Draco Malfoy. Harry's contemporary enemy, son of a leading Death Eater

Only son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, Draco has hated Harry ever since they first met on the train to Hogwarts. Harry snubbed Malfoy, refusing his friendship in favour of Ron Weasley, forming an alliance and an enmity which seems set to last well beyond their school years. Malfoy is one of the most prominent members of Slytherin House and in many ways is Harry's opposite number. In the first year Harry becomes Gryffindor's Seeker and in the second, Malfoy takes the position for Slytherin. Malfoy's dislike of Harry stems from countless sources, including Harry's unsought fame, persistent heroism and choice of friends.

Malfoy's personal entourage is formed mainly of the hulking presences of Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, his large 'friends' who are kept nearby as muscle pure and simple. He has also been seen in the presence of Pansy Parkinson on several occasions, usually those which require female accompaniment, such as the Yule ball.

In the fifth year Malfoy inevitably becomes a Slytherin Prefect, along with Pansy Parkinson. He is most amused to find that Harry has not been granted the same position. The rule of Dolores Umbridge sees plenty of opportunities for Slytherin advancement, and towards the end of the year Draco becomes a leader in the Inquisitorial Squad, Umbridge's personal police force within Hogwarts.