Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone: Chapter 11 Summary.
Quidditch
Chapter Eleven of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, titled “Quidditch”, captures the excitement, tension, and ultimate triumph of Harry’s debut on the Quidditch pitch.
Snape’s Suspicious Behavior
In the days leading up to the match, Harry trains hard and learns more about the sport of Quidditch. Hermione assists Harry with his homework to ensure he is prepared for his classes despite the upcoming Quidditch match.
Once while the trio is in the courtyard, Snape confiscates Harry’s copy of “Quidditch Through the Ages“, citing that library books cannot be brought outside the castle; further fueling Harry’s distrust of him.
Later, in an attempt to recover his book, Harry accidentally walks in on Snape and sees a severe injury on his leg. Filch helps him with the bandaging while Snape comments on the three-headed dog.
This discovery increases Harry’s suspicions about Snape. Harry, Ron, and Hermione speculate about why Snape might have been near the dog and suspect he may have been trying to get past it.
Harry’s Excitement and Arrival at the Quidditch Pitch
The morning of the Quidditch match, Harry feels both excited and nervous. He is so anxious that he cannot eat anything before the game. The Gryffindor team heads to the Quidditch pitch, where the atmosphere is electric with anticipation. The stands are filled with students from all houses, waving banners and cheering for their teams.
Before the match, Oliver Wood gives a motivational speech, discussing the game strategy and boosting the team’s morale.
The Quidditch Match: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin
The match between Gryffindor and Slytherin begins with intense competition. The Slytherin team plays rough, using aggressive tactics.
Marcus Flint, the Slytherin captain, fouls Harry, nearly knocking him off his broom. Despite the rough play, Harry remains focused on the game.
The Jinx and Hermione’s Action
During the game, Harry’s broomstick suddenly starts to behave erratically, bucking and swerving uncontrollably. Hermione notices Snape staring at Harry and muttering under his breath, leading her to suspect he is jinxing the broom.
Determined to help, Hermione sneaks over to the staff stand and sets Snape’s robe on fire. In the chaos, she accidentally knocks Professor Quirrell headfirst into the row in front. The distraction causes Snape to lose focus, breaking the jinx, and Harry regains control of his broom.
Harry Captures the Golden Snitch
In a climactic moment, Harry spots the Golden Snitch and dives towards it with determination. He manages to outmaneuver the Slytherin Seeker and capture the Snitch, nearly swallowing it, and secures victory for Gryffindor. The stands erupt in cheers, and the Gryffindor team celebrates their hard-earned win.
Conversation with Hagrid About Fluffy
After the match, Harry, Ron, and Hermione talk to Hagrid about their suspicions regarding Snape. They share their belief that Snape tried to jinx Harry’s broom. Hagrid dismisses their concerns, but during the conversation, he inadvertently reveals that Fluffy, the three-headed dog, belongs to him.
Hagrid explains that he lent Fluffy to Dumbledore to guard something at Hogwarts. However, when pressed for more details, Hagrid refuses to tell them what Fluffy is guarding. However, Hagrid does let slip a name, Nicholas Flamel, which would act as a clue for the trio in the future.
The chapter ends with the trio growing more curious about the mystery of Fluffy and what he is guarding, as well as growing increasingly suspicious of Snape.
