Harry Potter, #3
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Overview
Ron and Hermione’s feud worsens as Scabbers remains missing. Harry masters the Firebolt, leads Gryffindor to victory over Ravenclaw, and casts a powerful Patronus at apparent Dementors—exposed as a Slytherin prank. That night, Sirius Black breaches Gryffindor Tower with stolen passwords, revealing a serious security lapse and heightening the danger.
Summary
Ron and Hermione’s friendship deteriorates over Scabbers’s disappearance and Crookshanks’s suspected role. To cheer Ron, Harry invites him to Gryffindor’s final Quidditch practice and lets him try the newly returned Firebolt. On their way back, they spot Crookshanks; Harry momentarily fears he’s seen the Grim but regains his composure.
On match day, the Firebolt draws schoolwide attention. Facing Ravenclaw and Seeker Cho Chang, Harry flies superbly but is repeatedly blocked and distracted. When three apparent Dementors appear, Harry produces a powerful Patronus, catches the Snitch, and secures Gryffindor’s win.
Professor Lupin reveals the “Dementors” were Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Flint in robes; Professor McGonagall punishes them. Gryffindor throws a jubilant party. Hermione, overwhelmed with work and still at odds with Ron, breaks down and leaves.
Late that night, Ron awakens screaming: Sirius Black stood over him with a knife and slashed the bed curtains. The common room erupts; McGonagall demands answers and learns from Sir Cadogan that Black had the week’s passwords. Neville Longbottom admits he wrote them down and misplaced them, exposing a dangerous breach in Gryffindor’s security.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGryffindor Seeker; masters the Firebolt, catches the Snitch, casts a strong Patronus, and witnesses the security breach aftermath.
- Ron WeasleyGrieving Scabbers; enjoys the Firebolt; later wakes to Sirius Black with a knife in their dormitory and raises the alarm.
- Hermione GrangerDefends Crookshanks, clashes with Ron and Harry; overworked, leaves the party in tears.
- Oliver WoodGryffindor captain; strategizes for the must-win match and celebrates the victory.
- Cho ChangRavenclaw Seeker; closely marks Harry and attempts to distract him during key chases.
- Professor Remus LupinCommends Harry’s Patronus and reveals the ‘Dementors’ were Slytherins in disguise.
- Professor Minerva McGonagallPunishes Slytherins for the Dementor prank; later investigates the break-in and confronts Neville.
- Draco MalfoyMocks Harry before the match; participates in the fake Dementor sabotage and is caught.
- Neville LongbottomAdmits writing down Gryffindor passwords, enabling Sirius Black’s entry.
- Sir CadoganFat Lady’s replacement; proudly admits admitting Black using written passwords.
- CrookshanksSpotted near the pitch; remains central to the dispute over Scabbers.
- Marcus FlintSlytherin captain; helps stage the fake Dementor incident and is punished.
- Vincent Crabbe and Gregory GoyleAssist Malfoy in the fake Dementor prank; caught and detained.
- Madam HoochOversees practice and referees the match; praises the Firebolt.