Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Educational Decree Number Twenty-four
Overview
Umbridge issues Decree Twenty-four, banning all student groups and jeopardizing the DA and Gryffindor Quidditch. Hedwig arrives injured, prompting McGonagall’s warning that communications are monitored. Umbridge scrutinizes Snape and places Trelawney on probation. Sirius contacts the trio, endorses the DA, but vanishes as Umbridge attempts to intercept via the Floo fire.
Summary
Buoyed by the Hog’s Head meeting, Harry enjoys a rare good mood until he and Ron find Umbridge’s new decree banning all student groups. Fearing exposure of their Defense plan, they fetch Hermione, who reveals she jinxed the signers’ parchment to identify any snitch. At breakfast, supporters pledge to continue discreetly, but Angelina warns Quidditch now needs Umbridge’s approval.
In History of Magic, Hedwig arrives late and injured. Harry takes her to Professor Grubbly‑Plank, who agrees to treat her, while McGonagall warns that communications in and out of Hogwarts may be watched. A note from Sirius sets a meeting in the common room fire.
On the way to Potions, Malfoy boasts Slytherin already has Quidditch permission and insults Harry and Mr. Weasley; Neville lunges at Malfoy but is restrained, earning them point losses from Snape. During class, Umbridge inspects Snape, needling him about repeatedly being refused the Defense post; Snape retaliates by failing Harry’s botched potion and assigning extra work.
In Divination, Trelawney, apparently on probation after Umbridge’s inspection, rages and weeps. Umbridge’s Defense lesson remains theory‑only. That evening, Umbridge delays Gryffindor’s Quidditch approval, and Fred and George demonstrate successful Skiving Snackboxes amid noisy sales.
Near midnight, Sirius appears in the fire. He reveals Mundungus overheard the Hog’s Head meeting while guarding Harry, relays Mrs. Weasley’s warnings, but personally endorses the DA and suggests meeting places. Suddenly alarmed, Sirius vanishes; Umbridge’s ringed hand gropes from the flames, showing she tried to intercept the call, and the trio flee upstairs.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterLeads plans for the DA; anguished by Umbridge’s decree; rescues injured Hedwig; speaks with Sirius via the fire.
- Dolores UmbridgeIssues Decree 24 banning student groups; inspects Snape; puts Trelawney on probation; attempts to intercept Sirius via Floo.
- Hermione GrangerCalms strategy; reveals jinx on DA signup; urges caution; challenges Sirius’s venue ideas.
- Ron WeasleySupports continuing the DA; worries about Quidditch; hears his mother’s warning via Sirius.
- Sirius BlackContacts via fire; reveals Mundungus overheard meeting; relays Mrs. Weasley’s warning; backs the DA; cut off by Umbridge.
- Professor McGonagallArranges Hedwig’s care; warns that communications may be monitored.
- Professor Grubbly-PlankDiagnoses and treats Hedwig’s injured wing; advises rest.
- Severus SnapeTarget of Umbridge’s probing; denies Harry marks and assigns extra work.
- Sybill TrelawneyDistraught and angry after Umbridge’s inspection; apparently placed on probation.
- Angelina JohnsonAnxious Quidditch captain; pleads with Harry to avoid provoking Umbridge; awaits team approval.
- Draco MalfoyTaunts about Slytherin’s instant approval; insults Weasleys and Harry; triggers Neville’s outburst.
- Neville LongbottomCharges at Malfoy after insults related to St. Mungo’s; restrained by Harry and Ron.
- Fred WeasleyDemonstrates Skiving Snackboxes; takes orders and counts earnings in the common room.
- George WeasleyCo-demonstrates Snackboxes; profits from sales; adds to common room commotion.
- HedwigArrives injured; her attack prompts concerns about intercepted mail.
- Mundungus FletcherRevealed as the veiled ‘witch’ at the Hog’s Head; overheard DA meeting while guarding Harry.