Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 3
Overview
Ron, Fred, and George rescue Harry from the Dursleys using their father’s enchanted car and bring him to the Burrow. Harry recounts Dobby’s warning, and the Weasleys suspect a wealthy wizard family’s involvement. Mrs. Weasley furiously disciplines her sons; Mr. Weasley returns, amused yet admonishing. Harry experiences warm Weasley chaos, meets a shy Ginny, and embraces the Burrow as home.
Summary
Ron appears outside Harry’s barred window in a hovering turquoise car driven by Fred, with George in front. They tie the bars to the car and yank them free, then break into the house with a hairpin to retrieve Harry’s trunk. After a struggle with Uncle Vernon, Ron, Fred, and George pull Harry into the car and speed away. Harry releases Hedwig to fly alongside.
In flight, Harry explains Dobby’s warnings and the Ministry letter. Fred and George suspect Dobby’s master sent him to stop Harry returning to Hogwarts, possibly a rich old wizarding family, and the boys consider Draco Malfoy. They discuss the Weasleys’ owls and Percy’s odd secrecy. Ron admits their father doesn’t know about the car; Harry learns Arthur works in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.
They land at the Burrow at dawn, planning to sneak in, but Mrs. Weasley catches them and furiously scolds her sons for the reckless flight and risk to Arthur’s job. She warmly welcomes Harry and feeds him breakfast. Ginny appears shyly and flees. Assigned chores, the boys head to the garden to de-gnome; Harry learns the rough but harmless routine and joins in.
Arthur Weasley returns exhausted from raids and describes Muggle-baiting incidents. Mrs. Weasley confronts him over the enchanted car; Arthur is torn between delight and duty before agreeing the boys were wrong. Ron then shows Harry his orange Chudley Cannons-themed room. Harry, charmed by the Burrow’s warmth and chaos, declares it the best house he’s ever been in.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterRescued from the Dursleys, recounts Dobby’s warning, experiences the Burrow’s warmth, and delights in Ron’s room.
- Ron WeasleyLeads the rescue in the flying car, worries over Harry’s silence, and proudly shows his Chudley Cannons room.
- Fred WeasleyHelps rip out the bars, pick locks, and de-gnome; jokes but cowers under his mother’s scolding.
- George WeasleyAssists the break-in and escape, debates Dobby’s motives, and tackles garden gnomes with gusto.
- Molly WeasleyFuriously reprimands her sons for flying the car, yet warmly feeds and welcomes Harry to the Burrow.
- Arthur WeasleyReturns from raids; fascinated by Muggle artifacts; conflicted but admonishes the boys about the illegal flight.
- Ginny WeasleyShy and starstruck at Harry’s arrival; briefly appears and flees, revealing her crush.
- Uncle Vernon DursleyAttempts to stop Harry’s escape, grabbing his ankle, but fails as the car pulls away.
- HedwigFreed from her cage; follows the flying car to the Burrow, finally stretching her wings.
- Aunt Petunia DursleySpots Harry’s midair escape, left gaping from the bedroom window.
- Dudley DursleyJoins his parents at the window, stunned by Harry’s airborne departure.