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Harry's link to Voldemort becomes ever more pronounced throughout the fifth year, as the dark wizard's feelings filter through to slide into Harry's mind, causing the lightning scar to burn more fiercely than ever before. Since the end of the fourth year and the gruesome finale to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge has been vehemently denying the return of Lord Voldemort, and has thus brought himself into direct contention with Albus Dumbledore. Hardly a wise move. Dumbledore has been stripped of many official honours, including the Order of Merlin, First Class and the position of Supreme Mugwump of the Wizengamot. Minister Fudge is convinced Dumbledore is angling for his post, even though the Headmaster of Hogwarts was offered the post first and declined. The Daily Prophet, acting as the propaganda branch of the Ministry of Magic, has been reporting Fudge's skewed view of things since the end of term last year. Harry has been presented as a delusional attention seeker, and discredited as much as possible. Few people in the wizarding world believe that Voldemort has returned, mainly because they, like Fudge, do not want to believe it.

Besides having all this to deal with, Harry and his friends are facing their hardest school year yet, as they prepare to take their Ordinary Wizarding Level exams. The Ministry, in an attempt to interfere with the running of Hogwarts, appoint Fudge's own undersecretary as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. With Ministry backing she issues a number of decrees to increase her authority, growing ever wilder as the year goes on. Interfering with his schoolwork is Harry's participation in the activities of the Order of the Phoenix, a group dedicated to the downfall of Lord Voldemort, some of whom fought against him before he all but destroyed himself trying to kill Harry. Led and protected by Albus Dumbledore they attempt