Harry Potter, #3
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Overview
Shaken by learning Sirius Black betrayed his parents, Harry wrestles with rage while Ron and Hermione urge caution. Hagrid reveals Buckbeak faces a dangerous committee hearing, prompting the trio to prepare a defense. At a sparse Hogwarts Christmas, Harry receives an anonymous Firebolt; Hermione, fearing a trap, informs Professor McGonagall, who confiscates the broom, intensifying tensions.
Summary
Reeling from overheard revelations that Sirius Black betrayed James and Lily Potter, Harry broods alone, fixating on Black and imagining the betrayal. Ron and Hermione approach carefully and warn Harry not to seek revenge; Harry’s trauma from Dementors and his mother’s screams fuels his anger, but he remains undecided.
To distract him, Ron suggests visiting Hagrid. They find Hagrid devastated by a Ministry letter: Lucius Malfoy’s complaint has sent Buckbeak’s case to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, with a spring hearing and strict tethering orders. The trio pledge help; Hermione plans legal research, while Hagrid recalls the despair of Azkaban and fears breaking the law.
The next day they scour the library for precedents to defend Buckbeak. Hogwarts readies for a small Christmas, and tensions persist between Ron’s rat Scabbers and Hermione’s cat Crookshanks. On Christmas morning, Harry receives an anonymous Firebolt, the best broom available. Ron is ecstatic; Hermione is suspicious about the lack of a note, and a scuffle with Crookshanks sets a Sneakoscope whistling.
At the intimate Christmas dinner, Trelawney makes ominous remarks about dining in thirteen and hints at Lupin’s frailty, while Dumbledore remains unfazed. Afterward, Hermione brings Professor McGonagall to the common room. Believing the broom may be from Sirius Black and could be cursed, Hermione reports it. Professor McGonagall confiscates the Firebolt to be stripped and checked by staff, promising its return if safe.
Harry is stunned and Ron is furious with Hermione. Hermione stands by her caution, asserting the broom was likely sent by Black. The chapter ends with the Firebolt gone for testing and strain deepening within the trio.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterShattered by Black’s betrayal; vows not to be idle; helps Hagrid; receives an anonymous Firebolt, which is confiscated.
- Hermione GrangerUrges Harry to stay safe; researches Buckbeak’s defense; suspects the Firebolt; alerts McGonagall, causing conflict.
- Ron WeasleyWarns Harry against revenge; supports Hagrid; delights in the Firebolt; clashes with Hermione over Crookshanks and the broom.
- Rubeus HagridDistraught as Buckbeak faces a hearing; recalls Azkaban’s despair; accepts the trio’s help.
- Professor McGonagallHead of Gryffindor; confiscates the Firebolt to check for jinxes after Hermione’s warning.
- BuckbeakHippogriff facing a dangerous committee hearing after Malfoy’s complaint; kept tethered and isolated.
- Professor DumbledoreLeads a small Christmas feast; downplays Trelawney’s omens; oversees staff checking Lupin’s potion.
- Professor TrelawneyArrives at Christmas dinner; makes ominous pronouncements about thirteen dining and Lupin’s future.
- Severus SnapeConfirms brewing Lupin’s potion; exchanges barbs at Christmas table.
- CrookshanksHermione’s cat; attacks Ron, alarming Scabbers; hisses at the Sneakoscope.
- ScabbersRon’s aging rat; thin and patchy; terrified of Crookshanks; cause of renewed tension.
- Argus FilchAttends the small Christmas feast in formal, shabby tails.
- Remus LupinAbsent and ill over Christmas; discussed at dinner; subject of Trelawney’s ominous comment.
- Sir CadoganPortrait knight hosting a boisterous Christmas at the Gryffindor entrance; admits the trio.
- Lucius MalfoyHis complaint triggers Buckbeak’s dangerous hearing; exerts influence over the committee.