The Advanced Guard

The Advanced Guard was the designation for a group of nine witches and wizards, all members of the reformed Order of the Phoenix, who were tasked with a single, crucial mission in the summer of 1995. Led by the formidable ex-Auror 'Mad-Eye' Moody, their purpose was to secretly and safely escort Harry Potter from his relatives' home at Number Four, Privet Drive to the Order's headquarters at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. This operation marked Harry's first direct involvement with the Order's activities during the Second Wizarding War.

The formation of the Advanced Guard was a direct response to the Dementor attack on Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley in Little Whinging. Following the attack, and with the Ministry of Magic actively trying to discredit both Harry and Albus Dumbledore, it became imperative to move Harry to a secure location. The Guard assembled at Number Four, Privet Drive on an evening in early August, waiting until the Dursleys had left the house under the pretense of winning a neighborhood competition. 'Mad-Eye' Moody, as the leader, outlined the plan. To avoid Ministry detection—as the Floo Network and other official channels were being monitored—the group would travel on Broomsticks. To ensure Harry remained unseen, Moody performed a powerful Disillusionment Charm on him, causing him to take on the color and texture of his surroundings. The Guard then flew in a tight, diamond-shaped formation through the night sky over London, with Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks positioned directly in front of and behind Harry, respectively. The journey was tense but ultimately successful, completed without encountering any Death Eaters or Ministry officials. They landed safely in the garden of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, where they were greeted by Sirius Black and Molly Weasley, having successfully completed their one and only mission.

The Advanced Guard was comprised of nine members of the Order of the Phoenix:

• 'Mad-Eye' Moody (Leader)
• Remus Lupin
• Nymphadora Tonks
• Kingsley Shacklebolt
• Elphias Doge
• Dedalus Diggle
• Emmeline Vance
• Sturgis Podmore
• Hestia Jones

The collective skill of the Advanced Guard was formidable, consisting of highly competent and brave individuals, including active and former Aurors.

• Covert Magical Transportation: The group's primary skill on display was their ability to execute a stealthy, long-distance flight over a populated Muggle area at night. This required exceptional flying ability and coordination.
• Concealment Magic: 'Mad-Eye' Moody's use of the Disillusionment Charm on Harry was a key element of the mission's success. The powerful charm made Harry effectively invisible to a casual observer.
• Tactical Formation: The Guard's use of a specific flying formation demonstrates a disciplined, military-like approach to protection, ensuring Harry was shielded from potential attack from any direction.

The Advanced Guard was not an independent organization but rather a task-specific unit operating under the authority of the Order of the Phoenix. Every member was loyal to Albus Dumbledore and committed to the fight against Lord Voldemort. Their mission served as a clear demonstration of the Order's operational methods: prioritizing secrecy, security, and the protection of Harry Potter above all else.

The name “Advanced Guard” is a direct borrowing from the military term advance guard, which refers to a detachment of troops sent ahead of the main body of an army to scout, secure ground, or engage the enemy first. The name, likely coined by the security-conscious 'Mad-Eye' Moody, perfectly encapsulates their role: a small, specialized unit sent into potentially dangerous territory to retrieve and secure the Order's most valuable asset.

In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the flight of the Advanced Guard is a notable visual sequence. The journey is depicted in greater detail, showing the group flying low over the River Thames and past famous Muggle landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and the HMS Belfast. The film also adds a moment where Harry Potter experiences a brief, painful vision from Lord Voldemort during the flight, an event that does not occur in the novel's description of the journey. (film)