Chamber of Secrets: Chapters 9 & 10

Wizard rock of the week: “Wrocking Around the Bathroom Stall” by The Moaning Myrtles

Happy December! I hope you’re rested from a fabulous weekend of food, family, friends, shopping, and other applicable awesomeness as the holiday season kicks off. Things won’t be going so well for Harry this week, since these two chapters heap disaster upon disaster for the poor guy.

Usual guidelines apply; lots of spoilers abound. And with that, let’s go.

Chapter Nine: The Writing on the Wall

What Happens:

Harry, Ron and Hermione are inconveniently standing right on the site of Mrs. Norris’ apparent demise. Filch, of course, is murderously angry. The kids accompany Dumbledore, Filch, McGonagall, Snape, and Lockhart head up to the idiot’s nearby office to examine the cat. While Lockhart is prattling on about what killed the cat and how he could have saved her, Dumbledore determines that the poor feline isn’t dead, just Petrified. Such Dark Magic would be way beyond the abilities of a second year, so over Filch’s protests Dumbledore clears Harry’s name at once. Filch is unconvinced; he admits that he’s a Squib and Harry saw his Kwikspell course. Snape greasily asks why they were in that hallway to begin with. Even though their Deathday Party alibi is good, it doesn’t explain why Harry wanted to take such an unusual route back to the Gryffiindor room. Harry doesn’t want to mention the voice he’s been hearing. After a chilly exchange between teachers as to who will make the Madrake Restorative Draught when the time comes, the kids slip out.

Ron seems to vaguely remember something about the Chamber but can’t quite place it. Hermione, of course, is racking her brain and her books. However, she doesn’t have her personal copy of Hogwarts, A History at school, and remains frustrated for days. Meanwhile, Ginny is very upset about the attack, and Harry notices that his new Hufflepuff acquaintance Justin Finch-Fletchley seems to be avoiding him. In a typically boring History of Magic class, Hermione asks Professor Binns about the Chamber. He protests that the story is ridiculous, but tells the story anyway:

When Hogwarts was first new, its four founders lived in agreement with one another. However, as the years went on, Slytherin wished to become choosy about whom to admit; specifically, children from pure blood families only. He and Gryffindor argued and Slytherin left. Rumors abound that before he left, Slytherin created a secret Chamber deep within the school that only his heir would be able to find and unlock. Inside the Chamber dwelt a fearsome creature, which the Heir would release to purify the school of “unworthy” students.

On their way back to their dorm, Ron and Hermione agree that they’ve never been so glad to be in Gryffindor. Harry is quiet, because he remembers his own Sorting… and how he almost ended up in Slytherin himself. They wander past the infamous corridor and glance around for clues. Hermione notices that hundreds of spiders are making a mass exodus from the hallway. The poke around a bit until they come to an unused girls bathroom. Myrtle is moping inside, and has nothing helpful to say. Percy is scandalized that Ron was in the girls’ room, and docks five points. In the common room, even Hermione can’t concentrate on homework. Ron immediately accuses Malfoy as the one responsible for the attacks, but Hermione scoffs. The only way to actually know whether or not it’s Malfoy would be to ask him questions about his plans—which is impossible. Hermione suggests a way that might work: Polyjuice Potion. The recipe, however, is in a book in the Restricted Section.

Commentary:

Ooooh so much awkwardness between Snape and Lockhart. I love it. In other news, I love the irony that Hermione can't' get her hands on Hogwarts, A History just when she need it for something actually useful. Binns is actually interesting for once while telling the Chamber's history to the kids.

It's a testimony to Harry's thoughts about his Sorting that he hasn't told Ron and Hermione. He won't ever tell any, ever, except little Albus Severus in the Epilogue. It suprises me a little, but maybe he is really that unnerved by the whole thing.

Poor Moaning Myrtle! At least the kids will keep her company for a while in this book. Ron's right about Percy- the prattish older brother likely doens't give two knuts about Ginny's upsetness or Ron's involvement with Harry's sleuthing... but he's mostly concerned about being chosen to be Head Boy and is worried that his younger siblings would taint his name. First of all, is Head Boy selection really so political? And, with Fred and George as siblings, don't you think it's a little ridiculous of Percy to be coming down so hard on Ron and Ginny for embarrassing behavior?

Notice that Ron is the one who initially accuses Malfoy of being the Heir of Slytherin. Harry immediately agrees, but he wasn't the first to suggest it. Hermione, quite unlike herself, doesn't have a moment's worry about making a potion that's probably illegal and dangerous. Maybe that's because she gets to show off to do it?

Chapter Ten: The Rogue Bludger

What Happens:

After another ridiculous DADA lesson in which they learn nothing, Ron, Hermione, and Harry approach Lockhart. He signs their library note without even looking at it and they sprint off to the library to get Moste Potente Potions. At Hermione’s suggestion, they go to Myrtle’s bathroom to read without being overheard. The potion is daunting even to Hermione, who estimates it will take a month to brew- provided they can acquire all its rare ingredients.

The first Quidditch match is against Slytherin, of course, and Harry is under immense pressure from himself and Oliver Wood to “get the Snitch or die trying.” This turns out to be an almost literal situation, since one of the Bludgers continually follows Harry around the pitch despite Fred and George’s best efforts. Luckily, Harry catches the Snitch quickly, but not before the crazy bludger hits arm, breaking it. Lockhart, of course, is eager to help, but manages to remove all of Harry’s arm bones rather than mend them.

Madam Pomfrey gives Harry a large dose of Skele-Gro and he settles in for a miserable night in the hospital wing. He’s awoken in the middle of the night by Dobby, who is trying to take care of him. Harry discovers that it was Dobby who sealed the entrance to Platform 9¾ and Dobby who tampered with the Bludger, both attempts to get Harry to go home. He tries to convince Harry to go home again, but Harry only gets angrier. In their conversation, Dobby lets slip that the Chamber of Secrets is opened again. Dobby leaves just as they hear footsteps approaching. McGonagall and Dumbledore carry in the Petrified form of Colin Creevey. Harry pretends to be asleep and overhears their conversation. Something burned up all the film in Colin’s camera. Dumbledore quietly confirms the rumors that have been running around the school: the Chamber is open again. Dumbledore, however, isn’t curious about who is doing it, but how.

Commentary:

Obviously, Lockhart is one of those idiots who signs things without reading them. Luckily for the kids, this enables them to get around the Restricted Section rule. I love how Hermione has a Rachel Barry <3 Will Schuster style crush on Lockhart... especially because he's such an idiot and she's normally so logical. Haha.

Okay, this might be a horrible thing to write... but I never really felt that the "Dobby trying to get Harry to go home" plot point really works. I mean, he's not acting on Malfoy's orders; he's doing this on his own. He stops Harry's mail, prevents him from making the train, and now is bewitching dangerous objects to fly at his head. Why? Just how much danger is Harry really in from the Chamber's reopening? I don't know why, but as much as I love Dobby the whole thing never feels quite right to me.

Finally, it's darn lucky that Colin had his camera up to his face or he would have been in serious trouble. So how far away from the basilisk does one have to be to die from its gaze? Across a room? Within a few yards?

Alright, peoples, that's it for this week! Hope your December is off to a good start and see you lata!