So for NTT, I figured I'd ask this question. How would you rewrite the first Harry Potter book?

I'm specifically curious how people would write it...without changing any of the later books? What plot holes would you fix? How would you change the tone if at all?

Then also, there is the generic, how would you change it without being constrained by the later books.

 

First things first, and this is really trivial, but I’d change the magic to be in keeping with the later books. No Dumbledore flying to London. No Snape/Quirrel chant-off.

Also, I’d put something about magical cores in one of the Professor’s introductory class speeches and so prevent the rise of the greatest muggle Dark Lord fanfiction has ever known.

 

I'd start with the title. "Sorceror's Stone"? Doesn't really do it for me. Kind of weird and doesn't match the latter books. Maybe something with a bit more historical flavour. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone maybe.

 

I thought he used a broom, but I also think that it doesn’t gel with apparition which we see in later books, or flu travel, or portkeys.

 

I think the one thing I would add in general to the first book is more worldbuilding and a better system for magic. I know that's not the style of Rowling and I'm not saying you have to go full Brandon Sanderson, but more concrete rules on magic and the wizarding world background would've done wonders for later things in the series.

 

For sure the obstacles put in place by the professors to keep the stone secret

They are just idiotic even able to be overcome by first years and a door guarded by a cerberus which can be overcome by a first year spell...

Also Dumbledores last minute points to Gryffindor I personally find this kind of funny but I think this plus the stone protections contribute in large part to his perception as the Gryffindor partial, master manipuator.

Imo the first books were much more aimed to young children instead of teenagers so Rowling just wanted the good guys to be rewarded and beat the Slytherins but it would have been better if they received awards for services to the school like Voldemort because it kinda reflects very poorly on Dumbledore.

 

@Ched I think the sad part is, when looking at drafts and notes from that book of HP exhibition trivia and early versions of philosophers stone, A History of Magic, lots of little lines like that or bigger scenes that had that sort of extra world building got cut away.

 

I feel like the chant-off makes sense considering they were trying to be discreet. I also like that it's not as useful in a live duel.

 

Depends on the way you want to go, at least for me.

If you want to keep it more of a children's' story and less in line with the later tone, I would say make things a bit more "magical" at Hogwarts and not simply quirky or different. Don't make the mystery quite so obvious from Dumbledore's beginning speech. Maybe show more characters or interaction outside of Gryffindor and a few Slytherins so we get an idea of how they are actually different or act. Nix the whole Binns situation, either getting rid of history or make it an elective like say Arithmancy.

If you want to make the book a bit less fairy tale and more pre-teen/teen level, change up some of the mechanics of the world more. Keep the magic more in line with Goblet of Fire or later, maybe make Quidditch a little bit less broken in terms of design (or make Harry less of a natural prodigy), and offer some sort of better explanation for why the stone (or any artifact really) is being kept at Hogwarts. You can definitely keep the Snape/Quirrel-gotcha reveal, but make the turban-face thing a bit more believable as a secret.

 

I'd expand the cast a bit. Give personalities to some of the lesser-known students.

I'd make Hogwarts bigger, with more teachers and students.

Malfoy would be a little less of a punk or at least be a little more clever with his insults. He's so bloody obvious and rude I can't imagine anyone in Slytherin would like him. All he is presented to be is a rich bully.

Oh, and make catching the Snitch be 50 points and the end of the game, not 150.

 

Have the Troll kill Hermione. Use this as a wake-up call for Harry and Ron.

 

Make the magic more in line with later books.

I'm not sure how to fix it, but the traps need work.

 

I'd remove all instances of the Dursleys being cartoonishly dickish. Petunia swatting at Harry with a frying pan, locked in the cupboard. This is so hurt/comfort/abused Harry fanfiction would cease to exist.