Harry stands in Dumbledore's office for the first time, marvelling at everything he sees. He finds the Sorting Hat and puts it on to ask whether he was meant to be in Slytherin, and it confirms he'd have done well there, making him upset. He slams it back just in time to see Fawkes, who bursts into flame on the spot.

[Dumbledore] arrives and reassures Harry that Fawkes was supposed to burst into flame. Hagrid bursts in to vouch for Harry, which [Dumbledore] says he does not need, but he does ask Harry whether he has anything he wants to say. Though much passes through his mind, he says nothing and departs.

As Christmas break begins, Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys are the only ones left in Gryffindor Tower, though [Percy[ says it's only so he can "support the teachers."

Christmas morning dawns, and Hermione arrives to open presents with Harry and Ron.

Everyone enjoys Christmas dinner in a beautifully decorated Great Hall, despite the impending taking of [Polyjuice Potion] and Malfoy's snide remarks.

After Christmas dinner, Hermione tells Harry and Ron the plan for using the [Polyjuice Potion], though both are nervous that something will go wrong.

Harry and Ron successfully knock out Crabbe and Goyle and run to [Moaning Myrtle's bathroom] to finish the [Polyjuice Potion]. The trio drinks it and transforms, but Hermione tells Harry and Ron to go ahead while she stays behind.

Harry and Ron somehow manage to find the Slytherin common room and get in with Malfoy, despite run-ins with Percy and Penelope Clearwater along the way.

In the Slytherin common room, Malfoy shows off an article about Arthur Weasley getting in trouble and admits he doesn't know who the [heir of Slytherin] is. When the [Polyjuice Potion] starts wearing off, though, Harry and Ron bolt the room.