The Weasley Family

The Weasley family is an ancient and prominent pure-blood wizarding family, though they are considered “blood traitors” by purist circles due to their association with and affection for Muggles, Muggle-borns, and half-bloods. Residing at their chaotic and loving home known as The Burrow, the Weasleys are characterized by their signature red hair, their large number of children, and their unwavering loyalty and bravery. They serve as a surrogate family for Harry Potter and are crucial members of the Order of the Phoenix, playing a central role in the fight against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters during the Second Wizarding War.

The Weasleys are one of the few pure-blood families remaining by the 1990s and are listed among the Sacred Twenty-Eight in the Pure-Blood Directory. However, the anonymous author of the directory notes that they have “blotted their copy-book” by fraternizing with non-pure-bloods, leading to their ostracism by families like the Malfoys and the Blacks. Despite their ancient lineage, the family is not wealthy and is often looked down upon for their modest financial means. The immediate family in the series consists of parents Arthur and Molly and their seven children.

• Arthur Weasley: The patriarch of the family, a kind and somewhat eccentric wizard with a deep fascination for Muggles and their inventions. He works for the Ministry of Magic, initially as the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office and later as the head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects.
• Molly Weasley (née Prewett): The fierce and loving matriarch of the family. Her brothers, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, were members of the original Order of the Phoenix and were killed during the First Wizarding War. Molly is a formidable witch, known for her mastery of household spells and her powerful dueling abilities, which she demonstrates by killing Bellatrix Lestrange.
• Bill Weasley: The eldest son. He works as a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Egypt and later in Britain. He is scarred by the werewolf Fenrir Greyback during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and marries Fleur Delacour.
• Charlie Weasley: The second son. He works with dragons in Romania. During Harry's first year, he helps smuggle the Norwegian Ridgeback, Norbert, out of Hogwarts. He fights in the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Percy Weasley: The third son, who is academically brilliant and highly ambitious. His ambition leads to a painful estrangement from his family when he sides with the Ministry of Magic against Albus Dumbledore and Harry. He later reconciles with his family and fights bravely in the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Fred Weasley and George Weasley: The identical twin sons, renowned for their humor, rebellious spirit, and genius for magical invention. They leave Hogwarts early to establish the highly successful joke shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, in Diagon Alley. Fred Weasley is tragically killed during the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Ron Weasley: The sixth son and Harry Potter's best friend. As one of the series' central trio, Ron is unfailingly loyal, courageous, and plays a critical role in the quest to destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes. He eventually marries Hermione Granger.
• Ginny Weasley: The youngest child and only daughter. A powerful and talented witch in her own right, she is possessed by Tom Riddle's diary in her first year. She becomes an accomplished Chaser and Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team and later a professional player for the Holyhead Harpies before becoming the senior Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet. She marries Harry Potter.

The most distinctive physical trait of the Weasley family is their fiery red hair and freckled complexions. In terms of personality and values, the family is defined by:

• Bravery: Nearly every member of the family is sorted into Gryffindor House at Hogwarts and demonstrates immense courage by joining the Order of the Phoenix and fighting in major battles.
• Loyalty: They are fiercely loyal to each other and to their allies, most notably to Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.
• Kindness and Generosity: Despite their own financial struggles, they welcome Harry into their home without hesitation, treating him as one of their own.
• Anti-Prejudice: They firmly reject the pure-blood supremacist ideology that pervades parts of the wizarding world, valuing individuals for their character rather than their blood status.

The Weasleys, while not wealthy, possess a number of unique and noteworthy magical items and a home filled with magic.

• The Burrow: The family home, located near the village of Ottery St Catchpole. It is a ramshackle, crooked house held up by magic, with extra rooms added on as the family grew. It represents a place of warmth, love, and safety for Harry.
• Enchanted Ford Anglia: An old car that Arthur Weasley illegally bewitched to fly and become invisible. It is used by Ron, Fred, and George to rescue Harry from the Dursleys and later by Harry and Ron to travel to Hogwarts.
• Weasley family clock: A special clock in their living room with nine hands, one for each family member. Instead of telling time, it points to each person's location or mortal state, such as “Home,” “School,” “Work,” “Traveling,” “Lost,” or “Mortal Peril.”
• Family Owls: The family relies on an ancient and decrepit Great Grey Owl named Errol. Ron later acquires his own tiny, hyperactive Scops Owl, Pigwidgeon.

The Weasleys' relationships are central to the entire series. Their most significant connection is with Harry Potter, whom they embrace as a son and brother. This bond provides Harry with the family love he was denied by the Dursleys and gives him a cause worth fighting for. Their relationship with Hermione Granger is equally strong; she is considered part of the family long before she marries Ron. As key figures in the Order of the Phoenix, they are close allies of Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks. Their “blood traitor” status places them in direct opposition to purist families, particularly the Malfoys, who frequently mock their poverty and pro-Muggle stance.

The surname “Weasley” is likely derived from the weasel. J.K. Rowling has stated that weasels have a “bad reputation” in the UK, often seen as sly or conniving, but she has a fondness for them. The family's red hair also corresponds to the russet fur common to weasels. The name serves to subvert expectations, as the Weasleys are anything but sly or malicious; they are honest, brave, and good-natured.

J.K. Rowling has said in interviews that the Weasleys were one of the first families she created and that Ron Weasley was one of her earliest characters. She has described The Burrow as her “favourite house” in the series, representing her ideal of a happy and chaotic family home. The character of Ginny was named “Ginevra” (Pottermore), an Italian form of Guinevere, the legendary queen of King Arthur, which may hint at her role in marrying the hero of the story.