The Beetle at Bay

Hermione Reacts to the Daily Prophet's Front Page with Shocking News
Hermione Granger receives her Daily Prophet and reacts dramatically to its front-page news, drawing attention from Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. The trio looks at a series of photographs depicting ten escaped convicts, including Antonin Dolohov, Augustus Rookwood, and Bellatrix Lestrange, convicted for heinous crimes. Harry is particularly drawn to Bellatrix, who tortured Neville Longbottom's parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom.
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The Ministry Announces a Mass Breakout from Azkaban, Blaming Sirius Black
Ministry of Magic, represented by Cornelius Fudge, announces that ten high-security prisoners have escaped from Azkaban. Fudge suggests that Sirius Black might have helped orchestrate the breakout and that Bellatrix Lestrange, his cousin, and others are rallying around him as their leader. The Ministry urges caution, but Harry Potter is outraged that Sirius is being blamed for the escape.
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Hermione Reads about the Tragic Death of Broderick Bode at St. Mungo's
Hermione Granger informs Harry and Ron about the tragic death of Ministry of Magic worker Broderick Bode, who was strangled by a potted plant in St. Mungo's Hospital. The plant, disguised as a Flitterbloom, turned out to be Devil's Snare. Harry remembers seeing Bode at the Ministry during his hearing, and the trio discusses the circumstances of his murder, with Hermione suspecting foul play.
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Hermione Sends a Mysterious Letter after Reading the News
Hermione abruptly leaves the Great Hall to send a letter, leaving Harry and Ron puzzled about her plans. She seems determined to act on the new information she has read in the Daily Prophet but refuses to tell them what she's up to.
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Hagrid Tells Harry and Ron He's on Probation
Hagrid, heavily bruised and cut, informs Harry and Ron that he is on probation after a failed inspection. The trio is concerned for Hagrid, but he brushes off their worries and mentions his salamanders suffering from scale rot before leaving. The news of his probation spreads around Hogwarts, but most students, including Draco Malfoy, seem to take delight in his misfortune.
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Students Learn About the Death Eater Breakout, Rumors of Their Presence in Hogsmeade
The news of the ten escaped Death Eaters spreads through Hogwarts, sparking rumors that they might be hiding in Hogsmeade or the Shrieking Shack. Some students, particularly those from wizarding families, feel fear and dread, recalling the horrific crimes committed by the convicts. Susan Bones, whose family members were victims of the Death Eaters, shares her discomfort with Harry, Ron, and Hermione during Herbology.
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Umbridge Enforces New Educational Decree, Banning Teachers from Sharing Information
Following the breakout from Azkaban, Educational Decree Number Twenty-six is issued by Dolores Umbridge, banning teachers from sharing any information unrelated to their subject with students. The decree sparks widespread ridicule among the students, with Lee Jordan mocking Umbridge during Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry notices that the teachers are now whispering in corridors, unable to speak freely due to Umbridge's influence.
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Umbridge Observes Hagrid and Trelawney's Lessons, Trying to Sack One of Them
Umbridge attends every Divination and Care of Magical Creatures class with her clipboard, determined to get either Professor Trelawney or Hagrid sacked. Trelawney struggles under the pressure, becoming increasingly paranoid, while Hagrid is distracted and distant in his lessons, fearing for his job. Umbridge's presence looms over both professors as they try to hold onto their positions.
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Neville Longbottom's Dramatic Improvement in the D.A.
Neville Longbottom experiences a startling transformation after hearing about the escape of Bellatrix Lestrange, who tortured his parents. He works harder than anyone in Dumbledore's Army, mastering every spell Harry teaches, including the Shield Charm, with determination and focus. His improvement is particularly impressive, second only to Hermione, and his quiet resolve unnerves Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
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Harry's Occlumency Lessons with Snape Worsen His Connection with Lord Voldemort
Harry's Occlumency lessons with Severus Snape are not going well, and he feels that his connection to Lord Voldemort is worsening. His scar constantly prickles, and he is bombarded with emotions that aren't his own, feeling like he is an antenna for Lord Voldemort's thoughts. He is frustrated that the lessons are making things worse rather than better and confides in Hermione and Ron, who suspect that Snape might not be fully trustworthy.
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Ron Suggests Snape Might Be Sabotaging Harry's Occlumency Lessons
During a conversation about Harry's Occlumency lessons, Ron Weasley suggests that Severus Snape might not be trying to help Harry at all. He speculates that Snape could be deliberately keeping Harry's mind open to make it easier for Lord Voldemort to manipulate him. Hermione Granger strongly disagrees, reminding Ron and Harry that Dumbledore trusts Snape, and if they cannot trust Dumbledore, then they cannot trust anyone.
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Hermione Urgently Asks Harry to Meet Her at the Three Broomsticks
On Valentine's Day morning, Hermione Granger receives an important letter and asks Harry Potter to meet her at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. Harry agrees, though he is unsure how Cho Chang will react, as they had planned to spend the day together. Hermione's urgency leaves Harry intrigued about the meeting, but she does not reveal why it is so important.
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Relationship - Harry Potter & Cho Chang's Awkward Date at Madam Puddifoot's
Relationship - Harry Potter & Cho Chang Chang go on a Valentine's Day date to Madam Puddifoot's, a tea shop decorated with frills and cherubs for the occasion. The date quickly becomes awkward, with Harry unsure how to interact with Cho. The situation worsens when Cho brings up Cedric Diggory, and the conversation turns uncomfortable. Cho becomes emotional, and Harry struggles to understand why she is upset.
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Relationship - Harry Potter & Cho Chang's Argument Ends Their Date
As Cho Chang continues to cry over Cedric Diggory, she accuses Harry of not understanding her feelings and prioritizing Hermione Granger over her. The argument escalates when Harry unintentionally laughs, causing Cho to leave in tears. Their date ends abruptly, leaving Harry confused and frustrated as he tries to process what went wrong.
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Harry Meets Hagrid at the Three Broomsticks and Notices His Injuries
After his disastrous date with Cho, Harry heads to the Three Broomsticks, where he finds Hagrid sitting alone. Hagrid has fresh injuries on his face and appears downcast. He speaks about the importance of family, mentioning that life would have been different if Harry's parents or Hagrid's father had lived. Harry becomes concerned about Hagrid's injuries, but Hagrid brushes them off and leaves abruptly.
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Hermione, Luna, and Rita Skeeter Meet Harry at the Three Broomsticks
When Harry arrives at the Three Broomsticks to meet Hermione, he is surprised to find her with Luna Lovegood and Rita Skeeter, a former journalist from the The Daily Prophet. Rita is eager to interview Harry, but Hermione warns her to stick to the truth about Lord Voldemort's return or risk being exposed as an unregistered Animagus. The meeting marks the beginning of an unlikely alliance to spread the truth about Lord Voldemort's return.
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Hermione Blackmails Rita Skeeter to Write an Article About Lord Voldemort's Return
Hermione Granger forces Rita Skeeter to write the truth about Lord Voldemort's return, using the threat of exposing her as an unregistered Animagus. Hermione plans to publish the article in *The Quibbler*, Luna Lovegood's father's magazine, as the The Daily Prophet refuses to print anything that challenges the Ministry's stance. Rita reluctantly agrees, marking a pivotal moment in spreading the truth about Lord Voldemort.
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Luna Explains Her Father's Role as Editor of The Quibbler
Luna Lovegood explains to Rita Skeeter that her father, Xenophilius Lovegood, runs *The Quibbler* and publishes stories that he believes the public needs to know, regardless of profitability. Luna's comment irritates Rita, who doubts that *The Quibbler* will be taken seriously. However, Hermione remains confident that the alternative narrative about Lord Voldemort's return will gain traction among readers.
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