. Today’s lesson is called Riddles in the Dark

The chapter begins with Harry recounting his experiences in Dumbledore’s office with Hermione and Ron. They lose a night of training, but resume with the Impediment Curse and the shield charm, in preparation for the third task. Rita Skeeter writes another piece of nonsense about Harry and Hermione has a potential breakthrough about how Rita gets her information.

Later, Mrs. Weasley and Bill come to Hogwarts to support Harry. Fudge will take Barty Crouch’s place as a judge. And Ludo Bagman announces the third task. The champions enter the maze, Harry encounters Spiders, Skrewts, Sphinxes, a strange mist, and worst of all - a deranged Krum. Harry and Cedric help each other throughout, and agree to take the cup at the same time, to cause a tie.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 581, The Pensieve. Today’s lesson is called Curiosity

The chapter begins with Dumbledore asking Harry to wait in his office while he and Fudge survey the area of Mr. Crouch’s disappearance. Harry greets Fawkes and gazes around the office before spotting glittering lights. He inspects this interesting thing until eventually falling into what he determines is a memory - similar to how he fell into Tom Riddle’s diary. He sees a large judicial room and watches different sessions of interrogation. First, Karkaroff offers names to the committee in return for leniency. Most of his offerings were not valuable - though Snape was among them, and defended publicly by Dumbledore, but Augustus Rookwood of the Department of Mysteries seems like actionable new evidence. Next comes Ludo Bagman, sometime later, accused of sharing information with Rookwood - but he claims it was just an accident. These hearings are overseen by a determined, and maybe zealotous, Barty Crouch, with Dumbledore and Moody in attendance. In the final session, Mr. Crouch is joined by a haggard woman, and their son is accused of participating in the torture of Frank and Alice Longbottom, Neville’s parents.

The present-day Dumbledore returns, and pulls Harry out of the pensieve, while he describes its use when dealing with mysteries - those scenes were Dumbledore’s memories. Dumbledore shares a bit about Neville’s parents, while defending Bagman and Snape still. Harry shares his dream, Dumbledore pulls a memory of a then-student Bertha Jorkins, and they are both left still wondering what happened to Mr. Crouch.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 564, The Dream. Today’s lesson is called Or The Dreamer

The chapter begins with our trio recapitulating the madness of Mr. Crouch. Theories soar, but nothing sticks. Sirius replies with god-parental panic and caution. The trio has an awkward run-in with the twins, who seem to have stressors of their own, but both groups are tight-lipped.

In Divination, Harry falls asleep and has a lucid dream of Voldemort scolding Wormtail but declaring his mistake cleaned up because a person was dead. When he awakes, he finds an extremely interested Trelawney, but insists instead that he simply has a headache. He excuses himself from the class, but instead of seeing Madam Pomfrey, he goes to Dumbledore’s office. He manages to guess the password, and overhears Dumbledore talking with Fudge until Moody interrupts them with acknowledgement of Harry’s presence.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 535, The Madness of Mr. Crouch. Today’s lesson is called Who Knows What?

The chapter begins with our trio going to the kitchens. Dobby welcomes them with open arms and gets his new socks, but Winky is drunk in the corner. She is nearly incoherent, but when Harry brings up Mr. Crouch, Winky declares that he needs her to help to keep his secret.

Hermione receives hate mail after the Witch Weekly article, and is determined to figure out how Rita Skeeter is spying on them without being seen. She eliminates the use of an invisibility cloak after asking Professor Moody.

The champions are led down to the sight of the third task, which will be a gigantic maze filled with beasts, spells, and other obstacles. Krum asks Harry to hang back, and interrogates Harry’s relationship with Hermione. As they talk, a delirious Barty Crouch Sr. emerges from the woods, stumbling and asking for Dumbledore. Harry leaves Crouch with Krum and hustles to Dumbledore’s office. By the time they return, Krum is unconscious and Crouch is missing.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 509, Padfoot Returns. Today’s lesson is called The Paw Patrol

The chapter begins with Harry relieved that Ron could share in the glory of the second task. A note from Sirius implies he will be coming back to Hogwarts to see Harry. In potions class, the Slytherins still hate on Harry, but Pansy also turns her attention to Hermione, showing her an exclusive by Rita Skeeter in Witch Weekly about Hermione loving Harry and Krum, including details that cause Hermione pause.

Karkaroff comes to talk to Snape during class, and reveals something on his arm, while Snape tries to dismiss him. At Hogsmeade, the trio go to a secluded spot to find Padfoot. They and Sirius discuss all the developments and odd-happenings, trying to figure out what is behind all of it, and how to protect Harry.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 479, The Second Task. Today’s lesson is called Moral Fiber

The chapter begins with Harry admitting to Ron and Hermione that he is not prepared for the second task, and recounting the events of the night with Moody and Snape. Harry sends a note to Sirius telling him of the peculiarities and Sirius responds back asking for the date of their next Hogsmeade trip.

The days until the second task fly by, and Harry is studying the night before the tasks with Hermione and Ron, until Fred and George gather them to go to see McGonagall. Harry falls asleep while searching for an answer, and is awoken by Dobby - who excitedly gives Harry Gillyweed to eat before going underwater - he had apparently overheard Moody and McGonagall talking about the task.

Harry sprints to the task, arriving just in time. He jumps into the water, eats the Gillyweed, and…sprouts gills and flippers! He races around the Black Lake, escaping the Grindylows, before Myrtle points him toward the Merfolk. They watch him carefully, refusing to help Harry release the unconscious and tethered Ron, Hermione, Cho, and Fleur’s sister. Harry uses a rock to release Ron, but when he moves toward Hermione’s ropes, the Merfolk hold him back. Cedric arrives and uses a knife to free Cho and a half-shark, half-Krum releases Hermione using Harry’s rock, but there is no sign of Fleur. Harry threatens the Merfolk with his wand, frees Gabrielle, and swims to the surface.

The judges award him second-place and 45 points for his moral fiber.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 458, The Egg and the Eye. Today’s lesson is called Auror Harry.

The chapter begins with Harry preparing a nighttime trip to the Prefect’s bathroom, at the suggestion of Cedric. Harry hides under his cloak and uses the Marauder’s Map to avoid detection. He enjoys the bubble bath for a moment before attempting to egg, which screeches all the same. Moaning Myrtle reveals herself and shares what Cedric did with the egg. Harry opens the egg under the water and hears singing, which he deduces might mean there are Merpeople under the Black Lake, where they will hide something he cares about for the second task - and where Harry has to recover it.

After bemoaning the need to swim and hold his breath, Harry sets out to return to the Common Room when he spots Bartemius Crouch on the Marauder’s Map. He goes to investigate why the missing Crouch would be wandering Hogwarts late at night when he drops his egg, which alerts Filch, Snape, and Moody. Filch worries about Peeves, Snape about someone having broken into his office, and Moody about Harry beneath the cloak and, later, the amazing Marauder’s Map. He is particularly startled when Harry tells him he saw Barty Crouch on the map just a few moments ago. Moody asks to borrow the map, and suggests Harry consider a future career as an Auror.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 433, Rita Skeeter’s Scoop. Today’s lesson is called Half-Lies

The chapter begins with Harry and the Gryffindors tired after the Yule Ball. Ron and Hermione apparently have called a detente after their argument, while Harry has nagging anxiety about the second task, but refuses to heed Cedric’s advice. When classes start back for second term, the trio discover Hagrid has been replaced by Professor Grubbly-Plank - and Malfoy gleefully shares that it’s due to an article by Rita Skeeter outing Hagrid as half-giant. If Hagrid is home, he refuses to answer their pleas to see him.

In Hogsmeade, they find Ludo Bagman huddled with a few Goblins in a corner of The Three Broomsticks. He speaks with Harry, but not Fred and George, and offers Harry help in the tournament after bemoaning the whereabouts of Barty Crouch and Bertha Jorkins. After a confrontation with Rita Skeeter, Hermione marches to Hagrid’s hut and demands to see him. Eventually the door is opened by Albus Dumbledore, and the group console Hagrid and encourage him to come back.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 403, The Yule Ball. Today’s lesson is called Drama and Dancing’

The chapter begins with Harry enjoying the start of the holidays, and taking time to relax. On Christmas morning, Dobby wakes him up and they exchange sock presents. Pigwidgeon returns with Sirius’ response and Hermione still won’t say who her date to the ball is.

On the day of the Yule Ball, Harry and Ron meet with their dates, Parvati and Padma Patil. Harry and Parvati join the champions and their dates - Fleur with Ravenclaw Roger Davies, Cedric with Cho, and Krum with Hermione! The whole school seems stunned by this revelation, but nobody is bothered more than Ron. Harry navigates the dinner conversations among the judges (one of whom is now Percy Weasley, for the absent Barty Crouch) and, with Parvati’s help, he also survives the first dance. The rest of the night is filled with different drama: Parvati and Padma go dance with Beauxbatons boys, Snape and Karkaroff argue, and Harry and Ron overhear Madame Maxime and Hagrid as Hagrid shares that he is half-giant.

But nothing is more visceral than Ron’s lightning-fast accusations against Hermione and his blow up about her going to this dance with Krum. The dramatic night portends a painful morning with Harry in the middle of his best friends fighting.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 385, The Unexpected Task. Today’s lesson is called Bravery Comes in Different Forms

The chapter begins with Harry and Ron being scolded by McGonagall to pay attention. She tells the students that the Yule Ball is approaching, where fourth years and above are expected to attend, socialize….and dance. Harry gets a private note that, as champion, he and his partner will dance together to open the ball.

Some of the animosity other students were displaying toward Harry has dissipated, replaced by awkwardness. Late one night, Ron commits Harry to say they will both have dates for the ball by the following night. Harry asks Cho Chang, a fifth-year Ravenclaw, but Cho regretfully tells him she’s already going with Cedric. Harry heads back to the common room to report the bad news, to find Ron stunned by his overture toward Fleur Delacour.

In their misery, Ron decides to declare he’ll go with Hermione, who shares that she already has a date to the dance. So does Ginny, who is going with Neville. The chapter ends with Parvati Patil agreeing to go with Harry, and also to ask her sister, Padma if she’ll go with Ron.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 363, The House-Elf Liberation Front. Today’s lesson is called Barmy Old Codger

The chapter begins with Harry reunited with Ronald Bilius Weasley and basking in the glory of completing the first task. In the common room, the Gryffindors celebrate Harry’s performance, Hermione manages to get directions to the Hogwarts kitchens from Fred and George, who advertise Canary Creams after Neville molts, and Harry opens the egg, which screeches and screams in front of everyone.

The next day, Harry writes a long letter to Sirius and sends it on Pigwidgeon. Rita Skeeter stops by Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures class and schedules an interview, and Hermione leads Ron and Harry down to the Hogwarts Kitchens with a surprise. Harry’s house-elf friend, Dobby, is newly working in the kitchens along with Winky, the former house-elf of Barty Crouch. Dobby is getting paid, and wearing clothes, and asks to come see Harry sometime. Winky is miserable and weeps over her dismissal, and claims that Mr. Ludo Bagman is a bad man.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 337, The First Task. Today’s lesson is called Firebolt v Horntail

The chapter begins with Harry days away from his dance with a dragon. Most of his effort is going toward simply not completely freaking out and fleeing the castle. Hermione is helping Harry try to figure out what Sirius was going to tell him, without any luck. Harry decides on telling Cedric about the dragons, so that all four champions are working from the same knowledge. Moody oversees, and takes Harry back to his office, which is filled with all sorts of fantastical magical objects.

Moody encourages Harry to think about what he’s good at - flying - and what he needs to do what he’s good at - his Firebolt. Harry and Hermione frantically practice the Summoning Charm, Accio, before the day of the task.

On the day, Harry pulls the terrible Hungarian Horntail and goes last. He listens as the crowd reacts with groans and cheers to the other three champions. Finally, it’s Harry’s turn, and he successfully summons his Firebolt and outmaneuvers the Horntail, receiving only a  mild burn to his shoulder. The scores come down and, as Bagman puts it, “shorten the odds on Mr. Potter.”

Harry is relieved he survived the dragon task, but best of all, he and Ron finally make-up as they learn his score and the fact that the next task is months away, and their clue is to open the golden egg.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 313, The Hungarian Horntail. Today’s lesson is called An Inexorable March

The chapter begins with Harry feeling defeated. The school is harsh, Rita Skeeter’s article was nonsense, and Hermione is Harry’s only friend. Harry finds some respite under the Invisibility Cloak, and wanders Hogsmeade next to Hermione. The first task is approaching, and Harry is dreading it and ignoring it. The only thing Harry is looking forward to is talking with Sirius, but before their planned encounter, Hagrid leads a hidden Harry down to see four Dragons that are being kept for the champions. Charlie Weasley talks with Hagrid, while Madame Maxime and Karkaroff witness the dragons, too.

Feeling much worse, Harry finally talks with Sirius and unloads all of his bottled up feelings. Sirius tells Harry that Karkaroff was a Death Eater and that Bertha Jorkins going missing was a bad omen. He is about to share with Harry a strategy for dealing with his dragon when Ron interrupts, leaving Harry frustrated and still-yet unprepared.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 288, The Weighing of the Wands. Today’s lesson is called Unshared Burden

The chapter begins with Harry remembering the night before, ready to convince Ron. Ron is gone, so Harry reluctantly plans to go to breakfast alone. Hermione meets him at the door with toast, however, saving him the embarrassment. She believes Harry did not put his name in the Goblet and encourages him to write Sirius. Harry does, and Hedwig ignores him because he chooses a less conspicuous owl.

Classes are terrible, as are the hallways, and everywhere in Hogwarts as Harry is accosted from almost all sides. Hagrid also believes Harry, but Snape and Slytherins terrorize him worse than usual. Colin Creevey arrives with a respite midway through potions, that Harry is meant to have his wand weighed for the tournament.

When Harry arrives, Rita Skeeter conducts an ethics-free interview of Harry. The wands are weighed by Ollivander himself, and the champions have their photos taken. When Harry finally returns, there is a response from Sirius, as the tournament is set to begin.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 272, The Four Champions. Today’s lesson is called Of Course He Is Lying

The chapter begins with Harry Potter. Harry’s name has emerged from the Goblet of Fire. The great hall is buzzing softly, until Dumbledore calls for Harry to come up, and the whispers increase in volume. He is ushered down to where the other three champions are, who he notices are quite tall and formidable even as they barely notice him. Bagman bounds in announcing Harry as the fourth champion, followed by disbelief and the slew of adults - most of whom simply assume Harry is lying about not putting his name into the Goblet. A haggard Crouch declares Harry must compete, even as Moody speculates that whoever put Harry’s name in did so in hopes he would die. Harry returns to the Gryffindor common room to find his house gleeful over his participation, except for Ron.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 248, The Goblet of Fire. Today’s lesson is called Judge Not, Lest

The chapter begins with our trio and the rest of Hogwarts bustling with excitement over their guests. Ron is particularly enamored with Viktor Krum, but also falls for a girl from Beauxbatons.  Hermione seems to be over the pageantry of it all, maybe because it feels like Hogwarts is getting ignored. Harry is simply taking it all in.

The other judges, Ludo Bagman and Bartemius Crouch arrive and the Goblet of Fire is revealed. Dumbledore has drawn an age line to ensure the new 17-or-older rule, which many younger students put to the test and have only newly sprouted beards to show for it. Karkaroff is stunned by Harry and flustered by Moody, Hagrid is enamored by Madame Maxime, and Mr. Crouch seems bored.

Eventually, the Goblet makes its decisions and the champions are announced: Viktor Krum from Durmstrang, Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons, Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts…and Harry Potter…

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 228, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Today’s lesson is called Arrivals

The chapter begins with our trio being Imperiused by Professor Moody. Harry’s experience is unique, in that he struggles against the command, and Moody uses him as an example of how to defend against it. Their other coursework is immense, with each Professor - even Hagrid - seeming to give them mountains of tasks. Fred and George are acting strangely still, Sirius insists on returning to Hogwarts, and Hermione is pestering Gryffindors to join S.P.E.W.

The excitement for the Triwizard Tournament mounts with the impending arrival of students from the competing schools. Each arrive in unique ways, with Beauxbatons and their Hagrid-sized Headmistress arriving by flying carriage and Durmstrang and their cold and calculating Headmaster arriving by underwater ship...with their student, Viktor Krum.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 209, The Unforgivable Curses. Today’s lesson is called Tragedies

The chapter begins with our trio excited for their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Moody takes roll call and then immediately begins a lesson on the Unforgivable Curses. Ron offers the Imperius Curse, Neville the Cruciatus Curse, and Hermione the Killing Curse - Avada Kedavra. Moody unceremoniously performs these curses to demonstrate why they are unforgivable, in the name of constant vigilance. Neville is shaken after class and Hermione tries to comfort him, but Moody interrupts and invites Neville up for tea.

Later, Hermione shares that she has started S.P.E.W the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare to fight the enslavement of House Elves. She invites Harry and Ron to join, and declares their mission. As she does, Hedwig arrives with a response from Sirius, who insists on coming back to Hogwarts to help protect Harry.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 193, Mad-Eye Moody. Today’s lesson is called Appearances Can Be Deceiving

The chapter begins with our trio on the morning of their first day of classes. First is Herbology, then Care of Magical Creatures, then Divination for Ron and Harry and Arithmancy for Hermione. In Herbology, they collect bubotuber pus, in Care of Magical Creatures they try to feed newborn blast-ended skrewts, and in Divination, Professor Trelawney predicts (surprise, surprise) bad things for Harry. Hermione has resumed eating, but is visiting the library frequently for unknown reasons.

After classes, Malfoy harasses Ron over a Daily Prophet article about Arthur and troubles at the Ministry. When Harry insults Draco’s mother, Draco attacks him, but Harry doesn’t need to defend himself, as Moody has already transfigured Draco into a ferret. When McGonagall steps in, Moody takes Malfoy to see Snape, instead.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 171, The Triwizard Tournament. Today’s lesson is called Eternal Glory

The chapter begins with our trio navigating a torrential downpour, oh and Peeves dropping water balloons. They get to the castle, then the great hall, and watch the Sorting Ceremony. They eat a feast, during which Hermione becomes aware that House-elfs prepare all the food for no money, and refuses to eat anymore. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Moody, arrives at Hogwarts in the midst of Dumbledore telling the students there would be no inter-house quidditch tournament - instead there would be the Triwizard Tournament, a dangerous competition for only of-age witches and wizards, with a one thousand galleon prize.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 158, Aboard the Hogwarts Express. Today’s lesson is called Read a Book, Already!

The chapter begins with the end of summer. The morning of the Hogwarts Express departure, Amos Diggory brings an urgent message to Mr. Weasley (through the fire) regarding an issue with Alastor Mad-Eye Moody. Apparently, some magical chaos was seen and heard by muggles, while Moody claims he was fighting intruders. Mr. Weasley rushes to help, while Harry learns that Mad-eye was an auror - a dark wizard catcher.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Bill both drop tantalizing hints about the surprise at Hogwarts this year. Hermione informs Ron and Harry about other wizarding schools, competition between them, and interesting types of magic like unplottable locations. On the train, Malfoy stops by and harasses our trio, as usual - first targeting Ron’s dress robes and then the fact that Ron doesn’t know the nature of the secret - leaving Ron feeling “less than.”

The chapter ends with their arrival at Hogwarts for their fourth year!

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 145, Mayhem at the Ministry. Today’s lesson is called Fraud at the Daily Prophet

The chapter begins with a hurried exit from the Quidditch World Cup. Mrs. Weasley is relieved when they get back to the Burrow, brandishing a Daily Prophet with terrible scenes and an article written by Rita Skeeter including rumors of several dead people. Mr. Weasley declares he needs to work overtime to help with the situation, and Percy joins him. The rest of the kids prep for Hogwarts (and play a little quidditch). Harry tells Ron and Hermione about his Voldemort dream and that he has sent a letter to Sirius. They count down the days, as Mr. Weasley and Percy burn the midnight oil, and Hedwig still hasn’t returned. Oh, and they have to pack dress robes.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 117, The Dark Mark. Today’s lesson is called Chaos at the Campsite

The chapter begins with the walk back from the match to the tent. Everyone is excited and stays up talking a play-by-play until finally they go to bed. During the night, Mr. Weasley wakes everyone up urgently, and there are shouts outside. He organizes the kids to stay together and flee to the woods as Mr. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, and Percy go to help the ministry to deal with a crowd of Death Eaters who are torturing muggles and destroying the campsite.

Ron, Harry and Hermione come across Draco - who implies his parents might be two of the Death Eaters, while Harry realizes he does not have his wand. They find several other strange scenes including: entranced wizards lying to Veela, Winky the house-elf scared and rambling, and Ludo Bagman alone and unaware. Finally, they hear a single incantation that creates a giant skull in the sky, as Ministry Officials immediately apparate and stun the area. Mr. Crouch is especially unsettled when Winky is found at the scene while Mr. Diggory conducts an uncoordinated interrogation.

Winky was found to have a wand - Harry’s wand - which cast the Dark Mark. Mr. Crouch tells Winky that he will be released from the Crouch family, and the scene disbands. Eventually, they make it back to the tent and fall back to sleep.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 95, The Quidditch World Cup. Today’s lesson is called As Good As It Gets

The chapter begins with Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys arriving at the stadium and taking the stairs up to their seats in the top box. They take in the sights and sounds, and meet the people nearby them - including Winky, Mr. Crouch’s house-elf, who is saving him a seat. They meet Fudge, the Minister for Magic, and see the Malfoys, who unsurprisingly act horribly to them.

The Bulgarians and the Irish mascots - Veela and Leprechauns - perform for the crowd before the teams are introduced. Krum is very young but absolutely fantastic on the broomstick. As the game starts, however, it becomes clear that Ireland is significantly better than the Bulgarians. Eventually, the Irish are up by over 150 points, but Krum still catches the snitch, just to get it over with. The match ends, and our friends get an up-close look at the teams as they come through the top box to be honored. The chapter ends with Fred and George requesting their winnings from Ludo Bagman.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 75, Bagman and Crouch. Today’s lesson is called Wide, Wide, World

The chapter begins with Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys, and the Diggorys arriving at the quidditch world cup. They check-in at their campsite, arrive at their tent, and Mr. Weasley insists on going it the Muggle way. Harry & Hermione help him assemble the tent and start the fire. Our trio gather water from a tap, and on the walk there and back see all sorts of witches and wizards, and even some that they know!

At the campsite, Ludo Bagman arrives boisterously and has a chat from his spot on the grass. He’s enjoying himself to no end and has even begun taking bets on the game - a proposition that the twins take him up on. Barty Crouch comes by, the opposite of Bagman and insists that Bagman not share the other secret before its time.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 65, The Portkey. Today’s lesson is called From Here to There

The chapter begins with Harry, Ron and the twins being awoken by Mrs Weasley, early in the morning. They need to prepare to leave for the Quidditch World Cup! Hermione and Ginny are joining them, but Percy, Charlie, and Bill get to sleep in because they will apparate later. On their walk to their destination, Mr. Weasley tells Harry about the process of getting 100,000 wizards to the Quidditch World Cup without breaking the statute of secrecy. They are to take a portkey, which is a mundane object that teleports people on a predetermined schedule. They spread out to search for it, but a new voice belonging to Mr. Amos Diggory calls out that they’ve found it. Harry meets Mr. Diggory and sees his son, and their schoolmate, Cedric.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 50, Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. Today’s lesson is called When Harry Met Bill & Charlie

The chapter begins with Harry popping out of the fireplace and into the Burrow. Fred and George ask research questions about their Ton-Tongue Toffee, as Mr. Weasley arrives and lectures them on muggle-wizard relations. Harry meets Bill & Charlie, and Mrs. Weasley insists that the twins’ work on joke magic should stop. Harry reconnects with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, and they see Percy working away at his new job at the Ministry, begging for quiet.

Life at the Burrows is crowded but comfortable, enough that Harry essentially forgets about his scar hurting and his letter to Sirius. The Quidditch World Cup looms, as does some other event that Percy drops hints about.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 39, Back to the Burrow. Today’s lesson is called When Worlds Collide

The chapter begins with Harry and his family waiting for the Weasleys to arrive, to take Harry to their home for the rest of the summer. Vernon and Petunia are ready to judge, but Dudley is scared to relive the trauma of a pig’s tail. Their judgement begins before they even arrive, however, as the Weasleys are late -- until there is noise from the fireplace, as several of them pile-up behind the Dursley’s electric grate. Mr. Arthur Weasley magicks away the grate and out spill Fred, George, and Ron, as well as a cloud of ash and dust. As Mr. Weasley tries to make small talk with the Dursleys, the twins run off to collect Harry’s things. A few awkward minutes later, and Ron and the Twins go back through the fireplace, but not before spilling some sweets into the room - one of which Harry’s cousin consumes just before he is going to go through the floo network himself. Dudley’s tongue has grown too large for his mouth, and although Mr. Weasley is trying to help, the Dursleys are panicked.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 26, The Invitation. Today’s lesson is called Grapefruit and Games

The chapter begins with Harry at the breakfast table with the Dursleys. The relationship between Harry and his family has changed slightly, as Harry is able to strategically use his relationship with known mass-murderer Sirius Black to affect his Uncle. This comes in handy when a piece of mail, covered in stamps, arrives from Mrs. Molly Weasley. She invites Harry to come stay with her family for the final two weeks of summer, in part to attend the Quidditch World Cup! Harry notes that he will be writing to Sirius, and this causes Uncle Vernon to relent and allow Harry to go. Harry returns to his room, jubilant, and finds Ron’s owl Pigwidgeon, bolting about with a letter from Ron declaring they are coming to get Harry no matter what. Harry responds with Pig, and finishes his note to Sirius with Hedwig, letting him know where he’s going to be.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 16, The Scar. Today’s lesson is called The Interpretation of Dreams

The chapter begins with Harry waking up, his scar searing and losing the clarity of the nightmare that woke him. Voldemort and Wormtail were discussing plans, and a third stranger was present and may have died. Harry wasn’t sure if the dream was real or not, but his first worry is that Voldemort is near to him again, as that was the last time his scar had hurt. Harry calms himself by thinking about who he should tell about this experience: Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore? Finally, he remembers that his newly free godfather, Sirius Black, would be the perfect confidant. Harry scratches out a letter to Sirius and tries to fall back asleep.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 1, The Riddle House. Today’s lesson is called The Snake of Things to Come

The chapter begins in a new place, Little Hangleton: a sleepy town with a spooky story. The Riddle family mansion on the hill was the site of a grizzly triple murder 50 years ago. The elder Mr. and Mrs. Riddle and their only son, clearly murdered in their house - yet police found no evidence of murder at all - it was as if they simply dropped dead of fear. The prime suspect was Frank Bryce, a young man who tended the grounds, and although the town remained convinced over the 50 years that he was guilty, Frank remained loyal to the property and maintained it into his late 70s, when, one night, he saw a fire burning up in the house at night. He went to investigate only to find it was set in the grate and two men appeared to be speaking back and forth in front of it, using words and phrases he did not understand. He did understand, however, that these men had killed and were planning to kill again - and he needed to warn Harry Potter. He never got the chance to warn Mr. Potter, though, because a great snake, Nagini, slithered up and he was spotted, and murdered.

Music: Pooka by Kevin MacLeod

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Turn to Page 416, Owl Post Again. Today’s lesson is called Grim Ending

The chapter begins with Harry and Hermione rushing back to the hospital wing, to find Dumbledore waiting for them. He locks them in as an alibi for when Snape and Fudge storm back down after finding Sirius Black had escaped. Snape is completely furious, and spends the rest of the school year somehow being even worse to Harry. The dark cloud of the Dementors lifts over the castle, but Lupin resigns his post after Snape lets his werewolf condition slip. Dumbledore assures Harry that his actions surrounding Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black were incredibly important.

The end of the year comes and Gryffindor is house champion. Harry dreads his return to the Dursley’s, especially in light of the brief hope he’d live with Sirius. On the Hogwarts Express, an owl arrives with a letter from Sirius, giving Harry permission to visit Hogsmeade and admitting to having bought the Firebolt.

Music: The Curious Kitten by Aaron Kenny

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Turn to Page 386, Hermione’s Secret. Today’s lesson is called The Ghosts of Our Fathers

The chapter begins with Harry coming to consciousness in the Hospital wing, overhearing Snape and Minister Fudge discussing the events of that evening. Madam Pomfrey notices Harry and Hermione awake and resumes their active care, but Harry urgently shares the true story of the night with the Minister, who dismisses him for Snape’s version. Dumbledore arrives and dismisses the other adults, insisting on talking to Harry and Hermione alone.

Dumbledore has heard out Sirius Black, and his story is the same as Harry and Hermione, but Dumbledore knows it won’t stand up to scrutiny. Instead, they must act instead of tell, and he instructs Hermione on three turns, the location of Sirius Black, and that they might save more than one innocent life. He leaves unceremoniously.

Hermione pulls out her time-turner, and uses it on herself and Harry. They go three hours into the past, and relive the night from another perspective. They save Buckbeak, watch the events at the Whomping Willow, and prepare to save Sirius. Harry fights with his hope to see his father, who he believes conjured the patronus that saved them. When, at the moment of reckoning his father does not show up, Harry realizes he saved himself and casts a corporeal patronus in the shape of a Stag, Prongs. They then fly up to Sirius, who flies away on Buckbeak.

Music: The Curious Kitten by Aaron Kenny

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Turn to Page 378, The Dementor’s Kiss. Today’s lesson is called Shooting Star, Full Moon

The chapter begins with the slow trek back through the tunnel connecting the Shrieking Shack and the Whomping Willow. Most of the attention is simply on being able to move with an unconscious Snape, an injured Ron, and a dangerous Pettigrew. Harry and Sirius do have an important conversation about living together when Sirius is exonerated. Harry is jubilant as they exit the tree, only to quickly become terrified as Lupin transforms into a Werewolf. Sirius transforms into his dog form to fight and distract Lupin, and Pettigrew transforms into a rat and escapes again. Ron is petrified on the ground, and Harry and Hermione run to help a yelping Sirius, who turns back into his Human form and is under siege by the Dementors. They try to save him with the Patronus charm, before eventually succumbing to the Dementors’ effect and being subjected to the Dementors’ kiss. Just before all is lost, a powerful Patronus charm rolls through the clearing.

Music: The Curious Kitten by Aaron Kenny

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Turn to Page 358, The Servant of Lord Voldemort. Today’s lesson is called The Price of Loyalty

The chapter begins with Snape interrupting Lupin’s story, triumphant that he has caught Black and Lupin. Our trio, now desperate to hear the story in its entirety, attack the deranged Snape - who is planning to deliver Sirius and Lupin straight to the Dementors - and incapacitate him. Lupin and Black continue the story, including how Black recognized Wormtail in the Weasley’s Egypt photo. Sirius claims that Wormtail cut his own finger off as he killed those muggles and framed Sirius. He was terrified that Wormtail was positioned perfectly to attack and betray Harry at an opportune time. He broke out of Azkaban by transforming into his Padfoot form and slipping by the Dementors. When he arrived at Hogwarts, he befriended Crookshanks, who understood there was more to both Padfoot and Wormtail.

In final proof, Sirius and Lupin turn Wormtail back into Peter Pettigrew, Harry’s father’s old friend, and the true betrayer of Harry’s family to Voldemort. It turns out that Wormtail was hiding from the Death Eaters, not from Sirius. The Death Eaters built conspiracies around Wormtail having given Voldemort information about the Potters’ whereabouts and then meeting his demise.

Sirius and Lupin, having convinced Harry at last, prepare to kill Pettigrew, before Harry intervenes. He insists that Pettigrew be captured and taken alive, to spare his father’s friends the pain of murder and to help clear Sirius’ name.

Music: The Curious Kitten by Aaron Kenny

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