The Firebolt (PA)

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Harry's firebolt.

The Firebolt is the eleventh chapter of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Best man

Harry returns to Hogwarts in a daze. He doesn't know why nobody's told him that Sirius Black is the reason that Lily and James died. Ron and Hermione watch him worriedly during dinner without discussing what's happened; Percy is sitting necto to them.

In the Gryffindor common room, Fred and George have set out six Dungbombs to celebrate the end of term. Avoiding the twins, Harry goes straight to his dormitory, and looks at the wedding photograph in the album that Hagrid gave to him (PS17). Sirius is there next to the couple, but unrecognisable: his face is handsome and happy.

Ron enters the dormitory and hesitantly calls him. Harry pretends to be asleep, and mulls over the facts he's learned. He thinks of Sirius murdering Peter Pettigrew (whose face, in his mind, resembles that of Neville). He hears Black's voice saying, "It has happened, My Lord... the Potters have made me their Secret Keeper..." and the Dark Lord's cold laughter in reply.

He sleeps at daybreak, and descends to find the common room deserted with the exception of his two best friends. Ron is eating a Peppermint Toad and Hermione is doing homework. It is the first day of the holidays, and all other students have left.

Harry sits by the fire, on a chair near Crookshanks. Ron and Hermione warn him that he mustn't go after Black; that would be stupid, and Sirius isn't worth dying for. The boy explains that, every time a Dementor is near him, he hears Lily screaming and pleading with Voldemort. He reminds them that, should Black be caught and sent to Azkaban, it wouldn't affect him like it does other people, according to what Fudge said (PA10).

Harry realises that Draco knew all along. The Slytherin once told him, "If it was me, I'd hunt him down myself... I'd want revenge" (PA7). He guesses that Lucius, a Death Eater of Voldemort's inner circle, must've told him (Ron complains about the usage of the Dark Lord's name).

Ron informs him that all Pettigrew's mother received after Black's capture was her son's finger in a box and an Order of Merlin, First Class. Black is a madman, and Draco would like nothing more than to see Harry blown up. Hermione tearfully begs him not to put himself in danger.

Ron's pocket quivers. He suggests that they go visit Hagrid; when Harry agrees, clearly planning on questioning the gamekeeper about Sirius, Ron suggests a game of chess or Gobstones (Percy left a set). Harry is now set on seeing Hagrid.

Hagrid

They knock at the door of the cabin, but there is no answer. A strange noise comes from inside—presumably Fang—and they insist on knocking and calling Hagrid's name. Moments later, the gamekeeper opens the door sobbing; his eyes are red and swollen.

He throws himself around Harry's neck; the boy is rescued by his friends, who pull Hagrid to a chair. He has received a letter from the Hogwarts governors that states that Hagrid is not responsible for the incident with Draco (PA6); Buckbeak, nevertheless, is to be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. There will be a hearing on April 20, and both he and the hippogriff are to go to London then. In the meantime, Buckbeak is to be kept isolated and tethered.