Harry Potter, #7
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
CHAPTER TWELVE
Overview
Snape is named Hogwarts Headmaster, with the Carrows installed, confirming Voldemort’s control. Hermione thwarts portrait spying and the trio finalizes their Ministry infiltration. Harry’s scar-vision shows Voldemort murdering while hunting Gregorovitch. The next morning they Polyjuice into the Ministry, confront its oppressive regime, and split when Yaxley threatens Cattermole’s wife and Umbridge appears.
Summary
At Grimmauld Place, Harry returns with news that Severus Snape has been appointed Hogwarts Headmaster and the Carrow siblings have taken key posts. Hermione, realizing Phineas Nigellus’s portrait could be used to spy, hides it in her beaded bag. Harry, Ron, and Hermione review weeks of Ministry reconnaissance and argue timing; Harry insists they act the next day to retrieve the locket from Dolores Umbridge.
During dinner, Harry’s scar flares and he witnesses Voldemort arriving at a foreign home, demanding Gregorovitch’s whereabouts, and murdering the woman there as her children arrive. Hermione urges Occlumency, but Harry refuses, choosing to use the connection to learn Voldemort’s aims. They drill their plan late into the night.
At dawn, armed with Polyjuice and Weasleys’ products, they move to an alley by a theater near the Ministry entrance. Hermione Stuns Mafalda Hopkirk and takes her identity and tokens. They dose a ferrety Magical Maintenance wizard with a Puking Pastille so Ron can impersonate Reg Cattermole. Harry acquires hairs from a tall wizard, transforms into Albert Runcorn, and they head to the public-toilet entrance.
They flush into the Atrium and confront the “Magic is Might” statue of wizards enthroned on carved Muggles. As they queue for lifts, Death Eater Yaxley orders “Cattermole” to stop magical rain in his office, threatening Cattermole’s wife, who awaits interrogation. Ron breaks off to fix the office under Hermione’s whispered guidance; Harry and Hermione continue upward.
As Hermione considers following Ron, the lift doors open at Level One, revealing Umbridge with a long-haired senior wizard. The trio’s mission to find the locket converges directly on Umbridge as the Ministry’s menace closes in.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterProtagonist; pushes for a swift Ministry infiltration, experiences a Voldemort vision, disguises himself as Albert Runcorn.
- Hermione GrangerStrategist; hides Phineas’s portrait, orchestrates Polyjuice plan, impersonates Mafalda Hopkirk, guides Ron on counterspells.
- Ron WeasleyGoes undercover as Reg Cattermole; tasked by Yaxley to stop rain, worried for Cattermole’s wife, splits from the group.
- KreacherDevoted house-elf; keeps house spotless, cooks, and sees the trio off.
- Severus SnapeAnnounced as Hogwarts Headmaster, symbolizing Voldemort’s control of the school.
- Alecto CarrowInstalled as Muggle Studies teacher under the new regime.
- Amycus CarrowInstalled as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, aligning Hogwarts with Death Eaters.
- Lord VoldemortMurders a woman while seeking Gregorovitch, revealing ruthless pursuit of a goal.
- GregorovitchForeign wandmaker sought by Voldemort; his whereabouts drive Voldemort’s killings.
- Dolores UmbridgeMinistry official; suspected locket holder; appears at Level One as the trio arrives.
- YaxleyDeath Eater; intimidates Ron-as-Cattermole, threatening Cattermole’s wife to force compliance.
- Mafalda HopkirkMinistry assistant; stunned and impersonated by Hermione to gain entry.
- Albert RuncornIntimidating Ministry figure; identity Harry assumes to navigate the Atrium.
- Reg CattermoleMagical Maintenance employee; identity Ron assumes; his wife awaits interrogation.