Oakshaft 79
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Broomsticks
The Oakshaft was a broom created by Elias Grimstone in 1879. The broom-maker, who hailed from Portsmouth, crafted this heavy, reliable broom specifically for long-distance flights, where any high or volatile wind conditions could make it dangerous for a rider on a lighter, less stable broomstick (QA9). In spite of its thick handle,… Read MoreOP21: The Eye of the Snake• Source
Hagrid’s class is observed by Umbridge, Ginny Weasley replaces Harry as Gryffindor’s Seeker, Dumbledore’s Army meets again, and Harry and Cho kiss. In a dream, Harry witnesses Arthur Weasley being bitten by a huge snake. Read MoreOP22: St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries• Source
Arthur Weasley is rushed to St. Mungo’s Hospital, Albus Dumbledore sends Harry and the Weasley children back to Sirius Black’s house, and they visit Arthur in hospital as he makes his recovery. Read MoreOP23: Christmas on the Closed Ward• Source
Harry speculates on why Albus Dumbledore will not look him in the eye, Hermione joins Harry and the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place for Christmas, and Percy sends back his Weasley jumper. They visit Arthur in St. Mungo’s Hospital, encounter Gilderoy… Read MoreOP24: Occlumency• Source
Harry and the Weasley children return to Hogwarts after the holidays and Harry begins Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape, during which Harry sees the dark corridor in the Department of Mysteries that he often dreams about. Read MoreOP32: Out of the Fire• Source
Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna help Harry break into Umbridge’s office, Kreacher leads Harry to believe that Sirius is at the Department of Mysteries, and Hermione tricks Umbridge into taking her and Harry into the Forbidden Forest. Read MoreOP33: Fight and Flight• Source
Hermione and Harry lead Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest, Umbridge insults the centaurs and they take her away, Grawp rescues Harry and Hermione from the centaurs, and Ron rejoins them with Neville, Ginny, and Luna, who insist on helping them in their fight. Luna suggests using the thestrals to get… Read MoreOP34: The Department of Mysteries• Source
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood fly to London on thestrals. They are allowed access to the Ministry of Magic through the telephone booth, and they enter the Department of Mysteries – specifically the room containing… Read MoreOP36: The Only One He Ever Feared• Source
Harry pursues Bellatrix and learns he is incapable of an Unforgivable Curse; Voldemort shows up; Dumbledore saves Harry from the Killing Curse; Fudge and other Ministry members witness Voldemort’s return; and Dumbledore reinstates himself as Headmaster. Read MoreOP38: The Second War Begins• Source
Ron and Hermione are recovering from their injuries. Fudge publicly admits to Voldemort‘s return, McGonagall returns from St. Mungo’s, and Harry asks Nearly-Headless Nick about ghosts. Harry rides home with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna on the train. Moody,… Read MoreOP3: The Advance Guard• Source
Harry is rescued from number four Privet Drive, Remus Lupin and Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody are reintroduced, and Harry meets Nymphadora Tonks for the first time. Read MoreOP7: The Ministry of Magic• Source
Arthur Weasley takes Harry to the Ministry of Magic for his scheduled hearing and Harry gets a look at the Ministry building and the setup of its offices. Read MoreMyron Otherhaus• Character
Myron Otherhaus was a handsome wizard who lived in Bury St Edmunds. He fell in love with Violet Tillyman when she accidentally arrived in his house via the Floo Network (Pm). Read MoreOttaline Gambol• Character
Ottaline Gambol was Minister for Magic from 1827 to 1835. She was more appreciative of Muggles and their technology than many wizards of the time, and thus introduced the Hogwarts Express as the method of transport to Hogwarts (Pm). Read MoreOttaline Gambol introduces the Hogwarts Express• Event
Logistical difficulties plague efforts to get students to and from Hogwarts while adhering to the Statute of Secrecy. Minister for Magic Ottaline Gambol, who appreciates Muggle innovation, comes up with the idea of using a steam engine. The exact origin of the Hogwarts Express is uncertain, but it is rumoured… Read More