Harry can't wait for his holidays with the dire Dursleys to end. But a small,  self-punishing house-elf warns Harry of mortal danger awaiting him at Hogwarts School. Returning to the castle nevertheless,  Harry hears a rumour about a chamber of secrets,  holding unknown horrors to wizards of Muggle parentage. Now someone is casting spells that turn people to stone,  & a terrible warning is found painted on the wall. The chief suspect
- always in the wrong place
- is Harry. But something much darker has yet to be unleashed.