Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 11
Overview
Harry, Ron, and Hermione advance their Polyjuice plan by stealing rare ingredients during a chaotic Potions diversion. At Lockhart’s new Dueling Club, Malfoy conjures a snake and Harry inadvertently reveals he’s a Parselmouth, turning the school against him. Soon after, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick are petrified, and Professor McGonagall escorts Harry to Dumbledore’s office.
Summary
Harry leaves the hospital wing with his arm restored and meets Ron and Hermione brewing Polyjuice in Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom. They discuss Dobby’s warning that the Chamber opened before and decide Malfoy is likeliest culprit. The school grows fearful after Colin’s attack; talismans spread and Ginny is distraught.
Needing bicorn horn and boomslang skin, Hermione orchestrates a Potions-class diversion. Harry tosses a Filibuster firework into Goyle’s cauldron, causing swelling chaos while Hermione steals the ingredients from Snape’s office. Snape suspects foul play but lacks proof; the potion will be ready in two weeks.
A Dueling Club launches under Lockhart with Snape assisting. After a brief demonstration where Snape disarms Lockhart, students duel. Malfoy and Harry exchange jinxes; Snape then pits them again and Malfoy conjures a snake. Lockhart’s bungled spell enrages it toward Justin, and Harry instinctively speaks Parseltongue to stop it, shocking onlookers.
Back in Gryffindor Tower, Ron and Hermione explain Parseltongue’s dark associations with Salazar Slytherin, alarming Harry. Determined to clear things up, Harry seeks Justin, overhears Hufflepuffs led by Ernie accusing him of being Slytherin’s heir, and angrily confronts them without success.
Later, Harry stumbles upon a petrified Justin and a blackened, immobile Nearly Headless Nick. Peeves raises an uproar; teachers arrive, and Justin is taken to the hospital wing while Ernie fans Nick upstairs. Professor McGonagall, grim and terse, leads Harry to Dumbledore’s office, leaving his status in greater doubt.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterAdvances Polyjuice plan, triggers Potions diversion, reveals Parseltongue at Dueling Club, becomes suspect after finding Justin and Nick petrified.
- Hermione GrangerLeads Polyjuice brewing, steals Snape’s ingredients during chaos, worries about Parseltongue’s link to Slytherin.
- Ron WeasleySupports Polyjuice plot, reacts to Parseltongue revelation, partners in diversions and counsels Harry.
- Severus SnapePotions master nearly foils theft; disarms Lockhart; engineers Harry–Malfoy duel; regards Harry calculatingly after the snake incident.
- Gilderoy LockhartStarts the Dueling Club; bungles snake-banishing, worsening danger; remains pompous despite humiliation.
- Draco MalfoyDuels Harry, hexes him, later conjures a snake that prompts Harry’s Parseltongue reveal.
- Justin Finch-FletchleyFlees Harry after snake incident; later found petrified in a corridor beside Nearly Headless Nick.
- Ernie MacmillanLeads Hufflepuff suspicion of Harry, cites Parseltongue as proof; later helps waft petrified Nick upstairs.
- Nearly Headless NickGhost found blackened and petrified-like beside Justin, intensifying fear; transported by fan to the hospital area.
- Professor McGonagallQuells corridor chaos, arranges aid for victims, and escorts Harry to Dumbledore’s office.
- PeevesRaises alarm after discovering the victims, spreading panic with taunts and song.
- Rubeus HagridEncountered in corridor with a dead rooster, concerned about attacks on his coop.