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[CLOSED]The Harry Potter Book Club! - Your Notes for Chapters 14, 15 & 16 Of The Chamber of Secrets! (Patreon)

Published:
2022-09-29 13:43:40
Edited:
2022-10-28 18:53:59
Imported:
2026-08
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Content

THIS PART OF THE BOOK CLUB IS NOW COMPLETE! See you next time! :)

Here is a chance to get your comment read out in the next Book review video!

If you are reading along with the reviews, we are covering chapters "Cornelius Fudge", "Aragog" And "The Chamber of Secrets"! So if you have any thoughts, opinions, comparisons or questions regarding these, please leave a comment below!

I do have to ask, try to keep them fairly short, like 4 or 5 sentences.  That way I can cover more when making the video.  Also try to keep them on subject and not referencing anything that we are yet to cover. Ideally, keep it to 1 comment each if you can (if you have more to say after commenting, you can edit it and add to it! :) ).  These are just rough guidelines rather than rules, I want to be able to fit in as many of you as possible! :)

OH! And if you would like to leave a comment but would rather I didn't read it out in the video, please feel free. Be sure to say you would rather it not be used in your comment.

Thanks, guys!! :)

Harry Potter

Files

Comments

Nix001

Great, really loving your reviews although I am a little worried timewise knowing just how many chapters you will have to get through in seven books! From now on you will learn more about Fudge and the Ministry of Magic which is interesting to get a better view of the wizarding world. Much of that got left out in the movies which is pertinent to the overall story.

Natalie Nolet

Aragog.... *shudder* I'm sorry but I'm either noping the hell outta there or summoning a flame-thrower to send those eight legged nightmares back to the firey hellscape they escaped from!

RhiLou32

"This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken’s egg, hatched beneath a toad." People really should have made a bigger deal of Neville's toad going missing so much...

Josh Z

Something that always struck me is that Harry describes Ginny’s apparent death as the worst day of his life; a boy who lost his parents has been abused and neglected by relatives for years and has come face to face with Voldemort once already feels like that about his best friend's little sister. I find this interesting to highlight because I know that many fans say that the relationships are underdeveloped, but I think subtle hints prove the exact opposite which you will see as the books progress. Ron seeing Hermione's empty chair and having courage to follow the spiders is another great example of subtle early feelings and a pivotal character moment for Ron that the movies butchered.

Marc Post Jr

That was quick 😄 Good job

itsanursething

Oh my god! I never thought about that! That's such a good point.

RhiLou32

Army of tiny basilisks, roaming round the pipes!

Kattie Martin

The golden trio being very firm in their belief that Hagrid would never hurt anyone but also believing that Hagrid would take pity on a monster is pure gold. Better than in the movies where they just think Hagrid did it and, "Mad and hairy, you wouldn't happen to be talking about me?" I kind of like that part being added in the movie. Also, with plants being sentient, I think being vegan would be a little difficult in The wizarding World. There is an unofficial Harry Potter vegan cookbook though, it's on Amazon.

Kamilla Mari

I love how in the book, Harry and Ron are more reluctant to follow the spiders than they are in the movie. It's a final look at Hermione's empty seat that eventually makes them desperate enough. Even though Harry and Ron have their own strengths, it's mostly courage over skill. The fact is that the both of them, and Fang as well, would have been murdered there in the forest, had it not been for the car. Being saved by luck is a recurring theme in this series. I would have called it plot-armor, but not quite, because the seeds for what saves them is always planted earlier on. I wonder if Rupert Grint was told to be very over-the-top in the spider scene, adding some comedy to it, so that it wouldn't be too scary for a kids movie. Because it definitely is terrifying! One final thing: I love how Ginny is more included and her story hinted at, throughout the book. Even right before she was taken, she tried to talk to Harry! It makes the reveal better, like something instantly clicks in the readers mind. The movie would have no trouble with including Ginny in more scenes, so I don't know why they decided not to.

itsanursething

With no one to control them. That's not terrifying at all...

itsanursething

Oh my goodness! There's so many things I would love to talk about (the mandrake party, Fudge's outfit, being carried by the spiders), but I'll try to reign my thoughts in a bit. The first thing that stands out the most is that Harry seems a lot more afraid in the book than he does in the movie, which I appreciate. Yes, Harry is a very brave person, but he's also only 12 years old! He's allowed to be terrified! It also only just occurred to me, if Harry and Ron hadn't stolen the car at the beginning of the book, they would not have survived the forest and the acromantulas. The car LITERALLY saved their lives. I know it was a big issue with a lot of people about how bad it was of them to steal the car, but if they hadn't, this book (and series!) would have been a lot shorter.

Jacqueline Chaiton

I think the fact that Ron went into the forest to talk to Aragog really highlights why he is in Gryffindor, it's so brave for a 13 year old to willingly face his greatest fear like that. Also if I were Hagrid I'd be furious at Aragog for setting his kids on Harry and Ron, not only because a) he wouldn't have been freed but more importantly b) he specifically sent them in there because he trusted that Aragog wouldn't harm them. I feel so bad for Ginny in this story because I know how much keeping a diary helped me as a kid and then to have it turn on her and almost kill her, I imagine that's something she struggled with for the rest of her life.

Rebecca May

Reading the book this time around, it really struck me how foolish Hermione's behavior was before the Quidditch match. She has clearly guessed what Slytherin's Monster is when Harry hears the voice, and just needs to confirm it... Yet she goes running off alone, despite knowing the Monster is nearby. She was very, VERY lucky she didn't encounter the basilisk until after she'd left the library and acquired a mirror. I also really appreciate the way that Snape reacts to the news that a student has been taken into the Chamber, how he grips tightly onto the back of a chair as though to steady himself. To me it really shows that despite how spiteful he can be sometimes, underneath it all he is so much better than the rest of the Slytherins - particularly the Malfoys - who have all been delighted with recent events. It's a small detail, but it shows that Snape does actually care what happens to his students, no matter their blood status. (Also, Lockhart's got to be really tired of being knocked over by that "Expelliarmus" spell by now. LOL.)

S1lm4r1l

Such a shame we didn't get to see a triumphant Hufflepuff victory at Quidditch! Given Ginny has more lucid moments and the way "Mind control" works in-universe what do you think of the possibility that Ginny 'fights' Riddle or otherwise unconsciously prevents the Basilisk killing? Dumbledore's awareness of Harry and Ron's presence is less impressive in the books. The two cups of boiling water are just sitting there. Spiders can't shut their eyes and have 360 degree vision. (I think) It makes sense they'd be terrified of a creature that kills by looking you in the eye.

itsanursething

I didn't know that about spiders, but then again, I'd probably be puking like Ron after an encounter like that. Spiders are terrifying!

Daniel Lee

Can’t wait to hear your absolutely fair and impartial comments about Ernie after his courageous apology! I’ve always found the whole Percy being suspicious thing interesting because it seems so implausible that he's the Heir of Slytherin yet Rowling adds so many clues. Even really vague ones like Percy acting weird at the Burrow and being the potential diary thief since he saw the diary when Draco took it. I wonder how many people actually thought it was Percy when they first read the books. I kinda want to believe she just made a bunch of characters suspicious (Lockhart, Hagrid, Percy, Dobby, etc.) to throw off everyone who was expecting another Quirrell-type twist. Also love how you can see Rowling starting to plant more seeds for the future like mentioning the “Azkaban guards", Hermione signing up for every class, and hinting at Fudge's true character.

Garry (Not Jerry)

Are mandrakes sentient? 😳They are apparently throwing parties and moving into each other’s pots. Is Professor Sprout really just gonna chop them up and feed them to the petrified people? Also, what do you think of Dumbledore’s cryptic message? “You will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it”

Sara

Harry getting advice on electives from Percy is pretty cool. The advice Percy gives is actually really sensible and I like that he doesn't push his own opinion but just gives examples of what could be helpful for different careers and types of people. Also, apparently, Percy recommends divination? I felt so bad for Ron and Fang in the Aragog-chapter. Especially Fang who was so excited to go for a walk with the boys. I'm not that squeamish around spiders but I've been reading the illustrated version of the book and the Aragog chapter has so many spider illustrations (including a full two-page spread of nothing but spiders) that it's making even me uncomfortable.

Garry (Not Jerry)

Let’s talk about the mandrake party. Did they get a Keg? Did they hire a band? I reckon Prof Sprout definitely had to bang on the glass windows several times to get them to keep the noise down!

itsanursething

Haha! I love it! And how dangerous would the noise level have been? I mean, at a certain point the mandrake’s cry is fatal.

Jacqueline Chaiton

I have to imagine that most magical plants aren't edible so maybe not as difficult as you think :)

S1lm4r1l

> "Percy recommends divination." Even Percy knows a student needs a doss class where you can just fuck around.

S1lm4r1l

Mandrakes are super dark when you stop and think about it. Maybe its only the leaves she needs?

S1lm4r1l

Yep, they lack eyelids and have evolved to see in all directions.

Garry (Not Jerry)

Yes but I guess they don’t cry as much as they grow up. Only at weddings or sad movies.

H

In the Fudge chapter, I love how the seeds are planted for future conflicts about a politician who cares more about how things are perceived than about what is the right thing to do. While the first book mainly was about the magic in this world, in this second book we start getting further into all the problems like the racism, lying politicians, etc. I like how McGonagall gets emotional after what Harry said about visiting Hermione at the hospital wing. I'm sure we'd all like to hear your view on what you think Ginny spotted Percy doing. 8-)

Annamarie schwirian

Okay so I know it wasn't super important to the story line but I really wished we could have seen a mandrake party. It would have been a great extra scene . I also kinda like the idea that mandrakes are actually decended from the Alien planet that Groot comes from they are just a different species.

Hawwah

Animals are sentient but most people aren't bothered by that 😳

Hawwah

Now I wonder if Percy himself took divination.

Sara

Percy has 12 O.W.L.s. Since you can only study twelve subjects before your fifth year at Hogwarts (Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, DADA, History, Divination, Arithmancy, Runes, Care of Magical Creatures, and Muggle Studies), he must've studied all of them, including divination. So, yes, he most likely studied divination. Or at the very least attended the O.W.L. for it. He was probably decent at it since he got at least an A in the exams.

Garry (Not Jerry)

True. As a vegetarian I totally agree with this sentiment. Although by “sentient” I really mean - self-aware. Able to rationalise their own existence and employ morality. Some animals you could argue can indeed do this. But really if you have the capacity to throw parties you really shouldn’t be chopped up for medicine.

Daisy

It’s interesting that in the first two books, two of the characters who endanger / betray Harry are Quirrell and Lockhart, both Ravenclaws rather than Slytherins (I think their houses were revealed on Pottermore). Other than Flitwick, we don’t have many examples of trustworthy Ravenclaws at this point in the story. I think the house system is questioned a lot more in later books – just because people have certain defining traits, doesn’t mean their wants, motivations and life experiences are the same. Thanks for all the great videos!

Raider Max

(From Aaron) "That's 2 Gryffindor, not including the ghost, 1 Ravenclaw, and 1 Hufflepuff." I think that is interesting because the movie didn't say it and none came from Slytherin.

Kristina

I find it a bit hard to understand why the moment Harry and Ron hear McGonnagall tell what happened to Ginny, they don't burst out of the cupboard and tell the teachers everything they have just discovered about the monster and the chamber. Yes, they are propably in shock, but for once I actually find the movie version more plausible here, where they head off after Lockhart immediately, instead of sitting helplessly in the common room for a few hours and not telling anyone about the precious information they have about where Ginny could be right now. Also, I’ve always wondered what the other teachers were doing in the meantime. They all knew that Lockhart was of no use. They were already incredibly lucky that until this point students had „only“ got petrified for a few days/months (!), but apart from being like „maybe we’ll consider closing the school when the monster seems to have finally actually killed someone“ we don’t hear about a lot of effort from the teachers' side. They didn’t even bother examining the petrified people properly for any hints about the attacker, because then they would have found the note in Hermione’s hand and made the connection to what it meant... I’m so happy that you will soon be reading Prisoner of Azkaban which is SUCH a great book (and movie, as you know)!

Methanoutput

The Feelings from Harry and Ron are portrayed way better in the book in my opinion. When Ron hears about Ginny and he just drops to the floor, that hit me right in the heart, the first time i read that part. Also the fear from Harry, shaking with his entire body and not being sure if he comes back, when he leaves Ron behind and goes on to the actual chamber is also missing in the movie. But it might have been too scary for children, if they see, that Harry is also very scared :D Are you doing 2 chapters and final thoughts in the next review or are we starting prisoner in the next book club already ? Hope you are doing good Veggie, as always, cant wait to hear your thoughts. :)

Hawwah

I'm a vegetarian as well! Maybe I misunderstood the word "sentient". I thought it meant the ability to feel (I'm not a native English speaker).

Hawwah

Yes, you're correct, I totally forgot about his 12 OWLs. He must have taken Divination then.

Hawwah

As Professor Snape's fan, I love the scene where all the other teachers back him up against Gilderoy Lockhart. That's such a badass moment for Snape! I also love the little detail of Professor Snape gripping the back of the chair "very hard" when he hears about Ginny. Given how composed and reserved he normally is, letting his emotions show this way means he must have been really upset. It's another little hint to his real character behind his mean persona. Just like when his first instinct was to take care of the affected students when Harry made Goyle's cauldron explode (I really liked how you pointed it out in your last video!). Professor Snape's priority number one is the safety of his students. So I think he probably saw Ginny's (presumed) death as his personal failure.

Dara Jeeling

as a huge fan of the teachers (Snape will always be my number one - but I alos love book McGonagall) I wonder what you think about the other teachers reaction to Gilderoy,,, I mean you can literally taste the dislike - much more then in the film. You get all the unsual reactions to him before. also... so far what do you think of the teachers? Did you get new impressions of any teacher? Or any thoughts? So excited!

Jake M

I always wondered why Harry didn't say to Aragog "If you don't let us go, Hagrid will stay in prison" or something, as he told him about Hagrid being in trouble at the beginning and Aragog clearly still cares about him. I understand Harry being scared in the moment, but it just seems like he didn't try very hard to save himself, Fang or his best friend from the scary, man-eating spiders, when talking himself out of situations is usually his forte. Maybe if Aragog had threatened to take away house points, he'd have spoken up more... Also, I wonder how Lockhart expected his reputation to survive once the wizarding world learned he had abandoned the school in a moment of peril? Not like he could obliviate the entirety of Hogwarts into forgetting he legged it.

Katik

I absolutely love the courage Ron is showing by going into the forest even though he is scared senseless. He is the embodiment of the "courage is not the absence of fear... etc" idea and a true Gryffindor here! On the other hand, it frustrates me every single time reading these chapters that Harry and Ron didn't go to McGonagall with what they found out about Basilisk and Myrtle, as they were initially planning to. I can see how hearing about Ginny must have shocked them, but it should have been more of a reason to tell McGonagall. Even later in the evening Ron's idea to go to Lockhart was plainly stupid - they knew full well he was useless and they even heard the teachers' remarks after Lockhart left the Staff Room that they sent him to look for the Chamber only to get him out of the way. How on earth did they think it was a better idea to go to him instead of any other teacher. I guess it shows the 12year old boys' thinking, but still... Anyway this is my first time contributing to Book Club, loving your videos, keep up the great work! Greetings from Ireland!

Jake M

I wonder if they were genuinely naive enough to think he was going to help, and that's why they went to tell him as soon as they could? Not saying it's a sensible decision but to be fair it was panic stations, Ginny was in trouble.

Jake M

Ron not bursting out I understand, as he was in shock, but Harry definitely should have. Maybe he was worried about losing house points for trespassing? 🤷‍♂️ I think the other teachers were putting in safety measures for the students and arranging their transport home ASAP (which Lockhart was also doing 😂)

Kristina

Yes but Harry has not cared much about house points and following rules in less serious situations... I don’t know. Maybe Dumbledore sent a message to all the teachers saying „just relax, I’ve got it all planned and supervised, Harry will go to the chamber and find my phoenix and hat there for help, he should do this one on his own to be trained for later challenges in his life.“ But it just bothers me how the Gryffindors sit there for ages doing nothing, without any teacher stopping by explaining anything or asking about any witnesses, without Arthur and Molly being told and arriving immediately desparate to search for Ginny, without any book-7-battle-like mobilisation of all the combined powers of Hogwarts to find and destroy that monster at last because that’s what would make sense...!

Thunderbird

Unlike in the movie we actually get a good explanation of how the system with the school subjects at Hogwarts works. I think this can be confusing for people who haven’t read the books, especially when watching the third movie. So obviously we have the mandatory subjects Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic and Astronomy. Also flying but that can be dropped in the second year. As for the optional subjects starting in the third year, there are Divination, Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy (something to do with the magical properties of numbers). Which ones would you pick ? :) We get to know what Lucius Malfoy was doing at Hogwarts as well. He is one of the twelve governors – a member of the school board! Also what do you make of Percy’s reaction to the third attack and when Ginny wanted to say something about the chamber to Ron and Harry?

itsanursething

You bring up a great point. Myrtle! She's been at Hogwarts since she died, why didn't the staff go talk to her immediately after the incident to find out more about what happened? They just took Riddle's word for it, who, for all they knew just lucked into "finding out" it was Hagrid. Suspicious much?

Hawwah

"Maybe if Aragog had threatened to take away house points (...)" Hahaha that made my day :D

Katik

You're so right! Especially Dumbledore, who is probably the only teacher who was at Hogwarts then, didn't trust Riddle even at that time and knows who he has become since. Surely going to Myrtle was the first thing he should have done when the attacks started happening again. He is supposed to be super smart!

Lisette C.

I find Fudge's reaction to Dumbledore's suspension very interesting. He has an almost devotional confidence in Dumbledore's abilities - certain that removing Dumbledore would be the worst decision possible. At the same time we get the first glimpse of his incompetence - arresting Hagrid without proof. And Ron had another proud moment as he was the one to realize where the entrance to the chamber was! I just adore how much love you are giving the Weasly family. Especially the older Weasley brothers. They have truly been neglected in the movies ❤

Diego Zenhäusern

Wow, I never knew that😮! It makes so much sense now, that they'd be terrified of basilisks😯😯

Diego Zenhäusern

Yeah, agreed this part of the book doesn't really make much sense. And that's actually the main reason why book 2 has become my least favorit...it just all feels a bit contrived🤔

Diego Zenhäusern

Yeah, the plot holes/ character inconcistencies in this last part ofthe book are really the main reason why it is my least favorite...it just all seems pretty contrived🤔😕

Diego Zenhäusern

Yeah, I think they really undersold Fudge's reaction to Dumbledore's suspension. In the book he's really starting to panic a little🤔😅

Diego Zenhäusern

I really like how the book shows how nearly everyone in the school is really nervous after Dumbledore has left. It really shows what an impact his absence has and it is something you don't really get to feel in the movie🤔. I also like the little detail that Ron just chucks Lockhart's wand out of the window. It kinda feels like a personal insult to Lockhart that he'd rather throw it away than keep it and use it himself...and I'm all here for that😅

Diego Zenhäusern

But wait if there are only 12 classes altogether...wouldn't that mean that Percy would have needed a time turner too in order to attend all his classes?🤔😅

Annette Elliott

These 3 chapters are adapted fairly well in the movies despite some changes. They miss out on Ernie McMillan apologizing to Harry after Hermione is petrified. Slipping away from Lockhart because he's too lazy to do his job and escort students from class to class. Harry and Ron each figuring out a piece of the puzzle to find the chamber. Just small things really but they give the books and the characters more depth.

Kattie Martin

I bought my son the illustrated books and it's been a fun experience rereading the series with them.

Q

Ron: "Aren't there supposed to be werewolves in the forest?" My boy, unless you're going in at a full moon, why would that be an issue? One of the first hints at what the wizarding world thinks of werewolves that they'd believe that a) people who turn into vicious animals Once a Month would live full-time in the woods, and b) that they'd choose a forest right next to a school full of vulnerable children. (Granted there may be one or two werewolves who would do that, but come on.) Harry and Ron definitely should have told McGonagall about the chamber like they'd originally planned, but to be fair, they tried telling McGonagall what was happening last year and it didn't go so well. I don't blame McGonagall, but Harry has a strong distrust of authority, especially if he's broken any kind of rule. He expects to be punished and ignored. Given how he grew up, I think we can understand why. As always, loving these reactions! It's hard to find book reactions that really take you through someone's whole experience, and that's the stuff I love to see!

Maria

I just wanted to say Rest In Peace to Robbie Coltrane, a magnificent actor and our beloved Hagrid❤️

Dara Jeeling

I always wondered about that one as well. As fai as I know another of the older Weasley brothers also took all 12 OWLs. Maybe one student each year can have a time turner - who knows. If the teachers think the kid gifted enough.... If not, huge mistake on JKR part...

Fiur

I really like McGonagall in these last chapters because you can see that despite her strictness she has also a good heart and feels sorry for Harrys and Rons Loss, allowing them to visit Hermione in the Hospital Wing. What i really admire in all the Potter-Books is how smoothly the puzzle pieces fall into place in the end. All the questions and all the hints finally get resolved satisfyingly. As always...thanks for your thoughts and keep up the great work. Greetings from Germany.

Josh Z

Oh yeah definitely, obviously JKR was never going to focus on PTSD because it is just too dark to include that kind of excessive struggle in a series aimed at the younger audience but I imagine that Ginny, Harry and Hermione specifically all struggle with PTSD for the rest of their lives given key trauma they endure especially by the time DH rolls around. Then you add in the fact that war is eventually an everyday part of their lives and I imagine that each of the ultimately main six kids have it to some degree in the 19 years between the end of the second war and the epilogue. Ginny and Harry, at least to me, have it the worst if you consider the entire series. I mean, Harry has so much he's forced to deal with, and then Ginny. That poor girl, at least half of her time at Hogwarts, is filled with some physical and or mental/emotional trauma or distress.

Katie

The chapter doesn't say it wasn't a full moon 🤔