book 1

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS he had pinned to the wall, count- thought he’d better speak to his King’s Cross station the next day, oom where they were watching a ed his throat to let them know he and ran from the room. w he was listening. s Cross tomorrow to — to go to ve me a lift?” eant yes. tairs when Uncle Vernon actually s’ school, the train. Magic carpets ” ealizing this for the first time. He n him out of his pocket. atform nine and three-quarters at 89 ‘

CHAPT “Don’t talk rubbish,” said Uncnine and three-quarters.” “Its on my ticket.” “Barking,” said Uncle Vernon,You’ll see. You just wait. All righWe’re going up to London tombother.” “Why are you going to Londothings friendly. “Taking Dudley to the hospitato have that ruddy tail removed beHarry woke at five o’clock the nand nervous to go back to sleep. Hbecause he didn’t want to walkrobes — he’d change on the train.again to make sure he had everythwas shut safely in her cage, and tthe Dursleys to get up. Two hourhad been loaded into the DursleDudley into sitting next to Harry, They reached King’s Cross adumped Harry’s trunk onto a carfor him. Harry thought this was sstopped dead, facing the platform “Well, there you are, boy. Platplatform should be somewhere into have built it yet, do they?” ‘ 90

TER SIX cle Vernon. “There is no platform , “howling mad, the lot of them. ht, we’ll take you to King’s Cross. morrow anyway, or I wouldn’t on?” Harry asked, trying to keep al,” growled Uncle Vernon. “Got efore he goes to Smeltings.” next morning and was too excited He got up and pulled on his jeans into the station in his wizard’s . He checked his Hogwarts list yet hing he needed, saw that Hedwig then paced the room, waiting for rs later, Harry’s huge, heavy trunk eys’ car, Aunt Petunia had talked , and they had set off. at half past ten. Uncle Vernon rt and wheeled it into the station strangely kind until Uncle Vernon ms with a nasty grin on his face. tform nine — platform ten. Your n the middle, but they don’t seem 0‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR He was quite right, of course.nine over one platform and a bignext to it, and in the middle, noth “Have a good term,” said Unsmile. He left without another wDursleys drive away. All threemouth went rather dry. What onstarting to attract a lot of funnyhave to ask someone. He stopped a passing guard, bnine and three-quarters. The guaand when Harry couldn’t even telwas in, he started to get annoyedpid on purpose. Getting desperatleft at eleven o’clock, but the guardthe guard strode away, mutteringnow trying hard not to panic. Accarrivals board, he had ten minutewarts and he had no idea how to ddle of a station with a trunk he cwizard money, and a large owl. Hagrid must have forgotten todo, like tapping the third brick onHe wondered if he should get outicket inspector’s stand between pl At that moment a group of pehe caught a few words of what the “— packed with Muggles, of co ‘ 91

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS . There was a big plastic number g plastic number ten over the one hing at all. ncle Vernon with an even nastier word. Harry turned and saw the of them were laughing. Harry’s earth was he going to do? He was looks, because of Hedwig. He’d but didn’t dare mention platform ard had never heard of Hogwarts ll him what part of the country it d, as though Harry was being stu- te, Harry asked for the train that d said there wasn’t one. In the end g about time wasters. Harry was cording to the large clock over the es left to get on the train to Hog- do it; he was stranded in the mid- could hardly lift, a pocket full of o tell him something you had to n the left to get into Diagon Alley. ut his wand and start tapping the latforms nine and ten. eople passed just behind him and ey were saying. ourse —” 1‘

CHAPT Harry swung round. The speaktalking to four boys, all with flampushing a trunk like Harry’s in fowl. Heart hammering, Harry pusstopped and so did he, just near ening. “Now, what’s the platform num “Nine and three-quarters!” pipwho was holding her hand, “Mom “You’re not old enough, Ginnyyou go first.” What looked like the oldest boand ten. Harry watched, careful nobut just as the boy reached the dplatforms, a large crowd of touristand by the time the last backpacvanished. “Fred, you next,” the plump wo “I’m not Fred, I’m George,” syou call yourself our mother? Can “Sorry, George, dear.” “Only joking, I am Fred,” saitwin called after him to hurry upcause a second later, he had gone — Now the third brother was walkhe was almost there — and thenwhere. ‘9

TER SIX ker was a plump woman who was ming red hair. Each of them was front of him — and they had an shed his cart after them. They nough to hear what they were say- mber?” said the boys’ mother. ped a small girl, also red-headed, m, can’t I go . . .” y, now be quiet. All right, Percy, oy marched toward platforms nine ot to blink in case he missed it — dividing barrier between the two ts came swarming in front of him ck had cleared away, the boy had oman said. said the boy. “Honestly, woman, n’t you tell I’m George?” id the boy, and off he went. His p, and he must have done so, be- — but how had he done it? king briskly toward the barrier — n, quite suddenly, he wasn’t any-92 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR There was nothing else for it. “Excuse me,” Harry said to the “Hello, dear,” she said. “First tim She pointed at the last and yothin, and gangling, with freckles,nose. “Yes,” said Harry. “The thinghow to —” “How to get onto the platfornodded. “Not to worry,” she said. “Allthe barrier between platforms ninescared you’ll crash into it, that’s vof a run if you’re nervous. Go on, “Er — okay,” said Harry. He pushed his trolley around avery solid. He started to walk toward it. Pplatforms nine and ten. Harry wato smash right into that barrier aning forward on his cart, he brokewas coming nearer and nearer —the cart was out of control — heeyes ready for the crash — It didn’t come . . . he kept on A scarlet steam engine was wawith people. A sign overheado’clock. Harry looked behind him ‘ 93

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS plump woman. me at Hogwarts? Ron’s new, too.” oungest of her sons. He was tall, , big hands and feet, and a long is — the thing is, I don’t know rm?” she said kindly, and Harry you have to do is walk straight at e and ten. Don’t stop and don’t be very important. Best do it at a bit go now before Ron.” and stared at the barrier. It looked People jostled him on their way to alked more quickly. He was going nd then he’d be in trouble — lean- e into a heavy run — the barrier — he wouldn’t be able to stop — was a foot away — he closed his running . . . he opened his eyes. aiting next to a platform packed said Hogwarts Express, eleven m and saw a wrought-iron archway 3‘

CHAPTwhere the barrier had been, witThree-Quarters on it. He had done Smoke from the engine driftedcrowd, while cats of every colortheir legs. Owls hooted to one anover the babble and the scraping o The first few carriages were alrhanging out of the window to talover seats. Harry pushed his cart oan empty seat. He passed a ro“Gran, I’ve lost my toad again.” “Oh, Neville,” he heard the old A boy with dreadlocks was surr “Give us a look, Lee, go on.” The boy lifted the lid of a baround him shrieked and yelledlong, hairy leg. Harry pressed on through thecompartment near the end of theand then started to shove and hdoor. He tried to lift it up the steand twice he dropped it painfully “Want a hand?” It was one of tthrough the barrier. “Yes, please,” Harry panted. “Oy, Fred! C’mere and help!” With the twins’ help, Harry’s tcorner of the compartment. ‘ 94

TER SIX th the words Platform Nine and e it. d over the heads of the chattering r wound here and there between nother in a disgruntled sort of way of heavy trunks. ready packed with students, some lk to their families, some fighting off down the platform in search of ound-faced boy who was saying, d woman sigh. rounded by a small crowd. box in his arms, and the people as something inside poked out a crowd until he found an empty train. He put Hedwig inside first heave his trunk toward the train eps but could hardly raise one end on his foot. the red-haired twins he’d followed trunk was at last tucked away in a 4‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR “Thanks,” said Harry, pushing “What’s that?” said one of tHarry’s lightning scar. “Blimey,” said the other twin. “ “He is,” said the first twin. “Are “What?” said Harry. “Harry Potter,” chorused the tw “Oh, him,” said Harry. “I mean The two boys gawked at himred. Then, to his relief, a voice caopen door. “Fred? George? Are you there?” “Coming, Mom.” With a last look at Harry, the t Harry sat down next to thecould watch the red-haired familythey were saying. Their motherchief. “Ron, you’ve got something on The youngest boy tried to jerkhim and began rubbing the end of “Mom — geroff.” He wriggled f “Aaah, has ickle Ronnie got sothe twins. “Shut up,” said Ron. “Where’s Percy?” said their mo “He’s coming now.” The oldest boy came striding in ‘ 95

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS g his sweaty hair out of his eyes. the twins suddenly, pointing at “Are you — ?” en’t you?” he added to Harry. wins. n, yes, I am.” m, and Harry felt himself turning ame floating in through the train’s ” twins hopped off the train. window where, half hidden, he y on the platform and hear what had just taken out her handker- n your nose.” k out of the way, but she grabbed f his nose. free. omefink on his nosie?” said one of ther. nto sight. He had already changed 5‘

CHAPTinto his billowing black Hogwartsred and gold badge on his chest w “Can’t stay long, Mother,” hehave got two compartments to the “Oh, are you a prefect, Percy?”of great surprise. “You should hidea.” “Hang on, I think I remembersaid the other twin. “Once —” “Or twice —” “A minute —” “All summer —” “Oh, shut up,” said Percy the P “How come Percy gets new rtwins. “Because he’s a prefect,” said thewell, have a good term — send me She kissed Percy on the cheek atwins. “Now, you two — this year, yomore owl telling me you’ve — you “Blown up a toilet? We’ve neve “Great idea though, thanks, Mo “It’s not funny. And look after R “Don’t worry, ickle Ronniekins “Shut up,” said Ron again. Heready and his nose was still pink “Hey, Mom, guess what? Gues ‘9

TER SIX s robes, and Harry noticed a shinywith the letter P on it. said. “I’m up front, the prefects emselves —” said one of the twins, with an air have said something, we had no r him saying something about it,” Prefect. robes, anyway?” said one of the eir mother fondly. “All right, dear, e an owl when you get there.” and he left. Then she turned to the ou behave yourselves. If I get one u’ve blown up a toilet or —” er blown up a toilet.” om.” Ron.” s is safe with us.” was almost as tall as the twins al- where his mother had rubbed it. ss who we just met on the train?”96 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR Harry leaned back quickly so th “You know that black-haired boKnow who he is?” “Who?” “Harry Potter!” Harry heard the little girl’s voic “Oh, Mom, can I go on theplease. . . .” “You’ve already seen him, Ginthing you goggle at in a zoo. Is he “Asked him. Saw his scar. It’s re “Poor dear — no wonder he waso polite when he asked how to ge “Never mind that, do you thinkWho looks like?” Their mother suddenly became “I forbid you to ask him, Fred.needs reminding of that on his firs “All right, keep your hair on.” A whistle sounded. “Hurry up!” their mother saidonto the train. They leaned out ofgood-bye, and their younger sister “Don’t, Ginny, we’ll send you l “We’ll send you a Hogwarts toi “George!” “Only joking, Mom.” The train began to move. Har ‘ 97

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS hey couldn’t see him looking. oy who was near us in the station? ce. e train and see him, Mom, oh nny, and the poor boy isn’t some- really, Fred? How do you know?” eally there — like lightning.” as alone, I wondered. He was ever et onto the platform.” k he remembers what You-Know- e very stern. No, don’t you dare. As though he st day at school.” d, and the three boys clambered f the window for her to kiss them r began to cry. loads of owls.” ilet seat.” rry saw the boys’ mother waving 7‘

CHAPTand their sister, half laughing, halfthe train until it gathered too muwaved. Harry watched the girl and hrounded the corner. Houses flashgreat leap of excitement. He didnbut it had to be better than what h The door of the compartmentheaded boy came in. “Anyone sitting there?” he askHarry. “Everywhere else is full.” Harry shook his head and thHarry and then looked quickly ohadn’t looked. Harry saw he still h “Hey, Ron.” The twins were back. “Listen, we’re going down thedan’s got a giant tarantula down th “Right,” mumbled Ron. “Harry,” said the other twin, “and George Weasley. And this isthen.” “Bye,” said Harry and Ron. Tdoor shut behind them. “Are you really Harry Potter?” R Harry nodded. “Oh — well, I thought it migjokes,” said Ron. “And have you r ‘9

TER SIX f crying, running to keep up with uch speed, then she fell back and her mother disappear as the train hed past the window. Harry felt a n’t know what he was going to — he was leaving behind. t slid open and the youngest red- ked, pointing at the seat opposite he boy sat down. He glanced at out of the window, pretending he had a black mark on his nose. e middle of the train — Lee Jor- here.” “did we introduce ourselves? Fred Ron, our brother. See you later, The twins slid the compartment Ron blurted out. ght be one of Fred and George’s really got — you know . . .”98 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR He pointed at Harry’s forehead Harry pulled back his bangsstared. “So that’s where You-Know-W “Yes,” said Harry, “but I can’t r “Nothing?” said Ron eagerly. “Well — I remember a lot of gr “Wow,” said Ron. He sat and stthen, as though he had suddenlylooked quickly out of the window “Are all your family wizards?” aas interesting as Ron found him. “Er — yes, I think so,” said Rcousin who’s an accountant, but w “So you must know loads of ma The Weasleys were clearly onethe pale boy in Diagon Alley had t “I heard you went to live withthey like?” “Horrible — well, not all ofcousin are, though. Wish I’d had t “Five,” said Ron. For some reasthe sixth in our family to go to Hlot to live up to. Bill and Charlieboy and Charlie was captain of QFred and George mess around amarks and everyone thinks they’rme to do as well as the others, bu ‘9

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS d. to show the lightning scar. Ron Who — ?” remember it.” reen light, but nothing else.” tared at Harry for a few moments, y realized what he was doing, he w again. asked Harry, who found Ron just Ron. “I think Mom’s got a second we never talk about him.” agic already.” e of those old wizarding families talked about. h Muggles,” said Ron. “What are them. My aunt and uncle and three wizard brothers.” son, he was looking gloomy. “I’m Hogwarts. You could say I’ve got a have already left — Bill was head Quidditch. Now Percy’s a prefect. lot, but they still get really good re really funny. Everyone expects ut if I do, it’s no big deal, because 99 ‘

CHAPTthey did it first. You never get anyers. I’ve got Bill’s old robes, Charli Ron reached inside his jacket anwas asleep. “His name’s Scabbers and he’sPercy got an owl from my dad focouldn’t aff— I mean, I got Scabb Ron’s ears went pink. He seembecause he went back to staring ou Harry didn’t think there wasable to afford an owl. After all, he’until a month ago, and he told RDudley’s old clothes and never gThis seemed to cheer Ron up. “. . . and until Hagrid told me,ing a wizard or about my parents o Ron gasped. “What?” said Harry. “You said You-Know-Who’s nashocked and impressed. “I’d have “I’m not trying to be brave orHarry, “I just never knew you sholoads to learn. . . . I bet,” he addething that had been worrying himin the class.” “You won’t be. There’s loads ofamilies and they learn quick enou While they had been talking,of London. Now they were spee ‘ 10

TER SIX ything new, either, with five broth- ie’s old wand, and Percy’s old rat.” nd pulled out a fat gray rat, which useless, he hardly ever wakes up. or being made a prefect, but they bers instead.” med to think he’d said too much, ut of the window. anything wrong with not being ’d never had any money in his life Ron so, all about having to wear getting proper birthday presents. I didn’t know anything about be- or Voldemort —” ame!” said Ron, sounding both e thought you, of all people —” anything, saying the name,” said ouldn’t. See what I mean? I’ve got ed, voicing for the first time some- m a lot lately, “I bet I’m the worst of people who come from Muggle ugh.” , the train had carried them out eding past fields full of cows and 00 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THRsheep. They were quiet for a timflick past. Around half past twelve therethe corridor and a smiling, dimpand said, “Anything off the cart, d Harry, who hadn’t had any breears went pink again and he mwiches. Harry went out into the co He had never had any moneynow that he had pockets rattlingto buy as many Mars Bars as hedidn’t have Mars Bars. What sheFlavor Beans, Drooble’s Best BPumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakesof other strange things Harry hading to miss anything, he got sowoman eleven silver Sickles and se Ron stared as Harry brought iand tipped it onto an empty seat. “Hungry, are you?” “Starving,” said Harry, takingpasty. Ron had taken out a lumpy pwere four sandwiches inside. He p“She always forgets I don’t like co “Swap you for one of these,” saon —” “You don’t want this, its all drytime,” he added quickly, “you kno ‘ 10

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS me, watching the fields and lanes was a great clattering outside in pled woman slid back their door dears?” eakfast, leapt to his feet, but Ron’s muttered that he’d brought sand- orridor. for candy with the Dursleys, and with gold and silver he was ready e could carry — but the woman did have were Bertie Bott’s Every Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, s, Licorice Wands, and a number d never seen in his life. Not want- ome of everything and paid the even bronze Knuts. it all back in to the compartment g a large bite out of a pumpkin package and unwrapped it. There pulled one of them apart and said, orned beef.” aid Harry, holding up a pasty. “Go y,” said Ron. “She hasn’t got much ow, with five of us.” 01 ‘

CHAPT “Go on, have a pasty,” said Hthing to share before or, indeed,a nice feeling, sitting there withall Harry’s pasties, cakes, and cgotten). “What are these?” Harry askChocolate Frogs. “They’re not reaing to feel that nothing would surp “No,” said Ron. “But see what “What?” “Oh, of course, you wouldn’tcards inside them, you know, towizards. I’ve got about five hundrPtolemy.” Harry unwrapped his Chocolatshowed a man’s face. He worecrooked nose, and flowing silver hneath the picture was the name Al “So this is Dumbledore!” said H “Don’t tell me you’d never h“Can I have a frog? I might get Ag Harry turned over his card and ALBUS DUM currently headma Considered by many the grea Dumbledore is particularly f ‘ 10

TER SIX Harry, who had never had any- , anyone to share it with. It was h Ron, eating their way through candies (the sandwiches lay for- ked Ron, holding up a pack of ally frogs, are they?” He was start- prise him. the card is. I’m missing Agrippa.” t know — Chocolate Frogs have o collect — famous witches and red, but I haven’t got Agrippa or te Frog and picked up the card. It half-moon glasses, had a long, hair, beard, and mustache. Under- lbus Dumbledore. Harry. heard of Dumbledore!” said Ron. grippa — thanks —” read: MBLEDORE aster of hogwarts atest wizard of modern times, famous for his defeat of the 02 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1 twelve uses of dragon’s blood with his partner, Nicolas Fl enjoys chamber music and tenHarry turned the card back over aDumbledore’s face had disappeare “He’s gone!” “Well, you can’t expect him to“He’ll be back. No, I’ve got Morof her . . . do you want it? You can Ron’s eyes strayed to the pileunwrapped. “Help yourself,” said Harry. “world, people just stay put in phot “Do they? What, they don’t m“Weird !” Harry stared as Dumbledore sicard and gave him a small smile. Rthe frogs than looking at the Fambut Harry couldn’t keep his eyesDumbledore and Morgana, butGrunnion, Circe, Paracelsus, andaway from the druidess Cliodna,open a bag of Bertie Bott’s Every F “You want to be careful with ththey say every flavor, they mean eall the ordinary ones like choco ‘ 10

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS 1945, for the discovery of the d, and his work on alchemy lamel. Professor Dumbledore npin bowling. and saw, to his astonishment, that ed. o hang around all day,” said Ron. rgana again and I’ve got about six n start collecting.” of Chocolate Frogs waiting to be “But in, you know, the Muggle tos.” move at all?” Ron sounded amazed. idled back into the picture on his Ron was more interested in eating mous Witches and Wizards cards, off them. Soon he had not only Hengist of Woodcraft, Alberic d Merlin. He finally tore his eyes who was scratching her nose, to Flavor Beans. hose,” Ron warned Harry. “When every flavor — you know, you get olate and peppermint and mar- 03 ‘

CHAPTmalade, but then you can get spireckons he had a booger-flavored o Ron picked up a green bean, locorner. “Bleaaargh — see? Sprouts.” They had a good time eating ttoast, coconut, baked bean, strawband was even brave enough to nibRon wouldn’t touch, which turned The countryside now flyingwilder. The neat fields had gone.rivers, and dark green hills. There was a knock on the dooround-faced boy Harry had passquarters came in. He looked tearfu “Sorry,” he said, “but have you When they shook their headskeeps getting away from me!” “He’ll turn up,” said Harry. “Yes,” said the boy miserably. “ He left. “Don’t know why he’s so bothtoad I’d lose it as quick as I couldso I can’t talk.” The rat was still snoozing on R “He might have died and you wRon in disgust. “I tried to turn hmore interesting, but the spell did ‘ 10

TER SIX inach and liver and tripe. George one once.” ooked at it carefully, and bit into a the Every Flavor Beans. Harry got berry, curry, grass, coffee, sardine, bble the end off a funny gray one d out to be pepper. past the window was becoming Now there were woods, twisting or of their compartment and the sed on platform nine and three- ul. seen a toad at all?” s, he wailed, “I’ve lost him! He “Well, if you see him . . .” hered,” said Ron. “If I’d brought a d. Mind you, I brought Scabbers,Ron’s lap. wouldn’t know the difference,” said him yellow yesterday to make him dn’t work. I’ll show you, look . . .” 04 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR He rummaged around in hisbattered-looking wand. It was chwhite was glinting at the end. “Unicorn hair’s nearly poking o He had just raised his wand wopen again. The toadless boy waswith him. She was already wearing “Has anyone seen a toad? Nevibossy sort of voice, lots of bushy bteeth. “We’ve already told him we hagirl wasn’t listening, she was looki “Oh, are you doing magic? Let’ She sat down. Ron looked taken “Er — all right.” He cleared his throat. “Sunshine, daisies, Turn this stupid, f He waved his wand, but notgray and fast asleep. “Are you sure that’s a real spell?good, is it? I’ve tried a few simpleworked for me. Nobody in my fama surprise when I got my letter, buI mean, it’s the very best school ofI’ve learned all our course books b ‘ 10

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS s trunk and pulled out a very hipped in places and something out. Anyway —” when the compartment door slid s back, but this time he had a girl g her new Hogwarts robes. ille’s lost one,” she said. She had a brown hair, and rather large front aven’t seen it,” said Ron, but the ing at the wand in his hand. ’s see it, then.” n aback. , butter mellow, fat rat yellow.” thing happened. Scabbers stayed ?” said the girl. “Well, it’s not very e spells just for practice and it’s all mily’s magic at all, it was ever such ut I was ever so pleased, of course, f witchcraft there is, I’ve heard — by heart, of course, I just hope it 05 ‘

CHAPTwill be enough — I’m Hermionyou?” She said all this very fast. Harry looked at Ron, and was rthat he hadn’t learned all the cour “I’m Ron Weasley,” Ron mutte “Harry Potter,” said Harry. “Are you really?” said Hermicourse — I got a few extra booyou’re in Modern Magical HistoryArts and Great Wizarding Events o “Am I?” said Harry, feeling daz “Goodness, didn’t you know,could if it was me,” said HermionHouse you’ll be in? I’ve been asGryffindor, it sounds by far thewas in it, but I suppose Ravenclawway, we’d better go and look for Nchange, you know, I expect we’ll b And she left, taking the toadless “Whatever House I’m in, I hothrew his wand back into his trunit to me, bet he knew it was a dud “What House are your brothers “Gryffindor,” said Ron. Gloomagain. “Mom and Dad were in it,if I’m not. I don’t suppose Ravencine if they put me in Slytherin.” ‘ 10

TER SIX ne Granger, by the way, who are relieved to see by his stunned face rse books by heart either. ered. ione. “I know all about you, of oks for background reading, and and The Rise and Fall of the Dark of the Twentieth Century.” zed. I’d have found out everything I ne. “Do either of you know what sking around, and I hope I’m in best; I hear Dumbledore himself w wouldn’t be too bad. . . . Any- Neville’s toad. You two had better be there soon.” s boy with her. ope she’s not in it,” said Ron. He nk. “Stupid spell — George gave d.” s in?” asked Harry. m seemed to be settling on him too. I don’t know what they’ll say claw would be too bad, but imag- 06 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR “That’s the House Vol-, I mean “Yeah,” said Ron. He floppedpressed. “You know, I think the endslighter,” said Harry, trying to tawhat do your oldest brothers do n Harry was wondering what aschool. “Charlie’s in Romania studyinging something for Gringotts,” sGringotts? Its been all over the Dyou get that with the Muggles —curity vault.” Harry stared. “Really? What happened to the “Nothing, that’s why it’s succaught. My dad says it must’ve beround Gringotts, but they don’twhat’s odd. ’Course, everyone gethappens in case You-Know-Who’s Harry turned this news overget a prickle of fear every time YHe supposed this was all part ofit had been a lot more comfortaworrying. “What’s your Quidditch team?” “Er — I don’t know any,” Harr “What!” Ron looked dumbfoun ‘ 10

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS n, You-Know-Who was in?” d back into his seat, looking de- s of Scabbers’ whiskers are a bit ake Ron’s mind off Houses. “So now that they’ve left, anyway?” a wizard did once he’d finished g dragons, and Bill’s in Africa do- said Ron. “Did you hear about Daily Prophet, but I don’t suppose — someone tried to rob a high se- em?” ch big news. They haven’t been een a powerful Dark wizard to get think they took anything, that’s ts scared when something like this s behind it.” in his mind. He was starting to You-Know-Who was mentioned. entering the magical world, but able saying “Voldemort” without ” Ron asked. ry confessed. nded. “Oh, you wait, it’s the best 07 ‘

CHAPTgame in the world —” And he wfour balls and the positions of thegames he’d been to with his brothto get if he had the money. He wfiner points of the game when theagain, but it wasn’t Neville the tothis time. Three boys entered, and Harronce: It was the pale boy from Malooking at Harry with a lot moreDiagon Alley. “Is it true?” he said. “They’reHarry Potter’s in this compartmen “Yes,” said Harry. He was loothem were thickset and looked exside of the pale boy, they looked li “Oh, this is Crabbe and this ilessly, noticing where Harry was lDraco Malfoy.” Ron gave a slight cough, whichger. Draco Malfoy looked at him. “Think my name’s funny, do yMy father told me all the Weasleychildren than they can afford.” He turned back to Harry. “Youfamilies are much better than othmaking friends with the wrong sor He held out his hand to shake ‘ 10

TER SIX was off, explaining all about the e seven players, describing famous hers and the broomstick he’d like was just taking Harry through the e compartment door slid open yet oadless boy, or Hermione Granger ry recognized the middle one at adam Malkin’s robe shop. He was interest than he’d shown back in e saying all down the train that nt. So it’s you, is it?” oking at the other boys. Both of xtremely mean. Standing on either ike bodyguards. is Goyle,” said the pale boy care- looking. “And my names Malfoy, h might have been hiding a snig- you? No need to ask who you are. ys have red hair, freckles, and more u’ll soon find out some wizarding hers, Potter. You don’t want to go rt. I can help you there.” Harry’s, but Harry didn’t take it. 08 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THR “I think I can tell who the wronsaid coolly. Draco Malfoy didn’t go red, bucheeks. “I’d be careful if I were you,you’re a bit politer you’ll go thedidn’t know what was good for thriffraff like the Weasleys and that Both Harry and Ron stood up. “Say that again,” Ron said, his “Oh, you’re going to fight us, a “Unless you get out now,” saidbecause Crabbe and Goyle were a “But we don’t feel like leaving,food and you still seem to have som Goyle reached toward the Choleapt forward, but before he’d so mout a horrible yell. Scabbers the rat was hanging ofdeep into Goyle’s knuckle — CrGoyle swung Scabbers round andbers finally flew off and hit the wpeared at once. Perhaps they thouamong the sweets, or perhaps theyond later, Hermione Granger had “What has been going on?” shover the floor and Ron picking up “I think he’s been knocked out ‘ 10

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS ng sort are for myself, thanks,” he ut a pink tinge appeared in his pale Potter,” he said slowly. “Unless same way as your parents. They hem, either. You hang around with Hagrid, and it’ll rub off on you.” face as red as his hair. are you?” Malfoy sneered. d Harry, more bravely than he felt, lot bigger than him or Ron. , do we, boys? We’ve eaten all our me.” ocolate Frogs next to Ron — Ron much as touched Goyle, Goyle let ff his finger, sharp little teeth sunk rabbe and Malfoy backed away as round, howling, and when Scab- window, all three of them disap- ught there were more rats lurking y’d heard footsteps, because a sec- come in. he said, looking at the sweets all p Scabbers by his tail. t,” Ron said to Harry. He looked 09 ‘

CHAPTcloser at Scabbers. “No — I donsleep.” And so he had. “You’ve met Malfoy before?” Harry explained about their mee “I’ve heard of his family,” saidthe first to come back to our sipeared. Said they’d been bewitchesays Malfoy’s father didn’t need aSide.” He turned to Hermione.thing?” “You’d better hurry up and puto the front to ask the conductorYou haven’t been fighting, have yoeven get there!” “Scabbers has been fighting, no“Would you mind leaving while w “All right — I only came in hehaving very childishly, racing upHermione in a sniffy voice. “Andthe way, did you know?” Ron glared at her as she left. Hwas getting dark. He could see mopurple sky. The train did seem to He and Ron took off their jackrobes. Ron’s were a bit short for hderneath them. A voice echoed through the tr ‘ 11

TER SIX n’t believe it — he’s gone back to eting in Diagon Alley. Ron darkly. “They were some of ide after You-Know-Who disap- ed. My dad doesn’t believe it. He an excuse to go over to the Dark “Can we help you with some- ut your robes on, I’ve just been up r, and he says we’re nearly there. ou? You’ll be in trouble before we ot us,” said Ron, scowling at her. we change?” ere because people outside are be- p and down the corridors,” said d you’ve got dirt on your nose, byHarry peered out of the window. It ountains and forests under a deep be slowing down. kets and pulled on their long black him, you could see his sneakers un- rain: “We will be reaching Hog- 10 ‘

THE JOURNEY FR NINE AND THRwarts in five minutes’ time. Pleaseit will be taken to the school separ Harry’s stomach lurched withpale under his freckles. They cramof the sweets and joined the crowd The train slowed right down antheir way toward the door and oHarry shivered in the cold nightover the heads of the students, a“Firs’ years! Firs’ years over here! A Hagrid’s big hairy face beamed “C’mon, follow me — any moFirs’ years follow me!” Slipping and stumbling, theyseemed to be a steep, narrow paththem that Harry thought there mspoke much. Neville, the boy wonce or twice. “Yeh’ll get yer firs’ sight o’ Hoghis shoulder, “jus’ round this bend There was a loud “Oooooh!” The narrow path had opened sblack lake. Perched atop a highwindows sparkling in the starry sturrets and towers. “No more’n four to a boat!” Hlittle boats sitting in the water byfollowed into their boat by Neville ‘ 11

ROM PLATFORMHREE-QUARTERS e leave your luggage on the train, rately.” nerves and Ron, he saw, looked mmed their pockets with the last d thronging the corridor. nd finally stopped. People pushed out on to a tiny, dark platform. air. Then a lamp came bobbing and Harry heard a familiar voice: All right there, Harry?” over the sea of heads. ore firs’ years? Mind yer step, now! y followed Hagrid down what h. It was so dark on either side of must be thick trees there. Nobody who kept losing his toad, sniffed gwarts in a sec,” Hagrid called over d here.” suddenly onto the edge of a great mountain on the other side, its sky, was a vast castle with many Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of y the shore. Harry and Ron were e and Hermione. 11 ‘

CHAPT “Everyone in?” shouted Hagri“Right then — FORWARD!” And the fleet of little boats mothe lake, which was as smooth asup at the great castle overhead. Itnearer and nearer to the cliff on w “Heads down!” yelled Hagrid athey all bent their heads and the lcurtain of ivy that hid a wide opecarried along a dark tunnel, whichunderneath the castle, until theyharbor, where they clambered out “Oy, you there! Is this your toaing the boats as people climbed ou “Trevor!” cried Neville blissfulthey clambered up a passagewaycoming out at last onto smooth, dthe castle. They walked up a flight of stohuge, oak front door. “Everyone here? You there, still Hagrid raised a gigantic fist andtle door. ‘ 11

TER SIX id, who had a boat to himself. oved off all at once, gliding across glass. Everyone was silent, staring t towered over them as they sailedwhich it stood. as the first boats reached the cliff; little boats carried them through a ening in the cliff face. They were h seemed to be taking them right y reached a kind of underground onto rocks and pebbles. ad?” said Hagrid, who was check- ut of them. lly, holding out his hands. Then in the rock after Hagrid’s lamp, damp grass right in the shadow of one steps and crowded around the l got yer toad?” d knocked three times on the cas- 12 ‘

CHAPTE THE SORTThe door swung open at on emerald-green robes stoodand Harry’s first thought was tha “The firs’ years, Professor McG “Thank you, Hagrid. I will take She pulled the door wide. Thcould have fit the whole of thewalls were lit with flaming torcheceiling was too high to make outcase facing them led to the upper f They followed Professor McGfloor. Harry could hear the drondoorway to the right — the reshere — but Professor McGonagsmall, empty chamber off the h ‘ 11

R SEVENTING HAT nce. A tall, black-haired witch in there. She had a very stern face at this was not someone to cross. Gonagall,” said Hagrid. e them from here.” he entrance hall was so big you Dursleys’ house in it. The stone es like the ones at Gringotts, the t, and a magnificent marble stair- floors. Gonagall across the flagged stone ne of hundreds of voices from a st of the school must already be gall showed the first years into a hall. They crowded in, standing 13 ‘

CHAPTERrather closer together than they wabout nervously. “Welcome to Hogwarts,” saistart-of-term banquet will begin sseats in the Great Hall, you willSorting is a very important ceremyour House will be something likYou will have classes with the reHouse dormitory, and spend freroom. “The four Houses are called Gand Slytherin. Each House has itsproduced outstanding witches andwarts, your triumphs will earn yobreaking will lose House points. Awith the most points is awardedhope each of you will be a credyours. “The Sorting Ceremony will taof the rest of the school. I suggestmuch as you can while you are wa Her eyes lingered for a momefastened under his left ear, and onvously tried to flatten his hair. “I shall return when we are reGonagall. “Please wait quietly.” She left the chamber. Harry sw “How exactly do they sort us in ‘ 11