If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, you might have wondered about the family ties between some of the characters. One of the most intriguing questions is: is Sirius related to Bellatrix? The answer is yes, they are cousins, but their relationship is far from friendly. In this article, we will explore the history and dynamics of the Black family, and how Sirius and Bellatrix ended up on opposite sides of the wizarding war.
The Black Family Tree
The Black family is one of the oldest and most prestigious pure-blood families in the wizarding world. They are also one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, a list of families that claim to have no Muggle ancestry. The Black family motto is “Toujours Pur”, which means “Always Pure” in French. The family is known for its strict adherence to the pure-blood ideology, and its disdain for anyone who does not share their views.
The Black family tree is a large and complex one, with many branches and connections to other families. The tree is also notorious for having many members who have been disowned or blasted off for various reasons, such as marrying Muggles, Muggle-borns, half-bloods, or blood traitors, or opposing Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The tree is kept in a tapestry at 12 Grimmauld Place, the ancestral home of the Blacks, which later became the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix.
Sirius and Bellatrix are both descendants of Phineas Nigellus Black, a former headmaster of Hogwarts and the least popular one in its history. Phineas Nigellus had four children: Sirius I, Phineas, Cygnus I, and Belvina. Sirius I died young and childless, while Phineas had a son named Arcturus II. Cygnus I had three children: Pollux, Cassiopeia, and Marius. Belvina had three children: Callidora, Cedrella, and Charis.
Sirius and Bellatrix are both grandchildren of Pollux Black and Irma Crabbe. Pollux and Irma had four children: Walburga, Alphard, Cygnus II, and Orion. Walburga married her second cousin Orion, and they had two sons: Sirius II (the Sirius we know) and Regulus. Alphard was disowned for giving gold to his runaway nephew Sirius. Cygnus II married Druella Rosier, and they had three daughters: Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa.
Sirius and Bellatrix are first cousins through their fathers Orion and Cygnus II. They are also third cousins through their mothers Walburga and Druella, who are both descendants of Phineas Nigellus. This means that Sirius and Bellatrix share about 12.5% of their DNA.
The Rivalry Between Sirius and Bellatrix
Sirius and Bellatrix grew up in very different environments. Sirius was rebellious and hated his family’s pure-blood fanaticism. He ran away from home at the age of 16 and was adopted by his best friend James Potter’s family. He also became an Animagus (a wizard who can transform into an animal) and a member of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization that fought against Voldemort.
Bellatrix was loyal and proud of her family’s heritage. She married Rodolphus Lestrange, another pure-blood supremacist, and became one of Voldemort’s most devoted followers. She also became one of the most feared Death Eaters (Voldemort’s supporters), known for her cruelty and sadism.
Sirius and Bellatrix clashed several times during the First Wizarding War (1970-1981) and the Second Wizarding War (1995-1998). They fought at the Department of Mysteries in 1996, where Bellatrix killed Sirius with a curse that sent him through the veil in the Death Chamber. She then taunted Harry Potter (Sirius’ godson) about his death, singing “I killed Sirius Black”. She also fought at Hogwarts in 1998, where she killed Nymphadora Tonks (her niece) and Ginny Weasley (Harry’s girlfriend). She was finally killed by Molly Weasley (Ginny’s mother), who shouted “Not my daughter, you bitch!” before hitting her with a powerful curse.
Sirius and Bellatrix represent two extremes of the Black family: one who rejected their blood purity ideology and fought for justice, and one who embraced it and became a murderer. Their relationship is a tragic example of how family ties can be broken by hatred and violence.
Conclusion
Is Sirius related to Bellatrix? Yes, they are cousins, but they are also enemies. They belong to a complicated family that has been divided by their beliefs and actions. Their story is one of the most fascinating aspects of the Harry Potter series.
