HARRY POTTER and the Chamber of Secrets Chapter Seven
Chapters 1-7
Chapter Seven
GILDEROY LOCKHART
Harry is very happy to be back at Hogwarts, but his first day does not begin very well. And it only gets worse after that. At breakfast, Harry is sitting with Ron and Hermione. Across the table is Neville Longbottom. Neville is a clumsy boy who has a very bad memory. “The mail is about to arrive,” says Neville. “My grandmother is sending me some things I forgot at home.”
Before Harry can finish his breakfast, there is a loud noise above them: a hundred owls are flying around inside the Great Hall. They are all carrying letters. One owl drops a large package on top of Neville’s head. Then something large and gray falls into Ron’s cereal! It is Errol, Ron’s old owl. Errol is unconscious on the table. There is a large red envelope in his beak. “Oh, no!” cries Ron.
“It’s ok, Ron,” says Hermione, “Errol is still alive.” Ron is not worried about his owl, Errol. “That’s not the problem,” he says. “It’s that!” He points to the red envelope in Errol's mouth. Harry does not understand. It looks like a normal envelope to him. But Ron and Neville both look very worried. They are looking at the envelope like it is going to explode!
“What's the matter?” asks Harry. “My mother sent me a Howler, Harry,” answers Ron. “You should open it now, Ron,” says Neville. “It will be worse if you open it later. I ignored one from my gran - it was terrible.” Harry looks at both of their faces. They are as white as paper. “What’s a Howler?” he asks. “Open it,” Neville insists. “It will all be over in a few moments.”
Ron takes the letter from Errol’s beak. He opens it with a butter knife he finds on the table. Instantly, Harry understands why everyone is so nervous. For a moment, Harry thinks there is an explosion! A terrible roar comes from the envelope. The sound fills the Great Hall and shakes the walls. The children cover their ears.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU STOLE THE CAR! I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED IF YOU ARE EXPELLED FROM HOGWARTS! MY OWN SON, A CAR THIEF! DID YOU THINK FOR ONE MOMENT HOW YOUR ACTIONS MIGHT AFFECT YOUR FATHER AND ME?” It is Mrs. Weasley’s voice coming from the envelope.
It is louder than Harry can imagine. Mrs. Weasley’s voice is howling at Ron! People in the Great Hall turn around to see what is happening. Ron tries to hide under the table. He is very embarrassed.
“WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT! I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WAS GOING TO DIE FROM SHAME! YOU AND HARRY BOTH COULD HAVE DIED!” Harry is waiting for Mrs. Weasley to talk about him, too. He pretends to ignore the loud voice, but he feels terrible.
