Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter Two:
The Scar

"Do you know if curse scars sometimes hurt years afterwards?"

Synopsis by William Silvester
Notes and links by Michele L. Worley

U.S. hardcover edition: pages 16 - 25
U.K. hardcover edition: pages 20 - 28
U.K. paperback edition: pages 23 - 33
Timeframe: Saturday, August xx, 1994 [Y14]

In which Harry awakens from a bad dream, his scar burning, we recap Harry's previous adventures, and he writes a letter to his godfather.

Interesting facts and notes about the text of this chapter:

The title, of course, is a reference to Harry's curse-scar. This chapter marks the first time that Harry becomes aware of his mental link with Voldemort. (The spasms of pain he experienced in his first year weren't accompanied by detailed visions of this kind, in which Harry sees what is currently happening where Voldemort is.)

The main purpose served by this chapter is to recap some of the main points of the preceding books and provide brief character sketches of some of the main characters. The exposition is handled rather gracefully, as Harry mentally runs through his wizarding acquaintances while trying to decide whom to ask for advice about his curse-scar pains.

A skinny boy of fourteen looked back at him...

Asleep was the way Harry liked the Dursleys best; it wasn't as though they were ever any help to him awake.

...he heard his cousin Dudley give a tremendous grunting snore from the next room.

...Voldemort - the most powerful Dark wizard for a century, a wizard who had been gaining power steadily for eleven years...

Characters introduced in this chapter:

• none

Characters returning in this chapter:

• Dursley, Dudley

• Dursley, Petunia

• Dursley, Vernon

• Hedwig

• Potter, Harry

Characters mentioned in this chapter:

• Black, Sirius

• Bryce, Frank

• Buckbeak

• Dumbledore, Albus

• Granger, Hermione

• Potter, James

• Potter, Lily

• Nagini

• Pettigrew, Peter (as Wormtail)

• Voldemort

• Weasley, Arthur

• Weasley, Fred

• Weasley, George

• Weasley, Molly

• Weasley, Ron

Settings and locations introduced or returning in this chapter:

• number four, Privet Drive

Settings and locations mentioned in this chapter:

• Azkaban

Exceptional character moments:

• Harry's reluctance to admit to being worried about his curse-scar pains, because he cares so much about the Weasleys' good opinion of him. It says a lot about how quickly his relationship with Sirius has developed that he's willing to write to him and ask his advice.

Spells:

• Avada Kedavra (referred to)

Links and Resources:

• books

  • Common Magical Ailments and Afflictions

  • Flying with the Cannons

• Death Eaters

• Dementors

• Quidditch

Memorable lines:

• Asleep was the way Harry liked the Dursleys best; it wasn't as though they were ever any help to him awake.

• They were Muggles (non-magic people) who hated and despised magic in any form, which meant that Harry was about as welcome in their house as dry rot.

• But their attitude had changed since they had found out that Harry had a dangerous murderer for a godfather - Harry had conveniently forgotten to tell them that Sirius was innocent.

• I'm OK, mainly because the Dursleys are terrified you might turn up and turn them all into bats if I ask you to.

Strictly British:

• cupboard

• gaol (U.K. edition only)

Timelines/Calendar:

The entire action of the chapter takes place in Harry's bedroom at number four, Privet Drive, before breakfast on a Saturday morning in August of 1994 [Y14].