Harry Potter, #1
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
The Man with Two Faces
Overview
Harry confronts Professor Quirrell, not Snape, and discovers Voldemort living on the back of Quirrell’s head. The Mirror grants the Stone to Harry, whose mother’s sacrifice makes his touch burn Quirrell. Dumbledore arrives, the Stone is destroyed, and key truths are revealed. Gryffindor wins the House Cup before everyone departs for summer.
Summary
Harry reaches the final chamber and finds Professor Quirrell, not Professor Snape. Quirrell admits he jinxed Harry’s broom and let in the troll, while Snape had been countering him. Quirrell reveals the Mirror of Erised is the key to the Sorcerer’s Stone and that he serves Voldemort.
Prompted by a disembodied voice, Quirrell makes Harry look into the Mirror. Because Harry wants to find but not use the Stone, his reflection pockets it and the real Stone appears in Harry’s pocket. Voldemort then orders Quirrell to reveal himself; Quirrell unwraps his turban to show Voldemort’s face on the back of his head, demanding the Stone.
When Quirrell seizes Harry, Harry’s scar sears, but Quirrell’s skin blisters on contact. Realizing Quirrell cannot touch him, Harry grabs Quirrell’s face and arms, causing unbearable pain until Harry collapses into unconsciousness.
Harry wakes in the hospital wing with Dumbledore, who says he arrived in time to save him and that the Stone has been destroyed after an agreement with Nicolas Flamel. Dumbledore explains Voldemort fled, that Harry is protected by his mother’s sacrificial love, and clarifies Snape protected Harry because Snape owed James Potter a life debt. He also explains the Mirror’s enchantment: only one who wanted to find, not use, the Stone could retrieve it.
Ron and Hermione visit and hear the full story. Hagrid, guilt-ridden for revealing Fluffy’s secret, brings Harry a photo album of his parents. At the end-of-year feast, Dumbledore awards points to Ron, Hermione, and Harry, and crucially to Neville for bravery, overturning Slytherin’s lead so Gryffindor wins the House Cup.
Exams results arrive—Harry and Ron pass, Hermione excels—and the term ends. On the Hogwarts Express and at King’s Cross, Harry parts from his friends, returning to the Dursleys buoyed by the prospect that they don’t know he can’t use magic at home.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterConfronts Quirrell/Voldemort, gains the Stone via the Mirror, survives by burning Quirrell, learns key truths from Dumbledore.
- Professor QuirrellRevealed as Voldemort’s host; attempts to seize the Stone; is burned by Harry’s touch and defeated.
- Lord VoldemortParasites on Quirrell; commands him; seeks the Stone to regain a body; flees when Quirrell fails.
- Albus DumbledoreArrives in time to save Harry; destroys the Stone; explains Harry’s protection and Snape’s motives; awards points.
- Hermione GrangerVisits Harry; hears the truth; previously sought help; earns points for logic in the challenges.
- Ron WeasleyVisits Harry; earns points for his chess sacrifice; supports Harry at the feast and departure.
- Rubeus HagridRemorseful for leaking Fluffy’s secret; gifts Harry a photo album of his parents.
- Severus SnapeReframed as protector; had countered Quirrell; forces a strained congratulatory presence at the feast.
- Neville LongbottomAwarded crucial points for standing up to friends, securing Gryffindor the House Cup.
- Madam PomfreyTreats Harry in the hospital wing and strictly limits visitors.
- Minerva McGonagallSeen at the feast; her chess set challenge is referenced in point awards.
- Mrs. WeasleyGreets the trio at King’s Cross; briefly meets Harry’s family.
- Ginny WeasleySpots and excitedly points out Harry at King’s Cross.
- Vernon DursleyCollects Harry at King’s Cross, impatient and disapproving.
- Aunt PetuniaStands with Vernon and Dudley, uneasy at Harry’s return.
- Dudley DursleyTerrified of Harry; becomes the implied target of harmless summer intimidation.