Characters in Harry Potter

The characters in the fictional universe of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series are both numerous and varied in skill, background and ideology. Below is a list of the main people encountered in the books.

Dudley Dursley

Dudley Dursley is a cousin of Harry Potter an one of the initial antagonists. He is portrayed as being a sadistic and spoiled bully, who together with his gang victimise a number of children their age, particularly Harry. He does show irregular displays of fear and empathy, and redeems himself at the end of the series by changing his attitude and expressing love towards his cousin.

Petunia Dursley

Petunia Dursley is the aunt and guardian of Harry Potter. Her jealousy of her sister's magic abilities is reflected in the hostile attitude she shows towards her niece in contrast to the loving and over caring relationship with her son.

Vernon Dursley

Vernon Dursley is the uncle and guardian of Harry Potter. He is the owner of a large drill company and, like his wife, displays hostility towards his niece and amorosity towards his son.

Filius Flitwick

Filius Flitwick is head of Ravenclaw House teacher of charms at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An old and short man, he has to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk, however his magical powers are expansive.

Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger is one of Harry's two closest friends and a student in the Gryffindor house. She is portrayed as remarkably studious, relying on books and knowledge over instinct. She is played in the movies by Emma Watson.

Neville Longbottom

Neville Longbottom is in Gryffindor house at Hogwarts. He is a nice boy but is bullied and made fun of by some of the other characters, especially his classmate Draco Malfoy and his sinister teacher Professor Severus Snape. Eventually in the series it is discovered that Lord Voldemort murdered his parents. Neville appears slow, but is actually intelligent. He is great at herbology.

Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy is Harry's chief nemesis at their wizard school Hogwarts. He is a villain and a ruthless bully. He comes from a rich family. His father is a supporter of the evil Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents. Draco's favorite teacher is the sinister Severus Snape, who also hates Harry. Draco fights Harry in the battle of Hogwarts in the last book but Harry saves his life from a fire. Draco's first name is Latin for dragon, while his last name is from French "mal foi", literally "bad faith" or "evil faith". His father is named Lucius, which derives from Lucifer, another name for the devil. In the film adaptations of the books Draco Malfoy is played by Tom Felton.

Lucius Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy is a villain and a supporter of the Dark Lord Voldemort, and the father of Harry's classmate and enemy Draco Malfoy. In the Harry Potter films, he is portrayed by Jason Isaacs.