Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 4
Overview
Life at the Burrow contrasts with Privet Drive as Hogwarts letters arrive, including Ginny’s first-year list heavy with Lockhart books. A botched Floo trip dumps Harry in Knockturn Alley, where he overhears Lucius Malfoy selling suspicious items. Hagrid rescues Harry; later, Gilderoy Lockhart announces he’s the new Defense teacher, and a public clash between Lucius and Arthur Weasley escalates into a brawl, sharpening class and ideology tensions.
Summary
Harry enjoys the chaotic warmth of the Burrow, where the Weasleys dote on him. Hogwarts letters arrive, including Ginny’s, listing many Gilderoy Lockhart books, worrying the Weasleys’ budget. Plans are set to shop in Diagon Alley with Hermione.
On the travel day, Harry uses Floo powder for the first time, mispronounces “Diagon Alley,” and lands in Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. Hiding, Harry overhears Lucius Malfoy selling questionable items to Mr. Borgin to avoid Ministry raids and deriding Arthur Weasley’s Muggle Protection work. After the Malfoys leave, Hagrid finds Harry and steers him back to Diagon Alley.
Harry reunites with the Weasleys and Hermione at Gringotts, where the contrast between the Weasleys’ near-empty vault and Harry’s wealth is stark. They split up to shop and later regroup at Flourish and Blotts, where a crowd gathers for Gilderoy Lockhart’s signing.
Lockhart hauls Harry into a photo op and publicly announces he will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, gifting Harry his books. Draco Malfoy mocks Harry and the Weasleys’ poverty; Ginny defends Harry. Lucius Malfoy insults the Weasley family and the Grangers, provoking Arthur Weasley into a fistfight amid falling books until Hagrid breaks it up.
Shaken and scolded by Mrs. Weasley, the group departs. After farewells to the Grangers, Harry and the Weasleys return to the Burrow by Floo powder, their shopping complete and tensions with the Malfoys heightened.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGuest at the Burrow; mis-Floos to Knockturn Alley, overhears Malfoys, rescued by Hagrid, swept into Lockhart’s announcement.
- Arthur WeasleyKind host fascinated by Muggles; clashes with Lucius Malfoy and brawls in Flourish and Blotts.
- Molly WeasleyFusses over Harry; worries about costs; scolds family after the public fight.
- Ron WeasleyShops with Harry and Hermione; defends family against Draco’s taunts; restrains during tensions.
- Hermione GrangerMeets in Diagon Alley with parents; excited for Lockhart; supports Harry during events.
- Rubeus HagridFinds Harry in Knockturn Alley and pulls him to safety; breaks up the Weasley–Malfoy brawl.
- Gilderoy LockhartCelebrity author; stages photos with Harry; announces he’ll teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
- Lucius MalfoySells suspicious items at Borgin and Burkes; insults the Weasleys and Grangers; fights Arthur.
- Draco MalfoyMocks Harry and the Weasleys; nearly discovers Harry hiding; leaves with Lucius after confrontation.
- Ginny WeasleyNervous new student; defends Harry against Draco; caught in the shop clash.
- Fred WeasleyJokes about Knockturn Alley; present during confrontation; cheers his father in the scuffle.
- George WeasleyShops for pranks; echoes Fred’s excitement; supports family during tensions.
- Percy WeasleyPreoccupied with studies and ambition; separates to shop alone.
- Mr. BorginProprietor of Borgin and Burkes; bargains with Lucius over illicit items.
- Mr. and Mrs. GrangerHermione’s Muggle parents; meet the Weasleys, witness the shop fight, then depart.