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

Fight and Flight

Previous: Out of the Fire Next: The Department of Mysteries

Overview

Hermione lures Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest, where Umbridge insults the centaurs, is disarmed, and carried off. Grawp’s arrival scatters the herd, letting Harry and Hermione escape. Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna return their wands and insist on helping. The six decide to fly to London on thestrals to rescue Sirius.

Summary

Hermione leads Umbridge from the castle under the pretense of showing Dumbledore’s “weapon,” steering her into the Forbidden Forest. Umbridge refuses to hand over her wand and taunts Hagrid. Deep in the trees, a centaur warband surrounds them. Provoked by Umbridge’s slurs and her Incarcerous spell on Magorian, the centaurs break her wand and carry her off.

Accused of using centaurs as tools, Harry and Hermione are seized as well. The standoff is shattered when Grawp crashes into the clearing, calling for Hagrid. Recognizing Hermione, Grawp reaches toward them; the centaurs unleash arrows, and Grawp charges after them, scattering the herd. In the confusion, Harry and Hermione escape but are stranded and wandless.

Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna arrive, having stunned their captors and followed them into the Forest, and return Harry and Hermione’s wands. Harry confirms his vision of Sirius’s capture but despairs over transport to London. Despite Harry’s protests, the others insist on helping.

Luna proposes thestrals as transport; two appear, drawn by Grawp’s blood on Harry and Hermione. More arrive, confirming the plan. With no time left to argue, Harry relents, and all six students mount thestrals, preparing to fly to London to attempt Sirius’s rescue.

Who Appears

Hermione Granger

Devises the ruse; lures Umbridge into the Forest to provoke centaurs; negotiates and nearly blunders; commits to rescue plan.
Harry Potter

Follows Hermione’s plan; regains wand; insists Sirius is in danger; reluctantly accepts help; agrees to fly by thestral.
Dolores Umbridge

Chases the ‘weapon’; insults centaurs; attacks Magorian; disarmed, wand broken, and carried off by Bane.
Grawp

Hagrid’s giant half-brother; interrupts the centaurs seeking Hagrid; is shot with arrows and chases them off.
Ron Weasley

Leads rescue with jinxes; returns wands; backs Harry; argues but commits to the thestral plan.
Ginny Weasley

Injured but defiant; floors Malfoy with Bat-Bogey Hex; insists on coming; helps attract thestrals.
Neville Longbottom

Uses spells to escape; quietly insists on helping; joins thestral flight to rescue Sirius.
Luna Lovegood

Suggests thestrals as transport; remains calm; helps secure mounts for the group.
Magorian

Centaurs’ leader in the clearing; bound by Umbridge’s spell; commands the herd against intruders.
Bane

Furious centaur; seizes Umbridge and carries her away after her insults and attack.
Ronan

Doleful centaur; argues not to attack ‘foals,’ but the herd remains hostile.