This is how the story of “the boy who lived” begins.
We see an old man with fabulous hair and a magnificent beard talking to a cat.
They are wizards!
Meet Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore. They’re talking about leaving a baby at his aunt’s doorstep.
Dumbledore ain’t got time for that.
Then a sweet giant called Hagrid arrives on his flying motorcycle, holding the baby in his arms.
 
They believe the baby will be safe there.
Years later, when Harry’s only relatively safe, under the cupboard.
Meet Aunt Petunia. She loves Harry.
And this is his cousin Dudley.
It’s Dudley’s birthday.
But he’s not happy with the gifts.
You can say Harry’s practically the Cinderella of the house.
And this is his uncle Vernon, lovingly warning Harry as they’re leaving the house.
Later at the zoo:
Harry needs some friends.
Harry’s not weirded out, at all.
Loneliness does that to people.
He accidentally makes the glass disappear, causing Dudley to fall in the cage as the snake escapes.
So this is what his uncle warned him about.
Later Harry receives a letter.
Uncle Vernon destroys the letter and when they receive more he destroys them too.
So more and more letters come.
Finally they move away to where they think no one will find them and Harry celebrates his birthday in silence.
Right then:
It’s Hagrid. He’s come to grant Harry’s wish and he also brought him a birthday cake.
He tells them all about Hogwarts.
Valid point.
So they leave and head for Diagon Alley for their magic needs, walking through a wizard bar first where Harry realizes he’s kinda famous.
That’s Professor Quirrell, he teaches Defense Against The Dark Arts at Hogwarts. Isn’t he such a sweet, harmless looking man?
Harry’s adorable face when he first sees Diagon Alley:
That would be my face too if I learned I was wizard and I could shop from magic shops after a lifetime of abuse and neglect.
Let’s enter Gringotts, the wizarding bank.
Harry’s been left a good sum of money from his parents, Lily and James Potter.
And there’s this secret package Dumbledore wants.
Later Hagrid drops Harry at Ollivander’s so he can get himself a wand.
Poor Harry.
Everyone’s expecting great things from Harry when he just wants to chill.
At least Hagrid understands him.
(At least one of the many reasons why.)
He gives Harry the best gift ever and this is how Hedwig and Harry’s friendship begins.
Later Hagrid has to leave and Harry’s left alone to find Platform 9¾.
He sees a cute wizard family and asks for help.
That’s Molly Weasley. It’s okay. She’s our mother now.
If you meet her there’s a chance she’ll become your mother too.
She shows Harry the way.
This smol child makes me want to swear an oath to protect his happiness.
Later at the train:
That’s how we meet Ronald Weasley. He’s our best friend now.
They introduce themselves.
And they bond over some candy.
Yes. Eat all the magic candy.
Exactly. He just paid for that chocolate frog. Not fair.
Then a girl shows up.
That’s Hermione Granger. Here to save your lives.
While Ron’s still like:
Hermione:
She fixes Harry’s glasses but she also annoys the boys because she’s a know-it-all.
Then they arrive at Hogwarts and it’s magical.
They meet more students and one of them happens to be this guy.
This is Draco Malfoy, we might also refer to him as “This little shit”.
Malfoy’s rejected but you can say there’s some attraction there.
Someone’s happy:
Malfoy takes it out on Ron, accusing him of Weasley-ness.
But in reality:
Poor Ron. (I’m sorry)
Later we meet Neville’s toad.
Everyone’s at the main hall and Dumbledore ain’t got time for that.
He warns the kids.
Filch’s default setting:
And of course, Snape Snaape. Severus Snape.
Get used to awkward stare-downs between these two. It will last a while.
That night, Harry:
The classes begin.
That’s Transfiguration class for you.
And now, time for potions.
 
Malfoy’s face:
Of course Snape wastes no time in bullying Harry.
Flying lessons don’t go smooth either. Neville’s broom takes off.
Draco teases Harry.
And Harry ends up impressing McGonagall with his flying skils.
Harry, Hermione and Ron start having their own adventures.
They find a three headed dog guarding something but run away before they can find out.
Harry becomes the new seeker of Gryffindor Quidditch team and Oliver Wood teaches him the basics of the game.
Let me tell you, this lovable team captain deserved more screen time.
Yup. Harry’s already enchanted.
They learn the levitation spell but Hermione’s not impressed with Ron.
Professor Flitwick’s so happy it’s kinda sad.
I love how Harry’s impressed with everything because he sees magic for the first time.
Later Ron talks behind Hermione’s back.
And she hears him, crying as she runs away.
Later Quirrell shows up, shouting there’s a troll in the dungeon.
Students take it well.
Harry and Ron notice Hermione’s not there.
In the meantime:
Later:
They defeat the troll right before the teachers show up.
Hermione takes the blame while Harry notices a wound in Snape’s leg.
Of the boys are rewarded for their “dumb luck”.
This is the moment they realize the quickest way to get more points.
Later Harry and Snape share this moment.
It’s like Pride & Prejudice in a magical realm.
Harry thinks Snape’s after the secret that’s being guarded by the three headed dog.
Later he receives a gift.
Oliver’s astonished face is everything.
Harry looks at McGonagall with a thankful smile while she’s happily caressing Hedwig.
So the match begins.
Oliver catches the Quaffle.
Babe.
Later:
Guess what? Gryffindor’s winning.
Seriously, look at him.
Then something goes wrong with Harry’s broom.
Hermione decides it’s Snape’s fault so she sets him on fire.
Yes, Gerald, back off.
Harry catches the snitch with his mouth and Gryffindor wins.
Happy McGonagall is happy.
Later the trio question Hagrid about the dog and what he’s guarding.
He tells them the dog, “Fluffy” belongs to him and he’s guarding something important for Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel.
Who’s that? The trio doesn’t know, yet.
Christmas time comes. Hermione’s going home as Ron and Harry play wizard chess.
The game seems too brutal for Hermione.
Aww, he’s so proud.
Hermione tells them to look for Nicholas Flamel in the restricted section of the library.
It’s time to open presents and Ron tells Harry his mother sent sweaters for both of them.
Harry also receives a cloak from a mysterious person.
He’s still not used to magical stuff being magical.
Harry uses the cloak to enter the restricted section and sees Snape with Quirrell.
What’s happening with these guys? We just don’t know.
Then he comes across this mirror.
His parents are in it. Great.
He wants to show Ron the mirror.
But Ron sees something else.
Later Dumbledore shows up when he’s sitting in front of it.
*Sigh* This sneaky bastard.
Later they question Hagrid again.
Hagrid’s got a dragon egg and it hatches.
  
Malfoy’s been secretly watching them and when they return the castle they’re caught by McGonagall.
She reminds them they shouldn’t have been outside at night.
Malfoy gets to join them.
Their punishment is to be sent to the forest with Hagrid, who’s still pretty upset about his baby dragon.
Hagrid tells the kids something/someone’s been killing unicorns.
Hagrid says they need to separate so Malfoy wants to take Fang.
Later these cuties walk around bickering.
They actually make a good team. Until they see this:
Malfoy runs away.
So the creep comes at Harry.
Later a centaur shows up to save him.
Later:
Of course it’s Snape’s fault. Blame Snape for everything. I mean, yes, we could blame Snape for many things but does that make him guilty?
Harry: Yes.
*Sigh*Â Moving on.
Later the trio decide to find the Philosopher’s Stone before Snape but Neville wants to stop them because he doesn’t want Gryffindor to lose more points.
Well, he tries.
Later, the trio faces some challenges:
When it comes to the final test, Ron takes charge.
He gets a little dramatic.
That’s Ron for you.
Finally Harry meets the person who’s been after the stone all this time.
Quirrell? He’s hiding someone on the back of his head. Guess who?
Yes.
You don’t break You-know-who’s heart, Harry.
Harry’s magic touch breaks Quirrell’s skin.
And destroys him.
Harry wakes up to see lots of candies and Dumbledore.
He’s happy Harry’s alive.
Honestly, this man. Then he explains why Quirrell couldn’t bear to have Harry touch him.
Dumbledore: It was because of your mother. he sacrificed herself for you. And that kind of act leaves a mark.
(Harry touches his scar.)
Dumbledore: No, this kind of mark can’t be seen. It lives in your very skin.
Harry: What is it?
Dumbledore: Love, Harry. Love.
Basically.
Aww.
Later Harry finds Hermione and Ron waiting for him.
When it comes to the House Cup he declares Slytherin’s win.
But then he adds points to Gryffindor for Harry, Hermione and Ron’s bravery, also giving ten points to Neville for standing up to them even though they’re his friends.
So Gryffindor wins instead.
Get used to this.
Before they take the Hogwarts Express Harry sees Hagrid who’s waiting to give him a gift and to say gooodbye.
It’s adorable and Harry’s really happy.
Get in line, Hagrid.
Hermione: Feels strange to be going home, doesn’t it?
Harry: I’m not going home. Not really.
My heart.
This is only the beginning. Meet me in the next recap!
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This is perfect. Coincidentally I am just relistening (pretty sure that’s a word. Ish) to the audio books by Stephen Fry, so this came as a wonderful surprise. Missed reading your work. You always make me laugh.
Already looking forward to the next installments.
Thank you, happy you liked it!
This recap made me so happy. Thanks Ozge, from the bottom of my potterhead heart ♥
Thank you for the lovely comment, it makes me happy!