Harry Potter, #1
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Potions Master
Overview
Harry adjusts to Hogwarts’ shifting castle, prickly staff, and varied lessons. In their first Potions class, Professor Snape openly targets Harry, docking points after Neville’s accident, confirming a personal hostility. Later, Hagrid invites Harry and Ron for tea; a Daily Prophet clipping reveals a Gringotts break-in the same day Hagrid emptied vault 713, raising suspicions Hagrid won’t address.
Summary
Harry’s first full week at Hogwarts brings constant attention in the corridors and the challenge of navigating moving staircases, trick doors, and mischievous ghosts. Helpful Nearly Headless Nick contrasts with disruptive Peeves and the hostile caretaker Filch, whose cat Mrs. Norris patrols for rule-breakers. Classes begin in earnest: star charts in Astronomy, Herbology with Professor Sprout, a soporific History of Magic with the ghostly Professor Binns, lively Charms with Professor Flitwick, and strict Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall, where only Hermione shows early success.
Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Quirrell disappoints, his garlic-scented classroom and evasive stories undermining expectations. Harry takes comfort in not being behind despite his Muggle upbringing. On Friday, an owl from Hagrid invites Harry for tea, giving him something to anticipate as he and Ron face double Potions with Slytherin.
In the dungeons, Professor Snape’s cutting introduction to potion-making culminates in a public interrogation that Harry cannot answer, while Hermione knows every response. Snape pointedly ignores her and penalizes Harry for “cheek,” then favors Draco Malfoy during brewing practice. When Neville melts Seamus’s cauldron and boils erupt over Neville’s body, Snape blames Harry for not preventing the error and removes another point from Gryffindor, cementing Harry’s sense that Snape hates him.
Later, Harry and Ron visit Hagrid’s hut, meeting the boarhound Fang and sharing rock cakes. Hagrid derides Filch and downplays Snape’s animosity, avoiding Harry’s eye. Harry then notices a Daily Prophet clipping about a Gringotts break-in on July 31—the day Hagrid withdrew a small package from vault 713. As they return to the castle, Harry wonders if the thieves sought that package, whether Hagrid retrieved it just in time, and what Hagrid may be hiding about Snape and the vault’s contents.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterStruggles with fame’s attention, faces Snape’s hostility in Potions, loses points, and grows suspicious after learning of the Gringotts break-in.
- Severus SnapePotions Master who pointedly humiliates Harry, favors Slytherins, and penalizes Gryffindor after Neville’s brewing accident.
- Rubeus HagridInvites Harry and Ron for tea; friendly but evasive when Harry links the Gringotts break-in to vault 713.
- Ron WeasleySupports Harry in classes and at Hagrid’s; warns Harry not to provoke Snape; shares news about his brother Charlie.
- Hermione GrangerEager and knowledgeable; knows Snape’s questions but is ignored, achieving early success in Transfiguration.
- Neville LongbottomAccidentally melts a cauldron; covered in boils, prompting Snape to blame nearby students.
- Draco MalfoySniggers at Harry and is praised by Snape for potion work; accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle.
- Professor McGonagallStrict Transfiguration teacher who warns against misbehavior; only smiles at Hermione’s progress.
- Professor QuirrellNervous Defense teacher; lessons disappoint; rumored garlic and dubious stories raise doubts.
- Argus FilchHostile caretaker who suspects rule-breaking; detested by students; shadowed by his cat.
- Mrs. NorrisFilch’s vigilant cat; patrols corridors and tails Hagrid to the school.
- Professor FlitwickCharms teacher; excitable and welcoming, topples when calling Harry’s name.
- Professor SproutHerbology teacher guiding first-years through magical plants and fungi.
- Professor BinnsGhostly History of Magic teacher whose droning lectures bore students.
- PeevesMischievous poltergeist who sabotages students, worsening tardiness and chaos.
- Nearly Headless NickHelpful Gryffindor ghost who guides first-years around the castle.
- Seamus FinniganClassmate paired near Neville; winks at Harry; his cauldron gets melted in the mishap.
- Vincent Crabbe and Gregory GoyleMalfoy’s cronies who mock Harry during Snape’s questioning.
- FangHagrid’s boarhound; slobbery but gentle, dotes on visitors.