Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
A Peck of Owls
Overview
Mrs. Figg reveals she is a Squib tasked with watching Harry and exposes Mundungus’s dereliction as she hustles Harry and Dudley home. The Ministry initially expels Harry for casting a Patronus, then revises this to a suspension pending a hearing. Dudley’s account confirms the dementor attack, and Aunt Petunia unexpectedly shows knowledge of the wizarding world. A mysterious Howler to Petunia orders her to “remember my last,” compelling the Dursleys to keep Harry in the house.
Summary
In the alley, Mrs. Figg arrives, reveals she is a Squib assigned by Dumbledore to watch Harry, and rages that Mundungus Fletcher abandoned his post. She hustles Harry and a traumatized Dudley home, insisting Harry keep his wand out despite the Statute of Secrecy. Mundungus reappears, is berated, and Disapparates to inform Dumbledore.
At number four, Dudley vomits and the Dursleys panic. An owl from the Ministry arrives, declaring Harry expelled for performing a Patronus in front of a Muggle and warning his wand will be destroyed. Preparing to flee to protect his wand, Harry is stopped by a second owl from Arthur Weasley urging him not to leave, not to do more magic, and not to surrender his wand.
Harry stays. As Uncle Vernon demands answers, a third owl announces the Ministry has revised its decision: Harry may keep his wand and is suspended pending an August 12 hearing. During questioning, Dudley haltingly describes darkness and despair; Harry explains dementors and the Patronus. To Harry’s shock, Aunt Petunia knows what dementors are, recalling hearing about them from “that awful boy” years ago.
Uncle Vernon, terrified that danger follows Harry, orders him out. Harry counters that Voldemort is back and likely sent the dementors, while the Ministry may be involved. As Vernon drives Harry to leave, a Howler addressed to Petunia explodes with the command, “REMEMBER MY LAST, PETUNIA.” Shaken, Petunia abruptly decides Harry must stay.
Regaining composure, Aunt Petunia orders Harry confined to his room and forbids him to leave the house. Harry, bewildered by Petunia’s hidden connection and the Ministry’s shifting stance, remains under Dursley roof awaiting the hearing and further instructions.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterFights off dementors with a Patronus; faces Ministry expulsion then suspension; chooses to stay per warnings; confronts Dursleys.
- Aunt Petunia DursleyReveals prior knowledge of dementors; receives a Howler commanding “Remember my last”; decides Harry must stay confined.
- Uncle Vernon DursleyDemands explanations, tries to evict Harry over perceived danger and wizard interference, then backs down after Petunia’s decision.
- Dudley DursleyTraumatized by dementors; describes darkness and despair; is physically ill and shaken.
- Mrs. FiggReveals she is a Squib monitoring Harry for Dumbledore; berates Mundungus; escorts Harry and Dudley home.
- Mundungus FletcherAbsent on a shady deal during the attack; returns briefly, is berated, then leaves to inform Dumbledore.
- Mafalda HopkirkSends Ministry letters: initial expulsion and wand destruction, then revised to suspension pending a hearing.
- Arthur WeasleySends urgent message advising Harry to stay, avoid magic, and keep his wand.
- Sirius BlackBriefly writes, urging Harry not to leave the house.