An orphan raised by his unkind aunt and uncle who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. Enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry learns that he is famous in the wizarding world for surviving a killing curse as an infant. Brave, loyal, and stubborn, with a talent for getting into and out of trouble.

A Muggle-born witch and the brightest student of her year at Hogwarts. Bookish, principled, and relentlessly logical, Hermione tempers Harry's impulsiveness and Ron's laziness with careful planning and encyclopaedic knowledge.

The sixth of seven Weasley children and Harry's best friend from their first day at Hogwarts. Overshadowed by his brothers and insecure about his family's lack of wealth, Ron is nevertheless brave, fiercely loyal, and funnier than he gives himself credit for.

Voldemort's most devoted and dangerous follower. A pure-blood witch from the Black family, Bellatrix is sadistic, fanatically loyal to the Dark Lord, and one of the most skilled duellists among the Death Eaters.

The most feared Dark wizard of all time. Born Tom Riddle, he remade himself into Lord Voldemort and waged a campaign of terror against the wizarding world. Obsessed with purity of blood, immortality, and the domination of all who oppose him.

Draco's father and a wealthy, influential pure-blood wizard. Cold, calculating, and deeply prejudiced, Lucius maintains a respectable public face while wielding power through intimidation and political connections.

A former Hogwarts schoolmate of Harry's father - one of the four boys who once made up a tight Gryffindor friendship group during the years before the first war against Lord Voldemort. Small, timid, and defined by a need to attach himself to whoever he believes is most powerful, Pettigrew is widely remembered in the wizarding world as a hero who died trying to face Sirius Black.

A legendary retired Auror known for his paranoia and his magical eye that can see through walls and invisibility cloaks. Scarred and battle-worn, Moody is a key member of the Order of the Phoenix.

Headmaster of Hogwarts and widely regarded as the greatest wizard of the age. Brilliant, eccentric, and deeply kind, Dumbledore is Harry's most important mentor. Known for his love of sherbet lemons and his half-moon spectacles.

Ron's father and a Ministry of Magic employee in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. Endlessly fascinated by Muggle technology and culture. Kind, principled, and quietly brave.

A house-elf formerly enslaved by the Malfoy family. Freed by Harry through a trick involving a sock, Dobby is devoted to Harry with an intensity that is both touching and occasionally dangerous.

Harry's rival at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. Arrogant, prejudiced, and a bully, Draco comes from one of the wealthiest pure-blood families in the wizarding world.

One half of the Weasley twins and co-founder of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes joke shop. Inventive, fearless, and incapable of taking anything seriously. Inseparable from his twin George.

The other half of the Weasley twins and co-founder of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Equally inventive and mischievous as Fred.

The youngest Weasley and the only girl in the family. Initially shy around Harry, Ginny is a fierce, independent, and talented witch and a gifted Quidditch player.

Harry's mother. A Muggle-born witch described as exceptionally kind, talented, and fiery-tempered. Her love for Harry is the most powerful force in the story.

A Ravenclaw student known for her dreamy manner and belief in creatures and conspiracies that no one else can see. Often mocked by her classmates, Luna is unshakeably kind and braver than most people realise.

Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor house. Stern, fair, and a supremely gifted Transfiguration teacher with a fierce loyalty to her students and a dry sense of humour.

Matriarch of the Weasley family and a formidable witch. Warm, loving, and fiercely protective of her children and Harry, whom she treats as one of her own.

A shy, clumsy boy raised by his formidable grandmother after his parents were incapacitated. Neville struggles academically but possesses a quiet courage that reveals itself when it matters most. A talented herbologist.