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Harry Potter
Harry Potter wordmark
Author J. K. Rowling
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Genre Fantasy, drama, young adult fiction, mystery, thriller, Bildungsroman
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)

Scholastic Press (USA)

Pottermore (e-books; all languages)
Published 26 June 1997 – 21 July 2007 (initial publication)
Media type Print (hardback & paperback)
Audiobook
E-book (as of March 2012)
No. of books 7
Harry Potter british books
A set of all seven UK Edition Harry Potter novels.

Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels and eight movies. They were written by J. K. Rowling, a British author. The series is named after its main character and hero, Harry Potter.

The seven books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide. They have been translated into more than 70 languages, including Latin and Ancient Greek. This makes Harry Potter the best-selling book series of all time.

The books were made into movies by Warner Bros. The first movie came out in 2001. The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was split into two movies. The last movie was released in 2011.

The Story of Harry Potter

Harry Potter was born in Surrey, England. His parents, Lily and James Potter, were powerful wizards. They were killed by an evil wizard named Lord Voldemort. Voldemort tried to kill baby Harry too, but Harry survived. He only got a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, and Voldemort's power was greatly weakened.

Harry was then raised by his non-magical Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley. They treated him badly. For many years, Harry did not know he was a wizard. He later found out that many magical people live secretly, hidden from non-wizards, who are called "Muggles."

When Harry turned eleven, he received a letter inviting him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is a special school for young witches and wizards. Each book tells the story of one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts. It shows how he faces challenges and adventures.

On the train to Hogwarts, called the Hogwarts Express, Harry met Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They became his best friends. Lord Voldemort tried many times to regain his full power and kill Harry. In the fourth book, Voldemort returned to life with the help of his followers. The series ends with a big final battle between Harry and Lord Voldemort.

The Books in the Series

Other Books from the Wizarding World

Movies and Games

The seven Harry Potter books have been turned into many different types of media. This includes movies, spin-off movies, video games, and even a stage play.

Movies

Spin-off Movies

Video Games

Many video games have been made based on the Harry Potter books and movies:

Stage Play

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play that continues the story. It is based on a new idea by J.K Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany. It is known as the "eighth story, nineteen years later."

The play officially opened on July 30, 2016, at the Palace Theatre in London.

Main Characters and Actors

Here are some of the most important characters from the Harry Potter stories and the actors who played them in the movies:

  • Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe): The hero of the stories. Harry is a special young wizard. His parents were killed by Lord Voldemort when he was a baby. He lives with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley.
  • Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint): Harry's best friend. Ron comes from a large magical family called the Weasleys. He often helps Harry on his adventures, including the fight against Lord Voldemort.
  • Hermione Granger (Emma Watson): Harry's other best friend. Hermione's parents are not wizards; they are "Muggles." She is the smartest student in their class. She sometimes faces unfair treatment because her family is not magical.
  • Albus Dumbledore: The Headmaster at Hogwarts. His full name is "Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." He is a very powerful wizard, and Voldemort fears him. Dumbledore was played by Richard Harris in the first two movies. After Harris passed away, Michael Gambon took over the role.
  • Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane): Hagrid starts as the Groundskeeper at Hogwarts. Later, he becomes a teacher of "Care of Magical Creatures." He is a good friend to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Hagrid is also a "half-giant."
  • Lord Voldemort: The main villain of the series. He is feared by many in the wizarding world. People often call him "He Who Must Not Be Named" or "You Know Who." Before he became evil, his name was Tom Marvolo Riddle. Several actors played Voldemort at different ages, including Ralph Fiennes as the adult Voldemort.
  • Sirius Black: (Gary Oldman) Sirius Black was James Potter's best friend. He was wrongly accused of murder and sent to the wizard prison, Azkaban. In the third book, he escapes. Sirius is Harry Potter's godfather. He is an important character in the fourth and fifth books before his death.
  • Severus Snape (Alan Rickman): Severus Snape was the Potions master at Hogwarts for many years. Later, he became the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. After Dumbledore's death, Snape became Headmaster. Snape often showed favoritism to his own house, Slytherin, and treated students from other houses poorly.
  • Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton): Draco Malfoy is a Slytherin student and often acts as Harry's rival. In the sixth book, he is ordered to kill Dumbledore but struggles to do it.
  • Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis): He is a Gryffindor student and a member of Dumbledore's Army. He was raised by his grandmother. Neville is very good at Herbology (magical plants). He plays a key role in the final battle by destroying one of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

The Weasley Family

The Weasleys are a large, kind, and magical family.

Character Relation Actor Notes
Arthur Weasley Father of the Weasleys Mark Williams Works for the Ministry of Magic
Molly Weasley Mother of the Weasleys Julie Walters A busy mother of seven children
Bill Weasley Eldest son Domhnall Gleeson Works for Gringotts Bank, breaking curses on treasures.
Charlie Weasley Second eldest son Alex Crockford Works with dragons in Romania.
Percy Weasley Third oldest son Chris Rankin Works for the Ministry of Magic.
Fred Weasley Fourth son
Older twin		 James Phelps Co-owns a wizard joke shop.
George Weasley Fifth son
Younger twin		 Oliver Phelps Co-owns a wizard joke shop.
Ronald Weasley Sixth son Rupert Grint One of Harry's closest friends.
Ginny Weasley Daughter, youngest Bonnie Wright The youngest of seven children. Harry's girlfriend later in the series.

Teachers at Hogwarts

These are some of the professors who teach at Hogwarts School.

Character Actor Subject
Minerva McGonagall
 (Head of Gryffindor house)		 Maggie Smith Transfiguration
(changing one thing into another)
Severus Snape
 (Head of Slytherin house)		 Alan Rickman Potions
(making magical mixtures)
Horace Slughorn Jim Broadbent
Rubeus Hagrid
 (Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts)		 Robbie Coltrane Care of Magical Creatures
(studying mystical creatures)
Filius Flitwick
 (Head of Ravenclaw house)		 Warwick Davis Charms
(making magic happen)
Pomona Sprout
 (Head of Hufflepuff house)		 Miriam Margoyles Herbology
(caring for magical plants)
Sybill Trelawney Emma Thompson Divination
(predicting the future)
Madame Hooch Zoe Wannamaker Flying on broomsticks
Also a Quidditch referee
Quirinus Quirrel Ian Hart Defence Against the Dark Arts
(defensive magic)
Gilderoy Lockhart Kenneth Branagh
Remus Lupin David Thewlis
Alastor Moody (impersonated by Barty Crouch, Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) Brendan Gleeson
Dolores Umbridge Imelda Staunton
Severus Snape Alan Rickman
Alecto Carrow Suzanne Toase

Other Students at Hogwarts

Student House Actor Notes
Cho Chang Ravenclaw Katie Leung Harry's girlfriend for a time. Member of "Dumbledore's Army".
Vincent Crabbe Slytherin Jamie Waylett Draco Malfoy's friend.
Cedric Diggory Hufflepuff Robert Pattinson Captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. He took part in the Triwizard Tournament. He was killed by Voldemort.
Gregory Goyle Slytherin Joshua Herdman Draco Malfoy's friend.
Luna Lovegood Ravenclaw Evanna Lynch Harry's friend. She is known for her unique and wise personality.
Susan Bones Hufflepuff Eleanor Columbus A student in Hufflepuff. Her grandparents were killed by Voldemort.

Other Important Characters

  • Vernon Dursley (played by Richard Griffiths) is Harry Potter's uncle. He and his wife often treat Harry badly.
  • Petunia Dursley (played by Fiona Shaw) is Vernon's wife and Harry's aunt. She also treats Harry badly.
  • Dobby (voiced by Toby Jones) is a house-elf who used to belong to the Malfoy family. Unlike most house-elves, Dobby wants to be free.
  • Mr Ollivander (played by John Hurt) is a famous wandmaker. He owns Ollivanders, a wand shop.
  • Rita Skeeter (played by Miranda Richardson) is a reporter for the Daily Prophet newspaper. She is known for writing sensational stories.
  • Stanley Shunpike (played by Lee Ingleby) is the conductor of the Knight Bus, a magical emergency transport for witches and wizards.


Images for kids

  • The Elephant House

    The Elephant House was one of the cafés in Edinburgh where Rowling wrote the first part of Harry Potter.

  • The former 1st floor Nicholson's Cafe now renamed Spoon in Edinburgh

    The former 1st floor Nicholson's Cafe now renamed Spoon in Edinburgh where J. K. Rowling wrote the first few chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

  • J. K. Rowling 2010

    The novelist, J. K. Rowling

  • RIAN archive 168852 The seventh book about Harry Potter goes on sale

    The Russian translation of The Deathly Hallows goes on sale in Moscow, 2007.

  • Harry Potter sculpture in Leicester Square (50725720988)

    Sculpture of Harry Potter in Leicester Square, London, 2020

  • Harry Potter Platform Kings Cross

    "Platform 9+3⁄4" sign on London King's Cross railway station

  • GWR 'Hall' 5972 'Olton Hall' at Doncaster Works

    The locomotive that features as the "Hogwarts Express" in the film series

  • Wizarding World of Harry Potter Castle

    Hogwarts Castle as depicted in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located in Universal Orlando Resort's Island of Adventure

See also

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