Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)

by J.K. Rowling

“I heard — that awful boy — telling her about them — years ago,” she said jerkily.

And all of a sudden, for the very first time in his life, Harry fully appreciated that Aunt Petunia was his mother’s sister.

he now felt guilty that he’d been irritable with Hedwig; she was the only friend he had at number four, Privet Drive.

also a heavy locket that none of them could open,

Ron, I’m so proud of you, what wonderful news,

“Mum,” said Ron hopefully, “can I have a new broom?”

Mrs. Weasley hesitated, then smiled. “Of course you can.

Was he, 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?

Harry’s stomach, already uncomfortable, clenched as he looked at Alice Longbottom; he knew her round, friendly face very well, even though he had never met her, because she was the image of her son, Neville.

We believe Harry,” he said simply.

Harry felt a rush of gratitude toward Neville.

“How do you remember stuff like that?” asked Ron, looking at her in admiration.

Neville looked around at the others, his expression defiant, as though daring them to laugh, but Harry did not think he’d ever found anything less funny in his life.

hand, “you’d better take this . . .” Neville kicked aside the broken fragments of his own wand as they walked slowly toward the door. “My gran’s going do kill be,” said Neville thickly, blood spattering from his nose as he spoke, “dat was by dad’s old wand . . .”

“He can’t come back, Harry,” said Lupin, his voice breaking as he struggled to contain Harry.

Lupin turned away from the archway as he spoke. It sounded as though every word was causing him pain.

And I’ll see Sirius again. . . .

He could see the Quidditch stadium in the distance. Sirius had appeared there once, disguised as the shaggy black dog, so he could watch Harry play. . . . He had probably come to see whether Harry was as good as James had been. . . . Harry had never asked him. . . .

Harry turned his head in time to see Phineas marching out of his portrait and knew that he had gone to visit his other painting in Grimmauld Place. He would walk, perhaps, from portrait to portrait, calling for Sirius through the house. . .

Harry looked up at him and saw a tear trickling down Dumbledore’s face into his long silver beard.

Ginny caught Harry’s eye and looked away quickly, grinning.

“Well, I’ve lost most of my possessions,” said Luna serenely. “People take them and hide them, you know. But as it’s the last night, I really

Just choose someone — better — next time.” He cast Harry an oddly furtive look as he said it.