Harry Potter, #7
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
CHAPTER NINE
Overview
As Death Eaters crash the wedding, Harry, Ron, and Hermione escape to Muggle London, survive an ambush, and erase their attackers’ memories. Concluding they need sanctuary, they move into 12 Grimmauld Place and trigger Moody’s protective curses. Arthur Weasley’s Patronus confirms family safety, while Harry’s scar vision reveals Voldemort punishing Rowle and coercing Draco, heightening the stakes.
Summary
As Kingsley’s Patronus announces the Ministry’s fall, panic erupts at the wedding. Hermione Side-Along Apparates Harry and Ron to Tottenham Court Road. In an alley, she unveils her beaded bag’s supplies—clothes, Invisibility Cloak—explaining she packed for a quick escape. They seek refuge in a shabby all-night café.
Two “workmen” reveal themselves as Death Eaters, Thorfinn Rowle and Antonin Dolohov. A duel shatters the café; Hermione Stuns Dolohov and Petrifies Rowle after Harry is blasted back and disarmed. Choosing to avoid murder and confusion, they repair the damage and Hermione successfully Obliviates the Death Eaters and the waitress, masking their trail.
Worried about tracking and debating the Trace, Harry argues for 12 Grimmauld Place as their safest option. They Apparate to the Black home, slip inside, and trigger Mad-Eye Moody’s protections: a Tongue-Tying Curse and a terrifying Dumbledore decoy that explodes into dust. Hermione’s Homenum revelio confirms they’re alone; Mrs. Black’s portrait is re-silenced.
Harry’s scar flares, suggesting Voldemort’s anger. A Patronus from Arthur Weasley arrives—“Family safe, do not reply, we are being watched”—reassuring Ron and Hermione. Overwhelmed by pain, Harry retreats to the bathroom and unwillingly witnesses through his scar Voldemort torturing Rowle for failing to capture Harry and ordering Draco Malfoy to join in, revealing Draco’s coerced complicity.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterEscapes the wedding, duels Death Eaters, chooses Grimmauld Place, triggers Moody’s jinxes, and endures a scar vision of Voldemort punishing Rowle and using Draco.
- Hermione GrangerLeads the escape, reveals her charmed beaded bag, Stuns/Petrifies foes, performs Memory Charms, and confirms the house is empty.
- Ron WeasleyHelps flee and fight, is bound then freed, supports hiding plan; relieved by Arthur’s Patronus about family safety.
- Thorfinn RowleBlond Death Eater who attacks in the café; later tortured by Voldemort for failure.
- Antonin DolohovDeath Eater who binds Ron; is Stunned and Obliviated in the café.
- Mad-Eye Moody (protective jinx)Posthumous defenses at Grimmauld Place: Tongue-Tying Curse and Dumbledore decoy to deter Snape.
- Portrait of Mrs. BlackShrieks insults when Moody’s decoy triggers; silenced again by Harry.
- Arthur WeasleySends a Patronus message confirming the family is safe and under watch.
- Lord VoldemortIn Harry’s vision, rages at Rowle’s failure and forces Draco to assist in torture.
- Draco MalfoySeen in Harry’s vision, coerced by Voldemort to punish Rowle, showing his fearful complicity.
- WaitressMuggle bystander knocked out during the café duel; memory later erased.