The Intrigue of Bellatrix Lestrange’s Final Fate in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'

One of the most intriguing plot points in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the mention of Bellatrix Lestrange’s imprisonment in Azkaban during the events of Act 4, Scene 11. This curiosity arises from her definitive death in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at the hands of Molly Weasley. This article explores the reasons behind this discrepancy, examining the Cursed Child's treatment of time travel and its effects on the characters and the overall narrative.

Understanding Bellatrix Lestrange's Fate

Within the original timeline of the Harry Potter series, Bellatrix Lestrange is unequivocally killed by Molly Weasley during the Battle of Hogwarts. However, in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Bellatrix is alive and incarcerated in Azkaban, thanks to the time-traveling elements introduced through the use of a Time-Turner. The Cursed Child explores the consequences of altering significant events in the past, leading to alternate realities and varied outcomes for the characters involved. Therefore, while her appearance in Azkaban does not align with the original timeline, it is a direct result of the time-altering events in the play.

The Rise of Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix Lestrange, the sister of Narcissa Malfoy and the wife of Rodolphus Lestrange, is portrayed as one of the most sinister and dangerous characters in the Harry Potter series. Known for her involvement in the Second Wizarding War, she is notorious for her use of the unforgivable Cruciatus Curse against the Longbottoms, resulting in their physical and mental damage. She was also directly involved in the hunt and persecution of those the Death Eaters deemed undesirables. Faced with her guilty actions, she did not deny her crimes; instead, she admitted to them and was convicted along with her husband, his brother, and Barty Crouch Jr., ultimately leading to her imprisonment in Azkaban.

Azkaban and the Time Tragedy

In the original narrative, Bellatrix's life in prison spanned a few years from her arrest around January 1996 until her death in May 1998. However, in the alternate timeline created by the actions of Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy, this sequence of events is altered. It is within this altered timeline that Bellatrix survives and is imprisoned in Azkaban, leading to her mention in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

The Cursed Child and Its Influence

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a sequel to the seven-book series, and while it is not officially part of the canon, it explores the consequences of time travel and its impact on the characters from the original narrative. It is important to note that this work, being fanfiction, does not stand as a definitive continuation of the series. It adds layers of complexity to the original stories, with the alternate timeline serving as a subplot that intertwines with the main characters' lives.

Consequences and Repercussions

The Cursed Child Act 4, Scene 11, provides a glimpse into the consequences of time travel through the character of Delphi. When Delphi is bound and asked by Harry, Ron, and Hermione to forget her past, Draco remarks that she will go to Azkaban, just like her mother, Bellatrix, did during the original timeline. It is a direct reference to the events where Bellatrix was taken to Azkaban for her crimes, highlighting the significance of her imprisonment in the wizarding world’s justice system. Meanwhile, Barty Crouch Jr. was separated, further emphasizing the divergent paths the characters took in the alternate timeline.

Delphi's mention of a similar fate to her mother implies that the conditions under which Bellatrix was imprisoned would persist even in this altered reality. This is a stark reminder of the strict legal enforcement of justice within the wizarding world, where criminals are held accountable for their actions, regardless of how those actions might be altered through time travel.

In conclusion, the mention of Bellatrix Lestrange in Azkaban in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child adds depth to the series, introducing the concept of time travel and its multifaceted influence on the characters and the overarching narrative. While it may seem paradoxical to readers familiar with the original timeline, it enriches the storytelling and offers a new perspective on the world of Harry Potter.