Avery

Avery is the surname of a pure-blood wizarding family known for its allegiance to Lord Voldemort. At least two members of the Avery family, a father and son, served as Death Eaters during the First and Second Wizarding Wars. They were among the earliest followers of Lord Voldemort but were not considered part of his inner circle, often being treated with contempt by both Voldemort and their fellow Death Eaters.

The Avery family's history is closely intertwined with the rise and fall of Lord Voldemort.

The elder Avery was a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the same time as Tom Marvolo Riddle. He was one of Tom's earliest followers and a member of the group that would eventually become the Death Eaters. In a memory viewed by Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore in the Pensieve, Avery was present in Professor Slughorn's office with Riddle and other students. He was part of the group that stayed behind after the other students left, during which Riddle questioned Slughorn about Horcruxes. This establishes the Avery family's connection to Voldemort from his earliest days of seeking power and immortality.

The son of the original follower, this Avery also became a Death Eater and served Lord Voldemort.

• First Wizarding War: After Voldemort's first downfall, Avery was apprehended by the Ministry of Magic. He managed to avoid a sentence in Azkaban by claiming he had acted under the influence of the Imperius Curse. This was revealed during the trial of Igor Karkaroff, who named Avery as a fellow Death Eater in a failed attempt to bargain for his own freedom.
• Return of Lord Voldemort: In June 1995, Avery answered Voldemort's call and Apparated to the Little Hangleton graveyard following the Dark Lord's rebirth. He grovelled for forgiveness, pleading that he had been waiting for a sign of Voldemort's return. Voldemort, unimpressed, tortured him with the Cruciatus Curse as punishment for abandoning him and not attempting to find him after his fall.
• Battle of the Department of Mysteries: In 1996, Avery was part of the squadron of Death Eaters sent to the Department of Mysteries to retrieve the Prophecy concerning Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. He mistakenly believed that anyone could retrieve a prophecy from its shelf, a foolish assumption for which Lucius Malfoy berated him. During the ensuing battle, he was hit with a Stunning Spell by Hermione Granger. He was subsequently captured by members of the Order of the Phoenix and arrested by the Ministry of Magic, leading to his imprisonment in Azkaban.

No physical description is provided for the elder Avery in the novels. The younger Avery's appearance is not detailed, but his personality is clearly depicted. He is sycophantic and cowardly, as shown by his pleading for Voldemort's forgiveness and his use of the Imperius Curse excuse to escape Azkaban. He is also portrayed as incompetent and foolish, demonstrated by his critical mistake regarding the nature of the Prophecy in the Department of Mysteries.

As Death Eaters, both Averys were presumably proficient in the Dark Arts. The younger Avery was capable enough to be included in the mission to the Department of Mysteries, an operation of critical importance to Lord Voldemort. However, he was ultimately defeated by a teenage witch. No information is available regarding their wands or other specific magical talents.

No specific possessions belonging to the Averys are mentioned in the novels. As Death Eaters, they would have possessed a wand and the typical dark robes and mask worn during their service to Lord Voldemort.

The Averys' primary relationship was with Lord Voldemort, whom they served with a mixture of fear and devotion. Voldemort viewed them as followers but held them in low regard, punishing the younger Avery for his past disloyalty and his incompetence. Among other Death Eaters, the younger Avery was a subordinate figure. He was treated with disdain by Lucius Malfoy and was named as a fellow servant by Igor Karkaroff. His family's long-standing allegiance did not seem to grant him a high rank within the organization.

The surname Avery is of English origin, derived from the Norman French pronunciation of the Old English name Alfred. It is believed to mean “elf counsel” or “wise elf.” This meaning is highly ironic in the case of the younger Avery, who made a critical and foolish error regarding the Prophecy.

• In an early draft of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, a character named “Draco Avery” was a member of Slytherin House. This character concept was later developed into Draco Malfoy.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a Death Eater identified as Avery is portrayed by actor Richard Trinder (film).