book 1

R SEVEN would usually have done, peering id Professor McGonagall. “The shortly, but before you take your be sorted into your Houses. Themony because, while you are here, ke your family within Hogwarts. est of your House, sleep in your ee time in your House commonGryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, s own noble history and each has d wizards. While you are at Hog-our House points, while any rule- At the end of the year, the House the House cup, a great honor. I dit to whichever House becomesake place in a few minutes in front t you all smarten yourselves up as aiting.”ent on Neville’s cloak, which wasn Ron’s smudged nose. Harry ner- eady for you,” said Professor Mc-wallowed.nto Houses?” he asked Ron.14 ‘

THE SORT “Some sort of test, I think. Fredwas joking.” Harry’s heart gave a horrible joschool? But he didn’t know any mhe have to do? He hadn’t expectedthey arrived. He looked aroundelse looked terrified, too. NoHermione Granger, who was whspells she’d learned and wonderintried hard not to listen to her.never, not even when he’d had toDursleys saying that he’d somehoHe kept his eyes fixed on the dMcGonagall would come back and Then something happened thatthe air — several people behind hi “What the — ?” He gasped. So did the people ahad just streamed through the batransparent, they glided across thehardly glancing at the first years. Tlooked like a fat little monk was swe ought to give him a second cha “My dear Friar, haven’t we givserves? He gives us all a bad nameven a ghost — I say, what are you A ghost wearing a ruff and tighyears. ‘ 11

TING HAT d said it hurts a lot, but I think he olt. A test? In front of the wholemagic yet — what on earth would d something like this the moment anxiously and saw that everyone one was talking much except hispering very fast about all the ng which one she’d need. Harry He’d never been more nervous,o take a school report home to the ow turned his teachers wig blue.door. Any second now, Professor d lead him to his doom. t made him jump about a foot in im screamed. around him. About twenty ghostsack wall. Pearly-white and slightlye room talking to one another and They seemed to be arguing. What saying: “Forgive and forget, I say, ance —” ven Peeves all the chances he de-me and you know, he’s not really u all doing here?” hts had suddenly noticed the first15 ‘

CHAPTER Nobody answered. “New students!” said the Fat“About to be Sorted, I suppose?” A few people nodded mutely. “Hope to see you in Hufflepuffyou know.” “Move along now,” said a sharpabout to start.” Professor McGonagall had retfloated away through the opposite “Now, form a line,” Professor“and follow me.” Feeling oddly as though his leinto line behind a boy with sandythey walked out of the chamber,a pair of double doors into the Gr Harry had never even imaginplace. It was lit by thousands andfloating in midair over four longdents were sitting. These tablesplates and goblets. At the top ofwhere the teachers were sitting. Pyears up here, so that they came tstudents, with the teachers behinstaring at them looked like palelight. Dotted here and there amomisty silver. Mainly to avoid all tward and saw a velvety black cei ‘ 11

R SEVEN Friar, smiling around at them. f!” said the Friar. “My old House, p voice. “The Sorting Ceremony’s turned. One by one, the ghostse wall. McGonagall told the first years,egs had turned to lead, Harry goty hair, with Ron behind him, and back across the hall, and throughreat Hall.ned such a strange and splendid d thousands of candles that were tables, where the rest of the stu- were laid with glittering goldenf the hall was another long tableProfessor McGonagall led the firstto a halt in a line facing the othernd them. The hundreds of faces lanterns in the flickering candle-ong the students, the ghosts shonethe staring eyes, Harry looked up-iling dotted with stars. He heard16 ‘

THE SORTHermione whisper, “It’s bewitcheread about it in Hogwarts, A Histo It was hard to believe there wasGreat Hall didn’t simply open on Harry quickly looked downsilently placed a four-legged stoolof the stool she put a pointed wiand frayed and extremely dirty. Authe house. Maybe they had to try and getwildly, that seemed the sort of ththe hall was now staring at the hseconds, there was complete silennear the brim opened wide like asing: “Oh, you may not thin But don’t judge on wh I’ll eat myself if you ca A smarter hat than m You can keep your bow Your top hats sleek an For I’m the Hogwarts And I can cap them a There’s nothing hidde The Sorting Hat can’t So try me on and I wi Where you ought to b ‘ 11

TING HAT ed to look like the sky outside. Iory.” s a ceiling there at all, and that the to the heavens. again as Professor McGonagall in front of the first years. On top izard’s hat. This hat was patched unt Petunia wouldn’t have let it in a rabbit out of it, Harry thought hing — noticing that everyone inhat, he stared at it, too. For a fewnce. Then the hat twitched. A rip a mouth — and the hat began to nk I’m pretty, hat you see, an findme. wlers black,nd tall, s Sorting Hatall.en in your head t see, ill tell yoube.17 ‘

CHAPTER You might belong in G Where dwell the brav Their daring, nerve, a Set Gryffindors apart; You might belong in H Where they are just an Those patient Hufflep And unafraid of toil; Or yet in wise old Rav If you’ve a ready mind Where those of wit an Will always find their Or perhaps in Slyther You’ll make your real Those cunning folk us To achieve their ends. So put me on! Don’t b And don’t get in a flap You’re in safe hands ( For I’m a Thinking CThe whole hall burst into applaubowed to each of the four tables a “So we’ve just got to try on th“I’ll kill Fred, he was going on abo Harry smiled weakly. Yes, tryinhaving to do a spell, but he didwithout everyone watching. The ‘ 11

R SEVEN Gryffindor,ve at heart,and chivalry ; Hufflepuff, nd loyal,puffs are true venclaw,d,nd learning,r kind;rin friends, se any means .be afraid ! p!(though I have none)Cap !”use as the hat finished its song. Itand then became quite still again.he hat!” Ron whispered to Harry.out wrestling a troll.”ng on the hat was a lot better than wish they could have tried it on hat seemed to be asking rather a18 ‘

THE SORTlot; Harry didn’t feel brave or quiment. If only the hat had mentionbit queasy, that would have been t Professor McGonagall now steof parchment. “When I call your name, you wstool to be sorted,” she said. “Abb A pink-faced girl with blondeon the hat, which fell right downmoment’s pause — “HUFFLEPUFF!” shouted the The table on the right cheeredsit down at the Hufflepuff table.Friar waving merrily at her. “Bones, Susan!” “HUFFLEPUFF!” shouted theto sit next to Hannah. “Boot, Terry!” “RAVENCLAW!” The table second from the leftclaws stood up to shake hands wit “Brocklehurst, Mandy” wentLavender” became the first new Gleft exploded with cheers; Harry ccalling. “Bulstrode, Millicent” then beHarry’s imagination, after all he’thought they looked like an unple ‘ 11

TING HAT ick-witted or any of it at the mo- ned a House for people who felt a the one for him.epped forward holding a long roll will put on the hat and sit on thebott, Hannah!” pigtails stumbled out of line, put n over her eyes, and sat down. A hat.d and clapped as Hannah went to . Harry saw the ghost of the Fat hat again, and Susan scuttled off clapped this time; several Raven- th Terry as he joined them. to Ravenclaw too, but “Brown,Gryffindor, and the table on the far could see Ron’s twin brothers cat-ecame a Slytherin. Perhaps it was ’d heard about Slytherin, but heeasant lot.19 ‘

CHAPTER He was starting to feel definiteing picked for teams during gymbeen last to be chosen, not becausone wanted Dudley to think they “Finch-Fletchley, Justin!” “HUFFLEPUFF!” Sometimes, Harry noticed, theonce, but at others it took a littlemus,” the sandy-haired boy nextstool for almost a whole minuteGryffindor. “Granger, Hermione!” Hermione almost ran to the stoher head. “GRYFFINDOR!” shouted the A horrible thought struck Harrwhen you’re very nervous. What ihe just sat there with the hat overMcGonagall jerked it off his heabeen a mistake and he’d better get When Neville Longbottom, thwas called, he fell over on his wlong time to decide with Nev“GRYFFINDOR,” Neville ran ofback amid gales of laughter to give Malfoy swaggered forward whhis wish at once: the hat had bscreamed, “SLYTHERIN!” ‘ 12

R SEVENely sick now. He remembered be- at his old school. He had alwaysse he was no good, but because no liked him. e hat shouted out the House ate while to decide. “Finnigan, Sea- to Harry in the line, sat on thee before the hat declared him aool and jammed the hat eagerly one hat. Ron groaned.ry, as horrible thoughts always doif he wasn’t chosen at all? What if r his eyes for ages, until Professor ad and said there had obviouslyt back on the train?he boy who kept losing his toad,way to the stool. The hat took a ville. When it finally shouted,ff still wearing it, and had to joge it to “MacDougal, Morag.”hen his name was called and gotbarely touched his head when it20 ‘

THE SORT Malfoy went to join his frienpleased with himself. There weren’t many people left “Moon” . . . , “Nott” . . . , “Pagirls, “Patil” and “Patil” . . . , thethen, at last — “Potter, Harry!” As Harry stepped forward, whitle hissing fires all over the hall. “Potter, did she say?” “The Harry Potter?” The last thing Harry saw befowas the hall full of people craningsecond he was looking at the bla “Hmm,” said a small voice inPlenty of courage, I see. Not a bamy goodness, yes — and a nice thinteresting. . . . So where shall I pu Harry gripped the edges of thenot Slytherin. “Not Slytherin, eh?” said thecould be great, you know, its allwill help you on the way to greatWell, if you’re sure — better be G Harry heard the hat shout thetook off the hat and walked shakHe was so relieved to have been chhardly noticed that he was getting ‘ 12

TING HAT nds Crabbe and Goyle, looking t now.arkinson” . . . , then a pair of twin en “Perks, Sally-Anne” . . . , and ispers suddenly broke out like lit-ore the hat dropped over his eyes g to get a good look at him. Next ack inside of the hat. He waited. his ear. “Difficult. Very difficult. ad mind either. There’s talent, oh hirst to prove yourself, now that’s ut you?”e stool and thought, Not Slytherin, small voice. “Are you sure? You here in your head, and Slytherin tness, no doubt about that — no?GRYFFINDOR!”e last word to the whole hall. He kily toward the Gryffindor table. hosen and not put in Slytherin, he g the loudest cheer yet. Percy the21 ‘

CHAPTERPrefect got up and shook his hantwins yelled, “We got Potter! Weposite the ghost in the ruff he’darm, giving Harry the sudden, hointo a bucket of ice-cold water. He could see the High Table phim sat Hagrid, who caught his eHarry grinned back. And there, ina large gold chair, sat Albus Dumonce from the card he’d gotten otrain. Dumbledore’s silver hair wathat shone as brightly as the ghosrell, too, the nervous young man flooking very peculiar in a large pu And now there were only four pDean,” a Black boy even tallerGryffindor table. “Turpin, Lisa,”was Ron’s turn. He was pale greegers under the table and a sec“GRYFFINDOR!” Harry clapped loudly with thchair next to him. “Well done, Ron, excellent,”across Harry as “Zabini, Blaise,”McGonagall rolled up her scroll Harry looked down at his emrealized how hungry he was. Thago. ‘ 12

R SEVEN nd vigorously, while the Weasley e got Potter!” Harry sat down op- seen earlier. The ghost patted his orrible feeling he’d just plunged it properly now. At the end nearest eye and gave him the thumbs up. n the center of the High Table, inmbledore. Harry recognized him at out of the Chocolate Frog on the as the only thing in the whole hall sts. Harry spotted Professor Quir- from the Leaky Cauldron. He was urple turban. people left to be sorted. “Thomas, than Ron, joined Harry at the became a Ravenclaw and then it en by now. Harry crossed his fin- cond later the hat had shouted,he rest as Ron collapsed into the said Percy Weasley pompously was made a Slytherin. Professor and took the Sorting Hat away.mpty gold plate. He had only just he pumpkin pasties seemed ages 22 ‘

THE SORT Albus Dumbledore had gottenthe students, his arms openedpleased him more than to see them “Welcome!” he said. “Welcomfore we begin our banquet, I wouhere they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Od “Thank you!” He sat back down. Everybody cknow whether to laugh or not. “Is he — a bit mad?” he asked P “Mad?” said Percy airily. “Heworld! But he is a bit mad, yes. Po Harry’s mouth fell open. Thepiled with food. He had never seeon one table: roast beef, roast chicsausages, bacon and steak, boileYorkshire pudding, peas, carrots,strange reason, peppermint humbu The Dursleys had never exactbeen allowed to eat as much as hanything that Harry really wantedpiled his plate with a bit of everytbegan to eat. It was all delicious. “That does look good,” said theHarry cut up his steak. “Can’t you — ?” “I haven’t eaten for nearly fivedon’t need to, of course, but one d ‘ 12

TING HAT n to his feet. He was beaming at wide, as if nothing could have m all there.me to a new year at Hogwarts! Be- uld like to say a few words. And ddment! Tweak! clapped and cheered. Harry didn’t Percy uncertainly. e’s a genius! Best wizard in the otatoes, Harry?” dishes in front of him were now en so many things he liked to eat cken, pork chops and lamb chops, ed potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, , gravy, ketchup, and, for some ugs. tly starved Harry, but he’d neverhe liked. Dudley had always taken d, even if it made him sick. Harry thing except the peppermints and e ghost in the ruff sadly, watching hundred years,” said the ghost. “I does miss it. I don’t think I’ve in- 23 ‘

CHAPTERtroduced myself? Sir Nicholas device. Resident ghost of Gryffindor “I know who you are!” said Ronabout you — you’re Nearly Headl “I would prefer you to call meghost began stiffly, but sandy-hair “Nearly Headless? How can you Sir Nicholas looked extremely mgoing at all the way he wanted. “Like this,” he said irritably. Hewhole head swung off his neck andon a hinge. Someone had obvioudone it properly. Looking pleasefaces, Nearly Headless Nick flippcoughed, and said, “So — new Ghelp us win the House Championever gone so long without winninyears in a row! The Bloody Barable — he’s the Slytherin ghost.” Harry looked over at the Slythesitting there, with blank staring eywith silver blood. He was rightpleased to see, didn’t look too plea “How did he get covered in bloterest. “I’ve never asked,” said Nearly When everyone had eaten as mthe food faded from the plates, le ‘ 12

R SEVEN e Mimsy-Porpington at your ser- r Tower.” n suddenly. “My brothers told me less Nick!” e Sir Nicholas de Mimsy —” the red Seamus Finnigan interrupted. u be nearly headless?” miffed, as if their little chat wasn’t e seized his left ear and pulled. His d fell onto his shoulder as if it wasusly tried to behead him, but not ed at the stunned looks on their ped his head back onto his neck,Gryffindors! I hope you’re going toonship this year? Gryffindors have ng. Slytherins have got the cup six ron’s becoming almost unbear- erin table and saw a horrible ghostyes, a gaunt face, and robes stained next to Malfoy who, Harry wasased with the seating arrangements. ood?” asked Seamus with great in- Headless Nick delicately.much as they could, the remains ofeaving them sparkling clean as be-24 ‘

THE SORTfore. A moment later the dessertsevery flavor you could think of, aéclairs and jam doughnuts, trifleding . . . As Harry helped himself to a trfamilies. “I’m half-and-half,” said Seamdidn’t tell him she was a witch ’tinasty shock for him.” The others laughed. “What about you, Neville?” said “Well, my gran brought me up“but the family thought I was all-MAlgie kept trying to catch me offout of me — he pushed me off tnearly drowned — but nothing hUncle Algie came round for dinnean upstairs window by the anklesfered him a meringue and he acciall the way down the garden and ipleased, Gran was crying, she wasseen their faces when I got in heremagic enough to come, you see. Ghe bought me my toad.” On Harry’s other side, Percy Wing about lessons (“I do hope theyto learn, I’m particularly interesteturning something into somethin ‘ 12

TING HAT appeared. Blocks of ice cream in apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate e, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pud- reacle tart, the talk turned to theirmus. “Me dad’s a Muggle. Mom il after they were married. Bit of a d Ron. p and she’s a witch,” said Neville,-Muggle for ages. My Great Uncle f my guard and force some magic the end of Blackpool pier once, I happened until I was eight. Great er, and he was hanging me out of s when my Great Auntie Enid of- identally let go. But I bounced — into the road. They were all really s so happy. And you should have e — they thought I might not be Great Uncle Algie was so pleasedWeasley and Hermione were talk- y start right away, there’s so much ed in Transfiguration, you know,ng else, of course, it’s supposed to25 ‘

CHAPTERbe very difficult —”; “You’ll beneedles and that sort of thing —”) Harry, who was starting to feethe High Table again. Hagrid wasProfessor McGonagall was talkingfessor Quirrell, in his absurd turbgreasy black hair, a hooked nose, a It happened very suddenly. ThQuirrell’s turban straight into Harshot across the scar on Harry’s for “Ouch!” Harry clapped a hand “What is it?” asked Percy. “N-nothing.” The pain had gone as quickly aswas the feeling Harry had gottening that he didn’t like Harry at all “Who’s that teacher talking tPercy. “Oh, you know Quirrell alreading so nervous, that’s Professor Sndoesn’t want to — everyone knowan awful lot about the Dark Arts, Harry watched Snape for a whagain. At last, the desserts too disappgot to his feet again. The hall fell s “Ahem — just a few more wordtered. I have a few start-of-term no ‘ 12

R SEVEN starting small, just matches into ).el warm and sleepy, looked up at s drinking deeply from his goblet. g to Professor Dumbledore. Pro-ban, was talking to a teacher with and sallow skin.he hook-nosed teacher looked pastrry’s eyes — and a sharp, hot painrehead. to his head. s it had come. Harder to shake off from the teachers look — a feel-l. to Professor Quirrell?” he askeddy, do you? No wonder he’s look- nape. He teaches Potions, but hews he’s after Quirrell’s job. Knows Snape.”hile, but Snape didn’t look at himpeared, and Professor Dumbledore silent. ds now that we are all fed and wa- otices to give you.26 ‘

THE SORT “First years should note that thden to all pupils. And a few of ouremember that as well.” Dumbledore’s twinkling eyesWeasley twins. “I have also been asked by Mryou all that no magic should be udors. “Quidditch trials will be heldAnyone interested in playing for tMadam Hooch. “And finally, I must tell you thdor on the right-hand side is outnot wish to die a very painful deat Harry laughed, but he was one “He’s not serious?” he muttered “Must be,” said Percy, frownbecause he usually gives us a reassomewhere — the forest’s full of dthat. I do think he might have told “And now, before we go to bcried Dumbledore. Harry noticedhad become rather fixed. Dumbledore gave his wand a lita fly off the end, and a long goldenhigh above the tables and twisted “Everyone pick their favorite twe go!” ‘ 12

TING HAThe forest on the grounds is forbid-ur older students would do well to flashed in the direction of the r. Filch, the caretaker, to remind used between classes in the corri- in the second week of the term. their House teams should contact hat this year, the third-floor corri- of bounds to everyone who does th.” of the few who did. d to Percy. ning at Dumbledore. “It’s odd, son why we’re not allowed to go dangerous beasts, everyone knows d us prefects, at least.”bed, let us sing the school song!” d that the other teachers’ smiles ttle flick, as if he was trying to get n ribbon flew out of it, which rose itself, snakelike, into words. tune,” said Dumbledore, “and off27 ‘

CHAPTER And the school bellowed: “Hogwarts, Hogwarts, H Teach us something plea Whether we be old and b Or young with scabby kn Our heads could do with With some interesting st For now they’re bare and Dead flies and bits of flu So teach us things worth Bring back what we’ve f Just do your best, we’ll d And learn until our braiEverybody finished the song at dWeasley twins were left singing alDumbledore conducted their laswhen they had finished, he was on “Ah, music,” he said, wiping hihere! And now, bedtime. Off you The Gryffindor first years follocrowds, out of the Great Hall, andlegs were like lead again, but onlyof food. He was too sleepy even tthe portraits along the corridorspassed, or that twice Percy led thhind sliding panels and hanging ‘ 12

R SEVENHoggy Warty Hogwarts,ase, bald nees, h fillingtuff, d full of air,uff,h knowing,forgot,do the rest, ins all rot.” different times. At last, only thelong to a very slow funeral march. st few lines with his wand and ne of those who clapped loudest.is eyes. “A magic beyond all we do trot!”owed Percy through the chattering d up the marble staircase. Harry’s y because he was so tired and full to be surprised that the people ins whispered and pointed as theyhem through doorways hidden be-g tapestries. They climbed more28 ‘

THE SORTstaircases, yawning and draggingwondering how much farther theysudden halt. A bundle of walking sticks wasand as Percy took a step toward tselves at him. “Peeves,” Percy whispered to thraised his voice, “Peeves — show y A loud, rude sound, like the aswered. “Do you want me to go to the B There was a pop, and a little mwide mouth appeared, floating crowalking sticks. “Oooooooh!” he said, with anfun!” He swooped suddenly at them. “Go away, Peeves, or the Barobarked Percy. Peeves stuck out his tongue ansticks on Neville’s head. They hecoats of armor as he passed. “You want to watch out for Pagain. “The Bloody Baron’s the owon’t even listen to us prefects. H At the very end of the corridwoman in a pink silk dress. “Password?” she said. ‘ 12

TING HAT g their feet, and Harry was just y had to go when they came to a floating in midair ahead of them, them they started throwing them- he first years. “A poltergeist.” He yourself.” air being let out of a balloon, an- Bloody Baron?” man with wicked, dark eyes and a oss-legged in the air, clutching the evil cackle. “Ickle Firsties! What . They all ducked. on’ll hear about this, I mean it!”nd vanished, dropping the walking eard him zooming away, rattlingPeeves,” said Percy, as they set offonly one who can control him, heHere we are.”dor hung a portrait of a very fat29 ‘

CHAPTER “Caput Draconis,” said Percy, areveal a round hole in the wall. TNeville needed a leg up — and focommon room, a cozy, round roo Percy directed the girls throughthe boys through another. At thewere obviously in one of the towlast: five four-posters hung withtrunks had already been broughtpulled on their pajamas and fell in “Great food, isn’t it?” Ron mutings. “Get off, Scabbers! He’s chew Harry was going to ask Ron ifbut he fell asleep almost at once. Perhaps Harry had eaten a bitstrange dream. He was wearing Pkept talking to him, telling himonce, because it was his destiny.want to be in Slytherin; it got heait off but it tightened painfully —at him as he struggled with it —hook-nosed teacher, Snape, whosethere was a burst of green lightshaking. He rolled over and fell asleep aghe didn’t remember the dream at a ‘ 13

R SEVEN and the portrait swung forward to They all scrambled through it —ound themselves in the Gryffindorom full of squashy armchairs.h one door to their dormitory and e top of a spiral staircase — they wers — they found their beds at deep red, velvet curtains. Their up. Too tired to talk much, theynto bed. ttered to Harry through the hang-wing my sheets.” f he’d had any of the treacle tart, too much, because he had a very Professor Quirrell’s turban, which he must transfer to Slytherin at Harry told the turban he didn’t avier and heavier; he tried to pull— and there was Malfoy, laughing — then Malfoy turned into the e laugh became high and cold — t and Harry woke, sweating and gain, and when he woke next day, all.30 ‘

CHAPTE THE POTIONThere, look.” “Where?” “Next to the tall kid with the re “Wearing the glasses?” “Did you see his face?” “Did you see his scar?” Whispers followed Harry fromtory the next day. People lining uptoe to get a look at him, or docorridors again, staring. Harry wwas trying to concentrate on findi There were a hundred and fwide, sweeping ones; narrow, ricwhere different on a Friday; somethat you had to remember to jum ‘ 13

R EIGHTNS MASTER ed hair.”m the moment he left his dormi- p outside classrooms stood on tip- oubled back to pass him in thewished they wouldn’t, because heing his way to classes.forty-two staircases at Hogwarts: ckety ones; some that led some-e with a vanishing step halfway upmp. Then there were doors that31 ‘

CHAPTERwouldn’t open unless you asked pthe right place, and doors that wewalls just pretending. It was also vthing was, because it all seemed tin the portraits kept going to visithe coats of armor could walk. The ghosts didn’t help, either.one of them glided suddenly thto open. Nearly Headless NickGryffindors in the right directionworth two locked doors and a triyou were late for class. He wouldhead, pull rugs from under your fesneak up behind you, invisible, grYOUR CONK!” Even worse than Peeves, if thaArgus Filch. Harry and Ron manhim on their very first morning.their way through a door that untrance to the out-of-bounds cowouldn’t believe they were lost, winto it on purpose, and was thdungeons when they were rescuedpassing. Filch owned a cat called Mrs.creature with bulging, lamplike eythe corridors alone. Break a rule inof line, and she’d whisk off for Fi ‘ 13

R EIGHTpolitely, or tickled them in exactly eren’t really doors at all, but solidvery hard to remember where any-to move around a lot. The people it each other, and Harry was sure It was always a nasty shock when hrough a door you were trying was always happy to point new n, but Peeves the Poltergeist wasick staircase if you met him whend drop wastepaper baskets on your eet, pelt you with bits of chalk, orrab your nose, and screech, “GOTat was possible, was the caretaker,naged to get on the wrong side of Filch found them trying to forcenluckily turned out to be the en-orridor on the third floor. Hewas sure they were trying to break hreatening to lock them in the d by Professor Quirrell, who was . Norris, a scrawny, dust-colored yes just like Filch’s. She patrolledn front of her, put just one toe outilch, who’d appear, wheezing, two32 ‘

THE POTIONseconds later. Filch knew the secrter than anyone (except perhaps tup as suddenly as any of the ghoand it was the dearest ambition ofkick. And then, once you had manaclasses themselves. There was a lotfound out, than waving your wan They had to study the night skWednesday at midnight and learnthe movements of the planets. Ththe greenhouses behind the casdumpy little witch called Professoto take care of all the strange planthey were used for. Easily the most boring class wthe only one taught by a ghost. Pindeed when he had fallen asleep igot up next morning to teach, leadroned on and on while they scribgot Emeric the Evil and Uric the O Professor Flitwick, the Charmswho had to stand on a pile of bookof their first class he took the rollname he gave an excited squeak an Professor McGonagall was agairight to think she wasn’t a teacherthem a talking-to the moment the ‘ 13

NS MASTERret passageways of the school bet-the Weasley twins) and could pop osts. The students all hated him,f many to give Mrs. Norris a goodaged to find them, there were the t more to magic, as Harry quicklynd and saying a few funny words.kies through their telescopes everyn the names of different stars andhree times a week they went out tostle to study Herbology, with aor Sprout, where they learned hownts and fungi, and found out whatwas History of Magic, which wasProfessor Binns had been very old in front of the staff room fire andaving his body behind him. Binns bbled down names and dates, and Oddball mixed up. s teacher, was a tiny little wizard ks to see over his desk. At the start call, and when he reached Harry’snd toppled out of sight.in different. Harry had been quite to cross. Strict and clever, she gaveey sat down in her first class.33 ‘

CHAPTER “Transfiguration is some of thmagic you will learn at Hogwaaround in my class will leave andwarned.” Then she changed her desk intoall very impressed and couldn’t wathey weren’t going to be changinglong time. After taking a lot of cgiven a match and started trying toof the lesson, only Hermione Graher match; Professor McGonagallall silver and pointy and gave Herm The class everyone had really bfense Against the Dark Arts, but Qa bit of a joke. His classroom severyone said was to ward off a vwas afraid would be coming backturban, he told them, had been gas a thank-you for getting rid ofweren’t sure they believed this stoFinnigan asked eagerly to hear hzombie, Quirrell went pink and sfor another, they had noticed thaturban, and the Weasley twins ingarlic as well, so that Quirrell was Harry was very relieved to findeveryone else. Lots of people hadlike him, hadn’t had any idea tha ‘ 13

R EIGHThe most complex and dangerousarts,” she said. “Anyone messingd not come back. You have beeno a pig and back again. They wereait to get started, but soon realized g the furniture into animals for acomplicated notes, they were eacho turn it into a needle. By the endanger had made any difference to showed the class how it had gone mione a rare smile. been looking forward to was De-Quirrell’s lessons turned out to besmelled strongly of garlic, whichvampire he’d met in Romania and to get him one of these days. Hisgiven to him by an African princef a troublesome zombie, but theyory. For one thing, when Seamushow Quirrell had fought off thestarted talking about the weather;at a funny smell hung around thensisted that it was stuffed full of protected wherever he went.d out that he wasn’t miles behind come from Muggle families and,at they were witches and wizards.34 ‘

THE POTIONThere was so much to learn thatmuch of a head start. Friday was an important daymanaged to find their way downwithout getting lost once. “What have we got today?” Haon his porridge. “Double Potions with the Slytof Slytherin House. They say he alto see if it’s true.” “Wish McGonagall favored us,gall was head of Gryffindor Housgiving them a huge pile of homew Just then, the mail arrived. Hnow, but it had given him a bitwhen about a hundred owls had sHall during breakfast, circling theers, and dropping letters and pack Hedwig hadn’t brought Harryflew in to nibble his ear and havesleep in the owlery with the otherever, she fluttered down betweebowl and dropped a note onto Honce. It said, in a very untidy scraw Dear Harry, I know you get Friday aft to come and have a cup of t ‘ 13

NS MASTER even people like Ron didn’t have for Harry and Ron. They finally n to the Great Hall for breakfast arry asked Ron as he poured sugar therins,” said Ron. “Snape’s Head lways favors them — we’ll be able ,” said Harry. Professor McGona- se, but it hadn’t stopped her fromwork the day before.Harry had gotten used to this by of a shock on the first morning, suddenly streamed into the Great e tables until they saw their own-kages onto their laps. y anything so far. She sometimes e a bit of toast before going off to school owls. This morning, how- en the marmalade and the sugarHarry’s plate. Harry tore it open at wl: ternoons off so would you like tea with me around three?35 ‘

CHAPTER I want to hear all about y answer back with Hedwig. HagridHarry borrowed Ron’s quill, scribthe back of the note, and sent Hed It was lucky that Harry had teabecause the Potions lesson turnedhad happened to him so far. At the start-of-term banquet,Professor Snape disliked him. By the knew he’d been wrong. Snapehim. Potions lessons took place dowcolder here than up in the main ccreepy enough without the picklearound the walls. Snape, like Flitwick, started thelike Flitwick, he paused at Harry’s “Ah, yes,” he said softly, “Harr Draco Malfoy and his friendshind their hands. Snape finishedat the class. His eyes were black likHagrid’s warmth. They were coldof dark tunnels. “You are here to learn the subtmaking,” he began. He spoke inthey caught every word — like P ‘ 13

R EIGHTyour first week. Send us an bbled Yes, please, see you later on dwig off again. a with Hagrid to look forward to, d out to be the worst thing that Harry had gotten the idea that the end of the first Potions lesson, didn’t dislike Harry — he hatedwn in one of the dungeons. It was castle, and would have been quiteed animals floating in glass jars all e class by taking the roll call, and s name. ry Potter. Our new — celebrity.” Crabbe and Goyle sniggered be- calling the names and looked up ke Hagrid’s, but they had none ofd and empty and made you thinktle science and exact art of potion- barely more than a whisper, butProfessor McGonagall, Snape had36 ‘

THE POTIONthe gift of keeping a class silentfoolish wand-waving here, manymagic. I don’t expect you will reasoftly simmering cauldron with itpower of liquids that creep throumind, ensnaring the senses. . . . I cbrew glory, even stopper death —dunderheads as I usually have to t More silence followed this litchanged looks with raised eyebrowedge of her seat and looked deswasn’t a dunderhead. “Potter!” said Snape suddenly.powdered root of asphodel to an i Powdered root of what to an inRon, who looked as stumped as hinto the air. “I don’t know, sir,” said Harry. Snape’s lips curled into a sneer. “Tut, tut — fame clearly isn’t e He ignored Hermione’s hand. “Let’s try again. Potter, wherefind me a bezoar?” Hermione stretched her hand awithout her leaving her seat, but Hwhat a bezoar was. He tried notGoyle, who were shaking with laug “I don’t know, sir.” ‘ 13

NS MASTER without effort. “As there is little of you will hardly believe this is ally understand the beauty of the ts shimmering fumes, the delicateugh human veins, bewitching the can teach you how to bottle fame,— if you aren’t as big a bunch of each.” ttle speech. Harry and Ron ex-ws. Hermione Granger was on the sperate to start proving that she . “What would I get if I addedinfusion of wormwood?”nfusion of what? Harry glanced athe was; Hermione’s hand had shot . .everything.” would you look if I told you to as high into the air as it would goHarry didn’t have the faintest ideat to look at Malfoy, Crabbe, and ghter.37 ‘

CHAPTER “Thought you wouldn’t open a Harry forced himself to keepeyes. He had looked through hisSnape expect him to remember eical Herbs and Fungi? Snape was still ignoring Hermio “What is the difference, Potterbane?” At this, Hermione stood up,dungeon ceiling. “I don’t know,” said Harry qthough, why don’t you try her?” A few people laughed; Harry cwinked. Snape, however, was not “Sit down,” he snapped at HPotter, asphodel and wormwood mful it is known as the Draught oftaken from the stomach of a goapoisons. As for monkshood and wwhich also goes by the name of acopying that down?” There was a sudden rummaginthe noise, Snape said, “And a poiHouse for your cheek, Potter.” Things didn’t improve for thecontinued. Snape put them all intoa simple potion to cure boils. Hecloak, watching them weigh drie ‘ 13

R EIGHT book before coming, eh, Potter?” looking straight into those cold s books at the Dursleys’, but did everything in One Thousand Mag- one’s quivering hand. r, between monkshood and wolfs- her hand stretching toward the quietly. “I think Hermione does, caught Seamus’s eye, and Seamus pleased.Hermione. “For your information, make a sleeping potion so power- Living Death. A bezoar is a stone at and it will save you from mostwolfsbane, they are the same plant, aconite. Well? Why aren’t you all ng for quills and parchment. Over int will be taken from Gryffindor Gryffindors as the Potions lesson o pairs and set them to mixing up e swept around in his long black ed nettles and crush snake fangs,38 ‘

THE POTIONcriticizing almost everyone exceplike. He was just telling everyonehad stewed his horned slugs whena loud hissing filled the dungeonto melt Seamus’s cauldron into a tseeping across the stone floor, bWithin seconds, the whole class wNeville, who had been drenchedcollapsed, moaned in pain as angrarms and legs. “Idiot boy!” snarled Snape, cleaone wave of his wand. “I supposebefore taking the cauldron off the Neville whimpered as boils sta “Take him up to the hospital whe rounded on Harry and Ron,Neville. “You — Potter — why didn’t yThought he’d make you look goThat’s another point you’ve lost fo This was so unfair that HarryRon kicked him behind their caul “Don’t push it,” he muttered,nasty.” As they climbed the steps outHarry’s mind was racing and hispoints for Gryffindor in his very fhim so much? ‘ 13