Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Chapter 6 Summary
Gilderoy Lockhart
Chapter 6 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, titled “Gilderoy Lockhart” delves into the first day of classes at Hogwarts, highlighting key events, particularly with the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart.
Breakfast and the Howler
The morning after their reckless adventure with the flying car, Harry and Ron face the consequences of their actions. Hermione is visibly disapproving of their behavior.
During breakfast in the Great Hall, Ron’s family owl Error flies in, carrying a Howler from Mrs Weasley. The Howler, a magical letter that amplifies the sender’s voice; loudly and publicly berates Ron for stealing the car, endangering their lives. It also mentions that due to their actions, Mr Weasley is facing an inquiry at work.
The entire hall listens as Mrs. Weasley’s voice echoes, leaving Ron mortified and Harry feeling guilty for their actions.
First Herbology Class
Harry feels a strong rush of emotions when he hears that Mr Weasley is in trouble because of him. However, he has little time to dwell on it, as his classes start immediately. The first class of the day is double Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. After finishing breakfast, Harry, Ron, and Hermione head to their first lesson in the Greenhouses.
They meet Professor Sprout the Herbology teacher, who is a squat little witch with arms full of bandages, clothes full of dirt and a patched hat over her flyaway hair.
In the distance, Harry notices the Whomping Willow, with several of its branches now in slings. Professor Sprout is accompanied by Gilderoy Lockhart, who boasts about his supposed expertise with the rare tree and gives her unsolicited advice on nursing it.
Lockhart greets the students, and asks Professor Sprout if he can borrow Harry for a bit. Not waiting for a response, he pulls Harry aside. He blames himself for the stunt Harry pulled off, which he assumes Harry did to gain fame. Lockhart suggests that he gave Harry a taste for publicity, the bug, as he calls it. Despite Harry’s protests, Lockhart is convinced he pulled off the stunt to make it to the front page of the Daily Prophet once more.
Repotting Mandrakes
Leaving Harry with the unsolicited advice to stop trying to be famous, Lockhart leaves. After a few moments of confusion, Harry rejoins his class at the greenhouses.
The students learn about Mandrakes, magical plants with restorative properties that can revive those who have been transfigured or cursed. Hermione impresses Professor Sprout by explaining the properties of Mandrakes, including their dangerous cries.
The students put on earmuffs to protect themselves from the Mandrakes’ cries, which can be fatal, and begin the task of repotting the plants. The mandrakes look like small, ugly babies with green, mottled skin and leaves growing out of their head.
The lesson is hard, and a. fair amount of requires physical exertion. The Mandrakes did not like to be pulled out, and much less be repotted. By the end of the lesson, everyone was sweaty, aching and covered in dirt.
Transfiguration Lesson
Next, the Gryffindors attend Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. The Gryffindors quickly go back for a quick wash, then meet again in class.
Transfiguration is no break, as Harry notes the lesson to be harder than usual, which is saying something, because all Transfiguration lessons are hard. Harry struggles to transfigure a beetle into a button, and only manages to have it run around his table. Ron’s broken wand causes him problems, emitting foul-smelling grey smoke. Unable to see what he is doing, Ron accidentally squashes his beetle with his elbow, and has to ask for a new one.
Hermione, however, successfully performs the transfiguration, showcasing her skill and diligence.
Relieved to hear the lunch bell, the trio makes its way out of the classroom. Ron is frustrated with his broken wand, now held together by Spellotape, and complains of it the entire time. Harry suggests he write home for a new one, to which Ron scoffs and replies that it will only earn him another howler.
Encounter with Colin Creevey
During lunch, a first-year Gryffindor named Colin Creevey approaches Harry, excitedly asking for a photograph and autograph. He introduces himself as a big fan, and explains that the photograph is proof that Colin met Harry.
Draco Malfoy overhears the conversation and mocks Harry for having a fan club. He calls the other Slytherins to queue up for the photographs, further irritating Harry and amusing his friends. When Ron tries to support Harry, Draco turns his insults against him, citing the Howler Ron received this morning.
Things quickly heat up and Ron pulls out his wand, when Lockhart interrupts them, asking about the signed photographs and who was giving them out. He finds Harry at the scene, and thinks it is obviously him; much to Harry’s frustration.
Lockhart takes this opportunity to hand out more unsolicited advice, telling Harry he should not be handing out autographs like that, not yet anyway.
Defense Against the Dark Arts Class
In their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Lockhart distributes a quiz of 54 questions based on his autobiography, focusing on pointless and trivial details about his life, such as his favorite color, secret ambition etc. He expresses disappointment when nobody seems to remember his favorite color, (lilac, as mentioned in Year with a Yeti), but appreciates Hermione for knowing his secret ambition (to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care potions).
His tone, however, quickly turns grim as he reveals a cage, and asks the students not to scream. He reveals a bunch of freshly caught Cornish Pixies, which results in laughter from Seamus Finnegan, who suggests they are not too dangerous.
The lesson quickly descends into chaos when Lockhart releases the Cornish Pixies.The mischievous creatures with an eccentric blue color and a height of 8 inches wreak havoc in the classroom. Two pixies grab Neville by the ears, and lift him into the air. Several others zoom at the window, showering the others with glass.
Stepping up, Lockhart boldly tells the class to round them up as they are only pixies. Rolling up his sleeves, he casts a weird spell (Peskipiksi Pesternomi!), but it has absolutely no effect. One of the pixies grab Lockhart’s wand and throws it out the window, and Lockhart dives under his desk in response. The bell rings, and Lockhart quickly leaves, telling the trio to round up the pixies. Hermione is much better at dealing with the pixies than their professor, and demonstrates her prowess by immobilizing two pixies at once, rather effortlessly.
The chapter ends with Harry and Ron reflecting on their eventful and tiring day, feeling the weight of their actions while questioning Lockhart’s abilities as a wizard.
