Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 18
Overview
Harry, Ron, and Ginny return to Dumbledore, who clears Ginny and honors Harry and Ron. Dumbledore explains Tom Riddle’s past and reassures Harry that choices define him. Harry exposes Lucius Malfoy’s scheme and frees Dobby. Hogwarts celebrates as victims recover, Hagrid returns, Lockhart departs, and term concludes.
Summary
Harry, Ron, and Ginny, filthy from the Chamber, reach Dumbledore’s office where the Weasleys embrace Ginny. Harry recounts the basilisk, Aragog’s clue, Myrtle’s death site, and Fawkes and the Sorting Hat aiding him. Dumbledore links Tom Riddle to Voldemort and absolves Ginny, sending her to the hospital wing as Mandrake draught revives the victims.
Dumbledore rewards Harry and Ron with Special Awards and points, then discusses with Harry his likenesses to Riddle. He explains Voldemort unintentionally transferred abilities, including Parseltongue, and emphasizes that Harry’s choices—proven by drawing Godric Gryffindor’s sword—place him in Gryffindor.
Lucius Malfoy bursts in with Dobby. Dumbledore implies Malfoy coerced the governors and used the diary to discredit the Weasleys. Prompted by Dobby’s hints, Harry accuses Malfoy of planting the diary. Unable to be proven, Malfoy withdraws, but Harry tricks him into freeing Dobby by handing back the diary in a sock. When Malfoy threatens Harry, Dobby magically repels him.
At the pajama-clad feast, Hermione reunites with Harry and Ron, Justin apologizes, Hagrid returns, and Gryffindor secures the House Cup; exams are canceled and Lockhart will not return. In the sunny weeks that follow, Defense classes cease and Lucius is sacked as governor, leaving Draco sulky while Ginny recovers.
On the train home, the group plays games and practices spells. Ginny reveals Percy’s secret girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater. Near King’s Cross, Harry shares his telephone number with Ron and Hermione, joking that the Dursleys won’t be pleased he survived, and the trio steps back into the Muggle world.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterExplains the Chamber events, is affirmed by Dumbledore, exposes Lucius’s plot, frees Dobby, and joins the end-of-year celebrations.
- Albus DumbledoreReturns as headmaster, clears Ginny, explains Riddle/Voldemort, reassures Harry about choices, rewards Gryffindor, and hints about a new DADA teacher.
- Ginny WeasleyRescued victim of the diary; absolved by Dumbledore; recovers and later reveals Percy’s secret romance.
- Ron WeasleySupports Harry’s account, escorts Lockhart to the infirmary, celebrates points and House Cup, travels home with friends.
- Lucius MalfoyConfronts Dumbledore; implied architect of the diary plot; inadvertently frees Dobby; is magically repelled after threatening Harry.
- DobbyHints at Lucius’s involvement; is freed by Harry’s sock trick; protects Harry from Lucius and departs gratefully.
- Molly WeasleyOverjoyed to see Ginny safe; comforts her during the debrief.
- Arthur WeasleyShocked by the diary’s manipulation; backs Ginny and hears Dumbledore’s explanation.
- Gilderoy LockhartAmnesiac after backfired Memory Charm; escorted to the infirmary; later announced not returning.
- Minerva McGonagallOversees the debrief, organizes a feast, and announces exam cancellation.
- FawkesArrives in the office; emblem of the loyalty that helped Harry in the Chamber.
- Hermione GrangerRevived by Mandrake juice; reunites joyfully at the feast; ends term with Harry and Ron.
- Rubeus HagridFreed from Azkaban; returns to the feast and celebrates with Harry and Ron.
- Draco MalfoyLeft sulky after his father is sacked from the Board of Governors.
- Justin Finch-FletchleyRevived victim who apologizes to Harry at the feast.
- Fred WeasleyCelebrates Gryffindor’s win; delighted by Percy’s romantic secret.
- George WeasleyJoins the celebratory mischief; amused by Percy’s relationship.
- Percy WeasleyRevealed to be secretly dating Penelope Clearwater.
- Penelope ClearwaterPercy’s Ravenclaw girlfriend; her relationship is revealed by Ginny.