What is the Most Favored Harry Potter Character?

For many, the answer is Harry Potter, no question about it. However, others might like different characters such as the supporting characters Ron and Hermione Weasly*. J. K. Rowling herself said that Harry is her favorite creation. She also said that, although she killed him at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, he is the person in the series she would most want to have dinner with. She also says that Hermione reminds her of herself when she was younger.
Everyone's favorite character could be decided by the answer  to the question, "Who is the second most important character in the Harry Potter series?"
Some argue that Lord Voldemort is the second most important character in the series. Without him, there would have been no series at all. Harry Potter would have been a normal wizard boy. Lord Voldemort, you could say, made the biggest impact on the whole wizarding world than anyone else could have done. However, even without the infamous villain readers everywhere would still love reading about the wondrous fantasy world Rowling has created.
Voldemort may have tried to kill Harry, but without Harry, there would not be any story. Lily and James Potter, Harry's parents, were the ones that saved his life and brought him into being. They could be the most important characters. Lily Evans Potter and James Potter have not been mentioned in very many parts of the books, and were alive for none of the time in the whole series. Even if they were the root of the story, they are not exactly second most important character material.
Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger were Harry's best friends. They stuck with him until the very end. Without them, Harry might have had no real best friends. He could have ended up in Voldemort's clutches very early on in the series without the help of the courageous pair. They are what puts life in the story. It is hard not to believe they are the second most main characters.

What do you think? Post who you think is the second most important character in the series in the comments below. Don't be afraid to give your opinion on your favorite character.