Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Beetle at Bay
Overview
News breaks of a mass Azkaban escape, including Bellatrix Lestrange, while the Prophet blames Sirius and Fudge denies Voldemort’s role. Broderick Bode is murdered at St. Mungo’s. Umbridge imposes Decree 26 and intensifies inspections, leaving Hagrid on probation. Harry’s date with Cho collapses, and Hermione coerces Rita Skeeter to publish Harry’s full account in The Quibbler via Luna’s father.
Summary
At breakfast, Hermione’s Daily Prophet reveals a mass Azkaban breakout of ten Death Eaters, including Bellatrix Lestrange. Fudge blames Sirius, avoiding any link to Voldemort. Another article reports Broderick Bode’s death by a disguised Devil’s Snare at St. Mungo’s, which Hermione calls deliberate murder. Realizing Bode was an Unspeakable, Hermione rushes to send a letter.
Hagrid, bruised and cut, admits he is on probation after Umbridge’s inspection. School gossip fixates on the escapees, while teachers whisper under Umbridge’s eye. Decree 26 bans staff from sharing non-subject information. Umbridge escalates observations of Trelawney and Hagrid; Trelawney unravels, and Hagrid grows jumpy and distant, forbidding after-dark visits.
In response, Harry intensifies D.A. meetings. Neville, driven by Bellatrix’s escape, improves rapidly, mastering the Shield Charm second only to Hermione. Meanwhile, Harry’s Occlumency lessons with Snape worsen his scar pain and recurring dreams of the Department of Mysteries’ black door, prompting tension over Snape’s intentions; Hermione insists Dumbledore’s trust stands.
On Valentine’s Hogsmeade weekend, Harry’s date with Cho at Madam Puddifoot’s falters. Awkwardness, mention of Cedric, and Harry’s plan to meet Hermione spark Cho’s tears and a public breakup. Soaked and dejected, Harry finds a battered Hagrid in the Three Broomsticks, who remains evasive about his injuries and leaves.
Hermione then introduces Harry to Luna Lovegood and Rita Skeeter. Hermione proposes Rita write Harry’s full account of Voldemort’s return, naming Death Eaters, to be published in The Quibbler. When Rita cites the Prophet’s censorship and money, Hermione threatens to expose Rita’s illegal Animagus status. Rita, cornered, agrees to take Harry’s interview for Luna’s father.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterReacts to Azkaban breakout and Bode’s murder; struggles with Occlumency; disastrous Valentine date with Cho; meets Rita to tell his story.
- Hermione GrangerFinds the news, deduces Bode’s murder, orchestrates Rita Skeeter’s interview for The Quibbler, and pressures Rita to comply.
- Rubeus HagridOn probation, injured, evasive about wounds; anxious under Umbridge’s scrutiny and distances himself from students.
- Dolores UmbridgeIssues Decree 26; intensifies inspections of Trelawney and Hagrid; tightens control over staff and students.
- Cho ChangValentine date with Harry at Madam Puddifoot’s turns emotional over Cedric and Hermione, ending in a public breakup.
- Rita SkeeterReluctant ex-reporter coerced by Hermione into publishing Harry’s truthful interview in The Quibbler.
- Luna LovegoodFacilitates publication by offering The Quibbler; supports Hermione’s plan during the meeting.
- Neville LongbottomGalvanized by Bellatrix’s escape; trains relentlessly in the DA and rapidly improves, mastering the Shield Charm.
- Severus SnapeContinues Occlumency lessons that worsen Harry’s symptoms; his motives debated by Harry and Ron.
- Cornelius FudgeBlames Sirius for the breakout in the Prophet, denying Voldemort’s role and shaping public perception.
- Sybil TrelawneyCrumbles under Umbridge’s intrusive evaluations, becoming hysterical and erratic.
- Broderick BodeUnspeakable murdered at St. Mungo’s by Devil’s Snare, implying Death Eater involvement.
- Bellatrix LestrangeNamed among the escapees; her freedom drives Neville’s intensified training.