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The Potter Family

Introduction

The Potter family is an old and respected wizarding family, though not part of the Sacred Twenty-Eight due to their pro-Muggle sentiments. Originally a Pure-blood line, the family has included many Half-blood and Muggle-born members through marriage. They are most famous for their direct connection to the Peverell brothers, their ownership of the Invisibility Cloak of the Deathly Hallows, and their repeated defiance of Lord Voldemort. The family's most famous member is Harry Potter, who was instrumental in the final defeat of Voldemort, a legacy built upon the sacrifice of his parents, James Potter I and Lily Potter.

Family History

The Potter lineage can be traced back to the 12th-century wizard Linfred of Stinchcombe, a well-liked and eccentric man whose nickname, “the Potterer,” was eventually corrupted into “Potter” (Pottermore). Linfred was the inventor of several famous remedies that evolved into modern potions, including Skele-Gro and the Pepperup Potion, which formed the basis of the family's fortune (Pottermore). The family's history became intertwined with one of the most significant legends in the wizarding world when Hardwin Potter married Iolanthe Peverell (Pottermore). Iolanthe was the granddaughter of Ignotus Peverell, the original owner of the Invisibility Cloak. As Ignotus had no male heirs, Iolanthe, his eldest granddaughter, inherited the Cloak. Upon her marriage, it became a Potter family heirloom, passed down to the eldest son in each subsequent generation (Pottermore). Over the centuries, the Potters continued to be a notable family. One member, Henry Potter (known as Harry to his friends), served on the Wizengamot from 1913 to 1921 (Pottermore). He was a vocal critic of the then-Minister for Magic for forbidding the magical community from assisting Muggles during the First World War. This public stance contributed to the family's exclusion from the Sacred Twenty-Eight list of “true” Pure-blood families (Pottermore). In the 20th century, Fleamont Potter, Henry's son, quadrupled the family's wealth by creating the magical Sleekeazy's Hair Potion (Pottermore). He and his wife, Euphemia, had their only son, James Potter I, late in life. They lived to see James marry the Muggle-born witch Lily Evans, but tragically died of dragon pox before the birth of their grandson, Harry Potter (Pottermore). James and Lily Potter were key members of the original Order of the Phoenix during the First Wizarding War. They defied Lord Voldemort on three separate occasions. After being betrayed by Peter Pettigrew, they were murdered by Voldemort in their home in Godric's Hollow on 31 October 1981. Lily's sacrificial death created a powerful magical protection over her infant son, Harry, causing Voldemort's Killing Curse to rebound. This event left Harry Potter as the last known Potter. He was raised by his Muggle relatives, the Dursley family, and went on to fulfill the prophecy by defeating Lord Voldemort. After the Second Wizarding War, Harry married Ginny Weasley, ensuring the continuation of the Potter family line. Together, they had three children: James Sirius Potter, Albus Severus Potter, and Lily Luna Potter.

Family Traits and Legacy

  • Physical Appearance: A distinctive and recurring trait in the Potter family is untidy black hair that resists any attempts to flatten it. This is seen in James Potter I, Harry Potter, and his eldest son, James Sirius Potter. Many Potters, including Harry and James, also required glasses.
  • Personality: The Potters are often characterized by their bravery, moral conviction, and a tendency to stand up for what is right, even at great personal cost. They are frequently sorted into Gryffindor house at Hogwarts. This legacy of defiance can be seen in Henry Potter's condemnation of the Ministry of Magic, James Potter's fight against Voldemort, and Harry Potter's entire life story.
  • Blood Status: Though descended from a long line of wizards, the Potters were never obsessed with Pure-blood status. They willingly married neighbours, Muggles, and Muggle-borns, leading to their name being considered a “common” one and their exclusion from the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
  • Legacy: The family's most significant legacy is the defeat of Lord Voldemort, achieved through the sacrifices of Lily and James and the actions of their son, Harry. They are also remembered as the guardians of the Invisibility Cloak, one of the three Deathly Hallows.

Notable Members

Family Possessions

  • Invisibility Cloak: One of the three Deathly Hallows, this cloak renders the wearer completely invisible and is immune to most revealing spells. It has been passed down through the Potter family for centuries.
  • Potter Family Vault: Vault 687 at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, which contained the considerable fortune left to Harry Potter by his parents.
  • Sleekeazy's Hair Potion: The formula for this popular hair-styling potion, which was a major source of the family's wealth (Pottermore).

Etymology

The surname “Potter” is a common English occupational name for a maker of pottery. Within the wizarding world, the name originates from the nickname of Linfred of Stinchcombe, “the Potterer,” because of his love for pottering about in his garden (Pottermore).

Behind the Scenes

Much of the detailed history of the Potter family prior to James Potter was revealed by J.K. Rowling on the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World). She clarified that while they were an old family, their pro-Muggle stance and “common” surname meant they were not considered part of the wizarding aristocracy like the Malfoys or Blacks. In the film adaptations, the ghostly apparitions of James Potter I and Lily Potter that emerge from Voldemort's wand during the Priori Incantatem event in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are portrayed by actors who are visibly middle-aged. This contrasts with the books, where James and Lily were only 21 years old when they died.