Harry Potter, #5

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

by J.K. Rowling

Genre

Fantasy, Young Adult, Children's

Year

2003

Pages

870

Contents

The Woes of Mrs. Weasley

Previous: The Hearing Next: Luna Lovegood

Overview

Harry is cleared and, shaken by seeing Lucius Malfoy with Fudge, returns to Grimmauld Place to celebrations. Ron and Hermione are made prefects, stirring Harry’s private jealousy. At a party, Moody shows the original Order photo, unsettling Harry. That night, Lupin dispels a boggart as Mrs. Weasley breaks down over fears for her family.

Summary

After Dumbledore’s abrupt exit from the hearing, Harry is quietly cleared and leaves Courtroom Ten with Mr. Weasley. On Level Nine they encounter Lucius Malfoy conferring with Fudge; Mr. Weasley suspects Malfoy sought news of Harry’s fate and is buying influence. Harry worries about Fudge’s judgment, but Mr. Weasley says Dumbledore believes Fudge acts of his own accord.

In the Atrium, Harry donates all his gold to the Fountain of Magical Brethren, then returns to Grimmauld Place to jubilant Weasleys and Hermione. Sirius is initially cheerful but soon turns moody and withdrawn, which Hermione attributes to loneliness. Life at headquarters remains frustratingly secretive for the teenagers.

Late in the holidays, Hogwarts letters arrive: Ron and Hermione are named prefects. Fred and George mock, Mrs. Weasley is overjoyed and promises Ron a broom. Harry, stung by disappointment, wrestles with jealousy and expectations but resolves to support Ron, who admits he expected Harry to be chosen. Mrs. Weasley prepares a celebration.

At the party with Order members, Tonks jokes about never being a prefect; Sirius reveals Lupin was one, comforting Harry that James wasn’t. Fred and George clandestinely buy Venomous Tentacula seeds from Mundungus with Harry’s Triwizard winnings, worrying Harry. Kingsley questions why Dumbledore didn’t make Harry prefect. Moody shows Harry a photo of the original Order, including Harry’s parents and many who later died or were ruined, leaving Harry disturbed.

Seeking solitude, Harry discovers Mrs. Weasley confronting a boggart that becomes the corpses of her family and Harry in turn. Lupin arrives, dispels it, and comforts her as she fears losses and family rifts. Sirius adds that the Ministry will eventually face Voldemort’s return. Harry later lies awake, haunted by the photo and boggart images; his scar flares painfully, underscoring the growing threat.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Cleared at his hearing; encounters Malfoy with Fudge; feels jealous of Ron’s prefect badge; unsettled by Moody’s photo; witnesses Mrs. Weasley’s boggart; scar hurts.
Molly Weasley

Overjoyed at Ron’s prefectship; later breaks down fighting a boggart of her dead family, revealing deep fears.
Ron Weasley

Made Gryffindor prefect; thrilled with a new broom; surprised Harry wasn’t chosen; target of twins’ teasing.
Hermione Granger

Made Gryffindor prefect; supportive of Ron; discusses elf rights; asks to use Hedwig to tell parents.
Arthur Weasley

Proud of Ron; escorts Harry from the hearing; wary of Malfoy’s influence over Fudge.
Sirius Black

Initially celebratory, then moody and isolated; reminisces about school; supports informing Dumbledore about Malfoy.
Remus Lupin

Former prefect; comforts Mrs. Weasley and dispels the boggart; offers perspective on improved Order readiness.
Alastor Moody

Warns about dangers; shows Harry the original Order photograph; later notices Harry’s distress.
Lucius Malfoy

Seen conferring with Fudge; taunts Harry; suspected of buying influence at the Ministry.
Cornelius Fudge

Ignores Harry post-hearing; privately meets with Lucius Malfoy, raising concerns.
Fred Weasley

Mocks Ron’s prefectship; acquires contraband seeds with George; grateful for Harry’s funding.
George Weasley

Teases Ron; partners with Fred in buying Venomous Tentacula seeds from Mundungus.
Kingsley Shacklebolt

Questions why Harry wasn’t made prefect; attends the celebration.
Nymphadora Tonks

Jokes about not being prefect; chats with Ron about brooms; attends the party.
Mundungus Fletcher

Sells illicit Venomous Tentacula seeds to the twins during the celebration.
Bill Weasley

Arrives for the celebration; banters with his mother; appears in Mrs. Weasley’s boggart sequence.
Percy Weasley

Snubs his family at the Ministry; later appears as a corpse in Mrs. Weasley’s boggart.