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 Only One He Ever Feared

Previous: Beyond the Veil Next: The Lost Prophecy

Overview

Reeling from Sirius’s death, Harry chases Bellatrix to the Ministry Atrium and attempts the Cruciatus Curse. Voldemort arrives, but Dumbledore intervenes and duels him. Fawkes sacrifices himself to block a Killing Curse, and Voldemort briefly possesses Harry before fleeing. The Minister arrives, witnesses proof of Voldemort’s return, and Dumbledore reasserts authority.

Summary

Harry, denying Sirius’s death, struggles against Lupin until grief forces acceptance. Around them, Order members subdue Death Eaters. When Kingsley falls and Bellatrix flees, Harry breaks free, consumed by rage, and pursues her through the Department of Mysteries toward the Atrium.

In the Atrium, Bellatrix taunts Harry. Harry casts “Crucio,” which knocks her down but fails to torture her; she mocks that Unforgivables require true malice. Demanding the prophecy, she panics when Harry reveals it shattered. As Harry’s scar flares, he goads her that Voldemort will be furious.

Voldemort appears, confirms the prophecy is lost, and moves to kill Harry. The fountain’s wizard statue springs to life, shielding Harry as Dumbledore arrives and animates the other statues. Dumbledore and Voldemort duel fiercely; Dumbledore contains Voldemort with water and fire as Fawkes absorbs a Killing Curse and is reborn. Voldemort transforms a flame into a serpent, which Dumbledore banishes.

Seemingly retreating, Voldemort instead possesses Harry, urging Dumbledore to kill him. Overwhelmed by grief and love, especially for Sirius, Harry’s emotions expel Voldemort, who Disapparates with Bellatrix as green flames announce incoming Ministry reinforcements.

Aurors and Cornelius Fudge arrive; witnesses confirm seeing Voldemort. Dumbledore informs Fudge that captured Death Eaters await below and demands Umbridge’s removal and Hagrid’s reinstatement. With Fudge at last convinced, Dumbledore creates a Portkey and sends Harry back to Hogwarts, promising to explain the night’s events.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Grief-stricken over Sirius; pursues Bellatrix; attempts Cruciatus; faces Voldemort; survives brief possession.
Albus Dumbledore

Arrives at the Atrium; duels Voldemort decisively; protects Harry; confronts Fudge and reasserts authority.
Lord Voldemort

Confronts Harry; duels Dumbledore; attempts Killing Curse; possesses Harry; flees after Ministry witnesses arrive.
Bellatrix Lestrange

Kills Sirius; flees to the Atrium; taunts Harry; demands the prophecy; escapes with Voldemort.
Remus Lupin

Restrains Harry from the veil; confirms Sirius’s death; tries to keep Harry safe.
Cornelius Fudge

Arrives with Aurors; finally sees Voldemort; accepts Dumbledore’s terms and authority.
Kingsley Shacklebolt

Duels Bellatrix; is injured as she escapes the Death Chamber.
Neville Longbottom

Checks on Harry; reports friends’ conditions; has jinx removed by Lupin.
Mad-Eye Moody

Assists injured Tonks during the aftermath in the Death Chamber.
Nymphadora Tonks

Lies injured; Moody attempts to revive her.
Fawkes

Blocks a Killing Curse for Dumbledore, burns up, and is reborn.
Ginny Weasley

Injured in the Department; briefly encounters Harry during his pursuit.
Ron Weasley

Affected by brain tentacles; giggles uncontrollably as Harry passes.
Hermione Granger

Unconscious in the Department as Harry chases Bellatrix.
Luna Lovegood

Downed in the Department; groans as Harry leaps past.