Harry Potter, #3
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
CHAPTER TWO
Overview
Aunt Marge arrives for a week, prompting Harry to bargain with Uncle Vernon: perfect behavior for a signature on his Hogsmeade form. After days of abuse, Marge’s goading about Harry’s parents triggers uncontrolled magic.
Harry inflates Marge, seizes his belongings, defies Vernon with his wand, and flees Privet Drive, escalating the conflict and severing ties with the Dursleys.
Summary
At breakfast, the Dursleys ignore Harry while the television reports an escaped convict named Black. Uncle Vernon announces Aunt Marge’s week-long visit and orders Harry to act “normal” and uphold a lie about attending St Brutus’s. Harry leverages this, bargaining for a signature on his Hogsmeade permission form if he behaves.
To maintain the facade, Harry hides his presents and homework, and sends Hedwig away so he can avoid any hint of magic. Aunt Marge arrives with her bulldog Ripper and immediately dotes on Dudley while belittling Harry. Over meals, she praises harsh discipline, demands to know about Harry’s supposed school beatings, and compares him unfavorably to Dudley.
On the third day, after Marge insinuates Harry is innately defective, Harry loses control and her wine glass explodes. Worried about Ministry warnings and the Hogsmeade deal, Harry removes himself and resolves to keep calm.
On Marge’s final evening, fueled by wine and brandy, she escalates, declaring bad blood and insulting Harry’s parents. When Uncle Vernon labels James Potter unemployed and Marge claims Harry’s parents died drunk in a car crash, Harry’s anger boils over.
Uncontrolled magic inflates Aunt Marge like a balloon; she rises to the ceiling as buttons pop and Ripper bites Uncle Vernon in the chaos. Seizing the moment, Harry unlocks the cupboard, hauls out his trunk, retrieves hidden books and presents, and grabs Hedwig’s cage.
As Uncle Vernon demands he “put her right,” Harry draws his wand, insists Marge deserved it, and warns Vernon to stay back. He declares he’s leaving and steps into the night, dragging his trunk and carrying the cage, effectively breaking with the Dursleys.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterProtagonist; bargains for Hogsmeade permission, endures Marge’s insults, loses control and inflates her, then leaves Privet Drive.
- Aunt Marge (Marge Dursley)Uncle Vernon’s sister; bullies Harry, drinks heavily, insults his parents, and is accidentally inflated by Harry’s magic.
- Uncle Vernon DursleyHarry’s uncle; imposes strict conditions, bargains signature for behavior, panics during Marge’s inflation, tries to stop Harry.
- Aunt Petunia DursleyHarry’s aunt; supports the St Brutus’s cover story, hosts Marge, anxiously watches for signs of magic.
- Dudley DursleyHarry’s cousin; indulged by Marge with gifts and praise, mostly eats and watches events unfold.
- RipperAunt Marge’s bulldog; growls at Harry and bites Uncle Vernon during the chaos.
- Sirius Black (on TV)Escaped convict reported on the news, foreshadowing larger dangers.
- HedwigHarry’s owl; sent away for the week to help Harry avoid suspicion of magic.