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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

by J.K. Rowling · 1998

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second novel in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, chronicling Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After several residents of the school are… more

First published 1998 · 251 pages · English

30 quotes ★ 4.43 (4,615,751) Fantasy

Quotes from the Book

It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
Oh well... I'd just been thinking, if you had died, you'd have been welcome to share my toilet.
Of all the trees we could've hit, we had to get one that hits back.
Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backward.
Ginny!" said Mr. Weasley, flabbergasted. "Haven't I taught you anything? What have I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain?
Well, you're expelling us aren't you?" said Ron. "Not today, Mr. Weasley." Snape looked as though Christmas had been canceled.
I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I'm not there.
Harry — I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!” And she sprinted away, up the stairs. “What does she understand?” said Harry distractedly, still looking 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. “When in doubt, go to the library.
When in doubt, go to the library.
You will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me.
Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier. "When they hear what you did this year?" "Proud?" said Harry. "Are you crazy? All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious...
Lockhart'll sign anything if it stands still long enough.
Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world.
Fred and George, however, found all this very funny. They went out of their way to march ahead of Harry down the corridors, shouting, "Make way for the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming through ...... Percy was deeply disapproving of this behavior. "It is not a laughing matter," he said coldly. "Oh, get out of the way, Percy," said Fred. "Harry's in a hurry." "Yeah, he's off to the Chamber of Secrets for a cup of tea with his fanged servant," said George, chortling. Ginny didn't find it amusing either. "Oh, don't," she wailed every time Fred asked Harry loudly who he was planning to attack next, or when George pretended to ward Harry off with a large clove of garlic when they met.
His eyes are as green as a fresh 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.
Do I look stupid?" snarled Uncle Vernon, a bit of fried egg dangling from his bushy mustache.
Muggles have garden gnomes, too, you know," Harry told Ron as they crossed the lawn. "Yeah, I've seen those things they think are gnomes," said Ron, bent double with his head in a peony bush, "like fat little Santa Clauses with fishing rods...
If he doesn't stop trying to save your life he's going to kill you.
The three of them fell silent. After a long pause, Hermione voiced the knottiest question of all in a hesitant voice. “Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all?” “That’d be a cheerful visit,” said Ron, “ ‘Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?
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 —" "Perfect Percy,” muttered Fred. “YOU COULD DO WITH TAKING A LEAF OUT OF PERCY’S 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.
I WILL NOT TOLERATE MENTION OF YOUR ABNORMALITY UNDER THIS ROOF!
What exactly is the function of a rubber duck?
You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.
Hang on . . .” Harry muttered to Ron. “There’s an empty chair at the staff table. . . . Where’s Snape?” "Maybe he's ill!" said Ron hopefully. “Maybe he’s left,” said Harry, “because he missed out on the Defense Against the 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.
Azkaban - the wizard prison, Goyle." said Malfoy, looking at him in disbelief. "Honestly, if you were any slower, you'd be going backward.
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.
And I must draft an advertisement for the Daily Prophet, too,' he added thoughtfully. 'We'll be needing a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.... Dear me, we do seem to run through them, don't we?
Famous Harry Potter," said Malfoy. "Can't even go to a bookshop without making the front page.
The poor things keep calling in those – those pumbles, I think they're called – you know, the ones who mend pipes and things – " "Plumbers?" " – exactly, yes, but of course they're flummoxed.
Oh, Potter, you rotter, oh, what have you done, You’re killing off students, you think it’s good fun —

Did you know?

  • It is the second novel in the seven-book Harry Potter series.
  • The book was published in the United Kingdom on 2 July 1998 by Bloomsbury.
  • It was released in the United States on 2 June 1999 by Scholastic Inc.
  • Rowling has said she found this book the most difficult of the series to finish.
  • The novel introduces the character Tom Riddle through an enchanted diary.
  • It won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Medal in the 9-11 category in 1998.

About J.K. Rowling

J. K. Rowling is a British author best known for creating the Harry Potter series, one of the best-selling book series in history. She began writing the series in the 1990s, with the books going on to spawn a globally successful film franchise.

More about the author →

About the book

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second novel in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, chronicling Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After several residents of the school are mysteriously attacked and magically immobilised, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione set out to investigate the legendary Chamber of Secrets and the dark history tied to it.

Beyond its mystery-driven plot, the book explores themes of personal identity shaped by choices rather than birth, prejudice and bigotry within the wizarding world, the dangers of uncritically trusting information, and the value of friendship and self-sacrifice. It deepens the darker undercurrents of the series while keeping the adventure firmly rooted in the world Rowling established in the first book.

Published in the United Kingdom in 1998, the novel won high praise and awards from critics, young readers, and the book industry, including the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Medal, though some critics felt the story was too frightening for younger children. It was adapted into a major feature film in 2002 and remains one of the best-selling children's fantasy novels of its era.

Key characters

  • Harry PotterProtagonist; second-year Hogwarts student investigating the attacks
  • Ron WeasleyHarry's best friend and fellow investigator
  • Hermione GrangerThe third member of the investigating trio
  • Ginny WeasleyRon's younger sister, caught up in the diary's influence
  • Tom RiddleAntagonist revealed through an enchanted diary
  • Gilderoy LockhartThe vain new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher
  • DobbyA house-elf who warns Harry of danger

Book details

First published
1998
Length
251 pages
Reading time
2 hours
Genre
Fantasy
Goodreads rating
4.43 (4.6M ratings) →
First line
“Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive.”

Series & reading order

  1. 1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  2. 2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  3. 3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  4. 4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  5. 5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  6. 6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  7. 7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Movie & TV adaptations

  • IMDb
    Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2002

    Feature film directed by Chris Columbus

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    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneThe preceding book in the same series
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  3. 3
    Artemis FowlMiddle-grade fantasy with a clever young protagonist and magical intrigue

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