======James Potter======
=====Introduction=====
James Potter was a [[pure-blood]] [[wizard]], the husband of [[Lily Potter]], and the father of [[Harry Potter]]. A key member of the original [[Order of the Phoenix]], he fought bravely against [[Lord Voldemort]] during the [[First Wizarding War]]. He was murdered by Voldemort on 31 October 1981 while defending his infant son. Posthumously, James is a significant figure in the series, primarily seen through memories and the accounts of others. His legacy is complex; he is remembered as a heroic, brilliant, and loyal friend, but also as an arrogant and cruel bully during his youth, a duality that his son [[Harry Potter]] must confront and understand.
=====Biography=====
====Early Life====
James was born on 27 March 1960, the only child of wealthy, elderly [[pure-blood]] parents. He was much doted on, which some, like [[Severus Snape]], believed contributed to his arrogance. His family was affluent enough to take in his best friend, [[Sirius Black]], after [[Sirius]] ran away from his own family at age sixteen. James's parents died of [[dragon pox]] sometime between his graduation from [[Hogwarts]] in 1978 and his own death in 1981.
====Hogwarts Years====
James attended [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] from 1971 to 1978 and was sorted into [[Gryffindor]] house. He quickly became best friends with [[Sirius Black]], [[Remus Lupin]], and [[Peter Pettigrew]]. The four friends became known as the [[Marauders]] and were notorious for their rule-breaking and talent for mischief. James was an exceptionally bright student and a gifted [[Chaser]] on the [[Gryffindor]] [[Quidditch]] team.
To support their friend [[Remus Lupin]], who was a [[werewolf]], James, [[Sirius]], and [[Peter]] secretly and illegally became [[Animagi]]. James's [[Animagus]] form was a stag, earning him the nickname "Prongs." Together, the four created the [[Marauder's Map]], a highly advanced magical document that showed the location of everyone within [[Hogwarts]] castle.
Throughout his school years, James harbored a deep animosity towards his [[Slytherin]] contemporary, [[Severus Snape]], frequently hexing and bullying him. He also relentlessly pursued [[Lily Evans]], who initially rebuffed his advances due to his arrogance. By their seventh year, James had matured considerably, stopped hexing [[Snape]], and was made [[Head Boy]]. He and [[Lily]] began dating and fell in love.
====First Wizarding War and Death====
After graduating from [[Hogwarts]], James married [[Lily]] and joined the [[Order of the Phoenix]] to fight against [[Lord Voldemort]]. He and [[Lily]] defied Voldemort on three separate occasions. Upon learning of a [[prophecy]] that foretold their son could vanquish the [[Dark Lord]], the Potters went into hiding in [[Godric's Hollow]] under the protection of the [[Fidelius Charm]]. On the advice of [[Sirius Black]], they made [[Peter Pettigrew]] their Secret-Keeper, believing he would be an unsuspected choice.
However, [[Pettigrew]] was a spy for Voldemort and betrayed their location. On Hallowe'en night in 1981, Voldemort arrived at their home. James, caught without his [[wand]], urged [[Lily]] to take [[Harry]] and run, before confronting Voldemort himself. He was killed instantly by the [[Killing Curse]]. His spirit later appeared from Voldemort's [[wand]] during [[Priori Incantatem]] in the [[Little Hangleton]] graveyard, offering encouragement to [[Harry]]. He appeared a final time, alongside [[Lily]], [[Sirius]], and [[Remus]], when [[Harry]] used the [[Resurrection Stone]] before his own walk into the [[Forbidden Forest]].
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
James was described as tall and thin, with the same untidy black hair as his son that stuck up at the back. He had hazel eyes and wore glasses.
His personality was multifaceted. To his friends, he was fiercely loyal, brave, and deeply charismatic. He was willing to break major rules and undertake advanced [[magic]] to help [[Remus Lupin]] with his lycanthropy. As an adult, he was a courageous fighter against Voldemort and a loving husband and father. However, during his school years, he was also undeniably arrogant, a show-off, and often cruel, particularly in his relentless bullying of [[Severus Snape]]. This flawed aspect of his character is a source of great internal conflict for [[Harry]] when he witnesses "Snape's Worst Memory" in the [[Pensieve]].
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
  * **Exceptional Magical Talent:** James was known as one of the cleverest students of his time at [[Hogwarts]].
  * **[[Transfiguration]]:** His skill in [[Transfiguration]] was particularly noteworthy, as evidenced by his mastery of the incredibly difficult process of becoming an [[Animagus]] at a young age.
  * **[[Charms]]:** He was a co-creator of the [[Marauder's Map]], a testament to his advanced abilities in [[Charms]].
  * **[[Patronus Charm]]:** His [[Patronus]] took the form of a stag, the same as his [[Animagus]] form. This stag complemented [[Lily Potter]]'s doe [[Patronus]].
  * **[[Dueling]]:** As a member of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] who had defied Voldemort three times, James was a highly capable duelist.
  * **[[Quidditch]]:** He was a talented [[Chaser]] for the [[Gryffindor]] [[Quidditch]] team.
  * **[[Wand]]:** His [[wand]] was eleven inches, mahogany, and pliable. It was described as being excellent for [[Transfiguration]] (Pottermore).
=====Possessions=====
  * **[[Invisibility Cloak]]:** An authentic [[Cloak of Invisibility]] and one of the three [[Deathly Hallows]]. It was a Potter family heirloom that James passed down to [[Harry]] via [[Albus Dumbledore]].
  * **[[Marauder's Map]]:** The magical map of [[Hogwarts]] he co-created with his friends. It was later acquired by [[Fred and George Weasley]] and given to [[Harry]].
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Lily Potter]]:** His wife, for whom he held a deep and enduring love. Though she initially disliked him, his maturity won her over, and they shared a loving marriage.
  * **[[Harry Potter]]:** His son. James's sacrifice was instrumental in [[Harry]]'s survival. He serves as an idealized and inspirational, yet complicated, father figure for [[Harry]] throughout his life.
  * **[[Sirius Black]]:** His best friend and chosen brother. Their bond was exceptionally close, and [[Sirius]] was named [[Harry]]'s godfather.
  * **[[Remus Lupin]]:** A dear friend whom James supported unconditionally through his lycanthropy.
  * **[[Peter Pettigrew]]:** A friend whom James trusted with his life, only to be betrayed by him.
  * **[[Severus Snape]]:** His bitter rival at [[Hogwarts]]. James's bullying of [[Snape]] fuelled a lifelong hatred that profoundly impacted [[Harry]]'s school life and [[Snape]]'s own choices.
=====Etymology=====
  * **James:** A classic Hebrew name, via Greek and Latin, meaning "supplanter." It is a traditional and common name, which may serve to ground the character.
  * **Potter:** An English occupational surname for one who makes pottery. This surname can evoke the idea of creating or "molding" things. It is also linked to the term "Potter's Field," a burial ground for the unknown, which could be an allusion to the family's near-extinction and tragic fate.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptations of the series, James Potter is portrayed by Adrian Rawlins as an adult and by Robbie Jarvis as a teenager.
  * J.K. Rowling revealed on Pottermore that James's parents were named Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. They had him late in life and both succumbed to [[dragon pox]] before [[Harry]] was born, explaining their absence in the story.
  * The Potter family is descended from the Peverell brothers, specifically Ignotus Peverell, the original owner of the [[Invisibility Cloak]] (J.K. Rowling interview).