But it reinforces to the children that something is very off at Hogwarts and that someone is out to kill Harry if he keeps interfering. The revelation at the heart of the scene is, again, entirely wrong in its specifics. This delightfully big set-piece scene easily fulfills Sam Peckinpah’s suggestion that the Midpoint be the story’s “centerpiece.” She lights his cloak on fire with her wand. Hermione sees Snape casting a spell and, believing he’s jinxing Harry. Midpoint: During the Quidditch match, Harry’s new Nimbus 2000 broom goes haywire. The presence of the troll makes it a nicely “big” scene that easily turns the plot. Harry believes the troll was let in by the suspicious Professor Snape, whose subsequent injury Harry believes was received when Snape tried to get past the three-headed dog Fluffy to gain whatever it’s guarding.Īlthough the specifics of Harry’s conclusions are entirely wrong, this is an ample emphasis of the antagonistic force’s power and intent within the conflict. This closes the door opened by the Key Event: this is where Harry steps into the adventure world of the Second Act.įirst Pinch Point: A dangerous troll invades the school’s dungeons, and Harry and Ron bravely face it in order to rescue Hermione. Hagrid’s subsequent arrival to escort forcibly (as far as the aunt and uncle are concerned) Harry to Hogwarts is the turning point in the First Act, which is usually the Inciting Event, but in this instance, is actually the Key Event, in which Harry steps out of his Normal World.įirst Plot Point: Harry and the other students-including Ron and Hermione-arrive at Hogwarts. This event occurs a bit early in the First Act, but it’s clearly Harry’s first brush with the conflict (the Call to Adventure), which is promptly rejected for him by his aunt and uncle. Inciting Event: Harry receives his invitation to Hogwarts School-which his horrible uncle promptly takes away from him.

Harry potter the philosopher's stone