An orphan discovers he's a wizard — and the dark wizard who killed his parents isn't done with him.
Who drives the story
The orphaned Boy Who Lived, raised unloved in a cupboard and famous without knowing why. He wants a family and a place to belong — and finds it at Hogwarts, where he faces down the wizard who murdered his parents.
The youngest son of a large, poor wizarding family, starved of attention and second-hand everything. He proves his worth by sacrificing himself on the giant chessboard so Harry can go on.
A Muggle-born know-it-all whose rule-following hides a fierce loyalty. She lies to teachers to protect her friends, sets Snape's robes on fire to save Harry, and finds the answer to Flamel in a library book.
The half-giant gamekeeper who delivers Harry to the Dursleys as a baby and, eleven years later, delivers the truth: 'yer a wizard.' Soft-hearted and dangerous with secrets — he wins a dragon's egg from a stranger in a pub.
Hogwarts' headmaster, the only wizard Voldemort ever feared. He leaves Harry the Invisibility Cloak, explains the Mirror of Erised, and quietly destroys the Stone at the end rather than let it be stolen.
The Potions master with a grudge against Harry, suspected by everyone of trying to steal the Stone. He was actually protecting Harry all along while investigating the real thief.
The dark wizard who murdered Harry's parents and lost his body when his curse rebounded. He survives as a parasite on Quirrell, drinking unicorn blood to stay alive, and wants the Stone for immortality.
The sneering, well-connected first-year who offers Harry friendship on the wrong terms and gets a rival instead. He goes to Slytherin and sets the trap of the midnight duel.
Also in the story
The stuttering Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher nobody suspects. Under his turban, Voldemort lives on the back of his head — and Harry's touch kills him.
Vernon, Petunia and their spoiled son Dudley, who hate anything abnormal and lie to Harry about his parents' death. Their cupboard, their cruelty and their lies shape everything Harry wants to escape.
How they are connected
He proves his worth by sacrificing himself on the giant chessboard so Harry can go on.
She lies to teachers to protect her friends, sets Snape's robes on fire to save Harry, and finds the answer to Flamel in a library book.
She lies to teachers to protect her friends, sets Snape's robes on fire to save Harry, and finds the answer to Flamel in a library book.
The half-giant gamekeeper who delivers Harry to the Dursleys as a baby and, eleven years later, delivers the truth: 'yer a wizard.
The half-giant gamekeeper who delivers Harry to the Dursleys as a baby and, eleven years later, delivers the truth: 'yer a wizard.
Albus DumbledoreLord Voldemort
Hogwarts' headmaster, the only wizard Voldemort ever feared.
He leaves Harry the Invisibility Cloak, explains the Mirror of Erised, and quietly destroys the Stone at the end rather than let it be stolen.
The Potions master with a grudge against Harry, suspected by everyone of trying to steal the Stone.
Professor QuirrellHarry Potter
Under his turban, Voldemort lives on the back of his head — and Harry's touch kills him.
Professor QuirrellLord Voldemort
Under his turban, Voldemort lives on the back of his head — and Harry's touch kills him.
The dark wizard who murdered Harry's parents and lost his body when his curse rebounded.
The sneering, well-connected first-year who offers Harry friendship on the wrong terms and gets a rival instead.
Go deeper
Love as protection · Desire and what it costs · Belonging and found family · Courage over talent
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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