Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
O.W.L.S
Overview
O.W.L. exams consume Hogwarts as Harry, Ron, and Hermione grind through written and practical tests. Harry shines in Defense, even producing a Patronus before Umbridge.
During the Astronomy exam, Umbridge leads a midnight strike on Hagrid; McGonagall is felled by Stunners and Hagrid escapes with Fang. Exhausted in History of Magic, Harry is seized by a vivid vision of Voldemort torturing Sirius in the Department of Mysteries.
Summary
After Gryffindor’s Quidditch victory, Harry and Hermione tell Ron about Hagrid’s secret: his giant half-brother Grawp hidden in the forest and Hagrid’s plea they teach him English. With O.W.L.s imminent, the school becomes intensely focused; Hermione polices bogus study aids, and the examiners, including Professor Marchbanks and Professor Tofty, arrive, to Umbridge’s unease.
The Charms exam begins; Harry performs solidly, then does reasonably in Transfiguration and Herbology. In Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry confidently executes counterjinxes and conjures a full Patronus stag in front of Umbridge, likely earning an Outstanding.
As exams continue, Hermione frets over Ancient Runes and news spreads that another niffler appeared in Umbridge’s office. Without Snape present, Potions is less stressful, and Harry avoids a fail. Determined not to let Hagrid down, Harry completes Care of Magical Creatures tasks well while Hagrid watches anxiously.
During the night Astronomy practical, Harry notices a group—including Umbridge—enter Hagrid’s cabin. A violent confrontation erupts; Stunning Spells rebound off Hagrid’s giant-tough resilience. McGonagall sprints to intervene but is struck by four Stunners and carried away injured. Hagrid knocks attackers aside and escapes into the dark carrying Fang, while Umbridge rages.
Back in the common room, students process the shock: Umbridge targeted Hagrid, McGonagall is in the hospital wing, and Hagrid likely fled to join Dumbledore. Sleep-deprived, Harry sits his final History of Magic exam. Exhaustion overwhelms him and he is seized by a powerful vision from Voldemort’s perspective: Sirius, bloodied and defiant, is tortured in the Department of Mysteries and commanded to retrieve an object. Harry collapses in the Great Hall as the vision ends.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterSits multiple O.W.L.s, excels in Defense with a Patronus, witnesses Hagrid’s attack, and endures a shocking vision of Sirius tortured.
- Hermione GrangerFrenzied about exams, confiscates fake study aids, worries for Hagrid and McGonagall, and frets over a rune mistranslation.
- Ron WeasleyBasks in Quidditch win, studies anxiously, supports friends, and reacts with alarm to the attack on Hagrid and McGonagall.
- Dolores UmbridgeHeadmistress overseeing exams; leads a nighttime strike on Hagrid and orders Stunners that fell McGonagall.
- Rubeus HagridTargeted for removal; resists multiple Stunners, knocks attackers aside, and escapes carrying Fang.
- Professor Minerva McGonagallIntervenes to defend Hagrid; is hit by four Stunners and carried back to the castle, gravely injured.
- Professor ToftyKind examiner who tests Harry in Charms and Defense; awards praise for Harry’s Patronus.
- Professor Griselda MarchbanksSenior examiner overseeing O.W.L.s; tests students and is present during the Astronomy practical.
- Neville LongbottomStudies hard, comments on Marchbanks, and seems more at ease in Potions without Snape.
- Draco MalfoyBoasts about connections; bungles a levitation during Charms practical when distracted by Harry.
- Ernie MacmillanObsessively tallies study hours; later weighs in on Umbridge’s tactics after Hagrid’s escape.
- FangHagrid’s dog; tries to defend him, is Stunned, then carried off by Hagrid during the escape.
- DawlishOne of the attackers at Hagrid’s hut; identified by Hagrid during the clash.