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Death Eater

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Harry Potter association
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Death Eaters
Headquarters Malfoy Manor[1]
Leader(s) Lord Voldemort
Intentions Preservation of blood purity and serving Lord Voldemort
Enemies Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore's Army, Ministry of Magic, Muggles
First appearance Term first used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, members of organisation appeared in first three series entries.

In the fictional world of the Harry Potter series, the Death Eaters constitute a group of wizards and witches, led by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort – the chief antagonist of the series, who seeks to purify the Wizarding community by eliminating the Muggle-borns. They also try to create a new order through the Ministry of Magic and cause fear among the Wizarding community by terrorising and killing important officials and their enemies, chiefly the members of the Order of the Phoenix.

Death Eaters recognise one another by the Dark Mark on their left forearm, a sign created by Voldemort to instantly summon them. Their typical work attire include black, hooded robes and masks, as seen in the film version of Goblet of Fire (skull masks and black robes with pointed hats) and Order of the Phoenix (metal masks and more elaborate robes).

According to author J.K. Rowling, the original working title for the Death Eaters was "The Knights of Walpurgis". [2]

Synopsis

Pre-Harry Potter

The Death Eaters existed some 20 years before the events of the series proper, carrying out their activities. Ten years after that, two boys who fit the prophecy of Sybill Trelawney were born in July. The prophecy predicted that "The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal" and "neither can live while the other survives," so Voldemort and his Death Eaters went hunting for the boy who was proclaimed to be Voldemort's eventual downfall, Harry Potter, son of James and Lily Potter of Godric's Hollow. The Death Eaters tortured and murdered hundreds of innocent people for information. Anyone who was a Muggle, opposed them, or were believed to have information, were likely to have perished. Acting on information from the Potters' Secret-Keeper Peter Pettigrew, Voldemort attempted to complete the prophecy and kill his infant rival. Due to Harry's mother's sacrifice to save her son (James having been killed just beforehand), Voldemort's deadly curse rebounded off Harry and disembodied Voldemort. With Lord Voldemort vanquished after failing to kill Harry Potter, the Death Eaters largely disbanded. The Ministry of Magic rounded many of them up and imprisoned them in Azkaban, the Wizarding prison, but some eluded justice by claiming they were bewitched by the Imperius Curse or by turning in other Death Eaters, as Igor Karkaroff did; Harry witnesses Karkaroff's testimony against former Death Eaters in Albus Dumbledore's Pensieve during the course of the series.

Re-emergence

Lord Voldemort, having regained his full strength at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, summoned his followers to him by touching Peter Pettigrew's Dark Mark. Except for those dead, imprisoned, or afraid to return, the majority returned to his service as Lord Voldemort began his second attempt to claim power.

File:Dark mark movie.jpg
The 'Dark Mark' brand on Barty Crouch Jr.'s left arm, as portrayed in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Minister for Magic (Cornelius Fudge) and most of the Ministry of Magic originally refused to believe the news. Though Harry and Dumbledore were dissenting voices, the majority of the public believed the Ministry's position. The Death Eaters use this tactical advantage throughout Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, to maintain their secrecy. Because of the Ministry's refusal to remove the Dementors from Azkaban, which Dumbledore advised immediately following Voldemort's return, the Death Eaters recruited the Dementors to their cause and made similar progress with the giants; the Dementors' revolt also allowed the Death Eaters to bolster their ranks with the mass breakout of several surviving imprisoned members.

Voldemort sent a group of twelve Death Eaters, led by Lucius Malfoy, into the Department of Mysteries, where he expected them to secure a Prophecy of vital importance to him: having originally attacked Harry Potter based upon a partial recounting of it, he now wanted to hear the full version in order to better, or even fully, understand the connection between Potter and himself. The raid on the Department fails, however; Potter and his friends delay the Death Eaters and keep the Prophecy out of their hands, finally destroying it, and are eventually aided by Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore captured eleven of the twelve Death Eaters, sending Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange fleeing after a fierce duel with the former, and ending the Death Eaters' enjoyed secrecy. Lucius Malfoy, who had been important both to the Death Eaters and within the Ministry, was captured and imprisoned. However, the Death Eaters regrouped, assassinating and kidnapping important wizards, killed Muggles, and in general spread terror and chaos through the wizarding world. In 1997, the Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts for the first time, murdering Albus Dumbledore and injuring several people who were defending the school. A second, more deadly attack in 1998 caused the death of over 50 people including Voldemort, who was killed after his own killing curse, directed at Harry Potter, rebounded because the Elder Wand truly belonged to Harry. Voldemort's death signalled the end of the Death Eaters.

Ideology

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The Death Eaters at the Quidditch World Cup in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

The Death Eaters seek the total destruction of wizarding families of Muggle lineage, and complete power and control over the entire wizarding world, restoring leadership in the magical community to the pure-bloods. The Death Eaters not only seek the restoration of pure-blood rule over the wizarding community, but also the eventual subjugation of the Muggle community under wizarding rule.

The Death Eaters are supporters of pure-blood heritage, or wizards who have no Muggle ancestors. Claims that Voldemort himself is a half-blood are dismissed because he is also Heir of Slytherin and in any case exercised complete control over the minds of his followers. It was also unlikely within the context of the series that all of them could be pure-bloods, as very few pure-blood wizards still exist; J.K. Rowling has stated on her website that there are no true pure-blood families left, but that those who call themselves such simply strike Muggles, Squibs and Half-bloods from their family records.

The Death Eaters have also attacked pure-bloods who oppose them. An example of this are pure-blooded members of the Order of the Phoenix like Sirius Black or the Prewett brothers that were murdered because of their loyalties. On the other hand, Rowling has said that a Muggle-born wizard can become a Death Eater "in rare circumstances". [3]

Death Eaters and their crimes

Character Known Crimes
Avery He claimed to have been under the Imperius curse to avoid prison. Voldemort tortured him during his rebirth ritual. Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime.
Regulus Black Aided Voldemort with the hiding of a Horcrux. Later turned against Voldemort.
Alecto and Amycus Carrow Assaulted persons within Hogwarts. Tortured students while teaching at Hogwarts.
Crabbe Sr Vincent Crabbe's father. Present at Voldemort's rebirth. Participated in the break in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban after the later crime.
Bartemius Crouch Jr Participated in the torture and the permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom using the Cruciatus Curse. Escaped Azkaban after the latter crime. Delivered Harry Potter to Lord Voldemort. Impersonated Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody using Polyjuice Potion. Murdered his father, Barty Crouch Senior. Performed the Imperius Curse on Viktor Krum, and, through him, performed the Cruciatus Curse on Cedric Diggory and attacked Fleur Delacour. Subjected to the Dementor's Kiss.
Antonin Dolohov Helped murder Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Igor Karkaroff states he also "tortured countless Muggles and non-supporters of Voldemort". Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Participated in the break in at the Department of Mysteries, where he seriously injured Hermione and Alastor Moody with unknown curses, and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime. Attacked Harry, Ron and Hermione in Tottenham Court Road, but failed. Murdered Remus Lupin during the Battle of Hogwarts.[4]
Gibbon Assaulted persons within Hogwarts. Accidentally killed by fellow Death Eater Thorfinn Rowle.
Goyle Sr Gregory Goyle's father. Present at Voldemort's rebirth.
Fenrir Greyback Allowed to wear the robes of a Death Eater but was not given the Dark Mark. Known werewolf, favoured attacking young children. Captured Hermione, Ron, and Harry (Harry being under disguise). Participated in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Jugson Participated at the battle in the Department of Mysteries, during which he was subjected to a full Body-Bind Curse by Harry Potter. Later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime.
Igor Karkaroff Tortured Muggles.
Bellatrix Lestrange Participated in the torture and the permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom using the Cruciatus Curse. Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries. Caused the death of her cousin Sirius Black at the Chamber of Death. Tortured Hermione Granger and murdered Dobby at Malfoy Manor. Murdered Tonks during the Battle of Hogwarts.[5]
Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange Participated in the torture and the permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom using the Cruciatus Curse. Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and escaped from Azkaban again after being arrested in the latter crime.
Walden Macnair Present at Voldemort's rebirth. Participated at a break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime. Also participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Draco Malfoy Two failed assassination attempts on Albus Dumbledore; unintentionally poisoning Ron Weasley with mead and injuring Katie Bell with a cursed necklace. Let Death Eaters get into Hogwarts. Participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Lucius Malfoy Gave Voldemort's school diary to Ginny Weasley. Threatened school governors. Attempted to attack Harry Potter after losing his house-elf. Tortured a Muggle family and participated in a violent rampage at the Quidditch World Cup. Placed Order of the Phoenix member Sturgis Podmore and Department of Mysteries employee Broderick Bode under the Imperius Curse in order to attempt to capture the prophecy for his master. Headed the operation in the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime. Numerous counts of bribery.
Mulciber Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime. Specialised in the Imperius Curse.
Nott Sr Theodore Nott's father. Rowling mentions on her website that he is an elderly widower.[6] Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries (where he is Stunned by Hermione Granger), and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime.
Peter Pettigrew Framed Sirius Black for the betrayal of James and Lily Potter, murdering twelve Muggles in the process and faking his own death; betrayed the Potters as their Secret-Keeper; murdered Cedric Diggory, led Bertha Jorkins to her death at the hands of Lord Voldemort; assisted Voldemort in procuring a new body.
Augustus Rookwood A former Unspeakable that acted as though he was aiding the anti-Voldemort cause, but was revealed as a double agent, gaining information from Ludo Bagman and other unwitting agents throughout the Ministry. Escaped prison fourteen years later to rejoin Voldemort. Informed his master that Avery's information about Bode being able to steal the prophecy is incorrect. Participated in the break-in at the Department of Mysteries, and later escaped Azkaban after the latter crime. Also participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Evan Rosier Destroyed part of Alastor Moody's nose during a fight with Aurors. Killed in the latter fight.
Thorfinn Rowle Assaulted persons within Hogwarts and accidentally murdered the Death Eater Gibbon. Attacked Harry, Ron and Hermione in Tottenham Court Road, but failed and was punished by Voldemort. Also participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Selwyn Attacked Rubeus Hagrid and Harry Potter over the Dursleys' house. Tortured Xenophilius Lovegood.
Severus Snape Gave Voldemort some information about Sybill Trelawney's prophecy.
Travers Helped murder the McKinnons. Tortured Xenophilius Lovegood. He accompanied Hermione, disguised as Bellatrix, to Gringotts. Also participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Wilkes Unknown. Killed by Aurors during the first Wizarding war.
Yaxley Assaulted persons within Hogwarts. Placed Imperius curse on Pius Thicknesse. Also participated at the Battle of Hogwarts.

Notable Death Eaters

Regulus Black

Template:HP character Regulus Arcturus Black was the younger brother of Sirius Black. According to the Black family tree, Regulus was born to Orion and Walburga Black in 1961 and died in 1979. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix[7] indicates that he died "some fifteen years previously" as seen from the perspective of August 1995. Before publication of the final volume of the series, Rowling stated that Regulus was dead,[8] but did not comment on the nature of his demise. She also remarked in an interview: "Regulus got in a little too deep. Like Draco. He was attracted to it, but the reality of what it meant was way too much to handle."[9] Some information on Regulus's life was provided by his brother Sirius in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.[10] Sirius described him as his parents' favourite son because he accepted their ideas about blood purity. Regulus was sorted into the Slytherin House and played Seeker on its Quidditch team. He joined the Death Eaters at the age of sixteen but later had a change of heart.

The Blacks' house-elf, Kreacher, relates to Harry and his friends in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that he was ordered by Regulus to assist Voldemort in hiding a locket. Kreacher was forced to drink the potion to test its effectiveness, and was saved only by the fact that house-elf Apparition works differently from wizard Apparition. When Kreacher relates to Regulus what has transpired, Regulus forces him to bring him to the cave where Regulus himself drinks the entire potion and switches the locket for a fake one and, while being dragged underwater by Inferi, orders Kreacher to destroy the original locket. Regulus left a note in the fake one, signed R.A.B. and addressed to Voldemort:

To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.

Regulus deduces that the locket is a Horcrux due to Voldemort dropping various hints about having made them, in his arrogance believing that nobody will hunt them down and destroy them.[11] Many years after his sacrifice, Kreacher revealed that he was still loyal to Regulus' memory, even leading the House-Elves of Hogwarts in the Battle of Hogwarts against the Death Eaters in Regulus' name. Regulus ended his life a caring and self-sacrificing wizard, as shown by his positive treatment of Kreacher and his sacrifice so Voldemort could be defeated someday. Regulus is named after the brightest star in the constellation Leo. His middle name, Arcturus, is a reference to another star, the third brightest star in the nighttime sky.

Alecto and Amycus Carrow

Template:HP character Alecto and Amycus Carrow are siblings (sister and brother, respectively) who participate in the assault on Hogwarts School at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Amycus is described as being squat and lumpy with a lopsided leer and a wheezy giggle; Alecto is described as a "stocky little woman" and shares her brother's squatness and laugh. They are usually called "The Carrows". It is said that after Lord Voldemort's first downfall, they believed that he was gone forever.[12]

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Alecto and Amycus become "teachers" at Hogwarts, severely disciplining students who oppose Voldemort. Amycus teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts, but as Neville puts it, it becomes just "The Dark Arts" in which students are forced to perform the Cruciatus Curse against students in detention. Alecto teaches Muggle Studies, which becomes a compulsory subject, and teaches students that Muggles are like animals.

Right before the Battle of Hogwarts, Alecto waits in Ravenclaw Tower on Voldemort's orders, preparing to capture Harry, but is stunned by Luna Lovegood after touching her Dark Mark to summon Voldemort. Amycus, after seeing what happened, tries to conspire with Minerva McGonagall to offer some Ravenclaw students as sacrifices to Voldemort while planning to use the lie that Ravenclaws had ambushed Alecto and forced her to press her Dark Mark. McGonagall refuses and argues with Amycus, who spits in her face. Enraged at this, Harry casts the Cruciatus Curse, with such power that Amycus passes out. Later, when Amycus starts to regain consciousness, McGonagall places the Imperius Curse on him and then binds the Carrows in invisible ropes.

Barty Crouch, Jr.

Template:HP character Bartemius "Barty" Crouch, Junior is a Death Eater who was captured with the Lestranges, who were responsible for torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom, parents of Neville Longbottom. His father, who headed the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the time, sentenced him to life imprisonment in Azkaban. However, Crouch, Sr. later rescued his son as a favour to his dying wife. When they visited him in Azkaban, Mrs. Crouch used Polyjuice Potion to switch appearances with her son, enabling him to escape while she remained in his place. When she died, she was buried under his identity.

To prevent him from returning to Voldemort's service, Crouch's father controlled him with the Imperius Curse, and he was kept hidden under an invisibility cloak. Crouch was nursed back to health by Winky, the family's house-elf. When Bertha Jorkins discovered the truth, it reached Lord Voldemort, who rescued Crouch and put his father under the Imperius Curse. Crouch then kidnapped Mad-Eye Moody and, using Polyjuice Potion, assumed Moody's appearance and position as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher to infiltrate Hogwarts. Crouch appeared to be smart enough to realize that he had to avoid deviating from behaviour that the real Moody would demonstrate. Despite being an imposter, Crouch did a fair job of teaching the students; even student Dean Thomas said that "Moody" was not entirely sane, but the class still learned vast amounts from him.

Crouch, Sr. escaped and reached Hogwarts to tell Dumbledore about Voldemort's return, but he was exhausted and delirious. His son on the Hogwarts grounds murdered him. The revived Triwizard Tournament was held at Hogwarts, and Crouch was tasked with making sure Harry won. When Harry, along with Cedric Diggory, touched the Triwizard Cup, it transported them to a graveyard, via portkey. There, Cedric was killed and Harry's blood was used in a ritual to bring Lord Voldemort back to power. The plan succeeded, but Harry escaped.

When Harry returned to Hogwarts, Crouch, still under disguise, hoped to succeed where his master failed, but he also was unable to kill Harry, his plot foiled by Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall. Under the effect of Veritaserum, a powerful truth potion, he recounted his plan to them. Although he was closely guarded so he could later repeat his testimony, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge had Crouch's soul sucked out by a Dementor before being brought to trial, which prevented him from confirming Voldemort's return. He still lives, but few would dare to identify his present condition as "alive" — having no memories or sense of self.

Antonin Dolohov

Template:HP character Antonin Dolohov has a long, pale and twisted face. He was confirmed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to be one of Voldemort's first Death Eaters, being present at the Hog's Head when Voldemort came to Hogwarts to request a teaching position and hide the diadem Horcrux, c. 1956. This makes him at least sixty years old at the time of the Battle in the Department of Mysteries (and this assumes that he was a mere 20 years old at that time, which may not have been the case). Dolohov is one of the five Death Eaters who murders Gideon and Fabian Prewett (Molly Weasley's brothers). He also tortures many Muggles and opponents of Voldemort during the first war. Igor Karkaroff attempts to betray him to the Ministry of Magic during his own trial, but Barty Crouch, Sr. states that Dolohov is already in custody, having been apprehended shortly after Karkaroff himself. Dolohov is imprisoned in Azkaban but escapes during the mass breakout.

He participates in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. He injures Hermione Granger, who had silenced him with a charm, and broke Neville Longbottom's wand and nose. After being immobilised by Harry, Dolohov later returns to the battle to reunite with most of the Death Eaters near the Veil Chamber. When the Order members arrive, he injures Alastor Moody and hits Neville with a curse that makes him dance uncontrollably, but while combating him is petrified by Harry Potter and returned to Azkaban prison. He escapes once more at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He tracks Harry, Ron and Hermione to a Muggle cafe after they use Voldemort's name (which had recently been made a Taboo). He and his companion Rowle are stunned, and have their memories erased by Hermione, and then punished by Voldemort. Dolohov again participates in the Battle of Hogwarts, killing Remus Lupin[13], whom Aberforth Dumbledore last sees duelling with him. Professor Flitwick finally defeats him.

Fenrir Greyback

Template:HP character Fenrir Greyback is a werewolf aligned with the Death Eaters but who does not rank highly enough to carry the Dark Mark. Greyback once bit the child Remus Lupin, transforming him into a werewolf. Greyback thirsts for blood even when he is not in his wolf form, even committing cannibalism and eating live humans and human corpses – preferring the latter raw.

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Draco Malfoy invokes Fenrir's name as a threat in Borgin and Burke's, indicating that he is a friend of the Malfoy family. However, on the night of Dumbledore's death and when the Death Eaters join him, Draco is terrified that Greyback is among them. On that night, Greyback attacks Bill Weasley, and though he does not transmit his lycanthropy since he is not transformed, he permanently scars Bill's face and slightly alters his personality, causing him to prefer eating rare meat.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Greyback plays the role of a Snatcher (the Snatchers were wizards looking for Muggle-borns and "Undesirables" in exchange for gold). He finds Harry, Ron, and Hermione in their camp when Harry accidentally uses Voldemort's name after it has been made taboo. Greyback and his fellow Snatchers take the trio to Malfoy Manor, where Greyback exhibits envy of the Dark Mark branded on the Death Eaters' left arms. Bellatrix Lestrange promises Greyback Hermione in return for his services, but the prisoners manage to escape. During the final battle at Hogwarts, Hermione, using a stunning spell, prevents Greyback from attacking an injured Lavender Brown, and he is then rendered unconscious by a crystal ball projected by Professor Trelawney. He rejoins the battle in time for the Death Eaters' last stand, when Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom combine forces to stun him.

Igor Karkaroff

Template:HP character Professor Igor Karkaroff makes his first appearance early in the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, arriving at Hogwarts the day before the Halloween feast.[14] He is described as a neat, fussy-looking man with an oily voice and manner who sports a small grey goatee. While unctuously pleasant most of the time, he is capable of violent rage. He is also described as a man with yellowish teeth whose smile does not reach his cold stare.

Karkaroff is the Headmaster at Durmstrang Institute, one of the three schools (together with Hogwarts and Beauxbatons Academy) that enter the Triwizard Tournament. As Headmaster, Karkaroff is also one of the judges. Karkaroff is angered and threatens to withdraw from the tournament when Harry is selected as a fourth champion and second representative for Hogwarts.[15] Although he is talked down and agrees to stay, he nevertheless shows evident favouritism towards the Durmstrang champion, Bulgarian Quidditch player Viktor Krum.

Sirius Black later identifies Karkaroff as a former Death Eater.[16] Karkaroff was captured by Auror Alastor Moody and imprisoned in Azkaban. Karkaroff later told the Ministry of Magic that he had seen the error of his ways, and "named names", putting many people in Azkaban in exchange for his freedom.[17] Karkaroff is thus also hated by the Death Eaters. Karkaroff's history gives him a connection with Hogwarts Potions Master Severus Snape, also a former Death Eater. Karkaroff interrupts a Potions lesson demanding to talk to Snape, and shows him his Dark Mark reappearing.[18]

At the end of the novel, following Voldemort's return, Karkaroff goes into hiding, leaving behind his student charges at Hogwarts. In the sixth novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Remus Lupin states that Karkaroff was found dead in a shack with the Dark Mark hovering over it, an indication that he was killed by other Death Eaters.[19]

Bellatrix Lestrange

Template:HP character Bellatrix "Bella" Lestrange (née Black) was the first female Death Eater introduced in the books, and remained the only woman identified as such until Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Bellatrix is described as having been very attractive in her youth, but her patrician good looks were hollowed during her years in Azkaban, and she is left a remnant of her former beauty. As a result, Bellatrix is often portrayed as looking slightly mad, and more than once, it is implied that she is paranoid, mentally unstable and fanatically devoted to Voldemort. However, she is a witch of prodigious ability, as demonstrated by all her victories in duels against other characters, and as noted by Harry in the final book[20], and seems to actually be far more intelligent than many of her fellow Death Eaters.

Bellatrix was born to Cygnus Black and Druella Rosier in 1951, and has two younger sisters, Andromeda and Narcissa. She is also a first cousin to Sirius and Regulus Black, and an aunt to Draco Malfoy and Nymphadora Tonks. Bellatrix married Rodolphus Lestrange after leaving Hogwarts "because it was expected of her" to marry a pure-blood. However, Rowling stated in an interview that Bellatrix truly loved Voldemort.[21] Indeed, she seems very indifferent about her husband, and never actually refers to him in any of the books. It is suggested in the novels that, as a student, Bellatrix associated with a group of Slytherins--including Rodolphus, Severus Snape, and Avery--who nearly all became Death Eaters. It is assumed Bellatrix was at least initially drawn to Voldemort because they both believe in an ideology that favours pure-blood wizards and witches over other members of the community.[10] Bellatrix, her husband and her brother-in-law were active Death Eaters in Voldemort's rise to power, and evaded capture and suspicion until after the Dark Lord's downfall at the beginning of the series.

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Rowling used Albus Dumbledore's Pensieve as a plot device to reveal that Bellatrix, rather than deserting her leader like many other Death Eaters, was part of the group of dark wizards - along with Barty Crouch Jr., Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange - that tortured well-known Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom in an attempt to gain information about Voldemort's location.[17] For using the Unforgivable Cruciatus Curse to torture the Longbottoms until they went insane, Bellatrix and her three associates were sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban. Later in that book, during his rebirth ritual, Voldemort stated that the Lestranges were amongst the most faithful members of his inner circle.[22]

Fourteen years after Voldemort's fall, Bellatrix was one of the many Death Eaters who escaped Azkaban and rejoined him. After escaping from prison, she was present at the battle of the Department of Mysteries in the climax of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in which a group of Death Eaters attempted to steal Sybill Trelawney's prophecy pertaining to Voldemort's downfall. Bellatrix shows up with Malfoy at the prophecy hall and battles the group of teenagers. Rowling let Bellatrix prove her magical powers during the mission when she overpowered her niece Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt in one-on-one duels, killed her cousin Sirius by blasting him through The Veil in the Death Chamber, and deflected one of Dumbledore's spells as she made her escape. Harry attempted to use the Cruciatus Curse on her in revenge for killing Sirius, but the curse was ineffective due to the lack of real cruelty behind it. Before she could do any more, her master, who ignored her warning that Dumbledore was in the building, joined Bellatrix. Bellatrix was subdued by Dumbledore in the Ministry of Magic's Atrium while he dueled Voldemort. Voldemort interceded on Bellatrix's behalf, grabbing her and taking her with him as he Disapparated, though not before being glimpsed by Ministry officials.

In the beginning of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Bellatrix attempted to keep Narcissa from confiding Draco's secret mission to Snape at Spinner's End. Rowling used the conversation between Snape and Bellatrix to imply that Voldemort was still furious at Bellatrix's failure in the past book.[23] That conversation also suggested that Bellatrix mistrusted Snape not only because of his low birth, but also for many valid questions about his loyalty to the Dark Lord. Snape surprised Bellatrix by replying well-thought arguments to her and by asking her to bind him and Narcissa with an Unbreakable Vow to assist Draco in his mission to kill Dumbledore.

The first chapter of the final Harry Potter book implies that Voldemort is still angry at Bellatrix, as evidenced when he makes fun of the fact that her niece Tonks married werewolf Remus Lupin.[24] However, Voldemort gives Bellatrix a chance to "trim" her family tree during the Death Eaters' attempt to capture Harry as the boy departs from the Dursleys' home, in which Bellatrix unsuccessfully tried to kill Tonks.[25] In this book, Rowling revealed that Bellatrix was the guardian of Helga Hufflepuff's cup (though she is unaware of its true nature), which Voldemort had entrusted the Lestranges to keep in their Gringotts vault. Bellatrix and the Malfoys detain Harry, Ron, and Hermione at Malfoy Manor, and Hermione is tortured by Bellatrix when she suspects the trio has broken into her vault, but Dobby the elf appears and saves the prisoners, though not before being hit by a knife thrown by Bellatrix as they Disapparate to safety. Later in the book, Harry, Ron and Hermione use a stray hair of Bellatrix's to disguise Hermione as Bellatrix using the Polyjuice Potion, to get into the vault. Though Voldemort apparently punishes Bellatrix and the Malfoys severely for interrupting his Elder Wand side quest only to have Potter escape and steal the cup, she nevertheless fights for her master in the Battle of Hogwarts towards the end of the novel. Rowling stated in an interview that, during the battle, it was Bellatrix who killed Tonks.[26] When the battle resumes inside the Great Hall after Harry's supposed death, Bellatrix simultaneously duels Hermione, Ginny and Luna, all of whom are no match for Bellatrix, who nearly hits Ginny with a Killing Curse. An enraged Molly Weasley engages Bellatrix in a duel and fires a curse that finally kills Bellatrix.[27]

Helena Bonham Carter has portrayed Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and will reprise her role in the sixth film adaptation[28] as well as the last.

Walden Macnair

Template:HP character Walden Macnair was employed within the Ministry of Magic as an executioner for the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, and is assigned with the task of executing Buckbeak in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban due to the hippogriff attacking Draco Malfoy earlier in the book; however he did not manage to complete his task as Buckbeak was freed. He was then instructed by Minister Fudge to get a Dementor to give Sirius Black the "Dementor's Kiss". He is later revealed to be a Death Eater in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire during Voldemort's rebirth ritual, in which the Dark Lord promised him "better victims" to execute rather than Magical beasts, referring to humans. He was also identified by Rubeus Hagrid as one of Voldemort's envoys to the giants in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and persuades them to join forces with the Death Eaters.

Macnair fights in the battle in the Department of Mysteries in the climax of the fifth book, in which he tried to take Sybill Trelawney's prophecy from Harry by strangling him until he is wounded by Neville Longbottom when the latter pokes Hermione Granger's wand through the eyehole of his Death Eater mask. After the failure of the mission he is defeated by Dumbledore, and finally imprisoned. However, Macnair and the imprisoned Death Eaters managed to escape sometime before the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Macnair is not mentioned in that book until the Battle of Hogwarts. When the battle between Death Eaters and defenders of Hogwarts recomences after Harry's supposed death, he is thrown into a wall by Hagrid, and falls unconscious; Hagrid has a personal grudge against Macnair for Macnair's part in the attempted execution of Buckbeak years earlier.

The character was portrayed by Peter Best in the third and the fifth films.

Draco Malfoy

Main article: Draco Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy

Template:HP Character Lucius Malfoy is a Death Eater and head of a pure-blood wizarding family; he lives with his wife Narcissa Malfoy (née Black) and their son Draco at the Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire. He was educated at Hogwarts, where he was a prefect in Slytherin House.

Just before Draco and Harry's second year at Hogwarts, Lucius plants Tom Riddle's diary in Ginny Weasley's potions cauldron while she is shopping for school supplies at Flourish & Blotts, in a plot to use her to reopen the Chamber of Secrets, which would lead to attacks on Muggle-born students. Lucius knew the diary was cleverly enchanted, but was not aware that it contained a part of Voldemort's soul. Lucius intended to use the opening of the Chamber of Secrets by Ginny to discredit her father, Arthur Weasley, then Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Lucius's plans are ultimately thwarted with the help of the Malfoys' house-elf Dobby, and Harry, but not before the Chamber is opened and Lucius uses the ensuing terror (and threats to attack their families) to influence the school's Board of Governors to discredit and dismiss Dumbledore as Headmaster. Subsequently, Harry tricks Lucius into setting Dobby free. Upon this, Lucius attemps to Curse Harry with his wand but Dobby disarms him before he can do any harm.

Lucius next appears in the beginning of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire during the Quidditch World Cup, sharing prime seats in the Top Box with Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, thanks to his donations to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Later in that book, when Voldemort rises again and summons his Death Eaters, Malfoy rejoins him, claiming that he had done everything he could all along to find Voldemort and help him rise again (though Voldemort knows he is lying). Harry, who witnesses Malfoy's declaration of loyalty to Voldemort, tells Minister Fudge, who refuses to believe him, and the wealthy Malfoy maintains strong ties with the Ministry.[29]

During the climax of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Malfoy is the leader of the Death Eaters who were to retrieve the prophecy from Harry in the Hall of Prophecy. Lucius tries several ways to get the prophecy from Harry without breaking it, but the boy and his friends manage to escape from the Hall. Malfoy finally meets him in the Death Chamber. Bellatrix attempts to persuade Harry to deliver the prophecy to Lucius by torturing Neville Longbottom, thus Harry is about to give it to Malfoy when the Order of the Phoenix breaks into the Ministry and begins to duel the Death Eaters. Malfoy meets Harry, Neville Longbottom and is eventually overpowered by Remus Lupin. Harry passes the prophecy to Neville (who later breaks it accidentally) and hits Malfoy with an impediment jinx, temporarily distracting him. Dumbledore himself arrives at the end of the battle and Malfoy is captured and sent to Azkaban.

By the final book, Voldemort has given Malfoy his freedom, though he looks significantly worse for the wear. Voldemort treats him with great contempt, has hijacked his house for Headquarters, and is forcing his son to do Dark deeds against his nature, sparking sympathy for the notorious family for the first time in the series. Later in the book, Lucius, along with his wife and sister-in-law, accidentally allow Harry and his friends to escape from Malfoy Manor. Voldemort punishes them severely, eventually putting them under house arrest. Despite his long-standing position as a Death Eater and Voldemort's advocate of pure-blood supremacy, Lucius has decided his love for his family is more important than his involvement in the war. During the final battle at Hogwarts, he pleads with Voldemort into letting him into the battlefield to locate his son. He and the rest of his family are reunited at the end of the book. Following Voldemort's death, Lucius, Narcissa and Draco all manage to "weasel their way" out of being sent to Azkaban due to Narcissa aiding Harry in the Forbidden Forest.[30]

According to Forbes magazine, Lucius Malfoy is currently number 12 on their Forbes Fictional 15 list.[31]

Peter Pettigrew

"Peter Pettigrew" redirects here. For the Canadian politician, see Pierre Pettigrew.

Template:HP character Peter Pettigrew started at Hogwarts the same time as Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and James Potter. All four were sorted into Gryffindor, formed a group of friends called the "Marauders", of which each learned to (illegally) become an Animagus. Pettigrew is the only Death Eater known to have been in a House other than Slytherin while at Hogwarts. Peter's Animagus form was a rat, from which he acquired the nickname Wormtail. After leaving Hogwarts, Pettigrew joined forces with Lord Voldemort, and in exchange for his own life became Voldemort's spy within the Order of the Phoenix, of which Pettigrew was a member. When the Potters were to be placed under the Fidelius Charm, Sirius (the obvious candidate for Secret-Keeper) suggested the Potters use Pettigrew instead. Pettigrew betrayed the secret to Voldemort, an act that ultimately led to the elder Potters' death. After their death, Sirius realized Pettigrew must have betrayed their hiding place, and, going after the latter, cornered him on a busy street. During the confrontation, Pettigrew killed twelve Muggles, and then cut off his own index finger before turning into a rat, thereby framing Black for his own murder and that of the bystanders. This deception resulted in Black's imprisonment in Azkaban, while Pettigrew was "posthumously" awarded the Order of Merlin. Pettigrew hid during the next years, masquerading as Scabbers, Percy Weasley's pet rat; in this guise, he was later given to Ron Weasley.

Although Pettigrew appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and later in The Chamber of Secrets, in the form of Scabbers, his identity is not revealed until the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. When a photograph of the Weasley family appears in the Daily Prophet, Sirius recognizes him, prompting Sirius' escape from Azkaban. The two eventually confront each other in the Shrieking Shack, where Lupin and Black force Pettigrew to resume his human form. Pettigrew confesses his treachery, claiming to have committed it only to save his own life. When Black and Lupin, unmoved, are about to take their revenge, Harry intervenes and begs Sirius to turn Pettigrew over to the Ministry of Magic instead, by which device to prove Sirius's innocence. Pettigrew manages to escape as he is being led out of the Shack when Lupin begins to transform into a werewolf. Pettigrew then returns to the service of Voldemort, fulfilling Professor Trelawney's prophecy from earlier in the book. Harry's actions, however, result in Pettigrew owing him a life-debt. While in the service of Voldemort, Pettigrew helps keep the latter alive prior to his return to full corporeal form, and helps Barty Crouch Jr. overpower Mad-Eye Moody, setting up the events in the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In the climactic confrontation in that book, Pettigrew kills Cedric Diggory on Lord Voldemort's orders, and performs the complex spell to regenerate Voldemort, mutilating his hand in the process as a sacrifice. Upon his return to full corporeal form, Voldemort replaces Pettigrew's severed hand with a silver hand that possessed five intact fingers.

Despite his role in the return of Voldemort, Pettigrew's fortunes remain low; in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Severus Snape treats him as a servant, and in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows he is tasked with keeping watch over prisoners in the cellar of Malfoy Manor. While Harry and Ron are being kept there, Pettigrew checks on the prisoners and is unsuccessfully attacked. Pettigrew begins to strangle Harry with the silver hand, but when reminded by Harry that the latter once saved his life, he hesitates for a moment to think of the life-debt. During the moment of hesitation, the silver hand turns against him and strangles him to death in retribution for his pity.

Pettigrew is described as Voldemort's 'most cowardly servant'[20], always siding with those he perceives as most powerful for his own protection, willing to betray even his closest friends in exchange for his own life. During the later books, he is generally referred to by his nickname Wormtail, usually in an abusive manner. Although Pettigrew is said to be a poorly-skilled wizard, he shows considerable power in becoming an Animagus, killing twelve bystanders with a single curse, successfully performing the Avada Kedavra curse, and performing the complex ritual casting required to bring Voldemort back to full corporeal form.

Timothy Spall portrayed Pettigrew in the film versions of Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. He is also seen in a photo of the original Order in Order of the Phoenix, but is not listed in the cast. The actor has revealed that he will portray the character in the last two films.[32]

Severus Snape

Main article: Severus Snape

Yaxley

Template:HP character Yaxley (first name unknown) is the brutal-faced Death Eater that was present in the battle in which Dumbledore was killed by Snape. He is one of the more prominent Death Eaters, one of Voldemort's spies in the Ministry of Magic (apparently, he is a leading figure in the Death Eater coup at the Ministry), a rival of Snape and a friend of Antonin Dolohov. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Yaxley argues with Snape about the correct date of Harry's departure from the Dursleys, but John Dawlish, an Auror who is tricked by an Order member, gave him incorrect information. Yaxley announces to an impressed assemblage of Death Eaters that he has placed the Imperius Curse upon Pius Thicknesse (Head of Magical Law Enforcement). He uses Thicknesse to Imperius the other major department heads and they allow Voldemort to murder Rufus Scrimgeour. Thicknesse then becomes Minister for Magic and Yaxley takes Thicknesse's post.

When Harry, Ron and Hermione enter the Ministry to find Slytherin's locket, it is revealed that Yaxley has become Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and that he assists Dolores Umbridge in leading the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, and the two seem to have a good relationship, together humiliating the Muggle-borns. Both are immobilised by Harry, but Yaxley recovers and grabs Hermione while she is Apparating her friends to safety. Yaxley arrives with them at Grimmauld Place, allowing him to reveal their headquarters to the Death Eaters, but not to the location that the trio immediately Apparate to.

He participates in the Battle of Hogwarts, where he duels Professor Flitwick and is later seen among those who wait with Voldemort for Harry Potter to come to him. He mistakenly believes that Harry would not come within the allotted time. When the battle resumes, he is defeated by George Weasley and Lee Jordan.

References

  1. ^ Rowling, J. K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Bloomsbury. ISBN 1551929767., chapter 1
  2. ^ JK Rowling interview in full BBC 19 June, 2003
  3. ^ http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=80
  4. ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2007-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2007-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/extrastuff_view.cfm?id=5 Malfoy & Nott (Chamber of Secrets/Goblet of Fire)
  7. ^ Rowling, J. K. (2003). Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Bloomsbury. ISBN 0747551006., chapter 6
  8. ^ "JK Rowling's World Book Day Chat". 2004-03-05. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  9. ^ "Anelli, Melissa and Emerson Spartz. "The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Part Two," The Leaky Cauldron, 16 July 2005". Accio Quote!. 2005-07-16. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
  10. ^ a b Template:HP5, chapter 6
  11. ^ http://the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/7/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript
  12. ^ "Rowling's website FAQ about Carrows". Retrieved 2006-05-08.
  13. ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2007-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Rowling, J. K. (2000). Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Bloomsbury. ISBN 074754624X., chapter 15
  15. ^ Template:HP4, chapter 17
  16. ^ Template:HP4, chapter 19
  17. ^ a b Template:HP4, chapter 30
  18. ^ Template:HP4, chapter 27
  19. ^ Rowling, J. K. (2005). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Bloomsbury. ISBN 0747581088., chapter 6
  20. ^ a b Template:HP7, chapter 23
  21. ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2007-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Template:HP4, chapter 33
  23. ^ Template:HP6, chapter 2
  24. ^ Template:HP7, chapter 1
  25. ^ Template:HP7, chapter 5
  26. ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2007-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "New Interview with J.K. Rowling for Release of Dutch Edition of 'Deathly Hallows'." (November 18, 2007). The Leaky Cauldron. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  28. ^ http://news.independent.co.uk/people/pandora/article2851418.ece
  29. ^ Template:HP4, chapter 36
  30. ^ "J.K. Rowling Web Chat Transcript". The Leaky Cauldron. 2007-07-30. Retrieved 2007-07-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Forbes Fictional 15, #12 Malfoy, Lucius
  32. ^ Morris, Clint (2008-01-18). "Spall talks his Harry Potter future". MovieHole.


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