Chapter 5: An Excess Of Phlegm

Harry and Dumbledore arrive late at the Burrow, surprising a worried Mrs. Weasley and a subdued Tonks, who quickly departs. Dumbledore leaves for business with Scrimgeour. Mrs. Weasley feeds Harry and shares that Mr. Weasley has been promoted to lead a new office combating dangerous fake protective items.

Mr. Weasley returns under strict security questions, describes recent fraudulent items, and confirms Fred and George’s innocence. Mrs. Weelsey settles Harry in Fred and George’s box-strewn room; he falls asleep.

At dawn, Ron and Hermione wake Harry. Ginny arrives, irritated with Fleur. Fleur then enters, radiant, and announces her engagement to Bill, inflaming Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and Ginny’s disdain; Ginny calls her “Phlegm.” The family friction continues as Mrs. Weasley schemes to invite Tonks, hoping Bill might prefer her.

Conversation shifts to Tonks’s depression and impaired Metamorphmagus abilities, tied to survivor’s guilt over Sirius. Harry, following Dumbledore’s advice, tells Ron and Hermione the prophecy that binds him to Voldemort. They react with concern but support him, speculating Dumbledore’s lessons will prepare Harry.

Hermione triggers a booby-trapped telescope and earns a stubborn black eye. Soon three owls deliver OWL results. Harry: O in Defense, Es in Potions, Charms, Herbology, Transfiguration, A in Astronomy, fails Divination and History. Ron: passes seven, failing Divination and History. Hermione: ten Os, one E in Defense. Though relieved, Harry realizes his Potions E may block his Auror ambition.