Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
By: J.K. Rowling
Book 5 brings some pretty sinister characters to Hogwarts and to Privet Drive. Dementors attack Dudley Dursley one night while he is walking home. Harry had gotten into trouble for trying to listen to the news, so he went to a park where he saw Dudley walking home and realized he had better head home (Uncle Vernon had threatened to lock him out if he came home after Dudley did.) Luckily Harry was there, because he summoned his Patronus which saved him and Dudley. Of course, Dudley is in shock, and so is Harry when the woman who torturously babysat him comes running up and tells him to keep his wand out for goodness sake!
Harry is, of course, in trouble with the Ministry of Magic again. He is granted a hearing which is held at the Ministry of Magic. Interesting happenings in that courtroom go on I tell ya!
Harry’s had another rotten summer of letters. This year, instead of not getting any, all he’s getting are cryptic replies from Ron, Hermione, and Sirius saying they’ll tell him more when he sees them. I feel I should warn you that Harry is an angry young man in this novel. I don’t really blame him; because if I was in his situation would I have behaved differently? I’d like to say yes, but who really knows? Things are, of course, sorted out in the end, and even though the blame is shared, there’s still something about needing to be accountable for your actions that is a little lacking at the end of this book (although by the time you get to the end you feel really bad for Harry).
The Order of the Phoenix is a group of witches and wizards who believe that Voldemort is back and are trying to take the necessary precautions: recruiting new members, protecting Harry, spreading the word, etc. Harry’s jealousy and anger that Ron and Hermione have been there taking part in things could have ruined their friendship, but instead they talk things out and no, things are not smooth sailing for the three of them in this book, they still have arguments throughout.
Harry’s been having these dreams that are terrible yet intriguing to him. He’s in this long corridor and if he can just get past that door to find what’s hidden back there he’ll feel better. He’s supposed to take occlumency lessons from Professor Snape, per Dumbledore’s orders to stop these dreams, but we all know how Harry and Professor Snape feel about each other so it doesn’t take long for things to reach boiling points. I think that part of the reason Harry is so angry throughout this book is because he’s being kept in the dark. He’s not told why he needs occlumency, just that it’s Dumbledore’s orders. By this time Harry’s had about enough of Dumbledore as he doesn’t talk to him, doesn’t look at him, and doesn’t let him in on what’s going on. He’s justified in being angry about this, because he has done things that most witches and wizards never will and he has seen Lord Voldemort’s return. Being a teenager is hard enough, but when you’re being told to do things that don’t make sense to you and aren’t explained, it can be difficult to follow through. Generally, parents or those in charge of us feel that they’re doing what is best, but as a teenager you don’t really care unless you know what’s going on. Face it, most of us don’t appreciate being given cryptic orders that we don’t understand and are expected to follow.
A massively unpleasant change that happens at Hogwarts is the arrival of Dolores Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She’s a member of the Ministry of Magic and was present at Harry’s trial. Soon, she’s being given authority over all of Hogwarts. She tries to get rid of Professors she doesn’t approve of, and she issues decrees that will specifically affect Harry (such as no clubs or organizations are allowed without her approval, and this includes Quidditch). The fact that she’s got it out for Harry is no secret! She even creates an Inquisitional Squad and gives them authority to take house points. Of course Malfoy’s a member and his obvious glee is disgusting.
There’s so much more that goes on in this book that I don’t even know where to go from here…..maybe some cryptic notes:
- Hagrid’s not at school at the beginning of the school term. Where is he and what’s he been up to?
- When he does return, why is he always sporting a black eye?
- What exactly do Harry’s dreams mean? Why is the one about Arthur Weasley true? Does that automatically make the others true?
- The D.A. is Hermione’s idea (which is a shocker just because it’s Hermione and she doesn’t believe in breaking rules) and takes off….until they get caught and the consequences are NOT good.
- Love troubles. ‘Nuff said.
- Thestrals, what the heck are they and why can’t everyone see them?
- Why are Ron and Hermione prefects and not Harry?
- Where did Fred and George get the money to do the things they’ve been doing? (Ok, we already know, but most people don’t….and what they do with the money is priceless…..especially they’re exit – you’ll know what I’m talking about when you get there).
- Luna Lovegood….is she as weird as she seems?
- St. Mungo’s……poor Neville – and speaking of Neville, I’m so proud of him!
- The prophecy……If I say anymore I’ll give away the ending and I just can’t do that to you! But it’s good, and it’s making me rethink my stance on what’s going to happen in book 7….I still think it could happen (OH! Do you know my stance on book 7? I could be wrong, in fact, I probably am, but I think that Harry and Lord Voldemort will both die. The reason I say this is because Voldemort just can’t live. I’ll be so disappointed if evil has a chance at the end of these books!I think that getting rid of Lord Voldemort could be the end for Harry as well….they have this connection and I just don’t know……)