book 1

ETTERSNO ONEmean, your bedroom,” he wheezedgo.” nd his new room. Someone knew oard and they seemed to know er. Surely that meant they’d try e sure they didn’t fail. He had a at six o’clock the next morning. dressed silently He mustn’t wake rs without turning on any of the postman on the corner of Privet ber four first. His heart hammered ward the front door — d trodden on something big and thing alive! to his horror Harry realized that een his uncle’s face. Uncle Vernon he front door in a sleeping bag, dn’t do exactly what he’d been try- for about half an hour and then f tea. Harry shuffled miserably off he got back, the mail had arrived, Harry could see three letters ad- cle Vernon was tearing the letters39 ‘

CHAPTER Uncle Vernon didn’t go to worknailed up the mail slot. “See,” he explained to Aunt Pet“if they can’t deliver them they’ll j “I’m not sure that’ll work, Vern “Oh, these peoples minds worknot like you and me,” said Unclewith the piece of fruitcake Aunt POn Friday, no less than twelve lcouldn’t go through the mail slotdoor, slotted through the sides, ansmall window in the downstairs ba Uncle Vernon stayed at home ahe got out a hammer and nails anthe front and back doors so no“Tiptoe Through the Tulips” asnoises.On Saturday, things began to getto Harry found their way into theside each of the two dozen eggs thad handed Aunt Petunia throughUncle Vernon made furious telepthe dairy trying to find someonshredded the letters in her food pr “Who on earth wants to talk tHarry in amazement. ‘‘ ‘4

R THREE k that day. He stayed at home and tunia through a mouthful of nails, just give up.” non.” k in strange ways, Petunia, they’re Vernon, trying to knock in a nailPetunia had just brought him. letters arrived for Harry. As they t they had been pushed under the nd a few even forced through the athroom. again. After burning all the letters, nd boarded up the cracks around one could go out. He hummed he worked, and jumped at small t out of hand. Twenty-four letters e house, rolled up and hidden in- that their very confused milkman h the living room window. While phone calls to the post office andne to complain to, Aunt Petunia rocessor. to you this badly?” Dudley asked ‘‘40 ‘

THE LE FROM NOn Sunday morning, Uncle Vernolooking tired and rather ill, but ha “No post on Sundays,” he rspread marmalade on his newspa Something came whizzing dospoke and caught him sharply onment, thirty or forty letters camebullets. The Dursleys ducked, butcatch one — “Out! OUT!” Uncle Vernon seized Harry arothe hall. When Aunt Petunia andarms over their faces, Uncle Verncould hear the letters still streamthe walls and floor. “That does it,” said Uncle Vepulling great tufts out of his muyou all back here in five minutesJust pack some clothes. No argum He looked so dangerous with hone dared argue. Ten minutes lathrough the boarded-up doors andthe highway. Dudley was snifflinghit him round the head for holdinhis television, VCR, and compute They drove. And they drove.ask where they were going. Everwould take a sharp turn and drivwhile. ‘4

ETTERSNO ONEnon sat down at the breakfast table appy. reminded them cheerfully as heapers, “no damn letters today —” own the kitchen chimney as hen the back of the head. Next mo- e pelting out of the fireplace like t Harry leapt into the air trying toound the waist and threw him into d Dudley had run out with theirnon slammed the door shut. Theyming into the room, bouncing offernon, trying to speak calmly butustache at the same time. “I want ready to leave. We’re going away.ments!” half his mustache missing that noater they had wrenched their way d were in the car, speeding toward g in the back seat; his father had ng them up while he tried to packer in his sports bag. Even Aunt Petunia didn’t dare ry now and then Uncle Vernon ve in the opposite direction for a41 ‘

CHAPTER “Shake ’em off . . . shake ’em odid this. They didn’t stop to eat or drinkhowling. He’d never had such a bhe’d missed five television progranever gone so long without blow Uncle Vernon stopped at last othe outskirts of a big city. Dudletwin beds and damp, musty shstayed awake, sitting on the windof passing cars and wondering. . .They ate stale cornflakes and cobreakfast the next day. They hadthe hotel came over to their table. “ ’Scuse me, but is one of you M’undred of these at the front desk. She held up a letter so they cou Mr. H. Potte Room 17 Railview Ho Cokeworth Harry made a grab for the lettehand out of the way. The woman “I’ll take them,” said Uncle Verlowing her from the dining room. ‘‘ ‘4

R THREEoff,” he would mutter whenever he k all day. By nightfall Dudley wasbad day in his life. He was hungry,ams he’d wanted to see, and he’dwing up an alien on his computer. outside a gloomy-looking hotel oney and Harry shared a room withheets. Dudley snored but Harrydowsill, staring down at the lights .old tinned tomatoes on toast ford just finished when the owner ofMr. H. Potter? Only I got about an .”uld read the green ink address:er otel er but Uncle Vernon knocked his stared. rnon, standing up quickly and fol- . ‘‘42 ‘

THE LE FROM N “Wouldn’t it be better just tosuggested timidly, hours later, buhear her. Exactly what he was loodrove them into the middle of ashook his head, got back in the csame thing happened in the miacross a suspension bridge, and agarage. “Daddy’s gone mad, hasn’t hdully late that afternoon. Unclelocked them all inside the car, and It started to rain. Great dropsley sniveled. “It’s Monday,” he told his motonight. I want to stay somewhere Monday. This reminded Harrday — and you could usually counthe week, because of television —Harry’s eleventh birthday. Of couactly fun — last year, the Dursleand a pair of Uncle Vernon’s oldevery day. Uncle Vernon was back and heing a long, thin package and didnasked what he’d bought. “Found the perfect place!”out!” It was very cold outside the cawhat looked like a large rock way ‘4

ETTERSNO ONE o go home, dear?” Aunt Petunia ut Uncle Vernon didn’t seem tooking for, none of them knew. He a forest, got out, looked around, car, and off they went again. The iddle of a plowed field, halfway at the top of a multilevel parkinghe?” Dudley asked Aunt Petunia Vernon had parked at the coast,d disappeared. beat on the roof of the car. Dud-other. “The Great Humberto’s one with a television.” ry of something. If it was Mon- nt on Dudley to know the days of — then tomorrow, Tuesday, was urse, his birthdays were never ex- eys had given him a coat hanger d socks. Still, you weren’t eleven e was smiling. He was also carry-n’t answer Aunt Petunia when she he said. “Come on! Everyone ar. Uncle Vernon was pointing at out at sea. Perched on top of the43 ‘

CHAPTERrock was the most miserable littlthing was certain, there was no tel “Storm forecast for tonight!” saping his hands together. “And thlend us his boat!” A toothless old man came ambrather wicked grin, at an old rowater below them. “I’ve already got us some ratioaboard!” It was freezing in the boat. Ictheir necks and a chilly wind wseemed like hours they reached thping and sliding, led the way to th The inside was horrible; it smelwhistled through the gaps in thewas damp and empty. There were Uncle Vernon’s rations turnedfour bananas. He tried to start asmoked and shriveled up. “Could do with some of thosefully. He was in a very good moodstood a chance of reaching themHarry privately agreed, though tat all. As night fell, the promised stofrom the high waves splattered t ‘4

R THREE le shack you could imagine. One levision in there. aid Uncle Vernon gleefully, clap- his gentleman’s kindly agreed to bling up to them, pointing, with a owboat bobbing in the iron-gray ons,” said Uncle Vernon, “so all cy sea spray and rain crept down whipped their faces. After whathe rock, where Uncle Vernon, slip- he broken-down house. lled strongly of seaweed, the wind e wooden walls, and the fireplace only two rooms. out to be a bag of chips each and fire but the empty chip bags just e letters now, eh?” he said cheer- d. Obviously he thought nobodym here in a storm to deliver mail. the thought didn’t cheer him up orm blew up around them. Spray the walls of the hut and a fierce44 ‘

THE LE FROM Nwind rattled the filthy windows. Ablankets in the second room and mmoth-eaten sofa. She and Uncle Vnext door, and Harry was left tocould and to curl up under the thin The storm raged more and moon. Harry couldn’t sleep. He shivecomfortable, his stomach rumblinwere drowned by the low rolls onight. The lighted dial of Dudley’the edge of the sofa on his fat wrisminutes’ time. He lay and watchdering if the Dursleys would remeletter writer was now. Five minutes to go. Harry heahoped the roof wasn’t going towarmer if it did. Four minutes tDrive would be so full of lettersable to steal one somehow. Three minutes to go. Was thatlike that? And (two minutes to gonoise? Was the rock crumbling into One minute to go and he’dtwenty . . . ten . . . nine — mayannoy him — three . . . two . . . on BOOM. The whole shack shivered andthe door. Someone was outside, kn ‘4

ETTERSNO ONE Aunt Petunia found a few moldy made up a bed for Dudley on theVernon went off to the lumpy bed o find the softest bit of floor he nnest, most ragged blanket. ore ferociously as the night went ered and turned over, trying to get ng with hunger. Dudley’s snoresof thunder that started near mid- ’s watch, which was dangling over st, told Harry he’d be eleven in tenhed his birthday tick nearer, won- ember at all, wondering where the ard something creak outside. Heo fall in, although he might be to go. Maybe the house in Privet when they got back that he’d be the sea, slapping hard on the rock o) what was that funny crunching o the sea? be eleven. Thirty seconds . . . ybe he’d wake Dudley up, just to ne . . . Harry sat bolt upright, staring at nocking to come in.45 ‘

CHAPTETHE KEEPER OBOOM. They knocked again. “Where’s the cannon?” he There was a crash behind themding into the room. He was holdthey knew what had been in the lowith them. “Who’s there?” he shouted. “I w There was a pause. Then — SMASH! The door was hit with suchhinges and with a deafening crash A giant of a man was standingmost completely hidden by a longtangled beard, but you could makbeetles under all the hair. ‘4

ER FOUROF THE KEYS Dudley jerked awake. said stupidly. m and Uncle Vernon came skid- ding a rifle in his hands — now ong, thin package he had brought warn you — I’m armed!” force that it swung clean off its landed flat on the floor.g in the doorway. His face was al- g, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, ke out his eyes, glinting like black46 ‘

THE KEEPER O The giant squeezed his way inhead just brushed the ceiling. Heand fitted it easily back into its frside dropped a little. He turned to “Couldn’t make us a cup o’ teajourney. . . .” He strode over to the sofa wher “Budge up, yeh great lump,” sa Dudley squeaked and ran to hcrouching, terrified, behind Uncle “An’ here’s Harry!” said the gia Harry looked up into the fiercethe beetle eyes were crinkled in a s “Las’ time I saw you, you was olook a lot like yer dad, but yeh’ve Uncle Vernon made a funny ra “I demand that you leave at oning and entering!” “Ah, shut up, Dursley, yeh greached over the back of the sofa,non’s hands, bent it into a knot arubber, and threw it into a corner Uncle Vernon made anothertrodden on. “Anyway — Harry,” said theDursleys, “a very happy birthdahere — I mighta sat on it at som From an inside pocket of his b ‘4

OF THE KEYS nto the hut, stooping so that hise bent down, picked up the door, rame. The noise of the storm out- o look at them all. a, could yeh? It’s not been an easy re Dudley sat frozen with fear.aid the stranger. hide behind his mother, who was e Vernon.ant. e, wild, shadowy face and saw that smile. only a baby,” said the giant. “Yeh got yer mom’s eyes.”asping noise. nce, sir!” he said. “You are break- great prune,” said the giant; he jerked the gun out of Uncle Ver- as easily as if it had been made of of the room. funny noise, like a mouse beinge giant, turning his back on the ay to yeh. Got summat fer yehme point, but it’ll taste all right.” black overcoat he pulled a slightly47 ‘

CHAPTERsquashed box. Harry opened it wilarge, sticky chocolate cake with Hit in green icing. Harry looked up at the giant.the words got lost on the way tostead was, “Who are you?” The giant chuckled. “True, I haven’t introduced mKeys and Grounds at Hogwarts.” He held out an enormous han “What about that tea then, ehgether. “I’d not say no ter summa His eyes fell on the empty gratit and he snorted. He bent downsee what he was doing but when hwas a roaring fire there. It filled thlight and Harry felt the warmth winto a hot bath. The giant sat back down on tweight, and began taking all sortscoat: a copper kettle, a squashyteapot, several chipped mugs, anthat he took a swig from before stwas full of the sound and smell othing while the giant was workinjuicy, slightly burnt sausages fromtle. Uncle Vernon said sharply, “DDudley.” The giant chuckled darkly. ‘4

R FOUR ith trembling fingers. Inside was a Happy Birthday Harry written on He meant to say thank you, but his mouth, and what he said in-meself. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper ofnd and shook Harry’s whole arm.h?” he said, rubbing his hands to- at stronger if yeh’ve got it, mind.” te with the shriveled chip bags inn over the fireplace; they couldn’t he drew back a second later, there he whole damp hut with flickeringwash over him as though he’d sunk the sofa, which sagged under his of things out of the pockets of his package of sausages, a poker, and a bottle of some amber liquid tarting to make tea. Soon the hut of sizzling sausage. Nobody said ang, but as he slid the first six fat,m the poker, Dudley fidgeted a lit-Don’t touch anything he gives you,48 ‘

THE KEEPER O “Yer great puddin’ of a son doley, don’ worry.” He passed the sausages to Hanever tasted anything so wonderfeyes off the giant. Finally, as nobothing, he said, “I’m sorry, but I stil The giant took a gulp of tea anof his hand. “Call me Hagrid,” he said, “evI’m Keeper of Keys at Hogwartswarts, o’ course.” “Er — no,” said Harry. Hagrid looked shocked. “Sorry,” Harry said quickly. “Sorry?” barked Hagrid, turninshrank back into the shadows. “It’yeh weren’t gettin’ yer letters but Iknow abou’ Hogwarts, fer cryin’where yer parents learned it all?” “All what?” asked Harry. “ALL WHAT?” Hagrid thunde He had leapt to his feet. In hishut. The Dursleys were cowering “Do you mean ter tell me,” he gboy — this boy! — knows nothin Harry thought this was goingafter all, and his marks weren’t bad “I know some things,” he said.stuff.” ‘4

OF THE KEYSon’ need fattenin’ anymore, Durs- arry, who was so hungry he had ful, but he still couldn’t take his ody seemed about to explain any- ll don’t really know who you are.”nd wiped his mouth with the back veryone does. An’ like I told yeh, s — yeh’ll know all about Hog- ng to stare at the Dursleys, who ’s them as should be sorry! I knew I never thought yeh wouldn’t even out loud! Did yeh never wonder ered. “Now wait jus’ one second!” anger he seemed to fill the whole against the wall. growled at the Dursleys, “that thisn’ abou’ — about ANYTHING?” a bit far. He had been to school, d. . “I can, you know, do math and49 ‘

CHAPTER But Hagrid simply waved his hI mean. Your world. My world. Ye “What world?” Hagrid looked as if he was abou “DURSLEY!” he boomed. Uncle Vernon, who had gonethat sounded like “Mimblewimble “But yeh must know about yerthey’re famous. You’re famous.” “What? My — my mom and d “Yeh don’ know . . . yeh don’through his hair, fixing Harry with “Yeh don’ know what yeh are?” Uncle Vernon suddenly found “Stop!” he commanded. “Stop rthe boy anything!” A braver man than Vernon Dthe furious look Hagrid now gavevery syllable trembled with rage. “You never told him? NeverDumbledore left fer him? I was tDursley! An’ you’ve kept it from h “Kept what from me?” said Har “STOP! I FORBID YOU!” yell Aunt Petunia gave a gasp of hor “Ah, go boil yer heads, both ofa wizard.” There was silence inside the huwind could be heard. ‘ 50

R FOUR hand and said, “About our world, er parents’ world.” ut to explode. e very pale, whispered something e.” Hagrid stared wildly at Harry. mom and dad,” he said. “I mean, dad weren’t famous, were they?” know . . .” Hagrid ran his fingers h a bewildered stare. ” he said finally. his voice. right there, sir! I forbid you to tellDursley would have quailed under ve him; when Hagrid spoke, his told him what was in the letter there! I saw Dumbledore leave it, him all these years?” rry eagerly. led Uncle Vernon in panic. rror. f yeh,” said Hagrid. “Harry — yer ut. Only the sea and the whistling 0‘

THE KEEPER O “I’m a what?” gasped Harry. “A wizard, o’ course,” said Hsofa, which groaned and sank evenI’d say, once yeh’ve been trained uyours, what else would yeh be? Anyer letter.” Harry stretched out his hand alope, addressed in emerald green ton-the-Rock, The Sea. He pulled HOGWART of WITCHCRAFT Headmaster: Alb (Order of Merlin, First Class, Supreme Mugwump, Interna Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform yo at Hogwarts School of Witc find enclosed a list of all nece Term begins on September later than July 31. Yours sincerely,Minerva McGonagall,Deputy Headmistress ‘5

OF THE KEYSHagrid, sitting back down on the n lower, “an’ a thumpin’ good’un, up a bit. With a mum an’ dad liken’ I reckon it’s abou’ time yeh read at last to take the yellowish enve- to Mr. H. Potter, The Floor, Hut- out the letter and read:TS SCHOOLT and WIZARDRYbus Dumbledore , Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, ational Confed. of Wizards )ou that you have been acceptedchcraft and Wizardry. Please essary books and equipment. 1. We await your owl by no51 ‘

CHAPTERQuestions exploded inside Harrcouldn’t decide which to ask firsmered, “What does it mean, they “Gallopin’ Gorgons, that reminhand to his forehead with enoughand from yet another pocket inowl — a real, live, rather ruffled-lroll of parchment. With his tongua note that Harry could read upsid Dear Professor Dumble Given Harry his letter Taking him to buy his Weather’s horrible. Ho Hagrid Hagrid rolled up the note, gaveits beak, went to the door, and thThen he came back and sat downtalking on the telephone. Harry realized his mouth was o “Where was I?” said Hagrid, bustill ashen-faced but looking velight. “He’s not going,” he said. Hagrid grunted. “I’d like ter see a great Muggle “A what?” said Harry, interested ‘5

R FOUR ry’s head like fireworks and he st. After a few minutes he stam- await my owl?” nds me,” said Hagrid, clapping ah force to knock over a cart horse, nside his overcoat he pulled an looking owl — a long quill, and a ue between his teeth he scribbled de down: edore,r. things tomorrow.ope you’re well.e it to the owl, which clamped it in hrew the owl out into the storm.n as though this was as normal asopen and closed it quickly.ut at that moment, Uncle Vernon, ery angry, moved into the fire- like you stop him,” he said. d.52 ‘

THE KEEPER O “A Muggle,” said Hagrid, “it’sthem. An’ it’s your bad luck you gMuggles I ever laid eyes on.” “We swore when we took himbish,” said Uncle Vernon, “sworeindeed!” “You knew?” said Harry. “You “Knew!” shrieked Aunt Petuniaknew! How could you not be, mwas? Oh, she got a letter just lthat — that school — and campockets full of frog spawn, turningone who saw her for what she waand father, oh no, it was Lily thishaving a witch in the family!” She stopped to draw a deep breseemed she had been wanting to sa “Then she met that Potter at sried and had you, and of course Ias strange, just as — as — abnormwent and got herself blown up and Harry had gone very white. Asaid, “Blown up? You told me they “CAR CRASH!” roared HagridDursleys scuttled back to their coLily an’ James Potter? It’s an outrknowin’ his own story when evename!” ‘5

OF THE KEYS s what we call nonmagic folk like grew up in a family o’ the biggestm in we’d put a stop to that rub- we’d stamp it out of him! Wizard knew I’m a — a wizard?” a suddenly. “Knew! Of course we my dratted sister being what she ike that and disappeared off tome home every vacation with her g teacups into rats. I was the only as — a freak! But for my mother and Lily that, they were proud of eath and then went ranting on. It ay all this for years. school and they left and got mar- knew you’d be just the same, justmal — and then, if you please, she d we got landed with you!” As soon as he found his voice he y died in a car crash!” d, jumping up so angrily that the orner. “How could a car crash kill rage! A scandal! Harry Potter not ery kid in our world knows his53 ‘

CHAPTER “But why? What happened?” H The anger faded from Hagrid’s “I never expected this,” he saidno idea, when Dumbledore told mhold of yeh, how much yeh didn’tI’m the right person ter tell yeh —go off ter Hogwarts not knowin’.” He threw a dirty look at the Du “Well, it’s best yeh know as mcan’t tell yeh everythin’, it’s a grea He sat down, stared into thesaid, “It begins, I suppose, with —incredible yeh don’t know hisknows —” “Who?” “Well — I don’ like sayin’ thdoes.” “Why not?” “Gulpin’ gargoyles, Harry, peopdifficult. See, there was this wizayou could go. Worse. Worse than Hagrid gulped, but no words ca “Could you write it down?” Ha “Nah — can’t spell it. All rigdered. “Don’ make me say it agaabout twenty years ago now, starttoo — some were afraid, some jushe was gettin’ himself power, all ‘ 54

R FOURHarry asked urgently. face. He looked suddenly anxious. d, in a low, worried voice. “I had me there might be trouble gettin’ t know. Ah, Harry, I don’ know if— but someone’s gotta — yeh can’t ” ursleys.much as I can tell yeh — mind, I at myst’ry, parts of it. . . .” fire for a few seconds, and then — with a person called — but it’s name, everyone in our world he name if I can help it. No one ple are still scared. Blimey, this is ard who went . . . bad. As bad as worse. His name was . . .” ame out. arry suggested. ght — Voldemort.” Hagrid shud- ain. Anyway, this — this wizard, ted lookin’ fer followers. Got ’em, st wanted a bit o’ his power, ’cause right. Dark days, Harry. Didn’t 4‘

THE KEEPER Oknow who ter trust, didn’t dare gewitches . . . terrible things happensome stood up to him — an’ heonly safe places left was Hogwartsone You-Know-Who was afraidschool, not jus’ then, anyway. “Now, yer mum an’ dad were aknew. Head boy an’ girl at Hogwat’ry is why You-Know-Who nevefore . . . probably knew they wewant anythin’ ter do with the Dar “Maybe he thought he couldwanted ’em outta the way. All anyvillage where you was all living, owas just a year old. He came ter ye Hagrid suddenly pulled out aand blew his nose with a sound lik “Sorry,” he said. “But it’s that snicer people yeh couldn’t find — “You-Know-Who killed ’em.myst’ry of the thing — he tried toclean job of it, I suppose, or maybhe couldn’t do it. Never wondereforehead? That was no ordinarypowerful, evil curse touches yeh —an’ yer house, even — but it didnfamous, Harry. No one ever livedone except you, an’ he’d killed som ‘5

OF THE KEYS et friendly with strange wizards or ned. He was takin’ over. ’Course, killed ’em. Horribly. One o’ the s. Reckon Dumbledore’s the onlyd of. Didn’t dare try takin’ theas good a witch an’ wizard as I ever arts in their day! Suppose the mys-er tried to get ’em on his side be- ere too close ter Dumbledore terrk Side. persuade ’em . . . maybe he justyone knows is, he turned up in the on Halloween ten years ago. You er house an’ — an’ —” very dirty, spotted handkerchief ke a foghorn. sad — knew yer mum an’ dad, an’ anyway . . . An’ then — an’ this is the realo kill you, too. Wanted ter make abe he just liked killin’ by then. But ed how you got that mark on yer cut. That’s what yeh get when a — took care of yer mum an’ dadn’t work on you, an’ that’s why yerd after he decided ter kill ’em, no me o’ the best witches an’ wizards55 ‘

CHAPTERof the age — the McKinnons, thwas only a baby, an’ you lived.” Something very painful was gogrid’s story came to a close, he sawlight, more clearly than he had evhe remembered something else, focold, cruel laugh. Hagrid was watching him sadly “Took yeh from the ruined hoders. Brought yeh ter this lot . . .” “Load of old tosh,” said Unclealmost forgotten that the Dursleytainly seemed to have got back higrid and his fists were clenched. “Now, you listen here, boy,” hthing strange about you, probablyhave cured — and as for all this abweirdos, no denying it, and the wmy opinion — asked for all theywizarding types — just what I exto a sticky end —” But at that moment, Hagrid leatered pink umbrella from insideVernon like a sword, he said, “I’warning you — one more word . . In danger of being speared obearded giant, Uncle Vernon’s chimself against the wall and fell sil ‘5

R FOURhe Bones, the Prewetts — an’ you oing on in Harry’s mind. As Ha-w again the blinding flash of green ver remembered it before — andor the first time in his life: a high,y.ouse myself, on Dumbledore’s or- e Vernon. Harry jumped; he had ys were there. Uncle Vernon cer- is courage. He was glaring at Ha-he snarled, “I accept there’s some-y nothing a good beating wouldn’t bout your parents, well, they wereworld’s better off without them in got, getting mixed up with thesexpected, always knew they’d come apt from the sofa and drew a bat- his coat. Pointing this at Uncle ’m warning you, Dursley — I’m . .”on the end of an umbrella by acourage failed again; he flattened lent.56 ‘

THE KEEPER O “That’s better,” said Hagrid, bdown on the sofa, which this tim Harry, meanwhile, still had qu “But what happened to Vol-Who?” “Good question, Harry. Disaptried ter kill you. Makes yeh evenmyst’ry, see . . . he was gettin’ mhe go? “Some say he died. Codswallohad enough human left in him tobidin’ his time, like, but I don’ bside came back ter ours. Some oDon’ reckon they could’ve done if “Most of us reckon he’s still opowers. Too weak to carry on. ’Cahim, Harry. There was somethincounted on — I dunno what it wabout you stumped him, all right. Hagrid looked at Harry with weyes, but Harry, instead of feelingthere had been a horrible mistakepossibly be? He’d spent his life belied by Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vwhy hadn’t they been turned inttried to lock him in his cupboardest sorcerer in the world, how coto kick him around like a football? ‘ 57

OF THE KEYSbreathing heavily and sitting backme sagged right down to the floor.uestions to ask, hundreds of them. -, sorry — I mean, You-Know-ppeared. Vanished. Same night hen more famous. That’s the biggestmore an’ more powerful — why’d op, in my opinion. Dunno if heo die. Some say he’s still out there, believe it. People who was on his of ’em came outta kinda trances. f he was comin’ back. out there somewhere but lost his ause somethin’ about you finished n’ goin’ on that night he hadn’twas, no one does — but somethin’ .” warmth and respect blazing in his pleased and proud, felt quite sure e. A wizard? Him? How could he eing clouted by Dudley, and bul- Vernon; if he was really a wizard, to warty toads every time they’dd? If he’d once defeated the great-ome Dudley had always been able ? 7‘

CHAPTER “Hagrid,” he said quietly, “I thtake. I don’t think I can be a wizar To his surprise, Hagrid chuckle “Not a wizard, eh? Never mascared or angry?” Harry looked into the fire. Noevery odd thing that had ever madhim had happened when he, Harchased by Dudley’s gang, he hadtheir reach . . . dreading going tocut, he’d managed to make it growDudley had hit him, hadn’t he going he was doing it? Hadn’t he set Harry looked back at Hagrid, spositively beaming at him. “See?” said Hagrid. “Harry Poyou’ll be right famous at Hogwart But Uncle Vernon wasn’t going “Haven’t I told you he’s notto Stonewall High and he’ll be gters and he needs all sorts of ruand —” “If he wants ter go, a great Mgrowled Hagrid. “Stop Lily an’ Jwarts! Yer mad. His name’s been doff ter the finest school of witchSeven years there and he won’t knsters of his own sort, fer a changheadmaster Hogwarts ever had, Al ‘5

R FOUR hink you must have made a mis- rd.” ed.ade things happen when you wasow he came to think about it . . . de his aunt and uncle furious with rry, had been upset or angry . . .d somehow found himself out ofo school with that ridiculous hair- w back . . . and the very last timeot his revenge, without even realiz- t a boa constrictor on him? smiling, and saw that Hagrid was otter, not a wizard — you wait, ts.” g to give in without a fight. going?” he hissed. “He’s goinggrateful for it. I’ve read those let- bbish — spell books and wandsMuggle like you won’t stop him,”James Potter’s son goin’ ter Hog- down ever since he was born. He’shcraft and wizardry in the world.now himself. He’ll be with young-ge, an’ he’ll be under the greatest lbus Dumbled—”58 ‘

THE KEEPER O “I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOTO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRIC But he had finally gone too farwhirled it over his head, “NEVSULT — ALBUS — DUMBLEOF — ME!” He brought the umbrella swipoint at Dudley — there was a flfirecracker, a sharp squeal, and thing on the spot with his hands clain pain. When he turned his backtail poking through a hole in his tr Uncle Vernon roared. Pulling Aother room, he cast one last terrifthe door behind them. Hagrid looked down at his umb “Shouldn’ta lost me temper,” heanyway. Meant ter turn him intomuch like a pig anyway there wasn He cast a sideways look at Harr “Be grateful if yeh didn’t mentihe said. “I’m — er — not supposI was allowed ter do a bit ter followstuff — one o’ the reasons I was s “Why aren’t you supposed to d “Oh, well — I was at Hogwarpelled, ter tell yeh the truth. In mwand in half an’ everything. Butgamekeeper. Great man, Dumbled ‘5

OF THE KEYS OME CRACKPOT OLD FOOLCKS!” yelled Uncle Vernon. r. Hagrid seized his umbrella andVER —” he thundered, “— IN- EDORE — IN — FRONT — ishing down through the air to lash of violet light, a sound like ahe next second, Dudley was danc-asped over his fat bottom, howlingk on them, Harry saw a curly pig’s rousers. Aunt Petunia and Dudley into the fied look at Hagrid and slammed brella and stroked his beard. e said ruefully, “but it didn’t work o a pig, but I suppose he was so n’t much left ter do.” ry under his bushy eyebrows. ion that ter anyone at Hogwarts,” sed ter do magic, strictly speakin’. w yeh an’ get yer letters to yeh an’ so keen ter take on the job —”do magic?” asked Harry. rts meself but I — er — got ex- me third year. They snapped me t Dumbledore let me stay on as dore.”59 ‘

CHAPTER “Why were you expelled?” “It’s gettin’ late and we’ve got loloudly. “Gotta get up ter town, ge He took off his thick black coat “You can kip under that,” hebit, I think I still got a couple o’ ‘ 60

R FOURots ter do tomorrow,” said Hagridet all yer books an’ that.”t and threw it to Harry. said. “Don’ mind if it wriggles a’ dormice in one o’ the pockets.”0‘

CHAPTE DIAGONHarry woke early the next it was daylight, he kept h “It was a dream,” he told himcalled Hagrid came to tell me I wWhen I open my eyes I’ll be at ho There was suddenly a loud tapp And there’s Aunt Petunia knockinheart sinking. But he still didn’t ogood dream. Tap. Tap. Tap. “All right,” Harry mumbled, “I He sat up and Hagrid’s heavy cof sunlight, the storm was over, Hcollapsed sofa, and there was andow, a newspaper held in its beak. ‘ 61

ER FIVEN ALLEY t morning. Although he could tell his eyes shut tight. mself firmly. “I dreamed a giant was going to a school for wizards. ome in my cupboard.” ping noise. ng on the door, Harry thought, his open his eyes. It had been such a I’m getting up.” coat fell off him. The hut was full Hagrid himself was asleep on the owl rapping its claw on the win- . 1‘

CHAPTE Harry scrambled to his feet, soballoon was swelling inside him.and jerked it open. The owl swooper on top of Hagrid, who didn’tonto the floor and began to attack “Don’t do that.” Harry tried to wave the owl obeak fiercely at him and carried on “Hagrid!” said Harry loudly. “T “Pay him,” Hagrid grunted into “What?” “He wants payin’ fer deliverin’ Hagrid’s coat seemed to be mbunches of keys, slug pellets, ballsteabags . . . finally, Harry pulledcoins. “Give him five Knuts,” said Ha “Knuts?” “The little bronze ones.” Harry counted out five little brhis leg so Harry could put the mtied to it. Then he flew off throug Hagrid yawned loudly, sat up, a “Best be off, Harry, lots ter do tbuy all yer stuff fer school.” Harry was turning over the wHe had just thought of somethinthe happy balloon inside him had ‘6

ER FIVE o happy he felt as though a large He went straight to the window oped in and dropped the newspa- t wake up. The owl then flutteredk Hagrid’s coat.out of the way, but it snapped its n savaging the coat. There’s an owl —” o the sofa. ’ the paper. Look in the pockets.” made of nothing but pockets — s of string, peppermint humbugs, out a handful of strange-looking agrid sleepily. ronze coins, and the owl held outmoney into a small leather pouchgh the open window. and stretched. today, gotta get up ter London an’wizard coins and looking at them. ng that made him feel as though got a puncture.62 ‘

DIAGON “Um — Hagrid?” “Mm?” said Hagrid, who was p “I haven’t got any money — anight . . . he won’t pay for me to g “Don’t worry about that,” saiding his head. “D’yeh think yer pa “But if their house was destroye “They didn’ keep their gold inus is Gringotts. Wizards’ bank.cold — an’ I wouldn’ say no teh a “Wizards have banks?” “Just the one. Gringotts. Run b Harry dropped the bit of sausag “Goblins?” “Yeah — so yeh’d be mad terNever mess with goblins, Harry. Gworld fer anything yeh want terwarts. As a matter o’ fact, I gottabledore. Hogwarts business.” H“He usually gets me ter do importgettin’ things from Gringotts — k “Got everythin’? Come on, then Harry followed Hagrid out onclear now and the sea gleamed in tnon had hired was still there, withter the storm. “How did you get here?” Harother boat. ‘ 63

N ALLEY pulling on his huge boots. and you heard Uncle Vernon last go and learn magic.” Hagrid, standing up and scratch- arents didn’t leave yeh anything?” ed —” the house, boy! Nah, first stop fer Have a sausage, they’re not bad bit o’ yer birthday cake, neither.” by goblins.” ge he was holding. r try an’ rob it, I’ll tell yeh that. Gringotts is the safest place in the keep safe — ’cept maybe Hog- visit Gringotts anyway Fer Dum-Hagrid drew himself up proudly. tant stuff fer him. Fetchin’ you — knows he can trust me, see. n.” nto the rock. The sky was quite the sunlight. The boat Uncle Ver- h a lot of water in the bottom af- rry asked, looking around for an- 3‘

CHAPTE “Flew,” said Hagrid. “Flew?” “Yeah — but we’ll go back innow I’ve got yeh.” They settled down in the boat,ing to imagine him flying. “Seems a shame ter row, thougother of his sideways looks. “If I wbit, would yeh mind not mentioni “Of course not,” said Harry, epulled out the pink umbrella agathe boat, and they sped off toward “Why would you be mad toasked. “Spells — enchantments,” sapaper as he spoke. “They say thsecurity vaults. And then yeh gohundreds of miles under Londoground. Yeh’d die of hunger tryinage ter get yer hands on summat.” Harry sat and thought about thper, the Daily Prophet. Harry hadpeople liked to be left alone whileficult, he’d never had so many que “Ministry o’ Magic messin’ thtered, turning the page. “There’s a Ministry of Magicstop himself. “ ’Course,” said Hagrid. “They ‘ 64