Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Dudley Demented
Overview
Harry, isolated at the Dursleys and desperate for news, clashes with Dudley during an evening walk. Unnatural darkness falls and two dementors attack in Little Whinging. Harry drives them off with a Patronus, saving Dudley. Mrs. Figg arrives, revealing unexpected awareness of magic and blaming Mundungus Fletcher’s absence.
Summary
On the hottest evening of the summer, Harry hides in the Dursleys’ garden to listen to the Muggle news, hoping for any sign of Voldemort’s activity. Irritated by Vernon and Petunia’s suspicion, Harry storms off, wrestling with anger at his isolation, the Daily Prophet’s silence, and vague letters from Ron, Hermione, and Sirius.
Harry wanders through Little Whinging, recalling nightmares about Cedric and feeling abandoned. He spots Dudley leading his gang home and later intercepts him alone, taunting him about his bullying and pet names. Dudley retaliates by mocking Harry’s nightmares about Cedric, provoking Harry to draw his wand but not act.
Suddenly, all light and sound vanish and an intense cold descends. Realizing dementors are present, Harry warns Dudley, but Dudley panics and punches Harry, knocking his wand away. Harry finds it, attempts the Patronus Charm twice without success, nearly succumbs to despair, then conjures a powerful silver stag that repels the first dementor.
Hearing Dudley in peril, Harry directs the stag to the second dementor, which is poised to administer a kiss. The Patronus drives it off as normal light and warmth return. Dudley is left shaking on the ground while Harry processes the shock of dementors appearing in Little Whinging.
Mrs. Figg arrives at a run, surprising Harry by ordering him to keep his wand out in case more dementors appear, and furiously blaming Mundungus Fletcher for the situation.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterIsolated and frustrated; provokes Dudley, then repels two dementors with a Patronus, saving them both.
- Dudley DursleyNewly a boxing champion; taunts Harry about nightmares; panics during dementor attack and is saved.
- Mrs. FiggNeighbor who arrives after the attack; knows about magic and blames Mundungus Fletcher.
- Vernon DursleySuspicious and hostile; grapples with Harry and tries to hide any sign of magic from neighbors.
- Petunia DursleyDisparages Harry and warns Vernon about discussing magic with windows open.
- DementorsTwo dark creatures attack in Little Whinging; attempt to kiss Dudley; driven off by Harry’s Patronus.
- Piers PolkissMember of Dudley’s gang; parts ways before Dudley’s confrontation with Harry.
- MalcolmDudley’s friend; brags about their bullying before leaving.
- GordonDudley’s friend; invites the gang to meet the next day.
- Mundungus FletcherAbsent figure Mrs. Figg angrily blames for the situation after the dementors attack.