Harry Potter: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: Joanne Kathleen Rowling

First published: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997 ( Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 1998); Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1998; Harry Potter an

Genre: Novel

Locale: London, England; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland; Hogsmeade, Scotland

Plot: Fantasy

Time: 1991–1998

Harry Potter, an adolescent wizard with green eyes, round horn-rimmed glasses, and unruly black hair covering a lightning-shaped scar—the remnant of a wound he received as a baby at the hand of Lord Voldemort. In spite of being bullied by his cousin, Dudley, Harry is not bitter but kind, down-to-earth, and loving. When Harry is eleven, headmaster Albus Dumbledore sends Rubeus Hagrid to retrieve him from the Dursleys, his Muggle (nonmagical) relatives, and bring him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There Harry, along with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, develops his magical abilities and, over the next six years, repeatedly foils Lord Voldemort's attempts to conquer the wizarding world. His primary mission is to destroy magical objects known as Horcruxes, which Voldemort has created to hold pieces of his splintered soul in the hope of cheating death. Harry kills Voldemort in a duel after all seven Horcruxes are destroyed.

Ron Weasley, Harry Potter's best friend. The youngest son of a poor but loving pureblood wizarding family, Ron has bright red hair, blue eyes, freckles, and a prominent nose. He is very fond of his pet rat, Scabbers. Immature and insecure, Ron is also courageous, resourceful, and loyal to Harry. His relationship with Hermione Granger is complicated by his immaturity and insensitivity, and their frequent bickering masks their romantic feelings for one another. In their quest to destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes, Ron becomes frustrated with the pace of the search and abandons his friends. He subsequently returns and destroys the locket of Hogwarts cofounder Salazar Slytherin, a Horcrux. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Ron grieves his brother Fred's death and joins with Neville Longbottom in slaying werewolf Fenrir Greyback.

Hermione Granger, the only child of Muggle dentists, a talented witch and a close friend of Harry and Ron. A plain girl with bushy brown hair and large teeth, Hermione is bright, studious, clever, and strong willed. Insecure because of her Muggle birth, she fears failure and continually strives to prove that she is the best student. She uses her resourcefulness and encyclopedic knowledge of spells to conjure whatever is needed to help Harry, Ron, and herself out of tight spots. Realizing that the cup of Hogwarts cofounder Helga Hufflepuff is a Horcrux, she stabs it with a basilisk fang. She later marries Ron, with whom she has two children.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, grandfatherly headmaster of Hogwarts and Harry's mentor. Wise, good humored, and the only wizard Voldemort fears, the elderly Dumbledore is tall and thin and has a long, white beard. He wears half-moon glasses and is partial to brightly colored robes. He is responsible for placing the infant Harry with the Dursleys, fights against the Ministry of Magic on Harry's behalf when Harry insists Voldemort has returned, and engages in his own search for Voldemort's Horcruxes. He is rewarded in his quest when he discovers Marvolo Gaunt's ring, a Horcrux that is set with the Resurrection Stone, one of the Deathly Hallows. When he places the cursed ring on his finger, he receives a deadly wound that slowly poisons him. He is assassinated by Hogwarts professor Severus Snape.

Lord Voldemort, born Tom Marvolo Riddle, an evil wizard often referred to as the Dark Lord, and Harry's archenemy. As a student at Hogwarts prior to the events of the series, Riddle lusted after power and immortality. Elevating himself above those he considered inferior, Riddle renamed himself Lord Voldemort. When he learned of a prophecy predicting the birth of a child who would defeat him, he identified Harry as the prophecy's subject and attempted to murder him. Lily Potter's love shielded her son, and Voldemort's curse rebounded and disembodied him. At the same time, a piece of his soul entered Harry, turning the boy into a Horcrux. During a bizarre ritual, Voldemort is brought back to physical life. His serpentine appearance, with a skeletal body, white skull, scarlet eyes, and flat, slitted nose, is reflected in his choice of pet: the monstrous snake Nagini. Leading an army of Death Eaters, he invades Hogwarts and is ultimately defeated by Harry.

Severus Snape, Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, former Death Eater, double agent for Dumbledore, and Harry's protector and nemesis. A tall, thin man with greasy, shoulder-length black hair and sinister black eyes, Snape is bitter, sarcastic, and malicious. He was in love with Harry's mother, Lily. However, he was also bullied by Harry's father, James. Consequently, he has conflicted feelings toward Harry. He agrees to spy on Voldemort at Dumbledore's request and, because of his love for Lily, swears to protect Harry. When Voldemort orders Draco Malfoy to assassinate Dumbledore, Snape does the deed himself at Dumbledore's request. Voldemort kills Snape, but before he dies, Snape reveals his thoughts to Harry, who is astonished to learn that Snape's clandestine but brave resistance of Voldemort had been done in memory of Lily. In honor of Snape's heroism, Harry names his second son Albus Severus.

Rubeus Hagrid, a half-giant, half-wizard who is Hogwarts's gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Twice as tall as a normal man and three times as wide, Hagrid is tenderhearted, loyal, and a bit of a blabbermouth. When he was a student at Hogwarts, he was framed for an offense he did not commit by Tom Marvolo Riddle and was expelled from the school. Dumbledore spoke up in his defense, and he was allowed to become the Hogwarts gamekeeper. Hagrid has a way with dangerous animals, including Fluffy, a fierce three-headed dog; Aragog, an enormous spider; and Buckbeak, a hippogriff.

Sirius Black, Harry's godfather and a school friend of James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. The son of a wealthy pureblood family, Sirius has black hair and gray eyes. His nickname, Padfoot, refers to his Animagus form, that of a big, black dog. He was falsely accused of murdering a number of people and jailed at Azkaban, the wizard prison, but he later escapes in his canine shape. Convinced of his innocence, Harry comes to regard him as a father figure. When Sirius is killed by his cousin, Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, Harry is devastated. Harry names his first son after James and Sirius.

Draco Malfoy, spoiled scion of a wealthy pureblood family, son of Death Eater Lucius Malfoy, cousin of Sirius Black, nephew of Bellatrix Lestrange, and Harry's enemy. A tall, thin, blond boy with steely gray eyes, Draco is a wily wizard who is also an arrogant snob, bigot, and bully. When he tries to befriend Harry at Hogwarts, Harry rebuffs him. An apparent favorite of Snape, Draco is loyal to Voldemort. He is responsible for betraying members of Dumbledore's Army to Dolores Umbridge, the head of the Ministry of Magic's Inquisitorial Squad. Charged by Voldemort to assassinate Dumbledore, he is too afraid to carry out his mission. He and his parents survive the final Battle of Hogwarts.

Remus John Lupin, Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, werewolf nicknamed Mooney, and best friend of James Potter and Sirius Black. Bitten by werewolf and Voldemort supporter Fenrir Greyback, Remus changes into a werewolf at the full moon. Because he never joined James and Sirius in bullying Snape, Snape repays his kindness by brewing Wolfsbane Potion, which allows Remus to maintain his human awareness when he is transformed. He marries Nymphadora Tonks, and Harry becomes godfather to their son, Teddy. Both Remus and Tonks are killed during the Battle of Hogwarts.

Peter Pettigrew, one-time friend of James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin and betrayer of Black and the Potters. An Animagus nicknamed Wormtail, he has the ability to transform into a rat. After framing Sirius for the Potters' murders, Pettigrew lives for twelve years as Ron's pet rat, Scabbers. When Sirius escapes from Azkaban, he tries to kill Pettigrew. A Death Eater loyal to Voldemort, Pettigrew plays a key role in bringing the Dark Lord back to life when, during a graveyard ceremony, he chops off his own hand to add to a regenerative potion. Voldemort gives him a silver hand as a replacement, which strangles him when he shows a brief moment of remorse as he tries to murder Harry.

Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration professor, Animagus who transforms into a tabby cat, and deputy head-mistress at Hogwarts. Tall with black hair drawn into a bun, McGonagall is a stern but softhearted woman who wears square glasses and emerald-green robes. As head of Gryffindor House, she is responsible for getting Harry settled at Hogwarts. Loyal to the students and staff, she is wounded when she tries to stop ministry infiltrator Dolores Umbridge from arresting Hagrid. She drives Snape out of Hogwarts, not realizing that he is working on Harry's behalf.

Ginevra Molly “Ginny” Weasley, Arthur and Molly's youngest child, Ron's sister, and Harry's girlfriend and later wife. Ginny, like the rest of her family, has flaming-red hair. A year behind Harry, she has a crush on him that develops into love. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione go on their quest for Horcruxes, Ginny, Luna Lovegood, and Neville Longbottom revive the disbanded Dumbledore's Army. Although underage, she joins the Battle of Hogwarts and narrowly dodges a killing curse from Bellatrix Lestrange. She and Harry marry and have three children.

Luna Lovegood, a leader in Dumbledore's Army and Harry's loyal friend. Luna has long blond hair and gray eyes. She is often the butt of jokes because she believes in the fanciful and speculative material that her father publishes in his tabloid. However, she is a free spirit who is unconcerned about what others think of her. Perhaps because of her quirky background, she is one of the few people who believe Harry when he says that Voldemort has returned. Harry and Ginny name their daughter Lily Luna.

Bellatrix Black Lestrange, Voldemort's most faithful and ardent follower, cousin to Sirius Black, and aunt to Draco Malfoy and Nymphadora Tonks. A powerful witch with a penchant for sadism, Bellatrix enjoys torturing her victims. She kills her cousin, Sirius, and burns down the Weasleys' house. She tries to murder her niece, Tonks, because of her marriage to a werewolf. During the Battle of Hogwarts, she succeeds in killing Tonks.

Lily Evans Potter, Muggle-born witch, only sister to Petunia Dursley, James Potter's wife, and Harry's mother. She was murdered by Voldemort prior to the beginning of the series. Captivated by her beautiful green eyes and disarmed by her kindness, Severus Snape fell in love with her when they were children, although she never returned his feelings. She was fiercely protective of her son and sacrificed her life for his.

James Potter, a pureblood wizard from an old family, nicknamed Prongs because his Animagus form was a stag, Lily Potter's husband, and Harry's father. He was murdered by Voldemort prior to the beginning of the series. Sporting unruly black hair, James Potter was arrogant and also charming. When he first met Lily at Hogwarts, she snubbed him because of his bullying of her friend Severus Snape. After she broke off her friendship with Snape, she fell in love with James and married him. James died trying to protect his wife and infant son from Voldemort.

Neville Longbottom, student at Hogwarts and interim leader of Dumbledore's Army. Short, stout, and blond, Neville is shy and bumbling. He excels in Herbology but is less successful in other subjects. His parents, members of the Order of the Phoenix, were driven insane by Bellatrix Lestrange. Neville is embarrassed by their condition, which causes his shyness. During Harry's prolonged absence from the school, Neville finds new purpose when he becomes the interim leader of Dumbledore's Army. Near the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, he courageously slices off the head of Voldemort's final Horcrux, his pet snake, Nagini.

Petunia Evans Dursley, Lily Potter's older sister, Harry's aunt, Vernon's wife, and Dudley's mother. Petunia is thin and has a long neck, a horsey face, and pale eyes. Jealous of Lily's magical talents, she wanted nothing to do with her sister after her marriage to James. The only way to protect Harry from Voldemort was to place him with blood relatives, so Petunia reluctantly agreed to Dumbledore's request to accept Lily and James's baby into her home.

Dudley Dursley, Harry's cousin, the only child of Petunia and Vernon Dursley. Dudley is large, blond, and spoiled. A violent bully, he regularly torments Harry until Harry saves him from the Dementors, Voldemort's spectral servants. Harry's rescue changes Dudley's outlook, and he and Harry part as friends.

Vernon Dursley, Petunia's husband, Dudley's father, and Harry's uncle. A large, unpleasant man with a moustache, he is the successful manager of a drill-manufacturing company. He treats Harry with contempt but spoils Dudley.

Arthur Weasley, husband of Molly; father of the seven Weasley children; midlevel employee in the Ministry of Magic; and avid collector of all things Muggle. Tall with wire-rimmed glasses, red hair, and a receding hairline, he is affable and kind. He becomes a surrogate father to Harry.

Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley's wife and mother to their seven children. After Harry and Ron become friends, Molly becomes a second mother to Harry. She is loving toward her family, although she is fierce when roused. During the Battle of Hogwarts, she witnesses the death of her son, Fred, as well as Bellatrix Lestrange's attack on Ginny. Infuriated, she kills Lestrange in a fiery duel.

Fred Gideon and George Fabian Weasley, Ron and Ginny's mischievous twin brothers, originators of novelty items called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, and later owners of their own joke shop. Accomplished wizards, they resist Dolores Umbridge's attempts to take over the school by igniting fireworks and magically producing a portable swamp in a school hallway. After they leave Hogwarts, they run a successful joke shop in Diagon Alley. George survives the final Battle of Hogwarts, but Fred does not.

Dolores Umbridge, Ministry of Magic employee, Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and high inquisitor at Hogwarts. Resembling a large toad, Umbridge speaks in a high, childish voice and has a condescending attitude. Her love of cute things such as kittens and teatime belies her cruel and abusive nature. The ministry eventually recalls her from Hogwarts because of complaints relating to her heavy-handed ways with the students and staff.

Dobby, a house-elf, member of a race of magical creatures used as servants by pureblood wizards. After Harry frees him from his servitude to the Malfoy family, he becomes a staunch ally. He is eventually killed by Bellatrix Lestrange while saving Harry's life.

Dumbledore's Army, a student group founded by Harry, Hermione, and Ron to help their classmates develop proficiency in Defense Against the Dark Arts and to resist the domination of high inquisitor Dolores Umbridge. Members include Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Fred and George Weasley, Cho Chang, Neville Longbottom, Anthony Goldstein, Dean Thomas, and Lee Jordan.

The Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization of adult witches and wizards founded before Harry's birth by Albus Dumbledore to prevent Voldemort from conquering the wizarding world and re-formed following Voldemort's return. Members include Sirius Black, Aberforth Dumbledore, Alastor Moody, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, and Arthur and Molly Weasley; James and Lily Potter were members of the original Order.

Death Eaters, a group of witches and wizards who are followers of Lord Voldemort. They typically wear masks and black hooded robes and are tattooed with the Dark Mark, which is used by Voldemort to summon them, on their left arms. Pledged to purify the wizarding community, they target Muggles and half-bloods. Notable Death Eaters include Regulus Black, Bellatrix Lestrange, Severus Snape, Draco and Lucius Malfoy, and Peter Pettigrew.