Dow Jones’s Reviews > Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix > Status Update

hopes are squashed as Nick says Sirius won’t be a ghost. Luna surprises him w/ knowledge of the voices behind the veil. Malfoy & co almost duke it out on the train but DA members hex them into slugs & stuff them in luggage racks. This whimsical magic should’ve been in the films. Feel bad for Hagrid getting brushed off during goodbyes. Kings Cross Order members threatening Dursleys was great. Next book is my fave!

It’s been about 3 weeks so my mind is fuzzy, but this Lost Prophecy chapter is wonderful and sets up Dumbledore and Harry’s relationship in HBP so well that it’s sad it didn’t start sooner. Harry’s tantrum, Dumbledore’s stories and how he learned of Kreacher’s treachery, 16yrs ago and the pact w/ Petunia to keep him safe. Never a good time to tell H til now as he’s bested V 4x now.

Incredible few chapters with many details I’d forgotten. I need to read more carefully and take my time next time I read through the series. There are new little nuggets every time.

The DA meeting went well until Dobby came to warn Umbridge was coming. Seems most escaped except Harry and Pansy found the member list. Marietta’s “sneak” boils were perfect and the office scene was amazing. Better than the movie. Dumbledore is the GOAT for sure. Oh! Firenze as the new Divination teacher is awesome as well and I’d love to try their forest class. Harry gives Hagrid Firenze’s warning.

Wow, the Valentines date parts were so perfect. I guess Grawp hasn’t been intro’d yet. This book is so much better than I remember. Occlumency and Legilimency are such cool subjects. Now that 10 Death Eaters have escaped, people are starting to think Harry and Albus are right, but poor Neville’s parents were named so his secret is out.

Prof Lockhart in the hospital is hilarious but sad too as he says he gets many visitors but the Healer tells the truth that no one sees him. Arthur trying to get stitches is really funny too. Neville’s parents are finally seen and the rest of the crew learns of their condition. Really sad but Neville’s grandmother is still proud, just needs to encourage Neville better. Great chapter 23!

The Gurg, Karkus, and Golgomath w/ giants was really cool and reminds me of GoT. The Room of Requirement decorated by Dobby w/ Harry’s face and “Have A Very Harry Christmas” was perfection. Ron’s reaction to the Cho kiss story was also great. Harry sees Arthur attacked. The thestrals was also a good lesson ruined by Umbridge.

DA is formed and there are some great small details. Ron ragging on Michael Corner a few times is really funny and Zachariah Smith is a jerk. Neville was brave for charging Malfoy outside Potions. So much happens. Could Umbridge hear the fireplace convo? I noticed Hermione and Sirius were spilling all their secrets so quickly. Which witch told Umbridge of the DA?

Ron has so many good lines and I forgot Harry’s original DA speech wasn’t actually in Hog’s Head but just to Ron and Hermione in the common room and it’s so much better. Umbridge is High Inquisitor and starts her rounds of observations. Harry’s second week of detentions are fair and everyone should be pissed at him. I just want to live in this world, it’s so cozy and familiar.