Harry Potter is one of the most famous and beloved characters in the world of fiction. He is the boy who lived, the chosen one, the hero who defeated Lord Voldemort. But who are his real family? Who are the people who loved him and cared for him when he was orphaned at a young age? One of them is Sirius Black, his godfather and a loyal member of the Order of the Phoenix. But how is Harry Potter related to Sirius Black? And what is the nature of their relationship?
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The Family Tree of Sirius Black
Sirius Black was born into the noble and most ancient House of Black, a pure-blood wizarding family that valued blood purity and supported the Dark Lord. However, Sirius was different from his parents and his younger brother Regulus. He rebelled against their beliefs and values, and was sorted into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin at Hogwarts. He became friends with James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew, and together they formed the Marauders, a group of pranksters and adventurers who also learned to become Animagi (wizards who can transform into animals).
Sirius was disowned by his family for his defiance and ran away from home when he was sixteen. He was taken in by James’s parents, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, who treated him like a son. Sirius became very close to James, and they regarded each other as brothers. When James married Lily Evans, Sirius was chosen as their best man and Harry’s godfather.
Sirius was also related to Harry by blood, though distantly. According to the Harry Potter Wiki, Sirius’s paternal grandfather, Arcturus Black III, married his maternal first cousin twice removed, Melania Macmillan. This made Sirius and James third cousins once removed. Therefore, Harry and Sirius were third cousins twice removed.
The Tragic Fate of Sirius Black
Sirius’s life was full of hardships and losses. He lost his best friend James and his wife Lily when they were killed by Voldemort on October 31st, 1981. He also lost his trust in Peter Pettigrew, who betrayed the Potters and framed Sirius for the murder of twelve Muggles and Pettigrew himself. Sirius was sent to Azkaban, the most dreadful prison in the wizarding world, where he endured twelve years of torture by the Dementors, soul-sucking creatures that feed on human happiness.
Sirius escaped from Azkaban in 1993, after seeing a picture of Pettigrew in his Animagus form (a rat) on the Daily Prophet. He tracked him down to Hogwarts, where he also met Harry for the first time. He revealed the truth to Harry and tried to kill Pettigrew, but he escaped again. Sirius had to go into hiding, as he was still wanted by the Ministry of Magic.
Sirius became a member of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization led by Albus Dumbledore that fought against Voldemort and his followers. He offered his family home at 12 Grimmauld Place as the headquarters of the Order. However, he was confined to the house for his own safety, which made him restless and frustrated. He longed to be with Harry and to fight alongside his friends.
Sirius died on June 18th, 1996, during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. He was dueling with his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange, a fanatical Death Eater who hated him for betraying their family. Bellatrix hit him with a curse that sent him flying through a mysterious veil in the Death Chamber. Harry witnessed his death and tried to follow him, but was stopped by Lupin. Sirius’s death was one of the most devastating moments in Harry’s life.
The Legacy of Sirius Black
Sirius Black was a brave, loyal, and compassionate man who loved Harry like a son. He gave Harry a sense of belonging and family that he never had before. He also gave him advice, support, and encouragement when he faced difficulties and dangers. He taught him how to face his fears and how to stand up for what is right.
Sirius also left behind some valuable things for Harry. He gave him a two-way mirror that he used to communicate with James when they were at school. He also left him a Firebolt broomstick, which was confiscated by Professor McGonagall when he sent it to Harry anonymously for Christmas in 1993. He also left him his house at 12 Grimmauld Place, which Harry inherited after Sirius’s death.
But perhaps the most important thing that Sirius gave Harry was his love. As Dumbledore said to Harry after Sirius’s death: “He will only be gone from the school when none here are loyal to him.” And as Harry said to Lupin in 1997: “He’s still here … in here.” Sirius Black lives on in Harry’s heart, and in the hearts of all who loved him. He is Harry Potter’s godfather, his friend, his family. He is Sirius Black, the brightest star in the night sky.
