The Beetle at Bay (OP)
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The Beetle at Bay is the twenty-fifth chapter of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Contents |
Breakout
When Hermione receives her copy of the Daily Prophet, the Trio finds out why Lord Voldemort was the happiest he's been in years the previous day (OP24): ten black-and-white photos depicting nine wizards and one witch and splashed across the front page.
Each photo has a caption detailing the crime for which the witch or wizard was convicted, such as:
- "Antonin Dolohov, convicted of the brutal murders of Gideon and Fabian Prewett";
- "Augustus Rookwood, convicted of leaking Ministry of Magic secrets to He Who Must Not Be Named";
- "Bellatrix Lestrange, convicted of the torture and permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom."
Harry's gaze is drawn at once to the picture of Bellatrix. Her long hair looks straggly, and she, like Sirius, retains vestiges of great looks; Azkaban has greatly affected her beauty.
The headline reads:
MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN MINISTRY FEARS BLACK IS 'RALLYING POINT' FOR OLD DEATH EATERS
The article informs that a mass breakout from Azkaban occurred the previous day. Cornelius Fudge met reporters in his private office to announce that ten high-security inmates had escaped. The Muggle Prime Minister has been informed of the events (HBP1).
Fudge also says he doubts the breakout is unrelated to that of Sirius Black, who would be ideally placed to share his secrets with the likes of his cousin Bellatrix.
Hermione bitterly points out that the Minister for Magic's position could be no different. The Dementors have joined Voldemort, precisely as Albus Dumbledore has always said they would, and Fudge could not admit his own mistake.
Looking around the Great Hall, Harry sees that few students are reading the newspaper. In the teacher's table, however, Dumbledore and McGonagall are talking, looking sober; Sprout is reading the Prophet. Umbridge is eating a bowl of porridge, clearly in a foul mood.
Another piece of terrible news attracts the Trio's attention:
"TRAGIC DEMISE OF MINISTRY OF MAGIC WORKER"
Broderick Bode, a forty-nine-year-old, was found dead in his bed at St. Mungo's. Healers were unable to revive him. Miriam Strout, who had been in charge of him, was suspended on full pay: she mistook a cutting of Devil's Snare for an innocent Flitterbloom.
The three teenagers remember seeing Bode at St. Mungo's, and the arrival of the Devil's Snare (OP23). Harry feels guilty for not recognising the plant. He soon recalls his first meeting with Bode (OP7), and mentions that the wizard was an Unspeakable.
Hermione leaps out of the table to go send a letter. The boys greet Hagrid, who is still heavily bruised—he actually has a new cut on his nose (OP20). The half-giant has lessons to prepare (some salamanders got scale rot, too; he has to rub chilli powder on them), and he's on probation. Dolores' inspection, of course, didn't go very well (OP21).
Escape aftermath
In the next few days, Hagrid's probation becomes known to everyone, but almost no students seem concerned by it. The one topic on everybody's minds is the escape of the ten Death Eaters, and rumour has it that some of them would come to Hogwarts, as Sirius had done (PA8).
Students whose relatives were murdered by Death Eaters in the First War become objects of gruesome fame. Susan Bones says to Harry during a Herbology lesson (they're adding dragon manure to Screechsnap seedlings) that she now knows a bit how he feels: her uncle, aunt and cousins died at the hands of one of the ten escaped Death Eaters.
The constant muttering about Harry continues, but the tone has changed slightly now. People start becoming curious, and ponder that the Prophet's version of the breakout was not satisfactory. The explanation that has been offered by Harry and Dumbledore all year seems to make more sense.
The Trio notices that teachers were often found speaking in hushed tones in the hallways, as well (such as McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout, talking outside the Charms classroom). Hermione guesses that Umbridge's presence in the staff room has made all sorts of conversation impossible.
The new Educational Decree
New notices appear on the noticeboards the morning after the news of the breakout:
BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS Teachers are hereby banned from giving students any information that is strictly related to the subjects they are paid to teach.
The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-Six Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor
This Decree is the subject of several jokes. Lee Jordan points out to Umbridge that she is therefore not allowed to tell Fred and George Weasley off for playing Exploding Snap in the back of the class; when Harry next sees Jordan, the back of his hand is bleeding. Harry recommends essence of Murtlap.
The breakout only strengthens Umbridge's resolve to place Hogwarts increasingly more under her control. She is determined to fire a teacher soon; the only question is whether that will be Hagrid or Sybill Trelawney. Both now conduc all their lessons with Dolores present.
In Divination, the High Inquisitor often poses difficult questions about ornithomancy and heptomology to Sybill, and constantly insists that she demonstrate her fortune-telling skills. Trelawney, who often ambles around the Hogwarts corridors these days, is frequently muttering to herself and looking generally terrified. Harry has also noticed that she tends to smell of cooking sherry.
Hagrid is not in a better situation. He has followed Hermione's advice (OP21) and refrained from teaching anything dangerous (the class is currently studying Crups, creatures identical to Jack Russell terriers, but with forked tails), but he is always nervous and distant. Hagrid even forbade the Trio from visiting him after dark.
Harry gloomily realises that Umbridge is taking away everything he likes about Hogwarts: visits to the gamekeeper's hut, letters from Sirius, the Firebolt and Quidditch (OP19). He makes up for it by redoubling his efforts with the DA.
Improvements
News of the breakout encouraged all DA members to work harder, including Zacharias Smith. The fact that the attackers of Neville's parents escaped as well has changed the boy the most; he dedicates himself fully to learning Defence, to the point where only Hermione masters the Shield Charm before Neville.
Harry has not progressed with Occlumency, however. In fact, he believes himself to be steadily worsening since the first lesson (OP24): his scar practically never stops bothering him, and he feels Voldemort's emotions much more often. He also dreams of the Department of Mysteries almost every night; the dream always ends with him standing outside the door.
Ron darkly suggests that Snape might not be trying to help Harry. Hermione shuts him up by pointing out, for the umpteenth time, that Dumbledore trusts the Potions master. "And if we can't trust Dumbledore, we can't trust anyone."
Valentine's Day
January speeds by; February soon arrives, and with it the second Hogsmeade visit of the school year. Harry has hardly spent any time with Cho Chang since they had arranged their date (OP24), but now Valentine's Day is upon them.
Breakfast
During breakfast, Hedwig brings Harry no letters; he did not expect her to. Hermione, on the other hand, receives one, and asks Harry to meet her at the Three Broomsticks at midday—he can bring Cho, if he musts. She hurries away without explaining her plan.
Ron announces that he won't go to Hogsmeade. Angelina has decided to have a full day's training before the match against Hufflepuff. He says Sloper and Kirke are pathetic, even worse than Ron himself. He doesn't know why Angelina won't let him resign. Harry irritably reassures him, and the Weasley, noticing his best friend's resentment, refrains from further mentions of Quidditch.
Ron goes to the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. Harry unsuccessfully tries to flatten his hair; he then goes to the Entrance Hall to meet Cho. She looks very pretty, in his opinion, contrasting with his blatant lack of grace.
Harry's first date
The couple does not talk properly for a while; it is easier to walk along the queue formed by Filch than it is to awkwardly attempt to converse. When they pass by the pitch, Harry longingly sees Ron and Ginny flying over the stands. Cho notices, and reminisces about the first match they played against each other (PA13). That gets them talking about the Quidditch World Cup.
They are soon interrupted by Pansy Parkinson and her gang of Slytherin girls, who tease Cho about her bad taste ("At least Diggory was good-looking!").
They wander around the Hogsmeade High Street. There is a large poster with the pictures of the escaped convicts on the window of Dervish and Banges and every other shop in the village. The poster offered a thousand-Galleon reward to information leading to the recapture of any of the escapees.
Cho mentions how odd it is that Sirius' escape caused hundreds of Dementors to be everywhere (PA5), and yet this major breakout has brought about no sign of the dark creatures. Harry then realises that the Dementors truly are outside Ministry control.
Madam Puddifoot's
It starts to rain after they pass by Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, and Cho suggests that they have coffee. She takes him to Madam Puddifoot's, a tea shop Harry has never noticed before.
Everything inside is decorated with frills and bows; the place reminds Harry of Umbridge's office (OP13). Harry lies to Cho that he, too, thinks that the décor is cute. There are golden cherubs hovering over the round tables, throwing pink confetti from time to time.
Harry and Cho occupy the last remaining table. Roger Davies is nearby and, like every other male in the place, was holding hands with his date.
Madam Puddifoot, a stout woman with a shiny black bun, approaches them. They order two coffees. Davies starts kissing his girlfriend; Harry blushes, wondering if Cho expects that of him.
They briefly discuss Umbridge, but the subject is quickly exhausted. Harry desperately brings up his upcoming meeting with Hermione in the Three Broomsticks, inviting Cho to join ("She said it wouldn't matter if you did.").
Cho is understandably angered by the boy's unintentional condescendence. They spend several minutes in silence. Harry takes far too long to convince himself to grab her hand; when he tries, she has already moved it. Cho then watches Roger Davies, and mentions that the Ravenclaw Quidditch team captain invited her out a couple of weeks before. She turned him down.
Cho then said that she had come to Madam Puddifoot's with Cedric the previous year. Harry freezes. She asks him whether Diggory mentioned her before dying; Harry replies that there wasn't time for anything of the sort (GF32).
In a falsely cheerful tone, he tries to change the subject, mentioning her support of the Tutshill Tornados. She ignores the attempt; her eyes moisten, and she angrily states that she thought Harry of all people would understand that she has to talk about it. He says that he has done so, to Ron and Hermione.
"Oh, you'll talk to Hermione Granger!" she shrieks. "But you won't talk to me! P—perhaps it would be best if we just...just p—paid and you went and met up with Hermione G—Granger, like you obviously want to!"
Cho continues crying, and orders him to leave. When Harry finally understands that she is jealous, he laughs with relief—that is obviously a mistake. She stands up, says goodbye and rushes out the door.
The entire teashop watched the exchange. Exasperated, Harry throws a Galleon on the table and leaves as well.
Hagrid
The rain has become more intense. Cho is nowhere to be found, and Harry cannot comprehend what has just transpired ("Why does she always want to drag up a subject that makes her act like a human hosepipe?"). He enters the Three Broomsticks, hoping to meet someone there.
Hagrid is at a corner, looking morose. His face is significantly more bruised, and he is probably a bit drunk. He goes on about how he and Harry are similar in some ways—they're both orphans, but Mr. Hagrid was decent, and so were Lily and James.
"Family," the half-giant says gloomily. "Whatever yeh say, blood's important..."
The gamekeeper refuses to confess what's been causing his injuries. He leaves the pub moments later, and Harry is left wondering what could possibly be making Hagrid so unhappy.
Rita Skeeter
Right then, Hermione calls Harry's attention, beckoning him to a table at which she sits, along with unlikely drinking mates Luna Lovegood and Rita Skeeter.
Hermione notes that Harry is early, and Rita perks up at the girl's mention of Cho Chang. The former Daily Prophet employee, looking dishevelled and unkempt, has already reached for her Quick-Quotes Quill, but Hermione instructs her to put it away at once.
Rita dreamily talks about an interview with Harry, reporting the boy's accusation of prominent members of the wizarding community of being Death Eaters. She then realises that Hermione probably wouldn't let her publish the story.
Hermione says that that is precisely what she wants. Harry and Rita gape at her. Luna is absent-mindedly singing Weasley Is Our King under her breath, and doesn't appear to listen. Drinking a glass of Firewhisky, Rita warns her that the Prophet wouldn't print a serious story about Voldemort's return—it's against the public mood. "This last Azkaban breakout has got people quite worried enough. People just don't want to believe You-Know-Who's back."
Luna suddenly intervenes, saying that Mr. Lovegood believes the Prophet to be an awful paper. Rita replies, "I'm guessing your father runs some stupid little village newsletter? Probably, Twenty-five Ways to Mingle with Muggles and the dates of the next Bring and Fly Sale?"
Luna, dipping an onion ring into her Gillywater, says that her father is the editor of The Quibbler. Rita snorts loudly. Hermione announces that that paper is where Harry's interview will be printed.
Rita doubts that people will take the story seriously if it's published at The Quibbler, but Hermione is of the opinion that people will seek an alternative version, even if it is published in an unusual periodical.
The journalist then asks what her fee will be, to which Luna replies that her father does not pay people to write for him; "They do it because it's an honour and, of course, to see their names in print." Rita is highly offended, but Hermione coolly points out that she might inform the Ministry about Rita's being an Animagus; the Prophet would probably pay quite a bit for a piece on an insider's account of life in Azkaban.
Harry confirms to Hermione that he is ready to start talking. Rita gets her Quill out at last, and he begins his tale.
Trivia
- Rita literally jumps at the sound of Voldemort's name.
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