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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

by J.K. Rowling · 1999

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third novel in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, first published by Bloomsbury on 8 July 1999. Now thirteen, Harry returns for his third year at Hogwarts amid alarming news… more

First published 1999 · 317 pages · English

29 quotes ★ 4.58 (4,976,384) Fiction

Quotes from the Book

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business. Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git. Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor. Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.
He was my mum and dad's best friend. He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though...keep up with my news...check if I'm happy...
Don't let the muggles get you down.
Where is Wood?" said Harry, suddenly realizing he wasn't there. "Still in the showers," said Fred. "We think he's trying to drown himself.
You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?
Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
Harry!" said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy-" "Marvelous," said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry's hand in turn. "Absolutely spiffing." Percy scowled. "That's enough, now," said Mrs. Weasley. "Mum!" said Fred as though he'd only just spotted her and seizing her hand too. "How really corking to see you-
I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for.
I dreamed I was buying new shoes last night," said Ron. "What d'ya think that's gonna mean?" "Probably that you're going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something," said Harry.
What was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who has ever existed?" said Black, with a terrible fury in his face. "Only innocent lives, Peter!" "You don't understand!" whined Pettigrew. "He would have killed me, Sirius!" "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!
Are you insane? Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! Have you got a house? When can I move in?
How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" asked Fred as they dug into a sumptuous pudding. "The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," said Mr. Weasley. Everyone looked up at him. "Why?" said Percy curiously. "It's because of you, Perce," said George seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the hoods, with HB on them-" "-for Humongous Bighead," said Fred.
What's that?" he snarled, staring at the envelope Harry was still clutching in his hand. "If it's another form for me to sign, you've got another -" "It's not," said Harry cheerfully. "It's a letter from my godfather." "Godfather?" sputtered Uncle Vernon. "You haven't got a godfather!" "Yes, I have," said Harry brightly. "He was my mum and dad's best friend. He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though...keep up with my news...check if I'm happy....
Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?" said Malfoy. "And he’s supposed to be our teacher!" 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. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again. "Don’t you dare call Hagrid pathetic you foul—you evil—" "Hermione!" said Ron weakly and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back. "Get off Ron!" Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered. "C’mon," Malfoy muttered, and in a moment, all three of them had disappeared into the passageway to the dungeons. "Hermione!" Ron said again, sounding both stunned and impressed.
HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? I-WANT-TO-TALK-TO-HARRY-POTTER!
The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
What you fear most of all is —fear. Very wise...
Bad news, Harry. I've just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She – er, got a bit shirty with me. Told me I'd got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about staying alive. Just because I told her I didn't care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch first.
I'm not going to be murdered,' Harry said out loud. 'That's the spirit, dear,' said his mirror sleepily.
Besides, the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.
Why, dear boy, we don't send wizards to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts.
If you made a better rat than a human, it’s not much to boast about, Peter.
I knew I could do it all this time,” said Harry, “Because I'd already done it... does that make sense?
And it's Gryfindor in possession again, as Johnson takes the Quaffle— Flint alongside her —poke him in the eye, Angelina —it was a joke, professor, it was a joke...
Turn to page three hundred and ninety-four.
I'll fix it up with Mum and Dad, then I'll call you. I know how to use a fellytone now—" "A telephone, Ron," said Hermione. "Honestly, you should take Muggle Studies next year...
Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.
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.

Did you know?

  • It is the third novel in the seven-book Harry Potter series, following Chamber of Secrets and preceding Goblet of Fire.
  • It was published in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury on 8 July 1999.
  • It was published in the United States by Scholastic on 8 September 1999.
  • It introduces the Dementors and the Patronus Charm to the series.
  • It won the 1999 Whitbread Children's Book Award and the 2000 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
  • The 2004 film adaptation was directed by Alfonso Cuaron.

About J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling (Joanne Rowling, born 1965) is a British author best known for the seven-book Harry Potter fantasy series, which became one of the best-selling book series in history and spawned a global film and merchandising franchise.

More about the author →

About the book

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third novel in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, first published by Bloomsbury on 8 July 1999. Now thirteen, Harry returns for his third year at Hogwarts amid alarming news: Sirius Black, a convicted mass murderer believed to be an ally of Lord Voldemort, has escaped from the wizard prison of Azkaban and is thought to be hunting Harry. To guard the school, the Ministry of Magic stations soul-draining Dementors around the grounds, and Harry, uniquely affected by them, learns to defend himself with the Patronus Charm under the guidance of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin.

The book marks a tonal shift in the series, trading the more self-contained mysteries of the first two volumes for a story steeped in the past, in memory, and in questions of guilt and innocence. Its themes include the unreliability of appearances, the burden of fear, the meaning of family and friendship, and the possibility that a person condemned by everyone may not be who they seem. The introduction of time travel late in the narrative reframes events the reader has already witnessed, and the revelations about Sirius Black and the traitor within Harry's circle deepen the emotional stakes of the wider series.

Widely regarded by many readers and critics as one of the strongest entries in the series, the novel won the 1999 Whitbread Children's Book Award and the 2000 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. It was adapted into a major feature film in 2004, directed by Alfonso Cuaron, whose darker visual style influenced how later films in the franchise were made. The book cemented the series' place as a global publishing phenomenon and remains a favorite among long-time Harry Potter readers.

Key characters

  • Harry PotterThirteen-year-old wizard and protagonist in his third year at Hogwarts
  • Ron WeasleyHarry's loyal best friend
  • Hermione GrangerHarry's brilliant, studious best friend
  • Sirius BlackEscaped Azkaban prisoner at the center of Harry's investigation
  • Remus LupinNew Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who mentors Harry
  • Peter PettigrewThe true traitor who betrayed Harry's parents and framed Black
  • Rubeus HagridHogwarts gamekeeper, newly appointed Care of Magical Creatures teacher

Book details

First published
1999
Length
317 pages
Reading time
6 hours
Genre
Fiction
Goodreads rating
4.58 (5M ratings)
First line
“Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.”

Series & reading order

  1. 1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  2. 2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  3. 3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  4. 4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  5. 5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  6. 6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  7. 7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Movie & TV adaptations

  • IMDb
    Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2004

    Feature film directed by Alfonso Cuaron

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  1. 1
    Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireThe next book in the series, continuing Harry's story
  2. 2
    Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning ThiefA young hero at a magical school navigating a hidden mythic world
  3. 3
    The Chronicles of NarniaClassic children's fantasy blending ordinary children with a magical realm

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