Chapter Summaries

Harry grew worried when all letters from his Hogwarts classmates stopped arriving, leaving him cut off from the Wizarding World at Privet Drive. Hermione Granger called to complain that Harry had not answered her letters, revealing that their correspondence had somehow gone missing.

• Harry noticed that Dudley could faintly see his magical homework and speculated that Dudley might have some magical potential.
• After a week without letters from his classmates, Harry became anxious and irritable because he could not access news from the Wizarding World.
• Harry and Dudley complained about the Ministry of Magic's ban on underage magic at home, which had ended Dudley's enjoyment of Harry's Levitation Charm.
• Hermione Granger called and accused Harry of ignoring her letters, while Harry insisted that he had written to her and that Hedwig had delivered his replies.

Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout prepared Hogwarts for a possible Death Eater attack while Dumbledore and others were away. Snape ordered the Prefects to return students to their dormitories until dawn, and the Prefects’ calm response suggested Daphne and her allies had already reassured the students.

• An aged-face envelope delivered Dumbledore’s message asking Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout to protect Hogwarts.
• Flitwick took charge of the defensive wards, while Sprout began preparing for unusual threats and Snape summoned the available Prefects.
• Snape ordered the Prefects to get every student back to a dormitory or Common Room within half an hour and keep them there until dawn.
• Angelina questioned the lockdown, but Daphne and Qiu signaled her to stay quiet, and she realized some students were away on a secret mission.
• Daphne, Cho, and Hannah settled the Prefects and students, while Snape reflected that Daphne’s standing among the students exceeded his own.

Harry learned that the Ministry of Magic had confirmed some of his letters had vanished in transit but gave no further updates. As he prepared to leave Privet Drive to stay with Ron, the Dursleys reacted with indifference and disdain.

• Harry and Dudley received a talking letter from Kranis Buckle reporting that Harry's letters had disappeared in transit and that the Ministry was investigating.
• Harry dismissed the Ministry's apology as empty talk, while Dudley compared it favorably with the British Parliament.
• The Ministry sent no further updates over the next three days, worsening Harry's impression of its competence.
• Mrs. Molly Weasley invited Harry to stay with Ron, and her envelope arrived covered in more than thirty stamps.
• Harry planned to leave Privet Drive on Monday after reaching a thousand hours there, while Aunt Petunia showed disgust at his plan to visit a wizarding family.

Harry confronted Dobby, who admitted to intercepting his letters and trying to keep him from returning to Hogwarts. Harry used a Mind-Manipulation Spell to question him, and the chapter ended as he asked why Dobby wanted to stop him.

• Harry found Dobby in his room and demanded to know why he had come.
• Dobby said he wanted to stop Harry from going to Hogwarts and insisted he was trying to protect him.
• Dobby began punishing himself for keeping something from his master, but Harry ordered him to stop.
• Harry used the Mind-Manipulation Spell to make Dobby answer questions.
• Dobby admitted that he had intercepted Harry’s letters and wanted to keep him from Hogwarts.
• Harry asked Dobby why he wanted to stop him from returning to school.

Harry left Privet Drive on the Knight Bus and headed for the Burrow under the false name Dudley Dursley. During the ride, he accidentally produced a faint light with wandless magic, and the bus left him near Ottery St Catchpole.

• Harry left Privet Drive before dawn and summoned the Knight Bus.
• He told Stan Shunpike that his name was Dudley Dursley and gave the Burrow as his destination.
• Harry studied his spell notes during the ride and briefly made his fingertips glow while practicing the Illumination Charm.
• Harry realized he might have performed wandless magic, but could not repeat it.
• Stan Shunpike dropped Harry in a field outside Ottery St Catchpole, where Harry saw the Burrow beyond a vine-covered stone wall.

Harry spent the morning at the Burrow, meeting the Weasleys and catching up with Ron, Fred, George, and Percy. Fred and George hinted that their magical production-line project had nearly made progress, and Harry kept its details from Ron so he could surprise him later.

• Harry examined the Weasley household’s unusual clocks, magical housework books, and radio while Mrs. Weasley prepared breakfast.
• Mrs. Weasley used water spells to wake George, Fred, and Ron, whose shouts revealed the twins’ prank-loving habits.
• Ron came downstairs, hugged Harry, and talked with him about how frustrating it was to go without using magic.
• Fred and George invited Harry to see their nearly completed project, and Harry recognized they meant their plan to produce magical goods using ordinary machinery.
• Percy came downstairs dressed formally, greeted Harry warmly, and asked about his holiday.

Harry spent the morning with the Weasleys, noticing Ginny's shy attention and joining the boys in clearing gnomes from the garden. After a plentiful lunch, he had settled more comfortably into life at the Burrow.

• Harry noticed Ginny repeatedly glance at him and blush whenever their eyes met.
• Mrs. Weasley sent Ron and his brothers to clear gnomes from the garden, and Harry joined them despite her suggestion that he rest.
• Harry impressed Fred and George with his throwing strength while the boys flung gnomes out of the garden.
• The gnome-clearing lasted all morning and left Harry, Ron, and Percy with aching shoulders.
• Harry enjoyed a generous lunch and observed that the Weasleys' apparent lack of money did not limit the food they ate.

At the Burrow, Harry and the Weasleys discussed whether Dobby might have been involved in the strange events, but they reached no conclusion before Mr. Weasley stayed late at work. Hermione arrived the next day and scolded Harry for not finishing his homework, while Harry realized he had failed to mention the black markings on his hand.

• Mrs. Weasley said the Malfoys' house-elves might not be responsible for Dobby's actions, and Percy explained why house-elf assassins were unlikely.
• Harry remembered Mrs. Weasley's interest in having a house-elf, then fell asleep before asking about the black markings on his hand.
• Mr. Weasley worked overtime, and the family did not discuss Dobby again that day.
• Hermione came to the Burrow and stayed with Ginny, then checked Harry's homework and reprimanded him for leaving some unfinished.
• Ron admitted he had been waiting ten days to watch Hermione give Harry the same lecture she had given him.

Harry mispronounced the Floo destination and ended up in Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley instead of Diagon Alley. After hiding from Draco Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy, he escaped the shop and saw a cursed Opal Necklace.

• Harry emerged from a filthy fireplace in Borgin and Burkes with soot on him and his glasses cracked.
• Harry spotted Draco Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy entering the shop, then hid inside a large black cabinet.
• Harry watched Lucius sell suspicious items to Mr. Borgin while keeping a black notebook for himself.
• After the Malfoys left, Harry slipped out of the shop and noticed an Opal Necklace marked as deadly to Muggles.

Harry reunited with Hagrid and the Weasleys in Diagon Alley after getting lost in Knockturn Alley. He told them he had seen Lucius Malfoy selling items at Borgin and Burkes, then entered Gringotts with the Weasleys.

• Hagrid told Harry that wizards had once trained House-elves as killers and urged him to be careful.
• Harry and Hagrid reached Diagon Alley, where Ron and Hermione were searching for Harry.
• Mr. Weasley and the twins joined them, and Mr. Weasley cleaned Harry and repaired his glasses with magic.
• Mrs. Weasley arrived with Ginny and hugged Harry after seeing that he was safe.
• Harry told the Weasleys that he had seen Malfoy and his father at Borgin and Burkes, where Lucius Malfoy had gone to sell things.
• Mr. Weasley criticized Lucius Malfoy as Harry and the Weasleys entered Gringotts, then became interested in Hermione's Muggle money.

Harry and the Weasleys went to Flourish and Blotts to buy schoolbooks, where Gilderoy Lockhart recognized Harry and turned him into the center of a book-signing event. Harry learned Lockhart would teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, leaving him worried about what the lessons might be like.

• Mr. Weasley took Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville shopping after Neville's aunt, Britney Longbottom, left him in his care.
• At Flourish and Blotts, Mr. Weasley went to find secondhand textbooks while the youngsters explored the crowded shop.
• Harry and the others discovered Gilderoy Lockhart's launch and signing for Magical Me.
• Lockhart recognized Harry, posed with him for photographers, and gave him a signed set of all nine of his books.
• Lockhart announced that he would teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, while Mrs. Weasley and Ginny queued for his autograph.

Harry and Ron arrived too late to enter Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and found the barrier closed, leaving them unable to reach Hogwarts. They decided to use the Weasley car to fly there, while the next day’s Daily Prophet reported that more than two hundred adult wizards were trapped on the platform.

• Harry, the Weasleys, and Hermione returned to the Burrow from Diagon Alley, and Hermione supervised Harry, Ron, and Ginny’s studies until her parents took her home.
• Harry and the Weasleys made seven trips back to the Burrow for forgotten belongings, so they reached King’s Cross with less than five minutes before eleven.
• Harry and Ron crashed into the closed barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and realized they could not enter.
• After Mr. Weasley and the others failed to emerge, Ron suggested flying the Weasley car to Hogwarts, and Harry agreed.
• The next day, the Daily Prophet reported that the platform entrance had failed and trapped more than two hundred adult wizards.

After arriving at Hogwarts with Ron, Harry recounted the magical barrier that had sealed off the station platform, while Neville hinted at a secret gift for him. Parvati came to greet Harry in the Gryffindor common room, leaving Hermione and Neville amused by their closeness.

• The Gryffindors crowded around Ron and Harry to hear how they had driven to Hogwarts, and Ron embellished the story while Harry listened impatiently.
• Hermione and Neville asked Harry about the barrier that had trapped people at the station, and Neville said he had a gift for Harry that he would give him privately.
• Hermione wondered whether Dobby had caused the incident, but Harry doubted a house-elf could have stopped so many adult wizards.
• Parvati approached Harry to ask about his holiday, while Hermione and Neville exchanged knowing looks and left them together.
• The chapter described how Draco and the Patil sisters had also searched the train for Harry, though for different reasons.

Harry began the term in high spirits, while Ron suffered the aftereffects of a Howler from Mrs. Weasley. At Herbology, Lockhart boasted about treating the Whomping Willow, and Harry avoided his attention before realizing he had forgotten to use Magic Perception on him.

• Harry received more gifts, including a dessert from Padma, while Ron looked dejected after Mrs. Weasley's Howler.
• Harry waved to Megan Jones at breakfast, then noticed Parvati and Ginny both huffing at him.
• Harry and the others met Professor Sprout and Lockhart on the way to Herbology, where Lockhart claimed he had helped treat the Whomping Willow.
• Professor Sprout led the class to the more dangerous Third Greenhouse, while Harry hurried to her side to avoid Lockhart.
• Lockhart walked away without approaching Harry, and Harry realized he had forgotten to use Magic Perception on him.

Professor Sprout taught the students how to repot baby Mandrakes safely, and Harry, Ron, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Megan Jones formed a group. While they waited to begin, Megan asked Harry for flying advice, and Justin asked about their drive to school.

• Professor Sprout pulled a baby Mandrake from its pot and explained that its cry could knock wizards unconscious or confuse their memories.
• Professor Sprout demonstrated repotting the Mandrake and instructed the students to wear earmuffs and protective gloves.
• Harry and Ron joined Justin Finch-Fletchley and Megan Jones in a group of two Gryffindors and two Hufflepuffs.
• Megan told Harry she planned to try out for the Quidditch House Team and asked him for flying tips.
• Justin eagerly asked Harry and Ron about driving to school the previous day, while Ron restrained himself from telling a long story.

Professor McGonagall began the second-year Transfiguration course by praising the students who had mastered last year’s work and demonstrating the new focus on transforming living creatures. She left the class facing more difficult lessons in turning animals into objects and restoring them unharmed.

• Exhausted after Herbology, Harry, Ron, and the other Gryffindors arrived at Transfiguration, where Draco planned to mock them afterward.
• Professor McGonagall praised Hermione, Padma Patil, Harry, Anthony Goldstein, Blaise Zabini, and Ron for turning stone blocks into soft sofas.
• Professor McGonagall warned the class that Transfiguration was dangerous and difficult, and urged them to work hard for their future examinations.
• Professor McGonagall explained that the term’s coursework would involve changing living creatures into inanimate objects and restoring them safely.
• Professor McGonagall transformed a brightly colored hornbill into a jewel-studded gold goblet, impressing the class.

Harry used Magic Perception to examine Lockhart and found his magical flame and soul projection unusually grayish white, threaded with red. He also compared his classmates’ magic and wondered why Hermione seemed weaker than Ron and Neville before Ron joked about Creevey and Ginny starting a Harry Potter fan club.

• Harry saw that Lockhart's huge magical flame was grayish white with blood-red threads, while his soul projection drifted up and down.
• Harry noticed that Lockhart's magical flame did not dazzle him as the professors' flames had, and wondered whether Lockhart's unusual color or Harry's stronger soul explained it.
• Harry compared his classmates and saw that Ron and Neville had stronger magic or soul projections than Hermione.
• Ron nudged Harry and asked what he was thinking about, and Harry said he was worrying about Creevey.
• Ron joked that Creevey and Ginny would start a Harry Potter Fan Club if they met.

Harry and his classmates took a difficult test in Lockhart’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class, then faced chaos when Lockhart released a cage of Cornish Pixies. Harry ended the chapter by throwing a book to knock down one of the pixies carrying Sally Turpin.

• Harry and Ron struggled with Lockhart’s test while Hermione earned full marks and won ten points for Gryffindor.
• Lockhart unveiled a cage of Cornish Pixies, and the students recognized the creatures with apprehension.
• Seamus dismissed the pixies as harmless, prompting Lockhart to release them into the classroom.
• The pixies attacked the students, and Neville used an Inflating Charm to stop two of them from flying.
• Harry threw one of Lockhart’s books and struck a pixie carrying Sally Turpin, startling Lockhart.

Harry suspected Lockhart was concealing his abilities and possibly seeking the Philosopher’s Stone, so he decided to investigate. When he took out his Invisibility Cloak, his left hand absorbed it and gave him the ability to turn invisible.

• Harry compared Lockhart’s poor teaching with his strong magical power and suspected that he might be hiding his abilities or pursuing the Philosopher’s Stone.
• Harry decided to investigate Lockhart alone because he could not explain his suspicions without revealing Magic Perception.
• Harry retrieved his Invisibility Cloak from his trunk, and the markings on his left hand spread over it and absorbed it.
• Harry discovered that he could become invisible without wearing the cloak and tested the effect in a mirror.
• Harry wondered whether the cloak had belonged to the Black Man and had reacted to the power he gave Harry.

Harry secretly searched Gilderoy Lockhart’s office, first suspecting Lockhart could see through the Invisibility Cloak, then realizing he was unaware of Harry’s presence. Harry found nothing suspicious until Lockhart mentioned the Philosopher’s Stone, and the chapter ended with Harry reading Lockhart’s boast that he might create one himself.

• Harry feared Lockhart had seen through the Invisibility Cloak, but Lockhart opened the office door without noticing him.
• Harry followed Lockhart into the office and watched him answer letters from admirers in several languages.
• Harry searched the office and found nothing suspicious, though Lockhart’s photographs displeased him.
• Lockhart read a letter from Judith mentioning his former wish to create a Philosopher’s Stone and lamented that Nicholas Flamel’s Stone was gone.
• Harry read Lockhart’s reply, in which Lockhart claimed he had not abandoned alchemy and might soon create his own Philosopher’s Stone.