Warner Bros. has announced the cast for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The studio bringing aboard a handful of new, key characters, including the young Voldemort, Lavender Brown and Professor Slughorn.

via E! News:

Essaying Voldemort as a mischievous teenager will be 16-year-old Frank Dillane. Helen McCrory (The Queen, Becoming Jane) has signed on to play Narcissa Black Malfoy, the mother of Harry’s nemesis, Draco Malfoy.

And much to the chagrin of thousands of aspiring actresses who turned out to audition, the role of Ron’s love interest, Lavender Brown, went to 20-year-old actress Jessie Cave.

Helena Bonham Carter, who made her debut as nefarious Death Eater Bellatrix Black Lestrange in last summer’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will cast more of those deliciously evil glances Harry’s way.

Also back are Potter regulars Alan Rickman (Snape), Maggie Smith (McGonagall); Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Warwick Davis (Flitwick), David Thewlis (Lupin), David Bradley (Filch), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy); Natalia Tena (Nymphadora Tonks), Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley); Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley).

Director David Yates, who helmed Phoenix, is back behind the camera for Half-Blood Prince, while veteran scribe Steve Kloves, who adapted the first four Harry Potter movies, returns to adapt the latest installment.

Half-Blood Prince chronicles the teen magician’s sixth year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. He teams with Professor Dumbledore to journey into Voldemort’s past for clues to defeat the dark lord. Along the way, Professor Slughorn gives Harry a textbook once owned by the mysterious Half-Blood Prince that helps the hero out of some sticky situations. All the action leads to a heart-wrenching confrontation.