Harry Potter, #4
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Overview
In the aftermath of the Third Task, Harry meets the Diggorys and struggles through grief. Dumbledore publicly names Voldemort as Cedric’s killer and urges unity. On the train, Hermione reveals Rita Skeeter is an unregistered Animagus; Malfoy is hexed, and Bagman’s debts surface. Harry donates his winnings to Fred and George, then returns to the Dursleys determined to face what comes.
Summary
In the stunned days after the Third Task, Harry meets Amos and Mrs. Diggory. They thank Harry for returning Cedric’s body and refuse the Triwizard winnings; Harry leaves burdened by grief and guilt. Back at Hogwarts, most students avoid Harry, while Ron and Hermione quietly support him. Hagrid comforts Harry, praises his courage, and hints at a secret summer mission with Madame Maxime.
At the Leaving Feast, black drapes honor Cedric. Dumbledore openly states that Voldemort murdered Cedric, honors Harry’s bravery, and urges unity among schools, warning of dark times and the need to choose what is right over what is easy. Harry notes Snape’s unreadable gaze and wonders about Snape’s covert task.
Before departure, Fleur bids goodbye and hopes to work on her English; Krum privately speaks with Hermione, then respectfully parts from Harry and Ron. On the train, Hermione reveals she caught Rita Skeeter as an unregistered Animagus beetle and coerced her silence for a year. Draco Malfoy taunts them about Voldemort’s return, but simultaneous hexes from Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the Weasley twins knock Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle unconscious.
During the journey, Fred and George admit they tried to blackmail Ludo Bagman for unpaid World Cup winnings; he paid with vanishing leprechaun gold and, deep in goblin debt, bet on Harry to win outright, then fled when the goblins refused to pay after the tie. Reaching King’s Cross, Harry gives his thousand-Galleon prize to Fred and George to start their joke shop, asking only that they buy Ron better dress robes.
Harry parts from Ron and Hermione—receiving Hermione’s first kiss on the cheek—and hears Mrs. Weasley’s hope that he can visit later. Collected by Uncle Vernon, Harry leaves with renewed resolve, accepting that, as Hagrid said, what will come will come, and he will meet it when it does.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGrieves Cedric, honored by Dumbledore, fends off Malfoy, donates winnings to the twins, returns resolved to face danger.
- Albus DumbledorePublicly declares Voldemort killed Cedric, honors Harry, and urges unity and moral courage against coming darkness.
- Hermione GrangerSupports Harry; reveals Rita Skeeter is an unregistered Animagus and compels her silence for a year.
- Ron WeasleyStands by Harry; hexes Malfoy; secures Krum’s autograph; will benefit from new dress robes via Harry’s gift.
- Rubeus HagridComforts Harry, praises his courage, hints at a secret summer mission possibly with Madame Maxime.
- Fred WeasleyHelps hex Malfoy; with George reveals Bagman’s debts; receives Harry’s prize to start the joke shop.
- George WeasleyHelps hex Malfoy; explains Bagman’s unpaid bets and flight; accepts Harry’s funding for their business.
- Rita SkeeterExposed by Hermione as an unregistered Animagus beetle and confined to silence under threat.
- Draco MalfoyTaunts Harry about Voldemort and blood status; is stunned and hexed alongside Crabbe and Goyle.
- Amos DiggoryGrieves Cedric, thanks Harry for returning the body during a painful meeting.
- Mrs. DiggoryMourns Cedric; refuses Harry’s prize money and urges him to look after himself.
- Viktor KrumBids farewell, speaks with Hermione, praises Cedric, and parts respectfully with Harry and Ron.
- Fleur DelacourSays goodbye, hopes to work on her English, lifts spirits briefly.
- Severus SnapeObserved by Harry with suspicion; implied to be on a covert assignment for Dumbledore.
- Alastor MoodyReal Moody returns, jittery after imprisonment, present at the Leaving Feast.
- undefinedSeen with Hagrid; may join his secret summer mission; departs with Beauxbatons.
- Cho ChangSeen weeping during Dumbledore’s tribute to Cedric.
- Cornelius FudgeOff-page influence; suppresses Prophet coverage of Voldemort’s return.