Unbeknownst to Harry, and to much of the wizarding world in general,

Voldemort is planning a return to power. Although at first feeble and living as a

parasite in a follower’s body, Voldemort makes attempts on Harry’s life
beginning in the first book and continuing throughout the series. In the fourth
volume, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000), Voldemort regains his body
and former strength through a magic ritual, and thereafter his army greatly
increases in number. Harry and those who side with him—including some of
his teachers, several classmates, and other members of the wizarding
community—are forced on multiple occasions to battle Voldemort and his
disciples, including the Malfoy family. The epic saga culminates with Harry
accepting his role as the iconic “boy who lived” and facing almost certain death
in the struggle against the evil wizard. With help from those who love him and
believe in him, he is able to emerge victorious.

Harry’s story continued in the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which
premiered in 2016. In the production, which was based on a story cowritten by
Rowling, Harry is married to Ginny Weasley, and they are the parents of James
Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna. Although working for the Ministry of
Magic, Harry continues to struggle with his past, while Albus must contend
with his father’s legacy.

Influence
The Harry Potter series proved incredibly popular with both children and adults
worldwide. All the books were best sellers, available in more than 200
countries and some 60 languages. The phenomenon introduced new terms—
such as a new definition for the word muggle, a person who possesses no
magical powers—into the common lexicon. The books were transformed into a
blockbuster series of eight films (the final book, some 750 pages long, was
adapted into two films) released over 10 years, which grossed more than $7
billion worldwide. Together, the book and movie series spawned a huge
amount of related merchandise, and in 2010 a theme park inspired by the
franchise opened in the United States.

Books in the Harry Potter series