Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone: Plot Summary

Introduction

During the month of December, my grade was assigned to read the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, written by J.K. Rowling. It is the first book in a series of seven books. This series has won many awards and is one of the most famous in the world. Eleven years ago, wizards rejoiced all over the world, while Muggles were left in confusion. They celebrated because Voldemort was defeated. Voldemort, the most malevolent wizard, killed Harry Potter's parents, but for some mysterious reason, he couldn't kill baby Harry.

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone: Plot Summary

Now, Voldemort seems to have disappeared, but no one knows his actual whereabouts. Meanwhile, ten-year-old Harry lives with his unpleasant aunt and uncle and their son Dudley. When they go to the zoo for Dudley's birthday, Harry encounters a sympathetic snake. He's able to communicate with the friendly reptile and somehow manages to remove the glass from its cage, allowing it to return to Brazil. This peculiar incident foreshadows Harry's unique abilities and his connection to the wizarding world.

After the zoo trip, mysterious letters start arriving for Harry. His uncle, Mr. Dursley, is furious and tries to keep them from Harry. However, the letters continue to arrive at such a rapid rate that he cannot control it anymore. On Harry's birthday, Hagrid shows up to deliver the letter, revealing that Harry is a wizard and has been admitted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The next day, Hagrid takes Harry shopping for school supplies at Diagon Alley, where Harry learns more about the wizarding world. Harry also buys his first wand. Hagrid picks up a mysterious package at Gringotts, which raises Harry's suspicions. This package becomes a key element in the unfolding mystery of the Sorcerer's Stone.

Later that summer, Harry travels to Hogwarts. He takes a train from platform nine and three-quarters, with help from the Weasley family, and begins to make friends with one of their sons, Ron. He meets other first-year students like Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. Upon their arrival at Hogwarts, the first years are sorted into one of four houses. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville are all chosen as Gryffindors, a house known for bravery.

They begin taking various classes in magic. Harry learns about an attempted robbery at Gringotts, but nothing was taken. He guesses that the robbers were after what Hagrid picked up. Hagrid lets slip that it has something to do with someone called Nicolas Flamel. Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy becomes a significant bully.

During their first broom-flying lesson, he teases Neville. In defending Neville, Harry discovers he's a natural at flying and becomes a superstar on a broomstick. Although Harry breaks rules by flying unsupervised, Professor McGonagall rewards him by putting him on the Gryffindor Quidditch team as Seeker, a prestigious position on the team. This opportunity allows Harry to further integrate into the magical community and showcase his unique talents.

Soon after, winter break starts. When classes resume, Harry, Ron, and Hermione figure out who Flamel is—the only person in the world to have the Sorcerer's Stone. They deduce that the Stone is what was hidden at Gringotts and is now being guarded by a three-headed dog.

After the first-year exams, Harry, Ron, and Hermione talk with Hagrid and realize that he revealed too much about the Sorcerer's Stone to a mysterious stranger. That night, they attempt to retrieve the Stone. Neville tries to stop them, so they temporarily paralyze him with magic. They bypass the three-headed dog by playing it music and face a series of challenges.

First, they are trapped by a Devil's Snare plant, then they have to catch a flying key, and finally, they must play a life-sized game of wizard chess. The chess game removes Ron from the group, leaving Harry and Hermione to solve a logic puzzle and drink potions to move forward. There's only enough for one, so Harry moves on and sends Hermione back for help.

To Harry's surprise, he encounters Quirrell. Quirrell reveals that Voldemort is living within him like a parasite. He tries to use Harry to obtain the Stone, making Harry use the Mirror of Erised. Harry finds himself holding the Stone and lies about it. Voldemort attempts to kill Harry, but when he touches Harry, he burns. Harry blacks out.

When Harry regains consciousness, he's in the infirmary with Dumbledore, and Quirrell is dead. Dumbledore explains that Harry defeated Voldemort through the protection of his mother's love and that the Stone has been destroyed. This revelation deepens the understanding of the power of love and sacrifice in the wizarding world.

Conclusion

Later, at the end-of-year banquet, Dumbledore praises Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Neville for defeating Quirrell. He rewards them by giving Gryffindor a significant number of points, leading them to win the house cup. They also pass all of their exams. Then, they leave Hogwarts for the summer and part ways at the train station. Though it is unpleasant to return to the Dursleys, Harry explains that his time with them will be much easier now that he can do magic. This marks the beginning of Harry's journey in the wizarding world, filled with new challenges and friendships.

References:
Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Scholastic.