Harry Potter: 10 Most Underrated Chapters

10. The Leaky Cauldron – The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Chapter Synopsis: Harry goes shopping in Diagon Alley and meets up with Ron and Hermione.

‘The Leaky Cauldron’ is one of the most relaxed chapters in The Prisoner of Azkaban. Harry roams around Diagon Alley and collects his new school supplies for a large portion of the chapter. It’s a nice throwback to the first book, but it also demonstrates Harry’s growing independence – rather than being supported by Hagrid, he’s perfectly capable of shopping alone this time.

Before long, he meets up with his two best friends. And in the next few pages, Rowling drops a few hints about Scabbers’ identity. For one thing, Ron tells Harry that his rat became ill whilst in Egypt, which coincides with the date of Sirius Black’s escape from Azkaban. And – what’s more – Crookshanks (Hermione’s cat) also senses that Scabbers isn’t a real rat, which is why he attacks him in the Magical Menagerie.

The chapter ends with Harry learning that Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to go after him. It’s certainly the most morbid part of the chapter, but it does create a powerful hook.