Book #137: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

J.K. Rowling

Released: July 8th, 1999

My 3rd book for 2026 was J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban".

[Blogger's Notes: I'm going to do this series a little bit different than I normally do. My sister, Megan Perry, is a diehard Harry Potter fan. Since she also does some blogging, I figured I would incorporate her thoughts on this one as well. You can check her blog "Between The Pages" at Megan Perry Writes.

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Bryan Shades: This is my favorite book in the Harry Potter series. This was the one that made me a full-on fan and launched me into the Potter-verse. While it never reached the heights I have for other series like James Bond, I did follow the series after this and was super stoked when the 3rd film released to the movie theater.

This book has one of the strongest stories of any book let alone the Harry Potter series. There are so many twists and turns, and the way the stories weave together is done masterfully by Rowling.

The story starts off at Privet Drive where Aunt Marge is coming to visit. This nasty woman is very opinionated and attacks Harry's parents verbally in front of him. This causes Harry to react and cast an inflation spell on her. Harry then grabs his belongings and sets out on his own for a bit. An emergency transport bus picks him up and takes him to Diagon Alley. Harry stays there for 2 weeks until it is time to go back to Hogwarts. After meeting up with Ron and Hermione, Harry returns to Hogwarts to find that Sirius Black has escaped the wizarding prison Azkaban and is on the loose. Due to this, the dreaded Dementors, the legendary guardians of the horrific prison, are now standing guard on the grounds of the school. As the school year continues, Harry has to contend with new classes, sneaking out to local wizarding town Hogsmeade (due to Uncle Vernon not signing his permission slip), Hermione overbooking herself with classes, a mysterious new Firebolt broom arriving on Christmas Day, and a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin who seems to be the best they've had thus far. The adventure leads to a revealing moment in the Whomping Willow where the truth about Black is revealed. We then learn how Hermione has been taking all her classes, and she uses this power to time travel with Harry and save the lives of the innocent.

What a story. I will never forget the first time I read it. I will never forget the first time I saw it. I still remember the posters hanging up in the Hot Topic at the Valley Mall in Hagerstown, MD, featuring Gary Oldman as Sirius Black and his Azkaban mug shot. I was stoked.

Get ready for some spoilers. Sirius Black plays a crucial role here. Thus far, we have only heard of him once, in the open chapter of Sorcerer's Stone. We know that Hagrid borrowed his flying bike to deliver Harry to the Dursleys. We learn that he is an Animagus and takes the shape of a dog. We are given a twist ending where instead of Sirius being the one who betrayed James and Lily Potter, Peter Pettigrew did not die, but rather took the shape of a rat named Scabbers and went to live with the Weasley family for the past 12 years. This explains why the Sneakoscope keeps going off erratically when Scabbers is around. Because Voldemort's spy is in the area. After being set free, Sirius offers to take Harry in, and signs his Hogsmeade permission slip.

No Voldemort in this one. Instead we are treated to the Dementors, who are the guardians of the wizarding prison Azkaban. Their mere presence drains the happiness from any person involved, and their kiss has the power to literally suck the soul out of a human. Very nasty indeed.

Hogsmeade plays a strong role here. Third years are permitted to visit the wizarding village on certain weekends. Harry is unable to get his permission slip signed by Uncle Vernon and is forbidden to go. Fred and George provide him with a piece of parchment known as the Marauder's Map, which gives the entire layout of the school, as well as the position of anyone within it. Harry uses this to find the legendary passageways that allow him to sneak out and visit the village undetected. This is where "Butterbeer" first appeared in modern society. Evidently the kind served at The Three Broomsticks is quite delicious.

In the Quidditch world, there is a new state-of-the-art broom called the Firebolt. It is the fasted broom in the world and costs a hefty sum. After his Nimbus 2000 is destroyed by the Whomping Willow, Harry mysteriously receives a Firebolt for Christmas. While it is a vast improvement on his Quidditch game, curiosity over where it came from takes center stage. This was something I absolutely hated about the film (and the film is my favorite as well). In the book, Harry receives the Firebolt at Christmas and flies it in the book. In the movie, Harry doesn't receive it until the end of the film, effectively killing the subplot. I remember leaving the movie theater happy but also angry that they changed this element, as it played a large part in the book.

Remus Lupin is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. With his arrival, comes a renewed interest in the subject as he truly manages to teach the subject, where the previous teachers have been less than standard. The revelation of his being a werewolf and how his friends including James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew, defended him and protected him despite this setback, is a huge part of the book. We learn about James Potter's core group of friends, and see he got himself involved in mischievous adventures much like Harry. Lupin also teaches Harry how to cast his Patronus, which is the protective charm that wards off the dreaded Dementors. While he is forced to resign at the end in the interest of safety for everyone, he leaves his impact with a successful tenure at the school.

Speaking of new teachers, Professor Trelawney is introduced as the Divination teacher. She rarely comes out and joins the school and prefers to spend most of her time in her tower. She isn't the most accurate predictor, but makes it count when it matters the most. Her readings and visions technically do come true, just not in the ways one would expect.

The scene in the Whomping Willow is arguably the strongest scene of the series. The revelation of Sirius Black's true nature, and how he ties into the great story is a huge puzzle piece and changes the course of the series from this point onward. The Peter Pettigrew revelation is one of the most shocking twists. We've known Scabbers since the beginning, and it's fascinating to go back and see all the hints that were dropped, alluding (unknowingly) to his true identity.

This was the only Harry Potter movie that I saw more than once in the movie theater. And the last one I would see until Order of the Phoenix (I never saw Goblet of Fire in the movie theater during it's original theatrical release.) I remember having a crush on Emma Watson's Hermione (the first time I started noticing girls in movies) and really enjoying the story despite the Firebolt issue. Otherwise, amazing book and film.

Megan Perry:

Here is what I learned.

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To Jill Prewett and Aine Kiely, the Godmothers of Swing.

Harry has to write an essay on “Witch Burning in the 14th Century Was Completely Pointless”.

Witches and wizards of medieval times would perform a basic Flame Freezing Charm and pretend to suffer the burns while experiencing a tickling sensation.

Arthur Weasley won the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw. It’s worth 700 Galleons.

Bill Weasley works in Egypt as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

There are curses on the Egyptian tombs that cause muggles to mutate into beings with multiple heads.

Percy has become Head Boy of Hogwarts.

A Pocket Sneakoscope lights up and spins when someone untrustworthy is around.

The Sneakoscope keeps lighting up at the Weasley table.

Fred and George put beetles in Bill’s soup.

Hermione has been on holiday in France.

Hermione gives Harry a Brooks Servicing Kit for his birthday.

The kit includes a large jar of Fleetwood’s High-Finish Handle Polish, a tiny brass compass, and a Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broomcare.

Hagrid doesn’t have a normal person’s view of what is dangerous.

Hagrid gives Harry “The Monster Book of Monsters”.

3rd years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends.

Uncle Vernon believes violent criminals should be hanged.

Aunt Marge’s train arrives at 10.

Aunt Marge is Uncle Vernon’s sister.

Aunt Marge breeds bulldogs.

Marge once gave Harry dog biscuits for Christmas.

Marge has a bulldog named Ripper.

Uncle Vernon lies and tells Marge Harry attends St. Brutus’s Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys.

Harry hides things under the loose floorboard in his room.

Aunt Petunia hates animals.

Colonel Fubster manages Marge’s dogs while she is away.

The last night of Marge’s stay, the Dursleys eat Salmon, Soup, and Lemon Meringue Pie.

Harry rides the Knight Bus.

The Knight Bus is an emergency transport for a stranded witch or wizard.

Stan Shunpike is the conductor.

Instead of seats the bus has bedsteads.

Ernie Prang is the driver.

Madam Marsh is heading for Abergavenny.

Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban.

12 years prior, Black killed 13 people with a single curse.

Nobody has ever broken out of Azkaban before.

The Leaky Cauldron has rooms for rent.

Harry stays in Room 11.

Harry does his homework under the umbrella at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Florean Fortescue gave Harry free sundaes every half hour.

The Firebolt is the newest broom on the market.

Firebolt Advertisement: THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART RACING BROOM SPORTS A STREAM-LINED, SUPERFINE HANDLE OF ASH, TREATED WITH A DIAMOND-HARD POLISH AND HAND-NUMBERED WITH ITS OWN REGISTRATION NUMBER. EACH INDIVIDUALLY SELECTED BIRCH TWIG IN THE BROOMTAIL HAS BEEN HONED TO AERODYNAMIC PERFECTION, GIVING THE FIREBOLT UNSURPASSABLE BALANCE AND PINPOINT PRECISION. THE FIREBOLT HAS AN ACCELERATION OF 150 MILES AN HOUR IN TEN SECONDS AND INCORPORATES AN UNBREAKABLE BRAKING CHARM. PRICE ON REQUEST.

The Irish International Side Quidditch team put in an order for seven Firebolts.

Book list for year 3 includes:

The Monster Book of Monsters

Unfogging The Future by Cassandra Vablatsky

Intermediate Transfiguration

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3

Hermione’s birthday is in September.

Scabbers is missing a toe on his front paw.

Hermione buys a cat named Crookshanks for her birthday present.

Dumbledore was the only person Lord Voldemort had ever been afraid of.

Professor R.J. Lupin is the new Defense Against Dark Arts Teacher.

Dervish and Bangs in Hogsmeade sells magical instruments.

Honeydukes is a sweet shop in Hogsmeade that sells Butterbeer.

According to the book Sites of Historical Sorcery, the inn in Hogsmeade was the site of the 1612 goblin rebellion.

The Shrieking Shack is supposed to be the most severely haunted building in Britain.

Crabbe and Goyle’s first names are Vincent and Gregory respectively.

Chocolate helps after a dementor encounter.

Dementors are the guardians of Azkaban.

Hogwarts is playing host to the dementors.

Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher retired at the end of the previous year.

Hagrid is the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher.

The new Gryffindor Tower password is Fortuna Major.

Gryffindor vs Slytherin opens the quidditch season.

Professor Sibyll Trelawney is the Divination teacher.

Animagi are wizards who can transform into animals.

Ron’s Uncle Bilius once saw a grim and died 24 hours later.

Hippogriffs attack if you insult them.

Buckbeak is Hagrid’s Hippogriff.

A bogart is a shape-shifter. It takes the form of whatever it thinks will frighten its opponent the most.”

Neville’s greatest fear is Professor Snape.

Patti Parvati’s greatest fear is a mummy.

Seamus’ greatest fear is a banshee.

Dean’s greatest fear is a severed hand.

Ron’s greatest fear is a spider.

Lavendar Brown’s rabbit Binky was killed by a fox.

Dean Thomas is good with a quill.

Dementors can see through invisibility cloaks.

Someone shredded the Fat Lady’s painting.

Peeves suggests it was Sirius Black and his temper.

Hogwarts has enchantments to prevent people entering by stealth.

The Fat Lady was hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the 4th floor.

“But I’m afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster.”

Sir Cadogan becomes temporary guardian of Gryffindor Tower.

Sir Cadogan likes to challenge people to duels.

Passwords to Gryffindor Tower changed twice a day and were complicated under Sir Cadogan.

Cedric Diggory is the new Seeker and Captain of Hufflepuff.

Page 394 in the Defense Against Dark Arts book covers warewolves.

Harry finally loses his first quidditch match.

Harry’s Nimbus 2000 is destroyed by the Whomping Willow.

The Whomping Willow was planted the same year Lupin arrived at Hogwarts.

Davey Gudgeon nearly lost his eye to the Whomping Willow.

Filch has a cabinet marked “Confiscated and Highly Dangerous”.

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

Fred and George give Harry the Marauder’s Map.

Map inscription: Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present: THE MARAUDER'S MAP

The map shows every detail of Hogwarts castle and grounds, including the people moving about it.

Hogwarts has a series of passages that lead to Hogameade.

The passage behind the mirror on the 4th floor is caved in.

The entrance to one passage is where the Whomping Willow was planted.

Another passage goes straight to the cellar of Honeydukes.

“Mischief Managed”.

“Never trust anything that can think for itself, if you can’t see where it keeps its brain.”

“Dissendium” opens the passage behind the statue on the 3rd floor.

BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC: Customers are reminded that until further notice, dementors will be patrolling the streets of Hogsmeade every night after sundown. This measure has been put in place for the safety of Hogsmeade residents and will be lifted upon the recapture of Sirius Black. It is therefore advisable that you complete your shopping well before nightfall. Merry Christmas!

Professor McGonagall drinks gillywater.

Hagrid drinks mulled mead.

Professor Flitwick drinks cherry syrup and soda with ice and an umbrella.

Minister Fudge drinks red current rum.

Madam Rosmeeta serves drinks at The Three Broomsticks.

Sirius Black and James Potter were best friends.

Sirius Black was James’ best man when he married Lily.

Sirius Black is Harry Potter’s godfather.

Hagrid rescued Harry from his parent’s house after they died.

According to rumor, Black betrayed the Potters.

Sirius Black had a flying motorbike.

Peter Pettigrew was another friend of Sirius and James.

According to rumor, Black killed Pettigrew.

Pettigrew received the Order of Merlin, First Class.

Pettigrew’s mother received his finger in a box.

The Ministry of Magic has asked Hagrid to hand Buckbeak over to the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.

Harry mysteriously receives a Firebolt for Christmas.

Scurvy Cur is the new Gryffindor Tower password.

Lupin teaches Harry the Patronus Charm.

A Patronus is a guardian that acts as a shield between a wizard and a dementor.

“Expecto Patronum!”

Lupin and James Potter were friends at Hogwarts.

Professor Vector teaches Arithmancy.

A Dementor’s Kiss sucks the soul out of its victim.

Oddsbodikins is the new Gryffindor Tower password.

If the Nimbus series has a fault, it’s a slight list to the tail end. This is something corrected on the Firebolt.

Madam Hooch learned to fly on an old Silver Arrow.

Cho Chang is the Seeker for Ravenclaw.

Cho flies a Comet Two Sixty.

Percy and Penelope have a 10 Galleon bet on the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw match.

Sirius Black obtained Neville’s password list.

Sir Cadogan is fired and returned to the seventh floor.

Neville’s punishment is detention, being banned from future Hogsmeade visits, restricted access from Gryffindor passwords, and a Howler from his grandmother.

Crabbe steps on Harry’s invisibility cloak giving away his whereabouts.

The new Gryffindor password is Flibbertigibbet.

Gryffindor hadn’t won the Quidditch House Cup since Charlie Weasley was Seeker.

Gryffindor wins the Quidditch House Cup.

Buckbeak is to be executed at sunset.

The passageway inside the Whomping Willow leads to the Shrieking Shack.

Sirius Black is an Animagus who transforms into a dog.

Sirius’ hair is down to his elbows.

Sirius has yellow teeth.

“You’re the cleverest witch of your age I’ve ever met, Hermione.”

Lupin is Moony.

The Marauder’s map can detect someone with an invisibility cloak.

Peter Pettigrew has been hiding in his Animagus form as Scabbers for years.

The Shrieking Shack was never haunted. Villagers only heard Lupin in werewolf form.

Lupin regularly consumes the Wolfbane Potion.

Sirius is Padfoot.

Peter is Wormtail.

James was Prongs.

Crookshanks stole Neville’s password list.

Crookshanks eas not trying to eat Scabbers but more bring Peter to Lupin.

Sirius offers Harry a home away from the Dursleys.

Hermione was given a Time-Turner. It allows the user to travel back in time, hence how she was able to take on a large course load.

James would transform into a stag.

“When one wizard saves another wizard’s life, it creates a bond between them.”

Gryffindor won the House Cup for the 3rd year running.

Hermione passed Muggle Studies with a 320%.

This coming summer is the Quidditch World Cup.

Sirius Black sent Harry the Firebolt.

Sirius signs Harry’s permission slip to Hogsmeade.

Sirius gives Ron a new owl due to his losing his rat.

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Overall, to me, this is the peak of the Harry Potter series. That's not saying any of the later books are lesser quality. They simply take on a darker and more adult-oriented tone as Harry gets older, and the fight with Voldemort draws nearer and more deadly. If you read any of the Harry Potter novels, this is the one.

Shades: Highest Recommendation.

Megan:

On to Book #138: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling.

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Need to catch up? See previous blog post: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

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Want to read about just this series? See the other posts below:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix