Chamber of Secrets - Chapter Six
Chapter Six - Gilderoy Lockhart
Harry, Ron and the others at Hogwarts start their new term and their lessons the next day. Hermione is still a little annoyed with Harry and Ron, the way they flouted the rules, and flew the car to Hogwarts. Neville is sent a parcel from his Gran, at breakfast, with things he'd forgotten to take with him, while Errol, the Weasley family owl, also delivers something to Ron. Unfortunately, it is a Howler letter from Mrs Weasley, expressing - very loudly so that the whole Hall can hear! - how disappointed she and Mr Weasley are of them flying the car. Mr Weasley is facing a inquiry at work. If Ron puts another foot out of line, they'll bring him straight back home. Ron is totally embarrassed but at least the Howler makes Hermione forgive the boys.
The first lesson for the second years is Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, taught by Professor Sprout. Professor Sprout approaches the greenhouses with Professor Lockhart. Lockhart announces that he has just been showing Professor Sprout how to doctor the Whomping Willow - which is now bandaged up. As the second years file into the greenhouse, Lockhart takes Harry aside. Lockhart shakes his head at Harry - he knows exactly why Harry flew the car to Hogwarts. When Harry and Lockhart had the photograph taken for the Daily Prophet, it gave Harry a taste for publicity, he craved more. But when Lockhart was twelve, he was just as much of a nobody as Harry - even less so, seeming Harry survived Lord Voldemort at one year old! Lockhart says hehas won Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award five times in a row now! Harry is extremely relieved to be allowed to enter the greenhouse.
They learn about re-potting Mandrake plants in Herbology. The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it, but it forms an essential part of most antidotes. The Mandrakes are like ugly babies, the leaves grow out of their heads, and it is extremely difficult to re-pot. As the Trio do their best, a Hufflepuff second year approaches them. He introduces himself as Justin-Finch-Fletchley, and knows all about the Trio. Justin seems to be a admirer of Lockhart. He says he was down for Eton - a famous private school in England - but was delighted to attend Hogwarts instead. After Herbology, it is time for Transfiguration, where they have to turn beetles into buttons. Ron is having tremendous difficultly with his wand, which he has now Spellotaped together, as the Whomping Willow more or less broke it in half. As they head for lunch, Ron asks Hermione why she's decorated her school timetable with hearts for the Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.
As they finish lunch, a small first year shyly approaches Harry, He introduces himself as Colin Creevey, and is obviously awed to be in the presence of the-boy-who-lived. He explains that he didn't have a clue he could do magic until the letter from Hogwarts arrived - his dad's a milkman, so he's taking lots of photos to send home to him.He has a Muggle camera with him and tentatively asks if he can have a picture of Harry - even better, if Harry's friend could take a picture of both Harry and Colin. Harry is extremely embarrassed but then Draco Malfoy walks pass. He is extremely scathing, and announces loudly that Harry's giving out signed photos, despite Harry's denials. Colin bravely pipes up that Malfoy's just jealous. Malfoy says that he doesn't want a foul scar across his head. During the disagreement, Lockhart approaches. He manages to disfuse the situation by allowing Colin to take a photo of himself and Harry, and they'll both sign it. It is time for Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.
Lockhart decides to spring a test paper on the second years, to make sure that they have read the set books (all by Lockhart himself!) properly. Predictably, Hermione gets full marks and gains ten points for Gryffindor. And now to business! Lockhart has brought some caged freshly caught Cornish pixies into the classroom. They might not look dangerous, but they can be devilishly tricky! When Lockhart opens the cage, pandemonium ensues. They wreck the classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino. Two of them seize Neville by the ears and lift him into the air. Soon Neville is swinging from the candelabra in the ceiling. Lockhart is totally useless at rounding them up, as the class bell rings for end of the lesson. The students make a rush for the exit, Lockhart asks the Trio to round the pixies up and leaves them to it. Ron is extremely annoyed, but Hermione says Lockhart just wanted to give them some "hands-on experience". Harry splutters that Lockhart didn't have a clue what he was doing, and Hermoine reminds him of all the amazing things he's done, in his books. Ron mutters "He says he's done".
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My favourite bit of this chapter - maybe of the whole book except for one more incident later - is the Howler. I listen to the audio version of the book as I read along, and Stephan Fry does the Howler absolutely wonderfully!
Harry, Ron and the others at Hogwarts start their new term and their lessons the next day. Hermione is still a little annoyed with Harry and Ron, the way they flouted the rules, and flew the car to Hogwarts. Neville is sent a parcel from his Gran, at breakfast, with things he'd forgotten to take with him, while Errol, the Weasley family owl, also delivers something to Ron. Unfortunately, it is a Howler letter from Mrs Weasley, expressing - very loudly so that the whole Hall can hear! - how disappointed she and Mr Weasley are of them flying the car. Mr Weasley is facing a inquiry at work. If Ron puts another foot out of line, they'll bring him straight back home. Ron is totally embarrassed but at least the Howler makes Hermione forgive the boys.
The first lesson for the second years is Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, taught by Professor Sprout. Professor Sprout approaches the greenhouses with Professor Lockhart. Lockhart announces that he has just been showing Professor Sprout how to doctor the Whomping Willow - which is now bandaged up. As the second years file into the greenhouse, Lockhart takes Harry aside. Lockhart shakes his head at Harry - he knows exactly why Harry flew the car to Hogwarts. When Harry and Lockhart had the photograph taken for the Daily Prophet, it gave Harry a taste for publicity, he craved more. But when Lockhart was twelve, he was just as much of a nobody as Harry - even less so, seeming Harry survived Lord Voldemort at one year old! Lockhart says hehas won Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award five times in a row now! Harry is extremely relieved to be allowed to enter the greenhouse.
They learn about re-potting Mandrake plants in Herbology. The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it, but it forms an essential part of most antidotes. The Mandrakes are like ugly babies, the leaves grow out of their heads, and it is extremely difficult to re-pot. As the Trio do their best, a Hufflepuff second year approaches them. He introduces himself as Justin-Finch-Fletchley, and knows all about the Trio. Justin seems to be a admirer of Lockhart. He says he was down for Eton - a famous private school in England - but was delighted to attend Hogwarts instead. After Herbology, it is time for Transfiguration, where they have to turn beetles into buttons. Ron is having tremendous difficultly with his wand, which he has now Spellotaped together, as the Whomping Willow more or less broke it in half. As they head for lunch, Ron asks Hermione why she's decorated her school timetable with hearts for the Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.
As they finish lunch, a small first year shyly approaches Harry, He introduces himself as Colin Creevey, and is obviously awed to be in the presence of the-boy-who-lived. He explains that he didn't have a clue he could do magic until the letter from Hogwarts arrived - his dad's a milkman, so he's taking lots of photos to send home to him.He has a Muggle camera with him and tentatively asks if he can have a picture of Harry - even better, if Harry's friend could take a picture of both Harry and Colin. Harry is extremely embarrassed but then Draco Malfoy walks pass. He is extremely scathing, and announces loudly that Harry's giving out signed photos, despite Harry's denials. Colin bravely pipes up that Malfoy's just jealous. Malfoy says that he doesn't want a foul scar across his head. During the disagreement, Lockhart approaches. He manages to disfuse the situation by allowing Colin to take a photo of himself and Harry, and they'll both sign it. It is time for Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.
Lockhart decides to spring a test paper on the second years, to make sure that they have read the set books (all by Lockhart himself!) properly. Predictably, Hermione gets full marks and gains ten points for Gryffindor. And now to business! Lockhart has brought some caged freshly caught Cornish pixies into the classroom. They might not look dangerous, but they can be devilishly tricky! When Lockhart opens the cage, pandemonium ensues. They wreck the classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino. Two of them seize Neville by the ears and lift him into the air. Soon Neville is swinging from the candelabra in the ceiling. Lockhart is totally useless at rounding them up, as the class bell rings for end of the lesson. The students make a rush for the exit, Lockhart asks the Trio to round the pixies up and leaves them to it. Ron is extremely annoyed, but Hermione says Lockhart just wanted to give them some "hands-on experience". Harry splutters that Lockhart didn't have a clue what he was doing, and Hermoine reminds him of all the amazing things he's done, in his books. Ron mutters "He says he's done".
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My favourite bit of this chapter - maybe of the whole book except for one more incident later - is the Howler. I listen to the audio version of the book as I read along, and Stephan Fry does the Howler absolutely wonderfully!