Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone: Chapter 9 Summary.
The Midnight Duel
In Chapter 9 of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, titled “The Midnight Duel”, Harry experiences his first flying lesson, joins the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and has an adventurous midnight escapade that leads to a significant discovery.
Learning to Fly
Neville receives a Remembrall from his grandmother. It is a magical device that turns red when the holder has forgotten something.
Harry and the first-year students have their first flying lesson with Madam Hooch. The lesson takes place on the Hogwarts grounds, where each student is assigned a broomstick. Madam Hooch instructs them on the basics of flying. Neville Longbottom struggles with his broom and accidentally flies uncontrollably before falling off and breaking his wrist. Madam Hooch takes Neville to the hospital wing, leaving the class unsupervised.
Draco Malfoy finds Neville’s dropped Remembrall and taunts Harry by flying up with it. Harry, furiously flies after Malfoy to retrieve it. He manages to catch the Remembrall in a spectacular dive, impressing everyone, including Professor McGonagall, who witnesses the event from a distance.
Joining the Quidditch Team
Scared that Harry is in trouble, his friends rush to his defense. However, Professor McGonagall does not listen to anyone and takes Harry along with her.
She enters a fifth-year Charms lesson and asks Flitwick if she could borrow “Wood”. Harry is scared that wood refers to a cane she might use on him, but actually, it is Oliver Wood, the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
She explains Harry’s impressive flying skills and suggests that he be recruited as the new Seeker.
Oliver Wood is thrilled, and Harry becomes the youngest Quidditch player in a century.
McGonagall promises to provide Harry with a broomstick for practice, despite first-years typically not being allowed their own personal brooms. She compares Harry with his father, who was also good at Quidditch, and tells him that he would be proud of Harry.
Malfoy’s Challenge
Draco Malfoy, embarrassed by Harry’s public triumph, challenges him to a midnight duel to settle their differences. Ron volunteers to be Harry’s second in the duel.
Hermione Granger tries to dissuade them from going, emphasizing the rules they would be breaking. However, in her attempt to stop them from leaving, she gets locked out of the common room as the Fat Lady; the portrait guarding the common room, leaves for a stroll.
Neville Longbottom, also locked out of the Gryffindor common room because he couldn’t remember the password, joins them as well.
The Midnight Adventure
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville head to the trophy room where the duel is supposed to take place. They narrowly avoid being caught by Filch, the caretaker, and his cat, Mrs. Norris.
When they arrive, Malfoy and his second, Crabbe, are nowhere to be seen, revealing the duel challenge as a trap.
Encounter with Peeves
The group encounters Peeves the Poltergeist, who delights in causing trouble. Peeves threatens to alert Filch of their presence, before screaming out their location at the top of his lungs. The children flee, trying to escape Peeves’ antics and avoid being discovered by Filch.
Discovering the Three-Headed Dog
In their attempt to evade capture, the group stumbles into the forbidden corridor and accidentally discovers a room housing a giant three-headed dog. The enormous creature is terrifying, and they notice it is standing on a trapdoor. This sparks their curiosity about what could be hidden beneath it. They manage to escape back to the Gryffindor Tower safely, though they are all shaken by the encounter.
Reflecting on the Night
Back in the common room, the friends reflect on the night’s events. Hermione scolds Harry and Ron for their recklessness, while Neville is simply glad to be safe.
The chapter ends with the group pondering the mystery of the three-headed dog and what it might be guarding, hinting at greater adventures and secrets yet to be uncovered at Hogwarts. Harry wonders if it is the package Hagrid took out of Vault seven hundred thirteen that the dog is guarding.
