Vincent Crabbe

Vincent Crabbe was a pure-blood wizard and a student in Slytherin House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was the son of Crabbe Sr., a known Death Eater. Throughout his time at Hogwarts, Crabbe, along with his constant companion Gregory Goyle, served as one of Draco Malfoy's thuggish henchmen. Though generally portrayed as unintelligent and lacking magical talent, Crabbe developed a surprising and dangerous affinity for the Dark Arts during the Second Wizarding War. His character arc culminates in his death within the Room of Requirement, where he lost control of a Fiendfyre curse, inadvertently destroying one of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes in the process.

Crabbe began his education at Hogwarts in 1991, the same year as Harry Potter, and was sorted into Slytherin House. From his first appearance on the Hogwarts Express, he established himself as a loyal, if dim-witted, follower of Draco Malfoy, readily joining in on the bullying of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. During his second year, Crabbe was a pawn in Harry and Ron's plan to discover if Malfoy was the Heir of Slytherin. Hermione Granger brewed a Polyjuice Potion, and Ron successfully used it to impersonate Crabbe after he and Goyle were fed cakes containing a Sleeping Draught. In his fifth year, Crabbe eagerly joined Dolores Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad, a position that gave him official power to torment other students. Despite this, his academic performance was poor, and he was one of several students who had to retake their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. exam. During his sixth year, Crabbe and Goyle were tasked by Malfoy to act as lookouts while he worked to repair the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement. To keep them from being discovered, Malfoy often used Transfiguration to disguise them, once transforming Crabbe into a small girl. Crabbe's most significant role came during the Battle of Hogwarts in his seventh year. Having learned powerful Dark Magic, he had grown more independent and defiant of Malfoy's authority. In the Room of Requirement, he confronted Harry, Ron, and Hermione, refusing Malfoy's order to capture Harry alive. He attempted to use the Cruciatus Curse and the Killing Curse before unleashing the powerful and uncontrollable Fiendfyre. The cursed fire consumed the room, killing Crabbe and destroying the Horcrux hidden there, Ravenclaw's Diadem.

Crabbe is consistently described as being very large and brutish. He was a hefty boy with a “pudding-bowl” haircut and long, gorilla-like arms. He typically wore a dull, thuggish expression. For most of his life, Crabbe's personality was defined by his subservience to Draco Malfoy. He was slow-witted, rarely spoke unless echoing Malfoy, and relied on physical intimidation over intellect. However, by his seventh year, a more sinister side emerged. He developed a clear taste for cruelty and the Dark Arts, showing a streak of malevolence that even unnerved Malfoy. His final actions reveal a reckless and arrogant individual, overconfident in his ability to control magic far beyond his skill level.

For most of his school career, Crabbe was a notably poor wizard. He struggled academically and demonstrated little magical aptitude.

• Dark Arts: By his seventh year, Crabbe had developed a surprising and lethal proficiency in the Dark Arts, surpassing even Malfoy. He was able to cast or attempt some of the most powerful dark curses known:
  • Crucio (Cruciatus Curse): He attempted to cast this Unforgivable Curse on Hermione Granger in the Room of Requirement.
  • Avada Kedavra (Killing Curse): He attempted to use this Unforgivable Curse on both Ron and Hermione during the same confrontation.
  • Fiendfyre: He successfully cast this extremely powerful and dangerous dark curse. However, he lacked the skill to control it, leading to his own death and the destruction of the room and its contents.

• Wand: Crabbe owned a wand, though its length, wood, and core are unknown. It was destroyed with him in the Fiendfyre.

• Draco Malfoy: Crabbe was Malfoy's primary bodyguard and enforcer for six years. He was utterly loyal and followed Malfoy's orders without question. This dynamic shifted dramatically during the Battle of Hogwarts, where Crabbe openly defied Malfoy, indicating their “friendship” was based on a power hierarchy that Crabbe no longer respected.
• Gregory Goyle: Crabbe's inseparable partner in crime. The two were rarely seen apart and were often treated as an interchangeable duo of thugs by Malfoy and others.
• Crabbe Sr.: His father was a loyal Death Eater who served Lord Voldemort in both Wizarding Wars. This connection explains Crabbe's pure-blood prejudice and allegiance from a young age.
• Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger: As members of Malfoy's gang, Crabbe was a constant antagonist to the trio, participating in numerous attempts to bully and harm them throughout their school years.

• Vincent: The name is derived from the Roman name Vincentius, which comes from the Latin word vincere, meaning “to conquer” or “to win.” This is highly ironic for a character who was a follower his entire life, though it could be a dark reference to his final, destructive act of unleashing an unconquerable fire.
• Crabbe: This surname likely refers to the crustacean, the crab. The animal is known for its hard shell and pincers, reflecting Crabbe's tough, brutish exterior. The adjective “crabby,” meaning irritable or ill-tempered, also aptly describes his sullen demeanor.

In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the character of Crabbe is absent from the Room of Requirement scene. His role in casting the Fiendfyre and dying is given to Gregory Goyle. Blaise Zabini appears alongside Malfoy and Goyle instead of Crabbe. This change was reportedly due to off-screen legal issues involving the actor who played Crabbe, Jamie Waylett (film).