** "ORDER OF THE PHOENIX" SPOILERS AHEAD ***

As horrible as it is to say, of these characters, I admire Bellatrix Lestrange the most. Even though she was responsible for the death of one of my favorite characters, she is the only one of these choices whose loyalties have never wavered. I totally disagree with her values and course of action, but at least she has strong convictions. Bellatrix was willing to go to Azkaban rather than betray her master, and the same cannot be said for all of the other characters.

Peter Pettigrew valued self-preservation above all else. He offered to be James and Lily Potter's Secret-Keeper, swearing that he would never betray them, and then he went off and sold them to Voldemort because his own life mattered more to him than his friendship and his promises. The decision to betray James and Lily was particularly moronic on Pettigrew's part because, as Lupin stated in "Prisoner of Azkaban," "you should have known that if Voldemort didn't kill you, we would."

Dolores Umbridge believed herself to be the strongest person in the Ministry because while her peers whined about their desire to "discredit Harry Potter," she was the only one who actually did something about the situation. However, earlier in the very scene in which she claimed strong beliefs and responsibility, she stated that "what Cornelius doesn't know can't hurt him" with regard to the dementor attack on Harry and Dudley. This shows that while she believed she was proactive in Harry's "discrediting," she also was not willing to take full responsibility for herself (i.e. she never told Fudge what she had done).

Cornelius Fudge, as Dumbledore states, is "blinded by his love of office." He does not care at all about the well-being of the wizarding race; instead, he worked as a "spin doctor" and willingly gave the entire community a feeling of false security which ultimately worked to their disadvantage. It is impossible to feel any respect for a person who only acts to create a position of political favor. Fudge is going to meet the "spinners end" in "Half-Blood Prince."

Lucius Malfoy is the opposite of Bellatrix Lestrange. When Voldemort met his downfall, Malfoy was quick to feign innocence, denounce his master, and give gold to the Ministry to avoid lifelong imprisonment in Azkaban. Malfoy was a traitor to Voldemort. Even though somebody who follows Voldemort's ideas of prejudice and persecution has poor values and is not an admirable person, a traitor is even less admirable. Malfoy really is in the Pettigrew mold -- he always follows "the biggest bully in the playground."

Augustus Rookwood is slightly more admirable than Lucius Malfoy, in the sense that he was willing to go to Azkaban rather than denounce his master. However, Rookwood, who formerly worked in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic, was also a traitor. Rookwood is similar to Pettigrew in that he betrayed the good side, although he did not betray any one individual. Unlike Pettigrew, however, he was at least willing to accept the consequences of his actions.

That's my reasoning.... what do you guys think?

All those guys are totally awesome! (except Fudge-honestly he has chocolate for a name) They are so much cooler than the "good guys" like Ron, Harry, etc.

Lucius Malfoy is definitely the coolest. Partly because he's normal, most people would denounce their master once he dissapeared. Also, he looks cool. Villains can't be awesome unless they look the part and he definitely looks the part. I mean the black and sliver clothes and the blonde hair and all- AWESOME. And he raised his kid to be exactly like him. How many people can do that.

And he's smart. This whole time he wasn't caught and at the same time he was good with plots and tricks and figuring out the good guy's plans. And yes, I know, he was caught at the end of Book 5, but that was just becuase Harry got in the way.

For the other guys, Umbridge and Pettigrew just bother me, I don't know much about Bellatirx Lestrange, and who on earth is Rookwood?

LUCIUS MALFOY ROCKS MAN!

id have to say Bellatrix Lestrange cuz she actually had the hguts to take on her cousin. RIP SIRIUS BLACK! WAAAAAAAH! i dunno about you but id say she is pure evil. shes more evil then voldemort himself.

Ooh, what an interesting perspective!! And such a refreshing change from other 'Baddies' polls!

It's a tough question, and I had to really think about this one, not allowing my attraction to Jason Isaacs to get in the way.. ....and my extreme hatred of the truly witch-like Umbridge....I voted for Bellatrix.

She is truly a strange one. I imagine her as something like that girl out of The Ring, with her long stringy hair and gaunt-Azkaban appearance. But you have to admire her because to do everything that she has done proves that not only does she have the 'heart and stomach' (to paraphrase Elizabeth I slightly) of a man, but she also has the brass do-dahs too. Not only that, she has rejected her natural womanly instincts to preserve and nurture life in favour of destruction, cruelty and death which flies in the face of the gentle femininity that all women are supposed to have, no matter how deeply buried.

She stuck it out in Azkaban far better than some of the men and her never-wavering devotion to her master in the face of extreme prejudice has just got to be admired when, really speaking, as a woman, she should have cracked long before the men. (I don't mean that to sound sexist, being a woman myself, of course. But it is simply a fact that men are physically more able to cope with that kind of thing than women....although I would argue that perhaps women are far better able to cope with mental anguish and suffering than men are.)

She was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in and she has never tried to hide what she is like the cowardly Pettigrew and Malfoy. You could chalk that up to stupidity - as I see Malfoy as much more cunning and intelligent than Pettigrew. Malfoy carried on doing the Dark Lord's work after having manipulated his way out of trouble...what would be the point in going to prison for a master who, as far as they all knew then, was dead? Very shrewd, IMHO.

But, for being a woman unfettered by femininity and unswerving devotion to her master for more than fourteen years through extreme mental torture, I have to award the most admirable Baddies award to Bellatrix, one of the most evil creations ever to spill forth from JKR's pen (or keyboard.... )

And I hope she will get what's coming to her very soon. (Bellatrix, that is....not JKR... ...although if she doesn't get HBP out pretty soon, I might change my opinion on that.... )

I'm gonna go with Malfoy on this one. I think looking out for oneself (denouncing Voldemort after his fall) isn't necessarily a bad thing. His actions are clever and he has a strong character. Plus, he actually seems to hate Muggles. Although I think hatred is one of the worst things in the world, it gives him a reason for his actions, which contrasts the next person . . .

Bellatrix Lestrange! She just seems to like hurting people, (I admit she seems to hate Muggles too). Enjoying giving other people pain is definitely the worst thing in the world in my book. She is the definition of evil.

I can't choose Umbridge because she sent Dementors after a 15 year old boy for SPREADING RUMORS (I know they weren't actually rumors)! I just can't comprehend that.

Pettigrew really has nothing to admire. He is weak, frightened and committed an unforgivable betrayal.

I don't think I really know enough about Rookwood to judge him so I'll just leave him alone.

Finally, I don't think Fudge is really a baddie, just a moron. He got greedy and paranoid in OotP but that doesn't make him a bad guy, so I ignored him.

I picked Bellatrix. Even though I hate her a lot, if I had to big a 'bad guy' to look up to, it would have to be her. Well, Lucius is pretty bad too, but I dunno. I definatly woundn't pick Umbridge or Fudge.

That's a tough one. I picked Umbridge because she made me hate her more than almost anyone I've ever read about in any book. She is purely evil. Hate her, yet admire her. lol.

I chose Lucius...i can't exactly explain. but he's my choice

Wow that was hard i had to think of the resons why i didnt admire each of them and then reasons why i would admire each of them. Then i realy thought why would i admire any of them hmm?
So i chose Beletrix simply becuase she had to overcome so many things to get to were she is now, and she didnt betray any to get there. I gues i chose her over Rookwood becuase she didnt betray the ministry and she also overcame many stronge wizards that got in her way like sirius. Can you admire some one without liking them?

I choose Malfoy, because I think he's charcter is so cool, remeber he's wand in CHamber of Secrets, it's in he's staff.
I'm not sure if Malfoy is the most evil here, but I admire him most.
The most evil must be Bellatrix.
Who's Augustus Rookwood, another Death Eater?

I picked Bellatrix, because she was nearly the only one who never betrayed Voldemort. She's one of Voldemort's most faithful Death Eaters, and she's one of the only women in the group! Or is she the only one?
She spent years and years in Azkaban, and I'm actually surprised she made it. Although I absolutely loathe her for killing Sirius, I admire her the most. If I was a Death Eater, I'd look up to her.

Wow, this one did make me think alot, especially because I dislike all of them, but I chose Lucius Malfoy because I love his cunning and snide remarks and the rivalry. The way he plays everybody is ingenious and he isn't a complete push over like Pettigrew. Bellatrix was my second choice but I completly loathe her indifference towards Sirius as a family member and her wimpering to Voldemort at the end of Book 5.

Whoa...interesting topic indeed....

I had to choose Bellatrix. Even though she murdered Sirius, one of my personal favorite characters, she stood firm to face the consequences of joining Voldemort. I'll always admire this for odd reasons....

Lucius is my second favorite though. As ^ said, he's ingeniously cunning and not in the least a pushover....more admirable qualities. Must these "bad" people have such great personality qualities? Lol

Beatrix's got spunk... now to think about it... Even if she did something REALLY bad to Neville's parents and killed someone we all adore, I still think she's better then the others...

I love Lucius. He has power, power and more power. He is great DE. He is the father of Draco (need I say more) and he makes a great slash partner for Snape. Mwhahahaha!

Oh, and he'll do some lush killin' and cursin' in the next two books and prove his worth.

I love Lucius. I love Lucius. I love Lucius. I love Lucius. I love Lucius. I love Lucius. I love Lucius.

Erm....so tell me....cos you weren't quite clear there.....do you like Lucius Malfoy then?

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, I know... Can't help it....

It has to be Umbridge, she is the embodiment of evil, voldi has nothing on her!

Also an villain in a legitimate goverment, how can you top that!

ok, in my opinion he is a a piece of scum, but I admire Lucius Malfoy because he has ways to get information. He always knows something and has managed to become one of Voldemort's top trusted people. Plus thanks to the last part of OotP, we now know that he is extreamly loyal to the Dark Lord.

If he wasn't so evil, he'd be a pretty cool guy.

Ahh i hate Lucius Malfoy he is one evil person. And i must add i hate his son to

I voted for Dolores Umbridge because she is effective. I mean, her character is one-of-a-kind because I still hate her until now and I salute her for that...

Fudge. He's an idiot but at least he isn't evil. Has to be admired for his lack of judgement, he needs to win an award for it.

I would have to say Bellatrix. Bella has stayed loyal to You-Know-Who, which is an admirable thing (the loyalty itself, not to You-Know-Who).

I absolutely despise Peter, but I decide not to say anything.

Fudge has gone mental. He wants his position soooooo bad, that he's willing to go any length, even if its illegal. But at least he's not evil like everyone else. Well, not as evil.

Umbridge was a horrible DADA teacher, and she just has no respect for non-human creatures. Its just sad.

I admire Lucius Malfoy, because he knows what to do, and how to do it, but I still dont like him.

And everyone else...well, I forget.

LOL. i think your poll is kinda dumb. When i had read about all of those "bad guys" i felt like wanting to Sectum Sempra on them or Avada Kedavra. How can you admire them?

I agree totally with Anthony... without liking any of them because of what they are, I admire Bellatrix's unwavering loyalty.

Wow this is a good one. ummm I voted for Lucius Malfoy because he tricked so many people at the ministry in believeing he was a good guy, or more likely controled them with the imperius curse....but either way he is good at what he does. I could never pick bellatrix because she killed sirius, I don't care if she is loyal or not. I think I would have picked Snape if it was there cause he fooled everyone or the one that counted, Dumbledore.

I admire Fudge because I was wondering how anyone that stupid could become Minister of Magic. I mean really, with out Dumbledore he would have been sacked after one day.

I admire Bellatrix Lestrange the most. She's the most courageous, she didn't give up on Voldemort when he fell. Etc, etc.

Anthony Goldstein...I agree with everything you said!

Dut really how could anyone so stupid become Minister of Magic. Makes no sence. That is one thing I may never know the answer too.

I admire Bellatrix Lestrange the most. She's the closest of them to the all mighty Dark Lord. And she murderd sirius.

I definitely admire Bellatrix Lestrange. She's completely loyal to Voldemort. I admire her for sticking to what she support and believe in(even though it is the Dark Arts, and being a Death Eater). But you really have got to admire her dedication to the Dark Lord. Umbridge was just plain frustrating. She just kept abusing her authority and acting like a...a...know-it-all? I can't find the word lol. And Peter Pettigrew was just plain pathetic. I'm sorry to the people who like Peter but in my opinion, it was just sad. Mmm..Cornelius Fudge. Another person who made me frustrated. In my opinion, he was just keeping the news of Lord Voldemort being back to keep people calm and everything and deny the fact himself as he didn't want this to happen at all so he just kept denying it. Also, him being so harsh towards Harry and Dumbledore for repeatedly trying to tell him that Voldemort was back. *shakes head* Lucius Malfoy...I dunno..I just don't like him much for some reason lol. And Augustus Rookwood, I don't know much about him lol.

I've chosen Lucius but I definitely not admire him I've chosen him because when somebody has sharp answers.

I have to say malfoy may be the worst person in the books, but he has style though. i don't know whether it's the concept of JK or it's Jason Isaacs who brings it, but definately he demonstrates dignity and, once again, style

I admire Bellatrix out of all of them because she is tuly loyal to Voldy and suffered a great deal for him - she was in Azkaban. She went to Azkaban for him happily and she is also very courageous and good at fighting - probably because she learned the Dark Arts from Voldy.

OK, dont ask me why, but Bellatrix Lestrange has always been like my #1 favorite HP character since she was introduced in Ootp!!! She is just like so awesome and I will be terribly upset if the actress who plays her in Ootp is not just absolutley perfect!!!

I definitely would have to say Bellatrix as she stuck by Voldy and well, almost never lets him down and not only that but she doesn't let anyone get to her!

She is really tough and knows how to handle a situation.She is also quite a really skilled witch! I know,but I think she is the best option...

OMG guys Bellatrix is like the one who killed Sirius! Are you ...?

MOD EDIT : One-liners are not allowed in the forums. Please elaborate more next time.

I voted for Bellatrix because I think she is satisfyingly evil and, well, just look at her many evil accomplishments! She is also extremely loyal to Lord Voldemort, which earns her extra points.

i think out of all the choices you gave us i think i am going to pick Cornelius Fudge because well he was a great guy when he got replaces for minister he hated it but he didn't take a fit or nothing. and he was pretty cool i guess

I admire Bellatrix Lestrange, Like she has the balls <-Figure of speach-> to attack Sirius and kill him and then laugh in Harrys face and then screw up and get in trouble from Voldy.

i have to vote for Bellatrix because she has always remained faithful to Voldemort and she killed Sirius which you have to be an amazing witch/wizard to be able to do that!

Bellatrix has never changed the sides, but Umbridge and Fudge didn't do either, that's why I didn't took her. She's so evil. And Umbridge is just disgusting when she thinks of herself as nice and doing the right things. Fudge is just, I don't know, poor. He got the minister-job because of good luck and tries to use Harry, that's why I don't like him.
Actually I don't like any of the characters enough to say I admire them, but I think and hope that Peter Pettigrew will change the sides again and fight against Voldie at the end of book seven (like he maybe did in book six)...

Bellatrix is definitely the badest!
She seems to be the only female deatheater.
She is truly and wholeheartedly into what she is doing. She's not into it because of fear.
She's the most faithfull out of all the deatheaters. She really cares about Voldemort, and she proves that in Snape's house when she makes sure that Snape performs the unbreakable vow.
In short, she's just really evil!

i admire umbridge. even thoguh she is my least fav character in the whole serries, she didnt give up, no matter what the weasly boys, or any of the school ghosts threw at her. any lesser person would have given up and left. she was a total cow, but she was very strong minded.

Hmm... tricky. Possibly Pettigrew because it would be really hard to betray your friends when you have sworn to not tell anyone where they are. But, Voldemort probably tortured him so he didn't really have a choice other than dying. I choose... Bellatrix, I know she killed Sirius but that's not the reason I like her, okay? It's just because she's the only one who is really faithful to Voldemort (I'm not saying it's a good thing) and she stuck to her choice to become a death eater whereas most of them have like a double life where they do other things, like Malfoy working for the Ministry of Magic when he's also helping Voldemort. It's hard to tell which side he's really on.

I don't know.....it's really hard to try to admire a baddie.. maybe Bellatrix....*sigh* *RIP Sirius*

Bellatrix Lestrange this girl knows what she wants and will do anything to get it.

well it is a hard pick between Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy. But in the end i picked Bellatrix Lestrange because she one of my favourite characters to choose from as she is the only female deatheater and she has a very strong confidence in herself and to the darklord. She is a girl that also can get anything at anytime and force people to do anything she wants him to do...she is an amazing girl and i deffinantly want to be her. she rocks.

i voted for bellatrix for the fact she is gunna help draco survive by teaching her everything she knows

Much as I hate the woman I chose Dolores Umbridge

The reason being she stuck by her beliefs even though they were wrong

Dolores believed that Voldermort had not returned because this was what fudge was telling everyone.

She was going by the ministry guidelines on how a DADA class should be taught

All the ministry could see was that the previous teacher taught them the unforgivable curses

Unfortunately as we all know the ministry were burying there heads in the sand and Voldermort was back