Harry Potter characters as you've never seen them

Draco Malfoy. Illustrations by Jim Kay by Bloomsbury Publishing.

Four Harry Potter characters have been revealed to fans as they've never seen them before.

New images of Hagrid, Hermione, Ron and Draco Malfoy have been released by publishers Bloomsbury UK and Scholastic US ahead of October's release of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrated edition.

Hermoine Granger. Photo / Illustrations by Jim Kay

Most fans on Bloomsbury's Facebook page seemed pleased with the new-look characters but some were worried the usually gentle Hagrid, wearing a scarf with skulls on it, looked menacing.

Rubeus Hagrid. Photo / Illustrations by Jim Kay

"These skulls did not look friendly ... I'm afraid it is not the thing that Hagrid would wear...," wrote Daniel Muniowski.

"That is the creepiest Hagrid ever!!" said Monika Nelson.

The multi-award-winning Jim Kay, who will illustrate all seven books, released his imagining of Harry in late 2013.

JK Rowling has reportedly seen most of the pictures.

Ron Weasley. Photo / Illustrations by Jim Kay

Tell us what you think about the new illustrations on our NZ Herald Life Facebook page

- AAP