Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

I was wondering this morning why I was dreaming about spiders and then I realized it was because I just finished reading Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. I've been slower than expected reading all the books but I haven't been feeling so hot. At least I've had Harry Potter to comfort me when I was feeling up to reading his adventures.

First Sentences: 

"Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four, Privet Drive. Mr. Vernon Dursley had been woken in the early hours of the morning by a loud, hooting noise from his nephew Harry's room."

Last Sentences:

"Proud?" said Harry. "Are you crazy?" All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious..." And together the walked back through the gateway to the Muggle world.

Favorite Quotes:

"Famous Harry Potter," said Malfoy. "Can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

I love this line from Malfoy although I feel like he says bookstore in the movie. Maybe though it's just that I have to repeat that line whenever he says it in the movie.

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Too true. You know who you are and who your true friends are by the choices we make.

Favorite Moments:

There was a thud of metal as Ginny's cauldron went flying; Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, knocking him backward into a bookshelf. Dozens of heavy spellbooks came thundering down on all their heads; there was a yell of, "Get him, Dad!" from Fred or George; Mrs. Weasley was shrieking, "No, Arthur no!"; the crowd stampeded backward, knocking more shelves over; "Gentlemen, please - please!" cried the assistant, and then, louder than all - "Break it up, there, gents, break it up -"

Lucius Malfoy was insulting Mr. Weasley and his family which I'm sure he's heard before. He goes too far when he insults Hermione's parents so he tackles him to the ground. Mr. Weasley was DEFENDING Hermione's parents. Lucius's ignorance and rudeness was too much not to respond to especially since prior he was getting to know the Granger's and they became friendly with each other. Loyalty to friends and doing what's right - Mr. Weasley is pretty bad-ass.

Swedish cover for Chamber of Secrets

Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.
"As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position," Lockhart told the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."
"I wouldn't bet on that," Harry murmured, watching Snape baring his teeth.
"One - two - three -"
Both of them swung their wands above heir heads and pointed at their opponent; Snape cried: "Expelliarmus!" There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor."

Any moment where Lockhart gets what he deserves is a great moment for me.

There had been no more attacks since those on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, and Madam Pomfrey was pleased to report that the Mandrakes were becoming moody and secretive, meaning that they were fast leaving childhood. "The moment their acne cleats up, they'll be ready for repotting again," Harry heard her telling Filch kindly one afternoon.

... in March several of the Mandrakes threw a loud and raucous party in greenhouse three. This made Professor Sprout very happy. "The moment they start trying to move into each other's pots, we'll know they're fully mature," she told Harry. "Then we'll be able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing."

I loved the updates on the Mandrakes. They are so funny - throwing a party and being secretive like teenagers. Haha!

"Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?"
It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines.
"We were - we were -" Ron stammered. "We were going to - to go and see -"
"Hermione," said Harry. Ron and Professor McGonagall both looked at him.
"We haven't see her for ages, Professor," Harry went on hurriedly, treading on Ron's foot, "and we thought we'd sneak into the hospital wing, you know, and tell her the Mandrakes are nearly ready and, er, not to worry -"
Professor McGonagall was still staring at him, and for a moment, Harry thought she was going to explode, but when she spoke, it was in a strangely croaky voice.
"Of course," she said, and Harry, amazed, saw a tear glistening in her beady eye. "Of course, I realize this has all been hardest on the friends of those who have been... I quite understand.

This moment was so touching. I've read McGonagall cry before in the last book when she was told Harry's parents died and Harry had to be left with the Dursleys... It was very sweet how touched she had been that Harry and Ron cared so much for their friend even if they were lying about seeing her.

"The adventure ends here, boys!" he said. "I shall take a bit of this skin back up to the school, tell them I was too late to save the girl, and that you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body - say good-bye to your memories!"

And then Lockhart loses his mind. Love this moment! Lockhart is one of those people who justify their cruelness. He got what he deserved. I only hope that the real people who did the fearless acts in his books get their memories back and get recognition.

Thoughts on Chamber of Secrets:

I didn't realize how jealous Draco is of Harry. Harry catches Draco talking about him and he sounds absolutely jealous. It's interesting to see Draco at this moment of his life and how mean he is compared to the later book. He's a mean boy but not a heartless one. He just needs to get over himself to see what's really right and wrong.

I don't know why the Dursleys cared so much to lock Harry up. Just let him go. You rather him not around anyways, don't you?

I wonder if there are other types of animal languages people can know in Harry Potter's world other than Parseltongue. It would be so cool to speak Dragon. Also, if Salazar Slytherin's logo is a snake because he could speak Parseltongue does that mean the others can speak their Houses animals or do they just really like badgers, lions, and ravens? I don't see how badgers would represent loyalty and patience so that's why I'm wondering. Maybe it was their pets that inspired their Houses...

Oh Dobby, how you annoy me...