The Harry Potter series is filled with overarching storylines and subplots that help build out the wizarding world and contribute to world-building. However, in each installment of the series, there are storylines that are set apart from the rest as being the most prominent of that novel or movie or the most significant in regard to the series as a whole. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone needed to set a foundation for what the franchise would grow into. Without a solid understanding of what to expect from the wizarding world immediately, the series could have floundered later on as the world shifted into a much darker portrayal.

The following novels and movies continued to grow out the expanding world Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone had put in place. However, it also expanded it to help fill in the blanks of the past or emphasize the beginning of massive change. Although Voldemort’s resurrection only occurs toward the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, it is teased throughout the story that Voldemort will be essential to the plot, and his return is the start of the following and much darker chapter in Harry and his friends’ lives.

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7 Sorcerer’s Stone: Introduction To The Wizarding World

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Had the first installment not done a solid job setting up the wizarding world, perhaps audiences may not have latched onto it so tightly, even years after the novels and movies have finished. Hagrid’s reveal that Harry is a wizard sparks his journey to Diagon Alley and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the book, the political state is a little more clear as Hagrid describes the Minister for Magic to Harry. However, it is a small moment compared to Harry receiving his wand, reaching the Hogwarts Express, and his introduction to the school.

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone also has the job of teasing Harry’s history with Voldemort, explaining that Harry is the only person to survive the killing curse. Harry’s fame is acknowledged as is the beginning of grasping the Hogwarts houses and the significance of blood status.

6 Chamber of Secrets: Harry Speaks Parseltongue

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When Harry speaks to a snake at the zoo, it is played off quickly as something he can do because he is a wizard. It is a moment played for laughs as Dudley gets the short end of the stick when the glass pulls a brief disappearing act. But, in Chamber of Secrets, it becomes clear fast that this is no ordinary ability. Speaking Parseltongue is not something everyone can do. Practically no one is known for it other than Salazar Slytherin and Voldemort.

Harry’s ability to speak the language does give him an advantage over the Basilisk. It is also the key to entering the Chamber of Secrets to save Ginny and kill the snake, as well as unknowingly destroying the Horcrux that Voldemort placed in his diary.

5 Prisoner of Azkaban: Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew

Finally, Harry catches a break from back-to-back years of confronting Voldemort. However, when Harry discovers Voldemort’s Death Eater, Sirius Black, is after him, it already sets up another, not-average school year. However, throughout Prisoner of Azkaban, specific details seem to pop up, such as Sirius going to Azkaban for betraying James and Lily and how he had killed Peter Pettigrew during a confrontation that resulted in twelve dead muggles. However, Prisoner of Azkaban later reveals many of these details were false while explaining the connection between Sirius, Peter, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin.

By revealing Sirius, Remus, and Peter’s friendship with James and explaining that Peter had been the traitor, not Sirius, it fills in more significant gaps about the mystery of James and Lily’s past. The result of the installment’s end gives Harry deeper connections to Sirius and Remus, and his decision to save Peter’s life returns to save his and Ron’s lives in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when Harry calls in the debt.

4 Goblet of Fire: Voldemort’s Resurrection

The extent of Voldemort’s plan is not revealed until Harry and Cedric appear in the graveyard. Although Harry had gotten snippets of Voldemort throughout the year, this is finally the moment everything comes together. Voldemort’s resurrection requires Harry’s blood, which would be a crucial detail later.

However, it is also the turning point for a massive tone shift in the series in the shorter term. Harry’s previous experience with Voldemort is nothing compared to what is coming now that Voldemort has a fully functioning body of his own and many of his followers back at his beck and call. However, given Cedric’s death, the subsequent installment relies on Harry’s word without the backup of another eyewitness.

3 Order of the Phoenix: Harry And Voldemort’s Mind Connection

What connects Harry and Voldemort? Harry knows Voldemort is after a weapon, and throughout the year, Harry wishes for more information than he gets. However, one of the more consistent things to occur is Harry and Voldemort’s mind connection, as Harry can feel Voldemort’s emotions, and they can look into each other’s minds.

Voldemort uses the mind connection, and knowledge of Harry’s weakness, to his advantage, and Harry falling into the trap results in Sirius’ death. However, by the conclusion of Order of the Phoenix, the prophecy connecting Harry and Voldemort is finally revealed. However, the valid reason for the mind link would not be revealed until Harry views Snape’s memories during the Battle of Hogwarts.

2 Half-Blood Prince: Tom Riddle’s Backstory

Since Harry knows the prophecy, Dumbledore can devote Harry’s sixth year to showing him memories featuring a young Tom Riddle. Dumbledore’s theory is that Voldemort’s Horcruxes are hidden within cherished items, and Harry needs to understand Voldemort’s history to better find what he would have turned into a Horcrux and where they would be. However, the entire year is not as simple as watching memories.

Dumbledore also tasks Harry with getting the real memory of Tom Riddle discussing Horcruxes with Professor Slughorn from the professor himself. Slughorn had manipulated the memory, horrified by what truthfully had happened. However, Harry gaining the real memory gives Dumbledore a far more precise picture of what Voldemort did and how to deal with it.

1 Deathly Hallows: Horcruxes and Hallows

Finally, the Horcrux hunt commences. Harry, Ron, and Hermione spend the year searching for Voldemort’s Horcruxes and destroying them. But, on their journey, Harry can not help but be distracted by the potential the Deathly Hallows have. So, what is the better way to defeat Voldemort? Horcruxes or Hallows? Harry’s dilemma and obsession are skipped in favor of a much more direct approach in the movie.

But, in the novel, Harry is far more conflicted about how to do it. Harry’s eventual decision to stay on the route of Horcruxes, the guaranteed way to defeat Voldemort, is a relief. But, the three Deathly Hallows do continue to play a role, with Harry at one point being the owner of the Resurrection Stone, Elder Wand, and Invisibility Cloak. The major reveal that Harry is a Horcrux, explaining his connection to Voldemort, means Harry must sacrifice himself to destroy Voldemort’s Horcrux before the final battle can commence.