I can't help but find striking similarities between Harry Potter and Star Wars. It almost seems as though J.K. Rowling conciously created the Harry Potter universe with Star Wars in mind. The following, I believe, are undeniable proofs.

The Light Side vs. Dark Side Theme

This concept is in just about every story you've ever read, but what Star Wars and Harry Potter have in common is the faction and allegiance thing. You have the Jedi vs. the Sith and Dumbledore's Army/Order of the Phoenix vs. Death Eaters. Allegiance with the Sith is synonimous with allegiance to Lord Sidius, as being a Death Eater means being on Voldemort's team. Furthermore, the magic spells in Harry Potter fall into two categories, one being the good kind of magic and the other labeled as "Dark Arts." Not unlike the Force powers, which could be classified as either Dark Side or Light Side. Some spells and curses in HP are direct rip-offs from Star Wars. Consider the torturing curse, Crucio. Force lightning, anyone? How about Confundo? Ahh, the Jedi mind trick.

Light Sabers

The light saber is considered the most prized possession of any Jedi or Sith. Not only does it serve as a primary weapon, it is also an extension of the owner's character and personality. In Harry Potter, the same emphasis is placed on the magic wands. There is an intimate connection between the wizard and the wand in Harry Potter.

The Chosen Ones

Anakin Skywalker and Harry Potter were both very special young boys. They possessed abilities no one else had, and they were both destined to destroy the main bad guy in their respective universes. Anakin killed Lord Sidius, and Harry Potter killed Voldemort. Also, both Anakin and Harry were mentored by the best of their kind. Anakin had Obi-Wan, Harry had Dumbledore. Of course, Harry Potter doesn't get off the course the way Anakin does. Harry stays on the "Light side" for his entire quest. That's where Luke Skywalker comes in. Harry Potter's character was derived from Luke and Anakin.

Dumbledore and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard of his time. But he just wasn't THE one. Instead, he ends up mentoring the chosen one, Harry Potter, enlightening him on the truth about Voldemort, his lightning scar and his own powers. Obi-Wan was the most powerful Jedi in his time. He pretty much raises Anakin Skywalker and is solely responsible for molding Anakin into a fine and very powerful Jedi. Later on, Obi-Wan would also take part in helping Luke Skywalker discover the powers of the Force. The most interesting thing about Dumbledore and Obi-Wan is that both of them died voluntarily at the hands of their closest friend, though for different reasons. Anakin killed Obi-Wan when Obi-Wan suddenly stopped defending himself in the middle of their light saber duel, while Severus Snape killed Dumbledore in obedience to Dumbledore's request.

Friend, or Foe?

If you watch all the Star Wars films in order (that is, from Episode 1 to Episode 6), you will witness Anakin Skywalker's character develop from a very gifted child, to a powerful young Jedi, to a formiddable Sith then back to being a Jedi at the end of his life. Severus Snape's storyline is very similar to Anakin's. Even though it is revealed in The Deathly Hallows that Snape had been a good guy all along, he was never quite perceived that way. Snape has always been the shady character whose allegiance was never clear until the end. He saves Harry Potter's life one instance and helps him some more later on, but seems to hold Harry in contempt for some reason. In the 6th Harry Potter book Snape kills Dumbledore, and is shown to be a Death Eater for 95% of the 7th and last Harry Potter book. At the end of Snape's life we are finally told that Snape had been Harry's protector all along, though Harry himself was convinced that Snape was with Voldemort. The big moment in Star Wars was Darth Vader revealing to Luke that he was his father. For Severus Snape to have turned out to be Harry Potter's biological dad, Snape being best friends with Harry's mom when they were students, would've been irrefutable evidence that Snape's character was inspired by Darth Vader. Just like Vader was Lord Sidius's main man, Snape became Voldemort's right hand man and even became Hogwart's headmaster. Both Vader and Snape died as good guys.

Voldemort and Lord Sidius

What these bad guys have in common is obvious. They call the shots. Voldemort is the head of the Death Eaters, Sidius (later known as "The Emperor) is the head of the Sith. Both are Tyrants, out to destroy their enemies and rule the universe. Both get killed by the chosen ones. Both are really, really mean and evil. They share identical character traits.