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The reader should remember that, at this point, Harry has no need to worry about what is in the parcel, or how it is guarded. The fact that it is likely under the trap door that the dog is guarding is an interesting bit of information, but of no use to Harry. However, over the course of this year, Harry's curiosity will drive him to try and find out exactly what was in the parcel, and he will determine that it is the [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Magic/Philosopher's Stone|Philosopher's Stone]] of the book title. At the same time, Harry will gradually become aware that others are seeking the Stone, either for their own benefit or in the hopes of re-animating [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Lord Voldemort|Voldemort]], and will attempt to warn the authorities of his worries. The authorities, notably Professor McGonagall, will disregard his warnings, and Harry will conclude that he alone can save the Stone. It is arguable whether he has reached the correct conclusion; however, in the end he will act and will successfully keep the Stone safe.
Although Harry's fears that his difficult Muggle upbringing has permanently damaged his magical abilities are generally groundless, this belief is not entirely invalid. It will be seen that whateverWhatever their backgrounds, pure-blood, half-blood, or Muggle-born, young Witcheswitches and Wizardswizards do have varying talents and levels of proficiencies, and that these can be affected by their respective histories. Neville Longbottom, a pure-bred from a powerful wizard family, is particularly weak in magic,. butBut rather than lacking talent or ability, he has been emotionally (and possibly physically) crippled by events in his life that are at least as traumatic as what Harry has experienced's, and that will bebecomes a factor that ties thebonds two boys together. Harry is probably experiencing some early difficulties for similar reasons, as well as being new to magic, though he will quickly overcomeovercomes these obstacles and catchcatches up to his classmates; Neville, who may behave been impaired by memory charms that his well-meaning family's maymemory have employedcharms to helpalleviate himtrauma forgetover thehis parents' tragic circumstances involving his parentsfates, will take longer to progress, buteventually willdeveloping eventuallyinto become quitea competent wizard.
Hermione backs downretreats from her threat to report Harry and Ron, and she will continue to overlook their constant rule-breaking in future books, even after she is appointed as a Gryffindor [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Major Events/Prefects|prefect]]. The only time she actually reports their activities to a teacher is in [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Books/Prisoner of Azkaban/Chapter 11|''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'']]. In that instance, she reports Harry to Professor McGonagall, not because he brokefor any rulesrule breaking, but because she was legitimately concerned for Harry's safety. Both Harry and Ron react in angerangrily, however, refusing to speak toshunning her for months, deeply hurting Hermione, and nearly ending their friendship permanently.
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