As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches,
15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular
outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful
sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with
the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our
hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the
lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord
Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief… or will it?
The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year
yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after
the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back
to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic
and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse
to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the
school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to
officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a
particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering (“hem,
hem”) Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who
takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher–and in no
time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't
getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the
fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls),
devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about
long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped
scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.