Which Professor Created Which Obstacle in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

This question made me wonder quite a bit and through reading the book and re-watching the movie I’ve managed to deduce which Professor was in charge of each obstacle.

All information has been deduced from the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as well as the first Harry Potter movie.

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Hagrid lists off the teachers that were in charge of protecting the stone, “Let’s see… he borrowed Fluffy from me… then some o’ the teachers did enchantments… Professor Sprout – Professor Flitwick – Professor McGonagall –” he ticked them off on his fingers, “Professor Quirrell – an’ Dumbledore himself did somethin’, o’ course. Hang on, I’ve forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape.”

The order would seem somewhat random, however it appears that the order he lists off the teachers is the order the obstacles appear.

1. Fluffy

The first obstacle was the three-headed dog, Fluffy. Fluffy was obviously the work of Hagrid, explained in both the novel and the movie! Hagrid raised Fluffy and accidentally told Quirrell how to calm him down and make him fall asleep. Just play him some music and sneak on past!

2. The Devils Snare

The Devils Snare was the first obstacle in the dungeon, with our heroes falling into a pit of it. Devils Snare is defeated with the spell by Hermione in the novel, and through a combination of relaxation and spell in the movie. This obstacle was created by Professor Sprout. Professor Sprout hadn’t been met yet in the Harry Potter movie, however she was the Herbology Professor. It stands to reason that she would be the one to place the Devils Snare. In the book, Hermione also said, “We’ve had Sprout’s, that was the Devils Snare.”

3. Enchanted Keys

The enchanted keys were created by Professor Flitwick. Professor Flitwick is the Charms Professor, so it stand to reason that he would be able to charm the keys to fly. This obstacle is also explained by Hermione in the book, when she says “Flitwick must have put charms on the keys.”

4. Wizard’s Chess Game

All the work of the magnificent Professor McGonagall! Professor McGonagall is the transfiguration Professor, and she would be talented at transfiguring items to do her bidding. Hermione also explains this in the novel, stating, “McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive.”

5. Troll

Through process of elimination and his affinity for trolls, Professor Quirrell created this trial. He was the one that placed the troll in this chamber. Trolls have immense strength, but they are also immensely stupid and smelly. This obstacle was only in the book, rather than the movie. It was relatively easy for Harry and Hermione to get past it.

6. Potion Riddle

Professor Snape was in charge of this one! Relatively obvious as it was the potions riddle. Not only did the task contain several potions, three of which were poison, the person also had to solve a riddle in order to choose the correct potion. Severus Snape was a very smart man and he created a difficult riddle with a severe consequence if the answer was wrong. This one only appeared in the novels but in the book there was only one potion to proceed, which is why Hermione stayed behind.

7. The Mirror of Erised

Albums Dumbledore was the final mastermind behind the mirror. The only person able to get the stone would look into the mirror and see themselves with it, but not use it. “You see... Only a person who wanted to find the stone. Find it, but not use it, would be able to get it.” It was an ingenious move from an ingenious man!

So, in summary, the order of Professors protecting the stone are as follows:

1. Rubeus Hagrid

2. Professor Sprout

3. Professor Flitwick

4. Professor McGonagall

5. Professor Quirrell

6. Professor Snape

7. Albus Dumbledore