Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter)

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Harry Potter association
Order of the Phoenix
Headquarters Number 12, Grimmauld Place
Current head Unknown (formerly Albus Dumbledore)
Intentions To prevent Lord Voldemort from carrying out his plans
Enemies Lord Voldemort and his group of Death Eaters; one-sided opposition from the Ministry of Magic.
First appearance Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, although briefly mentioned (not by name) at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Order of the Phoenix is a fictional organisation in the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling. The phrase is also frequently used to refer to the fifth book in the Harry Potter series, properly known as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in which the organisation is introduced.

The Order is an organisation founded by Albus Dumbledore to counter Voldemort and his followers, the Death Eaters. Its choice of name has never been explained in the books, but it is probably related to Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's pet phoenix, who is used as a messenger for the Order, or more generally Dumbledore's recognizable use of the phoenix as a sort of mascot -- his patronus, which he uses to carry messages to other Order members, takes that form.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Contents

[edit] Creation and purpose

Its goal was the defeat of Voldemort during the first war (before the Harry Potter books); it was disbanded upon Voldemort's disappearance. This was a blessing that could have not come too soon for the Order, which was suffering casualties of over 50%. When Voldemort returned to power in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the Order was reformed within the hour by an astute Dumbledore, who sent Sirius Black in dog form to alert key members such as Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher, and Remus Lupin to the new threat.

Upon its reconstitution, the Order set up headquarters at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, London—Sirius Black's family home. Dumbledore was the Secret-Keeper for the Order of the Phoenix, meaning that the Order's headquarters at Grimmauld Place could only be revealed to others by Dumbledore.

[edit] Relations with the Ministry

Although Dumbledore and the original members of the Order expected the return of Lord Voldemort, members of the Ministry of Magic—notably Cornelius Fudge, the Minister himself—were not convinced. Fudge preferred to believe that Dumbledore was spreading rumours in an attempt to undercut his authority as Minister for Magic. Years ago, there had been widespread support for Dumbledore to take the position, although he wished to remain at Hogwarts. In his early years as Minister, Fudge was constantly bombarding Dumbledore frantically asking for advice. These actions sowed the seeds of paranoia in Fudge, as he feared Dumbledore would usurp his power and take the job. He also accused Dumbledore of going senile in his old years, being clearly mistaken about Voldemort's return.

The Ministry forced the wizard newspaper, The Daily Prophet, to keep quiet on any stories that would present Dumbledore or Harry Potter in a favourable light. The Order was forced to exist underground. The efforts of the Ministry proved effective—the majority of the wizarding public believed both Dumbledore and Harry to be liars. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were thus allowed for nearly a year to conduct their business in secret, with most wizards and witches refusing to acknowledge even the possibility of his renewed existence.

Dumbledore, however, was vindicated when Lord Voldemort was finally sighted in the Ministry headquarters itself. Fudge then had to admit that Dumbledore had been right, and as a consequence for his actions against the order, was replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour as Minister for Magic in the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

[edit] Role in the books

To date, the Order has been the major source of resistance against Voldemort. Its members—acting either informally or as part of the Order—have been responsible for protecting Harry his entire life. The Order (with six Hogwarts students, who were members of the Harry-founded D.A.) defeated Voldemort and his Death Eaters at the Department of Mysteries in Order of the Phoenix and were the victims of a Death Eater attack in Half-Blood Prince.

As of yet, there is no more information relating to the more direct role the Order will play in the defeat or demise of Lord Voldemort. It is thought, however, that the order will remain central in defending against Dementors and Death Eaters.

[edit] Members of the Order of the Phoenix

[edit] Surviving members by the end of book six

The Weasley twins were told in Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix that although they were of age they were still at school and so could not join the order. They have since left Hogwarts and so were presumerably allowed to become full members.

[edit] Former members

Name Reason For Departure
Sirius "Padfoot" Black Killed during the Second War by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
Edgar Bones Killed with his entire family during the First War.
Caradoc Dearborn Went missing during First War, presumed dead.
Lily Evans Potter Killed during the First War by Voldemort himself.
James "Prongs" Potter Killed during the First War by Voldemort himself.
Albus Dumbledore Killed during the Second War by Severus Snape on top of the Astronomy Tower, in the battle at Hogwarts.
Benjy Fenwick Killed during the First War.
Alice Longbottom Driven insane by Bellatrix, Rabastan, and Rodolphus Lestrange, and Barty Crouch, Junior after Voldemort was defeated.
Frank Longbottom Driven insane by Bellatrix, Rabastan, and Rodolphus Lestrange, and Barty Crouch, Junior after Voldemort was defeated.
Marlene McKinnon Killed with whole family in the First War.
Dorcas Meadowes Killed by Voldemort during the First War.
Peter "Wormtail" Pettigrew Defected, and betrayed James and Lily Potter to their deaths—joined the Death Eaters.
Severus Snape Killed Dumbledore and fled with Draco Malfoy, while being chased by Harry.
Gideon Prewett Molly Weasley's brother, during the First War, it took five Death Eaters (including Antonin Dolohov) to defeat his brother and him.
Fabian Prewett Also Molly Weasley's brother, during the First War, it took five Death Eaters (including Antonin Dolohov) to defeat his brother and him.
Emmeline Vance Killed during the Second War close to 10 Downing Street, London.

[edit] References

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series
Philosopher's Stone book film game soundtrack
Chamber of Secrets book film game soundtrack
Prisoner of Azkaban book film game soundtrack
Goblet of Fire book film game soundtrack
Order of the Phoenix book (film) (game)
Half-Blood Prince book (film)
Book Seven (book)
Other books Other games
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup
Quidditch Through the Ages
Plot – Characters – Places – Spells – Translations – Fandom – Related articles - Quidditch
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