It seemed like it was only yesterday that Harry Potter [1] was at Ollivanders [2] getting his first wand. But in reality, the Harry Potter franchise [3] has been two decades in the making. With the Fantastic Beasts prequels [4], Cursed Child [5], and tidbits of trivia on Pottermore [6], the magical universe has undoubtedly become a complicated, rich fandom over the years. From time to time, even hardcore Potterheads [7] find themselves forgetting important happenings in the series and its popular counterparts. That's why we've gathered a digestible timeline to pin down major events in the franchise, including the invention of the Deathly Hallows, the Summer of 1899 when Dumbledore meets Grindelwald [8], and Harry's final battle with Voldemort in 1998. There's a lot of ground to cover, so let's get started!
1200s
- The inspiration for Beedle the Bard's "The Tale of the Three Brothers," the Peverell brothers are born in the 1200s. (Ignotus, the youngest, lives from 1214 to 1292 [9].) While it's likely the trio themselves craft the Deathly Hallows, the story goes that they encounter and outwit Death, who gives Antioch the Elder Wand, Cadmus the Resurrection Stone, and Ignotus the Cloak of Invisibility.
1899
- Kendra Dumbledore, Albus's mother, dies early in the Summer of 1899 due to an accidental explosion conjured by his sister Ariana [10].
- Albus Dumbledore becomes extremely close with Grindelwald [11] during the Summer of 1899. There's a LOT that goes on during these brief few months. Dumbledore and Grindelwald become obsessed with the Deathly Hallows and even plan to start a revolution where wizards would rule the world.
- The Dumbledore brothers and Grindelwald get into a three-way duel after the latter inflicts a Cruciatus Curse on Aberforth. Ariana dies while trying to intervene.
1899-1926
- Following Ariana's death, Grindelwald flees Britain and eventually steals the Elder Wand, as we see in the movie Harry Potter [12] and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
- During this time period, Grindelwald rises to power, leading his followers to launch attacks across Europe and commit mass slaughters. The international wizarding community begins hunting him as he wreaks havoc in both the magical and Muggle worlds.
1926
- Credence loses control in New York City after Grindelwald, who had Transfigured into the Auror Percival Graves, asks him to join his ranks. Tina calms down the Obscurial, but Piquery and her Aurors come and attack Credence. Despite their best efforts to destroy him, an Obscurus fragment breaks loose.
- Using the Revelio Charm, Newt uncovers Grindelwald's true form.
1927
- Searching for Credence, Grindelwald resides at his temporary headquarters in Paris after escaping from MACUSA's prison during his transfer to Europe. This is where Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald begins.
- After his anti-Muggle rally at the Lestrange Family Mausoleum, Grindelwald recruits Queenie and Credence for his revolutionary efforts. Credence's real name, according to Grindelwald, is Aurelius Dumbledore [13].
1945
- Dumbledore defeats Grindelwald in the greatest duel known to wizardkind, becoming the master of the Elder Wand. Grindelwald spends the rest of his days imprisoned in his own base in Nurmengard.
1980
- Sybill Trelawney delivers to Dumbledore the Lost Prophecy, telling him about a boy born at the end of July 1980 who would have the power to defeat Voldemort.
1981
- Voldemort kills Harry Potter [14]'s parents at Godric's Hollow. Harry would become the most famous boy in the wizarding world, as the Dark Lord is not able to defeat him.
1995
- In Harry Potter [15] and the Goblet of Fire, Harry ends up in the Little Hangleton graveyard in the third task of the Triwizard Tournament. Here, Wormtail gets blood from Harry for a potion that allows Voldemort to have a body again. The Second Wizarding War begins after Harry and Voldemort duel.
1998
- Bellatrix presumably gives birth to her and Voldemort's child, Delphini.
- Tracking down the Elder Wand, Voldemort kills Grindelwald, who taunts the Dark Lord instead of telling him the location of the wand.
- Becoming master of the Elder Wand, Harry defeats Voldemort at Hogwarts after casting the Expelliarmus spell in Harry Potter [16] and the Deathly Hallows.