======The Weasley Family======
=====Introduction=====
The Weasley family is a prominent [[pure-blood]] wizarding family, widely respected for their kindness, bravery, and unwavering opposition to [[Lord Voldemort]] and his followers. Despite their pure-blood lineage, they are considered "blood traitors" by many elitist pure-blood families due to their association with and acceptance of [[Muggles]], [[Muggle-borns]], and half-bloods. Residing at [[The Burrow]], the Weasleys are central allies of [[Albus Dumbledore]] and key members of the [[Order of the Phoenix]]. They serve as a surrogate family for [[Harry Potter]], providing him with the love, support, and sense of belonging he lacked in his childhood.
=====Family History and Key Events=====
The Weasley family is one of the oldest wizarding families, and all known members have been sorted into [[Gryffindor]] House at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]].
**First Wizarding War**
  * [[Arthur Weasley]] and [[Molly Weasley]] were active in the fight against [[Lord Voldemort]] during the First Wizarding War. Molly's two brothers, [[Gideon Prewett]] and [[Fabian Prewett]], were members of the original [[Order of the Phoenix]] and were murdered by a group of five [[Death Eaters]] led by [[Antonin Dolohov]].
**Relationship with Harry Potter**
  * The family first met [[Harry Potter]] in 1991 at [[King's Cross Station]]. The youngest son, [[Ron Weasley]], quickly became Harry's first and best friend at [[Hogwarts]]. Over the years, the family wholeheartedly welcomed Harry, inviting him to stay at [[The Burrow]] for summers and holidays, and treating him as one of their own. Molly, in particular, acted as a mother figure to Harry.
**Second Wizarding War**
  * When [[Lord Voldemort]] returned, most of the adult Weasleys immediately joined the reformed [[Order of the Phoenix]]. [[The Burrow]] served as the Order's headquarters for a time.
  * The family faced significant hardship and danger during this period. Arthur was nearly killed by [[Nagini]] but was saved due to a vision Harry experienced. [[Bill Weasley]] was mauled and permanently scarred by the werewolf [[Fenrir Greyback]].
  * The family was fractured when [[Percy Weasley]] became estranged, siding with the [[Ministry of Magic]] against [[Dumbledore]] and Harry. He later reconciled with them during the final battle.
  * The family suffered its greatest loss during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], where [[Fred Weasley]] was killed in an explosion. The entire family, including the reconciled Percy, fought bravely in the battle.
=====Shared Family Traits=====
**Physical Appearance**
  * The most defining physical characteristic of the Weasley family is their fiery red hair and freckled complexions. They are typically described as being tall and lanky, although Molly is short and plump.
**Personality and Values**
  * The Weasleys are known for their immense courage, loyalty, and strong moral compass. They are warm, loving, and fiercely protective of one another and their friends. A notable family trait is a quick, often explosive temper, which is seen in Molly, Ron, Ginny, and Percy.
  * Despite their financial struggles, they are exceptionally generous. Their core values include judging people by their character rather than their [[blood status]] or wealth, a stance that sets them apart from families like the [[Malfoys]].
=====Family Status and Possessions=====
**Blood Status and Reputation**
  * The Weasleys are a [[pure-blood]] family, included in the "[[Sacred Twenty-Eight]]" list of truly pure-blood families published in the 1930s. However, the family denounced their inclusion, stating they had ancestral ties to many interesting [[Muggles]] and were proud of it (Pottermore). Their pro-Muggle stance and lack of wealth earn them the scorn of families like the Malfoys, who call them "blood traitors."
**Notable Possessions**
  * **[[The Burrow]]:** The family home, located in [[Ottery St Catchpole]]. It is a magically expanded house with a chaotic but warm and welcoming atmosphere.
  * **Weasley Family Clock:** A unique magical clock that does not tell time. Instead, its nine hands, each representing a family member, point to their location or status, such as "home," "school," "lost," or "mortal peril."
  * **Flying [[Ford Anglia]]:** A light blue [[Ford Anglia]] that Arthur magically enchanted to fly and become invisible. It was used to rescue Harry from the [[Dursleys]] and was later "lost" in the [[Forbidden Forest]].
  * **Family Ghoul:** A noisy but harmless [[ghoul]] that resides in the attic of [[The Burrow]].
  * **Family Owls:** The family has owned several owls, most notably the ancient and decrepit //[[Errol]]// and Ron's hyperactive tiny owl, //[[Pigwidgeon]]//.
=====Family Members and Relationships=====
  * **[[Arthur Weasley]]:** The family patriarch who works for the [[Ministry of Magic]], initially in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. He is fascinated by [[Muggles]]. Husband to Molly.
  * **[[Molly Weasley]] (née Prewett):** The family matriarch, a powerful witch and a fiercely protective mother figure to her children and to Harry.
  * **[[Bill Weasley]]:** The eldest son. He worked as a Curse-Breaker for [[Gringotts Wizarding Bank]]. He is married to [[Fleur Delacour]].
  * **[[Charlie Weasley]]:** The second son. He works with dragons in Romania.
  * **[[Percy Weasley]]:** The third son. Ambitious and rule-abiding, he was estranged from the family for several years but later reconciled. He marries a woman named Audrey (Pottermore).
  * **[[Fred Weasley]]:** Co-owner of the joke shop [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]]. He was killed during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
  * **[[George Weasley]]:** Fred's identical twin and co-owner of [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]]. He marries his former [[Gryffindor]] [[Quidditch]] teammate, [[Angelina Johnson]] (J.K. Rowling interview).
  * **[[Ron Weasley]]:** The youngest son and Harry Potter's best friend. He marries [[Hermione Granger]].
  * **[[Ginny Weasley]]:** The youngest child and only daughter. A powerful witch and talented [[Quidditch]] player, she marries [[Harry Potter]].
  * **Extended Relatives:** Notable relatives include Molly's heroic brothers, [[Gideon Prewett]] and [[Fabian Prewett]], and the cantankerous Great-Aunt [[Muriel]]. Ron also mentions a second cousin who is a [[Squib]] working as an accountant.
=====Etymology=====
  * The surname "Weasley" is phonetically similar to "weasel." J.K. Rowling has stated that weasels have an unfairly poor reputation in the UK as unlucky, malevolent animals. She, however, is fond of weasels and chose the name to reflect her affection for the family and to subvert the negative stereotype associated with the animal. The family's red hair is also a trait shared by weasels.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * J.K. Rowling has frequently stated that the Weasleys are one of her favorite families in the series. She felt that Harry, as an orphan, desperately needed a loving and stable family unit, which the Weasleys provided.
  * In an early draft of //[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]//, the Weasleys were to have a female cousin named Mafalda who would have been a Slytherin and served as a source of information for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. This character was ultimately cut and some of her traits were incorporated into the character of [[Rita Skeeter]]. (J.K. Rowling Website)
  * Following the publication of the final book, J.K. Rowling released a family tree detailing the next generation of the Weasley family, including all of Arthur and Molly's grandchildren by their children and their respective spouses. (J.K. Rowling interview)