Stage two of my Harry Potter journey is complete.

And it was different than stage one. Reading the first book was such a… discovery, I guess. FINALLY getting introduced to a world everyone else has been talking about for ages.

Reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was less of a novelty.

I didn’t have any moments as absurd as when I confused Hagrid and Dumbledore. But I’ll still share the thoughts I had while reading:

CHAPTER ONE: THE WORST BIRTHDAY

Looks like the Dursleys are still horrible. Not that I was expecting them to suddenly become awesome. But seriously, can’t someone punch Dudley in the face already?

CHAPTER TWO: DOBBY’S WARNING

Oh, hey, Dobby. I’ve heard you mentioned before. But I have to admit, I didn’t know anything about you other than your name.

For instance, no one warned me that you’re the most annoying creature on the planet. JUST SAY WHAT YOU’VE COME TO SAY! And for God’s sake, stop hitting yourself.

Also, is every Harry Potter book going to begin with someone withholding Harry’s mail?

CHAPTER THREE: THE BURROW

Yay! Weasleys to the rescue!

This was the chapter when I realized I adore every single member of the Weasley family.

I wouldn’t mind a garden full of gnomes. They sound much better than the caterpillars that’ve taken over my backyard.

CHAPTER FOUR: AT FLOURISH AND BLOTTS

Mr. Weasley’s fascination with Muggle life is adorable.

Floo powder sounds dangerous.

So wait, Hermione’s Muggle parents are allowed in Diagon Alley? I guess I hadn't contemplated how that would work for kids who aren’t from a wizard family.

I can already tell Gilderoy Lockhart is going to be…interesting.

CHAPTER FIVE: THE WHOMPING WILLOW

I think we all knew stealing the car wasn’t going to work out well.

CHAPTER SIX: GILDEROY LOCKHART

OMG, the Howler Mrs. Weasley sent Ron. Have I mentioned that I LOVE the Weasleys?!

Mandrakes are what nightmares are made of.

Of course Hermione would be obsessed with Lockhart.

And Lockhart is living up to all my expectations for him. When is Gilderoy Lockhart’s birthday, and what would his ideal gift be? Amazing. And the pixie incident. I love it.

CHAPTER SEVEN: MUDBLOODS AND MURMURS

Stupid Slytherin with their stupid fancy brooms.

Poor Ron. Throwing up is unpleasant enough when you’re not vomiting slugs.

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE DEATHDAY PARTY

Halloween at Hogwarts is basically everything I want from life.

And Nearly Headless Nick’s Deathday party is basically everything I want from a party. (Except, I’d probably bring my own food.)

CHAPTER NINE: THE WRITING ON THE WALL

Well, that message on the wall is ominous. And why is Harry always at the wrong place at the wrong time? Can you really blame anyone for being suspicious of him?

Poor Moaning Myrtle. I’d be dour too if I had to spend all of eternity hanging out in a bathroom.

CHAPTER TEN: THE ROGUE BLUDGER

Question: Will there ever be a Quidditch match where someone doesn’t try to kill Harry?  

No, no, no, Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry doesn’t need you to “fix” his arm. No one needs you to fix anything, ever.

I should have suspected Dobby had something to do with the situation. Sigh.

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE DUELING CLUB

I’m quite sure I wouldn’t have the guts to steal potion ingredients from Snape. Good on you, Hermione.

Dueling Club: Oh, that sounds cool! *walk in to find Gilderoy Lockhart is running it* On second thought...

I’m enjoying Harry’s am-I-actually-meant-to-be-Slytherin angst.

Am I surprised Hagrid is wandering the halls of Hogwarts swinging a dead rooster around? No. But it does make me love him even more than I already do.

CHAPTER TWELVE: THE POLYJUICE POTION

Aw, Hermione, you’re awesome even in cat-form.

All in all, that Polyjuice potion was less disastrous than I was anticipating.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE VERY SECRET DIARY

LOL. Gilderoy Lockhart’s Valentine’s Day surprise.

Harry, maybe you should heed Ron’s warning about dangerous books. I can’t say I trust a diary that you can communicate with.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: CORNELIUS FUDGE

Oh dear, Hagrid’s desire for absurd pets is causing yet another issue.

Clearly Draco Malfoy got all his awfulness from his father.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: ARAGOG

In this chapter Harry and Ron come face to face with Shelob. Er, I mean Aragog.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

Um… I’m not sure I want to know what exactly Ginny caught Percy doing.

Also, I’m noticing a trend. Any time someone tells Harry they have important info for him, something terrible will happen before said information can be delivered.

Gilderoy Lockhart’s role (or maybe I should say his lack of a role) in the final showdown was spectacular.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE HEIR OF SLYTHERIN

Riddle is behind everything: Not shocking.

Riddle is Voldemort: Didn’t see that one coming.

Fawkes certainly has good timing. (Too good?)

Ginny’s social awkwardness rivals mine.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: DOBBY’S REWARD

And yet another school year ends with Harry & Co. defeating the bad guys and scoring enough points for Gryffindor to knock Slytherin out of the running.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” I love you, Dumbledore. Can you please be my mentor?

Okay Dobby, you’re free. Now go away.

Oh. Ginny saw Percy kissing a girl. I see.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

As with the last book, I enjoyed this one, but I’m not passionately in love with it. We’ll see how the third book goes.  

I’m looking forward to finding out if Hogwarts will ever get a Defense against the Dark Arts teacher to stick around. Also, how many times in book three will Harry nearly get expelled? Or nearly killed?

I’ll report back soon.