Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Second War Begins
Overview
The Ministry publicly acknowledges Voldemort’s return, dementors defect, and Dumbledore is reinstated. At Hogwarts, Umbridge departs in disgrace and McGonagall restores points. Harry, mired in grief, breaks Sirius’s mirror and learns from Nearly Headless Nick that Sirius will not return as a ghost. On the train, D.A. members repel Malfoy, and the Order warns the Dursleys to treat Harry properly.
Summary
The Sunday Prophet reports Fudge’s confirmation that Voldemort has returned and that dementors have deserted Azkaban. Dumbledore is reinstated in all positions. In the hospital wing, Hermione reads the article to Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna; Umbridge lies in shock nearby. McGonagall returns from St. Mungo’s, restores house points to those who warned the world, and pointedly thwarts Snape’s attempt to punish Harry after Malfoy threatens revenge for Lucius’s arrest.
Harry visits Hagrid, who gently frames Sirius’s death as the end Sirius would have chosen, which Harry rejects before fleeing. Alone by the lake, Harry wrestles with grief and the prophecy’s implications. Later, while packing, he finds Sirius’s two-way mirror, desperately tries to contact him, then smashes it when nothing happens.
Seeking answers, Harry asks Nearly Headless Nick whether Sirius can return as a ghost. Nick explains few wizards choose that “feeble imitation of life” and says Sirius has “gone on.” Harry’s hope collapses—until a hallway talk with Luna, who shares her own loss and suggests the voices behind the veil imply continued existence, slightly easing Harry’s burden.
On the Hogwarts Express, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle attempt to ambush Harry, but nearby D.A. members overwhelm and humiliate them. In lighter moments, the group notes Cho now dates Michael Corner, while Ginny has moved on to Dean, to Ron’s outrage.
At King’s Cross, Moody, Tonks, Lupin, and the Weasleys meet Harry and pointedly warn the Dursleys to treat him well, promising swift intervention if needed. Buoyed by their support, Harry departs with the Dursleys for Privet Drive and the uncertain summer ahead.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGrieves Sirius, smashes the two-way mirror, learns ghosts won’t return, resists Malfoy, protected by D.A., escorted by Order.
- Hermione GrangerReads the Prophet, recovers from injury, supports Harry, notes war’s beginning on the train.
- Ron WeasleyRecovers in hospital wing, defends Harry, reacts to Ginny dating Dean, travels home with him.
- Luna LovegoodComforts Harry about death, shares belief in voices beyond the veil, has possessions stolen.
- Draco MalfoyThreatens Harry over Lucius’s arrest; later leads a failed train ambush foiled by D.A.
- Professor Minerva McGonagallReturns from St. Mungo’s, restores house points, disperses Malfoy conflict, quietly celebrates Umbridge’s exit.
- Severus SnapeInterrupts Harry and Malfoy standoff; rebuked indirectly as McGonagall awards points.
- Rubeus HagridTalks with Harry about Sirius and Grawp, tries to console him, mentions hiding in mountains.
- Dolores UmbridgeCatatonic after centaurs; later flees Hogwarts, chased out by Peeves to students’ delight.
- Nearly Headless NickExplains ghosts are rare choices; tells Harry Sirius has ‘gone on.’
- Luna Lovegood's father (Xenophilius) mentionReferenced via selling Harry’s interview and summer plans; not present in scenes.
- Ernie MacmillanD.A. member who helps hex Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle on the train.
- Remus LupinMeets Harry at King’s Cross, gently supports him, warns Dursleys to treat Harry well.
- Alastor MoodyLeads the Dursley confrontation, threatens consequences for mistreating Harry.
- Nymphadora TonksJoins reception party, pointedly warns Dursleys about Harry’s treatment.
- Arthur WeasleyCoordinates the Dursley talk, friendly but firm about Harry’s welfare.
- Molly WeasleyHugs Harry, promises to get him away from Privet Drive soon.
- Cornelius FudgePublicly confirms Voldemort’s return and dementor defection in the Prophet.
- PeevesChases Umbridge from Hogwarts with McGonagall’s walking stick.
- Ginny WeasleyRecovers from injury, dates Dean Thomas, updates on school changes.