Lily Potter (née Evans) was a Muggle-born witch, the wife of James Potter, and the mother of Harry Potter. A member of the original Order of the Phoenix, she was an exceptionally gifted witch known for her kindness, bravery, and talent in Potions and Charms. Her ultimate significance in the wizarding world is defined by her final act: a loving self-sacrifice to protect her infant son from Lord Voldemort. This act of ancient magic created a powerful, lingering protection over Harry that became the cornerstone of Voldemort's first defeat and Harry's continued survival.
Lily was born on 30 January 1960 to Mr. and Mrs. Evans, a Muggle couple. She grew up in Cokeworth with her older sister, Petunia Dursley (née Evans). Lily's magical abilities manifested early in her childhood, causing both wonder and friction within her family. Her sister Petunia, unable to replicate these feats, grew resentful and eventually estranged. During her childhood, she met a neighbourhood boy, Severus Snape, who recognized her as a witch and became her first friend from the magical world. He eagerly explained the existence of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and other magical concepts to her. Their friendship blossomed, though it was a source of conflict with Petunia, who distrusted Snape. Lily received her Hogwarts letter and began her education at the age of eleven.
At Hogwarts, Lily was sorted into Gryffindor House, while her friend Severus Snape was placed in Slytherin House. She quickly proved to be an outstanding student, particularly in Potions, where her intuitive talent made her a favourite of Professor Slughorn and a member of his elite Slug Club. She also excelled at Charms. Throughout her school years, she maintained her friendship with Snape, though it became strained due to his growing fascination with the Dark Arts and his association with students who would later become Death Eaters. She openly disapproved of his behaviour and the company he kept. During this time, she was frequently the target of romantic interest from James Potter, a popular and talented but arrogant Gryffindor peer. She consistently rejected his advances, largely due to his bullying of other students, especially Snape. The friendship between Lily and Snape ended permanently near the end of their fifth year. After being humiliated by James and Sirius Black, a furious Snape unthinkingly called Lily a “Mudblood” when she came to his defence. Despite his later apologies, Lily could not forgive the slur or his continued embrace of dark magic, and she severed their friendship. In her seventh year, Lily was appointed Head Girl. By this time, James Potter had matured considerably and abandoned his arrogance. Lily began to see a different side of him, and they fell in love, beginning a relationship that would lead to marriage.
After graduating from Hogwarts, Lily married James Potter. They joined the Order of the Phoenix, a secret society founded by Albus Dumbledore to fight Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters during the First Wizarding War. Together, they defied the Dark Lord on three separate occasions. When a prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney identified Lily's soon-to-be-born son as the one with the power to vanquish Voldemort, the Potters became a primary target. On Dumbledore's advice, they went into hiding in the village of Godric's Hollow, protected by the Fidelius Charm. They chose their friend Peter Pettigrew to be their Secret-Keeper. On 31 October 1981, Pettigrew betrayed them, revealing their location to Lord Voldemort. Voldemort arrived at their home, killing James first as he tried to buy his family time. Voldemort then confronted Lily in Harry's nursery. At the secret request of Severus Snape, who still loved her, Voldemort offered Lily the chance to stand aside and save herself. She refused, shielding her son and begging Voldemort to kill her instead. By willingly sacrificing her life for Harry when she had a choice to live, she invoked a powerful and ancient form of protective magic. When Voldemort then cast the Killing Curse on the infant Harry Potter, the curse rebounded off Lily's magical shield, destroying Voldemort's physical body and leaving Harry with only a lightning-bolt scar.
Lily was described as an exceptionally beautiful woman. She had thick, dark red hair and strikingly bright green, almond-shaped eyes. Her eyes were her most defining feature, and Harry Potter inherited them. She was renowned for her kindness, compassion, and moral courage. Professor Slughorn noted she was vivacious and charming, while Remus Lupin described her as having a knack for seeing the good in others, even when they could not see it themselves. This kindness, however, was balanced by a firm and spirited nature. She was not afraid to stand up to people she felt were in the wrong, as demonstrated by her frequent confrontations with James Potter and Sirius Black over their bullying. Her bravery was unquestionable; she was an active member of the Order of the Phoenix and ultimately faced down Lord Voldemort himself, sacrificing her life without hesitation.