On a quiet night at 4 Privet Drive, the Dursleys, a perfectly ordinary family, notice strange events around their neighborhood—people in cloaks celebrating and owls flying in daylight. Unbeknownst to them, the powerful dark wizard Voldemort has just been defeated, leaving the wizarding world in shock. Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, arrives at the Dursleys' home with Professor McGonagall and the gentle giant Hagrid. They bring with them a tiny baby, Harry Potter, who survived Voldemort's attack that killed his parents, James and Lily Potter. Harry bears a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, the only sign of the dark magic that failed to kill him. Knowing the boy will be safer with ordinary Muggles, Dumbledore leaves him in the care of the Dursleys, his only remaining family, with a letter explaining everything. As Hagrid departs reluctantly, McGonagall worries about the boy growing up with such unkind guardians. Dumbledore calmly reassures her that it is the best chance for Harry to have a normal life until he is old enough to enter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This chapter sets the stage for Harry's magical journey and hints at the danger, mystery, and adventures awaiting him.
