The story begins with an ordinary boy, Harry Potter, who lives with his cruel aunt, uncle, and cousin—the Dursleys—at Number 4, Privet Drive. Harry’s life is miserable; he sleeps in a cupboard under the stairs and is treated like a servant by his relatives. On his eleventh birthday, Harry’s life changes forever when he learns the astonishing truth: he is a wizard.
A giant named Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, arrives to deliver Harry’s letter of acceptance to the magical school. Hagrid also reveals that Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter, were wizards who were killed by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort when Harry was just a baby. Voldemort tried to kill Harry as well, but the curse rebounded, leaving Voldemort weakened and a lightning-shaped scar on Harry’s forehead. Harry is famous in the wizarding world as « The Boy Who Lived. »
Hagrid takes Harry to Diagon Alley, a magical shopping district hidden in London, where Harry purchases his school supplies, including a wand that shares a unique connection to Voldemort’s own. He also learns about his vast inheritance stored in Gringotts Wizarding Bank and meets a snowy owl he names Hedwig.
On September 1st, Harry boards the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾ and meets Ron Weasley, a friendly and cheerful boy from a large wizarding family, and Hermione Granger, an intelligent but somewhat bossy girl who comes from a non-magical family. The three quickly form a strong bond as they begin their first year at Hogwarts.
At Hogwarts, Harry is sorted into Gryffindor House and meets various teachers, including the kind Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, and the sinister Professor Snape, who seems to harbor a deep dislike for Harry. Harry also discovers that he has a natural talent for flying on a broomstick and is recruited as the youngest Seeker for Gryffindor’s Quidditch team in a century.
As the year progresses, Harry and his friends uncover a mystery involving a forbidden corridor guarded by a giant three-headed dog named Fluffy. They learn that the dog is protecting the Philosopher’s Stone, a magical artifact that grants immortality and infinite wealth. They suspect that someone at Hogwarts—possibly Snape—is trying to steal the Stone to aid Voldemort’s return to power.
The trio works together to unravel the clues surrounding the Stone. They face numerous challenges, including a life-size game of Wizard’s Chess, solving riddles, and overcoming magical traps. In the final chamber, Harry confronts Professor Quirrell, who reveals that he has been working for Voldemort. The weakened dark wizard has been sharing Quirrell’s body, using him as a host to try to regain his strength and steal the Stone.
Harry manages to prevent Voldemort from obtaining the Stone with the help of an enchantment placed by Dumbledore, which ensures that only someone desiring the Stone for unselfish reasons can retrieve it. In the end, Voldemort abandons Quirrell, who dies as a result, and the Stone is destroyed to prevent its misuse.
The school year concludes with Gryffindor winning the House Cup, thanks to Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s bravery. Harry returns to the Dursleys for the summer, but with a newfound sense of belonging and purpose, knowing he will return to Hogwarts and his magical world.
This first installment sets the stage for the epic battle between good and evil, introducing readers to the magical universe of Hogwarts, the bonds of friendship, and the dangers that lie ahead in Harry’s journey.