Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 10
Overview
Harry, Ron, and Hermione secure Lockhart’s signature to access Moste Potente Potions and commit to brewing Polyjuice. During Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, a tampered Bludger targets Harry; he wins but Lockhart removes his arm bones. In the hospital wing, Dobby admits engineering the Bludger and hints the Chamber opened before. Dumbledore arrives with petrified Colin Creevey, confirming the Chamber of Secrets is open again.
Summary
Lockhart shifts to readings and reenactments after the pixie fiasco, repeatedly using Harry as a prop. Hermione flatters Lockhart into signing a note for a Restricted Section book. In Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom, the trio consult Moste Potente Potions, choosing Polyjuice to question Malfoy. Hermione outlines the complex ingredients and month-long brew, and despite risks, they commit.
On match day, Slytherin’s superior brooms dominate as a Bludger fixates on Harry. Despite Fred and George’s protection, Harry insists they leave him to draw it off. In the rain, the Bludger breaks Harry’s arm, but he still seizes the Snitch past a shocked Malfoy, winning the game.
Lockhart intervenes on the pitch and disastrously removes Harry’s arm bones. In the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey administers Skele-Gro and clears visitors. Late at night, Dobby appears, revealing he blocked the platform barrier and bewitched the Bludger to injure—not kill—Harry to force him home. He hints the Chamber of Secrets has been opened before and begs Harry to leave, but refuses to name who opened it.
Dobby vanishes as footsteps approach. Dumbledore and McGonagall arrive carrying a petrified Colin Creevey, whose camera has been mysteriously melted. Dumbledore declares the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again, emphasizing not who but how it has been opened, deepening the mystery and raising the stakes.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterSecures Restricted Section access, is targeted by a rogue Bludger, wins the match, suffers deboned arm, learns from Dobby about the reopened Chamber.
- Gilderoy LockhartSigns Hermione’s pass without scrutiny; ineptly removes Harry’s arm bones while attempting to heal him.
- Hermione GrangerManipulates Lockhart for a library signature; leads Polyjuice research and commits to brewing it.
- Ron WeasleySupports the Polyjuice plan with reservations; assists Harry after his injury and jokes about Malfoy.
- DobbyConfesses to blocking the barrier and tampering with the Bludger to force Harry home; hints the Chamber reopened.
- Albus DumbledoreArrives with petrified Colin; confirms the Chamber of Secrets is open again and questions how.
- Minerva McGonagallHelps bring petrified Colin to the hospital wing; reports finding him with grapes.
- Madam PomfreyTreats Harry with Skele-Gro and expels visitors; critiques Lockhart’s incompetence.
- Fred WeasleyBeater protecting Harry from the rogue Bludger; helps subdue it after the match.
- George WeasleyBeater shielding Harry; helps capture the rogue Bludger and praises Harry’s catch.
- Draco MalfoySlytherin Seeker, mocks Harry; fails to notice the Snitch near him and loses.
- Oliver WoodGryffindor captain; pressures Harry to catch the Snitch; allows Harry to face the Bludger alone.
- Madam HoochReferees the match; grants time-out and restarts play amid the Bludger chaos.
- Colin CreeveyTries to visit Harry; found petrified with a melted camera.
- Moaning MyrtleCries in her bathroom while the trio plan and read about Polyjuice.
- Madam PinceVerifies Lockhart’s signature and supplies Moste Potente Potions from the Restricted Section.
- Lee JordanCommentates the match, announcing Slytherin’s early lead.
- Marcus FlintSlytherin captain; later berates Malfoy for missing the Snitch near him.
- Adrian PuceySlytherin Chaser pressing Gryffindor’s goal while Harry dodges the Bludger.