Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Ministry of Magic
Overview
Arthur Weasley escorts Harry to the Ministry via the visitor entrance, giving Harry his first look inside its bustling departments. After security and a brief stop at Auror Headquarters, they learn the hearing has been moved earlier to a disused courtroom.
They race to Courtroom Ten, but Arthur is barred from entry, leaving Harry to face the Wizengamot alone.
Summary
Before dawn, Harry wakes tense about his hearing and joins Arthur Weasley, Molly, Sirius, Lupin, and Tonks in the kitchen. The adults offer advice—stay calm, be polite, the law allows magic in life-threatening situations—before Arthur escorts Harry out to travel by Muggle means for a better impression.
They take the Underground to central London, then use the Ministry’s concealed visitor entrance in a derelict telephone box. After receiving a visitor badge, Harry submits to security where his wand is registered. In the Atrium, he notes the Fountain of Magical Brethren and the busy flow of Ministry workers.
Arthur guides Harry to Level Two. They pass Auror Headquarters, where Kingsley Shacklebolt, feigning detachment, covertly supports them and hands Arthur paperwork (plus The Quibbler for Sirius). In Arthur’s cramped Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office, a memo about prank “regurgitating toilets” arrives before Perkins bursts in to announce the hearing has been moved up to eight o’clock in old Courtroom Ten.
Arthur and Harry sprint through the Ministry, descending to the seldom-used lower courts. At the heavy door to Courtroom Ten, Arthur reveals he is not allowed to accompany Harry. Breathless and anxious but with no choice, Harry enters the courtroom alone to face the hearing.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterAnxious about his disciplinary hearing; travels to the Ministry; undergoes security; enters Courtroom Ten alone.
- Arthur WeasleyEscorts Harry via Muggle transport and visitor entrance; handles Ministry navigation; barred from entering the courtroom.
- Kingsley ShackleboltMaintains cover in Auror HQ; subtly supports Arthur and Harry; provides a wink and passes along The Quibbler.
- Molly WeasleyFusses over Harry at breakfast, offering comfort and encouragement before he leaves.
- Sirius BlackAdvises Harry to keep calm and stick to facts; frustrated he cannot attend.
- Remus LupinReassures Harry the law allows magic in life-threatening situations; offers calm support.
- Nymphadora TonksSleepy but encouraging; vouches that Amelia Bones is fair.
- PerkinsWarns Arthur that Harry’s hearing was moved earlier to old Courtroom Ten.
- Eric (Security Wizard)Registers Harry’s wand and issues security clearance at the Ministry entrance.
- BodeUnspeakable encountered in the lift; notes Arthur’s unusual presence below.