The Advanced Guard

Harry, seething over the dementor attack, the Ministry hearing, and the Howler to Petunia, writes urgent letters to Sirius, Ron, and Hermione and sends Hedwig for answers. Days pass without replies, leaving Harry anxious and isolated as the Dursleys avoid him and lock him in when they go out.

A crash downstairs reveals unexpected visitors. Harry confronts a group led by Remus Lupin and Alastor Moody; they confirm his identity by asking the form of his Patronus. The team—Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, and Hestia Jones—explain they are his guard, awaiting a departure signal.

Tonks lures the Dursleys away with a bogus lawn-competition letter, then helps Harry pack with magic, revealing she is a Metamorphmagus and an Auror. Downstairs, Moody prepares for travel and explains they will fly by broom to avoid monitored methods. Lupin leaves a note for the Dursleys; Moody casts a Disillusionment Charm on Harry to camouflage him.

The group launches from the Dursleys’ garden and flies in tight formation, changing course under Moody’s directions to avoid notice. Despite freezing conditions and minor disagreements about route changes, they descend over London toward their destination.

Landing in a shabby square, Moody uses Dumbledore’s Put-Outer to extinguish streetlamps. He hands Harry a parchment instructing him to memorize the location of the Order of the Phoenix: number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London, revealing their hidden headquarters.