Joanne Rowling

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Summary."

Chapter One: The Dreadful Birthday

At 4 Privet Drive, a heated argument erupts within the Dursley household. Vernon Dursley, the uncle of Harry Potter, raises his voice in frustration as Harry's owl, Hedwig, makes a racket. Dudley Dursley, Vernon's spoiled and overweight son, demands more bacon, creating further chaos. In response, Harry mutters, "You've forgotten the magic word," triggering a frenzy within the family.



The narrator sheds light on the reason behind the commotion over the magic word. Harry Potter, a young wizard, is staying with the Dursleys for the summer after completing his first term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Upon Harry's return from school, Uncle Vernon locked away all of his magical belongings - spellbooks, broomstick, wand, and cauldron - in a closet. The Dursleys, who are "Muggles"(non-magical people), were compelled to take in Harry after his parents were killed by Lord Voldemort, the most powerful wizard of their time. Although Harry survived Voldemort's curse, he bears a lightning-bolt-shaped scar on his forehead, hidden beneath his unruly dark hair and above his usually broken glasses. Due to his survival and the distinctive scar, Harry Potter gained fame in the wizarding world even before he could remember. Harry himself only discovered his magical abilities the previous summer when Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts, arrived to whisk him away for his wizarding education at the age of eleven.



On the day our story begins, Harry is turning twelve, yet the Dursleys

completely overlook his birthday. Their main concern is an upcoming dinner where Vernon, who sells drills, hopes to strike a lucrative business deal with a wealthy builder. During breakfast, Vernon instructs his wife, Petunia, and Dudley to rehearse their lines for the evening. Harry, on the other hand, is ordered to stay in his room and pretend not to exist.



Feeling downcast, Harry steps outside after breakfast, realizing that he hasn't received any messages from his best friends at Hogwarts, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Suddenly, he spots a pair of enormous eyes peering at him from a nearby hedge. Before he can investigate further, Dudley waddles over and starts mocking Harry for not having any friends who remember his birthday. Ignoring his obnoxious cousin, Harry continues to stare at the hedge until Dudley asks what he's doing. In response, Harry nonchalantly suggests that he was contemplating setting the bush on fire. Panicked, Dudley cries out for his mother. Aunt Petuniapromptly punishes Harry by assigning him chores around the house. Once Harry completes his tasks, she provides him with a meager dinner of bread and sends him to his room. As Harry enters his room, exhausted and ready to collapse onto his bed, he discovers someone else already seated there.

Chapter Two: Dobby's Caution

Seated on Harry's bed is a peculiar creature - a small being with bulging green eyes, bat-like ears, and ragged clothing made from a worn-out pillowcase. Harry, still taken aback by its appearance, recognizes it as the same entity he spotted in the bush earlier that day. The creature rises and introduces itself as Dobby, a house-elf. Harry kindly invites Dobby to resume his seat on the bed. Overwhelmed by this gesture, Dobby bursts into loud sobs, disrupting the voices of the dinner guests downstairs. Harry remarks that Dobby must not have encountered many kind wizards, prompting the house-elf to repeatedly bang his head against the window, claiming it to be self-punishment for speaking ill of

his masters. He explains that he is bound to serve them until his demise.



Dobby commends Harry for his fame, politeness, kindness, and humility. Initially, Harry denies these compliments, but when Dobby mentions Voldemort(referring to him as "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"), Harry's denial fades. Dobby's true intention is revealed - he wants to prevent Harry from returning to Hogwarts, as danger awaits him there. Harry objects, but Dobby merely nods or shakes his head in response. Their conversation is interrupted by Dobby banging his head once again, this time causing audible yelps of pain from downstairs. Vernon Dursley scolds Harry, prompting him to hastily conceal Dobby inside the closet. After Vernon departs, their discussion resumes. Harry becomes infuriated upon discovering that Dobby has been intercepting his mail from Ron and Hermione. Dobby justifies his actions as an attempt to dissuade Harry from going back to school. Harry asserts his determination to return to Hogwarts, and Dobby leaps off the bed, enchanting a violet pudding to levitate - an unsuccessful effort to persuade Harry to stay put.



The Dursleys are livid, and their anger escalates when an owl delivers a letter that lands on a guest's head. The guests depart, the party is ruined, and the deal with the builder falls through. Harry grows anxious for his safety, particularly when Vernon reads the letter aloud - a warning that it is forbidden for him to use magic outsideof school. The Dursleys no longer fear Harry using magic against them. Consequently, Harry is confined to his room with barred windows, receiving meals through a small opening in the door. His life reaches a new low, and even in his dreams, he is tormented by the notion of being imprisoned and taunted. He dreams of rattling cage bars, only to wake up and find his best friend from Hogwarts, Ron Weasley, right outside his window.

Chapter Three: The Weasley Home

Awakened from a dream where he hears tapping on his imaginary cage, Harry gazes through his barred window and spots his best friend, Ron Weasley, inside a car floating mid-air. Ron, accompanied by his mischievous twin brothers, Fred and George, explains that he grew concerned when Harry didn't respond to his letters and decided to rescue him from the Dursleys. Together, the four boys work to remove the bars from Harry's window. Taking advantage of their lock-picking skills, Fred and George quietly make their way downstairs to retrieve Harry's trunk. They successfully escape through the window, but Hedwig, Harry's owl, screeches loudly, awakening an enraged Uncle Vernon who storms upstairs. A tug-of-war ensues, with the Weasleys pulling on Harry's arms and Vernon tugging on his legs. Ultimately, the Weasleys emerge victorious, and the boys embark on their journey, soaring through the night sky.



During the car ride, Harry shares his encounter with Dobby, leading Fred and George to reveal that house-elves typically serve wealthy wizard families. This revelation prompts Harry to speculate that Dobby must belong to Draco Malfoy, his least favorite person at Hogwarts. Harry believes that Draco must have sent his house-elf to prevent him from returning to school. Harry discusses the incident with the twins, who inform him that Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, was a devoted follower of Voldemort, a notorious dark wizard. The boys also talk about Mr. Weasley, who works at the Ministry of Magic in the department that handles Muggle artifacts. Mr. Weasley is responsible for reversing the effects of bewitched objects that pose peculiar and dangerous situations. The Weasley twins explain that their father's fascination with Muggles led him to acquire the car, which he enjoys tinkering with and enchanting.



Once they finish the task of de-gnoming, Mr. Weasley returns home after a long night of work. He briefly mentions encountering unusual charms

during his shift, much to the disapproval of his wife, who is upsetwith him for enchanting the car. While he apologizes, his childlike excitement about the car's flying adventure overrides his guilt. Ron accompanies Harry to his bedroom, passing his younger sister Ginny along the way. Ginny blushes shyly, clearly harboring a crush on Harry. Ron's room is modest in size and adorned with posters of Quidditch, a broomstick-based sport. Ron feels self-conscious about the small and shabby nature of his house, but Harry is captivated and thrilled by the surroundings.

Chapter Four: A Visit to Flourish and Blotts

Harry relishes his time spent at The Burrow, where he marvels at the enchantments that imbue every object in the house. Mr. Weasley takes a keen interest in Harry, bombarding him with questions about Muggle life. One day, Owl-post delivers letters containing school supply lists, and Ginny Weasley becomes unusually clumsy whenever Harry is around. Percy, the eldest Weasley sibling living at home, makes an appearance. He comes across as studious, stuffy, and harmless. With the exception of Percy, the boys spend an afternoon practicing Quidditch in a hidden field nearby. While soaring through the air, Ron mentions the financial strain his parents will face in purchasing their school supplies and robes. This triggers a sense of guilt in Harry, as he possesses a fortune left to him by his parents, safely stored in a wizard bank. He never worries about money, while the Weasleys often struggle.



Several days later, the Weasleys and Harry prepare to journey to Diagon Alley for their shopping needs. They opt for Floo powder as their mode of transportation. It involves throwing the powder into a lit fireplace, creating a passage leading to the desired destination fireplace. When it's Harry's turn to enter the flames, he accidentally ingests a bit of hot ash and mumbles "Diagon Alley," causing the Floo powder to misinterpret his words. Consequently, he finds himself in a dim and dusty shop adorned with eerie masks and human bones. Keen to avoid being seen, Harry

hides inside a cabinet and inadvertently eavesdrops on a conversation between the shop owner and Lucius Malfoy, who has just arrived with his son Draco. Draco complains about the unfairness of not being allowed to play Quidditch yet, while Harry Potter is already on his house team at Hogwarts. Lucius subtly warns Draco not to show any dislike towards Harry, as he is regarded as a hero in the wizarding world. Lucius handsthe shop owner a list of items that must be sold immediately in case the Ministry of Magic conducts a search of his house. Draco, meanwhile, touches objects in the shop and voices his frustrations about Hermione Granger, who consistently outperforms him academically. Lucius responds unsympathetically, criticizing Draco for being surpassed by a girl without wizarding blood.



After the Malfoys depart, Harry hastily leaves the shop, realizing he's in Knockturn Alley. Before he can decide on his next move, he is approached by Hagrid, the kind-hearted gamekeeper of Hogwarts. Hagrid swiftly guides Harry away, cautioning him against the dark side of Knockturn Alley. Soon, they reunite with the worried Weasleys and Hermione, all relieved to see Harry. Mrs. Weasley rushes to fuss over him, while Mr. Weasley engages in an enthusiastic conversation with Hermione's Muggle parents, bombarding them with endless questions. The group proceeds to Gringotts Bank, guarded by goblins, to access their funds. An emotional moment ensues when Mrs. Weasley scrapes the last bit of money from their family vault, while Harry discreetly fills his bag with handfuls of his vast inheritance.



They meander through various magical stores before arriving at Flourish and Blotts, where they purchase their schoolbooks. Inside the bookstore, Gilderoy Lockhart, a famous wizard, is signing copies of his autobiography, drawing a line of eager middle-aged witches. Lockhart spots Harry and insists on being photographed together for the newspaper. He also reveals that he will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts in the upcoming year.

Meanwhile, the Malfoys enter the bookshop and make condescending remarks about the Weasleys' limited finances and the non-magical background of Hermione's parents, who are standing nearby. Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy engage in a physical altercation amidst the chaos of the bookstore. The two men are eventually separated, leaving Mrs. Weasley horrified by the incident. After bidding farewell to Hermione and her parents, the Weasleys and Harry make their way back to The Burrow.

Chapter Five: The Whomping Willow Incident

Harry thoroughly enjoys his summer days at The Burrow. On the eve of their departure for Hogwarts, the Weasleys and Harry indulge in a delightful meal, followed by fireworks, a final cup of hot cocoa, and then head to bed. The next morning is a whirlwind of chaos as the six children prepare their luggage for the upcoming year at Hogwarts. Mr. Weasley has enchanted his Ford Anglia to accommodate everyone, along withtheir belongings and pets. After several returns for forgotten items, they finally reach King's Cross station just in time to catch the Hogwarts Express from platform nine-and-three-quarters. The students of Hogwarts pass through the magical barrier between platforms nine and ten, and all the Weasleys successfully navigate the passage. However, when it is Harry and Ron's turn, the wall mysteriously closes, barring their entry. They miss the train but swiftly come up with the idea to follow it in Mr. Weasley's flying Ford Anglia.



The journey to Hogwarts is initially enjoyable as the boys fly above the clouds, keeping the Hogwarts Express in sight. However, as night falls, hunger and boredom set in, and they wonder how much longer the trip will last. Eventually, the Anglia runs out of fuel, and the car begins descending toward the Hogwarts lake. Ron and Harry make valiant efforts to control the vehicle, but the engine sputters out, causing the

car to crash into a sprawling tree within the Forbidden Forest. The tree, known as the Whomping Willow, reacts aggressively to any provocation, with its thick branches relentlessly striking the car, Harry, and Ron. Despite the ordeal, the boys manage to gather their belongings and hastily flee towards the safety of Hogwarts Castle. They arrive just in time to catch a glimpse through the windows of the grand feast and witness the Sorting Ceremony, where first-year students are sorted into the four houses - Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw - by the Sorting Hat's judgment. While observing the professors' table, they notice the absence of Professor Severus Snape, the cold and unpleasant Potions professor. Just as they speculate about his whereabouts, Snape appears behind them and leads them to his office.



In Snape's office, the boys attempt to explain their mishap, but Snape interrupts them, thrusting a newspaper article in their faces that highlights Muggles' sightings of a flying car. He scolds them for damaging the valuable Whomping Willow. Harry and Ron realize they are in trouble and sense Snape's satisfaction at the opportunity to punish them. Snape departs to fetch Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster, and Minerva McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House, where Harry and Ron reside. When the two stern figures arrive, they deliver further lectures about the consequences of their actions, assign them detentions, but assure them that they will be allowed to remain at Hogwarts. Snape expresses disappointment at their seemingly lenientpunishment. Professors Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall return to the feast, leaving Harry and Ron with a plate of sandwiches and a jug of pumpkin juice for dinner.



Having finished their meal, Harry and Ron make their way back to Gryffindor Tower through a portrait of a rotund lady, whom they must provide with a secret password("wattlebird," as Hermione informs them disapprovingly). They are greeted in the common room by an enthusiastic crowd eager to hear about their adventurous arrival. Percy, Ron's prefect brother, approaches them with a scolding look, prompting Harry and Ron to quickly retreat to their rooms. There, they are hailed as

heroes by their amazed roommates - Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom.

Chapter Six: The Charms of Gilderoy Lockhart

The morning after their eventful arrival, Hermione appears sulky and annoyed with Ron and Harry, although most of their other friends are still clearly impressed by their daring feat. A flock of owls descends during breakfast, delivering the day's letters and packages. Errol, the Weasley family's elderly owl, accidentally plunges into Hermione's milk jug. Ron rescues him and notices that the envelope in Errol's beak is red and emitting smoke. It turns out to be a Howler, and Ron reluctantly opens it... Mrs. Weasley's furious voice erupts into the Great Hall, berating Ron for ruining the car, jeopardizing Mr. Weasley's job, and endangering his and Harry's lives.



Following this incident, Hermione resumes her friendly demeanor, seemingly believing that Harry and Ron have already faced enough consequences. The three friends walk together to Herbology class, where Gilderoy Lockhart, adorned in flashy turquoise robes, cheerfully and arrogantly provides unsolicited advice to a disgruntled Professor Sprout on handling the Whomping Willow. Lockhart pulls Harry aside and, with an air of sympathy and understanding, blames himself for the car incident. He suggests that Harry has been driven by a desire to reclaim the fame bestowed upon him during their encounter at the bookstore. Harry is taken aback and offended, but he gathers himself and joins his classmates in the greenhouse.



Inside the greenhouse, Professor Sprout explains that the lesson for the day involves repotting seedling Mandrakes, potent restorative plants

used to reverse transfiguration. These pale green, mottled babies with leaves sprouting from their heads emit a fatal cry, requiring the class to wear earmuffs for protection. Before they begin repotting, a Hufflepuff student named Justin Finch-Fletchley introduces himself to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. He revealsthat he almost attended a non-wizarding school called Eton but persuaded his parents to send him to Hogwarts after showcasing Lockhart's books as a testament to the usefulness of wizards. As the students work with the Mandrakes, the second-year Gryffindors proceed to Transfiguration class with Professor McGonagall. However, Ron's damaged wand malfunctions, enveloping the room in putrid smoke.



On his way to Defense Against the Dark Arts, taught by Lockhart himself, Harry encounters a camera-clutching first-year Gryffindor named Colin Creevey. Shyly, Colin requests a signed picture with Harry as proof of their meeting, all the while gushing over Harry's history, Hogwarts, and magic in general, much to Harry's embarrassment. To make matters worse, Draco Malfoy overhears their conversation and loudly mocks Harry for giving out autographed photos. Ron steps in to defend Harry, but Malfoy dryly remarks that one signed photo would be worth more than Ron's entire house. Before a confrontation ensues, Lockhart appears and suggests that he and Harry pose for a signed photo for Colin.



Following the photo session, Lockhart offers Harry yet another piece of paternal advice, cautioning him against distributing signed photos too early in his "career." Horrified, Harry retreats to the back of Lockhart's classroom, seeking as much distance as possible. Lockhart commences the lesson with a quiz, ensuring that the students have diligently read his numerous books. The quiz consists of over fifty questions relating to Lockhart's personal interests, secret desires, favorite color, and greatest achievements. The day's task involves dealing with mischievous pixies that wreak havoc once Lockhart releases them from their cage. Unable to regain control, Lockhart hastily abandons the room, leaving Ron, Harry

Chapter Seven: Muggle-Borns and Whispers

Time passes swiftly at Hogwarts, with little excitement. Harry deliberately avoids Gilderoy Lockhart and Colin Creevey, while Ron continues to struggle with his malfunctioning wand. One early Saturday morning, Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain, wakes Harry up for a crack-of-dawn practice. Harry quickly gets ready and runs into Colin on his way to meet the team in the locker room. Colin eagerly asks Harry to explain the rules of Quidditch, and Harry obliges. He describes the game, where seven players on broomsticks chase after the small golden Snitch, which must be caught by the Seeker(Harry's position) to end the game. Two Bludgers attempt to knock players off their broomsticks, while the Beaters(Fred and George Weasley) try to fend them off. The remaining three players,the Chasers(Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, and Katie Bell), aim to score goals with the Quaffle, while the Keeper(Oliver Wood) defends the goal posts.



After a lengthy explanation from Wood in the locker room, the team heads outside for practice. Ron and Hermione, along with Colin Creevey, watch from the bleachers. Colin takes pictures and calls for Harry to look and smile, causing Harry to feel embarrassed and pretend not to know him.



Wood grows suspicious of Colin, suspecting him of being a spy for Slytherin. The Slytherin team disrupts the practice, claiming they need to train their new Seeker. Draco Malfoy smirks and taunts the Gryffindors, boasting about the top-notch broomsticks his father gifted to their team. He mocks Fred and George for their worn-out broomsticks. Hermione steps in and defends Fred and George, noting their skill compared to the need to buy their way onto the team. Malfoy becomes angry and directs a derogatory term, "Mudblood," at Hermione. The crowd gasps, and Ron, furious, tries to cast a spell on Malfoy. However, the spell backfires, causing Ron to vomit slugs.

Hermione and Harry escort Ron to Hagrid's cabin, where they find Lockhart bidding farewell to a gloomy Hagrid. Hagrid brightens up upon seeing the students and offers Ron a basin for his slug-induced discomfort, cheerfully remarking, "Better out than in." They recount the incident, with Ron explaining that "Mudblood" is a highly offensive term for a Muggle-born wizard. Hagrid swiftly changes the subject and jokingly asks Harry for an autographed photo. Harry initially bristles but realizes Hagrid is teasing. Hagrid proudly shows off his magically enhanced pumpkins, though Harry is aware that Hagrid is prohibited from using magic due to his expulsion from Hogwarts under mysterious circumstances, which led to his appointment as the gamekeeper.



Harry and Ron are summoned to fulfill their overdue detentions for the flying car escapade. While Ron is assigned to help the grumpy caretaker Filch polish trophies, Harry is tasked with assisting Lockhart in answering his fan mail. Both boys believe they have drawn the short straw. In Lockhart's office, as Harry helps address envelopes and insert signed photos, he hears a chilling, high-pitched voice whispering eerie words like "Come to me... let me rip you... let me tear you..." Startled, Harry jumps up in alarm, but Lockhart claims not to have heard anything. The haunting voice continues to linger in Harry's mind, unsettling him for the restof the evening.

Chapter Eight: The Deathday Celebration

October arrives, accompanied by rain showers. Quidditch practice continues, and one evening as Harry walks through the castle corridors, he encounters Nearly-Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost who is not fully beheaded. Nick appears gloomy, and Harry inquires about the reason. Nick reveals that he has just been rejected from the Headless Hunt

because his head cannot completely detach. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted when they are spotted by Mrs. Norris, Filch the caretaker's cat. Nick urges Harry to hurry away to avoid trouble for tracking mud. Filch catches sight of Harry and drags him into his office, intending to write up a punishment complaint. However, their interaction is interrupted by a loud crash, and Filch rushes out to investigate. In Filch's absence, Harry curiously peers into an open envelope on the desk and discovers a mail-order course called "Kwikspell" for wizards who lack full magical abilities. Harry quickly returns it to its original position before Filch returns. He silently rejoices, knowing that Peeves the Poltergeist will likely be expelled for damaging a valuable cabinet. Filch abruptly stops speaking upon noticing the Kwikspell envelope near Harry's elbow and anxiously asks if Harry read it. Harry lies, claiming that he didn't, which alarms Filch. Relieved, Filch lets Harry go.



Outside, Nick explains that he had instructed Peeves to create a distraction. Harry expresses his gratitude and asks if there is anything he can do to help with Nick's rejection from the Headless Hunt. Nick joyfully suggests that Harry attend his 500th Deathday party, taking place on Halloween, and during the event, mention to the other headless ghosts how much the students find Nick impressive and frightening. Harry agrees and invites Ron and Hermione to join him. On Halloween, the trio heads to the dungeons, where they encounter eerie, scratchy music, a putrid smell of decaying food, and numerous transparent figures. Nick warmly welcomes them, and they explore the surroundings, observing the ghosts dance and attempt to taste the food that passes through the table. Hermione spots Moaning Myrtle, a ghost from the girls' bathroom, and quickly leads her friends away, hoping to avoid a conversation with her.



At that moment, Peeves approaches, overhearing their mention of Myrtle, and brings her over. Hermione hastily claims that they were complimenting Myrtle's appearance, but Myrtle believes they were mocking her and begins listing attributes they might have ridiculed: being overweight, unattractive,and perpetually miserable. Peeves adds

that she forgot to mention being pimply, and Myrtle flees from the party in tears. Nick arrives and introduces them to the head of the Headless Hunt(despite his headlessness), and the three living students are eager to leave. They hastily make their way out during Nick's speech, and while in a passageway, Harry hears a chilling voice proclaiming the intention to kill. He dashes off in the direction of the voice, with his friends closely following, until they reach a deserted corridor. There, they find a message scrawled on the wall: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware." Suspended from the ceiling is the stiff body of Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat. Suddenly, the halls become filled with people emerging from the feast, and Draco Malfoy gleefully calls out, "You'll be next, Mudbloods!"

Chapter Nine: The Enigma Unveiled

Filch immediately accuses Harry of killing Mrs. Norris, but Dumbledore swiftly intervenes, escorting Harry, Ron, Hermione, Filch, and Mrs. Norris to Lockhart's nearby office, which he readily offers. They sit amidst Lockhart's pompous self-portraits, while Dumbledore examines the petrified cat and Professor McGonagall frets quietly. Snape, with his trademark sneer, joins the discussion. Lockhart confidently assures everyone of his expertise in curse reversal, and Filch breaks down in tears. Dumbledore explains that the cat is not dead but petrified, and the second-year students couldn't have performed such an advanced dark spell. He also reveals that the school will soon have mature Mandrakes, which will be used to create a restorative potion. Lockhart eagerly volunteers to make the potion, but Filch remains unconvinced, asserting that Harry, as a Squib, attacked his cat. Snape adds to the accusation, noting the students' presence in a peculiar location during the Halloween feast. Harry, Ron, and Hermione explain the Deathday party, and when Snape questions their absence from the feast, Harry, not wanting to reveal the eerie voice, claims fatigue as the reason for heading to bed. Snape remains unconvinced and suggests removing Harry from the Quidditch team until he tells the truth. McGonagall and Dumbledore swiftly dismiss the idea. The trio proceeds to their

dormitories, with Ron explaining what a Squib is, while Harry ponders the nature of the Chamber of Secrets.



Filch closely monitors the scene of the incident, Justin Finch-Fletchley avoids Harry, seemingly believing him to be the culprit, and Ginny Weasley appears terrified of everything. During aHistory of Magic class, Hermione persuades the droning Professor Binns to elaborate on the history of the Chamber of Secrets. They learn that Hogwarts was established by the four founders, who encountered trouble when Salazar Slytherin expressed his desire to exclude Muggle-born wizards from the school. Eventually, Slytherin departed but not before constructing a hidden Chamber of Secrets housing a monster capable of eliminating non-pureblood wizards. According to Slytherin, only his heir would be able to control the chamber. The students bombard Binns with questions until he becomes annoyed, dismissing it as folklore and returning to the original lesson.



This newfound knowledge troubles Harry. During his Sorting ceremony, the Sorting Hat had mentioned that Slytherin could help him achieve greatness. However, Harry had vehemently rejected the idea of being in Slytherin, leading the hat to place him in Gryffindor. He hopes that he has no connection to Salazar Slytherin, but much of the school seems to suspect otherwise. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk through the corridor with the mysterious writing on the wall, pondering the source of the water and noticing a line of hurried spiders fleeing through a window, they decide to investigate Myrtle's bathroom for clues. Myrtle remains as melancholic as ever, and the bathroom itself exudes a somber atmosphere. After a brief search, they leave, only to encounter Percy Weasley, who scolds them severely for trespassing in a girls' bathroom and suspiciously lingering in that area. This exchange upsets Ron and leaves a bitter taste in Harry's mouth.



That night, Harry, Ron, and Hermione contemplate whether Malfoy could

be the Heir of Slytherin. Hermione suggests uncovering the truth by brewing a Polyjuice Potion, allowing them to assume the appearance of Slytherins and eavesdrop on Malfoy in their common room. Ron and Harry express skepticism, but Hermione persists, proposing that a teacher could provide her with a note to access a book from the restricted section of the library, where they can find the recipe for the potion.

Chapter Ten: The Unyielding Bludger

After obtaining permission from Lockhart, Hermione leads Harry and Ron to the library to retrieve a book from the restricted section. Despite Ron and Harry losing interest in the idea, Hermione remains determined to pursue the creation of the Polyjuice Potion.



On the day of the highly anticipated Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, Oliver Wood motivates his team, emphasizing their skills over the superior brooms of the Slytherins.He assigns Harry the task of capturing the Snitch at all costs. As the game begins, a relentless Bludger relentlessly targets Harry, even after being repelled by Fred and George. The Gryffindor team struggles to defend against the Slytherins' continuous goal scoring. During a timeout, Harry requests that Fred and George rejoin the game, allowing him to face the Rogue Bludger alone while he searches for the Snitch. Malfoy mocks Harry's evasive maneuvers, but in a moment of distraction, Harry spots the Snitch near his face. Despite being hit by the Bludger, he recovers swiftly, swoops toward Malfoy, seizes the Snitch, and plummets to the ground.



Although Gryffindor wins the match, Harry suffers a painful landing and is rushed to the hospital wing. Lockhart, attempting to mend Harry's broken arm, mistakenly removes the bones instead. Harry is left to

endure a night in the hospital wing, waiting for his arm to regrow through a lengthy and agonizing process. In the middle of the night, Dobby pays him a visit and confesses to closing the platform and bewitching the Bludger, all in an attempt to persuade Harry to leave Hogwarts for his own safety. Intrigued by this revelation, Harry presses Dobby for more information, but the house-elf remains steadfast in his refusal to divulge further details. Their conversation is cut short by approaching footsteps, and Dobby vanishes. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall enter the room, carrying a petrified Colin Creevey. Dumbledore solemnly confirms Dobby's claim that the Chamber of Secrets has been reopened.

Chapter Eleven: The Dueling Club

After recovering from his time in the hospital wing, Harry shares the news about Dobby and the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets with Ron and Hermione in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. The school is in a state of panic following Colin's petrification, and Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom are particularly shaken by the incident. In Potions class, Harry causes a distraction while Hermione retrieves ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion from Snape's personal collection. When Snape discovers the commotion, he threatens Harry with expulsion.



A week later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione attend a student dueling club led by Lockhart. During a demonstration duel between Lockhart and Snape, Snape easily disarms Lockhart, who claims to have let Snape win. The students are then paired up for practice, with Hermione matched against Millicent and Harry paired with Malfoy. The dueling pairs engage in a series of spells, including tickling and leg-jerkingcharms. Harry and Malfoy are called to the front to demonstrate for the club, and Snape whispers something to Malfoy, prompting him to conjure a snake. In a moment of instinct, Harry commands the snake to leave Justin Finch-Fletchley alone, and the snake obeys. However, Harry's ability to speak

Parseltongue, the language of snakes, raises questions and concerns.



Feeling unsettled, Harry tries to find Justin to explain what happened but overhears Hufflepuffs discussing the possibility of him being the heir of Slytherin. They believe that Voldemort failed to kill Harry as a baby because he already possessed powerful dark protective powers. As Harry approaches the Hufflepuffs to inquire about Justin, they react fearfully and accuse him. While returning to his house, Harry encounters Hagrid holding a dead chicken and stumbles upon the petrified form of Justin Finch-Fletchley and the ghostly Nearly-Headless Nick. The commotion attracts the attention of students and teachers, and Professor McGonagall escorts Harry to Dumbledore's office for further discussion.

Chapter Twelve: The Polyjuice Potion

Harry is brought to Dumbledore's office, feeling apprehensive but also impressed by the surroundings. While waiting for Dumbledore, he tries on the Sorting Hat and hears it reaffirm that he could have done well in Slytherin. Startled, Harry removes the hat and notices a sickly bird near the door that suddenly bursts into flames and is reborn as a phoenix named Fawkes. Dumbledore explains that phoenixes are faithful creatures that can carry heavy loads and heal with their tears. Hagrid bursts into the office, defending Harry's innocence, and Dumbledore reassures him that he doesn't believe Harry is responsible for the petrifications. Dumbledore then asks Harry if there's anything he wants to confess, but Harry decides to keep his thoughts to himself.



The school is still fearful of the Heir of Slytherin, but Fred and George humorously tease Harry in the hallways, making light of the notion that he could be the Heir. As the term comes to an end, Ron, Hermione, and Harry open their Christmas presents and plan to brew the Polyjuice

Potion later that night. They attend the magnificent Christmas feast and afterwards, Hermione instructs Harry and Ron to prepare sleeping-potion-laced cakes for Crabbe and Goyle, and to pluck a few hairs from them to add to the potion. They carry out the plan, and once back in the bathroom with Hermione, they each add their hairs to their respective potions and consume them. Harrytransforms into Goyle and Ron into Crabbe, but Hermione's potion turns her into a cat.



Unsure of the location of the Slytherin common room, Harry and Ron wander the corridors and accidentally encounter Percy, who eyes them suspiciously. They are saved when Malfoy approaches, leading them to the Slytherin common room with the password "pure blood." Malfoy proudly shows them an article in the Daily Prophet about Ron's father being fined for bewitching a Muggle car. Malfoy expresses his desire for Hermione to be targeted in the Chamber of Secrets attacks and mentions a hidden chamber beneath his family's drawing room that contains dark wizarding items. Ron and Harry listen without giving away their true identities. When the effects of the Polyjuice Potion start to wear off, they rush back to the bathroom, where they find Hermione transformed into a cat. They convince her to go to the hospital wing while Moaning Myrtle gleefully revels in the situation.

Chapter Thirteen: The Very Secret Diary

While returning from visiting Hermione in the hospital wing, Harry and Ron hear Filch shouting and discover water flowing out of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. They enter the bathroom and find a diary floating in the toilet. The diary bears the name T.M. Riddle, a student who was honored for his services to the school fifty years ago. Harry is strangely drawn to the name and decides to keep the diary. They show it to Hermione once she recovers, and she deduces that Riddle must have captured the Heir of Slytherin, who had opened the Chamber of Secrets decades ago. Hermione attempts to reveal the contents of the diary but

fails.



By the start of February, the school is more peaceful, with no further attacks reported. The Mandrakes, however, are growing moody as they approach adolescence and near readiness for transformation into a potion. Lockhart believes he has scared the monster away, and he celebrates Valentine's Day by decorating the Great Hall in pink and arranging for a group of dwarves to deliver valentines. The dwarves' antics turn awkward, especially when one of them accidentally kicks Harry's bag and sits on his ankles while delivering a singing valentine, presumably sent by Ginny Weasley. Harry notices that all his belongings are covered in spilled red ink, except for Riddle's diary, which remains unaffected.



Intrigued, Harry retires to his room early and begins perusing the diary. He writes his name on a page, andto his surprise, the ink disappears and reappears as a response from Tom Riddle. Riddle introduces himself and questions how Harry obtained the diary. This initiates a conversation between the two boys who share a striking resemblance and mysterious pasts, separated by fifty years but connected through the diary. Riddle reveals that he was awarded his medal for catching the culprit responsible for opening the Chamber of Secrets and invites Harry to explore his memories.



Curious, Harry agrees and is instantly transported into the diary's pages, finding himself in the headmaster's office. He witnesses a conversation between Riddle and the headmaster, who denies Riddle's request to remain at Hogwarts during the summer due to the Chamber of Secrets threat. Harry then follows Riddle through the corridors, encountering a younger Dumbledore along the way. Riddle and Harry wait in the dungeons until they hear footsteps, which belong to a young Hagrid carrying a concealed box. Riddle accuses Hagrid of possessing the guilty creature and opens the box, unleashing a large, hairy spider that

scurries away. Harry is abruptly returned to the present, back in his dormitory, and he begins to share his experience with Ron.

Chapter Fourteen: Cornelius Fudge

Harry, Ron, and Hermione engage in numerous discussions about Harry's experience with the diary and the possibility of Hagrid's involvement. They debate whether to confront him but ultimately decide to wait until another attack occurs. Meanwhile, the school term progresses relatively normally. The Mandrakes continue to mature, providing some excitement when they throw a wild party in the greenhouse. Second-year students, including Harry and Ron, select their classes for the upcoming year, while Hermione signs up for every available course. Surprisingly, there are no further incidents during this time.



As the Hufflepuff-Gryffindor Quidditch match approaches, Harry discovers his dormitory has been ransacked and Riddle's diary is missing. Harry and Hermione realize that a Gryffindor must be responsible since only Gryffindors know the house password. On the morning of the match, Harry hears the hissing voice again, prompting Hermione to rush to the library. When Harry arrives at the Quidditch pitch, Professor McGonagall interrupts the game, ordering all students to return to their houses. Harry and Ron are instructed to accompany her to the hospital wing, where they find Hermione and a petrified Ravenclaw prefect named Penelope Clearwater, with a small hand mirror nearby. To ensure everyone's safety, students are required to remain in their House commonrooms from 6 P.M. onwards and be escorted by teachers to and from class. Professor McGonagall warns that if the attacks continue, the school may have to be closed.



Realizing it's an opportune time to visit Hagrid, Harry and Ron decide to

go under Harry's invisibility cloak to evade the strict rules. They set out late at night and arrive at Hagrid's cabin. As they hide in a corner, Dumbledore enters accompanied by Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. Fudge explains to Hagrid that due to the ongoing events, he is required to leave Hogwarts and be confined in Azkaban, a wizard prison, until the attacks cease or are resolved. Dumbledore expresses his trust in Hagrid but understands Fudge's position. Lucius Malfoy then enters, informing them that the school governors have petitioned for Dumbledore's removal as headmaster. Dumbledore accepts the decision without argument and cryptically states that he will only truly leave the school when loyalty to him no longer exists. Hagrid reluctantly leaves, leaving Harry and Ron with two instructions: to follow the spiders to uncover the culprit and to ensure Hagrid's dog, Fang, is fed.

Chapter Fifteen: Aragog

Despite the beauty of spring outside Hogwarts, Harry remains preoccupied with the terror inside the castle. He contemplates Hagrid's advice about the spiders and Dumbledore's words about help and loyalty, but is unsure of how to proceed. Malfoy takes pleasure in the current situation, boasting that his father successfully got Dumbledore removed and suggesting Snape as the new headmaster.



During Herbology class, Ernie Macmillan apologizes to Harry for suspecting him, now realizing that Harry would never harm a friend. Harry accepts the apology, and shortly after, he notices a line of spiders heading toward the Forbidden Forest. He alerts Ron, and they decide to follow the spiders that night. In Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the arrogant Lockhart boasts about the school's safety now that Hagrid has been removed. Annoyed by Lockhart's accusation and the absence of Hermione, Ron and Harry agree to venture into the forest to pursue the spiders.

Under the invisibility cloak, Ron, Harry, and Fang set off into the forest. They track the spiders, which lead them deep into the forest away from the usual paths. Suddenly, they hear a large creature moving behind the trees and are relieved to discover it's Ron's enchanted flying car, the Ford Anglia, which had been running wild in the Forbidden Forest aftercrashing into the Whomping Willow. After a momentary fright, they prepare to continue their search when they are ambushed and captured by a group of large spiders.



The spiders transport them to a clearing with a massive web, where they encounter Aragog, an elderly and blind spider. Initially, Aragog intends to have them killed, but when Harry and Ron claim to have been sent by Hagrid, he engages in conversation. Aragog reveals that the school suspected him of being the monster in the Chamber of Secrets, but in reality, he was given to Hagrid as an egg and raised in captivity. He also explains that the monster in the Chamber is the creature that spiders fear the most, and its name is never spoken. Aragog divulges that the victim found in the bathroom years ago was Moaning Myrtle, and after the incident, Hagrid set him free in the Forbidden Forest. However, Aragog orders his offspring to feast on the intruders. Harry and Ron feel hopeless, but suddenly the Weasley's car arrives, and they manage to escape by jumping in and driving away.



Once they bid farewell to the car and return to the dormitory, Harry realizes that the girl found in the bathroom all those years ago was likely Moaning Myrtle. Despite their discouragement from the encounter with Aragog, this revelation provides them with a potential lead in their search for the Chamber of Secrets.

Chapter Sixteen: The Chamber of Secrets

Filled with determination, Harry and Ron consider various ways to enter Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and question her about her death. However, they can't come up with a solid plan. As they head to class, Professor McGonagall announces that exams will take place in a week, causing panic among the students who haven't studied. A few days before the exams, Professor McGonagall informs everyone that the Mandrakes are ready to be used to revive the petrified victims. Amidst the excitement, Ginny Weasley appears nervous and attempts to share something with Harry and Ron but is interrupted by Percy. Percy claims that what Ginny was going to say was unrelated to the Chamber of Secrets, causing Ron to argue with him.



Later, during a walk with Lockhart, Harry and Ron manage to convince him to let them go to Hermione's ward on their own. They make a quick detour to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom but encounter Professor McGonagall. They lie about visiting Hermione and, surprisingly, she allowsthem to proceed. In the infirmary, they find Hermione's hand clutching a piece of paper containing information about the basilisk. The notes mention that the basilisk lives for centuries, speaks Parseltongue(explaining Harry's ability to understand the voice), kills with its gaze, is the enemy of spiders, and can be killed by a rooster's crow. Hermione had also written "pipes" on the paper, leading them to believe that the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is through the pipes in Myrtle's bathroom.



In their excitement, Harry and Ron rush to the staff room to share their findings with Professor McGonagall. However, they overhear a staff meeting discussing another attack and Ginny's disappearance into the Chamber of Secrets. The message written on the wall indicates that her skeleton will remain in the Chamber forever. McGonagall announces that the school will be closed, and students will be sent home the next day. Lockhart enters the meeting, and the teachers challenge him to face the

monster alone since he claims to have the knowledge to handle it. Lockhart nervously leaves the room, and Harry and Ron go to his office to confront him and offer their help. In a surprising revelation, Lockhart admits that he is a fraud and had never confronted dark creatures. He planned to erase Harry and Ron's memories, but Harry disarms him with a spell. They take Lockhart to Myrtle's bathroom to question her about her death, where Harry notices a small snake symbol on one of the sink taps. Speaking Parseltongue, Harry commands the tap to open, revealing a large pipe. Harry, Ron, and Lockhart descend into the pipe.



Inside the pipe, they find a giant snakeskin. As they examine it, Lockhart attempts to erase their memories but ends up erasing his own memory and causing a rockfall, separating Ron and Lockhart from Harry. Harry instructs Ron to create a hole in the barrier while he continues through the tunnel alone. Eventually, he reaches a wall adorned with glittering serpents. Speaking Parseltongue once again, Harry commands the wall to open, and he enters the Chamber of Secrets.

Chapter Seventeen: The Heir of Slytherin

Harry enters the Chamber of Secrets, where he finds Ginny Weasley lying motionless at the feet of a large stone figure of Salazar Slytherin. Tom Riddle, in his ghostly form, stands nearby. Harry pleads with Tom to help rescue Ginny and escape the chamber, but Tom remains aloof and unconcerned.He reveals that he manipulated Ginny through his enchanted diary, gradually draining her life force and controlling her actions. Tom explains that he intended to use Ginny's life to return to power and finish the work started by Slytherin.



As Tom questions Harry about Voldemort, Harry grows suspicious and impatient. Tom rearranges the letters of his name to spell "I am Lord

Voldemort," proudly declaring his identity as the greatest wizard in the world. Harry challenges this assertion, proclaiming that Dumbledore is a greater wizard. Tom becomes enraged, and a singing bird appears, revealed to be Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. Fawkes brings the Sorting Hat, and Tom mocks the seemingly insignificant weapons sent by Dumbledore.



Tom summons the basilisk, commanding it to kill Harry. Harry closes his eyes, feeling Fawkes leave his shoulder. He hears the basilisk slithering and runs in fear. Suddenly, Fawkes blinds the basilisk by piercing its other eye. The snake thrashes about, and Harry opens his eyes to see Fawkes. With the help of Fawkes and the Sorting Hat, Harry retrieves a sword and impales the basilisk, sustaining a wound from its fang in the process. Fawkes' healing tears mend Harry's injury.



Tom attempts to kill Harry but is interrupted when Fawkes knocks the diary into Harry's hands. Harry stabs the diary with a basilisk tooth, causing Tom to scream in pain and disappear. Ginny begins to awaken, and Harry gathers her, his wand, the diary, the sword, and the hat. They exit the chamber, where Ron and a disoriented Gilderoy Lockhart await them. With Fawkes' assistance, they climb back up the pipes to the bathroom.



They leave the bathroom, disappointing Moaning Myrtle, who had developed a crush on Harry and hoped he would stay with her. Led by Fawkes, they make their way to Professor McGonagall's office.

Chapter Eighteen: Dobby's Reward

Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lockhart enter Professor McGonagall's office to find Dumbledore, Molly and Arthur Weasley waiting inside. They embrace Ginny and express their gratitude to Harry for saving her. Harry recounts the events in the Chamber of Secrets, leaving out the parts involving Ginny and the diary. When questioned about it, Dumbledore encourages him to share the truth about the diary and Voldemort's enchantment on Ginny. Ginny is sent to the infirmary to rest, and Dumbledore informs them that the petrified victims are being treated with Mandrake juice. He announces a feast for the entire school and awards Harry andRon two hundred points each for their bravery, bringing glory to Gryffindor House.



Dumbledore sends Lockhart, who has lost his memory, to the infirmary under Ron's care. He then requests a private conversation with Harry. Dumbledore explains that Fawkes came to Harry's aid because of the loyalty he showed to Dumbledore during their encounter in the Chamber. Harry asks Dumbledore about his resemblance to Tom Riddle and the potential for evil within him. Dumbledore reassures Harry, explaining that the Sorting Hat placed him in Gryffindor because of his own desire to avoid Slytherin. He emphasizes that one's choices are more important than inherent abilities. Dumbledore also reveals that only a true Gryffindor could have retrieved Godric Gryffindor's sword from the Sorting Hat.



Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Lucius Malfoy, accompanied by Dobby the house-elf. Lucius is furious that Dumbledore has returned to Hogwarts, but Dumbledore calmly informs him that the attacks have ceased. Dobby, through gestures and expressions, reveals that Lucius had slipped the diary into Ginny's possessions at Flourish and Blotts. Lucius acts defensively, but Harry accuses him of his wrongdoing. Quick-thinking, Harry wraps the diary in one of his socks and hands it to Lucius. Lucius unwraps it, and Dobby eagerly retrieves the sock, inadvertently setting himself free from servitude. Dobby thanks Harry and disappears with a crack.

Harry then joins the students at the grand feast. Hagrid returns, exams are canceled, and Lockhart is removed from his position as a teacher. Gryffindor is awarded the House Cup. Harry feels a deep sense of happiness. The remaining days at Hogwarts pass peacefully and happily. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes are canceled, and Lucius Malfoy is dismissed as a school governor. All is well. On the train ride back to London, Harry asks Ginny about what he caught Percy doing, and she reveals that he was kissing his girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater. Fred and George are delighted by this news, and they all return to the Muggle world for their summer vacations, content and hopeful for the future.