Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Eye of the Snake
Overview
Hagrid introduces the class to thestrals, but Umbridge’s hostile inspection frames him as incompetent, heightening the threat to his job. The DA’s progress continues; Ginny replaces Harry as Seeker. After an awkward, grief-laden kiss with Cho, Harry experiences a terrifying serpent vision of Arthur Weasley’s mauling. McGonagall believes Harry and rushes him to Dumbledore, confirming the danger and Harry’s troubling link to the attack.
Summary
Hermione visits Hagrid, who is secretive about new creatures. In class, Hagrid leads the fifth years into the Forest to study thestrals. Only those who have seen death, including Harry and Neville, can see them. Umbridge arrives, speaks to Hagrid condescendingly, and records damning comments while encouraging Slytherins’ mockery, positioning Hagrid as unsafe and incoherent.
Afterward, Hermione fumes at Umbridge’s prejudice. December brings heavy homework and prefect duties. Quidditch replacements are announced: Ginny takes Seeker; Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper become Beaters. In the DA’s final pre-holiday meeting, members review spells and show strong progress.
When the room clears, Cho remains, grieving Cedric and conflicted about her feelings. Under mistletoe, she and Harry share an awkward, tearful kiss. Later, Harry recounts it to Ron and Hermione; Hermione explains Cho’s tangled emotions, while Ron reacts crudely and grows jealous over Hermione writing to Krum.
That night, Harry dreams from a serpent’s perspective, stalking and viciously biting a dozing guard outside a door. He wakes in agony, vomiting, and urgently tells Ron that Arthur Weasley has been savaged and is bleeding badly. McGonagall arrives; after hearing Harry’s account, she accepts it as real and takes him to Dumbledore, escalating the crisis and underscoring Harry’s disturbing connection to the attack.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterSees and studies thestrals; leads DA practice; shares a fraught kiss with Cho; experiences the serpent attack on Arthur.
- Dolores UmbridgeInspects Hagrid’s lesson, belittles him publicly, and records biased notes to jeopardize his position.
- Rubeus HagridTeaches thestrals despite injuries; is undermined by Umbridge’s condescension during his inspection.
- Cho ChangGrieves Cedric, confides in Harry, and kisses him under mistletoe, revealing conflicted feelings.
- Hermione GrangerWarns Hagrid, condemns Umbridge, interprets Cho’s feelings, and continues prefect duties and correspondence with Krum.
- Ron WeasleySupports Harry, is taunted by Malfoy, reacts crudely to the kiss, and later learns his father was attacked.
- Neville LongbottomCan see thestrals; improves in DA; fetches McGonagall after Harry’s vision.
- Draco MalfoyMocks Hagrid during inspection and taunts Ron about Quidditch.
- Pansy ParkinsonRidicules Hagrid’s speech to please Umbridge during the inspection.
- Minerva McGonagallResponds to the emergency, believes Harry’s vision, and takes him to Dumbledore.
- DobbyDecorates the DA room with Harry-themed baubles before the final meeting.
- Arthur WeasleyVictim of a violent serpent attack seen through Harry’s vision, gravely injured.