The Potter Family

The Potter family is an ancient and respected wizarding family, though they were excluded from the Sacred Twenty-Eight due to their pro-Muggle stance and what was considered a common Muggle surname. The family is noted for its significant wealth, its direct lineage to the Peverell brothers, and its steadfast opposition to Lord Voldemort and the Dark Arts. The most famous member, Harry Potter, was instrumental in the defeat of Lord Voldemort during the Second Wizarding War.

The Potter family descends from the 12th-century wizard Linfred of Stinchcombe, a locally well-beloved and eccentric man whose nickname, 'the Potterer', became corrupted over time to 'Potter' (Pottermore). Linfred was the originator of several remedies that evolved into potions still used in the modern era, including Skele-Gro and the Pepperup Potion. Sales of these cures were the foundation of the family's considerable fortune (Pottermore). The family's lineage was directly linked to the Deathly Hallows when Linfred's eldest son, Hardwin Potter, married Iolanthe Peverell of Godric's Hollow. Iolanthe was the granddaughter of Ignotus Peverell, the original owner of the Invisibility Cloak. As the eldest in her generation and with no male heirs in her direct line, she inherited the Cloak, which subsequently became a Potter family heirloom passed down through the eldest of each new generation (Pottermore).

In the early 20th century, Henry Potter (known as 'Harry' to friends) served on the Wizengamot and caused a stir when he publicly condemned the then Minister for Magic for forbidding the magical community to help Muggles during the First World War (Pottermore). Henry's son, Fleamont Potter, quadrupled the family's wealth by creating the magical Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. He and his wife, Euphemia, had given up hope of having a child when, to their shock and delight, Euphemia became pregnant with their son, James Potter. Both Fleamont and Euphemia lived to see James marry Lily Evans, but they died of Dragon Pox before the birth of their grandson, Harry Potter (Pottermore).

James Potter and his wife Lily Potter were members of the original Order of the Phoenix, a secret society founded by Albus Dumbledore to fight Lord Voldemort. They defied the Dark Lord on three separate occasions. After learning of a prophecy that foretold their son, Harry Potter, would have the power to vanquish Voldemort, the family went into hiding in Godric's Hollow under the protection of the Fidelius Charm. Their Secret-Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, betrayed them to Voldemort. On 31 October 1981, Voldemort attacked their home, murdering James and Lily. However, Lily's loving sacrifice invoked an ancient and powerful protective magic, causing Voldemort's Killing Curse to rebound upon himself, leaving the infant Harry with only a lightning-bolt scar.

Harry Potter, the last known Potter, was raised by his Muggle relatives, the Dursley family. He became the central figure in the Second Wizarding War, ultimately destroying Voldemort's Horcruxes and defeating him at the Battle of Hogwarts. After the war, Harry married Ginny Weasley, ensuring the continuation of the Potter family line. They had three children: James Sirius Potter, Albus Severus Potter, and Lily Luna Potter.

• Linfred of Stinchcombe: The 12th-century progenitor of the family, a skilled potioneer (Pottermore).
• Ignotus Peverell: Ancestor of the family through his granddaughter's marriage; original owner of the Invisibility Cloak.
• James Potter: A gifted wizard, Gryffindor Chaser, and member of the Order of the Phoenix. Murdered by Lord Voldemort.
• Lily Potter (née Evans): A brilliant witch, Head Girl at Hogwarts, and member of the Order of the Phoenix. Her sacrifice protected her son Harry.
• Harry Potter: The “Boy Who Lived”. The main protagonist of the series, famous for defeating Lord Voldemort. Head of the Auror Office at the Ministry of Magic as an adult (J.K. Rowling interview).
• James Sirius Potter: Eldest child of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley.
• Albus Severus Potter: Second child of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley.
• Lily Luna Potter: Youngest child and only daughter of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley.

The Potters are known for certain recurring traits. Physically, messy black hair is a hallmark of the male line, as seen in both James Potter and Harry Potter. A tendency for poor eyesight requiring glasses is also present. In terms of personality and reputation, the family is strongly associated with Gryffindor house and its values of courage and daring. They have a history of fighting for what is right, often in defiance of authority, and possess a strong moral compass. Their willingness to marry Muggles, Muggle-borns, and associate with non-magical people led to their exclusion from the purist Sacred Twenty-Eight directory.

• Invisibility Cloak: The family's most prized possession. A true Deathly Hallow passed down from Ignotus Peverell, it offers perfect and permanent concealment.
• Potter family vault: Vault 687 at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, which contained a large pile of gold Galleons, silver Sickles, and bronze Knuts inherited by Harry Potter from his parents.
• Sleekeazy's Hair Potion: A magical hair-care product invented by Fleamont Potter that significantly added to the family's fortune (Pottermore).

'Potter' is an English occupational surname for a maker of pottery. This mundane origin is one of the reasons the family was looked down upon by pure-blood purists like the Malfoy family. J.K. Rowling has stated that she named the family after childhood friends and neighbours, Ian and Vikki Potter, a name she always liked (J.K. Rowling interview).

Much of the detailed history of the Potter family prior to James Potter was revealed by J.K. Rowling in a series of writings on the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World). In the film adaptations, the ghostly apparitions of James Potter and Lily Potter that emerge from Voldemort's wand during Priori Incantatem are depicted as they were at the age of their death, rather than appearing older as they do in the book.