Harry Potter
The protagonist of the series, Harry has been left a seemingly impossible task by Dumbledore: to track down and destroy Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes. He is guided by his love for his friends and shows courage throughout the book, sacrificing himself to destroy the piece of Voldemort’s soul in his body.
Ronald Weasly
Best friend of Harry Potter, Ron is the second youngest of the seven Weasley kids. Although he struggles to be seen in the shadows, his heart is pure and he plays a significant role in destroying the Horcruxes. He is fond of Hermione but often feels insecure about himself, until Hermione admits a mutual love.
Hermione Granger
Best friend of Harry Potter, Hermione was born to Muggle parents and is regarded as the “brightest witch of her age.” She is exceptionally talented and charms many objects to aid in their quest for the Horcruxes. She loves books and will often turn to them for solutions. She erases herself from her parents’ memories and hides them in Australia to protect them. She admits her love for Ron when he insists they protect the house-elves, a cause she has cared about for many years.
Albus Dumbledore
Former Headmaster of Hogwarts, Dumbledore guided Harry, even though he hid information from Harry out of love to protect him. Although deceased in this book, he remains a presence. He defeated the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, but as a young boy he himself was tempted by the powers of the Deathly Hallows.
Severus Snape
Snape is the newly appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts, despite having murdered his predecessor. He is a half-blood born to witch Eileen Prince and muggle Tobias Snape. As a Slytherin, he is determined and cunning. He joined the Death Eaters as a young man, despite harboring a hidden love for Lily Potter (Evans) who was his childhood friend. When he accidentally puts a target on Lily Potter and her family, he seeks Dumbledore’s guidance and pledges eternal allegiance to Harry Potter while spying on Voldemort as a double-agent. Harry describes Snape as “the bravest man he ever knew.”
Lord Voldemort
A half-blood born to Slytherin’s descent, Merope Gaunt, and to muggle Tom Riddle Sr., Voldemort (Tom Riddle II) is incapable of love, having been conceived under the effects of a love potion. He fears death and seeks immortality by murdering people to rip his soul, thereby creating Horcruxes. He seeks to eradicate muggle-borns. He targets Harry because of a prophecy that stated Harry alone would have the power to vanquish him, but in targeting Harry he only secured the prophecy’s realization. His seven Horcruxes are the diary, Gaunt’s ring, Slytherin’s locket, Hufflepuff’s cup, Ravenclaw’s diadem, his snake Nagini, and Harry Potter himself.
Rufus Scrimgeour
Minister for Magic at the beginning of the novel. Scrimgeor presents Harry, Ron, and Hermione with three of Dumbledore’s bequeaths. He refuses to give up Harry’s location to Voldemort and is murdered.
Kreacher
Kreacher was Sirius Black’s house elf and was inherited by Harry Potter. Although unpleasant in earlier books, Kreacher is more agreeable once Harry shows him kindness. He helped Sirius’ brother, Regulus, to steal Voldemort’s locket Horcrux. He fights in the Battle of Hogwarts in Harry’s name.
Dobby
Former house elf of the Malfoys, Dobby is forever grateful to Harry for helping to set him free. He and Kreacher spy on Mundungus Fletcher and bring him to Grimmauld Place for interrogation. He rescues Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Dean, and Mr. Ollivander from Malfoy Manor, but he is killed doing so by Bellatrix.
Draco Malfoy
Former classmate of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Draco is corrupted by his parents’ darkness. His family was one of the first following Voldemort’s downfall to switch allegiances. Although he despised Harry in school, he does not admit Harry’s identity when the trio is captured in his house.
Minerva McGonagall
Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts and head of Gryffindor house. She is a strong warrior for the Order of the Phoenix, and a fierce protector of Harry, and he shows the same admiration to her. The only time Harry successfully uses the Cruciatus Curse is against the Carrow who spits in McGonagall’s face. She takes the animagus form of a cat.
Mundungus Fletcher
A member of the Order of the Phoenix, although untrustworthy. He took the locket from Grimmauld Place following Sirius’ death and fled in the Battle of the Seven Potters, costing Mad-Eye Moody his life.
Garrick Ollivander
A wand-maker, who is captured and tortured by Voldemort who seeks a wand that will defeat Harry Potter in battle.
Remus Lupin
Werewolf and childhood best friend of James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. Former Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, he fights for the Order of the Phoenix. Father to Teddy Lupin. He is killed in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Nymphadora Tonks
Metamorphmagus and Auror for the Ministry, and she studied under Mad-Eye Moody. Tonks is fierce and determined, and she is in love with Remus Lupin. Together they have a son. She is killed in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Peter Pettigrew
Former friend of James, Sirius, and Remus, Pettigrew betrayed the Potters to Lord Voldemort. He helped Voldemort return to human form by sacrificing his own hand. He is strangled to death by the charmed replacement hand when he has a fleeting feeling of remorse.
Ginny Weasley
Younger sister of Ron Weasley, Ginny is Harry’s former girlfriend, with the relationship ended by Harry so that she wouldn’t be targeted by Voldemort’s allies. She is fierce and brave and is strongly protected by her mother, Molly.
Neville Longbottom
Former Gryffindor classmate of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. In their absence from Hogwarts, Neville continues leading Dumbledore’s Army and openly defies the Death Eaters on staff. He has an excellent understanding of the Room of Requirement and transforms it into alternative living quarters for the student rebellion.
Luna Lovegood
Ravenclaw student Luna believes in many mythical creatures. Her mother died when Luna was nine, and so Luna can see Thestrals. She is quirky but loyal to her friends and helps lead Dumbledore’s Army. She also helps Harry locate Voldemort’s diadem Horcrux.
Bellatrix Lestrange
Cousin of Sirius Black, and one of Lord Voldemort’s most loyal servants. She tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity when their son, Neville, was a baby.
Fenrir Greyback
Werewolf, who plans his attacks around his monthly transformations. Greyback bit a young Remus Lupin, and Greyback now serves Voldemort.
Dolores Umbridge
Former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, Umbridge works for the Ministry again, this time leading trials to persecute Muggle-borns for their blood status.
