Harry Potter, #5
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Centaur and the Sneak
Overview
Firenze begins teaching Divination and quietly warns Harry that Hagrid’s secret effort is failing. During a D.A. Patronus session, Dobby alerts them to Umbridge’s raid. Marietta betrays the group, but Kingsley alters her memory and Dumbledore claims responsibility, outmaneuvers Fudge’s arrest attempt, and vanishes, directing Harry to focus on Occlumency.
Summary
At breakfast before their first Divination with Firenze, Hermione predicts Umbridge will retaliate against Dumbledore for appointing a centaur. In classroom eleven, Firenze teaches under an enchanted forest canopy, dismissing human fortune-telling and foretelling renewed war. After class, Firenze privately asks Harry to warn Hagrid that his secret attempt is failing, refusing to reveal details.
Harry struggles to pass the warning to Hagrid under Umbridge’s surveillance; Hagrid insists his plan is fine. O.W.L. stress mounts across fifth year, but D.A. meetings remain a bright spot as students practice Patronuses.
During a Patronus session, Dobby bursts in to warn that Umbridge is coming. The D.A. flees, but Draco Malfoy trips Harry, and Umbridge captures him.
In Dumbledore’s office, Fudge, Umbridge, McGonagall, Kingsley, Dawlish, and Percy confront Harry. Umbridge produces Marietta Edgecombe, whose face is jinxed with “SNEAK,” and a list from the Room of Requirement naming “Dumbledore’s Army.” With Kingsley subtly modifying Marietta’s memory to block incriminating answers, Dumbledore declares the group his own initiative, not Harry’s, and claims tonight was the first meeting.
Fudge moves to arrest Dumbledore. Dumbledore stuns the assembled officials to avoid implicating allies, praises Kingsley’s quick thinking, and orders McGonagall to maintain normalcy. He urgently instructs Harry to practice Occlumency nightly. Grasping Fawkes’s tail, Dumbledore vanishes in a burst of fire as the officials recover, leaving Hogwarts without its headmaster.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterLeads the D.A., warns Hagrid on Firenze’s behalf, is captured by Umbridge, protected by Dumbledore’s confession.
- Albus DumbledoreClaims full responsibility for Dumbledore’s Army, incapacitates officials, escapes with Fawkes, orders Harry to master Occlumency.
- Dolores UmbridgeLeads the raid on the D.A., parades Marietta and the sign-up list, attempts to arrest Dumbledore.
- Marietta EdgecombeInforms Umbridge about the meeting; Hermione’s jinx brands her ‘SNEAK’; memory altered to block key admissions.
- Kingsley ShackleboltAuror who discreetly modifies Marietta’s memory, then pretends ignorance when Dumbledore escapes.
- Minerva McGonagallDefends students, shields Harry during the skirmish, remains to steady Hogwarts after Dumbledore’s departure.
- Cornelius FudgeArrives to oversee expulsions and arrest; is outmaneuvered and left furious after Dumbledore’s escape.
- FirenzeNew Divination teacher; teaches centaur astrology, reveals banishment, warns Harry that Hagrid’s attempt is failing.
- Rubeus HagridReceives Firenze’s warning via Harry; insists his secret plan is progressing despite Umbridge’s scrutiny.
- Draco MalfoyTrips Harry during the escape, helps Umbridge capture him, aids the raid.
- DawlishMinistry Auror who moves to arrest Dumbledore and is swiftly incapacitated.
- Percy WeasleyFudge’s aide; records Dumbledore’s statements and rushes to brief the Daily Prophet.
- DobbyWarns the D.A. of Umbridge’s approach, enabling most members to flee.
- Hermione GrangerLeads D.A. study; her jinx brands Marietta; practices Patronus successfully.
- Ron WeasleyAttends Firenze’s lesson and D.A. Patronus practice; flees during Umbridge’s raid.