Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Order of the Phoenix/Chapter 29
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Chapter 29 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Careers Advice
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[edit] Synopsis
As Spring Break begins, Hermione wonders why Harry's Occlumency lessons have abruptly ended; Harry, disturbed by the revelations about his father, claims that Snape had said he was good enough. Hermione, seeing that Harry is upset, asks if he had had a row with Cho. Harry admits they fought about Marietta. This starts Ron ranting about Marietta, which allows Harry time to brood over what he saw in the Pensieve.
Harry continues to fret about his father, trying to reconcile what others have said about James with the images from Snape's memory. Ginny suggests talking to Cho, but Harry, without telling her why, says he would rather talk with Sirius, though that is clearly impossible. Ginny says that growing up with Fred and George leads one to believe that nothing is impossible.
Meanwhile, a notice has been posted announcing career counseling for all Fifth Years. Each student is to meet with their head of House to discuss careers. While Harry, Ron, and Hermione are looking through career choices, Fred and George approach saying Ginny told them that Harry wants to contact Sirius. They have a diversion planned so Harry can use the fireplace in Umbridge's office to contact Sirius. Hermione worries it is too dangerous, but Ron feels it is Harry's decision. Fred says the diversion will go off at 5:00 p.m. Monday.
On Monday, Hermione repeatedly warns Harry that breaking into Umbridge's office is too risky, but Harry is determined. After Potions class, Harry arrives for his Careers Advice meeting with Professor McGonagall only to find Umbridge sitting in, taking notes on her clipboard. Harry tentatively suggests that he wants to be an Auror, a Dark Wizard catcher, and McGonagall begins outlining what courses he needs to take. Umbridge interrupts to say Harry should consider another occupation because his grades in her Defence Against the Dark Arts class are too low, and the Ministry would never hire someone with a criminal record. A furious McGonagall retorts that Harry was found innocent and has always received high marks from competent Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers, and vows to do everything in her power to help him become an Auror. Umbridge is livid and accuses McGonagall of supporting Dumbledore's efforts to depose Fudge, and make herself Deputy Minister and Hogwarts' Headmistress. McGonagall responds that Umbridge is raving and dismisses Harry, who leaves as their heated argument escalates.
Seeing Umbridge's angry mood in the succeeding Defence Against the Dark Arts class, Hermione again urges Harry to forget about breaking into her office. But Harry cannot wait until summer before talking to Sirius, and, hearing the diversion upstairs, dons his Invisibility Cloak and enters Umbridge's office. Using Floo powder, Harry sends his head to Grimmauld Place. Lupin greets him, then gets Sirius, who is apparently looking for Kreacher.
Harry asks Sirius about the incident with his father and Snape. Sirius admits that he and James were once bullies, explaining that they were uncaring, foolish, and reckless youths, although Snape was not such an innocent victim as he appears. He says they outgrew their bullying ways and stresses that James matured into a kind, compassionate man. His explanation does little to soothe Harry, however, who knows he would never behave like his father at that age. When Harry mentions he is no longer studying Occlumency, Lupin strongly urges him to resume the lessons. Hearing footsteps, Harry pulls himself from the fire and hides under the Invisibility cloak. Filch enters Umbridge's office to search for the necessary forms to authorize whipping a student.
Exiting Umbridge's office, Harry discovers that Fred and George have been caught and are more or less at bay in the Entrance Hall. Umbridge threatens severe punishment, but the Twins proclaim they have had enough. Summoning their confiscated brooms, they hop on and tell students to visit their new joke shop in Diagon Alley. They give Peeves the Poltergeist a final salute, telling him, "Give her hell from us, Peeves," then zoom off, leaving Hogwarts for good.
[edit] Analysis
Umbridge is well aware that Harry was exonerated of all (trumped up) charges for using underage magic, and she has deliberately graded him low in her class. She obviously has ulterior motives for attempting to derail Harry's career plans, and she seems to deliberately engage McGonagall in a head-on confrontation over it. Now that Dumbledore has been ousted, Umbridge may be trying to eliminate his loyal Hogwarts staff and friends, including McGonagall, who she likely views as the most formidable threat to her unrelenting drive to control the school.
Harry's hesitating about suggesting Auror as a career, we can see plainly, is due to his fear that he is not good enough to be accepted into an elite group. He is heartened immediately when McGonagall does not dismiss this ambition, and is elated when McGonagall, admittedly in reaction to Umbridge's argument, promises to help Harry qualify for that position. Harry is still, to some extent, unsure of his place in the Wizarding world, and uncertain what his future will be; McGonagall's promise reassures him that he not only has a place, but a future, in that world.
Although Snape's extreme reaction to Harry witnessing his worst memory is unreasonable, Harry now understands why Snape hates Sirius and his father, and, by extension, him. It also alters Harry's opinion about James, the father he has loved and admired unconditionally, but never knew. However, the father Harry idolizes is a somewhat idealized figure that he has based on other peoples' favorable recollections, and not the bullying boy he views in the Pensieve, although neither version is completely accurate. Despite Sirius' explanation that he and James were uncaring, arrogant youths who acted idiotically, and his assertion that James matured into a kind, compassionate adult, Harry has difficulty reconciling his father's abysmal behavior when he compares it to his own benevolent nature at the same age. But Harry fails to realize that youth are not born to behave in any particular manner, and that each person's unique experiences and influences results in different actions and attitudes that eventually shapes them into the adults they become. James was a pampered, only child in a wealthy household, probably with few cares, responsibilities, or consideration for others; in some ways, he shares traits with Draco Malfoy, although it is to James' credit that the cruel bully that Harry witnessed matures into the good man he became. Harry's innate compassion stems more from his own mistreatment and hardships, which he would never wish to be inflicted on others. Harry also neglects to consider that he is descended also from his mother. Although he loves Lily as much as James, he has, perhaps, overlooked and under appreciated her accomplishments, abilities, and influences on his life and instead focuses more on his father. Harry also does not realize that James' transformation likely was partially due to Lily's influence.
Although the Twins are caught, Umbridge's pleasure in the capture and planned punishment is thwarted when they hop onto their brooms and, exiting Hogwarts, proclaim they have had enough. Despite their spotty academic achievement and meager O.W.L.s, the Twins are powerful and talented wizards, and their claims that there is little left for them to learn at school is certainly accurate. Molly Weasley almost certainly will be distraught when she hears what happened, believing that without graduating, their futures are grim. But Fred and George are well on their way to starting their own successful business, thanks to Harry's financial backing.
Fred and George Weasley are the only students to successfully give Peeves an order in the known history of the school. This might be because the order they give is so closely in line with Peeves' natural inclination.
[edit] Questions
[edit] Review
- Why did Snape end Harry's Occlumency lessons? What are the possible consequences for Harry?
- What might be the real reason Umbridge advises Harry to pursue another occupation? What does McGonagall have to say?
- Is there any validity to Umbridge's accusation that McGonagall wants to take over as Headmistress, and what might be behind it? What is McGonagall's response?
- Why does Harry want to talk to Sirius about his father? What does Sirius tell him?
- Why is Harry still conflicted about his father after talking to Sirius? Is Harry's opinion of the youthful James Potter's behavior unfair? If so, why?
- Why are Fred and George willing to create a distraction so Harry can use the fireplace in Umbridge's office? Is it just to help Harry? Were they concerned if they were caught?
[edit] Further Study
- What does Harry think about his father after talking to Sirius?
- What should Harry do about Snape? Some readers have suggested that, having discovered the grounds for Snape's dislike, Harry should apologize for having viewed his memories. Others believe that Harry's knowledge of this event changes nothing, Harry's and Snape's mutual dislike would prevent this happening or being useful if it did. What is your opinion?
- Has Harry tended to overlook his mother's accomplishments and influence on him? If so, why?
[edit] Greater Picture
This chapter may be foreshadowing Harry and Ginny's relationship in the next book. Though Harry feels hurt and somewhat betrayed at the thought that his father was not the man that everyone had said he was, and dreads the thought that Snape might be right about him, it is Ginny who manages to cheer Harry up by suggesting that talking to Sirius about it is not as impossible as it seems. In addition, after his talk with Ginny, Harry comments to himself that he felt good, but does not know whether it is because he had "spoken aloud the wish that had been burning inside him for a week", to speak to Sirius, or if it’s the chocolate. The reader may suspect that it is partly Ginny's presence, partly the fact that she seems to believe that talking to Sirius is possible.
Harry's idealized mental image of his father is mainly based on others' recollections about James Potter, as well as his own feelings. In the previous chapter, Harry witnessed an event in James' early life that directly contradicts Harry's understanding. Sirius explains that Harry witnessed James' behavior when he was only fifteen, to which Harry exclaims, "I'm fifteen!" Harry has yet to grasp what Dumbledore told him at the end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." James ultimately chose the path leading to his fully admirable maturity.
Harry is not only James Potter's son, but also Lily Potter's. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in Snape's memories, we hear Snape commenting, "He is his father all over again —", to which Dumbledore replies, "In looks, perhaps, but his deepest nature is much more like his mother's." Harry has mainly focused on his father's legacy, largely ignoring his mother's contributions, possibly in part because everyone comments on how extraordinarily like his father he looks. Also, boys typically identify more closely with their fathers. Snape certainly has trouble getting past Harry and James' similar physical appearance, however unfair that is to Harry. It is apparent that Harry fails to recognize that his gentle nature and consideration for others at age 15 reflects Lily, rather than James.
It is interesting to note that Harry's expectation that James at 15 would behave the same way Harry does at 15 will be repeated. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry will discover that at 17, the same age Harry is then, Dumbledore, with Grindelwald, had been planning what amounts to conquest of the Muggle world "for the greater good." At that point, Harry will discover that another of his heroes had been, in his youth, someone radically different from what they later became. Even at 17, and with his father's example before him, Harry will not yet fully accept Dumbledore's maxim that choices matter more than abilities. It is perhaps of interest that this maxim comes from Dumbledore's personal experience.
