Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 2
Overview
Dobby, a house-elf, warns Harry of a deadly plot at Hogwarts and urges him not to return. To stop him, Dobby intercepts Harry’s letters and causes a magical incident that ruins the Dursleys’ dinner, triggering a Ministry warning. Seizing on this, Uncle Vernon imprisons Harry. The chapter ends with Ron Weasley appearing at Harry’s window.
Summary
Harry discovers a house-elf, Dobby, in his bedroom on the night of the Dursleys’ dinner with the Masons. Dobby, overwhelmed by Harry’s kindness, warns that a plot threatens Hogwarts and begs Harry not to return. Bound to secrecy and fearful of his wizarding family, Dobby punishes himself whenever he nears revealing details.
When Harry refuses to promise to stay away, Dobby reveals he has intercepted all Harry’s letters from friends to make him feel abandoned. Dobby demands Harry’s word not to return to school in exchange for the letters. Harry refuses, and Dobby dashes downstairs, levitating Aunt Petunia’s elaborate pudding.
Dobby drops the dessert, wrecking the dinner and vanishing. A Ministry owl delivers a warning accusing Harry of underage magic and reminding him of secrecy laws. Uncle Vernon seizes on the letter, delighted Harry cannot legally use magic, and vows to stop him ever returning to Hogwarts.
The next day, Vernon installs bars on Harry’s window and a cat-flap in the door, rationing food and locking Harry in. After days of isolation and hunger, Harry despairs over missing term and whether anyone will come for him.
Late at night, as Harry dozes, he wakes to see Ron Weasley peering through the barred window, signaling unexpected help.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterProtagonist; hears Dobby’s warning, refuses to skip Hogwarts, is blamed for magic, and is imprisoned by the Dursleys.
- DobbyA house-elf who warns of a plot at Hogwarts, withholds Harry’s letters, and sabotages the pudding to keep Harry home.
- Uncle Vernon DursleySeizes on the Ministry warning, bars Harry’s window, and locks him up to prevent his return to Hogwarts.
- Aunt Petunia DursleyHosts the Masons; her elaborate pudding is ruined by Dobby during the dinner.
- Ron WeasleyAppears at Harry’s barred window at night, offering a potential rescue.
- Dudley DursleyHelps host the Masons; his presence underscores Harry’s confinement and mistreatment.
- Mr. MasonVernon’s business guest; leaves after the owl incident ruins the dinner.
- Mrs. MasonTerrified of birds; flees after a Ministry owl drops a letter on her head.
- Mafalda HopkirkMinistry official who sends the warning letter about underage magic at Privet Drive.
- HedwigHarry’s owl; wakes during Dobby’s commotion and later shares Harry’s meager rations.