Harry Potter, #2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 9
Overview
Dumbledore confirms Mrs. Norris is petrified, not dead, and promises a Mandrake cure, while Filch reveals he is a Squib and Snape presses to punish Harry. Hermione drives research, prompting Professor Binns to recount the Chamber of Secrets legend and Slytherin’s heir.
Investigating the corridor, the trio note fleeing spiders and Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom. With rumors targeting Harry, they suspect Malfoy and decide to brew Polyjuice Potion to infiltrate Slytherin.
Summary
Teachers arrive at the scene of the wall message and Mrs. Norris’s rigid body. In Lockhart’s office, Dumbledore examines the cat, dismisses Lockhart’s bluster, and determines she is petrified, not dead. Filch, distraught and vindictive, accuses Harry and inadvertently reveals he is a Squib. Snape pushes to restrict Harry, but Dumbledore and McGonagall refuse; Mandrakes will supply a cure when mature.
Afterward, Harry withholds the disembodied voice from staff, and Ron warns that hearing voices is dangerous. Ron explains Squibs to Harry. Schoolwide gossip surges; Justin avoids Harry, and Ginny is shaken. Hermione hunts for Chamber lore and, in History of Magic, prompts Professor Binns to reluctantly relate the legend: Slytherin built a hidden chamber to be opened by his heir, unleashing a monster to purge “unworthy” students.
Disturbed by the implications, the trio revisit the corridor. Harry spots scorch marks; Hermione notices spiders fleeing through a crack, alarming arachnophobic Ron. Tracing the earlier flood, they investigate Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom, but Myrtle—upset by Peeves—offers no useful information. Percy catches them there, scolds them, and deducts points, while mentioning Ginny’s distress.
That evening, with rumors painting Harry as Slytherin’s heir, Ron blames Malfoy and Harry notes the family’s Slytherin lineage. Hermione, cautious but willing, proposes using Polyjuice Potion to impersonate Slytherins and question Malfoy inside his common room, acknowledging the plan is dangerous and requires a Restricted Section recipe.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterAccused of harming Mrs. Norris; denies it; investigates clues; faces rumors; considers Polyjuice plan.
- Hermione GrangerResearches the Chamber; prompts Binns’s legend; spots fleeing spiders; proposes using Polyjuice Potion.
- Ron WeasleyDefends Harry, fears spiders, argues with Percy, suspects Malfoy as Slytherin’s heir.
- Albus DumbledoreConfirms Mrs. Norris is petrified; promises Mandrake cure; refuses to punish Harry without evidence.
- Argus FilchDistraught owner of Mrs. Norris; accuses Harry; reveals he is a Squib; obsessively guards the scene.
- Severus SnapeSuggests sanctioning Harry; challenges Lockhart; later detains Harry in Potions.
- Gilderoy LockhartGrandstands in his office, offers bogus expertise; rebuffed by Snape regarding potions.
- Professor McGonagallDefends Harry’s Quidditch and insists on evidence before punishment.
- Professor BinnsReluctantly recounts the Chamber of Secrets legend to his usually drowsy class.
- Moaning MyrtleGhost in the girls’ bathroom; unhelpful and upset; mentions being distressed by Peeves.
- Percy WeasleyCatches the trio in Myrtle’s bathroom; deducts points; worries about Ginny’s distress.
- Ginny WeasleyDisturbed by the attack; reportedly crying and fearful of expulsions.
- Justin Finch-FletchleyAvoids Harry in the corridor, reflecting spreading suspicion.
- Draco MalfoyInitial onlooker; his pure-blood views prompt the trio to suspect him as the heir.
- Mrs. NorrisFilch’s cat; victim of petrification, central to the investigation.