The Weasley Family

The Weasley family is a prominent and ancient pure-blood wizarding family, widely regarded by blood-purity supremacists as “blood traitors” due to their acceptance and fondness for Muggles and Muggle-borns. They are central allies of Harry Potter and key members of the Order of the Phoenix during the Second Wizarding War. Residing at The Burrow, the family is characterized by its large size, distinctive fiery red hair, relative poverty, and unwavering loyalty, bravery, and kindness. They serve as a surrogate family for Harry Potter, providing him with love, support, and a home.

The Weasleys are one of the oldest wizarding families in Britain and are related to many other pure-blood families, including the Black Family and the Prewett family. Despite their pure-blood heritage, they have long been ostracized by families like the Malfoy family for their pro-Muggle stance and lack of prejudice. Arthur Weasley's fascination with the Muggle world is a defining characteristic of the family's identity. Their financial situation is modest, often leading them to use second-hand books, robes, and other equipment, a source of embarrassment for Ron Weasley during his early years at Hogwarts. However, their wealth lies in their love and integrity, which stands in stark contrast to the material riches of families like the Malfoys. According to supplementary materials, the Weasleys were listed in the Pure-Blood Directory of the 1930s as one of the “Sacred Twenty-Eight” families, but they denounced the distinction, proclaiming their ancestral ties to many Muggles, which cemented their “blood traitor” status among elitists. (Pottermore)

• Arthur Weasley: The patriarch of the family. He works for the Ministry of Magic, initially as the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office and is later promoted to lead the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects. He is married to Molly Weasley.
• Molly Weasley (née Prewett): The family's matriarch and a formidable witch. Her brothers, Gideon Prewett and Fabian Prewett, were murdered by Death Eaters during the First Wizarding War. She is a fiercely protective mother figure to all her children and to Harry Potter.
• William Weasley (Bill): The eldest son. He worked as a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Egypt and later Britain. He was scarred by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and married Fleur Delacour.
• Charles Weasley (Charlie): The second son. He works with dragons in Romania. He was a skilled Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team during his time at Hogwarts.
• Percy Weasley: The third son, known for his ambition and adherence to rules. He became a Ministry of Magic official and was briefly estranged from his family due to his loyalty to a Ministry that discredited Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. He later reconciled with his family and fought in the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Fred Weasley: Twin to George. A brilliant prankster and co-founder of the highly successful joke shop, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. He was killed by an explosion during the Battle of Hogwarts.
• George Weasley: Twin to Fred. Co-founder of Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. He lost his left ear to a Sectumsempra curse cast by Severus Snape during the Battle of the Seven Potters.
• Ronald Weasley (Ron): The youngest son and Harry Potter's first and best friend at Hogwarts. He plays a crucial role in the hunt for Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes and eventually marries Hermione Granger.
• Ginevra Weasley (Ginny): The youngest child and only daughter. A powerful and talented witch, she was a skilled Chaser and Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. She eventually marries Harry Potter.

• Physical Appearance: The most defining physical trait of the Weasley family is their fiery red hair and freckled complexions. They are typically described as being tall and lanky, with the exception of the shorter, stockier twins.
• Personality and Values: The Weasleys are overwhelmingly defined by their courage, loyalty, and strong moral compass. They believe in equality between all witches, wizards, and Muggles. They value family and friendship above wealth or social status. Their bravery is exemplified by their unanimous decision to join the fight against Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters.

• The Burrow: The Weasley family home, located near the village of Ottery St Catchpole. It is a crooked, ramshackle building held up by magic, with several floors added on over the years. It represents a warm and loving, if chaotic, home.
• Flying Ford Anglia: A 1960 Ford Anglia 105E that Arthur Weasley illegally enchanted to fly, become invisible, and hold more occupants than physically possible.
• Weasley Family Clock: A unique magical clock in The Burrow's kitchen. Instead of telling time, its hands point to each family member's name and indicate their current status or location, such as “Home,” “School,” “Work,” “Traveling,” or “Mortal Peril.”
• Errol: The family's aged and decrepit great grey owl who often collapses from exhaustion after making deliveries.
• Pigwidgeon: Ron's tiny, hyperactive scops owl, a gift from Sirius Black.

• Harry Potter: The Weasleys are the closest thing Harry Potter has to a real family. They welcome him without question, and Molly Weasley and Arthur Weasley act as parent figures to him throughout the series.
• Hermione Granger: A close friend to the entire family, Hermione spends many holidays at The Burrow. She is treated like another daughter and eventually becomes one officially by marrying Ron.
• Albus Dumbledore: The family are staunch supporters of Albus Dumbledore and his cause, forming the backbone of the renewed Order of the Phoenix.
• The Malfoy family: The Weasleys' ideological and social nemeses. The two families clash frequently over their opposing views on blood purity, wealth, and loyalty.

The surname Weasley is phonetically similar to “weasel.” In British folklore, weasels have a mixed reputation, but J.K. Rowling has stated that she has a personal fondness for them. The name of the family home, The Burrow, further strengthens this connection to the animal. The family's red hair may also allude to the reddish-brown fur of a weasel.

• J.K. Rowling has mentioned in interviews that she nearly killed Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix but decided against it, partly because he was one of the few good father figures in the series. She stated that she killed Fred Weasley instead to underscore the horror and reality of war. (J.K. Rowling interview)
• The author intentionally made the Weasleys poor to contrast them with the wealthy but miserable Malfoy family, demonstrating that one's choices and character are more important than their bank account. (J.K. Rowling interview)
• In the films, The Burrow is depicted as a warm, cluttered, and magically constructed home. It is attacked and burned down by Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, an event that does not occur in the book. (film)