The series consists basically of seven chronological parts, in which each book represents a consecutive school year. The books were originally published between 1997 and 2007 and were released in Dutch by Uitgeverij De Harmonie.

The correct order of the main series is:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

In addition to the seven main novels, the stage script 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' (2016) was released later, which takes place years after the end of the seventh book. Rowling also wrote several shorter books that delve deeper into the background of the magical world, such as 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'.

The story begins with Harry Potter, an apparently ordinary orphan boy growing up with his horrible aunt, uncle, and cousin in the 'human world' (referred to in the books as the Muggle world). On his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers the truth about his origins: his parents were powerful mages and he himself is a wizard. Moreover, it turns out he is world-famous in the magical community for a mysterious reason that has everything to do with the scar on his forehead.

Harry trades his cupboard under the stairs for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here, he forms close friendships with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. As Harry learns to perform magic, must learn to fly broomsticks, and finds his way in this wondrous new world, he discovers that a great shadow also hangs over the magical community. The dark wizard Voldemort, who was responsible for the death of Harry's parents years ago, is slowly but surely trying to regain his former strength and power. What follows is a years-long, exciting battle between good and evil, in which the magical world and the human world are at risk.

Although the books are full of flying broomsticks, magical creatures, and spectacular duels, the series leans on profound, human themes that make the stories relatable:

Friendship and loyalty: The unconditional bond between Harry, Ron, and Hermione forms the emotional core of the series. Together, they overcome obstacles they could never have managed alone.

Choices versus heritage: A central motif is that a person's actions and choices define who they truly are, rather than the family or background they come from.

Love as power: Love and sacrifice are presented as the strongest form of magic, capable of withstanding the deepest darkness and hatred.

Loss and coming of age: As the series progresses, the characters grow up. The tone of the books shifts accordingly from a fairy-tale-like children's book to a darker, more complex political struggle in which the characters must learn to cope with moral dilemmas, injustice, and the loss of loved ones.

Prejudice and discrimination: The magical world has a strict social hierarchy and deep-seated prejudices, particularly regarding the 'purity' of wizard blood and the treatment of magical creatures. This sharply mirrors societal issues from our own world.