Dobby's Reward

Dobby's Reward is the eighteenth and last chapter of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Summary
Harry, Lily, Ginny, Ron, and Lockhart arrive to Dumbledore's office to see that the Weasley family, along with James and Dumbledore are there. Harry retells the story of how he and Ron found out about the Chamber's location and the creature in it. After dismissing the Weasleys, McGonagall, and Lockhart, Dumbledore tells Harry that Voldemort, the Heir of Slytherin, passed part of his power to Harry when he gave him the scar, which is why Harry could speak Parseltongue. He also assures Harry he belongs in Gryffindor because Harry chose it, and that the sword Harry pulled from the hat could only be taken by a true Gryffindor. Lucius Malfoy arrives, with his house-elf Dobby, to confront Dumbledore, and Dumbledore concludes he gave Ginny the diary that start the whole mess. Harry volunteers to return the diary to Lucius but not before slipping a sock in it.

After Harry leaves, Dumbledore speaks with Harry's parents. They discuss the prophecy and whether to tell Harry about it. Ultimately, they decide to wait til he is seventeen before telling him. As they leave, they hear Dobby's cheer and see Lucius thrown back by Dobby, now free of servitude thanks to a trick Harry had pulled. Lily realizes she needs James support and she can't continuously watch and worry for Harry without James, so she came to the decision of leaving her job. At the feast, the victims of the basilisk are all recovered and Hagrid returns to Hogwarts.

Trivia

 * As traditional with the job of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lily leaves the position, unable to handle constant worry for her son without her husband for support (and he without her).