Harry Potter and the Veil of Mystery

Suddenly with a higher profile after being proved right about Voldemort's return, Harry's use of Voldemort's name around Hogwarts gains popularity. It also attracts Voldemort's attention in the form of a series of attacks, and Harry soon finds that he is shouldering a burden even greater than the prophecy--the likelihood that Sirius's fate could come to his friends, who will stop at nothing to protect him.

On his sixteenth birthday, Harry is stunned to discover the identity of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He learns more about Voldemort and how to fight him, and starts to face up to his feelings about losing Sirius.

A confrontation on Privet Drive involving Harry, Malfoy, and Dudley pulls the Dursleys closer to the world of magic than they had imagined would ever happen.

Concerned that Dudley may now be a target of Death Eaters, Petunia summons Dumbledore to 4 Privet Drive.

During a sleepover at Hermione's home, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville finally talk about the events at the Department of Mysteries. The next day, Dumbledore starts teaching Harry Occlumency, and comments on the methods Snape used to teach Harry Occlumency the previous year.

This year's pre-term trip to Diagon Alley includes Harry's first look at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

Harry heads off to Hogwarts two days earlier than usual for orientation for his new position, including a private dinner with Dumbledore, and a staff meeting at which he must confront a hostile (as usual) Snape. He also has a dream, sent by Voldemort--accidentally, or intentionally?

Harry speaks at the welcoming feast, teaches his first class, and unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that will change his life.

Harry's efforts to get Hogwarts students to say Voldemort's name provoke a Voldemort attack on Harry through the telepathic link, an attack that Voldemort promises to continue until Harry backs down.

As Harry prepares to face another Voldemort dream attack, he gets support from a very unexpected source.

Sure that he is the only one in danger from Voldemort at the moment, since the attacks come through the telepathic link, Harry is dealt an emotional blow when the first person other than himself suffers for his actions.

An intensified dream attack by Voldemort pushes Harry to his limits, causing him to take defensive measures that begin to shed some light on the prophecy.

Harry's battle of wills with Voldemort comes to a climax.

Gryffindor plays Slytherin in the year's first Quidditch match. Spoiling for revenge, Malfoy is determined to win any way he can.

Having breakfast with Harry, Hermione, and Ron before going into Hogsmeade, Neville talks to them for the first time about his parents.

Harry visits the Aurors at the beginning of Christmas vacation, but finds out their reason for asking him there isn't what he thought it would be.

After his stay with the Aurors, Harry spends the rest of Christmas vacation with the Weasleys, and has a great time... for the most part.

Harry's friends begin to double as his security detail, even inside Hogwarts, as events make clear that there's nowhere he's completely safe.

Ron has a very eventful seventeenth birthday, both for good and bad; Harry is less than pleased to be paid a visit by Cornelius Fudge.

Malfoy returns from Easter break with some of his father's Dark Arts collection, hoping to succeed where Voldemort has failed; Harry's friends are determined not to let Malfoy get anywhere near Harry, but they know that may not be enough.

The night before the match that will decide the Quidditch Cup, Harry gets news so bad that suddenly the question of who wins the Cup seems very unimportant.

Impulsive as usual, Harry makes a decision that will change his life; as the end of the year draws near, he takes up a new subject, and wonders how he will get through the events foretold by the most recent prophecy.

Harry confronts Voldemort at the Veil of Mystery with a heavy heart, knowing that Dumbledore plans to sacrifice himself for the sake of Voldemort's eventual defeat; Harry realizes he does not yet have the skill to defeat Voldemort, and tries to find a way to keep himself and Hermione alive.

Harry struggles to adapt to his new responsibility, and contemplates the novel prospect of a happy summer at the Burrow with Ginny.