Chapter 1: The Boy Who Lived

"To Harry Potter - The Boy Who Lived! "

People meeting in secret all over the country to offer a toast to Harry
Vernon and Petunia Dursley, who have a one year old son named Dudley, are proud to say that they are
the most normal people on Privet Drive. Vernon works at a drill company called Grunnings, while Petunia
does housework and looks after Dudley. The story begins on November 1, 1981, where many absurd
things happen. When Vernon is leaving for work, he sees a tabby cat reading a map, and later sees the
same cat reading a street sign. Vernon attempts to convince himself that these are merely coincidences.
Next, he sees people in cloaks talking in hushed voices, and while he is sitting in his office, a stare
of owls fly past his window.
On his break, Vernon goes to a bakery to get a bun and sees another group of extravagantly-cloaked
figures. Even though they are speaking in hushed voices, he overhears some of their conversation, which
includes a mention of "the Potters and their son Harry." Vernon finds this horrifying, because the Potters
are the family of his wife Petunia's sister. Vernon and Petunia would be embarrassed if people were to find
out that they were related to the Potters, as the Potters were very strange, in their opinion. When he
leaves his workplace at the end of the day, he bumps into a very small, cloaked man, who tells him that
someone named You-Know-Whohas been defeated, and that even Muggles like Vernon should be
celebrating. Vernon doesn't know what a Muggle is, but is offended that the man called him one.
That night, when Vernon arrives at home, he asks Petunia if she and her sister had been in touch. She
becomes angry and denies it as she does not like to talk about her sister. On the news that night, the
newsman states that owls had been seen everywhere earlier in the day, and that fireworks had been
spotted in Kent. When the Dursleys go to bed, a long bearded man in a purple cloak appears out of
nowhere outside of their home. This man is Albus Dumbledore, a wizard. He syphons all of the light from
the street lamps with hisDeluminator.
Dumbledore: "Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall."
McGonagall: "How did you know it was me?"
Dumbledore: "My dear Professor, I've never seen a cat sit so stiffly."
McGonagall: "You'd be stiff if you'd been sitting on a brick wall all day"
Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore upon meeting in Privet Drive
He meets with a witch named Minerva McGonagall, who is revealed to be the cat that Vernon Dursley had
seen earlier in the morning, and they speak about the deaths of Lily and James Potter at the hands of
someone called Voldemort, and how their son Harry had miraculously survived the attack. A few
moments later, a motorbike with a gigantic man riding it lands right in front of them. The giant, Rubeus
Hagrid, is carrying baby Harry. He hands him over to Dumbledore, who leaves him and a letter to the
Dursleys on the doorstep of 4 Privet Drive.

Chapter 2: The Vanishing Glass

"Aunt Petunia often said that Dudley looked like a baby angel - Harry often said that Dudley
looked like a pig in a wig."
Description of the Dursleys' son

Dudley counting his presents

It has almost been ten years since the Dursleys awoke to find Harry Potter lying on their doorstep. Privet
Drive and the Dursleys' house has not changed since that day. The only difference is the vast number of
pictures of Dudley Dursley throughout his life. There is no sign that Harry Potter lives there, however, in
the cupboard under the stairs, Harry sleeps. Petunia comes to his door and wakes him with a shrill voice.
Harry is trying to think about the dream he had been having. It was about a flying motorbike, and he thinks
he has had the same dream before. Aunt Petunia tells him to make some bacon, as she wants everything
perfect for Dudley's 11th birthday. Harry dresses into a pair of Dudley's old clothes, and goes into the
kitchen, where the table is covered in Dudley's presents.
Harry has jet-black hair and green eyes. His glasses are held together by tape because Dudley had
smashed them so many times. The thing that distinguishes Harry from others the most is the lightningshaped scar on his forehead. He often wonders how he got it, and the Dursleys have told him that he got
it from the car crash that killed Harry's parents. Harry doesn't know much more about the accident though,
because the Dursleys' first rule is to not ask questions.
Dudley comes in to the kitchen and begins to count his presents, only to find 37, which he angrily recalls
is one fewer than the year before. Aunt Petunia states that they are going to buy him two new presents
while they are out. Vernon tells Petunia that Arabella Figg, their next-door neighbour, has broken her leg
and cannot take care of Harry while they are at the Zoo. They can't think of anyone else who can take
care of him, so Harry has to go with them.
Dudley is allowed to take a friend to the Zoo, and chooses his friend Piers Polkiss. Piers comes to the
house with his mother. A half-hour later, Harry sits in the car with Dudley, Piers, Vernon and Petunia. On
the way, a motorbike overtakes them, and Vernon complains about them. Harry explains that he had a
dream about a flying motorbike once, and Vernon snappily reminds him that motorbikes do not fly. Harry
thinks about all the strange things that have happened to him: He once turned his teacher's wig blue,
jumped onto the school chimney, and grew all of his hair back the morning after a haircut.
At the zoo, Dudley and Piers find the animals boring. Harry is left to watch a Boa constrictor as it sleeps,
and when Dudley tries to make it move, it wakes up but still doesn't move. The snake begins to move after
Dudley and Piers slink away. Moments later, Harry speaks to the snake and finds that it miraculously
understands him. Piers calls Dudley and Vernon back to the snake's exhibit upon realising that it is now
moving. Dudley pushes Harry out of the way and presses his face against the glass. Harry becomes
angry, and somehow the glassvanishes and Dudley falls into the snake's enclosure. As the snake slithers
away, Harry thinks that he hears it speak back to him. Uncle Vernon blames Harry for Dudley's mishap,
and sends him to his cupboard with no meals for a week as punishment.

Chapter 3: The Letters from No One

Dudley: "Dad! Look, Harry's got a letter!"

Uncle Vernon: "What? Who'd be writing to you?"

Vernon Dursley taking Harry's letter from him

Hundreds of letters arriving at the fireplace

Ever since the boa constrictor escaped from the zoo, and Uncle Vernon blamed it on Harry, he was locked
in his cupboard for the longest time ever. When Harry is finally allowed out, it's the beginning of the
summer holidays. Even though he is not at school, Harry still can't escape Dudley and his gang, who
regularly visit the house. To keep out of their way, Harry usually wanders around Privet Drive. He is glad,
however, that Dudley and Piers are going to Smeltings Academy, while Harry is going to attend Stonewall
High.
One day during the summer, Harry is told to get the post for Uncle Vernon. When Harry goes to get the
mail, there are three letters: a postcard from Uncle Vernon's sister, who is on holiday in the Isle of Wight,
a letter that looks like a bill, and a letter for Harry. Harry takes the letter, studies the yellow parchment it is
made of, then reads the address:
Mr H. Potter
The Cupboard Under the Stairs
4, Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
Harry can't believe it. He has never had a letter in his life. On the back there is a wax seal with a Lion,
Snake, Badger and Eagle surrounding an H. Harry returns to the kitchen and gives Uncle Vernon the
other two letters as he sits down and starts to open the letter. Dudley soon sees that Harry has a letter
and Uncle Vernon snatches it from him to read with Aunt Petunia. Uncle Vernon tells Harry and Dudley to
get out of the kitchen, so they both go and stand in the hall.
The two fight over who gets to look through the keyhole. Dudley wins, so Harry resorts to looking through
the gap between the floor and the door. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia are discussing the seal on the
back. Uncle Vernon says that they should just ignore it.
Later, when Harry is in his cupboard, Uncle Vernon comes in and says that he has burned the letter, and
that they are moving him up to Dudley's second bedroom. Slightly surprised, Harry moves all of his things
up to the bedroom, wishing he had his letter.
The next morning at breakfast, Dudley is asked to get the post by Uncle Vernon. After banging things all
the way down the hall with his Smeltings stick, Dudley calls out that there is another letter addressed to
Harry, this time in '''The Smallest Bedroom''', rather than '''The Cupboard Under the Stairs'''. Both Harry

and Uncle Vernon rush to the hallway in an attempt to get the letter. After a minute of confused fighting,
Uncle Vernon emerges clutching the letter in his hand.
Determined to see what his letter says, Harry creeps down the stairs early the next morning and
approaches the door. He is going to camp there until the post arrives, then he will finally get to read his
letter. When he reaches the door, however, he stands on Uncle Vernon - who had had the very same idea.
Every day, letters appear addressed to Harry, and they are doubling in number. Eventually, there are so
many letters arriving that Uncle Vernon resorts to nailing shut the letter box. But they begin to appear in
the strangest of places; under the door, squeezed through the window, and Aunt Petunia even finds some
while cracking open eggs. Finally, they get attacked by thirty or forty letters being fired out of the fireplace.
Despite the sender's efforts, Harry still does not manage to get his hands on one of the letters for long
enough to read it, and a furious Uncle Vernon states that they are leaving the house.
They get into their car and leave ten minutes later. They travel for miles until they eventually stop in front
of a gloomy hotel on the brink of the city. Vernon's attempt to shake the sender off are not successful,
however, as more letters come for Harry to the hotel the very next morning. Again, they get back in the car
and finally stop get on a boat that takes them to an island with a small hut on it. Harry remembers that the
next day will be his eleventh birthday. When they get there, Harry can't sleep with the raging storm
outside, so he counts down the time until his birthday. When his watch turns to the next day, there is a
loud knocking at the door - something wants to get in...

Chapter 4: The Keeper of the Keys

"Harry yer a wizard."

Hagrid telling Harry that he is a wizard

Rubeus Hagrid enters the cabin

There is another loud boom on the door and Dudley wakes up, thinking it is a cannon.Uncle
Vernon comes through with a rifle, with Aunt Petunia cowering behind him. The door is blasted off its
hinges and hits the floor. A giant enters and fixes the door into its frame. The giant asks for a cup of coffee
then sits on the couch next to Dudley, scaring him away to hide behind Aunt Petunia.
The giant turns his eyes to Harry, and greets him, saying he hasn't seen him since he was a baby. He
says Harry looks like his father but has his mother's eyes. Uncle Vernon tells him to leave, but the giant
merely grabs the gun, ties into a knot and throws it away. The giant presents Harry with a birthday cake.
Harry asks the giant who he is and he says he is Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and
Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Hagrid makes a fire and cooks some sausages. Hagrid is shocked that Harry knows nothing about
Hogwarts. He gets angry at the Dursleys for not telling him anything about his parents' world, his world.
Harry has no idea what's going on. Hagrid tells Harry his parents are famous and that he's a wizard,

despite Uncle Vernon forbidding him to. Hagrid gives Harry the letter that he has been craving for. It tells
him that he has been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and that term begins
on 1st September.

Hagrid takes out parchment and a quill and writes a letter to HogwartsHeadmaster Albus Dumbledore,
explaining he has given Harry the letter. Uncle Vernon affirms to Hagrid that Harry won't be going, but the
giant knows that aMuggle like him will not be able to try and stop him. Uncle Vernon reveals he knew that
Harry's a wizard, and Aunt Petunia tells Harry that her sister, Harry's mother, was a witch. Petunia said
they were killed by another wizard, and Harry screams that Petunia said they got killed in a car crash.
Hagrid is as outraged as Harry is that the Dursleys have lied that much. He sits down and tells Harry that
a Dark Wizard named Lord Voldemort killed Harry's parents and tried to kill Harry too. But the spell he
used backfired and he was seemingly destroyed, only leaving Harry his scar. Hagrid tells him that he
brought Harry from the ruins of the house and brought him to the Dursleys' house on 4 Privet Drive. Uncle
Vernon says it's a load of rubbish, and tries to persuade Harry that whatever happened to his parents was
deserved anyway, but Hagrid pulls an umbrella out of his coat and threatens Uncle Vernon. Harry asks
what happened to Voldemort and Hagrid tells him he vanished and hasn't been seen since.
Harry doubts that he is a wizard until Hagrid asks him if he ever made anything happen he couldn't
explain when he was angry or scared. Uncle Vernon makes the mistake of mocking Dumbledore and
Hagrid swishes the umbrella, in Dudley's direction, and Dudley sprouts a curly pig's tail. Hagrid asks Harry
not to mention it at Hogwarts because Hagrid isn't allowed to do magic, as he had been expelled. Hagrid
takes off his coat and Harry sleeps under that for the night, for the day ahead.

Chapter 5: Diagon Alley

"Harry wished he had about eight more eyes. He turned his head in every direction as they
walked up the street, trying to look at everything at once: the shops, the things outside them, the
people doing their shopping."
Harry in Diagon Alley

Ollivander's Wand Shop

When Harry wakes the next morning, he tries to tell himself that what happened the previous night had all
been a dream and that Hagrid taking him to a school for Wizardscalled Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry has never happened. But when he opens his eyes, Hagrid had fallen asleep on the couch
and he finds that it has all happened. He hears a tapping noise coming from the window and lets in
an Owl. The owl drops a newspaper on Hagrid's lap and begins to claw Hagrid's coat.
Hagrid tells Harry to pay the owl so Harry does what he says and the owl leaves. Hagrid tells him they
have to go and buy his things, but Harry worries because he hasn't got any money. Hagrid tells him his
parents didn't leave him without money and that their first stop is Gringotts, the wizard's bank. He explains
that it is run by Goblins and that "you'd be mad to try and rob it". Hagrid saysDumbledore also needs
something from Gringotts, so Hagrid has to go get it.
They step outside the hut and step into their boat. Hagrid uses a bit of magic to speed things up for them.
Hagrid says there are Enchantments guarding the vaults in Gringotts. Gringotts is all under London, and
you would die of starvation trying to get out. Hagrid begins to read the Daily Prophet and mutters that
the Ministry of Magic is messing things up as usual. Harry wonders what the Ministry of Magic does, and
Hagrid explains that they handle everything to do with magic. He says they wanted Dumbledore
for Minister, but Cornelius Fudgegot the job.
As they pass through London, people stared at Hagrid a lot, due to his size and that he is pointing out
things that Muggles are brilliant for inventing. Harry asks if there are Dragons guarding Gringotts. Hagrid
says yes and mutters that he would like a dragon. Harry takes out his list and reads it out. It says he
needs a set of robes, apointed hat, Dragon hide gloves, and a winter coat. There is a list of his books and
stationary equipment. Hagrid leads them both into a pub called the Leaky Cauldron that Harry did not
notice was there.
It is dark and shabby and everyone greets Hagrid as he enters. When people see Harry, many get up and
shake his hand, including Doris Crockford and Dedalus Diggle. A man with a turban approaches them
and Hagrid introduces Harry to Quirinus Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at
Hogwarts. They talk for a bit then Hagrid steers them out a back door into a small enclosed area with a
few barrels. Hagrid takes out his umbrella and taps bricks with it, counting an order. Once he is done, a
hole appears in the brick wall, slowly getting bigger, until the wall disappears fully, revealing a crowded
street with people wearing robes everywhere with shops left and right. Hagrid tells Harry the street is
called Diagon Alley.
When they are walking down the street, Harry is trying to look everywhere around him, taking in as much
as possible. At the end of Diagon Alley, there is a snowy white building, huge in size: Gringotts. As they
enter, a warning echoes through telling them rob at your own risk. Harry and Hagrid go up to a Goblin and
explain they need to take some money out of Harry's vault. The Goblin asks for Harry's key and Hagrid

presents it, after sorting through many other keys. The Goblin calls upon another Goblin
named Griphook to take them down to the vault. Hagrid also states they need to be taken down to remove
the You-Know-What in Vault 713.
Griphook takes them to Vault 713, and Hagrid removes the grubby little package there but can't tell Harry
what it is. Griphook then takes them to Harry's vault, where there is a large amount of money piled up
there that Harry owns. There are Bronze Knuts, Silver Sickles, and Gold Galleons. Harry and Hagrid take
a bit of the money for Harry's list, then leave Gringotts. Hagrid has to stand for a bit as the cart rides that
takes them to the vaults make him sick.
Hagrid decides they get Harry's uniform first so they enter Madam Malkin's Robes for all
Occasions. Madam Malkin measures him then he sits on a chair next to a pale-faced boy getting his
robes. The boy starts to talk about smuggling a Broomstick into Hogwarts somehow, then about
something called Quidditch. Harry feels very out of place with him, as he is talking about houses
called Slytherin and Hufflepuff. The boy points out Hagrid then says the other kind shouldn't be allowed in.
When Harry left, he told Hagrid and Hagrid says there are four houses at Hogwarts, Quidditch is a game
played on Broomsticks and then leave to buy Harry the rest of his things.
All Harry has left is his wand, so he and Hagrid enter Ollivanders, a Wand shop. Mr Ollivander comes
round, scaring them both, and greeting Harry and Hagrid. Ollivander begins to talk about Harry's parents'
wands, and how he remembers selling them. Ollivander touches Harry's scar and apologises for the fact
that he sold thewand that caused it. Ollivander gives Harry a wand and tells him to give it a wave. Harry
did so, but it isn't suitable for him, so Ollivander takes it back. Harry tries many wands, but none of them
seem to work well enough for him. Eventually, he picks up a wand and he feels warmth in his fingers.
Ollivander states that it is curious that Harry should be destined for that wand when its brother gave Harry
his scar. Hagrid takes Harry to get something to eat in the Muggle world but Harry is worried that he isn't
going to fit in at Hogwarts as everyone expects great things from him. For Harry's birthday, Hagrid buys
Harry an owl named Hedwig. Hagrid provides Harry with a train ticket, giving him the date, time, and
location to catch theHogwarts Express and tells Harry that if he ever needs anything, he is to write a letter,
and Hedwig will know where to find him. Harry then catches a train back to the Dursleys.

Chapter 6: The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

"Funny way to get to a wizards' school, the train. Magic carpets all got punctures, have they?"
Vernon Dursley mocking Harry about the journey to Hogwarts

Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog card

Harrys last month with the Dursleys is unpleasant. The day before he is due to leave, Harry asks Uncle
Vernon to take him to the King's Cross station. Uncle Vernon agrees to take him but ridicules him for
saying he is to leave from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, as is marked on the ticket Hagrid gave him.
The following day, Harry arrives at the station and stands between platforms nine and ten, wondering how

to find platform nine and three quarters. Finally, he overhears some people mention Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry; it is a family of red-haired children who seem to be bound for the school. He
asks the mother for help, and she tells him to run through the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
Harry does so, and he is astonished to find the train to Hogwarts on the other side of the station. Harry,
then, boards the Hogwarts Express.
On the train, Harry is introduced to Fred and George Weasley, twins who are returning to school for their
third year, and to their younger brother Ron, another student who will be starting at Hogwarts. They have
another brother, Percy, who is returning for his fifth year as a Prefect, and there are two elder Weasley
brothers who have already left school. The Weasley family is poor, and Ron cannot afford the pastries
sold on the train, so Harry buys a lot with his newfound wealth and shares them with Ron. Ron introduces
Harry to such details of wizard life as Quidditch, Famous Witches and Wizards cards, and Bertie Bott's
Every Flavour Beans. One of the cards bears the picture of Albus Dumbledore. Harry also meets a
somewhat annoying, overachieving girl named Hermione Granger and sees again the unpleasant boy
from the uniform shop, whose name is Draco Malfoy, this time with his buddies, Crabbe and Goyle. After
Draco makes some rude comments about Ron, Harry rejects Draco's offer to advise him about
associating with the right kind of wizards. All the students have heard of Harry, and Harry is not sure how
to respond to his fame. Arriving at the station, the newcomers are led by Hagrid onto boats which they sail
to the castle of Hogwarts.

Chapter 7: The Sorting Hat

"If only the hat had mentioned a house for people who felt a bit queasy, that would have been the
one for him."
Harry, about the Sorting Hat

Peeves, dropping stuff over the new first-year students

The new students are greeted at the castle door by Professor McGonagall, who tells them they will soon
be sorted into their houses. All Hogwarts students live in one of four
residences: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, with each house having its own team
for Quidditch. The houses are in a yearlong competition with one another to acquire the most points,
which are earned by success in Quidditch games and given by teachers for academic achievement, and
lost for student infractions, in order to win theHouse Cup awarded at the end of the year. As the students
enter Hogwarts, ghostsappear in the hallway. The students are led to the Great Hall, where the entire
school waits for them. They see an old pointy hat on a stool. When the students try on theSorting Hat, it
announces the house in which they are placed. Harry becomes very nervous. He has learned that he
does not care for Slytherin house, as the students in it are unpleasant and Voldemort once belonged to
Slytherin. The annoying girl Hermione from the train is Sorted into Gryffindor, much to Ron's displeasure.

Finally, it is Harrys turn to wear the hat. After a brief mental discussion with the hat in which it tries to
suggest Slytherin to him, the hat places Harry in Gryffindor. Harry is pleased to find that Ron joins in
Gryffindor with him. Draco Malfoy is placed in Slytherin.
Everyone sits down to a grand feast to begin the year. Harry is overwhelmed by the variety of luscious
food served. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, the resident ghost of Gryffindor (popularly known as
Nearly Headless Nick because of a botched decapitation), introduces himself to the first-year students
and tells them he hopes they will win the house championship this year. Over dessert, the discussion
turns to the students' upbringings. A student named Neville Longbottom tells how his family thought he
was a Squib until he survived a fall from a window. Another student, Seamus Finnigan, talks about how
his father, a Muggle, was shocked when he found out his wife (Seamus' mother) was a witch. Harry
glances around the room and notices a few of the teachers talking to one another. One of them, while
speaking to Quirrell, stares malevolently at Harry, who immediately feels a sharp pain in his forehead scar.
Harry finds out that this man is Professor Severus Snape, who teaches Potions. After dessert,
Dumbledore gets up to make his welcome speech. He adds a few warnings about staying away from
the Forbidden Forest and avoiding the 3rd-floor corridor on the right side of the school before sending
everyone off to bed in their Common rooms. On the way, the Gryffindors run into Peeves the Poltergeist
and upon arriving, meet the Fat Lady who lets them into Gryffindor Tower after Percy gives her the
password.

Chapter 8: The Potions Master

"Ah, yes. Harry Potter. Our new celebrity."
Severus Snape

A Potions book

Harry finds life at Hogwarts unfamiliar and strange. Everyone talks about him, and an adult always seems
to be around when he is doing something wrong. Harry finds all the classes interesting, with the exception
of History of Magic. In the first Transfigurationclass, only Hermione is able to make any progress at
turning a match into a needle. Harry is relieved to see that his peers are just as lost as he is.
During breakfast the first Friday, Harry's snowy owl, Hedwig, arrives with a tea invitation from Hagrid.
Later, in his Potions class, Harry discovers that Professor Snape hates him, mocking Harry as "our new
celebrity" and then humiliating Harry for his ignorance of potion-making materials. Harry brings Ron with
him to Hagrids shack for tea. Harry and Ron are disconcerted by Hagrids huge and fierce-looking
dog, Fang, but discover that he is gentle. Hagrid tells Harry that he is overreacting to Snapes treatment,
asserting that Snape would have no reason to hate him. Harry happens to notice an article from the
wizard newspaper, the Daily Prophet, detailing a break-in that occurred at Gringotts bank in a vault that
had been emptied earlier in the day. He realises that it happened on his birthday, the day he and Hagrid

went to Gringotts. Furthermore, he remembers that Hagrid emptied vault seven hundred and thirteen,
taking a small package with him as he left. Harry leaves Hagrids, his mind filled with questions.

Chapter 9: The Midnight Duel

"We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed."
Hermione complaining about their "adventure"

Harry and Ron entering the Gryffindor common room

Harry has been at Hogwarts for around two weeks when he finds out that the Gryffindorswill have flying
lessons with the Slytherins, much to his disliking. Harry does not want to spend more time
with Malfoy than he has to. However, Harry finds that he is quite a natural at flying. Madam Hooch leads
the class, gently sending the new fliers off the ground. Neville has an accident when his broom runs amok
and breaks his wrist. Madam Hooch takes him to the hospital, telling everyone to stay on the ground while
she is away. Malfoy notices a Remembrall belonging to Neville, picks it up, and begins to fly around with it.
Harry goes after Malfoy, who throws the ball in the air. Harry catches it spectacularly and lands safely
back on ground. Just then, Professor McGonagall arrives, reprimanding Harry and ordering him to follow
her. But instead of punishing him, McGonagall introduces him to Oliver Wood, captain of the Gryffindor
Quidditch team, and makes him the Gryffindor team's new Seeker.
At dinner, Harry excitedly tells Ron about joining the Quidditch team but tells him that Wood wants it to be
a secret. Malfoy comes over with his cronies Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle and teases Harry about
getting in trouble earlier. The tension grows and Malfoy challenges Harry to a wizards duel. Harry
accepts, in spite of Hermiones attempt to dissuade them from breaking the school rules. As Harry and
Ron sneak out later that night, Hermione tries to stop them but gets locked out of the dorm (the Fat
Lady has gone for an evening stroll) and must tag along. Neville also joins them, as he has forgotten the
password to the common room and ended up sleeping on the floor outside. They arrive at the Trophy
Room, the site of the duel, but Malfoy is nowhere to be found. Suddenly, they hear Argus Filch and his
cat, Mrs Norris, enter the room. With it obvious that Malfoy tricked them, they begin to hide and then run
away. Not sure where they are going, they accidentally end up in the forbidden area on the third floor,
staring at a large and scary three-headed dog. The children manage to get back to their dorm safely,
though they are terrified. Hermione reprimands Harry, but stirs his curiosity by pointing out that the dog
was standing on a trapdoor.

Chapter 10: Hallowe'en

"But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you
can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is
one of them."
The beginning of a great friendship

Troll in the dungeon

The next morning, Harry and Ron are discussing what the dog could be guarding when the mail arrives.
Harry receives a Nimbus 2000, along with a note from Professor McGonagall summoning him to
Quidditch practise. Malfoy tells Harry that first-year students are not allowed broomsticks. Malfoy then
tries to report Harry to ProfessorFlitwick who just expresses admiration for Harrys talent having heard
from McGonagall. Harry later meets Oliver Wood to learn the basics of Quidditch, including the various
positions on a standard Quidditch team and the implements used in the game. Oliver explains Harry's role
as a Seeker: his job is to avoid other players and catch the Golden Snitch. A Quidditch game cannot end
until the Snitch is caught, making the Seeker the most important player on a team. On Hallowe'en, Flitwick
begins teaching his students how to make things fly, using the Wingardium Leviosa spell. Only Hermione
succeeds; Ron, offended by her air of superiority, utters a nasty comment that Hermione overhears. Harry
notices her running off in tears.
Harry and Ron arrive at the Hallowe'en feast to hear Professor Quirrell, the teacher of Defence Against
the Dark Arts, give a terrifying announcement about a twelve-foot troll in the building. As the prefects lead
the students back to their dorms, Harry realises that Hermione does not know about the troll. They head
off to warn her and come upon the troll. Unwittingly, they lock it in the girls' bathroom only to realise that
Hermione is trapped in there with the troll. Using teamwork, magic, and a lot of luck, the two of them
manage to knock out the troll. Professor McGonagall finds them and begins to scold the boys. Hermione
interjects that Harry and Ron were looking for her. She then lies, saying that she went to face the troll
herself and that Ron and Harry had been trying to save her from it. At this point, Hermione befriends
them.

Chapter 11: Quidditch

"Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure."
Lee Jordan, commentating on the Quidditch match

Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match

As November begins, so does the Quidditch season, and Harry is about to play in his first match against
Slytherin. To prepare, Harry borrows a book entitled Quidditch Through the Ages from Hermione.
Professor Snape discovers Ron, Harry, and Hermione out with the book one evening and confiscates it
from Harry on the feeble pretext that library books may not be taken outside of the school. Harrys

suspicions of Snape continue to grow. Harry starts to notice that Snape is limping. Going off to retrieve the
book from Snape, Harry overhears Snape talking to Argus Filch about the fact that the three-headed dog
has attacked him, leaving a cut on his leg, which makes Harry even more suspicious.
The next morning, the Quidditch match begins. Harry spots the Golden Snitch early in the game, and is
flying toward it when the Slytherin Captain pushes him out of the way and is penalised. Later in the game,
Harrys broom begins jerking uncontrollably. Hagrid comments that only Dark magic could make a
broomstick so hard to manage. Hermione notices that Snape is staring at Harry and muttering to himself,
signs of casting a curse. As two of Harry's teammates, the Weasley twins, try to rescue Harry in the air,
Hermione rushes over to Snape in such a hurry that she knocks Quirrell over, sneaks behind Snape, and
sets his robe on fire. Suddenly, the spell on Harrys broom is broken and Harry is once again in control.
He starts speeding toward the ground and lands, catching the Snitch in his mouth and nearly swallowing
it.
Hagrid takes Harry back to his hut with Hermione and Ron, who tells Harry that Snape was putting a
curse on his broomstick. Hagrid does not believe this, asking why Snape would try to kill Harry. Harry tells
Hagrid about Snape getting injured by the dog in the third-floor corridor. Hagrid involuntarily reveals that
the three-headed dog, Fluffy, is his, and that what the dog is guarding is a secret known only to Albus
Dumbledore and a man named Nicolas Flamel.

Chapter 12: The Mirror of Erised

"The Potters smiled and waved at Harry and he stared hungrily back at them, his hands pressed
flat against the glass as though he was hoping to fall right through it and reach them. He had a
powerful kind of ache inside him, half joy, half terrible sadness."
Harry looking at the Mirror of Erised

Harry observing the Mirror of Erised

Christmas is approaching. Malfoy teases Harry about having to stay at Hogwarts for the holiday, as he
does not have parents. Harry, however, is looking forward to spending Christmas away from the Dursleys,
especially because Ron is also staying at Hogwarts, as Mr and Mrs Weasley are going to visit Ron's older
brother Charlie in Romania. The day before the holidays, Hermione tears Ron and Harry away from a
conversation with Hagrid to look in the library for more information about Nicolas Flamel. The
librarian,Madam Pince, catches Harry prowling around the restricted-books section of the libraryand kicks
him out.
On Christmas Day, Harry and Ron awaken to presents, though Harry's are fewer. Harry receives a flute
from Hagrid, a 50 pence coin from the Dursleys, some fudge and Chocolate Frogs from Hermione, and
a knitted jumper from Ron's mother. He also receives an Invisibility cloak accompanied only by an
anonymous note telling him that the cloak once belonged to Harry's father and to "use it well." That night,

after a satisfying Christmas dinner and after Ron has fallen asleep, Harry tries on his Invisibility Cloak.
Unseen, he is able to go to the librarys restricted-books section. But one of the books starts screaming
when he opens it, so he quickly leaves. He passes Filch and hides in an old classroom as Filch is getting
Snape to help him search the corridors. Inside stands an old mirror in a gold frame with the
inscription "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi" ("I show not your face, but your heart's desire").
Harry looks in the mirror and sees many people standing behind him, but when he turns around in the
room, he sees no one. Suddenly, he recognises that two of the people in the mirror are his
dead mother and father. He tries to speak to them, but they can only communicate by waving. Harry
lingers there a while but eventually returns to his room.
The next night, Harry brings Ron with him to the mirror room. Ron does not see Harrys parents in the
mirror, but instead sees himself holding the Quidditch Cup. Mrs Norris, Filch's prowling cat, notices them.
On the third night, Ron is afraid of being caught and does not want to go back, as he does not trust the
mirror, so Harry returns alone. There he finds Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore explains to Harry that the
mirror, which is known as the Mirror of Erised, displays the deepest desires of whoever looks into it. Harry
is relieved to find that Dumbledore is not angry. However, he warns Harry that men have wasted away and
been driven mad before the mirror and informs Harry that the mirror will be moved to a new location and
tells him not to go looking for it. When Harry asks what Dumbledore sees in the mirror, his answer is
"himself holding a pair of socks."

Chapter 13: Nicolas Flamel

"I never thought to look in here!" she whispered excitedly. "I got this out of the library weeks ago
for a bit of light reading."
Hermione, remembering Nicolas Flamel
Harry finds it hard to forget the image of his parents. Quidditch practise continues on even harder and it is
revealed that Snape will referee the next match. Malfoy performs a leg-locker curse on Neville, and to
cheer him up, Harry tells Neville he is "Worth twelve of Malfoy." Harry suddenly remembers that he read
the nameNicolas Flamel on a chocolate frog card, which reminds Hermione that she had seen the name
in a book she picked up from the library, and the team discover that he was a famous alchemist who is the
only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone, whose powers include turning any metal to gold and

producing the Elixir of Life, a potion that can make the drinker immortal.
Severus Snape entering the Forbidden Forest

The Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff Quidditch match arrives and Snape, who referees the match, is
predictably biassed, while on the stands Ron and Neville get into a scuffle with Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle
after Malfoy made some rude comments towards the players of their house's team as well as both of
them. Harry catches the snitch and wins the match under five minutes, though Ron did not see this due to
fighting Draco Malfoy, and Neville is sent to the hospital wing due to the injuries he sustained from fighting
both Crabbe and Goyle. Later, Harry notices and follows Snape into the Forbidden Forest by broomstick
where he meets Quirrell and they speak of the Philosopher's Stone. Harry thinks that Snape is trying to

force Quirrel to help him get the stone so he can get rich, to the alarm of both Ron and Hermione who fear
Qurriel will talk.

Chapter 14: Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback

"But it's against our laws,...Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709,
everyone knows that."
Ron, warning Hagrid after finding out about Norbert

Norbert, newly hatched

Harry, Ron and Hermione meet with Hagrid, who confirms the Stone is being kept at Hogwarts. Hermione
charms him into talking about the enchantments used to guard it: Fluffy, the three headed dog, is Hagrid's,
along with enchantments from ProfessorsSprout, Flitwick, McGonagall, Quirrell, and Snape . After this,
Harry complains about the high temperature in Hagrid's hut, only to discover he has a Norwegian
Ridgeback dragon egg, which he names Norbert once it has hatched. Malfoy, who has been spying then,
discovers the dragon. To solve the problem, they convince Hagrid to send the dragon off to Ron's brother
Charlie. Ron's hand is bitten by the dragon, and he is sent off to Madam Pomfrey. Harry and Hermione
smuggle Norbert in a crate up to the tallest tower under Harry's Invisibility cloak and on the way they see
Professor McGonagall hauling Malfoy away to detention for being out of bed at night and speaking "lies"
about Harry and a dragon. They pass the crate off to Charlie's friends, and head back down the stairs,
where they meet up with Filch, realising too late they have left the Invisibility Cloak behind.

Chapter 15: The Forbidden Forest

"Good luck, Harry Potter...The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I
hope this is one of those times."
Firenze saying goodbye to Harry

Firenze, the centaur

Filch takes Harry and Hermione to McGonagall's office, where they meet Neville. McGonagall, very
disappointed, takes 50 points each from the three of them and gives them all detention, which they will
serve with Malfoy. Their popularity with the other students suffers because of this. A week or so before
exams, Harry hears Professor Quirrell, sounding as if he is being threatened. So, Harry heads to the
library to tell Ron and Hermione. They are convinced Snape was threatening Quirrell, and means to steal

the Stone soon, and Hermione suggests they go to Dumbledore. Harry refuses, saying that they have no
proof.
Harry, Hermione, and Neville receive notes from Professor McGonagall telling them their detention will
begin at eleven that night. Filch takes them out to the Forbidden Forest, where Hagrid awaits to take them
in to do a bit of investigating. Hagrid shows them some silver unicorn blood, and says they need to find
the unicorn that is hurt. They split up, with Hagrid taking Harry and Hermione, and Neville and Malfoy
going with Fang. Hagrid encounters a few centaurs, named Ronan and Bane, but gets no useful
information from them. Suddenly, Hagrid sees red sparks in the air, signalling the other party is in trouble.
He runs for them and returns, scolding Malfoy for startling Neville into sending up the sparks. Hagrid
switches Harry and Neville, sending Harry off with Malfoy instead. They eventually find the dead unicorn,
and see something drinking its blood. Malfoy screams and runs with Fang, leaving Harry, who is saved
from the figure by a centaur, named Firenze, who tells Harry that unicorn blood can keep you alive, even if
you are an inch from death, but curses you with a half-life in the process. He then reveals that the person
who was drinking it was doing so to remain alive until they were able to drink the Elixir of Life and wants
the Stone. He also asks Harry if he would not know anyone who has been waiting for years to regain
power and Harry realises that the mysterious figure was a weakened but still alive Voldemort.
Back in the common room, Harry tells Hermione and Ron Voldemort's in the forest and that Snape wants
the Stone to help Voldemort restore his powers. Afterwards, going into his bed, Harry finds that his
Invisibility Cloak has been returned to him.

Chapter 16: Through the Trapdoor

"I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it,
it's too well protected."
Professor McGonagall's wrong statement about the stone's security

Fluffy the three-headed dog

After finishing their exams, Harry realises the suspicious coincidence in Hagrid wanting a dragon more
than anything else, only to meet a stranger who had one to give him. He, Ron, and Hermione run to ask
him about the man who gave Norbert to him, and he says he never saw his face because he kept his
hood up. Hagrid also mentions that they talked about Hogwarts and Fluffy the three-headed dog. He also
mentions that the stranger gave him drinks while getting information out of him. Hagrid lets it slip how to
get past Fluffy, which sends Harry, Ron and Hermione off. They head for Dumbledore's office, only to see
McGonagall, who tells them he has left for London. After Harry reveals that they know about the Stone,
McGonagall insists no one could steal the Stone. The trio realise that Dumbledore has been lured away
and that Snape's going after the Stone that night so they decide to head out that night to try to get it

themselves. After Hermione curses Neville in a Full Body-Bind Curse for refusing to allow them to leave,
they head up to the third floor room, and start their intense trip into the seven Philosopher's Stone
Chambers. They find the door ajar, and a harp on the floor. Harry plays the flute Hagrid got him for
Christmas, and Fluffy goes back to sleep. They head down through the trapdoor. They land in Professor
Sprout's room, full of Devil's Snare, which almost smothers them before Hermione lights a fire and drives
it off.
The next room, Professor Flitwick's, holds a bunch of flying keys and some broomsticks. Harry finds a
silver one with a broken wing that is different from the others and catches it, unlocking the next door with
it. The next room is Professor McGonagall's, and has a large chessboard, for a game of Wizard's
Chess that Ron helps them win, at the cost of having to sacrifice himself and getting knocked out. Harry
and Hermione continue to the next room, Professor Quirrell's, where they find an unconscious troll laying
on the floor. Lastly, they enter Professor Snape's room, and find seven potions in bottles along with a roll
of paper giving clues on which one to drink to continue, noting that three bottles have poison, two have
nettle wine, one will send the drinker back, and the other will let the drinker move forward into the next
room. Hermione tells Harry that it is a test of logic and not magic wherein most wizards fail. She solves
the puzzle, and at Harry's instruction, drinks the one that will allow her to head back through the purple
flame, while Harry drinks the one to head into the black flame and into the final room, where he is
surprised at who he sees.

Chapter 17: The Man with Two Faces

"Tried to frighten me - as though he could, when I had Lord Voldemort on my side..."
Quirrell, talking to Harry about Snape

Professor Quirell removing his turban

It is Quirrell who Harry sees in the room, not Snape. Harry, astonished, hears Quirrell tell him that, next to
Snape, no one would expect him to try to steal the Stone and that Snape was actually protecting Harry.
Harry notices the Mirror of Erised, and Quirrell stops to examine it, saying it is the key to getting the Stone.
To distract him from the Mirror, Harry questions Quirrell, who says he is serving Lord Voldemort, and
although Snape hated Harry because of his father, he never wanted Harry dead. Quirrell asks for help
from his master to get the Stone, and a snake-like voice tells him to use the boy. Harry is told to look into
the Mirror. He sees his reflection pull the Stone out of his pocket and put it back in, and Harry feels it drop
into his own pocket. He tells Quirrell that he sees himself shaking hands with Dumbledore, after winning
the House Cup for Gryffindor. The snake-like voice tells Quirrell Harry is lying and Quirrell takes his turban
off to show Harry what lies on the back of his head. As Quirrell turns around, Harry is shocked to see
another face where the back of Quirrell's head should be. The face has red eyes and a snake-like slit
where the nose should be. Harry realises this is the face of Voldemort and Voldemort demands Harry give

him the Stone. Harry refuses and runs, but Quirrell seizes him. However, the contact with Harry's skin
burns Quirrell and causes him to have boils all over the area in which Harry touched him. Harry grabs
Quirrell's face, then his arm, and holds on, with the blinding pain in his head building, until he feels the
arm wrenched away before he blacks out.
He awakes in the hospital wing with Dumbledore there, telling him Quirrell did not succeed at getting the
Stone, and indeed the Stone has been destroyed. In spite of this, there are other ways in which Voldemort
can return. He cannot be killed, and he left Quirrell to die. Dumbledore explains the reason why Quirrell
could not touch Harry was because Harry's mother had died to save him, protecting him with her love.
Harry also told Dumbledore about what Quirrell mentioned to him earlier regarding Snape hating Harry
due to hatred for his father. Dumbledore responds that Snape was only grudgingly protecting Harry this
year to pay off a debt he owed due to James Potter saving his life during their Hogwarts years. Harry then
receives a visit from Ron and Hermione, who reveal that Slytherin came in first for the House Cup and,
with Harry unable to play in the championship Quidditch match, Ravenclaw easily won the match, before
Madam Pomfrey forces them out. Hagrid shows up later and gives Harry a book of photos of his parents
and family.
The following day, at the end of term feast, Dumbledore awards some last-minute points for the recent
events. He gives Ron and Hermione fifty points each, and Harry sixty, which places them in a tie with
Slytherin for first place. Dumbledore then recognises that while it is hard to stand up to enemies, it is even
harder to stand up to friends as Neville did, and he awards Neville 10 more points, his first house points
earned all year. This puts Gryffindor in the lead and the winners of the House Cup, too much rejoicing
from everyone but the Slytherins. Harry, Ron and Hermione all say their goodbyes before heading home.