Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
Overview
Harry reports a vivid vision of Arthur Weasley’s mauling, prompting Dumbledore to mobilize help via Headmaster portraits and send the Weasley children and Harry to Grimmauld Place. After a fearful night, Molly confirms Arthur will recover, and they visit him at St. Mungo’s.
Fred and George’s eavesdropping reveals Moody’s suspicion that Voldemort may be possessing Harry through the snake, spiking new dread and setting a darker trajectory for Harry’s connection to Voldemort.
Summary
McGonagall brings Harry and Ron to Dumbledore after Harry’s terrifying vision of a giant snake attacking Arthur Weasley. Dumbledore confirms details using alert portraits Everard and Dilys, who track Arthur’s removal to St. Mungo’s. He readies a Portkey to Grimmauld Place, sends McGonagall to gather the Weasley children, and uses Fawkes to warn of Umbridge’s approach. As they depart, Harry’s scar sears and he feels a sudden, snake-like urge to attack Dumbledore.
Arriving at Grimmauld Place, Sirius contains the panicked Weasleys, arguing they must not expose Harry’s vision to the Ministry. A message from Molly confirms Arthur is alive but critical. Through a long, anxious night, Molly finally returns with news that Arthur will recover, prompting relief. In private, Harry confides to Sirius that he felt like the snake and briefly wanted to attack Dumbledore; Sirius insists Harry is in shock and needs rest.
Tonks and Moody escort the group through Muggle London to St. Mungo’s, concealed behind the façade of Purge and Dowse. Inside the crowded reception, they learn Arthur is in the Dai Llewellyn Ward for serious bites. Molly pushes Harry in to be thanked; Arthur explains the poison keeps his wounds open, but Healers expect an antidote. He deflects questions about his mission and the snake while alluding to Ministry cover stories.
Outside the ward, Fred and George distribute Extendable Ears. The group overhears Tonks and Moody discussing the vanished snake, concluding it was likely reconnaissance. Moody suggests Dumbledore expected Harry’s vision and raises the alarming possibility that Voldemort is possessing Harry through the serpent’s perspective. Harry, shaken, pulls out his Ear as the others stare at him in fear.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterHas a vision of Arthur’s attack from the snake’s viewpoint; alerts Dumbledore; feels violent, snake-like urges; later fears Voldemort may be possessing him.
- Albus DumbledoreMobilizes portrait network to save Arthur; creates a Portkey; avoids direct eye contact; orchestrates Weasleys’ move while evading Umbridge.
- Arthur WeasleyVictim of a snake attack; stabilized at St. Mungo’s; grateful, optimistic, and constrained by secrecy about his mission.
- Molly WeasleyJoins the children at Grimmauld Place; brings news Arthur will recover; thanks Harry; manages hospital visit.
- Sirius BlackShelters the Weasleys; argues for secrecy; comforts the group; urges Harry to rest despite his fears.
- Ron WeasleyShocked and silent after the vision; waits anxiously overnight; visits his father at St. Mungo’s.
- Fred WeasleyAngrily challenges Sirius; uses Extendable Ears to eavesdrop on the Healers’ conversation.
- George WeasleyShares Fred’s anger and eavesdropping; reacts fearfully to talk of Voldemort possessing Harry.
- Ginny WeasleyInsists on visiting Arthur; endures the tense night; visits St. Mungo’s with the family.
- Minerva McGonagallEscorts Harry and Ron to Dumbledore; gathers the Weasley siblings; distracts Umbridge on Dumbledore’s orders.
- Alastor 'Mad-Eye' MoodyEscorts the group to St. Mungo’s; suggests the snake was reconnaissance; posits Voldemort may be possessing Harry.
- Nymphadora TonksGuides entry to St. Mungo’s; questions Harry’s vision; discusses the snake’s disappearance with Moody.
- FawkesDelivers warnings and messages; helps Dumbledore avoid Umbridge’s interference.
- Phineas Nigellus BlackCarries Dumbledore’s message to Grimmauld Place; facilitates swift relocation of the Weasleys.
- EverardFormer Headmaster portrait; raises the alarm and tracks Arthur’s arrival to St. Mungo’s.
- Dilys DerwentPortrait in Hogwarts and St. Mungo’s; confirms Arthur’s transfer; later seen at hospital inquiries.
- KreacherHouse-elf at Grimmauld Place; hostile and unhelpful during the night.