Harry Potter, #1
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Halloween
Overview
Harry receives a Nimbus Two Thousand and begins Seeker training with Oliver Wood, solidifying his role on the Quidditch team. On Halloween, Ron insults Hermione, who hides in a bathroom as a mountain troll enters the castle. Harry and Ron rescue Hermione, forging their friendship, while Snape’s suspicious movement toward the third floor deepens the larger mystery.
Summary
In the aftermath of discovering the three-headed dog, Harry and Ron fixate on the guarded package likely moved from Gringotts. A week later, six owls deliver Harry a long parcel: a Nimbus Two Thousand from Professor McGonagall for Quidditch. Malfoy tries to provoke trouble, but Professor Flitwick confirms special permission, leaving Malfoy furious. Hermione disapproves and continues snubbing them.
That evening, Harry meets Oliver Wood for his first training. Wood explains Quidditch positions, the Quaffle, Bludgers, and the Golden Snitch. Harry practices catching golf balls and performs flawlessly, convincing Wood that Gryffindor can win the Cup.
On Halloween, Charms lessons introduce levitation. Paired with Ron, Hermione successfully performs Wingardium Leviosa, after which Ron insults her; Hermione flees in tears to the girls’ bathroom. During the feast, Professor Quirrell bursts in, announcing a troll in the dungeons. Amid the evacuation, Harry and Ron realize Hermione doesn’t know about the danger and go to warn her.
On the way, they see Snape heading toward the third floor and then encounter the troll. They lock it in a room, only to hear Hermione scream from inside; it is the girls’ bathroom. Rushing back, they distract the troll. Harry leaps onto its back and accidentally jams his wand up its nose; Ron uses Wingardium Leviosa to drop the troll’s club on its head, knocking it out.
Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell arrive. Hermione lies to protect Harry and Ron, claiming she sought the troll. McGonagall deducts five points from Hermione but awards five each to Harry and Ron for bravery. Afterward, the three exchange awkward thanks in the common room and become friends. The episode also leaves Harry suspicious of Snape’s actions during the crisis.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterReceives a Nimbus 2000, begins Seeker training, confronts a mountain troll, and helps save Hermione, cementing their friendship.
- Ron WeasleyInsults Hermione in Charms, then helps rescue her; uses Wingardium Leviosa to knock out the troll.
- Hermione GrangerExcels at levitation, is hurt by Ron’s comment, hides in the bathroom, is saved from the troll, then lies to protect the boys.
- Oliver WoodIntroduces Harry to Quidditch rules and drills; praises Harry’s natural Seeker ability.
- Professor Minerva McGonagallSends Harry the Nimbus 2000; later disciplines and rewards students after the troll incident.
- Professor Severus SnapeSeen heading toward the third floor during the troll crisis; arrives after the fight, scrutinizing Harry.
- Professor QuirrellAnnounces the troll invasion and later faints at the scene in the bathroom.
- Professor Filius FlitwickOversees levitation lesson; praises Hermione’s successful spellwork.
- Draco MalfoyTries to expose Harry’s broom; seethes with jealousy over the Nimbus 2000.
- Percy WeasleyLeads Gryffindors during the evacuation, relishing his prefect duties.
- Albus DumbledoreRestores order in the Great Hall and organizes the evacuation after the troll alarm.
- Mountain TrollInvades the castle and attacks Hermione; is knocked unconscious by its own club.
- Neville LongbottomAvoids further dog-related danger; appears in lessons but plays no part in the troll incident.