Fabian Prewett

Fabian Prewett was a pure-blood wizard, the brother of Gideon Prewett and Molly Weasley, and a member of the original Order of the Phoenix during the First Wizarding War. Remembered as a heroic and formidable fighter, Fabian was murdered by Death Eaters alongside his brother. His death had a profound and lasting impact on his sister Molly, and his memory is honored through the legacy he left behind, most notably his gold watch, which was passed on to Harry Potter.

Fabian was born into the Prewett family, a respected wizarding family and one of the “Sacred Twenty-Eight” (Pottermore). He was the brother of Gideon Prewett and Molly Prewett, who later married Arthur Weasley. During the first rise of Lord Voldemort, Fabian and his brother Gideon joined the Order of the Phoenix, an organization founded by Albus Dumbledore to oppose the Dark Lord and his followers. They were considered among the best fighters in the Order. In a tragic event during the First Wizarding War, Fabian and Gideon were ambushed and killed by a group of five Death Eaters. Alastor Moody later recounted the event to Harry Potter, stating that the brothers “fought like heroes.” The only named attacker confirmed in the confrontation was Antonin Dolohov. The loss of her brothers was a devastating blow to Molly Weasley and remained a source of deep grief for the rest of her life.

Fabian's physical appearance is only described from a magical photograph of the original Order of the Phoenix shown to Harry by Alastor Moody. In the picture, he and his brother Gideon Prewett are identical, both possessing fiery red hair, a trait they shared with their sister Molly and her children. They are seen grinning broadly, suggesting a cheerful and good-natured disposition. His personality is primarily defined by his immense courage. Alastor Moody's description of his final battle, where he and his brother fought ferociously against five Death Eaters, establishes him as an exceptionally brave and resilient wizard. His willingness to join the Order of the Phoenix and fight against Voldemort demonstrates a strong moral character and a commitment to protecting the wizarding world.

While specific spells cast by Fabian are unknown, his magical prowess was evidently exceptional.

• Dueling: Fabian was a highly skilled duelist. Both he and his brother were regarded by Alastor Moody as being worth five Death Eaters in a fight. Their ability to hold their own against such overwhelming odds, even in death, speaks volumes about their power and skill in magical combat.
• General Magical Skill: Alastor Moody lamented their deaths by saying they were “the best wizards of the age,” placing them in high esteem alongside other powerful members of the original Order of the Phoenix.

• Fabian Prewett's Watch: Fabian's most significant known possession was a battered gold watch. It did not have traditional hands but instead showed tiny, moving planets or stars. After his death, the watch was kept by his sister, Molly Weasley. On Harry Potter's seventeenth birthday, Molly gave him the watch, following the wizarding tradition of giving a young wizard a watch upon coming of age. The gift was deeply sentimental, as Molly tearfully explained that Fabian didn't have a son to pass it on to, and she considered Harry as good as a son. The watch became a cherished possession for Harry, symbolizing his acceptance into the Weasley family and serving as a memento of a fallen hero.

• Gideon Prewett (Brother): Fabian was extremely close with his brother, Gideon. They joined the Order of the Phoenix together and ultimately died fighting side-by-side, and are almost always spoken of as a pair.
• Molly Weasley (Sister): Fabian was the older brother of Molly. His death, along with Gideon's, caused her immense and enduring pain. The trauma of their loss likely contributed to her boggart taking the form of her dead family members. She held her brothers' memories in the highest regard.
• Weasley Family (Nephews and Niece): He was the maternal uncle of Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Percy Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Ron Weasley, and Ginny Weasley. It is unlikely any of them, aside from perhaps Bill and Charlie, had any memory of him.
• Order of the Phoenix: As a member, he was a trusted comrade to figures like Albus Dumbledore, Alastor Moody, and the other original members. He is remembered by them as a hero.
• Antonin Dolohov (Murderer): Antonin Dolohov was one of the five Death Eaters responsible for Fabian's murder.

• The name Fabian is of Latin origin, derived from the Roman clan name “Fabianus,” which means “bean-grower.” It is also the name of Saint Fabian, an early Christian pope who was martyred for his faith. This connection to martyrdom fittingly reflects Fabian's death while fighting against Voldemort.
• The surname Prewett is likely of Welsh origin. It could be a variant of “Pruett” or derived from “ap Rhydderch,” meaning “son of Rhydderch.” The name Rhydderch itself means “reddish-brown,” which could be an allusion to the family's characteristic red hair.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Fabian Prewett appears briefly in the photograph of the original Order of the Phoenix. He and his brother Gideon were both portrayed by actor Richard Leaf (film).
• On the Pottermore website, the Prewett family is listed as one of the “Sacred Twenty-Eight,” a list of supposedly pure-blood families from the 1930s. However, Arthur Weasley commented that the Prewetts, like the Potters, had Muggle ancestors in their family tree (Pottermore).