Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Chapter Twenty-One Summary & Analysis

Hermione goes back to Hagrid's the next morning while Harry and Ron do homework. She returns before lunch and says that he's insistent that he wants to teach them interesting things. On Monday morning, everyone is thrilled to have Hagrid back, though Harry also recognizes that Grubbly-Plank's lessons were safer and better than Hagrid's usually are.

Hagrid greets his class at the edge of the forest, carrying half of a cow carcass, and then leads them into the trees. He snaps at Malfoy when Malfoy suggests that whatever creatures they're looking for aren't safe. He then throws the cow carcass on the ground and makes a shrieking cry. A few minutes later, one of the ghostly winged horses enters the clearing and begins to tear at the cow. Harry is relieved that he's not crazy, but Ron asks why Hagrid doesn't call for the animals again. Most students look just as confused. Only Harry, Neville, and one other student can see the creatures. The others gasp when Hagrid points to the carcass, which to them, looks like it's vanishing. He says the creatures are called thestrals.

Parvati insists that thestrals are unlucky, but Hagrid says they're useful and clever. Hermione raises her hand and says that the only people who can see thestrals are those who have seen someone die. As Hagrid starts to talk about the animals, Harry hears Umbridge's "hem, hem." Hagrid greets her brightly, but Umbridge acts as though she can barely understand him. As she makes notes, she narrates that Hagrid uses "crude sign language" and has a poor memory, which flusters Hagrid. Hagrid introduces one thestral, and when Umbridge notes that the Ministry believes thestrals are dangerous, Hagrid chuckles. Umbridge writes that Hagrid takes pleasure in violence and danger.

Umbridge announces and mimes that she's going to speak to students about Hagrid while Hagrid teaches. Pansy Parkinson tells Umbridge loudly that Hagrid's speech sounds like grunting, while Umbridge leads Neville to say that he's afraid of Hagrid. Pleased, Umbridge slowly and loudly tells Hagrid when he'll receive his inspection results and leaves. Hermione is beside herself and believes that Umbridge is going after Hagrid because he’s half-giant. She says the thestral lesson was surprisingly good for Hagrid and says she wishes she could see the thestrals. She then takes this back when she realizes what she implied—that she wishes she had seen someone die.

In December, Ron complains about having to supervise decorating the castle and Hermione laments that she hasn't had time to knit elf hats. Harry doesn't tell her that Dobby is taking all of them. He thinks that for the first time ever, he wants to spend Christmas away from Hogwarts. Harry’s spirits lift when Ron tells him that he's coming to the Burrow, the Weasleys’ home, with him. Harry still feels guilty that Sirius will spend Christmas alone.

When Harry arrives at the Room of Requirement for the final D.A. meeting before the holiday, he discovers that Dobby decorated the room with pictures of Harry's face. Luna arrives just as Harry takes the last ones down. Angelina arrives a minute later and tells Harry that Ginny is Gryffindor’s new Seeker. When everyone is there, Harry announces that they'll review everything they've learned. With pride, Harry notes how much everyone has improved and says that after the break, they can start on more advanced magic.

After everyone clears out, Harry and Cho are the last two in the room. Harry turns around to see her crying, and she says that she wonders if Cedric knew all of these spells. Harry assures her that Cedric did, but Voldemort killed him anyway. Feeling miserable, Harry notices that Cho still looks pretty. Then she comments on the mistletoe, tells Harry she likes him, and kisses him. Harry makes it to the Gryffindor common room a half hour later. He's in such a state of shock that he can't tell Hermione and Ron what happened. When Harry confirms that they kissed, Ron laughs and Harry starts to smile.

Harry notes that Cho was crying and wonders if he's bad at kissing, but without looking up from her letter Hermione says that Cho spends most of her time crying lately. When Ron and Harry look confused, Hermione explains that Cho likely feels sad that Cedric died, guilty about liking Harry, is worried about rumors, and fears being kicked off the Quidditch team. Ron insists it's impossible to feel so much at once and Hermione glares at him. She asks Harry if he's going to ask Cho out, which makes Harry nervous.

When Ron asks, Hermione admits she's writing to Viktor Krum. They all sit for another twenty minutes before Hermione excuses herself. Ron grumpily wonders what Hermione sees in Krum, and Harry decides to ask Cho out when he sees her again. Harry falls asleep and dreams he's back in the D.A. room, arguing with Cho, but then the dream changes and Harry is a snake gliding along a stone floor. He sees a man sleeping at the end of a corridor. When the man notices Harry, Harry bites the man until he falls to the ground in a pool of blood.

Harry wakes up, sweaty and with his scar burning. Ron looks frightened, and Harry tells Ron that Mr. Weasley—who was the man—has been attacked. Neville runs for help. Harry vomits and insists that what he saw was real. McGonagall arrives and Harry tells her that a snake attacked Mr. Weasley. She looks at him with horror, and when Harry insists he isn't lying or crazy, McGonagall says she believes him and takes him to Dumbledore.