Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Chapter 5 Summary.
The Whomping Willow
Chapter 5 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, titled “The Whomping Willow”, details the chaotic journey that Harry and Ron take to return to Hogwarts, culminating in an adventurous and risky arrival that sets the stage for the rest of the school year.
Chaos at the Burrow
Harry spends his last month of summer at the Burrow, feeling comfortable and at home with the Weasley family. The night before their departure to Hogwarts, they enjoy a festive meal prepared by Mrs Weasley, watch Fred and George set off wizard fireworks, and drink hot cocoa before bed.
The following morning is a whirlwind of activity as everyone scrambles to pack their luggage. Mr. Weasley’s enchanted Ford Anglia, which has been magically expanded to fit everyone and their belongings, becomes a crucial tool in their preparations. After several trips back to the house for forgotten items, such as George’s box of fireworks, Ginny’s diary and Fred’s broomstick, they finally manage to leave for King’s Cross Station, late but in time.
Arthur Weasley asks Molly if he can fly the car to King’s Cross Station to save time, but Molly refuses, saying not in broad daylight.
Barrier Trouble at King’s Cross
At a quarter to eleven, they reach the Kings Cross Station.
Hurriedly, everyone grabs their trunk and rushes towards the platform.
The Weasleys pass through the magical barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters without any issues. However, when it is Harry and Ron’s turn, they crash into the barrier, unable to pass through.
Stuck and bewildered, they realize they have missed the Hogwarts Express and are unsure of what to do next.
Flying to Hogwarts
Determined to reach Hogwarts, Ron suggests using Mr. Weasley’s enchanted car to fly there. Harry, reluctant at first, eventually agrees, and they take off using the car’s Invisibility Booster to avoid detection.
Unfortunately, the booster malfunctions in midair, making the car visible to Muggles below. Ron slams the accelerator in response, taking the car to a higher altitude above the clouds.
They follow the Hogwarts Express, flying above the clouds and dipping down occasionally to check their course. It feels like a dream, and Harry imagines the jealous faces of Fred and George who are missing all this fun.
A few hours later, however, the fun wears off when the duo starts to feel thirsty with nothing to drink, and they stare longingly at the Hogwarts Express below.
The Whomping Willow Incident
Soon, they see a dark silhouette of the Hogwarts castle in the distance. As they near Hogwarts, however, the car’s engine begins to fail.
Narrow streams of steam emerge from the bonnet as the car gives it everything its got. They make it over the lake, but fly straight towards a solid castle wall. Ron swerves, going over the greenhouses, the vegetable patch and the black lawns, straight towards a huge and daunting tree.
They crash into the Whomping Willow. The impact breaks Ron’s wand, and just when Harry is about to offer consolation, something hits their car with the force of a charging bull.
Screaming in fear, they realize that the tree is attacking them. Harry yells reverse, and the car somehow reverses to escape. Just as they breathe a sigh of relief, the car angrily ejects them and their luggage before driving off into the Forbidden Forest.
Cursing their luck, Harry and Ron make their way to the castle.
Getting Caught
From a window outside the Great Hall, they see that the Sorting Ceremony is already in progress. They observe an empty chair at the professors table, and realize it is Snape’s.
As they discuss the possibilities of Snape’s whereabouts with excitement (Ill? Left? Sacked?!), Snape appears behind them, catching them in the act.
Snape takes them into his office, with a smile that indicates both Harry and Ron are in big trouble. He informs them that they were seen by Muggles while flying the car, seven in total, and passes them an unrolled issue of the Evening Prophet which details the event.
Since they are not Slytherins, Snape does not have the power to expel them, and so he brings in someone who does; Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall listens to their explanation and questions why did they not send the professors an owl instead. The duo has no reply for it.
Professor Dumbledore also enters the scene, warning them about the seriousness of their actions, and emphasizing the need to follow school rules.
The duo is not expelled, and much to Snape’s disappointment, just given detention.
Further, since the chaos happened before the official start of the term, no points are taken from Gryffindor.
Gryffindor Common Room
After their meeting with the professors, Harry and Ron enter the Gryffindor common room. They meet Hermione, who scowls at their actions.
Moments later, they are bombarded with immense admiration from their housemates, who all view their daring adventure with the flying car as something epic, which will be remembered for years. They are treated as heroes by the other Gryffindors, juniors and seniors alike.
The cozy common room, with its warm fire and comfortable armchairs, provides a stark contrast to the tense situation they had just faced, reinforcing the sense of belonging and camaraderie within Gryffindor House.
The chapter ends with Harry and Ron feeling relieved and appreciated by their housemates. They are ready to start their second year at Hogwarts, despite the rocky beginning.
