Also available:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
HARRY
POTTER
and the Chamber of Secrets

J.K.ROWLING

RAINCOAST BOOKS

Vancouver

All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise,
without the prior permission of the publisher

First published in Great Britain in 1998 by
Bloomsbury Publishing Pic, 38 Soho Square, London W1V 5DF

Published in Canada in 1999 by
Raincoast Books
8680 Cambie Street
Vancouver, B.C.
V6P 6M9
(604) 323-7100
www.raincoast.com

Copyright  TextJ. K. Rowling 1998
Copyright  Cover Illustration Cliff Wright 1997
Cover design by Michelle Radford
Typeset by Dorchester Typesetting

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
Rowling, J. K.
Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets

Sequel to: Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone.
ISBN 1-55192-244-4
I. Title.
PZ7.R7985Harc 1999 813'.54 C99-9900190-6

1098765

printed AND BOUND IN canada

For Seem P. F. Harris,
getaway driver and foulweather friend
CHAPTER ONE --

The Worst Birthday

Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast
at number four. Privet Drive. Mr Vernon Dursley had been woken
in the early hours of the morning by a loud, hooting noise from
his nephew Harry's room.
Third time this week!' he roared across the table. 'If you can't
control that owl, it'll have to go!'
Harry tried, yet again, to explain.
'She's bored,' he said. 'She's used to flying around outside. If I
could just let her out at night...'
'Do I look stupid?' snarled Uncle Vernon, a bit of fried egg dangling
from his bushy moustache. 'I know what'll happen if that
owl's let out.'
He exchanged dark looks with his wife. Petunia.
Harry tried to argue back but his words were drowned by a
long, loud belch from the Dursleys' son, Dudley.
'I want more bacon.'
'There's more in the frying pan, sweetums,' said Aunt Petunia,
turning misty eyes on her massive son. 'We must feed you up
while we've got the chance ... I don't like the sound of that school
food ...'
'Nonsense, Petunia, I never went hungry when I was at
Smeltings,' said Uncle Vernon heartily. 'Dudley gets enough, don't
you,son?'
Dudley, who was so large his bottom drooped over either side
of the kitchen chair, grinned and turned to Harry.
'Pass the frying pan.'
'You've forgotten the magic word,' said Harry irritably.
The effect of this simple sentence on the rest of the family was
incredible: Dudley gasped and fell off his chair with a crash that
shook the whole kitchen; Mrs Dursley gave a small scream and
8 harry potter

clapped her hands to her mouth; Mr Dursley jumped to his feet,
veins throbbing in his temples.
'I meant "please"!' said Harry quickly. 'I didn't mean -'
'WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU,' thundered his uncle, spraying spit
over the table, 'ABOUT SAYING THE M WORD IN OUR
HOUSE?'
'But I -'
'HOW DARE YOU THREATEN DUDLEY!' roared Uncle
Vernon, pounding the table with his fist.
'I just-'
'I WARNED YOU! I WILL NOT TOLERATE MENTION OF
YOUR ABNORMALITY UNDER THIS ROOF!'
Harry stared from his purple-faced uncle to his pale aunt, who
was trying to heave Dudley to his feet.
'All right,' said Harry, 'all right...'
Uncle Vernon sat back down, breathing like a winded rhinocer-
ous and watching Harry closely out of the corners of his small,
sharp eyes.
Ever since Harry had come home for the summer holidays,
Uncle Vernon had been treating him like a bomb that might go off
at any moment, because Harry wasn't a normal boy. As a matter of
fact, he was as not normal as it is possible to be.
Harry Potter was a wizard -- a wizard fresh from his first year at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And if the Dursleys
were unhappy to have him back for the holidays, it was nothing
to how Harry felt.
He missed Hogwarts so much it was like having a constant
stomach ache. He missed the castle, with its secret passageways
and ghosts, his lessons (though perhaps not Snape, the potions
master), the post arriving by owl, eating banquets in the Great
Hall, sleeping in his four-poster bed in the tower dormitory, visiting
the gamekeeper, Hagrid, in his cabin in the grounds next to
the forbidden forest and, especially, Quidditch, the most popular
sport in the wizarding world (six tall goal-posts, four flying balls
and fourteen players on broomsticks).
All Harry's spellbooks, his wand, robes, cauldron and top-of-
the-range Nimbus Two Thousand broomstick had been locked in
a cupboard under the stairs by Uncle Vernon the instant Harry
had come home. What did the Dursleys care if Harry lost his place
on the house Quidditch team because he hadn't practised all sum-
the worst birthday 9

mer? What was it to the Dursleys if Harry went back to school
without any of his homework done? The Dursleys were what wizards
called Muggles (not a drop of magical blood in their veins)
and as far as they were concerned, having a wizard in the family
was a matter of deepest shame. Uncle Vernon had even padlocked
Harry's owl, Hedwig, inside her cage, to stop her carrying messages
to anyone in the wizarding world.
Harry looked nothing like the rest of the family. Uncle Vernon
was large and neckless, with an enormous black moustache; Aunt
Petunia was horse-faced and boney; Dudley was blond, pink and
porky. Harry, on the other hand, was small and skinny, with brilliant
green eyes and jet black hair that was always untidy. He wore
round glasses, and on his forehead was a thin, lightning-shaped
scar.
It was this scar that made Harry so particularly unusual, even
for a wizard. This scar was the only hint of Harry's very mysterious
past, of the reason he had been left on the Dursleys' doorstep
eleven years before.
At the age of one, Harry had somehow survived a curse from
the greatest dark sorcerer of all time, Lord Voldemort, whose
name most witches and wizards still feared to speak. Harry's parents
had died in Voldemort's attack, but Harry had escaped with
his lightning scar, and somehow -- nobody understood why --
Voldemort's powers had been destroyed the instant he had failed
to kill Harry.
So Harry had been brought up by his dead mother's sister and
her husband. He had spent ten years with the Dursleys, never
understanding why he kept making odd things happen without
meaning to, believing the Dursleys' story that he had got his scar
in the car crash which had killed his parents.
And then, exactly a year ago, Hogwarts had written to Harry,
and the whole story had come out. Harry had taken up his place
at wizard school, where he and his scar were famous ... but now
the school year was over, and he was back with the Dursleys for
the summer, back to being treated like a dog that had rolled in
something smelly
The Dursleys hadn't even remembered that today happened to
be Harry's twelfth birthday. Of course, his hopes hadn't been high;
they'd never given him a proper present, let alone a cake - but to
ignore it completely ...
10 harry potter

At that moment. Uncle Vernon cleared his throat importantly
and said, 'Now, as we all know, today is a very important day.'
Harry looked up, hardly daring to believe it.
This could well be the day I make the biggest deal of my
career,' said Uncle Vernon.
Harry went back to his toast. Of course, he thought bitterly,
Uncle Vernon was talking about the stupid dinner party. He'd
been talking of nothing else for a fortnight. Some rich builder and
his wife were coming to dinner and Uncle Vernon was hoping to
get a huge order from him (Uncle Vernon's company made drills).
'I think we should run through the schedule one more time,'
said Uncle Vernon. 'We should all be in position at eight o'clock.
Petunia, you will be -?'
'In the lounge,' said Aunt Petunia promptly, 'waiting to welcome
them graciously to our home.'
'Good, good. And Dudley?'
'I'll be waiting to open the door.' Dudley put on a foul, simpering
smile. 'May I take your coats, Mr and Mrs Mason?'
'They'll love him!' cried Aunt Petunia rapturously.
'Excellent, Dudley,' said Uncle Vernon. Then he rounded on
Harry. 'And _you?'
'I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I'm not
there,' said Harry tonelessly.
'Exactly,' said Uncle Vernon nastily. 'I will lead them into the
lounge, introduce you, Petunia, and pour them drinks. At eight
fifteen -'
'I'll announce dinner,' said Aunt Petunia.
'And Dudley, you'll say -'
'May I take you through to the dining room, Mrs Mason?' said
Dudley, offering his fat arm to an invisible woman.
'My perfect little gentleman!' sniffed Aunt Petunia.
'And youT said Uncle Vernon viciously to Harry.
'I'll be in my room, making no noise and pretending I'm not
there,' said Harry dully.
'Precisely. Now, we should aim to get in a few good compliments
at dinner. Petunia, any ideas?'
'Vernon tells me you're a wonderful golfer, Mr Mason ... Do tell
me where you bought your dress, Mrs Mason ...'
'Perfect... Dudley?'
'How about: "We had to write an essay about our hero at
the worst birthday 11

school, Mr Mason, and I wrote about you."'
This was too much for both Aunt Petunia and Harry. Aunt
Petunia burst into tears and hugged her son, while Harry ducked
under the table so they wouldn't see him laughing.
'And you, boy?'
Harry fought to keep his face straight as he emerged.
'I'll be in my room, making no noise and pretending I'm not
there,' he said.
'Too right you will,' said Uncle Vernon forcefully. 'The Masons
don't know anything about you and it's going to stay that way.
When dinner's over, you take Mrs Mason back to the lounge for
coffee. Petunia, and I'll bring the subject round to drills. With any
luck, I'll have the deal signed and sealed before the News at Ten.
We'll be shopping for a holiday home in Majorca this time tomorrow.'
^
Harry couldn't feel too excited about this. He didn't think the
Dursleys would like him any better in Majorca than they did in
Privet Drive.
'Right - I'm off into town to pick up the dinner jackets for
Dudley and me. And you,' he snarled at Harry, 'you stay out of
your aunt's way while she's cleaning.'
Harry left through the back door. It was a brilliant, sunny day.
He crossed the lawn, slumped down on the garden bench and
sang under his breath, 'Happy birthday to me ... happy birthday to
me ...'
No cards, no presents, and he would be spending the evening
pretending not to exist. He gazed miserably into the hedge. He
had never felt so lonely. More than anything else at Hogwarts,
more even than playing Quidditch, Harry missed his best friends,
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They, however, didn't seem
to be missing him at all. Neither of them had written to him all
summer, even though Ron had said he was going to ask Harry to
come and stay.
Countless times, Harry had been on the point of unlocking
Hedwig's cage by magic and sending her to Ron and Hermione
with a letter, but it wasn't worth the risk. Under-age wizards
weren't allowed to use magic outside school. Harry hadn't told the
Dursleys this; he knew it was only their terror that he might turn
them all into dung beetles that stopped them locking him in the
cupboard under the stairs with his wand and broomstick. For the
12 harry potter
I
first couple of weeks back, Harry had enjoyed muttering nonsense
words under his breath and watching Dudley tearing out of the
room as fast as his fat legs would carry him. But the long silence
from Ron and Hermione had made Harry feel so cut off from the
magical world that even taunting Dudley had lost its appeal - and
now Ron and Hermione had forgotten his birthday.
What wouldn't he give now for a message from Hogwarts?
From any witch or wizard? He'd almost be glad of a sight of his
arch-enemy, Draco Malfoy, just to be sure it hadn't all been a
dream ...
Not that his whole year at Hogwarts had been fun. At the very
end of last term, Harry had come face-to-face with none other
than Lord Voldemort himself. Voldemort might be a ruin of his
former self, but he was still terrifying, still cunning, still determined
to regain power. Harry had slipped through Voldemort's
clutches for a second time, but it had been a narrow escape, and
even now, weeks later, Harry kept waking in the night, drenched
in cold sweat, wondering where Voldemort was now, remembering
his livid face, his wide, mad eyes...
Harry suddenly sat bolt upright on the garden bench. He had
been staring absent-mindedly into the hedge - and the hedge was
staring back. Two enormous green eyes had appeared among the
leaves.
Harry jumped to his feet just as a jeering voice floated across
the lawn.
'I know what day it is,' sang Dudley, waddling towards him.
The huge eyes blinked and vanished.
'What?' said Harry, not taking his eyes off the spot where they
had been.
T know what day it is,' Dudley repeated, coming right up to
him.
'Well done,' said Harry. 'So you've finally learned the days of the
week.'
Today's your birthday,' sneered Dudley. 'How come you haven't
got any cards? Haven't you even got friends at that freak place?'
'Better not let your mum hear you talking about my school,'
said Harry coolly.
Dudley hitched up his trousers, which were slipping down his
fat bottom.
'Why're you staring at the hedge?' he said suspiciously.
the worst birthday 13

'I'm trying to decide what would be the best spell to set it on fire,' said Harry.
Dudley stumbled backwards at once, a look of panic on his fat

face.
'You c-can't - Dad told you you're not to do m-magic - he said
he'll chuck you out of the house - and you haven't got anywhere
else to go - you haven't got any friends to take you -'
'Jiggery pokeryF said Harry in a fierce voice. 'Hocus pocus ...
squiggly wiggly..;
'MUUUUUUM!' howled Dudley, tripping over his feet as he
dashed back towards the house. 'MUUUUM! He's doing you know
what!'
Harry paid dearly for his moment of fun. As neither Dudley nor
the hedge was in any way hurt. Aunt Petunia knew he hadn't really
done magic, but he still had to duck as she aimed a heavy blow
at his head with the soapy frying pan. Then she gave him work to
do, with the promise he wouldn't eat again until he'd finished.
While Dudley lolled around watching and eating ice-creams,
Harry cleaned the windows, washed the car, mowed the lawn,
trimmed the flowerbeds, pruned and watered the roses and repainted
the garden bench. The sun blazed overhead, burning the
back of his neck. Harry knew he shouldn't have risen to Dudley's
bait, but Dudley had said the very thing Harry had been thinking
himself... maybe he didn't have any friends at Hogwarts ...
'Wish they could see famous Harry Potter now,' he thought savagely,
as he spread manure on the flowerbeds, his back aching,
sweat running down his face.
It was half past seven in the evening when at last, exhausted, he
heard Aunt Petunia calling him.
'Get in here! And walk on the newspaper!'
Harry moved gladly into the shade of the gleaming kitchen. On
top of the fridge stood tonight's pudding: a huge mound of
whipped cream and sugared violets. A joint of roast pork was sizzling
in the oven.
'Eat quickly! The Masons will be here soon!' snapped Aunt
Petunia, pointing to two slices of bread and a lump of cheese on
the kitchen table. She was already wearing a salmon-pink cocktail
dress.
Harry washed his hands and bolted down his pitiful supper.
The moment he had finished, Aunt Petunia whisked away his
14 harry potter

plate. 'Upstairs! Hurry!'
As he passed the door to the living room, Harry caught a
glimpse of Uncle Vernon and Dudley in bow ties and dinner jackets.
He had only just reached the upstairs landing when the doorbell
rang and Uncle Vernon's furious face appeared at the foot of
the stairs.
'Remember, boy - one sound ...'
Harry crossed to his bedroom on tiptoe, slipped inside, closed
the door and turned to collapse on his bed.
The trouble was, there was already someone sitting on it.
CHAPTER TWO-

Dobby's Warning

Harry managed not to shout out, but it was a close thing. The little
creature on the bed had large, bat-like ears and bulging green
eyes the size of tennis balls. Harry knew instantly that this was
what had been watching him out of the garden hedge that morning.

As they stared at each other, Harry heard Dudley's voice from
the hall.
'May I take your coats, Mr and Mrs Mason?'
The creature slipped off the bed and bowed so low that the end
of its long thin nose touched the carpet. Harry noticed that it was
wearing what looked like an old pillowcase, with rips for arm-
and leg-holes.
'Er - hello,' said Harry nervously.
'Harry Potter!' said the creature, in a high-pitched voice Harry
was sure would carry down the stairs. 'So long has Dobby wanted
to meet you, sir ... Such an honour it is ...'
Th-thank you,' said Harry, edging along the wall and sinking
into his desk chair, next to Hedwig, who was asleep in her large
cage. He wanted to ask, 'What are you?' but thought it would
sound too rude, so instead he said, 'Who are you?'
'Dobby, sir. Just Dobby. Dobby the house-elf,' said the creature.
'Oh - really?' said Harry. 'Er - I don't want to be rude or anything,
but - this isn't a great time for me to have a house-elf in my
bedroom.'
Aunt Petunia's high, false laugh sounded from the living room.
The elf hung his head.
'Not that I'm not pleased to meet you,' said Harry quickly, 'but,
er, is there any particular reason you're here?'
'Oh, yes, sir,' said Dobby earnestly. 'Dobby has come to tell you,
s""... it is difficult, sir ... Dobby wonders where to begin ...'
16 harry potter

'Sit down,' said Harry politely, pointing at the bed.
To his horror, the elf burst into tears - very noisy tears.
'S-sit down!' he wailed. 'Never ... never ever ...'
Harry thought he heard the voices downstairs falter.
'I'm sorry,' he whispered, 'I didn't mean to offend you or anything.'

'Offend Dobby!' choked the elf. 'Dobby has never been asked to
sit down by a wizard - like an equal -
Harry, trying to say 'Shh!' and look comforting at the same
time, ushered Dobby back onto the bed where he sat hiccoughing,
looking like a large and very ugly doll. At last he managed to control
himself, and sat with his great eyes fixed on Harry in an
expression of watery adoration.
'You can't have met many decent wizards,' said Harry, trying to
cheer him up.
Dobby shook his head. Then, without warning, he leapt up and
started banging his head furiously on the window, shouting, 'Bad
Dobby! Bad Dobby'.'
'Don't - what are you doing?' Harry hissed, springing up and
pulling Dobby back onto the bed. Hedwig had woken up with a
particularly loud screech and was beating her wings wildly against
the bars of her cage.
'Dobby had to punish himself, sir,' said the elf, who had gone
slightly cross-eyed. 'Dobby almost spoke ill of his family, sir ...'
'Your family?'
'The wizard family Dobby serves, sir ... Dobby is a house-elf-
bound to serve one house and one family forever ...'
'Do they know you're here?' asked Harry curiously.
Dobby shuddered.
'Oh no, sir, no ... Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously
for coming to see you, sir. Dobby will have to shut his ears
in the oven door for this. If they ever knew, sir -'
'But won't they notice if you shut your ears in the oven door?'
'Dobby doubts it, sir. Dobby is always having to punish himself
for something, sir. They lets Dobby get on with it, sir. Sometimes
they reminds me to do extra punishments ...'
'But why don't you leave? Escape?'
'A house-elf must be set free, sir. And the family will never set
Dobby free ... Dobby will serve the family until he dies, sir ...'
Harry stared.
dobby's warning 17

'And I thought I was hard-done-by staying here for another
four weeks,' he said. This makes the Dursleys sound almost'
human. Can't anyone help you? Can't I?'
Almost at once, Harry wished he hadn't spoken. Dobby dissolved
again into wails of gratitude.
'Please,' Harry whispered frantically, 'please be quiet. If the
Dursleys hear anything, if they know you're here ...'
'Harry Potter asks if he can help Dobby ... Dobby has heard of
your greatness, sir, but of your goodness, Dobby never knew ...'
Harry, who was feeling distinctly hot in the face, said,
'Whatever you've heard about my greatness is a load of rubbish.
I'm not even top of my year at Hogwarts, that's Hermione, she -'
But he stopped quickly, because thinking about Hermione was
painful.
'Harry Potter is humble and modest,' said Dobby reverently, his
orb-like eyes aglow. 'Harry Potter speaks not of his triumph over
He Who Must Not Be Named.'
'Voldemort?' said Harry.
Dobby clapped his hands over his bat ears and moaned, 'Ah,
speak not the name, sir! Speak not the name!'
'Sorry,' said Harry quickly. 'I know lots of people don't like it -
my friend Ron ...'
He stopped again. Thinking about Ron was painful, too.
Dobby leaned towards Harry, his eyes wide as headlamps.
'Dobby heard tell,' he said hoarsely, 'that Harry Potter met the
Dark Lord for a second time, just weeks ago ... that Harry Potter
escaped yet again.'
Harry nodded and Dobby's eyes suddenly shone with tears.
'Ah, sir,' he gasped, dabbing his face with a corner of the grubby
pillowcase he was wearing. 'Harry Potter is valiant and bold!
He has braved so many dangers already! But Dobby has come to
protect Harry Potter, to warn him, even if he does have to shut his
ears in the oven door later ... Harry Potter must not go back to
Hogwarts.'
There was a silence broken only by the chink of knives and
torks from downstairs and the distant rumble of Uncle Vernon's
voice.
'W-what?' Harry stammered. 'But I've got to go back - term
starts on September the first. It's all that's keeping me going. You
don't know what it's like here. I don't belong here. I belong in your
18 - harry potter

world - at Hogwarts.'
'No, no, no,' squeaked Dobby, shaking his head so hard his ears
flapped. 'Harry Potter must stay where he is safe. He is too great,
too good, to lose. If Harry Potter goes back to Hogwarts, he will
be in mortal danger.'
'Why?' said Harry in surprise.
'There is a plot. Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible
things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
this year,' whispered Dobby, suddenly trembling all over. 'Dobby
has known it for months, sir. Harry Potter must not put himself in
peril. He is too important, sir!'
'What terrible things?' said Harry at once. 'Who's plotting
them?'
Dobby made a funny choking noise and then banged his head
madly against the wall.
'All right!' cried Harry, grabbing the elf's arm to stop him. 'You
can't say, I understand. But why are you warning me?' A sudden,
unpleasant thought struck him. 'Hang on - this hasn't got anything
to do with Vol - sorry - with You Know Who, has it? You
could just shake or nod,' he added hastily, as Dobby's head tilted
worryingly close to the wall again.
Slowly, Dobby shook his head.
'Not - not He Who Must Not Be Named, sir.'
But Dobby's eyes were wide and he seemed to be trying to give
Harry a hint. Harry, however, was completely at sea.
'He hasn't got a brother, has he?'
Dobby shook his head, his eyes wider than ever.
'Well then, I can't think who else would have a chance of making
horrible things happen at Hogwarts,' said Harry. 'I mean,
there's Dumbledore, for one thing - you know who Dumbledore
is, don't you?'
Dobby bowed his head.
'Albus Dumbledore is the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts has
ever had. Dobby knows it, sir. Dobby has heard Dumbledore's
powers rival those of He Who Must Not Be Named at the height
of his strength. But sir,' Dobby's voice dropped to an urgent whisper,
'there are powers Dumbledore doesn't ... powers no decent
wizard ...'
And before Harry could stop him, Dobby bounded off the bed,
seized Harry's desk lamp and started beating himself around the
dobby's warning 19

head with ear-splitting yelps.
A sudden silence fell downstairs. Two seconds later Harry, heart
thudding madly, heard Uncle Vernon coming into the hall, calling,
'Dudley must have left his television on again, the little tyke!'
'Quick! In the wardrobe!' hissed Harry, stuffing Dobby in, shut-
tine the door and flinging himself onto the bed just as the door
handle turned.
'What - the - devil - are - you - doing?' said Uncle Vernon
through gritted teeth, his face horribly close to Harry's. 'You've
mst ruined the punchline of my Japanese golfer joke ... one more
sound and you'll wish you'd never been born, boy!'
He stomped flat-footed from the room.
Shaking, Harry let Dobby out of the wardrobe.
'See what it's like here?' he said. 'See why I've got to go back to
Hogwarts? It's the only place I've got - well, I think I've got
friends.'
'Friends who don't even write to Harry Potter?' said Dobby
slyly
'I expect they've just been - hang on,' said Harry, frowning.
'How do you know my friends haven't been writing to me?'
Dobby shuffled his feet.
'Harry Potter mustn't be angry with Dobby - Dobby did it for
the best...'
'Have you been stopping my letters?'
'Dobby has them here, sir,' said the elf. Stepping nimbly out of
Harry's reach, he pulled a thick wad of envelopes from the inside
of the pillowcase he was wearing. Harry could make out
Hermione's neat writing, Ron's untidy scrawl and even a scribble
that looked as though it was from the Hogwarts gamekeeper,
Hagrid.
Dobby blinked anxiously up at Harry.
'Harry Potter mustn't be angry ... Dobby hoped ... if Harry
Potter thought his friends had forgotten him ... Harry Potter
might not want to go back to school, sir ...'
Harry wasn't listening. He made a grab for the letters, but
Dobby jumped out of reach.
Harry Potter will have them, sir, if he gives Dobby his word
that he will not return to Hogwarts. Ah, sir, this is a danger you
must not face! Say you won't go back, sir!'
No,' said Harry angrily. 'Give me my friends' letters!'
20 harry potter

Then Harry Potter leaves Dobby no choice,' said the elf sadly.
Before Harry could move, Dobby had darted to the bedroom
door, pulled it open - and sprinted down the stairs.
Mouth dry, stomach lurching. Harry sprang after him, trying
not to make a sound. He jumped the last six stairs, landing catlike
on the hall carpet, looking around for Dobby. From the dining
room he heard Uncle Vernon saying, '... tell Petunia that very
funny story about those American plumbers, Mr Mason, she's
been dying to hear ...'
Harry ran up the hall into the kitchen and felt his stomach disappear.

Aunt Petunia's masterpiece of a pudding, the mountain of
cream and sugared violets, was floating up near the ceiling. On
top of a cupboard in the corner crouched Dobby.
'No,' croaked Harry. 'Please ... they'll kill me ...'
'Harry Potter must say he's not going back to school -'
'Dobby ... please ...'
'Say it, sir ...'
'I can't!'
Dobby gave him a tragic look.
'Then Dobby must do it, sir, for Harry Potter's own good.'
The pudding fell to the floor with a heart-stopping crash.
Cream splattered the windows and walls as the dish shattered.
With a crack like a whip, Dobby vanished.
There were screams from the dining room and Uncle Vernon
burst into the kitchen to find Harry, rigid with shock, covered
from head to foot in Aunt Petunia's pudding.
At first, it looked as though Uncle Vernon would manage to
gloss the whole thing over ('Just our nephew - very disturbed -
meeting strangers upsets him, so we kept him upstairs ...') He
shooed the shocked Masons back into the dining room, promised
Harry he would flay him to within an inch of his life when the
Masons had left, and handed him a mop. Aunt Petunia dug some
ice-cream out of the freezer and Harry, still shaking, started scrubbing
the kitchen clean.
Uncle Vernon might still have been able to make his deal - if it
hadn't been for the owl.
Aunt Petunia was just handing round a box of after-dinner
mints when a huge barn owl swooped through the dining room
window, dropped a letter on Mrs Mason's head and swooped out
dobby's warning 21

again. Mrs Mason screamed like a banshee and ran from the
house shouting about lunatics. Mr Mason stayed just long enough
to tell the Dursleys that his wife was mortally afraid of birds of all
shapes and sizes, and to ask whether this was their idea of a joke.
Harry stood in the kitchen, clutching the mop for support as
Uncle Vernon advanced on him, a demonic glint in his tiny eyes.
'Read it!' he hissed evilly, brandishing the letter the owl had
delivered.'Go on - read it!'
Harry took it. It did not contain birthday greetings.

Dear Mr Potter,
We have received intelligence that a Hover Charm was used at
your place of residence this evening at twelve minutes past nine.
As you know, under-age wizards are not permitted to perform
spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to
expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of
Under-Age Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity
which risks notice by members of the non-magical community
CMuggies) is a serious offence, under section 13 of the International
Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy.
Enjoy your holidays!
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic

Harry looked up from the letter and gulped.
'You didn't tell us you weren't allowed to use magic outside
school,' said Uncle Vernon, a mad gleam dancing in his eyes.
'Forgot to mention it... slipped your mind, I daresay ...'
He was bearing down on Harry like a great bulldog, all his teeth
bared. 'Well, I've got news for you, boy ... I'm locking you up ...
you're never going back to that school ... never ... and if you try
and magic yourself out - they'll expel you!'
And laughing like a maniac, he dragged Harry back upstairs.
Uncle Vernon was as bad as his word. The following morning,
he paid a man to fit bars on Harry's window. He himself fitted the
tat-tlap in the bedroom door, so that small amounts of food could
be pushed inside three times a day They let Harry out to use the
22 harry potter

bathroom morning and evening. Otherwise, he was locked in his
room around the clock.
*
Three days later, the Dursleys were showing no sign of relenting
and Harry couldn't see any way out of his situation. He lay on his
bed watching the sun sinking behind the bars on the window and
wondered miserably what was going to happen to him.
What was the good of magicking himself out of his room if
Hogwarts would expel him for doing it? Yet life at Privet Drive
had reached an all-time low. Now the Dursleys knew they weren't
going to wake up as fruitbats, he had lost his only weapon. Dobby
might have saved Harry from horrible happenings at Hogwarts,
but the way things were going, he'd probably starve to death anyway.

The cat-flap rattled and Aunt Petunia's hand appeared, pushing
a bowl of tinned soup into the room. Harry, whose insides were
aching with hunger, jumped off his bed and seized it. The soup
was stone cold, but he drank half of it in one gulp. Then he
crossed the room to Hedwig's cage and tipped the soggy vegetables
at the bottom of the bowl into her empty food tray. She ruffled
her feathers and gave him a look of deep disgust.
'It's no good turning your beak up at it, that's all we've got,' said
Harry grimly.
He put the empty bowl back on the floor next to the cat-flap
and lay back down on the bed, somehow even hungrier than he
had been before the soup.
Supposing he was still alive in another four weeks, what would
happen if he didn't turn up at Hogwarts? Would someone be sent
to see why he hadn't come back? Would they be able to make the
Dursleys let him go?
The room was growing dark. Exhausted, stomach rumbling,
mind spinning over the same unanswerable questions, Harry fell
into an uneasy sleep.
He dreamed that he was on show in a zoo, with a card reading
'Under-age Wizard' attached to his cage. People goggled through
the bars at him as he lay, starving and weak, on a bed of straw. He
saw Dobby's face in the crowd and shouted out, asking for help,
but Dobby called, 'Harry Potter is safe there, sir!' and vanished.
Then the Dursleys appeared and Dudley rattled the bars of the
cage, laughing at him.
dobby's warning 23

'Stop it,' Harry muttered, as the rattling pounded in his sore
head. 'Leave me alone ... cut it out... I'm trying to sleep ...'
He opened his eyes. Moonlight was shining through the bars
on the window. And someone was goggling through the bars at
him: a freckle-faced, red-haired, long-nosed someone.
Ron Weasley was outside Harry's window.
CHAPTER THREE-

The Burrow

'Ron'' breathed Harry, creeping to the window and pushing it up so
they could talk through the bars. 'Ron, how did you - what the -?'
Harry's mouth fell open as the full impact of what he was seeing
hit him. Ron was leaning out of the back window of an old
turquoise car, which was parked in mid-air. Grinning at Harry
from the front seats were Fred and George, Ron's elder twin brothers.
,i
'All right. Harry?' '
'What's been going on?' said Ron. 'Why haven't you been
answering my letters? I've asked you to stay about twelve times,
and then Dad came home and said you'd got an official warning
for using magic in front of Muggles ...'
'It wasn't me - and how did he know?'
'He works for the Ministry,' said Ron. 'You know we're not supposed
to do spells outside school -'
'Bit rich coming from you,' said Harry, staring at the floating
car.
'Oh, this doesn't count,' said Ron. 'We're only borrowing this,
it's Dad's, we didn't enchant it. But doing magic in front of those
Muggles you live with ...'
'I told you, I didn't - but it'll take too long to explain now.
Look, can you explain to them at Hogwarts that the Dursleys have
locked me up and won't let me come back, and obviously I can't
magic myself out, because the Ministry'll think that's the second
spell I've done in three days, so -'
'Stop gibbering,' said Ron, 'we've come to take you home with
us.'
'But you can't magic me out either -'
'We don't need to,' said Ron, jerking his head towards the front
seats and grinning. 'You forget who I've got with me.'
the burrow 25

Tie that round the bars,' said Fred, throwing the end of a rope
to Harry.
'If the Dursleys wake up, I'm dead,' said Harry, as he tied the
rope tightly around a bar and Fred revved up the car.
'Don't worry,' said Fred, 'and stand back.'
Harry moved back into the shadows next to Hedwig, who seemed to have realized how important this was and kept still and
silent. The car revved louder and louder and suddenly, with a
crunching noise, the bars were pulled clean out of the window as
Fred drove straight up in the air - Harry ran back to the window
to see the bars dangling a few feet above the ground. Panting, Ron
hoisted them up into the car. Harry listened anxiously, but there
was no sound from the Dursleys' bedroom.
When the bars were safely in the back seat with Ron, Fred
reversed as close as possible to Harry's window.
'Get in,' Ron said.
'But all my Hogwarts stuff ... my wand ... my broomstick ...'
'Where is it?'
'Locked in the cupboard under the stairs, and I can't get out of
this room -'
'No problem,' said George from the front passenger seat. 'Out of
the way. Harry.'
Fred and George climbed carefully through the window into
Harry's room. You had to hand it to them, thought Harry, as
George took an ordinary hairpin from his pocket and started to
pick the lock.
'A lot of wizards think it's a waste of time, knowing this sort of
Muggle trick,' said Fred, 'but we feel they're skills worth learning,
even if they are a bit slow.'
There was a small click and the door swung open.
'So - we'll get your trunk - you grab anything you need from
your room and hand it out to Ron,' whispered George.
"Watch out for the bottom stair, it creaks,' Harry whispered
back, as the twins disappeared onto the dark landing.
Harry dashed around his room, collecting his things together
and passing them out of the window to Ron. Then he went to
lielp Fred and George heave his trunk up the stairs. Harry heard
Uncle Vernon cough.
At last, panting, they reached the landing, then carried the
trunk through Harry's room to the open window. Fred climbed
26 harry potter

back into the car to pull with Ron, and Harry and George pushed
from the bedroom side. Inch by inch, the trunk slid through the
window.
Uncle Vernon coughed again.
'A bit more,' panted Fred, who was pulling from inside the car,
'one good push ...'
Harry and George threw their shoulders against the trunk and
it slid out of the window into the back seat of the car.
'OK, let's go,' George whispered.
But as Harry climbed onto the window-sill there came a sudden
loud screech from behind him, followed immediately by the thunder
of Uncle Vernon's voice.
'THAT RUDDY OWL!'
'I've forgotten Hedwig!'
Harry tore back across the room as the landing light clicked on.
He snatched up Hedwig's cage, dashed to the window and passed
it out to Ron. He was scrambling back onto the chest of drawers
when Uncle Vernon hammered on the unlocked door - and it
crashed open.
For a split second, Uncle Vernon stood framed in the doorway;
then he let out a bellow like an angry bull and dived at Harry,
grabbing him by the ankle.
Ron, Fred and George seized Harry's arms and pulled as hard as
they could.
'Petunia!' roared Uncle Vernon. 'He's getting away! HE'S GETTING
AWAY!'
The Weasleys gave a gigantic tug and Harry's leg slid out of
Uncle Vernon's grasp. As soon as Harry was in the car and had
slammed the door shut Ron yelled, 'Put your foot down, Fred!'
and the car shot suddenly towards the moon.
Harry couldn't believe it - he was free. He wound down the
window, the night air whipping his hair, and looked back at the
shrinking rooftops of Privet Drive. Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia
and Dudley were all hanging, dumbstruck, out of Harry's window
'See you next summer!' Harry yelled.
The Weasleys roared with laughter and Harry settled back in
his seat, grinning from ear to ear.
'Let Hedwig out,' he told Ron, 'she can fly behind us. She hasn't
had a chance to stretch her wings for ages.'
George handed the hairpin to Ron and a moment later, Hedwig
the burrow 27

had soared joyfully out of the window to glide alongside them like

a ghost.
'5o _ what's the story. Harry?' said Ron impatiently. 'What's been
happening?'
Harry told them all about Dobby, the warning he'd given Harry
and the fiasco of the violet pudding. There was a long shocked
silence when he had finished.
'Very fishy,' said Fred finally
'Definitely dodgy,' agreed George. 'So he wouldn't even tell you
who's supposed to be plotting all this stuff?'
'I don't think he could,' said Harry. 'I told you, every time he
got close to letting something slip, he started banging his head
against the wall.'
He saw Fred and George look at each other.
'What, you think he was lying to me?' said Harry.
'Well,' said Fred, 'put it this way - house-elves have got powerful
magic of their own, but they can't usually use it without their
masters' permission. I reckon old Dobby was sent to stop you
coming back to Hogwarts. Someone's idea of a joke. Can you
think of anyone at school with a grudge against you?'
'Yes,' said Harry and Ron together, instantly.
'Draco Malfoy,' Harry explained. 'He hates me.'
'Draco Malfoy?' said George, turning round. 'Not Lucius
Malfoy's son?'
'Must be, it's not a very common name, is it?' said Harry. 'Why?'
'I've heard Dad talking about him,' said George. 'He was a big
supporter of You Know Who.'
'And when You Know Who disappeared,' said Fred, craning
around to look at Harry, 'Lucius Malfoy came back saying he'd
never meant any of it. Load of dung - Dad reckons he was right in
You Know Who's inner circle.'
Harry had heard these rumours about Malfoy's family before,
and they didn't surprise him at all. Malfoy made Dudley Dursley
look like a kind, thoughtful and sensitive boy
I don't know whether the Malfoys own a house-elf ...' said
Harry.
Well, whoever owns him will be an old wizarding family, and
they'll be rich,' said Fred.
Yeah, Mum's always wishing we had a house-elf to do the iron- '"g,' said George. 'But all we've got is a lousy old ghoul in the attic
28 harry potter

and gnomes all over the garden. House-elves come with big old
manors and castles and places like that, you wouldn't catch one in
our house ...'
Harry was silent. Judging by the fact that Draco Malfoy usually
had the best of everything, his family were rolling in wizard gold;
he could just see Malfoy strutting around a large manor house.
Sending the family servant to stop Harry going back to Hogwarts
also sounded exactly like the sort of thing Malfoy would do. Had
Harry been stupid to take Dobby seriously?
'I'm glad we came to get you, anyway' said Ron. 'I was getting
really worried when you didn't answer any of my letters. I thought
it was Errol's fault at first -'
'Who's Errol?'
'Our owl. He's ancient. It wouldn't be the first time he'd collapsed
on a delivery. So then I tried to borrow Hermes --' .
'Who?'
'The owl Mum and Dad bought Percy when he was made a prefect,'
said Fred from the front.
'But Percy wouldn't lend him to me,' said Ron. 'Said he needed
him.'
'Percy's been acting very oddly this summer,' said George,
frowning. 'And he has been sending a lot of letters and spending a
load of time shut up in his room ... I mean, there's only so many
times you can polish a Prefect badge ... You're driving too far west,
Fred,' he added, pointing at a compass on the dashboard. Fred
twiddled the steering wheel.
'So, does your Dad know you've got the car?' said Harry, guessing
the answer.
'Er, no,' said Ron, 'he had to work tonight. Hopefully we'll be
able to get it back in the garage without Mum noticing we flew it.'
'What does your Dad do at the Ministry of Magic, anyway?'
'He works in the most boring department,' said Ron. 'The
Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.'
'The what?'
'It's all to do with bewitching things that are Muggle-made, you
know, in case they end up back in a Muggle shop or house. Like,
last year, some old witch died and her tea set was sold to an
antiques shop. This Muggle woman bought it, took it home and
tried to serve her friends tea in it. It was a nightmare - Dad was
working overtime for weeks.'
the burrow 29

What happened?'
'The teapot went beserk and squirted boiling tea all over the
place and one man ended up in hospital with the sugar tongs
clamped to his nose. Dad was going frantic, it's only him and an
old warlock called Perkins in the office, and they had to do
Memory Charms and all sorts to cover it up ...'
'But your Dad ... this car ...'
Fred laughed. 'Yeah, Dad's mad about everything to do with
Muggles, our shed's full of Muggle stuff. He takes it apart, puts
Bspells on it and puts it back together again. If he raided our house
he'd have to put himself straight under arrest. It drives Mum
mad.'
'That's the main road,' said George, peering down through the
windscreen. 'We'll be there in ten minutes ... just as well, it's getting
light...'
A faint pinkish glow was visible along the horizon to the east.
Fred brought the car lower and Harry saw a dark patchwork of
fields and clumps of trees.
'We're a little way outside the village,' said George. 'Ottery St
Catchpole ...'
Lower and lower went the flying car. The edge of a brilliant red
sun was now gleaming through the trees.
Touchdown!' said Fred as, with a slight bump, they hit the
ground. They had landed next to a tumbledown garage in a small
yard and Harry looked out for the first time at Ron's house.
It looked as though it had once been a large stone pigsty, but
extra rooms had been added here and there until it was several
storeys high and so crooked it looked as though it was held up by
magic (which. Harry reminded himself, it probably was). Four or
live chimneys were perched on top of the red roof. A lopsided sign
stuck in the ground near the entrance read 'The Burrow'. Round
the front door lay a jumble of Wellington boots and a very rusty
cauldron. Several fat brown chickens were pecking their way
around the yard.
'It's not much,' said Ron.
'It's brilliant,' said Harry happily, thinking of Privet Drive.
^ey got out of the car.
Now, we'll go upstairs really quietly,' said Fred, 'and wait for
Mum to call us for breakfast. Then Ron, you come bounding
ownstairs going, 'Mum, look who turned up in the night!' and
30 harry potter

she'll be all pleased to see Harry and no one need ever know we
flew the car.'
'Right,' said Ron. 'Come on. Harry, I sleep at the -'
Ron had gone a nasty greenish colour, his eyes fixed on the
house. The other three wheeled around.
Mrs Weasley was marching across the yard, scattering chickens,
and for a short, plump, kind-faced woman, it was remarkable how
much she looked like a sabre-toothed tiger. |
'Ah,'said Fred.
'Oh dear,' said George.
Mrs Weasley came to a halt in front of them, her hands on her
hips, staring from one guilty face to the next. She was wearing a
flowered apron with a wand sticking out of the pocket.
'So,' she said. ,|
'Morning, Mum,' said George, in what he clearly thought was a
jaunty, winning voice. I
'Have you any idea how worried I've been?' said Mrs Weasley in
a deadly whisper.
'Sorry, Mum, but see, we had to -'
All three of Mrs Weasley's sons were taller than she was, but
they cowered as her rage broke over them. |
'Beds empty! No note! Car gone ... could have crashed... out of my
mind with worry ... did you care? ... never, as long as I've lived... you
wait until your father gets home, we never had trouble like this from
Bill or Charlie or Percy ...' m
'Perfect Percy,' muttered Fred. 9
'YOU COULD DO WITH TAKING A LEAF OUT OF PERCYS
BOOK!' yelled Mrs Weasley, prodding a finger in Fred's chest. 'You
could have died, you could have been seen, you could have lost
your father his job -'
It seemed to go on for hours. Mrs Weasley had shouted herself
hoarse before she turned on Harry, who backed away.
'I'm very pleased to see you, Harry, dear,' she said, 'Come in and
have some breakfast.'
She turned and walked back into the house and Harry, after a
nervous glance at Ron, who nodded encouragingly, followed her.
The kitchen was small and rather cramped. There was a
scrubbed wooden table and chairs in the middle and Harry sat
down on the edge of his seat, looking around. He had never been
in a wizard house before.
the burrow 31

The clock on the wall opposite him had only one hand and no
numbers at all. Written around the edge were things like 'Time to
make tea'. Time to feed the chickens' and 'You're late'. Books were
stacked three deep on the mantelpiece, books with titles like
Charm Your Own Cheese, Enchantment in Baking and One Minute
Feasts - It's Magic! And unless Harry's ears were deceiving him,
the old radio next to the sink had just announced that coming up
was 'Witching Hour, with the popular singing sorceress, Celestina
Warbeck'.
Mrs Weasley was clattering around, cooking breakfast a little
haphazardly, throwing dirty looks at her sons as she threw
sausages into the frying pan. Every now and then she muttered
things like 'don't know what you were thinking of,' and 'never
would have believed it.'
'I don't blame you, dear,' she assured Harry, tipping eight or
nine sausages onto his plate. 'Arthur and I have been worried
about you, too. Just last night we were saying we'd come and get
you ourselves if you hadn't written back to Ron by Friday. But
really,' (she was now adding three fried eggs to his plate) 'flying an
illegal car hallway across the country - anyone could have seen
you -'
She flicked her wand casually at the washing-up in the sink
which began to clean itself, clinking gently in the background.
'It was cloudy. Mum!' said Fred.
'You keep your mouth closed while you're eating!' Mrs Weasley
snapped.
'They were starving him. Mum!' said George.
'And you!' said Mrs Weasley, but it was with a slightly softened
expression that she started cutting Harry bread and buttering it
for him.
At that moment, there was a diversion in the form of a small,
red-headed figure in a long nightdress, who appeared in the
kitchen, gave a small squeal, and ran out again.
Ginny,' said Ron in an undertone to Harry. 'My sister. She's
been talking about you all summer.'
Yeah, she'll be wanting your autograph. Harry,' grinned Fred,
Hlt ne caught his mother's eye and bent his face over his plate
wthout another word. Nothing more was said until all four plates
were ^ean, which took a surprisingly short time.
Blimey, I'm tired,' yawned Fred, setting down his knife and
32 harry potter

fork at last. 'I think I'll go to bed and -'
'You will not,' snapped Mrs Weasley. 'It's your own fault you've
been up all night. You're going to de-gnome the garden for me,
they're getting completely out of hand again.'
'Oh, Mum -' 1
'And you two,' she said, glaring at Ron and Fred. 'You can go up
to bed, dear,' she added to Harry. 'You didn't ask them to fly that
wretched car.' I
But Harry, who felt wide awake, said quickly, 'I'll help Ron, I've
never seen a de-gnoming -'
'That's very sweet of you, dear, but it's dull work,' said Mrs
Weasley. 'Now, let's see what Lockhart's got to say on the subject.'
And she pulled a heavy book from the stack on the mantelpiece.
Geoge groaned.
'Mum, we know how to de-gnome a garden.'
Harry looked at the cover of Mrs Weasley's book. Written
across it in fancy gold letters were the words: Gilderoy Lockhart's
Guide to Household Pests. There was a big photograph on the front
of a very good-looking wizard with wavy blond hair and bright
blue eyes. As always in the wizarding world, the photograph was
moving; the wizard, who Harry supposed was Gilderoy Lockhart,
kept winking cheekily up at them all. Mrs Weasley beamed down
at him.
'Oh, he is marvellous,' she said, 'he knows his household pests, '
all right, it's a wonderful book ...'
'Mum fancies him,' said Fred, in a very audible whisper. |
'Don't be so ridiculous, Fred,' said Mrs Weasley, her cheeks
rather pink. 'All right, if you think you know better than
Lockhart, you can go and get on with it, and woe betide you if
there's a single gnome in that garden when I come out to inspect
it.'
Yawning and grumbling, the Weasleys slouched outside with
Harry behind them. The garden was large and, in Harry's eyes,
exactly what a garden should be. The Dursleys wouldn't have
liked it - there were plenty of weeds, and the grass needed cutting
- but there were gnarled trees all around the walls, plants Harry
had never seen spilling from every flowerbed and a big green
pond full of frogs.
'Muggles have garden gnomes too, you know,' Harry told Ron
as they crossed the lawn.
the burrow 33

'Yeah I've seen those things they think are gnomes,' said Ron,
bent double with his head in a peony bush. 'Like fat little Father
Christmases with fishing rods ...'
There was a violent scuffling noise, the peony bush shuddered
and Ron straightened up. 'This is a gnome,' he said grimly
'Gerroffme! Gerroffme!' squealed the gnome.
It was certainly nothing like Father Christmas. It was small and
leathery looking, with a large, knobbly, bald head exactly like a
potato. Ron held it at arm's length as it kicked out at him with its
horny little feet; he grasped it around the ankles and turned it
upside down.
'This is what you have to do,' he said. He raised the gnome
above his head ('Gerroff me!') and started to swing it in great circles
like a lassoo. Seeing the shocked look on Harry's face, Ron
added, 'It doesn't hurt them - you've just got to make them really
dizzy so they can't find their way back to the gnomeholes.'
He let go of the gnome's ankles: it flew twenty feet into the air
and landed with a thud in the field over the hedge.
'Pitiful,' said Fred. 'I bet I can get mine beyond that stump.'
Harry learned quickly not to feel too sorry for the gnomes. He
decided just to drop the first one he caught over the hedge, but
the gnome, sensing weakness, sank its razor-sharp teeth into
Harry's finger and he had a hard job shaking it off until -
'Wow, Harry - that must've been fifty feet...'
The air was soon thick with flying gnomes.
'See, they're not too bright,' said George, seizing five or six
gnomes at once. 'The moment they know the de-gnoming's going
on they storm up to have a look. You'd think they'd have learned
by now just to stay put.'
Soon, the crowd of gnomes in the field started walking away in
a straggling line, their little shoulders hunched.
They'll be back,' said Ron, as they watched the gnomes disappear
into the hedge on the other side of the field. 'They love it
"ere ... Dad's too soft with them, he thinks they're funny ...'
Just then, the front door slammed.
'He's back!' said George. 'Dad's home!'
They hurried through the garden and back into the house.
Mr Weasley was slumped in a kitchen chair with his glasses off
and his eyes closed. He was a thin man, going bald, but the little
air he had was as red as any of his children's. He was wearing
34 harry potter

long green robes which were dusty and travel-worn.
'What a night,' he mumbled, groping for the teapot as they all
sat down around him. 'Nine raids. Nine! And old Mundungus
Fletcher tried to put a hex on me when I had my back turned ...'
Mr Weasley took a long gulp of tea and sighed.
'Find anything. Dad?' said Fred eagerly.
'All I got were a few shrinking door-keys and a biting kettle,'
yawned Mr Weasley. 'There was some pretty nasty stuff that wasn't
my department, though. Mortlake was taken away for questioning
about some extremely odd ferrets, but that's the Committee on
Experimental Charms, thank goodness ...'
'Why would anyone bother making door-keys shrink?' said
George.
'Just Muggle-baiting,' sighed Mr Weasley. 'Sell them a key that
keeps shrinking to nothing so they can never find it when they
need it ... Of course, it's very hard to convict anyone because no
Muggle would admit their key keeps shrinking - they'll insist they
just keep losing it. Bless them, they'll go to any lengths to ignore
magic, even if it's staring them in the face ... but the things our lot
have taken to enchanting, you wouldn't believe -'
'LIKE CARS, FOR INSTANCE?'
Mrs Weasley had appeard, holding a long poker like a sword.
Mr Weasley's eyes jerked open. He stared guiltily at his wife.
'C-cars, Molly, dear?'
'Yes, Arthur, cars,' said Mrs Weasley, her eyes flashing. 'Imagine
a wizard buying a rusty old car and telling his wife all he wanted
to do with it was take it apart to see how it worked, while really
he was enchanting it to make it fly.'
Mr Weasley blinked.
'Well, dear, I think you'll find that he would be quite within the
law to do that, even if, er, he maybe would have done better to,
um, tell his wife the truth ... There's a loophole in the law, you'll
find ... as long as he wasn't intending to fly the car, the fact that the
car could fly wouldn't -'
'Arthur Weasley, you made sure there was a loophole when you
wrote that law!' shouted Mrs Weasley. 'Just so you could carry on
tinkering with all that Muggle rubbish in your shed! And for your
information, Harry arrived this morning in the car you werent
intending to fly!'
'Harry?' said Mr Weasley blankly. 'Harry who?'
the burrow 35

He looked around, saw Harry and jumped.
'Good Lord, is it Harry Potter? Very pleased to meet you, Ron's
told us so much about -'
'Your sons flew that car to Harry's house and back last night.''
shouted Mrs Weasley 'What have you got to say about that, eh?'
'Did you really?' said Mr Weasley eagerly. 'Did it go all right? I-I
mean' he faltered, as sparks flew from Mrs Weasley's eyes, 'that-
that was very wrong, boys - very wrong indeed ...'
'Let's leave them to it,' Ron muttered to Harry, as Mrs Weasley
swelled like a bullfrog. 'Come on, I'll show you my bedroom.'
They slipped out of the kitchen and down a narrow passageway
to an uneven staircase, which zigzagged its way up through the
house. On the third landing, a door stood ajar. Harry just caught
sight of a pair of bright brown eyes staring at him before it closed
with a snap.
'Ginny,' said Ron. 'You don't know how weird it is for her to be
this shy, she never shuts up normally -'
They climbed two more flights until they reached a door with
peeling paint and a small plaque on it, saying 'Ronald's Room'.
Harry stepped in, his head almost touching the sloping ceiling,
and blinked. It was like walking into a furnace: nearly everything
in Ron's room seemed to be a violent shade of orange: the bedspread,
the walls, even the ceiling. Then Harry realised that Ron
had covered nearly every inch of the shabby wallpaper with
posters of the same seven witches and wizards, all wearing bright
orange robes, carrying broomsticks and waving energetically.
'Your Quidditch team?' said Harry
'The Chudley Cannons,' said Ron, pointing at the orange bedspread,
which was emblazoned with two giant black Cs and a
speeding cannonball. 'Ninth in the league.'
Ron's school spellbooks were stacked untidily in a corner, next
to a pile of comics which all seemed to feature The Adventures of
Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle. Ron's magic wand was lying on top of a fish tank full of frogspawn on the window-sill, next to his fat
grey rat, Scabbers, who was snoozing in a patch of sun.
Harry stepped over a pack of Self-Shuffling playing cards on the
loor and looked out of the tiny window. In the field far below he
could see a gang of gnomes sneaking one by one back through the
easleys' hedge. Then he turned to look at Ron, who was watch- "g nun almost nervously, as though waiting for his opinion.
36 harry potter

'It's a bit small,' said Ron quickly. 'Not like that room you had
with the Muggles. And I'm right underneath the ghoul in the attic
he's always banging on the pipes and groaning ...'
But Harry, grinning widely, said, 'This is the best house I've ever
been in.' .1
Ron's ears went pink.
CHAPTER FOUR--

At Flourish and Blotts

Life at The Burrow was as different as possible from life in Privet
Drive. The Dursleys liked everything neat and ordered; the
Weasleys' house burst with the strange and unexpected. Harry got
a shock the first time he looked in the mirror over the kitchen
[mantelpiece and it shouted, 'Tuck your shirt in, scruffy!' The ghoul
in the attic howled and dropped pipes whenever he felt things
were getting too quiet and small explosions from Fred and
George's bedroom were considered perfectly normal. What Harry
found most unusual about life at Ron's, however, wasn't the talking
mirror or the clanking ghoul: it was the fact that everybody
there seemed to like him.
Mrs Weasley fussed over the state of his socks and tried to force
him to eat fourth helpings at every meal. Mr Weasley liked Harry
to sit next to him at the dinner table so that he could bombard
him with questions about life with Muggles, asking him to
explain how things like plugs and the postal service worked.
'Fascinating.'' he would say, as Harry talked him through using a
telephone. 'Ingenious, really, how many ways Muggles have found
of getting along without magic.'
Harry heard from Hogwarts one sunny morning about a week
after he had arrived at The Burrow. He and Ron went down to
breakfast to find Mr and Mrs Weasley and Ginny already sitting at
the kitchen table. The moment she saw Harry, Ginny accidentally
knocked her porridge bowl to the floor with a loud clatter. Ginny
seemed very prone to knocking things over whenever Harry
entered a room. She dived under the table to retrieve the bowl and
emerged with her face glowing like the setting sun. Pretending he
"adn't noticed this, Harry sat down and took the toast Mrs
Weasley offered him.
Letters from school,' said Mr Weasley, passing Harry and Ron
38 harry potter

identical envelopes of yellowish parchment, addressed in green
ink. 'Dumbledore already knows you're here, Harry - doesn't miss
a trick, that man. You two've got them, too,' he added, as Fred and
George ambled in, still in their pyjamas.
For a few minutes there was silence as they all read their letters.
Harry's told him to catch the Hogwarts Express as usual from
King's Cross station on September the first. There was also a list of
the new books he'd need for the coming year.

Second year students will require:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart

Fred, who had finished his own list, peered over at Harry's.
'You've been told to get all Lockhart's books too!' he said. The
new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan - bet it's
a witch.'
At this point, Fred caught his mother's eye and quickly busied
himself with the marmalade.
'That lot won't come cheap,' said George, with a quick look at
his parents. 'Lockhart's books are really expensive ...'
'Well, we'll manage,' said Mrs Weasley, but she looked worried.
T expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things second-
hand.'
'Oh, are you starting at Hogwarts this year?' Harry asked Ginny.
She nodded, blushing to the roots of her flaming hair, and put
her elbow in the butter dish. Fortunately no one saw this except
Harry, because just then Ron's elder brother Percy walked in. He
was already dressed, his Hogwarts prefect badge pinned to his
knitted tank top.
'Morning, all,' said Percy briskly. 'Lovely day.'
He sat down in the only remaining chair but leapt up again
almost immediately, pulling from underneath him a moulting,
at flourish AND blotts 39

rev feather duster - at least, that was what Harry thought it was,
until he saw that it was breathing.
'Errol!' said Ron, taking the limp owl from Percy and extracting
a letter from under its wing. 'Finally - he's got Hermione's answer.
1 wrote to her saying we were going to try and rescue you from
the Dursleys.'
He carried Errol to a perch just inside the back door and tried
to stand him on it, but Errol flopped straight off again so Ron lay
him on the draining board instead, muttering, 'Pathetic.' Then he
ripped open Hermione's letter and read it out loud:

Dear Ron, and Harry if you're there,
I hope everything went all right and that Harry is OK and that you
didn't do anything illegal to get him out, Ron, because that would get
Harry into trouble, too. I've been really worried and if Harry is all
right, will you please let me hnow at once, but perhaps it would be
better if you used a different owl, because I thinh another delivery
might finish your one off.
I'm very busy with school worh, of course - 'How can she be?'
said Ron in horror. 'We're on holiday!' -- and we're going to London
next Wednesday to buy my new books. Why don't we meet in Diagon
Alley? '. ,
Let me know what's happpening as soon as you can, love from
Hermione.

'Well, that fits in nicely, we can go and get all your things then,
too,' said Mrs Weasley, starting to clear the table. 'What're you all
"P to today?'
Harry, Ron, Fred and George were planning to go up the hill to
a small paddock the Weasleys owned. It was surrounded by trees
lhat blocked it from view of the village below, meaning that they
rould practise Quidditch there, as long as they didn't fly too high.
'They couldn't use real Quidditch balls, which would have been
hard to explain if they had escaped and flown away over the vil- ^ge; instead they threw apples for each other to catch. They took
K in turns to ride Harry's Nimbus Two Thousand, which was easi-
) the best broom; Ron's old Shooting Star was often outstripped
">' passing butterflies.
ive minutes later they were marching up the hill, broomsticks
over their shoulders. They had asked Percy if he wanted to join
40 harry potter

them, but he had said he was busy. Harry had only seen Percy at
meal-times so far; he stayed shut in his room the rest of the time.
'Wish I knew what he was up to,' said Fred, frowning. 'He's not
himself. His exam results came the day before you did; twelve
O.W.L.s and he hardly gloated at all.'
'Ordinary Wizarding Levels,' George explained, seeing Harry's
puzzled look. 'Bill got twelve too. If we're not careful, we'll have
another Head Boy in the family. I don't think I could stand the
shame.'
Bill was the oldest Weasley brother. He and the next brother,
Charlie, had already left Hogwarts. Harry had never met either of
them, but knew that Charlie was in Romania studying dragons
and Bill in Egypt working for the wizard's bank, Gringotts.
'Dunno how Mum and Dad are going to afford all our school
stuff this year,' said George after a while. 'Five sets of Lockhart
books! And Ginny needs robes and a wand and everything ...'
Harry said nothing. He felt a bit awkward. Stored in an underground
vault at Gringotts in London was a small fortune that his
parents had left him. Of course, it was only in the wizarding
world that he had money; you couldn't use Galleons, Sickles and
Knuts in Muggle shops. He had never mentioned his Gringotts
bank account to the Dursleys; he didn't think their horror of anything
connected with magic would stretch to a large pile of gold.
*
Mrs Weasley woke them all early the following Wednesday. After
a quick half a dozen bacon sandwiches each, they pulled on their
coats and Mrs Weasley took a flowerpot off the kitchen mantelpiece
and peered inside.
'We're running low, Arthur,' she sighed. 'We'll have to buy some
more today ... ah well, guests first! After you. Harry dear!'
And she offered him the flowerpot.
Harry stared at them all watching him.
'W-what am 1 supposed to do?' he stammered.
'He's never travelled by Floo powder,' said Ron suddenly. 'Sorry,
Harry, I forgot.'
'Never?' said Mr Weasley. 'But how did you get to Diagon Alley
to buy your school things last year?'
'I went on the Underground -'
'Really?' said Mr Weasley eagerly. 'Were there escalators7 How
exactly -'
I
at flourish AND blotts 41

Not now, Arthur,' said Mrs Weasley. 'Floo powder's a lot quick- j.^ but goodness me, if you've never used it before -'
'He'll be all right. Mum,' said Fred. 'Harry, watch us first.'
He took a pinch of glittering powder out of the flowerpot,
stepped up to the fire and threw the powder into the flames.
With a roar, the fire turned emerald green and rose higher than
Fred who stepped right into it, shouted, 'Diagon Alley!' and vanished.

'You must speak clearly, dear,' Mrs Weasley told Harry, as
Georee dipped his hand into the flowerpot. 'And mind you get out
at the right grate...'
'The right what?' said Harry nervously, as the fire roared and
whipped George out of sight too.
'Well, there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from, you
know, but as long as you've spoken clearly -'
'He'll be fine, Molly, don't fuss,' said Mr Weasley, helping himself
to Floo powder too.
'But dear, if he got lost, how would we ever explain to his aunt
and uncle?'
'They wouldn't mind,' Harry reassured her. 'Dudley would
think it was a brilliant joke if I got lost up a chimney, don't worry
about that.'
'Well... all right... you go after Arthur,' said Mrs Weasley. 'Now,
when you get into the fire, say where you're going -'
'And keep your elbows tucked in,' Ron advised.
'And your eyes shut,' said Mrs Weasley. 'The soot -'
'Don't fidget,' said Ron. 'Or you might well fall out of the wrong
tireplace -
'But don't panic and get out too early, wait until you see Fred
and George.'
Trying hard to bear all this in mind, Harry took a pinch of Floo
powder and walked to the edge of the fire. He took a deep breath,
scattered the powder into the flames and stepped forward; the fire
lelt like a warm breeze; he opened his mouth and immediately
swallowed a lot of hot ash.
'D-Dia-gon Alley,' he coughed.
" felt as though he was being sucked down a giant plug hole.
e seemed to be spinning very fast ... the roaring in his ears was
eafening ... he tried to keep his eyes open but the whirl of green
'^mes made him feel sick ... something hard knocked his elbow
42 harry potter

and he tucked it in tightly, still spinning and spinning ... now it
felt as though cold hands were slapping his face ... squinting
through his glasses he saw a blurred stream of fireplaces and
snatched glimpses of the rooms beyond ... his bacon sandwiches
were churning inside him ... He closed his eyes again wishing it
would stop, and then - he fell, face forward, onto cold stone and
felt his glasses shatter. ' .,,,/
Dizzy and bruised, covered in soot, he got gingerly to his feet
holding his broken glasses up to his eyes. He was quite alone, but
where he was, he had no idea. All he could tell was that he was
standing in the stone fireplace of what looked like a large, dimly-
lit wizard's shop - but nothing in here was ever likely to be on a
Hogwarts school list.
A glass case nearby held a withered hand on a cushion, a
blood-stained pack of cards and a staring glass eye. Evil-looking
masks leered down from the walls, an assortment of human bones
lay upon the counter and rusty, spiked instruments hung from the
ceiling. Even worse, the dark, narrow street Harry could see
through the dusty shop window was definitely not Diagon Alley.
The sooner he got out of here, the better. Nose still stinging
where it had hit the hearth, Harry made his way swiftly and silently
towards the door, but before he'd got halfway towards it, two
people appeared on the other side of the glass - and one of them
was the very last person Harry wanted to meet when he was lost,
covered in soot and wearing broken glasses: Draco Malfoy.
Harry looked quickly around and spotted a large black cabinet
to his left; he shot inside it and pulled the doors to, leaving a
small crack to peer through. Seconds later, a bell clanged, and
Malfoy stepped into the shop.
The man who followed could only be his father. He had the
same pale, pointed face and identical cold grey eyes. Mr Malfoy
crossed the shop, looking lazily at the items on display, and rang a
bell on the counter before turning to his son and saying, 'Touch
nothing. Draco.'
Malfoy, who had reached for the glass eye, said, T thought you
were going to buy me a present.'
'I said I would buy you a racing broom,' said his father, drumming
his fingers on the counter.
'What's the good of that if I'm not on the house team?' said
Malfoy, looking sulky and bad-tempered. 'Harry Potter got a
at flourish AND blotts 43

Nmbus Two Thousand last year. Special permission from
Dumbledore so he could play for Gryffindor. He's not even that
ood it's Just because he's famous... famous for having a stupid
scar on his forehead...'
Malfoy bent down to examine a shelf full of skulls.
' everyone thinks he's so smart, wonderful Potter with his scar
and his broomstick -
'You have told me this at least a dozen times already,' said Mr
Malfoy with a quelling look at his son, 'and I would remind you
that it is not - prudent - to appear less than fond of Harry Potter,
not when most of our kind regard him as the hero who made the
Dark Lord disappear - ah, Mr Borgin.'
A stooping man had appeared behind the counter, smoothing
his greasy hair back from his face.
'Mr Malfoy, what a pleasure to see you again,' said Mr Borgin in
a voice as oily as his hair. 'Delighted - and young Master Malfoy,
loo - charmed. How may I be of assistance? I must show you, just
in today, and very reasonably priced -'
'I'm not buying today, Mr Borgin, but selling,' said Mr Malfoy.
'Selling?' The smile faded slightly from Mr Borgin's face.
'You have heard, of course, that the Ministry is conducting
more raids,' said Mr Malfoy, taking a roll of parchment from his
inside pocket and unravelling it for Mr Borgin to read. T have a
few - ah - items at home that might embarrass me, if the Ministry
were to call...'
Mr Borgin fixed a pair of pince-nez to his nose and looked
down the list.
'The Ministry wouldn't presume to trouble you, sir, surely?'
Mr Malfoy's lip curled.
"I have not been visited yet. The name Malfoy still commands a
certain respect, yet the Ministry grows ever more meddlesome.
There are rumours about a new Muggle Protection Act - no doubt
that flea-bitten, Muggle-loving fool Arthur Weasley is behind it -'
Harry felt a hot surge of anger.
- and as you see, certain of these poisons might make it appear - 1 "^erstand, sir, of course,' said Mr Borgin. 'Let me see ...'
t/-- . ' 0
*-an 1 have that?' interrupted Draco, pointing at the withered
hand on its cushion.
vi h , ^le Han(^ ^ Glory!' said Mr Borgin, abandoning Mr
a oys list and scurrying over to Draco. 'Insert a candle and it
44 harry potter , 
I
gives light only to the holder! Best friend of thieves and plunder
ers! Your son has fine taste, sir.'
'I hope my son will amount to more than a thief or a plunderer
Borgin,' said Mr Malfoy coldly and Mr Borgin said quickly, 'No
offence, sir, no offence meant -'
Though if his school marks don't pick up,' said Mr Malfoy
more coldly still, 'that may indeed be all he is fit for.'
'It's not my fault,' retorted Draco. The teachers all have
favourites, that Hermione Granger -'
'I would have thought you'd be ashamed that a girl of no wiz
ard family beat you in every exam,' snapped Mr Malfoy.
'Ha!' said Harry under his breath, pleased to see Draco looking
both abashed and angry.
'It's the same all over,' said Mr Borgin, in his oily voice. 'Wizard
blood is counting for less everywhere -'
'Not with me,' said Mr Malfoy, his long nostrils flaring.
'No, sir, nor with me, sir,' said Mr Borgin, with a deep bow.
'In that case, perhaps we can return to my list,' said Mr Malfoy
shortly. 'I am in something of a hurry, Borgin, I have important
business elsewhere today.'
They started to haggle. Harry watched nervously as Draco drew
nearer and nearer to his hiding place, examining the objects for
sale. He paused to examine a long coil of hangman's rope and to
read, smirking, the card propped on a magnificent necklace of
opals; Caution: Do Not Touch. Cursed - Has Claimed the Lives of
Nineteen Muggle Owners to Date.
Draco turned away and saw the cabinet right in front of him.
He walked forward ... he stretched out his hand for the handle ...
'Done,' said Mr Malfoy at the counter. 'Come, Draco!'
, Harry wiped his forehead on his sleeve as Draco turned away.
'Good day to you, Mr Borgin, I'll expect you at the manor
tomorrow to pick up the goods.'
The moment the door had closed, Mr Borgin dropped his oily
manner.
'Good day yourself. Mister Malfoy, and if the stories are true,
you haven't sold me half of what's hidden in your manor ...'
Muttering darkly, Mr Borgin disappeared into a back room-
Harry waited for a minute in case he came back, then, quietly 3s
he could, slipped out of the cabinet, past the glass cases and out
of the shop door. j
at flourish AND blotts 45

("hitching his broken glasses to his face he stared around. He
had emerged into a dingy alleyway that seemed to be made up
entirely of shops devoted to the dark arts. The one he'd just left,
Borein and Burkes, looked like the largest, but opposite was a
nasty window display of shrunken heads, and two doors down, a
laree case was alive with gigantic black spiders. Two shabby-looking
wizards were watching him from the shadow of a doorway,
muttering to each other. Feeling jumpy. Harry set off, trying to
hold his glasses on straight and hoping against hope he'd be able
to find a way out of there.
An old wooden street sign hanging over a shop selling poisonous
candles told him he was in Knockturn Alley. This didn't help,
as Harry had never heard of such a place. He supposed he hadn't
spoken clearly enough through his mouthful of ashes back in the
Weasleys' fire. Trying to stay calm, he wondered what to do.
'Not lost are you, my dear?' said a voice in his ear, making him
jump.
An aged witch stood in front of him, holding a tray of what
looked horribly like whole human fingernails. She leered at him,
showing mossy teeth. Harry backed away.
'I'm fine, thanks,' he said. T'm just -'
'HARRY! What d'yeh think yer doin' down there?'
Harry's heart leapt. So did the witch; a load of fingernails cascaded
down over her feet and she cursed as the massive form of
Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, came striding towards them,
beetle-black eyes flashing over his great bristling beard.
'Hagrid!' Harry croaked in relief. T was lost... Floo powder ...'
Hagrid seized Harry by the scruff of the neck and pulled him
away from the witch, knocking the tray right out of her hands.
Her shrieks followed them all the way along the twisting alleyway
out into bright sunlight. Harry saw a familiar, snow-white marble
building in the distance: Gringotts bank. Hagrid had steered him
right into Diagon Alley
Yer a mess!' said Hagrid gruffly brushing soot off Harry so
lorcefully he nearly knocked him into a barrel of dragon dung
outside an apothecary. 'Skulkin' around Knockturn Alley I dunno
*- odgy place, Harry - don' want no one ter see yeh down there -'
I realised that; said Harry, ducking as Hagrid made to brush
o't again. T told you, I was lost - what were you doing down
'""e, anyway?'
I
46	harry potter


'I was lookin' fer a Flesh-Eatin' Slug Repellent,' growled Hagrid
'They're ruinin' the school cabbages. Yer not on yer own?'
'I'm staying with the Weasleys but we got separated,' Harry
explained. 'I've got to go and find them ...' _
They set off together down the street.
'How come yeh never wrote back ter me?' said Hagrid, as Harry
jogged alongside him (he had to take three steps to every stride of
Hagrid's enormous boots). Harry explained all about Dobby and
the Dursleys.
'Ruddy Muggles,' growled Hagrid. 'If I'd've known -'
'Harry! Harry! Over here!' ~
Harry looked up and saw Hermione Granger standing at the
top of the white flight of steps to Gringotts. She ran down to meet
them, her bushy brown hair flying behind her. fl
'What happened to your glasses? Hello, Hagrid ... Oh, it's
wonderful to see you two again ... Are you coming into Gringotts,
Harry?'
'As soon as I've found the Weasleys,' said Harry.
'Yeh won't have long ter wait,' grinned Hagrid.
Harry and Hermione looked around; sprinting up the crowded
street were Ron, Fred, George, Percy and Mr Weasley. fl
'Harry,' Mr Weasley panted. 'We hoped you'd only gone one
grate too far ...' He mopped his glistening bald patch. 'Molly's
frantic - she's coming now.'
'Where did you come out?' Ron asked.
'Knockturn Alley,' said Hagrid grimly.
'Brilliant!' said Fred and George together.
'We've never been allowed in,' said Ron enviously.
'I should ruddy well think not,' growled Hagrid.
Mrs Weasley now came galloping into view, her handbag
swinging wildly in one hand, Ginny just clinging onto the other.
'Oh, Harry - oh, my dear - you could have been anywhere -' I
Gasping for breath she pulled a large clothes brush out of her
bag and began sweeping off the soot Hagrid hadn't managed to
beat away. Mr Weasley took Harry's glasses, gave them a tap of h15
wand and returned them, good as new.
'Well, gotta be off,' said Hagrid, who was having his hand
wrung by Mrs Weasley ('Knockturn Alley! If you hadn't found
him, Hagrid!'). 'See yer at Hogwarts!' And he strode away, head
and shoulders taller than anyone else in the packed street.
at flourish AND blotts 47

Tuess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?' Harry asked Ron and
Hprmione as they climbed the Gringotts steps. 'Malfoy and his

father.'
Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?' said Mr Weasley sharply
behind them.
No, he was selling.'
So he's worried,' said Mr Weasley with grim satisfaction. 'Oh,
I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something ...'
'You be careful, Arthur,' said Mrs Weasley sharply, as they were
ushered into the bank by a bowing goblin at the door. That family's
trouble, don't go biting off more than you can chew.'
'So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?' said Mr
Weasley indignantly, but he was distracted almost at once by the
sight of Hermione's parents, who were standing nervously at the
counter that ran all along the great marble hall, waiting for
Hermione to introduce them.
'But you're Muggies!' said Mr Weasley delightedly. 'We must
have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing
Muggle money. Molly, look!' He pointed excitedly at the ten-
pound notes in Mr Granger's hand.
'Meet you back here,' Ron said to Hermione, as the Weasleys
and Harry were led off to their underground vaults by another
Gringotts goblin.
The vaults were reached by means of small, goblin-driven carts
that sped along minature train-tracks through the bank's underground
tunnels. Harry enjoyed the break-neck journey down to
the Weasleys' vault, but felt dreadful, far worse than he had in
Knockturn Alley, when it was opened. There was a very small pile
of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon. Mrs Weasley
lell right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her
"ag. Harry felt even worse when they reached his vault. He tried
to block the contents from view as he hastily shoved handfuls of
coins into a leather bag.
Back outside on the marble steps, they all separated. Percy muttered
vaguely about needing a new quill. Fred and George had
^potted their friend from Hogwarts, Lee Jordan. Mrs Weasley and
"y were going to a second-hand robe shop. Mr Weasley was
insisting on taking the Grangers off to the Leaky Cauldron for a

e 11 all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your

48 harry potter

school books,' said Mrs Weasley, setting off with Ginny. 'And not
one step down Knockturn Alley!' she shouted at the twins' retreating
backs.
Harry, Ron and Hermione strolled off along the winding, cobbled
street. The bag of gold, silver and bronze jangling cheerfully
in Harry's pocket was clamouring to be spent, so he bought three
large strawberry and peanut butter ice-creams which they slurped
happily as they wandered up the alley, examining the fascinating
shop windows. Ron gazed longingly at a full set of Chudley
Cannon robes in the windows of 'Quality Quidditch Supplies'
until Hermione dragged them off to buy ink and parchment next
door. In Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, they met Fred,
George and Lee Jordan, who were stocking up on 'Dr Filibuster's
Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks', and in a tiny junk shop
full of broken wands, wonky brass scales and old cloaks covered
in potion stains they found Percy, deeply immersed in a small and
deeply boring book called Prefects who Gained Power.
'A study of Hogwarts prefects and their later careers,' Ron read
aloud off the back cover. 'That sounds fascinating...'
'Go away,' Percy snapped.
'Course, he's very ambitious, Percy, he's got it all planned out...
he wants to be Minister of Magic ...' Ron told Harry and Hermione
in an undertone, as they left Percy to it.
An hour later, they headed for Flourish and Blotts. They were
by no means the only ones making their way to the bookshop. As
they approached it, they saw to their surprise a large crowd
jostling outside the doors, trying to get in. The reason for this was
proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows:

GILDEROY LOCKHART
will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
today 12.30 - 4.30 pm

'We can actually meet him!' Hermione squealed. 'I mean, "es
written almost the whole booklist!'
The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches aroun
Mrs Weasley's age. A harrassed-looking wizard stood at the doo,
saying, 'Calmly, please ladies ... don't push, there ... mind th
books, now ...' 'in. i
I
at flourish AND blotts 49

Harry, Ron and Hermione squeezed inside. A long queue
ound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart
was signing his books. They each grabbed a copy of Break with a
Ranshee, and sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys
were standing with Mr and Mrs Granger.
'Oh, there you are, good,' said Mrs Weasley. She sounded
breathless and kept patting her hair. 'We'll be able to see him in a
minute...'
Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded
by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing
dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was
wearing robes of forget-me-not blue which exactly matched his
eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy
hair.
A short, irritable looking man was dancing around taking phoographs
with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple
smoke with every blinding flash.
'Out of the way, there,' he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a
better shot. 'This is for the Daily Prophet.'
'Big deal,' said Ron, rubbing his foot where the photographer
had stepped on it.
Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up. He saw Ron - and
then he saw Harry. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively
shouted, 'It can't be Harry Potter?'
The crowd parted, whispering excitedly. Lockhart dived forward,
seized Harry's arm and pulled him to the front. The crowd
burst into applause. Harry's face burned as Lockhart shook his
hand for the photographer, who was clicking away madly, wafting
thick smoke over the Weasleys.
'Nice big smile, Harry,' said Lockhart, through his own gleam- 'ng teeth. Together, you and I are worth the front page.'
When he finally let go of Harry's hand, Harry could hardly feel
his fingers. He tried to sidle back over to the Weasleys, but
Lockhart threw an arm around his shoulders and clamped him
"ghtly to his side.
Ladies and gentlemen,' he said loudly, waving for quiet. 'What
an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to
"^ake a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!
When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts
0 ^ he only wanted to buy my autobiography - which I shall be
I
50	harry potter
happy to present him now, free of charge -' the crowd applauded
again, '- he had no idea,' Lockhart continued, giving Harry a little
shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose, 'that he
would shortly be getting much, much more than my book
Magical Me. He and his school fellows will, in fact, be getting the
real, magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure
and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up
the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!'
The crowd cheered and clapped and Harry found himself being
presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. Staggering
slightly under their weight, he managed to make his way out of
the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny was standing
next to her new cauldron.
'You have these,' Harry mumbled to her, tipping the books into
the cauldron. 'I'll buy my own --'
'Bet you loved that, didn't you. Potter?' said a voice Harry had
no trouble recognising. He straightened up and found himself face
to face with Draco Malfoy, who was wearing his usual sneer.
'Famous Harry Potter,' said Malfoy. 'Can't even go into a book-
shop without making the front page.'
'Leave him alone, he didn't want all that!' said Ginny. It was the
first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She was glaring at
Malfoy
'Potter, you've got yourself a girlfriend!' drawled Malfoy. Ginny
went scarlet as Ron and Hermione fought their way over, both
clutching stacks of Lockhart's books.
'Oh, it's you,' said Ron, looking at Malfoy as if he were some-
thing unpleasant on the sole of his shoe. 'Bet you're surprised to
see Harry here, eh?'
'Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley,' retorted
Malfoy. 'I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay
for that lot.'
Ron went as red as Ginny. He dropped his books into the caul-
dron too and started towards Malfoy, but Harry and Hermione
grabbed the back of his jacket.
'Ron!' said Mr Weasley, struggling over with Fred and George.
'What are you doing? It's mad in here, let's go outside.'
'Well, well, well -- Arthur Weasley.'
It was Mr Malfoy He stood with his hand on Draco's shoulder,

li

at flourish AND blotts 51

sneering in just the same way.
Lucius; said Mr Weasley, nodding coldly
busy time at the Ministry, I hear,' said Mr Malfoy. 'All those
raids... I hope they're paying you overtime?'
He reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted, from amidst
the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, very battered copy of A
Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. ;.
Obviously not,' he said. 'Dear me, what's the use of being a dis-
erace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?'
Mr Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny.
We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of
wizard, Malfoy' he said.
'Clearly,' said Mr Malfoy, his pale eyes straying to Mr and Mrs
Granger, who were watching apprehensively. 'The company you
keep, Weasley ... and I thought your family could sink no lower-'
There was a thud of metal as Ginny's cauldron went flying; Mr
Weasley had thrown himself at Mr Malfoy, knocking him backwards
into a bookshelf. Dozens of heavy spellbooks came thundering
down on all their heads; there was a yell of, 'Get him. Dad!'
from Fred or George; Mrs Weasley was shrieking, 'No, Arthur,
no!'; the crowd stampeded backwards, knocking more shelves
over; 'Gentlemen, please - please!' cried the assistant and then,
louder than all, 'Break it up, there, gents, break it up -'
Hagrid was wading towards them through the sea of books. In
an instant he had pulled Mr Weasley and Mr Malfoy apart. Mr
Weasley had a cut lip and Mr Malfoy had been hit in the eye by an
Encyclopaedia of Toadstools. He was still holding Ginny's old trans- |
Iiguration book. He thrust it at her, his eyes glittering with malice. -
Here, girl - take your book - it's the best your father can give
ou -'
Pulling himself out of Hagrid's grip he beckoned to Draco and |
wept from the shop.
Yeh should've ignored him, Arthur,' said Hagrid, almost lifting
r Weasley off his feet as he straightened his robes. 'Rotten ter
' e core, the whole family, everyone knows that. No Malfoy's y
worth ^tenin' ter. Bad blood, that's what it is. Come on now - |
lets get outta here; |
T-l
e assistant looked as though he wanted to stop them leaving,
ut e ^cly came up to Hagrid's waist and seemed to think bet-
it. They hurried up the street, the Grangers shaking with
52 harry potter ~

fright and Mrs Weasley beside herself with fury.
'A fine example to set to your children ... brawling in public
what Gilderoy Lockhart must've thought...'
'He was pleased,' said Fred. 'Didn't you hear him as we were
leaving? He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if he'd
be able to work the fight into his report - said it was all publicity.'
But it was a subdued group who headed back to the fireside in
the Leaky Cauldron, where Harry, the Weasleys and all their shopping
would be travelling back to The Burrow using Floo powder.
They said goodbye to the Grangers, who were leaving the pub for
the Muggle street on the other side. Mr Weasley started to ask
them how bus stops worked, but stopped quickly at the look on
Mrs Weasley's face.
Harry took off his glasses and put them safely in his pocket
before helping himself to Floo powder. It definitely wasn't his
favourite way to travel.
CHAPTER FIVE-

i'he Whomping Willow

The end of the summer holidays came too quickly for Harry's
liking. He was looking forward to getting back to Hogwarts, but
his month at The Burrow had been the happiest of his life. It was
difficult not to feel jealous of Ron when he thought of the
Dursleys and the sort of welcome he could expect next time he
turned up in Privet Drive.
On their last evening, Mrs Weasley conjured up a sumptuous
dinner which included all of Harry's favourite things, ending with
a mouthwatering treacle pudding. Fred and George rounded off
the evening with a display of Filibuster fireworks; they filled the
kitchen with red and blue stars that bounced from ceiling to wall
for at least half an hour. Then it was time for a last mug of hot
chocolate and bed.
It took a long while to get started next morning. They were up
at cock-crow, but somehow they still seemed to have a great deal
to do. Mrs Weasley dashed about in a bad mood looking for spare
socks and quills, people kept colliding on the stairs, half-dressed
with bits of toast in their hands, and Mr Weasley nearly broke his
"eck, tripping over a stray chicken as he crossed the yard carrying
Ginnys trunk to the car.
Harry couldn't see how eight people, six large trunks, two owls
w^ a. rat were going to fit into one small Ford Anglia. He had
icckoned, of course, without the special features which Mr
Weasley had added.
Not a word to Molly,' he whispered to Harry as he opened the
ot and showed him how it had been magically expanded so that
'"c trunks fitted easily
, '/hen at last they were all in the car, Mrs Weasley glanced into
e back seat, where Harry, Ron, Fred, George and Percy were all
'"g comfortably side by side, and said, 'Muggles do know more
54 harry potter

than we give them credit for, don't they?' She and Ginny got into
the front seat, which had been stretched so that it resembled a
park bench. 'I mean, you'd never know it was this roomy from the
outside, would you?'
Mr Weasley started up the engine and they trundled out of the
yard, Harry turning back for a last look at the house. He barely
had time to wonder when he'd see it again when they were back- George had forgotten his box of Filibuster fireworks. Five minutes
after that, they skidded to a halt in the yard so that Fred could run
in for his broomstick. They had almost reached the motorway
when Ginny shrieked that she'd left her diary. By the time she had
clambered back into the car, they were running very late, and
tempers were running high.
Mr Weasley glanced at his watch and then at his wife.
'Molly, dear -'
'No, Arthur.'
'No one would see. This little button here is an Invisibility
Booster I installed - that'd get us up in the air - then we fly above
the clouds. We'd be there in ten minutes and no one would be any
the wiser ...'
'I said no, Arthur, not in broad daylight.'
They reached King's Cross at a quarter to eleven. Mr Weasley
dashed across the road to get trolleys for their trunks and they all
hurried into the station.
Harry had caught the Hogwarts Express the previous year. The
tricky bit was getting onto platform nine and three quarters,
which wasn't visible to the Muggle eye. What you had to do was
walk through the solid barrier dividing platforms nine and ten. It
didn't hurt, but it had to be done carefully so that none of the
Muggles noticed you vanishing.
'Percy first,' said Mrs Weasley, looking nervously at the clock
overhead, which showed they had only five minutes to disappe^
casually through the barrier.
Percy strode briskly forward and vanished. Mr Weasley went
next, Fred and George followed.
'I'll take Ginny and you two come right after us,' Mrs Weasley
told Harry and Ron, grabbing Ginny's hand and setting off. In the
blink of an eye they were gone.
'Let's go together, we've only got a minute,' Ron said to Harry.
Harry made sure that Hedwig's cage was safely wedged on top
the whomping willow 55

f his trunk and wheeled his trolley about to face the barrier. He
, , perfectly confident; this wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as
sine Floo powder. Both of them bent low over the handles of
iheir trolleys and walked purposefully towards the barrier, gather-
ine speed. A few feet away from it, they broke into a run and - fl ft
CRASH. | S
Both trolleys hit the barrier and bounced backwards. Ron's
trunk fell off with a loud thump, Harry was knocked off his feet,
and Hedwig's cage bounced onto the shiny floor and she rolled
away, shrieking indignantly. People all around them stared and a
guard nearby yelled, 'What in blazes d'you think you're doing?'
'Lost control of the trolley,' Harry gasped, clutching his ribs as
he got up. Ron ran to pick up Hedwig, who was causing such a
scene that there was a lot of muttering about cruelty to animals
from the surrounding crowd.
'Why can't we get through?' Harry hissed to Ron.
'1dunno -'
Ron looked wildly around. A dozen curious people were still
watching them.
'We're going to miss the train,' Ron whispered. 'I don't understand
why the gateway's sealed itself ...'
Harry looked up at the giant clock with a sickening feeling in
the pit of his stomach. Ten seconds ... nine seconds ...
He wheeled his trolley forward cautiously until it was right
against the barrier, and pushed with all his might. The metal
remained solid.
Three seconds ... two seconds ... one second ...
'It's gone,' said Ron, sounding stunned. The train's left. What if
Mum and Dad can't get back through to us? Have you got any
Muggle money?'
Harry gave a hollow laugh. The Dursleys haven't given me
pocket money for about six years.'
Ron pressed his ear to the cold barrier.
Can't hear a thing,' he said tensely 'What're we going to do? I
on t know how long it'll take Mum and Dad to get back to us.'
They looked around. People were still watching them, mainly
^ause of Hedwig's continuing screeches.
think we'd better go and wait by the car,' said Harry. 'We're
attracting too much atten-
Karry!' said Ron, his eyes gleaming. The car!'
56 harry potter

'What about it?'
'We can fly the car to Hogwarts!' J
'But I thought-'
'We're stuck, right? And we've got to get to school, haven't we?
And even under-age wizards are allowed to use magic if it's a real
emergency, section nineteen or something of the Restriction of
Thingy ...'
Harry's feeling of panic turned suddenly to excitement. <
'Can you fly it?'
'No problem,' said Ron, wheeling his trolley around to face the
exit. 'C'mon, let's go, if we hurry we'll be able to follow the
Hogwarts Express.'
And they marched off through the crowd of curious Muggles,
out of the station and back into the side road where the old Ford
Anglia was parked.
Ron unlocked the cavernous boot with a series of taps from his
wand. They heaved their trunks back in, put Hedwig on the back
seat and got into the front.
'Check no one's watching,' said Ron, starting the ignition with
another tap of his wand. Harry stuck his head out of the window:
traffic was rumbling along the main road ahead, but their street
was empty.
'OK,' he said.
Ron pressed a tiny silver button on the dashboard. The car
around them vanished -- and so did they. Harry could feel the seat
vibrating beneath him, hear the engine, feel his hands on his
knees and his glasses on his nose, but for all he could see, he had
become a pair of eyeballs, floating a few feet above the ground in
a dingy street full of parked cars.
'Let's go,' said Ron's voice from his right.
The ground and the dirty buildings on either side fell away,
dropping out of sight as the car rose; in seconds, the whole of
London lay, smoky and glittering, below them.
Then there was a popping noise and the car, Harry and Ron
reappeared.
'Uh oh,' said Ron, jabbing at the Invisibility Booster. 'It's faulty -
Both of them pummelled it. The car vanished. Then it flickered
back again.
'Hold on!' Ron yelled, and he slammed his foot on the accelerator;
they shot straight into the low woolly clouds and everything
the whomping willow 57

turned dull and foggy.
Now what?' said Harry, blinking at the solid mass of cloud
pressing in on them from all sides.
We need to see the train to know what direction to go in,' said

Ron. ^
Dip back down again - quickly -
They dropped back beneath the clouds and twisted around in
iheir seats, squinting at the ground -
I can see it!' Harry yelled. 'Right ahead - there!'
The Hogwarts Express was streaking along below them like a
scarlet snake.
Due north,' said Ron, checking the compass on the dashboard.
OK, we'll just have to check on it every half an hour or so. Hold
on ...' And they shot up through the clouds. A minute later, they
burst out into a blaze of sunlight.
It was a different world. The wheels of the car skimmed the sea
of fluffy cloud, the sky a bright, endless blue under the blinding
white sun.
'All we've got to worry about now are aeroplanes,' said Ron.
They looked at each other and started to laugh; for a long time,
they couldn't stop.
It was as though they had been plunged into a fabulous dream.
This, thought Harry, was surely the only way to travel: past swirls
and turrets of snowy cloud, in a car full of hot, bright sunlight,
with a fat pack of toffees in the glove compartment, and the
prospect of seeing Fred and George's jealous faces when they
landed smoothly and spectacularly on the sweeping lawn in front
of Hogwans castle.
They made regular checks on the train as they flew further and
lunher north, each dip beneath the clouds showing them a different
view. London was soon far behind them, replaced by neat
green fields which gave way in turn to wide, purplish moors, villages
with tiny toy churches and a great city alive with cars like
multi-coloured ants.
Several uneventful hours later, however. Harry had to admit
' al some of Ae fun was wearing off. The toffees had made them
"iremely thirsty and they had nothing to drink. He and Ron had
^u led off their jumpers, but Harry's T-shirt was sticking to the
L of his seat and his glasses kept sliding down to the end of his
<>ty nose. He had stopped noticing the fantastic cloud shapes
58 harry potter

now, and was thinking longingly of the train miles below, wher
you could buy ice-cold pumpkin juice from a trolley pushed by
plump witch. Why hadn't they been able to get onto platform nine
and three quarters?
'Can't be much further, can it?' croaked Ron, hours later still as
the sun started to sink into their floor of cloud, staining it a deeo
pink. 'Ready for another check on the train?'
It was still right below them, winding its way past a snowcapped
mountain. It was much darker beneath the canopy of
clouds.
Ron put his foot on the accelerator and drove them upwards
again, but as he did so, the engine began to whine.
Harry and Ron exchanged nervous glances.
'It's probably just tired,' said Ron. 'It's never been this far before..,'
And they both pretended not to notice the whining growing
louder and louder as the sky became steadily darker. Stars were
blossoming in the blackness. Harry pulled his jumper back on,
trying to ignore the way the windscreen wipers were now waving
feebly, as though in protest.
'Not far,' said Ron, more to the car than to Harry, 'not far now,'
and he patted the dashboard nervously.
When they flew back beneath the clouds a little while later,
they had to squint through the darkness for a landmark they
knew.
'There!' Harry shouted, making Ron and Hedwigjump. 'Straight
ahead!'
Silhouetted on the dark horizon, high on the cliff over the lake,
stood the many turrets and towers of Hogwarts castle.
But the car had begun to shudder and was losing speed.
'Come on,' Ron said cajolingly, giving the steering wheel a little
shake, 'nearly there, come on -'
The engine groaned. Narrow jets of steam were issuing from
under the bonnet. Harry found himself gripping the edges of his
seat very hard as they flew towards the lake.
The car gave a nasty wobble. Glancing out of his window
Harry saw the smooth, black, glassy surface of the water, a mw
below. Ron's knuckles were white on the steering wheel. The car
wobbled again.
'Come on,' Ron muttered.
They were over the lake ... the castle was right ahead To
the whomping willow 59

nut his foot down.
There was a loud clunk, a splutter, and the engine died completely.

Uh oh,' said Ron, into the silence.
The nose of the car dropped. They were falling, gathering
speed, heading straight for the solid castle wall.
Noooooo.'' Ron yelled, swinging the steering wheel around;
they missed the dark stone wall by inches as the car turned in a
great arc, soaring over the dark greenhouses, then the vegetable
patch and then out over the black lawns, losing height all the

time.
Ron let go of the steering wheel completely and pulled his
wand out of his back pocket.
STOP! STOP!' he yelled, whacking the dashboard and the
windscreen, but they were still plummeting, the ground flying up
towards them ...
'MIND THAT TREE!' Harry bellowed, lunging for the steering
wheel, but too late -
CRUNCH.
With an ear-splitting bang of metal on wood, they hit the thick
tree trunk and dropped to the ground with a heavy jolt. Steam
was billowing from under the crumpled bonnet; Hedwig was
shrieking in terror, a golf-ball sized lump was throbbing on
Harry's head where he had hit the windscreen, and to his right,
Ron let out a low, despairing groan.
'Are you OK?' Harry said urgently.
'My wand,' said Ron, in a shaky voice. 'Look at my wand.'
It had snapped, almost in two; the tip was dangling limply, held
on by a few splinters.
Harry opened his mouth to say he was sure they'd be able to
'ncnd it up at the school, but he never even got started. At that
^'ry moment, something hit his side of the car with the force of a
i-harging bull, sending him lurching sideways into Ron, just as an
equally heavy blow hit the roof.
That's happen -?'
D i. r
on gasped, staring through the windscreen, and Harry looked ;
'round Jrst in time to see a branch as thick as a python smash m
 it The tree they had hit was attacking them. Its trunk was
almost double, and its gnarled boughs were pummelling
ery lnch of the car it could reach.
60 harry potter

'Aaargh!' said Ron, as another twisted limb punched a laro
dent into his door; the windscreen was now trembling under a
hail of blows from knuckle-like twigs and a branch as thick as a
battering ram was pounding furiously on the roof, which seemed
to be caving in -
'Run for it!' Ron shouted, throwing his full weight against his
door, but next second he had been knocked backwards into
Harry's lap by a vicious upper cut from another branch.
'We're done for!' he moaned, as the ceiling sagged, but suddenly
the floor of the car was vibrating - the engine had re-started.
'Reverse.'' Harry yelled, and the car shot backwards. The tree
was still trying to hit them; they could hear its roots creaking as it
almost ripped itself up, lashing out at them as they sped out of
reach.
That,' panted Ron, 'was close. Well done, car.'
The car, however, had reached the end of its tether. With two
smart clunks, the doors flew open and Harry felt his seat tip sideways:
next thing he knew he was sprawled on the damp ground.
Loud thuds told him that the car was ejecting their luggage from
the boot. Hedwig's cage flew through the air and burst open; she
rose out of it with a loud, angry screech and sped off towards the
castle without a backwards look. Then, dented, scratched and
steaming, the car rumbled off into the darkness, its rear lights
blazing angrily.
'Come back!' Ron yelled after it, brandishing his broken wa_d.
'Dad'11 kill me!' 4
But the car disappeared from view with one last snort from its
exhaust.
'Can you beiieve our luck?' said Ron miserably, bending down
to pick up Scabbers the rat. 'Of all the trees we could've hit, we
had to get one that hits back.'
He glanced over his shoulder at the ancient tree, which was still
flailing its branches threateningly.
'Come on,' said Harry wearily, 'we'd better get up to the school -
It wasn't at all the triumphant arrival they had pictured. Stilt.
cold and bruised, they seized the ends of their trunks and began
dragging them up the grassy slope, towards the great oak Iron
doors.
T think the feast's already started,' said Ron, dropping his trun
at the foot of the front steps and crossing quietly to look throug
the whomping willow 61

briehtly lit window. 'Hey, Harry, come and look - it's the

Harry hurried over and together, he and Ron peered in at the

Great Hall.
Innumerable candles were hovering in mid-air over four long,
crowded tables, making the golden plates and goblets sparkle.
Overhead, the bewitched ceiling which always mirrored the sky
outside, sparkled with stars.
Through the forest of pointed black Hogwarts hats, Harry saw a
lone line of scared-looking first years filing into the Hall. Ginny
was amongst them, easily visible because of her vivid Weasley
hair. Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall, a bespectacled witch with
her hair in a tight bun, was placing the famous Hogwarts Sorting
Hat on a stool before the newcomers.
Every year, this aged old hat, patched, frayed and dirty, sorted
new students into the four Hogwarts houses (Gryffindor,
Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin). Harry well remembered
putting it on, exactly one year ago, and waiting, petrified, for its
decision as it muttered aloud in his ear. For a few horrible seconds
he had feared that the hat was going to put him in Slytherin,
the house which had turned out more dark witches and wizards
than any other - but he had ended up in Gryffindor, along with
Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Weasleys. Last term, Harry and
Ron had helped Gryffindor win the House Championship, beating
Slytherin for the first time in seven years.
A very small, mousey-haired boy had been called forward to
place the hat on his head. Harry's eyes wandered past him to
where Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, sat watching the
Sorting from the staff table, his long silver beard and half-moon
glasses shining brightly in the candlelight. Several seats along,
-any saw Gilderoy Lockhart, dressed in robes of aquamarine.
And there at the end was Hagrid, huge and hairy drinking deeply
rom his goblet.
Mang on ..; Harry muttered to Ron. 'There's an empty chair at
'"e staff table ... Where's Snape?'
rofessor Severus Snape was Harry's least favourite teacher.
drry also "appened to be Snape's least favourite student. Cruel,
castic and disliked by everybody except the students from his
nhouse (Slytherin), Snape taught Potions.
^aybe he's ill!' said Ron hopefully
62 harry potter

'Maybe he's left,' said Harry, 'because he missed out on the
Defence Against Dark Arts job again!'
'Or he might have been sacked!' said Ron enthusiastically, 'i
mean, everyone hates him -'
'Or maybe,' said a very cold voice right behind them, 'he's waiting
to hear why you two didn't arrive on the school train.'
Harry spun around. There, his black robes rippling in a cold
breeze, stood Severus Snape. He was a thin man with sallow skin
a hooked nose and greasy, shoulder-length black hair, and at this
moment, he was smiling in a way that told Harry he and Ron were
in very deep trouble.
'Follow me,' said Snape.
Not daring even to look at each other, Harry and Ron followed
Snape up the steps into the vast, echoing entrance hall, which was
lit with flaming torches. A delicious smell of food was wafting
from the Great Hall, but Snape led them away from the warmth
and light, down a narrow stone staircase that led into the dungeons.

'In!' he said, opening a door halfway down the cold passageway
and pointing.
They entered Snape's office, shivering. The shadowy walls were
lined with shelves of large glass jars, in which floated all manner
of revolting things Harry didn't really want to know the name of
at the moment. The fireplace was dark and empty. Snape closed
the door and turned to look at them.
'So,' he said softly, 'the train isn't good enough for the famous
Harry Potter and his faithful sidekick Weasley. Wanted to arrive
with a bang, did we, boys?'
'No, sir, it was the barrier at King's Cross, it -'
'Silence!' said Snape coldly. 'What have you done with the car?
Ron gulped. This wasn't the first time Snape had given Harry
the impression of being able to read minds. But a moment later,
he understood, as Snape unrolled today's issue of the Evening
Prophet.
'You were seen,' he hissed, showing them the headline: flying)
FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES. He began to read aloud.
'Two Muggles in London, convinced they saw an old car flying
over the Post Office tower ... at noon in Norfolk, Mrs Hett
Bayliss, while hanging out her washing ... Mr Angus Fleet, o
Peebles, reported to police ... six or seven Muggles in all. I De
the whomping willow 63

father works in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office?' he
^d looking up at Ron and smiling still more nastily. 'Dear, dear
his own son ...'
Harry felt as though he'd just been walloped in the stomach by
of the mad tree's larger branches. If anyone found out Mr
Weasley had bewitched the car ... he hadn't thought of that...
I noticed, in my search of the park, that considerable damage
seems to have been done to a very valuable Whomping Willow,'
Snape went on.
That tree did more damage to us than we -' Ron blurted out.
Silence!' snapped Snape again. 'Most unfortunately, you are not
in my House and the decision to expel you does not rest with me.
1 shall go and fetch the people who do have that happy power. You
will wait here.'
Harry and Ron stared at each other, white-faced. Harry didn't
feel hungry any more. He now felt extremely sick. He tried not to
look at a large, slimy something suspended in green liquid on a
shelf behind Snape's desk. If Snape had gone to fetch Professor
McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house, they were hardly any better
off. She might be fairer than Snape, but she was still extremely
strict.
Ten minutes later, Snape returned, and sure enough it was
Professor McGonagall who accompanied him. Harry had seen
Professor McGonagall angry on several occasions, but either he
had forgotten just how thin her mouth could go, or he had never
seen her this angry before. She raised her wand the moment she
entered. Harry and Ron both flinched, but she merely pointed it at
the empty fireplace, where flames suddenly erupted.
Sit,' she said, and they both backed into chairs by the fire.
Explain,' she said, her glasses glinting ominously.
Ron launched into the story, starting with the barrier at the sta-
"on refusing to let them through.
so we had no choice. Professor, we couldn't get on the train.'
hy didn't you send us a letter by owl? I believe you have an
r Lesser McGonagall said coldly to Harry.
a^ry gaped at her. Now she said it, that seemed the obvious
'"'"R to have done.
4 - I didn't think -'
_"at; said Professor McGonagall, 'is obvious.'
ere was a knock on the office door and Snape, now looking
64 harry potter X

happier than ever, opened it. There stood the headmaster
Professor Dumbledore.
Harry's whole body went numb. Dumbledore was lookino
unusually grave. He stared down his very crooked nose at them
and Harry suddenly found himself wishing he and Ron were still
being beaten up by the Whomping Willow.
There was a long silence. Then Dumbledore said, 'Please
explain why you did this.'
It would have been better if he had shouted. Harry hated the
disappointment in his voice. For some reason, he was unable to
look Dumbledore in the eyes, and spoke instead to his knees. He
told Dumbledore everything except that Mr Weasley owned the
bewitched car, making it sound as though he and Ron had happened
to find a flying car parked outside the station. He knew
Dumbledore would see through this at once, but Dumbledore
asked no questions about the car. When Harry had finished, he
merely continued to peer at them through his spectacles.
'We'll go and get our stuff,' said Ron in a hopeless sort of voice.
'What are you talking about, Weasley?' barked Professor
McGonagall.
'Well, you're expelling us, aren't you?' said Ron.
Harry looked quickly at Dumbledore.
'Not today, Mr Weasley,' said Dumbledore. 'But I must impress
upon both of you the seriousness of what you have done, I will be
writing to both your families tonight. I must also warn you that if
you do anything like this again, I will have no choice but to expel
you.'
Snape looked as though Christmas had been cancelled. He
cleared his throat and said, 'Professor Dumbledore, these boys
have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Under-age Wizardry,
caused serious damage to an old and valuable tree ... surely acts of
this nature ..,'
'It will be for Professor McGonagall to decide on these boys
punishments, Severus,' said Dumbledore calmly. 'They are in her
House and are therefore her responsibility.' He turned to Professor
McGonagall. 'I must go back to the feast, Minerva, I've got to gi^
out a few notices. Come, Severus, there's a delicious-looking cu
tard tart I want to sample.'
Snape shot a look of pure venom at Harry and Ron as
allowed himself to be swept out of his office, leaving them alo
the whomping willow ' 65

, professor McGonagaU, who was still eyeing them like a
wrathful eagle.
You'd better get along to the hospital wing, Weasley, you re

bleeding.' , , .
Not much,' said Ron, hastily wiping the cut over his eye with
his sleeve. 'Professor, I wanted to watch my sister being Sorted -'
The Sorting Ceremony is over,' said Professor McGonagaU.
Your sister is also in Gryffindor.'
Oh, good,' said Ron.
And speaking of Gryffindor - Professor McGonagaU said
sharply, but Harry cut in: 'Professor, when we took the car, term
hadn't started, so - so Gryffindor shouldn't really have points
taken from it, should it?' he finished, watching her anxiously
I Professor McGonagaU gave him a piercing look, but he was
sure she had almost smiled. Her mouth looked less thin, anyway.
"I will not take any points from Gryffindor,' she said, and
Harry's heart lightened considerably. 'But you will both get a
detention.'
It was better than Harry had expected. As for Dumbledore's
writing to the Dursleys, that was nothing. Harry knew perfectly
well they'd just be disappointed that the Whomping Willow
hadn't squashed him flat.
Professor McGonagall raised her wand again and pointed it at
Snape's desk. A large plate of sandwiches, two silver goblets and a
jug of iced pumpkin juice appeared with a pop.
'You will eat in here and then go straight up to your dormitory,'
she said. 'I must also return to the feast.'
When the door had closed behind her, Ron let out a long, low
whistle. <A
"I thought we'd had it,' he said, grabbing a sandwich.
'So did 1,' said Harry taking one too. :
Can you believe our luck, though?' said Ron thickly through a
mouthful of chicken and ham. 'Fred and George must've flown
that car five or six times and no Muggle ever saw them.' He swal- a
"wed and took another huge bite. 'Why couldn't we get through --
'he barrier?'
, "^ drugged. 'We'll have to watch our step from now on,
""gh, he said, taking a grateful swig of pumpkin juice. 'Wish
^ould've gone up to the feast...'
e didn't want us showing off,' said Ron sagely 'Doesn't want
66 ' harry potter

people to think it's clever, arriving by flying car.'
When they had eaten as many sandwiches as they could (the
plate kept re-filling itself) they rose and left the office, treadine
the familiar path to Gryffindor tower. The castle was quiet- it
seemed that the feast was over. They walked past muttering portraits
and creaking suits of armour, and climbed narrow flights of
stone stairs, until at last they reached the passage where the secret
entrance to Gryffindor tower was hidden, behind an oil painting
of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.
'Password?' she said, as they approached.
'Er - said Harry.
They didn't know the new year's password, not having met a
Gryffindor prefect yet, but help came almost immediately; they
heard hurrying feet behind them and turned to see Hermione
dashing towards them.
There you are! Where have you been? The most ridiculous
rumours - someone said you'd been expelled for crashing a flying
car.'
"Well, we haven't been expelled,' Harry assured her.
'You're not telling me you did fly here?' said Hermione, sounding
almost as severe as Professor McGonagall.
'Skip the lecture,' said Ron impatiently, 'and tell us the new
password.'
'It's "wattlebird",' said Hermione impatiently, 'but that's not the
point -'
Her words were cut short, however, as the portrait of the fat
lady swung open and there was a sudden storm of clapping. It
looked as though the whole of Gryffindor house was still awake,
packed into the circular common room, standing on the lopsided
tables and squashy armchairs, waiting for them to arrive. Arms
reached through the portrait hole to pull Harry and Ron inside,
leaving Hermione to scramble in after them.
'Brilliant!' yelled Lee Jordan. 'Inspired! What an entrance.
Flying a car right into the Whomping Willow, people'll be talking
about that one for years!'
'Good on you,' said a fifth year Harry had never spoken to,
someone was patting him on the back as though he'd just won
marathon. Fred and George pushed their way to the front of t
crowd and said together, 'Why couldn't you've called us back, e
Ron was scarlet in the face, grinning embarrassedly, but Harr)
the whomping willow 67

ild see one person who didn't look happy at all. Percy was visi-
 gj. (he heads of some excited first years, and he seemed to be
trying to get near enough to start telling them off. Harry nudged
Ron in the ribs and nodded in Percy's direction. Ron got the point

at once.
Got to get upstairs - bit tired,' he said, and the two of them
started pushing their way towards the door on the other side of
the room, which led to a spiral staircase and the dormitories.
'Night,' Harry called back to Hermione, who was wearing a
scowl just like Percy's.
They managed to get to the other side of the common room,
still having their backs slapped, and gained the peace of the staircase.
They hurried up it, right to the top, and at last reached the
door of their old dormitory, which now had a sign on it saying
second years'. They entered the familiar, circular room, with its
five four-posters hung with red velvet and its high, narrow windows.
Their trunks had been brought up for them and placed at
the ends of their beds. , <
Ron grinned guiltily at Harry.
"I know I shouldn't've enjoyed that or anything, but -'
The dormitory door flew open and in came the other second
year Gryffindor boys, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas and Neville
Longbottom.
'Unbelievable!' beamed Seamus.
'Cool,' said Dean.
'Amazing,' said Neville, awestruck.
Harry couldn't help it. He grinned, too.
I

CHAPTER SIX-

Gilderoy Lockhart

The next day, however. Harry barely grinned once. Things started
to go downhill from breakfast in the Great Hall. The four long
house tables were laden with tureens of porridge, plates of kippers,
mountains of toast and dishes of eggs and bacon, beneath
the enchanted ceiling (today, a dull, cloudy grey). Harry and Ron
sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Hermione, who had her
copy of Voyages with Vampires propped open against a milk jug.
There was a slight stiffness in the way she said 'Morning' which
told Harry that she was still disapproving of the way they had
arrived. Neville Longbottom, on the other hand, greeted them
cheerfully. Neville was a round-faced and accident-prone boy with
the worst memory of anyone Harry had ever met.
'Post's due any minute - I think Gran's sending on a few things
I forgot.'
Harry had only just started his porridge when, sure enough,
there was a rushing sound overhead and a hundred or so owls
streamed in, circling the hall and dropping letters and packages
into the chattering crowd. A big, lumpy parcel bounced off
Neville's head and a second later, something large and grey fell
into Hermione's jug, spraying them all with milk and feathers.
'Errol!' said Ron, pulling the bedraggled owl out by the feet.
Errol slumped, unconscious, onto the table, his legs in the air and
a damp red envelope in his beak.
'Oh no -' Ron gasped.
'It's all right, he's still alive,' said Hermione, prodding Errol
gently with the tip of her finger.
'It's not that - it's that.'
Ron was pointing at the red envelope. It looked quite ordinary
to Harry but Ron and Neville were both looking at it as thoug
they expected it to explode. -
GiLDEROY lockhart 69

What's the matter?' said Harry.
.5he's - she's sent me a Howler,' said Ron faintly.
You'd better open it, Ron,' said Neville, in a timid whisper. 'It'll
h worse if you don't. My Gran sent me one once, and I ignored it
.ind -' he gulped, 'it was horrible.'
Harry looked from their petrified faces to the red envelope.
What's a Howler?' he said.
But Ron's whole attention was fixed on the letter, which had
begun to smoke at the corners.
Open it,' Neville urged. 'It'll all be over in a few minutes ...'
Ron stretched out a shaking hand, eased the envelope from
hrrol's beak and slit it open. Neville stuffed his fingers in his ears.
A split second later. Harry knew why. He thought for a moment it
had exploded; a roar of sound filled the huge hall, shaking dust
from the ceiling.
... STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED
IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET
HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK
WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW
IT HAD GONE...'
Mrs Weasley's yells, a hundred times louder than usual, made
the plates and spoons rattle on the table, and echoed deafeningly
off the stone walls. People throughout the hall were swivelling
around to see who had received the Howler and Ron sank so low
in his chair that only his crimson forehead could be seen.
' ... LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT
WVR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU
CP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH
HAVE DIED..;
"arry had been wondering when his name was going to crop
"P He tried very hard to look as though he couldn't hear the
^oicc that was making his eardrums throb.
_ ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED, YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN
,'^W at WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU

UANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU
-'RAIGHT BACK HOME.'

from nnging silence felL The red envd0^ which had dropped
Eton's hand, burst into flames and curled into ashes. Harry
"n sat stunned, as though a tidal wave had just passed over
lew P^ple laughed and gradually, a babble of talk broke
70 harry potter

out again.
Hermione closed Voyages with Vampires and looked down at th
top of Ron's head. ]
'Well, I don't know what you expected, Ron, but you -
'Don't tell me I deserved it,' snapped Ron.
Harry pushed his porridge away. His insides were burning with
guilt. Mr Weasley was facing an enquiry at work. After all Mr and
Mrs Weasley had done for him over the summer ...
But he had no time to dwell on this; Professor McGonagall was
moving along the Gryffindor table, handing out timetables. Harry
took his, and saw that they had double Herbology with the
Hufflepuffs first.
Harry, Ron and Hermione left the castle together, crossed the
vegetable patch and made for the greenhouses, where the magical
plants were kept. At least the Howler had done one good thing:
Hermione seemed to think they had now been punished enough
and was being perfectly friendly again.
As they neared the greenhouses they saw the rest of the class
standing outside, waiting for Professor Sprout. Harry, Ron and
Hermione had only just joined them when she came striding into
view across the lawn, accompanied by Gilderoy Lockhart.
Professor Sprout's arms were full of bandages, and with another
twinge of guilt, Harry spotted the Whomping Willow in the distance,
several of its branches now in slings.
Professor Sprout was a squat little witch who wore a patche(L_
hat over her flyaway hair; there was usually a large amount ol^B
earth on her clothes and her fingernails would have made Aunt
Petunia faint. Gilderoy Lockhart, however, was immaculate in
sweeping robes of turquoise, his golden hair shining under a perfectly
positioned turquoise hat with gold trimming.
'Oh, hello there!' Lockhart called, beaming around at the
assembled students. 'Just been showing Professor Sprout the right
way to doctor a Whomping Willow! But I don't want you running
away with the idea that I'm better at Herbology than she is! 1 J"51
happen to have met several of these exotic plants on my travels
'Greenhouse Three today, chaps!' said Professor Sprout, who
was looking distinctly disgruntled, not at all her usual cheeriu
self.
There was a murmur of interest. They had only ever worke
Greenhouse One before - Greenhouse Three housed far n1 ^^^
GiLDEROY lockhart 71

interesting and dangerous plants. Professor Sprout took a large
1.. . from her belt and unlocked the door. Harry caught a whiff of
, ' garth and fertilizer, mingling with the heavy perfume of
some giant, umbrella-sized Rowers dangling from the ceiling. He
about to follow Ron and Hermione inside when Lockhart's

hand shot out.
'Harry! I've been wanting a word - you don't mind if he's a couple
of minutes late, do you, Professor Sprout?'
fudging by Professor Sprout's scowl, she did mind, but
Lockhart said, 'That's the ticket,' and closed the greenhouse door
in her face.
Harry' said Lockhart, his large white teeth gleaming in the sunlight
as he shook his head. 'Harry, Harry, Harry'
Completely nonplussed. Harry said nothing.
'When I heard - well, of course, it was all my fault. Could have
kicked myself.'
Harry had no idea what he was talking about. He was about to
say so when Lockhart went on, 'Don't know when I've been more
shocked. Flying a car to Hogwarts! Well, of course, I knew at once
why you'd done it. Stood out a mile. Harry, Harry, Harry.'
It was remarkable how he could show every one of those brilliant
teeth even when he wasn't talking.
'Gave you a taste for publicity, didn't I?' said Lockhart. 'Gave
you the bug. You got onto the front page of the paper with me and
you couldn't wait to do it again.' ,-
'Oh - no, Professor, see -' U
'Harry, Harry, Harry,' said Lockhart, reaching out and grasping
his shoulder. 'I understand. Natural to want a bit more once you've ||
nad that first taste - and I blame myself for giving you that,
clause it was bound to go to your head - but see here, young
man, you can't startling cars to try and get yourself noticed. Just
calm down, all right? Plenty of time for all that when you're older.
es; yes, I know what you're thinking! "It's all right for him, he's
a" internationally famous wizard already!" But when I was twelve,
was Just as much of a nobody as you are now. In fact, I'd say I
3s even more of a nobody! I mean, a few people have heard of

a11 rl3^"'1 they? An that- ^siness with He Who Must Not Be
' med- He glanced at the lightning scar on Harry's forehead. 'I

Mosirh w) its not quite as good as ^''"""g witch ^eWs '"I
-Charming-Smile Award five times in a row, as I have-but

72 harry potter

it's a start, Harry, it's a start.'
He gave Harry a hearty wink and strode off. Harry stood
stunned for a few seconds, then, remembering he was supposed tn
be in the greenhouse, he opened the door and slid inside.
Professor Sprout was standing behind a trestle bench in the
centre of the greenhouse. About twenty pairs of different coloured^a
earmuffs were lying on the bench. When Harry had taken hiJH
place between Ron and Hermione, she said, 'We'll be re-pottine
Mandrakes today. Now, who can tell me the properties of the
Mandrake?'
To nobody's surprise, Hermione's hand was first into the air.
'Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful restorative,' said
Hermione, sounding as usual as though she had swallowed the
textbook. 'It is used to return people who have been transfigured
or cursed to their original state.'
'Excellent. Ten points to Gryfiindor,' said Professor Sprout. The
Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes. It is also,
however, dangerous. Who can tell me why?'
Hermione's hand narrowly missed Harry's glasses as it shot up
again.
'The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it,' she
said promptly.
'Precisely. Take another ten points,' said Professor Sprout. 'Now,
the Mandrakes we have here are still very young.'
She pointed to a row of deep trays as she spoke and everyone
shuffled forward for a better look. A hundred or so tufty little
plants, purplish green in colour, were growing there in rows. They
looked quite unremarkable to Harry, who didn't have the slightesi
idea what Hermione meant by the 'cry' of the Mandrake.
'Everyone take a pair of earmuffs,' said Professor Sprout.
There was a scramble as everyone tried to seize a pair thai
wasn't pink and fluffy.
'When I tell you to put them on, make sure your ears are completely
covered,' said Professor Sprout. 'When it is safe to remove
them, I will give you the thumbs up. Right - earmuffs on.'
Harry snapped the earmuffs over his ears. They shut out soun
completely. Professor Sprout put a pink fluffy pair over her o
ears, rolled up the sleeves of her robes, grasped one of the l w
plants firmly, and pulled hard.
Harry let out a gasp of surprise that no one could hear. ^^
GiLDEROY lockhart 73

Instead of roots, a small, muddy and extremely ugly baby
need out of the earth. The leaves were growing right out of his ;
h d He had pale green, mottled skin, and was clearly bawling at

the top of his lungs.
professor Sprout took a large plant pot from under the table
and plunged the Mandrake into it, burying him in dark, damp
compost until only the tufted leaves were visible. Professor Sprout
dusted off her hands, gave them all the thumbs up and removed
her own earmuffs.
As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill yet,'
she said calmly, as though she'd just done nothing more exciting
than water a begonia. 'However, they will knock you out for several
hours, and as I'm sure none of you want to miss your first day
back, make sure your earmuffs are securely in place while you
work. I will attract your attention when it is time to pack up.
Four to a tray - there is a large supply of pots here - compost 4
in the sacks over there - and be careful of the Venemous '
Tentacula, it's teething.' .
She gave a sharp slap to a spiky, dark red plant as she spoke, :
making it draw in the long feelers that had been inching sneakily
over her shoulder.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were joined at their tray by a curly ;
haired Hufflepuff boy Harry knew by sight, but had never spoken
to.
'Justin Finch-Fletchley' he said brightly, shaking Harry by the
hand. 'Know who you are, of course, the famous Harry Potter ...
and you're Hermione Granger - always top in everything ...'
< Hermione beamed as she had her hand shaken too) 'and Ron
Weasley Wasn't that your Hying car?'
Ron didn't smile. The Howler was obviously still on his mind.
----That Lockhart's something, isn't he?' said Justin happily, as
ey began filling their plant pots with dragon dung compost.
Awfully brave chap. Have you read his books? I'd have died of
ear i id been cornered in a telephone box by a werewolf, but he
a.d c001 and - zap - justjantastic.
y name was down for Eton, you know, I can't tell you how
S (. I am I came here instead. Of course, mother was slightly dis-

sheTb116'1' but since l made her read Lockhart''' books J think
in ,k ^gun to see how useful it'll be to have a fully trained wizard
'" we family ...'
74 harry potter

After that they didn't have much chance to talk. Their earmuff
were back on and they needed to concentrate on the Mandrakes
Professor Sprout had made it look extremely easy, but it wasn't
The Mandrakes didn't like coming out of the earth, but didn't
seem to want to go back into it either. They squirmed, kicked
flailed their sharp little fists and gnashed their teeth; Harry spent
ten whole minutes trying to squash a particularly fat one into a pot
By the end of the class. Harry, like everyone else, was sweaty
aching and covered in earth. They traipsed back to the castle fora
quick wash and then the Gryffindors hurried off to
Transfiguration.
Professor McGonagall's classes were always hard work, but
today was especially difficult. Everything Harry had learned last
year seemed to have leaked out of his head during the summer.
He was supposed to be turning a beetle into a button, but all he
managed to do was give his beetle a lot of exercise as it scuttled
over the desk top avoiding his wand.
Ron was having far worse problems. He had patched up his
wand with some borrowed Spellotape, but it seemed to be damaged
beyond repair. It kept crackling and sparking at odd
moments, and every time Ron tried to transfigure his beetle it
engulfed him in thick grey smoke which smelled of rotten eggs.
Unable to see what he was doing, Ron accidentally squashed his
beetle with his elbow and had to ask for a new one. Professor
McGonagall wasn't pleased.
Harry was relieved to hear the lunch bell. His brain felt like a
wrung sponge. Everyone filed out of the classroom except him
and Ron, who was whacking his wand furiously on the desk.
'Stupid ... useless ... thing ...'
'Write home for another one,' Harry suggested, as the wand Irt
off a volley of bangs like a firecracker.
'Oh yeah, and get another Howler back,' said Ron, stuffing the
now hissing wand into his bag. 'It's your own fault your wand go
snapped. -
They went down to lunch, where Ron's mood was n
improved by Hermione showing them the handful of perfect co
buttons she had produced in Transfiguration.
'What've we got this afternoon?' said Harry, hastily changi"?
the subject.
'Defence Against the Dark Arts,' said Hermione at once.
gilderoy lockhart 75

why ' demanded Ron, seizing her timetable, 'have you outlined
ill Lockhart's lessons in little hearts?'
Hermione snatched the timetable back, flushing furiously.
^B-hev finished lunch and went outside into the overcast court- ^"j Hermione sat down on a stone step and buried her nose in
VoyuB-s with Vampires again. Harry and Ron stood talking about
Ouidditch for several minutes before Harry became aware that he
was being closely watched. Looking up, he saw the very small,
mousey-haired boy he'd seen trying on the Sorting Hat last night,
staring at Harry as though transfixed. He was clutching what
looked like an ordinary Muggle camera, and the moment Harry
looked at him, he went bright red.
All right, Harry? I'm - I'm Colin Creevey,' he said breathlessly,
taking a tentative step forward. 'I'm in Gryffindor, too. D'you
think - would it be all right if - can I have a picture?' he said,
raising the camera hopefully.
'A picture?' Harry repeated blankly.
'So I can prove I've met you,' said Colin Creevey eagerly, edging
further forwards. 'I know all about you. Everyone's told me. About
how you survived when You Know Who tried to kill you and how
he disappeared and everything and how you've still got a lightning
scar on your forehead,' (his eyes raked Harry's hairline) 'and
a boy in my dormitory said if I develop the film in the right potion, the pictures'll move.' Colin drew a great shuddering breath
of excitement and said, 'It's brilliant here, isn't it? I never knew all
ihc odd stuff I could do was magic till I got the letter from
Hogwarts. My dad's a milkman, he couldn't believe it either. So
1 m taking loads of pictures to send home to him. And it'd be real- lv good if I had one of you -' he looked imploringly at Harry, '-
maybe your friend could take it and I could stand next to you?
And then, could you sign it?'
Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?'
Loud and scathing. Draco Malfoy's voice echoed around the
"urtyard. He had stopped right behind Colin, Hanked, as he
^ays was at Hogwarts, by his large and thuggish cronies, Crabbe
"nu Goyle.

everyone queue up!' Malfoy roared to the crowd. 'Harry
^rs giving out signed photos!'

Malf m not' sai(^ ^"V ^P^Y' his fists clenching. 'Shut up,

76 harry potter

'You're just jealous,' piped up Colin, whose entire body wa
about as thick as Crabbe's neck.
'Jealous?' said Malfoy, who didn't need to shout any more- half
the courtyard was listening in. 'Of what? I don't want a foul scar
right across my head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut
open makes you that special, myself.'
Crabbe and Goyle were sniggering stupidly.
'Eat slugs, Malfoy,' said Ron angrily. Crabbe stopped lauehine
and started rubbing his conker-like knuckles in a menacing way.
'Be careful, Weasley,' sneered Malfoy. 'You don't want to start
any trouble or your Mummy'11 have to come and take you away
from school.' He put on a shrill, piercing voice. 'If you put another
toe out of line -
A knot of Slytherin fifth years nearby laughed loudly at this.
'Weasley would like a signed photo. Potter,' smirked Malfoy
'It'd be worth more than his family's whole house.'
Ron whipped out his Spellotaped wand, but Hermione shut
Voyages with Vampires with a snap and whispered, 'Look out!'
'What's all this, what's all this?' Gilderoy Lockhart was striding
towards them, his turquoise robes swirling behind him. 'Who's
giving out signed photos?' :
Harry started to speak but he was cut short as Lockhart flung
an arm around his shoulders and thundered jovially, 'Shouldn't
have asked! We meet again. Harry!'
Pinned to Lockhart's side and burning with humiliation, Harry
saw Malfoy slide smirking back into the crowd.
'Come on then, Mr Creevey,' said Lockhart, beaming at Colin.
'A double portrait, can't say fairer than that, and we'll both sign it
for you.'
Colin fumbled for his camera and took the picture as the bell
rang behind them, signalling the start of afternoon classes.
'Off you go, move along there,' Lockhart called to the crowd,
and he set off back to the castle with Harry, who was wishing "e
knew a good vanishing spell, still clasped to his side.
'A word to the wise. Harry,' said Lockhart paternally as they
entered the building through a side door. 'I covered up for yo"
back there with young Creevey - if he was photographing m
too, your schoolfellows won't think you're setting yourself up
much...' .
Deaf to Harry's stammers, Lockhart swept him down a corn
GiLDEROY lockhart 77

lined with staring students and up a staircase.
Let me just say that handing out signed pictures at this stage of
career isn't sensible - looks a tad bigheaded. Harry, to be
k There may well come a time when, like me, you'll need to
keep a stack handy wherever you go, but -' he gave a little chor-
ile, -1 don't think you're quite there yet;
They had reached Lockhart's classroom and he let Harry go at
last Harry yanked his robes straight and headed for a seat at the
very back of the class, where he busied himself with piling all
-.even of Lockhart's books in front of him, so that he could avoid
looking at the real thing.
The rest of the class came clattering in and Ron and Hermione
sit down on either side of Harry.
You could've fried an egg on your face' said Ron. 'You'd better
hope Creevey doesn't meet Ginny, they'll be starting a Harry
Potter fan club.'
Shut up,' snapped Harry. The last thing he needed was for
1-ockhart to hear the phrase 'Harry Potter fan club'.
When the whole class was seated, Lockhart cleared his throat
loudly and silence fell. He reached forward, picked up Neville
Longbottom's copy of Travels with Trolls and held it up to show his
own, winking portrait on the front.
Me,' he said, pointing at it and winking as well, 'Gilderoy
1 ockhart, Order of Merlin, third class, Honorary Member of the
l'ark Force Defence League and five times winner of Witch
^cfely's Most-Charming-Smile Award - but I don't talk about
'hat. 1 didn't get rid of the Bandon banshee by smiting at her!'
He waited for them to laugh; a few people smiled weakly
1 see you've all bought a complete set of my books - well done.
"nought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry
i out - just to check how well you've read them, how much
^"u'vc laken in ...'
hen he had handed out the test papers he returned to the
ront 01 the ^ss and said, 'You have thirty minutes. Start - now!'
"an-y looked down at his paper and read:

1 what is Gilderoy Lockhart's favourite colour?
3 Wh is Gildroy ^^art's secret ambition?
_what, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest
achievement to date?
78 ' harry potter

On and on it went, over three sides of paper, right down toll
54. When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would fi
,; ideal gift be?

Half an hour later, Lockhart collected in the papers and riflpri
through them in front of the class.
Tut, tut - hardly any of you remembered that my favourite
colour is lilac. I say so in Year with a Yeti. And a few of you need
to read Weekend with a Werewolf more carefully - I clearly state in
chapter twelve that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony
between all magic and non-magic peoples - though I wouldn't say
no to a lar^e bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhisky!'
He gave them another roguish wink. Ron was now staring ai
Lockhart with an expression of disbelief on his face; Seamus
Finnigan and Dean Thomas, who were sitting in front, were shaking
with silent laughter. Hermione, on the other hand, was listening
to Lockhart with rapt attention, and gave a start when he
mentioned her name.
'... but Miss Hermione Granger knew my secret ambition is to
rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care
potions - good girl! In fact -' he flipped her paper over, 'full
marks! Where is Miss Hermione Granger?'
Hermione raised a trembling hand.
'Excellent!' beamed Lockhart, 'quite excellent! Take ten points
for Gryffindor! And so, to business ...'
He bent down behind his desk and lifted a large, covered cage
onto it.
1. 'Now - be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest
creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourselves facing
your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can betal
you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm.'
In spite of himself, Harry leaned around his pile of books for'
better look at the cage. Lockhart placed a hand on the cover. Dean
and Seamus had stopped laughing now. Neville was cowering
his front row seat.
'I must ask you not to scream,' said Lockhart in a low voice.
might provoke them.' ,
As the whole class held its breath, Lockhart whipped oft
cover.

JJ
gilderoy LOCKHART 79 "

Yes' he said dramatically. 'Freshly caught Cornish pixies:
mus Finnigan couldn't control himself. He let out a snort of |j
hter which even Lockhart couldn't mistake for a scream of J|

terror.
Yes?' he smiled at Seamus.
Well, they're not - they're not very - dangerous, are they?'
Seamus choked.
Don't be so sure!' said Lockhart, waggling a finger annoyingly
at Seamus. 'Devilish tricky little blighters they can be!'
The pixies were electric blue and about eight inches high, with
pointed faces and voices so shrill it was like listening to a lot of
budeies arguing. The moment the cover had been removed, they
had started jabbering and rocketing around, rattling the bars and
pulling bizarre faces at the people nearest them. ^
'Right then,' Lockhart said loudly. 'Let's see what you make of
them!' And he opened the cage.
It was pandemonium. The pixies shot in every direction like
rockets. Two of them seized Neville by the ears and lifted him into
the air. Several shot straight through the window, showering the
back row with broken glass. The rest proceeded to wreck the
classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino. They grabbed
ink bottles and sprayed the class with them, shredded books and
papers, tore pictures from the walls, upended the waste bin,
grabbed bags and books and threw them out of the smashed window;
within minutes, half the class was sheltering under desks
and Neville was swinging from the candelabra in the ceiling.
'Come on now, round them up, round them up, they're only
Pixies ...'Lockhart shouted.
He rolled up his sleeves, brandished his wand and bellowed,
Pcshipikf.i PestemomiF
ll Had absolutely no effect; one of the pixies seized Lockhart's
wand and ^rew it out of the window too. Lockhart gulped and
.. e under his own desk, narrowly avoiding being squashed by
^L w^0 ^ a ^'^"d later as the candelabra gave way
e bell rang and there was a mad rush towards the exit. In the
si'^'^f"'"1 ^lat ^"^d, Lockhart straightened up, caught
3s ' [Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were almost at the door,

mi ^ ' we^' r^ as^ you t^ree to ^ust ^P the rest ^ tnem ^ac^
behi l^ cage' He ^^ P^1 them and shut the door quickly

80 harry potter

, 'Can you believe him?' roared Ron, as one of the remaining ni
ies bit him painfully on the ear.
'He just wants to give us some hands-on experience' saii)
Hermione, immobilising two pixies at once with a clever Freezim^B
Charm and stuffing them back into their cage. ^^
'Hands on?' said Harry, who was trying to grab a pixie dancint^
out of reach with its tongue out. 'Hermione, he didn't have a clut^B
what he was doing.'
'Rubbish,' said Hermione. 'You've read his books - look at alj^l
those amazing things he's done ...'
'He says he's done,' Ron muttered. M
-a

-- CHAPTER SEVEN-

Mudbloods and Murmurs

Harry spent a lot of time over the next few days dodging out of , :
sight whenever he saw Gilderoy Lockhart coming down a corridor.
Harder to avoid was Colin Creevey, who seemed to have
memorised Harry's timetable. Nothing seemed to give Colin a big- '
gcr thrill than to say, 'All right. Harry?' six or seven times a day
and hear, 'Hullo, Colin,' back, however exasperated Harry soundd
when he said it.
Hedwig was still angry with Harry about the disasterous car
lourney and Ron's wand was still malfunctioning, surpassing itself
on Friday morning by shooting out of Ron's hand in Charms and
hitting tiny old Professor Flitwick squarely between the eyes,
creating a large, throbbing green boil where it had struck. So with one thing and another. Harry was quite glad to reach the week-
end. He, Ron and Hermione were planning to visit Hagrid on
Saturday morning. Harry, however, was shaken awake several
hours earlier than he would have liked by Oliver Wood, Captain
of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
"Whassamatter?' said Harry groggily
'Quidditch practice!' said Wood. 'Come on!'
Harry squinted at the window. There was a thin mist hanging
woss the pink and gold sky Now he was awake, he couldn't
""dcrstand how he could have slept through the racket the birds
^crc making.
Oliver,' Harry croaked, 'it's the crack of dawn.'
^ Exactly,' said Wood. He was a tall and burly sixth year and at .1
moment, his eyes were gleaming with a mad enthusiasm. 'It's
and I our new tralnlng programme. Come on, grab your broom
Man a s ^' salc^ ^00^ heartily. 'None of the other teams have
Yaw tralning yet' we're go^g to be first off the mark this year ...'
^__ning and shivering slightly Harry climbed out of bed and
82 harry potter

tried to find his Quidditch robes.
'Good man,' said Wood. 'Meet you on the pitch in fine,
minutes.' ^H
When he'd found his scarlet team robes and pulled on his cloak
for warmth. Harry scribbled a note to Ron explaining where he'(^H
gone and went down the spiral staircase to the common room, his^
Nimbus Two Thousand on his shoulder. He had just reached the
portrait hole when there was a clatter behind him and Colin
Creevey came dashing down the spiral staircase, his camera
swinging madly around his neck and something clutched in his
hand.
'I heard someone saying your name on the stairs, Harry! Look
what I've got here! I've had it developed, I wanted to show you -'
Harry looked bemusedly at the photograph Colin was brandishing
under his nose. I
A moving, black and white Lockhart was tugging hard on an
arm Harry recognised as his own. He was pleased to see that his
photographic self was putting up a good fight and refusing to bt
dragged into view. As Harry watched, Lockhart gave up and
slumped, panting, against the white edge of the picture.
'Will you sign it?' said Colin eagerly.
'No,' said Harry flatly, glancing around to check that the room
was really deserted. 'Sorry, Colin, I'm in a hurry - Quidditch practice.'
He climbed through the portrait hole.
'Oh wow! Wait for me! I've never watched a Quidditch game
before!'
Colin scrambled through the hole after him. i
'It'll be really boring,' Harry said quickly, but Colin ignored
him, his face shining with excitement.
'You were the youngest house player in a hundred yea"'
weren't you. Harry? Weren't you?' said Colin, trotting alongside
him. 'You must be brilliant. I've never flown. Is it easy? Is thal
your own broom? Is that the best one there is?'
Harry didn't know how to get rid of him. It was like having a"
extremely talkative shadow.
'I don't really understand Quidditch,' said Colin breathlessly.
it true there are four balls? And two of them fly round trying
knock people off their brooms?' ^^
'Yes,' said Harry heavily, resigned to explaining the coinp110
mudbloods AND murmurs 83

f Quidditch. 'They're called Bludgers. There are two Beaters r" "ach team who carry clubs to beat the Bludgers away from
on . .^g Fred and George Weasley are the Gryffindor Beaters.'
1 ^nd what are the other balls for?' Colin asked, tripping down a
couple of steps because he was gazing open-mouthed at Harry.
Ll -Well the Quaffle - that's the biggish red one - is the one that
ires eoals. Three Chasers on each team throw the Quaffle to
^ach other and try and get it through the goalposts at the end of
pitch - they're three long poles with hoops on the end.'
And the fourth ball -'
is the Golden Snitch,' said Harry, 'and it's very small, very fast
.md difficult to catch. But that's what the Seeker's got to do,
because a game of Quidditch doesn't end until the Snitch has been
ought. And whichever team's Seeker gets the Snitch earns his
learn an extra hundred and fifty points.'
And you're Gryffindor Seeker, aren't you?' said Colin in awe.
Yes,' said Harry, as they left the castle and started across the
dew drenched grass. 'And there's the Keeper, too. He guards the
goalposts. That's it, really.'
But Colin didn't stop questioning Harry all the way down the
sloping lawns to the Quidditch pitch, and Harry only shook him
off when he reached the changing rooms. Colin called after him in
i piping voice, 'I'll go and get a good seat. Harry!' and hurried off
l*' the stands.
The rest of the Gryffindor team were already in the changing
room. Wood was the only person who looked truly awake. Fred
and George Weasley were sitting, puffy-eyed and tousle-haired,
"exi to fourth year Alicia Spinnet, who seemed to be nodding off
'Rainst the wall behind her. Her fellow Chasers, Katie Bell and
ngclmajohnson, were yawning side by side opposite them.
"rhere you are, Harry, what kept you?' said Wood briskly 'Now,
wanted a quick talk with you all before we actually get onto the
' "^"se I spent the summer devising a whole new training
P^ramme, which I really think will make all the difference ...'
wh h was holdin "P a ^gs diagram of a Quidditch pitch, on
col ^ere wn "^any lines, arrows and crosses in different
arrn re k n^s' He t00^ out nis wan^> tapped the board and the
^bod l egan to ^8^ over the diagram like caterpillars. As
^'easi ,aunc lnto a speech about his new tactics, Fred
^_s head drooped right on to Alicia Spinnet's shoulder and
84 harry potter

he began to snore.
The first board took nearly twenty minutes to explain d
there was another board under that, and a third under that'on
Harry sank into a stupor as Wood droned on and on.
'So,' said Wood, at long last, jerking Harry from a wistful fan
tasy about what he could be eating for breakfast at this veiv
moment up at the castle, 'is that clear? Any questions?'
'I've got a question, Oliver,' said George, who had woken with a
start. 'Why couldn't you have told us all this yesterday when we
were awake?'
Wood wasn't pleased.
'Now, listen here, you lot,' he said, glowering at them all, 'wi
should have won the Quidditch cup last year. We're easily the best
team. But unfortunately, owing to circumstances beyond our control ...'
Harry shifted guiltily in his seat. He had been unconscious in
the hospital wing for the final match of the previous year, meaning
that Gryffindor had been a player short and had suffered their
worst defeat in three hundred years.
Wood took a moment to regain control of himself. Their lasi
defeat was clearly still torturing him.
'So this year, we train harder than ever before ... OK, let's go
and put our new theories into practice!' Wood shouted, seizing
his broomstick and leading the way out of the changing rooms.
Stiff-legged and still yawning, his team followed.
They had been in the changing room so long that the sun was
up properly now, although remnants of mist hung over the grass
in the stadium. As Harry walked onto the pitch, he saw Ron and
Hermione sitting in the stands.
'Aren't you finished yet?' called Ron incredulously.
'Haven't even started,' said Harry, looking jealously at the toasi
and marmalade Ron and Hermione had brought out of the Gre_
Hall. 'Wood's been teaching us new moves.' .^
He mounted his broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring
up into the air. The cool morning air whipped his face, wa "t
him far more effectively than Wood's long talk. It felt wonderfu _
be back on the Quidditch pitch. He soared right around t
stadium at full speed, racing Fred and George. ,1
'What's that funny clicking noise?' called Fred, as they hur
around the corner.
mudbloods AND murmurs 85

looked into the stands. Colin was sitting in one of the
^'eats, his camera raised, taking picture after picture, the
ffmd strangely magnified in the deserted stadium.
Look this way. Harry! This way!' he cried shrilly.
Who's that?' said Fred.
No idea,' Harry lied, putting on a spurt of speed that took him
as far away as possible from Colin.
What's going on?' said Wood, frowning, as he skimmed
through the air towards them. 'Why's that first year taking picures7 1
don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out
about our new training programme.'
He's in Gryifindor,' said Harry quickly
And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver,' said George.
What makes you say that?' said Wood testily.
Because they're here in person,' said George, pointing.
Several people in green robes were walking onto the pitch,
broomsticks in their hands.
1 don't believe it!' Wood hissed in outrage. 'I booked the pitch
for today! We'll see about this!'
Wood shot towards the ground, landing rather harder than he
meant to in his anger, staggering slightly as he dismounted. Harry,
Fred and George followed.
Flint!' Wood bellowed at the Slytherin Captain. 'This is our
practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!'
Marcus Flint was even larger than Wood. He had a look of troll-
ish cunning on his face as he replied, 'Plenty of room for all of us,
Wood.'
Angelina, Alicia and Katie had come over, too. There were no
R'rls on the Slytherin team - who stood shoulder to shoulder,
wing the Gryffindors, leering to a man.
But 1 booked the pitch!' said Wood, positively spitting with
"Re, -1 booked it!'
h, said Flint, 'but I've got a specially signed note here from
to essor Snape. I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team per-
'"lon (o practise today on the Quidditch pitch owine to the need to
lrt"" their new Seeker: < V &
^ou we got a new Seeker?' said Wood, distracted. 'Where?'
"nh" from benind the six ^gc figures before them came a sev- ^aco'^lf boy' smirking a11 over his pale. pointed face. It was
86 harry potter

'Aren't you Lucius Malfoy's son?' said Fred, looking at Malf ^1
with dislike. -^
Tunny you should mention Draco's father,' said Flint as ili
hole Slytherin team smiled still more broadly. 'L
the generous gift he's made to the Slytherin team.'

All seven of them held out their broomsticks. Seven highly nol.
ished, brand new handles and seven sets of fine gold letterino
spelling the words 'Nimbus Two Thousand and One' gleamed
under the Gryffindors' noses in the early morning sun.
'Very latest model. Only came out last month,' said Flint carelessly,
flicking a speck of dust from the end of his own. 'I believe it
outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount^--
As for the old Cleansweeps,' he smiled nastily at Fred and GeorgejH
who were both clutching Cleansweep Fives, 'sweeps the board
with them.'
None of the Gryffindor team could think of anything to say for
a moment. Malfoy was smirking so broadly his cold eyes were
reduced to slits.
'Oh look,' said Flint. 'A pitch invasion.'
Ron and Hermione were crossing the grass to see what was
going on.
'What's happening?' Ron asked Harry. 'Why aren't you playing'
And what's he doing here?'
He was looking at Malfoy, taking in his Slytherin Quidditch
robes.
'I'm the new Slytherin seeker, Weasley,' said Malfoy smugly
'Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our
team.'
Ron gaped, open-mouthed, at the seven superb broomsticks in
front of him.
'Good, aren't they?' said Malfoy smoothly 'But perhaps the
Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get n
brooms too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives, I expec
a museum would bid for them.'
The Slytherin team howled with laughter.
'At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their
in,' said Hermione sharply. 'They got in on pure talent.'
The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered. , ?^
'No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,
spat.
^
mudbloods AND murmurs 87

l^new at once that Malfoy had said something really bad
,^gj.e was an instant uproar at his words. Flint had to dive
^front of Malfoy to stop Fred and George jumping on him, Alicia
lrl ..^ 'How dare you!' and Ron plunged his hand into his
acs pulled out his wand, yelling, 'You'll pay for that one,
^alfoy!' and pointed it furiously under Flint's arm at Malfoy's

dee.
A loud bang echoed around the stadium and a jet of green light
-.hot out of the wrong end of Ron's wand, hitting him in the
siomach and sending him reeling backwards on to the grass.
Ron! Ron! Are you all right?' squealed Hermione.
Ron opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Instead he gave an almighty belch and several slugs dribbled out
of his mouth on to his lap.
The Slytherin team were paralysed with laughter. Flint was
doubled up, hanging on to his new broomstick for support.
Malfoy was on all fours, banging the ground with his fist. The
(iryffindors were gathered around Ron, who kept belching large,
glistening slugs. Nobody seemed to want to touch him.
'We'd better get him to Hagrid's, it's nearest,' said Harry to
Hermione, who nodded bravely, and the pair of them pulled Ron
up by the arms.
'What happened, Harry? What happened? Is he ill? But you can
cure him, can't you?' Colin had run down from his seat and was
now dancing alongside them as they left the pitch. Ron gave a
huge heave and more slugs dribbled down his front.
'Oooh,' said Colin, fascinated and raising his camera. 'Can you :,fl
hold him still, Harry?'
^?t out of the way, Colin!' said Harry angrily He and
Hermione supported Ron out of the stadium and across the
Rrounds towards the edge of the forest.
early there, Ron,' said Hermione, as the gamekeeper's cabin
"me into view. -You'll be all right in a minute ... almost there ...'
hey were within twenty feet of Hagrid's house when the front
^oor "P^ed, but it wasn't Hagrid who emerged, Gilderoy
art, wearing robes of palest mauve today, came striding out.

"earbh behind here'' Harry hissed' ^Sg^S Ron Dehind a
Y bush. Hermione followed, somewhat reluctantly
was s a.slmple "^tter if you know what you're doing!' Lockhart
___yw^ ^"^y to Hagrid. -If you need help, you know where I
1
88	harry potter


am! I'll let you have a copy of my book - I'm surprised
haven't already got one. I'll sign one tonight and send it o
Well, goodbye!'And he strode away towards the castle. J
Harry waited until Lockhart was out of sight, then pulled R
out of the bush and up to Hagrid's front door. They knocked
urgently.
Hagrid appeared at once, looking very grumpy, but his expres.
sion brightened when he saw who it was.
'Bin wonderin' when you'd come ter see me - come in, come in
- thought you mighta bin Professor Lockhart back again.'
Harry and Hermione supported Ron over the threshold, into
the one-roomed cabin, which had an enormous bed in one corner
a fire crackling merrily in the other. Hagrid didn't seem perturbed
by Ron's slug problem, which Harry hastily explained as he low-
ered Ron into a chair.
'Better out than in,' he said cheerfully, plonking a large copper
basin in front of him. 'Get 'em all up, Ron.' .
'I don't think there's anything to do except wait for it to stop,'
said Hermione anxiously, watching Ron bend over the basin.
'That's a difficult curse to work at the best of times, but with a
broken wand ...'
Hagrid was bustling around making them tea. His boarhound,
Fang, was slobbering over Harry.
'What did Lockhart want with you, Hagrid?' Harry asked.
scratching Fang's ears.
'Givin' me advice on gettin' kelpies out of a well,' growled
Hagrid, moving a half- plucked rooster off his scrubbed table and
setting down the teapot. 'Like I don' know. An' bangin' on aboul
some Banshee he banished. If one word of it was true, I'll ea1 "Y
kettle.'
It was most unlike Hagrid to criticise a Hogwarts teacher and
Harry looked at him in surprise. Hermione, however, said in a
voice somewhat higher than usual, 'I think you're being a bl
unfair. Professor Dumbledore obviously thought he was the bes
man for the job -'
'He was the on'y man for the job,' said Hagrid, offering them
plate of treacle fudge, while Ron coughed squelchily i"10
basin. 'An' I mean the on'y one. Gettin' very difficult ter find a"'
one fer the Dark Arts job. People aren't too keen ter take it
see. They're startin' ter think it's jinxed. No one's lasted long e ^B
mudbloods AND murmurs 89

, ^^, so tell me; said Hagrid, jerking his head at Ron, 'who

rt he tryin' ter curse?'
Malfov called Hermione something. It must've been really bad,

because everyone went mad;
It was bad,' said Ron hoarsely, emerging over the table top
locking pale and sweaty 'Malfoy called her "Mudblood", Hagrid -'
Ron dived out of sight again as a fresh wave of slugs made their
appearance. Hagrid looked outraged.
He didn'!' he growled at Hermione.
He did; she said. 'But I don't know what it means. I could tell
n was really rude, of course ...'
It's about the most insulting thing he could think of,' gasped
Ron. coming back up. 'Mudblood's a really foul name for someone
who was Muggle-born - you know, non-magic parents. There are
some wizards - like Malfoy's family - who think they're better
than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood.'
He gave a small burp, and a single slug fell into his outstretched
hand. He threw it into the basin and continued, 'I mean, the rest
of us know it doesn't make any difference at all. Look at Neville
Longbottom - he's pure-blood and he can hardly stand a cauldron
the right way up.'
'An' they haven't invented a spell our Hermione can't do,' said
Hagrid proudly, making Hermione go a brilliant shade of magenta.
It's a disgusting thing to call someone,' said Ron, wiping his
sweaty brow with a shaking hand. 'Dirty blood, see. Common
blood. It's mad. Most wizards these days are half-blood anyway. If
w*' hadn't married Muggles we'd've died out.'
He retched and ducked out of sight again.
^cll, I don' blame yeh fer tryin' ter curse him, Ron,' said
"Rnd loudly over the thuds of more slugs hitting the basin. 'Bu'
""vw it was a good thing yer wand backfired. 'Spect Lucius
"foy would've come marchin' up ter school if yeh'd cursed his
son. Least yer not in trouble.'
^ arry would have pointed out that trouble didn't come much
rs . an having slugs pouring out of your mouth, but he
B H "[ .^"d's treacle toffee had cemented his jaws together.
'hou3^ sald Hagrid ^denly, as though struck by a sudden
--i, " ' gotta bon^ ter pick with yeh. I've heard you've bin givin'
'p- P^s. How come I haven't got one?'
us- ""'-y wrenched his teeth apart.
90 harry potter

'I have not been giving out signed photos,' he said hotly -w
Lockhart's still putting that about -'
But then he saw that Hagrid was laughing.
'I'm on'y jokin',' he said, patting Harry genially on the back pvi
sending him face first into the table. 'I knew yeh hadn't reall
told Lockhart yeh didn' need teh. Yer more famous than him with.
out tryin'.'
'Bet he didn't like that,' said Harry, sitting up and rubbing his
chin.
'Don' think he did,' said Hagrid, his eyes twinkling. 'An' then I
told him I'd never read one o' his books an' he decided ter so
Treacle toffee, Ron?' he added, as Ron re-appeared.
'No thanks,' said Ron weakly. 'Better not risk it.'
'Come an' see what I've bin growin',' said Hagrid, as Harry and
Hermione finished the last of their tea.
In the small vegetable patch behind Hagrid's house were a
dozen of the largest pumpkins Harry had ever seen. Each was the
size of a large boulder.
'Gettin' on well, aren't they?' said Hagrid happily 'Fer the
Hallowe'en feast... should be big enough by then.'
'What've you been feeding them?' said Harry.
Hagrid looked over his shoulder to check that they were alone.
'Well, I've bin givin' them - you know - a bit o' help.'
Harry noticed Hagrid's flowery pink umbrella leaning againa
the back wall of the cabin. Harry had had reason to believe before
now that this umbrella was not all it looked; in fact, he had uk
strong impression that Hagrid's old school wand was concealed
inside it. Hagrid wasn't supposed to use magic. He had been
expelled from Hogwarts in his third year, but Harry had never
found out why - any mention of the matter and Hagid would
clear his throat loudly and become mysteriously deaf until w
subject was changed.
'An Engorgement Charm, I suppose?' said Hermione, halW)
between disapproval and amusement. 'Well, you've done a g
job on them.'
That's what yer little sister said,' said Hagrid, nodding at ko
'Met her jus' yesterday.' Hagrid looked sideways at Harry, his uw
twitching. 'Said she was jus' lookin' round the grounds, but I r^
she was hopin' she might run inter someone else at my wvs'
winked at Harry. 'If yeh ask me, she wouldn' say no ter a signed ' ^B
mudbloods AND murmurs 91

, ^yt up; said Harry. Ron snorted with laughter and the
.round was sprayed with slugs r .. .
Watch it!' Hagrid roared, pulling Ron away from his precious

^ li was nearly lunchtime and as Harry had only had one bit of
acle fudge since dawn, he was keen to go back to school to eat.
They said goodbye to Hagrid and walked back up to the castle,
Ron hiccoughing occasionally, but only bringing up two, very

small slugs.
They had barely set foot in the cool Entrance Hall when a voice
rane out. 'There you are, Potter, Weasley.' Professor McGonagall
was walking towards them, looking stern. 'You will both do your
detentions this evening.'
What are we doing. Professor?' said Ron, nervously suppressing
a burp.
You will be polishing the silver in the trophy room with Mr
Filch,' said Professor McGonagall. 'And no magic, Weasley -
elbow grease.'
Ron gulped. Argus Filch, the caretaker, was loathed by every
student in the school.
H 'And you. Potter, will be helping Professor Lockhart answer his
tan mail,' said Professor McGonagall.
'Oh no - can't I go and do the trophy room too?' said Harry
desperately
'Certainly not,' said Professor McGonagall, raising her eyerows. 'Professor Lockhart requested you particularly Eight
o'clock sharp, both of you.'
Harry and Ron slouched into the Great Hall in states of deepest
Rioom, Hermione behind them, wearing a well-you-did-break-
vhool-rules sort of expression. Harry didn't fancy his shepherd's
P'c as much as he'd thought. Both he and Ron felt they'd got the
worse deal,

^ Filch'll have me there all night,' said Ron heavily 'No magic!
ere must be about a hundred cups in that room. I'm no good at
^'"ggle cleaning.'

tij d T^ any time' said ^^ t10110^- Tve had loads of Pra^
niehr the, ^sleys. Answering Lockhart's fan mail ... he'll be a

like M ay afternoon seemed to melt away and in what seemed
time' u was five minutes to eight, and Harry was dragging

92 harry potter

his feet along the second floor corridor to Lockhart's offir u^l
gritted his teeth and knocked.
The door flew open at once. Lockhart beamed down at him
'Ah, here's the scallywag!' he said. 'Come in, Harry, come in'
Shining brightly on the walls by the light of many candles wer?
countless framed photographs of Lockhart. He had even signed
few of them. Another large pile lay on his desk.
'You can address the envelopes!' Lockhart told Harry as thourii
this was a huge treat. 'This first one's to Gladys Gudgeon, bless
her - huge fan of mine.'
The minutes snailed by. Harry let Lockhart's voice wash over
him, occasionally saying, 'Mmm' and 'Right' and 'Yeah'. Now and
then he caught a phrase like, 'Fame's a fickle friend. Harry,' or
'Celebrity is as celebrity does, remember that.'
The candles burned lower and lower, making the light dance over
the many moving faces of Lockhart watching him. Harry moved his
aching hand over what felt like the thousandth envelope, writing
out Veronica Smethley's address. It must be nearly time to leave.
Harry thought miserably, please let it be nearly time ...
And then he heard something - something quite apart from the
spitting of the dying candles and Lockhart's prattle about his fans^l
It was a voice, a voice to chill the bone-marrow, a voice of
breath-taking, ice-cold venom.
'Come ... come to me ... let me rip you ... let me tear you ... letw
kill you...'
Harry gave a huge jump and a large lilac blot appeared on
Veronica Smethley's street, i
'What?' he said loudly.
'I know!' said Lockhart. 'Six solid months at the top of the bestseller
list! Broke all records!'
'No,' said Harry frantically. That voice!'
'Sorry?' said Lockhart, looking puzzled. 'What voice?'
'That - that voice that said - didn't you hear it?'
Lockhart was looking at Harry in high astonishment.
'What are you talking about, Harry? Perhaps you're getting
little drowsy? Great Scott - look at the time! We've been
nearly four hours! I'd never have believed it - the times
hasn't it?'
Harry didn't answer. He was straining his ears to hear the
again, but there was no sound now except for Lockhart
mudbloods AND murmurs 93

he mustn't expect a treat like this every time he got detention.
"'ding dazed. Harry left.
l was so late that the Gryffindor common room was almost
Harry went straight up to the dormitory. Ron wasn't back
1 -i Harry pulled on his pyjamas, got into bed and waited. Half an
hour later, Ron arrived, nursing his right arm and bringing a
sirone smell of polish into the darkened room.
My muscles have all seized up,' he groaned, sinking on his bed.
11 ourteen times he made me buff up that Quidditch cup before he
v;is satisfied. And then I had another slug attack all over a Special
for Services to the School. Took ages to shift the slime ...
low was it with Lockhart?'
Keeping his voice low so as not to wake Neville, Dean and
u-amus, Harry told Ron exactly what he had heard.
And Lockhart said he couldn't hear it?' said Ron. Harry could
see him frowning in the moonlight. 'D'you think he was lying?
Rut 1 don't get it - even someone invisible would've had to open
the door.'
"I know,' said Harry, lying back in his four poster and staring at
(he canopy above him. 'I don't get it either.'
CHAPTER EIGHT-

The Deathday Party

October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into
the castle. Madam Pomfrey, the matron, was kept busy by a sudden
spate of colds among the staff and students. Her Peppemp
potion worked instantly, though it left the drinker smoking at the
ears for several hours afterwards. Ginny Weasley, who had been
looking peaky, was bullied into taking some by Percy. The steam
pouring from under her vivid hair gave the impression that her
whole head was on fire.
Raindrops the size of bullets thundered on the castle window
for days on end; the lake rose, the flowerbeds turned into muddy
streams and Hagrid's pumpkins swelled to the size of garden
sheds. Oliver Wood's enthusiasm for regular training sessions,
however, was not dampened, which was why Harry was to bt
found, late one stormy Saturday afternoon a few days before
Hallowe'en, returning to Gryffindor tower, drenched to the skin
and splattered with mud.
Even aside from the rain and wind it hadn't been a happy practice
session. Fred and George, who had been spying on lh(
Slytherin team, had seen for themselves the speed of those ne
Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones. They reported that w
Slytherin team were no more than seven greenish blurs, shootinj
through the air like jump-jets.
As Harry squelched along the deserted corridor he came across
somebody who looked just as preoccupied as he was. Near. Headless Nick, the ghost of Gryffindor Tower, was staring mores*.
ly out of a window, muttering under his breath, '... dont ir
their requirements ... half an inch, if that...'
'Hello, Nick,' said Harry.
'Hello, hello,' said Nearly Headless Nick, starting and look'^
round. He wore a dashing, plumed hat on his long curly hai_
the deathday party 95

with a ruff, which concealed the fact that his neck was
'llu^l completely severed. He was pale as smoke, and Harry
llmos gge right through him to the dark sky and torrential rain

''"Yiu look troubled, young Potter,' said Nick, folding a transpar- Iciter as he spoke and tucking it inside his doublet.
So do you,' said Harry.
}h' Nearly Headless Nick waved an elegant hand, 'a matter of
no importance ... it's not as though I really wanted to join ...
ihoueht I'd apply but apparently I "don't fulfil requirements".'
In spite of his airy tone, there was a look of great bitterness on
his face.
But you would think, wouldn't you,' he erupted suddenly,
pulling the letter back out of his pocket, 'that getting hit forty-five
limes in the neck with a blunt axe would qualify you to join the
Headless Hunt?'
'Oh - yes,' said Harry, who was obviously supposed to agree.
'I mean, nobody wishes more than I do that it had all been
quick and clean, and my head had come off properly, I mean, it
would have saved me a great deal of pain and ridicule. However ...'
Nearly Headless Nick shook his letter open and read furiously,
We can only accept huntsmen whose heads have parted company
"ltd (heir bodies. You will appreciate that it would be impossible
.'ilifnvise for members to participate in hunt activities such as
fiowback Head-Juggling and Head Polo. It is with the greatest
W'. therefore, that I must inform you that you do not fulfil our
'rqumments. With very best wishes, Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore.'
Fuming, Nearly Headless Nick stuffed the letter away
Half an inch of skin and sinew holding my neck on, Harry!
''"si people would think that's good and beheaded, but oh no, it's
""' enough for Sir Properly Decapitated-Podmore;
'early Headless Nick took several deep breaths and then said,
a ar calmer tone, 'So - what's bothering you? Anything I can

free
me T1 of Harry's sentence was drowned by a high pitched
^und"^ m somewhere ^ar his ankles. He looked down and
Mrs N lmself ^""g into a pair of lamp-like yellow eyes. It was
^^^^"is, the skeletal grey cat who was used by the caretaker,
96 harry potter

Argus Filch, as a sort of deputy in his endless battle ao
students. gilnli
'You'd better get out of here, Harry,' said Nick quickly 'piL,
isn't in a good mood. He's got flu and some third years acciden
ly plastered frog brains all over the ceiling in dungeon five' L
been cleaning all morning, and if he sees you dripping mud
over the place ...'
'Right,' said Harry, backing away from the accusing stare of}l.
Norris, but not quickly enough. Drawn to the spot by the mysier
ous power that seemed to connect him with his foul cat Am.
Filch burst suddenly through a tapestry to Harry's right, wheezin,
and looking wildly about for the rule-breaker. There was a thia
tartan scarf bound around his head, and his nose was unusuall'
purple.
'Filth!' he shouted, his jowls aquiver, his eyes popping alare- ingly as he pointed at the muddy puddle that had dripped froi
Harry's Quidditch robes. 'Mess and muck everywhere! I've hi:
enough of it, I tell you! Follow me. Potter!'
So Harry waved a gloomy goodbye to Nearly Headless Nid
and followed Filch back downstairs, doubling the number a
muddy footprints on the floor.
Harry had never been inside Filch's office before; it was aplxi
most students avoided. The room was dingy and windowless. li
by a single oil-lamp dangling from the low ceiling. A faint smell a
fried fish lingered about the place. Wooden filing cabinets stool
around the walls; from their labels. Harry could see that they cot'
tained details of every pupil Filch had ever punished. Fred a*
George Weasley had an entire drawer to themselves. A highly p*
ished collection of chains and manacles hung on the wall behit
Filch's desk. It was common knowledge that he was always w(
ging Dumbledore to let him suspend students by their alW
from the ceiling.
Filch grabbed a quill from a pot on his desk and began s
fling around looking for parchment. ,_^|
'Dung,' he muttered furiously, 'great sizzling dragon bogi
frog brains ... rat intestines ... I've had enough of it .. rna i--
example ... where's the form ... yes ...' ^
He retrieved a large roll of parchment from his desk drawer
stretched it out in front of him, dipping his long black qu1
the ink pot.
the deathday party 97

Vame ... Harry Potter. Crime :
K was only a bit of mud! said Harry.
Ks only a bit of mud to you, boy, but to me it's an extra hour
rubbing!' shouted Filch, a drip shivering unpleasantly at the
^d of his bulbous nose. 'Crime ... befouling the castle ... suggested

sentence...'
Dabbing at his streaming nose, Filch squinted unpleasantly at
H -rrv who waited with bated breath for his sentence to fall.
But as Filch lowered his quill, there was a great BANG! on the
ceiling of the office which made the oil lamp rattle.
PEEVES!' Filch roared, flinging down his quill in a transport of
raac. 'I'll have you this time, I'll have you!'
And without a backwards glance at Harry, Filch ran flat-footed
from the office, Mrs Norris streaking alongside him.
Peeves was the school poltergeist, a grinning, airborne menace
who lived to cause havoc and distress. Harry didn't much like
Peeves, but couldn't help feeling grateful for his timing. Hopefully,
whatever Peeves had done (and it sounded as though he'd
wrecked something very big this time) would distract Filch from
Harry
Thinking that he should probably wait for Filch to come back,
Harry sank into a moth-eaten chair next to the desk. There was
only one thing on it apart from his half-completed form: a large,
glossy, purple envelope with silver lettering on the front. With a
quick glance at the door to check that Filch wasn't on his way
back. Harry picked up the envelope and read:

KWIKSPELL
A Correspondence Course in
Beginners' Magic

"ingued, Harry flicked the envelope open and pulled out the
s ^at of parchment inside. More curly silver writing on the front
Page said: 

Feel out "'step in the world of modern magic? Find
yourself making excuses not to perform simple spells?
v" been taunted for your woeful wandwork?
lhe^ is an answer!

98 harry potter ^*

Kwikspell is an all-new, fail-safe, quick-result, easy-learn
course. Hundreds of witches and wizards have benefited
from the Kwikspell method!
Madam Z. Nettles of Topsham writes:
'I had no memory for incantations and my potions were
a family joke! Now, after a Kwikspell course, I am
the centre of attention at parties and friends beg
for the recipe of my Scintillation Solution!'

Warlock D. J. Prod of Didsbury says:
'My wife used to sneer at my feeble charms but one
month into your fabulous Kwikspell course I
succeeded in turning her into a yak! Thank you,
Kwikspell!'

Fascinated, Harry thumbed through the rest of the envelope's
contents. Why on earth did Filch want a Kwikspell course? Did
this mean he wasn't a proper wizard? Harry was just reading
'Lesson One: Holding Your Wand (Some Useful Tips)' when shuffling
footsteps outside told him Filch was coming back. Stuffing
the parchment back into the envelope. Harry threw it back onto
the desk just as the door opened.
Filch was looking triumphant.
'That vanishing cabinet was extremely valuable!' he was saying
gleefully to Mrs Norris. 'We'll have Peeves out this time, my sweet'
His eyes fell on Harry and then darted to the Kwikspell envelope
which. Harry realised too late, was lying two feet away from
where it had started.
Filch's pasty face went brick red. Harry braced himself tor
tidal wave of fury. Filch hobbled across to his desk, snatched up
the envelope and threw it into a drawer.
'Have you - did you read --?' he spluttered.
'No,' Harry lied quickly.
Filch's knobbly hands were twisting together.
'If I thought you'd read my private ... not that it's mine ...lor
friend ... be that as it may ... however ...' ,j
Harry was staring at him, alarmed; Filch had never 100^
madder. His eyes were popping, a tic was going in one o "^f
pouchy cheeks and the tartan scarf didn't help. . y,.^^
'Very well ... go ... and don't breathe a word ... not that ^H
the deathday party 99
c . u didn't read ... go now, I have to write up Peeves' report

Tmazed at his luck, Harry sped out of the office, up the corri- < . d back upstairs. To escape from Filch's office without pun- 'h'lwnt was probably some kind of school record.
li> -Harry! Harry! Did it work?'
Mearly Headless Nick came gliding out of a classroom. Behind
him. Harry could see the wreckage of a large black and gold cabinet
which appeared to have been dropped from a great height.
1 persuaded Peeves to crash it right over Filch's office,' said
Nick eagerly Thought it might distract him -'
\'as that you?' said Harry gratefully. 'Yeah, it worked, I didn't
even get detention. Thanks, Nick!'
They set off up the corridor together. Nearly Headless Nick,
Harry noticed, was still holding Sir Patrick's rejection letter.
1 wish there was something I could do for you about the
Headless Hunt,' Harry said.
Nearly Headless Nick stopped in his tracks and Harry walked
nght through him. He wished he hadn't; it was like stepping
through an icy shower.
But there is something you could do for me,' said Nick excitedly
'Harry - would I be asking too much - but no, you wouldn't
want -'
What is it?' said Harry.
Well, this Hallowe'en will be my five hundredth deathday,' said
Mcarly Headless Nick, drawing himself up and looking dignified.
Oh, said Harry, not sure whether he should look sorry or
""Ppy about this. 'Right.'
m holding a party down in one of the roomier dungeons.
"ends will be coming from all over the country. It would be such
^ honour if you would attend. Mr Weasley and Miss Granger
wou - be "^st welcome too, of course - but I daresay you'd
lh(r go to the school feast?' He watched Harry on tenterhooks.
^>. said Harry quickly. Til come -
itaicd dearboy! ""0' ^tter, at my Deathday Party! And,' he hes-
lo Sir p ng ^"ed, 'do you think you could possibly mention
ainck how very frightening and impressive you find me?'
^'~ of course,'said Harry.
^'y Headless Nick beamed at him.
100
the deathday party 101
harry potter


h se were long, thin, jet-black tapers, all burning bright blue,
l a dim ghostly light even over their own living faces. The
"'rature dropped with every step they took. As Harry shivered
"Tdrew his robes tightly around him, he heard what sounded
r'l i thousand fingernails scraping an enormous blackboard.
'A Deathday Party?' said Hermione keenly, when Harrv k ^1
changed at last and joined her and Ron in the common rn ^^^
bet there aren't many living people who can say they've be
one of those - it'll be fascinating!'
'Why would anyone want to celebrate the day they died?'
Ron, who was halfway through his Potions homework
grumpy. 'Sounds dead depressing to me ...'
Rain was still lashing the windows, which were now inln
black, but inside, all looked bright and cheerful. The fireliehi
glowed over the countless squashy armchairs where people sai
reading, talking, doing homework or, in the case of Fred and
George Weasley, trying to find out what would happen if you fed a
Filibuster Firework to a Salamander. Fred had 'rescued' the brilliant
orange, fire-dwelling lizard from a Care of Magical Creature
class and it was now smouldering gently on a table surrounded by
a knot of curious people.
Harry was on the point of telling Ron and Hermione aboul
Filch and the Kwikspell course when the Salamander suddenly
whizzed into the air, emitting loud sparks and bangs as it whirled
wildly round the room. The sight of Percy bellowing himse^J
hoarse at Fred and George, the spectacular display of tangeriix
'
with black velvet drapes.
My dear friends,' he said mournfully, 'welcome, welcome
so
pleased you could come ...'
He swept off his plumed hat and bowed them inside.
It was an incredible sight. The dungeon was full of hundreds of
pearly-white, translucent people, mostly drifting around a crowd-
eil (.lance floor, waltzing to the dreadful, quavering sound of thirty
musical saws, played by an orchestra on a black-draped platform.
A chandelier overhead blazed midnight blue with a thousand
more black candles. Their breath rose in a mist before them; it
uas like stepping into a freezer.
'Shall we have a look around?' Harry suggested, wanting to
w.irm up his feet.
Careful not to walk through anyone,' said Ron nervously, and
stars showering from the Salamander's mouth, and its escape mf '!'" set off around the edge of the dance floor. They passed a
the fire, with accompanying explosions, drove both Filch and th^ ^""P of gloomy nuns, a ragged man wearing chains, and the Fat
Kwikspell envelope from Harry's mind. Fnar' a ^eerful Hufflepuff ghost, who was talking to a knight
* with an arrow sticking out of his forehead. Harry wasn't surprised
By the time Hallowe'en arrived. Harry was regretting his rash "' w that the Bloody Baron, a gaunt, staring Slytherin ghost cov-
promise to go to the Deathday Party The rest of the school ^'l"1, '" silver ^oodstains, was being given a wide berth by the
happily anticipating their Hallowe'en feast; the Great Hall h---- "ghosts.
been decorated with the usual live bats, Hagrid's vast pumpkins  uh no,' said Hermione, stopping abruptly Turn back, turn
wik, I don't want to talk to Moaning Myrtle -
Who?' said Harry as they backtracked quickly
^c haunts the girls' toilet on the first floor,' said Hermione.
^c haunts a toilet?'
had been carved into lanterns large enough for three men to sit ^^
and there were rumours that Dumbledore had booked a troupe <^|
dancing skeletons for the entertainment.
'A promise is a promise,' Hermione reminded Harry bos.
'You said you'd go to the Deathday party.'
So at seven o'clock, Harry, Ron and Hermione walked strai
past the doorway to the packed Great Hall, which was ghttE ^
invitingly with gold plates and candles, and directed their s r
instead towards the dungeons.
The passageway leading to Nearly Headless Nick's P31^
been lined with candles too, though the effect was far from c
s ts been out of order all year because she keeps having
rums and Hooding the place. I never went in there anyway if I
* ^"id it, it's awful trying to go to the loo with her wailing at

w- ^od!' said Ron.
'" bla k othel" 5ide of the dungeon was a long table, also covered
we Yet. They approached it eagerly, but next moment had
r
102 harry potter I

stopped in their tracks, horrified. The smell was quite dispn
Large, rotten fish were laid on handsome silver platters c 1^
burned charcoal black, were heaped on salvers; there was a
maggoty haggis, a slab of cheese covered in furry green moil,!
and, in pride of place, an enormous grey cake in the shape of
tombstone, with tar-like icing forming the words,

Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington
died 31st October, 1492

Harry watched, amazed, as a portly ghost approached the table
crouched low and walked through it, his mouth held wide so thai
it passed through one of the stinking salmon.
'Can you taste it if you walk though it?' Harry asked him.
'Almost,' said the ghost sadly, and he drifted away.
'I expect they've let it rot to give it a stronger flavour,' said
Hermione knowledgably, pinching her nose and leaning closer to
look at the putrid haggis.
'Can we move, I feel sick,' said Ron.
They had barely turned around, however, when a little man
swooped suddenly from under the table and came to a halt in
mid-air before them.
'Hello, Peeves,' said Harry cautiously.
Unlike the ghosts around them. Peeves the poltergeist was the
very reverse of pale and transparent. He was wearing a bright
orange party hat, a revolving bow tie and a broad grin on his
wide, wicked face.
'Nibbles?' he said sweetly, offering them a bowl of peanuts covered
in fungus.
'No thanks,' said Hermione.
'Heard you talking about poor Myrtle,' said Peeves, his eya
dancing. 'Rude you was about poor Myrtle.' He took a deep brea
and bellowed, 'OY! MYRTLE!'
'Oh, no. Peeves, don't tell her what I said, she'll be really upse1
Hermione whispered frantically. 'I didn't mean it, I don't mind
- er, hello. Myrtle.'
The squat ghost of a girl had glided over. She had the g1""1"1^
face Harry had ever seen, half-hidden behind lank hair and t 1
pearly spectacles.
'What?' she said sulkily |
^^ the deathday party 103

^ you, Myrtle?' said Hermione, in a falsely bright voice.
.l,s nice to see you out of the toilet.'
Myrtle sniffed.
Miss Granger was just talking about you -' said Peeves slyly in

Mvrtle's ear.
lu-t saying - saying - how nice you look tonight, said
Hermione, glaring at Peeves.
Myrtle eyed Hermione suspiciously
You're making fun of me,' she said, silver tears welling rapidly
in her small, see-through eyes.
No - honestly - didn't I just say how nice Myrtle's looking?'
said Hermione, nudging Harry and Ron painfully in the ribs.
Oh, yeah...'
She did...'
Don't lie to me,' Myrtle gasped, tears now flooding down her
face, while Peeves chuckled happily over her shoulder. 'D'you
think 1 don't know what people call me behind my back? Fat
Mvrlle! Ugly Myrtle! Miserable, moaning, moping Myrtle!'
You've missed out "spotty",' Peeves hissed in her ear.
Moaning Myrtle burst into anguished sobs and fled from the
dungeon. Peeves shot after her, pelting her with mouldy peanuts,
yelling, 'Spotty.' Spotty.''
'Oh, dear,' said Hermione sadly
Nearly Headless Nick now drifted towards them through the
crowd.
'Enjoying yourselves?'
h, yes,' they lied.
'^01 a bad turnout,' said Nearly Headless Nick proudly 'The
failing Widow came all the way up from Kent ... It's nearly time
_fir my speech, I'd better go and warn the orchestra ...'
The orchestra, however, stopped playing at that very moment.
^y. and everyone else in the dungeon, fell silent, looking
""und in excitement, as a hunting horn sounded.
u", here we go,' said Nearly Headless Nick bitterly
rid 1 ^^ the dungeon wal1 burst a dozen ghost horses, each
Ham" a headless horseman. The assembly clapped wildly;
'' -'^'"ted to clap too, but stopped quickly at the sight of

ilted" orses S'1110?^ into the middle of the dance floor and
' "'''""g and plunging; a large ghost at the front, whose

104 harry potter __

bearded head was under his arm, blowing the horn, leapt d
lifted his head high in the air so he could see over the r
(everyone laughed) and strode over to Nearly Headless N' l
squashing his head back onto his neck.
'Nick!' he roared. 'How are you? Head still hanging in there?'
He gave a hearty guffaw and clapped Nearly Headless Nick
the shoulder.
'Welcome, Patrick,' said Nick stiffly.
'Live 'uns!' said Sir Patrick, spotting Harry, Ron and Hermione
and giving a huge, fake jump of astonishment, so that his head fell
off again (the crowd howled with laughter).
'Very amusing,' said Nearly Headless Nick darkly.
'Don't mind Nick!' shouted Sir Patrick's head from the floor
'Still upset we won't let him join the Hunt! But I mean to say -
look at the fellow -'
'I think,' said Harry hurriedly, at a meaningful look from Nick,
'Nick's very - frightening and - er -'
'Ha!' yelled Sir Patrick's head. 'Bet he asked you to say that!'
'If I could have everyone's attention, it's time for my speech''
said Nearly Headless Nick loudly, striding towards the podium
and climbing into an icy blue spotlight. ^1
'My late lamented lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is my grea
sorrow ...'
But nobody heard much more. Sir Patrick and the rest of lh(
Headless Hunt had just started a game of Head Hockey and the
crowd were turning to watch. Nearly Headless Nick tried vainly 10
recapture his audience, but gave up as Sir Patrick's head went sailing
past him to loud cheers.
Harry was very cold by now, not to mention hungry.
'I can't stand much more of this,' Ron muttered, his teeth chattering,
as the orchestra ground back into action and the gho5
swept back onto the dance floor.
'Let's go,' Harry agreed.
They backed towards the door, nodding and beaming at anyont
who looked at them, and a minute later were hurrying back
the passageway full of black candles. ,
'Pudding might not be finished yet,' said Ron hopefully,lea ' "
the way towards the steps to the Entrance Hall.
And then Harry heard it.
'... rip ... tear ... kill...'
^* the deathday party 105

the same voice, the same cold, murderous voice he had
,'j in Lockhart's office.
H. stumbled to a halt, clutching at the stone wall, listening
h-11 his might, looking around, squinting up and down the

d'i'mlv lit passageway.
Harry, what're you -?
Us that voice again - shut up a minute -
... 500 hungry -for so long..:
'Listen!' said Harry urgently, and Ron and Hermione froze,
watching him.
..liill...time to kill..;
The voice was growing fainter. Harry was sure it was moving
awav - moving upwards. A mixture of fear and excitement
yipped him as he stared at the dark ceiling; how could it be moving
upwards? Was it a phantom, to whom stone ceilings didn't
mailer?
'This way,' he shouted, and he began to run, up the stairs, into
the Entrance Hall. It was no good hoping to hear anything here,
the babble of talk from the Hallowe'en Feast was echoing out of
the Great Hall. Harry sprinted up the marble staircase to the first
floor, Ron and Hermione clattering behind him.
Harry, what are we -'
SHH!'
tarry strained his ears. Distantly, from the floor above, and
rowing fainter still, he heard the voice: '... I smell blood ... I
SMELL BLOOD!'
His stomach lurched. 'It's going to kill someone'.' he shouted,
wd ^"""ng Ron and Hermione's bewildered faces, he ran up the
"cxt (light of steps three at a time, trying to listen over his own
Pounding footsteps.
Harry hurtled around the whole of the second floor, Ron and
Tmione panting behind him, not stopping until they turned a
"" into the last, deserted passage.

(a. arry' what was that a11 about?' said Ron, wiping sweat off his
^'^uldn't hear anything..;
., , ""^one gave a sudden gasp, pointing down the corridor.

^Iwlv1^11^ was ''""""g on ^e wall ahead. They approached,
lubed^"'"11^ through the darkness. Foot high words had been
" the wall between two windows, shimmering in the

106 harry potter __
light cast by the flaming torches.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

'What's that thing - hanging underneath?' said Ron, a slipli
quiver in his voice.
As they edged nearer. Harry almost slipped over: there was
large puddle of water on the floor. Ron and Hermione grabbed
him, and they inched towards the message, eyes fixed on a dark
shadow beneath it. All three of them realised what it was at once
and leapt backwards with a splash.
Mrs Norris, the caretaker's cat, was hanging by her tail from iht
torch bracket. She was stiff as a board, her eyes wide and staring.
For a few seconds, they didn't move. Then Ron said, 'Let's gel
out of here.' '
'Shouldn't we try and help --' Harry began awkwardly.
'Trust me,' said Ron. 'We don't want to be found here.'
But it was too late. A rumble, as though of distant thunder, told
them that the Feast had just ended. From either end of the corridor
where they stood came the sound of hundreds of feet climbing
the stairs, and the loud, happy talk of well-fed people; next
moment, students were crashing into the passage from both ends.
The chatter, the bustle, the noise died suddenly as the people in
front spotted the hanging cat. Harry, Ron and Hermione stood
alone, in the middle of the corridor, as silence fell among the mass
of students, pressing forward to see the grisly sight.
Then someone shouted through the quiet.
'Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!
It was Draco Malfoy He had pushed to the front of the crowi
his cold eyes alive, his usually bloodless face flushed, as K
grinned at the sight of the hanging, immobile cat.
-- CHAPTER NINE-

The Writing on the Wall

What's going on here? What's going on?'
Attracted no doubt by Malfoy's shout, Argus Filch came shouldering
his way through the crowd. Then he saw Mrs Morris and
(ell back, clutching his face in horror.
Mv cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs Morris?' he shrieked.
And his popping eyes fell on Harry
Ton.'' he screeched, 'You.' You've murdered my cat! You've killed
her! I'll kill you! I'll-'
'Argus f
Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of
oiher teachers. In seconds, he had swept past Harry, Ron and
Hrrmione and detached Mrs Morris from the torch bracket.
'Come with me, Argus,' he said to Filch. 'You too, Mr Potter, Mr
Wcasley, Miss Granger.'
Lockhart stepped forward eagerly.
My office is nearest. Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel
Ircc -'

Thank you, Gilderoy; said Dumbledore.
the silent crowd parted to let them pass. Lockhart, looking
"cued and important, hurried after Dumbledore; so did
Professors McGonagall and Snape.
^ they entered Lockhart's darkened office there was a flurry of
mrvcmem across the walls; Harry saw several of the Lockharts in
, Pictures dodging out of sight, their hair in rollers. The real
|^ "art ht the candles on his desk and stood back. Dumbledore
Ha s orrls n the polished surface and began to examine her.
chai on an<^ liermione exchanged tense looks and sank into
^ outside the pool of candlelight, watching.
Pm M1113 of Dumbledore's long, crooked nose was barely an inch
I__ s ""is's fur. He was looking at her closely through his
108 harry potter

half-moon spectacles, his long fingers gently prodding and
ing. Professor McGonagall was bent almost as close, her eves
rowed. Snape loomed behind them, half in shadow, wearin
most peculiar expression: it was as though he was trying hard n
to smile. And Lockhart was hovering around all of them, maki
suggestions.
'It was definitely a curse that killed her - probably ih
Transmogrifian Torture. I've seen it used many times, so unlucky]
wasn't there, I know the very counter-curse that would have saved
her ...'
Lockhart's comments were punctuated by Filch's dry, rackine
sobs. He was slumped in a chair by the desk, unable to look ai
Mrs Norris, his face in his hands. Much as he detested Filch
Harry couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for him, though not nearly
as sorry as he felt for himself. If Dumbledore believed Filch, he
would be expelled for sure.
Dumbledore was now muttering strange words under his
breath and tapping Mrs Norris with his wand, but nothing happened:
she continued to look as though she had been recently
stuffed.
'...I remember something very similar happening in
Ouagadogou,' said Lockhart, 'a series of attacks, the full story's in
my autobiography. I was able to provide the townsfolk with van- ous amulets which cleared the matter up at once ...'
The photographs of Lockhart on the walls were all nodding in
agreement as he talked. One of them had forgotten to remove his
hairnet.
At last Dumbledore straightened up.
'She's not dead, Argus,' he said softly.
Lockhart stopped abruptly in the middle of counting the number
of murders he had prevented.
'Not dead?' choked Filch, looking through his fingers at M"
Norris. 'But why's she all - all stiff and frozen?' ,,
'She has been Petrified,' said Dumbledore ('Ah! I thought so
said Lockhart). 'But how, I cannot say ...' i
'Ask him!' shrieked Filch, turning his blotched and tear-stain
face to Harry, i^
'No second year could have done this,' said Dumbledore
'It would take Dark Magic of the most advanced -' -^
'He did it, he did it!' Filch spat, his pouchy face purpling-
the writing ON THE wall 109

hat he wrote on the wall! He found - in my office - he

a^ I'm a - I'm a -' Filch's face worked horribly. 'He knows I'm
knows 11" a
, -,quib!' he finished.
I never touched Mrs Norris!' Harry said loudly, uncomfortably
are of everyone looking at him, including all the Lockharts on
the walls. 'And I don't even know what a Squib is.'
Rubbish!' snarled Filch. 'He saw my Kwikspell letter!'
If 1 might speak, Headmaster,' said Snape from the shadows,
and Harry's sense of forboding increased; he was sure nothing
Snape had to say was going to do him any good.
Potter and his friends may have simply been in the wrong
place at the wrong time,' he said, a slight sneer curling his mouth
as though he doubted it, 'but we do have a set of suspicious circumstances
here. Why were they in the upstairs corridor at all?
Why weren't they at the Hallowe'en feast?'
Harry, Ron and Hermione all launched into an explanation
about the Deathday party, '... there were hundreds of ghosts,
ihcy'll tell you we were there -'
'But why not join the feast afterwards?' said Snape, his black
cs glittering in the candlelight. 'Why go up to that corridor?'
Ron and Hermione looked at Harry.
Because - because -' Harry said, his heart thumping very fast;
meihing told him it would sound very far-fetched if he told
them he had been led there by a bodiless voice no one but he
could hear, 'because we were tired and wanted to go to bed,' he
said.
Without any supper?' said Snape, a triumphant smile flickering
across his gaunt face. 'I didn't think ghosts provided food fit for
living people at their parties.'
c weren't hungry,' said Ron loudly, as his stomach gave a
""Re rumble.

Tape's nasty smile widened.
ful sug^est' Headmaster, that Potter is not being entirely truth-
'..e sal^- 'II might be a good idea if he were deprived of certain

fed'h^ until he is ready to tell us the whole story I personally
 , e should he taken off the Gryffindor Quidditch team until he
_dy to be honest;

^aso^^' severus'' said Professor McGonagall sharply, 'I see no
'^ he d stop the boy P^Y^S Quidditch. This cat wasn't hit over
^^ with a broomstick. There is no evidence at all that Potter
110 harry potter __

has done anything wrong.' |
Dumbledore was giving Harry a searching look. His twinid
light blue gaze made Harry feel as though he was being X-ravpd
'Innocent until proven guilty, Severus,' he said firmly
Snape looked furious. So did Filch.
'My cat has been Petrified!' he shrieked, his eyes popping
want to see some punishment!'
"We will be able to cure her, Argus,' said Dumbledore patienil _
'Madam Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes As
soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion mad^l
which will revive Mrs Norris.' ^^
nihH
'I'll make it,' Lockhart butted in. 'I must have done it a hundred
times, I could whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in nn^--
sleep -' ^|
'Excuse me,' said Snape icily, 'but I believe I am the Potions
master at this school.' ' ^1
There was a very awkward pause.
'You may go,' Dumbledore said to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
They went, as quickly as they could without actually running.
When they were a floor up from Lockhart's office, they turned
into an empty classroom and closed the door quietly behind
them. Harry squinted at his friends' darkened faces.
'D'you think I should have told them about that voice I heard?']
'No,' said Ron, without hesitation. 'Hearing voices no one eb
can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world.'
Something in Ron's voice made Harry ask, 'You do believe to
don't you?' -1
'Course I do,' said Ron quickly 'But - you must admit ill'
weird ...'
'I know it's weird,' said Harry. 'The whole thing's weird. Wttfi
was that writing on the wall about? The Chamber has been Opf101
... what's that supposed to mean?'
'You know, it rings a sort of bell,' said Ron slowly 'I think soiw
one told me a story about a secret chamber at Hogwarts once
might've been Bill...'
'And what on earth's a Squib?' said Harry.
To his surprise, Ron stilled a snigger. .l
'Well - it's not funny really - but as it's Filch ...'he said. 'A ^
is someone who was born into a wizarding family but ha ^^
any magic powers. Kind of the opposite of Muggle-born w
the writing ON THE wall 111

| . jL^ are quite unusual. If Filch's trying to learn magic from
" '"I nell course, I reckon he must be a Squib. It would explain
'' k"'! ikp why he hates students so much.' Ron gave a satisfied
A llH- L11-- /
smile.'He's bitter; ;
} clock chimed somewhere.
| Alidnight; said Harry. 'We'd better get to bed before Snape
ponies along and tries to frame us for something else.'

I )r a few days, the school could talk of little but the attack on
Mrs Norris. Filch kept it fresh in everyone's minds by pacing the
<,poi where she had been attacked, as though he thought the
aiiacker might come back. Harry had seen him scrubbing the
message on the wall with 'Mrs Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess
Remover', but to no effect; the words still gleamed as brightly as
ever on the stone. When Filch wasn't guarding the scene of the
(rime, he was skulking red-eyed through the corridors, lunging
cm al unsuspecting students and trying to put them in detention
or things like 'breathing loudly' and 'looking happy'.
Ginny Weasley seemed very disturbed by Mrs Norris' fate.
according to Ron, she was a great cat-lover.
'But you hadn't really got to know Mrs Norris,' Ron told her
iradngly. 'Honestly, we're much better off without her.' Ginny's lip irrmbled. 'Stuff like this doesn't often happen at Hogwarts; Ron
assured her. 'They'll catch the nutter who did it and have him out
<'f here in no time. I just hope he's got time to Petrify Filch before
he's expelled. I'm only joking -' Ron added hastily as Ginny
blanched. ;
j I he attack had also had an effect on Hermione. It was quite
isual for Hermione to spend a lot of time reading, but she was
"ow doing almost nothing else. Nor could Harry and Ron get
I"1" '""ponse from her when they asked what she was up to,
"dnot until the following Wednesday did they find out.
arry had been held back in Potions, where Snape had made
ncd r^ behlnd to ^ape tubeworms off the desks. After a hur-
usii w he went "P^'111'5 to meet Rcm in the library, and saw
,,^""^-Pletchley the Hufflepuff boy from Herbology coming
"siin s lrn ^"^ nad J^t opened his mouth to say hello when
'PPosi"1! slght of him' turned abruptly and sped off in the

ound ^n at the back of the library measuring his
112 harry potter ^H

History of Magic homework. Professor Binns had asked for i,
foot long composition on The Medieval Assembly of Eurn rtt
Wizards', ^k
'I don't believe it, I'm still eight inches short ...' said Ron f^^
ously, letting go of his parchment which sprang back into a mil
'and Hermione's done four feet seven inches and her writing's (in
"Where is she?' asked Harry, grabbing the tape measure anrf
unrolling his own homework.
'Somewhere over there,' said Ron, pointing along the shelve
'looking for another book. I think she's trying to read the whok
library before Christmas.'
Harry told Ron about Justin Finch-Fletchley running awav
from him.
. 'Dunno why you care, I thought he was a bit of an idiot,' said
Ron, scribbling away, making his writing as large as possible. 'AH
that rubbish about Lockhart being so great -' ^H
Hermione emerged from between the bookshelves. She lool^^
irritable and at last seemed ready to talk to them.
'All the copies of Hogwarts: A History have been taken out,' sht
said, sitting down next to Harry and Ron. 'And there's a two week
waiting list. I wish I hadn't left my copy at home, but I couldn't Cu
it in my trunk with all the Lockhart books.'
'Why do you want it?' said Harry.
'The same reason everyone else wants it,' said Hermione, '10
read up on the legend of the Chamber of Secrets.'
'What's that?' said Harry quickly.
'That's just it. I can't remember,' said Hermione, biting her lip
'And I can't find the story anywhere else -'
'Hermione, let me read your composition,' said Ron desperal"!"
checking his watch.
'No, I won't,' said Hermione, suddenly severe. 'You've had irt
days to finish it.'
'I only need another two inches, go on ...' i
The bell rang. Ron and Hermione led the way to History
Magic, bickering. 
History of Magic was the dullest subject on their ti"16' .
Professor Binns, who taught it, was their only ghost teacher,
the most exciting thing that ever happened in his classes
entering the room through the blackboard. Ancient an .^
elled, many people said he hadn't noticed he was dead. J
the writing ON THE wall . 113

of up to teach one day and left his body behind him in an

''" r in front of the staff room fire; his routine had not varied
.irincnaii
the slightest since.
t dav was as boring as ever. Professor Binns opened his notes
I hcean to read in a flat drone like an old vacuum cleaner until
Iv everyone in the class was in a deep stupor, occasionally
"oming round long enough to copy down a name or date, then
falline asleep again. He had been speaking for half an hour when
something happened that had never happened before. Hermione
put up her hand.
Professor Binns, glancing up in the middle of a deadly dull lec- iurc on the International Warlock Convention of 1289, looked
jmazed.
Miss-er-?'
'Granger, Professor. I was wondering if you could tell us anyhing
about the Chamber of Secrets,' said Hermione in a clear
voice.
Dean Thomas, who had been sitting with his mouth hanging
open, gazing out of the window, jerked out of his trance; Lavender
Brown's head came up off her arms and Neville's elbow slipped off
his desk.
Professor Binns blinked.
'My subject is History of Magic,' he said in his dry, wheezy
voice. "I deal with/acts. Miss Granger, not myths and legends.' He
beared his throat with a small noise like chalk snapping and con-
liniicd, 'In September of that year, a sub-committee of Sardinian
wrccrers -'

He stuttered to a halt. Hermione's hand was waving in the air
'gain.
'Miss Grant?'
please, sir, don't legends always have a basis in fact?'
n'lessor Binns was looking at her in such amazement. Harry
sure no student had ever interrupted him before, alive or

^ _ ' sald Professor Binns slowly 'yes, one could argue that, I
yyj e' peered at Hermione as though he had never seen a
ku h properly befoT^- 'However, the legend of which you speak

Bui tn^'7 scnsationa;' even ludicrous tale ...'
Sfird H , ^ass was now hanging on Professor Binns' every
e ""^d dimly at them all, every face turned to his. Harry
114 harry potter ^_

could tell he was completely thrown by such an unusual sh
interest.
'Oh, very well,' he said slowly. 'Let me see ... the Chain h
Secrets ...
'You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over
thousand years ago - the precise date is uncertain - by the [n
greatest witches and wizards of the age. The four school hoitos
are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga HuffleDiiff
Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. They built this casil?
together, far from prying Muggle eyes, for it was an age when
magic was feared by common people and witches and wizards suffered
much persecution.'
He paused, gazed blearily around the room, and continued
'For a few years, the founders worked in harmony together, seeking
out youngsters who showed signs of magic and bringing them
to the castle to be educated. But then disagreements sprang up
between them. A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the
others. Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students
admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should
be kept within all-magic families. He disliked taking students of
Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy. After)
while, there was a serious argument on the subject between
Slytherin and Gryffindor, and Slytherin left the school.'
Professor Binns paused again, pursing his lips, looking like i
wrinkled old tortoise.
'Reliable historical sources tell us this much,' he said, 'but thest
honest facts have been obscured by the fanciful legend of lit
Chamber of Secrets. The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden
chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing.
'Slytherin, according to the legend, sealed the Chamber of
Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own int
heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unse
the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use 111
purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic.
There was silence as he finished telling the story, but it wa
the usual, sleepy silence that filled Professor Binns' classes.
was unease in the air as everyone continued to watch him, f
for more. Professor Binns looked faintly annoyed. .1 i
'The whole thing is arrant nonsense, of course, he
'Naturally, the school has been searched for evidence of s
^^ the writing ON THE wall 115

, many times, by the most learned witches and wizards. It
Jo^not exist. A tale told to frighten the gullible.'
^Hermione's hand was back in the air.
sir - what exactly do you mean by the 'horror within' the

Chamber?'
That is believed to be some sort of monster, which the heir of
Sivlherin alone can control,' said Professor Binns in his dry, reedy

voice.
The class exchanged nervous looks.
1 tell you, the thing does not exist,' said Professor Binns, shut-
nine his notes. 'There is no Chamber and no monster.'
'But, sir,' said Seamus Finnigan, 'if the Chamber can only
opened by Slytherin's true heir, no one else would be able to find
11, would they?'
'Nonsense, O'Flaherty,' said Professor Binns in an aggravated
lone. 'If a long succession of Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses
haven't found the thing -'
'But, Professor,' piped up Parvati Patil, 'you'd probably have to
use Dark Magic to open it -'
')ust because a wizard doesn't use Dark Magic, doesn't mean he
ifl"(, Miss Pennyfeather,' snapped Professor Binns. 'I repeat, if the
likes of Dumbledore -'
But maybe you've got to be related to Slytherin, so Dumbledore
couldn't -' began Dean Thomas, but Professor Binns had had
enough.
That will do,' he said sharply 'It is a myth! It does not exist!
rhcre is not a shred of evidence that Slytherin ever built so much
" a secret broom cupboard! I regret telling you such a foolish
lory! We will return, if you please, to history, to solid, believable,
^nfiablefact!'

And within five minutes, the class had sunk back into its usual
oipor.

*,. ,1
^auays knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony,' Ron told
me ' a^ Hermione' as ^ey fought their way through the teem-

dinn^R at the end of the lesson to ^P off their ^ before
^"uSn l"1 I never knew he started a11 this P"1^-13100'1 stuff- I
Hai h ad1 e in his house if y011 P^d me. Honestly, if the Sorting
back horn" to put me in ^y1""1"' rdve g01 the train straight
116	harry potter


Hermione nodded fervently, but Harry didn't say anythin
stomach had just dropped unpleasantly.
E Hr^l
Harry had never told Ron and Hermione that the Sortin? ti
had seriously considered putting him in Slytherin. He
remember, as though it was yesterday, the small voice that h
spoken in his ear when he'd placed the hat on his head a w
before.
'You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head aid
Slytherin would help you on the way to greatness, no doubt ahou
that...' |
But Harry, who had already heard of Slytherin house's repuia.
tion for turning out dark wizards, had thought desperately, 'Note
Slytherin!' and the hat had said, 'Oh, well, if you're sure ... betterlJ Gryffindor...' |
As they were shunted along in the throng, Colin Creevy weni
past.
'Hiya, Harry!'
'Hullo, Colin,' said Harry automatically.
'Harry -- Harry - a boy in my class has been saying you're -
But Colin was so small he couldn't fight against the tide i
people bearing him towards the Great Hall; they heard hil
squeak, 'See you. Harry!' and he was gone.
'What's a boy in his class saying about you?' Hermione wol
dered.
'That I'm Slytherin's heir, I expect,' said Harry, his stoma_
dropping another inch or so, as he suddenly remembered the ^
Justin Finch-Fletchley had run away from him at lunchtime.
'People here'll believe anything,' said Ron in disgust.
The crowd thinned and they were able to climb the next
case without difficulty.
'D'you really think there's a Chamber of Secrets?' Ron as
Hermione.
'I don't know,' she said, frowning. 'Dumbledore couldnt cu
Mrs Morris, and that makes me think that whatever attacked
might not be - well - human.' i^
As she spoke, they turned a corner and found themselves a
end of the very corridor where the attack had happene .
stopped and looked. The scene was just as it had been that n g"
except that there was no stiff cat hanging from the torch
and an empty chair stood against the wall bearing the
^^ the writing ON THE wall 117

The Chamber has been Opened;
That's where Filch has been keeping guard; Ron muttered.
They looked at each other. The corridor was deserted.
Can't hurt to have a poke around; said Harry, dropping his bag
, gttine to his hands and knees so that he could crawl along,
arching for clues __
Scorch marks'.' he said. Here - and here -
Come and look at this!' said Hermione. This is funny ...'
Harry eot up and crossed to the window next to the message on
the wall. Hermione was pointing at the topmost pane, where
round twenty spiders were scuttling, apparently fighting to get
ihruugh a small crack in the glass. A long, silvery thread was
d-ineline like a rope, as though they had all climbed it in their
hum' to get outside.
Have you ever seen spiders act like that?' said Hermione won-
dtringly.
'No; said Harry, 'have you, Ron? Ron?'
He looked over his shoulder. Ron was standing well back, and
seemed to be fighting the impulse to run.
What's up?' said Harry.
"I - don't - like - spiders,' said Ron tensely.
1 never knew that,' said Hermione, looking at Ron in surprise.
^ru've used spiders in potions loads of times ...'
I don't mind them dead,' said Ron, who was carefully looking
'nvwhere but at the window, T just don't like the way they move ...'
Hermione giggled.
I'1' not funny' said Ron, fiercely Tfyou must know, when I was
"'e. Fred turned my - my teddy bear into a dirty great spider
^cause I broke his toy broomstick. You wouldn't like them either
>ou ^ lwn holding your bear and suddenly it had too many legs

roke off, shuddering. Hermione was obviously still trying

aid'R hi Feelin ^Y had better - off the subject, Harry
rnno c0"1'1"113" a11 that water on the fk)c)r? Where did that come
""^Someone's mopped it up.'
acesT'' about,here'' said ^n, recovering himself to walk a few
He r .^ chair and P0111111^- 'Level with this door-'
^nd "^ for the brass doorknob but suddenly withdrew his
j". as though he'd been burned.
ats the matter?' said Harry.
118 harry potter _

'Can't go in there,' said Ron gruffly, 'that's a girls' toilet'
'Oh, Ron, there won't be anyone in there,' said Herm
standing up and coming over. 'That's Moaning Myrtle's I'll (
Come on, let's have a look.'
And ignoring the large 'Out of Order' sign, she opened ili,
door.
It was the gloomiest, most depressing bathroom Harry had evn
set foot in. Under a large, cracked and spotted mirror were a ron
of chipped, stone sinks. The floor was damp and reflected the duB
light given off by the stubs of a few candles, burning low in then
holders; the wooden doors to the cubicles were flaking and
scratched and one of them was dangling off its hinges.
Hermione put her fingers to her lips and set off towards the end
cubicle. When she reached it she said, 'Hello, Myrtle, how an
you?' |
Harry and Ron went to look. Moaning Myrtle was floating on
the cistern of the toilet, picking a spot on her chin.
'This is a girls' bathroom,' she said, eyeing Ron and Harry suspiciously.
'They're not girls.'
'No,' Hermione agreed. 'I just wanted to show them how - er-
nice it is in here.' |
She waved vaguely at the dirty old mirror and the damp floor.
'Ask her if she saw anything,' Harry mouthed at Hermione.
'What are you whispering?' said Myrtle, staring at him.
'Nothing,' said Harry quickly. 'We wanted to ask -'
'I wish people would stop talking behind my back!' said Myrtlt.
in a voice choked with tears. 'I do have feelings, you know, even g
I am dead.'
'Myrtle, no one wants to upset you,' said Hermione. 'Harry only-
'No one wants to upset me! That's a good one!' howled Myrw
'My life was nothing but misery at this place and now peop
come along ruining my death!' .
'We wanted to ask you if you'd seen anything funny lately.
Hermione quickly, 'because a cat was attacked right outsid ,
front door on Hallowe'en.'
'Did you see anyone near here that night?' said Harry.
'I wasn't paying attention,' said Myrtle dramatically ^
upset me so much I came in here and tried to kill myseli- course, I remembered that I'm - that I'm -'
'Already dead,' said Ron helpfully.
the writing ON THE wall 119

lie save a tragic sob, rose up in the air, turned over and
'. d head first into the toilet, splashing water all over them and
hne from sight; from the direction of her muffled sobs, she
h^ome to rest somewhere in the U-bend.
Harrv and Ron stood with their mouths open, but Hermione
h ueeed wearily and said, 'Honestly, that was almost cheerful for
Myrtle ... come on, let's go.'
MHarry had barely closed the door on Myrtle's gurgling sobs
when a loud voice made all three of them jump.
RON!'
Percy Weasley had stopped dead at the head of the stairs, prefect
badge agleam, an expression of complete shock on his face.
That's a giris' bathroom!' he gasped. 'What were you -?'
just having a look around,' Ron shrugged. 'Clues, you know ...'
Percy swelled in a manner that reminded Harry forcefully of
Mrs Weasley
Get - away - from - there -' he said, striding towards them
and starting to chivvy them along, napping his arms. 'Don't you
inn' what this looks like? Coming back here while everyone's at
dinner...'
Why shouldn't we be here?' said Ron hotly, stopping short and
glaring at Percy 'Listen, we never laid a finger on that cat!'
That's what I told Ginny,' said Percy fiercely, 'but she still seems
10 think you're going to be expelled; I've never seen her so upset,
cmng her eyes out. You might think of her, all the first years are
thoroughly over-excited by this business -'
iou don't care about Ginny,' said Ron, whose ears were reddening
now. 'You're just worried I'm going to mess up your chances of
"'"g Head Boy.'
r-. '
"vc points from Gryfiindor!' Percy said tersely, fingering his
P"' eel badge. 'And 1 hope it teaches you a lesson! No more detec- "^"k or I'll write to Mum!'
""d he strode off, the back of his neck as red as Ron's ears.
*
in ih on an^ FIermione chose seats as far as possible from Percy
cr 3'' ^ornmon room that night. Ron was still in a very bad term-
!hs<.n"i. f^ .'^^"^g hi<5 Charms homework. When he reached
&' or "is ^nd to remove the smudges, it ignited the parch-
uming almost as much as his homework, Ron slammed
ard B00^ of Spells, Grade 2 shut. To Harry's surprise,
120 harry potter

Hermione followed suit.
'Who can it be, though?' she said in a quiet voice as th -i. '*'
continuing a conversation they had just been having. 'Who'd
all the Squibs and Muggle-borns out of Hogwarts?'
'Let's think,' said Ron in mock puzzlement. 'Who do we kn
who thinks Muggle-borns are scum?'
^^h in
He looked at Hermione. Hermione looked back, unconvinced ^1
'If you're talking about Malfoy -' 1^1 h
'Of course I am!' said Ron. 'You heard him: "You'll be ne^B
Mudbloods!" Come on, you've only got to look as his foul rat [acr^l S<
to know it's him -' ^1
'Malfoy, the Heir of Slytherin?' said Hermione sceptically ^1 ,
'Look at his family,' said Harry, closing his books, too. Th(^l
whole lot of them have been in Slytherin, he's always boasting v
about it. They could easily be Slytherin's descendants. His father's
definitely evil enough.'
isiing v
ther's

cen^^^^

g ^
1-y.
TO

lei us

togiH
qut^^
'They could've had the key to the Chamber of Secrets for i
turies!' said Ron. 'Handing it down, father to son ...'
'Well,' said Hermione cautiously, 'I suppose it's possible ...'
'But how do we prove it?' said Harry darkly.
There might be a way,' said Hermione slowly, dropping he
voice still further with a quick glance across the room at Percy. 'Oh
course, it would be difficult. And dangerous, very dangerou
We'd be breaking about fifty school rules, I expect.' 9
'If, in a month or so, you feel like explaining, you will lei us
know, won't you?' said Ron irritably.
'All right,' said Hermione coldly 'What we'd need to do is to (
inside the Slytherin common room and ask Malfoy a few qui
tions without him realising it's us.' ^H
'But that's impossible,' Harry said, as Ron laughed. ^H
'No, it's not,' said Hermione. 'All we'd need would be soffl^
Polyjuice Potion.'
'What's that?' said Ron and Harry together.
'Snape mentioned it in class a few weeks ago -'
'D'you think we've got nothing better to do in Potions than
ten to Snape?' muttered Ron. . ,
'It transforms you into somebody else. Think a bout i
could change into three of the Slytherins. No one would kno J
was us. Malfoy would probably tell us anything. Hes pr
boasting about it in the Slytherin common room right now
^ the writing ON THE wall 121

, could hear him.'
This Polyjuice stuff sounds a bit dodgy to me,' said Ron,
nine 'What if we were stuck looking like three of the

^iherins forever?'
li wears off after a while,' said Hermione, waving her hand
inatiently, 'but getting hold of the recipe will be very difficult.
upe said it was in a book called Moste Potente Potions and it's
>und to be in the Restricted Section of the library.'
There was only one way to get out a book from the Restricted
.ition: you needed a signed note of permission from a teacher.
Hard to see why we'd want the book, really,' said Ron, 'if we
ercn't going to try and make one of the potions.'
1 think,' said Hermione, 'that if we made it sound as though we
ere Just interested in the theory, we might stand a chance ...'
Oh, come on, no teacher's going to fall for that,' said Ron.
they'd have to be really thick ...'
CHAPTER TEN--

The Rogue Bludger


The class began to leave. Harry returned to the back
room, where Ron and Hermione were waiting.
'Ready?' Harry muttered.

Since the disastrous episode of the pixies. Professor Lockhart ha
not brought live creatures to class. Instead, he read passages froi
his books to them, and sometimes re-enacted some of the moi
dramatic bits. He usually picked Harry to help him with tha
reconstructions; so far, Harry had been forced to play a sirnpl
Transylvanian villager whom Lockhart had cured of a Babblin
Curse, a yeti with a head-cold and a vampire who had bet
unable to eat anything except lettuce since Lockhart had dea
with him.
Harry was hauled to the front of the class during their vei
next Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson, this time acting
werewolf. If he hadn't had a very good reason for keepin
Lockhart in a good mood, he would have refused to do it.
'Nice loud howl, Harry - exactly - and then, if you'll believe i
I pounced - like this - slammed him to the floor - thus - with oh
hand, I managed to hold him down - with my other, 1 put in
wand to his throat - I then screwed up my remaining strength an
performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm - he k
out a piteous moan - go on. Harry - higher than that - good
fur vanished - the fangs shrank - and he turned back into a mai
Simple, yet effective - and another village will remember me la ever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terro
werewolf attacks.'
The bell rang and Lockhart got to his feet.
r "I> Vil?(
'Homework: compose a poem about my defeat of the m
Wagga werewolf! Signed copies of
Qftk
Wagga werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the authors- best one!' *!
the rogue bludger 123

. ,m everyone's gone,' said Hermione nervously. 'All right...'
^approached Lockhart's desk, a piece of paper clutched
,hil{' in her hand, Harry and Ron right behind her.
llt: i professor Lockhart?' Hermione stammered. 'I wanted to -
, tfel this book out of the library. Just for background reading.'
s'h held out the piece of paper, her hand shaking slightly. 'But the
, ,5 it's in the Restricted Section of the library, so I need a
.icher to sign for it - I'm sure it would help me understand what
y ggy in Godding with Ghouls about slow-acting venoms ...'
I 'Ah, Godding with Ghouis!' said Lockhart, taking the note from
Hermione and smiling widely at her. 'Possibly my very favourite
hook. You enjoyed it?'
Oh, yes,' said Hermione eagerly. 'So clever, the way you
trapped that last one with the tea-strainer ...'
Well, I'm sure no one will mind me giving the best student in
he year a little extra help,' said Lockhart warmly, and he pulled
,iut an enormous peacock quill. 'Yes, nice, isn't it?' he said, misreading
the revolted look on Ron's face. 'I usually save it for book-
signings.'
He scrawled an enormous loopy signature on the note and
handed it back to Hermione.
'So, Harry,' said Lockhart, while Hermione folded the note with
fumbling fingers and slipped it into her bag, 'tomorrow's the first
Quidditch match of the season, I believe? Gryffindor against
'wihenn, is it not? I hear you're a useful player. I was a Seeker
loo. 1 was asked to try for the National Squad, but preferred to
dedicate my life to the eradication of the Dark Forces. Still, if ever
'ou fed the need for a little private training, don't hesitate to ask.
'^ays happy to pass on my expertise to less able players ...'
Harry made an indistinct noise in his throat and then hurried
""after Ron and Hermione.
^ I don't believe it,' he said, as the three of them examined the
R"aiure on the note, 'He didn't even look at the book we wanted.'
a's because he's a brainless git,' said Ron. 'But who cares,
^ got what we needed;

lowaL15 not a ^-""^ss git,' said Hermione shrilly, as they half ran
"us the library.

They ecause ne saidvou were the best student in the year ...'
the lih^ropped their ^ces as they entered the muffled stillness
124 harry potter

Madam Pince, the librarian, was a thin, irritable woman
looked like an underfed vulture. (
'Moste Potente Potions?' she repeated suspiciously, trying to l
the note from Hermione; but Hermione wouldn't let go.
'I was wondering if I could keep it,' she said breathlessly
'Oh, come on,' said Ron, wrenching it from her grasp a
thrusting it at Madam Pince. 'We'll get you another autoeraoh
Lockhart'll sign anything if it stands still long enough.'
Madam Pince held the note up to the light, as though deter
mined to detect a forgery, but it passed the test. She stalked awa'
between the lofty shelves and returned several minutes later cam
ing a large and mouldy-looking book. Hermione put it carefulf
into her bag and they left, trying not to walk too quickly or lool
too guilty.
Five minutes later, they were barricaded in Moaning Myrtle'
out-of-order bathroom once again. Hermione had overriddei
Ron's objections by pointing out that it was the last place anyom
in their right minds would go, so they were guaranteed some pri
vacy. Moaning Myrtle was crying noisily in her cubicle, but the
were ignoring her, and she them.
Hermione opened Moste Potente Potions carefully, and the thre
of them bent over the damp-spotted pages. It was clear from
glance why it belonged in the Restricted Section. Some of th
potions had effects almost too gruesome to think about, and ther
were some very unpleasant illustrations, which included a mai
who seemed to have been turned inside out and a witch sproutin!
several extra pairs of arms out of her head.
'Here it is,' said Hermione excitedly, as she found the pag
headed The Polyjuice Potion. It was decorated with drawings c
people halfway through transforming into other people. Harr
sincerely hoped the artist had imagined the looks of intense pail
on their faces.
'This is the most complicated potion I've ever seen, sa*
Hermione, as they scanned the recipe. 'Lacewing flies, ^ec
fluxweed and knotgrass,' she murmured, running her finger
the list of ingredients. 'Well, they're easy enough, they re
the student store-cupboard, we can help ourselves. Oooh,
powdered horn of a Bicorn - don't know where we're going 
that ... Shredded skin of a Boomslang - that'll be tricky too -
of course a bit of whoever we want to change into.
J
the rogue bludger 125

, jne?' said Ron sharply. 'What d'you mean, a bit of who- XL 're changing into? I'm drinking nothing with Crabbe's toe-

'""H^'m'ione continued as though she hadn't heard him.
We don't have to worry about that yet, though, because we add

ILse bits last...'
Ron turned, speechless, to Harry, who had another worry.
D'vou realise how much we're going to have to steal,
H -rmione? Shredded skin of Boomslang, that's definitely not in
the students' cupboard. What're we going to do, break into
Snape's private stores? I don't know if this is a good idea ...'
Hermione shut the book with a snap.
Well, if you two are going to chicken out, fine,' she said. There
were bright pink patches on her cheeks and her eyes were
brighter than usual. 'I don't want to break rules, you know. I think
ihreatening Muggle-boms is far worse than brewing up a difficult
potion. But if you don't want to find out if it's Malfoy, I'll go
straight to Madam Pince now and hand the book back in ...'
1 never thought I'd see the day when you'd be persuading us to
break rules,' said Ron. 'All right, we'll do it. But not toenails, OK?'
I How long will it take to make, anyway?' said Harry, as
Hermione, looking happier, opened the book again.
'Well, as the fluxweed has got to be picked at the full moon
nd the lacewings have got to be stewed for twenty-one days
I d say it'd be ready in about a month, if we can get all the
ngredients.'
A month?' said Ron. 'Malfoy could have attacked half the
^ugglc-borns in the school by then!' But Hermione's eyes nared
dangerously again, and he added swiftly 'But it's the best
plan we've got, so full steam ahead, I say'
owever, while Hermione was checking the coast was clear for
I m ," ^^e the bathroom, Ron muttered to Harry, 'It'll be a lot
tss hassle if you can just knock Malfoy off his broom tomorrow.'

me 'w ear^ on Saturday morning and lay for a while think-
i th "t"1 ^"""g Quidditch match. He was nervous, mainly
 (^ '"""g"1 of what Wood would say if Gryffindor lost, but also
(old rr. ^j0 ^""g a ^am mounted on the fastest racing brooms
l^ld co Irl i, 8 a team mounted on the fastest racing brooms
buy. He had never wanted to beat Slytherin so badly
an "our of lying there with his insides churning, he got
126 harry potter --

up, dressed, and went down to breakfast early, where he fo
rest of the Gryfiindor team huddled at the long, empty [ahl
looking uptight and not speaking much. ''
As eleven o'clock approached, the whole school started to
its way down to the Quidditch stadium. It was a muepv cnr.
, 11. r i 1 1 T-t b0^ ll
day with a hint of thunder in the air. Ron and Hermione c
hurrying over to wish Harry good luck as he entered the chanrii
rooms. The team pulled on their scarlet Gryfiindor robes, thens
down to listen to Wood's usual pre-match pep talk.
'Slytherin have better brooms than us,' he began, 'no poi
denying it. But we've got better people on our brooms. We''
trained harder than they have, we've been flying in all weathers
('Too true,' muttered George Weasley. T haven't been properlv d
since August') '- and we're going to make them rue the day thi
let that little bit of slime, Malfoy, buy his way onto their team.'
Chest heaving with emotion. Wood turned to Harry.
'It'll be down to you, Harry, to show them that a Seeker has
have something more than a rich father. Get to that Snitch belb
Malfoy or die trying. Harry, because we've got to win today, we'
got to.' r,s
'So no pressure, Harry,' said Fred, winking at him.
As they walked out onto the pitch, a roar of noise greeted thei
mainly cheers, because Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were anxious
see Slytherin beaten, but the Slytherins in the crowd made thi
boos and hisses heard too. Madam Hooch, the Quidditch teachi
asked Flint and Wood to shake hands, which they did, giv"
each other threatening stares and gripping rather harder than w
necessary.
'On my whistle,' said Madam Hooch, 'three ... two ... one ...
With a roar from the crowd to speed them upwards, the ton
teen players rose towards the leaden sky Harry flew higher l
any of them, squinting around for the Snitch.
'All right there, Scarhead?' yelled Malfoy, shooting undernea
him as though to show off the speed of his broom.
Harry had no time to reply At that very moment, a heavy
Bludger came pelting towards him; he avoided it so narrow)
he felt it ruffle his hair as it passed. . ^ i
'Close one, Harry!' said George, streaking past him w
club in his hand, ready to knock the Bludger back towa^
Slytherin. Harry saw George give the Bludger a powerful w
^B the rogue bludger 127

direction of Adrian Pucey, but the Bludger changed direction
nd-air and shot straight for Harry again.
1 Harry dropped quickly to avoid it, and George managed to hit
hard towards Malfoy Once again, the Bludger swerved like a
boomerang and shot at Harry's head
Harrv put on a burst of speed and zoomed towards the other
i ye (he pitch. He could hear the Bludger whistling along
behind him. What was going on? Bludgers never concentrated on
lie player like this, it was their job to try and unseat as many
^opie as possible ...
rred Weasley was waiting for the Bludger at the other end.
Harry ducked as Fred swung at the Bludger with all his might; the
Bludger was knocked off course.
That's done it!' Fred yelled happily, but he was wrong; as
though it was magnetically attracted towards Harry, the Bludger
pelted after him once more and Harry was forced to fly off at full
speed.
It had started to rain; Harry felt heavy drops fall onto his face,
splattering onto his glasses. He didn't have a clue what was going
In in the rest of the game until he heard Lee Jordan, who was
ommentating, say, 'Slytherin lead, sixty points to zero.'
rhe Slytherins' superior brooms were clearly doing their jobs,
nd meanwhile the mad Bludger was doing all it could to knock
Harry out of the air. Fred and George were now flying so close to
him on either side that Harry could see nothing at all except their
Hailing arms and had no chance to look for the Snitch, let alone
1<ch it.

Someone's - tampered - with - this - Bludger -' Fred grunted,
singing his bat with all his might at it as it launched a new
"ck on Harry,
e need ""^ out,' said George, trying to signal to Wood and
Is opthc ^udger breaking Harry's nose at the same time.
ran ood had obviously g01 ^e message. Madam Hooch's whistle
8 "ui and Harry, Fred and George dived for the ground, still
'^R to avoid the mad Bludger.

'oeeih'"5 going on? said wood' as the S^^ team huddled
"ned ^ Mlile slytherins in the "owd jeered. 'We're being flat-
^"Rclinre ' George' ^"e were you when that Bludger stopped
I Vi' ^"
were ^"ty feet above her, stopping the other Bludger
128 harry potter

murdering Harry, Oliver; said George angrily. 'Someone's fixed
it won't leave Harry alone, it hasn't gone for anyone else all "
The Slytherins must have done something to it.' I'll
'But the Bludgers have been locked in Madam Hooch's ff
since our last practice, and there was nothing wrong with id
then ...' said Wood, anxiously.
Madam Hooch was walking towards them. Over her should
Harry could see the Slytherin team jeering and pointing in li
direction.
'Listen,' said Harry, as she came nearer and nearer, 'with w
two flying round me all the time the only way I'm going to can
the Snitch is if it flies up my sleeve,' said Harry. 'Go back to i]
rest of the team and let me deal with the rogue one.'
'Don't be thick,' said Fred. 'It'll take your head off.'
Wood was looking from Harry to the Weasleys.
'Oliver, this is mad,' said Alicia Spinnet angrily 'You can't I
Harry deal with that thing on his own. Let's ask for an enquiry -'
'If we stop now, we'll have to forfeit the match!' said Harry 'Ai
we're not losing to Slytherin just because of a mad Bludger! Con
on, Oliver, tell them to leave me alone!'
'This is all your fault,' George said angrily to Wood. '"Gel tl
Snitch or die trying," - what a stupid thing to tell him!'
Madam Hooch had joined them.
'Ready to resume play?' she asked Wood.
Wood looked at the determined look on Harry's face.
'All right,' he said. 'Fred, George, you heard Harry - leave hi
alone and let him deal with the Bludger on his own.'
The rain was falling more heavily now. On Madam Hood
whistle, Harry kicked hard into the air and heard the tcll-u
whoosh of the Bludger behind him. Higher and higher H*r
climbed. He looped and swooped, spiralled, zig-zagged and rollt
Slightly dizzy, he nevertheless kept his eyes wide open. Rai" w
speckling his glasses and ran up his nostrils as he hung up*
down, avoiding another fierce dive from the Bludger. Me
hear laughter from the crowd; he knew he must look very siup"
but the rogue Bludger was heavy and couldn't change direc
quickly as he could. He began a kind of roller-coaster ridearo
the edges of the stadium, squinting through the silver s
rain to the Gryffindor goal-posts, where Adrian Pucey was to get past Wood ... |
 the rogue bludger 129

histling in Harry's ear told him the Bludger had just missed
^hr he turned right over and sped in the opposite direc-

"^"ainine for the ballet. Potter?' yelled Malfoy, as Harry was
-d to do a stupid kind of twirl in mid-air to dodge the Bludger.
^^Harry fled, the Bludger trailing a few feet behind him: and
. glaring back at Malfoy in hatred, he saw it, the Golden
, .'^ [t was hovering inches above Malfoy's left ear - and Malfoy,
inisv laughing at Harry, hadn't seen it.
For an agonising moment. Harry hung in mid-air, not daring to
-.peed towards Malfoy in case he looked up and saw the Snitch.
WHAM!
He had stayed still a second too long. The Bludger had hit him
n last, smashed into his elbow, and Harry felt his arm break.
)imly, dazed by the searing pain in his arm, he slid sideways on
lis rain-drenched broom, one knee still crooked over it, his right
inn dangling useless at his side. The Bludger came pelting back
or a second attack, this time aiming at his face. Harry swerved
-'ul of the way, one idea firmly lodged in his numb brain: get to
Miiljoy.
Through a haze of rain and pain he dived for the shimmering,
ncering face below him and saw its eyes widen with fear: Malfoy
ihought Harry was attacking him.
'{} hat the -' he gasped, careering out of Harry's way.
Harry took his remaining hand off his broom and made a wild
natch; he felt his fingers close on the cold Snitch but was now
only gripping the broom with his legs and there was a yell from
'he crowd below as he headed straight for the ground, trying hard
"01 lo pass out.
^'"h a splattering thud he hit the mud and rolled off his
"xirrLHis arm was hanging at a very strange angle. Riddled with
'. e heard, as though from a distance, a good deal of
Wling and shouting. He focused on the Snitch clutched in his
ewl hand.

'^he said vaguely -we've won.'
And he fainted.

Aso3"^ round' rain falling on his face' stm ^"S on the P"^'
meone leaning over him. He saw a glitter of teeth.
^no, not you,'he moaned.
esntknow ^at he's saying,' said Lockhart loudly, to the
130 harry potter

anxious crowd of Gryffindors pressing around them 'N
worry. Harry. I'm about to fix your arm.' 
'Not said Harry. 'I'll keep it like this, thanks ...'
He tried to sit up, but the pain was terrible. He heard a famT
clicking noise nearby.
'I don't want a photo of this, Colin,' he said loudly
'Lie back, Harry,' said Lockhart soothingly. 'It's a simple cha
I've used countless times.'
'Why can't I just go to the hospital wing?' said Harry through
clenched teeth.
'He should really, Professor,' said a muddy Wood, who couldn^
help grinning even though his Seeker was injured. 'Great capture,
Harry, really spectacular, your best yet, I'd say.'
Through the thicket of legs around him, Harry spotted Fred
and George Weasley, wrestling the rogue Bludger into a box, li
was still putting up a terrific fight.
'Stand back,' said Lockhart, who was rolling up his jade-green
sleeves.
'No -- don't -' said Harry weakly, but Lockhart was twirling his
wand and a second later had directed it straight at Harry's arm.
A strange and unpleasant sensation started at Harry's shouldei
and spead all the way down to his fingertips. It felt as though his
arm was being deflated. He didn't dare look at what was happening.
He had shut his eyes, his face turned away from his arm, bui
his worst fears were realised as the people above him gasped and
Colin Creevey began clicking away madly. His arm didn't hurl am
more - but nor did it feel remotely like an arm.
'Ah,' said Lockhart. 'Yes. Well, that can sometimes happen. Bul
the point is, the bones are no longer broken. That's the thing t<
bear in mind. So, Harry, just toddle up to the Hospital Wing - a"
Mr Weasley Miss Granger, would you escort him? - and Madtf
Pomfrey will be able to - er - tidy you up a bit.'
As Harry got to his feet, he felt strangely lopsided. Taklng
deep breath he looked down at his right side. What he saw nearl)
made him pass out again. ,. l
Poking out of the end of his robes was what looked like a t
flesh-coloured rubber glove. He tried to move his fingers. no
happened. , -,
Lockhart hadn't mended Harry's bones. He had removed in
*
J
the rogue bludger 131

m Pomfrey wasn't at all pleased.
^Voii should have come straight to me'.' she raged, holding up
0 1 limp remainder of what, half an hour before, had been a
lhl k^ne arm. 'I can mend bones in a second - but growing them

will be able to, won't you?' said Harry desperately
I'll be able to, certainly, but it will be painful,' said Madam
Pomfrey grimly, throwing Harry a pair of pyjamas. 'You'll have to

qav the night...'
Hermione waited outside the curtain drawn around Harry's bed
nile Ron helped him into his pyjamas. It took a while to stuff
ihr rubbery, boneless arm into a sleeve.
How can you stick up for Lockhart now, Hermione, eh?' Ron
called through the curtain as he pulled Harry's limp fingers
through the cuff. 'If Harry had wanted de-boning he would have
asked.'
Anyone can make a mistake,' said Hermione, 'And it doesn't
^iirl any more, does it. Harry?'
H No,' said Harry, 'but it doesn't do anything else, either.'
As he swung himself onto the bed, his arm flapped pointlessly.
H Hermione and Madam Pomfrey came around the curtain.
Madam Pomfrey was holding a large bottle of something labelled
Skfle-Gro'.
You're in for a rough night,' she said, pouring out a steaming
brakerful and handing it to him. 'Regrowing bones is a nasty
business.'
So was taking the Skele-Gro. It burned Harry's mouth and
"neat as it went down, making him cough and splutter. Still tut-
liniinR about dangerous sports and inept teachers. Madam
P"mfrcy retreated, leaving Ron and Hermione to help Harry gulp
""wn some water.

^c won, though,' said Ron, a grin breaking across his face.
" was some catch you made. Malfoy's face ... he looked ready

^ant to know how he fixed that Bludger; said Hermione darkly
wcveYi1" add that to the "st of questions we'll ask him when
B^pill the ^yJ111^ Potion,' said Harry, sinking back onto
If ^ws ll ""ps " tastes better than this stuff ...'
got bits of Slytherins in it? You've got to be joking,' said
132 harry potter

The door of the hospital wing burst open at that m
Filthy and soaking wet, the rest of the Gryffindor tea ?
arrived to see Harry.
'Unbelievable flying. Harry,' said George. 'I've just seen M
Flint yelling at Malfoy. Something about having the Snitch on
of his head and not noticing. Malfoy didn't seem too happy'
They had brought cakes, sweets and bottles of pumpkin mi
they gathered around Harry's bed and were just getting started
what promised to be a good party when Madam Pomfrey car
storming over, shouting, This boy needs rest, he's got thirty-thi
bones to regrow! Out! OUT!'
And Harry was left alone, with nothing to distract him fromi
stabbing pains in his limp arm.
*
Hours and hours later, Harry woke quite suddenly in the pit
blackness and gave a small yelp of pain: his arm now felt full
large splinters. For a second, he thought it was that which h
woken him. Then, with a thrill of horror, he realised that someo
was sponging his forehead in the dark.
'Get off!' he said loudly, and then, 'Dobby!'
The house elf's goggling tennis-ball eyes were peering at Hai
through the darkness. A single tear was running down his loi
pointed nose.
'Harry Potter came back to school,' he whispered miseral
'Dobby warned and warned Harry Potter. Ah sir, why didn't y
heed Dobby? Why didn't Harry Potter go back home when
missed the train?'
Harry heaved himself up on his pillows and pushed Dobn
sponge away.
"What're you doing here?' he said. 'And how did you kno<
missed the train?'
Dobby's lip trembled and Harry was seized by a sudden sus|
cion.
'It was you!' he said slowly 'You stopped the barrier letting
through!' .
'Indeed yes, sir,' said Dobby nodding his head vigorous _
flapping. 'Dobby hid and watched for Harry Potter and seale^
gateway and Dobby had to iron his hands afterwards - "e ^
Harry ten, long, bandaged fingers,'- but Dobby didn't care, ^
he thought Harry Potter was safe, and never did Dobby
the rogue bludger 133

. potter would get to school another way!'
rn s rocking backwards and forwards, shaking his ugly

^n bBvwas so shocked when he heard Harry Potter was back at
v^arts, he let his master's dinner burn! Such a Hogging Dobby

p'cr had, sir...'
I narry slumped back onto his pillows.
You nearly got Ron and me expelled,' he said fiercely 'You'd
bi-iier clear off before my bones come back, Dobby or I might
sirangle you.'
Dobby smiled weakly
Dobby is used to death threats, sir. Dobby gets them five times
dav at home.'
He blew his nose on a corner of the filthy pillowcase he wore,
wking so pathetic that Harry felt his anger ebb away in spite of
iimsclf.
Why d'you wear that thing, Dobby?' he asked curiously.
This, sir?' said Dobby, plucking at the pillowcase. "Tis a mark
f the house-elf's enslavement, sir. Dobby can only be freed if his
masters present him with clothes, sir. The family is careful not to
lass Dobby even a sock, sir, for then he would be free to leave
jhcir house forever.'
i
.;
Dobby mopped his bulging eyes and said suddenly, 'Harry
Polier must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be
|nough to make -'
'Your Bludger?' said Harry, anger rising once more. 'What d'you
j"can, your Bludger? You made that Bludger try and kill me?'
^"t kill you, sir, never kill you!' said Dobby shocked. 'Dobby
^nis to save Harry Potter's life! Better sent home, grievously
"l"rcd, than remain here, sir! Dobby only wanted Harry Potter
lu" enough to be sent home!'

01 ll is B^7' said ^"y angrily 'I don't suppose you're going
^ll me why you wanted me sent home in pieces?'

InoD Harry potter only knew!' Dobby groaned, more tears
' "h0"!10 his ragged P1110^^- 'If he knew what he means to
>obbv y' the ^^av^ us dregs of the magical world!
r*> at ^menlbers ""w it was when He Who Must Not Be Named
!lke ^ci-m'' elght of his P0^"' sir! we house-elfs were treated
tftled 1^' slr' of course' Oobby is still treated like that, sir,' he
' '"y^g his face on the pillowcase. 'But mostly sir, life
134 harry potter	the rogue bludger	135

u, . , long woolly dressing gown and a nightcap. He was
LoiH *'' ne end of what looked like a statue. Professor
Poa,;;Sgall appeared a second later, carrying its feet. Together,

th^r^^^^M^^infre'y'' whispered Dumbledore and Professor
,, , , , ^--o---/,^^,ean,l, u ronaeall hurried past the end of Harry's bed out of sight.
let Harry Potter stay here now that history is to repeat itself nJH lav quite still, pretending to be asleep. He heard urgent
frT-l-at- t-ho f^^^-ml^ar /tf Co^T-otc ic /-t-tc*M /^t-i^/- w/^t-rt ' 1 11-"" / ^ , _ ?_.... ^/f/,^/^^^/rrt11 c-iir^T-tfr ha/'Tz intrt p}X7
has improved for my kind since you triumphed over H
Must Not Be Named. Harry Potter survived, and the Dark
power was broken, and it was a new dawn, sir, and Harrv P
shone like a beacon of hope for those of us who thought th n?
days would never end, sir ... And now, at Hogwarts, terrible th- are to happen, are perhaps happening already and Dobby cam
elf. 'Go home. Harry Potter, go home!'
'I'm not going anywhere!' said Harry fiercely. 'One of my _ ^ _ _ _
friends is Muggle-born, she'll be first in line if the Chamber rd^^_ ' don't think he managed t(
has been opened -' u^^^^ pro^ssor McGonagall eagerly
'Harry Potter risks his own life for his friends!' moaned DoV^ Dumb^edpre didn't answer. He
in a kind of miserable ecstasy 'So noble! So valiant! But he m
save himself, he must. Harry Potter must not -'
that the Chamber of Secrets is open once more -'
Dobby froze, horror-struck, then grabbed Harry's water in
from his bedside table and cracked it over his own head, topDiiiu
out of sight. A second later, he crawled back onto the bed, cross- eyed, muttering, 'Bad Dobby, very bad Dobby ...'
'So there is a Chamber of Secrets?' Harry whispered. 'And - di
you say it's been opened before! Tell me, Dobby!' ^H
He seized the elf's bony wrist as Dobby's hand inched towaris
the water jug. 'But I'm not Muggle-born - how can I be in dan]
from the Chamber?'
'Ah, sir, ask no more, ask no more of poor Dobby' stammi
the elf, his eyes huge in the dark. 'Dark deeds are planned in
place, but Harry Potter must not be here when they happen.
home. Harry Potter. Go home. Harry Potter must not meddle
this, sir, 'tis too dangerous -'
'Who is it, Dobby?' Harry said, keeping a firm hold on DobI
wrist to stop him hitting himself with the water jug again. 'Wl
opened it? Who opened it last time?'
'Dobby can't, sir, Dobby can't, Dobby mustn't tell!' squealed
^JU  _ 11.1.11.1.^^ .I*., 1.1V, i.l.l.HJL, l.J.UJ.J.y 1. ^LL^l illL-UL l.lV^t- jB
Dobby suddenly froze, his bat ears quivering. Harry hea I
too. There were footsteps coming down the passageway outsi <J
'Dobby must go!' breathed the elf, terrified; there was a c
crack, and Harry's fist was suddenly clenched on thin alr'"
slumped back into bed, his eyes on the dark doorway to t
pital wing as the footsteps drew nearer.
Next moment, Dumbledore was backing into the di
,n.es and then Professor McGonagall swept back into view,
l^selv followed by Madam Pomfrey who was pulling a cardigan
n over her nightdress. He heard a sharp intake of breath.
What happened?' Madam Pomfrey whispered to Dumbledore,
ending over the statue on the bed.
Another attack,' said Dumbledore. 'Minerva found him on the

lirs.'
There was a bunch of grapes next to him,' said Professor
MrGonagall. 'We think he was trying to sneak up here to visit

'iilier.'
Harry's stomach gave a horrible lurch. Slowly and carefully he
aised himself a few inches so he could look at the statue on the
x-d. A ray of moonlight lay across its staring face.
It was Colin Creevey His eyes were wide and his hands were
Muck up in front of him, holding his camera.
'Petrified?' whispered Madam Pomfrey.
, 'Yes,' said Professor McGonagall. 'But I shudder to think ... If
Nbus hadn't been on the way downstairs for hot chocolate, who
[knows what might have ...'
The three of them stared down at Colin. Then Dumbledore
leaned forward and prised the camera out of Colin's rigid grip.
^ou don't think he managed to get a picture of his attacker?'
_---^,-.-- ..q^.^.
"umbledore didn't answer. He prised open the back of the
-irncra

Good gracious!' said Madam Pomfrey
J" f steam had hissed out of the camera. Harry, three beds
wa- cw^ the acrid smell of burnt plastic.
l sald Madam Pomfrey wonderingly 'all melted ...'
 hat ^es this mean, Albus?' Professor McGonagall asked
"^enily.

'that the Chamber of Secrets is
136 harry potter

Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand to her mouth p r
McGonagall stared at Dumbledore. ^
'But Albus ... surely ... who?'
The question is not who,' said Dumbledore, his eyes on f l
The question is, how ...'
And from what Harry could see of Professor McGonaeair
shadowy face, she didn't understand this any better than he did
CHAPTER ELEVEN--

The Duelling Club



Harrv woke up on Sunday morning to find the dormitory blazing
nh winter sunlight and his arm re-boned but very stiff. He sat
up quickly and looked over at Colin's bed, but it had been
blocked from view by the high curtains Harry had changed
bthmd yesterday. Seeing that he was awake, Madam Pomfrey
came bustling over with a breakfast tray and then began bending
ind stretching his arm and fingers.
All in order,' she said, as he clumsily fed himself porridge left-
ded. 'When you've finished eating, you may leave.'
larry dressed as quickly as he could and hurried off to
Grvffindor tower, desperate to tell Ron and Hermione about Colin
mil Dobby, but they weren't there. Harry left to look for them,
wondering where they could have got to and feeling slightly hurt
i
that they weren't interested in whether he had his bones back or
not
I As Harry passed the library, Percy Weasley strolled out of it,
'king in far better spirits than last time they'd met.
^h, hello, Harry,' he said. 'Excellent flying yesterday, really
(Xidlent. GryHindor have just taken the lead for the House Cup -
vou "med fifty points''
"V L
'ou haven't seen Ron or Hermione, have you?' said Harry.
. 1 haven't,' said Percy, his smile fading. 'I hope Ron's not in
"girls'toiiet..,' " 1
adT lorced a laugh' Etched Percy out of sight and then
^.^slralght for Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. He couldn't see
are ih " ^"T^one would be in there again, but after making
r doo "To ^^ nor b^ P1'6^15 ^re around, he opened
's m3" heard their '^ces coming from a locked cubicle.
""k a*" l said' ^sing the door behind him. There was a
sp ash and a gasp from within the cubicle and he saw
138
the duelling club 139
harry potter

that Colin Creevey had been attacked and was now
The "^Though dead in the hospital wing had spread through the
lyln8 -hool by Monday morning. The air was suddenly thick
"Truniour and suspicion. The first years were now moving
Bind the castle in tight-knit groups, as though scared they
Hermione's eye peering through the keyhole. I
'Harry.'' she said. 'You gave us such a fright. Come in
your arm?' ow(
'Fine,' said Harry, squeezing into the cubicle. An old ca U
was perched on the toilet, and a crackling from under the ri l^luind the castle in tight-knit groups, as t
Harry they had lit a fire beneath it. Conjuring up portable wF^|u>d be attacked if they ventured forth alone- proof fires was a speciality of Hermione's. ' '^^Bliinny Weasley who sat next to Colin Cree^
Jiinny Weasley who sat next to Colin Creevey in Charms, was
caught, but Harry felt that Fred and George were going the
wrong way about cheering her up. They were taking it in turns to
cover themselves with fur or boils and jump out at her from
behind statues. They only stopped when Percy apoplectic with
race, lold them he was going to write to Mrs Weasley and tell her
i,inny was having nightmares.
Meanwhile, hidden from the teachers, a roaring trade in talismans,
amulets and other protective devices was sweeping the
school. Neville Longbottom bought a large, evil-smelling green
onion, a pointed purple crystal and a rotting newt-tail before the
olhcr Gryffindor boys pointed out that he was in no danger: he
was a pure-blood, and therefore unlikely to be attacked.
They went for Filch first,' Neville said, his round face fearful,
and everyone knows I'm almost a Squib.'

I*
the second week of December Professor McGonagall came
*niund as usual, collecting names of those who would be staying
u school for Christmas. Harry, Ron and Hermione signed her list;
ihrv had heard that Malfoy was staying, which struck them as
rv suspicious. The holidays would be the perfect time to use the
'1juice Potion and try to worm a confession out of him.
I nfortunately, the potion was only half-finished. They still
fded the Bicorn horn and the Boomslang skin, and the only
Kc '"''y were going to get them was from Snape's private stores.
^Ty privately felt he'd rather face Slytherin's legendary monster
Tvh snape catch him "^b^ghis office-
 we need,' said Hermione briskly as Thursday afternoon's
otions lesson loomed nearer, 'is a diversion. Then one of
a" sneak into Snape's office and take what we need.'
i S^Ron looked at her nervously
I a mar r do the actual stealing,' Hermione continued,
La-lr ^i tone' You two wi^ be ^P^lsd it you get in any
*-^s " Ie, and I've got a clean record. So all you need to do is
'We'd've come to meet you, but we decided to get started on ik. " r'-'--T--- -- '""'
Polyjuice Potion,' Ron explained, as Harry, with difficulty lockn- the cubicle again. 'We've decided this is the safest place to hide 11
Harry started to tell them about Colin, but Hermione interniR.
ed. 'We already know, we heard Professor McGonagall telhn.
Professor Flitwick this morning. That's why we decided we'd im^.
ter get going -' , f
'The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy, the better
snarled Ron. 'D'you know what I think? He was in such a ^H
temper after the Quidditch match, he took it out on Colin.' ^^
'There's something else,' said Harry, watching Hermione tearing
bundles of knotgrass and throwing them into the potion^obb_
came to visit me in the middle of the night.' ^^B
Ron and Hermione looked up, amazed. Harry told them even- thing Dobby had told him - or hadn't told him. Ron ami
Hermione listened with their mouths open.
'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened before7 said Hermiont
'This settles it,' said Ron in a triumphant voice. 'Lucius Malfff
must've opened the Chamber when he was at school here w
now he's told dear old Draco how to do it. It's obvious.
Dobby'd told you what kind of monster's in there, though.! w1'
to know how come nobody's noticed it sneaking round the school
'Maybe it can make itself invisible,' said Hermione, proddin(
leeches to the bottom of the cauldron. 'Or maybe it can disgui*
itself - pretend to be a suit of armour or something. Ive
about Chameleon Ghouls ...' JH
'You read too much, Hermione,' said Ron, pouring
lacewings on top of the leeches. He crumpled up the e
lacewing bag and looked round at Harry.
'So Dobby stopped us getting on the train and brok(.--1
arm ' T-Io chnnL- Ilic hoirl 'Vnn T/nnw what Hari"V? ll ne __
arm ...' He shook his head. 'You know what, Harry
stop trying to save your life he's going to kill you.'
140 harry potter

cause enough mayhem to keep Snape busy for five minutp
Harry smiled feebly. Deliberately causing mayhem in <; '
Potions class was about as safe as poking a sleeping dragon
eye.
Potions lessons took place in one of the large dun
Thursday afternoon's lesson proceeded in the usual way Tw
cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on }< stood brass scales and jars of ingredients. Snape prowled thrn
the fumes, making waspish remarks about the Gryffindors' w
while the Slytherins sniggered appreciatively. Draco Malfoy i
was Snape's favourite student, kept flicking puffer-fish eyes at I
and Harry, who knew that if they retaliated they would set de
tion faster than you could say 'unfair'.
Harry's Swelling Solution was far too runny, but he had
mind on more important things. He was waiting for Hennic
signal, and he hardly listened as Snape paused to sneer ai
watery potion. When Snape turned and walked off to b
Neville, Hermione caught Harry's eye and nodded. |
Harry ducked swiftly down behind his cauldron, pulled on
Fred's Filibuster fireworks out of his pocket and gave it a qi
prod with his wand. The firework began to fizz and spu
Knowing he had only seconds. Harry straightened up, took;
and lobbed it into the air; it landed right on target in Goyle_
dron. |
Goyle's potion exploded, showering the whole class. Pei
shrieked as splashes of the Swelling Solution hit them. Malfoy
a faceful and his nose began to swell like a balloon; Goyle b
dered around, his hands over his eyes, which had explandei
the size of dinner plates, while Snape was trying to restore <
and find out what had happened. Through the confusion, H
saw Hermione slip quietly out of the door.
'Silence! SILENCE!' Snape roared. 'Anyone who has
splashed, come here for a Deflating Draft. When I find out
did this ...'
Harry tried not to laugh as he watched Malfoy hurry Ion*
his head drooping with the weight of a nose like a sinal m
As half the class lumbered up to Snape's desk, some wei^
down with arms like clubs, others unable to talk through gig
puffed-up lips. Harry saw Hermione slide back into the du S
the front of her robes bulging.
thh duelling club 141

hen everyone had taken a swig of antidote and the various
n e had subsided, Snape swept over to Goyle's cauldron and
celling ^ twisted black remains of the firework. There was

'''" e^ find out who threw this,' Snape whispered, 'I shall
make wre that person is expelled.'
Hirrv arranged his face into what he hoped was a puzzled
prrssion. Snape was looking right at him, and the bell which
"' ;,,n minutes later could not have been more welcome.
He knew it was me,' Harry told Ron and Hermione, as they
rned back to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. 'I could tell.'
:lcrmione threw the new ingredients into the cauldron and
yn 10 stir feverishly
It'll be ready in a fortnight; she said happily.
Snape can't prove it was you,' said Ron reassuringly to Harry.
Whal can he do?'
'Knowing Snape, something foul,' said Harry, as the potion
nhed and bubbled.
*
A week later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking across the
Entrance Hall when they saw a small knot of people gathered
Iiund the notice board, reading a piece of parchment that had
>i been pinned up. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas becked
them over, looking excited.
'They're starting a Duelling Club!' said Seamus. 'First meeting
I' 'night! 1 wouldn't mind duelling lessons, they might come in
mdyone of these days ...'
' hai, you reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?' said Ron, but
ooo read the sign with interest.
Could be useful,' he said to Harry and Hermione as they went
jmo dinner.-Shall we go?'
| Harry and Hermione were all for it, so at eight o'clock that
r^n'ng they hurried back to the Great Hall. The long dining

Mil"! t vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one
R- ll by thousands of candles floating overhead. The ceiling
_ety black once more and most of the school seemed to be
^}v eneath u' an rarrying their wands and looking excited.
I lh" e^ who n be teaching us?' said Hermione, as they edged
llin^ c ^""8 crowd. 'Someone told me Flitwick was a
---- ^^Pion when he was young, maybe it'll be him.'
1
142 harry potter _

'As long as it's not -' Harry began, but he ended on a I
Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage, resplenri^1111
robes of deep plum and accompanied by none other than (; &
wearing his usual black.
Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called, 'Gather r .1
gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear nIP
Excellent!
'Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission tosun
this little duelling club, to train you all up in case you ever ncH
to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasion
- for full details, see my published works.
'Let me introduce my assistant Professor Snape,' said Lockha^
flashing a wide smile. 'He tells me he knows a tiny little bit abfl
duelling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a shon
demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of )
youngsters to worry - you'll still have your Potions master whra
I'm through with him, never fear!'
'Wouldn't it be good if they finished each other off?' Ron muttered
in Harry's ear.
Snape's upper lip was curling. Harry wondered why Locklun
was still smiling; if Snape had been looking at him like that he'd
have been running as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; 11
least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, wheros
Snape jerked his head irritably Then they raised their wands 1_
swords in front of them. |
'As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combfr
ive position,' Lockhart told the silent crowd. 'On the couni d
three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming ic
kill, of course.' , _
'I wouldn't bet on that,' Harry murmured, watching Snape
ing his teeth. H
'One - two - three -' ..^
Both of them swung their wands up and over their sho
Snape cried: 'Expelliarmus!' There was a dazzling flash of s0^
light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: he flew backwards o^
stage, smashed into the wall and slid down it to sprawl on t e
Malfoy and some of the other Slytherins cheered. e ^
was dancing on tip-toes. 'Do you think he's all right? she sq
through her fingers.
p
the duelling club 143
, ^res?' said Harry and Ron together.

. u . was eettine unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen
locknan v-' & 
1 his wavy hair was standing on end.
' ., ^gre you have it!' he said, tottering back onto the plat- 1 'That was a Disarming Charm - as you see, I've lost my
nn, u ^ank you, Miss Brown. Yes, an excellent idea to show
^m (hat, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it
as very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to
'ion you it would have been only too easy However, I felt it
,^uld be instructive to let them see ...'
')nape was looking murderous. Possibly Lockhart had noticed,
Icause he said, 'Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come
monest you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if
ou'd like to help me ...'
They moved through the crowd, matching up partners.
ockhan teamed Neville with Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Snape
cached Harry and Ron first.
'Time to split up the dream team, I think,' he sneered. 'Weasley,
ou can partner Finnigan. Potter -'
Harry moved automatically towards Hermione.
"I don't think so,' said Snape, smiling coldly. 'Mr Malfoy, come
vcr here. Let's see what you make of the famous Potter. And you,
liss Granger - you can partner Miss Bulstrode.'
Malfoy strutted over, smirking. Behind him walked a Slytherin
iri who reminded Harry of a picture he'd seen in Holidays with
lap She was large and square and her heavy jaw jutted aggres-
i^lv Hermione gave her a weak smile which she did not return.
^c your partners!' called Lockhart, back on the platform,
mdbow!'

'"ry and Malfoy barely inclined their heads, not taking their
v" "11 each other.
sands at the ready'.' shouted Lockhart. 'When I count to three,
w charms to disarm your opponent - only to disarm them
J^ont warn any accidents. One ... two ... three ...'
I ^"7 swung his wand over his shoulder, but Malfoy had
,tarted on 'two': his spell hit Harry so hard he felt as
rvervh nhit over the ^d with a saucepan. He stumbled,
lm* Ha ing stl^ seemed to be working, and wasting no more
^'"^mn^ i1301"1^ his wand ^^g111 at- Malfoy and shouted,
144 harry potter

A jet of silver light hit Malfoy in the stomach and he d
up, wheezing.
'I said disarm onlyV Lockhart shouted in alarm over th k
of the battling crowd, as Malfoy sank to his knees; Harrv h a
him with a Tickling Charm, and he could barely move for I
ing. Harry hung back, with a vague feeling it would be unsoon
to bewitch Malfoy while he was on the floor, but this was a
take. Gasping for breath, Malfoy pointed his wand at Har
knees, choked, 'Tarantallegra!' and next second Harry's legs |
begun to jerk around out of his control in a kind of quickstep
'Stop! Stop!' screamed Lockhart, but Snape took charge.
'Finite IncantatemF he shouted; Harry's feet stopped dand
Malfoy stopped laughing and they were able to look up.
A haze of greenish smoke was hovering over the scene. B
Neville and Justin were lying on the floor, panting; Ron was hi
ing up an ashen-faced Seamus, apologising for whatever his 1
ken wand had done; but Hermione and Millicent Bulstrode v
still moving; Millicent had Hermione in a headlock and Hermi
was whimpering in pain. Both their wands lay forgotten on
floor. Harry leapt forward and pulled Millicent off. It was ditlic
she was a lot bigger than he was.
'Dear, dear,' said Lockhart, skittering through the crowd, Ic
ing at the aftermath of the duels. 'Up you get, Macmillan ... c
ful there, Miss Fawcett... pinch it hard, it'll stop bleeding in a
and, Boot...
'I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells,';
Lockhart, standing flustered in the midst of the hall. He glance
Snape, whose black eyes glinted, and looked quickly away.
have a volunteer pair - Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley,
about you?'
'A bad idea, Professor Lockhart,' said Snape, gliding over lil
large and malevolant bat. 'Longbottom causes devastation '
the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Field
up to the hospital wing in a matchbox.' Neville's round pin
went pinker. 'How about Malfoy and Potter?' said Snape w
twisted smile. ,
'Excellent idea!' said Lockhart, gesturing Harry and Maltov^
the middle of the hall as the crowd backed away to give
room.
 irt
'Now, Harry' said Lockhart, 'when Draco points his ft
J
^^ the duelling club 145

^i ^aised his own wand, attempted a complicated sort of wig-
-^tion and dropped it. Snape smirked as Lockhart quickly
T. 1 it ud saying, 'Whoops - my wand is a little over-excited.'
lc t p moved closer to Malfoy, bent down and whispered some-
in his ear. Malfoy smirked too. Harry looked nervously up
"1'ockhart and said, 'Professor, could you show me that blocking

'ng again?'
scared?' muttered Malfoy, so that Lockhart couldn't hear him.
You wish,' said Harry out of the corner of his mouth.
i ockhart cuffed Harry merrily on the shoulder. 'Just do what I

id, Harry!'
What, drop my wand?'
But Lockhart wasn't listening.
Three - two - one - go!' he shouted.
Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed, '5erpensortia!'
The end of his wand exploded. Harry watched, aghast, as a
ng black snake shot out of it, fell heavily onto the floor between
cm and raised itself, ready to strike. There were screams as the
owd backed swiftly away, clearing the floor.
Don't move. Potter,' said Snape lazily, clearly enjoying the sight
Harry standing motionless, eye to eye with the angry snake. 'I'll
indofit...'
Allow me!' shouted Lockhart. He brandished his wand at the
"he and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing,
rw ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud
"ack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight towards
"'in Finch-Fletchley and raised itself again, fangs exposed,
'1'x-d to strike.
arry wasn't sure what made him do it. He wasn't even aware
ending to do it. All he knew was that his legs were carrying
lm "rward as though he was on castors and that he had shouted
P'dly at the snake, 'Leave him!' And miraculously - inexplica-
' e snake slumped to the floor, docile as a thick black gar-
^se, us ^s now on Harry Harry felt the fear drain out of
t kn e new ^le snake wouldn't attack anyone now, though how

He l^o'k' couldn't have ^P111111^- 10 (.ei.p , "P at J^tin, grinning, expecting to see justin look-
KL^areri or ^uzz^' or even grateful - but certainly not angry
146 harry potter

'What do you think you're playing at?' he shouted, and hf
Harry could say anything, Justin had turned and stormed 
the hall. utl
Snape stepped forward, waved his wand and the snak
ished in a small puff of black smoke. Snape, too, was look
Harry in an unexpected way: it was a shrewd and calculatine I
and Harry didn't like it. He was also dimly aware of an omino
muttering all around the walls. Then he felt a tugging on the bai
of his robes.
'Come on,' said Ron's voice in his ear. 'Move - come on ...'
Ron steered him out of the hall, Hermione hurrying alonesu
them. As they went through the doors, the people on either sk
drew away as though they were frightened of catching somethin
Harry didn't have a clue what was going on, and neither Ron m
Hermione explained anything until they had dragged him all tl
way up to the empty Gryffindor common room. Then Ron pushi
Harry into an armchair and said, 'You're a Parselmouth. Wl
didn't you tell us?'
'I'm a what?' said Harry.
'A Parselmouth!' said Ron. 'You can talk to snakes!'
'I know,' said Harry. 'I mean, that's only the second time 1'
ever done it. I accidentally set a boa constrictor on my cous
Dudley at the zoo once - long story - but it was telling me it hi
never seen Brazil and I sort of set it free without meaning to. Th
was before I knew I was a wizard ...'
'A boa constrictor told you it had never seen Brazil?' Hi
repeated faintly.
'So?' said Harry. 'I bet loads of people here can do it.'
'Oh no they can't,' said Ron. 'It's not a very common gift. Har
this is bad.' .
'What's bad?' said Harry, starting to feel quite angry. 'W"
wrong with everyone? Listen, if I hadn't told that snake no
attack Justin -'
'Oh, that's what you said to it?'
'What d'you mean? You were there ... you heard me.
'I heard you speaking Parseltongue,' said Ron, 'snake w^
You could have been saying anything. No wonder Justin P3
you sounded like you were egging the snake on or so
was creepy, you know.'
Harry gaped at him.
the duelling club 147

oke a different language? But - I didn't realise - how can I
J ifa language without knowing I can speak it?'
hook his head. Both he and Hermione were looking
Rh'n h someone had died. Harry couldn't see what was so

--'n^ou want to tell me what's wrong with stopping a dirty great
Ik- bitinejustin's head off?' he said. 'What does it matter how I
ill it as long asjustin doesn't have to join the Headless Hunt?'
Ill matters,' said Hermione, speaking at last in a hushed voice,
J- ause being able to talk to snakes was what Salazar Slytherin
Br famous for. That's why the symbol of Slytherin house is a
FRcm.'
Harry's mouth fell open.
exactly,' said Ron. 'And now the whole school's going to think
lu re his great-great-great-great-grandson or something ..,'
Bul I'm not,' said Harry, with a panic he couldn't quite explain.
I'You'll find that hard to prove,' said Hermione. 'He lived about a
ousand years ago; for all we know, you could be.'
*
Ham' lay awake for hours that night. Through a gap in the hang-
>gs round his four-poster he watched snow starting to drift past
ie lower window, and wondered.
Could he be a descendant of Salazar Slytherin? He didn't know
nvihing about his father's family, after all. The Dursleys had
ways forbidden questions about his wizarding relatives.
Quietly, Harry tried to say something in Parseltongue. The
Irrds wouldn't come. It seemed he had to be face to face with a
'"kc 10 do it.
B"i I'm in Gryffindor,' Harry thought. 'The Sorting Hat wouldn't
^ pui me in here if I had Slytherin blood ...'
'n. said a nasty little voice in his brain, 'But the Sorting Hat
"^ to P"1 you m Slytherin, don't you remember?'
icd'1"7!1"""'6 over' Hed ''^J1-1''1111 next day in Herbology and
^hichTh '" that he d been ca^ing the snake off, not egging it on,
uvt r Y thought ^g1"11^ pumelling his pillow) any fool should

I*

lu'ri"^0"11"^ however' the snow that had begun in the night
Ifrm i lnto a blizzard so thick th3it the last Herbology lesson
| as ^^elled: Professor Sprout wanted to fit socks and

148 harry potter

scarves on the Mandrakes, a tricky operation she would e
no one else, now that it was so important for the Mand L1'
grow quickly and revive Mrs Norris and Colin Creevey K *
Harry fretted about this next to the fire in the Gryffindn
mon room, while Ron and Hermione used their lesson off ^
a game of wizard chess.
'For heaven's sake. Harry,' said Hermione, exasperated JB
of Ron's bishops wrestled her knight off his horse and drarw
him off the board. 'Go and Jind Justin if it's so important to you
So Harry got up and left through the Portrait hole, wonderin
where Justin might be. _
The castle was darker than it usually was in daytime, b<S"
of the thick, swirling grey snow at every window. Shivering, Ham walked past classrooms where lessons were taking place, catchm
snatches of what was happening within. Professor McGonaal
was shouting at someone who, by the sound of it, had turnd
his friend into a badger. Resisting the urge to take a look.
Harry walked on by, thinking that Justin might be using his fia
lesson to catch up on some work, and deciding to check iht
library first.
A group of the Hufflepuffs who should have been in Herbolop
were indeed sitting at the back of the library, but they didn't s((
to be working. Between the long lines of high bookshelves, Ham
could see that their heads were close together and they were w
ing what looked like an absorbing conversation. He couldnlsB
whether Justin was among them. He was walking towards the
when something of what they were saying met his ears, and
paused to listen, hidden in the Invisibility section.
'So anyway,' a stout boy was saying, 'I told Justin to hide up
our dormitory. I mean to say, if Potter's marked him down as
next victim, it's best if he keeps a low profile for a wnlw
course, Justin's been waiting for something like this to PF
ever since he let slip to Potter he was Muggle-born. Justin ac
told him he'd been down for Eton. That's not the kind of W
you bandy about with Slytherin's heir on the loose, is it ^
'You definitely think it is Potter, then, Ernie?' said a girUB
blonde pigtails anxiously. , ..A
'Hannah,' said the stout boy solemnly 'he's a Par^ ^

Everyone knows that's the mark of a dark wizard. Have ) ^
i ~) They "^^
heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes.

I ^* the duelling club 149

,,t,enn himself Serpent-tongue;
, was some heavy murmuring at this, and Ernie went on,
l her what was written on the wall? Enemies of the Heir
Rcnu Potter had some sort of run-in with Filch. Next thing we
B<^ Filch's cat's attacked. That first year, Creevey, was annoying
p" -r at the Quidditch match, taking pictures of him while he
Ivine in the mud. Next thing we know, Creevey's been

Biked;
ie always seems so nice, though,' said Hannah uncertainly,
.mil well, he's the one who made You Know Who disappear. He
^ni be all bad, can he?'
Ernie lowered his voice mysteriously, the Hufflepuffs bent clos-
,r .mil Harry edged nearer so that he could catch Ernie's words.
|}o one knows how he survived that attack by You Know Who.
I mean to say, he was only a baby when it happened. He should
have been blasted into smithereens. Only a really powerful Dark
W>:ard could have survived a curse like that.' He dropped his
ice until it was barely more than a whisper, and said, That's
'hably why You Know Who wanted to kill him in the first
_cc. Didn't want another Dark Lord competing with him. I wonder
what other powers Potter's been hiding?'
i
 Harry couldn't take any more. Clearing his throat loudly, he
Ppcd out from behind the bookshelves. If he hadn't been feelng
so angry, he would have found the sight that greeted him
_nny: every one of the Hufflepuffs looked as though they had
rn Petrified by the sight of him, and the colour was draining
i of Ernie's face.
Hello; said Harry. Tm looking forjustin Finch-Fletchley'
'he Hufflepuffs' worst fears had clearly been confirmed. They
'""ked fearfully at Ernie.
"at do you want with him?' said Ernie, in a quavering voice.
earned to tell him what really happened with that snake at
,^""8 Club,'said Harry.
i

Wt't""' i hls white lips and then' takm?, a ^P breath, said,
^e all there. We saw what happened.'

aid H^0" noticed that a11" I spoke to it, the snake backed off?'

)ke saw' sald Ernie ^"bornly, though he was trembling as he
as you speaking Parseltongue and chasing the snake
j '"^i.iri.
150 harry potter

'I didn't chase it at him!' Harry said, his voice shak'
anger. 'It didn't even touch him!' " wl
'It was a very near miss,' said Ernie. 'And in case you're
ideas,' he added hastily, 'I might tell you that you can tra l
family back through nine generations of witches and warl '
and my blood's as pure as anyone's, so -'
'I don't care what sort of blood you've got!' said Harry fierc
'Why would I want to attack Muggle-borns?'
'I've heard you hate those Muggles you live with,' said En
swiftly.
'It's not possible to live with the Dursleys and not hate thei
said Harry. 'I'd like to see you try it.'
He turned on his heel and stormed out of the library, earni
himself a reproving glare from Madam Pince, who was polish!
the gilded cover of a large spellbook.
Harry blundered up the corridor, barely noticing where hW
going, he was in such a fury. The result was that he walked it
something very large and solid, which knocked him backwal
onto the floor.
'Oh, hullo, Hagrid,' Harry said, looking up.
Hagrid's face was entirely hidden by a woolly, snow-cover
balaclava, but it couldn't possibly be anyone else, as he filled mi
of the corridor in his moleskin overcoat. A dead rooster was hat
ing from one of his massive, gloved hands.
'All righ', Harry?' he said, pulling up the balaclava so he coi
speak. 'Why aren't yeh in class?'
'Cancelled,' said Harry, getting up. 'What're you doing in here
Hagrid held up the limp rooster.
'Second one killed this term,' he explained. 'It's either foxes o
Blood-Suckin' Bugbear, an' I need the headmaster's permission 1
put a charm round the hen-coop.'
He peered more closely at Harry from under his thick, s"
flecked eyebrows.
'Yeh sure yeh're all righ'? Yeh look all hot an' bothered.'
Harry couldn't bring himself to repeat what Ernie and t
of the Hufflepuffs had been saying about him. .
'It's nothing,' he said. 'I'd better get going, Hagn .
Transfiguration next and I've got to pick up my books.
He walked off, his mind still full of what Ernie had said
him.
^^ the duelling club . 151

< been waiting for something like this to happen ever since
'"^l" (o potter he was Muggle-bom..:
u. stamped up the stairs and turned along another corridor,
i ''h was particularly dark; the torches had been extinguished by
_"' ,(.y draught which was blowing through a loose window
11'" He was halfway down the passage when he tripped head-
jcn'g over something lying on the floor.
I He turned to squint at what he'd fallen over, and felt as though
his stomach had dissolved.
Ilustin Finch-Fletchley was lying on the floor, rigid and cold, a
i>k of shock frozen on his face, his eyes staring blankly at the
iline. And that wasn't all. Next to him was another figure, the
strangest sight Harry had ever seen.
I li was Nearly Headless Nick, no longer pearly-white and trans-
p.ircnl, but black and smoky, floating immobile and horizontal,
I ix inches off the floor. His head was half off and his face wore an
xprcssion of shock identical to Justin's.
Harry got to his feet, his breathing fast and shallow, his heart
oing a kind of drum-roll against his ribs. He looked wildly up
nd down the deserted corridor and saw a line of spiders scuttling
'. (ast as they could away from the bodies. The only sounds were
I he muffled voices of teachers from the classes on either side.
He could run, and no one would ever know he had been there.
lui he couldn't just leave them lying here ... he had to get help.
Would anyone believe he hadn't had anything to do with this?
As he stood there, panicking, a door right next to him opened
j*"h a bang. Peeves the poltergeist came shooting out.
^hy, us potty wee Potter!' cackled Peeves, knocking Harry's
' scs -^ew as he bounced past him. 'What's Potter up to? Why's
^llcr lurking-' ,
'"eves stopped, halfway through a mid-air somersault. Upside
w". he spotted Justin and Nearly Headless Nick. He flipped
"Rht way up, filled his lungs and, before Harry could stop
^ORT^r'1"^' 'ATTACKI ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO
^TAAAA OR GHOST Is SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR UVES!

Bj ~ "^h - crash: door after door flew open along the
, ^ People flooded out. For several long minutes, there
aa^hed^ i such con^usion that Justin was in danger of being
an" P^P^ kept standing in Nearly Headless Nick.
152 harry potter

Harry found himself pinned against the wall as the
shouted for quiet. Professor McGonagall came running foil el
by her own class, one of whom still had black and white si0^
hair. She used her wand to set off a loud bang, which re<;i
silence, and ordered everyone back into their classes. No son
had the scene cleared somewhat than Ernie the Hufflepuff am
panting, on the scene.
'Caught in the act!' Ernie yelled, his face stark white, poinnn
his finger dramatically at Harry.
That will do, Macmillan!' said Professor McGonagall sharply
Peeves was bobbing overhead, now grinning wickedly, survn
ing the scene; Peeves always loved chaos. As the teachers go
over Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, examining them, Peevi
broke into song:
'Oh Potter, you rotter, oh what have you done,
You're killing off students, you think it's good fun - That's enough Peeves!' barked Professor McGonagall, an
Peeves zoomed away backwards, with his tongue out at Ham'.
Justin was carried up to the hospital wing by Professor Flitwic
and Professor Sinistra of the Astronomy department, but nobod
seemed to know what to do for Nearly Headless Nick. In the ere
Professor McGonagall conjured a large fan out of thin air, whic
she gave to Ernie with instructions to waft Nearly Headless nic
up the stairs. This Ernie did, fanning Nick along like a silfl
black hovercraft. This left Harry and Professor McGonagall^
together. H
This way, Potter,' she said. '
'Professor,' said Harry at once, 'I swear I didn't -'
This is out of my hands, Potter,' said Professor McGonagi
curtly.
They marched in silence around a corner and she stoppi
before a large and extremely ugly stone gargoyle.
'Sherbert lemon!' she said. This was evidently a pass^
because the gargoyle sprang suddenly to life, and hopped as
the wall behind him split in two. Even full of dread for wha^
coming, Harry couldn't fail to be amazed. Behind the wa 11^ ^
spiral staircase which was moving smoothly upwards.
escalator. As he and Professor McGonagall stepped onto it^
heard the wall thud closed behind them. They rose up
circles, higher and higher, until at last, slightly dizzy Harry
the duelling club 153

learning oak door ahead, with a brass knocker in the shape

11'riffon.
n. knew where he was being taken. This must be where

Imbledore lived.

-- CHAPTER TWELVE--

The Poly juice Potion

They stepped off the stone staircase at the top and Profess
McGonagall rapped on the door. It opened silently and ih
entered. Professor McGonagall told Harry to wait, and left hi
there, alone.
Harry looked around. One thing was certain: of all the teachc
offices Harry had visited so far this year, Dumbledore's was by 1
the most interesting. If he hadn't been scared out of his wits ih
he was about to be thrown out of school, he would have been vt
pleased to have a chance to look around it.
It was a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny lill
noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindl
legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke. Tl
walls were covered with portraits of old headmasters and mi
tresses, all of whom were snoozing gently in their frames. The
was also an enormous, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a sra
behind it, a shabby, tattered wizard's hat - the Sorting Hat.
Harry hesitated. He cast a wary eye around the sleeping witch
and wizards on the walls. Surely it couldn't hurt if he took ihet
down and tried it on again? Just to see ... just to make sure 11
put him in the right house. .
He walked quietly around the desk, lifted the hat from itssM
and lowered it slowly onto his head. It was much too ^e
slipped down over his eyes, just as it had done the last tin1
put it on. Harry stared at the black inside of the hat, waiting ^
a small voice said in his ear, 'Bee in your bonnet, Harry Po
'Er, yes,' Harry muttered. 'Er - sorry to bother you -
to ask -' , h)
'You've been wondering whether I put you in the ng
said the hat smartly 'Yes ... you were particularly difficult loP"^
But I stand by what I said before -' Harry's heart leap
the polyjuice potion 155

..I have done well in Slytherin;
ri"" rv's stomach plummeted. He grabbed the point of the hat
J pulled it off. It hung limply in his hand, grubby and faded.
" pushed it back onto its shelf, feeling sick.
Vurc wrong,' he said aloud to the still and silent hat. It didn't
l,^ Harry backed away, watching it. Then a strange, gagging
|nse behind him made him wheel around.
I He wasn't alone after all. Standing on a golden perch behind the
rf i >r was a decrepit-looking bird which resembled a half-plucked
rkcv. Harry stared at it and the bird looked balefully back, mak-
inn iis gagging noise again. Harry thought it looked very ill. Its
b.cs were dull and, even as Harry watched, a couple more feathers
II out of its tail.
Harry was just thinking that all he needed was for
inmbledore's pet bird to die while he was alone in the office with
" , when the bird burst into flames.
Harry yelled in shock and backed away into the desk. He
xikcd feverishly around in case there was a glass of water some-
hcre, but couldn't see one. The bird, meanwhile, had become a
ircball; it gave one loud shriek and next second there was noth- "s but a smouldering pile of ash on the floor.
The office door opened. Dumbledore came in, looking very
'mhre.
Professor,' Harry gasped, 'your bird - I couldn't do anything -
he just caught fire -'
To Harry's astonishment, Dumbledore smiled.
About time, too,' he said. 'He's been looking dreadful for days,
^ been telling him to get a move on.'
"c chuckled at the stunned look on Harry's face.
^kes is a phoenix, Harry Phoenixes burst into flame when it
" "me lor them to die and are reborn from the ashes. Watch him ...'
bird'1"! looked down in time to see a tiny, wrinkled, new-born
one lts head out of the ashes- II was ^ulte as "^Y as the old

I,,3 shame you had to see him on a Burning Day' said
T^dore, seating himself behind his desk. 'He's really very
1'^ mosl of ^e time: wonderful red and gold plumage.
"v lo A t:reatures' phoenixes. They can carry immensely
^Jul Dei5 t elr tears ^ave ^lea^ng powers and they make highly

156 harry potter

In the shock of Fawkes catching fire. Harry had forgon
he was there for, but it all came back to him as Dumbleri
tied himself in the high-backed chair behind the desk and r^'
Harry with his penetrating, light blue stare, sum
Before Dumbledore could speak another word, howeve^^
door of the office flew open with an almighty bang and HasnA
burst in, a wild look in his eyes, his balaclava perched on ton n<
his shaggy black head and the dead rooster still swinging from
hand.
'It wasn' Harry, Professor Dumbledore!' said Hagrid urgent"
was talkin' ter him seconds before that kid was found, he nevn
had time, sir ...'
Dumbledore tried to say something, but Hagrid went raniim
on, waving the rooster around in his agitation, sending feaihtn
everywhere.
'... It can't've bin him, I'll swear it in front o' the Ministry o
Magic if I have to ...'
'Hagrid, I -'
'... Yeh've got the wrong boy, sir, I know Harry never -'
'Hagrid?' said Dumbledore loudly. 'I do not think that Harry
attacked those people.'
'Oh,' said Hagrid, the rooster falling limply at his side. 'Right
I'll wait outside then, Headmaster.'
And he stomped out looking embarrassed.
'You don't think it was me, Professor?' Harry repeated hopefulk
as Dumbledore brushed rooster feathers off his desk.
'No, Harry, I don't,' said Dumbledore, though his face w
sombre again. 'But I still want to talk to you.'
Harry waited nervously while Dumbledore considered him. l
tips of his long fingers together.
'I must ask you, Harry, whether there is anything you d lik_
tell me,' he said gently. 'Anything at all.' H
Harry didn't know what to say He thought of Malfoy shol)lllv
'You'll be next, Mudbloods!' and of the Polyjuice P0"0",5""^
ing away in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Then he thoug
disembodied voice he had heard twice and remembered w a ^
had said: 'Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sip^ ^
in the wizardmg world.' He thought, too, about what eveno^
saying about him, and his growing dread that he was
connected with Salazar Slytherin ...
1
THE polyjuice potion 157

1. ^id Harry, 'there isn't anything, Professor.'
_.*,
, L)g attack on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick turned
h had hitherto been nervousness into real panic. Curiously, it
* J yearly Headless Nick's fate that seemed to worry people
**' i What could possibly do that to a ghost, people asked each
"Trr what terrible power could harm someone who was already
An^ There was almost a stampede to book seats on the
Horwarts Express so that students could go home for Christmas.
this rate, we'll be the only ones left,' Ron told Harry and
Hrrmione. 'Us, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. What a jolly holiday it's
ing 10 be.'
I
Crabbe and Goyle, who always did whatever Malfoy did, had
;ned up to stay over the holidays too. But Harry was glad that
most people were leaving. He was tired of people skirting around
him in the corridors, as though he was about to sprout fangs or
pii poison; tired of all the muttering, pointing and hissing as he
passed.
Fred and George, however, found all this very funny. They went
|u> of their way to march ahead of Harry down the corridors,
shouting, 'Make way for the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wiz-
M coming through ...'
Perry was deeply disapproving of this behaviour.
It is not a laughing matter,' he said coldly.
^h, get out of the way, Percy,' said Fred. 'Harry's in a hurry.'
^eah, he's nipping off to the Chamber of Secrets for a cup of tea
*nh his fanged servant,' said George, chortling.
C'mny didn't find it amusing either.
h, don't,' she wailed every time Fred asked Harry loudly who
.c was Panning to attack next, or George pretended to ward
^ off with a large clove of garlic when they met.
^ arry didn't mind; it made him feel better that Fred and
^"rge, at least, thought the idea of his being Slytherin's heir
^ ll '"dicrous. But their antics seemed to be aggravating
a toy, who looked increasingly sour each time he saw

"Riv -Y "^ hes burstm& to ^y ^'s really him,' said Ron know- '"d your now ^ow ^e nates anyone beating him at anything,
ioi fo^getting a11 the credit for his dirtywork-'
| ""S- ^id Hermione in a satisfied tone. 'The Polyjuice
158 harry potter

Potion's nearly ready. We'll be getting the truth out of h'
day now.' lr
*
At last the term ended, and a silence deep as the snow n
grounds descended on the castle. Harry found it peaceful i>
than gloomy, and enjoyed the fact that he, Hermione and it
Weasleys had the run of Gryffindor tower, which meant 1)1
could play Exploding Snap loudly without bothering anyone an
practise duelling in private. Fred, George and Ginny had choa
to stay at school rather than visit Bill in Egypt with Mr and M
Weasley. Percy, who disapproved of what he termed their childis
behaviour, didn't spend much time in the Gryffindor commc
room. He had already told them pompously that he was only sir
ing over Christmas because it was his duty as a prefect to suppo
the teachers during this troubled time.
Christmas morning dawned, cold and white. Harry and Roi
the only ones left in their dormitory, were woken very early I
Hermione, who burst in, fully dressed and carrying presents fi
them both.
'Wake up,' she said loudly, pulling back the curtains at the wil
dow.
'Hermione - you're not supposed to be in here,' said Roi
shielding his eyes against the light.
'Merry Christmas to you, too,' said Hermione, throwing him h
present. 'I've been up for nearly an hour, adding more lacewin)
to the potion. It's ready.'
Harry sat up, suddenly wide awake.
'Are you sure?'
'Positive,' said Hermione, shifting Scabbers the rat so thai sl
could sit down on the end of his four-poster. 'If we're going 101
it, I say it should be tonight.'
At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room, carn_
very small package in her beak. Hj
'Hello,' said Harry happily, as she landed on his bed, 'arel
speaking to me again?' ^ ^
She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, whicn ^
far better present than the one which she had brought him,
turned out to be from the Dursleys. They had sent Harry a ^
pick and a note telling him to find out whether he d
stay at Hogwarts for the summer holidays, too.
^^ the polyjuice potion 159

I of Harry's Christmas presents were far more satisfact- There^ had sent him a large tin of treacle fudge, which Harry
k CT soften by the fire before eating; Ron had given him a
^ lied Flying with the Cannons, a book of interesting facts
his favourite Quidditch team; and Hermione had bought
luxury eagle-feather quill. Harry opened the last present to
"I a new, hand-knitted jumper from Mrs Weasley and a large
im cake. He put up her card with a fresh surge of guilt, think-
about Mr Weasley's car, which hadn't been seen since its crash
ih the Whomping Willow, and the bout of rule-breaking he and
in were planning next.
*
> one, not even someone dreading taking Polyjuice Potion later,
uld fail to enjoy Christmas dinner at Hogwarts.
The Great Hall looked magnificent. Not only were there a
izen frost-covered Christmas trees and thick streamers of holly
(1 mistletoe criss-crossing the ceiling, but enchanted snow was
ling, warm and dry, from the ceiling. Dumbledore led them in a
a of his favourite carols, Hagrid booming more and more loudly
ih every goblet of eggnog he consumed. Percy, who hadn't
liced that Fred had bewitched his Prefect badge so that it now
id 'Pinhead', kept asking them all what they were sniggering at.
>itv didn't even care that Draco Malfoy was making loud, snide
marks about his new jumper from the Slytherin table. With a bit
luck, Malfoy would be getting his come-uppance in a few
iurs lime.
Harry and Ron had barely finished their third helpings of
insimas pudding when Hermione ushered them out of the hall
""alise their plans for the evening.
c still need a bit of the people you're changing into,' said
n^ione matter-of-factly as though she was sending them to the
P_rmarkei for washing-powder. 'And obviously, it'll be best if
j^" get something of Crabbe and Goyle's; they're Malfoy's best
t re 1 r te^ t^em ^Y^^g- And we also need to make sure
line h an(^ ^Y^ can>t burst in on us while we're interro-

E an I D11 ^Tked out,' she went on smoothly, ignoring
tv H '""P^'1 faces- she hdd "P two P11? chocolate
&*' "led these with a simple Sleeping Draught. All you
is make sure Crabbe and Goyle find them. You know
160 harry potter

how greedy they are, they're bound to eat them. Once th
asleep, pull out a few of their hairs and hide them in a bron ^
board.' t
Harry and Ron looked incredulously at each other.
'Hermione, I don't think --'
'That could go seriously wrong -'
But Hermione had a steely glint in her eye not unlike the n
Professor McGonagall sometimes had.
The potion will be useless without Crabbe and Goyle's haii
she said sternly. 'You do want to investigate Malfoy, don't you7'
'Oh, all right, all right,' said Harry. 'But what about you? Whoa
hair are you ripping out?'
'I've already got mine!' said Hermione brightly, pulling a tin
bottle out of her pocket and showing them the single hair insidi
it. 'Remember Millicent Bulstrode wrestling with me ai (hi
Duelling Club? She left this on my robes when she was trying u
strangle me! And she's gone home for Christmas - so I'lljusl hot
to tell the Slytherins I've decided to come back.'
When Hermione had bustled off to check on the Polyjuifl
Potion again, Ron turned to Harry with a doom-laden expression.
'Have you ever heard of a plan where so many things could f,
wrong?'
*
But to Harry and Ron's utter amazement, stage one of the op(i
tion went just as smoothly as Hermione had said. They lurked l
the deserted Entrance Hall after Christmas tea, waiting for Crabh
and Goyle who had remained alone at the Slytherin table, shovd
ling down fourth helpings of trifle. Harry had perched the choco
late cakes on the end of the bannisters. When they spotted CraW
and Goyle coming out of the Great Hall, Harry and Ron nil
quickly behind a suit of armour next to the front door. .
'How thick can you get?' Ron whispered ecstatically, as Cra
gleefully pointed out the cakes to Goyle and grabbed t
Grinning stupidly, they stuffed the cakes whole into their
mouths. For a moment, both of them chewed greedily, ocl ^
triumph on their faces. Then, without the smallest chan?
expression, they both keeled over backwards onto the floor. ^
Much the most difficult bit was hiding them in thecup^
across the hall. Once they were safely stowed amongst t e ^
and mops, Harry yanked out a couple of the bristles
^^ the polyjuice potion 161

I forehead and Ron pulled out several of Crabbe's hairs.
e I stole their shoes, because their own were far too
\ ( r Crabbe and Goyle-sized feet. Then, still stunned at what
wu had just done, they sprinted up to Moaning Myrtle's

'rhev could hardly see for the thick black smoke issuing from
h cubicle in which Hermione was stirring the cauldron. Pulling
h.ir robes up over their faces, Harry and Ron knocked softly on

ihc door.
Hermione?'
They heard the scrape of the lock and Hermione emerged,
shinv-faced and looking anxious. Behind her they heard the gloop
ilwp of the bubbling, treacle-thick potion. Three glass tumblers
stood ready on the toilet seat.
Did you get them?' Hermione asked breathlessly.
Harry showed her Goyle's hair.
'Good. And I sneaked these spare robes out of the laundry,'
(rrmione said, holding up a small sack. 'You'll need bigger sizes
ncc you're Crabbe and Goyle.'
The three of them stared into the cauldron. Close up, the
pinion looked like thick, dark mud, bubbling sluggishly.
1 m sure I've done everything right,' said Hermione, nervously
r-rcading the splotched page of Moste Potente Potions. 'It looks
kc the book says it should ... Once we've drunk it, we'll have
"ctly an hour before we change back into ourselves.'
Now what?' Ron whispered.
We separate it into three glasses and add the hairs.'
Hermione ladled large dollops of the potion into each of the
"^s. Then, her hand trembling, she shook Millicent Bulstrode's
"""ui of iis bottle into the first glass.
'"e potion hissed loudly like a boiling kettle and frothed
My A second later, it had turned a sick sort of yellow.
rg ~ '"''Etice of Millicent Bulstrode,' said Ron, eyeing it with
.""8. -Bet it tastes disgusting.'^

Ha^T5'then'' said He^mo"e
rabb^ pped ^Y^'s hair into the middle glass and Ron put

umed STi^ last one' Both glasses hissed and frothed: Gyle's
Han e "lour of a bogey, Crabbe's a dark, murky brown.

djiies W'Vh1111 Harry' as Ron and Hermione reached for their
e better not all drink them in here: once we turn into

162 harry potter

Crabbe and Goyle we won't fit. And Millicent Bulstrode's no
'Good thinking,' said Ron, unlocking the door. 'We'll tak x"
arate cubicles.'
Careful not to spill a drop of his Polyjuice potion n
slipped into the middle cubicle.
'Ready?' he called.
'Ready,' came Ron and Hermione's voices.
'One ... two ... three ...'
Pinching his nose. Harry drank the potion down in two lai
gulps. It tasted like overcooked cabbage.
Immediately, his insides started writhing as though he'd 11
swallowed live snakes - doubled up, he wondered whether he w
going to be sick - then a burning sensation spread rapidly fro
his stomach to the very ends of his fingers and toes. Next, bnn
ing him gasping to all fours, came a horrible melting feeling,
the skin all over his body bubbled like hot wax, and before eyes, his hands began to grow, the fingers thickened, the na
broadened and the knuckles were bulging like bolts. His shoi
ders stretched painfully and a prickling on his forehead told hi
that hair was creeping down towards his eyebrows; his rob
ripped as his chest expanded like a barrel bursting its hoops; I
feet were agony in shoes four sizes too small...
As suddenly as it had started, everything stopped. Harry 1
face down on the cold stone floor, listening to Myrtle gurglr
morosely in the end toilet. With difficulty, he kicked off his she
and stood up. So this was what it felt like, being Goyle. His lai
hand trembling, he pulled off his old robes, which were hanginf
foot above his ankles, pulled on the spare ones and laced i
Goyle's boat-like shoes. He reached up to brush his hair out of
eyes and met only the short growth of wiry bristles, low on
forehead. Then he realised that his glasses were clouding hisef
because Goyle obviously didn't need them. He took them of
called, 'Are you two OK?' Goyle's low rasp of a voice issued I"
his mouth.
'Yeah,' came the deep grunt of Crabbe from his right.
Harry unlocked his door and stepped in front of the cr
mirror. Goyle stared back at him out of dull, deepset eyes.
scratched his ear. So did Goyle. 1-1 }
Ron's door opened. They stared at each other. Excep
looked pale and shocked, Ron was indistinguishable from
the polyjuice potion 163

I ,g pudding-basin haircut to the long, gorilla arms.
*?his is unbelievable; said Ron, approaching the mirror and
odding Crabbe's flat nose. 'Unbelievable:
tfvv 'd better get going,' said Harry, loosening the watch that was
ne into Goyle's thick wrist. 'We've still got to find out where
l" clytherin common room is, I only hope we can find someone

10 follow '
Ron who had been gazing at Harry, said, 'You don't know how
hi-arre it is to see Goyle thinking.' He banged on Hermione's door.
C mon, we need to go ...'
} high-pitched voice answered him. 'I - I don't think I'm going
^o come after all. You go on without me.'
_ Hermione, we know Millicent Bulstrode's ugly, no one's going
o know it's you.'
-No - really - I don't think I'll come. You two hurry up, you're
wasting time.'
Harry looked at Ron, bewildered.
I'Thut looks more like Goyle,' said Ron. 'That's how he looks
very time a teacher asks him a question.'
Hermione, are you OK?' said Harry through the door.
'Fine - I'm fine ... Go on -'
Harry looked at his watch. Five of their precious sixty minutes
h.id already passed.
We'll meet you back here, all right?' he said.
Harry and Ron opened the door of the bathroom carefully,
checked that the coast was clear and set off.
Don t swing your arms like that,' Harry muttered to Ron.
Eh?' ^,

Crabbe holds them sort of stiff ...'
How's this?'
'^ah, that's better.'

i Sl ^y went down the marble staircase. All they needed now was
^ erm who they could follow to the Slytherin common room,
oul'here was nobody around
^ldeas?' muttered Harry. ,
I ythenns always come up to breakfast from over there,'
} ^". "^ding at the entrance to the dungeons. The words
icroff^ i^ ms mou':h when a girl with long curly hair
g^^ the entrance. 8 S Y
me' sal^ Ron, hurrying up to her, 'we've forgotten the
164 harry potter

way to our common room.'
'I beg your pardon?' said the girl stiffly 'Our common room?h
a Ravenclaw.'
She walked away, looking suspiciously back at them.
Harry and Ron hurried down the stone steps into the darkn
their footsteps echoing particularly loudly as Crabbe and Gnvl
huge feet hit the floor, feeling that this wasn't going to be as ex
as they had hoped.
The labyrinthine passages were deserted. They walked deew
and deeper under the school, constantly checking their watches i
see how much time they had left. After a quarter of an hour, in
when they were getting desperate, they heard a sudden movernei
ahead.
'Ha!' said Ron excitedly. 'There's one of them now!'
The figure was emerging from a side room. As they hurrii
nearer, however, their hearts sank. It wasn't a Slytherin, ii w
Percy.
'What're you doing down here?' said Ron in surprise.
Percy looked affronted.
'That,' he said stiffly, 'is none of your business. It's Crabbe, isi
it?'
'Wh - oh, yeah,' said Ron.
'Well, get off to your dormitories,' said Percy sternly 'It's it
safe to go wandering around dark corridors these days.'
'You are,' Ron pointed out.
'I,' said Percy, drawing himself up, 'am a prefect. Nothin]
about to attack me.'
A voice suddenly echoed behind Harry and Ron. Draco Main
was strolling towards them, and for the first time in his life, Hai
was pleased to see him.
There you are,' he drawled, looking at them. 'Have you "
been pigging out in the Great Hall all this time? I've been lookii
for you, I want to show you something really funny'
Malfoy glanced witheringly at Percy.
'And what're you doing down here, Weasley?' he sneere
Percy looked outraged. , r |
'You want to show a bit more respect to a school prc e j
said. 'I don't like your attitude!' .. ^
Malfoy sneered and motioned Harry and Ron to o
Harry almost said something apologetic to Percy but caugl
^^^ thh polyjuice potion 165

time. He and Ron hurried after Malfoy, who said as
H ^Urned into the next passage, That Peter Weasley -
Percy' Ron corrected him automatically
Whatever; said Malfoy 'I've noticed him sneaking around a lot
,l And I'bet 1 know what he's up to. He thinks he's going to
ii'.hSlytherin's heir single-handed.'
' He gave a short, derisive laugh. Harry and Ron exchanged

i. tied looks.
Malfoy paused by a stretch of bare, damp stone wall.
I
What's the new password again?' he said to Harry.
Er -' said Harry.
Oh yeah - pure-blood!' said Malfoy, not listening, and a stone
>or concealed in the wall slid open. Malfoy marched through it
ind Harry and Ron followed him.
The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground
oom with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round,
;rccnish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling
inder an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and sev- rjl Slytherins were silhouetted around it in carved chairs.
here,' said Malfoy to Harry and Ron, motioning them to a
uir of empty chairs set back from the fire. 'I'll go and get it - my
'.nhcr's just sent it to me -'
Wondering what Malfoy was going to show them, Harry and
K"n sat down, doing their best to look at home.
Malfoy came back a minute later, holding what looked like a
newspaper cutting. He thrust it under Ron's nose.
'That'll give you a laugh,' he said.
Harry saw Ron's eyes widen in shock. He read the cutting
(uiikly, gave a very forced laugh and handed it to Harry.
^ bee" clipped out of the Daily Prophet, and it said:

ENQUIRY AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

^hurWeasley, Head ojthe Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office,
'"today fined fifty Galleons for bewitching a Muggle car.

Ailch (us Ma^o:y' a gQ^nor ofHogwarts School of
"ajt and Wizardry, where the enchanted car crashed earlier
.^called today Jor Mr Weasley's resignation.
Mg|ry has brought the Ministry into disrepute,' Mr
v ' d our ''eporter. -He is cieariy unfit to draw up our
166 harry potter

laws and his ridiculous Muggle Protection Act shouid be sr
immediately.' 1
Mr Weasley was unavailable/or comment, although his
wife told reporters to clear off or she'd set the family ghoul
on them.

Well?' said Malfoy impatiently, as Harry handed the cum
back to him. 'Don't you think it's funny?'
'Ha, ha,' said Harry bleakly.
'Arthur Weasley loves Muggles so much he should snap t
wand in half and go and join them,' said Malfoy scornfully. 'Voi
never know the Weasleys were pure-bloods, the way they behavi
Ron's - or rather, Crabbe's - face was contorted with fury.
'What's up with you, Crabbe?' snapped Malfoy.
'Stomach ache,' Ron grunted.
'Well, go up to the hospital wing and give all those Mudbloo
a kick from me,' said Malfoy, snickering. 'You know, I'm surpris
the Daily Prophet hasn't reported all these attacks yet,' he went i
thoughtfully. 'I suppose Dumbledore's trying to hush it all u
He'll be sacked if it doesn't stop soon. Father's always a
Dumbledore's the worst thing that's ever happened to this phi
He loves Muggle-borns. A decent headmaster would never've
slime like that Creevey in.'
Malfoy started taking pictures with an imaginary camera ai
did a cruel but accurate impression of Colin: 'Potter, can 1 ha
your picture, Potter? Can I have your autograph? Can 1 lick yo
shoes, please. Potter?'
He dropped his hands and looked at Harry and Ron.
'What's the matter with you two?'
Far too late, Harry and Ron forced themselves to laugh,
Malfoy seemed satisfied; perhaps Crabbe and Goyle were aW
slow on the uptake. ,.1
'Saint Potter, the Mudbloods' friend,' said Malfoy slowly.
another one with no proper wizard feeling, or he wou
around with that jumped up Granger Mudblood. And p1
think he's Slytherin's heir!' ^
Harry and Ron waited with bated breath: Malfoy was
seconds away from telling them it was him. But then - ^
'I wish I knew who it is,' said Malfoy petulantly "I co
them.'
^^^ the polyjuice potion 167

aw dropped so that Crabbe's face looked even more
i than usual. Fortunately, Malfoy didn't notice, and Harry,
^T fast said, 'You must have some idea who's behind it
lhinKl-6 ^

v know I haven't, Goyle, how many times do I have to tell
,. snapped Malfoy. 'And father won't tell me anything about
,11 ^ (jme the Chamber was opened, either. Of course, it was
d wears aeo, so it was before his time, but he knows all about it,
i [^ say5 that it was all kept quiet and it'll look suspicious if I
know too much about it. But I know one thing: last time the
("Samber of Secrets was opened, a Mudblood died. So I bet it's a
auiier of time before one of them's killed this time ... I hope it's
Br.inger; he said with relish.
Ron was clenching Crabbe's gigantic fists. Feeling that it would
i- a bit of a give-away if Ron punched Malfoy, Harry shot him a
"arning look and said, 'D'you know if the person who opened the
hamber last time was caught?'
Oh, yeah ... whoever it was was expelled,' said Malfoy. 'They're
wbably still in Azkaban.'
Azkaban?' said Harry, puzzled.
Azkaban - the wizard prison, Goyle,' said Malfoy, looking at
urn in disbelief. 'Honestly, if you were any slower, you'd be going
'ackwards.'
He shifted restlessly in his chair and said, 'Father says to keep
irv head down and let the heir of Slytherin get on with it. He says
ihc school needs ridding of all the Mudblood filth, but not to get
""xed up in it. Of course, he's got a lot on his plate at the
""'mem. You know the Ministry of Magic raided our Manor last
*cck?' - "
'arry tried to force Goyle's dull face into a look of concern.
'"h ...' said Malfoy 'Luckily, they didn't find much. Father's
w <lome ^O' valuable Dark Arts stuff. But luckily, we've got our
^n secret chamber under the drawing room floor -
Ho!' said Ron.
I^'foy looked at him. So did Harry. Ron blushed. Even his hair
'ng red. His nose was also slowly lengthening - their
as up. Ron was turning back into himself, and from the
Th orTOr ne was suddenly giving Harry, he must be, too.

- Med jumped to their feet-
ne tor my stomach,' Ron grunted, and without further
168 harry potter

ado they sprinted the length of the Slytherin common
hurled themselves at the stone wall and dashed up the n
hoping against hope that Malfoy hadn't noticed anything H
could feel his feet slipping around in Goyle's huge shoes and i,
to hoist up his robes as he shrank; they crashed up the steos
the dark entrance hall, which was full of a muffled pound
coming from the cupboard where they'd locked Crabbe a
Goyle. Leaving their shoes outside the cupboard door, they spit
ed in their socks up the marble staircase towards Moani
Myrtle's bathroom.
'Well, it wasn't a complete waste of time,' Ron panted, do'
the bathroom door behind them. 'I know we still have
found out who's doing the attacks, but I'm going to write to C
tomorrow and tell him to check under the Malfoys' draw
room.' -U
Harry checked his face in the cracked mirror. He was back
normal. He put his glasses on as Ron hammered on the door
Hermione's cubicle.
'Hermione, come out, we've got loads to tell you -
'Go away!' Hermione squeaked.
Harry and Ron looked at each other.
'What's the matter?' said Ron. 'You must be back to normal
now, we are
But Moaning Myrtle glided suddenly through the cubicle do
Harry had never seen her looking so happy. _
'Ooooooh, wait til you see,' she said. 'It's awfuV.' I
They heard the lock slide back and Hermione emerged, s<
bing, her robes pulled up over her head.
'What's up?' said Ron uncertainly 'Have you still got Millie"
nose or something?'
Hermione let her robes fall and Ron backed into the sink.
Her face was covered in black fur. Her eyes had gone yel'
and there were long pointed ears poking through her hair.
'It was a c-cat hair!' she howled. 'M-Millicent Bulstrode m-i^
have a cat! And the p-potion isn't supposed to be used tor a
transformations!'
'Uh oh,' said Ron.
'You'll be teased something dreadful^ said Myrtle happily- ^
'It's OK, Hermione,' said Harry quickly 'We'll take you uf^
hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many q^
the POLYJUICE potion 169

H look a long time to persuade Hermione to leave the bath- ni Moaning Myrtle sped them on their way with a hearty

idaw
|\'ait till everyone finds out you've got a tail.''
ml!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN--

The Very Secret Diary

Hermione remained in the hospital wing for several weeks tm
was a flurry of rumour about her disappearance when the rest of
the school arrived back from their Christmas holidays, because o(
course everyone thought that she had been attacked. So many students
filed past the hospital wing trying to catch a glimpse of hn
that Madam Pomfrey took out her curtains again and placed them
around Hermione's bed, to spare her the shame of being seen with
a furry face.
Harry and Ron went to visit her every evening. When the of
term started, they brought her each day's homework.
'If I'd sprouted whiskers, I'd take a break from work,' said Ron.
tipping a stack of books onto Hermione's bedside table ont
evening.
'Don't be silly Ron, I've got to keep up,' said Hermione briskk
Her spirits were greatly improved by the fact that all the hair hill
gone from her face and her eyes were turning slowly back tt
brown. 'I don't suppose you've got any new leads?' she added ml
whisper, so that Madam Pomfrey couldn't hear her.
'Nothing,' said Harry gloomily. ,
'I was so sure it was Malfoy,' said Ron, for about the hundred!*

time- . i,,h
'What's that?' asked Harry, pointing to something gold sticki"!
out from under Hermione's pillow. ,
'Just a Get Well card,' said Hermione hastily trying to P0^,
out of sight, but Ron was too quick for her. He pulled 1
flicked it open and read aloud: ,
'To Miss Granger, wishing you a speedy recovery, from }o
cemed teacher. Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Me' '
Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League
times winner of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Awai [
^^ the very secret diary 171

Ron looked up at Hermione, disgusted.

You sleep with this under your Pi^ow?'
Hermione was spared answering by Madam Pomfrey

weeping over with her evening dose of medicine-
^'1 Lockhart the smarmiest bloke you've ever met, or what?'
unsaid to Harry as they left the dormitory and started up the
irs towards Gryffindor tower. Snape had given them so much
homework, Harry thought he was likely to be in the sixth year
before he finished it. Ron was just saying he wished he had asked
Hrrmione how many rat tails you were supposed to add to a Hair
Rjisine potion, when an angry outburst from the floor above
I-ached their ears.
That's Filch,' Harry muttered, as they hurried up the stairs and
jused, out of sight, listening hard.
You don't think someone else's been attacked?' said Ron
nsely.
They stood still, their heads inclined towards Filch's voice,
khich sounded quite hysterical.
'... even more work for me! Mopping all night, like I haven't got
-nriigh to do! No, this is the final straw, I'm going to Dumbledore ...'
His footsteps receded and they heard a distant door slam.
They poked their heads around the corner. Filch had clearly
'fen manning his usual look-out post: they were once again on
ihc spot where Mrs Morris had been attacked. They saw at a
Elancc what Filch had been shouting about. A great flood of water
__ched over half the corridor, and it looked as though it was
1 seeping from under the door of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
ow Filch had stopped shouting, they could hear Myrtle's wails
^hoing off the bathroom walls.
^Now what's up with her?' said Ron.
els go and see,' said Harry, and holding their robes over their
cs they stepped through the great wash of water to the door
'"R its Out Of Order sign, ignored it as always, and entered.
oamng Myrtle was crying, if possible, louder and harder than
--[ ore. She seemed to be hiding down her usual toilet. It was
hmh l e nroom' because the candles had been extinguished
^great rush of water that had left both walls and floor soak-
| "Cl,

IF ^ Mynle?'said ^"v
s t?' fugged Myrtle miserably 'Come to throw some-
172 harry potter

thing else at me?'
Harry waded across to her cubicle and said, 'Why w }a throw something at you?' i
'Don't ask me,' Myrtle shouted, emerging with a wave of
more water, which splashed onto the already sopping floor 'H l
am, minding my own business, and someone thinks it's funnv
throw a book at me ...'
'But it can't hurt you if someone throws something at you' sat
Harry, reasonably 'I mean, it'd just go right through you wouldn
it?' '
He had said the wrong thing. Myrtle puffed herself up an
shrieked, 'Let's all throw books at Myrtle, because she can't feel n
Ten points if you can get it through her stomach! Fifty points i(i
goes through her head! Well, ha ha ha! What a lovely game,
don't think!'
'Who threw it at you, anyway?' asked Harry.
'I don't know ... I was just sitting in the U-bend, thinking abou
death, and it fell right through the top of my head,' said Mynli
glaring at them. 'It's over there, it got washed out.'
Harry and Ron looked under the sink, where Myrtle was poim
ing. A small, thin book lay there. It had a shabby black cover an
was as wet as everything else in the bathroom. Harry stepped foi
ward to pick it up, but Ron suddenly flung out an arm to hoi
him back.
'What?' said Harry.
'Are you mad?' said Ron. 'It could be dangerous.'
'Dangerous?' said Harry laughing. 'Come off it, how could n b
dangerous?'
'You'd be surprised,' said Ron, who was looking apprehensive
at the book. 'Some of the books the Ministry's confiscated - D
told me - there was one that burned your eyes out. And every
who read Sonnets of a Sorcerer spoke in limericks for the res
their lives. And some old witch in Bath had a book that you co
never stop reading! You just had to wander around with your
in it, trying to do everything one-handed. And -'
'All right, I've got the point,' said Harry.
The little book lay on the floor, nondescript and soggy
'Well, we won't find out unless we look at it,' he sal .
ducked round Ron and picked it off the floor. ^
Harry saw at once that it was a diary, and the faded y
^^" the very secret diary 173

Id him it was fifty years old. He opened it eagerly On the
ovtr lo p he could just make out the name T. M. Riddle' in

nuidyd ink'
up on' said Ron, who had approached cautiously and was
Rl o over Harry's shoulder. 'I know that name ... T. M. Riddle
i an award for special services to the school fifty years ago.'
g How on earth d'you know that?' said Harry in amazement.
Because Filch made me polish his shield about fifty times in
dticniion,' said Ron resentfully That was the one I burped slugs
over. If you'd wiped slime off a name for an hour, you'd
remember it, too.'
Harry peeled the wet pages apart. They were completely blank.
Where wasn't the faintest trace of writing on any of them, not even
Auntie Mabel's birthday', or 'dentist, half past three'.
He never wrote in it,' said Harry, disappointed.
I'l wonder why someone wanted to flush it away?' said Ron
riously.
Harry turned to the back cover of the book and saw the printed
me of a newsagents in Vauxhall Road, London.
He must've been Muggle-born,' said Harry thoughtfully, 'to
I.ive bought a diary from Vauxhall Road ...'
Well, it's not much use to you,' said Ron. He dropped his voice.
ifly points if you can get it through Myrtle's nose.'
Harry, however, pocketed it.
r^', *
Hcrmione left the hospital wing, de-whiskered, tail-less and fur- "<. at the beginning of February. On her first evening back in
j'Tvttindor Tower, Harry showed her T. M. Riddle's diary and told
1" the story of how they had found it.
""oh, it might have hidden powers,' said Hermione enthusias-
"I V. taking the diary and looking at it closely
" has, it's hiding them very well,' said Ron. 'Maybe it's shy I
"^now why you don't chuck it, Harry'
0tild krlew why someone did "7 to chuck it,' said Harry. 'I
Trt "',mlnd ^"wing how Riddle got an award for special ser- yg'oHogwans, either.'
^sa^ed we been anythmg'' said Ron. 'Maybe he got thirty O.W.Ls
^-nie ih3 teacher from the gia1" squid. Maybe he murdered
ru( ^ l ^uld've done everyone a favour ...'
|^ rry ^^d tell from the arrested look on Hermione's face
174 harry potter

that she was thinking what he was thinking.
'What?' said Ron, looking from one to the other.
'Well, the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago
it?' he said. 'That's what Malfoy said.' ' -"
'Yeah ...' said Ron slowly.
'And this diary is fifty years old,' said Hermione, tannj
excitedly.
'So?'
'Oh, Ron, wake up,' snapped Hermione, 'We know the perso
who opened the Chamber last time was expelled fifty years as
We know T. M. Riddle got an award for special services to ih
school fifty years ago. Well, what if Riddle got his special awr
for catching the Heir of Slytherini His diary would probably tell u
everything: where the Chamber is, and how to open it, and wtu
sort of creature lives in it. The person who's behind the attack
this time wouldn't want that lying around, would they?'
'That's a brilliant theory, Hermione,' said Ron, 'with just on
tiny little flaw. There's nothing written in his diary.'
But Hermione was pulling her wand out of her bag.
'It might be invisible ink!' she whispered.
She tapped the diary three times and said, 'Aparecium.''
Nothing happened. Undaunted, Hermione shoved her han
back into her bag and pulled out what appeared to be a bright re
eraser.
'It's a Revealer, I got it in Diagon Alley,' she said.
She rubbed hard on 'January the first'. Nothing happened.
'I'm telling you, there's nothing to find in there,' said Roi
'Riddle just got a diary for Christmas and couldn't be bothen
filling it in.'
*
Harry couldn't explain, even to himself, why he didn't just throi
Riddle's diary away. The fact was that even though he hne^
diary was blank, he kept absent-mindedly picking it up and w
ing the pages, as though it was a story he wanted to Ilnls_,l]
while Harry was sure he had never heard the name T.
before, it still seemed to mean something to him, a to ^
though Riddle was a friend he'd had when he was very sma^
half-forgotten. But this was absurd. He'd never had friends
Hogwarts, Dudley had made sure of that. ^
Nevertheless, Harry was determined to find out nio
^H the very secret diary 175

next day at break, he headed for the trophy-room to
Riddle's special award, accompanied by an interested
dn". gnd a thoroughly unconvinced Ron, who told them
"". enough of the trophy-room to last him a lifetime.
L Mie's burnished gold shield was tucked away in a corner cab-
| , j^n't carry details of why it had been given to him ('Good
ling too, or it'd be even bigger and I'd still be polishing it,' said
) However, they did find Riddle's name on an old Medal for
i^ical Merit, and on a list of old Head Boys.
| He sounds like Percy,' said Ron, wrinkling his nose in disgust.
retect, Head Boy - probably top of every class.'
You say that like it's a bad thing,' said Hermione, in a slightly
irl voice.

-
tic sunhad now begun to shine weakly on Hogwarts again.
iside the castle, the mood had grown more hopeful. There had
en no more attacks since those on Justin and Nearly Headless
ick, and Madam Pomfrey was pleased to report that the
'.indrakes were becoming moody and secretive, meaning that
icy were fast leaving childhood.
The moment their acne clears up, they'll be ready for reing
again,' Harry heard her telling Filch kindly one afternoon.
nd after that, it won't be long until we're cutting them up and
rwing them. You'll have Mrs Morris back in no time.'
Perhaps the heir of Slytherin had lost his or her nerve, thought
Try. It must be getting riskier and riskier to open the Chamber
berets, with the school so alert and suspicious. Perhaps the
nmstcr, whatever it was, was even now settling itself down to
wrnale for another fifty years ...
Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff didn't take this cheerful view. He
K> slln "nvinced that Harry was the guilty one, that he had
IK" ^"^elf away' at the Duelling Club. Peeves wasn't helping
ers e ^P1 Popping up in the crowded corridors singing 'Oh
-you rotter ...', now with a dance-routine to match.
-""y ^ckhart seemed to think he himself had made the
1^ slop. Harry overheard him telling Professor McGonagall so
do e Gryffindors were "nmg up for Transfiguration.
 ^"'nk there'll be any more trouble, Minerva,' he said,
been I15 ^ost mov^m^y and winking. 'I think the Chamber
ocked for good this time. The culprit must have known
176 harry potter ^

it was only a matter of time before I caught them. Rather
to stop now, before I came down hard on them. '
'You know, what the school needs now is a morale-h
Wash away the memories of last term! I won't say any mor el
now, but I think I know just the thing ...'
He tapped his nose again and strode off.
Lockhart's idea of a morale-booster become clear at breakf
time on February the fourteenth. Harry hadn't had much sle
because of a late-running Quidditch practice the night before am
he hurried down to the Great Hall slightly late. He thought for
moment, that he'd walked through the wrong doors.
The walls were all covered with large, lurid pink flowers. Wors
still, heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceilint
Harry went over to the Gryffindor table, where Ron was siltim
looking sickened, and Hermione seemed to have come over rathe
giggly
'What's going on?' Harry asked them, sitting down, and wipin)
confetti off his bacon.
Ron pointed to the teachers' table, apparently too disgusted u
speak. Lockhart, wearing lurid pink robes to match the decora
tions, was waving for silence. The teachers on either side of him
were looking stony-faced. From where he sat, Harry could see,
muscle going in Professor McGonagall's cheek. Snape looked a
though someone had just fed him a large beaker of Skele-Gro.
'Happy Valentine's Day!' Lockhart shouted. 'And may I thani
the forty-six people who have so far sent me cards! Yes, 1 iw
taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all - a"
it doesn't end here!'
Lockhart clapped his hands and through the doors to ll>
Entrance Hall marched a dozen surly-looking dwarfs. Not jusl an'
dwarfs, however. Lockhart had them all wearing golden wings Ml
carrying harps. ^
'My friendly, card-carrying cupids!' beamed Lockhan. _
will be roving around the school today delivering your Valenli
And the fun doesn't stop here! I'm sure my colleagues w11^
to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask r
Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion. n
you're at it. Professor Flitwick knows more about E"1 ^
Enchantments than any wizard I've ever met, the sly old "^
Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands. Snape ^
^^ the very secret diary 177

hnueh the first person to ask him for a Love Potion would
in<as l  .
j. force-fed poison.
I , Hermione, tell me you werent one of the tony-six, said
s they left the Great Hall for their first lesson. Hermione
(?denly became very interested in searching her bag for her
-Liable and didn't answer.
I }\ day long, the dwarfs kept barging into their classes to
A -liver Valentines, to the annoyance of the teachers, and late that
ailcrnoon, as the Gryffindors were walking upstairs for Charms,
ne of them caught up with Harry.
Oy, you! 'Arry Potter!' shouted a particularly grim-looking
Iwarf, elbowing people out of the way to get to Harry
Hot all over at the thought of being given a Valentine in front of
a queue of first years, which happened to include Ginny Weasley,
Harry tried to escape. The dwarf, however, cut his way through
the crowd by kicking people's shins, and reached him before he'd
Kone two paces.
| 'I've got a musical message to deliver to 'Arry Potter in person,'
|hc said, twanging his harp in a threatening sort of way.
}ol here,' Harry hissed, trying to escape.
'Slay still!' grunted the dwarf, grabbing hold of Harry's bag and
pulling him back.
'Lei me go!' Harry snarled, tugging.
With a loud ripping noise, his bag split in two. His books,
*and, parchment and quill spilled onto the floor and his ink got-
'le smashed over the lot.
Harry scrambled around, trying to pick it all up before the
^arf started singing, causing something of a hold-up in the corridor.
vnats going on here?' came the cold, drawling voice of Draco
a oy Harry started stuffing everything feverishly into his ripped
R. desperate to get away before Malfoy could hear his musical

'*-l ^
ats all this commotion?' said another familiar voice, as
^v Weasley arrived.

^ized"^ hls head' ^"'y tried to make a run for it' but the dwarf
^- 'm around the knees and brought him crashing to the

iknii e sald' ^^"g on Harry's ankles, 'here is your singing
178 harry potter

'His eyes are as green as afresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.'
Harry would have given all the gold in Gringotts to evaporai
on the spot. Trying valiantly to laugh along with everyone else h
got up, his feet numb from the weight of the dwarf as Pp
Weasley did his best to disperse the crowd, some of whom were
crying with mirth.
'Off you go, off you go, the bell rang five minutes ago, off io
class, now,' he said, shooing some of the younger students awav
'And you, Malfoy.'
Harry, glancing over, saw Malfoy stoop and snatch up something.
Leering, he showed it to Crabbe and Goyle, and Harrv
realised that he'd got Riddle's diary.
'Give that back,' said Harry quietly.
'Wonder what Potter's written in this?' said Malfoy, who obviously
hadn't noticed the year on the cover, and thought he had
Harry's own diary. A hush fell over the onlookers. Ginny was staring
from the diary to Harry, looking terrified.
'Hand it over, Malfoy,' said Percy sternly.
'When I've had a look,' said Malfoy, waving the diary tauntingly
at Harry.
Percy said, 'As a school Prefect -', but Harry had lost his temper.
He pulled out his wand and shouted, 'ExpeHiarmus!' andjuK
as Snape had disarmed Lockhart, so Malfoy found the diary shool-
ing out of his hand into the air. Ron, grinning broadly, caught n
'Harry!' said Percy loudly 'No magic in the corridors. I'll haw
to report this, you know!'
But Harry didn't care, he'd got one over on Malfoy, and that ^
worth five points from Gryifindor any day Malfoy was lookin
furious, and as Ginny passed him to enter her classroom.
yelled spitefully after her, 'I don't think Potter liked you
Valentine much!' ,
Ginny covered her face with her hands and ran into
Snarling, Ron pulled out his wand, too, but Harry pulle
away Ron didn't need to spend the whole of Charms e

It wasn't until they had reached Professor Flitwicks c a
Harry noticed something rather odd about Riddle's diary |
^^ the very secret diary 179

h oks were drenched in scarlet ink. The diary, however, was
11 } as it had been before the ink bottle had smashed all over
6 H^lried to point this out to Ron, but Ron was having trouble
" hhis wand again; large purple bubbles were blossoming out of
*l -nd and he wasn't much interested in anything else.

^,gnt to bed before anyone else in his dormitory that night.
Th s Was partly because he didn't think he could stand Fred and
Ceoree singing, 'His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad', one
more time, and partly because he wanted to examine Riddle's
dun' again, and knew that Ron thought he was wasting his time.
Harry sat on his four-poster and flicked through the blank
pages, not one of which had a trace of scarlet ink on it. Then he
pulled a new bottle out of his bedside cabinet, dipped his quill
into it, and dropped a blot onto the first page of the diary.
Che ink shone brightly on the paper for a second and then, as
igh it was being sucked into the page, vanished. Excited,
Harry loaded up his quill a second time and wrote, 'My name is
ry Potter.'
he words shone momentarily on the page and they too sank
without trace. Then, at last, something happened.
Oozing back out of the page, in his very own ink, came words
Harry had never written.
Hello, Harry Potter. My name is Tom Riddle. How did you come by
"I diary?'
These words, too, faded away, but not before Harry had started
scribble back. ifc '
"wmeone tried to flush it down a toilet.'
He waited eagerly for Riddle's reply
Lucky that I recorded my memories in some more lasting way than
^ ' But I always knew that there would be those who would not want
(^iary read:
hat do you mean?' Harry scrawled, blotting the page in his
"tement.
n'ean ^"t this diary holds memories of terrible things. Things
u,. were Wered up. Things which happened at Hogwarts School
^hcra/t and Wizardry:
.ts where I am now,' Harry wrote quickly 'I'm at Hogwarts,
ft, buff's been happening. Do you know anything about
"-"amber of Secrets?' '
180 harry potter

His heart was hammering. Riddle's reply came quickl
writing becoming untidier, as though he was hurrying to in
he knew.
'Of course I know about the Chamber of Secrets. In my da
told us it was a legend, that it did not exist. But this was a lie I '
fifth year, the Chamber was opened and the monster attacked sev
students, finally killing one. I caught the person who'd opened ik
Chamber and he was expelled. But the Headmaster, Professor Dinnri
ashamed that such a thing had happened at Hogwarts, forbade me
tell the truth. A story was given out that the girl had died in a frraj
accident. They gave me a nice, shiny, engraved trophy for my trouM
and warned me to heep my mouth shut. But I knew it could haprxi
again. The monster lived on, and the one who had the power i
release it was not imprisoned.'
Harry nearly upset his ink bottle in his hurry to write back.
'It's happening again now. There have been three attacks and m
one seems to know who's behind them. Who was it last time?'
'I can show you, if you like,' came Riddle's reply. 'You don't ham
take my word for it. I can take you inside my memory of the nigli
when I caught him.'
Harry hesitated, his quill suspended over the diary. What dt
Riddle mean? How could he be taken inside somebody elst
memory? He glanced nervously at the door to the dormitor
which was growing dark. When he looked back at the diary, h
saw fresh words forming.
'Let me show you.'
Harry paused for a fraction of a second and then wrote two Id
ters.
'OK.'
The pages of the diary began to blow as though caught in
high wind, stopping halfway through the month of June. Mou
hanging open, Harry saw that the little square for June the l
teenth seemed to have turned into a miniscule television st^ ^
His hands trembling slightly, he raised the book to presshis ^
against the little window, and before he knew what was hapfx
ing, he was tilting forwards; the window was widening, he ^
body leave his bed and he was pitched headfirst throug
opening in the page, into a whirl of colour and shadow. ^
He felt his feet hit solid ground, and stood, shaking.
blurred shapes around him came suddenly into focus. ^^
the very secret diary 181

b ew immediately where he was. This circular room with
1 .^p portraits was Dumbledore's office - but it wasn't
^ledore who was sitting behind the desk. A wizened, frail-
l p wizard, bald except for a few wisps of white hair, was
00, g letter by candlelight. Harry had never seen this man

^tfore.
I'm sorry,' he said shakily, 'I didn't mean to butt in ...'
But the wizard didn't look up. He continued to read, frowning
lightly. Harry drew nearer to his desk and stammered, 'Er - I'll
jusi go, shall I7'
Slill the wizard ignored him. He didn't seem even to have heard
him. Thinking that the wizard might be deaf. Harry raised his

voice.
Sorry I disturbed you, I'll go now,' he half-shouted.
The wizard folded up the letter with a sigh, stood up, walked
past Harry without glancing at him and went to draw the curtains
I his window.
The sky outside the window was ruby-red; it seemed to be sun-
i. The wizard went back to the desk, sat down and twiddled his
thumbs, watching the door.
Harry looked around the office. No Fawkes the phoenix; no
whirring silver contraptions. This was Hogwarts as Riddle had
'"own it, meaning that this unknown wizard was Headmaster,
'"I Dumbledore, and he. Harry, was little more than a phantom,
ompleiely invisible to the people of fifty years ago.
There was a knock on the office door.
Enter; said the old wizard in a feeble voice.
A boy of about sixteen entered, taking off his pointed hat. A sil- ^cr P^^t's badge was glinting on his chest. He was much taller
'"an Harry, but he, too, had jet black hair.
Ah, Riddle,' said the Headmaster.
i lou ^nied to see me. Professor Dippet?' said Riddle. He
'""ked nervous.

" down,' said Dippet. 'I've fust been reading the letter you
--"' me.' o ^
w~ ,
i, l , ' ^ddle. He sat down, gripping his hands together very

1^ ear boy' said Dippet kindly T cannot possibly let you stay
lidav T0^^ summer. Surely you want to go home for the

182 . harry potter

'No,' said Riddle at once, 'I'd much rather stay at Hogwa
go back to that - to that -' jjji
'You live in a Muggle orphanage during the holidays, I beli"
said Dippet curiously. (
'Yes, sir,' said Riddle, reddening slightly.
'You are Muggle-born?'
'Half-blood, sir,' said Riddle. 'Muggle father, witch mother'
'And are both your parents -?'
'My mother died just after I was born, sir. They told me ai ihi
orphanage she lived just long enough to name me: Tom after m father, Marvolo after my grandfather.'
Dippet clucked his tongue sympathetically. ;
'The thing is, Tom,' he sighed, 'special arrangements might have
been made for you, but in the current circumstances ...'
'You mean all these attacks, sir?' said Riddle, and Harry's heal
leapt, and he moved closer, scared of missing anything.
'Precisely,' said the headmaster. 'My dear boy, you must see hm
foolish it would be of me to allow you to remain at the casil
when term ends. Particularly in the light of the recent tragedy.
the death of that poor little girl ... You will be safer by far at you
orphanage. As a matter of fact, the Ministry of Magic is even iw
talking about closing the school. We are no nearer locating the
er - source of all this unpleasantness ...'
Riddle's eyes had widened.
'Sir - if the person was caught... If it all stopped ...'
'What do you mean?' said Dippet, with a squeak in his void
sitting up in his chair. 'Riddle, do you mean you know somcthm
about these attacks?'
'No, sir,' said Riddle quickly, j
But Harry was sure it was the same sort of 'no' that he hims<|
had given Dumbledore.
Dippet sank back, looking faintly disappointed.
'You may go, Tom ...' y J
Riddle slid off his chair and stumped out of the room. M-^
followed him. .
Down the moving spiral staircase they went, emerging ^ ^
the gargoyle in the darkening corridor. Riddle stopped. an
Harry, watching him. Harry could tell that Riddle was doin^
serious thinking. He was biting his lip, his forehead furrow (,,
Then, as though he had suddenly reached a decision,
the very secret diary 183

ff Harry ghding noiselessly behind him. They didn't see
h nerson until they reached the Entrance Hall, when a tall
no a with long, sweeping auburn hair and beard called to
^die from the marble staircase.
aare you doing, wandering around this late, Tom?'
ih-iitv gaped at the wizard. He was none other than a fifty-year-
ounger Dumbledore.
11 had to see the Headmaster, sir,' said Riddle.
I Well hurry oft to bed,' said Dumbledore, giving Riddle exactly
"e kind of penetrating stare Harry knew so well. 'Best not to
m the corridors these days. Not since ...'
He sighed heavily, bade Riddle goodnight and strode oft. Riddle
niched him out of sight and then, moving quickly, headed
raight down the stone steps to the dungeons, with Harry in hot
ursuit.
But to Harry's disappointment, Riddle led him not into a hid-
fn passageway or a secret tunnel but the very dungeon in which
larry had Potions with Snape. The torches hadn't been lit, and
hen Riddle pushed the door almost closed, Harry could only
isi see Riddle, standing stock-still by the door, watching the pas-
ige outside.
II (ell to Harry that they were there for at least an hour. All he
.luld see was the figure of Riddle at the door, staring through the
rack, waiting like a statue. And just when Harry had stopped
'elmg expectant and tense, and started wishing he could return
' the present, he heard something move beyond the door.
Someone was creeping along the passage. He heard whoever it
" pass the dungeon where he and Riddle were hidden. Riddle,
"""I as a shadow, edged through the door and followed, Harry
Ploeing behind him, forgetting that he couldn't be heard.
or perhaps five minutes they followed the footsteps, until
' e hopped suddenly, his head inclined in the direction of new
s. Harry heard a door creak open, and then someone speak-
?'n a hoarse whisper.
mon ... gotta get yeh outta here ... c'mon now ... in the box ...'
 ere was something familiar about that voice.
l. , e ^ddenly jumped around the corner. Harry stepped out
ou h lm ^e com^ see the dark outline of a huge boy who was
^ g in tront of an open door, a very large box next to it.
"'"S- Rubeus,' said Riddle sharply.
184 harry potter 

The boy slammed the door shut and stood up.
'What yer doin' down here, Tom?'
Riddle stepped closer.
'It's all over,' he said. 'I'm going to have to turn you in Ri h
They're talking about closing Hogwarts if the attacks don''t ston
'What d'yeh - '
'I don't think you meant to kill anyone. But monsters do
make good pets. I suppose you just let it out for exercise and-
'It never killed no one!' said the large boy, backing against the
closed door. From behind him. Harry could hear a funny rustlins
and clicking.
'Come on, Rubeus,' said Riddle, moving yet closer. 'The dead
girl's parents will be here tomorrow. The least Hogwarts can do is
make sure that the thing that killed their daughter is slaughtered...'
Tt wasn' him!' roared the boy, his voice echoing in the dark passage.
'He wouldn'! He never!'
'Stand aside,' said Riddle, drawing out his wand.
His spell lit the corridor with a sudden flaming light. The door
behind the large boy flew open with such force it knocked him
into the wall opposite. And out of it came something that madt
Harry let out a long, piercing scream no one but he seemed lo
hear.
A vast, low-slung, hairy body and a tangle of black legs: a
gleam of many eyes and a pair of razor-sharp pincers - Riddle
raised his wand again, but he was too late. The thing bowled him
over as it scuttled away, tearing up the corridor and out of sight.
Riddle scrambled to his feet, looking after it; he raised his wand,
but the huge boy leapt on him, seized his wand and threw him
back down, yelling,'N0000000!'
The scene whirled, the darkness became complete, Harry tt1
himself falling and with a crash, he landed spread-eagled on ht
four-poster in the Gryffindor dormitory, Riddle's diary lying opt*
on his stomach. ,
Before he had had time to regain his breath, the dormitory d
opened and Ron came in.
'There you are,' he said.
Harry sat up. He was sweating and shaking.
'What's up?' said Ron, looking at him with concern.
'It was Hagrid, Ron. Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secre
years ago.'
-- CHAPTER FOURTEEN--

Cornelius Fudge



Ham', Ron and Hermione had always known that Hagrid had an
unfortunate liking for large and monstrous creatures. During their
iirsi vear at Hogwarts he had tried to raise a dragon in his little
wooden house, and it would be a long time before they forgot the
giant, three-headed dog he'd christened 'Fluffy'. And if, as a boy, Hagrid had heard that a monster was hidden somewhere in the
castle, Harry was sure he'd have gone to any lengths for a glimpse
^f it. He'd probably thought it was a shame that the monster had
wen cooped up so long, and thought it deserved the chance to
sireich its many legs; Harry could just imagine the thirteen-year-
sn

I
I'ld Hagrid trying to fit a lead and collar on it. But he was equally
main that Hagrid would never have meant to kill anybody.
Harry half wished he hadn't found out how to work Riddle's
ury. Again and again Ron and Hermione made him recount what
'e'd seen, until he was heartily sick of telling them and sick of the
""g, circular conversations that followed.
Riddle might have got the wrong person,' said Hermione.
laybe it was some other monster that was attacking people ...'
How many monsters d'you think this place can hold?' Ron
^cd dully
we ^ways knew Hagrid had been expelled,' said Harry miser-
y And the attacks must've stopped after Hagrid was kicked
Ollt d^i
otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have got his award.'
^n tried a different tack.
'ddle does sound like Percy - who asked him to grass on
'"gnd, anyway?'
mthe "monster had killed someone, Ron,' said Hermione.
( , ^e ^s going to go back to some Muggle orphanage if
.sed ""gwarts,' said Harry. 'I don't blame him for wanting
186 harry potter

Ron bit his lip, then said tentatively, 'You met Haeriri a
Knockturn Alley, didn't you, Harry?' tl'*T
'He was buying a flesh-eating slug repellant; said Harry quj ll
The three of them fell silent. After a long pause Herm '
voiced the knottiest question of all in a hesitant voice- 'D vt
think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all?'
That'd be a cheerful visit,' said Ron. 'Hello, Hagrid, tell
have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the casiL
lately?'
In the end, they decided that they wouldn't say anything u
Hagrid unless there was another attack, and as more and mon
days went by with no whisper from the disembodied voice, the
became hopeful that they would never need to talk to him abou why he had been expelled. It was now nearly four months sine
Justin and Nearly Headless Nick had been Petrified, and neart
everybody seemed to think that the attacker, whoever it was, hai
retired for good. Peeves had finally got bored of his 'Oh Potto
you rotter' song, Ernie Macmillan asked Harry quite politely ti
pass a bucket of leaping toadstools in Herbology one day, and u
March several of the Mandrakes threw a loud and raucous parly ii
Greenhouse Three. This made Professor Sprout very happy.
'The moment they start trying to move into each other's poli
we'll know they're fully mature,' she told Harry. 'Then we'll b
able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing.'
*
The second years were given something new to think about dui
ing their Easter holidays. The time had come to choose their sul
jects for the third year, a matter that Hermione, at least, took vCT
seriously.
'It could affect our whole future,' she told Harry and Ron,
they pored over lists of new subjects, marking them with ticks.
T just want to give up Potions,' said Harry.
'We can't,' said Ron gloomily 'We keep all our old subjects,
I'd've ditched Defence Against the Dark Arts.'
'But that's very important!' said Hermione, shocked.
'Not the way Lockhart teaches it,' said Ron. 'I haven l e_,
anything from him except not to set pixies loose.' ^jj
Neville Longbottom had been sent letters from all the w ^
and wizards in his family, all giving him different advice
to choose. Confused and worried, he sat reading the su J ^
cornelius fudge 187

h h s tongue poking out, asking people whether they thought
h ncv sounded more difficult than the study of Ancient
vlt Dean Thomas, who, like Harry, had grown up with
les ended up closing his eyes and jabbing his wand at the
hen picking the subjects it landed on. Hermione took
nobody's advice but signed up for everything.
1 Harry smiled grimly to himself at the thought of what Uncle
Vcrnon and Aunt Petunia would say if he tried to discuss his
r-er in wizardry with them. Not that he didn't get any guidance:
pcn.v Weasley was eager to share his experience.
Depends where you want to go. Harry,' he said. 'It's never too
carlv to think about the future, so I'd recommend Divination.
People say Muggle Studies is a soft option, but I personally think
wizards should have a thorough understanding of the non-
nugical community, particularly if they're thinking of working in
close contact with them - look at my father, he has to deal with
Muggle business all the time. My brother Charlie was always more
of an outdoor type, so he went for Care of Magical Creatures. Play
ip your strengths. Harry.'
Uui the only thing Harry felt he was really good at was
'uidditch. In the end, he chose the same new subjects as Ron,
(fding that if he was rubbish at them, at least he'd have someone
'icndly to help him.
*
'ryflindors next Quidditch match would be against Hufflepuff.
'ood was insisting on team practices every night after dinner, so
w Harry barely had time for anything but Quidditch and home-
*ork. However, the training sessions were getting better, or at
cisl c*rler' 3nd the evening before Saturday's match, he went up to
"" dormitory to drop off his broomstick feeling Gryffindor's
anccs for the Quidditch cup had never been better.
^ "ui his cheerful mood didn't last long. At the top of the stairs
'l e ^'""ntory he met Neville Longbottom, who was looking

Harry -1 don't know who did it. 1 just found -'
etching Harry fearfully Neville pushed open the door.
cloak conlents ^ Harry's trunk had been thrown everywhere. His
hy, (^ay "^d n the floor. The bedclothes had been pulled off
fbinei^posler and the drawer had been pulled out of his bedside
' e ^"tents strewn over the mattress.

188 harry potter

Harry walked over to the bed, open-mouthed, treading n
loose pages of Travels with Trolls. rt
As he and Neville pulled the blankets back onto his bed
Dean and Seamus came in. Dean swore loudly. ' l
'What happened, Harry?'
'No idea,' said Harry. But Ron was examining Harry's robes ah
the pockets were hanging out.
'Someone's been looking for something,' said Ron. 'Is there any
thing missing?' M
Harry started to pick up all his things and throw them int^S
trunk. It was only as he threw the last of the Lockhart books bad
into it that he realised what wasn't there.
'Riddle's diary's gone,' he said in an undertone to Ron.
'What?'
Harry jerked his head towards the dormitory door and rm
followed him out. They hurried back down to the Gryffinda
common room, which was half-empty, and joined Hermione, who
was sitting alone, reading a book called Ancient Runes Made Easy
Hermione looked aghast at the news.
'But - only a Gryffindor could have stolen - nobody else know
our password ...'
'Exactly,' said Harry.
*
They woke next day to brilliant sunshine and a light, refresh
breeze. H
'Perfect Quidditch conditions!' said Wood enthusiastically *
the Gryffindor table, loading the team's plates with scramble
eggs. 'Harry, buck up there, you need a decent breakfast.
Harry had been staring down the packed Gryffindor table, we"
dering if the new owner of Riddle's diary was right in front ofm
eyes. Hermione had been urging him to report the robbery,
Harry didn't like the idea. He'd have to tell a teacher all aboul ll>
diary and how many people knew why Hagrid had been expe
fifty years ago? He didn't want to be the one who brought ita

again. A rol
As he left the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione to go an
lect his Quidditch things, another, very serious worry wa5 ^
to Harry's growing list. He had just set foot on the marble sia
when he heard it yet again: 'Kill this time ... let me rip tcar.^
He shouted aloud and Ron and Hermione both jump6
cornelius fudge , 189

^im in alarm.
1100 y^ce!' said Harry, looking over his shoulder. 'I just heard

aeain - didn't you?'
o shook his head, wide-eyed. Hermione, however, clapped a
hand 10 her forehead.
Harry - I tnin^ llve I1151 unclerstoou something! I we got to go
(he library!'
she sprinted away, up the stairs.
W'hot does she understand?' said Harry distractedly still look- around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.
Loads more than I do,' said Ron, shaking his head.
But why's she got to go to the library?'
Because that's what Hermione does,' said Ron, shrugging.
\ hen in doubt, go to the library.'
Harry stood, irresolute, trying to catch the voice again, but
people were now emerging from the Great Hall behind him, talking
loudly, exiting through the front doors on their way to the
Quidditch pitch.
You'd better get moving,' said Ron. 'It's nearly eleven'-- the
match.'
Harry raced up to Gryffindor tower, collected his Nimbus Two
housand and joined the large crowd swarming across the
rounds, but his mind was still in the castle, along with the
xidiless voice, and as he pulled on his scarlet robes in the
hanging room, his only comfort was that everyone was now
'inside to watch the game.
IThe teams walked onto the pitch to tumultuous applause.
Oliver Wood took off for a warm-up flight around the goal-posts,
^adam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflepuffs, who played in
^nary yellow, were standing in a huddle, having a last minute
"scussion of tactics.
arry was just mounting his broom when Professor
^ cGonagall came half-marching, half-running across the pitch,
carrying an enormous purple megaphone.
ywry's heart dropped like a stone.
? "'s match has been cancelled,' Professor McGonagall called
tL the "^P11011^ addressing the packed stadium. There
s and shouts. Oliver Wood, looking devastated, landed
^ards Professor McGonagall without getting off his
190 harry potter

'But Professor!' he shouted. 'We've got to play (he
Gryffindor...' P
Professor McGonagall ignored him and continued to h
through her megaphone: 'All students are to make their way h0"!!
to the house common rooms, where their Heads of Houses
give them further information. As quickly as you can pleasei'
Then she lowered the megaphone and beckoned Harry over
her.
'Potter, I think you'd better come with me ...'
Wondering how she could possibly suspect him this (im(
Harry saw Ron detach himself from the complaining crowd hi
came running up to them as they set off towards the castle. To
Harry's surprise. Professor McGonagall didn't object.
'Yes, perhaps you'd better come too, Weasley.'
Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling
about the match being cancelled, others looked worried. Ham'
and Ron followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and
up the marble staircase. But they weren't taken to anybody's offkt
this time.
'This will be a bit of a shock,' said Professor McGonagall in a
surprisingly gentle voice as they approached the hospital wing.
'There has been another attack ... another double attack.'
Harry's insides did a horrible somersault. Professor McGonagall
pushed the door open and he and Ron entered.
Madam Pomfrey was bending over a fifth year girl with long
curly hair. Harry recognised her as the Ravenclaw they'd accidentally
asked for directions to the Slytherin common room. And on
the bed next to her was -
'Hermioner Ron groaned.
Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy
'They were found near the library,' said Professor McGonagW
'I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the
next to them ...'
She was holding up a small, circular mirror.
Harry and Ron shook their heads, both staring atHermlone^,
'I will escort you back to Gryffindor Tower,' said Pro*".
McGonagall heavily 'I need to address the students in an)- ca _
* H
hv Sl
'All students will return to their house common rooms ^
o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dormitor
cornelius fudge 191

You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No
'^'i" is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher. All
'w e Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed.
th^will be no more evening activities.'
The Gryfiindors packed inside the common room listened
Professor McGonagall in silence. She rolled up the parch-
from which she had been reading and said in a somewhat
hoked voice, 'I need hardly add that I have rarely been so
1 ..(ressed. It is likely that the school will be closed unless the
ulprit behind these attacks is caught. I would urge anyone
*'ho thinks they might know anything about them to come
forward.' '.
She climbed somewhat awkwardly out of the portrait hole, and
ihr Gryfiindors began talking immediately.
That's two Gryfiindors down, not counting a Gryffindor ghost,
one Ravenclaw and one Hufflepuff,' said the Weasley twins' friend
l(c Jordan, counting on his fingers. 'Haven't any of the teachers
noticed that the Slytherins are all safe? Isn't it obvious all this
stuff's coming from Slytherin? The heir of Slytherin, the monster
of Slytherin - why don't they just chuck all the Slytherins out?' he
wared, to nods and scattered applause.
I Percy Weasley was sitting in a chair behind Lee, but for once he
iiln't seem keen to make his views heard. He was looking pale
nd stunned.
Percy's in shock,' George told Harry quietly That Ravenclaw
girl - Penelope Clearwater - she's a prefect. I don't think he
thought the monster would dare attack a prefect:
1 But Harry was only half-listening. He didn't seem to be able to
W nd of the picture of Hermione, lying on the hospital bed as
hough carved out of stone. And if the culprit wasn't caught soon,
1C was '""king at a lifetime back with the Dursleys. Tom Riddle
turned Hagrid in because he was faced with the prospect of a
"We orphanage if the school closed. Harry now knew exactly
^ he had felt.

thmi^1 re we S0"^ to do?' said Ron quietly in Harry's ear. 'D'you
'^they suspect Hagrid?'
mind'^ got to 8 and t-alk to him,' said Harry, making up his
loo^. i cant believe it's him this time, but if he set the monster
ast time he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of
Btfe^ and that's a start.'
192 harry potter

'But McGonagall said we've got to stay in our towpr i
1-1 i ^ni
we re in class - _
'I think,' said Harry, more quietly still, 'it's time to get m . a jl
old cloak out again.' o^f

Harry had inherited just one thing from his father: a lone and
very Invisibility Cloak. It was their only chance of sneaking oui
the school to visit Hagrid without anyone knowing about it TluB
went to bed at the usual time, waited until Neville, Dean an
Seamus had stopped discussing the Chamber of Secrets and final!
fallen asleep, then got up, dressed again, and threw the cloak ovi
themselves.
The journey through the dark and deserted castle corridi
wasn't enjoyable. Harry, who had wandered the castle at nil
several times before, had never seen it so crowded after sun- Teachers, prefects and ghosts were marching the corridors j?
pairs, staring around for any unusual activity. Their Invisibilm
Cloak didn't stop them making any noise, and there was a particularly
tense moment when Ron stubbed his toe only yards from
the spot where Snape stood standing guard. Thankfully, Snape
sneezed at almost exactly the moment Ron swore. It was with
relief that they reached the oak front doors and eased them open
It was a clear, starry night. They hurried towards the lit windows
of Hagrid's house, and pulled off the cloak only when tht_
were right outside his front door. H
Seconds after they had knocked, Hagrid flung it open. They
found themselves face to face with him aiming a crossbow ai
them, Fang the boarhound barking loudly behind him.
'Oh,' he said, lowering the weapon and staring at iheiL
'What're you two doin' here?'
'What's that for?' said Harry, pointing at the crossbow as lh_
stepped inside. . H
'Nothin' ... nothin',' Hagrid muttered. 'I've bin expectin J
doesn'matter ... Sit down ... I'll make tea ...'
He hardly seemed to know what he was doing. He nearly <- guished the fire, spilling water from the kettle on it, an
smashed the teapot with a nervous jerk of his massive nan .
'Are you OK, Hagrid?' said Harry. 'Did you hear
Hermione?' -^
'Oh, I heard, all righ',' said Hagrid, a slight break in his v j
cornelius fudgh 193

, - glancing nervously at the windows. He poured them
Jlaree mugs of boiling water (he had forgotten to add tea
s)l l and was just putting a slab of fruitcake on a plate, when
2e was a loud knock on the door.
Haerid dropped the fruitcake. Harry and Ron exchanged panic-
ken looks, then threw the Invisibility Cloak back over them-
' -Ives and retreated into a corner. Hagrid checked that they were
bidden seized his crossbow and flung open his door once more.
Good evening, Hagrid.'
li was Dumbledore. He entered, looking deadly serious, and
was followed by a second, very odd-looking man.
The stranger was a short, portly man with rumpled grey hair
and an anxious expression. He was wearing a strange mixture of
clothes: a pin-striped suit, a scarlet tie, a long black cloak and
pointed purple boots. Under his arm he carried a lime-green
bowler.
'That's Dad's boss'.' Ron breathed. 'Cornelius Fudge, the
Minister of Magic!'
Harry elbowed Ron hard to make him shut up.
 Hagrid had gone pale and sweaty. He dropped into one of his
airs and looked from Dumbledore to Cornelius Fudge.
Bad business, Hagrid,' said Fudge, in rather clipped tones. ^cry bad business. Had to come. Four attacks on Muggle-borns.
-hings've gone far enough. Ministry's got to act.'
| 1 never,' said Hagrid, looking imploringly at Dumbledore, 'you
linow 1 never, Professor Dumbledore, sir ...'
1 want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full con- "lence; said Dumbledore, frowning at Fudge.
Look, Albus,' said Fudge, uncomfortably 'Hagrid's record's
'y'nsi him. Ministry's got to do something - the school gov- 'mors have been in touch.'
 again, Cornelius, I tell you that taking Hagrid away will not
"P in the slightest,' said Dumbledore. His blue eyes were full of
"^ Harry had never seen before.
his to iat u ^rom "^ P01111 ^ view,' said Fudge, fidgeting with
wm w er rrn un^er a ^ot of pressure. Got to be seen to be doing
mor T If u turns out it ^sn't Hagrid, he'll be back and no
duiv 1 But I've S01 to take him- Got to- Wouldn't be doing my

^e. said Hagrid, who was trembling. Take me where?'

194 harry potter

'For a short stretch only,' said Fudge, not meeting Haerid'
'Not a punishment, Hagrid, more a precaution. If someone 1Nts
caught, you'll be let out with a full apology ...' t
'Not Azkaban?' croaked Hagrid. _
Before Fudge could answer, there was another loud ran off
door.
Dumbledore answered it. It was Harry's turn for an elbow in ih,
ribs: he'd let out an audible gasp.
Mr Lucius Malfoy strode into Hagrid's hut, swathed in a loni
black travelling cloak, smiling a cold and satisfied smile. Fani
started to growl.
'Already here. Fudge,' he said approvingly. 'Good, good ...'
'What're you doin' here?' said Hagrid furiously. 'Get outta mi
house!'
'My dear man, please believe me, I have no pleasure at all n
being inside your - er - d'you call this a house?* said Luciu
Malfoy, sneering as he looked around the small cabin. "I simph
called at the school and was told that the Headmaster was here.'
'And what exactly did you want with me, Lucius?' sai(
Dumbledore. He spoke politely, but the fire was still blazing in ht
blue eyes.
'Dreadful thing, Dumbledore,' said Mr Malfoy lazily, taking ou
a long roll of parchment, 'but the governors feel it's time for yoi
to step aside. This is an Order of Suspension - you'll find al
twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you're losing you
touch. How many attacks have there been now? Two more iht
afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no Muggle-boms It!
at Hogwarts, and we all know what an awful loss that would be li
the school.'
'Oh, now, see here, Lucius,' said Fudge, looking alarmrt
'Dumbledore suspended ... no, no ... last thing we want just now...
The appointment - or suspension - of the Headmaster is
matter for the governors, Fudge,' said Mr Malfoy smoothly.
as Dumbledore has failed to stop these attacks ...' i c am
'Now look, Lucius, if Dumbledore can't stop them -' said^t-u P
whose upper lip was sweating now, 'I mean to say, who c
That remains to be seen,' said Mr Malfoy with a nasty s
'But as all twelve of us have voted ...' o lh
Hagrid leapt to his feet, his shaggy black head graz' S
ceiling.
cornelius fudgh 195

h w many did yeh have ter threaten an' blackmail before
^"agreed, Malfoy, eh?' he roared.
.n r dear, you know, that temper of yours will lead you into
 ' ^g of these days, Hagrid,' said Mr Malfoy 'I would advise
11011 of to shout at the Azkaban guards like that. They won't like

""Yeh can' take Dumbledore!' yelled Hagrid, making Fang the
hfurhound cower and whimper in his basket. Take him away,
n the Muggle-borns won' stand a chance! There'll be killin's

next''
Calm yourself, Hagrid,' said Dumbledore sharply He looked at
Lucius Malfoy.
If the governors want my removal, Lucius, I shall of course
slep aside.'
But - stuttered Fudge.
'No!' growled Hagrid.
Dumbledore had not taken his bright blue eyes off Lucius
^laltoy's cold grey ones.
| However,' said Dumbledore, speaking very slowly and clearly,
so that none of them could miss a word, 'you will find that I will
only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me.
You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to
hose who ask for it.'
For a second. Harry was almost sure Dumbledore's eyes flick-
rred towards the corner where he and Ron stood hidden.
Admirable sentiments,' said Malfoy, bowing. 'We shall all miss
our - er - highly individual way of running things, Albus, and
""ly hope that your successor will manage to prevent any - ah -
"I'illin's";
He strode to the cabin door, opened it and bowed Dumbledore
"t Fudge, fiddling with his bowler, waited for Hagrid to go
ead of him, but Hagrid stood his ground, took a deep breath
"~ sald ^refully, 'If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all
1 eyd have ler do would be ter follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em
h^'That's all I'm sayin'.'
y^ge stared at him in amazement.
^B_ "ght, I'm comin',' said Hagrid, pulling on his moleskin
| ^ ^oai. But as he was about to follow Fudge through the door,
Pped again and said loudly, 'An' someone'll need ter feed
[8 while I'm away.'
196 harry potter

The door banged shut and Ron pulled the Invisibility do I
We're in trouble now,' he said hoarsely. 'No Dumbledore T^
might as well close the school tonight. There'll be an attack i^
with him gone.'
Fang started howling, scratching at the closed door.
-- CHAPTER FIFTEEN-

Aragog

Bmmer was creeping over the grounds around the castle; sky and
lake alike turned periwinkle blue and flowers large as cabbages
burst into bloom in the greenhouses. But with no Hagrid visible
from the castle windows, striding the grounds with Fang at his
heels, the scene didn't look right to Harry; no better, in fact, than
the inside of the castle, where things were so horribly wrong.
Harry and Ron had tried to visit Hermione, but visitors were
Jw barred from the hospital wing.
, We're taking no more chances,' Madam Pomfrey told them
severely through a crack in the hospital door. 'No, I'm sorry,
there's every chance the attacker might come back to finish these
ptopleoff...'
With Dumbledore gone, fear had spread as never before, so that
the sun warming the castle walls outside seemed to stop at the
mullioned windows. There was barely a face to be seen in the
s<hool that didn't look worried and tense, and any laughter that
"ng through the corridors sounded shrill and unnatural and was
(("ickly stilled.
Harry constantly repeated Dumbledore's final words to himself.
^ill only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me
Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.' But
* vgood were these words? Who exactly were they supposed to
or help, when everyone was mst as confused and scared as
hey were?
gtids hint about the spiders was far easier to understand -
rouble was, there didn't seem to be a single spider left in the
relu  w' Harry looked everywhere he went, helped (rather
'hai h" ^ ^on' T^y were hampered, of course, by the fact
mov ey werenlt- allowed to wander off on their own, but had to
around Ae castle in a pack with the other Gryffindors. Most
198	harry potter

of their fellow students seemed glad that they were being l,
herded from class to class by teachers, but Harry found it we T
some.
One person, however, seemed to be thoroughly enjoyimi k
atmosphere of terror and suspicion. Draco Malfoy was sti-iin
around the school as though he had just been appointed HpJ
Boy. Harry didn't realise what he was so pleased about until id
Potions lesson about a fortnight after Dumbledore and Hagrid had
left, when, sitting right behind Malfoy, Harry overheard him gloai.
ing to Crabbe and Goyle.
'I always thought Father might be the one who got rid of
Dumbledore,' he said, not troubling to keep his voice down. !
told you he thinks Dumbledore's the worst Headmaster ih<
school's ever had. Maybe we'll get a decent Headmaster now.
Someone who won't want the Chamber of Secrets closed.
McGonagall won't last long, she's only filling in ...'
Snape swept past Harry, making no comment about Hermionrt
empty seat and cauldron.
'Sir,' said Malfoy loudly. 'Sir, why don't you apply for the
Headmaster's job?'
'Now, now, Malfoy,' said Snape, though he couldn't suppress i
thin-lipped smile. 'Professor Dumbledore has only been suspend- ed by the governors. I daresay he'll be back with us soon enough.
'Yeah, right,' said Malfoy, smirking. 'I expect you'd have Fathert
vote, sir, if you wanted to apply for the job. J'!! tell Father y_t
the best teacher here, sir ...' ^1
Snape smirked as he swept off around the dungeon, fortunately
not spotting Seamus Finnigan, who was pretending to vomit into
his cauldron.
'I'm quite surprised the Mudbloods haven't all packed the"
bags by now,' Malfoy went on. 'Bet you five Galleons the next oik
dies. Pity it wasn't Granger ...' , ,.
The bell rang at that moment, which was lucky; at Malfoys,.
words, Ron had leapt off his stool, and in the scramble to co
bags and books, his attempts to reach Malfoy went unnotice . ^
'Let me at him,' Ron growled, as Harry and Dean hung on ^
arms. 'I don't care, I don't need my wand, I'm going to
with my bare hands- . h.rked Snap<
'Hurry up, I've got to take you all to Herbology, "a"" ^ ^
over the class's heads, and off they went, crocodile tashio
aragog 199

Ron and Dean bringing up the rear, Ron still trying to get
it was only safe to let go of him when Snape had seen them
^f the castle, and they were making their way across the veg- ""bS't: patch towards the greenhouses.
The Herbology class was very subdued; there were now two
missing from their number, Justin and Hermione.
Professor Sprout set them all to work pruning the Abyssinian
"h ivelfies. Harry went to tip an armful of withered stalks onto
. compost heap and found himself face to face with Ernie
Macmillan. Ernie took a deep breath and said, very formally, 'I just
w^nt to say, Harry, that I'm sorry I ever suspected you. 1 know
vou'd never attack Hermione Granger, and I apologise for all the
uf[ 1 said. We're all in the same boat now, and, well -'
He held out a pudgy hand, and Harry shook it.
Ernie and his friend Hannah came to work at the same
tirivelfig as Harry and Ron.
That Draco Malfoy character,' said Ernie, breaking off dead
iwigs, 'he seems very pleased about all this, doesn't he? D'you
know, 1 think he might be Slytherin's heir.'
'That's clever of you,' said Ron, who didn't seem to have forgiven
Ernie as readily as Harry.
'Do you think it's Malfoy, Harry?' Ernie asked.
'No,' said Harry, so firmly that Ernie and Hannah stared.
A second later. Harry spotted something that made him hit Ron
"vcr the hand with his pruning shears.
'Ouch fWhat're you-'
Harry was pointing at the ground a few feet away. Several large
I'-piders were scurrying across the earth.
oh. yeah,' said Ron, trying, and failing, to look pleased. 'But
t can't follow them now..;
Ernie and Hannah were listening curiously.
Harry watched the spiders running away
Looks like they're heading for the forbidden forest...'
And Ron looked even unhappier about that.
ih n en(^ ^ ^le ^esson Professor Snape escorted the class to
beh^ e e ^inst the Dark Arts lesson. Harry and Ron lagged
y the others so they could talk out of earshot.
^ e have to use the Invisibility Cloak again,' Harry told Ron.
or,,)"1 ^"S wit^ us- He's used to going into the forest with
^ he might be some help.'
200 harry potthr

'Right,' said Ron, who was twirling his wand nervouslv
fingers. 'Er - aren't there - aren't there supposed to be were i
in the Forest?' he added, as they took their usual places T
back of Lockhart's classroom.
Preferring not to answer that question. Harry said, Then- good things in there, too. The centaurs are all right, and ik*
unicorns.'
Ron had never been into the Forbidden Forest before Ham
had entered it only once, and had hoped never to do so again H
Lockhart bounded into the room and the class stared at hhn
Every other teacher in the place was looking grimmer than usual
but Lockhart appeared nothing short of buoyant.
'Come now,' he cried, beaming around him, 'why all these loin
faces?'
People swapped exasperated looks, but nobody answered.
'Don't you people realise,' said Lockhart, speaking slowly, as
though they were all a bit dim, 'the danger has passed! The culpni
has been taken away.'
'Says who?' said Dean Thomas loudly.
'My dear young man, the Minister of Magic wouldn't havi
taken Hagrid if he hadn't been one hundred per cent sure thai h<
was guilty,' said Lockhart, in the tone of someone explaining thai
one and one made two.
'Oh, yes he would,' said Ron, even more loudly than Dean.
'I flatter myself I know a touch more about Hagrid's arrest _t
you do, Mr Weasley,' said Lockhart in a self-satisfied tone.
Ron started to say that he didn't think so, somehow,oui
stopped in mid-sentence when Harry kicked him hard under M
desk.
'We weren't there, remember?' Harry muttered.
But Lockhart's disgusting cheeriness, his hints that he
always thought Hagrid was no good, his confidence thai
whole business was now at an end, irritated Harry so niuc
he yearned to throw Gadding with Ghouls right in Lockharts^s ^
pid face. Instead he contented himself with scrawling a no

Ron: 'Let's do it tonight.' ,
Ron read the message, swallowed hard and looked sidew ^
the empty seat usually filled by Hermione. The sight see
stiffen his resolve, and he nodded.
aragog 201

rrvffindor common room was always very crowded these
because from six o'clock onwards, the Gryffindors had
h rp else to go. They also had plenty to talk about, with the
" li that the common room often didn't empty until past mid-

"' Harrv went to get the Invisibility Cloak out of his trunk right
ificr dinner, and spent the evening sitting on it, waiting for the
nnrn to clear. Fred and George challenged Harry and Ron to a few
earnes of Exploding Snap and Ginny sat watching them, very subdued
in Hermione's usual chair. Harry and Ron kept losing on
nurpose, trying to finish the games quickly, but even so, it was
well past midnight when Fred, George and Ginny finally went to
Jjcd.
Harry and Ron waited for the distant sounds of two dormitory
doors closing before seizing the cloak, throwing it over them-
xlves, and climbing through the portrait hole.
It was another difficult journey through the castle, dodging all
Ihc teachers. At last they reached the Entrance Hall, slid back the
ock on the oak front doors, squeezed between them, trying to
Mop any creaking, and stepped out into the moonlit grounds.
'Course,' said Ron abruptly, as they strode across the black
;rass, 'we might get to the forest and find there's nothing to
ollow. Those spiders might not've been going there at all. I know
it looked like they were moving in that sort of general direction,
hul..;

His voice tailed away hopefully
They reached Hagrid's house, sad and sorry looking with its
'lank windows. When Harry pushed the door open. Fang went
mad with Joy at the sight of them. Worried he might wake every- '"e at the castle with his deep, booming barks, they hastily fed
'"'treacle fudge from a tin on the mantelpiece, which glued his
'"in together.
Harry left the Invisibility Cloak on Hagrid's table. There would
"" need for it in the pitch dark forest.
1 rnon' fm^ we're going for a walk,' said Harry, patting his

dashed Fang bounded ^PP^Y out of the house behind them,
to the edge of the forest and lifted his leg against a large
more tree. '. & & &

^.took out his wand, murmured, 'Lumos!' and a tiny light
at the end of it, just enough to let them watch the path

202 harry potter _

for signs of spiders.
'Good thinking,' said Ron. 'I'd light mine too, but you k
it'd probably blow up or something ...'
Harry tapped Ron on the shoulder, pointing at the grass T
solitary spiders were hurrying away from the wandlight into ih
shade of the trees.
'OK,' Ron sighed, as though resigned to the worst, 'I'm read
Let's go.' !
So, with Fang scampering around them, sniffing tree roots and
leaves, they entered the forest. By the glow of Harry's wand (hn
followed the steady trickle of spiders moving along the path. They
walked for about twenty minutes, not speaking, listening hard lor
noises other than breaking twigs and rustling leaves. Then, when
the trees had become thicker than ever, so that the stars overhead
were no longer visible, and Harry's wand shone alone in the sea of
dark, they saw their spider guides leaving the path.
Harry paused, trying to see where the spiders were going, bin
everything outside his little sphere of light was pitch black. H(
had never been this deep into the forest before. He could vividiv
remember Hagrid advising him not to leave the forest path last
time he'd been in here. But Hagrid was miles away now, probably
sitting in a cell in Azkaban, and he had also said to follow the spiders.
Something wet touched Harry's hand and he jumped backwards,
crushing Ron's foot, but it was only Fang's nose.
'What d'you reckon?' Harry said to Ron, whose eyes he could
just make out, reflecting the light from his wand.
'We've come this far,' said Ron.
So they followed the darting shadows of the spiders into M
trees. They couldn't move very quickly now; there were tree roott
and stumps in their way barely visible in the near blackness
Harry could feel Fang's hot breath on his hand. More than on^
they had to stop, so that Harry could crouch down and lin
spiders in the wandlight. .^
They walked for what seemed like at least half an hour, ^ ^
robes snagging on low-slung branches and brambles.
while, they noticed that the ground seemed to be sloping
wards, though the trees were as thick as ever, nialon(
Then Fang suddenly let loose a great, echoing bark,
both Harry and Ron jump out of their skins.
aragog 203

vh i?' said Ron loudly, looking around into the pitch dark,
Gripping Harry's elbow very hard.
There's something moving over there,' Harry breathed. 'Listen ...
Lunds like something big;
They listened. Some distance to their right, the something big
snapping branches as it carved a path through the trees.
Oh no,' said Ron. 'Oh no, oh no, oh -'
Shut up,' said Harry frantically 'It'll hear you.'
Hear me?' said Ron in an unnaturally high voice. 'It's already

heard. Fang!'
The darkness seemed to be pressing on their eyeballs as they
siood, terrified, waiting. There was a strange rumbling noise and
ihen silence.
What d'you think it's doing?' said Harry. '
Probably getting ready to pounce,' said Ron.
They waited, shivering, hardly daring to move.
'D'you think it's gone?' Harry whispered.
'Dunno -'
Then, to their right, came a sudden blaze of light, so bright in
the darkness that both of them flung up their hands to shield
iheir eyes. Fang yelped and tried to run, but got lodged in a tangle
o( thorns and yelped even louder.
'Harry!' Ron shouted, his voice breaking with relief. 'Harry, it's
our car!'
|}Vhat?'
'Come on!'
Harry blundered after Ron towards the light, stumbling and
'npping, and a moment later they had emerged into a clearing.
r Weasley's car was standing, empty, in the middle of a circle
"'thick trees under a roof of dense branches, its headlamps
azc. As Ron walked, open-mouthed, towards it, it moved slow-
'"^''ds him, exactly like a large, turquoise dog greeting its

'is been here all the time!' said Ron delightedly, walking
_wnd the car. 'Look at it. The forest's turned it wild ...'
Ann e ^"^ ^ the car ^re scratched and smeared with mud.
K","1 y ll had taken to trundling around the forest on its own.
uki 111 seem at a11 keen on it; he ^ close to Harry'who
Harry ee quivering. His breathing slowing down again,
--"| "utted his wand back into his robes.
204 harry potter

'And we thought it was going to attack us!' said Ron 1
against the car and patting it. 'I wondered where it had eonpi' ln^
Harry squinted around on the floodlit ground for signs of
spiders, but they had all scuttled away from the glare of the h ^
lights.
'We've lost the trail,' he said. 'C'mon, let's go and find them'
Ron didn't speak. He didn't move. His eyes were fixed o
point some ten feet above the forest floor, right behind Harry H
face was livid with terror.
Harry didn't even have time to turn around. There was a loud
clicking noise and suddenly he felt something long and hairv
seize him around the middle and lift him off the ground, so lha
he was hanging face down. Struggling, terrified, he heard mor
clicking, and saw Ron's legs leave the ground too, heard Fan
whimpering and howling - next moment, he was being swec
away into the dark trees.
Head hanging, Harry saw that what had hold of him wa
marching on six immensely long, hairy legs, the front two clutch'
ing him tightly below a pair of shining black pincers. Behind him
he could hear another of the creatures, no doubt carrying To
They were moving into the very heart of the forest. Harry cou
hear Fang fighting to free himself from a third monster, whinii
loudly, but Harry couldn't have yelled even if he had wanted to; I
seemed to have left his voice back with the car in the clearing.
He never knew how long he was in the creature's clutches; I
only knew that the darkness suddenly lifted enough for him to 
that the leaf-strewn ground was now swarming with spidei
Craning his neck sideways, he realised that they had reached ll
rim of a vast hollow, a hollow which had been cleared of trees, so
that the stars shone brightly onto the worst scene he had ever
clapped eyes upon.
Spiders. Not tiny spiders like those surging over the lea1
below. Spiders the size of carthorses, eight-eyed, eighl-legg_
black, hairy, gigantic. The massive specimen that was carr/
Harry made its way down the steep slope, towards a misty
web in the very centre of the hollow, while its fellows closed i^l
around it, clicking their pincers excitedly at the sight of its
Harry fell to the ground on all fours as the spider relea,^
Ron and Fang thudded down next to him. Fang wasnt ^^
any more, but cowering silently on the spot. Ron loo e j
xacih--

^^B ^

aragog 205

(p}[ His mouth was stretched wide in a kind of silent
like Harry
ream and his eyes were popping.
^ u rv suddenly realized that the spider which had dropped him
' vine something. It had been hard to tell, because he clicked
^pincers with every word he spoke.
Aragog!' it called. 'Aragog'.'
horn the middle of the misty domed web, a spider the size
of a small elephant emerged, very slowly There was grey in the
biack of his body and legs, and each of the eyes on his ugly, pin-
ccred head was milky white. He was blind.
What is it?' he said, clicking his pincers rapidly.
Men,' clicked the spider who had caught Harry.
Is it Hagrid?' said Aragog, moving closer, his eight milky eyes
wandering vaguely
Strangers,' clicked the spider who had brought Ron.
Kill them,' clicked Aragog fretfully. 'I was sleeping ...'
We're friends of Hagrid's,' Harry shouted. His heart seemed to
have left his chest to pound in his throat.
I Click, click, click went the pincers of the spiders all around the
hollow.
Aragog paused.
'Hagrid has never sent men into our hollow before,' he said
.lowly.
'Hagrid's in trouble,' said Harry, breathing very fast. That's why
we've come.'
'In trouble?' said the aged spider, and Harry thought he heard
| i-oncern beneath the clicking pincers. 'But why has he sent you?'
| Harry thought of getting to his feet, but decided against it; he
j "'dn i ihink his legs would support him. So he spoke from the
^.nd, as calmly as he could.
^ey think, up at the school, that Hagrid's been setting a - a -
wmething on students. They've taken him to Azkaban.'
"^g clicked his pincers furiously, and all around the hollow
I e sound was echoed by the crowd of spiders; it was like
(w ause- ^cept applause didn't usually make Harry feel sick with

H "t that was years ago,' said Aragog fretfully 'Years and years
schoolremember u ^11. That's why they made him leave the
th^, '^y "elieved that I was the monster that dwells in what
the Chamber of Secrets. They thought that Hagrid had
206 harry potter ^

opened the Chamber and set me free.'
'And you ... you didn't come from the Chamber of Secrets?'
Harry, who could feel cold sweat on his forehead.
'I!' said Aragog, clicking angrily 'I was not born in the casile
come from a distant land. A traveller gave me to Haerid wh
was an egg. Hagrid was only a boy, but he cared for me, hidden
a cupboard in the castle, feeding me on scraps from the tahl
Hagrid is my good friend, and a good man. When I was discov
ered, and blamed for the death of a girl, he protected me. 1 have
lived here in the forest ever since, where Hagrid still visits me He
even found me a wife, Mosag, and you see how our family has
grown, all through Hagrid's goodness ...'
Harry summoned what remained of his courage.
'So you never - never attacked anyone?'
'Never,' croaked the old spider. 'It would have been my instinct,
but from respect of Hagrid, I never harmed a human. The body of
the girl who was killed was discovered in a bathroom. I never saw
any part of the castle but the cupboard in which I grew up. Oui
kind like the dark and the quiet...'
'But then ... Do you know what did kill that girl?' said Ham'.
'Because whatever it is, it's back and attacking people again -'
His words were drowned by a loud outbreak of clicking and the
rustling of many long legs shifting angrily; large black shape
shifted all around him.
'The thing that lives in the castle,' said Aragog, 'is an ancieni
creature we spiders fear above all others. Well do I remember ho
I pleaded with Hagrid to let me go, when I sensed the beasi
moving about the school.'
'What is it?' said Harry urgently.
More loud clicking, more rustling; the spiders seemed to tx
closing in. i
'We do not speak of it!' said Aragog fiercely 'We do not naiw
it! I never even told Hagrid the name of that dread creat
though he asked me, many times.' .1^,
Harry didn't want to press the subject, not with the spi j
pressing closer on all sides. Aragog seemed to be tired o
He was backing slowly into his domed web, but his fellow p
continued to inch slowly towards Harry and Ron. _
'We'll just go, then,' Harry called desperately to Aragog,
leaves rustling behind him.
J
 aragog 207
^o?' said Aragog slowly. 'I think not...'
'But - hut"'
. , ^5 and daughters do not harm Hagrid, on my command.
l cannot deny them fresh meat, when it wanders so willingly
in"^ our midst. Goodbye, friend of Hagrid.'
Harry spun around. Feet away, towering above him, was a solid
wall of spiders, clicking, their many eyes gleaming in their ugly
black heads- Even as he reached for his wand. Harry knew it was no good,
ihcre were too many of them, but as he tried to stand, ready to die
fip'ntine, a loud, long note sounded, and a blaze of light flamed
through the hollow.
Mr Weasley's car was thundering down the slope, headlamps
glaring, its horn screeching, knocking spiders aside; several were
thrown onto their backs, their endless legs waving in the air. The
car screeched to a halt in front of Harry and Ron and the doors
(cw open.
'Get Fang!' Harry yelled, diving into the front seat; Ron seized
the boarhound round the middle and threw him, yelping, into the
hack of the car. The doors slammed shut. Ron didn't touch the
accelerator but the car didn't need him; the engine roared and
ihey were off, hitting more spiders. They sped up the slope, out of
the hollow, and they were soon crashing through the forest,
branches whipping the windows as the car wound its way cleverly
through the widest gaps, following a path it obviously knew.
Harry looked sideways at Ron. His mouth was still open in the
lent scream, but his eyes weren't popping any more.
Are you OK?'
Ron stared straight ahead, unable to speak.
hey smashed their way through the undergrowth, Fang howl- '"R loudly in the back seat, and Harry saw the wing mirror snap
as they squeezed past a large oak. After ten noisy, rocky min-
, e trees thinned, and Harry could again see patches of sky.
e car stopped so suddenly that they were nearly thrown into
n ^""screen. They had reached the edge of the forest. Fang

8 imself at the window in his anxiety to get out and when
"arrv nr>t>_-i .1 , - - .- 
1,^ "P^d the door, he shot off through the trees to Hagrid';
s
'een his legs. Harry got out too and after a minute
r so e etween his legs. Harry got out too and after a minute
run ^on ^"^d to regain the feeling in his limbs and followed,
-necked and staring. Harry gave the car a grateful pat as it
208 harry potter

reversed back into the forest and disappeared from view
Harry went back into Hagrid's cabin to get the Invi 'hi
Cloak. Fang was trembling under a blanket in his basket un,
Harry got outside again, he found Ron being violently sick i [r
pumpkin patch.
'Follow the spiders,' said Ron weakly, wiping his mouth on h
sleeve. 'I'll never forgive Hagrid. We're lucky to be alive.'
'I bet he thought Aragog wouldn't hurt friends of his' sax
Harry.
'That's exactly Hagrid's problem!' said Ron, thumping the wal
of the cabin. 'He always thinks monsters aren't as bad as they'n
made out, and look where it's got him! A cell in Azkaban!' He w
shivering uncontrollably now. 'What was the point of sending u;
in there? What have we found out, I'd like to know?'
'That Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets,' said Ham
throwing the cloak over Ron and prodding him in the arm u
make him walk. 'He was innocent.'
Ron gave a loud snort. Evidently, hatching Aragog out in a cup
board wasn't his idea of being innocent.
As the castle loomed nearer Harry twitched the cloak to maki
sure their feet were hidden, then pushed the creaking front door
ajar. They walked carefully back across the Entrance Hall and u|
the marble staircase, holding their breath as they passed comdor
where watchful sentries were walking. At last they reached thi
safety of the Gryffindor common room, where the fire had burnti
itself into glowing ash. They took off the cloak and climbed th
winding staircase to their dormitory.
Ron fell onto his bed without bothering to get undressri
Harry, however, didn't feel very sleepy He sat on the edge o( hi
four-poster, thinking hard about everything Aragog had said.
The creature that was lurking somewhere in the castle,
thought, sounded like a sort of monster Voldemort - even of
monsters didn't want to name it. But he and Ron were no c ose ^
finding out what it was, or how it Petrified its victims.
Hagrid had never known what was in the Chamber of Secrets
Harry swung his legs up onto his bed and leaned backag^
his pillows, watching the moon glinting at him through t
window. ,^ j
He couldn't see what else they could do. They had ^
ends everywhere. Riddle had caught the wrong person, t e
aragog
209



l iherin had got off, and no one could tell whether it was the
person, or a different one, who had opened the Chamber
, (^e There was nobody else to ask. Harry lay down, still

'ih'mking about what Aragog said..
He was becoming drowsy when what seemed like their very last
h me occurred to him and he suddenly sat bolt upright.
Ron,' he hissed through the dark. 'Ron'.'
Ron woke with a yelp like Fang's, stared wildly around and saw

Harry.
Ron - that girl who died. Aragog said she was found in a bath-
room,' said Harry, ignoring Neville's snuffling snores from the
corner. 'What if she never left the bathroom? What if she's still

ihere?'
Ron rubbed his eyes, frowning through the moonlight. And

then he understood.
'You don't think - not Moaning Myrtle?'

-- CHAPTER SIXTEEN--

The Chamber of Secrets

'All those times we were in that bathroom, and she was just three
toilets away,' said Ron bitterly at breakfast next day 'and we
could've asked her, and now ...'
It had been hard enough trying to look for spiders. Escaping
their teachers long enough to sneak into a girls' bathroom, the
girls' bathroom, moreover, right next to the scene of the firsi
attack, was going to be almost impossible.
But something happened in their first lesson, Transfiguration,
which drove the Chamber of Secrets out of their minds for the
first time in weeks. Ten minutes into the class, Professor
McGonagall told them that their exams would start on the first of
June, one week from today.
'Exams?' howled Seamus Finnigan. 'We're still getting exams?'
There was a loud bang behind Harry as Neville Longbottoms
wand slipped, vanishing one of the legs on his desk. Professor
McGonagall restored it with a wave of her own wand, and turned.
frowning, to Seamus.
'The whole point of keeping the school open at this time is lor
you to receive your education,' she said sternly 'The exams wil
therefore take place as usual, and I trust you are all revising hara
Revising hard! It had never occurred to Harry that there wor
be exams with the castle in this state. There was a great dea
mutinous muttering around the room, which made Pro e
McGonagall scowl even more darkly. .1
'Professor Dumbledore's instructions were to keep the' s.^.
running as normally as possible,' she said. 'And that, I nee ^
point out, means finding out how much you have learn
year.' yy.
Harry looked down at the pair of white rabbits he wa ^
posed to be turning into slippers. What had he learned so J
the chamber OF secrets 211

,  couldn't seem to think of anything that would be useful

'" ^ looked as though he'd been just been told he had to go and
,,^n the Forbidden Forest.
-Can you imagine me taking exams with this?' he asked Harry,
holding up his wand, which had just started whistling loudly

Three days before their first exam. Professor McGonagall made
mother announcement at breakfast.
1 have good news,' she said, and the Great Hall, instead of
(aliing silent, erupted.
Dumbledore's coming back!' several people yelled joyfully
You've caught the Heir of Slytherin!' squealed a girl on the
Ravenclaw table.
| Quidditch matches are back on!' roared Wood excitedly.
When the hubbub had subsided, Professor McGonagall said,
Irofessor Sprout has informed me that the Mandrakes are ready
r cutting at last. Tonight, we will be able to revive those people
who have been Petrified. I need hardly remind you all that one of
them may well be able to tell us who, or what, attacked them. I
am hopeful that this dreadful year will end with our catching the
ulprit.'
There was an explosion of cheering. Harry looked over at the
Slytherin table and wasn't at all surprised to see that Draco Malfoy
hadn't joined in. Ron, however, was looking happier than he'd
Ied in days.
1 won't matter that we never asked Myrtle, then!' he said to
"Y 'Hermione'll probably have all the answers when they wake
up'. Mind you, she'll go mad when she finds out we've got
"s in three days' time. She hasn't revised. It might be kinder to
e her where she is till they're over.'
'st then, Ginny Weasley came over and sat down next to Ron.
looked tense and nervous, and Harry noticed that her hands
twisting in her lap.
'& up?' said Ron, helping himself to more porridge.
""J ^dn't say anything, but glanced up and down the
'"dor table with a scared look on her face that reminded
, ^eone, though he couldn't think who.

jSrTv1 ^ said Ron' ^^g h".
"y suddenly realized who Ginny looked like. She was rock-
212 harry potter

ing backwards and forwards slightly in her chair, exani
Dobby did when he was teetering on the edge of revealing f it'l
den information. 1
'I've got to tell you something,' Ginny mumbled, carefully
looking at Harry.
'What is it?'said Harry. ' '
Ginny looked as though she couldn't find the right words
'What?' said Ron.
Ginny opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Han
leaned forward and spoke quietly, so that only Ginny and Roi
could hear him.
'Is it something about the Chamber of Secrets? Have you seei
something? Someone acting oddly?'
Ginny drew a deep breath and at that precise moment, Pern'
Weasley appeared, looking tired and wan.
'If you've finished eating, I'll take that seat, Ginny. I'm starving.
I've only just come off patrol duty.'
Ginny jumped up as though her chair had just been electrifie
gave Percy a fleeting, frightened look, and scarpered away. Pen
sat down and grabbed a mug from the centre of the table.
'Percy!' said Ron angrily. 'She was just about to tell us son
thing important!'
Halfway through a gulp of tea, Percy choked.
'What sort of thing?' he said, coughing.
'I just asked her if she'd seen anything odd, and she started 10
say - |
'Oh - that - that's nothing to do with the Chamber of Secreis.
said Percy at once.
'How do you know?' said Ron, his eyebrows raised.
'Well, er, if you must know, Ginny, er, walked in on me lit
other day when I was - well, never mind - the point is, she spol^
ted me doing something and I, um, I asked her not to meniioin
to anybody I must say I did think she'd keep her word. Its not
ing, really, I'd just rather -
Harry had never seen Percy look so uncomfortable, y
'What were you doing, Percy?' said Ron, grinning. 'Go on,
us, we won't laugh.'
Percy didn't smile back.
'Pass me those rolls, Harry, I'm starving.'
the chamber of secrets 213

knew the whole mystery might be solved tomorrow with- ^"^hpir help, but he wasn't about to pass up a chance to speak to
l1u 1 if it turned up - and to his delight it did, mid-morning,
^r'n they were being led to History of Magic by Gilderoy

1 ickhart, who had so often assured them that all danger had
issed only to be proved wrong straightaway, was now whole- Lmedly convinced that it was hardly worth the trouble to see
ihrm safely down the corridors. His hair wasn't as sleek as usual;
n seemed he had been up most of the night, patrolling the fourth

door.
Mark my words,' he said, ushering them around a corner, 'the
first words out of those poor Petrified people's mouths will be "it
wiis Hagrid." Frankly, I'm astounded Professor McGonagall thinks
all these security measures are necessary.'
"I agree, sir,' said Harry, making Ron drop his books in surprise.
'Thank you, Harry,' said Lockhart graciously, while they waited
tor a long line of Hufflepufis to pass. 'I mean, we teachers have
luile enough to be getting on with, without walking students to
lasses and standing guard all night...'
'That's right,' said Ron, catching on. 'Why don't you leave us
"icre, sir, we've only got one more corridor to go.'
You know, Weasley 1 think I will,' said Lockhart. 'I really
hould go and prepare my next class.'
And he hurried off.
'Prepare his class,' Ron sneered after him. 'Gone to curl his hair,
more like.'
They let the rest of the Gryffindors draw ahead of them, then
aried down a side passage and hurried off towards Moaning
"lies bathroom. But just as they were congratulating each other
""ihcir brilliant scheme...
Colter', Weasley'. What are you doing?'
' was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest
Anin lines.

e were - we were - Ron stammered, 'we were going to - to
s" and see -' o <-

^ermlone'' said Harry. Ron and Professor McGonagall both

Hediv avent seen her for ages. Professor,' Harry went on hur-
reading on Ron's foot, 'and we thought we'd sneak into the

214 harry potter

hospital wing, you know, and tell her the Mandrakes are
ready and, er, not to worry.' ~i
Professor McGonagall was still staring at him, and f
moment. Harry thought she was going to explode, but when sh'l
spoke, it was in a strangely croaky voice. H
'Of course,' she said, and Harry, amazed, saw a tear glistenino B
her beady eye. 'Of course, I realise this has all been hardest on ihX
friends of those who have been ... I quite understand. Yes PotierB
of course you may visit Miss Granger. I will inform ProfessoiB
Binns where you've gone. Tell Madam Pomfrey I have given m
permission.' 'H
Harry and Ron walked away, hardly daring to believe thai
they'd avoided detention. As they turned the corner, they distinctly
heard Professor McGonagall blow her nose.
'That,' said Ron fervently, 'was the best story you've ever come
up with.' _
They had no choice now but to go to the hospital wing and tel^^
Madam Pomfrey that they had Professor McGonagall's permission
to visit Hermione.
Madam Pomfrey let them in, but reluctantly. H
'There's just no point talking to a Petrified person,' she said, and
they had to admit she was right when they'd taken their seats next
to Hermione. It was plain that Hermione didn't have the faintest
inkling that she had visitors, and that they might just as well tell
her bedside cabinet not to worry for all the good it would do.
'Wonder if she did see the attacker, though?' said Ron, looking
sadly at Hermione's rigid face. 'Because if he sneaked up on them
all, no one'll ever know ...'
But Harry wasn't looking at Hermione's face. He was more
interested in her right hand. It lay clenched on top of her blankets,
and bending closer, he saw that a piece of paper wa*
scrunched inside her fist.
Making sure that Madam Pomfrey was nowhere near, he poii^
ed this out to Ron. i
'Try and get it out,' Ron whispered, shifting his chair so that
blocked Harry from Madam Pomfrey's view. . , i^.
It was no easy task. Hermione's hand was clamped so tig ^
around the paper that Harry was sure he was going to
While Ron kept watch he tugged and twisted, and at last,
several tense minutes, the paper came free.
^B THE chamber OF secrhts 215

was a page torn from a very old library book. Harry
nthed it out eagerly and Ron leant close to read it too.

Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our
, j there is none more curious or more deadly than the
Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which
may reach gigantic size, and live many hundreds of years, is
born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of
killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are
fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders
flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the
Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which isjatal
(oit.

And beneath this, a single word had been written, in a hand
Harry recognised as Hermione's. Pipes.
It was as though somebody had just flicked a light on in his
brain.
'Ron,' he breathed, 'this is it. This is the answer. The monster in
the Chamber's a Basilisk - a giant serpent! That's why I've been
hearing that voice all over the place, and nobody else has heard it.
It's because 1 understand Parseltongue ...'
Harry looked up at the beds around him.
The Basilisk kills people by looking at them. But no one's died
- because no one looked it straight in the eye. Colin saw it
through his camera. The Basilisk burned up all the film inside it,
but Colin just got Petrified. Justin ... Justin must've seen the
Basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick! Nick got the full blast of
it. hut he couldn't die again ... and Hermione and that Ravenclaw
prelect were found with a mirror next to them. Hermione had just
realised the monster was a Basilisk. I bet you anything she warned
e irst person she met to look round corners with a mirror first!
And that girl pulled out her mirror - and -'
^"'s jaw had dropped.
And Mrs Norris?' he whispered eagerly
Hall'1"^' t^ou8m nard' picturing the scene on the night of

baihr8 water '"' he said slow^ lthe flood ^rom Moaning Myrtle's
om. I bet you Mrs Norris only saw the reflection ...'
216 harry potter

He scanned the page in his hand eagerly. The more he looked
it, the more it made sense.
The crowing of the rooster is fatal to it!' he read aloud 'Ha a- roosters were killed! The Heir of Slytherin didn't want one a
where near the castle once the Chamber was opened' Spider', fl
before it! It all fits!' ' '
'But how's the Basilisk been getting around the place?' said Rn
'A dirty great snake ... Someone would've seen ...'
Harry, however, pointed at the word Hermione had scribbled ai
the foot of the page.
'Pipes,' he said. 'Pipes ... Ron, it's been using the plumbing. I've
been hearing that voice inside the walls ...'
Ron suddenly grabbed Harry's arm.
'The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets!' he said hoarsely.
'What if it's a bathroom? What if it's in --'
'- Moaning Myrtle's bathroom,' said Harry.
They sat there, excitement coursing through them, hardly abit
to believe it.
'This means,' said Harry, 'I can't be the only Parselmouth in the
school. The Heir of Slytherin's one too. That's how they've been
controlling the Basilisk.'
'What're we going to do?' said Ron, whose eyes were flashing.
'Shall we go straight to McGonagall?'
'Let's go to the staff room,' said Harry, jumping up. 'She'll be
there in ten minutes, it's nearly break.'
They ran downstairs. Not wanting to be discovered hanging
around in another corridor, they went straight into the deserted
staff room. It was a large, panelled room full of dark wooden
chairs. Harry and Ron paced around it, too excited to sit down.
But the bell to signal break never came. J^S
Instead, echoing through the corridors came Professor
McGonagall's voice, magically magnified, i,.^
'AH students to return to their house dormitories at once. All teac J
ers return to the staff room. Immediately, please.'
Harry wheeled around to stare at Ron.
'Not another attack? Not now?' r ^B
'What'll we do?' said Ron, aghast. 'Go back to the dormiton-
thh chamber of secrets 217

, ^ themselves inside it, listening to the rumbling of hun-
f neople moving overhead, and the staff room door bang-
nen From between the musty folds of the cloaks, they
lps hed the teachers filtering into the room. Some of them were
*' .. puzzled, others downright scared. Then Professor
McGonagall arrived.
., ^gg happened,' she told the silent staff room. 'A student has
b<-cn taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself.'
| professor Flitwick let out a squeal. Professor Sprout clapped
*cr hands over her mouth. Snape gripped the back of a chair very
iuird and said, 'How can you be sure?'
The Heir of Slytherin,' said Professor McGonagall, who was
very white, 'left another message. Right underneath the first one.
' Icr skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.'
Professor Flitwick burst into tears.
Who is it?' said Madam Hooch, who had sunk, weak-kneed
into a chair. 'Which student?'
Ginny Weasley,' said Professor McGonagall.
Harry felt Ron slide silently down onto the wardrobe floor
beside him.
'We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow,' said
Professor McGonagall. 'This is the end of Hogwarts. Dumbledore
ilwayssaid ...'
The staff room door banged open again. For one wild moment,
Harry was sure it would be Dumbledore. But it was Lockhart, and
he was beaming.
'So sorry - dozed off - what have I missed?'
He didn't seem to notice that the other teachers were looking at
"im with something remarkably like hatred. Snape stepped forard.

pjusi the man,' he said. 'The very man. A girl has been snatched
"y the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets
'se" Your moment has come at last.'
Lockhart blanched.

you ats nghtl ^^""y' chipped in Professor Sprout. 'Weren't
* saying just last night that you've known all along where the
""ranee to the Chamber of Secrets is?'
Y^11,luttered
Lockhart,

isidp ?- nt ^ou te^ Ine Y01-1 were sure Y011 knew what was
elt Piped up Professor Flitwick.

218 harry potter

'D-didI? I don't recall...'
'I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadn'i h
a crack at the monster before Hagrid was arrested,' said S
'Didn't you say that the whole affair had been bungled and tkiB
you should have been given a free rein from the first?'
Lockhart stared around at his stony-faced colleagues
'I... I really never ... You may have misunderstood ...'
'We'll leave it to you, then, Gilderoy,' said Professoi
McGonagall. 'Tonight will be an excellent time to do it. Wel
make sure everyone's out of your way. You'll be able to tackle thfl
monster all by youself. A free rein at last.'
Lockhart gazed desperately around him, but nobody came ti
the rescue. He didn't look remotely handsome any more. His
was trembling, and in the absence of his usually toothy grin
looked weak-chinned and weedy.
'V-very well,' he said. 'I'll - I'll be in my office, getting - getting
ready.'
And he left the room.
'Right,' said Professor McGonagall, whose nostrils were flarecj
'that's got him out from under our feet. The Heads of Houses
should go and inform their students what has happened. Tell
them the Hogwarts Express will take them home first thing
tomorrow. Will the rest of you please make sure no students hav^
been left outside their dormitories.' M
The teachers rose, and left one by one. ^^

It was probably the worst day of Harry's entire life. He, Ron, Fred
and George sat together in a corner of the Gryffindor common
room, unable to say anything to each other. Percy wasn't there. H(
had gone to send an owl to Mr and Mrs Weasley then shut hii_
self up in his dormitory. I
No afternoon ever lasted as long as that one, nor
Gryffindor tower ever been so crowded, yet so quiet. Near sunstj
Fred and George went up to bed, unable to sit there any lon^.,
'She knew something, Harry,' said Ron, speaking for we .^
time since they had entered the wardrobe in the staff room.
why she was taken. It wasn't some stupid thing about Percy a^
She'd found out something about the Chamber of secrels
must be why she was -' Ron rubbed his eyes frantically
she was a pure-blood. There can't be any other reason
^H the chamber of secrhts 219

^ould see the sun sinking, blood-red, below the skyline.
| ^e worst he had ever felt. If only there was something

'he'^ could do. Anything.
Harrv' said Ron, 'd'you think there's any chance at all she's not

L you know -'
Harry didn't know what to say He couldn't see how Ginny
ould still be alive.
D'vou know what?' said Ron, 'I think we should go and see
ockhart. Tell him what we know. He's going to try and get into
he Chamber. We can,,tell him where we think it is, and tell him
us a Basilisk in there.'ii,^
Because Harry couldn't think of anything else to do, and
because he wanted to be doing something, he agreed. The
Grvffindors around them were so miserable, and felt so sorry for
the Weasleys, that nobody tried to stop them as they got up,
crossed the room, and left through the portrait hole.
Darkness was falling as they walked down to Lockhart's office.
rhere seemed to be a lot of activity going on inside it. They could
hear scraping, thumps and hurried footsteps.
Harry knocked and there was a sudden silence from inside.
Then the door opened the tiniest crack and they saw one of
Lockhart's eyes peering through it.
'Oh ... Mr Potter ... Mr Weasley ...' he said, opening the door
a mite wider. Tm rather busy at the moment. If you would be
quick...'
'Professor, we've got some information for you,' said Harry. 'We
think it'll help you.'
Er - well - it's not terribly - The side of Lockhart's face that
'"ey could see looked very uncomfortable. 'I mean - well - all
nght;

H? opened the door and they entered.
rlls office had been almost completely stripped. Two large
^"nks stood open on the floor. Robes, jade-green, lilac, midnight
",' a(^ ^een hastily folded into one of them; books were jum-
ih ""^y imo the other. The photographs that had covered
e walls were now crammed into boxes on the desk.
lre you going somewhere?' said Harry.
from ihi-' ^es' sai(^ ^^hart, ripping a life-size poster of himself
'L'rep e i^ ^tne ^oor as ne ^oke, and starting to roll it up.
| " "I cal[ - unavoidable ... got to go ...'
220 - harry potter

'What about my sister?' said Ron jerkily.
'Well, as to that - most unfortunate,' said Lockhan avoid
their eyes as he wrenched open a drawer and started emptvin 1,1
contents into a bag. 'No one regrets more than I -' ^J
'You're the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher!' said H^l
'You can't go now! Not with all the Dark stuff going on here'' I
'Well, I must say ... when I took the job ...' Lockhan muttered I
now piling socks on top of his robes, 'nothing in the job descrioJ
tion ... didn't expect...'
'You mean you're running awayT said Harry disbelievinglv
'After all that stuff you did in your books?'
'Books can be misleading,' said Lockhart delicately.
'You wrote them!' Harry shouted.
'My dear boy,' said Lockhart, straightening up and frowning ai
Harry. 'Do use your common sense. My books wouldn't have sold
half as well if people didn't think Yd done all those things. No on(
wants to read about some ugly old Armenian warlock, even if he
did save a village from werewolves. He'd look dreadful on the
front cover. No dress sense at all. And the witch who banished the
Bandon Banshee had a hare lip. I mean, come on ...'
'So you've just been taking credit for what a load of other
people have done?' said Harry incredulously.
'Harry, Harry,' said Lockhart, shaking his head impatiently, 'it's
not nearly as simple as that. There was work involved. 1 had
to track these people down. Ask them exactly how they managed
to do what they did. Then I had to put a Memory Charm on
them so they wouldn't remember doing it. If there's one thing 1
pride myself on, it's my Memory Charms. No, it's been a lol of
work. Harry. It's not all book-signings and publicity photos, you
know. You want fame, you have to be prepared for a long ha
slog.' ----
He banged the lids of his trunks shut and locked them.
'Let's see,' he said. 'I think that's everything. Yes. Only one thin?-^
left.'
He pulled out his wand and turned to them.
'Awfully sorry boys, but I'll have to put a Memory Charm ^
you now. Can't have you blabbing my secrets all over the p a
never sell another book ...' , .,pj
Harry reached his wand just in time. Lockhart had barely
his, when Harry bellowed, 'Expelliarmus!'
raisw
m the chamber OF secrets 221

rkhart was blasted backwards, falling over his trunk. His
j ng^y high into the air; Ron caught it, and flung it out of the

open window.
Shouldn't have let Professor Snape teach us that one,' said
Hirrv furiously, kicking Lockhart's trunk aside. Lockhart was
i ,yyne up at him, weedy once more. Harry was still pointing his

wand at him.
What d'you want me to do?' said Lockhart weakly. 'I don't
know where the Chamber of Secrets is. There's nothing I can

do.'
'You're in luck,' said Harry, forcing Lockhart to his feet at
wandpoint. 'We think we know where it is. And what's inside it.
Lei's go.'
They marched Lockhart out of his office and down the nearest
stairs, along the dark corridor where the messages shone on the
wall, to the door of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
They sent Lockhart in first. Harry was pleased to see that he
(shaking.
oaning Myrtle was sitting on the cistern of the end toilet.
ih, it's you,' she said, when she saw Harry. 'What do you want
time?'
To ask you how you died,' said Harry.
Myrtle's whole aspect changed at once. She looked as though
she had never been asked such a flattering question.
'Ooooh, it was dreadful,' she said with relish. Tt happened right
in here. I died in this very cubicle. I remember it so well. I'd
hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses.
The door was locked, and I was crying, and then I heard some-
rody come in. They said something funny. A different language, I
'"ink it must have been. Anyway, what really got me was that it
was a ^y speaking. So I unlocked the door, to tell him to go and
use hls own toilet, and then -' Myrtle swelled importantly her
we shining, 'I died.'
'How?' said Harry
'V -i
o idea,' said Myrtle in hushed tones. 'I just remember seeing
an^i, great ^ Y^^ ^s- My whole body sort of seized up,
And h I was ^^S ^ay ' she looked dreamily at Harry
Homi1 en l came ^ac^ again I was determined to haunt Olive
Rias ' ^ou see' (^1' sne was ^^ she'd ever laughed at my
222 harry potter

'Where exactly did you see the eyes?' said Harry.
'Somewhere there,' said Myrtle, pointing vaguely towards ih
sink in front of her toilet.
Harry and Ron hurried over to it. Lockhart was standing w II
back, a look of utter terror on his face.
It looked like an ordinary sink. They examined every inch of ii
inside and out, including the pipes below. And then Harry saw 
scratched on the side of one of the copper taps was a tiny snake
'That tap's never worked,' said Myrtle brightly, as he tried to
turn it.
'Harry,' said Ron, 'say something. Something in Parseltongue.'
'But --' Harry thought hard. The only times he'd ever managed
to speak Parseltongue were when he'd been faced with a real
snake. He stared hard at the tiny engraving, trying to imagine ii
was real.
'Open up,' he said.
He looked at Ron, who shook his head.
'English,' he said.
Harry looked back at the snake, willing himself to believe it
was alive. If he moved his head, the candlelight made it look as
though it was moving.
'Open up,' he said.
Except that the words weren't what he heard; a strange hissing
had escaped him, and at once the tap glowed with a brilliant
white light and began to spin. Next second, the sink began 10
move. The sink, in fact, sank, right out of sight, leaving a large
pipe exposed, a pipe wide enough for a man to slide into.
Harry heard Ron gasp and looked up again. He had made up
his mind what he was going to do.
'I'm going down there,' he said.
He couldn't not go, not now they had found the entrance to iht
Chamber, not if there was even the faintest, slimmest, wildest
chance that Ginny might be alive.
The too,' said Ron.
There was a pause, u,.
'Well, you hardly seem to need me,' said Lockhart, with a s
dow of his old smile. 'I'll just -' i^.d
He put his hand on the door knob, but Ron and Harry
pointed their wands at him.
'You can go first,' Ron snarled.
the chamber of secrets 223

White-faced and wandless, Lockhart approached the opening.
I.n vs' he said, his voice feeble, 'boys, what good will it do?'
u rrv tabbed him in the back with his wand. Lockhart slid his
l^s into the pipe.
I really don't think -' he started to say, but Ron gave him a
,sh and he slid out of sight. Harry followed quickly. He lowered
^mself slowly into the pipe, then let go.
II was like rushing down an endless, slimy, dark slide. He could
see more pipes branching off in all directions, but none as large as
theirs, which twisted and turned, sloping steeply downwards, and
In- knew that he was falling deeper below the school than even
the dungeons. Behind him he could hear Ron, thudding slightly at
the curves.
And then, just as he had begun to worry about what would
happen when he hit the ground, the pipe levelled out, and he shot
out of the end with a wet thud, landing on the damp floor of a
dark stone tunnel, large enough to stand in. Lockhart was getting
10 his feet a little way away, covered in slime and white as a ghost.
Harry stood aside as Ron came whizzing out of the pipe, too.
'We must be miles under the school,' said Harry, his voice echoing
in the black tunnel.
'Under the lake, probably,' said Ron, squinting around at the
dark, slimy walls.
All three of them turned to stare into the darkness ahead.
lumos!' Harry muttered to his wand and it lit again. 'C'mon,'
he said to Ron and Lockhart, and off they went, their footsteps
''lapping loudly on the wet floor.
The tunnel was so dark that they could only see a little distance
ahead. Their shadows on the wet walls looked monstrous in the
^'andlight.
Remember,' Harry said quietly, as they walked cautiously for- ar . any sign of movement, close your eyes straight away ...'
"* the tunnel was quiet as the grave, and the first unexpected
^Y heard was a loud crunch as Ron stepped on what
ihn out to be a rats skun- Harry lowered his wand to look at
oor and saw that it was littered with small animal bones.

>he f very ^ar^ not to "^g"^ what Ginny might look like if
, ound her, Harry led the way forward, round a dark bend in
"r tunnel. -

ry' ^re's something up there ...' said Ron hoarsely,

224 harry potter

grabbing Harry's shoulder.
They froze, watching. Harry could just see the outline of sn
thing huge and curved, lying right across the tunnel. It was'
moving.
'Maybe it's asleep,' he breathed, glancing back at the other tw
Lockhart's hands were pressed over his eyes. Harry turned back
look at the thing, his heart beating so fast it hurt.
Very slowly, his eyes as narrow as he could make them and still
see, Harry edged forward, his wand held high.
The light slid over a gigantic snake skin, of a vivid, poisonous
green, lying curled and empty across the tunnel floor. The creature
that had shed it must have been twenty feet long at least.
'Blimey,' said Ron weakly.
There was a sudden movement behind them. Gildero
Lockhart's knees had given way.
'Get up,' said Ron sharply, pointing his wand at Lockhart.
Lockhart got to his feet - then he dived at Ron, knocking him
to the ground.
Harry jumped forward, but too late. Lockhart was straightening
up, panting, Ron's wand in his hand and a gleaming smile back on
his face. I
'The adventure ends here, boys!' he said. 'I shall take a bit of
this skin back up to the school, tell them I was too late to save the
girl, and that you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her
mangled body. Say goodbye to your memories!'
He raised Ron's Spellotaped wand high over his head and
yelled, 'Obliviate!'
The wand exploded with the force of a small bomb. Harry flung
his arms over his head and ran, slipping over the coils of snake- skin, out of the way of great chunks of tunnel ceiling which wei^
thundering to the floor. Next moment, he was standing alon
gazing at a solid wall of broken rock.
'Ron!' he shouted. 'Are you OK? Ron!' ,
'I'm here!' came Ron's muffled voice from behind the rockla^
'I'm OK. This git's not, though - he got blasted by the wand.
There was a dull thud and a loud 'ow!' It sounded as tho g
Ron had just kicked Lockhart in the shins. . ^
'What now?' Ron's voice said, sounding desperate. 'We ca
through. It'll take ages ...' ^ ^d
Harry looked up at the tunnel ceiling. Huge crac ^^
^M the chamber of secrets 225

ared in it- He had never tried to break apart anything as large
hpse rocks by magic, and now didn't seem a good moment to
a''... what if the whole tunnel caved in?
There was another thud and another 'ow!' from behind the
I .1^ They were wasting time. Ginny had already been in the
( hamber of Secrets for hours. Harry knew there was only one

thing to do.
" -Wait there,' he called to Ron. 'Wait with Lockhart. I'll go on. If
m not back in an hour ...'
There was a very pregnant pause.
I'll try and shift some of this rock,' said Ron, who seemed to be
irving to keep his voice steady. 'So you can - can get back
through. And, Harry -'
See you in a bit,' said Harry, trying to inject some confidence
into his shaking voice.
And he set off alone past the giant snake skin.
Soon the distant noise of Ron straining to shift the rocks was
Siine. The tunnel turned and turned again. Every nerve in Harry's
body was tingling unpleasantly. He wanted the tunnel to end, yet
dreaded what he'd find when it did. And then, at last, as he crept
around yet another bend, he saw a solid wall ahead on which two
entwined serpents were carved, their eyes set with great, glinting
emeralds.
Harry approached, his throat very dry. There was no need to
pretend these stone snakes were real, their eyes looked strangely
alive.
He could guess what he had to do. He cleared his throat, and
'he emerald eyes seemed to flicker.
Open,' said Harry, in a low, faint hiss.
T-l ' '
'"e serpents parted as the wall cracked open, the halves slid
smoothly out of sight, and Harry, shaking from head to foot,
walked inside. 6 ^ 8
-- CHAPTER SEVENTEEN-

The Heir of Sly therm

He was standing at the end of a very long, dimly lit chambef
Towering stone pillars entwined with more carved serpents rost^
to support a ceiling lost in darkness, casting long black shadows
through the odd, greenish gloom that filled the place. ' B
His heart beating very fast. Harry stood listening to the chill
silence. Could the Basilisk be lurking in a shadowy corner, behind
a pillar? And where was Ginny? _
He pulled out his wand and moved forward between the ser^
pentine columns. Every careful footstep echoed loudly off the
shadowy walls. He kept his eyes narrowed, ready to clamp them
shut at the smallest sign of movement. The hollow eye sockets o(
the stone snakes seemed to be following him. More than oncf
with a jolt of the stomach, he thought he saw one stir.
Then, as he drew level with the last pair of pillars, a statue high
as the Chamber itself loomed into view, standing against the back
wall.
Harry had to crane his neck to look up into the giant face
above: it was ancient and monkey-like, with a long thin beard thai
fell almost to the bottom of the wizard's sweeping stone robes.
where two enormous grey feet stood on the smooth cnan1b(T
floor. And between the feet, face down, lay a small, black-robed
figure with flaming red hair. ,^B
'Ginny.'' Harry muttered, sprinting to her and dropping t" hls
knees. 'Ginny! Don't be dead! Please don't be dead!' He Hung ^
wand aside, grabbed Ginny's shoulders and turned her over.
face was white as marble, and as cold, yet her eyes were close ,
she wasn't Petrified. But then she must be ... ,.
'Ginny please wake up,' Harry muttered desperately, s a
her. Ginny's head lolled hopelessly from side to side.
'She won't wake,' said a soft voice.
the heir of slytherin 227

Harry lumped and spun around on his knees.
A tall black-haired boy was leaning against the nearest pillar,
-hine. He was strangely blurred around the edges, as though
u rrv was looking at him through a misted window. But there was
no mistaking him.
Tom - Tom Riddle?'
Riddle nodded, not taking his eyes off Harry's face.
What d'you mean, she won't wake?' Harry said desperately.
She's not - she's not -?'
She's still alive,' said Riddle. 'But only just.'
Harry stared at him. Tom Riddle had been at Hogwarts fifty
years ago, yet here he stood, a weird, misty light shining about
him, not a day older than sixteen.
'Are you a ghost?' Harry said uncertainly.
'A memory,' said Riddle quietly. 'Preserved in a diary for fifty
years.'
He pointed towards the floor near the statue's giant toes. Lying
open there was the little black diary Harry had found in Moaning
Myrtle's bathroom. For a second, Harry wondered how it had got
there - but there were more pressing matters to deal with.
'You've got to help me, Tom,' Harry said, raising Ginny's head
again. 'We've got to get her out of here. There's a Basilisk ... I don't
know where it is, but it could be along any moment. Please, help
me...'
Riddle didn't move. Harry, sweating, managed to hoist Ginny
half off the floor, and bent to pick up his wand again.
But his wand had gone.
'Did you see -?'
He looked up. Riddle was still watching him - twirling Harry's
and between his lone fingers.
i-r-l . 00
' nanks, said Harry, stretching out his hand for it.
A smile curled the corners of Riddle's mouth. He continued to
stare al "any twirling the wand idly
, lsten' ^d Harry urgently, his knees sagging with Ginny's
fead weight, 'we've got to go! If the Basilisk comes ...'
I lt won't come until it is called,' said Riddle calmly
"ry lowered Ginny back onto the floor, unable to hold her up
'"v longer.

tie l ^ou mean?' he said. 'Look, give me my wand, I might

228 harry potter

Riddle's smile broadened.
'You won't be needing it,' he said.
Harry stared at him.
'What d'you mean, I won't be -?'
'I've waited a long time for this, Harry Potter,' said Riddle 'For
the chance to see you. To speak to you.'
'Look,' said Harry, losing patience, 'I don't think you get it
We're in the Chamber of Secrets. We can talk later.'
'We're going to talk now,' said Riddle, still smiling broadly, and
he pocketed Harry's wand.
Harry stared at him. There was something very funny going on
here.
'How did Ginny get like this?' he asked slowly.
'Well, that's an interesting question,' said Riddle pleasantly.
'And quite a long story. I suppose the real reason Ginny Weasley's
like this is because she opened her heart and spilled all her secrets
to an invisible stranger.'
'What are you talking about?' said Harry.
'The diary,' said Riddle. 'My diary. Little Ginny's been writing in
it for months and months, telling me all her pitiful worries and
woes: how her brothers tease her, how she had to come to school
with second-hand robes and books, how -' Riddle's eyes glinted
'- how she didn't think famous, good, great Harry Potter would
ever like her ...'
All the time he spoke, Riddle's eyes never left Harry's face.
There was an almost hungry look in them.
'It's very boring, having to listen to the silly little troubles of an
eleven-year-old girl,' he went on. 'But I was patient. I wrote back,
was sympathetic, I was kind. Ginny simply loved me. No one's f^<^^
understood me like you, Tom ...I'm so glad I've got this diary toconm^
ride in ... It's like having a friend I can carry round in my pocket...
Riddle laughed, a high, cold laugh that didn't suit him. It made
the hairs stand up on the back of Harry's neck. .
'If I say it myself, Harry, I've always been able to charm ^
people I needed. So Ginny poured out her soul to me, an
soul happened to be exactly what I wanted. I grew stronger a^
stronger on a diet of her deepest fears, her darkest secrets, g
powerful, far more powerful than little Miss Weasley ow
enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets,
pouring a little of my soul back into her ...'
 the heir of slytherin 229
What d'you mean?' said Harry, whose mouth had gone very

Haven't you guessed yet. Harry Potter?' said Riddle softly.
( mnv Weasley opened the Chamber of Secrets. She strangled the
hool roosters and daubed threatening messages on the walls.
he set the Serpent of Slytherin on four Mudbloods, and the

;>quib's cat.'
No,' Harry whispered.
'Yes' said Riddle, calmly. 'Of course, she didn't know what she
was doing at first. It was very amusing. I wish you could have
seen her new diary entries ... Far more interesting, they became ...
Dear Tom,' he recited, watching Harry's horrified face, 'I think I'm
losing my memory. There are rooster feathers all over my robes and I
Jon't know how they got there. Dear Tom, I can't remember what I did
on (he night of Hallowe'en, but a cat was attacked and I've got paint
all down my front. Dear Tom, Percy keeps telling me I'm pale and I'm
not myself. I think he suspects me ... There was another attack today
und I don't know where I was. Tom, what am I going to do? I think
I'm going mad ... I think I'm the one attacking everyone, TomJ'
Harry's fists were clenched, the nails digging deep into his
palms.
'It took a very long time for stupid little Ginny to stop trusting
her diary,' said Riddle. 'But she finally became suspicious and tried
10 dispose of it. And that's where you came in. Harry. You found it,
and 1 couldn't have been more delighted. Of all the people who
could have picked it up, it was you, the very person I was most
anxious to meet...'
And why did you want to meet me?' said Harry. Anger was
coursing through him and it was an effort to keep his voice steady.
^11, you see, Ginny told me all about you. Harry,' said Riddle.
ur ^ole Jascinating history.' His eyes roved over the lightning
ar on Harry's forehead, and his expression grew hungrier. 'I
ne^ 1 must find out more about you, talk to you, meet you if I
d. So I decided to show you my famous capture of that great
j^Hagrid, to gain your trust.'
^grid's my friend,' said Harry, his voice now shaking. 'And
rained him, didn't you? I thought you made a mistake, but -'
^ddle laughed his high laugh again.
low ^i8 m^ wor^ against Hagrid's, Harry. Well, you can imagine
ltool<ed to old Armando Dippet. On the one hand, Tom
230 harry potter

Riddle, poor but brilliant, parentless but so brave, school nref
model student; on the other hand, big, blundering Haerid
trouble every other week, trying to raise werewolf cubs under h'
bed, sneaking off to the forbidden forest to wrestle trolls Ri i
admit, even I was surprised how well the plan worked. I thouphi
someone must realise that Hagrid couldn't possibly be the Heir r>f
Slytherin. It had taken me five whole years to find out every thine 1
could about the Chamber of Secrets and discover the secrci
entrance ... as though Hagrid had the brains, or the power!
'Only the Transfiguration teacher, Dumbledore, seemed to
think Hagrid was innocent. He persuaded Dippet to keep Haerid
and train him as gamekeeper. Yes, I think Dumbledore might have
guessed. Dumbledore never seemed to like me as much as the
other teachers did ...'
; 'I bet Dumbledore saw right through you,' said Harry, his teeth
gritted.
'Well, he certainly kept an annoyingly close watch on me after
Hagrid was expelled,' said Riddle carelessly. 'I knew it wouldn't b(
safe to open the Chamber again while I was still at school. But
wasn't going to waste those long years I'd spent searching for it. 1
decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old
self in its pages, so that one day, with luck, I would be able to lead
another in my footsteps, and finish Salazar Slytherins nobi^
work.' *
'Well, you haven't finished it,' said Harry triumphantly. 'No
one's died this time, not even the cat. In a few hours the
Mandrake Draught will be ready and everyone who was Petrified
will be all right again.'
'Haven't I already told you,' said Riddle quietly, 'that killing
Mudbloods doesn't matter to me any more? For many months
now, my new target has been -- you.'
Harry stared at him.
'Imagine how angry I was when the next time my diary
opened, it was Ginny who was writing to me, not you. -' e
you with the diary you see, and panicked. What if you foun ^
how to work it, and I repeated all her secrets to you? W a ^
even worse, I told you who'd been strangling roosters. ^
foolish little brat waited until your dormitory was deserte ^
stole it back. But I knew what I must do. It was clear to m^^
you were on the trail of Slytherin's heir. From everything
^B the heir OF slytherin 231

, .p^j me about you, I knew you would go to any lengths to
l r the mystery - particularly if one of your best friends was
rked And Ginny had told me the whole school was buzzing
Because you could speak Parseltongue ...
So I made Ginny write her own farewell on the wall and come
jown here to wait. She struggled and cried and became very borne
But there isn't much life left in her: she put too much into the
diary into me. Enough to let me leave its pages at last. I have been
waiting tor you to appear since we arrived here. I knew you'd
come. I have many questions for you, Harry Potter.'
'Like what?' Harry spat, fists still clenched.
'Well,' said Riddle, smiling pleasantly, 'how is it that a baby
with no extraordinary magical talent managed to defeat the
greatest wizard of all time? How did you escape with nothing but
a scar, while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?'
There was an odd red gleam in his hungry eyes now.
'Why do you care how I escaped?' said Harry slowly. 'Voldemort
was after your time.'
I'Voldemort,' said Riddle softly, 'is my past, present and future,
Harry Potter ...'
He pulled Harry's wand from his pocket and began to trace it
through the air, writing three shimmering words:
TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE
Then he waved the wand once, and the letters of his name rearranged
themselves:
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
'You see?' he whispered. 'It was a name I was already using at
Hogwarts, to my most intimate friends only, of course. You think I
was going to use my filthy Muggle father's name forever? I, in
^ose veins runs the blood of Salazar Slytherin himself, through
my mother's side? I, keep the name of a foul, common Muggle,
o abandoned me even before I was born, just because he found
"l his wife was a witch? No, Harry. I fashioned myself a new
e, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to
PMk, when 1 had become the greatest sorcerer in the world!'
n , wrfs Drair> seemed to have jammed. He stared numbly at
_ e' at the orphaned boy who had grown up to murder Harry's
| "parents, and so many others ... At last he forced himself to

ou 'e not,' he said, his quiet voice full of hatred.

232 harry potter

'Not what?' snapped Riddle. B
'Not the greatest sorcerer in the world,' said Harry, breath
fast. 'Sorry to disappoint you, and all that, but the greatest wiz rrf
in the world is Albus Dumbledore. Everyone says so. Even whc
you were strong, you didn't dare try and take over at Hoewan
Dumbledore saw through you when you were at school and he
still frightens you now, wherever you're hiding these days.'
The smile had gone from Riddle's face, to be replaced by a very
ugly look.
'Dumbledore's been driven out of this castle by the mere
memory of me!' he hissed.
'He's not as gone as you might think!' Harry retorted. He was
speaking at random, wanting to scare Riddle, wishing rather than
believing it to be true.
Riddle opened his mouth, but froze.
Music was coming from somewhere. Riddle whirled around to
stare down the empty chamber. The music was growing louder. ll_
was eerie, spine-tingling, unearthly; it lifted the hair on HarrysB
scalp and made his heart feel as though it was swelling to twice its
normal size. Then, as the music reached such a pitch that Harr)|
felt it vibrating inside his own ribs, flames erupted at the top o(
the nearest pillar. |
A crimson bird the size of a swan had appeared, piping iw
weird music to the vaulted ceiling. It had a glittering golden tail as
long as a peacock's and gleaming golden talons, which were gripping
a ragged bundle.
A second later, the bird was flying straight at Harry. It dropped
the ragged thing it was carrying at his feet, then landed heavily on
his shoulder. As it folded its great wings. Harry looked up and sat
it had a long, sharp golden beak and beady black eyes.
The bird stopped singing. It sat still and warm next to Harrys
cheek, gazing steadily at Riddle.
'That's a phoenix ...' said Riddle, staring shrewdly back at it
'Fawfees?' Harry breathed, and he felt the bird's golden cla
squeeze his shoulder gently. . i^
'And that - said Riddle, now eyeing the ragged thing
Fawkes had dropped, 'that's the old school Sorting Hat.
So it was. Patched, frayed and dirty, the hat lay motionie
Harry's feet. , j^
Riddle began to laugh again. He laughed so hard that t
the heir of slytherin 233

, ^ rang with it, as though ten Riddles were laughing at once.
This is what Dumbledore sends his defender! A songbird and
old hat! Do you feel brave, Harry Potter? Do you feel safe now?'
Harrv didn't answer. He might not see what use Fawkes or the
<;nrtine Hat were, but he was no longer alone, and he waited with
mounting courage for Riddle to stop laughing.
To business. Harry,' said Riddle, still smiling broadly Twice -
in your past, in my future - we have met. And twice I failed to kill
you. How did you survive? Tell me everything. The longer you
talk,' he added softly, 'the longer you stay alive.'
Harry was thinking fast, weighing his chances. Riddle had the
wand. He, Harry, had Fawkes and the Sorting Hat, neither of
which would be much good in a duel. It looked bad, all right. But
the longer Riddle stood there, the more life was dwindling out of
Ginny ... and in the meantime, Harry noticed suddenly. Riddle's
outline was becoming clearer, more solid. If it had to be a fight
between him and Riddle, better sooner than later.
'No one knows why you lost your powers when you attacked
me,' said Harry abruptly. 'I don't know myself. But I know why
you couldn't feill me. Because my mother died to save me. My
common Muggle-bom mother,' he added, shaking with suppressed
rage. 'She stopped you killing me. And I've seen the real you, I
saw you last year. You're a wreck. You're barely alive. That's where
all your power got you. You're in hiding. You're ugly, you're foul!'
Riddle's face contorted. Then he forced it into an awful smile.
'So. Your mother died to save you. Yes, that's a powerful
counter-charm. I can see now - there is nothing special about
you, after all. I wondered, you see. Because there are strange likeesses
between us, Harry Potter. Even you must have noticed.
oth half-bloods, orphans, raised by Muggles. Probably the only
lwo ^'"selmouths to come to Hogwarts since the great Slytherin
"imself. We even look something alike ... But after all, it was
"^rely a lucky chance that saved you from me. That's all I wanted
10 know.'
 HalTy ^God, tense, waiting for Riddle to raise his wand. But
Oodles twisted smile was widening again.
ow, Harry, I'm going to teach you a little lesson. Let's match
e powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against

him0"5 Harry potter' and the best weapons Dumbledore can give
Pirn;
234 harry potter

He cast an amused eye over Fawkes and the Sorting Hat th
walked away. Harry, fear spreading up his numb legs, watch d
Riddle stop between the high pillars and look up into the stn
face of Slytherin, high above him in the half-darkness Ridrll
opened his mouth wide and hissed - but Harry understood wh
he was saying.
'Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four.'
Harry wheeled around to look up at the statue, Fawkes swaying
on his shoulder.
Slytherin's gigantic stone face was moving. Horrorstruck, Harry
saw his mouth opening, wider and wider, to make a huge black
hole.
And something was stirring inside the statue's mouth.
Something was slithering up from its depths.
Harry backed away until he hit the dark Chamber wall, and as
he shut his eyes tight he felt Fawkes' wing sweep his cheek as he
took flight. Harry wanted to shout, 'Don't leave me!' but what
chance did a phoenix have against the king of serpents?
Something huge hit the stone floor of the chamber, Harry felt id
shudder. He knew what was happening, he could sense it, couldB
almost see the giant serpent uncoiling itself from Slytherin's
mouth. Then he heard Riddle's hissing voice: 'Kiil him.'
The Basilisk was moving towards Harry, he could hear its heav^M
body slithering ponderously across the dusty floor. Eyes still tightly
shut, Harry began to run blindly sideways, his hands outstretched,
feeling his way. Riddle was laughing ...
Harry tripped. He fell hard onto the stone and tasted bloodM
The serpent was barely feet from him, he could hear it coming.
There was a loud, explosive spitting sound right above him and
then something heavy hit Harry so hard that he was smashed
against the wall. Waiting for fangs to sink through his body he
heard more mad hissing, something thrashing wildly off the pillars.
He couldn't help it. He opened his eyes wide enough to squint
at what was going on. ,
The enormous serpent, bright, poisonous green, thick as an
trunk, had raised itself high in the air and its great blunt head w
weaving drunkenly between the pillars. As Harry trembled, re ^
to close his eyes if it turned, he saw what had distracte
snake. , ^
Fawkes was soaring around its head, and the t>as

i ^H
the heir of slytherin 235

noine furiously at him with fangs long and thin as sabres.
c;nvkes dived. His long golden beak sank out of sight and a
dden shower of dark blood spattered the floor. The snake's tail
, .ashed, narrowly missing Harry, and before Harry could shut his
ves it turned. Harry looked straight into its face, and saw that its
eves both its great bulbous yellow eyes, had been punctured by
the phoenix; blood was streaming to the floor and the snake was
spitting in agony
No!' Harry heard Riddle screaming. 'Leave the bird! Leave the
bird! The boy is behind you! You can still smell him! Kill him!'
The blinded serpent swayed, confused, still deadly. Fawkes was
circling its head, piping his eerie song, jabbing here and there at
the Basilisk's scaly nose as the blood poured from its ruined eyes.
'Help me, help me,' Harry muttered wildly, 'someone, anyone!'
The snake's tail whipped across the floor again. Harry ducked.
Something soft hit his face.
The Basilisk had swept the Sorting Hat into Harry's arms. Harry
seized it. It was all he had left, his only chance. He rammed it
onto his head and threw himself flat onto the floor as the Basilisk's
tail swung over him again.
'Help me ... help me ...' Harry thought, his eyes screwed tight
under the hat. 'Please help me I'
There was no answering voice. Instead, the hat contracted, as
though an invisible hand was squeezing it very tightly.
Something very hard and heavy thudded onto the top of Harry's
head, almost knocking him out. Stars winking in front of his eyes,
"he grabbed the top of the hat to pull it off and felt something long
and hard beneath it.
i A gleaming silver sword had appeared inside the hat, its handle
iRhttering with rubies the size of eggs.
'Kill the boy! Leave the bird! The boy is behind you! Sniff- smell
nim.r
Harry was on his feet, ready The Basilisk's head was falling, its
oy coiling around, hitting pillars as it twisted to face him. He
ou u see the vast, bloody eye sockets, see the mouth stretching
^' e, wide enough to swallow him whole, lined with fangs long
"is sword, thin, glittering, venomous ...
lu mnged blindly Harry dodged and it hit the Chamber wall. It
"ged again, and its forked tongue lashed Harry's side. He raised
|lhe sword in both his hands.
236 harry potter

The Basilisk lunged again, and this time its aim was true Ha
threw his whole weight behind the sword and drove it to the h'l
into the roof of the serpent's mouth.
But as warm blood drenched Harry's arms, he felt a searine Dain
just above his elbow. One long, poisonous fang was sinking deen
er and deeper into his arm and it splintered as the Basilisk keeled
over sideways and fell, twitching, to the floor.
Harry slid down the wall. He gripped the fang that was spreading
poison through his body and wrenched it out of his arm. Bui
he knew it was too late. White hot pain was spreading slowly and
steadily from the wound. Even as he dropped the fang and
watched his own blood soaking his robes, his vision went foegy.
The chamber was dissolving in a whirl of dull colour.
A patch of scarlet swam past and Harry heard a soft clatter of
claws beside him. ;'
'Fawkes,' said Harry thickly. 'You were brilliant, Fawkes ...' He
felt the bird lay its beautiful head on the spot where the serpent's
fang had pierced him.
He could hear echoing footsteps and then a dark shadow
moved in front of him.
'You're dead. Harry Potter,' said Riddle's voice above him. 'Dead.
Even Dumbledore's bird knows it. Do you see what he's doingH
Potter? He's crying.' H
Harry blinked. Fawke's head slid in and out of focus. Thick^
pearly tears were trickling down the glossy feathers.
'I'm going to sit here and watch you die, Harry Potter. Take
your time. I'm in no hurry.'
Harry felt drowsy. Everything around him seemed to be spin-

^g- .
'So ends the famous Harry Potter,' said Riddle's distant voiceM
'Alone in the Chamber of Secrets, forsaken by his friends, defeated
at last by the Dark Lord he so unwisely challenged. You'll be back
with your dear Mudblood mother soon. Harry ... She bought >ou
twelve years of borrowed time ... but Lord Voldemort got you 1
the end, as you knew he must.'
If this is dying, thought Harry it's not so bad. Even the pa'
was leaving him ... i, her
But was this dying? Instead of going black, the C a
seemed to be coming back into focus. Harry gave his head a
shake and there was Fawkes, still resting his head on Harrys
the heir of slytherin 237

arlv patch of tears was shining all around the wound - except
iJt there was no wound.
Tel away, bird,' said Riddle's voice suddenly. 'Get away from
'Bn.l said, get awayV
Harry raised his head. Riddle was pointing Harry's wand at
Fawkes- there was a bang like a gun and Fawkes took flight again
ma whirl of gold and scarlet.
Phoenix tears ...' said Riddle quietly, staring at Harry's arm. 'Of
course ... healing powers ... I forgot...'
He looked into Harry's face. 'But it makes no difference. In fact, I
prefer it this way. Just you and me, Harry Potter ... you and me ...'
He raised the wand.
Then, in a rush of wings, Fawkes soared back overhead and
something fell into Harry's lap - the diary.
For a split second, both Harry and Riddle, wand still raised,
stared at it. Then, without thinking, without considering, as
though he had meant to do it all along. Harry seized the Basilisk
fang on the floor next to him and plunged it straight into the
heart of the book.
There was a long, dreadful, piercing scream. Ink spurted out of
the diary in torrents, streaming over Harry's hands, flooding the
floor. Riddle was writhing and twisting, screaming and flailing
and then...
He had gone. Harry's wand fell to the floor with a clatter and
there was silence. Silence except for the steady drip drip of ink
still oozing from the diary. The Basilisk venom had burned a sizling
hole right through it.
Shaking all over, Harry pulled himself up. His head was spin-
"'"g as though he'd just travelled miles by Floo powder. Slowly,
^ gathered together his wand and the Sorting Hat, and, with a
"uge tug, retrieved the glittering sword from the roof of the
"asilisk's mouth.
T^hen came a faint moan from the end of the Chamber. Ginny
^s stirring. As Harry hurried towards her, she sat up. Her
"cmused eyes travelled from the huge form of the dead Basilisk,
,"narry, in his blood-soaked robes, then to the diary in his
she drew a great, shuddering gasp and tears began to pour
^own her face.
L arry ~ oh, Harry - I tried to tell you at b-breakfast, but I
r^y'dn't say it in front of Percy It was me. Harry - but I - I
238 harry potter

s-swear I d-didn't mean to - R-Riddle made me, he t-took me
- and - how did you kill that - that thing? W-where's Riddle^ T1/
last thing I r-remember is him coming out of the diary -'
'It's all right; said Harry holding up the diary, and showing
Ginny the fang hole, 'Riddle's finished. Look! Him and ih
Basilisk. C'mon, Ginny, let's get out of here -' B
'I'm going to be expelled!' Ginny wept, as Harry helped her
awkwardly to her feet. 'I've looked forward to coming to Hoewan';
ever since B-Bill came and n-now I'll have to leave and - w-what'll
Mum and Dad say?'
Fawkes was waiting for them, hovering in the Chamber
entrance. Harry urged Ginny forward; they stepped over the
motionless coils of the dead Basilisk, through the echoing gloom
and back into the tunnel. Harry heard the stone doors close
behind them with a soft hiss.
After a few minutes' progress up the dark tunnel, a distant
sound of slowly shifting rock reached Harry's ears.
'Ron!' Harry yelled, speeding up. 'Ginny's OK! I've got her!'
He heard Ron give a strangled cheer and they turned the nexi
bend to see his eager face staring through the sizeable gap he had
managed to make in the rock fall. I
'Ginny.'' Ron thrust an arm through the gap in the rock to pull
her through first. 'You're alive! I don't believe it! What happened?'
He tried to hug her but Ginny held him off, sobbing.
'But you're okay, Ginny,' said Ron, beaming at her. 'It's over
now, it's - where did that bird come from?'
Fawkes had swooped through the gap after Ginny.
'He's Dumbledore's; said Harry, squeezing through himself.
'And how come you've got a sword?' said Ron, gaping at t"c
glittering weapon in Harry's hand.
'I'll explain when we get out of here,' said Harry with a sideways
glance at Ginny.
'But-'
'Later,' Harry said quickly He didn't think it was a good idea ^
tell Ron yet who'd been opening the Chamber, not in front j_
Ginny, anyway. 'Where's Lockhart?' .
'Back there,' said Ron, grinning and jerking his head up
tunnel towards the pipe. 'He's in a bad way Come and see.
Led by Fawkes, whose wide scarlet wings emitted a 0 t eo
glow in the darkness, they walked all the way back to
--. --... .^ t"t--. --- ...-./. golden
Led by Fawkes, whose wide scarlet wings emitted a wi &
w in the darkness, they walked all the way back to the m
the heir of slytherin 239

, , ^pe Gilderoy Lockhart was sitting there, humming placidly
to himself.
'His memory's gone,' said Ron. The Memory Charm backfired.
Hit him instead of us. Hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is,
uq ^ve are. I told him to come and wait here. He's a danger to

himself.'
Lockhart peered good-naturedly up at them all.
'Hello,' he said. 'Odd sort of place, this, isn't it? Do you live

here?'
No,' said Ron, raising his eyebrows at Harry.
Harry bent down and looked up the long, dark pipe.
Have you thought how we're going to get back up this?' he said
to Ron.
Ron shook his head, but Fawkes the phoenix had swooped past
Harry and was now fluttering in front of him, his beady eyes
bright in the dark. He was waving his long golden tail feathers.
Harry looked uncertainly at him.
He looks like he wants you to grab hold ...' said Ron, looking
perplexed. 'But you're much too heavy for a bird to pull up there.'
'Fawkes,' said Harry, 'isn't an ordinary bird.' He turned quickly
to the others. 'We've got to hold on to each other. Ginny, grab
Ron's hand. Professor Lockhart -'
'He means you,' said Ron sharply to Lockhart.
'You hold Ginny's other hand.'
Harry tucked the sword and the Sorting Hat into his belt, Ron
look hold of the back of Harry's robes, and Harry reached out and
took hold of Fawkes' strangely hot tail feathers.
An extraordinary lightness seemed to spread through his whole
hody and next second, with a whoosh, they were flying upwards
through the pipe. Harry could hear Lockhart dangling below him,
^Y'ng, 'Amazing! Amazing! This is just like magic!' The chill air
was whipping through Harry's hair, and before he'd stopped
enjoying the ride, it was over - all four of them were hitting the
^et "oor of Moaning Myrtle's floor, and as Lockhart straightened
is hat, the sink that hid the pipe was sliding back into place.
Myrtle goggled at them.
You're -^ive,' she said blankly to Harry
"es no need to sound so disappointed,' he said grimly,
_ ^f ^ks of blood and slime off his glasses.
well ... I'd just been thinking. If you had died, you'd have
240 harry potter

been welcome to share my toilet,' said Myrtle, blushing silver
'Urgh!' said Ron, as they left the bathroom for the dark, desert
ed corridor outside. 'Harry! I think Myrtle's got fond of vo
You've got competition, Ginny!'
But tears were still flooding silently down Ginny's face.
'Where now?' said Ron, with an anxious look at Ginny Harn
pointed.
Fawkes was leading the way, glowing gold along the corridor
They strode after him, and moments later, found themselves outside
Professor McGonagall's office.
Harry knocked and pushed the door open.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN-

Dobby's Reward

For a moment, there was silence as Harry, Ron, Ginny and
Lockhart stood in the doorway, covered in muck and slime and
(in Harry's case) blood. Then there was a scream.
'Ginny!'
It was Mrs Weasley, who had been sitting crying in front of the
fire. She leapt to her feet, closely followed by Mr Weasley, and
both of them flung themselves on their daughter.
Harry, however, was looking past them. Professor Dumbledore
was standing by the mantelpiece, beaming, next to Professor
McGonagall, who was taking great, steadying gasps, clutching her
chest. Fawkes went whooshing past Harry's ear and settled on
3umbledore's shoulder, just as Harry found himself and Ron
)eing swept into Mrs Weasley's tight embrace.
'You saved her! You saved her! How did you do it?'
"I think we'd all like to know that,' said Professor McGonagall
weakly
Mrs Weasley let go of Harry, who hesitated for a moment, then
walked over to the desk and laid upon it the Sorting Hat, the
ruby-encrusted sword and what remained of Riddle's diary.
Then he started telling them everything. For nearly a quarter of
an hour he spoke into the rapt silence: he told them about hearing
'"e disembodied voice, how Hermione had finally realized that he
was "earing a Basilisk in the pipes; how he and Ron had followed
' e ''P'ders into the forest, that Aragog had told them where the
ast victim of the Basilisk had died; how he had guessed that
_oaning Myrtle had been the victim, and that the entrance to the
hanlber of Secrets might be in her bathroom ...
ery well,' Professor McGonagall prompted him, as he paused,
you found out where the entrance was - breaking a hundred
I of rules into pieces along the way, I might add - but how on
242 harry potter

earth did you all get out of there alive, Potter?'
So Harry, his voice now growing hoarse from all this talkin
told them about Fawkes' timely arrival and about the Sorting Hi
giving him the sword. But then he faltered. He had so far avoided mentioning Riddle's diary - or Ginny. She was standing with her
head against Mrs Weasley's shoulder, and tears were still coursine
silently down her cheeks. What if they expelled her? Harrv
thought in panic. Riddle's diary didn't work any more ... How
could they prove it had been he who'd made her do it all?
Instinctively, Harry looked at Dumbledore, who smiled faintly
the firelight glancing off his half-moon spectacles.
'What interests me most,' said Dumbledore gently, 'is how Lord--
Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, when my sources tell mcfl
he is currently in hiding in the forests of Albania.'
Relief- warm, sweeping, glorious relief-- swept over Harry.
'W-what's that?' said Mr Weasley in a stunned voice. 'You KnowM
Who? En-enchant Ginny? But Ginny's not ... Ginny hasn't been ...*
has she?'
'It was this diary,' said Harry quickly, picking it up and showing
it to Dumbledore. 'Riddle wrote it when he was sixteen.' J
Dumbledore took the diary from Harry and peered keenly
down his long, crooked nose at its burnt and soggy pages.
'Brilliant,' he said softly. 'Of course, he was probably the most
brilliant student Hogwarts has ever seen.' He turned around to thc^
Weasleys, who were looking utterly bewildered. H
'Very few people know that Lord Voldemort was once called
Tom Riddle. I taught him myself, fifty years ago, at Hogwarts. He
disappeared after leaving the school ... travelled far and wide ...
sank so deeply into the Dark Arts, consorted with the very worst
of our kind, underwent so many dangerous, magical transformations,
that when he resurfaced as Lord Voldemort, he was barely
recognisable. Hardly anyone connected Lord Voldemort with the
clever, handsome boy who was once Head Boy here.'
'But Ginny,' said Mrs Weasley 'what's our Ginny got to do wit
--with - him?'; . . .
'His d-diary!' Ginny sobbed. 'I've b-been writing in it, and he
been w-writing back all year -'
'Ginny.'' said Mr Weasley, flabbergasted. 'Haven't 1 taught
anything? What have I always told you? Never trust ^y1111"^,^.
can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its bram.
dobby's reward 243

,.i_. you show the diary to me, or your mother? A suspicious
object like that, it was dearly full of dark magic!'
'1 d-didn't know,' sobbed Ginny. 'I found it inside one of the
T? ks Mum got me. I th-thought someone had just left it in there
and forgotten about it..;
Miss Weasley should go up to the hospital wing straight away,'
Dumbledore interrupted in a firm voice. This has been a terrible
ordeal for her. There will be no punishment. Older and wiser wizards
than she have been hoodwinked by Lord Voldemort.' He strode
over to the door and opened it. 'Bed rest and perhaps a large,
steaming mug of hot chocolate. I always find that cheers me up,' he
added, twinkling kindly down at her. 'You will find that Madam
Pomfrey is still awake. She's just giving out Mandrake juice - I
daresay the Basilisk's victims will be waking up any moment.'
'So Hermione's OK!' said Ron brightly.
There has been no lasting harm done,' said Dumbledore.
Mrs Weasley led Ginny out, and Mr Weasley followed, still
Jooking deeply shaken.
| 'You know, Minerva,' Professor Dumbledore said thoughtfully
to Professor McGonagall, 'I think all this merits a good feast.
Might I ask you to go and alert the kitchens?'
'Right,' said Professor McGonagall crisply, also moving to the
door. 'I'll leave you to deal with Potter and Weasley, shall I?'
'Certainly,' said Dumbledore.
She left, and Harry and Ron gazed uncertainly at Dumbledore.
What exactly had Professor McGonagall meant, deal with them?
Surely - surely - they weren't about to be punished?
1 seem to remember telling you both that I would have to expel
you if you broke any more school rules,' said Dumbledore.
Ron opened his mouth in horror.
Which goes to show that the best of us must sometimes eat our
worus' Dumbledore went on, smiling. 'You will both receive
Special Awards for Services to the School and - let me see - yes, I
["ink two hundred points apiece for Gryffindor;
Ron went as brightly pink as Lockhart's Valentine flowers and
^ed his mouth again.
ut one of us seems to be keeping mightily quiet about his
| ,ln tnls dangerous adventure,' Dumbledore added. 'Why so
[modest, Gilderoy?'
arry ggyg g g^^ ^ ^j completely forgotten about
244 harry potter

Lockhart. He turned and saw that Lockhart was standing in a
ner of the room, still wearing his vague smile. When Dumblpd
addressed him, Lockhart looked over his shoulder to see who h
was talking to.
'Professor Dumbledore,' Ron said quickly, 'there was
accident down in the Chamber of Secrets. Professor Lockhart -'
'Am I a Professor?' said Lockhart in mild surprise. 'Goodness I
expect I was hopeless, was I?'
'He tried to do a Memory Charm and the wand backfired,' Ron
explained quietly to Dumbledore.
'Dear me,' said Dumbledore, shaking his head, his lone silver
moustache quivering. 'Impaled upon your own sword, Gilderoy!'
'Sword?' said Lockhart dimly. 'Haven't got a sword. That bov
has, though.' He pointed at Harry. 'He'll lend you one.' H
'Would you mind taking Professor Lockhart up to the hospital
wing, too?' Dumbledore said to Ron. 'I'd like a few more words
with Harry ...'
Lockhart ambled out. Ron cast a curious look back al
Dumbledore and Harry as he closed the door.
Dumbledore crossed to one of the chairs by the fire.
'Sit down. Harry,' he said, and Harry sat, feeling unaccountably
nervous.
'First of all. Harry, I want to thank you,' said Dumbledore, eyes
twinkling again. 'You must have shown me real loyalty down in
the Chamber. Nothing but that could have called Fawkes to you.'
He stroked the phoenix, which had fluttered down onto his
knee. Harry grinned awkwardly as Dumbledore watched him.
'And so you met Tom Riddle,' said Dumbledore thoughtfully "I
imagine he was most interested in you ...'
Suddenly, something that was nagging at Harry came tumbling
out of his mouth. ^^^
'Professor Dumbledore ... Riddle said I'm like him. Strange likenesses,
he said ...' , ,
'Did he, now?' said Dumbledore, looking thoughtfully under
his thick silver eyebrows at Harry 'And what do you thin ,
Harry?' , u
'I don't think I'm like him!' said Harry, more loudly than
intended. 'I mean, I'm - I'm in Gryffindor, I'm ...'
But he fell silent, a lurking doubt resurfacing in his nun"- ^
'Professor,' he started again after a moment, 'the Sorting
dobby's reward 245

 g ^d _ I'd have done well in Slytherin. Everyone thought
was Slytherin's heir for a while ... because I can speak
parseltongue ...'
'You can speak Parseltongue, Harry,' said Dumbledore calmly,
because Lord Voldemort - who is the last remaining ancestor of
Salazar Slytherin - can speak Parseltongue. Unless I'm much misaken
he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he
eave you that scar. Not something he intended to do, I'm sure ...'
'Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?' Harry said, thunder-
struck.
'It certainly seems so.'
'So I should be in Slytherin,' Harry said, looking desperately
into Dumbledore's face. The Sorting Hat could see Slytherin's
power in me, and it -'
'Put you in Gryffindor,' said Dumbledore calmly. 'Listen to me,
Harry. You happen to have many qualities Salazar Slytherin prized
in his hand-picked students. His own very rare gift, Parseltongue
... resourcefulness ... determination ... a certain disregard for
rules,' he added, his moustache quivering again. 'Yet the Sorting
Hat placed you in Gryffindor. You know why that was. Think.'
'It only put me in Gryffindor,' said Harry in a defeated voice,
because I asked not to go in Slytherin ...'
9 'Exactly,' said Dumbledore, beaming once more. 'Which makes
you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that
show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.' Harry sat
motionless in his chair, stunned. 'If you want proof. Harry, that
you belong in Gryffindor, I suggest you look more closely at this.'
Dumbledore reached across to Professor McGonagall's desk,
picked up the blood-stained silver sword and handed it to Harry.
Oully, Harry turned it over, the rubies blazing in the firelight. And
then he saw the name engraved just below the hilt.
Godric Gryffindor.
Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out of the hat,
""ry,' said Dumbledore simply
r a minute, neither of them spoke. Then Dumbledore pulled
len one ^ the drawers in Professor McGonagall's desk, and took
out a quill and a bottle of ink.
"at you need. Harry, is some food and sleep. I suggest you go
^n to the feast, while I write to Azkaban - we need our game-
er "^k. And I must draft an advertisement for the Daily
246 harry potter

Prophet too,' he added thoughtfully. 'We'll be needing a
Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Dear me, we do seem
run through them, don't we?'
Harry got up and crossed to the door. He had just reached InrH
the handle, however, when the door burst open so violently that ill
bounced back off the wall. J
Lucius Malfoy stood there, fury in his face. And cowerine
under his arm, heavily wrapped in bandages, was Dobby.
'Good evening, Lucius,' said Dumbledore pleasantly.
Mr Malfoy almost knocked Harry over as he swept into the
room. Dobby went scurrying in after him, crouching at the hem of
his cloak, a look of abject terror on his face.
'So!' said Lucius Malfoy, his cold eyes fixed on Dumbledore.
'You're come back. The governors suspended you, but you still
saw fit to return to Hogwarts.'
'Well, you see, Lucius,' said Dumbledore, smiling serenely, 'the
other eleven governors contacted me today. It was something like
being caught in a hailstorm of owls, to tell the truth. They'd heard
that Arthur Weasley's daughter had been killed and wanted me
back here at once. They seemed to think I was the best man for
the job after all. Very strange tales they told me, too. Several of
them seemed to think that you had threatened to curse their families
if they didn't agree to suspend me in the first place.'
Mr Malfoy went even paler than usual, but his eyes were still
slits of fury.
'So - have you stopped the attacks yet?' he sneered. 'Have you
caught the culprit?'
'We have,' said Dumbledore, with a smile.
'We!!?' said Mr Malfoy sharply. 'Who is it?'
'The same person as last time, Lucius,' said Dumbledore. Bill
this time, Lord Voldemort was acting through somebody else. B means of this diary.'
He held up the small black book with the large hole through
the centre, watching Mr Malfoy closely Harry, however, was
watching Dobby. j
The elf was doing something very odd. His great eyes
meaningfully on Harry, he kept pointing at the diary, then a
Malfoy and then hitting himself hard on the head with his list
'I see ...' said Mr Malfoy slowly to Dumbledore. ^
'A clever plan,' said Dumbledore in a level voice, still staring
dobby's reward 247

vlalfov straight in the eye. 'Because if Harry here - Mr Malfoy
, Harry a swift, sharp look, 'and his friend Ron hadn't discovr!
this book, why - Ginny Weasley might have taken all the
hiame No one would ever have been able to prove she hadn't
acted of her own free will...'
Mr Malfoy said nothing. His face was suddenly mask-like.
And imagine,' Dumbledore went on, 'what might have hap-
nened then ... The Weasleys are one of our most prominent
pure-blood families. Imagine the effect on Arthur Weasley and his
Mueele Protection Act, if his own daughter was discovered attacking
and killing Muggle-borns. Very fortunate the diary was
discovered, and Riddle's memories wiped from it. Who knows
what the consequences might have been otherwise ...'
Mr Malfoy forced himself to speak.
'Very fortunate,' he said stiffly.
And still, behind his back, Dobby was pointing, first to the
diary, then to Lucius Malfoy, then punching himself in the head.
And Harry suddenly understood. He nodded at Dobby, and
Dobby backed into a corner, now twisting his ears in punishment.
| 'Don't you want to know how Ginny got hold of that diary, Mr
Malfoy?' said Harry.
Lucius Malfoy rounded on him.
'How should I know how the stupid little girl got hold of it?' he
said.
'Because you gave it to her,' said Harry. 'In Flourish and Blotts.
jVou picked up her old Transfiguration book, and slipped the diary
inside it, didn't you?'
He saw Mr Malfoy's white hands clench and unclench.
'Prove it,' he hissed.
Oh, no one will be able to do that,' said Dumbledore, smiling
at Harry. 'Not now Riddle has vanished from the book. On the
other hand, I would advise you, Lucius, not to go giving out any
^ore of Lord Voldemort's old school things. If any more of them
"nd their way into innocent hands, I think Arthur Weasley for
one, will make sure they are traced back to you ...'
Lucius Malfoy stood for a moment, and Harry distinctly saw his
"ght hand twitch as though he was longing to reach for his wand.
instead, he turned to his house-elf.
^e're going, Dobby!'
e wrenched open the door and as the elf came hurrying up to
'.
248 harry potter

him, he kicked him right through it. They could hear Dohh
squealing with pain all the way along the corridor. Harry stood f
a moment, thinking hard. Then it came to him.
'Professor Dumbledore,' he said hurriedly, 'can I give that diarv
back to Mr Malfoy, please?'
'Certainly, Harry,' said Dumbledore calmly. 'But hurry. The feast
remember.'
Harry grabbed the diary and dashed out of the office. He could
hear Dobby's squeals of pain receding around the corner. Quickly
wondering if this plan could possibly work, Harry took off one of
his shoes, pulled off his slimy, filthy sock, and stuffed the diary
into it. Then he ran down the dark corridor.
He caught up with them at the top of the stairs.
'Mr Malfoy,' he gasped, skidding to a halt, 'I've got something
for you.'
And he forced the smelly sock into Lucius Malfoy's hand.
'What the -?'
Mr Malfoy ripped the sock off the diary, threw it aside, then
looked furiously from the ruined book to Harry.
'You'll meet the same sticky end as your parents one of these
days. Harry Potter,' he said softly. 'They were meddlesome fools,
too.'
He turned to go.
'Come, Dobby. I said, come!'
But Dobby didn't move. He was holding up Harry's disgusting,
slimy sock, and looking at it as though it were a priceless treasure.
'Master has given Dobby a sock,' said the elf in wonderment.
'Master gave it to Dobby.'
'What's that?' spat Mr Malfoy 'What did you say?'
'Dobby has got a sock,' said Dobby in disbelief. 'Master threw il.
and Dobby caught it, and Dobby - Dobby is/ree.'
Lucius Malfoy stood frozen, staring at the elf. Then he lunged
at Harry.
'You've lost me my servant, boy!'
But Dobby shouted, 'You shall not harm Harry Potter!'
There was a loud bang, and Mr Malfoy was thrown backwards^
He crashed down the stairs, three at a time, landing in a crump
heap on the landing below. He got up, his face livid, and pul e
out his wand, but Dobby raised a long threatening finger.
'You shall go now,' he said fiercely, pointing down at Mr a -
dobby's reward 249

You shall not touch Harry Potter. You shall go now.'
. y^us Malfoy had no choice. With a last, incensed stare at the
ir of them, he swung his cloak around him and hurried out of

sight.
'Harry Potter freed Dobby!' said the elf shrilly, gazing up at
Harry moonlight from the nearest window reflected in his orb-
like eyes. 'Harry Potter set Dobby free!'
'Least I could do, Dobby,' said Harry, grinning. 'Just promise
never to try and save my life again.'
The elf's ugly brown face split suddenly into a wide, toothy

smile.
'I've just got one question, Dobby,' said Harry, as Dobby pulled on
Harry's sock with shaking hands. 'You told me all this had nothing
10 do with He Who Must Not Be Named, remember? Well -'
'It was a clue, sir,' said Dobby, his eyes widening, as though this
was obvious. 'Dobby was giving you a clue. The Dark Lord, before
he changed his name, could be freely named, you see?'
'Right,' said Harry weakly. 'Well, I'd better go. There's a feast,
and my friend Hermione should be awake by now ...'
Dobby threw his arms around Harry's middle and hugged him.
'Harry Potter is greater by far than Dobby knew!' he sobbed.
farewell, Harry Potter!'
And with a final loud crack, Dobby disappeared.
*
Harry had been to several Hogwarts feasts, but never one quite
like this. Everybody was in their pyjamas, and the celebrations
lasted all night. Harry didn't know whether the best bit was
Hermione running towards him, screaming, 'You solved it! You
>olved it!' or justin hurrying over from the Hufflepuff table to
"ring his hand and apologise endlessly for suspecting him, or
^agnd turning up at half past three, cuffing Harry and Ron so
"ard on the shoulders that they were knocked into their plates of
'"lie, or his and Ron's four hundred points for Gryffindor
^curing the House Cup for the second year running, or Professor
^onagall standing up to tell them all that the exams had been
^"celled as a school treat ('Oh, no!' said Hermione), or
"mhledore announcing that, unfortunately. Professor Lockhart
ould be unable to return next year, owing to the fact that he
ee ed to go away and get his memory back. Quite a few of the
eac rs Jined in the cheering that greeted this news.
250	harry potter

'Shame,' said Ron, helping himself to a jam doughnut. 'He
starting to grow on me.'

The rest of the summer term passed in a haze of blazing sunshi
Hogwarts was back to normal, with only a few, small difference
Defence Against the Dark Arts classes were cancelled ('but we'v
had plenty of practice at that anyway,' Ron told a disgruntled
Hermione) and Lucius Malfoy had been sacked as a school gover-
nor. Draco was no longer strutting around the school as thoueh
he owned the place. On the contrary, he looked resentful and
sulky. On the other hand, Ginny Weasley was perfectly happv
again.
Too soon, it was time for the journey home on the Hoewans
Express. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George and Ginny got a
compartment to themselves. They made the most of the last few
hours in which they were allowed to do magic before the
holidays. They played Exploding Snap, set off the very last of Fred
and George's Filibuster Fireworks, and practised disarming each
other by magic. Harry was getting very good at it. ^|
They were almost at King's Cross when Harry remembered
something.
'Ginny -- what did you see Percy doing, that he didn't want you
to tell anyone?'
'Oh, that,' said Ginny giggling. 'Well - Percy's got a girlfriend.'
Fred dropped a stack of books on George's head.
'What?'
'It's that Ravenclaw prefect, Penelope Clearwater,' said Ginny.
'That's who he was writing to all last summer. He's been meeting,
her all over the school in secret. I walked in on them kissing in
an empty classroom one day. He was so upset when she was -
you know - attacked. You won't tease him, will you?' she adde
anxiously.
'Wouldn't dream of it,' said Fred, who was looking as it his
birthday had come early.
'Definitely not,' said George, sniggering.
The Hogwarts Express slowed and finally stopped.
Harry pulled out his quill and a bit of parchment and turne
Ron and Hermione. ,. .,
'This is called a telephone number,' he told Ron, scribb ling^
twice, tearing the parchment in two and handing it to them. l
bobby's reward 251

pad how to use a telephone last summer, he'll know. Call me
the Dursleys, OK? I can't stand another two months with only

Dudley to talk to...'
Your Aunt and Uncle will be proud, though, won't they?' said
Hermione, as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging
towards the enchanted barrier. 'When they hear what you did

this year?'
'Proud?' said Harry. 'Are you mad? All those times I could've
died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious ...'
And together they walked back through the gateway to the

Muggle world.

3 } Acclaim for:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone byj.K. Rowling

I've yetto nnc^ a cnu(^ wno can P^lt down. Magic stuff.' -
The Glasgow Herald

the most imaginative debut since Roald Dahl.' - ^ The Mail on Sunday

I loved it.' - The New Statesman

'.. . this is a terrific book.' - The Sunday Telegraph

'(joanne Rowling) is a first rate writer for children.' -
The Scotsman

'Mystery, magic, a spectacular cast of characters and a splendid
plot - this is a bold and confident debut from a splendid writer
and storyteller.' - Lindsey Fraser, Booh Trust Scotland

'This is a story full of surprises and jokes; comparisons with Dahl
are, this time, justified.' - The Sunday Times

'.. . Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has all the makings
of a classic. . . Rowling uses classic narrative devices with flair and
originality and delivers a complex and demanding plot in the
form of a hugely entertaining thriller. She is a first-rate writer tor
children.' - The Scotsman

A richly textured first novel given lift-oft by an inventive wit.' -
The Guardian

a terrific read and a stunning first novel. Harry is a really
memorable character. . . This is one of those books that can't be
put down; the story raced along and had me hooked to the last
Page. Joanne Rowling clearly has a remarkable imagination and
mis splendid first novel leaves me full of anticipation of what she
might do next.' -Wendy Cooling, Children's Booh Consultant
