Chapter Four: The Keeper of the Keys
The knock is heard again at midnight on Harry’s eleventh birthday. Uncle Vernon takes up his gun while a huge man with shaggy black hair knocks down the door. It is Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts: the same man who delivered Harry to the Dursley’s house by motorcycle years ago. Hagrid is happy to see Harry while a confused Harry is thrilled to get his first “slightly squashed” birthday cake. Hagrid is shocked and enraged to hear both that Harry has never heard of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and that the Dursleys have never told Harry about his parents’ world.
Harry is surprised to learn that he is a wizard, a famous one at that, and is finally allowed to read the letter of acceptance to Hogwarts, much to the chagrin of the Dursleys. Hagrid sends a new letter by owl to inform Dumbledore that Harry has received his letter and becomes enraged again when he learns that Harry thinks his parents died in a car crash. Hagrid then tells Harry that his parents were killed by the evil wizard, Voldemort, and that Harry himself survived with only the scar on his forehead while Voldemort lost all his power. Harry can’t believe all of this news until Hagrid mentions all of the strange things that happen in Harry’s favor that Harry has never been able to explain.
Meanwhile, Uncle Vernon continues to throw insults at Harry’s family, refusing Harry’s entrance into Hogwarts. When Uncle Vernon insults Dumbledore, Hagrid snaps. Using magic, Hagrid gives Dudley a pig’s tail. The Dursleys leave the picture, cowering over their “injured” son. Hagrid and Harry plan to leave in order to get Harry’s special school supplies for the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment