The namesake of the books, Harry Potter is the character that all the action centers around. Born to Lily and James Potter, his parents were killed by Lord Voldemort when he was a baby. As any Harry Potter reader knows, Voldemort's power broke when he tried to kill Harry, and it took Voldemort years to regain it. He did make his mark on Harry, however; he left him with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead as well as passing on some of his characteristics to Harry, like the ability to communicate with snakes. In the first book, Harry is described as having a thin face, knobbly knees, black hair, and bright green eyes. After his parents were killed, he was sent to live with his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, who told him that his parents were killed in a car accident. When Harry turns 10, he discovers the truth when he starts to receive letters from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and, after much opposition from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, is taken away by Rubeus Hagrid. At Hogwarts, he meets his future best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and his adventure begins.

<<--back