Whether or not you liked Harry Potter as a 90s kid, it was something you came into contact with in one way or another.
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Whether or not you liked Harry Potter as a 90s kid, it was something you came into contact with in one way or another. The next wave of kids did not grow up witnessing Harry Potter release dates, and those that did get into the series had the whole collection to binge-read in one go instead of having to wait for the next one to come out. The Harry Potter books had the quality of turning non-readers into readers, convincing them to pick up at least one series in their bookless existence. On the 20th anniversary of the release of the first Harry Potter book, let’s take a look at 10 times the first instalment of the series surprised, shocked and impressed us. Needless to say, this article is full of spoilers, so if you haven’t yet completed reading the first Harry Potter book, I strongly recommend steering clear of this article until you have. If you have, get ready for a walk down memory lane as we revisit the 10 iconic incidents that stayed in our minds over the years.
1. That first sentence
Someone who has given up on a book because of a sluggish start or struggled through a slow beginning knows to appreciate it when the opening of a book pulls you directly into the story. That is where the appeal lies for Harry Potter readers: no filler, just action.
2. “Harry— yer a wizard”
Neither Harry nor the readers knew how that statement would mark the biggest change in Harry’s life, as Hagrid finally revealed the truth behind Harry’s mysterious past to him. We grew curious and frustrated right along with Harry as it became clear that something surprising was about to happen, with the endless letters addressed specifically to Harry and the Dursleys’ frantic escape from them, leading them across the country and all the way to a broken-down hut on an island. The suspense finally broke as Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundskeeper, made his way into the hut to deliver Harry’s Hogwarts acceptance letter, reveal the truth of his past and take him away to begin his new life.
3. Opening Harry’s vault at Gringotts
Usually, stories starring downtrodden orphans don’t show them having a fortune to spend. Rowling decided otherwise, and we gasped along with Harry as Hagrid led him to his parents’ considerable savings stored away at the goblin bank. The magical marketplace Diagon Alley was charming in itself, but there’s no charm in a market without money to spend, and soon Harry had enough to buy everything he needed to learn how to become a wizard at Hogwarts.
4. Entering platform nine and three-quarters
Part of Rowling’s charm as a writer is how casually she introduces different magical points throughout the story. A train platform accessed by a secret entrance leading to the platform itself filled with witches and wizards carrying luggage and magical pets is introduced to the readers as a matter of course.
5. The first meeting of the timeless trio
While first-time readers didn’t know it at the time, they soon came to realize that the meeting of Harry, Ron and Hermione aboard the Hogwarts Express was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. The train journey introduced us to the people who would become Harry’s friends and enemies in the long run, including the ever-missing Trevor the toad, which brought Hermione out of her train compartment to help Neville find him.
6. The Hogwarts Express food trolley
Come on, admit it: the description of all the magical candy available to Harry Potter aboard the Hogwarts Express made your mouth water. At the very least, you must have wondered at the experience of eating your way through a bag of every-flavour beans, doubting whether you would ever come across a grass-flavoured one. You might have liked to collect the cards from chocolate frogs. Ultimately, the true pleasure of a bag full of magical candy is what Harry found out: sharing it all with a friend.
7. The Sorting Hat
This little magical curiosity seen during our introduction to Hogwarts is just one wonder among many. We might have been impressed by the floating candles or the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall that mirrors the sky outside, but it was the Sorting Hat that caught our attention properly as we wondered about Harry’s fate regarding which Hogwarts house he would end up in.
8. “Troll in the dungeon”
This heart-stopping declaration by Professor Quirrell heralds Harry’s first piece of wizarding action in the book, as he takes on a troll to save Hermione. The iconic spell “Wingardium Leviosa” comes into play at just the right moment to save the day. Long story short, I like how Rowling expressed it in the book:
But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.
9. Harry winning his first Quidditch match
The thrill of Harry catching Neville’s Remembrall after Draco threw it, down to Professor McGonagall taking Harry away without any explanation as we bit our nails and wondered what would become of him, right up to his selection for the Quidditch team and first gut-churning capture of the Snitch, they are all moments that will stay with us as Quidditch fans forever.
10. The chess game on the way to the Philosopher’s Stone
Who thought Ron’s expertise at wizard’s chess would pay out when the trio is faced with a real-life chess game in which they must take the place of three of the chess pieces? Ron sacrifices himself in order for Harry and Hermione to progress and save the Philosopher’s Stone from Voldemort. This tense scene prepares Harry to ultimately go forth alone and face his nemesis for the first time in his life as a fully-grown boy.
There you have it, 10 iconic moments from the first Harry Potter book, all in one package. Sure, they were predictable, but only because all of us are so familiar with the story. Whether it’s the fond memory of reading it for the first time, still rereading it, or introducing it to someone who hasn’t read it yet, the books will live on and we will remain Potterheads till the end.
