Contents
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Overview
After celebrating the first task, Harry opens the golden egg and hears an indecipherable screech. Rita Skeeter spots Hagrid’s disastrous skrewt lesson and arranges an interview, foreshadowing trouble. Hermione then leads Harry and Ron into the kitchens, where they find Dobby happily employed and Winky miserable, hinting darkly about Ludo Bagman.
The chapter deepens the house-elf subplot, sets up a potential smear on Hagrid, and plants suspicion around Bagman.
Summary
Harry, Ron, and Hermione visit the Owlery so Harry can write Sirius about surviving the Hungarian Horntail. Afterward, Gryffindor throws Harry a surprise party where he opens the golden egg; it emits a horrible screech, leaving the clue unsolved but boosting morale.
In Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid’s attempt to hibernate Blast-Ended Skrewts devolves into chaos. Rita Skeeter arrives, notices the injuries and destroyed boxes, and arranges an interview with Hagrid at the Three Broomsticks, worrying Harry and Hermione about how she will twist his words.
Later, Hermione excitedly leads Harry and Ron to the hidden Hogwarts kitchens. There, Dobby joyfully reunites with Harry and reveals he and Winky now work at Hogwarts. Dobby proudly explains he is a free elf earning modest wages by choice, while other elves recoil at the notion of pay.
Winky, still devastated by Mr. Crouch freeing her, refuses pay and defends her former master. She angrily claims Ludo Bagman is a very bad wizard but, bound by house-elf secrecy habits, will not elaborate. Hermione comforts Winky and argues freedom is better, while Harry and Ron note Winky’s loyalty and Bagman’s new suspicion.
As they leave, Ron jokes about how easy it is to get food from the kitchens. Hermione hopes Dobby’s example will inspire other elves, though Harry doubts Winky will change quickly. The chapter closes with light banter about Bagman versus Crouch and Percy, underscoring shifting attitudes and new tensions.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterSends Sirius news, celebrates victory, opens the screeching egg, visits kitchens, reunites with Dobby, learns of Winky’s plight.
- Hermione GrangerSkeptical about dangers ahead, reveals the kitchens’ entrance, champions elf rights, comforts Winky, interprets Bagman and Crouch dynamics.
- Ron WeasleySupportive after reconciling, hosts celebration vibes, jokes in Divination, enjoys kitchen snacks, offers Dobby a Weasley sweater.
- Rubeus HagridLeads chaotic skrewt lesson; unwittingly agrees to a Rita Skeeter interview, risking negative coverage.
- Rita SkeeterCrashes Hagrid’s class, notes the mayhem, secures an interview likely to sensationalize events.
- DobbyNow a free, paid Hogwarts house-elf; proudly independent, adores Harry, plans purchases with modest wages.
- WinkyDisgraced and despondent after dismissal by Crouch; refuses pay; hints Ludo Bagman is bad but withholds details.
- Fred WeasleyHelps throw party, jokes about hexed custard creams, teases Hermione about elves and kitchens.
- George WeasleyCo-hosts celebration, markets Canary Creams, mocks Hermione’s activism.
- Lee JordanLaunches fireworks at the party and urges Harry to open the egg.
- Neville LongbottomPanics at egg’s scream, eats a hexed custard cream, briefly turns into a canary.