If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, you might have wondered about the complex and intertwined relationships among the wizarding families. One of the most intriguing questions is whether Draco Malfoy, the arrogant and spoiled heir of the Malfoy family, is related to Sirius Black, the rebellious and brave godfather of Harry Potter. The answer is yes, but not directly. Sirius Black and Draco Malfoy are first cousins once removed. This means that Sirius’ cousin Narcissa Black married Lucius Malfoy and had Draco as their son. In this article, we will explore how this surprising connection came to be and what it means for the characters and the story.
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The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
The Black family is one of the oldest, richest, and most influential pure-blood wizarding families in Britain. They claim to be descended from the medieval wizard Phineas Nigellus Black, who was also the least popular headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The family motto is “Toujours Pur”, which means “Always Pure” in French. This reflects their obsession with maintaining their blood purity and their disdain for anyone who is not a pure-blood or who associates with Muggles or Muggle-borns.
The Black family tree is displayed on a large tapestry in their ancestral home at 12 Grimmauld Place in London. The tapestry shows the names and dates of birth and death of the family members, as well as their marriages and children. However, some names have been burned off or blasted away by the family members themselves, as a way of disowning those who have betrayed their ideals or disgraced their name. Some of the reasons for being disowned include marrying a Muggle or a Muggle-born, being a Squib (a non-magical person born to magical parents), supporting Muggle rights, or opposing Lord Voldemort.
The Malfoy Connection
The Malfoy family is another prominent pure-blood wizarding family that traces its origins back to France. They are known for their wealth, power, and ambition, as well as their loyalty to Lord Voldemort and his cause. They have a long history of marrying into other pure-blood families, such as the Lestranges, the Rosiers, and the Crabbes.
One of the most notable marriages in the Malfoy family was that of Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black. Narcissa was the youngest daughter of Cygnus Black III and Druella Rosier, and the sister of Bellatrix Lestrange (née Black) and Andromeda Tonks (née Black). She was also the first cousin of Sirius Black and Regulus Black, who were the sons of Orion Black and Walburga Black (née Black).
Lucius and Narcissa married in 1972, when they were both 18 years old. They had one son, Draco Malfoy, who was born in 1980. Draco was raised to be proud of his pure-blood heritage and to look down on anyone who was not. He attended Hogwarts from 1991 to 1998 and was sorted into Slytherin House, like most of his ancestors. He became Harry Potter’s arch-rival and often bullied him and his friends.
The Sirius Black Factor
Sirius Black was one of the few members of the Black family who did not share their views on blood purity and Voldemort. He was sorted into Gryffindor House at Hogwarts, where he befriended James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. They formed a group called the Marauders, who were known for their mischief-making and pranks. Sirius also became an Animagus, a wizard who can transform into an animal at will. His animal form was a large black dog.
Sirius was also one of the founding members of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization led by Albus Dumbledore that fought against Voldemort and his followers during the First Wizarding War. He was very close to James Potter and his wife Lily Evans, who were also members of the Order. He became the godfather of their son Harry Potter, who was born in 1980.
However, Sirius’ life took a tragic turn when James and Lily were killed by Voldemort on October 31st, 1981. Sirius was falsely accused of betraying them to Voldemort and killing Pettigrew and twelve Muggles with a curse. He was arrested by the Ministry of Magic without a trial and sent to Azkaban prison for life.
Sirius escaped from Azkaban in 1993, after learning that Pettigrew was still alive and had disguised himself as Ron Weasley’s pet rat Scabbers. He sought to expose Pettigrew’s treachery and clear his name. He also wanted to protect Harry from Voldemort’s return.
Sirius met Harry for the first time in 1994, when he revealed his true identity and his innocence to him. He also told Harry that he was his godfather and that he wanted to take him away from his abusive relatives, the Dursleys. Harry accepted Sirius as his godfather and they formed a close bond.
Sirius rejoined the Order of the Phoenix in 1995, after Voldemort’s return was confirmed. He offered his house at 12 Grimmauld Place as the headquarters of the Order. He also acted as a mentor and a father figure to Harry, who often contacted him for advice and support.
Sirius died in 1996, 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 was a devastating loss for Harry, who considered him as his last remaining family.
The Implications of the Relationship
The fact that Draco Malfoy and Sirius Black are related by blood has several implications for the characters and the story. For one thing, it shows how different they are despite sharing some genes. Draco is a spoiled, arrogant, and prejudiced bully who follows Voldemort’s ideology and values his family’s status and reputation. Sirius is a brave, loyal, and rebellious hero who opposes Voldemort’s tyranny and values his friends and his godson more than anything.
For another thing, it shows how complex and conflicted their relationship is. Draco hates Sirius for being a traitor to their family and a supporter of Dumbledore. He also resents him for being Harry’s godfather and for having a close bond with him. Sirius despises Draco for being a follower of Voldemort and a tormentor of Harry. He also pities him for being a victim of his family’s indoctrination and manipulation.
However, there are also some moments where they show some signs of compassion or respect for each other. For example, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Sirius confronts Draco and his friends in the Shrieking Shack, he does not harm them or threaten them with his wand. He only tells them to leave or he will turn into a dog and bite them. He also does not reveal his identity to them or expose their involvement in the events.
In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when Draco learns that Sirius has died, he does not mock Harry or gloat over his loss. He only says “Well… I don’t know what happened tonight and I don’t care” before walking away. He also does not tell anyone that Sirius was Harry’s godfather or use it against him.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when Harry confronts Draco in the bathroom and uses the Sectumsempra curse on him, he sees a flash of silver-white light before passing out. This is later revealed to be Snape’s Patronus, which takes the form of a doe. However, some fans have speculated that it could also be Sirius’ Patronus, which takes the form of a dog. If this is true, it could mean that Sirius was watching over Draco and trying to protect him from Harry’s attack.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when Harry sees Draco being tortured by Voldemort in Malfoy Manor, he feels a surge of pity for him. He also decides to save him from the Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement, despite their enmity. He later tells Ron and Hermione that he did it because he owed him for saving his life in the bathroom.
These moments suggest that Draco and Sirius are not completely indifferent or hostile to each other. They have some common ground as members of the same family and as people who have suffered from Voldemort’s cruelty. They also have some potential for redemption and reconciliation, as shown by Draco’s eventual defection from the Death Eaters and Sirius’ posthumous forgiveness from Harry.
Conclusion
Draco Malfoy and Sirius Black are first cousins once removed, but they are also polar opposites in terms of personality, morality, and allegiance. Their relationship is marked by hatred, resentment, pity, and respect. They are both products of their family’s history and choices, but they also have their own agency and destiny. They are both important characters in the Harry Potter series, as they influence Harry’s life and development in different ways. They are both part of the wizarding world’s family tree, which is full of surprises and secrets.
