Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Character Analysis

Harry Potter

Protagonist Harry Potter has green eyes, disheveled black hair, and a distinctive lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. Harry is orphaned as a baby when the dark wizard Voldemort kills his parents, Lily and James… read analysis of Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

One of the protagonists in the novel, Ron Weasley is one of Harry’s best friends, along with Hermione Granger. Ron is the youngest son in the Weasley family, and he has five older… read analysis of Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

One of the novel’s protagonists, Hermione is of Harry’s best friends, along with Ron Weasley. Hermione is a first year student in Gryffindor with bushy brown hair, large teeth, and a bossy voice… read analysis of Hermione Granger

Albus Dumbledore

The Headmaster at Hogwarts. Dumbledore is an old wizard with a long white beard and half-moon-shaped glasses. He is revered in the wizarding world as one of the greatest wizards in the modern era. Throughout… read analysis of Albus Dumbledore

Voldemort / You-Know-Who

Voldemort is an evil wizard and the supreme antagonist of the series. Before Harry is born, Voldemort gains power and followers in the wizarding world, making people suspicious of each other and killing everyone who… read analysis of Voldemort / You-Know-Who

Professor Quirrell

Professor Quirrell is an antagonist in the novel and the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. Quirrell is a young, stuttering professor whom Harry first meets in Diagon Alley. When Harry sees Quirrell… read analysis of Professor Quirrell

Rubeus Hagrid

The groundskeeper at Hogwarts, Hagrid is an enormous wizard with thick black hair and a beard. He often uses an umbrella to do magic, despite the fact that he is not supposed to because he… read analysis of Rubeus Hagrid

Professor Snape

Professor Snape is the Potions teacher at Hogwarts and Head of Slytherin House. Snape has a hooked nose, greasy black hair, and sallow skin. He takes an instant dislike to Harry, which Quirrell later… read analysis of Professor Snape

Draco Malfoy

One of the antagonists in the novel, Draco Malfoy is classmate of Harry’s who quickly becomes his rival. Draco is in Slytherin House and can usually be seen flanked by his two friends Crabbe… read analysis of Draco Malfoy

Professor McGonagall

The Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts and the Head of Gryffindor House. Professor McGonagall is a tall woman with black hair, whom Harry describes as “strict and clever.” She can also transform herself into a cat… read analysis of Professor McGonagall

Neville Longbottom

A classmate of Harry’s and another first year student in Gryffindor. Neville is often portrayed as nervous, inept, or cowardly. Over the course of the book, he loses his beloved pet toad, he falls… read analysis of Neville Longbottom

Lily Potter

Harry’s mother and James’s wife. Harry is often described as having his mother’s eyes, which are bright green. Voldemort murdered Lily when Harry was just a baby. In sacrificing her own life in… read analysis of Lily Potter

James Potter

Harry’s father and Lily’s husband. Like Harry, James had black hair and a troublemaking streak when he was in school, aided by the fact that he was in possession of the Invisibility Cloak… read analysis of James Potter

Vernon Dursley

Harry’s uncle, Petunia’s husband, and Dudley’s father. Vernon and Petunia, both Muggles, pride themselves on leading very “normal” lives. Vernon and Petunia treat Harry horribly, while they spoil Dudley completely. Vernon… read analysis of Vernon Dursley

Dudley Dursley

Harry’s cousin and Vernon and Petunia’s son. Dudley is slightly older than Harry and is spoiled rotten by his parents. He gets anything he wants (whether that be food, presents, or a second… read analysis of Dudley Dursley

Petunia Dursley

Harry’s aunt, Vernon’s husband, and Dudley’s mother. Petunia is also Lily’s sister, and she has a deep resentment towards Lily, which carries over into her treatment of Harry. Thinking that wizards… read analysis of Petunia Dursley

Fred Weasley

One of Ron’s older brothers. Fred is the twin of George Weasley, and they are two years older than Harry and Ron. Their mother, Molly, has a hard time telling them apart… read analysis of Fred Weasley

George Weasley

One of Ron’s older brothers, and Fred Weasley’s twin. Fred and George are two years older than Harry and Ron and are on the Quidditch team with Harry. The twins’ mother, Molly… read analysis of George Weasley

Minor Characters

Nicolas Flamel

The creator of the Sorcerer’s Stone. Flamel has worked with Dumbledore on alchemy and entrusts him to protect the Stone when he discovers that Voldemort is after it. At the time of the novel, Flamel is 665 years old.

Molly Weasley

The mother of Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron. Molly kindly helps Harry find platform nine and three-quarters in order to get to the train to Hogwarts.

Oliver Wood

A fifth year student who is the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Wood teaches Harry how to play Quidditch.

Madam Hooch

The flying teacher at Hogwarts. Madam Hooch also referees some of Harry’s Quidditch matches.

Firenze

A centaur (half-man, half-horse) who lives in the Forbidden Forest. Firenze bravely saves Harry from a menacing hooded figure drinking the unicorn blood (later revealed to be Quirrell and Voldemort).

Charlie Weasley

The second eldest Weasley brother. His brothers are Bill, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron. Charlie works in Romania with dragons, and helps Ron, Harry, and Hermione with Hagrid’s illegal dragon by getting his friends to transport the dragon to Romania.

Argus Filch

The caretaker at Hogwarts, who takes a lot of pleasure in catching students making any trouble. He also has a cat, Mrs. Norris, who helps patrol the halls.

Nearly-Headless-Nick

One of the ghosts at Hogwarts, who earns this nickname because someone tried to behead him and didn’t cut his head off all the way.

Peeves

A poltergeist who likes to make trouble in the hallways, often throwing objects at the students or pointing them in the wrong direction to classrooms.

Percy Weasley

Ron’s third eldest brother, who is in his fifth year at Hogwarts. Percy’s brothers are Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron. Percy is a prefect for Gryffindor.

Crabbe

A Slytherin who is one of Draco Malfoy’s best friends and henchmen, along with Goyle.

Goyle

A Slytherin who is one of Draco Malfoy’s best friends and henchmen, along with Crabbe.

Seamus Finnigan

A classmate of Harry’s, who is also a first year in Gryffindor.

Ollivander

A wandmaker in Diagon Alley who sells Harry his wand.

Bill Weasley

Ron’s eldest brother who works in Africa for Gringotts. Bill’s brothers are Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron.

Bane

A centaur who lives in the forbidden forest. He is more hostile to the idea of allying with humans than Firenze is.

Ronan

A centaur who lives in the forbidden forest. He is more hostile to the idea of allying with humans than Firenze is.

Professor Flitwick

The charms professor at Hogwarts, and the head of house of Ravenclaw.