Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Complete Living Index

Local Wiccan Maria Simms leads a life vastly different than that of teenage wizard Harry Potter. But Harry’s life is also different from other fictional witches and wizards on the big and small screen. Here’s a rundown:

Who’s who:

Willow Rosenberg: Resident witch on "Buffy the Vampire Sayer."

Sabrina Spellman: The teenage Witch. For purposes of article, we will refer to the TV series and not the comic book.

Samantha Stevens: Marries a mortal in 1960s TV series.

Harry Potter: Teenage wizard of book/movie empire.

Gandalf the Grey: Alpha wizard in "Lord of the Rings."

Schooling:

Willow: self-taught; the magic shop.

Sabrina: family; genetic.

Samantha: family; genetic.

Harry Potter: Hogwarts; genetic.

Gandalf: Shrouded in antiquity.

Significant others:

Willow: Tara - deceased.

Sabrina: Harvey.

Samantha: The two Darrens.

Harry Potter: Cho Chang; Ginny Weasley.

Gandalf: No romantic partner; hangs around with hobbits and the like; unusual fondness for horse.

How they do it:

Willow: Spells from books.

Sabrina: Snaps her fingers and recites a rhyme.

Samantha: The nose knows.

Harry Potter, et al: Spells from books and Hogwarts classes.

Gandalf: Wand and spells.

Why they do it:

Willow: Helps Buffy save the world (several times).

Sabrina: Parlor tricks and getting through school.

Samantha: Parlor tricks and domestic dilemmas.

Harry, et al: Battling evil in the form of Voldemort.

Gandalf: Helps hobbits save the world.