Harry Potter, #1
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Keeper of the Keys
Overview
Hagrid bursts into the sea hut on Harry’s eleventh birthday, reveals Harry is a wizard, and delivers his Hogwarts letter. He explains Voldemort’s rise and the Potters’ deaths, correcting the Dursleys’ lies. After magically giving Dudley a pig’s tail, Hagrid secures Harry’s attendance and plans the supply trip.
Summary
A violent knock at the sea hut ends with the door smashed open and a giant, Rubeus Hagrid, entering. He disarms Uncle Vernon by knotting his rifle and wishes Harry a happy eleventh birthday, giving him a cake, lighting a fire, and cooking sausages.
Introducing himself as Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, Hagrid is appalled Harry knows nothing about magic. He accuses the Dursleys of hiding the truth and hands Harry his Hogwarts acceptance letter. Hagrid defines “Muggle,” sends an owl to Dumbledore confirming contact, and insists Harry will go to Hogwarts.
Prompted by Harry’s questions, Hagrid reveals the truth: the wizard Voldemort terrorized the magical world, murdered Lily and James Potter, and tried to kill baby Harry, leaving only a lightning scar when the curse failed and Voldemort vanished. Harry recalls a flash of green light and a cruel laugh, struggling to believe he’s a wizard until Hagrid points to Harry’s past accidental magic.
When Uncle Vernon insults Dumbledore and forbids Hogwarts, Hagrid explodes and, with a concealed umbrella, accidentally gives Dudley a pig’s tail. Regretting the outburst and admitting he is not supposed to do magic due to an old expulsion, Hagrid ends the night by promising to take Harry to buy his school things in the morning and giving Harry his coat to sleep under.
Who Appears
- Rubeus HagridKeeper of Keys at Hogwarts; breaks in, reveals Harry’s wizard identity, explains Voldemort, sends an owl, and gives Dudley a pig’s tail.
- Harry PotterLearns he is a wizard, receives his Hogwarts letter, hears the truth about his parents and Voldemort, and prepares to get school supplies.
- Vernon DursleyTries to block the truth and Hogwarts; insults Dumbledore; cowers after Hagrid’s magical retaliation.
- Petunia DursleyReveals long-held resentment toward her sister Lily and admits knowing about magic all along.
- Dudley DursleyFrightened and greedy; is accidentally given a pig’s tail by Hagrid’s umbrella magic.