1996

The following events occured in the year 1996:

Events

 * Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger thwart Lord Voldemort plans to steal the Prophecy. Cornelius Fudge is forced to accept Voldemort has returned.
 * Rufus Scrimgeour replaces Fudge as Minister of Magic.
 * Draco Malfoy begins his duties as a Death Eater.

Deaths

 * Sirius Black

Real-world events

 * Prince Charles and Princess Diana are divorced.

{| align=center cellpadding=3 id=toc style="margin-left: 15px;"
 * align="center" colspan=1 | Years 1993 1994 1995 - 1996 - 1997 Events after 1997
 * align="center" colspan=1 | Years 1993 1994 1995 - 1996 - 1997 Events after 1997