With the launch of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Pottermania has resurfaced gloriously once more across the world. The book was launched across shops in the UAE at 3am on Harry’s birthday, July 31, also the birthday of author J.K. Rowling. Here’s a look back at the entire series to keep you up-to-date with the world of the boy who lived.
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997)
The first instalment of the cult classic introduces readers to the magical world that exists in secret besides the non-magical (muggle) one. We’re also introduced to Harry (a young boy who lost his parents at the hands of his arch-nemesis, Lord Voldemort) and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Harry is a celebrity in the magical world, and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he learns how to fly, brew potions and transfigure objects — and that Voldemort is still alive, yearning for revenge.
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
12-year-old Harry returns to Hogwarts after a terrible summer spent with his guardians, the abominable Dursleys, from which he has been rescued by Ron in a flying car. Upon returning to school, they soon find out about a great danger lurking within the walls of the old castle. Harry faces, and thwarts, Voldemort’s attempts to rise again.
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
A dangerous mass-murderer (Sirius Black) has escaped from the high-security magical prison of Azkaban, and is being hunted. On the train to Hogwarts, Harry comes face-to-face with the prison’s fearsome guards, the Dementors, and finds he is particularly susceptible to their powers. It’s a year tinged with danger and mystery, and some terrible secrets are revealed.
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
Harry watches the final of the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasleys and Hermione, but the celebrations are cut short as a Dark Mark is cast in the night sky, signifying the rise of Voldemort. Harry returns for his fourth year to find that Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament, a contest between the three largest European schools of magic. The contest ends on a tragic note, Harry narrowly avoids death, and he witnesses Voldemort rise to physical form once more.
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
Fear begins to plague the magical world. The Order of the Phoenix reassembles in secret to battle Voldemort and his forces, who are still underground, just as they did years ago. Meanwhile, Hogwarts is taken over by the spiteful Dolores Umbridge. After a devastating climax, Harry learns more about himself and his destiny.
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
The paranoia in the magical world now begins to affect the ordinary one, too. Harry is concerned about the deteriorating health of his headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, who is consistently preparing him for his fight against Voldemort. Ultimately, Hogwarts is infiltrated, and taken over by Voldemort’s forces (the Death Eaters).
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
In the final instalment of the series, Harry, Ron and Hermione decide not to return to school in their quest to ultimately defeat Voldemort. The strength of their friendship is tested as they live in hiding (they’re all wanted by the new Death Eater-led government) and work their way towards defeating Voldemort. Many lives are lost along the way. The thrilling ending and the following epilogue set the basis for the stage play and the just-released book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
8. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016)
The newest addition to the Potter-verse is a stage play and a book version of the script, and takes the story forward 19 years after the climactic events of the Battle of Hogwarts. The central character is now Harry’s second child Albus Severus Potter, who is heading to Hogwarts and seems to be destined for a life as fraught with danger as his father.
— Sayema Wasi is an intern at Gulf News.
