William Arthur Weasley

William Arthur Weasley, known familiarly as Bill, is the eldest son of Arthur and Molly Weasley. A highly intelligent and capable wizard, he worked as a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Egypt before returning to Britain to join the reconstituted Order of the Phoenix. Bill is characterized by his cool, adventurous demeanor, loyalty to his family, and bravery in the face of danger. He plays a significant role in the Second Wizarding War, offering his skills, home, and courage to the fight against Lord Voldemort, and is the husband of Fleur Delacour.

Born on 29 November 1970, Bill was the first of the seven Weasley children. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1982 to 1989 and was sorted into Gryffindor house. An exceptional student, Bill was appointed both a Prefect and, in his final year, Head Boy. He achieved twelve O.W.L.s, a remarkable academic accomplishment.

After graduating from Hogwarts, Bill took a job with Gringotts as a Curse-Breaker, a position that took him to Egypt to work in ancient tombs. During the summer of 1994, his family visited him there after winning the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw. The following year, with the return of Lord Voldemort, Bill returned to a desk job in England to work more closely with the Order of the Phoenix. It was during this time that he met and began dating his future wife, Fleur Delacour, who had taken a job at Gringotts to improve her English.

Bill was an active member of the Order of the Phoenix, participating in several key operations. In June 1997, during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, he was savagely attacked and mauled by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback. Because Greyback was not in his transformed wolf state at the time, Bill did not become a full werewolf. However, the attack left his face permanently scarred and imbued him with certain wolfish characteristics, such as a new fondness for very rare steaks. His fiancée Fleur Delacour's unwavering devotion to him in the aftermath proved their love, silencing any objections to their union from his family. Bill married Fleur on 1 August 1997 at The Burrow. The wedding reception was interrupted by the news that the Ministry of Magic had fallen to Voldemort. Following the attack, Bill and Fleur moved to Shell Cottage, their home on the coast, which soon became a safe house for the Order of the Phoenix. In March 1998, they provided shelter to Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Mr. Ollivander, and the goblin Griphook after their harrowing escape from Malfoy Manor. Bill helped Harry plan the subsequent break-in at Gringotts and facilitated the burial of Dobby the house-elf. He fought bravely alongside the rest of his family in the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998, surviving the conflict that claimed the life of his younger brother, Fred Weasley.

After the Second Wizarding War, Bill and Fleur had three children: Victoire, Dominique, and Louis Weasley. (Pottermore)

Bill is described as tall and thin, with the trademark red hair of the Weasley family, which he wore long in a ponytail. His style was considered “cool” by his younger siblings; he wore an earring with a fang dangling from it and boots made of dragon hide. After being attacked by Fenrir Greyback, his face was left heavily scarred. Bill's personality is easy-going, brave, and good-natured. He possessed a sense of adventure that led him to his career as a Curse-Breaker but was also deeply responsible and loyal to his family and friends. Unlike his brother Percy Weasley, Bill was not concerned with ambition or conforming to authority, preferring to forge his own path. He was accepting and non-judgmental, as shown by his strong and loving relationship with Fleur Delacour.

• Curse-Breaking: As a professional Curse-Breaker for Gringotts, Bill was an expert in identifying and dismantling curses and other defensive Dark Magic from ancient sites. This requires a high level of magical knowledge and skill, particularly in Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
• Duelling: Bill was a highly competent duellist who fought in several major battles of the Second Wizarding War, including the Battle of the Astronomy Tower, the Battle of the Seven Potters, and the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Academic Prowess: Bill's achievement of twelve O.W.L.s demonstrates his powerful intellect and broad magical talent, a feat only matched by Percy Weasley and Hermione Granger in the series. His selection as Head Boy also points to his exceptional magical ability and leadership qualities.
• Nonverbal Spells: Bill was proficient in the use of nonverbal spells, a mark of a skilled and powerful wizard.

• Wand: The properties of Bill's wand are unknown.
• Fang Earring: A distinctive piece of jewellery that was part of his signature look.
• Dragon-Hide Boots: Bill owned a pair of these impressive and likely expensive boots.

• Fleur Delacour: Bill's wife. Their relationship began while they both worked for Gringotts. Fleur's fierce love for Bill, especially after his disfigurement by Fenrir Greyback, proved the strength of their bond. They were a formidable and supportive couple throughout the war.
• Weasley Family: As the eldest child, Bill was admired and respected by his younger siblings, particularly Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley. He was a loving son to Arthur and Molly Weasley, though his mother often fretted over his long hair and fang earring. He was a pillar of strength for the family, especially after the death of Fred Weasley.
• Harry Potter: Bill was a loyal friend and staunch ally to Harry Potter. He treated Harry like family, offering him shelter at Shell Cottage and fighting alongside him on multiple occasions without hesitation.
• Order of the Phoenix: A dedicated member, Bill risked his life numerous times for the Order of the Phoenix, using both his magical skills and his home as valuable resources for the cause.

• William: A classic Germanic name meaning “resolute protector” or “will-helmet,” which is highly appropriate for his role as a protector of his family and a soldier in the Order of the Phoenix. “Bill” is a common diminutive.
• Arthur: His middle name is taken from his father, Arthur Weasley.
• Weasley: J.K. Rowling has stated that the name is derived from the weasel, an animal with a poor reputation in Britain, which she found fitting for a family often looked down upon by pure-blood supremacists. Weasels are also associated with red hair in British folklore.

• In the film adaptations, Bill is portrayed by actor Domhnall Gleeson. He first appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. The character's role in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower from the book Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was omitted from the corresponding film.
• J.K. Rowling provided the names of Bill and Fleur's children, Victoire, Dominique, and Louis, through supplementary materials after the books were published. Victoire's name, French for “victory,” commemorates the fact that she was born on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. (J.K. Rowling interview, Pottermore)
• Bill's birthday, 29 November, was revealed on the Pottermore website. (Pottermore)