The Order of the Phoenix Re-Read: Chapter 18

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Hermione, normally so eloquent, has some misgivings about their proposed defiance of Educational Decree Number Twenty-Four:

"Just thinking..." she said, still frowning at the rain-washed window.

"About Siri- Snuffles?" said Harry.

"No... not exactly..." said Hermione slowly. "More... wondering... I suppose we're doing the right thing... I think... aren't we?"

Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"Well, that clears that up," said Ron. "It would've been really annoying if you hadn't explained yourself properly."

Ron: on form again :-)

After the truncated Quidditch practice, Harry's scar twinges:

"No," Harry muttered, sinking on to a bench and rubbing his forehead. "He's probably miles away. It hurt because... he's... angry."

Harry had not meant to say that at all, and heard the words as though a stranger had spoken them - yet knew at once that they were true. He did not know how he knew it, but he did. Voldemort, wherever he was, whatever he was doing, was in a towering temper.

It's the second time that Harry's scar has hurt whilst at school, and yet without any seemingly obvious trigger. At least this time we haven't got the willful misdirection of Umbridge's presence to throw us off the scent, but we don't have much to go on as to the true meaning.

This is the chapter where the dreams move from merely being referenced to experienced:

He was walking once more along a windowless corridor, his footsteps echoing in the silence. As the door at the end of the passage loomed larger, his heart beat fast with excitement... if he could only open it... enter beyond.

Was Dobby really planning to return Hedwig to Harry in the middle of the night?? Surely that could've waited until a more sociable hour?

Anyway, Dobby comes up with the suggestion to host the DA classes in the Room of Requirement. Hermione seems to be about as much of a fan of Dobby's plans as I would be (he really ought to describe them as 'cunning', though), but Harry slyly assuages those doubts with the implication that this all has Dumbledore's blessing.

Which actually serves to underline that we're almost half-way through the book, and Harry and Dumbledore haven't spoken to one another yet... of course, we know the reason, but the radio silence seems brought to the fore right at this moment.

Hah - more canon detail for those who worry about such stuff (I've heard there are some):

Fifth-years were allowed to be out in the corridors until nine o'clock...

I do like how, when faced with a class of his peers, Harry's casual assurance demonstrates that he is the right person for this job:

"Hey, Harry, what's this stuff?" asked Dean from the rear of the room, indicating the Sneakoscopes and the Foe-Glass.

"Dark detectors," said Harry, stepping between the cushions to reach them. "Basically they all show when Dark wizards or enemies are around, but you don't want to rely on them too much, they can be fooled..."

And this confidence also extends to his conversation with Cho, where he can freely mock her without subsequently wanting to find some big, dark hole to swallow him up:

"That was quite good," Harry lied, but when she raised her eyebrows he said, "Well, no, it was lousy, but I know you can do it properly, I was watching from over there."

The lesson seems to go pretty well, all told. At the end of the lesson, I'm assuming that Harry's made the Marauder's Map public knowledge:

He pulled out the Marauder's Map again and checked it carefully for signs of teachers on the seventh floor. He let them all leave in threes and fours, watching their tiny dots anxiously to see that they returned safely to their dormitories...