"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001)
On Harry's 11th birthday, he discovers he's a wizard. So were his parents, who were killed by the evil wizard Voldemort. Harry enters Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and becomes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger -- and a foe of Professor Severus Snape and arrogant student Draco Malfoy. Harry battles Voldemort for the Sorcerer's Stone -- a magical object that extends life.
"HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS" (2002) Ø
Dobby, a house elf, warns Harry against returning to Hogwarts, where he, Ron and Hermione discover that a giant snake called a Basilisk is stalking the castle and attacking students. Ron's younger sister, Ginny, is taken by the Basilisk and the trio must find the Chamber of Secrets to rescue her.
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004)
Harry learns he's in danger from a notorious fugitive. But the wrongly convicted Sirius Black actually is Harry's godfather. A new teacher, Remus Lupin, rescues Harry and helps him develop a Patronus, an apparition to fend off the ghostly Dementors. Harry and Sirius discover that Ron's pet rat is really Peter Pettigrew, a Voldemort ally who betrayed Harry's parents.
"HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE" (2005)
Hogwarts hosts the yearlong Triwizard Tournament against students from two other wizarding schools. One student from each school is chosen by the Goblet of Fire to compete, but the cup tosses out a fourth name: Harry Potter. Voldemort's lackeys, the Death Eaters, are making themselves known.
"HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX" (2007) Ø
Harry, Ron and Hermione learn that Snape is a double agent -- although it is unclear which side holds his true loyalty. Inspired by the Order of the Phoenix, who fought against Voldemort, they form Dumbledore's Army. They train in secret to learn magical defensive techniques and fight the Death Eaters.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009)
Snape makes an unbreakable vow to protect Draco, who has been given a task by Voldemort: Kill Dumbledore. Harry learns that Voldemort has tried to make himself immortal by splitting his soul into seven pieces; he and Dumbledore fight their way through an enchanted cave to retrieve one of them. Back at Hogwarts, a weakened Dumbledore encounters Draco. When the boy falters, Snape kills the headmaster.
MERRIE LEININGER, MCCLATCHY NEWS SERVICE
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