Why don’t the Dursleys tell Harry about his parents?

The Dursleys are Muggles, or non-magical people, who do not understand or approve of magic. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley want to create an image that they are completely normal, and Harry’s parents do not fit that image. They think if they do not tell Harry about magic or anything associated with magic, he will grow up to be just as normal as them, or at least won’t draw unwanted attention to their family. Because Harry’s parents are well-known in the magical world, the Dursleys cannot talk about them at all without bringing up magic. Instead, they tell Harry that Lily and James died in a car accident which they also claim was the cause of his scar.

Why doesn’t Professor Snape like Harry?

Professor Snape was a student at Hogwarts with Harry’s dad, James. Dumbledore tells Harry that Snape and James never liked each other. Their animosity is public knowledge as Quirrell is also familiar with the feud. More than simply schoolboy rivalries, Snape came to especially dislike the Potters after James saved his life. Snape does not like being in debt to James, and so he continues to hold that grudge against Harry.

What does Voldemort want?

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Voldemort seeks the Sorcerer’s Stone to bring himself fully back to life and achieve immortality. Voldemort lost much of his power after attempting to kill baby Harry, and the weakened Voldemort attaches himself to Professor Quirrell. Voldemort wants to use the stone’s magical properties to create a new body and sustain that body indefinitely.

What are the four Hogwarts houses?

Each student at Hogwarts is assigned to one of four houses for the duration of their time at the school. Each house has its own dormitory and students are likely to take most of their classes with the other members of their house. The houses are Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Students are sorted according to their values and abilities, so the students of each house share similar qualities and priorities. Broadly speaking, Gryffindors are brave, Slytherins are ambitious, Ravenclaws are clever, and Hufflepuffs are kind.

What does Harry see in the Mirror of Erised?

The Mirror of Erised shows the truest desire of anyone who looks into it. Harry sees his family because he has never known them or anything about them. The people Harry sees are only reflections, so they cannot touch him. However, they do smile and wave at Harry. The mirror shows him not only his family, but his family attempting to connect with him. Later, Harry also sees himself holding the Sorcerer’s Stone, which he is able to get precisely because he doesn’t want to use it for himself.

Popular pages: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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