Harry James Potter is a half-blood wizard, the only known person to survive the Killing Curse, and the central figure of the Second Wizarding War. Orphaned as an infant when Lord Voldemort murdered his parents, James and Lily, he was raised by his Muggle relatives until his eleventh birthday — when he learned he was a wizard and took his place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sorted into Gryffindor, he formed a lifelong friendship with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and over seven years repeatedly confronted Voldemort, ultimately playing the decisive role in the Dark Lord's downfall.
Biography
Early life
Harry was born on 31 July 1980 to James and Lily Potter, members of the Order of the Phoenix. A prophecy marked him as the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord, and Voldemort attacked the family at Godric's Hollow on Hallowe'en 1981. He killed James and Lily, but the curse he turned on the infant Harry rebounded — leaving Harry with a lightning-bolt scar and reducing Voldemort to a bodiless wraith. Harry was left on the doorstep of his aunt and uncle, the Dursleys, who hid his heritage from him for ten years.
Hogwarts years
On his eleventh birthday Harry learned the truth from Rubeus Hagrid and entered Hogwarts, where the Sorting Hat placed him in Gryffindor. He became the youngest Seeker in a century for the Gryffindor Quidditch team and, across seven years, faced Voldemort's returns again and again — the Philosopher's Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, the Dark Lord's rebirth at the Triwizard Tournament, and the rise of the Death Eaters.
The Second Wizarding War
In his final year Harry, Ron, and Hermione left school to hunt and destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes. The war culminated in the Battle of Hogwarts, where Harry willingly walked to his own death, survived a second Killing Curse, and finally defeated Voldemort for good.
Physical description
Harry is of slightly below-average height with untidy jet-black hair, bright green eyes inherited from his mother, and a distinctive lightning-bolt scar on his forehead. He wears round glasses and is rarely seen without them.
Personality and traits
Harry is defined by loyalty, courage, and a refusal to abandon those in need. He is humble about his fame, uncomfortable with praise, and quick — sometimes recklessly — to act in defence of his friends. He carries deep grief for the family he never knew, yet consistently chooses compassion over vengeance.
Magical abilities and skills
- Defence Against the Dark Arts. Harry's strongest discipline; he taught Dumbledore's Army to cast the Patronus Charm while still a teenager.
- The Patronus Charm. His corporeal Patronus takes the form of a stag, mirroring his father's Animagus form.
- Flying. A natural talent on a broom, recruited to the Gryffindor team in his first year.
- Parseltongue. The ability to speak to snakes — an unintended gift carried from Voldemort.
Etymology
"Harry" is a medieval English form of "Henry"; the surname "Potter" is an old occupational name for a maker of pots.
Trivia
- Harry is the only known person to have survived the Killing Curse — twice.
- His signature spell is the Disarming Charm, Expelliarmus, which he relies on even in life-or-death duels.
- He shares his birthday, 31 July, with Neville Longbottom — the other boy the prophecy could have named.