Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Chapter 18 Summary.
Dobby’s Reward
Chapter 18 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, titled “Dobby’s Reward” deals with Harry’s triumphant return to Hogwarts, Dobby’s freedom, and the end of Harry’s second year at Hogwarts.
Return to Hogwarts
Harry, Ron, Lockhart and Ginny arrive at Professor McGonagall’s office, where they are greeted by a scene of intense relief and worry. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are present inside the office with Professor Dumbledore, and their concern for Ginny turns into overwhelming relief when they see her alive and safe. They embrace her tightly as she cries.
Professor Dumbledore beams at the sight of the returning group. As Mrs Weasley embraces Harry for saving Ginny, Professor McGonagall asks him how he did it.
Harry begins recounting the events that led them to the Chamber, how they discovered its location, and the battle with the basilisk. He strategically leaves out the part about Ginny being possessed by the diary, to protect her from any potential blame or punishment. Professor McGonagall appreciates him for having found the Chamber, acknowledges how he broke a hundred school rules along the way, and questions how he managed to get out of there alive. Harry realizes that he cannot hide Ginny’s involvement any further
Ginny’s Confession
Harry looks at Dumbledore, who gives him a reassuring smile and acknowledges that it was Voldemort that manipulated Ginny into doing all the things. Mr and Mrs Weasley are horrified at this relevation.
Ginny confesses that she had been writing in Tom Riddle’s diary all year, not realizing that it was enchanted and darkly magical. She explains how the diary manipulated her and made her do things against her will. Mr. Weasley scolds her gently but firmly, reminding her of the dangers of trusting magical objects that can think for themselves.
Ginny’s confession is met with understanding rather than condemnation. Dumbledore, showing his characteristic wisdom and compassion, assures Ginny that she will not be punished, as she was under the influence of powerful dark magic. He emphasizes that she is not to blame for the events that transpired, relieving her of the guilt she has been carrying. He suggests Ginny to go the Hospital Wing and get some rest. He also reveals that Madam Pomfrey is awake and giving out Mandrake Juice to all the petrified students, who should wake up anytime now. None of them has suffered any lasting damage.
Rewards for Defeating Riddle
After Ginny leaves with Mr and Mrs Weasley, Dumbledore declares that this calls for a grand feast, and requests Professor McGonagall to alert the kitchens of the same.
He then turns his attention to Harry and Ron, praising their bravery and quick thinking. He reminds them of his earlier warning about the consequences of breaking school rules, but acknowledges that their actions were justified given the circumstances. Instead of punishment, he awards them two hundred house points each for Gryffindor and claims that they will receive Special Awards for Services to the School.
He then asks why Lockhart has been so quiet the entire time, and Harry realizes he left out the part where Lockhart got hit with the spell backfire. Lockhart has no idea who he used to be. Dumbledore suggests that he too should be taken to the Hospital wing, and requests Ron to escort him.
In a private conversation with Harry, Dumbledore addresses Harry’s concerns about the similarities between himself and Tom Riddle. Harry admits that he is troubled by the fact that the Sorting Hat considered placing him in Slytherin and that he shares abilities, like Parseltongue, with Riddle. Dumbledore explains that these abilities were transferred to Harry when Voldemort tried to kill him as a baby. He reassures Harry that it is his choices, not his abilities, that define who he is. To emphasize this point, Dumbledore shows Harry the sword of Godric Gryffindor, which only a true Gryffindor could have summoned from the Sorting Hat. This conversation helps Harry understand the significance of his own decisions and reinforces his identity as a true Gryffindor.
Confrontation with Lucius Malfoy
The tension in the office rises when Lucius Malfoy storms in, furious about Dumbledore’s reinstatement. He is accompanied by Dobby, the house-elf. Dumbledore calmly explains that the school governors reinstated him after hearing about Ginny, and revealed that Lucius had threatened them to secure Dumbledore’s suspension. Harry calls Lucius out for having slipped the Diary into Ginny’s bag at Flourish and Blotts, but there is no way to prove it. Dumbledore warns him not to pass on any more of Voldemorts things to other people, or they would definitely trace back to him.
Lucius storms off, and Harry rushes after him with the Diary. He takes off a sock and puts it over the diary, before forcing it into Lucius’s hand. Lucius throws the sock in disgust, which is caught by Dobby, setting him free.
Dobby’s Liberation
Lucius is enraged by this turn of events and attempts to retaliate against Harry, but Dobby intervenes to protect him. He blasts Lucius back, and threatens that Lucius would not hurt Harry. Lucius has no option but to leave.
Dobby thanks Harry with much enthusiasm, and Harry leaves for the feast where he is greeted by Hermione and Ron. The celebration is attended by everyone in their pajamas, and goes on all night.
The summer term ends, and everyone boards the Hogwarts Express to head back home. In the train, Harry remembers something, and asks Ginny what was it she saw Percy doing, to which she replies that Percy actually has a girlfriend. Penelope Clearwater, the Ravenclaw that got petrified alongside Hermione.
The chapter ends with Harry giving Ron his phone number and the group leaving King’s Cross to enter the Muggle World. The chapter also acts as conclusion for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
