"So, Harry. You have been wondering, I am sure, what I have planned for you during these — for want of a better word — lessons? Well, I have decided that it is time, now that you know what prompted Lord Voldemort to try and kill you fifteen years ago, for you to be given certain information."
-- Albus Dumbledore
On the way to Dumbledore’s office, Harry avoids Professor Trelawney, who has been drinking and is interpreting what a set of playing cards indicate about the future.
They view Bob Ogden‘s memory of his first visit to the Gaunt house and discuss the circumstances surrounding Voldemort’s birth. Harry asks for and receives permission to tell Ron and Hermione about the lesson, but Dumbledore tells Harry not to tell anyone else.
Timeline Notes
The exact date is uncertain, but we know that this lesson is the Saturday immediately following the first day of classes (HBP9), so it is most likely September 7. The lesson is scheduled for 8 pm:
Dear Harry,
I would like to start our private lessons this Saturday. Kindly come along to my office at 8 P.M. I hope you are enjoying your first day back at school.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. I enjoy Acid Pops (HBP9)--note to Harry on the first day of classes, September 1996
Commentary
Notes
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Notes:
When the village of Little Hangleton comes into view in Bob Ogden's memory, the town's church and graveyard appear to be particularly conspicuous to Harry. Perhaps Harry picked out the graveyard because he was transported there at the end of his fourth year. -BB
Marvolo claims believes that his ring bears the Peverell family's coat of arms, but the symbol on the ring is actually the Deathly Hallows symbol.
The spell Morfin Gaunt uses on Bob Ogden may be the Curse of the Bogeys or a related spell. The spell's effects are similar to the effects of the Curse of the Bogeys, which causes massive amounts of mucus to issue from the nose. However, the "goo" coming from Bob Ogden's nose appears - at least to Harry - to be some kind of pus, rather than mucus. -BB