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turned his head in every direction as they walked up the street trying to look at everything at once the shops the things outside them the people doing their shopping .A plump woman outside an Apothecary was shaking her head as they passed saying Dragon liver sixteen Sickles an ounce theyre mad .A low soft hooting came from a dark shop with a sign saying Eeylops Owl Emporium Tawny Screech Barn Brown and Snowy .Several boys of about Harrys age had their noses pressed against a window with broomsticks in it .Look Harry heard one of

them say the new Nimbus Two Thousand fastest ever There were shops selling robes shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Harry had never seen before windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels eyes tottering piles of spell books quills and rolls of parchment potion bottles globes of the moon .Gringotts said Hagrid .They had reached a snowy white building that towered over the other little shops .Standing beside its burnished bronze doors wearing a uniform of

and gold was Yeah thats a goblin said Hagrid quietly as they walked up the white stone steps toward him .The goblin was about a head shorter than Harry .He had a swarthy clever face a pointed beard and Harry noticed very long fingers and feet .He bowed as they walked inside .Now they were facing a second pair of doors silver this time with words engraved upon them Enter stranger but take heed Of what awaits the sin of greed For those who take but do not earn Must pay most dearly in their turn .So if you seek beneath our floors A treasure

that was never yours Thief you have been warned beware Of finding more than treasure there .Like I said yehd be mad ter try an rob it said Hagrid .A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors and they were in a vast marble hall .About a hundred more goblins were sitting on high stools behind a long counter scribbling in large ledgers weighing coins in brass scales examining precious stones through eyeglasses .There were too

doors to count leading off the hall and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these .Hagrid and Harry made for the counter .Morning said Hagrid to a free goblin .Weve come ter take some money outta Mr Harry Potters safe .You have his key sir ?Got it here somewhere said Hagrid and he started emptying his pockets onto the counter scattering a handful of moldy dog biscuits over the goblins book of numbers .The goblin wrinkled his nose .Harry watched the goblin on their right weighing a pile of rubies as big as

glowing coals .Got it said Hagrid at last holding up a tiny golden key .The goblin looked at it closely .That seems to be in order .An Ive also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore said Hagrid importantly throwing out his chest .Its about the YouKnowWhat in vault seven hundred

thirteen .The goblin read the letter carefully .Very well he said handing it back to Hagrid I will have someone take you down to both vaults .Griphook !Griphook was yet another goblin .Once Hagrid had crammed all the dog biscuits back inside his pockets he and Harry followed Griphook toward one of the doors leading off the hall .Whats the YouKnowWhat in vault seven hundred and thirteen ?Harry asked .Cant tell yeh that said Hagrid mysteriously .Very secret .Hogwarts business .Dumbledores trusted me .Moren my jobs worth ter tell yeh that .Griphook held the door open for them .Harry who had expected more marble was surprised .They were in a narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches .It sloped steeply downward and

there were little railway tracks on the floor .Griphook whistled and a small cart came hurtling up the tracks toward them .They climbed in Hagrid with some difficulty and were off .At first they just hurtled through a maze of twisting passages .Harry tried to remember left right right left middle fork right left but it was impossible .The rattling cart seemed to know its own way because Griphook wasnt steering .Harrys eyes stung as the cold air

past them but he kept them wide open .Once he thought he saw a burst of fire at the end of a passage and twisted around to see if it was a dragon but too late they plunged even deeper passing an underground lake where huge stalactites and stalagmites grew from the ceiling and floor .I never know Harry called to Hagrid over the noise of the cart whats the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite ?Stalagmites got an ‘m in it said Hagrid .An don ask me questions just now I think Im gonna be sick .He did look very green and when the cart stopped at last beside a small door in the passage wall Hagrid got out and had to lean against the wall

to stop his knees from trembling .Griphook unlocked the door .A lot of green smoke came billowing out and as it cleared Harry gasped .Inside were mounds of gold coins .Columns of silver .Heaps of little bronze Knuts .All yours smiled Hagrid .All Harrys it was incredible .The Dursleys couldnt have known about this or theyd have had it from him faster than blinking .How often had they complained how much Harry cost them to keep ?And all the time there had been a small fortune belonging to him buried deep under London .Hagrid helped Harry

some of it into a bag .The gold ones are Galleons he explained .Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twentynine Knuts to a Sickle its easy enough .Right that should be enough fer a couple o terms well keep the rest safe for yeh .He turned to Griphook .Vault seven hundred and thirteen now please and can we go more slowly ?One speed only said Griphook .They were going even deeper now and gathering speed .The air became colder and colder as they hurtled round tight corners .They went rattling over an underground ravine and Harry leaned over the side to try to see what was down at the dark bottom but Hagrid groaned and

pulled him back by the scruff of his neck .Vault seven hundred and thirteen had no keyhole .Stand back said Griphook importantly .He stroked the door gently with one of his long fingers and it simply melted away .If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that theyd be sucked through the door and trapped in there said Griphook .How often do you check to see if anyones inside ?Harry asked .About once every ten years said

with a rather nasty grin .Something really extraordinary had to be inside this top security vault Harry was sure and he leaned forward eagerly expecting to see fabulous jewels at the very least but at first he thought it was empty .Then he noticed a grubby little package wrapped up in brown paper lying on the floor .Hagrid picked it up and tucked it deep inside his coat .Harry longed to know what it was but knew better than to ask .Come on back in this infernal cart and dont talk to me on the way back its best if I keep me mouth shut said Hagrid .One wild cart ride later they stood blinking in the sunlight outside Gringotts .Harry

didnt know where to run first now that he had a bag full of money .He didnt have to know how many Galleons there were to a pound to know that he was holding more money than hed had in his whole life more money than even Dudley had ever had .Might as well get yer uniform said Hagrid nodding toward Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions .Listen Harry would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pickmeup in the Leaky Cauldron

hate them Gringotts carts .He did still look a bit sick so Harry entered Madam Malkins shop alone feeling nervous .Madam Malkin was a squat smiling witch dressed all in mauve .Hogwarts dear ?she said when Harry started to speak .Got the lot here another young man being fitted up just now in fact .In the back of the shop a boy with a pale pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes .Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next

to him slipped a long robe over his head and began to pin it to the right length .Hello said the boy Hogwarts too ?Yes said Harry .My fathers next door buying my books and mothers up the street looking at wands said the boy .He had a bored drawling voice .Then Im going to drag them off to look at racing brooms .I dont see why first years cant have their own .I think Ill bully father into getting me one and Ill smuggle it in somehow .Harry was strongly reminded of Dudley .Have you

your own broom ?the boy went on .No said Harry .Play Quidditch at all ?No Harry said again wondering what on earth Quidditch could be .I do Father says its a crime if Im not picked to play for my House and I must say I agree .Know what House you 11 be in yet ?No said Harry feeling more stupid by the minute .Well no one really knows until they get there do they but I know Ill be in Slytherin all our family have been imagine being in Hufflepuff I think Id leave wouldnt you ?Mmm said Harry wishing he could say something a bit more interesting .I say look at that man !said the boy suddenly nodding toward the front window .Hagrid was

standing there grinning at Harry and pointing at two large ice creams to show he couldnt come in .Thats Hagrid said Harry pleased to know something the boy didnt .He works at Hogwarts .Oh said the boy Ive heard of him .Hes a sort of servant isnt he ?Hes the gamekeeper said Harry .He was liking the boy less and less every second .Yes exactly .I heard hes a sort of savage lives in a hut on the school grounds and every now and then

gets drunk tries to do magic and ends up setting fire to his bed .I think hes brilliant said Harry coldly .Do you ?said the boy with a slight sneer .Why is he with you ?Where are your parents ?Theyre dead said Harry shortly .He didnt feel much like going into the matter with this boy .Oh sorry said the other not sounding sorry at all .But they were our kind werent they ?They were a witch and wizard if thats what you mean .I really dont think they should let the other sort in do you ?Theyre just not the same theyve never been brought up to know our ways .Some of them

have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get the letter imagine .I think they should keep it in the old wizarding families .Whats your surname anyway ?But before Harry could answer Madam Malkin said Thats you done my dear and Harry not sorry for an excuse to stop talking to the boy hopped down from the footstool .Well Ill see you at

I suppose said the drawling boy .Harry was rather quiet as he ate the ice cream Hagrid had bought him chocolate and raspberry with chopped nuts .Whats up ?said Hagrid .Nothing Harry lied .They stopped to buy parchment and quills .Harry cheered up a bit when he found a bottle of ink that changed color as you wrote .When they had left the shop he said Hagrid whats Quidditch ?Blimey Harry I keep forgettin how little yeh know not knowin about Quidditch !Dont make me feel worse said Harry .He told

Hagrid about the pale boy in Madam Malkins .and he said people from Muggle families shouldnt even be allowed in Yer not from a Muggle family .If hed known who yeh were hes grown up knowin yer name if his parents are wizardin folk .You saw what everyone in the Leaky Cauldron was like when they saw yeh .Anyway what does he know about

some o the best I ever saw were the only ones with magic in em in a long line o Muggles look at yer mum !Look what she had fer a sister !So what is Quidditch ?Its our sport .Wizard sport .Its like like soccer in the Muggle world everyone follows Quidditch played up in the air on broomsticks and theres four balls sorta hard ter explain the rules .And what are Slytherin and Hufflepuff ?School Houses .Theres four .Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o duffers but I bet Im in Hufflepuff said Harry gloomily .Better Hufflepuff than Slytherin said Hagrid darkly .Theres not a single witch or wizard who

went bad who wasnt in Slytherin .YouKnowWho was one .Vol sorry YouKnowWho was at Hogwarts ?Years an years ago said Hagrid .They bought Harrys school books in a shop called Flourish and Blotts where the shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with

in them at all .Even Dudley who never read anything would have been wild to get his hands on some of these .Hagrid almost had to drag Harry away from Curses and Countercurses Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges Hair Loss JellyLegs TongueTying and Much Much More by Professor Vindictus Viridian .I was trying to find out how to curse Dudley .Im not sayin thats not a good idea but yer not ter use magic in the Muggle world except in very special circumstances said Hagrid .An anyway yeh couldn

work any of them curses yet yehll need a lot more study before yeh get ter that level .Hagrid wouldnt let Harry buy a solid gold cauldron either It says pewter on yer list but they got a nice set of scales for weighing potion ingredients and a collapsible brass telescope .Then they visited the Apothecary which was fascinating enough to make up for its horrible smell a mixture of bad eggs and rotted cabbages .Barrels

slimy stuff stood on the floor jars of herbs dried roots and bright powders lined the walls bundles of feathers strings of fangs and snarled claws hung from the ceiling .While Hagrid asked the man behind the counter for a supply of some basic potion ingredients for Harry Harry himself examined silver unicorn horns at twentyone Galleons each and minuscule glittery black beetle eyes five Knuts a scoop .Outside the Apothecary Hagrid checked Harrys list again .Just yer wand left oh yeah an I still havent got yeh a birthday present .Harry felt himself go red .You dont have to I know I dont have to .Tell yeh what Ill

get yer animal .Not a toad toads went outta fashion years ago yehd be laughed at an I don like cats they make me sneeze .Ill get yer an owl .All the kids want owls theyre dead useful carry yer mail an everythin .Twenty minutes later they left Eeylops Owl Emporium which had been dark and full of rustling and flickering jewelbright eyes .Harry now carried a large cage that held a beautiful snowy owl fast asleep with her head under her wing .He couldnt stop

his thanks sounding just like Professor Quirrell .Don mention it said Hagrid gruffly .Don expect youve had a lotta presents from them Dursleys .Just Ollivanders left now only place fer wands Ollivanders and yeh gotta have the best wand .A magic wand .this was what Harry had been really looking forward to .The last shop was narrow and shabby .Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders Makers of Fine Wands since 382b .c .A single wand lay on a

faded purple cushion in the dusty window .A tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop as they stepped inside .It was a tiny place empty except for a single spindly chair that Hagrid sat on to wait .Harry felt strangely as though he had entered a very strict library he swallowed a lot of new questions that had just occurred to him and looked instead at the thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling .For some reason the back of his neck prickled .The very dust and silence in here seemed

tingle with some secret magic .Good afternoon said a soft voice .Harry jumped .Hagrid must have jumped too because there was a loud crunching noise and he got quickly off the spindly chair .An old man was standing before them his wide pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop .Hello said Harry awkwardly .Ah yes said the man .Yes yes .I thought Id be seeing you soon .Harry Potter .It wasnt a question .You have your mothers eyes .It seems only yesterday she was in here herself buying

her first wand .Ten and a quarter inches long swishy made of willow .Nice wand for charm work .Mr Ollivander moved closer to Harry .Harry wished he would blink .Those silvery eyes were a bit creepy .Your father on the other hand favored a mahogany wand .Eleven inches .Pliable .A little more power and excellent

transfiguration .Well I say your father favored it its really the wand that chooses the wizard of course .Mr Ollivander had come so close that he and Harry were almost nose to nose .Harry could see himself reflected in those misty eyes .And thats where .Mr Ollivander touched the lightning scar on Harrys forehead with a long white finger .Im sorry to say I sold the wand that did it he said softly .Thirteenandahalf inches .Yew .Powerful wand very powerful and in the wrong hands .well if Id known what that wand was going out into the world to do .He shook his head and then to Harrys relief spotted Hagrid .Rubeus !Rubeus Hagrid !How nice to

see you again . .Oak sixteen inches rather bendy wasnt it ?It was sir yes said Hagrid .Good wand that one .But I suppose they snapped it in half when you got expelled ?said Mr Ollivander suddenly stern .Er yes they did yes said Hagrid shuffling his feet .Ive still got the pieces though he added brightly .But you dont use

?said Mr Ollivander sharply .Oh no sir said Hagrid quickly .Harry noticed he gripped his pink umbrella very tightly as he spoke .Hmmm said Mr Ollivander giving Hagrid a piercing look .Well now Mr Potter .Let me see .He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket .Which is your wand arm ?Er well Im righthanded said Harry .Hold out your arm .Thats it .He measured Harry from shoulder to finger then wrist to elbow shoulder to floor knee to armpit and round his head .As he measured he said Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance Mr Potter .We use unicorn hairs

phoenix tail feathers and the heartstrings of dragons .No two Ollivander wands are the same just as no two unicorns dragons or phoenixes are quite the same .And of course you will never get such good results with another wizards wand .Harry suddenly realized that the tape measure which was measuring between his nostrils was doing this on its own .Mr Ollivander was flitting around the shelves taking down boxes .That will do

said and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor .Right then Mr Potter .Try this one .Beechwood and dragon heartstring .Nine inches .Nice and flexible .Just take it and give it a wave .Harry took the wand and feeling foolish waved it around a bit but Mr Ollivander snatched it out of his hand almost at once .Maple and phoenix feather .Seven inches .Quite whippy .Try Harry tried but he had hardly raised the wand when it too was snatched back by Mr Ollivander .No no here ebony and unicorn hair eight and a half inches springy .Go on go on

try it out .Harry tried .And tried .He had no idea what Mr Ollivander was waiting for .The pile of tried wands was mounting higher and higher on the spindly chair but the more wands Mr Ollivander pulled from the shelves the happier he seemed to become .Tricky customer eh ?Not to worry well find the perfect match here somewhere I wonder now yes why not unusual combination holly and phoenix feather eleven inches nice and supple .Harry took the wand .He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers .He raised

wand above his head brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls .Hagrid whooped and clapped and Mr Ollivander cried Oh bravo !Yes indeed oh very good .Well well well .how curious .how very curious .He put Harrys wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper still muttering Curious .curious Sorry said Harry but whats curious ?Mr Ollivander fixed Harry with his pale stare .I remember every wand Ive ever sold Mr Potter .Every single wand .It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand gave another feather just one other .It is very curious indeed that you should

be destined for this wand when its brother why its brother gave you that scar .Harry swallowed .Yes thirteenandahalf inches .Yew .Curious indeed how these things happen .The wand chooses the wizard remember .I think we must expect great things from you Mr Potter .After all HeWho MustNotBeNamed did great things terrible yes but great .Harry shivered .He wasnt sure he liked Mr Ollivander too much .He paid seven gold Galleons for his wand and Mr Ollivander bowed

from his shop .The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky as Harry and Hagrid made their way back down Diagon Alley back through the wall back through the Leaky Cauldron now empty .Harry didnt speak at all as they walked down the road he didnt even notice how much people were gawking at them on the Underground laden as they were with all their funny shaped packages with the snowy owl asleep in its cage on Harrys lap .Up

another escalator out into Paddington station Harry only realized where they were when Hagrid tapped him on the shoulder .Got time fer a bite to eat before yer train leaves he said .He bought Harry a hamburger and they sat down on plastic seats to eat them .Harry kept looking around .Everything looked so strange somehow .You all right Harry ?Yer very quiet said Hagrid .Harry wasnt sure he could explain .Hed just had the best birthday

his life and yet he chewed his hamburger trying to find the words .Everyone thinks Im special he said at last .All those people in the Leaky Cauldron Professor Quirrell Mr Ollivander .but I dont know anything about magic at all .How can they expect great things ?Im famous and I cant even remember what Im famous for .I dont know what happened when Vol sorry I mean the night my parents died .Hagrid leaned across the table .Behind the wild beard and eyebrows he wore a very kind smile .Don

you worry Harry .Youll learn fast enough .Everyone starts at the beginning at Hogwarts youll be just fine .Just be yerself .I know its hard .Yehve been singled out an thats always hard .But yehll have a great time at Hogwarts I did still do smatter of fact .Hagrid helped Harry on to the train that would take him back to the Dursleys then handed him an envelope .Yer ticket fer Hogwarts he said .First o September Kings Cross its all on yer ticket

problems with the Dursleys send me a letter with yer owl shell know where to find me .See yeh soon Harry .The train pulled out of the station .Harry wanted to watch Hagrid until he was out of sight he rose in his seat and pressed his nose against the window but he blinked and Hagrid had gone .THE JOURNEY FROM PLATFORM NINE AND THREEQUARTERS Harrys last month with the Dursleys wasnt fun .True Dudley was now so scared of Harry he wouldnt stay in the same room while Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didnt shut Harry in his cupboard force him to do anything or shout at him in

fact they didnt speak to him at all .Half terrified half furious they acted as though any chair with Harry in it were empty .Although this was an improvement in many ways it did become a bit depressing after a while .Harry kept to his room with his new owl for company .He had decided to call her Hedwig a name he had found in A History of Magic .His school books were very interesting .He lay on his bed reading late into the night Hedwig swooping in and out of the open window as she pleased .It

lucky that Aunt Petunia didnt come in to vacuum anymore because Hedwig kept bringing back dead mice .Every night before he went to sleep Harry ticked off another day on the piece of paper he had pinned to the wall counting down to September the first .On the last day of August he thought hed better speak to his aunt and uncle about getting to Kings Cross station the next day so he went down to the living room where they were watching a quiz show on television .He cleared his throat to let them know he was there and Dudley screamed and ran from the room .Er Uncle Vernon ?Uncle Vernon

grunted to show he was listening .Er I need to be at Kings Cross tomorrow to to go to Hogwarts .Uncle Vernon grunted again .Would it be all right if you gave me a lift ?Grunt .Harry supposed that meant yes .Thank you .He was about to go back upstairs when Uncle Vernon actually spoke .Funny way to get to a wizards school the train .Magic carpets all got punctures have they ?Harry didnt say anything .Where is this school anyway ?I dont know said Harry realizing this for the first time

pulled the ticket Hagrid had given him out of his pocket .I just take the train from platform nine and three quarters at eleven oclock he read .His aunt and uncle stared .Platform what ?Nine and threequarters .Dont talk rubbish said Uncle Vernon .There is no platform nine and threequarters .Its on my ticket .Barking said Uncle Vernon howling mad the lot of them .You 11 see .You just wait .All right well take you to Kings Cross .Were going up to London tomorrow anyway or I wouldnt bother .Why are you going to London ?Harry asked trying to keep things friendly .Taking Dudley to the hospital growled

Uncle Vernon .Got to have that ruddy tail removed before he goes to Smeltings .Harry woke at five oclock the next morning and was too excited and nervous to go back to sleep .He got up and pulled on his jeans because he didnt want to walk into the station in his wizards robes hed change on the train .He checked his Hogwarts list yet again to make sure he had everything he needed saw that Hedwig was shut safely in her cage and then paced the room waiting for the Dursleys to get up .Two hours

Harrys huge heavy trunk had been loaded into the Dursleys car Aunt Petunia had talked Dudley into sitting next to Harry and they had set off .They reached Kings Cross at half past ten .Uncle Vernon dumped Harrys trunk onto a cart and wheeled it into the station for him .Harry thought this was strangely kind until Uncle Vernon stopped dead facing the platforms with a nasty grin on his face .Well there you are boy .Platform nine platform ten .Your platform should be somewhere in the middle but they dont seem to have built it yet do they ?He was quite right of course .There was a big plastic number nine over one platform and a

big plastic number ten over the one next to it and in the middle nothing at all .Have a good term said Uncle Vernon with an even nastier smile .He left without another word .Harry turned and saw the Dursleys drive away .All three of them were laughing .Harrys mouth went rather dry .What on earth was he going to do ?He was starting to attract a lot of funny looks because of Hedwig .Hed have to ask someone .He stopped a passing guard but didnt dare mention platform nine and threequarters .The guard

never heard of Hogwarts and when Harry couldnt even tell him what part of the country it was in he started to get annoyed as though Harry was being stupid on purpose .Getting desperate Harry asked for the train that left at eleven oclock but the guard said there wasnt one .In the end the guard strode away muttering about time wasters .Harry was now trying hard not to panic .According to the large clock over the arrivals board he had ten minutes left to get on the train to Hogwarts and he had no idea how to do it he was stranded in the middle of a station with a trunk he could hardly lift a pocket full of wizard money and a large owl .Hagrid must

have forgotten to tell him something you had to do like tapping the third brick on the left to get into Diagon Alley .He wondered if he should get out his wand and start tapping the ticket inspectors stand between platforms nine and ten .At that moment a group of people passed just behind him and he caught a few words of what they were saying .packed with Muggles of course Harry swung round .The

was a plump woman who was talking to four boys all with flaming red hair .Each of them was pushing a trunk like Harrys in front of him and they had an owl .Heart hammering Harry pushed his cart after them .They stopped and so did he just near enough to hear what they were saying .Now whats the platform number ?said the boys mother .Nine and threequarters !piped a small girl also red headed who was holding her hand Mom cant I go Youre not old enough Ginny now be quiet .All

right Percy you go first .What looked like the oldest boy marched toward platforms nine and ten .Harry watched careful not to blink in case he missed it but just as the boy reached the dividing barrier between the two platforms a large crowd of tourists came swarming in front of him and by the time the last backpack had cleared away the boy had vanished .Fred you next the plump woman said .Im not Fred Im George

the boy .Honestly woman you call yourself our mother ?Cant you tell Im George ?Sorry George dear .Only joking I am Fred said the boy and off he went .His twin called after him to hurry up and he must have done so because a second later he had gone but how had he done it ?Now the third brother was walking briskly toward the barrier he was almost there and then quite suddenly he wasnt anywhere .There was nothing

else for it .Excuse me Harry said to the plump woman .Hello dear she said .First time at Hogwarts ?Rons new too .She pointed at the last and youngest of her sons .He was tall thin and gangling with freckles big hands and feet and a long nose .Yes said Harry .The thing is the thing is I dont know how to How to get onto the platform ?she said kindly and Harry nodded .Not to worry she said .All you have to do is walk straight

the barrier between platforms nine and ten .Dont stop and dont be scared youll crash into it thats very important .Best do it at a bit of a run if youre nervous .Go on go now before Ron .Er okay said Harry .He pushed his trolley around and stared at the barrier .It looked very solid .He started to walk toward it .People jostled him on their way to platforms nine and ten .Harry walked more quickly .He was going to smash right into that barrier and then hed be in trouble leaning forward on his cart he broke into a heavy run the

barrier was coming nearer and nearer he wouldnt be able to stop the cart was out of control he was a foot away he closed his eyes ready for the crash It didnt come .he kept on running .he opened his eyes .A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with

.A sign overhead said Hogwarts Express eleven oclock .Harry looked behind him and saw a wroughtiron archway where the barrier had been with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it .He had done it .Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd while cats of every color wound here and there between their legs .Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks .The first few carriages were already packed with students some hanging out of the window to talk to their families some fighting over seats

.Harry pushed his cart off down the platform in search of an empty seat .He passed a roundfaced boy who was saying Gran Ive lost my toad again .Oh Neville he heard the old woman sigh .A boy with dreadlocks was surrounded by a small crowd .Give us a look Lee go on .The boy lifted the lid of

box in his arms and the people around him shrieked and yelled as something inside poked out a long hairy leg .Harry pressed on through the crowd until he found an empty compartment near the end of the train .He put Hedwig inside first and then started to shove and heave his trunk toward the train door .He tried to lift it up the steps but could hardly raise one end and twice he dropped it painfully on his foot .Want a hand ?It was one of the redhaired twins hed followed

through the barrier .Yes please Harry panted .Oy Fred !Cmere and help !With the twins help Harrys trunk was at last tucked away in a corner of the compartment .Thanks said Harry pushing his sweaty hair out of his eyes .Whats that ?said one of the twins suddenly pointing at Harrys lightning scar .Blimey said the other twin .Are you ?He is said the first twin .Arent you ?he

to Harry .What ?said Harry .Harry Potter chorused the twins .Oh him said Harry .I mean yes I am .The two boys gawked at him and Harry felt himself turning red .Then to his relief a voice came floating in through the trains open door .Fred ?George ?Are you there ?Coming Mom .With a last look at Harry the twins hopped off the train .Harry sat down next to the window where half hidden he could watch the redhaired family on the platform and hear what they were saying .Their mother had just taken out her handkerchief .Ron youve got something on your nose .The youngest boy tried to jerk out

of the way but she grabbed him and began rubbing the end of his nose .Mom geroff .He wriggled free .aah has ickle Ronnie got somefink on his nosie ?said one of the twins .Shut up said Ron .Wheres Percy ?said their mother .Hes coming now .The oldest boy came striding into sight .He had already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes and Harry noticed a shiny red and gold badge on his chest with the letter P on it .Cant stay long Mother he said .Im up front the

have got two compartments to themselves Oh are you a prefect Percy ?said one of the twins with an air of great surprise .You should have said something we had no idea .Hang on I think I remember him saying something about it said the other twin .Once Or twice A minute All summer Oh shut up said Percy the Prefect .How come Percy gets new robes anyway ?said one of the twins .Because hes a prefect said their mother fondly .All right dear well have a good term

send me an owl when you get there .She kissed Percy on the cheek and he left .Then she turned to the twins .Now you two this year you behave yourselves .If I get one more owl telling me youve youve blown up a toilet or Blown up a toilet ?Weve

blown up a toilet .Great idea though thanks Mom .Its not funny .And look after Ron .Dont worry ickle Ronniekins is safe with us .Shut up said Ron again .He was almost as tall as the twins already and his nose was still pink where his mother had rubbed it .Hey Mom guess what ?Guess who we just met on the train ?Harry leaned back quickly so they couldnt see him looking .You know that blackhaired boy who was near us in the station ?Know who he is ?Who ?Harry Potted Harry heard the little girls voice .Oh Mom can I go on the train and see him Mom oh please .Youve already seen him Ginny and the poor boy isnt something

you goggle at in a zoo .Is he really Fred ?How do you know ?Asked him .Saw his scar .Its really there like lightning .Poor dear no wonder he was alone I wondered .He was ever so polite when he asked how to get onto the platform .Never mind that do you think he remembers what YouKnowWho looks like ?Their mother suddenly became very stern .I forbid you to ask him Fred .No dont you dare .As

he needs reminding of that on his first day at school .All right keep your hair on .A whistle sounded .Hurry up !their mother said and the three boys clambered onto the train .They leaned out of the window for her to kiss them goodbye and their younger sister began to cry .Dont Ginny well send you loads of owls .Well send you a Hogwarts toilet seat .Georg e Only joking Mom .The train began to move .Harry saw the boys mother waving and their sister half laughing half crying running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed then she fell back and waved .Harry watched the girl and her mother disappear as the train rounded the

corner .Houses flashed past the window .Harry felt a great leap of excitement .He didnt know what he was going to but it had to be better than what he was leaving behind .The door of the compartment slid open and the youngest redheaded boy came in .Anyone sitting there ?he asked pointing at the seat opposite Harry .Everywhere else is full .Harry

his head and the boy sat down .He glanced at Harry and then looked quickly out of the window pretending he hadnt looked .Harry saw he still had a black mark on his nose .Hey Ron .The twins were back .Listen were going down the middle of the train Lee Jordans got a giant tarantula down there .Right mumbled Ron .Harry said the other twin did we introduce ourselves ?Fred and George Weasley .And this is Ron our brother .See you later then .Bye said Harry and

Ron .The twins slid the compartment door shut behind them .Are you really Harry Potter ?Ron blurted out .Harry nodded .Oh well I thought it might be one of Fred and Georges jokes said Ron .And have you really got you know .He pointed at Harrys forehead .Harry pulled back his bangs to show

lightning scar .Ron stared .So thats where YouKnowWho ?Yes said Harry but I cant remember it .Nothing ?said Ron eagerly .Well I remember a lot of green light but nothing else .Wow said Ron .He sat and stared at Harry for a few moments then as though he had suddenly realized what he was doing he looked quickly out of the window again .Are all your family wizards ?asked Harry who found Ron just as interesting as Ron found him .Er yes I think so said Ron .I think Moms got a second cousin whos an accountant but we never talk about him .So you must know

loads of magic already .The Weasleys were clearly one of those old wizarding families the pale boy in Diagon Alley had talked about .I heard you went to live with Muggles said Ron .What are they like ?Horrible well not all of them .My aunt and uncle and cousin are though .Wish Id had three wizard brothers .Five said Ron .For some reason he was looking gloomy .Im the

in our family to go to Hogwarts .You could say Ive got a lot to live up to .Bill and Charlie have already left Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch .Now Percys a prefect .Fred and George mess around a lot but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks theyre really funny .Everyone expects me to do as well as the others but if I do its no big deal because they did it first .You never get anything new either with five brothers .Ive got Bills old robes Charlies old wand and Percys old rat .Ron reached inside his jacket and

pulled out a fat gray rat which was asleep .His names Scabbers and hes useless he hardly ever wakes up .Percy got an owl from my dad for being made a prefect but they couldnt aff I mean I got Scabbers instead .Rons ears went pink .He seemed to think hed said too much because he went back to staring out of the window .Harry didnt think there was anything wrong with not being able to afford an owl .After all hed never had any

in his life until a month ago and he told Ron so all about having to wear Dudleys old clothes and never getting proper birthday presents .This seemed to cheer Ron up . .and until Hagrid told me I didnt know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort Ron gasped .What ?said Harry .You said YouKnowWhos name said Ron sounding both shocked and impressed .Id have thought you of all people Im not trying to be brave or anything saying the name said Harry I just never knew you shouldnt .See what I mean ?Ive got loads to learn .I bet he added voicing for the first time something that had been worrying him a lot lately I bet Im the worst in the

class .You wont be .Theres loads of people who come from Muggle families and they learn quick enough .While they had been talking the train had carried them out of London .Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep .They were quiet for a time watching the fields and lanes flick past .Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling dimpled woman slid back their door and said Anything off the cart dears ?Harry who hadnt had any breakfast leapt to his feet but

ears went pink again and he muttered that hed brought sandwiches .Harry went out into the corridor .He had never had any money for candy with the Dursleys and now that he had pockets rattling with gold and silver he was ready to buy as many Mars Bars as he could carry but the woman didnt have Mars Bars .What she did have were Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans Droobles Best Blowing Gum Chocolate Frogs Pumpkin Pasties Cauldron Cakes Licorice Wands and a number of other strange things Harry had never seen in his life .Not wanting to miss anything he got some of everything

and paid the woman eleven silver Sickles and seven bronze Knuts .Ron stared as Harry brought it all back in to the compartment and tipped it onto an empty seat .Hungry are you ?Starving said Harry taking a large bite out of a pumpkin pasty .Ron had taken out a lumpy package and unwrapped it .There were four sandwiches inside .He pulled one of them apart and said She always forgets I dont like corned beef .Swap you

one of these said Harry holding up a pasty .Go on You dont want this its all dry said Ron .She hasnt got much time he added quickly you know with five of us .Go on have a pasty said Harry who had never had anything to share before or indeed anyone to share it with .It was a nice feeling sitting there with Ron eating their way through all Harrys pasties cakes and candies the sandwiches lay forgotten .What are these ?Harry asked Ron holding up a pack of Chocolate Frogs .Theyre not really frogs are they ?He was starting to feel

that nothing would surprise him .No said Ron .But see what the card is .Im missing Agrippa .What ?Oh of course you wouldnt know Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them you know to collect famous witches and wizards .Ive got about five hundred but I havent got Agrippa or Ptolemy .Harry unwrapped his Chocolate Frog and picked up the card .It showed a mans face .He wore halfmoon glasses had a long crooked nose

flowing silver hair beard and mustache .Underneath the picture was the name Albus Dumbledore .So this is Dumbledore !said Harry .Dont tell me youd never heard of Dumbledore !said Ron .Can I have a frog ?I might get Agrippa thanks Harry turned over his card and read ALBUS DUMBLEDORE CURRENTLY HEADMASTER OF HOGWARTS Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945 for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragons blood and his work on alchemy with his partner Nicolas Flamel .Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and ten pin bowling .Harry turned the card back over and saw to his astonishment that Dumbledore s face had disappeared .Hes

gone !Well you cant expect him to hang around all day said Ron .Hell be back .No Ive got Morgana again and Ive got about six of her .do you want it ?You can start collecting .Rons eyes strayed to the pile of Chocolate Frogs waiting to be unwrapped .Help yourself said Harry .But in you know the Muggle world people just stay put in photos .Do they ?What they dont move at all ?Ron sounded amazed .Weird .Harry stared as Dumbledore sidled back into the picture on his card and

him a small smile .Ron was more interested in eating the frogs than looking at the Famous Witches and Wizards cards but Harry couldnt keep his eyes off them .Soon he had not only Dumbledore and Morgana but Hengist of Woodcraft Alberic Grunnion Circe Paracelsus and Merlin .He finally tore his eyes away from the druidess Cliodna who was scratching her nose to open a bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans .You want to be careful with those Ron warned Harry .When they say every flavor they mean every

flavor you know you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe .George reckons he had a boogerflavored one once .Ron picked up a green bean looked at it carefully and bit into a corner .Bleaargh see ?Sprouts .They had a good time

the Every Flavor Beans .Harry got toast coconut baked bean strawberry curry grass coffee sardine and was even brave enough to nibble the end off a funny gray one Ron wouldnt touch which turned out to be pepper .The countryside now flying past the window was becoming wilder .The neat fields had gone .Now there were woods twisting rivers and dark green hills .There was a knock on the door of their compartment and the roundfaced boy Harry had passed on platform nine and threequarters came in .He looked tearful .Sorry he said but have you seen a toad

at all ?When they shook their heads he wailed Ive lost him !He keeps getting away from me !Hell turn up said Harry .Yes said the boy miserably .Well if you see him .He left .Dont know why hes so bothered said Ron .If Id brought a toad Id lose it as quick as I could .Mind you I brought Scabbers so

cant talk .The rat was still snoozing on Rons lap .He might have died and you wouldnt know the difference said Ron in disgust .I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting but the spell didnt work .Ill show you look .He rummaged around in his trunk and pulled out a very batteredlooking wand .It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end .Unicorn hairs nearly poking out .Anyway He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again .The toadless boy was back but this time he had a girl with him .She was already wearing her new Hogwarts robes .Has anyone seen a toad ?Nevilles lost one she said .She had a bossy sort of voice lots

of bushy brown hair and rather large front teeth .Weve already told him we havent seen it said Ron but the girl wasnt listening she was looking at the wand in his hand .Oh are you doing magic ?Lets see it then .She sat down .Ron looked taken aback .Er all right .He cleared his throat .Sunshine daisies butter

Turn this stupid fat rat yellow .He waved his wand but nothing happened .Scabbers stayed gray and fast asleep .Are you sure thats a real spell ?said the girl .Well its not very good is it ?Ive tried a few simple spells just for practice and its all worked for me .Nobody in my familys magic at all it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter but I was ever so pleased of course I mean its the very best school of witchcraft there is Ive heard

Ive learned all our course books by heart of course I just hope it will be enough Im Hermione Granger by the way who are you ?She said all this very fast .Harry looked at Ron and was relieved to see by his stunned face that he hadnt learned all the course books by heart either .Im Ron Weasley Ron muttered .Harry Potter said Harry .Are you really ?said Hermione .I know all about you of

I got a few extra books for background reading and youre in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century .Am I ?said Harry feeling dazed .Goodness didnt you know Id have found out everything I could if it was me said Hermione .Do either of you know what House youll be in ?Ive been asking around and I hope Im in Gryffindor it sounds by far the best I hear Dumbledore himself was in it but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldnt be too bad .Anyway wed better go and look for Nevilles toad .You two had better change you know I expect well be there soon .And

she left taking the toadless boy with her .Whatever House Im in I hope shes not in it said Ron .He threw his wand back into his trunk .Stupid spell George gave it to me bet he knew it was a dud .What House are your brothers in ?asked Harry .Gryffindor said Ron .Gloom seemed to be settling on him again .Mom and Dad were in it too .I dont know what theyll say if Im not .I dont suppose Ravenclaw would be too bad

imagine if they put me in Slytherin .Thats the House Vol I mean YouKnowWho was in ?Yeah said Ron .He flopped back into his seat looking depressed .You know I think the ends of Scabbers whiskers are a bit lighter said Harry trying to take Rons mind off Houses .So what do your oldest brothers do now that theyve left anyway ?Harry was wondering what a wizard did once hed finished school .Charlies in Romania studying dragons and Bills in Africa doing something for Gringotts said Ron .Did

you hear about Gringotts ?Its been all over the Daily Prophet but I dont suppose you get that with the Muggles someone tried to rob a high security vault .Harry stared .Really ?What happened to them ?Nothing thats why its such big news .They havent been caught .My dad says it mustve been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts but they dont think they took anything thats whats odd

everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case YouKnowWhos behind it .Harry turned this news over in his mind .He was starting to get a prickle of fear every time YouKnow Who was mentioned .He supposed this was all part of entering the magical world but it had been a lot more comfortable saying Voldemort without worrying .Whats your Quidditch team ?Ron asked .Er I dont know any Harry confessed .What !Ron looked dumbfounded .Oh you wait its the best game in the world And he was off explaining all about the four balls and the positions of the seven players describing famous games

hed been to with his brothers and the broomstick hed like to get if he had the money .He was just taking Harry through the finer points of the game when the compartment door slid open yet again but it wasnt Neville the toadless boy or Hermione Granger this time .Three boys entered and Harry recognized the middle one at once It was the pale boy from Madam Malkins robe shop .He was looking at Harry with a lot more interest than hed shown back in Diagon

.Is it true ?he said .Theyre saying all down the train that Harry Potters in this compartment .So its you is it ?Yes said Harry .He was looking at the other boys .Both of them were thickset and looked extremely mean .Standing on either side of the pale boy they looked like bodyguards .Oh this is Crabbe and this is Goyle said the pale boy carelessly noticing where Harry was looking .And my names Malfoy Draco Malfoy .Ron gave a slight cough which might have been hiding a snigger .Draco Malfoy looked at him .Think my names funny do you ?No need to ask who you are .My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair freckles and

more children than they can afford .He turned back to Harry .Youll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others Potter .You dont want to go making friends with the wrong sort .I can help you there .He held out his hand to shake Harrys but Harry didnt take it .I think I can

who the wrong sort are for myself thanks he said coolly .Draco Malfoy didnt go red but a pink tinge appeared in his pale cheeks .Id be careful if I were you Potter he said slowly .Unless youre a bit politer youll go the same way as your parents .They didnt know what was good for them either .You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid and itll rub off on you .Both Harry and Ron stood up .Say that again Ron said his face as red as his hair .Oh youre going to fight us are you ?Malfoy sneered .Unless you get out now said Harry more bravely than he felt because Crabbe and Goyle were a lot bigger than him or Ron .But

we dont feel like leaving do we boys ?Weve eaten all our food and you still seem to have some .Goyle reached toward the Chocolate Frogs next to Ron Ron leapt forward but before hed so much as touched Goyle Goyle let out a horrible yell .Scabbers the rat was hanging off his finger sharp little teeth sunk deep into Goyle s knuckle Crabbe and Malfoy backed away as Goyle swung Scabbers round and round howling

when Scabbers finally flew off and hit the window all three of them disappeared at once .Perhaps they thought there were more rats lurking among the sweets or perhaps theyd heard footsteps because a second later Hermione Granger had come in .What has been going on ?she said looking at the sweets all over the floor and Ron picking up Scabbers by his tail .I think hes been knocked out Ron said to Harry .He looked closer at Scabbers .No I dont believe it hes gone

back to sleep .And so he had .Youve met Malfoy before ?Harry explained about their meeting in Diagon Alley .Ive heard of his family said Ron darkly .They were some of the first to come back to our side after You KnowWho disappeared .Said theyd been bewitched .My dad doesnt believe it .He says Malfoys father didnt need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side .He turned to Hermione .Can we help you

something ?Youd better hurry up and put your robes on Ive just been up to the front to ask the conductor and he says were nearly there .You havent been fighting have you ?Youll be in trouble before we even get there !Scabbers has been fighting not us said Ron scowling at her .Would you mind leaving while we change ?All right I only came in here because people outside are behaving very childishly racing up and down the corridors said Hermione in a sniffy voice .And youve got dirt on your nose by the way did you know ?Ron glared at her as she left .Harry peered out of the window .It was getting dark .He could see mountains and forests

under a deep purple sky .The train did seem to be slowing down .He and Ron took off their jackets and pulled on their long black robes .Rons were a bit short for him you could see his sneakers underneath them .A voice echoed through the train We will be reaching Hogwarts in five

time .Please leave your luggage on the train it will be taken to the school separately .Harrys stomach lurched with nerves and Ron he saw looked pale under his freckles .They crammed their pockets with the last of the sweets and joined the crowd thronging the corridor .The train slowed right down and finally stopped .People pushed their way toward the door and out on to a tiny dark platform .Harry shivered in the cold night air .Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students and Harry heard a familiar voice Firs years !Firs years over here !All right there Harry ?Hagrids big hairy face beamed over the sea of

heads .Cmon follow me any more firs years ?Mind yer step now !Firs years follow me !Slipping and stumbling they followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep narrow path .It was so dark on either side of them that Harry thought there must be thick trees there .Nobody spoke much .Neville the boy who kept losing his toad sniffed once or twice .Yehll get yer firs sight o Hogwarts in a sec

called over his shoulder jus round this bend here .There was a loud Oooooh !The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake .Perched atop a high mountain on the other side its windows sparkling in the starry sky was a vast castle with many turrets and towers .No moren four to a boat !Hagrid called pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore .Harry and Ron were followed into their boat by Neville and Hermione

.Everyone in ?shouted Hagrid who had a boat to himself .Right then FORWARD !And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once gliding across the lake which was as smooth as glass .Everyone was silent staring up at the great castle overhead .It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood .Heads down !yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached

cliff they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face .They were carried along a dark tunnel which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle until they reached a kind of underground harbor where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles .Oy you there !Is this your toad ?said Hagrid who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them .Trevor !cried Neville blissfully holding out his hands .Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrids lamp coming

out at last onto smooth damp grass right in the shadow of the castle .They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge oak front door .Everyone here ?You there still got yer toad ?Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door .7 THE SORTING HAT The door swung open at once .A tall blackhaired witch in emeraldgreen robes stood there .She had a very stern face and Harrys first thought was that this was not someone to cross .The firs years Professor McGonagall said Hagrid .Thank you

.I will take them from here .She pulled the door wide .The entrance hall was so big you could have fit the whole of the Dursleys house in it .The stone walls were lit with flaming torches like the ones at Gringotts the ceiling was too high to make out and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors .They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor .Harry could hear the drone of hundreds of voices

from a doorway to the right the rest of the school must already be here but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small empty chamber off the hall .They crowded in standing rather closer together than they would usually have done peering about nervously .Welcome to Hogwarts said Professor McGonagall .The startofterm banquet will begin shortly but before you take your seats in the Great Hall you will be sorted into your Houses .The Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you are here your House will be something like your

within Hogwarts .You will have classes with the rest of your House sleep in your House dormitory and spend free time in your House common room .The four Houses are called Gryffindor Hufflepuff Ravenclaw and Slytherin .Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards .While you are at Hogwarts your triumphs will earn your House points while any rule breaking will lose House points .At the end of the year the House with the most points is awarded the House cup a great honor .I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours .The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school .I suggest you

all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting .Her eyes lingered for a moment on Nevilles cloak which was fastened under his left ear and on Rons smudged nose .Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair .I shall return when we are ready for you said Professor McGonagall .Please wait quietly .She left the chamber .Harry swallowed .How exactly do they sort us into Houses ?he asked Ron .Some sort of test I think .Fred said it hurts

lot but I think he was joking .Harrys heart gave a horrible jolt .A test ?In front of the whole school ?But he didnt know any magic yet what on earth would he have to do ?He hadnt expected something like this the moment they arrived .He looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified too .No one was talking much except Hermione Granger who was whispering very fast about all the spells shed learned and wondering which one shed need .Harry tried hard not to listen to her .Hed never been more nervous never not even when hed had to take a school report home to the

Dursleys saying that hed somehow turned his teachers wig blue .He kept his eyes fixed on the door .Any second now Professor McGonagall would come back and lead him to his doom .Then something happened that made him jump about a foot in the air several people behind him screamed .What the ?He gasped .So did the people around him .About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall .Pearlywhite and slightly transparent they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at

first years .They seemed to be arguing .What looked like a fat little monk was saying Forgive and forget I say we ought to give him a second chance My dear Friar havent we given Peeves all the chances he deserves ?He gives us all a bad name and you know hes not really even a ghost I say what are you all doing here ?A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed the first years .Nobody answered .New students !said the Fat Friar smiling around at them .About to be Sorted I suppose ?A few people nodded mutely .Hope to see you in Hufflepuff !said the Friar .My old House you

know .Move along now said a sharp voice .The Sorting Ceremonys about to start .Professor McGonagall had returned .One by one the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall .Now form a line Professor McGonagall told the first years and follow me .Feeling oddly as though his legs had turned to lead Harry got into line behind a boy with sandy hair with Ron behind him and they walked out of the chamber back

the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall .Harry had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place .It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables where the rest of the students were sitting .These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets .At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting .Professor McGonagall led the first

years up here so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students with the teachers behind them .The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight .Dotted here and there among the students the ghosts shone misty silver .Mainly to avoid all the staring

Harry looked upward and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars .He heard Hermione whisper Its bewitched to look like the sky outside .I read about it in Hogwarts A History .It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all and that the Great Hall didnt simply open on to the heavens .Harry quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a fourlegged stool in front of the first years .On top of the stool she put a pointed wizards hat .This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty .Aunt Petunia wouldnt have let it in the house .Maybe they had to try and get a rabbit out of it

Harry thought wildly that seemed the sort of thing noticing that everyone in the hall was now staring at the hat he stared at it too .For a few seconds there was complete silence .Then the hat twitched .A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth and the hat began to sing Oh you may not think Im

But dont judge on what you see Ill eat myself if you can find A smarter hat than me .You can keep your bowlers black Your top hats sleek and tall For Im the Hogwarts Sorting Hat And I can cap them all .Theres nothing hidden in your head The Sorting Hat cant see So try me on and I will tell you Where you ought to be .You might belong in Gryffindor Where dwell the brave at heart Their daring nerve and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart You might belong in Hufflepuff Where they are just and loyal Those patient

Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw If youve a ready mind Where those of wit and learning Will always find their kind Or perhaps in Slytherin Youll make your real friends Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends .So put me on !Dont be afraid l And dont get in a flap Youre in

hands though I have none For Im a Thinking Cap The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song .It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again .So weve just got to try on the hat !Ron whispered to Harry .Ill kill Fred he was going on about wrestling a troll .Harry smiled weakly .Yes trying on the hat was a lot better than having to do a spell but he did wish they could have tried it on without everyone watching .The hat seemed to be asking rather a lot Harry didnt feel brave or quickwitted or any of it at the moment .If only the hat had mentioned a House for people who

felt a bit queasy that would have been the one for him .Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment .When I call your name you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted she said .Abbott Hannah !A pinkfaced girl with blonde pigtails stumbled out of line put on the hat which fell right down over

eyes and sat down .A moments pause HUFFLEPUFF !shouted the hat .The table on the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit down at the Hufflepuff table .Harry saw the ghost of the Fat Friar waving merrily at her .Bones Susan !HUFFLEPUFF !shouted the hat again and Susan scuttled off to sit next to Hannah .Boot Terry !RAVENCLAW !The table second from the left clapped this time several Ravenclaws stood up to shake hands with Terry as he joined them .Brocklehurst Mandy went

to Ravenclaw too but Brown Lavender became the first new Gryffindor and the table on the far left exploded with cheers Harry could see Rons twin brothers catcalling .Bulstrode Millicent then became a Slytherin .Perhaps it was Harrys imagination after all hed heard about Slytherin but he thought they looked like an unpleasant lot .He was starting

feel definitely sick now .He remembered being picked for teams during gym at his old school .He had always been last to be chosen not because he was no good but because no one wanted Dudley to think they liked him .FinchFletchley Justin !HUFFLEPUFF !Sometimes Harry noticed the hat shouted out the House at once but at others it took a little while to decide .Finnigan Seamus the sandyhaired boy next to Harry in the line sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the hat declared him a Gryffindor .Granger Hermione !Hermione almost ran to the stool and jammed the hat eagerly on her head .GRYFFINDOR !shouted the hat .Ron

groaned .A horrible thought struck Harry as horrible thoughts always do when youre very nervous .What if he wasnt chosen at all ?What if he just sat there with the hat over his eyes for ages until Professor McGonagall jerked it off his head and said there had obviously been a mistake and hed

get back on the train ?When Neville Longbottom the boy who kept losing his toad was called he fell over on his way to the stool .The hat took a long time to decide with Neville .When it finally shouted GRYFFINDOR Neville ran off still wearing it and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to MacDougal Morag .Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish at once the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed SLYTHERIN !Malfoy went to join his friends Crabbe and Goyle looking pleased with himself .There werent many people left

now .Moon Nott .Parkinson .then a pair of twin girls Path and Path .then Perks Sally Anne .and then at last Potter Harry !As Harry stepped forward whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall .Potter did she say ?The Harry Potter ?The last thing Harry saw before the hat dropped over his eyes was the hall full of people craning to get a good look at him .Next second he was looking at the black inside of

hat .He waited .Hmm said a small voice in his ear .Difficult .Very difficult .Plenty of courage I see .Not a bad mind either .Theres talent oh my goodness yes and a nice thirst to prove yourself now thats interesting .So where shall I put you ?Harry gripped the edges of the stool and thought Not Slytherin not Slytherin .Not Slytherin eh ?said the small voice .Are you sure ?You could be great you know its all here in your head and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness no doubt about that no

?Well if youre sure better be GRYFFINDOR !Harry heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall .He took off the hat and walked shakily toward the Gryffindor table .He was so relieved to have been chosen and not put in Slytherin he hardly noticed that he was getting the loudest cheer yet .Percy the Prefect got up and shook his

vigorously while the Weasley twins yelled We got Potter !We got Potter !Harry sat down opposite the ghost in the ruff hed seen earlier .The ghost patted his arm giving Harry the sudden horrible feeling hed just plunged it into a bucket of icecold water .He could see the High Table properly now .At the end nearest him sat Hagrid who caught his eye and gave him the thumbs up .Harry grinned back .And there in the center of the High Table in a large gold chair sat Albus Dumbledore .Harry recognized him at once from the card hed gotten out of the Chocolate Frog on the train .Dumbledores silver hair was the only thing in the whole hall

that shone as brightly as the ghosts .Harry spotted Professor Quirrell too the nervous young man from the Leaky Cauldron .He was looking very peculiar in a large purple turban .And now there were only four people left to be sorted .Thomas Dean a Black boy even taller than Ron joined Harry at the Gryffindor table .Turpin Lisa became a Ravenclaw and then it was Rons turn .He was pale green by now .Harry

his fingers under the table and a second later the hat had shouted GRYFFINDOR !Harry clapped loudly with the rest as Ron collapsed into the chair next to him .Well done Ron excellent said Percy Weasley pompously across Harry as Zabini Blaise was made a Slytherin .Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away .Harry looked down at his empty gold plate .He had only just realized how hungry he was .The pumpkin pasties seemed ages ago .Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet .He was beaming

at the students his arms opened wide as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there .Welcome !he said .Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts !Before we begin our banquet I would like to say a few words .And here they are Nitwit !Blubber !Oddment !Tweak !Thank you

sat back down .Everybody clapped and cheered .Harry didnt know whether to laugh or not .Is he a bit mad ?he asked Percy uncertainly .Mad ?said Percy airily .Hes a genius !Best wizard in the world !But he is a bit mad yes .Potatoes Harry ?Harrys mouth fell open .The dishes in front of him were now piled with food .He had never seen so many things he liked to eat on one table roast beef roast chicken pork chops and lamb chops sausages bacon and steak boiled potatoes roast potatoes fries Yorkshire pudding peas carrots gravy ketchup and for some strange reason peppermint humbugs .The Dursleys had never exactly starved

Harry but hed never been allowed to eat as much as he liked .Dudley had always taken anything that Harry really wanted even if it made him sick .Harry piled his plate with a bit of everything except the peppermints and began to eat .It was all delicious .That does look good said the ghost in the ruff sadly watching Harry cut up his steak .Cant you ?I havent eaten for nearly five hundred years said the ghost .I dont need to of course but one

miss it .I dont think Ive introduced myself ?Sir Nicholas de MimsyPorpington at your service .Resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower .I know who you are !said Ron suddenly .My brothers told me about you youre Nearly Headless Nick !I would prefer you to call me Sir Nicholas de Mimsy the ghost began stiffly but sandyhaired Seamus Finnigan interrupted .Nearly Headless ?How can you be nearly headless ?Sir Nicholas looked extremely miffed as if their little chat wasnt going at all the way he wanted .Like this he said irritably .He seized his left ear and pulled .His whole head swung off his neck and fell onto his shoulder as if it was on a hinge .Someone had obviously tried to behead him but

not done it properly .Looking pleased at the stunned looks on their faces Nearly Headless Nick flipped his head back onto his neck coughed and said So new Gryffindors !I hope youre going to help us win the House Championship this year ?Gryffindors have never gone so long without winning .Slytherins have got the cup six years in a row !The Bloody Barons becoming almost unbearable hes the Slytherin ghost .Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and saw a horrible ghost sitting there with blank staring eyes a gaunt face and robes

with silver blood .He was right next to Malfoy who Harry was pleased to see didnt look too pleased with the seating arrangements .How did he get covered in blood ?asked Seamus with great interest .Ive never asked said Nearly Headless Nick delicately .When everyone had eaten as much as they could the remains of the food faded from the plates leaving them sparkling clean as before .A moment later the desserts appeared .Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you

could think of apple pies treacle tarts chocolate eclairs and jam doughnuts trifle strawberries Jell 0 rice pudding .As Harry helped himself to a treacle tart the talk turned to their families .Im halfandhalf said Seamus .Me dads a Muggle .Mom didnt tell him she was a witch til after they were married .Bit of a nasty shock for him .The others laughed .What about you Neville ?said

.Well my gran brought me up and shes a witch said Neville but the family thought I was all Muggle for ages .My Great Uncle Algie kept trying to catch me off my guard and force some magic out of me he pushed me off the end of Blackpool pier once I nearly drowned but nothing happened until I was eight .Great Uncle Algie came round for dinner and he was hanging me out of an upstairs window by the ankles when my Great Auntie Enid offered him a meringue and he accidentally let go .But I bounced all the way down the garden and into the road .They were all really pleased Gran was crying she was so happy .And you should have seen their faces when I got

in here they thought I might not be magic enough to come you see .Great Uncle Algie was so pleased he bought me my toad .On Harrys other side Percy Weasley and Hermione were talking about lessons I do hope they start right away theres so much to learn Im particularly interested in Transfiguration you know turning something into something else of course its supposed to be very difficult Youll be starting small just matches into needles and that sort of thing .Harry who was starting to feel warm and sleepy looked up at

High Table again .Hagrid was drinking deeply from his goblet .Professor McGonagall was talking to Professor Dumbledore .Professor Quirrell in his absurd turban was talking to a teacher with greasy black hair a hooked nose and sallow skin .It happened very suddenly .The hooknosed teacher looked past Quirrells turban straight into Harrys eyes and a sharp hot pain shot across the scar on Harrys forehead .Ouch !Harry clapped a hand to his head .What is it ?asked Percy .Nnothing .The pain had gone as quickly as it had come .Harder to shake off was the feeling Harry had gotten

from the teachers look a feeling that he didnt like Harry at all .Whos that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell ?he asked Percy .Oh you know Quirrell already do you ?No wonder hes looking so nervous thats Professor Snape .He teaches Potions but he doesnt want to everyone knows hes after Quirrells job .Knows an awful lot about the Dark Arts Snape

watched Snape for a while but Snape didnt look at him again .At last the desserts too disappeared and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again .The hall fell silent .Ahem just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered .I have a few startofterm notices to give you .First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils .And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well .Dumbledore s twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins .I have also been asked by Mr Filch the caretaker to remind you all

that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors .Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term .Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch .And finally I must tell you that this year the third floor corridor on the righthand side is out of bounds to everyone

does not wish to die a very painful death .Harry laughed but he was one of the few who did .Hes not serious ?he muttered to Percy .Must be said Percy frowning at Dumbledore .Its odd because he usually gives us a reason why were not allowed to go somewhere the forests full of dangerous beasts everyone knows that .I do think he might have told us prefects at least .And now before we go to bed let us sing the school song !cried Dumbledore .Harry noticed that the other teachers smiles had become rather fixed .Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick as if he was trying to get a fly

off the end and a long golden ribbon flew out of it which rose high above the tables and twisted itself snakelike into words .Everyone pick their favorite tune said Dumbledore and off we go !And the school bellowed Hogwarts Hogwarts Hoggy Warty Hogwarts Teach us something please Whether we be old and bald Or young with scabby knees Our heads could do with filling With some interesting stuff For now theyre bare and full of air Dead flies and bits of fluff So teach us things worth knowing Bring back

weve forgot Just do your best well do the rest And learn until our brains all rot .Everybody finished the song at different times .At last only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march .Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished he was one of those who clapped loudest .Ah music he said wiping his eyes .A magic beyond all we do here !And now bedtime .Off you trot !The Gryffindor first years followed Percy through the chattering crowds out of the Great Hall and up the marble staircase .Harrys legs

were like lead again but only because he was so tired and full of food .He was too sleepy even to be surprised that the people in the portraits along the corridors whispered and pointed as they passed or that twice Percy led them through doorways hidden behind sliding panels

hanging tapestries .They climbed more staircases yawning and dragging their feet and Harry was just wondering how much farther they had to go when they came to a sudden halt .A bundle of walking sticks was floating in midair ahead of them and as Percy took a step toward them they started throwing themselves at him .Peeves Percy whispered to the first years .A poltergeist .He raised his voice Peeves show yourself .A loud rude sound like the air being let out of a balloon answered .Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron ?There was a pop and a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared floating cross legged in the air clutching the walking sticks .Oooooooh !he said with

an evil cackle .Ickle Firsties !What fun !He swooped suddenly at them .They all ducked .Go away Peeves or the Baronll hear about this I mean it !barked Percy .Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished dropping the walking sticks on Nevilles head .They heard him zooming away rattling coats of armor as he passed .You want to watch out for Peeves said Percy as they set off again .The Bloody Barons the only one who can control him he wont even listen to us prefects .Here we are .At the very end of the corridor

a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress .Password ?she said .Caput Draconis said Percy and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall .They all scrambled through it Neville needed a leg up and found themselves in the Gryffindor common room a cozy round room full of squashy armchairs .Percy directed the girls through one door to their dormitory and the boys through another .At the top of a spiral staircase they were obviously in one of the towers they found their beds at last five four posters hung with deep red velvet curtains .Their trunks had already been brought up .Too tired to talk much they pulled on their pajamas and fell into bed .Great food isnt it

?Ron muttered to Harry through the hangings .Get off Scabbers !Hes chewing my sheets .Harry was going to ask Ron if hed had any of the treacle tart but he fell asleep almost at once .Perhaps Harry had eaten a bit too much because he had a very strange dream .He

wearing Professor Quirrells turban which kept talking to him telling him he must transfer to Slytherin at once because it was his destiny .Harry told the turban he didnt want to be in Slytherin it got heavier and heavier he tried to pull it off but it tightened painfully and there was Malfoy laughing at him as he struggled with it then Malfoy turned into the hooknosed teacher Snape whose laugh became high and cold there was a burst of green light and Harry woke sweating and shaking .He rolled over and fell asleep again and when he woke next day he didnt remember the dream at all .THE POTIONS MASTER There look .Where

?Next to the tall kid with the red hair .Wearing the glasses ?Did you see his face ?Did you see his scar ?Whispers followed Harry from the moment he left his dormitory the next day .People lining up outside classrooms stood on tiptoe to get a look at him or doubled back to pass him in the corridors again staring .Harry wished

wouldnt because he was trying to concentrate on finding his way to classes .There were a hundred and fortytwo staircases at Hogwarts wide sweeping ones narrow rickety ones some that led somewhere different on a Friday some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump .Then there were doors that wouldnt open unless you asked politely or tickled them in exactly the right place and doors that werent really doors at all but solid walls just pretending .It was also very hard to remember where anything was because it all seemed to move around a lot .The people in the portraits kept going to visit each other and Harry was sure the coats of armor could walk .The

ghosts didnt help either .It was always a nasty shock when one of them glided suddenly through a door you were trying to open .Nearly Headless Nick was always happy to point new Gryffindors in the right direction but Peeves the Poltergeist was worth two locked doors and a trick staircase if you met him when you were late for class .He would drop wastepaper baskets on your head pull rugs from under your feet pelt you with

of chalk or sneak up behind you invisible grab your nose and screech GOT YOUR CONK !Even worse than Peeves if that was possible was the caretaker Argus Filch .Harry and Ron managed to get on the wrong side of him on their very first morning .Filch found them trying to force their way through a door that unluckily turned out to be the entrance to the outofbounds corridor on the third floor .He wouldnt believe they were lost was sure they were trying to break into it on purpose and was threatening to lock them in the dungeons when they were rescued by Professor Quirrell who

was passing .Filch owned a cat called Mrs Norris a scrawny dust colored creature with bulging lamplike eyes just like Filchs .She patrolled the corridors alone .Break a rule in front of her put just one toe out of line and shed whisk off for Filch whod appear wheezing two seconds later .Filch knew the secret passageways of the school better than anyone except perhaps the Weasley twins and could

up as suddenly as any of the ghosts .The students all hated him and it was the dearest ambition of many to give Mrs Norris a good kick .And then once you had managed to find them there were the classes themselves .There was a lot more to magic as Harry quickly found out than waving your wand and saying a few funny words .They had to study the night skies through their telescopes every Wednesday at midnight and learn the names of different stars and the movements of the planets .Three times a week they went out to the greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology with a dumpy little witch called Professor Sprout where they learned how to take care of all the strange plants and

fungi and found out what they were used for .Easily the most boring class was History of Magic which was the only one taught by a ghost .Professor Binns had been very old indeed when he had fallen asleep in front of the staff room fire and got up next morning to teach leaving his body behind him .Binns droned on and on while they scribbled down names and dates and got Emeric the Evil and

the Oddball mixed up .Professor Flitwick the Charms teacher was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk .At the start of their first class he took the roll call and when he reached Harrys name he gave an excited squeak and toppled out of sight .Professor McGonagall was again different .Harry had been quite right to think she wasnt a teacher to cross .Strict and clever she gave them a talking to the moment they sat down in her first class .Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts she said .Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not

come back .You have been warned .Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again .They were all very impressed and couldnt wait to get started but soon realized they werent going to be changing the furniture into animals for a long time .After taking a lot of complicated notes they were each given a match and started trying to turn it into a needle .By the end of the lesson only Hermione Granger had made any difference to her match Professor McGonagall showed the class how it had gone all silver and pointy and gave Hermione

rare smile .The class everyone had really been looking forward to was Defense Against the Dark Arts but Quirrells lessons turned out to be a bit of a joke .His classroom smelled strongly of garlic which everyone said was to ward off a vampire hed met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days .His turban he told them had been given to him by an African prince as a thankyou for getting rid of a troublesome zombie but they werent sure they believed this story .For one thing when Seamus Finnigan asked eagerly to hear how Quirrell had fought

off the zombie Quirrell went pink and started talking about the weather for another they had noticed that a funny smell hung around the turban and the Weasley twins insisted that it was stuffed full of garlic as well so that Quirrell was protected wherever he went .Harry was very relieved to find out that he wasnt miles

everyone else .Lots of people had come from Muggle families and like him hadnt had any idea that they were witches and wizards .There was so much to learn that even people like Ron didnt have much of a head start .Friday was an important day for Harry and Ron .They finally managed to find their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast without getting lost once .What have we got today ?Harry asked Ron as he poured sugar on his porridge .Double Potions with the Slytherins said Ron .Snapes Head of Slytherin House .They say he always favors them well be able to see if its true .Wish McGonagall favored us said Harry .Professor McGonagall was head of Gryffindor House but

it hadnt stopped her from giving them a huge pile of homework the day before .Just then the mail arrived .Harry had gotten used to this by now but it had given him a bit of a shock on the first morning when about a hundred owls had suddenly streamed into the Great Hall during breakfast circling the tables until they saw their owners and dropping letters and packages onto their laps .Hedwig hadnt brought Harry

so far .She sometimes flew in to nibble his ear and have a bit of toast before going off to sleep in the owlery with the other school owls .This morning however she fluttered down between the marmalade and the sugar bowl and dropped a note onto Harrys plate .Harry tore it open at once .It said in a very untidy scrawl Dear Harry I know you get Friday afternoons off so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three ?I want to hear all about your first week .Send us an answer back with Hedwig .Hagrid Harry borrowed Rons quill scribbled Yes please see you later on the back

of the note and sent Hedwig off again .It was lucky that Harry had tea with Hagrid to look forward to because the Potions lesson turned out to be the worst thing that had happened to him so far .At the startofterm banquet Harry had gotten the idea that Professor Snape disliked him .By the end of the first Potions lesson he

hed been wrong .Snape didnt dislike Harry he hated him .Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons .It was colder here than up in the main castle and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls .Snape like Flitwick started the class by taking the roll call and like Flitwick he paused at Harrys name .Ah yes he said softly Harry Potter .Our new celebrity .Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands .Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class .His

eyes were black like Hagrid s but they had none of Hagrid s warmth .They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels .You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking he began .He spoke in barely more than a whisper but they caught every word like Professor McGonagall Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent

effort .As there is little foolish wand waving here many of you will hardly believe this is magic .I dont expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins bewitching the mind ensnaring the senses .I can teach you how to bottle fame brew glory even stopper death if you arent as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach .More silence followed this little speech .Harry and Ron exchanged looks with raised eyebrows .Hermione Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she wasnt a dunderhead .Potter !said Snape suddenly .What would I get if I added powdered root

of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood ?Powdered root of what to an infusion of what ?Harry glanced at Ron who looked as stumped as he was Hermione s hand had shot into the air .I dont know sir said Harry .Snape s lips curled into a sneer .Tut tut fame clearly isnt everything .He ignored Hermione s hand .Lets try again .Potter where would

look if I told you to find me a bezoar ?Hermione stretched her hand as high into the air as it would go without her leaving her seat but Harry didnt have the faintest idea what a bezoar was .He tried not to look at Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle who were shaking with laughter .I dont know sir .Thought you wouldnt open a book before coming eh Potter ?Harry forced himself to keep looking straight into those cold eyes .He had looked through his books at the Dursleys but did Snape expect him to remember everything in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi ?Snape was still ignoring Hermiones quivering

hand .What is the difference Potter between monkshood and wolfsbane ?At this Hermione stood up her hand stretching toward the dungeon ceiling .I dont know said Harry quietly .I think Hermione does though why dont you try her ?A few people laughed Harry caught Seamuss eye and Seamus winked .Snape however was not pleased .Sit down he snapped at Hermione .For your information Potter asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught

Living Death .A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons .As for monkshood and wolfsbane they are the same plant which also goes by the name of aconite .Well ?Why arent you all copying that down ?There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment .Over the noise Snape said And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek Potter .Things didnt improve for the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued .Snape put them all into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple

potion to cure boils .He swept around in his long black cloak watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs criticizing almost everyone except Malfoy whom he seemed to like .He was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon .Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamuss cauldron into a twisted blob and their potion was

across the stone floor burning holes in peoples shoes .Within seconds the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs .Idiot boy !snarled Snape clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand .I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire ?Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose .Take him up to the hospital wing Snape spat at Seamus .Then he rounded on Harry and

Ron who had been working next to Neville .You Potter why didnt you tell him not to add the quills ?Thought hed make you look good if he got it wrong did you ?Thats another point youve lost for Gryffindor .This was so unfair that Harry opened his mouth to argue

Ron kicked him behind their cauldron .Dont push it he muttered Ive heard Snape can turn very nasty .As they climbed the steps out of the dungeon an hour later Harrys mind was racing and his spirits were low .Hed lost two points for Gryffindor in his very first week why did Snape hate him so much ?Cheer up said Ron Snapes always taking points off Fred and George .Can I come and meet Hagrid with you ?At five to three they left the castle and made their way across the grounds .Hagrid lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest .A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door .When Harry knocked they heard a frantic scrabbling from

inside and several booming barks .Then Hagrid s voice rang out saying Back Fang back .Hagrid s big hairy face appeared in the crack as he pulled the door open .Hang on he said .Back Fang .He let them in struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound .There

only one room inside .Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it .Make yerselves at home said Hagrid letting go of Fang who bounded straight at Ron and started licking his ears .Like Hagrid Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked .This is Ron Harry told Hagrid who was pouring boiling water into a large teapot and putting rock cakes onto a plate .Another Weasley eh ?said Hagrid glancing at Rons freckles .I spent half

me life chasin yer twin brothers away from the forest .The rock cakes were shapeless lumps with raisins that almost broke their teeth but Harry and Ron pretended to be enjoying them as they told Hagrid all about their first lessons .Fang rested his head on Harrys knee and drooled all over his robes .Harry and Ron were

to hear Hagrid call Filch that old git .An as fer that cat Mrs Norris Id like ter introduce her to Fang sometime .Dyeh know every time I go up ter the school she follows me everywhere ?Cant get rid of her Filch puts her up to it .Harry told Hagrid about Snapes lesson .Hagrid like Ron told Harry not to worry about it that Snape liked hardly any of the students .But he seemed to really hate me .Rubbish

!said Hagrid .Why should he ?Yet Harry couldnt help thinking that Hagrid didnt quite meet his eyes when he said that .Hows yer brother Charlie ?Hagrid asked Ron .I liked him a lot great with animals .Harry wondered if Hagrid had changed the subject on purpose .While Ron told Hagrid all about Charlies work with dragons Harry picked up a piece of paper that was lying on the table under the tea cozy .It was a

from the Daily Prophet GRINGOTTS BREAKIN LATEST Investigations continue into the breakin at Gringotts on 3 1 July widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown .Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken .The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day .But were not telling you what was in there so keep your noses out if you know whats good for you said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon .Harry remembered Ron telling him on the train that someone had tried to rob Gringotts but Ron hadnt mentioned the date .Hagrid !said Harry that Gringotts breakin happened on my birthday !It mightve been happening while we

were there !There was no doubt about it Hagrid definitely didnt meet Harrys eyes this time .He grunted and offered him another rock cake .Harry read the story again .The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied earlier that same day .Hagrid had emptied vault seven hundred and thirteen if you could call it emptying taking out that grubby little package .Had that been what the thieves were looking for ?As Harry and Ron walked back to the castle for dinner their pockets weighed

with rock cakes theyd been too polite to refuse Harry thought that none of the lessons hed had so far had given him as much to think about as tea with Hagrid .Had Hagrid collected that package just in time ?Where was it now ?And did Hagrid know something about Snape that he didnt want to tell Harry ?9 THE MIDNIGHT DUEL Harry had never believed he would meet a boy he hated more than Dudley but that was before he met Draco Malfoy .Still firstyear Gryffindors only had

Potions with the Slytherins so they didnt have to put up with Malfoy much .Or at least they didnt until they spotted a notice pinned up in the Gryffindor common room that made them all groan .Flying lessons would be starting on Thursday and Gryffindor and Slytherin would be learning together .Typical said Harry darkly .Just what I always wanted

make a fool of myself on a broomstick in front of Malfoy .He had been looking forward to learning to fly more than anything else .You dont know that youll make a fool of yourself said Ron reasonably .Anyway I know Malfoys always going on about how good he is at Quidditch but I bet thats all talk .Malfoy certainly did talk about flying a lot .He complained loudly about first years never getting on the House Quidditch teams and told long boastful stories that always seemed to end with him narrowly escaping Muggles in helicopters .He wasnt the only one though the way Seamus Finnigan told it hed spent

most of his childhood zooming around the countryside on his broomstick .Even Ron would tell anyone whod listen about the time hed almost hit a hang glider on Charlies old broom .Everyone from wizarding families talked about Quidditch constantly .Ron had already had a big argument with Dean Thomas who shared their dormitory about soccer .Ron couldnt see what was exciting about a game