Harry Potter, #1
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Nicholas Flamel
Overview
Harry, Ron, and Hermione finally identify Nicolas Flamel as the maker of the Sorcerer’s Stone and conclude it is what Fluffy guards. Despite Snape refereeing, Dumbledore’s presence steadies Harry, who wins the match quickly. Later, Harry overhears Snape threatening Quirrell for a way past Fluffy, raising urgent fears for the Stone’s safety.
Summary
Haunted by Mirror-induced nightmares, Harry avoids using the Invisibility Cloak. As term resumes, Quidditch practice intensifies, and Wood announces Snape will referee the next match, alarming the team. Harry confides in Ron and Hermione, who urge him to skip the game. Neville arrives Leg-Locked by Malfoy, prompting Harry to encourage him and give him a Chocolate Frog.
The Dumbledore card from Neville’s frog sparks Harry’s memory: Dumbledore’s alchemy partner is Nicolas Flamel. Hermione fetches a reference book and reveals that Flamel created the Sorcerer’s Stone, which makes gold and the Elixir of Life. The trio conclude Fluffy guards the Stone and suspect someone is after it.
Determined to play despite fears of Snape, Harry enters the Hufflepuff match nervous. Ron and Hermione prepare to protect him if needed. Dumbledore’s unexpected arrival calms Harry. Amid Malfoy’s taunts in the stands and Snape’s biased penalties, Harry dives and seizes the Snitch within minutes, giving Gryffindor the lead. Dumbledore quietly praises Harry for keeping busy and not brooding over the mirror.
After the match, while returning his broom, Harry sees Snape slip into the Forbidden Forest and follows. Hidden in a tree, Harry overhears Snape threatening Quirrell, demanding to know how to get past “that beast of Hagrid’s” and pressing him about his “hocus-pocus.” Snape departs after warning Quirrell to decide where his loyalties lie.
Harry races to tell Ron and Hermione. They conclude they were right about the Stone and that Snape is coercing Quirrell to breach the protections beyond Fluffy. Hermione worries the Stone is only safe if Quirrell resists; Ron grimly predicts it won’t last long.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterDetermined Seeker; identifies Nicolas Flamel via a Dumbledore card, wins a Snape-refereed match, and overhears Snape threatening Quirrell in the forest.
- Hermione GrangerFinds the reference revealing Flamel as maker of the Sorcerer’s Stone; prepares to protect Harry at the match; worries about the Stone’s safety.
- Ron WeasleySupports Harry, suggests avoiding the match, fights Malfoy in the stands, and helps deduce the Stone’s danger.
- Severus SnapeAnnounced as biased referee; later pressures Quirrell in the forest to learn how to bypass Fluffy.
- Professor QuirrellMeets Snape secretly in the forest; stutters and appears intimidated as Snape demands help getting past Fluffy.
- Neville LongbottomArrives Leg-Locked by Malfoy; gains encouragement from Harry and later helps Ron confront Malfoy.
- Draco MalfoyLeg-Locks Neville and taunts Gryffindors during the match; brawls with Ron.
- Albus DumbledoreAttends the match, reassuring Harry; later congratulates him privately.
- Oliver WoodDrives intense Quidditch training and urges Harry to catch the Snitch early under Snape’s refereeing.
- Fred and George WeasleyPlay Beaters; one draws a penalty from Snape; later help celebrate Gryffindor’s win.