Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | Chapter 22 Summary

Chapter Twenty-Two:  Owl Post Again

Harry and Hermione rush back to the hospital wing just as Dumbledore is locking the door behind him. Dumbledore flashes the two a great big smile. Harry and Hermione sit in the hospital wing, quietly munching on chocolate, as they hear the rush of fury at Sirius’ escape being discovered. Snape, Fudge, and Dumbledore (who alone looks calm) barge into the hospital wing with Snape insisting that Sirius’ escape has something to do with Potter.  Dumbledore gives his word that both Harry and Hermione had been locked in the hospital wing by his own hand and Madam Pomfrey insists that neither of them had left their beds.  Snape storms out. Fudge isn’t too far behind, insisting that the newspaper was going to have a field day about another narrow escape by Sirius. Dumbledore is simply happy to hear that the dementors would be leaving Hogwarts for good. Poor Ron finally awakens and needs to be told the whole story.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione spend the day on the grounds together taking in the events of the previous evening. When they run into Hagrid, he reveals that Snape spread the word about Lupin being a werewolf; therefore, Lupin resigned his post as professor.  Harry heads straight to Lupin’s office to find the rumor to be true. Lupin reminds Harry about all of the letters from parents to arrive tomorrow if Dumbledore allows a werewolf to teach at Hogwarts. Harry tells Lupin all of the events of the previous night, and Lupin smiles to learn of Harry’s stag Patronus. Lupin also gives Harry his invisibility cloak as well as the Marauder’s Map before leaving Hogwarts. Dumbledore enters and asks Harry why he is so miserable. Harry replies that “it didn’t make any difference.” Dumbledore disagrees, saying that Harry uncovered the truth and saved two innocent creatures from terrible deaths.  Harry asks Dumbledore if Trelawney made a true prediction the other night.  Dumbledore agrees, saying that she has now made two real predictions.  Dumbledore also astounds Harry by saying that Harry’s stag Patronus was like seeing his own father last night: “You found him inside yourself.” 

The only four people who knew the truth about that evening were Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Dumbledore. Harry and his friends all pass their exams and their O.W.L.s, but Harry’s mind begins to dwell upon other worries, such as another summer with the Dursleys. Ron cheers Harry up a bit with the prospect of inviting Harry to the Quidditch World Cup over the summer. Suddenly a small owl brings Harry a letter from Sirius. The letter reveals that Sirius was the one who gave Harry the Firebolt and includes a signed permission form for future Hogsmeade visits. Sirius bequeaths to Ron the little owl who carries the letter. The Dursleys come to pick Harry up at the train station and give a look of horror in regards to the news of the year.  “Harry set off toward the station exit . . . for what looked like a much better summer than the last.”