Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Chapter 11 Summary

Chapter Eleven

Aboard the Hogwarts Express

 

The next day begins with Mr. Weasley getting an urgent message from the Ministry of Magic.  He has been summoned to help Mad-Eye Moody (who used to be an Auror for the Ministry) because he used magic in front of muggles when he thought he heard an intruder enter his yard. Ironically, the way Mr. Weasley was told was through Amos Diggory’s head floating in the fireplace (which turns out to be a method of wizard communication).  In the conversation, we learn that many think very highly of Mad-Eye Moody, including Dumbledore himself. Considering Mad-Eye was an Auror at one time, his life was full of catching bad wizards and, as a result, trusts no one anymore and “sees dark wizards everywhere.” 

Harry and his friends have to travel to Kings Cross Station by muggle taxi because there were no other Ministry cars available at the time.  It is an unpleasant ride, but before long they are all standing in front of the Hogwarts Express: the train bound for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  They do not leave, however, without a few words of excitement from Bill and Charlie (Ron’s older brothers) about something special that would be happening at school this year. 

On the train, they hear students discussing Durmstrang and Beaubatons (two other wizarding schools).  Malfoy appears, taunting Harry and his friends with his knowledge of the event at Hogwarts this year.  This news puts Ron into an even worse mood (exacerbated by his tattered dress robes), but the friends arrive at Hogwarts to meet a smiling Hagrid (the groundskeeper and good friend) and climb into horseless carriages waiting to fly to Hogwarts Castle.