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Slytherin house, one of the four houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is known for producing some of the most cunning, resourceful, and ambitious students in the wizarding world.
With a reputation for producing dark wizards and witches, Slytherin has often been maligned by the other houses and the wizarding community at large.
However, the characters of Slytherin house are some of the most fascinating and complex in the Harry Potter canon.
Let’s look at 25 famous Slytherin characters from the Harry Potter books and movies. We’ll explore their notable characteristics, friendships, and Slytherin traits that have made them stand out in the story.
From well-known figures like Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape, to lesser-known characters like Walden Macnair and Merula Snyde, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of Slytherin and the characters that call it home.
Whether you’re a die-hard Slytherin fan or just interested in learning more about the series, this post is sure to provide a deeper understanding of the complex and intriguing characters that populate this house.
25 Most Famous Slytherin Characters
- Tom Riddle / Voldemort
- Severus Snape
- Bellatrix Lestrange
- Lucius Malfoy
- Narcissa Malfoy
- Draco Malfoy
- Regulus Black
- Phineas Nigellus Black
- Horace Slughorn
- Millicent Bulstrode
- Pansy Parkinson
- Vincent Crabbe
- Gregory Goyle
- Dolores Umbridge
- Walden Macnair
- Fenrir Greyback
- Avery
- Yaxley
- Gibbon
- Theodore Nott
- Marcus Flint
- Adrian Pucey
- Terence Higgs
- Blaise Zabini
- Tracey Davis
Our Favorite Slytherin Characters
These Slytherin characters have become favorites amongst Harry Potter fans and it’s no wonder why. Let’s find out what makes each of them special and unique:
Tom Riddle / Voldemort
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Voldemort is one of the most powerful Dark wizards of all time, and the main antagonist of the Harry Potter series. He sought to gain immortality by creating Horcruxes, and was responsible for the deaths of many characters in the series. He was feared and reviled by many, but also had a following of Death Eaters who supported his cause.
Famous Friends: Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Voldemort embodies all of these traits, as he was able to manipulate others to do his bidding and gain power for himself.
Severus Snape
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Snape is a complex character, who serves as a double agent for both the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters. He is also the potions professor at Hogwarts, and is infamous for his strict and harsh teaching methods. Later in the series, it is revealed that Snape had a long-standing and complicated relationship with Harry’s mother, Lily Potter.
Famous Friends: Dumbledore, Lily Potter
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Snape embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his knowledge of magic to gain power.
Bellatrix Lestrange
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Bellatrix is a sadistic and loyal follower of Voldemort.She is responsible for the deaths of several characters in the series, including Sirius Black and Dobby. She is also known for her fierce loyalty to Voldemort and her willingness to do whatever it takes to further his cause.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, Narcissa Malfoy
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Bellatrix embodies all of these traits, as she is able to manipulate others and use her skills as a witch to gain power.
Lucius Malfoy
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Lucius is a wealthy and influential Death Eater, who is known for his arrogance and disdain for Muggles and non-pureblood wizards. He is also the father of Draco Malfoy, and is known for his role in the events of the series, including the opening of the Chamber of Secrets and the Battle of Hogwarts.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, Narcissa Malfoy
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Lucius embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his wealth and influence to gain power.
Narcissa Malfoy
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Narcissa is the wife of Lucius Malfoy and the mother of Draco Malfoy. She is fiercely protective of her family, and her actions in the series reflect this. She makes a deal with Harry Potter in order to ensure her son’s safety, and also lies to Voldemort in order to protect her son from harm.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Narcissa embodies all of these traits, as she is able to manipulate others and use her cunning to protect her family.
Draco Malfoy
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Draco is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. He is known for his arrogance, his disdain for those he considers to be beneath him, and his feud with Harry Potter. Throughout the series, Draco struggles with his loyalty to Voldemort and his desire to protect his family.
Famous Friends: Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Draco embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his family’s wealth and influence to gain power.
Regulus Black
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Regulus is the younger brother of Sirius Black, and a former Death Eater. He is known for his bravery and self-sacrifice, as he attempts to destroy one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes in order to stop him.
Famous Friends: Voldemort (former ally)
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Regulus embodies all of these traits, but ultimately chooses to use his skills to fight against Voldemort rather than for him.
Phineas Nigellus Black
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Phineas Nigellus is the former headmaster of Hogwarts and a member of the Black family. He is known for his wit and intelligence, and his portrait in Hogwarts plays an important role in the events of the series.
Famous Friends: None known
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Phineas Nigellus embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his knowledge to gain power.
Horace Slughorn
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Known For: Slughorn is the potions professor at Hogwarts and a former member of the Slug Club, a group of students he believed would be influential in later life. He is known for his connections and his desire to be associated with successful individuals. He plays an important role in the events of the series, particularly in relation to Voldemort’s attempt to create Horcruxes.
Famous Friends: Dumbledore, Tom Riddle (Voldemort)
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Slughorn embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his connections to gain power.
Millicent Bulstrode
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Known For: Millicent is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. She is known for her physical strength and intimidating presence, and is often described as having a “pug” face. She is also known for her disdain for Muggle-borns and her loyalty to Voldemort.
Famous Friends: None known
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Millicent embodies all of these traits, as she is able to manipulate others and use her physical strength to gain power.
Pansy Parkinson
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Pansy is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. She is known for her snobbishness and her dislike of Harry Potter and his friends. She is also known for her loyalty to Draco Malfoy.
Famous Friends: Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Pansy embodies all of these traits, as she is able to manipulate others and use her position at Hogwarts to gain power.
Vincent Crabbe
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Crabbe is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. He is known for his physical strength and his loyalty to Draco Malfoy. He is also known for his involvement in the plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore.
Famous Friends: Draco Malfoy, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Crabbe embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his physical strength to gain power.
Gregory Goyle
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Goyle is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. He is known for his physical strength and his loyalty to Draco Malfoy. He is also known for his involvement in the plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore.
Famous Friends: Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Goyle embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his physical strength to gain power
Dolores Umbridge
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Umbridge is a Ministry of Magic employee who is sent to Hogwarts to act as High Inquisitor and to take control of the school. She is known for her cruelty and her belief in the power of rules and regulations. She is also responsible for implementing several laws that discriminate against non-pureblood wizards and witches.
Famous Friends: Cornelius Fudge, the Ministry of Magic
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Umbridge embodies all of these traits, as she is able to manipulate others and use her position of power to gain more power.
Walden Macnair
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Known For: Macnair is an executioner for the Ministry of Magic, and a former Death Eater. He is known for his brutality and his lack of remorse. He is also responsible for carrying out the sentence of Buckbeak the Hippogriff.
Famous Friends: Voldemort (former ally)
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Macnair embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his skills to gain power.
Fenrir Greyback
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Greyback is a werewolf and a former Death Eater. He is known for his sadistic nature and his love of attacking children. He is also responsible for infecting several characters with lycanthropy throughout the series.
Famous Friends: Voldemort (former ally)
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Greyback embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his abilities as a werewolf to gain power.
Avery
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Known For: Avery is a Death Eater who is loyal to Voldemort. He is known for his involvement in the plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, other Death Eaters
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Avery embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his skills as a wizard to gain power.
Yaxley
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Yaxley is a Death Eater who is loyal to Voldemort. He is known for his involvement in the plot to take over the Ministry of Magic and for his role in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, other Death Eaters
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Yaxley embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his skills as a wizard to gain power.
Gibbon
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Known For: Gibbon is a Death Eater who is loyal to Voldemort. He is known for his involvement in the plot to assassinate Albus Dumbledore.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, other Death Eaters
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Gibbon embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his skills as a wizard to gain power.
Theodore Nott
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Theodore is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. He is known for his intelligence and his ambition. He is also known for his interest in the Deathly Hallows, and for his belief that Voldemort can be defeated through knowledge and cunning rather than brute force.
Famous Friends: None known
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Theodore embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his intelligence to gain power.
Blaise Zabini
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Blaise is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. He is known for his good looks and his arrogance. He is also known for his belief in the importance of blood purity, and for his loyalty to Voldemort.
Famous Friends: None known
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Blaise embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his good looks and charm to gain power.
Igor Karkaroff
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Known For: Karkaroff is a former Death Eater who becomes a headmaster at Durmstrang Institute. He is known for his cowardice and his willingness to betray his former allies in order to save his own skin.
Famous Friends: Voldemort (former ally)
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Karkaroff embodies all of these traits, but ultimately chooses to betray his fellow Death Eaters in order to protect himself.
Igor Karkaroff’s Aide
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Known For: Karkaroff’s aide is a Death Eater who is loyal to Voldemort. He is known for his involvement in the plot to kidnap Harry Potter during the Triwizard Tournament.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, other Death Eaters
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Karkaroff’s aide embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his skills as a wizard to gain power.
Antonin Dolohov
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Dolohov is a Death Eater who is loyal to Voldemort. He is known for his involvement in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and for his murder of Remus Lupin.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, other Death Eaters
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Dolohov embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his skills as a wizard to gain power.
Bellatrix Lestrange’s Husband
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
Known For: Bellatrix Lestrange’s husband is a Death Eater who is loyal to Voldemort. He is known for his involvement in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and for his escape from Azkaban prison.
Famous Friends: Voldemort, other Death Eaters
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Bellatrix Lestrange’s husband embodies all of these traits, as he is able to manipulate others and use his skills as a wizard to gain power.
Garrick Ollivander
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Known For: Ollivander is a wandmaker who is known for his expertise and his knowledge of wandlore. He is also known for his capture by the Death Eaters, and for his role in the creation of the Deathly Hallows.
Famous Friends: None known
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Ollivander embodies all of these traits, as he is able to use his expertise to gain power and protect himself.
Merula Snyde
Which Books Mention Them: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (video game)
Known For: Merula is a student at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin house. She is known for her rivalrous attitude towards the player character, who is also a student at Hogwarts, and her eventual redemption arc.
Famous Friends: None known
Slytherin Traits: Ambitious, resourceful, cunning, and self-preserving. Merula embodies all of these traits, as she is able to manipulate others and use her skills as a witch to gain power.
Let us know which Slytherin character is your favorite in the comments below!