TIME: The Books, Films, and Author

Harry Is an Old Soul
The author on her work

A Good Scare
The wizard of Harry Potter explains what kids need to know of the dark side

Continuing the Magic
On the eve of the release of the final Harry Potter book, we offer a few last-ditch ideas for keeping the series alive

J.K. Rowling Speaks! Oh, and Two Other Writers Too
The Harry Potter creator, at a charity event with John Irving and Stephen King, fields questions from Salman Rushdie and other devoted fans

Harry Potter's 'Goblet' Gets Better On Screen
The fourth movie installment of the Hogwarts saga dispenses with the meandering of its print version

Growing Up Potter
Daniel Radcliffe was 11 when he was cast as the boy wizard. Now he's 16. He and his co-stars have gone from kids to teenagers in front of millions. What's it like to be raised in J.K. Rowling's world?

J.K. Rowling Hogwarts And All
As the much awaited Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince arrives in stores, J.K. Rowling talks frankly to Lev Grossman about fantasy, fathers and how the magic is almost over

Love Potions and Tragic Magic
She has always been more interested in the hand that wields the wand, the way the enchantment illuminates the wizard who casts it

A Sneak Peek at the Next Film
For adult filmgoers, the most fun thing about a Harry Potter movie is seeing all those great classically trained British actors—Maggie Smith, Gary Oldman, Emma Thompson—hamming it up mercilessly

Harry Potter Webguide
The young student wizard on the Wizard Wide Web

When Harry Met Sirius
The Potter franchise has a new director, a zestier spirit--and a bunch of kids entering puberty

That Old Black Magic
In the latest Harry Potter book, J.K. Rowling gives us a darker, more complex hero—and her best novel yet

The Real Magic Of Harry Potter
Why are children around the world so eager for the next installment of a story about a boy wizard? Maybe it's because they see themselves in him

The Story So Far, Book By Book
A look at the five books in the Potter series

The Shy Sorceress
J.K. Rowling is happy with her writing success, but she still prefers to keep her life private

Feeding On Fantasy
Forward into the past! At a time of uncertainty, American culture looks backward for comfort