Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Summary

The young wizard Harry Potter once again endures a dull summer with his unpleasant relatives until he is ambushed by malevolent entities known as "dementors." After defending himself with magic, he is escorted by a group of wizards to a secret location in London, the residence of his godfather, Sirius Black. This location also serves as the base for the Order of the Phoenix, a clandestine organization of wizards devoted to combating the infamous Lord Voldemort and his followers, led by the wise Albus Dumbledore. The organization operates covertly due to the Ministry of Magic's refusal to acknowledge Voldemort's return, led by the obtuse Cornelius Fudge.

After defending himself against the dementors using magic, Harry must attend a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic as use of magic is forbidden for underage wizards outside school premises. With Dumbledore's support, Harry is acquitted and allowed to recommence his studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Upon his return, Harry learns his new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is Dolores Umbridge, a Ministry employee. As she refuses to instruct students in defense spells, Harry, along with his best friends Hermione and Ron, form their own group known as the D.A., or Dumbledore's Army, to learn and practice defensive spells. Despite obstacles and persecution from Umbridge, they press on, their determination only further fueled by unjust articles in the wizard newspaper and the ban on Harry from the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Throughout this period, Harry is haunted by recurring dreams about the Department of Mysteries inside the Ministry of Magic, particularly a room full of glass spheres. The disturbing dreams culminate in a vision of him attacking Ron's father as a snake, which leads to Harry being taught Occlumency by Professor Snape to safeguard his mind against Voldemort. The struggle continues with the D.A. being discovered, Dumbledore's resignation, and the onset of their O.W.L. exams. Harry's decision to save Sirius from a vision of torture leads to a confrontation at the Ministry with Death Eaters where Sirius is tragically killed. Despite the grief, the prophecy contained in the sphere reveals that Harry possesses a power unknown to Voldemort: love. He learns that he must remain with his disagreeable relatives during the summers as his mother's sacrificial love provides him protection. With this revelation, he returns to his relatives for another arduous summer.