Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
Gryffindor’s dawn practice is derailed when Slytherin reveals new Nimbus 2001 brooms and Draco Malfoy as Seeker, heightening rivalry. Malfoy slurs Hermione, prompting Ron’s backfired curse. After Hagrid explains the insult and hints at forbidden magic, McGonagall assigns detentions. During Lockhart’s detention, Harry alone hears a chilling murderous voice, signaling a darker threat.
Summary
Harry spends days avoiding Gilderoy Lockhart while being shadowed by the eager Colin Creevey. Early Saturday, Oliver Wood drags the Gryffindor team to a dawn practice, unveiling elaborate tactics before they finally take to the air. Colin photographs from the stands, drawing Wood’s suspicion.
The session is interrupted by the Slytherin team, who present signed permission from Snape to train their new Seeker: Draco Malfoy. They flaunt seven Nimbus Two Thousand and One brooms, a gift from Lucius Malfoy, provoking taunts about Gryffindor’s older brooms. When Hermione defends Gryffindor’s merit, Draco spits the slur “Mudblood,” inciting uproar. Ron attempts a curse, but his broken wand backfires, making him vomit slugs.
Harry and Hermione rush Ron to Hagrid’s hut, evading Lockhart on the way. Hagrid tends to Ron and criticizes Lockhart’s tall tales. At Hermione’s confusion, Ron explains “Mudblood” as a vile term for Muggle-borns and decries blood purity. Hagrid praises Hermione’s talent and shows off enormous pumpkins, hinting at magical help.
Back at the castle, Professor McGonagall assigns detentions: Ron must polish trophies with Filch without magic; Harry must help Lockhart with fan mail. That night, while Lockhart prattles, Harry hears a terrifying, disembodied voice urging to “rip” and “kill,” which Lockhart cannot hear. Disturbed, Harry later confides in Ron, who is baffled, marking the first sign of a lurking, unseen danger.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGryffindor Seeker; endures Lockhart, evades Colin, witnesses Malfoy’s slur, escorts Ron to Hagrid, hears a murderous disembodied voice in detention.
- Ron WeasleyDefends Hermione; broken wand backfires, making him vomit slugs; later endures Filch’s trophy-room detention.
- Hermione GrangerDefends Gryffindor’s merit; learns the meaning of “Mudblood”; supports Ron and visits Hagrid.
- Draco MalfoyNew Slytherin Seeker; flaunts Nimbus 2001 broom; insults Hermione with the slur “Mudblood.”
- Rubeus HagridComforts slug-sick Ron, condemns blood prejudice, subtly uses magic on pumpkins, and mocks Lockhart’s boasts.
- Gilderoy LockhartVain DADA teacher; assigns Harry to answer fan mail; oblivious to the sinister voice Harry hears.
- Oliver WoodQuidditch captain; imposes dawn practice and new tactics; clashes with Slytherins over the pitch.
- Marcus FlintSlytherin captain; asserts Snape’s permission to train and showcases the team’s new Nimbus 2001s.
- Colin CreeveyOverzealous first-year photographer; trails Harry and tries to document events.
- Professor McGonagallDeputy Head; assigns detentions to Harry and Ron after the Quidditch field incident.
- Fred WeasleyGryffindor Beater; nearly attacks Malfoy after the slur; trains under Wood’s regimen.
- George WeasleyGryffindor Beater; restrains anger at Malfoy; notes Slytherins’ arrival and brooms.
- Alicia SpinnetGryffindor Chaser; present at practice; outraged at Malfoy’s insult.
- Angelina JohnsonGryffindor Chaser; trains under Wood; confronts Slytherins at the pitch.
- Katie BellGryffindor Chaser; participates in practice and the confrontation with Slytherin.