Knights of Walpurgis

The Knights of Walpurgis was the original name conceived by author J.K. Rowling for the group of followers that would eventually become known as the Death Eaters. While this specific name does not appear in the final published versions of the seven original novels, the group it refers to—the circle of devoted followers that Tom Riddle gathered around himself during his time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry—is described in detail. These students are canonically referred to as the “forerunners of the Death Eaters.”

During his years at Hogwarts in the 1940s, Tom Riddle began to assemble a group of loyal followers, primarily from his own house of Slytherin. This group served as the foundation for the organization that would later terrorize the wizarding world as the Death Eaters. Albus Dumbledore described them as “a motley collection; a mixture of the weak seeking protection, the ambitious seeking glory, and the thuggish seeking fellowship.” These students were deeply loyal to Tom Riddle, who was already using the moniker “Lord Voldemort” among his most intimate circle. They were involved in practicing the Dark Arts and carrying out acts of bullying and cruelty, even while still at school. In a memory viewed by Harry Potter, Professor Horace Slughorn recalled stumbling upon two members of Riddle's group, Avery and Lestrange, after they had been involved in some “not pretty” activities. This early incarnation of the Death Eaters was instrumental in Riddle's research into powerful dark magic, including his investigation into creating Horcruxes. After leaving Hogwarts, many of these original members officially became the first Death Eaters, continuing to serve Lord Voldemort in his first ascent to power.

The ideology of this group was a direct reflection of Tom Riddle's own beliefs, centered on the supremacy of pure-blood wizards and the subjugation or eradication of Muggles and Muggle-borns. They were drawn to Riddle's charisma, his extraordinary magical talent, and his claim as the Heir of Salazar Slytherin. Their primary goals at Hogwarts were to assist Riddle in his quest for power and immortality, explore forbidden magic, and establish a hierarchy of dominance within the school.

The members of this group were Riddle's contemporaries at Hogwarts. While a full list is unknown, several are mentioned or alluded to.

• Tom Riddle: The founder and undisputed leader.
• Avery: Mentioned by Professor Slughorn. He was likely the father or grandfather of the Avery (Death Eater) who served Voldemort in the First and Second Wizarding Wars.
• Lestrange: Mentioned alongside Avery by Slughorn. He was an ancestor of Rodolphus Lestrange and Rabastan Lestrange.
• Mulciber: A future Death Eater known for specializing in the Imperius Curse.
• Nott: A future Death Eater and father of Theodore Nott.

The name “Knights of Walpurgis” is a direct reference to Walpurgis Night (Walpurgisnacht in German).

• Walpurgis Night: A traditional spring festival celebrated on April 30th or May 1st in Central and Northern Europe. In German folklore, it is the night when witches are believed to gather on the Brocken, the highest peak of the Harz Mountains, to consort with the Devil. This association with a grand, dark, and magical gathering makes it a fitting name for a dark wizarding society.
• Knights: This title suggests a formal, chivalrous, or military order. It projects an image of grandeur and dark nobility, which aligns with Lord Voldemort's ambition and his desire to create a powerful, elite following.

• In a live web chat in 2007, J.K. Rowling stated, “Originally I was going to call the Death Eaters the Knights of Walpurgis.” (J.K. Rowling interview, Bloomsbury Live Chat, 2007). This is the sole source for the name and confirms its status as a developmental term for what became the Death Eaters.
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Tom Riddle is shown with his group of followers, but they are not referred to by any specific name.