The Harry Potter Encyclopedia

Harry James Potter

Gryffindor

Role: Protagonist, "The Boy Who Lived"

Wand: Holly and phoenix feather, 11 inches

Patronus: Stag

Orphaned as a baby when Voldemort killed his parents. Survived the killing curse with a lightning-bolt scar. Brave, loyal, sometimes impulsive. Discovers his magical heritage at age 11 and becomes the central figure in the fight against Voldemort.

Hermione Jean Granger

Gryffindor

Role: Harry's best friend, brilliant witch

Wand: Vine wood and dragon heartstring, 10¾ inches

Patronus: Otter

Muggle-born witch known for her exceptional intelligence and encyclopedic knowledge of magic. Often saves Harry and Ron with her quick thinking and extensive research. Becomes a champion for house-elf rights.

Ronald Bilius Weasley

Gryffindor

Role: Harry's best friend, loyal companion

Wand: Willow and unicorn hair, 14 inches

Patronus: Jack Russell Terrier

Sixth son of the Weasley family. Struggles with insecurity about his family's poverty and living in his brothers' shadows, but proves his bravery and loyalty repeatedly. Excellent at wizard chess.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Role: Headmaster of Hogwarts

Wand: Elder Wand (most powerful wand)

Patronus: Phoenix

Greatest wizard of the age, defeated dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945. Wise, powerful, eccentric. Fond of lemon drops and chamber music. Serves as Harry's mentor and protector. Has a complex past involving the Deathly Hallows.

Severus Snape

Slytherin Head

Role: Potions Master, later Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher

Patronus: Doe (same as Lily Potter)

Complex character whose true loyalties remain ambiguous until the end. The Half-Blood Prince. Loved Lily Potter and protected Harry despite appearing to hate him. Master of Occlumency and Legilimency.

Minerva McGonagall

Gryffindor Head

Role: Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration teacher

Animagus: Tabby cat

Strict but fair teacher. Highly skilled at Transfiguration. Fiercely protective of students and loyal to Dumbledore. Becomes Headmistress after the Battle of Hogwarts.

Rubeus Hagrid

Role: Gamekeeper, Care of Magical Creatures teacher

Species: Half-giant

Expelled from Hogwarts in his third year after being framed for opening the Chamber of Secrets. First magical friend Harry makes. Loyal to Dumbledore and deeply caring despite his imposing size. Loves dangerous creatures.

Remus John Lupin

Gryffindor

Role: Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (Book 3)

Condition: Werewolf

Patronus: Wolf

One of the Marauders and one of Harry's father's best friends. Kind, intelligent teacher who helps Harry learn the Patronus Charm. Member of the Order of the Phoenix. Marries Nymphadora Tonks.

Ginny Weasley

Gryffindor

Youngest Weasley and only daughter. Possessed by Tom Riddle in her first year. Becomes a talented witch and Quidditch player. Eventually marries Harry Potter.

Fred & George Weasley

Gryffindor

Identical twins known for pranks and jokes. Found Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes joke shop. Members of Dumbledore's Army. Fred dies in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Arthur & Molly Weasley

Arthur: Works at Ministry, fascinated by Muggles
Molly: Fierce mother figure, powerful witch

Parents of seven children who treat Harry as their own son. Molly kills Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Lord Voldemort (Tom Marvolo Riddle)

Slytherin

Wand: Yew and phoenix feather, 13½ inches

Main antagonist. Born to a witch and Muggle. Obsessed with conquering death and establishing pure-blood supremacy. Split his soul into Horcruxes. Cannot feel love. Ultimately defeated by his own rebounded curse.

Draco Malfoy

Slytherin

Role: Harry's school rival

From wealthy pure-blood family. Initially arrogant and prejudiced. Shows moral complexity when unable to kill Dumbledore. Redeemed somewhat in the final book.

Bellatrix Lestrange

Slytherin

Role: Death Eater

Voldemort's most loyal and sadistic follower. Tortured Neville's parents into insanity. Killed Sirius Black and Dobby. Killed by Molly Weasley.

Dolores Umbridge

Role: Ministry official, High Inquisitor

Not a Death Eater but cruel and authoritarian. Takes control of Hogwarts in Book 5. Uses blood quills for punishment. One of the most hated characters in the series.

Sirius Black

Gryffindor

Animagus: Black dog

Harry's godfather. Wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban for 12 years. One of the Marauders. Reckless but loyal. Killed by Bellatrix Lestrange.

Luna Lovegood

Ravenclaw

Patronus: Hare

Eccentric student who believes in creatures others dismiss. Wise and perceptive despite being considered odd. Member of Dumbledore's Army and loyal friend.

Neville Longbottom

Gryffindor

Patronus: Non-corporeal

Initially portrayed as clumsy and forgetful. Shows increasing bravery. His parents were tortured into insanity by Bellatrix. Kills Nagini with Gryffindor's sword. Could have been "the chosen one."

Cho Chang

Ravenclaw

Seeker for Ravenclaw. Harry's first love interest. Dated Cedric Diggory before his death. Brief relationship with Harry complicated by grief.

Cedric Diggory

Hufflepuff

Hogwarts Triwizard champion. Honorable and talented student. Murdered by Peter Pettigrew on Voldemort's orders. First major death of a sympathetic character.

Dobby

Species: House-elf

Enslaved to the Malfoy family until Harry frees him. Devoted to Harry. Provides crucial help. Dies saving Harry and friends from Malfoy Manor.