Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

Lockhart takes to re-enacting stories from his books during class, often asking Harry to play supporting roles. One day after class, Harry, Ron, and Hermione ask Lockhart to sign a permit for them to check out a book from the restricted section of the library that they say will help them understand his books better; he does so. After obtaining the book Moste Potente Potions from the suspicious librarian, they examine the Polyjuice Potion recipe in Myrtle’s bathroom; Hermione estimates it will take a month to complete.

On Saturday, Gryffindor faces Slytherin in a Quidditch match. As the match begins, Harry, as Seeker, searches for the Golden Snitch, a small, fast ball whose capture earns 150 points and ends the game. Meanwhile, three of his teammates pass and shoot the Quaffle, a ball that can be scored in hoops on either end of the pitch for 10 points per shot; Wood defends Gryffindor’s hoops from the Slytherin scorers. Fred and George, meanwhile, are beaters, which means that they use clubs to hit two heavy, enchanted balls called bludgers toward the Slytherin players and away from Gryffindor players.

As Slytherin builds a lead, one of the bludgers follows Harry no matter where he goes. When Draco, who plays Seeker for Slytherin, taunts Harry, Harry spots the Snitch near Draco. Harry hesitates, allowing the bludger to hit and break his right arm. He then dives, catching the Snitch with his left arm, securing a win for Gryffindor. Back on the ground, Lockhart tries to fix Harry’s arm, but he removes the bones instead of mending them.

In the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey administers a bone-regrowing potion to Harry. During the night, Harry wakes to find Dobby tending to him. Dobby reveals that he blocked Harry’s entry onto platform nine and three-quarters; he also bewitched the bludger, hoping that Harry would be sent home injured rather than remain at Hogwarts. Dobby mentions that the Chamber of Secrets opened before. When he hears someone approaching, Dobby vanishes.

Dumbledore and McGonagall enter the hospital wing carrying Colin, who was Petrified in another attack. Colin is frozen with his camera to his face; the camera’s contents melted in the attack. Dumbledore comments that the Chamber of Secrets is truly open, and McGonagall wonders who is responsible. Dumbledore suggests that the question is “how,” not “who.”

Madam Pomfrey releases Harry the next morning. He finds Ron and Hermione in Myrtle’s bathroom, working on the Polyjuice Potion. Harry tells them about Dobby’s visit and the conversation he overheard in the hospital wing, and the three of them speculate about the nature of the monster in the Chamber of Secrets.

Following the attack on Colin, the students grow increasingly suspicious and fearful. Hearing that Draco intends to stay at Hogwarts over Christmas break, Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to stay as well, but they still need a few ingredients to complete the Polyjuice Potion. Harry creates a diversion during their next Potions class by setting off a firework. In the confusion that follows, Hermione sneaks into Snape’s private cupboard and steals the ingredients.

A week later, posters announce the beginning of a Dueling Club. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and many other students attend the first meeting that night. When they arrive, Harry is disappointed to see that Lockhart is teaching, accompanied by Snape, whom Lockhart introduces as his “assistant.” Lockhart and Snape briefly demonstrate dueling etiquette; Snape gets the better of Lockhart with a Disarming Charm, which knocks Lockhart’s wand out of his hand.

They practice in pairs. Snape pairs Harry with Draco. As the students trade spells, the session devolves into chaos. After Snape restores order, Lockhart offers to teach how to block an opponent’s spell. Snape nominates Draco and Harry to demonstrate. While Snape advises Draco, Lockhart shows Harry a vague blocking maneuver. Draco summons a large black snake. Lockhart’s attempt to remove it only enrages the snake, and it begins to move towards Justin, who is nearby. Harry shouts at the snake, telling it to leave Justin alone; it does so.

Harry is surprised to see Justin storm out of the room angrily. Ron and Hermione lead Harry back to the common room, where they confront Harry about his ability to speak to snakes. Harry, who didn’t realize he was speaking differently than normal when he spoke to the snake, explains that he also spoke to a snake at a zoo once before. Ron explains that Slytherin was known for his ability to speak to snakes.

The next day, Herbology class is canceled due to heavy snow. Harry searches for Justin, wanting to explain what happened. Checking in the library, he overhears Ernie Macmillan and several of his peers in Hufflepuff theorizing that Harry is the heir of Slytherin, destined to become an even more powerful dark wizard than Voldemort. Harry explains his actions, but they remain skeptical.

Leaving the library, Harry runs into Hagrid, who is investigating the death of a rooster, the second this term. Hurrying to his next class, Harry stumbles over something that turns out to be Justin, now Petrified. Next to Justin, Nick floats motionless, his appearance unusually dark and cloudy. Arriving on the scene, Peeves begins to shout, accusing Harry. Students and teachers pour into the hallway from nearby classrooms. McGonagall leads Harry to Dumbledore’s office, which is behind a stone gargoyle and up a moving spiral staircase.