Harry Potter and the myriad mothers : the maternal figure as lioness, witch, and wardrobe

Families are important in the Harry Potter series. Harry's loss of his parents is a key focal point of the narrative, and the series is bookended by scenes that focus on family. Book One begins with Harry's placement as a baby into the Dursley family environment-the opening sentence of the series setting up the issue of families, normality, and belonging-while Book Seven concludes with a scene about the adult Harry's own family with his wife and children.