Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

Harry and Ron have an even harder time trying to sneak into Myrtle’s bathroom, which is right next to the scene of the first attack. A few days before exams start, Professor McGonagall announces at breakfast that the Mandrakes are almost ready. Once the students are revived, they can then ask those who were attacked what happened. Just as breakfast is finishing, Ginny comes over to Ron and Harry, looking tense and nervous. She tries to tell them something, but Percy comes over and startles Ginny, sending her scampering away.

Later that morning, Lockhart is escorting the Gryffindors to History of Magic, but he is complaining that teachers still have to do this when Hagrid was clearly the person responsible for the attacks. Harry and Ron then convince him to leave them so they can walk the rest of the way alone. They let the rest of the Gryffindors go ahead and then sneak off to Myrtle’s bathroom.

On the way, Harry and Ron are stopped by Professor McGonagall. Harry lies and says that they were trying to sneak off to visit Hermione, and McGonagall gets quite teary-eyed and allows them to go. They then head up to the hospital wing and sit by Hermione’s side. Harry then notices that Hermione has a piece of paper crumpled in her hand.

Harry reads the paper, which is from a very old library book. It bears information about the Basilisk, which is the King of Serpents. The snake lives for hundreds of years, has venomous fangs, and anyone who looks in its eyes suffers instant death. Harry realizes that Hermione had found the answer: Harry can hear the monster’s voice because it is a snake. He also realizes that no one has been killed yet because no one has looked at it directly: they have all seen it through something else—a camera lens in Colin’s case, a reflection in Mrs. Norris and Hermione’s cases, or through Nearly Headless Nick in Justin’s case.

Ron wonders how the basilisk has been getting around the school, and Harry points to a word that Hermione had scribbled on the page: “pipes.” Ron then realizes that the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets could be in Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom. They decide to go to the staffroom to tell Professor McGonagall what they’ve discovered.

Just then, Professor McGonagall’s voice echoes throughout the corridors: all students are to return to their dormitories at once, and teachers are to go to the staffroom. Harry and Ron decide to hide in the closet of the staffroom in order to eavesdrop. The teachers assemble, and McGonagall tells them that Ginny has been taken into the Chamber of Secrets.

McGonagall goes on to say that all the students will be sent home the following day. Then, Lockhart enters, late to the meeting. The teachers explain what happened and suggest that he go to the Chamber of Secrets (since he has previously said he knows where the entrance is) to rescue Ginny. Lockhart nervously agrees. He leaves, and then the rest of the teachers exit to tell the students what has happened.

Harry and Ron decide to go to Lockhart’s office and tell him what they know. But when they get there, Lockhart has been packing and planning to run away, terrified of facing the monster. Harry and Ron are in disbelief, especially after all of the things Lockhart described doing in his books. “Books can be misleading,” he says. Lockhart explains that he didn’t do any of the things he wrote about doing; he simply asked other people about the details of what they had done, and then wiped their memories in order to take credit.

Lockhart then says that he will have to wipe Harry and Ron’s memories as well; he can’t let them reveal his secrets. But Harry immediately disarms Lockhart and forces him to come with them to the Chamber of Secrets. They then go to Myrtle’s bathroom and ask her how she died. She says that she was crying in the bathroom when someone came in speaking a different language. She opened the door to the stall, saw a pair of big yellow eyes by the sink, and then died.

Harry and Ron examine the sink and notice that one of the taps has a tiny image of a snake on it. Ron suggests that Harry say something in Parseltongue. Harry says “Open up” in Parseltongue and the sink opens up to reveal a pipe big enough to slide into. They push Lockhart in first and then follow him. They slide for a long time until they land in a tunnel, miles below the school.

Harry, Ron, and Lockhart are walking along the tunnel when Lockhart attacks Ron and grabs his wand. But when Lockhart tries to cast a Memory Charm using the damaged wand, it backfires and explodes, causing chunks of stones to fall from the ceiling and form a barrier between Harry on one side and Ron and Lockhart on the other. Harry goes forward alone to rescue Ginny, trying to boost his own confidence. Two snakes are carved on the wall in front of him. Harry says “Open,” and the wall parts, allowing him to walk inside.