Harry's mother, LILY, screams as she is killed by Voldemorts wand.

Hagrid: Nobody...not one. Except you.

A close-up of baby Harry.

Harry: Me? Voldemort tried to kill...me?

Hagrid: Yes. That ain't no ordinary cut on your forehead, Harry. A mark like that only comes from being touched by a curse...and an evil curse at that.

Harry: What happened to Vo-...to You-Know-Who?

Hagrid: Some say he died. Codswallop in my opinion. Nope, I reckon he's out there, still, too tired to go on. But one thing's absolutely certain. Something about you stumped him that night. That's why you're famous, Harry. That's why everbody knows your name. You're the boy who lived.

Scene: London Train Station. Up on a crossing bridge, Harry, with cart and owl, walk beside Hagrid. A couple look at Hagrid.

Hagrid: What're you looking at? (Looks at watch) Blimey, is that the time?? Sorry, Harry, I'm gonna have to leave you. Dumbledore'll be wanting his...well, he'll be wanting to see me. Now, uh, your train leaves in 10 minutes. Here's your ticket. Stick to it, Harry that's very important. Stick to your ticket.

Harry looks at his golden ticket.

Harry: Platform 9 ¾? But Hagrid, there must be a mistake. This says Platform 9 ¾. There's no such thing...is there?

Harry looks up and Hagrid has vanished.

Scene: Harry is walking down lane between trains. A man rushes by.

Man: Sorry.

Harry sees a train master.

Harry: Excuse me, excuse me.

Trainmaster (talking to woman and child): Right on your left, ma'am.

Harry: Excuse me, Sir. Can you tell me where I might find Platform 9 ¾?

Trainmaster: 9 ¾? Think you're being funny, do ya?

A woman, daughter, and four boys walk by, pushing carts.

Mrs. Weasley: It's the same year after year. Always packed with Muggles, of course.

Harry: Muggles?

Mrs. Weasley: Come on. Platform 9 ¾ this way! All right, Percy, you first.

A tall boy with red hair comes forward and runs towards a brick wall. Amazingly, he disappears right into it. Harry is amazed.

Mrs. Weasley: Fred, you next.

George: He's not Fred, I am!

Fred: Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother!

Mrs. Weasley: Oh, I'm sorry, George.

Fred: I'm only joking. I am Fred.

He runs through the wall, and is followed by his twin brother. Harry shakes his head in disbelief.

Harry: Excuse me! C-could you tell me how to . . .

Mrs. Weasley: How to get on the platform? Yes, not to worry, dear. It's Ron's first time to Hogwarts as well. (pan to a red haired boy who smiles) Now, all you've got to do is walk straight at the wall between platforms 9 and 10. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous.

Ginny (daughter): Good luck.

Harry takes a breath and runs at the wall. He shuts his eyes and emerges on the other side a magnificent station with a red train and bundles of people. A whistle blows, and Harry sighs with relief.

Scene: The train is traveling through unknown country. Pan to inside compartment, where Harry is sitting. The red headed boy, RON, appears, dirt on his nose.

Ron: Excuse me, do you mind? Everywhere else is full.

Harry: No, not at all.

Ron (sits across from Harry): I'm Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley.

Harry: I'm Harry. Harry Potter.

Ron (in awe): So-so it's true?! I mean, do you really have the...the...

Harry: The what?

Ron (whispers): Scar...?

Harry (lifts up hair): Oh, yeah.

Ron: Wicked.

A trolley comes by the compartment, full of sweets.

Woman: Anything off the trolley, dears?

Ron (smacks lips): No, thanks, I'm all set.

Ron holds up mushed sandwiches.

Harry (pulls out coins): We'll take the lot!

Ron: Whoa!

Scene: Eating bundles of sweets. Ron's rat, Scabbers, is perched on Ron's knee, a box over its head.

Harry: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans?

Ron: They mean every flavour! There's chocolate and peppermint, and there's also spinach, liver and tripe. George sweared he got a bogey-flavored one once!

Harry quickly takes the bean he was chewing out of his mouth.

Harry (picks up blue and gold package): These aren't real chocolate frogs, are they?

Frog: Ribbit. The frog jumps onto the window and climbs up, then leaps out the window...disappearing.

Ron: Oh, that's rotten luck. They've only got one good jump in them to begin with.

Harry: Hey, I got Dumbledore!

Ron: I got about 6 of him.

Harry: Hey, he's gone!

Ron: Well, you can't expect him to hang around all day, can you? (Scabbers squeaks) This is Scabbers, by the way, pitiful, isn't he?

Harry: Just a little bit.

Ron: Fred gave me a spell as to turn him yellow. Want to see?

Harry: Yeah!

Ron (clears throat): Ahem. Sun-

A girl, HERMIONE GRANGER, with bushy brown hair appears at the doorway.

Hermione: Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one.

Ron: No.

Hermione: Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see then.

Ron: Aghhhemm. Sunshine, daises, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!

Zap. Nothing happens. Ron shrugs.

Hermione: Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? Of course I've only tried a few simple spells myself, and they've all worked for me. For example . . .

Hermione goes over and sits across from Harry. He points her hand at his glasses and Harry tenses.

Hermione: Oculus Reparo.

The glasses, which noseband is battered, are repaired. Harry takes them off, amazed.

Hermione: That's better, isn't it? Holy Cricket, you're Harry Potter. I'm Hermione Granger...and you are...?

Ron (full mouth): I'm...Ron Weasley.

Hermione: Pleasure. You two better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon.

She gets up and leaves, then comes back and looks at Ron.

Hermione: You've got dirt, on your nose, by the way, did you know? Just there.

She points. Ron scratches his nose, embarrassed.

Scene: Darkness, the train blows its whistle and pulls into an outdoor station. Hagrid walks along the side aisle, with a lantern. People begin pouring out of the train.

Hagrid: Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!

Harry and Ron walk up to Hagrid.

Hagrid: Hello, Harry.

Harry: Hey, Hagrid.

Ron: Whoaa!

Hagrid: Right then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me.

Scene: A number of boats are plugging across a vast lake, where up ahead a huge castle can be seen. People are in awe.

Ron: Wicked.

Scene: On a higher level, Professor McGonagall is waiting. She raps her fingers on a stone railing, and then goes to the top of the stairs to greet the newcomers.

McGonagall: Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup.

NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM, a scared looking boy, spots his toad sitting near McGonagall. He jumps forward.

Neville: Trevor!

McGonagall stares down at him.

Neville: Sorry.

He backs away.

McGonagall: The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily.

McGonagall leaves. DRACO MALFOY, a slicked back evil looking boy speaks up.

Draco: It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.

Students whisper, 'Harry Potter?'

Draco (nods to thugs): This is Crabbe, and Goyle and I'm Malfoy...Draco Malfoy.

Ron snickers at his name.

Draco: Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand me down robe? You must be a Weasley. Well soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. Don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.

He extends his hand.

Harry: I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks.

Draco glares. McGonagall returns and smacks him on the shoulder with a paper. He retreats with one last glare.

McGonagall: We're ready for you now.

She leads everyone through two large doors and into the Great Hall, where there are four long tables with many kids, as well as floating candles. The roof appears to be the sky.

Hermione: It's not real, the ceiling. It's just bewitched to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.

McGonagall: All right, will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbldedore would like to say a few words.

Dumbledore rises from the main table.

Dumbledore: I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch . . .

He signals to a ragged old man with a cat with red eyes.

Dumbledore: . . . has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you.

McGonagall: When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses. Hermione Granger.

Hermione: Oh, no. Okay, relax.

She goes up.

Ron: Mental that one, I'm telling you.

Harry nods in agreement.

Sorting Hat: Ah, right then...hmm...right. Okay...Gryffindor!!

Cheering. Hermione jumps off with a smile.

McGonagall: Draco Malfoy.

Draco saunters up proudly. The tattered hat nearly freaks before touching down on Dracos head.

Sorting Hat: SLYTHERIN!

Ron: There isn't a witch or wizard who went bad who wasnt in Slytherin.

McGonagall: Susan Bones.

A small, redhead goes up. Harry looks around and spots a black haired, pale teacher, SEVERUS SNAPE, looking at him. His scar hurts.

Harry (puts hand on forehead): Ahh!

Ron: Harry, what is it?

Harry: Nothing...it's nothing, I'm fine.

Sorting Hat: Let's see...I know...Hufflepuff!

McGonagall: Ronald Weasley.

Ron gulps and walks up. He sits down and the hat is put on.

Sorting Hat: Ah! Another Weasley. I know just where to put you...Gryffindor!!

Ron sighs. There's cheering.

McGonagall: Harry Potter.

Everything goes silent. Harry walks up and sits down.

Sorting Hat: Hmm...difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh yes, and a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?

Harry (whispers): Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.

Sorting Hat: Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. Its all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness! There's no doubt about that! No?

Harry (whispers): Not Slytherin...anything but Slytherin

Sorting Hat: Well, if you're sure...better be...GRYFFINDOR!!

There is an immense cheering and Harry goes to the Gryffindor table. Fred and George are also there, and cheer: 'We got Potter! We got Potter!' Harry sits down.

McGonagall (dings on a cup): Your attention, please.

Dumbledore: Let the feast...begin.

Food magically appears on all the tables, and the hall is filled with awe and chatter.

Harry: Wow.

Draco looks at all the food, raises his eyebrows and digs in. Ron stuffs his face. SEAMUS FINNIGAN, a tiny boy, speaks.

Seamus: I'm half and half. Me dad's a Muggle. Mam's a witch. Bit of a nasty shock for him when he found out.

Neville laughs. Harry is sitting next to Percy. He leans over.

Harry: Say, Percy, who's that teacher talking to Professor Quirrell?

Percy: Oh, that's Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house.

Harry: What's he teach?

Percy: Potions. But everyone knows it's the Dark Arts he fancies. He's been after Quirrells job for years.

Ron, having just finished a chicken wing, reaches into the bowl for more, and a ghostly head, SIR NICHOLAS, pops out.

Ron: Ahh!

Nick: Hello! How are you? Welcome to Gryffindor.

Hufflepuff ghost: Whoo-hoo-hoo!

Girl: Look, its the Bloody Baron!

Percy: Hello, Sir Nicholas. Have a nice summer?

Nick: Dismal. Once again, my request to join the headless hunt has been denied.

Nick begins to leave.

Ron: Hey, I know you! You're Nearly Headless Nick!

Nick: I prefer Sir Nicholas if you don't mind.

Hermione: Nearly headless? How can you be nearly headless?

Nick: Like this.

He grabs head and pulls it to the side. His head is hanging on just by a thread.

Ron: Ahh!

Hermione: Eugh.