Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter 2 Summary

Aunt Marge’s Big Mistake

Chapter 2 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, titled “Aunt Marge’s Big Mistake,” deals with the escalating tensions between Harry and the Dursleys, as well as the ominous introduction of Sirius Black, a dangerous escaped convict whose mention sets the tone for the unfolding story.

Aunt Marge’s Arrival

Harry wakes up one morning, and heads downstairs to join the Dursleys for breakfast. The Dursleys, as usual make no acknowledgement of his arrival. As he eats, the family watches a news report on the television, which warns viewers about an escaped convict named Sirius Black. Harry, who is accustomed to being ignored and belittled by his relatives, pays close attention to the report.

Sirius Black is described as a dangerous criminal. Uncle Vernon scoffs at the news, calling Black a “filthy layabout,” and immediately expresses his disdain for criminals in general, suggesting that hanging is the only appropriate punishment for such individuals.

As the news segment concludes, Uncle Vernon abruptly shifts the focus to another matter: the arrival of his sister, Marge. Harry is immediately filled with dread at the prospect. Aunt Marge, who insists that Harry call her “Aunt” despite their lack of any true familial connection, has a long history of treating Harry with extreme cruelty. She is a large, domineering woman who lives in the country, breeds bulldogs and bullies Harry every chance she gets.

Uncle Vernon’s announcement that Marge will be staying with them for a week feels like a punishment, especially since her visits in the past have been marked by relentless bullying and trauma for Harry.

Vernon’s instructions to Harry are clear: he must behave perfectly and keep up the lie that he attends St. Brutus’s Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys, a fictitious school that the Dursleys use to explain Harry’s absences and behavior. Vernon’s threat is implicit but understood—any deviation from this story will result in punishment.

Despite his dread for the same, Harry sees an opportunity in the Dursleys’ demands. He follows Uncle Vernon into the hallway and proposes a deal: he will maintain the charade about St. Brutus’s if Vernon agrees to sign the permission slip allowing Harry to visit Hogsmeade, the nearby wizarding village that third-year students at Hogwarts are allowed to visit with parental consent.

Uncle Vernon, wishing to avoid any embarrassment in front of his sister, reluctantly agrees to the deal.

Aunt Marge’s Torment

Aunt Marge arrives at Privet Drive with her bulldog, Ripper. True to form, she immediately begins showering Dudley with affection while ignoring Harry, and sticking him with her luggage. Harry doesn’t complain, since being left to lug around her luggage is far better than spending time with her.

When he enters the living room, Aunt Marge takes every opportunity to criticize Harry and his parents. She asks him whether they use the stick on him in school, to which he lies and says yes. The knowledge makes her happy, but Harry’s tone makes her think that the authorities are not using enough force, and she urges Aunt Petunia to write to the school for the same.

Marge’s taunts grow increasingly cruel as the days go by. On the third day of her stay, she tells Uncle Vernon it is not his fault how Harry turned out. She blames and insults his parents, saying that as a rule of breeding, if there is something wrong with the mother, there would always be something wrong with the child. Harry tries to control his anger at this, but fails to do so and ends up exploding Aunt Marge’s wineglass with magic.

Marge doesn’t think much of it and blames it on her grip, but the looks Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia give Harry make him leave the table and rush upstairs.

The next three days, Harry tries to think about his Broomcare book whenever Marge starts insulting him. This worked well for the most part, except it makes Marge think Harry is mentally subnormal.

The Final Day

On the last day of her stay, Aunt Petunia makes a fancy dinner, and Uncle Vernon uncorks several bottles of wine. As she drinks, Marge praises Dudley, saying he would be a proper sized man when he grows up, and insults Harry. She belittles him and then insults his parents, which Harry desperately tries to ignore.

She asks Vernon what Harry’s father did for a living, to which he replies that he was unemployed. Harry, unable to control his anger anymore, argues with her. Uncle Vernon tries to diffuse the situation, but Marge further provokes Harry.

She insults his parents again, saying how they died in a car crash, and left Harry as a burden on Vernon and Petunia.

This is the final straw for Harry. Aunt Marge begins to swell up, and then inflate like a balloon. As she begins to float towards the ceiling, Uncle Vernon grabs hold of her ankle to keep her grounded, but it is not much help, as he too almost gets lifted up. Ripper, confused by the situation, sinks his teeth into Uncle Vernon’s leg.

Seeing all of this, Harry runs outside. He busts out his trunk from the cupboard under the stairs, grabs his belongings along with Hedwig’s cage, and returns downstairs.