The Attacks on Muggle-borns and Mrs. Norris

A series of petrifications terrorizes the school, targeting Muggle-born students and the caretaker's cat.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Mrs. Norris Petrified

The First Victim The Writing on the Wall During the Halloween feast, Harry, Ron, and Hermione discover Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat, hanging stiffly from a torch bracket. Beneath her, ominous words are written in blood: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware." The Accusation Filch immediately blames Harry, but Dumbledore determines that Mrs. Norris is petrified, not dead. The Mandrake restorative draught will be needed to revive her. This event sparks fear and suspicion throughout Hogwarts. The Investigation Harry and his friends start investigating the Chamber of Secrets, but the lack of evidence and the cryptic message leave them frustrated. The attack is the first of several, and it sets the stage for the mystery.

Colin Creevey Petrified

A Second Victim The Muggle-born Photographer Colin Creevey, a first-year Muggle-born who idolizes Harry, is found petrified in the hospital wing. He had been sneaking around to take pictures of Harry. His camera is melted, indicating he saw the monster through the lens. Rising Panic The attack on Colin confirms that Muggle-borns are targets. The school becomes tense, and Harry is further suspected, especially after the Dueling Club incident where he speaks Parseltongue. The Clue Colin's petrification provides a crucial clue: the monster's gaze can be mediated by a camera or other reflective surfaces, resulting in petrification rather than death. This becomes key to understanding the basilisk's method.

Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick Attacked

A Double Attack The Hufflepuff and the Ghost Justin Finch-Fletchley, a Muggle-born Hufflepuff, is found petrified next to the ghost Nearly Headless Nick, who is also frozen and blackened. The attack happens near the library, and Harry is discovered nearby, leading to increased suspicion. The Evidence Ernie Macmillan accuses Harry of being the Heir of Slytherin. The teachers are alarmed, and Dumbledore later questions Harry but does not believe him guilty. The attack on a ghost raises questions about the monster's power. The Turning Point This double attack prompts the school to implement strict curfews and escort rules. It also drives Harry to seek answers from Hagrid, leading to the clue about the spiders.

Hermione Granger and Penelope Clearwater Petrified

The Prefect and the Muggle-born The Attack near the Library Hermione Granger and Ravenclaw prefect Penelope Clearwater are found petrified near the library. Hermione is clutching a mirror and a page from a book about basilisks. This is the worst attack yet, as it targets a brilliant student and a prefect. The Clue Left Behind The page in Hermione's hand reveals the truth about the basilisk. Her quick thinking to use a mirror saved her life but not her mobility. The attack forces the school to consider closure. The Urgency With Hermione petrified, Harry and Ron lose their primary researcher. They must act quickly to solve the mystery before another attack—or a death—occurs. This attack is the catalyst for their final push into the Chamber.

Halloween night

after the Quidditch match, October

after the Dueling Club, December

before the Quidditch match, late May