If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, you might have wondered about the family ties of some of the characters. One of the most intriguing questions is: is Narcissa Malfoy related to Sirius Black? The answer is yes, they are related, but not very closely. Here is how they are connected and what it means for their stories.
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The Black Family Tree
Narcissa Malfoy’s maiden name is Black, which means she belongs to the ancient and noble House of Black, one of the oldest and most prominent pure-blood wizarding families in Britain. The Blacks are known for their belief in blood purity and their allegiance to Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord who tried to overthrow the wizarding world.
Sirius Black is also a member of the House of Black, but he is an exception to the rule. He rebelled against his family’s values and ran away from home at the age of sixteen. He became friends with James Potter, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, and joined the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization that fought against Voldemort. He was also Harry Potter’s godfather and a loyal mentor to him.
According to the Black family tree, which was displayed on a tapestry in Sirius’ ancestral home at 12 Grimmauld Place, Narcissa and Sirius are first cousins. They share the same grandfather, Pollux Black, who married Irma Crabbe. Pollux and Irma had three daughters: Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa. Bellatrix married Rodolphus Lestrange, a Death Eater; Andromeda married Ted Tonks, a Muggle-born; and Narcissa married Lucius Malfoy, another Death Eater.
Sirius’ father was Orion Black, who married his second cousin once removed, Walburga Black. Orion and Walburga had two sons: Sirius and Regulus. Regulus followed his parents’ footsteps and became a Death Eater, but later regretted his choice and tried to destroy one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes. He died in the process.
The Malfoy Family Tree
Narcissa Malfoy’s husband is Lucius Malfoy, who is also from a wealthy and influential pure-blood family. The Malfoys are known for their arrogance, ambition and cunning. They have a long history of supporting the Dark Arts and being involved in politics.
Lucius Malfoy’s father was Abraxas Malfoy, who died of dragon pox before the start of the series. Abraxas was a friend of Tom Riddle, who later became Lord Voldemort. He also had connections with the Minister for Magic at the time, Nobby Leach.
Lucius and Narcissa had one son: Draco Malfoy, who was Harry Potter’s rival at Hogwarts. Draco was raised to believe in his family’s superiority and to despise Muggle-borns and half-bloods. He was also pressured by his father to join the Death Eaters and serve Voldemort.
However, Draco’s loyalty was tested when he was assigned to kill Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts and one of the most powerful wizards in history. Draco hesitated to do so, showing that he was not as evil as his parents or Voldemort. He also did not identify Harry Potter when he was captured by Snatchers, saving him from certain death.
The Implications of Their Relation
The fact that Narcissa Malfoy and Sirius Black are related has some interesting implications for their characters and their actions. For one thing, it shows that blood relations are not always indicative of personality or morality. Narcissa and Sirius have very different views on blood purity, loyalty and courage. They also have very different relationships with their families.
Narcissa is devoted to her husband and son, even if it means betraying Voldemort or lying to him. She does not care about the Dark Lord’s cause or his followers; she only cares about her family’s safety and well-being. She is willing to do anything to protect them, even if it means breaking the rules or risking her own life.
Sirius, on the other hand, has a strained relationship with his family. He hates them for their bigotry and cruelty, and he rejects their values and traditions. He considers his friends to be his true family, especially James Potter, whom he regards as a brother. He is willing to sacrifice himself for them, even if it means facing danger or death.
Another implication of their relation is that it creates some awkward situations for their relatives. For example, Draco Malfoy is Sirius’ second cousin, but he does not seem to be aware of this fact or care about it. He despises Sirius for being a traitor to his family and a supporter of Dumbledore. He also tries to kill him several times during their encounters.
Harry Potter is also affected by this relation, as he is the godson of Sirius and the enemy of Draco. He has a complicated and hostile relationship with both of them, but he also feels some sympathy for them at times. He understands that Draco is under a lot of pressure from his father and Voldemort, and he tries to save him from the Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement. He also respects Narcissa for lying to Voldemort about his death, which allows him to defeat the Dark Lord.
Conclusion
Narcissa Malfoy and Sirius Black are related by blood, but not by heart. They are first cousins who belong to the same pure-blood family, but they have very different personalities, values and loyalties. They are also on opposite sides of the war between Voldemort and Dumbledore, and they have conflicting interests and goals. Their relation shows that family ties are not always simple or straightforward, and that they can have significant consequences for their characters and their stories.
