Sirius Black is one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter series. He is Harry Potter’s godfather and the closest thing he ever gets to a real parent. But how is Sirius related to Harry, and to many other characters in the magical world? In this article, we will explore the complex and fascinating family tree of Sirius Black, and reveal some surprising connections that you may not have realized.
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Sirius and Harry: Godfather and Godson
Sirius Black was James Potter’s best friend and a fellow member of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization that fought against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. When James and Lily Potter had their son Harry, they chose Sirius to be his godfather, trusting him with their lives and their child’s future.
However, things took a tragic turn when Voldemort attacked the Potters, killing them and leaving Harry as the sole survivor. Sirius was framed by his former friend Peter Pettigrew for betraying the Potters and killing twelve Muggles with a single curse. He was sent to Azkaban, the most notorious wizarding prison, without a trial.
Sirius spent twelve years in Azkaban, enduring the torment of the Dementors, soul-sucking creatures that guard the prison. He managed to escape when he saw a picture of Pettigrew in his rat form on a newspaper, and realized that he was still alive and hiding as Ron Weasley’s pet.
Sirius then set out to find Pettigrew and clear his name, while also trying to protect Harry from Voldemort’s followers. He met Harry for the first time in his third year at Hogwarts, when he revealed himself as his godfather and the truth about what happened on the night of his parents’ death.
Sirius and Harry formed a strong bond, despite being separated by circumstances and danger. Sirius offered Harry a home and a family, something he had always longed for. He also gave him advice, support, and love. He was proud of Harry’s courage and achievements, and saw him as his own son.
Sirius died in Harry’s fifth year, during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. He was killed by his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange, who hit him with a curse that sent him falling through a mysterious veil. His death devastated Harry, who lost his only remaining link to his parents.
However, Sirius’ legacy lived on through Harry, who named his first son James Sirius Potter, after his father and godfather. He also inherited Sirius’ house at 12 Grimmauld Place, which became the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. He also kept in touch with Sirius’ portrait at Hogwarts, which offered him guidance and comfort.
Sirius and Bellatrix: Cousins and Enemies
One of the most surprising relatives of Sirius Black is Bellatrix Lestrange, one of Voldemort’s most loyal and ruthless Death Eaters. She is Sirius’ first cousin, as their mothers were sisters. However, they could not be more different in their beliefs and actions.
Sirius was born into a pure-blood family that valued blood purity and supported Voldemort’s cause. However, he rebelled against his family’s views from an early age, rejecting their prejudice and cruelty. He ran away from home at sixteen, and was disowned by his parents. He also befriended Muggle-borns and half-bloods at Hogwarts, such as Lily Evans and Remus Lupin.
Bellatrix, on the other hand, embraced her family’s ideology with zeal. She married Rodolphus Lestrange, another pure-blood fanatic, and joined Voldemort’s ranks as one of his most trusted followers. She participated in many atrocities during the First Wizarding War, such as torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity.
Sirius and Bellatrix hated each other with a passion. They fought several times during the Second Wizarding War, exchanging insults and curses. Bellatrix mocked Sirius for being a blood traitor and a coward, while Sirius taunted her for being a madwoman and a murderer.
Their final confrontation took place at the Department of Mysteries, where they duelled to the death. Bellatrix managed to hit Sirius with a curse that sent him falling through a veil that apparently led to another dimension or realm. She then gloated over her victory, provoking Harry to chase her in anger.
Bellatrix met her end at the hands of another cousin: Molly Weasley.
Sirius and Molly: Distant Relatives
Molly Weasley is another character that you may not have realized was related to Sirius Black. She is his second cousin once removed, as they share a common ancestor: Phineas Nigellus Black.
Phineas Nigellus Black was Sirius’ great-great-grandfather and Molly’s great-grandfather. He was the least popular Headmaster of Hogwarts, and a portrait of him still hangs in the Headmaster’s office. He was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix, and helped Harry and Dumbledore communicate through his portrait.
Molly Weasley was born into the Prewett family, another pure-blood clan that opposed Voldemort. She married Arthur Weasley, a Muggle-loving wizard who worked at the Ministry of Magic. They had seven children: Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny.
Molly and Sirius met during the Second Wizarding War, when Sirius offered his house as the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. They did not get along very well, as they had different opinions on how to treat Harry. Molly wanted to protect Harry from the harsh realities of the war, while Sirius wanted to involve him as much as possible.
They also argued over Sirius’ treatment of his house-elf Kreacher, whom Molly tried to be kind to, while Sirius despised him for his loyalty to his mother. Molly also disapproved of Sirius’ reckless behaviour and his tendency to see Harry as a replacement for James.
However, they both cared deeply for Harry and his friends, and fought bravely against Voldemort’s forces. Molly also avenged Sirius’ death by killing Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts, after she threatened her daughter Ginny.
Sirius and Draco: Another Pair of Cousins
Draco Malfoy is another first cousin of Sirius Black, as their mothers were sisters. Draco’s mother is Narcissa Black, who married Lucius Malfoy, a wealthy and influential pure-blood wizard and a Death Eater.
Draco grew up in a privileged and pampered environment, where he was taught to value blood purity and to look down on Muggle-borns and half-bloods. He attended Hogwarts in the same year as Harry Potter, and became his rival and enemy from their first meeting.
Draco was sorted into Slytherin House, like most of his family members. He was arrogant, spiteful, and cowardly. He often bullied Harry and his friends, especially Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. He also tried to sabotage Harry’s success in Quidditch and other activities.
Draco became a Death Eater in his sixth year, under Voldemort’s orders. He was assigned the task of killing Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the leader of the Order of the Phoenix. However, he was unable to do it, as he was scared and conflicted.
Draco’s character changed after he witnessed the horrors of Voldemort’s regime. He realized that he had made a terrible mistake by joining him, and that he did not want to be part of his world. He also showed signs of remorse and compassion for some of his victims, such as Hermione Granger and Albus Potter.
Draco never met Sirius in person, but he knew about him from his father and aunt. He despised him for being a blood traitor and a fugitive. He also mocked Harry for having him as a godfather, calling him a murderer and a madman.
However, Draco may have inherited some traits from Sirius, such as his intelligence, charisma, and rebelliousness. He also named his son Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy, after another star in the night sky.
Sirius and Other Characters: A Star-Studded Family
Sirius Black is related to many other characters in the Harry Potter series, either by blood or by marriage. Here are some of them:
- Andromeda Tonks: Sirius’ first cousin and Narcissa’s sister. She married Ted Tonks, a Muggle-born wizard, and was disowned by her family. She is the mother of Nymphadora Tonks, who married Remus Lupin and had a son named Teddy.
- Regulus Black: Sirius’ younger brother and a Death Eater. He joined Voldemort out of fear and pressure from his family, but later regretted it. He discovered Voldemort’s secret Horcruxes and tried to destroy one of them with the help of Kreacher. He died in the process.
- Nymphadora Tonks: Sirius’ second cousin once removed and Andromeda’s daughter. She was a Metamorphmagus, meaning she could change her appearance at will. She was an Auror and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She married Remus Lupin and had a son named Teddy.
- Remus Lupin: Sirius’ brother-in-law by marriage to Tonks. He was James Potter’s friend and a fellow Marauder at Hogwarts. He was bitten by a werewolf as a child and became one himself. He was a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts and a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
- Teddy Lupin: Sirius’ third cousin once removed by blood (through Andromeda) and godson by choice (through Harry). He is the son of Tonks and Lupin. He inherited his
