Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Character Analysis

Harry Potter

The protagonist of the series. This second book in the series follows Harry as he tries to solve the mystery of what is causing the attacks on Muggle-born students at Hogwarts. Harry also spends much… read analysis of Harry Potter

Hermione Granger

One of Harry’s best friends, along with Ron Weasley. Hermione is Muggle-born (she has non-magic parents) and is known for her intelligence and magical abilities: she is the top of the class at Hogwarts… read analysis of Hermione Granger

Ron Weasley

One of Harry’s best friends, along with Hermione Granger. Ron is a second-year student in Gryffindor and he has red hair and freckles. Ron is the youngest son in the Weasley family, and he… read analysis of Ron Weasley

Tom Riddle/Voldemort

Tom Riddle was a student at Hogwarts fifty years prior to Harry; his fifth-year memories are preserved in a diary that eventually makes its way into Harry’s hands. Riddle bears some mysteriously resemblances to… read analysis of Tom Riddle/Voldemort

Professor Dumbledore

The Headmaster at Hogwarts. Dumbledore serves as a parental figure and a mentor for Harry; in the beginning of the book he reproaches Harry and Ron for the foolish action of flying the car… read analysis of Professor Dumbledore

Gilderoy Lockhart

The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. Lockhart is known for many great deeds, which he writes about at length in his many memoirs. However, over the course of the book he… read analysis of Gilderoy Lockhart

Rubeus Hagrid

The groundskeeper at Hogwarts, who also serves as a mentor and friend to Harry. Hagrid has a weakness for taking care of large and sometimes dangerous creatures. It is revealed later in the book… read analysis of Rubeus Hagrid

Draco Malfoy

A second-year student in Slytherin and Harry’s rival at Hogwarts. Draco can usually be seen flanked by his two friends Crabbe and Goyle. Draco and his father Lucius become in many ways the antithesis… read analysis of Draco Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy

The father of Draco Malfoy. It is revealed that Lucius was a big supporter of Voldemort, but after Voldemort’s fall, he claimed that he was bewitched while Voldemort was in power. Lucius is… read analysis of Lucius Malfoy

Dobby

A house-elf who works for the Malfoys. Dobby is abused by Lucius and Draco and has heard of Harry’s greatness, and so when he realizes that Lucius is plotting against Harry, Dobby goes to warn… read analysis of Dobby

Ginny Weasley

Ron’s younger sister, who is in her first year at Hogwarts. Ginny idolizes Harry and gets nervous around him at the start of the book. When the Weasleys are buying books in Flourish and Blotts… read analysis of Ginny Weasley

Cornelius Fudge

The Minister of Magic, and Mr. Weasley’s boss. After the attacks on Muggle-borns continues at Hogwarts, Fudge is pressured by the school governors (primarily Lucius Malfoy) to “do something,” as he puts it. But… read analysis of Cornelius Fudge

Aragog

An elephant-sized spider who lives in the Forbidden Forest. Fifty years prior to Harry’s time at Hogwarts, Hagrid took raised Aragog, and Tom Riddle framed Hagrid for opening the Chamber of Secrets by making the… read analysis of Aragog

Professor Binns

The History of Magic teacher at Hogwarts. Professor Binns is a ghost, and usually his classes are very dry and boring lectures. However, after the attack on Mrs. Norris, Hermione asks Professor Binns for information… read analysis of Professor Binns

Professor McGonagall

The Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts and the Head of Gryffindor House. Professor McGonagall is a strict rule-enforcer and doles out detention to Harry and Ron when they arrive via flying car. However, she also cares… read analysis of Professor McGonagall

Professor Snape

The Potions teacher at Hogwarts and Head of Slytherin House. Snape detests Harry, believing that Harry is very arrogant (an attitude that is only reinforced by Harry and Ron’s arrival via flying car). This… read analysis of Professor Snape

Justin Finch-Fletchley

A second-year Hufflepuff student at Hogwarts. Justin is Muggle-born, and so when rumors begin to spread that Harry is the heir of Slytherin, he starts to avoid Harry. This fear is only made worse when… read analysis of Justin Finch-Fletchley

Moaning Myrtle

A ghost who haunts one of the girls’ restrooms on the second floor, where Harry, Ron, and Hermione often meet to discuss and carry out their plans because it is usually empty. Most… read analysis of Moaning Myrtle

Nearly Headless Nick

One of the ghosts at Hogwarts, who earns this nickname because someone tried to behead him and didn’t cut his head off all the way. This is particularly upsetting to Nick because it prevents him… read analysis of Nearly Headless Nick

Mr. Weasley

The father of Ron, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasley boys (including Percy, Fred, and George). Mr. Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department… read analysis of Mr. Weasley

Mrs. Weasley

The mother of Ron, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasley boys (including Percy, Fred, and George). Mrs. Weasley reprimands Fred, George, and Ron for stealing and flying the car to rescue… read analysis of Mrs. Weasley

Argus Filch

The caretaker at Hogwarts, who takes a lot of pleasure in catching students making any trouble. He also has a cat, Mrs. Norris, who helps patrol the halls, and who becomes the first victim of… read analysis of Argus Filch

Fred Weasley

One of Ron and Ginny’s older brothers. Fred is the twin of George Weasley, and they are two years older than Harry and Ron. They have a reputation for being tricksters in school and… read analysis of Fred Weasley

George Weasley

One of Ron and Ginny’s older brothers. George is the twin of Fred Weasley, and they are two years older than Harry and Ron. They have a reputation for being tricksters in school and… read analysis of George Weasley

Vernon Dursley

Harry’s uncle, Petunia’s husband, and Dudley’s father. Vernon and Petunia treat Harry horribly but are also afraid of Harry because they worry that he will use magic on them. When Vernon realizes that Harry is… read analysis of Vernon Dursley

Minor Characters

Petunia Dursley

Harry’s aunt, Vernon’s husband, and Dudley’s mother. Petunia and Vernon treat Harry horribly but are also afraid of Harry because they worry that he will use magic on them.

Dudley Dursley

Harry’s cousin and Vernon and Petunia’s son. Dudley is slightly older than Harry and is completely spoiled by his parents. Like his parents, he is terrified that Harry will use magic to hurt him.

Professor Sprout

The Herbology teacher at Hogwarts and the Head of Hufflepuff House. Professor Sprout helps to cure the petrified students using the Mandrakes that she is growing, which have restorative powers.

Crabbe

One of Draco Malfoy’s best friends and henchmen, along with Goyle. Ron transforms into Crabbe using Polyjuice Potion in order to interrogate Draco about the Heir of Slytherin.

Goyle

One of Draco Malfoy’s best friends and henchmen, along with Crabbe. Harry transforms into Goyle using Polyjuice Potion in order to interrogate Draco about the Heir of Slytherin.

Neville Longbottom

A classmate of Harry’s and another first-year student in Gryffindor. Neville is often portrayed as nervous and somewhat inept, like when the Cornish pixies haul him into the air by the ears during Lockhart’s class.

Colin Creevey

A Muggle-born first-year student in Gryffindor who treats Harry like a celebrity and constantly takes pictures of him. Colin is the first student petrified by the basilisk, though he is revived at the end of the book.

Ernie MacMillan

A second-year Hufflepuff student who is friends with Justin Finch-Fletchley. After seeing Harry talk to the snake during the dueling club, he spreads the rumor that Harry is the Heir of Slytherin and accuses Harry of hating Muggle-born students.

Oliver Wood

A sixth-year Gryffindor student and the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Percy Weasley

Ron’s older brother who is a sixth-year student at Hogwarts. Percy is also a prefect in Gryffindor.

Peeves

A poltergeist who likes to make trouble in the hallways at Hogwarts.

Seamus Finnigan

A classmate of Harry’s, who is also a first-year in Gryffindor.

Dean Thomas

A classmate of Harry’s, who is also a first-year in Gryffindor.