'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'(in theaters July 15) is shaping up to be the biggest movie of the summer (and that's saying something, given 'Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen''s massive box office). So we thought we'd remind you of the 13 meanest, vilest and most evil of the 'Harry Potter' villains to date by ranking them from bad to worse. Brace yourself for the onslaught -- then click through our countdown.

Harry Potter' Villains

    12. Severus Snape
    Anyone who's read 'Deathly Hallows' knows where Snape's (Alan Rickman) true allegiances lie, but throughout most of 'Half-Blood Prince' he remains an enigma. He's contemptuous of Potter and his friends and swears an Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco during his top-secret mission for Voldemort ... and yet Dumbledore trusts him (with his life). So we gotta give the greasy-haired guy SOME respect.

    Warner Bros.

    11. The Dursleys
    They have no magical powers (unless being dull and preening are considered magic), but these three are villains from the start. Harry's just a much-resented burden to them. If Aunt Petunia's like Cinderella's evil stepmother, that'd make Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley the stepsisters ... yeah, we'll go with that.

    Warner Bros.

    10. Dolores Umbridge
    The Ministry of Magic's representative at Hogwarts may be all smiles and giggles, but Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) is a true witch (with a "b") at heart. In 'Phoenix,' she seizes power from Dumbledore, burns "I will not tell lies" into Harry's hand, and bans boy and girls from making out. That's so not cool.

    Warner Bros.

    9. Professor Quirrell
    It's not that Professor Quirrell (Ian Hart) himself is so evil, but he's weak enough to allow Voldemort to inhabit his body, seek the sorcerer's stone that would bestow eternal life, and confront Harry as Quirrell's ghostly second face -- giving new meaning to the term "eyes in the back of his head."

    Warner Bros.

    8. Draco Malfoy
    The scion of one of the most dangerous families in Hogwarts history, Malfoy (Tom Felton) grows from schoolyard bully to real and dangerous threat. Well, with a father like Lucius Malfoy and an aunt like Bellatrix Lestrange, what would you expect? Draco's just trying to take over the family business, so to speak.

    Warner Bros.

    7. Dementors
    These dark creatures are guards at Azkaban, but they moonlight as mayhem makers elsewhere. Their prime function? Sucking the souls out of wizards and muggles like they were delicious pouches of Capri Sun. And in 'Phoenix,' Harry's wicked cousin Dudley gets to feel what it's like to be a juice box.

    Warner Bros.

    6. Tom Riddle
    Harry and pals might not be afraid of no ghosts, but Tom Marvolo Riddle (Christian Coulson), whose name can be arranged by deft Scrabble players to read "I Am Lord Voldemort," is a little scarier: He's a memory, the Dark Lord as a young Hogwarts scholar, discovered chillin' in the Chamber of Secrets. Creepy.

    Warner Bros.

    5. Peter Pettigrew/Wormtail
    Would we find Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall) so vile if he were, say, a puppy instead of a rat? We sure would, given that he betrayed Harry's parents to gain Voldemort's favor and helped capture Harry, bringing the Dark Lord back to life. It just goes to show you: Never trust a rodent. Is that species-ist?

    Warner Bros. / Everett Collection

    4. Barty Crouch Jr.
    This sneaky Death Eater (David Tennant) pulls off quite a coup in 'Goblet of Fire' when he kidnaps Mad Eye Moody and impersonates the professor while infiltrating Hogwarts. And though he delivers a few good lessons, he's pure evil. Then again, we'd be bitter and evil if we were named Barty Crouch, too.

    Warner Bros. / Everett Collection

    3. Bellatrix Lestrange
    Sirius Black's crazy cousin, Death Eater Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter), tortured Neville Longbottom's parents, spent years in Azkaban and ... well, we won't reveal what she does in 'Phoenix,' but it's really, really bad. On the plus side, she's by far the hottest villain on our list. No offense, Wormtail.

    Warner Bros.



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