People & Characters
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is the fictional young wizard at the center of J. K. Rowling's seven-book fantasy series.
Harry Potter is a fictional wizard created by author J. K. Rowling and the central character of a seven-book fantasy series. Raised by his non-magical aunt and uncle, Harry learns on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard and has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At Hogwarts, Harry joins Gryffindor house and becomes close friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The series follows his education, friendships, and struggle against Lord Voldemort, the dark wizard who killed Harry's parents and left him with a lightning-shaped scar.
Quick facts
- J. K. Rowling developed the idea for Harry Potter during a delayed train journey in 1990.
- Harry learns on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard and can attend Hogwarts.
- He is a member of Gryffindor house.
- Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are Harry's closest friends during his years at Hogwarts.
- The original Harry Potter story consists of seven novels.
A surprising fact
Rowling spent about five years planning the seven-book series before the first novel was published in 1997.