Brutus Malfoy

Brutus Malfoy was a 17th-century wizard and an ancestor of the modern Malfoy family. A staunch pure-blood supremacist, he is significant for establishing and perpetuating the virulent anti-Muggle ideology that would become a core tenet of his family's identity for centuries. He was the purported editor of the influential and bigoted periodical, Warlock at War (Pottermore).

Living circa 1675, Brutus Malfoy was a prominent and influential figure within certain circles of the wizarding community. Through his work as the editor of the periodical Warlock at War, he promoted the idea that any wizard showing kindness or friendship towards Muggles was weak-willed and possessed inferior magical ability (Pottermore). This viewpoint was a popular one among those who opposed the International Statute of Secrecy, which was then under debate. Brutus Malfoy's writings helped to cement this prejudice within many established pure-blood families, a legacy that was clearly inherited by his descendants, including Lucius Malfoy and Draco Malfoy. His actions provided a historical foundation for the Malfoys' belief in their own superiority and their contempt for non-magical people (Pottermore).

No canonical description of Brutus Malfoy's physical appearance exists. Based on his writings and influence, Brutus was an arrogant, prejudiced, and deeply influential wizard. He possessed a sharp mind for propaganda and used his platform to spread his hateful ideology effectively. He held a profound disdain for Muggles and any witch or wizard who did not share his extremist views on blood purity. His personality set the tone for the public-facing persona of the Malfoy family: proud, scornful, and elitist.

Specific details about Brutus Malfoy's magical prowess, such as his duelling ability or preferred spells, are unknown. His primary known skill was in writing and rhetoric, using the power of the press to manipulate public opinion and entrench prejudice within the wizarding world. As a member of the historically powerful and wealthy Malfoy family, he was undoubtedly a skilled and educated wizard.

• Warlock at War: A periodical that Brutus Malfoy allegedly edited. It served as his primary tool for spreading anti-Muggle propaganda and promoting the ideals of pure-blood supremacy (Pottermore).

Brutus Malfoy is a direct ancestor of the contemporary Malfoy family. His staunchly anti-Muggle beliefs were passed down through generations, profoundly shaping the worldview and actions of descendants like Abraxas Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, and Draco Malfoy. His ideological legacy forms the basis of the family's prejudice and their alignment with Lord Voldemort during the First Wizarding War and Second Wizarding War.

• Brutus: A Latin name of Roman origin. It is most famously associated with Marcus Junius Brutus, one of the leading assassins of Julius Caesar. The name carries connotations of ruthlessness, betrayal, and a rigid adherence to one's principles, however flawed.
• Malfoy: J.K. Rowling has stated that the surname is derived from the Old French mal foi, which translates to “bad faith” or “treachery.” This name reflects the family's characteristic duplicity, untrustworthiness, and malevolent nature.

Brutus Malfoy is not mentioned in the seven original Harry Potter novels. His character and history were created by J.K. Rowling for the Pottermore website (now Wizarding World) in an essay titled “The Malfoy Family.” His existence serves to add historical depth to the Malfoy family's bigotry, demonstrating that their prejudices are not recent but are, in fact, centuries-old and deeply ingrained in their heritage.