When the Dursleys leave to attend the All-England Best-Kept Suburban Lawn Competition, Harry is amazed to see Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody. Surprised, he finds "people below were crowded around the foot of the stairs, gazing intently up at him, some craning their heads for a better look." (47) Harry realizes he is in the middle of a rescue, after "four weeks with nothing, not the tiniest hint of a plan to remove him from Privet Drive, and suddenly a whole bunch of wizards was standing matter-of-factly in the house as though this were a long-standing arrangement." (48) He is introduced to his rescue team, including "Sturgis Podmore - a square-jawed wizard with thick, straw-colored hair [who] winked." (49)

Harry continues to the Order of the Phoenix. One night, he is served dinner. Moody pulls a tattered old photograph. "'Original Order of the Phoenix,' growled Moody. 'Found it last night when I was looking for my spare Invisibility Cloak, seeing as Podmore has not had the manners to return my best one .... Thought people might like to see it." (173) He says 'that we can't leave unless Sturgis Podmores here, otherwise the guard will be one short.' (180)

TRESPASS AT THE MINISTRY : Sturgis Podmore, 38, of number two, Laburnum Gardens, Clapham, has appeared in front of the Wizengamot charged with trespass and attempted robbery at the Ministry of Magic on 31st August. Podmore was arrested by Ministry of Magic watch-wizard Eric Munch, who found him attempting to force his way through a top-security door at one o clock in the morning. Podmore, who refused to speak in his defense, was sentenced to six months in Azkaban. (287)

Ron goes "...He's that bloke who looks like his head's been thatched [ie: covered with a roof of straw; weeds]...? ... It could be a frame-up! ... The ministry suspects [him] they lured him to the Ministry, and he wasn't trying to get through a door at all! Maybe they've just made something up to get him!" (288) Harry is flabbergasted by this statement, however, Hermione looks "impressed." (288)

Amazingly, Sturgis Podmore is not the only Podmore to be found in the Harry Potter books. Sir Petrack Delaney-Podmore was found in Chamber of Secrets as the head of the Headless Hunt, a mass of headless ghosts. The name Delaney is thought to come from the Gaelic patronymic of dubh (black) and slán (challenge, defiance). The name Patrick is famous for the patron saint of Ireland, coming from the Latin patricius (nobleman).

The name Sturgis comes from Norse, meaning hostage. The name Podmore is uncertain, but is usually related to pod, or seed. Sturgis's home in Laburnum Gardens is in Clapham, and is a genus of ornamental but poisonous trees and shrubery.