Contents
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Overview
Under mounting hostility and Ron’s jealousy, Harry endures taunts and an unfair punishment after a hexing scuffle. Rita Skeeter ambushes him for a slanted interview before the official Wand Weighing, where Ollivander verifies each champion’s wand. Sirius arranges a clandestine meeting, confirming rising danger and vigilance.
Summary
On Sunday, Harry avoids Gryffindor’s applause and confides in Hermione by the lake. She believes him, explains Ron’s jealousy, and urges Harry to write Sirius. In the Owlery, Harry sends a cautious note via a school owl, angering Hedwig for not being used.
Back in classes, most students assume Harry entered himself. Hufflepuffs snub him in Herbology, and Slytherins mock him in Care of Magical Creatures, though Hagrid quietly affirms his faith in Harry. The isolation deepens through the week; Ravenclaws also doubt him, and Harry struggles with Summoning Charms.
Before Double Potions, Malfoy unveils “Support Cedric Diggory/The Real Hogwarts Champion” badges that switch to “POTTER STINKS.” Insults escalate; Harry and Malfoy trade jinxes, which backfire onto Goyle and Hermione, whose teeth grow rapidly. Snape dismisses Hermione’s injury, sends Goyle to the hospital wing, and penalizes Harry and Ron with points and detentions, further embittering Harry.
Colin Creevey interrupts Potions to summon Harry for a photo shoot and the Wand Weighing. Rita Skeeter drags Harry into a broom cupboard and uses a Quick-Quotes Quill to twist his words into a melodramatic story until Dumbledore intervenes and starts the ceremony.
In the Weighing of the Wands, Mr. Ollivander examines each champion’s wand: Fleur’s veela-hair wand, Cedric’s unicorn-hair ash, Krum’s Gregorovitch hornbeam with dragon heartstring, and Harry’s holly with phoenix feather, all declared in good working order. Photographs follow, with Skeeter pushing Harry forward.
After dinner, Harry finds Ron still curt and distant but receives Sirius’s reply. Sirius warns that entering Harry was a risky move and arranges a secret Gryffindor fire conversation at 1 a.m. on November 22, urging vigilance and further updates.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterIsolated Triwizard champion; writes Sirius, suffers school backlash, clashes with Malfoy, endures Skeeter’s interview, and has his wand weighed by Ollivander.
- Hermione GrangerBelieves Harry, attributes Ron’s behavior to jealousy, urges writing Sirius; is accidentally hexed by Malfoy, causing her teeth to grow.
- Ron WeasleyJealous and distant; briefly helps Hermione after the hex but continues avoiding Harry; shares detentions assigned by Snape.
- Rita SkeeterDaily Prophet reporter; manipulates Harry in a broom cupboard with a Quick-Quotes Quill to sensationalize his story.
- Severus SnapePenalizes Harry and Ron after the corridor hexing, ignores Hermione’s injury, and targets Harry in Potions.
- Ludo BagmanOversees champions’ Wand Weighing and coordinates photographs; introduces Rita Skeeter.
- Mr. OllivanderWandmaker who inspects and approves each champion’s wand, lingering over Harry’s holly and phoenix feather.
- Draco MalfoyLeads taunts with “POTTER STINKS” badges and duels Harry; his hex hits Hermione.
- Rubeus HagridSupports Harry’s innocence during Care of Magical Creatures while managing dangerous Blast-Ended Skrewts.
- Cedric DiggoryPopular Hogwarts champion; has his wand weighed and draws admiring attention.
- Fleur DelacourBeauxbatons champion; reveals a veela-hair wand core during the weighing.
- Viktor KrumDurmstrang champion; has a Gregorovitch wand inspected and avoids the limelight in photos.
- Albus DumbledoreInterrupts Skeeter’s ambush and conducts the Wand Weighing with the judges.
- Colin CreeveyFetches Harry from Potions for the photos and Wand Weighing, excited by Harry’s status.