It's been four years, three films, and $2.6 billion since Harry Potter first made the page-to-screen transfiguration. And judging from the millions who made J.K. Rowling's sixth book a record-shattering smash last summer, kids are still wild about Harry. But with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (out Nov. 18), change is in the air — and it's scary. Puberty hits. Hard. So does death. Almighty Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) suddenly shows weakness, while the malevolent Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) finally shows his (freaky) mug. For the first time in the series — but certainly not the last — Harry the all-conquering hero (played by Daniel Radcliffe, now 16) is rendered not-so-conquering. ''His life is taken out of his hands,'' says Radcliffe. ''Hogwarts isn't a safe place for him anymore.''

''This is the hinge,'' says franchise scribe Steve Kloves of Goblet's significance. ''This one closes the door on everything that came before, and sets the stage for a new kind of Potter experience altogether.''