The Harry Potter franchise is a revolution in the fantasy genre world. With books, films, plays, games and merchandise, there is virtually nothing that the Harry Potter universe has left untainted with its spells. Over the years, the films have amassed such an extensive global fan-base that the franchise has become almost legendary. Here, we have for you the ending of the first film explained, as a nostalgic reminder to the world of witchcraft, magic and creepy dual-faced dark lords!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Plot Synopsis
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is based on the first book in the Harry Potter franchise. It introduces us to the journey of fabled Harry Potter, who grows up as an orphan being mistreated at his aunt Petunia’s house. Until, on his 11th birthday, a giant man comes to take him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As Harry gets accustomed to his new life in the world of magic, he soon discovers he has his fate closely intertwined with the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
What is the Philosopher’s Stone?
Philosopher’s Stone is made by Nicholas Flamel and is a legendary stone with magical powers. It has the ability to transform metal into gold, and brew a potion called the Elixir of Life, granting immortality to its receiver. Through the stone, Nicholas Flamel was able to live through centuries and celebrated his 665th birthday in Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.
Where is the Philosopher’s Stone located?
The stone is kept under the trap door guarded by Fluffy, a gigantic and ferocious three-headed dog on the third floor of the school. The third floor is a restricted area for the students and no student is allowed to enter it.
Why Does Quirrell Want the Stone?
Quirrel is the Defence of the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts and a secret follower of Voldemort. After he fails to acquire the stone before Hagrid does, Voldemort possesses his body. To keep his master alive, he kills unicorns and drinks their blood. They need the stone to make Voldemort whole and in assisting his dark intentions. However, the red herring throughout the movie is one Professor Snape, whom Harry and his friends are convinced is the one who’s trying to steal the stone.
As we soon learn, he’s actually been trying to stop Quirrell, including chanting a counter-curse to prevent Harry’s broo m from being bewitched.
How does Harry reach the Philosopher’s Stone?
During their visit to Hagrid, the trio confesses that they know about the Philosopher’s stone and that it is kept on the third floor of the school. Hagrid tells them that nobody can get past Fluffy as only Dumbledore and Hagrid know how to. Subsequently, he accidently tell them that Fluffy falls asleep on the sound of music. The three then go up to the third floor under the invisibility cloak and find Fluffy snoring on the third floor. They assume that Snape’s been there before them and put a spell on him while a harp plays in the background.
As the harp stops playing, Fluffy wakes up and the three jump into the trap door.
After passing through Fluffy, they fall into Devil’s Snare. Devil’s Snare is a magical plant with the ability to strangle anything that comes into contact with it. As the three are trapped in it, Hermione tells them to stop struggling. Hermione and Harry get through the trap but Ron does not quit struggling in panic. She casts the spell ‘Lumus Solem’ which produces sunlight, setting Ron free.
They proceed towards a locked gate with thousands of keys with wings fluttering in the air. Harry as the youngest seeker gets hold of the old, rusty key with a broken wing as the other keys target him. They open the door and pass through it. The three reach a large chess board where they have to play chess to pass through. The only difference is that the chessboard is no less than a battlefield. After they win the game with Ron’s talent, Harry passes through to find Quirrell as Hermione stays with the injured Ron.
What happens to Voldemort?
As Harry looks into the Mirror of Erised, he sees himself holding the Philosophers’ stone. Voldemort orders Quirrell to kill Harry but as Quirrell is choking him, Harry puts his hands on Quirrell’s face, burning him to ashes. Voldemort’s soul rises and tries to kill harry but in vain and leaves.
Dumbledore clarifies afterwards that, “You see, only a person who wanted to find the stone, find it, but not use it, would be able to get it”.
How could Harry’s touch kill Quirrell?
Dumbledore explains to Harry in the infirmary that as Harry’s mother sacrificed herself for him, she left a spell as a shield on him which burnt Quirrell upon his touch, saving his life.
What happens to the stone?
The Philosopher’s Stone was finally destroyed by Dumbledore and Flamel after the events at the school. Gryffindor wins the house cup due to Neville’s bravery (and Dumbledore’s fiddling with the house points) and snatch the victory away from Slytherin. After the final celebrations, the students leave Hogwarts for their school break.