Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone begins in London 1981, with Vernon Dursley on his way to work one morning. He happens to notice many peculiarly dressed persons in black cloaks celebrating. Dursley however, dislikes anyone or anything which appears different; in fact, he tries to block all unusual happenings from his life. Along with his wife and infant son, Petunia and Dudley Dursley respectively, they appear to be the image of a normal family. Ironically, Petunia’s past includes anything but normality. Petunia Dursley’s sister, Lily, happens to be a witch, and as a young girl, she attended a school for witchcraft and wizardry, where she met her future wizard husband, James Potter. Both Vernon and Petunia Dursley avoid the Potters and their abnormalities until one morning the Potter’s infant son, Harry, is dropped on the Dursley’s front doorstep with just a letter. The letter explains how Harry Potter’s parents were killed and how Harry helped to stop one of the most evil wizards of all time. The letter explained how Harry would be an icon in the wizard world.

            Then the book moves forward to 1991, with Harry Potter on the brink of his 11th birthday. Unfortunately, Harry doesn’t seem like a hero in the Dursley’s home. He lives in the cupboard under the stairs, and he’s treated as a servant. Although Harry believes his parents died in a car crash, and even though he dislikes living with the Dursley’s, he never complains to them, but often times weird things happen when Harry is upset. For instance, during one visit to the zoo, Harry is upset when his cousin pushes him away from a snake exhibit, and instantly the glass enclosing the snake vanishes and the snake disappears to everyone’s fear. Mr. Dursley instantly blames Harry, even though Harry has no explanation, and Harry is locked in his cupboard under the stairs. Soon, many letters start arriving for Harry via owl travel from an unknown address, but the letters contains an odd symbol with a lion, snake, badger and a raven. The Dursley’s immediately realize the letters are from the wizard world, and they attempt to circumvent the letters from reaching Harry. On the day of Harry’s 11th birthday, a half-giant named Hagrid, visits and presents Harry with a present along with the letter intended for Harry to read. Hagrid introduces himself as the Keeper of Keys and Grains at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he explains that Harry comes from a strong wizard family. Harry leaves with Hagrid, as Hagrid attempts to prepare Harry for his eminent move to Hogwarts.

            On September 1st, Harry boards the Hogwart’s Express in route to his new home: Hogwarts. On the train, Harry befriends fellow first year student, Ron Weasley, and another first year student, Hermione Granger, attempts to befriend Harry, but Harry and Ron initially find her too bossy. Finally, Harry arrives at Hogwarts, and he meets his future nemesis, Draco Malfoy. During his first encounters with other wizards, Harry is astonished that everyone seems to know him. Harry quickly becomes good friends with both Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He also develops a strong family bond with Hagrid and Professors Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. Unfortunately, he also develops a rivalry with Draco Malfoy and a strong disdain for his potion’s professor: Severus Snape. Harry’s first year at Hogwarts provides something Harry had never experienced: love. Also, during Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, he learns about transfiguration, potions, defense against the dark arts, a sport named quidditch, a man named He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the dark past of the wizard world which includes his parents and his own involvement, and finally, that a little mischief never hurt anyone.