The Dementor

Calendar and Dates

The action of this chapter takes place on 1st September 1994, in London, on the Hogwarts Express and the first evening arriving back at the school.

Interesting facts and notes

The stranger was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard’s robes which had been darned in several places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though he seemed quite young, his light-brown hair was flecked with grey.

This is the first appearance of Remus Lupin, who has come to Hogwarts to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. He may not look impressive, but when the train unexpectedly stops and a Dementor appears, he wakes up and takes charge.

And then the thing beneath the hood, whatever it was, drew a long, slow, rattling breath, as though it was trying to suck something more than air from its surroundings.

In this first encounter with a Dementor, Harry only feels overwhelming cold and helplessness before he passes out.

‘I felt weird,’ said Ron, shifting his shoulders uncomfortably. ‘Like I’d never be cheerful again …

J K Rowling has said in interviews in The Times and a BBC programme (HPM) that the feelings she was trying to portray when Harry and others are affected by the Dementors is depression.

"Well, he should have some chocolate, at the very least," said Madam Pomfrey, who was now trying to peer into Harry’s eyes.
"I've already had some," said Harry. "Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us."
"Did he, now?" said Madam Pomfrey approvingly. "So we’ve finally got a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies."

Madam Pomfrey confirms that Professor Lupin is someone competent and knowledgeable. She is also confirming the benefits of eating chocolate - a lot of us already knew that!

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued, as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away, "well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."

Harry, Ron and Hermione are delighted that Hagrid has been given this opportunity by Professor Dumbledore.

Exceptional character moments

Mr. Weasley advising Harry not to go searching for Sirius Black.

Harry's Pocket Sneakoscope glowing on the Hogwarts Express.

The Hogwarts Express being stopped and searched by a dementor.

Harry fainting from contact with a dementor.

Professor Lupin defending Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville from a Dementor on the train.

Malfoy discovering that Harry fainted from contact with the Dementor on the Hogwarts Express.

Arriving at Hogwarts and Harry's being examined by McGonagall and Pomfrey.

Dumbledore announcing to the students that the dementors of Azkaban will be guarding the grounds at Hogwarts this year.

Dumbledore announcing the two new professors during the opening feast: Professor Lupin the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and Hagrid the new Care of Magical Creatures Teacher.

Memorable lines

"Harry, swear to me you won't go looking for Black." Mr. Weasley

"Why would I go looking for someone I know wants to kill me?" Harry

"I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me." Harry

"Do you know much about Hogsmeade? I've read it's the only entirely non-Muggle settlement in Britain--" Hermione

"But Hogsmeade's a very interesting place, isn't it? In Sites of Historical Sorcery it says the inn was the headquarters for the 1612 goblin rebellion , and the Shrieking Shack's supposed to be the most severely haunted building in Britain--" Hermione

To Harry: "I thought you were having a fit or something, you went sort of rigid and fell out of your seat and started twitching--" Ron

"I felt weird, like I'd never be cheerful again..." Ron

"As you will all be aware after the search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azakban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises -- or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors." Dumbledore

"The new password's 'Fortuna Major'!" Percy

Characters Introduced

• Silvanus Kettleburn
• Remus Lupin
• Vernon Dursley