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Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, prided themselves on being perfectly normal. They wanted nothing to do with anything strange or mysterious — especially not the Potters, Mrs. Dursley's sister and her husband. The Dursleys had a small son named Dudley, and in their opinion there was no finer boy anywhere.

On the morning the story begins, peculiar things start happening across Britain. Owls are seen flying in broad daylight, shooting stars appear, and people in cloaks gather in the streets. Mr. Dursley notices these odd occurrences throughout his day but tries to dismiss them.

That night, Albus Dumbledore — a tall, thin, elderly man with a long silver beard — arrives at Privet Drive. He meets Professor McGonagall, who has been waiting in the form of a tabby cat. They discuss the downfall of Lord Voldemort and the fate of the Potters. A giant named Hagrid arrives on a flying motorcycle, carrying a baby — Harry Potter.

Dumbledore explains that Harry's parents were murdered by Voldemort, but when Voldemort tried to kill Harry, the curse rebounded, leaving Harry with a lightning-bolt scar and Voldemort vanquished. Harry is to live with the Dursleys, his only remaining relatives. Despite McGonagall's protests, Dumbledore leaves Harry on the doorstep with a letter. The chapter ends with Harry sleeping peacefully, not yet knowing he is famous — "The Boy Who Lived."