Celebrate the Illustrated Edition of “Prisoner of Azkaban” with Our Favorite Moments!
Today, October 3, the third illustrated Harry Potter book has finally been released. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a fan favorite, and Jim Kay’s gorgeous illustrations are sure to make it even more enjoyable! To celebrate the release, the MuggleNet staff decided to revisit some of our favorite moments.
1. The Marauder’s Map
Fred pulled something from inside his cloak with a flourish and laid it on one of the desks. It was a large, square, very worn piece of parchment with nothing written on it” (191).
We got a preview of Jim Kay’s Map, and it may look different, but it doesn’t make us love it less. One of Harry’s few heirlooms from his father, the Map not only connects Harry to the past but also comes in handy in his nighttime wanderings.
2. Ron and Harry’s Performance in Divination
Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb?” she murmured over the clinking of her bangles.
“I don’t need help,” Ron whispered. “It’s obvious what this means. There’s going to be loads of fog tonight.” (297)
This interaction is simply hilarious and typical of Harry and Ron in Professor Trelawney’s class.
3. Sirius Offering Harry a New Home
I’ll understand, of course, if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle,” said Black. “But…well…think about it. Once my name’s cleared… if you wanted a…a different home…” (379)
Harry, who has just found out the man he thought was out to kill him was actually his dad’s best friend and not that bad of a guy, is starting to see new possibilities. One of those is to leave the Dursleys behind and fully enter the wizarding world. Harry has found part of his family again, and it’s enough to get us teary-eyed.
4. Hermione’s Growth
Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first — SMACK! She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster” (293).
Is there anything quite as satisfying as Hermione snapping after three years of dealing with Malfoy? This is a moment where Hermione starts to crack out of her strict rule-following shell and take some more bold moves, and we love it.
5. The Shrieking Shack
Harry,” [Hermione] whispered, “I think we’re in the Shrieking Shack” (337).
This moment is a favorite, for it is here that Harry (and we) learns the truth about the four great friends James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew and the betrayal that destroyed all of their lives.
6. Harry’s Two Weeks Living in Diagon Alley
It took Harry several days to get used to his strange new freedom. Never before had he been able to get up whenever he wanted or eat whatever he fancied” (49).
All in all, Harry has a really good year in this book (well, for the most part). A lot of that starts with his two-week stay in the Leaky Cauldron, exploring Diagon Alley. For once, Harry has a bit of a summer vacation, and he completely deserves it.
7. Lupin
In no time at all, Defense Against the Dark Arts had become most people’s favorite class. Only Draco Malfoy and his gang of Slytherins had anything bad to say about Professor Lupin” (141).
Kind, intelligent, and standing tall in a very tough life situation, Remus Lupin is a favorite. In this book especially, his kindness and dedication to his students’ education and growth endear him to all. From offering to teach Harry the Patronus Charm to his belief in Neville and everything in between, Lupin’s DADA classes are treasured moments.
8. Harry’s Birthday
Extremely unusual though he was, at that moment Harry Potter felt just like everyone else — glad, for the first time in his life, that it was his birthday” (15).
We all know Harry has had some pretty bad birthdays in his short 13 years, but seeing him finally have a happy one is enough to make anyone melt. Something we especially love about this scene is that Hedwig took it on herself to fly to France (where Hermione was on holiday) to ensure that Harry got something for his birthday. *sniff*
9. Neville’s Boggart and Snape Shade
There was a noise like a whip crack. Snape stumbled; he was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and he was swinging a huge crimson handbag” (137).
This is a moment we can’t wait to see in the illustrated edition. Rowling’s vivid description has had us laughing for years as Hogwarts longest-lasting least-liked professor is thoroughly embarrassed.
10. Gryffindor Wins the Quidditch Cup!
Then Wood was speeding toward him, half-blinded by tears; he seized Harry around the neck and sobbed unrestrainedly into his shoulder” (312).
At last, the Quidditch team Oliver Wood so lovingly put together has fulfilled its potential and won the Cup. It’s a moment of pure joy, for Quidditch fans and Harry alike.
We can’t wait to see these moments illustrated by Jim Kay. Which moments are you most looking forward to seeing in the illustrated edition of Prisoner of Azkaban?
