<P> The film adaptation of the novel, released in 2002, became (at that time) the seventh highest - grossing film ever and received generally favourable reviews . Video games loosely based on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets were also released for several platforms, and most obtained favourable reviews . </P> <P> On Harry Potter's twelfth birthday, the Dursley family--Harry's uncle Vernon, aunt Petunia, and cousin Dudley--hold a dinner party for a potential client of Vernon's drill - manufacturing company . Harry is not invited, but is content to spend the evening quietly in his bedroom, although he is confused why his school friends have not sent cards or presents . However, when he goes to his room, a house - elf named Dobby warns him not to return to Hogwarts and admits to intercepting Harry's post from his friends . Having failed to persuade Harry to voluntarily give up his place at Hogwarts, Dobby then attempts to get him expelled by using magic to smash Petunia's dessert on a dinner party guest and framing it on Harry, who is not allowed to use magic out of school . Uncle Vernon's business deal falls through, but Harry is given a second chance from the Ministry of Magic, and allowed to return at the start of the school year . </P> <P> In the meantime, Uncle Vernon punishes Harry, fitting locks to his bedroom door and bars to the windows . However, Ron Weasley arrives with his twin brothers Fred and George, in their father Arthur's enchanted Ford Anglia . They rescue Harry, who stays at their family home, the Burrow, for the remainder of his holidays . Harry and the other Weasleys--mother Molly, third eldest son Percy, and daughter Ginny (who has a crush on Harry)--travel to Diagon Alley . They are then reunited with Hermione Granger and introduced to Lucius Malfoy, father of Harry's school nemesis Draco, and Gilderoy Lockhart, a conceited autobiographer who has been appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts professor after the death of Professor Quirrell . When Harry and Ron approach Platform 9 3 / 4 in King's Cross station it refuses to allow them to pass . They decide to fly Arthur's car to Hogwarts, where they crash into a sentient willow tree on the grounds . </P> <P> In trouble for the crash, Ron is punished by having to clean the school trophies and Harry by helping the celebrity teacher Professor Lockhart, whose classes are chaotic, with addressing his fan mail . Harry learns of some wizards' prejudice about blood status in terms of "pure" blood (only wizarding heritage) and those with Muggle parentage . He is alone in hearing an unnerving voice seemingly coming from the walls of the school itself . During a deathday party for Gryffindor House's ghost Nearly Headless Nick, he, Ron, and Hermione run into the school caretaker Argus Filch's petrified cat, Mrs. Norris, along with a warning scrawled across one of the walls: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened . Enemies of the heir, beware ." </P>

Harry potter and the chamber of secrets full book summary