Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Chapter Three Summary & Analysis

Harry writes three versions of the same note asking for information to send to Hermione, Ron, and Sirius. Hedwig is hunting, so Harry paces and resents everyone for not telling him what’s going on. When Hedwig flies in, Harry gruffly tells her to not come back until his friends have written long replies. Harry figures they'll write back promptly, as nobody can ignore a dementor attack. Hedwig doesn't return, however, and Harry stays in his bedroom for three days. He alternates between restlessness, dread, and lethargy, and he wonders if he can live with Sirius if the Ministry expels him.

On the fourth night, Vernon enters Harry's room, dressed in his best suit, and explains that the family (minus Harry) is going out. Harry doesn't care. A bit later, he hears a crash in the kitchen and gets up to investigate. His door unlocks itself and, wand in hand, Harry starts to creep down the stairs. He sees almost a dozen people and hears Mad-Eye Moody tell him to put his wand away and come down. Harry is suspicious until he hears Remus Lupin. The other witches and wizards say that Harry looks like his father, except he has his mother's eyes. Lupin introduces Harry to the wizards and explains that they're taking him to a secret location.

Harry tries to ask about Voldemort, but Moody insists they can't discuss anything here. He pops out his magical eye, which he says has been sticking since "that scum" wore it, and asks for a glass of water. Moody tosses his eye in, makes it spin, and sends a witch named Tonks to help Harry pack. As Harry throws things in his trunk, Tonks decides she doesn't like her purple hair and it changes to hot pink. She explains that she's a Metamorphmagus, which means she can change her appearance at will. It makes her a great Auror, though she's clumsy and not good at household spells. Tonks makes Harry's belongings fly into his trunk, cleans Hedwig's cage, and levitates his trunk down the stairs.

In the kitchen, Lupin seals an envelope to leave for the Dursleys. Moody puts a Disillusionment Charm on Harry, which makes his body like a chameleon, changing colors to match its background so that he’s almost invisible. Everyone steps outside with broomsticks and Moody gives instructions. He tells Harry that there's a rear guard in case they die, but Kingsley Shacklebolt assures Harry that nobody will die. They all take off on their brooms. Harry is thrilled to be flying, but he soon becomes cold and numb with the altitude. Finally, they dismount in a small, poorly kept square surrounded by grubby houses. Using a magical device borrowed from Dumbledore, Moody captures the lights from the streetlamps, making the street dark, and gives Harry a piece of parchment to read and memorize. It says that the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix are at number twelve, Grimmauld Place.