The Sisters Black

I was just thinking about the black sisters, Andromeda, Bellatrix, and Narcissa. I found this picture about the need for more cannon about the black sisters and I thought it said it perfectly. Here it is:

I found some information on all of the sisters for you.

Andromeda Tonks

Andromeda Tonks (née Black) (b. between 1951 and 1955[1]), also known as Dromeda, was a pure-blood witch. She was the middle daughter of Cygnus and Druella Black (née Rosier), as well as the sister of Bellatrix and Narcissa. She attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the 1960s and was sorted into Slytherin house.

After Hogwarts, she married a Muggle-born, Ted Tonks and was disowned by her prejudiced family. In 1973 she became the mother of Nymphadora Tonks. During the Second Wizarding War, Andromeda and her husband were allies of the Order of the Phoenix, as their daughter was a member. Nymphadora married Remus Lupin in 1997 and had a son, Teddy Lupin. During the war in 1998, Andromeda's husband was murdered by Snatchers, Remus was murdered at the Battle of Hogwarts, and Nymphadora was also murdered by Andromeda's sister, Bellatrix Lestrange.

After the Second Wizarding War, Andromeda raised her grandson with the help of his godfather Harry Potter, which meant that Teddy also spent time with the Potter and Weasley families.

Biography

Early life (1950s-1960s)

Andromeda was born in the early 1950s. She was the second daughter of Cygnus and Druella Black (née Rosier), and younger sister of Bellatrix Lestrange and older sister of Narcissa Malfoy. Walburga and Orion Black were her aunt and uncle on her father's side, and Sirius and Regulus Black her cousins. Evan Rosier may be a relative on her mother's side. Alphard Black was also Andromeda's uncle.[3]

She was Sirius Black's favourite cousin, but he never met her married family before his imprisonment in Azkaban in 1981.[4]

Hogwarts years (1960s-1970s)

"She is no niece of ours, my Lord. We — Narcissa and I — have never set eyes on our sister since she married the Mudblood. This brat has nothing to do with either of us, nor any beast she marries."

—Bellatrix Lestrange to Lord Voldemort about the recent marriage of Nymphadora Tonks[src]

Andromeda attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s and was sorted into Slytherin house.[2] She may have been very skilled at Charms class. It is also possible that she was good at Defence Against the Dark Arts because in her adult life she managed to resist torture without revealing any vital information or losing her sanity.

At some point during or after her education at Hogwarts, Andromeda met and subsequently fell in love with Muggle-born wizard Edward Tonks, despite her family's steadfast belief in the importance of blood purity.

Life after Hogwarts (1970s-1995)

Andromeda married Ted and was subsequently disowned and burned off the family tapestry in 12 Grimmauld Place by her aunt, parents and sisters. Statements by her sisters indicate that both of them cut off contact with Andromeda because they considered her a blood traitor for her marriage.[5]

In 1973 at roughly the age of twenty, Andromeda and Ted had one child, Nymphadora Tonks. Andromeda selected the name, which her daughter strongly disliked, preferring to be known simply as "Tonks" by her friends. Ted, Remus Lupin' and Andromeda called her Dora for short.

Andromeda had a talent for cleanliness that her husband and daughter did not share.[4]

Her daughter Nympadora began her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1984 and was sorted into Hufflepuff House at the Sorting ceremony. Nymphadora's Head of House was Professor Pomona Sprout, the Herbology teacher, who did not make her one of Hufflepuff's prefects in her fifth year because she lacked the ability to behave properly. Her daughter graduated from Hogwarts in 1991 and went on to train and later work as an Auror for the British Ministry of Magic. Nypmhadora worked as an Auror between the wars and during the Second Wizarding War. It's implied that Andromeda worried about her daughters safety frequently.

Second Wizarding War (1995-1998)

Andromeda: "What happened to our daughter? Hagrid said you were ambushed; where is Nymphadora?"

Harry Potter: "I don't know. We don't know what happened to anyone else."

— Andromeda asks Harry about her daughter's safety[src]

Although Andromeda and Ted did not appear to be official members of the Order of the Phoenix, they allowed their home to be one of the Order's safe-houses and were supportive of the organisation to which their daughter belonged. Nymphadora married Remus Lupin in the summer of 1997; he suspected that her parents did not approve because he was a werewolf, though it is unknown if this was true; given the fact that Andromeda wasn't supremacist these suspicions of Lupin may have not been true.

After the Battle of the Seven Potters, they were instrumental in Harry Potter's moving from Privet Drive to the Burrow: Harry Potter and Rubeus Hagrid took temporary refuge in the Tonks' home, where Andromeda took care of Hagrid's injuries. She seemed somewhat offended when Harry first reacted to her as if she were her sister Bellatrix because of their resemblance. She and Ted were both very worried about their daughter when they learned that the Order was ambushed by Death Eaters when transporting Harry, though Ted tried to reassure his wife by pointing out that their daughter had been through worse in the course of her work as an Auror.

When the Ministry of Magic fell under Lord Voldemort's control in August of 1997, the magical protections around the Order safe-houses were broken. Andromeda and Ted were interrogated and tortured by Death Eaters for information pertaining to Harry Potter and the Order. Their son-in-law reported that they were "shaken, obviously, but otherwise okay".[5] Soon after this, their daughter discovered that she was pregnant and came to stay with Andromeda and Ted, as her husband temporarily left her out of fear that he would pass on lycanthropy to their child.

The Ministry soon began persecuting Muggle-borns by forming the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, which charged Muggle-borns with having stolen their magic and their wands from "real" witches and wizards. Ted refused to register on principle and was forced to go on the run; Andromeda, as a pure-blood, was safe, and stayed with her pregnant daughter. Some time before the birth of her grandson Teddy, Andromeda was left a widow, as her husband was killed by Snatchers.

Andromeda's daughter and son-in-law were murdered during the Battle of Hogwarts by Bellatrix Lestrange, Andromeda's sister, and Antonin Dolohov, respectively. Bellatrix was later killed by Molly Weasley.

Later life (Post 1998)

Andromeda was left with custody of her grandson, though Teddy would also spend a lot of time with his godfather, Harry Potter, and the Weasley family.

Physical appearance

"As she moved forward into the room, Mrs. Tonks's resemblance to her sister Bellatrix became much less pronounced: Her hair was a light soft brown and her eyes were wider and kinder."

—Description[src]

Andromeda is described as closely resembling her elder sister Bellatrix physically (as Harry almost attacked her thinking that she was Bellatrix), though she has light brown hair instead of black, and has softer and wider eyes.[5] Thus, she is likely tall and bears the patrician beauty common to the Black family, aside her aforementioned eyes, which are kinder than her eldest sister's arrogant and heavily-lidded stare.

Personality and traits

It is safe to assume, given her marriage to a Muggle-born, that Andromeda was very different from both of her sisters: while her sisters married into "respectable" pure-blood families, she married for love despite her family's opposition, leading to her family's hatred.

She is clearly a good mother showing her concern about her daughter's whereabouts after the Battle of the Seven Potters and taking care of her during her pregnancy, she is also a good grandmother raising her daughter's son after her death.

Apart from her husband and daughter, her cousin Sirius considered her to be his only true family, demonstrating that Andromeda always treated Sirius with respect and kindness. In addition of being a good wife, mother and grandmother, she is a good friend, because despite that she was under torture, she did not reveal anything that could harm Harry or any of her friends. Like Molly Weasley, Andromeda is a woman dedicated to her family and friends. Thus, in many ways, Andromeda's personality contradicted the "evil Slytherin" stereotype held by many students of the other Houses.

Magical abilities and skills

• Healing magic: After the Battle of the Seven Potters, Harry and Hagrid took refuge in her house, where she healed Hagrid's injuries. Given Hagrid's half-giant nature, and concomitant natural magical resistance, this does imply she was a talented healer.

• Household Charms: Andromeda had a talent for cleanliness, a talent that her husband and her daughter did not share

Relationships

Family

Black Family

Andromeda's relationship with her parents was likely a bad one. Because she married a muggle-born against her family's ideals of blood purity she was disowned and not considered a Black after that. It is safe to assume that her parents did not consider her as their daughter anymore and like Bellatrix and Narcissa cut off all contact with her. It is also possible that Andromeda's parents never met their granddaughter.

It is unknown what kind of relationship Andromeda had with her older sister, Bellatrix Lestrange, and younger sister, Narcissa Malfoy, when they were younger. However, both her sisters believed in pure-blood supremacy, whereas Andromeda obviously did not, given her marriage.

After she married the Muggle-born Ted, Andromeda was disowned and both her sisters cut off all contact with her.[5] Andromeda's relationship with Bellatrix was likely particularly hateful, given that Bellatrix murdered Andromeda's cousin, Sirius Black,[4] as well as her daughter (though, given the circumstances, she likely didn't learn of the latter until after the battle and her eldest sister's death). Andromeda also seemed to be offended when Harry Potter, upon first seeing her, reacted as if she were her older sister.[5] Andromeda's relationship with Narcissa, however, is unknown.

Andromeda's younger cousin Sirius Black told Harry Potter in 1995 that Andromeda was his favourite cousin.[4] Like her, Sirius was considered a "blood traitor" by their family, and was disowned for his beliefs. Thus, the two were likely close in their younger years. Sirius considered Andromeda and Tonks his only, and true, family

Ted Tonks

Andromeda married Ted Tonks in spite of her family's hatred of Muggle-borns, which led to her being disowned[4] and shunned by her own sisters. Thus, it can be assumed that the two loved each other greatly. Ted comforted his wife when they were unsure what happened to their daughter after the Battle of the Seven Potters, reassuring her that, as an Auror, Tonks had been through worse.[5]

Nymphadora Tonks

Remus Lupin: "Nymphadora Tonks, who prefers to be known by her surname only."

Nymphadora Tonks: "So would you if your fool of a mother had called you Nymphadora."

— Nymphadora's dislike of her own name[src]

Nymphadora and her mother were close, though Tonks disliked the given name her "fool of a mother" gave her.[4] It's unknown how Andromeda took the news that her daughter and Remus Lupin were in love and that they planned to marry. It's also unknown how she initially reacted to Nymphadora's pregnancy. Andromeda was frantic with worry over her daughter's participation in the Second Wizarding War and opted to stay with her during her pregnancy, while Ted went on the run from the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. When Tonks went to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts, she left her infant son in the care of his grandmother. It's unknown how she took the news of her daughter's death at the hands of her older sister, Bellatrix. One can assume that the loss of her only child was devastating.

After the final battle of the Second Wizarding War Andromeda would raise the boy after his parents' deaths with the help of Teddy´s godfather Harry Potter.[5]

Harry Potter

"Harry broke off. He had just noticed the woman who had entered the room behind Hagrid. You! he shouted, and he thrust his hand into his pocket, but it was empty."

—Harry meets Andromeda for the first time[src]

The first time Harry met Andromeda, he thought that she looked a lot like her sister Bellatrix but, with kinder eyes and lighter hair. Her resemblance to Bellatrix was such that Harry attempted to attack her, but upon realising his mistake, he felt bad and apologised as her physical comparison to her sister seemed offensive to her.

After Voldemort's downfall, Harry helped Andromeda raise her grandson, and his godson, Teddy Lupin. Harry liked and respected Andromeda for her ideals and because she was Tonks' mother. It is possible that after the war they would see each other regularly and probable in such a scenario that they would develop a bond because of Teddy, Remus and Tonks's memory. It is also highly likely that Andromeda herself was welcomed at Harry and Ginny's house as a dinner guest.

Order of the Phoenix

Andromeda wasn't an official member of the Order of the Phoenix, but nevertheless, she supported the Order's ideals (given her marriage to a Muggle-born). As her daughter and son-in-law were members, she would allow the Order use of her house as a safe house. It is likely that she has a good relation with all of the members, and as she was at Hogwarts at the same time as Arthur and Molly Weasley, so a friendship could have started there. The degree and nature of her involvement during the First Wizarding War is unknown, but it is reasonable to assume that she helped them in some way. Andromeda proved her loyalty in 1998 when she was tortured by Death Eater at her home and did not reveal anything of import regarding Harry or the Order, despite the fact that she was under torture.

Narcissa Malfoy

"There is nothing I wouldn't do any more!"

—Narcissa after her son is put in danger[src]

Narcissa Malfoy (née Black), (b. 1955) was a pure-blood witch, the wife of Lucius Malfoy, the mother of Draco Malfoy, the daughter of Cygnus Black III and Druella Black, and the younger sister of Bellatrix Lestrange and Andromeda Tonks.

Although never officially a Death Eater herself, Narcissa believed in the importance of blood purity and supported her husband in following Lord Voldemort during the First and Second Wizarding Wars.[2] This changed, however, when her husband was incarcerated in Azkaban and her son's life was put in jeopardy by Voldemort. Narcissa took necessary measures to protect her family, including lying to Voldemort about Harry Potter being dead during the Battle of Hogwarts, an act which saved the Malfoys from serving time in Azkaban following the Dark Lord's defeat.[2]

Narcissa survived the final battle of the Second Wizarding War and later had a grandson, Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, through her son's marriage to Astoria Greengrass.

Early life

Narcissa Black was the youngest daughter of Cygnus and Druella Black (née Rosier), born in 1955 in the aristocratic House of Black. She had two older sisters, Bellatrix and Andromeda.[3] Narcissa was taught the philosophy of blood purity from a young age and grew up prejudiced in favour of pure-bloods. Thus, like her sister Bellatrix, she cut off contact with her sister Andromeda after she was disowned and burned off the Black family tree for marrying Muggle-born wizard Ted Tonks.[4]

Narcissa was educated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from c. 1966-1973. Sorted into Slytherin House, she met her future husband, Lucius Malfoy, whilst at Hogwarts.

First Wizarding War

Narcissa married Lucius Malfoy, who was just as wealthy and pure-blood inclined as the Black family Narcissa descended from, between 1972 and September 1979.[6] The Malfoys lived a life of privilege and luxury at Malfoy Manor, located in the southern English county of Wiltshire. Her husband introduced Narcissa to the lifestyle of the Death Eaters, though she never became a Death Eater herself. The couple had one son, named Draco Lucius. Narcissa thus continued her family tradition of naming children after stars and constellations, like her name (narcissus) and her sisters (Andromeda and Bellatrix).

Narcissa's cousin Regulus Black was killed in the First Wizarding War, while her other cousin Sirius and sister Bellatrix were both sentenced to Azkaban after Voldemort's fall in 1981.[7] Lucius was able to avoid a similar fate by claiming that he had been under the effects of the Imperius Curse, and the Malfoys remained members of the social elite, enjoying close relationships with Ministry of Magic officials such as Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge.

Between the wars

Narcissa attended the Quidditch World Cup in 1994 with her husband and son, watching the game from Fudge's luxury box.[8]

When the time came for Draco Malfoy to begin school in 1991, Lucius Malfoy wanted him to attend Durmstrang Institute, which only admitted pure-blood and half-blood students and taught the Dark Arts, which closely mirrored the Malfoy family beliefs. Narcissa, however, insisted that Draco attend Hogwarts instead so he would be closer to home, as Durmstrang was located in northern Europe. She was very devoted to Draco, sending him sweets and cakes by owl every day during his first year at Hogwarts

Second Wizarding War

Narcissa: "I see that being Dumbledore's favourite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won't always be there to protect you."

Harry: "Wow... look at that... he's not here now! So why not have a go? They might be able to find you a double cell in Azkaban with your loser of a husband!"

Narcissa: "I expect Potter will be reunited with dear Sirius before I am reunited with Lucius."

— Narcissa and Harry Potter argue in 1996[src]

Narcissa during the Second Wizarding War, 1996

In 1996, her sister and brother-in-law escaped Azkaban. That same year, Lucius participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in an attempt to acquire a prophecy for Lord Voldemort, who had returned to power the previous year. The effort was thwarted by six D.A. members and members of the Order of the Phoenix. Voldemort was furious with Lucius, who had led the effort, both for failing to obtain the prophecy and for the consequences of that night, which included the Dark Lord's return being recognised by the Ministry of Magic and many of his Death Eaters being sent to Azkaban, including Lucius himself.[7]

Though her sister Bellatrix managed to escape imprisonment, Narcissa was distraught over her husband's incarceration, as well as Voldemort's subsequent treatment of her family. That summer, she ventured to Severus Snape's home at Spinner's End, accompanied by Bellatrix, to discuss Voldemort's orders for Draco to murder Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Bellatrix performs the Unbreakable Vow on Narcissa and Severus in order to protect Draco

Narcissa was hysterical and theorised that Draco was being sent on a suicide mission to punish Lucius for his numerous failures. Despite the pleading of her sister to the contrary, Narcissa brushed off Bellatrix scoffing when Narcissa claimed that "the Dark Lord [was] mistaken," and begged Severus to make an Unbreakable Vow, which ensured that he would watch over Draco during his efforts. She also made him vow to execute the plan himself, should Draco fail to do so. Later that month, she went shopping for school supplies with Draco at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she had a heated confrontation with Harry Potter. He taunted her about Lucius's imprisonment, and she responded by coldly alluding to the recent death of his godfather before haughtily departing with her son to Twilfitt and Tatting's.

Throughout the school year, Draco enacted a series of unsuccessful attempts to kill Dumbledore, which eventually resulted in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and Snape's fulfillment of his vow to Narcissa.

Home as headquarters

Lucius, Narcissa, and her sister Bellatrix talking to Lord Voldemort during the Meeting at Malfoy Manor

By 1997, Malfoy Manor was being used as a headquarters for Voldemort. A meeting of Lord Voldemort's inner circle was held there, and the murder of Charity Burbage took place in the drawing room. The Malfoys were extremely uncomfortable with the arrangements, despite their claims that nothing would please them more than to host the Dark Lord. After Lord Voldemort asked for a borrowed wand, Narcissa coaxed her husband into agreeing to give his wand to Voldemort; it was soon broken in the Battle of the Seven Potters.

Voldemort was still displeased with the Malfoys for Lucius's earlier failures and delighted in humiliating them by taunting their relation to werewolf Remus Lupin through Narcissa's niece, Nymphadora Tonks.[4]

Skirmish at Malfoy Manor

Bellatrix: "Draco, move this scum outside. If you haven't got the guts to finish them, then leave them in the courtyard for me."

Narcissa: "Don't you dare speak to Draco like — "

Bellatrix: "Be quiet! The situation is graver than you can possibly imagine, Cissy!"

— Bellatrix and Narcissa in Malfoy Manor[src]

Narcissa with her son, Draco fighting off Harry Potter and Ron Weasley

When Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were caught by a group of Snatchers led by Scabior, they were brought to Malfoy Manor. Narcissa acted coldly and disdainfully towards Scabior, but let them in, where she called on her son to identify the prisoners and recognised Hermione from their encounter a year earlier in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. She clashed with her sister over who had authority in her home, and therefore over the prisoners held in her cellar: Harry, Ron, Dean Thomas, Griphook, Garrick Ollivander, and Luna Lovegood, the latter two of which had been held there for some time. All the prisoners escaped: Dean, Luna and Ollivander Disapparating with Dobby, while Harry and Ron went to save Hermione from Narcissa's sister, Bellatrix, who had used the Cruciatus Curse and her knife to carve the word 'mudblood' into the girl's arm. Later, in the brief duel that followed, Narcissa was shocked to see her family's former house-elf, Dobby, openly defying them. He was eventually killed by Bellatrix as the group escaped the manor.[4]

After Harry and his friends escaped to Shell Cottage, Lord Voldemort severely punished the Malfoy family, but did not act as harsh on Bellatrix. By the time of the Battle of Hogwarts, Narcissa had given her son, Draco, her wand to use in lieu of his own stolen wand, leaving both herself and her husband wandless.

Battle of Hogwarts

"He is dead!"

—Narcissa lies about Harry being dead, thus betraying Voldemort.[src]

Towards the beginning of the battle, Draco lost his mother's wand in the Room of Requirement, leaving it to be incinerated by Vincent Crabbe's Fiendfyre.

Narcissa telling Voldemort and the gathered Death Eaters that Harry Potter's "dead"

During the final phase of the Battle of Hogwarts, Voldemort attempted to kill Harry Potter in the Forbidden Forest using the Killing Curse. Voldemort demanded that someone check to see if Harry was, in fact, dead, a deed no one wanted to perform. Perhaps seeing an opportunity to discover her son's current condition, Narcissa volunteered. Seeing that Harry was still alive, she used the opportunity to covertly ask Harry if he knew of Draco's well-being. In a whisper, she asked if Draco was alive. When Harry replied quietly that he was, Narcissa betrayed the Dark Lord and asserted that Harry Potter was dead, as she knew the only way her family would be reunited was as part of Voldemort's conquering army.

Narcissa in the final stages of the Battle of Hogwarts, with Lucius and Draco

When the battle recommenced, Narcissa and Lucius abandoned the Death Eaters and searched frantically for Draco. After the battle the family was reunited in the Great Hall, where they seemed uncomfortable with their predicament.

Later life

However, as Narcissa betrayed Voldemort and left him, the entire Malfoy family was granted a reprieve and avoided incarceration in Azkaban. Narcissa would eventually become a grandmother to Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Draco and his wife Astoria Greengrass.

"Now that I know the kind of scum that shops here...we'll do better at Twilfitt and Tatting's."

—Narcissa at Madam Malkin's during a confrontation with Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.[src]

Narcissa in the Forbidden Forest.

Narcissa was a very proud woman who frequently displayed a haughty and disdainful attitude, looking down upon others. As she believed strongly in the importance of blood purity and valued her family's wealth, she was prejudiced towards Muggle-borns, other non-pure-bloods such as Fenrir Greyback, and so-called "blood traitors". For example, she once rudely exclaimed to the owner of Madam Malkin's that she would rather shop at Twilfitt and Tatting's since Madam Malkin's served "scum" such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.[10] Despite her beliefs and her family's close ties to Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Narcissa never joined the organisation herself, nor received the Dark Mark.

While she treated most people coldly, Narcissa was very loving towards and devoted to her family. She was willing to do whatever it took to keep her son safe when he was put in danger during the Second Wizarding War, from begging Severus Snape to take an Unbreakable Vow to help him[10] to lying to Voldemort himself.[4] She cared deeply about her husband and son, displaying a fierce and protective temper on their behalf, as well as ruthless determination to keep them safe.[4][10] It is unknown if this devotion extended to the Black side of her family, as her relationship with her sister Bellatrix seemed to be deteriorating. This was, however, due to Bellatrix not caring about Draco; their relationship may, normally, have been one of caring. However, Narcissa always despised the Blacks who dared to defy their family's beliefs, such as her sister Andromeda Tonks and cousin Sirius Black, and as such, ignored and disowned them.

Magical abilities and skills

• Love: Narcissa was capable of feeling love despite being cold to many people. She loved her family dearly especially Lucius and Draco and she was willing to do anything to protect them. Although she had made an Unbreakable Vow with Severus Snape to protect Draco, Narcissa's love for Lucius and Draco drove her to lie to Voldemort himself to search for Draco, telling him that Harry Potter was dead when he was still alive after asking him whether Draco was still alive. She abandoned her support of Voldemort and searched for Draco along with Lucius until they eventually found him. Her abandonment of Voldemort out of love for her family was what caused the Malfoys to avoid a sentence in Azkaban after the war.

• Dark Arts: Narcissa was described as a Dark Witch by her former house-elf so she could have possibly been a practitioner of the Dark Arts. Given her upbringing and connections, this further supports it.

• Occlumency: Though never stated clearly, it is implied that Narcissa was an Occlumens, and probably a very skilled one, due to her ability to lie to Voldemort himself, the most accomplished Legilimens of his time. However, Voldemort may not have been using Legilimency when Narcissa lied about Harry's death. Her occlumency may have been weak, as she did ask her sister to teach it to her son, rather than herself teaching it.

• Duellist: Though not as powerful as her prodigious sister, Narcissa was able to competently duel Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. The winner of the duel is not stated due to Bellatrix Lestrange's interruption. She also used magic to repel her extremely powerful sister Bellatrix, being one of the very few people unafraid to stand up to her.

• Apparition: Narcissa appears to be a mistress of apparition, perhaps even more skilled than her highly powerful elder sister Bellatrix Lestrange. This is demonstrated when they both apparated into Spinner's End, with Narcissa making only a slight 'pop'ing sound and Bellatrix's pop being somewhat louder. With apparition it is generally considered that the quieter the 'pop' the more skilled at apparition that wizard or witch is, although Bellatrix may simply have been too desperate in chasing Narcissa to do it more quietly.

Relationships

Family

Lucius Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy, her husband and father of her son

Narcissa and her husband, Lucius Malfoy, appear to have an affectionate relationship. He gave in to her wishes when she wanted their son to attend Hogwarts, rather than Durmstrang. Lucius also allowed his wife to continue the Black Family naming custom of stars and constellations through their son, showing obvious respect for her family and deference to herself. Narcissa and Lucius both enjoyed being members of the social elite, and loved and spoiled their only child. Unlike Bellatrix, who did not hold love for her husband, Narcissa truly loved Lucius.

Narcissa was very upset when he was briefly imprisoned in Azkaban and became defensive when others mentioned his failures.[10] In 1997, when Lord Voldemort took over their home and demanded that Lucius give him his wand, Lucius looked to his wife in disapproval, and only when she touched his wrist did he turn it over.[4]

Draco Malfoy

"Put those away. If you attack my son again, I shall ensure that it is the last thing you ever do."

—Narcissa Malfoy speaks coldy to Harry and Ron when they draw out their wands in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.[src]

Draco Malfoy, her son

Narcissa adored her only child, Draco, and was very protective of him. She insisted he not attend the Durmstrang Institute because it was so far from home, and frequently sent him sweet and cake packages while during his first year at Hogwarts.

Narcissa was terrified to the point of hysteria when Draco was ordered by Lord Voldemort to kill Albus Dumbledore. Narcissa suspected that Voldemort meant him to fail as punishment for her husband's failure in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. To help him, Narcissa went to Severus Snape and begged for his assistance, whereupon she asked of him to make the Unbreakable Vow in which he promised to take over Draco's task if he failed.[10] Later on in the war, she tried to shelter Draco as much as possible. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Narcissa lied to the Dark Lord about Harry Potter's death so she and Lucius would be able to search for Draco in the castle.[4] Draco, in turn, held his mother in great esteem, and became extremely angry if anyone insulted her.

Astoria Greengrass

Narcissa and her husband Lucius didn't think highly of her, as she raised their grandson Scorpius to be more tolerant view on Muggles (and likely Muggle-borns, half-bloods, Squibs or even non-human magical creatures).

Because of this, family gathering are often fraught with tension. It is likely they see Astoria as blood traitor because of this. Her relationship with Scorpius in unknown.

Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix Lestrange, her elder sister

Narcissa appeared to have a fairly affectionate and close relationship with her older sister Bellatrix. The two fondly called each other by their nicknames of "Cissy" and "Bella". Bellatrix accompanied Narcissa to see Snape at Spinner's End, in spite of her distrust for Severus Snape and belief that they should not discuss the task Voldemort assigned in secret.

Narcissa was also one of the only people who was able to question Bellatrix's authority without unleashing Bellatrix's anger. The two sometimes clashed over Draco, as Narcissa was concerned about his welfare, while Bellatrix coldly stated her belief that he was doing his duty by serving Voldemort and that Narcissa should be proud.[10]

However, in the film version of the Deathly Hallows, Part Two, Narcissa did abandon Bellatrix in the Battle of Hogwarts, in an attempt to save her son. Though she remained at Hogwarts in the book, she didn't fight alongside Bellatrix.

Andromeda Tonks and Sirius Black

Narcissa did not hold her late cousin Sirius Black or her older sister, Andromeda Tonks, in high regard, presumably because they were both "blood traitors" who were disowned by the Black family. Bellatrix claimed that she and Narcissa had not seen Andromeda since she married Muggle-born wizard Ted Tonks, which would have occurred in the early 1970s. Narcissa also mercilessly threw Sirius's death in Harry Potter's face when he taunted her about Lucius's imprisonment in 1996.[10] For his part, Sirius held his cousin in contempt for her prejudiced beliefs.[7]

Harry Potter and his friends

Narcissa Malfoy: "I see that being Dumbledore's favourite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won't always be there to protect you."

Harry Potter: "Wow... look at that... he's not here now! So why not have a go? They might find you a double cell in Azkaban with your loser of a husband!"

Draco Malfoy: "Don't you dare talk to my mother like that, Potter!"

Narcissa Malfoy: "It's all right, Draco. I expect Potter will be reunited with dear Sirius before I am reunited with Lucius"

— Harry Potter, Narcissa Malfoy and Draco Malfoy arguing in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.[src]

Harry Potter

Harry held Narcissa in contempt due to his rivalry with her son and hatred of her husband. In the same respect, Narcissa held Harry and his friends in disdain and contempt: especially Hermione Granger, as she was Muggle-born, and Ron Weasley, as he was a blood traitor. Narcissa also held Harry in contempt for being Dumbledore's favourite student and associating with those whom she considered to be inferior.

When Voldemort "killed" Harry in the Forbidden Forest, she asked him whether Draco was still alive, as she knew that the only way she and Lucius could search for Draco inside Hogwarts would be as part of Voldemort's victorious army. Though she disliked Harry, she placed her family's welfare over Voldemort's goals. On confirming Draco's very much alive status, she plainly lied that Harry Potter was "dead". Harry was indeed not dead and was just pretending to be dead. This action of hers is a very crucial and important one for Harry's survival.

Bellatrix Lestrange

"Potter, you cannot win against me! I was and am the Dark Lord's most loyal servant. I learned the Dark Arts from him, and I know spells of such power that you, pathetic little boy, can never hope to compete!"

—Bellatrix Lestrange on her own loyalty and skill[src]

Madam Bellatrix Lestrange (née Black) (1951 – 2 May, 1998) was a pure-blood witch, the daughter of Cygnus Black III and Druella Black (née Rosier) and elder sister of Andromeda Tonks and Narcissa Malfoy. She started her education at Hogwarts in 1962 and was Sorted into Slytherin house.

After graduating from Hogwarts she became a Death Eater. She was fanatically loyal to Lord Voldemort and was among the most dangerous and sadistic of Voldemort's followers. While Bellatrix and Narcissa married pure-blood wizards, Andromeda married Ted Tonks, a Muggle-born wizard and was disowned by the family. Andromeda was burned off the Black Family Tree and they were forbidden to talk about her. At the end of the First Wizarding War Bellatrix, Rodolphus Lestrange (husband), Rabastan Lestrange (brother-in-law), and Barty Crouch Jr. took part in the torture of Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom to the point of driving them insane, while searching for information on Lord Voldemort after his first downfall. They were caught and sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban for torturing the two Aurors.

Bellatrix escaped from Azkaban in the 1996 mass break-out, along with nine other Death Eaters. She participated in several battles of the Second Wizarding War, making it a particular goal to murder any relatives who were members of the Order of the Phoenix, including her cousin Sirius Black III and niece Nymphadora Tonks. Bellatrix also murdered the Malfoy family's former house-elf, Dobby, who had become a firm ally of Harry Potter, with her knife. During the final battle, apart from Voldemort, she was the last Death Eater standing, but was eventually killed in a duel by Molly Weasley.

Contents

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Biography

Early life (1951-1970)

"Snape knew more curses when he arrived at school than half the kids in seventh year, and he was part of a gang of Slytherins who nearly all turned out to be Death Eaters. Rosier and Wilkes — they were both killed by Aurors the year before Voldemort fell. The Lestranges — they're a married couple — they're in Azkaban."

—Sirius Black[src]

Bellatrix on the Black family tree

Bellatrix was born in 1951 to Cygnus Black III and Druella Black (née Rosier), who raised her to be proud of her pure-blood heritage. She was the elder sister of Andromeda and Narcissa Black[3], though Bellatrix cut off contact with Andromeda when she married Muggle-born wizard Ted Tonks and was disowned from the House of Black, as she told Voldemort in 1997 that neither she or Narcissa had "set eyes on Andromeda since she married the Mudblood Tonks".[4] Bellatrix also held her cousin Sirius Black in contempt for being a "blood traitor" for his different opinions on Muggles and Muggle-borns.

Bellatrix came from the pure-blood Black family, and as such she was given a rich lifestyle. Bellatrix attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was sorted into Slytherin House. She eventually married Rodolphus Lestrange, a fellow wealthy pure-blood and Slytherin. Although they would later work together well in their service to Lord Voldemort, the marriage appeared to be nothing more than an obligatory fulfillment of her family's pure-blood marriage traditions. Unlike Narcissa and Andromeda, Bellatrix displayed no affection for her husband whatsoever, never even mentioning him in conversations.

When Voldemort first rose to power, Bellatrix and Rodolphus joined the Death Eaters. Voldemort gave Bellatrix additional training in the Dark Arts. He was her true love, the one to whom she spoke in a romantic manner and showed concern for. He never returned her feelings as he was incapable of understanding love and disliked the idea of being emotionally attached to anyone.

First Wizarding War (1970-1981)

"The Dark Lord will rise again, Crouch! Throw us into Azkaban; we will wait! He will rise again and will come for us, he will reward us beyond any of his other supporters! We alone were faithful! We alone tried to find him!"

—Bellatrix at her trial[src]

The Dark Mark, a symbol of fear during the First Wizarding War

When the First Wizarding War broke out, Bellatrix and her husband Rodolphus both fought for Voldemort's Death Eaters, and remained loyal to Voldemort throughout the wizarding war and even after he was defeated by Harry Potter.

After the Dark Lord's fall on 31 October, 1981, Bellatrix and a group of Voldemort's followers, including Rodolphus, her brother-in-law Rabastan, and Barty Crouch Jr., kidnapped Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members Alice and Frank Longbottom, just new parents to Neville Longbottom. Bellatrix and her partners used the Cruciatus Curse to torture Alice and Frank for information on Voldemort's whereabouts, until the two captives were driven into insanity when they refused to divulge anything. This crime caused a wave of fury upon the wizard community of such ferocity that the Ministry were critically pressured to find the culprits, and when the four were captured they were tried before the Council of Magical Law and sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban. As a result of the torture Alice and Frank spent the rest of their lives at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and were unaware that they had a son together.

Between the wars (1981-1995)

Imprisonment

Bellatrix is tried before the Council of Magical Law, along with her husband, her brother-in-law, and Barty Crouch Jr.

After the fall of the Dark Lord Bellatrix stood trial for her crimes. Unlike many other Death Eaters, she did not lie about her loyalty — she proudly claimed that she was loyal to Voldemort and that she would wait for his return.[5]

Bellatrix while in Azkaban

Indeed, Bellatrix was so proud of her loyalty to Voldemort that, during her trial before the Council of Magical Law, she was said to have sat upon the chair she was chained to as if it were a throne. She would later describe herself as the Dark Lord's most loyal follower and even Lord Voldemort, whom Bellatrix admired the most, gained a considerable amount of respect for her. Bellatrix was sentenced to life in Azkaban with no chance of release.

Harry Potter later witnessed Bellatrix's trial in 1995 in a memory of Professor Dumbledore's.[6]

Second Wizarding War (1995-1998)

Escape from Azkaban

"We have confirmed that ten high-security prisoners, in the early hours of yesterday evening, did escape... We strongly suspect that the breakout was engineered by a man with personal experience in escaping from Azkaban; notorious mass murderer Sirius Black, cousin of escapee Bellatrix Lestrange."

—Cornelius Fudge interview to the Daily Prophet regarding the 1996 Azkaban mass breakout[src]

Bellatrix's picture in the Daily Prophet after the mass breakout

When Voldemort returned to power in June 1995 he said that Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan Lestrange were faithful members of his inner circle and should be rewarded. As they did not denounce him after they were captured and tried.

In January 1996, a mass breakout from Azkaban set ten long-imprisoned Death Eaters loose. Bellatrix was one of the ten high-security Death Eaters who escaped in the mass breakout and rejoined Voldemort, the Dementors joined the Dark Lord as well. Lord Voldemort had little trouble arranging this as many of the Dementors were happy to oblige his dark whims. The Daily Prophet (probably with encouragement from the Ministry of Magic) reported that the escaped criminal Sirius Black must be responsible for the incident. These ten were considered to be some of the most dangerous and highly guarded convicts due to their crimes being brutal and legendary. As a result, Bellatrix and her allies became wanted witches and wizards. They lived in hiding to avoid being captured by the Ministry.[6]

Battle of the Department of Mysteries

Main article: Battle of the Department of Mysteries

"Never used an Unforgivable Curse before, have you, boy? You need to mean them, Potter. You need to really want to cause pain — to enjoy it — righteous anger won't hurt me for long — I'll show you how it is done, shall I? I'll give you a lesson — Crucio!"

—Bellatrix to Harry Potter regarding the Unforgivable Curses[src]

Neville Longbottom threatens Bellatrix in the Hall of Prophecy, during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries

Later that very same year, Bellatrix and her brother-in-law, Lucius, participated in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in a plot to steal a prophecy regarding Harry Potter and the Dark Lord. She was enraged when Harry spoke Voldemort's given name and mentioned his true status as a half-blood. She also recognised Neville Longbottom and later tortured him just like she tortured his parents. She was very condescending when dealing with the six D.A. members. Bellatrix tried unsuccessfully to retrieve the prophecy from Harry Potter via a Summoning Charm, but here efforts were stopped by Harry's quick use of a Shield Charm. She was also willing to do whatever it took to get the prophecy from Harry, including threating to torture Ginny Weasley with the Cruciatus Curse while he watched.

Bellatrix duelling Sirius Black in the Death Chamber

When the Order of the Phoenix members arrived, Bellatrix duelled and defeated her niece, Nymphadora Tonks. She began fighting her cousin, Sirius Black. Sirius taunted her about the wicked Black Family and their pure-blood beliefs. Bellatrix then struck Sirius with a spell that sent him through the veil guarding the Death Chamber. After Sirius's death, Bellatrix defeated Kingsley Shacklebolt before going on the run. Later, Harry started to chase her in revenge for murdering Sirius. He attempted the Cruciatus Curse but only knocked her over and caused her a few seconds of pain. She taunted him and teasingly — yet correctly — taught him to how to do it properly.

Harry Potter attempting the Cruciatus Curse on Bellatrix, using "righteous anger"

Voldemort arrived at the Ministry shortly after Harry attempted to torture Bellatrix into insanity. Bellatrix pleaded to Voldemort not to be punished and tried to warn him that Albus Dumbledore was nearby, but he ignored her and concentrated on attempting to kill Harry. As he was about to cast the Killing Curse, Dumbledore arrived. Before duelling Voldemort, Dumbledore summoned Cornelius Fudge and some Aurors to the department. After the duel, Fudge and the Aurors arrived. Voldemort, having been seen by the public before he wished, grabbed Bellatrix before Apparating away. She was the only Death Eater whom he took the time to help. The remaining ones were captured by Aurors and sent back to Azkaban.

Plot against Albus Dumbledore

" [...] I don't trust you, Snape, as you very well know!... Where were you when the Dark Lord fell? "

—Bellatrix questions Severus Snape's loyalty[src]

Bellatrix sealing the Unbreakable Vow between Narcissa and Snape

In July of 1996, Bellatrix reluctantly accompanied her sister, Narcissa Malfoy, to the house of Severus Snape at Spinner's End. Once there, Bellatrix interrogated Snape and voiced her distrust of him. Snape's calm, reasonable, and logical answers to her aggressive questioning rendered her dissatisfied, but temporarily without retort. Narcissa, however, proceeded to beg Snape to look after her son Draco's welfare while he attended Hogwarts and tried to fulfill Voldemort's orders to kill Albus Dumbledore. Snape shocked Bellatrix by asking her to bind him and Narcissa with an Unbreakable Vow to assist Draco.

Bellatrix also assisted her nephew in his task by teaching him Occlumency, a tool he used against Snape in order to conceal the details of his mission. Bellatrix showed her obsessive loyalty to her master's cause in telling her sister that she should be proud, instead of worried, that her son was not "shrinking away from his duty."

Battle of the Seven Potters

Main article: Meeting at Malfoy Manor

Bellatrix: "My Lord, it is an honour to have you here, in our family's house. There can be no higher pleasure."

Lord Voldemort: "No higher pleasure... That means a great deal, Bellatrix, from you."

Bellatrix: "My Lord knows I speak nothing but the truth!"

— Bellatrix's delight at Voldemort staying at Malfoy Manor[src]

Bellatrix talking to Voldemort in Malfoy Manor during a Death Eater meeting

By the next year, Bellatrix was living with Narcissa at Malfoy Manor. She was the only resident of the manor who was actually pleased that Voldemort was staying there, telling him that there was "no higher pleasure". Despite her unwavering loyalty, her master humiliated her and the Malfoys by mentioning the marriage of Nymphadora Tonks, the daughter of Bellatrix and Narcissas' sister, to the werewolf Remus Lupin. Bellatrix insisted that she and Narcissa did not consider Nymphadora to be their niece, as they had disowned her mother (for marrying Nymphadora's father, a Muggle-born). Voldemort eventually stopped the teasing and advised Bellatrix to "prune" her "family tree", which she eagerly agreed to do as soon as possible.

When the Death Eaters subsequently attacked the Order of the Phoenix while they were moving Harry Potter out of his relatives' home, Bellatrix and her husband targeted Tonks in particular. Rodolphus was injured in the pursuit and Tonks escaped. Soon afterwards, a copy of Godric Gryffindor's Sword was secured in Bellatrix's family vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank on Voldemort's orders, Voldemort and Bellatrix both unaware, at the time, that it was merely a copy.

Skirmish at Malfoy Manor

Main article: Skirmish at Malfoy Manor

"You're lying, you filthy Mudblood, and I know it! You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell the truth, tell the truth! What else did you take? What else have you got? Tell me the truth or, I swear, I shall run you through with this knife! What else did you take, what else? ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!"

—Overheard parts of Bellatrix's interrogation of Hermione Granger[src]

Bellatrix sees the Sword of Gryffindor and retaliates against the Snatchers who possess it

In 1998, when Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were captured by Snatchers and brought to the Manor with Godric Gryffindor's sword, Bellatrix panicked. This led Harry to deduce that there could be something of Voldemort's in her vault — his Horcrux, Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, seeming most likely. Bellatrix then Stunned all the Snatchers, intending to kill them later, as Draco was unwilling to himself.

Bellatrix brutally interrogating Hermione Granger

Bellatrix then interrogated Hermione and tortured her with the Cruciatus Curse and her knife, carving "mudblood" into Hermione's arm, but Hermione managed to lie under unbearable pain, claiming the real sword was only a copy.[4] But Bellatrix thought that maybe Harry and his friends got the sword from her vault, so she told Peter Pettigrew to get Griphook from the cellar to tell her if the sword was fake or not. Griphook managed to tell a lie, obeying Harry's request to him and keeping their secret safe. After Pettigrew was strangled to death with his own silver hand after showing mercy and loosening the grip he had on Harry's throat, Harry and Ron escaped to cellar and proceeded up the stairs to aid Hermione.

Bellatrix throws her dagger as the prisoners escape

Bellatrix threatened Hermione with her knife, after Harry stunned Greyback and Lucius and Ron disarmed her. While holding the knife to an unconscious Hermione's throat, Bellatrix demanded that the prisoners drop their wands, and then pressed her Dark Mark, calling Voldemort. However, Dobby Apparated and created a diversion and caused the chandelier to fall from above Bellatrix's head, making her release Hermione and jump out of the way. She lashed out at the house-elf in complete disbelief of his rebellious action to his "former masters". Dobby claimed he was a "free elf" and disapparated. As the house-elf disapparated with Harry, Bellatrix threw the knife at Dobby, and the Apparation sucked up the knife with it, wounding Dobby in his chest, who died. She and her relatives were severely punished by Voldemort for allowing Harry to escape. Bellatrix also lost her wand in the skirmish.

After the incident at Malfoy Manor, Hermione used the hair of Bellatrix that had fallen on her while Bellatrix was torturing her to change herself into Bellatrix, therefore letting her sneak into Gringotts (Diagon Alley was infested with Death Eaters).

Battle of Hogwarts and death

"Molly's curse soared beneath Bellatrix's outstretched arm and hit her squarely in the chest, directly over her heart. Bellatrix's gloating smile froze, her eyes seemed to bulge: for the tiniest space of time she knew what had happened, and then she toppled, and the watching crowd roared, and Voldemort screamed."

—Description of Bellatrix's demise at Molly Weasley's hand[src]

During the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998, Bellatrix finally succeeded in murdering Nymphadora Tonks, her estranged sister's daughter, [2]. When Voldemort called a temporary retreat, waiting for Harry Potter to turn himself in, Bellatrix waited by his side; she offered him help when he was dazed after using the Killing Curse on Harry, but was coldly rebuffed. Bellatrix eagerly asked Voldemort if she could check Harry for signs of life, but was refused and instead he sent her younger sister to confirm his death. When Narcissa had lied and told Voldemort that Harry was dead, Bellatrix and the other Death Eaters (and supporters) followed Voldemort to Hogwarts to announce Harry's "death".

Bellatrix duelling Molly Weasley

When the battle resumed, Bellatrix fought Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Luna Lovegood all at once, just as her master fought three by himself. It was said that despite all three young witches being skilled, combined they did not equal Bellatrix's magical abilities. Bellatrix became the last Death Eater standing aside from Voldemort. She casted a Killing Curse at Ginny, which missed by less than an inch; this enraged Ginny's mother, Molly Weasley, who promptly threw off her cloak and engaged in her own duel with the Death Eater. Bellatrix did not take Molly seriously in the least, initially taunting her over the death of her son, Fred calling him "Freddie".

A dead Bellatrix at Molly Weasley's feet

The duel continued, however, and the ground beneath the two witches was said to become hot and cracked as their battle progressed. While Bellatrix laughed at her opponent, Molly managed to strike her in the chest with a curse which proved fatal. As her body toppled to the ground, an outraged Voldemort turned on Molly. This prompted Harry, who had watched the battle unfold beneath his Invisibility Cloak, to reveal himself, and the final showdown between him and Voldemort ensued. Bellatrix did not live to find out that her mistrust of Snape had been valid and she did not live to see her master's final defeat moments later.[4]

Physical appearance

" […] a woman with thick, shining dark hair, long eyelashes and heavily hooded eyes… was sitting in the chained chair as though it were a throne […] "

—Description of Bellatrix at her trial[src]

Bellatrix, age 46

Bellatrix was described as a tall woman with long, thick shiny dark hair, thin lips, heavily-lidded eyes with long eyelashes, and a strong jaw. She had the classic 'great good looks' and arrogant bearing common for members of the House of Black, but like her cousin Sirius, time in Azkaban took a toll on her appearance.

After her lengthy imprisonment, she was described as having a gaunt and skull-like face, but managed to retain some vestige of her great beauty.[6] Bellatrix was noted to resemble her younger sister, Andromeda Black, at first glance, however, Andromeda has lighter brown hair, and a kinder face and eyes. Also, Harry noted that as much as Narcissa is fair as Bellatrix is dark, the two sisters still resembled each other.[7]

Personality and traits

"She definitely has a personality disorder."

—Helena Bonham Carter discusses the character

Bellatrix was an intensely sadistic witch with brutal, violent tendencies.[7] She was intelligent, but could be easily distracted, and had a fierce and dangerous temper, a trait that she shared with her cousin Sirius and her aunt Walburga. She was egomaniacal and suffered from intense delusions of grandeur, believing that she was the most loyal follower of Lord Voldemort.

Bellatrix laughing at the announcement that Harry Potter's "dead"

Bellatrix was slavishly devoted to Lord Voldemort, believing that she proved her loyalty by her time in Azkaban, which seems to have furthered her mental decline. She was Voldemort's most trusted and loyal follower, as well as one of his cruelest Death Eaters, always eager to inflict the Cruciatus Curse on enemies and her family members; Harry Potter noted that Bellatrix was as "mad as her master." [6]

Bellatrix was extremely narcissistic and exceptionally arrogant. She was obsessed with blood purity and took immense pride in the aristocracy and pure blood of her family. Like all the rest of Lord Voldemort's followers, she was vehemently against all "blood traitors," half-bloods, Muggle-borns, and Muggles, but was not above killing members of her own family who displeased her.

"You need more persuasion? Very well — take the smallest one. Let him watch while we torture the little girl. I’ll do it."

—Bellatrix to Harry Potter, threatening to torture Ginny Weasley[src]

Bellatrix was a natural leader and took charge in tricky situations, such as during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor. Another mark of her decisiveness and ruthlessness was that Bellatrix took no unnecessary prisoners, preferring to kill them instead, as she planned to do with a group of Snatchers who attempted to defy her in Malfoy Manor in 1998.[4]

Despite her cruel personality, she was not incapable of caring for a few people. She was obsessively in love with her master, Lord Voldemort, though he did not return her feelings because he was incapable of love. She and her younger sister, Narcissa, displayed a close relationship. She went with Narcissa to Severus Snape's house when Narcissa wanted to ask Snape to help Draco. She also showed affection for her nephew, Draco Malfoy, teaching him Occlumency and possibly other skills.

Magical abilities and skills

Bellatrix casts the Killing Curse on her cousin, Sirius Black

"She was a witch, as Harry knew, with prodigious skill and no conscience."

—Harry Potter on Bellatrix's duelling skills[src]

Bellatrix Lestrange was an extremely powerful and dangerous witch. She was a mistress of the Dark Arts, an incredibly skilful duellist, and an Occlumens. Her prodigious duelling skill was proven by her many victories over numerous talented wizards and witches, including experienced Aurors.

• Dark Arts: Bellatrix claimed to have been trained in the Dark Arts by Voldemort himself, and displayed particular proficiency with the Cruciatus Curse. She boasted to have knowledge of Dark spells that few could comprehend the power of[6]; a claim supported by her status as Voldemort's "best lieutenant". Like her master, Bellatrix was capable of casting the Killing Curse with no regard for the life she wished to extinguish. However, unlike the Dark Lord, she usually preferred to torture her victims rather than killing them straight away, doing so with such skill her victims can pass out, like Hermione Granger, or even go to the point of insanity like Frank and Alice Longbottom.[7][4] Like many Death Eaters, she could summon the Dark Mark.

• Non-verbal magic: Bellatrix also seemed highly adept at using non-verbal spells. She killed a fox with a flash of green light on her way to Spinner's End, in 1996, which was highly likely to have been a non-verbal Killing Curse and ferociously duelled Molly Weasley with such intensity that the floor around her became "hot and cracked" without mentioning a single incantation. She also fired a curse at Harry, non-verbally, which caused a tank of brains to lift and tip itself onto him whilst he chased her in the Thought Chamber and furthermore fired several destructive curses at him without speaking in the Atrium at the Ministry of Magic, some of which were possibly Cruciatus curses. She also decimated the Great Hall non-verbally, and used an unknown spell to bring Greyback to his knees at Malfoy Manor.

• Duelling: Bellatrix Lestrange was an incredibly talented duellist, and defeated and seriously injured Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt in duels during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, as well as her cousin Sirius and was the only Death Eater to deflect a spell from Albus Dumbledore himself, allowing her to escape the renowned wizard.[6] She also quickly and single-handedly defeated four Snatchers at Malfoy Manor and all four were described to be "no match". She later killed her niece, Nymphadora Tonks in battle. Just before her death, Bellatrix duelled Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, and Ginny Weasley all at once, and was described as being equal in skill to all three of the trained, if inexperienced (compared to her), witches. Her death at the hands of Molly Weasley was due to her vastly underestimating the witch, who was fuelled by grief over the murder of her son.[4] Besides this, despite her years of captivity within Azkaban, Bellatrix displayed incredible reflexes that outmatched the much younger and physically-fit Harry Potter; she was able to conjure a Shield Charm and deflect his own spell back at him the moment he cast it.[6] She was also able to throw a knife with lethal accuracy across a room to strike her target. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Bellatrix was the last Death Eater standing, apart from Lord Voldemort, and it should be noted that she was wielding a wand which she had most likely not won the allegiance of, which is further evidence of her extraordinary duelling skills.

• Occlumency: Bellatrix trained her nephew, Draco Malfoy, in Occlumency as part of his mission to kill Albus Dumbledore. This training was effective enough that Draco was able to block out Severus Snape. It is also possible that she could perform Legilimency, as she may have penetrated Draco's mind to train him to block his thoughts[7]

• Charms: Bellatrix displayed a proficiency at Charms, given how she was the only Death Eater besides Voldemort to successfully block an attack from Dumbledore. However, she could not perform a Patronus Charm as she lacked the ability to think of a thought positive enough for the Charm to work.

• Flying: Bellatrix participated in the Battle of the Seven Potters, duelling her niece while flying. Her proficiency in this battle demonstrates her abilities as a flyer.

• Unbreakable Vow: Bellatrix could cast a bonding spell to help make an Unbreakable Vow for Draco Malfoy, which could force Severus Snape to kill Albus Dumbledore and protect Draco regardless of whether he wanted to or not.

• Teaching skills: Bellatrix taught Draco Occlumency, the Unforgivable Curses, and several non-verbal spells before his sixth year of school started. She also unwittingly taught Harry how to properly use the Unforgivable Curses, given how he acknowledged that his success on the Cruciatus Curse was actually from her taunting.

Relationships

Family

Lord Voldemort: "I'm talking about your niece, Bellatrix. And yours, Lucius and Narcissa. She just married the werewolf, Remus Lupin. You must be so proud."

Bellatrix: "She is no niece of ours, my Lord. We — Narcissa and I — have never set eyes on our sister since she married the Mudblood. This brat has nothing to do with either of us, nor any beast she marries."

— Voldemort discussing blood purity with the Death Eaters[src]

Nymphadora Tonks, niece and murder victim of Bellatrix

Bellatrix took the pure-blood values of her family very seriously, as indicated by her marriage into a known pure-blood wizarding family and her zealous belief in Death Eater ideology. She had no feelings of affection for those in her family deemed blood traitors by disgracing and dishonouring her family by not fanatically honouring the prejudiced values she did, and readily attacked and killed them on many occasions.

Narcissa, Bellatrix's youngest sister

She seems to have had a fairly close and affectionate relationship with her younger sister Narcissa, whom she called "Cissy." Despite distrusting Severus Snape and attempting to dissuade her sister from approaching him, Bellatrix accompanied Narcissa to Spinner's End to request Snape's help in seeing Draco through the task assigned to him by Lord Voldemort in 1996.

After Snape agreed to make the Unbreakable Vow, Bellatrix acted as Bonder, ensuring that Snape would fulfil his promises to Narcissa. Narcissa and Bellatrix occasionally clashed over the former's protectiveness towards her son; Bellatrix argued that Narcissa should be proud that her son was a Death Eater, while Narcissa consistently demonstrated that the safety of her son and husband were her first priorities. Still, the two seemed close, and, at some point, Bellatrix trained Draco in Occlumency to aid him in his mission.[7]

Andromeda Tonks's burned image and Bellatrix's image on the family Tree.

On the other hand, Bellatrix hated her "blood traitor" relatives. After her sister Andromeda married a muggle-born and was disowned, Bellatrix never saw her again[4]. She shared a mutual loathing with her "dear cousin" Sirius Black, and the two taunted each other as they dueled during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. After killing Sirius, Bellatrix jeered at Harry about the death of his godfather on multiple occasions.[6]

Bellatrix also eagerly attacked her niece, Nymphadora Tonks, on at least three occasions — this was likely for a combination of reasons, including Tonks' being a half-blood, an Auror, and member of the Order of the Phoenix, the fact that she had married a werewolf and Voldemort's comments to her about "pruning her family tree". Bellatrix eventually murdered Tonks during the Battle of Hogwarts in May 1998.

Sirius Black, a cousin and murder victim of Bellatrix

"I killed Sirius Black! I killed Sirius Black! You going to get me? You going to get me? You going to get me?"

—Bellatrix taunts Harry about murdering Sirius[src]

It is possible that Bellatrix was on good terms with her other cousin, Regulus, who was a Death Eater during the First Wizarding War. Regulus initially espoused the pure-blood supremacist line associated with his family, and like Bellatrix, was sorted into the Slytherin house during his time at Hogwarts. It is unlikely that he revealed his change of heart to Bellatrix, or anyone else, prior to his death in 1979.

Her relationship with Draco seemed to have some affection; though she seemed to disapprove of his inability to kill and dislike for torture. She taught him Occlumency and possibly non-verbal spells. His blood relationship with her is probably the only reason he is still alive; due to his father's failure and his failure of his 1996-1997 task. Seeing Lucius's extreme failure and the confiscation of his wand, Bellatrix saw her brother-in-law with disdain and contempt, showing him little to no respect during their argument of summoning Voldemort for capturing Harry.

Rodolphus Lestrange

In marrying Rodolphus Lestrange, Bellatrix made a "respectable pure-blood marriage"[6], as was expected of her. There is no indication that their relationship went beyond this. She never expressed any love or concern for him. It was Voldemort to whom she spoke in a romantic manner instead. However, she and Rodolphus did seem to work effectively together as Death Eaters. Rodolphus tortured Alice and Frank Longbottom alongside his wife, brother, and Barty Crouch Jr. in 1981[5]. He fought with Bellatrix during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries[6]. He was also with her during the Battle of the Seven Potters, as Nymphadora Tonks mentioned cursing him and being pursued by Bellatrix[4]. Sirius Black described them as part of the same "gang of Slytherins" at Hogwarts, which also included Lucius Malfoy, Evan Rosier, and Severus Snape[6].

Bellatrix once told Narcissa that if she had sons, she would "be glad to give them up to the service of the Dark Lord".[7] No children appear beneath Bellatrix and Rodolphus's names on the Black family tapestry, indicating that she had no daughters either. It could be surmised that she made no attempts to produce children with her official husband, as she truly adored her master and concentrated on pleasing him.

Lord Voldemort

"She sat beside her sister, as unlike her in looks, with her dark hair and heavily lidded eyes, as she was in bearing and demeanour; where Narcissa sat rigid and impassive, Bellatrix leaned toward Voldemort, for mere words could not demonstrate her longing for closeness."

—Bellatrix demonstrates her obsession with Voldemort during the Meeting at Malfoy Manor[src]

Lord Voldemort, her master whom she was obsessively in love with

Bellatrix was obsessively in love with Lord Voldemort.[2] Unlike many of the other Death Eaters, Bellatrix never attempted to deny her loyalties when her master fell in 1981. Instead she proudly claimed that she was his most loyal and trusted servant, and stated that he would rise again. She seemed to view Azkaban prison as a mere place to wait for his return.[5] More than just being a fanatic, she shared his ideas of blood purity and fascination with the Dark Arts. Satisfying him was of the utmost importance to her. She was perfectly willing to kill her niece, Nymphadora Tonks, as a way of "pruning" her "family tree".

She is described as being slavishly devoted to her master, regarding him with "worshipful fascination" and speaking to him in a romantic way.[4] On at least one occasion, during the 1997 meeting of Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor, her cheeks flushed and her eyes welled up with tears when she thought he was praising her. He did not reciprocate her romantic feelings, as he did not know love. Due to his egotistical and self-centred nature, however, it is possible that he was at least pleased with her desire for him.

He respected her talents and skills, and apparently considered her of greater importance than most of his other servants. At the conclusion of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, he grabbed her and Apparated away with her. She was the sole Death Eater who he bothered to help.

Bellatrix was outraged by anyone showing her master the slightest disrespect. When Harry Potter called him by his name in 1996, she became enraged, feeling that he was unworthy of speaking the name. She was also furious when Harry spoke of Voldemort's half-blood status and Muggle father. Despite agreeing with her master's ideology of blood purity, she apparently did not care that he himself was a half-blood, if she believed this at all. Voldemort might have falsely told her (as well as his other subordinates) that he was a pure-blood, something which Harry Potter suspected. If so, she believed her master's lie over the truth from the enemy.

When she was killed by Molly Weasley during the final battle, Voldemort's fury was said to "explode like a bomb". Her death was the only one that he attempted to avenge (before Harry Potter intervened). It is unlikely, though, that he truly cared about her as a person. He was angry about losing someone who was very useful to him.

Harry Potter

"My Lord, I'd like to volunteer for this task. I want to kill the boy."

—Bellatrix wanting to kill Harry[src]

Harry Potter, a hated enemy

Bellatrix Lestrange saw Harry Potter as her master's most hated enemy and despised him for the inexplicable threat he posed to the Dark Lord. She thought of him as someone lesser than herself due to his status as a half-blood and wanted him dead very badly, she even volunteered herself for the task of murdering him in 1997, until Voldemort quietly stopped her.

Harry had hated and feared Bellatrix ever since he first saw her in the Pensieve, learning that she was responsible for the attack on Alice and Frank Longbottom. Harry's attention was immediately drawn to Bellatrix's picture when the news of the ten escaped Death Eaters appeared in the Daily Prophet, and whenever he saw her image on wanted posters after that. During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Harry fully intended to kill Bellatrix in retaliation for her murder of his godfather, and at the onset of the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor, the mere sound of her voice when she appeared in the fray was enough to make his fear reach a new high. Bellatrix also killed Dobby the house-elf and Nymphadora Tonks, and when she attempted to murder Ginny Weasley during the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry was diverted from his goal of destroying Voldemort in the hopes of attacking her; he was stopped only by the sudden intervention of Molly Weasley.

Harry's hatred for Bellatrix was intense enough for him to feel agitated when laying eyes on her sisters, both of whom resemble her.

Longbottom family

Bellatrix: "Neville Longbottom, is it? How's Mum and Dad?"

Neville Longbottom: "Better, now they're about to be avenged!"

— Bellatrix mocking Neville about his parents[src]

Frank and Alice Longbottom. whom she helped torture into insanity

After the fall of the Dark Lord in 1981, Bellatrix along with three other Death Eaters (including her husband, Rodolphus Lestrange and the son of well known Bartemus Crouch, Barty Crouch Jr. ) set out to attack members of the Order of the Phoenix, hoping to interrogate them for information on Voldemort's whereabouts. She personally attacked Alice and Frank Longbottom, torturing them by means of the Cruciatus Curse in her attempt at forcing them to yield the information she wanted. The event rendered the Aurors clinically and permanently insane, therefore condemning them to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for the remainder of their lives. Prior to the Longbottoms' capture and torture, Alice had given birth to a baby boy, Neville Longbottom.

Bellatrix threatens Neville Longbottom during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries

Neville was left with parents incapable of even recognizing him let alone caring for him, and so was raised by his grandmother. Bellatrix seemed to find the fact that she had caused Neville's family tragedy highly amusing. Upon first meeting Neville, she proceeded to mock his loss, extremely angering him in the process. Ever since he was old enough to understand why his parents needed to be hospitalized, Neville had despised Bellatrix Lestrange, but given his benign nature, he never sought vengeance against her. Instead, Neville honored his parents by showing more bravery than anyone could have expected of him, retaliating, when Bellatrix taunted him, rebelling against the tyranny of the Carrows during his seventh year at Hogwarts and subsequently fighting during the 1998 Battle of Hogwarts against Voldemort and his forces.

Severus Snape

"I don't trust you, Snape, as you very well know!"

—Bellatrix to Severus Snape[src]

Severus Snape, whom she mistrusts

Severus Snape was a Death Eater prior to the end of the First Wizarding War, changing sides shortly before Voldemort's 1981 downfall, and becoming a triple agent for Albus Dumbledore. Bellatrix was highly suspicious of him, possibly because of Snape's half-blood status, though mainly citing his evading a sentence to Azkaban "in Dumbledore's pocket;" mistrust may also have been Bellatrix's only real way of expressing her envy of the position of trust and respect Snape enjoyed under Voldemort.

In 1996, Bellatrix followed Narcissa to Snape's house, trying to dissuade her from seeking his help in guiding and guarding Draco in the task of killing Albus Dumbledore. Bellatrix was taken aback by Snape's conformance in making the Unbreakable Vow, for which she acted as a Bonder. Both she and Snape fought at the Battle of Hogwarts, Bellatrix dying, however, before being able to discover that her initial mistrust of Snape had been valid after all.

Albus Dumbledore

" [...] or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it [...] "

—Albus Dumbledore on Bellatrix[src]

Albus Dumbledore, a hated enemy

Albus Dumbledore knew Bellatrix to be a highly dangerous Death Eater since the First Wizarding War, having also witnessed her trial and imprisonment, after she tortured the Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom to insanity and beyond.

Though Bellatrix was fanatically loyal to Voldemort, and believed that he was greater and more powerful than Dumbledore, she would not brave Dumbledore in a duel, as she recognised him as a far more superior wizard than she was a witch. During the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Bellatrix opted to flee rather than engage Dumbledore in battle, deflecting his spells as she made her escape, and was the only Death Eater in the Death Chamber who succeeded in escaping from him — a testament of her prodigious magical skills.

While Bellatrix most likely never had so much as a full conversation with the Headmaster, Dumbledore seemed to understand her very well; he admitted to Severus Snape that he would prefer to not fall prey to Bellatrix Lestrange in his weakened state (caused by Voldemort's cursed Horcrux ring), as she liked to "play with her food before she eats it". During their only known interaction in the Astronomy Tower, Bellatrix called Dumbledore by his first name.

Order of the Phoenix and enemies

Ron Weasley: "No! You can have me, keep me!"

Bellatrix Lestrange: "If she dies under questioning, I'll take you next. Blood traitor is next to Mudblood in my book."

— During the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor[src]

The original Order of the Phoenix, her enemies

Most of the Order of the Phoenix knew Bellatrix as one of the most dangerous and sadistic of Lord Voldemort's followers, especially considering Bellatrix managed to kill, seriously injure, or duel and successfully defeat several Order members. She despised her "blood traitor" cousin and niece, Sirius Black and Nymphadora Tonks, both of whom she eventually murdered; she bested Kingsley Shacklebolt at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, was disgusted by Remus Lupin, as a werewolf, marrying into her family through Nymphadora Tonks, and of course, took part in torturing the Aurors Alice and Frank Longbottom.

Molly Weasley, the witch who defeated Bellatrix

At the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor, she singled out Hermione Granger, as a Muggle-born, to torture and interrogate, though she offered to take Ron Weasley next, as a member of the Weasley family, well known in pure-blood supremacist circles as "blood traitors." During the Battle of Hogwarts, Bellatrix cruelly taunted Molly Weasley about the death of Molly's son, Fred, and when she tried to attack Molly's daughter, Ginny, she instigated a vicious battle between Molly and herself. This battle ended in the death of Bellatrix, who continued laughing derisively at the efforts of her opponent until the moment she realised Molly had defeated her.

Kreacher

Kreacher was the last house-elf of the House of Black, and he mimicked his family's pure-blood supremacist values. Like Sirius Black's mother, he was disappointed with Sirius for not sharing those same values. He favored Bellatrix and Narcissa, Sirius' two cousins. He kept pictures of Bellatrix and some other Black family members in his sleeping area at 12 Grimmauld Place. His picture of Bellatrix was his favourite, as he had attempted to repair it with Spellotape and placed it in front of the others.

In December of 1995, when Sirius yelled at Kreacher to "get out" of a room, Kreacher interpreted the words as a command to leave his master's service and exit the house altogether. Because Bellatrix was currently in Azkaban and Andromeda had been disowned, Narcissa was the next family member whom he could serve. He went to her home and gave her information about Harry's god-son relationship with Sirius Black. Later, after Bellatrix escaped from Azkaban, he helped her by injuring Buckbeak, Sirius's hippogriff. He also lied to Harry about Sirius being gone from the house one day, when he had actually only gone upstairs to tend to Buckbeak's injury. Harry went to the Ministry of Magic to "save" Sirius, who in turn went there to save Harry. After Bellatrix killed Sirius in a duel[6], Kreacher hoped to move officially move into her possession, but Sirius's will transferred ownership to Harry[7]. Kreacher eventually gave his loyalty to Harry in 1997. He fought against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, Bellatrix included, during the Battle of Hogwarts[4].

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