Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living... in a cupboard under the stairs at 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey, England, with his awful Muggle (non-magical) relatives the Dursleys. His parents were killed when he was a baby by the most evil wizard of all, He Who Must Not Be Named. He tried to kill Harry too, but somehow the 1-year-old Harry beat the curse to become known as The Boy Who Lived. But Harry himself didn’t know anything about that until his 11th birthday, when the half-giant Hagrid whisked him away to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Visiting... Hogwarts. Harry is a first-year student at Hogwarts; it takes seven years to graduate. He takes classes in subjects such as Potions, Charms, History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts. At first Harry was very worried about school: “I’ve got loads to learn. I bet I’m the worst in the class.” But in most respects, Harry’s a natural.
Profession... wizard. In fact Harry is already one of the most famous wizards in the wizarding world, despite only recently discovering that there was a wizarding world. That’s all because Harry survived He Who Must Not Be Named’s curse as a baby, and bears the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead to prove it. But not everybody is happy to meet Harry – especially the “Death Eaters,” the former allies of He Who Must Not Be Named, who has been in hiding ever since young Harry defeated him. Harry and Voldermort (what’s left of him, anyway) are soon locked in an ongoing struggle that may very well be to the death.
Interests... playing quidditch, a wizarding game played on flying broomsticks, as the seeker for the Gryffindor House team. He also enjoys drinking a tasty butterbeer in Hogsmeade with his best friends, fellow Gryffindors Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger.
Relationship Status... single. Come on, he’s only 11! Give him some time. But Ron’s younger sister Ginny already has a crush on him.
Challenge... finding his place. Harry never felt at home with the Dursleys, where he was kept stuffed under the stairs like a pile of old clothes. He fits in much better in the wizarding world, where he’s treated as a celebrity. But it’s all so new to him that he’s not sure he can live up to his billing. As the “Chosen One,” however, he better figure out a way to do so in time, because the fate of the wizarding (and wider) world may very well depend on it.
Personality... humble, brave, and loyal. Harry will do anything for his friends, including risking his own life. He stands up for the weak (like Neville Longbottom) and is willing to take on the evil and powerful, from snobbish classmate Draco Malfoy all the way up to He Who Must Not Be Named. O.K., “Voldemort” – there, we said it!