"I think everyone would like a Dumbledore in their lives," she said. Forty of the leading characters can be found at www.bloomsbury.com/harrypotter where votes can be registered. Bloomsbury said Facebook will also be providing support and regular updates.

Voting will continue until Aug. 26 - after the release of the last film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in July - with the winning character to be announced on Aug. 30.