Chapter 8

In a sodden October, Harry returns from a dismal Quidditch practice and meets a dejected Nearly Headless Nick, who has been rejected by the Headless Hunt for not being fully decapitated. Mrs. Norris finds Harry’s muddy trail and brings Filch, who drags Harry to his office to punish him.

A crash from Peeves upstairs sends Filch racing out, allowing Harry to glimpse a Kwikspell beginners’ magic course addressed to Filch. When Filch returns and notices, he panics and dismisses Harry without punishment. Nick admits he directed Peeves to smash a vanishing cabinet to help Harry, then invites Harry (and Ron and Hermione) to his five-hundredth deathday party; Harry agrees and promises to praise Nick to Sir Patrick.

On Halloween night, the trio skip the feast for Nick’s freezing, morbid party. They encounter Peeves, who taunts Moaning Myrtle into tears, and witness the Headless Hunt’s arrival led by Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore, who publicly mocks Nick. Nick’s attempted speech is drowned out by the Hunt’s games, leaving the trio cold and hungry.

Departing, Harry again hears the disembodied murderous voice moving upward. He races through the castle with Ron and Hermione following, neither of whom can hear it. On the second floor they find a message scrawled on the wall: “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware,” and beneath it, Filch’s cat, Mrs. Norris, hanging rigid and staring.

As the feast ends, crowds arrive and fall silent at the scene. Draco Malfoy pushes forward to jeer, “Enemies of the Heir, beware! You’ll be next, Mudbloods!” establishing fear and animosity as the school confronts the ominous warning and the petrified cat.