Character Analysis
Affiliation: Order of the Phoenix
Molly and Arthur Weasley endure much in Book 6. Not only is Arthur's job as an administrator at the Ministry of Magic highly dangerous, but the two endure Ron's mysterious poisoning and Bill's attack by Fenrir Greyback. The Weasleys also accept Harry into their home and treat him as a son, even though being close to him puts them and their family at risk. We get a glimpse into Molly's worry when Harry visits the Burrow right before the school year begins:
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She turned to look at a large clock that was perched awkwardly on top of a pile of sheets in the washing basket at the end of the table. Harry recognized it at once: It had nine hands, each inscribed with the name of a family member, and usually hung on the Weasleys' sitting room wall, though its current position suggested that Mrs. Weasley had taken to carrying it around the house with her. Every single one of its nine hands was now pointing at "mortal peril." (5.41)
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And yet, in spite of all of the stress they endure, both remain loving and openhearted. They are another example of people whose greatest power is their ability to love. They could choose to be hardened by life and by the struggles they endure, but they do not make that choice.
Molly and Arthur met while at Hogwarts. Both were members of Gryffindor. Upon graduating, the two eloped and went on to have seven redheaded children. They are known as "blood traitors," because, though they are one of the few pureblood families left, they choose to associate with non-purebloods and even Muggles.