Bellatrix Lestrange: Difference between revisions

| caption = Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]''

| occupation = [[Death Eater]], [[Assassination|Female Assassin]].

'''Bellatrix Lestrange''' ({{née|'''Black'''}}) is a fictional character in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' book series written by [[J. K. Rowling]]. She evolved from an unnamed peripheryperipheral character in ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' into a major [[antagonist]] in subsequent novels. In the final installment of the story, Rowling established her as [[Lord Voldemort]]'s "last, best lieutenant". Bellatrix was the first female [[Death Eater]] introduced in the books. Bellatrix had a fanatic obsession with the Dark Lord although she was clearly fearful of his magical abilities and absolute power over his forces. She is almost as sadistic and homicidal as Lord Voldemort, with a psychotic personality.

In this book, Rowling used [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s [[Pensieve]] as a [[Exposition (literary technique)|plot device]] to reveal that Bellatrix, rather than deserting her leader like many other Death Eaters, was part of the group of dark wizards – along with Rodolphus, [[Rabastan Lestrange|Rabastan]], and [[Barty Crouch Jr]] – that [[torture]]d well-known [[auror]]s [[Frank and Alice Longbottom]] in an attempt to gain information about Voldemort's location.<ref name={{HP4}}ch30>{{HP4HPref|book=4|chapter=30}}, chapter 30</ref> For using the Unforgivable [[Cruciatus Curse]] to torture the Longbottoms until they went insane, Bellatrix and her three associates were sentenced to life imprisonment in [[Azkaban]]. At her trial, Bellatrix proudly and defiantly proclaimed that Voldemort would rise again.<ref>Rowling, J.K. ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire''. New York: Scholastic Press, 2000. Pages 595-96. {{ISBN|0-439-13959-7}}</ref> Later in that book, during his rebirthing ritual, Voldemort stated that the Lestranges were amongst the most faithful members of his inner circle.<ref name={{HP4}}ch33>{{HP4HPref|book=4|chapter=33}}, chapter 33</ref>

Thirteen years after Voldemort's fall, Bellatrix was one of the many Death Eaters who escaped Azkaban and rejoined him. After escaping from prison, she was present at the Battle of the [[Department of Mysteries]] in the climax of the book, in which a group of Death Eaters attempted to steal [[Sybill Trelawney]]'s [[prophecy]] pertaining to Voldemort's downfall. Rowling let Bellatrix prove her magical prowess during the mission when she overpowered her niece Tonks and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]] in one-on-one duels, killed her cousin Sirius by blasting him through the veil in the Death Chamber, and deflected one of Dumbledore's spells as she made her escape. [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry]] attempted to use the Cruciatus Curse on her in revenge for killing Sirius, but the curse was ineffective due to the lack of real cruelty behind it.<ref name={{HP5}}ch36>{{HP5HPref|book=5|chapter=36}}, chapter 36</ref> Before she could do any more, Bellatrix was joined by her master, who ignored her warning that Dumbledore was in the building. Bellatrix was subdued by Dumbledore in the [[Ministry of Magic]]'s Atrium while he duelled Voldemort. Voldemort interceded on Bellatrix's behalf, grabbing her and taking her with him as he [[Disapparate]]d, though not before being glimpsed by Ministry officials.

At the beginning of ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'', Bellatrix attempts to keep Narcissa from confiding Draco's secret mission to Snape at [[Spinner's End]]. Rowling used the conversation between Snape and Bellatrix to imply that Voldemort is still furious at Bellatrix's failure in the previous book.<ref name="{{HP6}}ch2">{{HP6HPref|book=6|chapter=2}}, chapter 2</ref> That conversation also suggests that Bellatrix mistrusts Snape not only because of his low birth, but also for many valid questions about his loyalty to the Dark Lord. Snape surprises Bellatrix by replying to each of her arguments and by agreeing to create an [[Unbreakable Vow]] with Narcissa to assist Draco in his mission to kill Dumbledore. Later in the book, it is mentioned by Snape that Bellatrix had been teaching [[Occlumency]] to Draco, in an effort to aid him with his mission. In the film, she and [[Fenrir Greyback]] arrive at the Burrow, the Weasleys' home, and burn it down. [[Ginny Weasley]] and Harry chase after them, with Bellatrix taunting them over her murder of Sirius.

The first chapter of ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' implies that Voldemort is still angry with Bellatrix, as evidenced when he makes fun of the fact that her niece Tonks married werewolf [[Remus Lupin]].<ref name="{{HP7}}ch1">{{HP7HPref|book=7|chapter=1}}, chapter 1</ref> However, Voldemort gives Bellatrix a chance to "prune" her family tree during the Death Eaters' attempt to capture Harry as the boy departs from the [[Dursley family|Dursleys]]' home, during which Bellatrix unsuccessfully tries to kill Tonks.<ref name="{{HP7}}ch5">{{HP7HPref|book=7|chapter=5}}, chapter 5</ref> In this book, Rowling reveals that Bellatrix is the guardian of [[Helga Hufflepuff]]'s cup (though she is unaware that it is a [[Horcrux]]), which Voldemort has entrusted the Lestranges to keep in their [[Gringotts]] vault. Bellatrix and the Malfoys detain Harry, [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] at Malfoy Manor, and Hermione is tortured by Bellatrix when she suspects the trio has broken into her vault, but [[Dobby (Harry Potter)|Dobby]] appears and saves the prisoners, though not before being hit by a knife thrown by Bellatrix as they disapparate to safety. Later in the book, Harry, Ron, and Hermione use a stray hair of Bellatrix's to disguise Hermione as Bellatrix using Polyjuice Potion, in order to gain access to the Lestrange's Gringotts vault. Though Voldemort apparently punishes Bellatrix and the Malfoys severely for interrupting his [[Elder Wand]] side quest only to have Potter escape and steal the cup, she nevertheless fights for her master in the Battle of Hogwarts towards the end of the novel. When the battle resumes inside the Great Hall after Harry's supposed death, Bellatrix simultaneously duels with Hermione, Ginny, and [[Luna Lovegood]], none of whom is a match for Bellatrix, who nearly hits Ginny with a [[Avada Kedavra|Killing Curse]]. An enraged [[Molly Weasley]] engages Bellatrix in a duel and fires a curse that hits Bellatrix right over the heart, killing her.<ref>"[http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/11/19/new-interview-with-j-k-rowling-for-release-of-dutch-edition-of-deathly-hallows New Interview with J.K. Rowling for Release of Dutch Edition of 'Deathly Hallows']." (18 November 2007). ''[[The Leaky Cauldron (website)|The Leaky Cauldron]].'' Retrieved 19 November 2007.</ref> Rowling revealed that, though there was speculation that [[Neville Longbottom|Neville]] would kill Bellatrix, she had always intended Molly to do so because the author wanted to match Bellatrix's obsessive love with Molly's maternal love.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/10/20/j-k-rowling-at-carnegie-hall-reveals-dumbledore-is-gay-neville-marries-hannah-abbott-and-scores-more|author=Edward|title=J. K. Rowling at Carnegie Hall Reveals Dumbledore is Gay; Neville Marries Hannah Abbott, and Much More|work=[[The Leaky Cauldron (website)|The Leaky Cauldron]]|date=20 October 2007|access-date=29 July 2011}}</ref>

Actress [[Helen McCrory]] was originally cast as Bellatrix in ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'' but dropped out due to pregnancy and was replaced with [[Helena Bonham Carter]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Cummins |first=Fiona |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=15806491&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=helen-is-new-foe-for-harry--name_page.html |title=Exclusive: Helen is New Foe for Harry |work=Daily Mirror |date=2 August 2005 |access-date=2020-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4670000/newsid_4672700/4672798.stm |title=Luna Lovegood role has been cast |publisher=[[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]] [[Newsround]] |date=2 February 2006 |access-date=2020-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_5010000/newsid_5015300/5015376.stm |title=Potter exclusive: New Bellatrix |date=25 May 2006 |publisher=CBBC Newsround |access-date=2020-08-02}}</ref> Coincidentally, McCrory was later cast as Bellatrix's sister Narcissa in ''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'', during the filming of which Bonham Carter learned that she was pregnant. McCrory was also cast as Narcissa after [[Naomi Watts]] was unavailable for the role.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7080000/newsid_7087000/7087093.stm |title=Exclusive: Narcissa cast in Potter 6 |access-date=9 November 2007 |date=9 November 2007 |publisher=[[Newsround]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22124731-5012980,00.html |title=Naomi goes potty |access-date=2020-08-02 |date=24 July 2007 |publisher=[[The Courier-Mail]] |archive-date=2007-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027120744/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22124731-5012980,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=''Harry Potter'' Casting Rumors Untrue, Say Actors' Reps |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/07/25/harry-potter-casting-rumors-untrue-say-actors-reps/ |access-date=2020-08-02 |date=25 July 2007 |last=Adler |first=Shawn |publisher=MTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805121548/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/07/25/harry-potter-casting-rumors-untrue-say-actors-reps/ |archive-date=5 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Adler|first=Shawn|title='Harry Potter' Cast Grows: Helen McCrory Joins 'Half-Blood Prince'|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1574000/story.jhtml|publisher=MTV|date=12 November 2007|access-date=2020-08-02|url-status=livedead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420083744/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1574000/story.jhtml|archive-date=20 April 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Fox|first1=Chloe|title=Helen McCrory interview: on motherhood, Damian Lewis and what makes her mad|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/11503954/Helen-McCrory-interview-on-motherhood-Damian-Lewis-and-what-makes-her-mad.html|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=2020-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112025724/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/11503954/Helen-McCrory-interview-on-motherhood-Damian-Lewis-and-what-makes-her-mad.html|archive-date=12 January 2017|language=en|date=5 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mugglenet.com/2007/07/naomi-watts-cast-as-narcissa-malfoy-in-hbp-movie/ |title=Naomi Watts cast as Narcissa Malfoy in HBP movie |date=2007-07-24 |website=Muggle Net |language=en |access-date=2020-08-02}}</ref> [[Elizabeth Hurley]] was also reportedly linked to the role of Bellatrix at one point.<ref>{{cite web|last=Anell |first=Mellisa. |url=http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/index.php?articleID=5483 |title="WB: Hurley Not Cast in Fifth Potter Film". |website=[[The Leaky Cauldron (website)|The Leaky Cauldron]]. |date=8 February 2005 |access-date=2020-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/liz-as-bellatrix-20050222-gdksbx.html |title=Liz as Bellatrix? |date=2005-02-22 |website=Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |access-date=2020-08-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30190377.html |title=Hurley linked to Harry Potter role |date=2005-02-21 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en |access-date=2020-08-02}}</ref> While filming the scene in the Department of Mysteries in ''Order of the Phoenix'', Bonham Carter accidentally perforated the eardrum of [[Matthew Lewis (actor)|Matthew Lewis]], the actor who portrayed [[Neville Longbottom]], with her wand during one of the outtakes, when she became a bit too enthusiastic in her portrayal.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Daly|first=Steve|title=Helena Bonham Carter Gets Wicked|url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,20046035,00.html2007/07/13/bonham-carter-i-think-i-took-my-sadism-bit-too-literally/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=13 July 2007|access-date=2020-08-02|archive-date=2007-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817071505/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20046035,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article2000948.ece |access-date=2020-08-02 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Famed author [[Stephen King]] was a fan of the character, and claimed that reading [[Molly Weasley]] calling the character "a bitch" in ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' was "the most shocking ''bitch'' in recent fiction" and showed how mature the books had become.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=httphttps://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20431232_20050689,00.html2007/08/10/stephen-king-last-word-harry-potter/|title=J.K. Rowling's Ministry of Magic|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|author=Stephen King|author-link=Stephen King|date=10 August 2007|access-date=2020-08-02|archive-date=2014-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226093437/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20431232_20050689,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Category:Fictional witchescharacters who use magic]]

[[Category:Fictional torturersfemale murderers]]