Harry Potter: Ranking Every Major Magical Family From Worst To Best

There are a number of reasons why the Harry Potter series has been so successful. But according to many, the characters are the primary reason why the books have had such a huge impact. This may come as a surprise given how riveting the world and plot lines are, but it’s the characters that keep fans coming back again and again.

Though many characters are fascinating individuals in their own right, familial ties are also a key part of the story. Harry’s desire for an ordinary family, for instance, is made clear in The Philosopher’s Stone when he looks into the Mirror of Erised and sees his family staring back at him. And throughout the franchise, plenty of other families are introduced and developed as well.

Whilst love is undoubtedly a key theme of the story, the most interesting magical families are also wrought with conflict. Parental squabbles, sibling rivalries, and challenges to family tradition are always entertaining to experience.

Of course, there are some magical families that tilt towards heroism whilst others tilt towards villainy. But regardless of which side they’re on, the best ones carry plenty of depth and intrigue...

You’d be hard-pressed to find a family eviller than the Lestranges. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan were amongst the most faithful of the Dark Lord’s supporters and they possessed a deep loathing of Muggle-borns and blood traitors.

All three of them took part in the torture of Frank and Alice Longbottom, and their spells were so powerful they caused Neville’s parents to fall into insanity for the remainder of their lives. They had no remorse for their actions either. They went to Azkaban proud of their unwavering loyalty to their wicked master.

Bellatrix, of course, is the most noteworthy of the three, however. And in addition to the damage inflicted upon the Longbottoms, she also murdered Sirius and tortured Hermione.

Yet as entertaining as they are, there isn’t much depth to the Lestranges. With the possible exception of Leta Lestrange (who appears in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), they do not waver from the Dark Arts. They’re simply evil through and through.