Harry Potter and the Characters Who Died Quiz

Answer:

I didn't discover the Harry Books until I was already an adult. I was captivated by the range and depth of the characters and the fantastical scenes the books described. I don't recall being so invested in any literature before or since with only one or two exceptions. It was a proud moment for me as a father when each of my children in succession developed a love for the books, occasionally staying up way past their bedtime because they were so enthralled.

Following are the circumstances around the 20 deaths listed above.

Lily and James Potter were both killed by Voldemort when Harry was still a toddler in "The Sorcerer's Stone".

Cedric Diggory was murdered by Voldemort in the graveyard after he and Harry touched the Tri-Wizard cup in "Goblet of Fire".

Sirius was killed by Bellatrix in the Ministry of Magic at the conclusion of "The Order of the Phoenix".

We learn of Aragog's death in "The Half-Blood Prince" when Harry attempts to get information on horcruxes from Prof. Slughorn. They attend Aragog's funeral with Hagrid. In that same book, Albus Dumbledore is killed by Snape.

The remainder of the deaths all took place in "The Deathly Hallows". Charity Burbage was murdered by Voldemort at Malfoy Manor. Hedwig died saving Harry from a killing curse as he was being transported to the Burrow. We learn of Rufus Scrimgeour's death during Bill and Fleur's wedding. Peter Pettigrew was killed by his own hand that was given to him by Voldemort as a replacement for the one he cut off in "The Goblet of Fire". Dobby is mortally wounded by a knife thrown by Bellatrix at Malfoy Manor. Vincent Crabbe died in the room of requirement as Harry was recovering the diadem. Snape was killed by Nagini after Voldemort erroneously suspected that Severus was the master of the Elder Wand.

Multiple characters were killed at the Battle of Hogwarts. Nagini was killed by Neville with the Sword of Gryffindor which he pulled from the sorting hat. Bellatrix died in a duel with Molly Weasley. Remus Lupin, Colin Creevey, Nymphadora Tonks, and Fred Weasley were all killed by unnamed assailants. Finally, Voldemort was killed as his own killing curse rebounded upon him because Harry was the true master of the Elder Wand.

Just to give some perspective at how culturally significant these books were, at the 25th anniversary of the publication of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," Scholastic announced the worldwide sales had passed 600 million. The next closest series, Goosebumps, comes in at 400 million and with almost ten times as many volumes. The series can now be read in 88 different languages and the movies based on the collection grossed 7.7 billion dollars worldwide.

From one Potterhead to another, thank you for taking my quiz.