Played by: Ian Hart, Christian Coulson, Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, Frank Dillane and Ralph Fiennes (main actor) This one was inevitable. The greatest Harry Potter villain must be the one who's name has hung over this entire list. Yes, the number one spot is swiped by Mr Tom Marvolo Riddle, which if rearranged forms the name of his villainous alter ego, a name so powerful that the majority of the wizarding world cannot even utter it, Lord Voldemort. Minus an I, an A and an M, of course (the guy must like these little anagrammatical jokes - well, he has to pass the time somehow when not maiming and murdering). Most of the villains on this list have something that makes them nasty - the Malfoys sheer smarminess, Bellatrix's insanity, Umbridge's tyranny - however, Voldemort embodies each of the other villains' traits into one big, bald, reptilian package. The most evil wizard since ever, Voldemort is obsessed with gaining immortality, which he would use to conquer the world, eradicating everyone who he deems inferior - despite being a half-blood himself. Much like the Dementors, Voldemort works so well because he is drawn from many of our archetypal fears - he looks like a snake, is beyond death - but also from famous villains from real world history such as Joseph Stalin and, needless to say, Adolf Hitler with whom Voldemort shares a deep-set belief in racial supremacy. Also, his impact on popular culture cannot be overlooked, as he is one of the most instantly recognisable Harry Potter characters. The best example of his influence is surely his appearance (alongside his creator) at the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony where he was accompanied by other legendary children's literary villains Cruella de Vil, The Queen of Hearts and Captain Hook. Ironically then, it could be said that Voldemort achieved his goal of defeating death as the character will surely live on as not only the best villain in a highly popular franchise but as one of the most memorable antagonists in all of popular literature and film history. Merlin's Beard! Do you think we've been a victim of a Forgetfulness Charm because we've not put your favourite villain on the list? Or do we get the Hogwarts House Cup for compiling a good article. Why not magic up a comment to let us know...
