Harry Potter is the protagonist of the book and the hero of the eponymous series. Orphaned when he was a year old, Harry was brought up by his Muggle aunt and her family, the Dursleys, until he turned 11 years old and received his acceptance to Hogwarts; in the process, he discovered that he is a wizard. A lightning-shaped scar on Harry’s forehead marks him as the only person ever to have survived Voldemort’s attempts to kill him, a feat that made him famous in the wizarding world as an infant. Harry is now 16 years old, about to begin his sixth year at Hogwarts as the story commences.

In keeping with the character of a quintessential hero, Harry is brave and determined. He is aware that his future contains a fight to the death with Voldemort, as foretold by a prophecy. Rather than fearing or being anxious about this, Harry prepares for this outcome in all the ways he can, determined to vanquish Voldemort or die trying. Thus, he awaits his lessons with Dumbledore with great eagerness and curiosity and welcomes the opportunity to accompany the Headmaster to destroy the Horcrux when it is found, despite Dumbledore warning him that it will be a dangerous endeavor.