1.08 The Potions Master

Snape shows up and Harry is all 'why are you so obsessed with me?'

It’s time for a slightly late (but no worse for the wear) episode of Podtrificus Totalus, a Harry Potter podcast done chapter by chapter, book by book.

This week’s episode covers chapter eight of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, “The Potions Master.” Harry and Ron begin their classes at Hogwarts, where Harry butts heads with Professor Snape, who seems to have a mysterious grudge against him. The mystery of the little package from chapter five also develops in this chapter, with the revelation of a break in at Gringotts.

We make a number of references to outside sources and pop culture in this episode, which are listed below:

Argus Filch on the Harry Potter Wiki

Mrs. Norris on the Harry Potter Wiki

Professor Binns on the Harry Potter Wiki

Septimius Severus, emperor of Ancient Rome

The Year of Three Popes

(Major Spoiler Warning for Book 7!) Asphodel, Wormwood, Bezoars, and Aconite, an analysis of Snape’s questions to Harry

Our spell of the week for this episode is Scourify, which Snape likely uses to clean up Neville’s disastrous first attempt at Potion making. We also respond to tweets from Jose and Justine (of the Cutaways Podcast).

Thanks for listening and we’ll see you again for 1.09, “The Midnight Duel!” Have a magical day!