The Harry Potter books have captivated thousands of people throughout the years, from children to adults, and for good reason. The books are extremely well-written, crafting an imaginative, breathing universe and telling a rich, complex, touching story.

But what J.K. Rowling does better than anything is develop the characters, making it possible to relate to them. Even though the characters are magical, there are some basic aspects about human nature that tie them and us together.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Harry Potter series, the very basic plot is this: This dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, who has been gaining in strength for years, tries to kill a baby boy, Harry Potter. He succeeds in killing Harry’s parents, but the killing curse backfired when aimed at Harry and puts an end to Voldemort instead. Harry escapes with only a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.

Harry goes to live with his aunt and uncle (who both despise him) until he is informed that he is, in fact, a wizard. Thus Harry begins school – Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

It is soon discovered, however, that Voldemort has begun to regain power, and Harry is determined to put an end to him. At the same time, however, Voldemort is intent on getting revenge on Harry.

Although the plot is driven by fantasy, the characters have uniquely human qualities, so you can usually relate to how each of the characters are feeling at a particular moment, just by drawing from your past experiences.

Anyone who reads the books can instantly relate to what connects all of the main characters together; love, loyalty, hatred, friendship and courage. Because the situations are so easy to relate to, you will often find yourself jittery with excitement, warm with happiness, or bitter with anger and resentment.

There are characters that become consumed with the desire to wield the ultimate power. There are those that will stand in the face of death to protect their friends, and those that would sacrifice everything for the person they love above all else.

To sum it up, what makes the characters so special is Rowling’s ability to get the reader so wrapped up and involved in what is going on that it feels as though you are sneaking through the (hopefully) empty halls at night with Harry, or frantically flipping through the pages in a book beside Hermione in the grand library, or disappointed when you awake on Christmas morning only to receive one of the Weasley hand-knitted sweaters.

Hogwarts Castle and the surrounding lands become a second home, not only to Harry, Ron and Hermione, but the reader as well. Students gather in the Great Hall, which is always ornately decorated with dazzling displays, for meals and special occasions. The house dormitories and the wide, the lake-side lawn offers friends a relaxing place to talk and hang-out. And for the adventurous daredevils, there are numerous hidden rooms and secret passageways scattered throughout the expansive castle. Ghosts of wizards past even linger along the walkways, some looking to cause mischief, others eager to help students.

These books are so entertaining because Rowling masterfully paints pictures of Hogwarts and the surrounding lands so that the reader can clearly visualize and even become a part of them.

When I read a Harry Potter book, I am no longer lying in my bed. I am walking the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, strolling past the Old English-style stores and gazing longingly at the newest broomstick on display in a store window, or I am in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express, buried under all of the sweets I previously bought from the trolley lady, brimming with excitement as I see the great castle steadily being brought into view. Or else I am chatting merrily with my two best friends as we leisurely stroll across the wind-swept lawn to Hagrid’s hut.

Even though many of the items found in the world of Harry Potter couldn’t really exist outside of it, such as an invisibility cloak (you’d be surprised at just how mischievous one can be when in possession of one of these) or a mirror that lets you see what you most deeply desire, they are used in such ways that we can relate. For example, sneaking around to places we aren’t supposed to be or losing ourselves to chasing wild fantasies. This, along with the believability and humanity of the characters is, in my opinion, what makes Harry Potter so special.

——————Quotes——————-“‘Are you sure that’s a real spell?’ said the girl. ‘Well, it’s not very good, is it? I’ve tried a few simple spells just for practice and it’s all worked for me. Nobody in my family’s magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it’s the very best school of witchcraft there is, I’ve heard-I’ve learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough-I’m Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?'” (Book one, page 105-106)

“‘Ah, music,’ he (Dumbledore) said, wiping his eyes. ‘A magic beyond all we do here!'” (Book one, page 128)

“There were a hundred and forty-two staircases at Hogwarts: wide, sweeping ones; narrow, rickety ones; some that led somewhere different on a Friday; some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump. Then there were doors that wouldn’t open unless you asked politely, or tickled them in exactly the right place, and doors that weren’t really doors at all, but solid walls just pretending… The people in the portraits kept going to visit each other, and Harry was sure the coats of armor could walk.” (Book one, page 131-132)

“‘Do I look stupid?’ snarled Uncle Vernon, a bit of fried egg dangling from his bushy mustache.” (Book 2, page 1)

“I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed – or worse, expelled. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.” (Hermione, book ?)

[Hermione] “Aren’t you two ever going to read Hogwarts: A History?””What’s the point? You know it all by heart, we can just ask you.” (Ron)

“Accio Brain!” (Ron)

“Well, we were always going to fail that one,” said Ron gloomily as they ascended the marble staircase. He had just made Harry feel rather better by telling him how he told the examiner in detail about the ugly man with a wart on his nose in the crystal ball, only to look up and realize he had been describing the examiner’s reflection. (Ron)

“So top grade’s O for ‘Outstanding,'” she [Hermione] was saying, “and then there’s A-” “No, E,” George corrected her, “E for ‘Exceeds Expectations.’ And I’ve always thought Fred and I should’ve got E in everything, because we exceeded expectations just by turning up for the exams.” (George).

“They don’t know we’re not allowed to use magic at home. I’m going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer…” (Harry)

“I realized I can’t shut myself away or crack up. It could be me next, couldn’t it? But if it is, I’ll make sure I take as many Death Eaters with me as I can and Voldemort too, if I can manage it.” (Harry)