After what has to be the most horrific thing that’s ever happened
to him, Harry is left all alone at Privet Drive with people who
don’t care about him. He feels as if he’s been abandoned by
everyone he cares about, his friends, his adopted family...even
Dumbledore has left him.
Here we get to see some of Harry’s insecurities play out. Being
an orphan and essentially abandoned by the two most important
people in his life, he always feels unworthy of love. Always
questions why people are nice to him, expecting them to be mean
and awful like the Dursleys were to him. Yet at the same time, he
is always desperately afraid of losing that love and affection he
doesn’t think he deserves, but for which he was always yearn.
When we first see him, he is alone and hiding in some bushes. A
poetic description.
Dudley makes fun of him for crying out in his sleep because of
the nightmares he’s been having about the graveyard and Cedric’s
death (interspersed with corridor dreams). It’s clearly an
unresolved issue for him and it causes him to act out in anger
all this year.
He and Dudley get attacked by two Dementors on Magnolia Crescent.
To save them, Harry is forced to use a Patronus. In the process,
he discovers he is not as alone as it seemed. Mrs. Figg is a
Squib and has always watched after him. And the Order has kept
guard over him this whole time.
Petunia gets an owl all her own...a howler. From Dumbledore,
reminding her of his last letter. Possibly that she’s the only
thing keeping Harry alive and so she doesn’t let Vernon throw
Harry out.
to him, Harry is left all alone at Privet Drive with people who
don’t care about him. He feels as if he’s been abandoned by
everyone he cares about, his friends, his adopted family...even
Dumbledore has left him.
Here we get to see some of Harry’s insecurities play out. Being
an orphan and essentially abandoned by the two most important
people in his life, he always feels unworthy of love. Always
questions why people are nice to him, expecting them to be mean
and awful like the Dursleys were to him. Yet at the same time, he
is always desperately afraid of losing that love and affection he
doesn’t think he deserves, but for which he was always yearn.
When we first see him, he is alone and hiding in some bushes. A
poetic description.
Dudley makes fun of him for crying out in his sleep because of
the nightmares he’s been having about the graveyard and Cedric’s
death (interspersed with corridor dreams). It’s clearly an
unresolved issue for him and it causes him to act out in anger
all this year.
He and Dudley get attacked by two Dementors on Magnolia Crescent.
To save them, Harry is forced to use a Patronus. In the process,
he discovers he is not as alone as it seemed. Mrs. Figg is a
Squib and has always watched after him. And the Order has kept
guard over him this whole time.
Petunia gets an owl all her own...a howler. From Dumbledore,
reminding her of his last letter. Possibly that she’s the only
thing keeping Harry alive and so she doesn’t let Vernon throw
Harry out.
This exchange shows a bit of depth to a character previously
written off as a stupid meanie with no redeeming characteristics.
She is suddenly thrust into a new light. She understands about
Voldemort and Dementors, she’s lived through all this before.
And she, for the only the second time in her life probably, steps
up and does something right. She must have known the risk, but
kept baby Harry (treated him poorly, which I’m not even going to
get into here). And now, again, she makes a conscious decision to
do the right thing and keep him with her.
One thing she can do for her long dead sister...she wasn’t able
to prevent Lily’s death or make her see reason and abandon the
Magical World, but she can do this...she can save Harry.
Harry remains alone with no further information for another 3-4
days before the Order can get the Dursley’s out of the house
under the guise of a Competition and get the Advance Guard there
to pull him out.
Harry is seething from the lack of communication or genuine
concern from anyone by the time he arrives. His momentary joy at
seeing his two best friends is quickly overshadowed by his
annoyance and jealousy that they got to be together without him.
Hermione distracts him when he first walks in by bear hugging the
life out of him. She’s obviously been worried. It takes his
breath away and Ron says she’s been going spare the whole time.
So at least someone was worried about him.
written off as a stupid meanie with no redeeming characteristics.
She is suddenly thrust into a new light. She understands about
Voldemort and Dementors, she’s lived through all this before.
And she, for the only the second time in her life probably, steps
up and does something right. She must have known the risk, but
kept baby Harry (treated him poorly, which I’m not even going to
get into here). And now, again, she makes a conscious decision to
do the right thing and keep him with her.
One thing she can do for her long dead sister...she wasn’t able
to prevent Lily’s death or make her see reason and abandon the
Magical World, but she can do this...she can save Harry.
Harry remains alone with no further information for another 3-4
days before the Order can get the Dursley’s out of the house
under the guise of a Competition and get the Advance Guard there
to pull him out.
Harry is seething from the lack of communication or genuine
concern from anyone by the time he arrives. His momentary joy at
seeing his two best friends is quickly overshadowed by his
annoyance and jealousy that they got to be together without him.
Hermione distracts him when he first walks in by bear hugging the
life out of him. She’s obviously been worried. It takes his
breath away and Ron says she’s been going spare the whole time.
So at least someone was worried about him.
- Hermione had thrown herself onto him in a hug that
Pigwidgeon, zoomed excitedly round and round their
heads.
- “HARRY! Ron, he’s here, Harry’s here! We didn’t
Have you been furious with us? I bet you have, I know
our letters were useless - but we couldn’t tell you
anything, Dumbledore made us swear we wouldn’t, oh,
we’ve got so much to tell you, and you’ve got to tell
us – the dementors! When we heard – and that Ministry
hearing – it’s just outrageous, I’ve looked it all up,
they can’t expel you, they just can’t, there’s
provision in the Decree for the Restriction of
Underage Sorcery for the use of magic in life-
threatening situations –”
- “Let him breathe, Hermione,” said Ron, grinning,
several more inches during their month apart, making
him taller and more gangly looking than ever, though
the long nose, bright red hair, and freckles were the
same.
- Hermione, still beaming, let go of Harry, but
whooshing sound and something white soared from the
top of a dark wardrobe and landed gently on Harry’s
shoulder.
- “Hedwig!”
The snowy owl clicked her beak and nibbled his ear
| Order of the Phoenix Chapter 4 |
Harry then takes out his anger on them. Why do they get to be
together without him, knowing what’s going on the whole time
while he was stuck at the Dursley’s? It’s not fair, he’s done all
this cool and powerful stuff why should he have to be put away,
and doesn’t he deserve to know what’s going on?
together without him, knowing what’s going on the whole time
while he was stuck at the Dursley’s? It’s not fair, he’s done all
this cool and powerful stuff why should he have to be put away,
and doesn’t he deserve to know what’s going on?
- “So how come I have to stay at the Dursleys’ while
here?” said Harry, the words timbling over one another
in a rush, his voice growing louder with every word.
“How come you two are allowed to know everything
that’s going on –”
- “We’re not!” Ron interrupted. “Mum won’t let us
- But before he knew it, Harry was shouting.
“SO YOU HAVEN’T BEEN IN THE MEETINGS, BIG DEAL!
TOGETHER! ME, I’VE BEEN STUCK AT THE DURSLEYS’ FOR A
MONTH! AND I’VE HANDLED MORE THAN YOU TWO’VE EVER
MANAGED AND DUMBLEDORE KNOWS IT – WHO SAVED THE
SORCERER’S STONE? WHO GOT RID OF RIDDLE? WHO SAVED
BOTH YOUR SKINS FROM DEMENTORS?”
- Every bitter and resentful thought that Harry had
frustration at the lack of news, the hurt that they
had all been together without him, his fury at being
followed and not told about it: All the feelings he
was half-ashamed of finally burst their boundaries
- “I SUPPOSE YOU’VE BEEN HAVING A REAL LAUGH,
- “No, honest-”
“Harry, we’re really sorry!” said Hermione
re absolutely right, Harry – I’d be furious if it was
me!”
| ... |
| Order of the Phoenix Chapter 4 |
Hermione is nearly in tears, she knew he
would go crazy if they kept him in the
dark, but Dumbledore wouldn’t listen to
her.
It is her validation of his feelings (as
opposed to Ron’s denial and insistence of
his innocence) that stops him. Her tears,
her obvious dismay for him that calms him.
would go crazy if they kept him in the
dark, but Dumbledore wouldn’t listen to
her.
It is her validation of his feelings (as
opposed to Ron’s denial and insistence of
his innocence) that stops him. Her tears,
her obvious dismay for him that calms him.
She is probably the closest to him, the
one who knows him best, but Dumbledore
does not heed her advice.
one who knows him best, but Dumbledore
does not heed her advice.
And by the time Harry is brought back to them he’s hurt, angry
and resentful. (And a helluva lotta fun to deal with.)
He usually displays immediate shame and regret following his
outbursts through the book. He’s feeling misunderstood and abused
by everyone. He needs them to realize he’s not a little kid and
start treating him like the warrior he needs to be, but he’s
acting like a petulant child most of the time.
Harry learns that the Daily Prophet and the Ministry are trying
to make him into a crazy person in the media. They’ve thrown
Dumbledore off the International Wizards Confederation and the
Wizengamot for spreading “lies”.
Fudge is so scared he tries to screw up Harry’s trial by changing
the time and location with no warning. This speaks true to the
blind fear and biases that can overpower a person’s mind during a
time of great danger.
Sirius and Molly fight over whether they should tell the kids.
Molly calls Harry one of her own.
and resentful. (And a helluva lotta fun to deal with.)
He usually displays immediate shame and regret following his
outbursts through the book. He’s feeling misunderstood and abused
by everyone. He needs them to realize he’s not a little kid and
start treating him like the warrior he needs to be, but he’s
acting like a petulant child most of the time.
Harry learns that the Daily Prophet and the Ministry are trying
to make him into a crazy person in the media. They’ve thrown
Dumbledore off the International Wizards Confederation and the
Wizengamot for spreading “lies”.
Fudge is so scared he tries to screw up Harry’s trial by changing
the time and location with no warning. This speaks true to the
blind fear and biases that can overpower a person’s mind during a
time of great danger.
Sirius and Molly fight over whether they should tell the kids.
Molly calls Harry one of her own.
- “Well,” said Mrs. Weasley, breathing deeply and
come, “well...I can see I’m can see I’m going to be
overruled. I’ll just say this: Dumbledore must have
had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too
much, and speaking as someone who as got Harry’s best
interests at heart –”
- “He’s not your son,” said Sirius quietly.
“He’s as good as,” said Mrs. Weasley fiercely.
- “He’s got me!”
“Yes,” said Mrs. Weasley, her lip curling. “The
after him while you’ve been locked up in Azkaban, hasn’
t it?”
- Sirius started to rise from his chair.
“Molly, you’re not the only person at this table
sit down.”
- He did not look at Mrs. Weasley. He had been
as a son, but he was also impatient at her
mollycoddling...Sirius was right, he was not a child.
| ... |
| Order of the Phoenix Chapter 5 |
However, Sirius tells Harry, Hermione and Ron about the “secret
weapon” that the Order is protecting, despite Molly’s wishes.
This half-truth, I feel, does more damage than good. The truth
can be very perilous stuff and when you only know a fraction of
what you’re dealing with you’re even more likely to get yourself
in trouble thinking your doing the right thing.
Dumbledore finally comes to the rescue for Harry at the trial,
but never looks him in the eye. This upsets and angers Harry.
Harry thinks maybe Dumbledore is upset with him or doesn’t care
about what happens to him.
Again, he fears he’s finally been abandoned. He’s been a bad boy
and now everyone will leave him.
Harry is cleared...everyone is inordinately relieved if they all
just knew he’d get off. The rest of the summer passes with the
kids helping to de-magical creature the house during which they
find a silver locket no one can open...
Hermione and Ron get their prefect badges!
Harry is heartbroken he didn’t get it, and then upset with
himself for feeling like that. He doesn’t want to begrudge Ron
anything, because, thanks to last year, he knows Ron is jealous
of all Harry has. But Harry really wanted it and honestly thought
he’d get it.
He tries not to let them see his disappointment, tries not to
take away from them but he can’t help but feel sick about it.
weapon” that the Order is protecting, despite Molly’s wishes.
This half-truth, I feel, does more damage than good. The truth
can be very perilous stuff and when you only know a fraction of
what you’re dealing with you’re even more likely to get yourself
in trouble thinking your doing the right thing.
Dumbledore finally comes to the rescue for Harry at the trial,
but never looks him in the eye. This upsets and angers Harry.
Harry thinks maybe Dumbledore is upset with him or doesn’t care
about what happens to him.
Again, he fears he’s finally been abandoned. He’s been a bad boy
and now everyone will leave him.
Harry is cleared...everyone is inordinately relieved if they all
just knew he’d get off. The rest of the summer passes with the
kids helping to de-magical creature the house during which they
find a silver locket no one can open...
Hermione and Ron get their prefect badges!
Harry is heartbroken he didn’t get it, and then upset with
himself for feeling like that. He doesn’t want to begrudge Ron
anything, because, thanks to last year, he knows Ron is jealous
of all Harry has. But Harry really wanted it and honestly thought
he’d get it.
He tries not to let them see his disappointment, tries not to
take away from them but he can’t help but feel sick about it.
- The twins’ heads turned in unison and both of them
- “We thought you were a cert!” said Fred in a tone
- “We thought Dumbledore was bound to pick you!”
- The door banged open. Hermione came tearing into
There was an envelope in her hand.
- “Did you – did you get -?”
She spotted the badge in Harry’s hand and let out
- “I knew it!” she said excitedly, brandishing her
- “No,” said Harry quickly, pushing the badge back
- “It – what?”
“Ron’s prefect, not me,” Harry said.
“Ron?” said Hermione, her jaw dropping. “But...are
- He straightened up and looked behind him. Hermione
and sank onto it, gazing unseeingly at the foot of the
wardrobe.
- He had forgotten completely about prefects being
about the possibility of being expelled to spare a
thought for the face that badges must be winging their
way toward certain people. But if he had remermbered...
if he had thought about it...what would he have
expected?
- Not this, said a small and truthful voice inside
- He screwed up his face and buried his hands. He
badge was on its way, he would have expected it to
come to him, not Ron. Did this make him as arrogant as
Draco Malfoy? Did he think himself superior to
everyone else? Did he really believe he was better
than Ron?
- No, said the small voice defiantly.
Was that true? Harry wondered, anxiously probing
- “No one in their right mind would make Ron a
- Harry gave a small snort of laughter. A second
- Ron had not asked Dumbledore to give him the
Harry, Ron’s best friend in the world, going to sulk
because he didn’t have a badge, laugh with the twins
behind Ron’s back, ruin this for Ron when, for the
first time, he had beaten Harry at something?
| ... |
| ... |
| ... |
| Order of the Phoenix Chapter 9 |
a reward and spends the whole night talking about it. Harry tries
not to look like he detests the whole thing. He puts on a show to
save face, but he’s not that good of an actor because Moody’s got
him figured out and watches Harry’s progress around the room.
He shows Harry a picture of the last order and tells them about
how most of the people in it died shortly after it was taken.
Harry is upset by this as his parents were in the picture,
standing right alongside Pettigrew.
Harry doesn’t know how to handle this photo, the reminder that
death is sudden, unexpected and sometimes undeserved. It rattles
him. He still sees Cedric fall when he closes his eyes.
Harry leaves the party. He walks in on Molly trying to banish the
Boggart. He stops short at the sight of a dead Ron on the floor
of the drawing room.
Sirius and Moody come up to help, but by that time, the Boggart
has morphed into all the Weasley’s and Harry himself. That image
makes Sirius stop short too.
This speaks to Molly’s acceptance of Harry as one of her own. She
really does love him as a son.
It also speaks to the reality of the danger and the changing
times. They are moving into an unpredictable, treacherous
situation, nothing is safe anymore.
not to look like he detests the whole thing. He puts on a show to
save face, but he’s not that good of an actor because Moody’s got
him figured out and watches Harry’s progress around the room.
He shows Harry a picture of the last order and tells them about
how most of the people in it died shortly after it was taken.
Harry is upset by this as his parents were in the picture,
standing right alongside Pettigrew.
Harry doesn’t know how to handle this photo, the reminder that
death is sudden, unexpected and sometimes undeserved. It rattles
him. He still sees Cedric fall when he closes his eyes.
Harry leaves the party. He walks in on Molly trying to banish the
Boggart. He stops short at the sight of a dead Ron on the floor
of the drawing room.
Sirius and Moody come up to help, but by that time, the Boggart
has morphed into all the Weasley’s and Harry himself. That image
makes Sirius stop short too.
This speaks to Molly’s acceptance of Harry as one of her own. She
really does love him as a son.
It also speaks to the reality of the danger and the changing
times. They are moving into an unpredictable, treacherous
situation, nothing is safe anymore.
| Order of the Phoenix |
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| The Ultimate Harry Potter Analysis Source |
| Choosing what is Right over what is Easy |
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