Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Summary | Plot Summary

Harry Potter returns for his second adventure in The Chamber of Secrets, the sequel to The Philosopher's Stone. This novel begins at the Dursley's house, on Harry's twelfth birthday. The Dursleys have, as usual, ignored his birthday; they are far more concerned about a business deal that Mr. Dursley is hoping to conclude that night. Feeling sorry for himself, Harry walks in the garden and is startled to see a pair of large yellow eyes watching him. The owner of those eyes turns out to be Dobby, who plays a pivotal role in the novel.

Dobby is a house elf that comes to speak with Harry at the Dursleys' house in order to warn him that his life is in danger and that he must not return to Hogwarts School of Wizardry. When Harry ignores Dobby, the house elf ruins the Dursleys' dinner party in a way that assures that Harry is blamed and locked in his room as punishment. He is rescued by his best friend, Ron Weasley, and spends the rest of the summer holidays at Ron's house.

On the day when all students are due to return to Hogwarts, Dobby tries again to prevent Harry going back to school by sealing the magic platform from which the Hogwarts Express departs. Harry and Ron use the Weasley family's enchanted car to fly back to school, an escapade which gets them into trouble immediately at the start of the school year.

Harry and his friends are now in their second year at Hogwarts and have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart. They initially met Lockhart in Diagon Alley, when they were purchasing their books for the new school year. The famous wizard doesn't impress Harry and Ron, but Hermione is clearly smitten by the handsome wizard and his flamboyant tales of daring adventure.

Harry has to deal with his own unwanted admirers, including Colin Creevey, who is always taking Harry's photograph, and Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister.

Strange events begin to take place at Hogwarts, with rumors that a dangerous secret chamber has been opened. Harry hears a strange and disturbing voice in the walls of the school, and soon realizes it is linked to the hidden chamber. Harry soon finds himself in trouble. Mrs. Norris, the caretaker's cat, is petrified, and Harry is the prime suspect. The trouble soon escalates, with pupils being petrified. Harry is believed to be the heir of Slytherin (a powerful wizard who was responsible for the secret chamber), and is suspected of being responsible for the evil occurrences at the school. Harry and his friends believe that Draco Malfoy, a fellow student, is responsible for the attacks. Harry, Ron and Hermione go undercover to find out, but they end up disappointed and no closer to the truth. Harry is freed from suspicion when Hermione is petrified, and the mystery intensifies.

The Dark Arts seem to be winning the battle of good and evil, when Aldus Dumbledore (the beloved Head Master of Hogwarts) is suspended and Hagrid (the friendly giant who is the groundskeeper at Hogwarts) is exiled to terrible Azkaban Prison. When young Ginnie Weasley vanishes under frightening circumstances, it is up to Harry and Ron to solve the puzzle of the Chamber of Secrets. Their quest takes them to the forbidden forest, where they are given advice by Aragog, a huge spider, and nearly lose their lives. They succeed in finding the chamber, accompanied by Professor Lockhart, who tries to betray them but fails, losing his memory in the attempt.

Harry makes the final journey into the chamber alone, to rescue Ginny from the clutches of the evil Lord Voldemort, who is disguised as Tom Riddle, an ex-pupil at Hogwarts. Harry faces the viscious Basilisk and, with the help of Dumbledore's phoenix, defeats both the Basilisk and Voldemort.

The school celebrates the triumph over evil for the second year running, and Dobby is freed for his role in events. Harry returns to the Dursleys' home on Privet Drive, where he will have to spend another lonely summer.