Lord Voldemort

In the series, Voldemort is the archenemy of Harry Potter, who according to a prophecy has "the power to vanquish the Dark Lord". Almost no witch or wizard dares to speak his name, instead referring to him by epithets such as "You-Know-Who", "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" or "the Dark Lord". Voldemort's obsession with blood purity signifies his aim to rid the wizarding world of Muggle (non-magical) heritage and to conquer both worlds, Muggle and wizarding, to achieve pure-blood dominance. Through his mother's family, he is the last descendant of wizard Salazar Slytherin one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is the leader of the Death Eaters, a group of evil wizards and witches dedicated to ridding the Wizarding World of Muggles and establishing Voldemort as its supreme ruler.

... why so scary Voldemort?

Severus Snape

In the series, Snape is an exceptionally skillful wizard who primarily teaches Potions at Hogwarts school, though in the sixth novel he teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts, a position which he was known to have desired throughout the series. For much of the series Snape's actions seem to serve Harry's nemesis, Lord Voldemort, although Harry's mentor, Dumbledore, often advises Harry that – despite his actions and animosity – Snape is trustworthy and his true loyalties can be relied upon. He ultimately becomes Headmaster of Hogwarts in the final novel, after killing Dumbledore at the end of the sixth book. Snape himself dies at the hands of Voldemort in the final chapters of the seventh book, revealing his memories and true background story to Harry (and therefore to the reader) in his last minutes. In the book's epilogue, Harry describes Snape as "one of the bravest men I knew".

Played by Alan Rickman

Albus Dumbledore

For most of the series, he is the headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts. He is the founder and leader of the Order of the Phoenix, an organisation dedicated to fighting Lord Voldemort. Rowling stated she chose the name Dumbledore, which is an Early Modern English word for "bumblebee", because of Dumbledore's love of music: she imagined him walking around "humming to himself a lot". He speaks many of the famous, wise quotes remembered by the world. The old man was one of J.K Rowling’s favourite characters to write as he is ‘the epitome of goodness.’

 

Played by Richard Harris in the film adaptions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. After Harris' death, Michael Gambon portrayed Dumbledore for all of the remaining films.



Ron Weasley

Best friend of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, Ron finds himself wrapped up in most of the action of the Harry Potter series. He is very clumsy and often finds himself in a pickle. He is a pure blood and lives in 'The Burrow.' The 'three protagonists' are all faithful to their school house Gryffindor.

Played by Rupert Grint

Hermione Granger

She initially appears in the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, as a new student on her way to Hogwarts. After Harry and Ron save her from a mountain troll in the girls' toilets, she becomes close friends with them and often uses her quick wit, deft recall, and encyclopedic knowledge to help them. Rowling has stated that Hermione resembles her at a younger age, with her insecurity and fear of failure.

Played by Emma Watson

Harry Potter

Harry James Potter is the main character of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The majority of the books' plot covers seven years in the life of the orphan Potter, who, on his eleventh birthday, learns he is a wizard. Thus, he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to practice magic under the guidance of the kindly headmaster Albus Dumbledore and other school professors. Harry also discovers that he is already famous throughout the novel's magical community, and that his fate is tied with that of Lord Voldemort, the internationally feared Dark Wizard and murderer of his mother and father.

Played by: Daniel Radcliffe