Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Chapter Thirty-Six Summary & Analysis

Dumbledore binds Barty Crouch, leaves McGonagall in charge of him, and asks Snape to fetch Madam Pomfrey and Fudge. He then leads Harry to his office. There, Sirius asks what happened. Harry tunes out while Dumbledore fills Sirius in, and Fawkes comes to sit on Harry's lap. Then, Dumbledore asks Harry to tell him what happened and ignores Sirius's protests. He says that Harry needs to do this now, as it'll get harder if they postpone.

Harry tells Dumbledore and Sirius everything without stopping. Dumbledore only stops Harry when Harry says that Voldemort used his blood and can now touch him. Harry loses his voice when he gets to the point where his wand connected with Voldemort's. Dumbledore explains that they experienced Priori Incantatem, the reverse spell effect, because both Harry and Voldemort's wands contain feathers from Fawkes. He says that when two twin wands are forced to fight each other, this will happen. Harry explains that he saw Cedric, Frank Bryce, Bertha Jorkins, and his parents, and tells them about Cedric's final request. Fawkes moves to the floor and lets a tear drop into Harry's wound.

Dumbledore commends Harry for his bravery and then leads Harry and Sirius, in his dog form, to the hospital wing. They enter to find Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Ron, and Hermione asking Madam Pomfrey where Harry is. Dumbledore asks Mrs. Weasley to not question Harry and to let him sleep in peace. Harry feels thankful that Dumbledore asked the others to not question him. Dumbledore promises to return after he speaks to Fudge and then leaves. As Madam Pomfrey gives Harry pajamas, he asks if the real Moody will be okay. She says he will be as Harry climbs into bed. Madam Pomfrey returns with a potion and tells Harry to drink all of it. He falls asleep after only a few mouthfuls.

Harry feels warm and sleepy when he wakes up again. He hears Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Hermione, and Bill hissing that the noise will wake him and Harry hears McGonagall and Fudge's voices coming closer. McGonagall screeches that Fudge shouldn't have brought "it" inside as they burst into the wing, accompanied by Snape. Dumbledore appears and McGonagall shrieks that Fudge brought a dementor with him, and the dementor performed the Kiss on Barty Crouch. Fudge insists this isn't a loss and that Barty Crouch was out of his mind anyway, but Dumbledore says that Barty Crouch was perfectly sane and Voldemort was giving him instructions.

Dumbledore explains what he heard Barty Crouch say under the influence of Veritaserum, but Fudge insists that Voldemort can't be back. Dumbledore invites Fudge to his office and refuses to let him question Harry, but Fudge smiles strangely and asks if Dumbledore really believes Harry and a "lunatic murderer,” meaning Barty. Harry quietly says that Fudge has been reading Rita Skeeter. Though Fudge looks a bit embarrassed, he says he wasn't happy to learn that Harry is a Parselmouth and has "funny turns." Dumbledore sternly insists that Harry is sane and Harry shouts that he saw Voldemort and lists names of Death Eaters. Fudge angrily says that Harry's stories get weirder every year and he's not trustworthy. McGonagall points out that Cedric and Mr. Crouch are dead, but Fudge accuses them of destabilizing the Wizarding world.

Harry can barely believe that Fudge is refusing to listen. Dumbledore tells Fudge what he should do: remove the dementors from Azkaban, as they'll support Voldemort and let prisoners go, and then  send envoys to the giants before Voldemort promises them rights and freedom. Fudge thinks both of these suggestions are crazy and that doing either will end his career. Dumbledore angrily says that if Fudge acts, he'll be remembered as being brave and great, while he'll be solely responsible for Voldemort's return if he does nothing. He continues that this is the end of their relationship if Fudge won't see reason.

Fudge says once more that Voldemort can't be back and recoils when Snape shows Fudge the Dark Mark on his arm. Snape explains how the Mark works: when Voldemort touches a Mark, all Death Eaters are to Apparate to him. He says that this is why Karkaroff fled. Fudge curtly whispers that he needs to return to the Ministry and he drops Harry's winnings from the Tournament on the nightstand.

Dumbledore asks Mrs. Weasley help spread the news in the Ministry, and Bill leaves to tell Mr. Weasley. He then asks McGonagall to fetch Hagrid and Madame Maxime and sends Madam Pomfrey to care for Winky. With them gone, he asks Sirius to take his human form. Mrs. Weasley screams, while Snape looks furious. Dumbledore sternly asks Snape and Sirius to shake hands, as they're on the same side. Then, he sends Sirius to alert "the old crowd" and tells Snape that it's time to do what he knows he must. Snape leaves, an odd look in his eyes, and Dumbledore follows.

Mrs. Weasley gives Harry the rest of his potion and suggests he focus on what to do with his money. Harry says the money should've been Cedric's and admits that he told Cedric to take the cup with him. As Harry starts to cry, Mrs. Weasley hugs him. They break apart when Hermione slams her hand against the window. Harry drinks his potion and falls asleep.