Chapter Summaries

Albert disguised himself as Lockhart with Polyjuice Potion and cautiously tested Tom Riddle's Diary before attempting to communicate with it. The diary resisted damage from cutting and fire, but it absorbed ink and remained silent when Albert greeted Tom.

• Albert drank Polyjuice Potion made with Lockhart's hair and recorded his experience as he transformed into Lockhart.
• Albert removed Tom Riddle's Diary from several protective boxes without touching it directly.
• Albert tested the diary with dark magic detectors, confirming that it was enchanted and registered as a dark magic item.
• Albert found that ink vanished into the diary, water wet its pages, and neither a Cutting Charm nor fire damaged it.
• Albert considered threatening to throw the diary into a cesspit, then greeted Tom, but the diary gave no response.

Tom Riddle tried to manipulate Gilderoy Lockhart through the diary, but Lockhart pressed him about the Chamber of Secrets and exposed his lie about Hagrid. Tom realized Lockhart had been leading him on and remained trapped in the diary, furious.

• Tom Riddle lost contact with the outside world after someone ambushed him and stopped Ginny Weasley from writing in the diary.
• Albert, writing as Gilderoy Lockhart, contacted Tom through the diary and identified it as a Dark magical object.
• Tom claimed the diary merely preserved his memories, but Lockhart challenged him with evidence from a Secrecy Sensor.
• Tom admitted that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened during his fifth year and claimed he had caught the culprit.
• Lockhart said Hagrid had told him Tom framed him, and Tom realized Lockhart had been manipulating him.

Albert used his new Verbal Bewitchment skill to steer Tom Riddle toward revealing the secrets of Slytherin’s Chamber, then sealed the diary away and prepared defenses against the Basilisk. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sought ingredients for Polyjuice Potion, and Hermione proposed stealing them from Snape if buying them failed.

• Albert exposed Tom Riddle’s attempt to bewitch him, guided the diary’s conversation toward the Chamber of Secrets, and earned a quest reward.
• Albert sealed Riddle’s Diary away, monitored himself for signs of its influence, and decided to let Tom out once a month to pursue more quests.
• Albert and Isabelle developed Basilisk defenses, including rooster-summoning Poké Balls, enchanted needles, sticky balls, and Snake Repellent Powder.
• Harry asked Albert how to obtain Bicorn Horn and African Tree Snake Skin, and Albert suggested contacting Mundungus Fletcher while warning that the ingredients could be costly or fake.
• Hermione proposed sneaking into Snape’s office for the ingredients if they could not buy them, with Harry and Ron creating a distraction by making a cauldron explode.

Hermione, Harry, and Ron tried to buy Bicorn Horn and African Tree Snake Skin from Mundungus Fletcher for their plan, but he demanded ten Galleons. Albert warned them about the inflated price and suggested safer ways to make the trade, leaving the trio to decide whether to wait for help or pay an errand fee.

• Hermione wrote to Mundungus Fletcher, who accepted the deal and demanded ten Galleons for the ingredients.
• Hermione showed Mundungus's reply to Harry and Ron, and Harry offered to pay until Hermione urged them to ask Albert first.
• Albert estimated the ingredients were worth about one Galleon and advised them to negotiate in person without paying in advance.
• Albert told the trio about a Secret Passage to Hogsmeade and suggested Fred and George could handle the trade for them.
• Albert offered the alternative of paying Fred and George an errand fee, which Ron privately wished he could earn.

Albert, Isabelle, and Katrina discussed Christmas plans as Albert considered inviting Isabelle to Italy, but she hesitated because she wanted to spend the holiday with her mother. Later, Albert received an invitation to Hebrew Delacour’s wedding and was encouraged to attend despite his plans to travel with his family.

• Isabelle joined Albert and Katrina as they looked through photos of Tom and discussed whether they would spend Christmas at Uncle Mog’s manor.
• Albert explained that his family planned to vacation in Italy, and Isabelle declined his unspoken invitation because she did not want to miss time with her mother.
• Katrina left the Room of Requirement after feeling awkward as Albert and Isabelle exchanged a private look.
• Albert received a wedding invitation from Mr. Delacour for his son Hebrew’s wedding in France.
• Albert decided he did not intend to attend, but Mog and others encouraged him to go and broaden his connections.

Albert learned that Mundungus Fletcher had been arrested after his protective charm rebounded a spell, causing Harry and Hermione’s deal with him to fail. He turned down Kenneth Troller’s proposal to keep selling his charms, and later heard that Kenneth had been beaten after selling fake ones.

• Lee Jordan took over organizing the Wizard Cards tournament but was disappointed that only thirty-two students entered and no girls signed up.
• Hermione told Albert that Harry had failed to make a deal with Mundungus Fletcher, who had been fined and sentenced to half a year in Azkaban after his Confundus Charm rebounded on him.
• Kenneth Troller told Albert that the Ministry wanted more protective charms and offered to share the profits, but Albert declined and offered to sell him the techniques instead.
• Kenneth refused Albert’s offer, and Albert continued selling inexpensive protective charms to Hogwarts students.
• Fred and George told Albert that Kenneth had sold fake protective charms and had been dragged into a bathroom and beaten by angry buyers, who made him refund them.

Albert arranged for Isabelle to attend Mr. Delacour’s wedding with him and spend Christmas in Italy, with both Isabelle and Mrs. McDougal agreeing. He reassured Isabelle about their limited time together at Hogwarts, and she quietly asked whether he had foreseen something.

• Percy warned Albert that Kenneth’s family dealt in the black market, while Albert considered the value of doing business with them.
• Wood pushed the Gryffindor Quidditch team through harsh winter training, and Albert was glad he had left the team.
• Professor McGonagall assigned Christmas homework and asked who would remain at Hogwarts; the Weasley children planned to stay while their parents visited Bill in Egypt.
• Isabelle agreed to attend Mr. Delacour’s wedding with Albert, and Mrs. McDougal approved their plans to travel to France and Italy over Christmas.
• Isabelle told Albert she felt anxious and maneuvered by others, and Albert said he wished to make more memories with her before they left Hogwarts.
• Isabelle asked Albert whether he had foreseen something again.

Hermione recorded how Albert had helped her adjust to Hogwarts and succeed in stealing the ingredients needed to finish the Polyjuice Potion. After discussing the Chamber of Secrets with Albert, she suspected he already knew how to deal with the Basilisk.

• Hermione wrote in her diary that Albert was more remarkable and knowledgeable than he seemed.
• Hermione recalled how Harry and Ron helped distract Snape while she broke into his office and stole Bicorn Horn and African Tree Snake Skin.
• Hermione picked the storeroom lock with a hairpin, following Albert’s advice, and added the stolen ingredients to the Polyjuice Potion.
• Hermione went to find Albert and told him she suspected the monster in the Chamber of Secrets was a Basilisk.
• Albert suggested that a rooster could protect them from the Basilisk, and Hermione concluded that he already had a way to deal with it.

As Christmas approached, Albert discussed rumors about the Chamber of Secrets and Hagrid’s past before visiting Hagrid to advise him about teaching and ask for help testing a Dark Creature detector. The detector was still experimental, and they had no way to locate the Chamber itself yet.

• Albert told George he had changed his Christmas plans from France to Italy, and George decided the friends would give him his present early.
• George and Lee Jordan told Albert that Snape’s Potions ingredients had been stolen and that Lockhart was spreading a rumor that Hagrid was the Slytherin’s Heir.
• Albert visited Hagrid’s cabin, advised him to teach material from past exams instead of relying on the biting Monster Book of Monsters, and learned Hagrid had not sought further guidance from Professor Kettleburn.
• Albert showed Hagrid his experimental Detection Ball and asked him to find a Dark Creature so they could test its detection range.
• Hagrid agreed to try to catch one and warned Albert to notify the professors if he found clues, while Albert explained the detector could not locate the Chamber of Secrets itself.

Lockhart asked Dumbledore to let him establish a Duelling Club to ease the students’ fears after the attacks, and Dumbledore approved the idea. Dumbledore assigned Snape to assist, intending the club to expose Lockhart’s lack of ability.

• Lockhart went to Dumbledore’s office and proposed a Duelling Club to help students learn self-defense and lift the school’s tense mood.
• Dumbledore approved Lockhart’s proposal and asked him to prepare a detailed plan.
• Lockhart invited Snape to act as his temporary assistant, and Dumbledore backed the arrangement before Snape could refuse.
• After Lockhart left, Snape objected to assisting him and offered to run the club himself, but Dumbledore insisted Lockhart was more suitable.
• Dumbledore explained that the club could help the students while revealing Lockhart’s true nature and exposing his deception.

Albert and his friends examined Fred and George’s Canary Cream Biscuits before learning that Lockhart was organizing a Duelling Club. They decided to attend that evening, and Albert predicted Lockhart would use Harry Potter to draw attention to himself.

• Fred and George gave Albert Canary Cream Biscuits as a Christmas present, and they turned Lee Jordan into a canary by making him eat one.
• Albert tried a biscuit himself, discovered its taste was noticeably different from ordinary egg custard, and offered to help improve it when he had time.
• Albert, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan read the notice announcing a Duelling Club and speculated about who would teach it.
• Albert guessed that Lockhart had arranged the club as a publicity stunt, but said they should attend to see what happened.
• Albert predicted Lockhart would choose Harry Potter for the demonstration because Potter's fame would attract attention.

Albert and Isabelle went to Hogsmeade, where Hagrid gave Albert a Grindylow and Mr Mog offered to help with his sweet-wine business. Mr Mog then took them to a secluded house to teach social etiquette and gave Albert its key, suggesting he could use it for dates after Isabelle graduated.

• Albert and Isabelle walked to Hogsmeade and discussed Apparition lessons, romance, and Isabelle's plans to take the Apparition test.
• Hagrid met Albert and gave him a Grindylow he had obtained through Abforth, then said Albert's Detection Ball had worked before he accidentally crushed it.
• Albert and Isabelle entered The Three Broomsticks, where Mr Mog joined them and offered help selling Albert's sweet wine.
• Mr Mog took Albert and Isabelle to a secluded house to teach them social etiquette and dancing.
• Mr Mog gave Albert the house key and suggested he could use the place for dates after Isabelle graduated.

Albert and Isabelle studied Apparition safety before Mr. Mog coached them through practice outside the cabin. Albert Apparated cleanly, while Isabelle eventually managed a partial Apparition that left some of her hair behind, and the lesson continued as Albert stayed nearby.

• Mr. Mog explained the Apparition test and licence rules while Albert and Isabelle read a Ministry booklet on common mistakes.
• Albert told them how Charlie Weasley had Apparated far from his target and landed on an old woman during his first test.
• Mr. Mog set up a wooden hoop and asked Albert to demonstrate Apparition for Isabelle.
• Albert Apparated neatly into the hoop, then Isabelle fell during her first attempt and succeeded only partially on her fourth, leaving strands of hair behind.
• Mr. Mog reattached Isabelle’s hair and advised her to focus on her target, while Albert chose to stay and watch her practice.

Albert and Fred, George, and Lee Jordan broke into the Shrieking Shack and discovered evidence that a werewolf had once transformed there. They found a passage beneath the shack that Albert believed led to Hogwarts and the Whomping Willow.

• Albert met Fred, George, and Lee Jordan in Hogsmeade and invited them to visit the Shrieking Shack.
• The group learned that the passage behind the fifth-floor mirror had collapsed, then went to the shack and entered through a hole Albert cut in the wall.
• Albert examined claw marks and sealed doors and windows, deducing that a werewolf had once used the shack to transform in secret.
• The group found a trapdoor and stairs leading into a dark passage beneath the shack.
• Albert suspected the passage led to Hogwarts and emerged beneath the Whomping Willow, which might have been planted to guard it.

Albert failed to stop Fred, George, and Lee Jordan from exploring the Secret Passage, then returned to help Isabelle rest after Apparition practice. Mr. Mog taught Albert and Isabelle formal banquet etiquette and dancing, leaving them better prepared for a wedding in France.

• Albert watched Fred, George, and Lee Jordan disappear into the Secret Passage before Apparating back near Mog's house.
• Albert found Isabelle pale and dizzy from Apparition practice and suggested that she rest.
• Mr. Mog gave Albert formal wear and explained how to behave at wizarding banquets.
• Mr. Mog taught Albert and Isabelle basic dancing, and the pair repeatedly stumbled and stepped on each other's feet.
• Albert raised Dancing to level two on his Status Panel and guided Isabelle through a song with fewer missteps.
• Mr. Mog urged Albert and Isabelle to continue practicing so they would be ready for the wedding in France.

Albert returned to Hogwarts after an afternoon of dance practice and went to the Duelling Club, where Snape brutally disarmed Lockhart during their demonstration. Lockhart tried to pass off his defeat as intentional, and Lee Jordan asked him to show how to stop the charm as Snape looked ready to duel again.

• Albert found George in the Gryffindor Common Room with a broken arm after the Whomping Willow attacked him and Lee Jordan in a secret passage.
• Albert visited Madam Pomfrey to ease his sore feet and asked her about the pain-relieving ointment she gave him.
• Albert joined his friends at the crowded Duelling Club, where Lockhart appeared onstage with Snape as his assistant.
• Snape struck Lockhart with a Disarming Charm, sending him flying into a wall as the students watched.
• Lockhart claimed he had allowed Snape to defeat him, and Lee Jordan asked him to demonstrate how to stop the charm.

Lockhart failed twice to defend himself against Snape’s Disarming Charm, then began a dueling lesson with Harry and Malfoy. Malfoy’s sneak attacks and Harry’s mysterious protective talisman disrupted the duel as the professors tried to regain control.

• Students pressed Lockhart to demonstrate how to counter the Disarming Charm, and Snape sent him flying with it again despite Lockhart attempting the Shield Charm.
• Albert asked how to stop an opponent before they cast, and Snape explained that it required predicting their magic; Lockhart then paired the students for duels.
• Lockhart paired Harry with Malfoy, and Malfoy attacked before the count ended, but something knocked him down before Harry had cast a spell.
• Malfoy tried to hit Harry with the Dancing Feet Jinx, but Harry’s protective talisman seemed to rebound it toward Snape, who blocked it.
• Harry retaliated with the Tickling Charm, and Snape ended it before accusing Harry of using a protective talisman; Lockhart acknowledged Malfoy had broken the rules and continued the duel.

During the Duelling Club, Lockhart’s bungled intervention made Harry’s duel with Malfoy turn into a dangerous snake incident, and Harry revealed that he could speak Parseltongue. The students left alarmed and suspicious of Harry, while Albert urged his friends to judge for themselves and suggested the club might not meet again.

• Lockhart gave Harry no useful duelling advice, and Malfoy cast a spell before the countdown ended, conjuring a black snake.
• Lockhart tried to stop the snake but only made it larger, then hid behind Harry when it prepared to attack.
• Harry spoke to the snake in Parseltongue, calming it and prompting the students to suspect he was connected to Slytherin.
• Snape turned the snake into smoke, while Ron led Harry away through the uneasy crowd.
• Albert told Fred, George, and Lee Jordan not to be manipulated by fear, then advised Lee to make the most of the Duelling Club before it ended.

After Harry was revealed as a Parselmouth, Albert reasoned that the trait could open Slytherin’s Chamber of Secrets and identified a Basilisk as its likely monster. Harry faced growing suspicion, while Hermione and Ron considered searching for the Chamber and Harry proposed seeking information from Malfoy first.

• Lee Jordan complained about Lockhart ignoring him, then Albert explained that a Parselmouth might be needed to open the Chamber of Secrets and named a Basilisk as its likely monster.
• Albert warned his roommates not to spread his theory and revealed that he had already arranged for the house-elves to raise roosters.
• Albert told Hermione and Ron that Harry might be able to find and open the Chamber of Secrets, but urged them to involve professors if they found it.
• Hermione concluded that Albert had hinted they should search for the Chamber, while Ron worried about the dangerous monster inside.
• Harry returned after arguing with Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Hermione advised him to stop wasting his breath trying to change Justin’s mind.
• Harry suggested asking Malfoy for useful information before attempting to find the Chamber of Secrets.

Dumbledore considered the implications of Harry being a Parselmouth and welcomed Fawkes’s rebirth, while Albert tested his Detection Ball with Hagrid and discussed Harry’s reputation. The Detection Ball remained too imprecise to locate the Chamber’s monster, and Hagrid learned why the school suspected Harry.

• Dumbledore speculated that Voldemort had accidentally transferred part of his soul to Harry, giving him the ability to speak with snakes, and considered using Harry to open the Chamber of Secrets if necessary.
• Fawkes rose from the ashes, and Dumbledore fed the young phoenix before noticing Albert’s Detection Ball and reflecting on Albert’s investigation of the Chamber.
• Albert tested the Detection Ball with Hagrid and found its range of at least five hundred feet made it ineffective for locating Dark Creatures inside the castle.
• Hagrid suggested improving the device to point out Dark Creatures before Christmas, but Albert doubted he could make that change quickly and advised Hagrid against relying on it to find the hidden monster.
• Albert told Hagrid that Harry was a Parselmouth and that the school suspected him of being Slytherin’s heir; Hagrid defended Harry, and Albert reassured him that abilities were not inherently good or bad.