Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone: Chapter 4 Summary
The Keeper of the Keys
In the fourth chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, titled “The Keeper of the Keys,” Harry’s life takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of a mysterious visitor.
The chapter begins at the remote house on the rock where the Dursleys have fled to escape the flood of letters addressed to Harry. As Harry counts down to his eleventh birthday, a fierce storm rages outside, and just as the clock strikes midnight, there is a loud knock on the door.
Rubeus Hagrid
The door is forcefully opened, and a giant of a man steps inside. He
introduces himself as Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hagrid is shocked and angry to learn that the Dursleys have never told Harry about his true heritage.
He informs Harry that he is a wizard and has been accepted to attend Hogwarts. Harry is bewildered but excited to learn about this new world he belongs to.
Harry’s Truth
Hagrid gives Harry his letter of acceptance from Hogwarts, which explains the necessary school supplies and the start date. Uncle Vernon tries to stop Hagrid from taking Harry, but Hagrid easily intimidates him and reveals that Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter, were famous wizards who were killed by the dark wizard Voldemort. Hagrid explains that Voldemort tried to kill Harry too, but the curse backfired, leaving Harry with his lightning-shaped scar and making him famous in the wizarding world.
As the Dursleys continue to protest, Hagrid loses his temper and attempts to cast a spell on Dudley, intending to turn him into a pig. However, the spell only gives Dudley a pig’s tail. Hagrid comments that Dudley is so much like a pig already that there isn’t much left to do. The Dursleys are horrified, and Hagrid expresses his disgust at how they have treated Harry.
Hagrid also accidentally reveals that he was expelled from Hogwarts years ago, though he does not elaborate on the reasons.
He then gives Harry a birthday cake, the first real kindness and care Harry has experienced.
He decides to take Harry shopping for his school supplies in Diagon Alley the next day. He tells Harry more about the wizarding world as well as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hagrid arranges to spend the night at the hut with Harry to ensure that the Dursleys cannot prevent Harry from leaving.
The chapter ends with Harry feeling a mix of amazement and anticipation for the new life that awaits him. He is finally free from the Dursleys’ cruelty and feels more than ready to embark on his journey as a wizard.
