Seeing Fluffy

In this original drawing by J.K. Rowling, Neville, Ron, Harry, Hermione and ‘Gary’ (later renamed Dean and cut from this scene) are faced with a terrifying, huge three-headed dog. Each student has a detail appropriate to their character – note Neville's bunny pyjamas, Ron's freckles and Hermione's large front teeth. This early drawing shows us how the characters might have appeared in the author's mind. Originally designed to be part of Chapter Seven, ‘Draco's Duel’, this scene eventually became Chapter Nine and was renamed ‘The Midnight Duel’. Only Hermione has the composure to spot that ‘Fluffy’ is guarding a trapdoor, leading Harry to realise that they have found the hiding place of Hagrid's mysterious package from Gringotts vault 713.

PEN AND INK DRAWING OF HARRY AND HIS FRIENDS BY J.K. ROWLING (1991)

J.K. Rowling

‘See?’ said Hermione, when Harry and Ron had finished. ‘The dog must be guarding Flamel's Philosopher's Stone! I bet he asked Dumbledore to keep it safe for him, because they’re friends and he knew someone was after it. That's why he wanted the Stone moved out of Gringotts!’

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone