Molly Weasley

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A close-up of Molly Weasley looking determined and holding her wand up while duelling in the Great Hall at the Battle of Hogwarts

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2

Learn all about Molly

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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and the Half-Blood Prince

Five reasons why you should never overlook Molly Weasley 

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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and the Order of the Phoenix

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## Molly’s magical ability
So, we all know that Mrs Weasley was a total legend – her takedown of Bellatrix in the Battle of Hogwarts was superb. However, outside of that moment, a lot of her other magical abilities were overlooked. Molly was a whizz when it came to household and healing spells, but they weren’t often acknowledged because of their domestic nature. Her most used spells may not have been as flashy as the ones used by other prominent characters, but they were still complex and skilful. Nobody was able to pull off a mouth-watering meal quite like Mrs Weasley and Harry certainly appreciated her efforts. 

>By seven o’clock, the two tables were groaning under dishes and dishes of Mrs Weasley’s excellent cooking, and the nine Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were settling themselves down to eat beneath a clear, deep-blue sky. To somebody who had been living on meals of increasingly stale cake all summer, this was paradise, and at first, Harry listened rather than talked, as he helped himself to chicken-and-ham pie, boiled potatoes and salad. 
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## She stood up for what was right
Molly wasn’t in the first iteration of the Order of the Phoenix but that doesn’t mean she hadn’t consistently opposed Voldemort. Her resolve never wavered, despite losing her brothers Fabian and Gideon when Voldemort was first in power. She instilled that resolve in her family (though Percy took longer to come around). When Voldemort returned, she joined the Order and stayed at the headquarters in Grimmauld Place – despite knowing the possible risks. Even the death of her son Fred, during the Battle of Hogwarts, was not enough to stop her from fighting to help bring an end to Voldemort’s reign of terror.

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## Mrs Weasley loved fiercely
Mrs Weasley had a lot of love to give. Though sometimes she may have seemed to be as ferocious as a Hungarian Horntail, there was no doubt that she was dedicated to her family and loved them with that same ferocity. She was also willing to extend that love to others. After all, she was the consistent mother figure in Harry’s life. From his first year at Hogwarts, she made him feel wanted. She knitted him sweaters, invited him to stay, supported him and loved him like her own. There was one moment in particular that stood out to us. When Cedric was killed in front of Harry, she was the one to bring him the most comfort. Knowing he would have been traumatised, she hugged him like a mother would, which reminded him that he was loved. 

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 

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and the Philosopher's Stone 

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## Molly was often (unintentionally) hilarious
When you think of the funniest characters in the Harry Potter books, Mrs Weasley probably doesn’t spring to mind. However, Molly could be funny. It wasn’t always intentional, but the relationship she had with her family (especially Fred and George) often provided relief when the story became intense. For instance, when Ron was very unhappy about the… interesting dress robes she had given him, her response was a classic Molly comeback…

>‘I’m never wearing them,’ Ron was saying stubbornly. ‘Never.’ 
>
>‘Fine,’ snapped Mrs Weasley. ‘Go naked. And Harry, make sure you get a picture of him. Goodness knows I could do with a laugh.’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

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## She learnt from her mistakes
Nobody is perfect and neither was Mrs Weasley. She could sometimes be judgemental and got situations wrong, but she was also willing to being corrected and showed that it’s ok to change your mind. In *Goblet of Fire*, she believed the rubbish that Rita Skeeter was writing about Harry’s love life and turned against Hermione. Yet, as soon as Harry told her the rumours weren’t true, she believed him and changed her opinion.

She also jumped to conclusions about her daughter-in-law Fleur and her relationship with Bill. In *Half-Blood Prince*, when he was attacked by Fenrir Greyback and left scarred, she seemed to assume that Fleur wouldn’t want to be with him anymore. Fleur quickly put a stop to that nonsense and stood up for their relationship. Yet again, Molly was corrected and even offered her the use of Great Auntie Muriel’s tiara for their wedding as an olive branch. Yes, Mrs Weasley was wrong in both scenarios, but ultimately she didn’t allow her stubbornness to get the better of her.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1

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Do you agree with our thought on why Molly Weasley shouldn’t be underrated? Do you have different reasons for why she shouldn’t be overlooked? Or do you have a different opinion entirely?

Molly Weasley’s most magnificent rants

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Yes, Molly was the true queen of red-haired rage. Sometimes we wish we could hire her out to get us out of some sticky situations. To celebrate Molly’s might, here are some of her most fantastic, most memorable and truly inspirational rants.

When we first met Molly Weasley she was described as a plump woman with flaming red hair and a kindly heart. She helped Harry figure out how to reach platform nine and three-quarters and she treated her children with fondness and warmth. She also almost immediately adopted Harry as one of her own, sending him an iconic lovely Christmas jumper from his first year. She seemed sweet and gentle, and a mother-figure for Harry, who never really had one.

Then Fred, George and Ron nicked their father’s flying car and we get our first glimpse into the steely Molly underneath…

> Ron had gone a nasty greenish colour, his eyes fixed on the house. The other three wheeled around. 
> Mrs Weasley was marching across the yard, scattering chickens, and for a short, plump, kind-faced woman, it was remarkable how much she looked like a sabre-toothed tiger. 
> ‘Ah,’ said Fred. 
> ‘Oh dear,’ said George.’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

And that was just the warm up. 

> ‘Beds empty! No note! Car gone ... could have crashed ... out of my mind with worry ... did you care? ... never, as long as I’ve lived ... you wait until your father gets home, we never had trouble like this from Bill or Charlie or Percy …’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

We especially love that her beloved husband Arthur also couldn’t quite handle Molly’s almighty scorn. 

> ‘... but the things our lot have taken to enchanting, you wouldn’t believe –’ 
> ‘LIKE CARS, FOR INSTANCE?’ 
> Mrs Weasley had appeared, holding a long poker like a sword. Mr Weasley’s eyes jerked open. He stared guiltily at his wife. 
> ‘C-cars, Molly, dear?’ 
> ‘Yes, Arthur, cars,’ said Mrs Weasley, her eyes flashing. 
*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*

Another golden memory was during the era of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, where Mrs Weasley had frequent run-ins with Fred and George over their variety of chaos-causing inventions. Although we know the twins eventually won their mother round with their unorthodox business, the developing stages of the Ton-Tongue Toffee didn’t go well.

> ‘Accio! Accio! Accio!’ she shouted, and toffees zoomed from all sorts of unlikely places, including the lining of George’s jacket and the turn-ups of Fred’s jeans. 
> ‘We spent six months developing those!’ Fred shouted at his mother, as she threw the toffees away. 
> ‘Oh, a fine way to spend six months!’ she shrieked. ‘No wonder you didn’t get more O.W.Ls!’ 
> All in all, the atmosphere was not very friendly as they made their departure. 
> *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*

If Molly thought Fred and George were a handful as children, the twins’ coming of age was a joyous occasion. Did we say joyous? We meant fraught.

> ‘FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!’ screamed Mrs Weasley. ‘THERE WAS NO NEED – I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS – JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE ALLOWED TO USE MAGIC NOW, YOU DON’T HAVE TO WHIP YOUR WANDS OUT FOR EVERY TINY LITTLE THING!’’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

What about that time Mundungus got the sharp end of Mrs Weasley’s tongue when he tried to bring in stolen goods? 

> ‘WE ARE NOT RUNNING A HIDEOUT FOR STOLEN GOODS!’ 
> ‘I love hearing Mum shouting at someone else,’ said Fred, with a satisfied smile on his face as he opened the door an inch or so to allow Mrs Weasley’s voice to permeate the room better, ‘it makes such a nice change.’ 
> ‘– COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE, AS IF WE HAVEN’T GOT ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT WITHOUT YOU DRAGGING STOLEN CAULDRONS INTO THE HOUSE –’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

We had to love it when Fred and George managed, once again, to land in her line of fire when they knocked Ginny down the stairs. Although, to be fair, she had a point.

> Mrs Black and Mrs Weasley were both screaming at the top of their voices. 
> ‘– COULD HAVE DONE HER A SERIOUS INJURY, YOU IDIOTS –’ 
> ‘– FILTHY HALF-BREEDS, BESMIRCHING THE HOUSE OF MY FATHERS –’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*
>

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Probably one of the best Molly rants was when Arthur decided to try Muggle stitches on the bite he received from Voldemort’s snake. Actually, we were the ones in stitches…

> ‘It sounds as though you’ve been trying to sew your skin back together,’ said Mrs Weasley with a snort of mirthless laughter, ‘but even you, Arthur, wouldn’t be that stupid –’ 
> ‘I fancy a cup of tea, too,’ said Harry, jumping to his feet. 
> Hermione, Ron and Ginny almost sprinted to the door with him. As it swung closed behind them, they heard Mrs Weasley shriek, ‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THAT’S THE GENERAL IDEA?’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

Next it was Harry’s turn to be at the receiving end of Molly’s ire. He was about to quit school and head out to find the Horcruxes and destroy Voldemort on his own. She was not, to say the least, amused.

> ‘I don’t see that you have to go, either!’ she snapped, dropping all pretence now. ‘You’re barely of age, any of you! It’s utter nonsense, if Dumbledore needed work doing, he had the whole Order at his command! Harry, you must have misunderstood him. Probably he was telling you something he wanted done, and you took it to mean that he wanted you –’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

Then, Molly hit her finest moment. She struck a chord in every wizard, witch and Muggle when she turned her impressive anger and prodigious talent towards Bellatrix Lestrange during the Battle of Hogwarts. You know what’s coming. One, two, three…

> ‘NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows*

Hurray!

Discover the films

Wizarding World Image Crediting

to Fantastic Beasts

Molly Weasley's epic gifts – RANKED

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## 16. Ron’s dress robes

It seems a bit unfair to kick off with this one given Molly bought Ron’s mouldy-lace-trimmed dress robes second-hand and there wasn’t much choice, but we must acknowledge how deeply unhappy Ron was to receive them. You work with what you’ve got, sure, but it’s unfortunate that they were also maroon, on top of everything else.

## 15. Her extra-small easter egg for Hermione, in Goblet of Fire


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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Percy's letter was enclosed in a package of Easter eggs that Mrs Weasley had sent. Both Harry’s and Ron’s were the size of dragon eggs, and full of home-made toffee. Hermione’s, however, was smaller than a chicken’s egg.

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Molly was usually generous with the sweet treats, so the mean little Easter egg she sent Hermione after reading Rita Skeeter’s article about the supposed [Harry-Hermione-Krum love triangle](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/a-brief-history-of-wizarding-world-love-triangles) in *Witch Weekly* was quite a departure. It offered a rare glimpse at Molly’s less charitable side, which did sometimes rear its head when it came to protecting those she loved, including Harry. You’d think Molly would have known better than to believe Rita Skeeter, but hey, nobody’s perfect.

## 14. Percy’s returned Weasley jumper in Order of the Phoenix

The low-placing of this particular Weasley jumper should not be seen as indicative of its quality, because we’re sure it was just as cosy and warm as anything Molly ever knitted. But the fact that Percy took time out of his day to send his mother’s hand-made Christmas gift back, without a note and with no acknowledgment of his father being in hospital, leaves us thinking that was one jumper that might not have hung around in the wardrobe for long. Nobody’s perfect, yes, but oh Percy…

## 13. Ron’s various maroon jumpers

Every Christmas, Molly knitted a lot of jumpers, which must have taken a significant amount of effort even if she did use magic. And yet every Christmas, Molly knitted Ron’s jumper in a colour he didn’t like. Ron’s hatred for the colour maroon was well-documented, but for some reason Molly just couldn’t stop creating jumpers for him in that particular browny-red colour and we cannot really fathom why. Surely she could have used another shade, at least once?

## 12. Harry's fifth Weasley jumper and home-made mince pies in Order of the Phoenix 

Every Weasley jumper Harry received also came with a side order of sweets, and the one he got in Order of the Phoenix was no exception. We imagine Molly’s home-made mince pies were as delicious as her knitting was cosy, so yum yum for this one.

## 11. Harry's second Weasley jumper and plum cake in Chamber of Secrets

The second Weasley jumper Harry ever received also came with a tasty additional treat – plum cake. The fact that he received these gifts just months after crashing Mr Weasley’s bewitched car into the Whomping Willow did give Harry a surge of guilt as he opened the lumpy package, but surely the plum cake helped.

## 10. Harry's first Weasley jumper and home-made fudge in Philosopher’s Stone

Fudge was the sugary companion of Harry’s first ever Weasley jumper, which was emerald green. It was also one of the first Christmas presents Harry had ever received, so extra points for that.


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## 9. Ron’s new broom in Order of the Phoenix

When Ron was made a prefect in *Order of the Phoenix*, Molly immediately wanted to reward him with a gift of his choice – much to Fred and George’s apparent chagrin. The result was a new Cleansweep Eleven, which was the very broom that helped Ron become Gryffindor’s Quidditch Keeper. OK, his time as Keeper might have been eventful, but his new broom gave him the confidence to try which is no bad thing.

## 8. The Easter egg Molly sent to Harry in Order of the Phoenix

With Harry, Molly seemed to have a knack of timing gifts at just the right moment. When Ginny delivered the handsome Golden Snitch-decorated Easter egg her mum had sent, as Harry sat in the library dwelling on the scene from Snape’s Pensieve that showed his father bullying Snape, it struck him so much he got a lump in his throat. This prompted him to tell Ginny he wanted to talk to Sirius, who suggested a way he might be able to do just that, and all thanks to a chocolate egg. Good one, Molly.

## 7. Harry's sixth Weasley jumper, with Golden Snitch design, in Half Blood Prince

Most of the Weasley jumpers Molly knitted seem to have been plain, but she did also work some intricate designs, as with Harry’s Golden Snitch-decorated knitwear in Half Blood Prince. It was certainly better than another gift he got that year: a pile of maggots from his House-Elf, Kreacher.

## 6. Harry's fourth Weasley jumper and home-made mince pies in *Goblet of Fire*

There was another green jumper and more mince pies for Harry in fourth year, but this time the jumper had a picture of a dragon on it to commemorate the first Triwizard task Harry had completed shortly before. We imagine knitting a Hungarian Horntail required some serious skills, so we’re particularly impressed with this one, design-wise.

## 5. The Gred and Forge jumpers in Philosopher’s Stone

The Weasley twins’ festive jumpers in *Philosopher’s Stone* ushered in a whole new Christmas tradition for Harry, and the initial design was simple but effective. A true Molly Weasley classic.

## 4. Harry's third Weasley jumper and treats galore in Prisoner of Azkaban

This was officially the best Weasley jumper Harry ever received, because not only was it Gryffindor scarlet with a lion on the front, but it also came with a bumper selection of festive goodies: a dozen home-baked mince pies, some Christmas cake and a box of nut brittle, all wrapped up in one Weasley package. Delicious.

## 3. Ron’s new wand in Prisoner of Azkaban

Ron’s original hand-me-down wand took a bit of a beating when he and Harry crash-landed into the Whomping Willow in *Chamber of Secrets*, so he was well overdue a new one by the beginning of his third year. So it was a good thing the Weasleys won that Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw, hey?

## 2. Ron’s new watch in Half Blood Prince


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‘Seriously good haul this year!’ he announced, holding up a heavy gold watch with odd symbols around the edge and tiny moving stars instead of hands. ‘See what Mum and Dad got me? Blimey, I think I’ll come of age next year too …’

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Ron’s 17th birthday might have ended badly (it was the one where he accidentally ate love potion-spiked Chocolate Cauldrons, went to Slughorn’s office with Harry for an antidote, and ended up getting poisoned) but at least it started well, when he received the traditional watch from his parents. With its solid gold weight and mystical symbols, it was a special present made even more meaningful by the effort his parents went to to give it to him, when so much of Ron’s wardrobe consisted of hand-me-downs.

## 1. Harry’s hand-me-down watch in Deathly Hallows

A few months later, Molly also gifted Harry a watch to mark his 17th birthday. This time it wasn’t new – it had belonged to Molly’s brother, Fabian, and it was a bit dented on the back. But whereas receiving a new watch meant a lot to Ron because he so rarely received new things, for Harry, the simple fact that the Weasleys had thought to acknowledge his significant birthday in the traditional way meant just as much to Harry as the watch itself. This gift was about a lot more than wizarding tradition. It showed just how much Molly cared for Harry, and that she saw him as one of the family. Harry wasn’t one to voice those thanks, but he tried to show it in another way, which Molly seemed to appreciate...

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

‘It’s traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age,’ said Mrs Weasley, watching him anxiously from beside the cooker. ‘I’m afraid that one isn’t new like Ron’s, it was actually my brother Fabian’s and he wasn’t terribly careful with his possessions, it’s a bit dented on the back, but –’

The rest of her speech was lost; Harry had got up and hugged her. He tried to put a lot of unsaid things into the hug and perhaps she understood them, because she patted his cheek clumsily when he released her, then waved her wand in a slightly random way, causing half a pack of bacon to flop out of the frying pan on to the floor.

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and the Deathly Hallows

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So thanks, Molly, for showing us the most important thing to remember when giving a gift: the recipient. 

Why Molly and Arthur Weasley were the best wizarding world parents

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## Their hearts are open to those who need love
Molly and Arthur may have had plenty of their own kids to love, but it didn’t stop them from extending that to others who needed some. Harry is the most obvious person to benefit from this. From the moment he met the Weasleys on platform nine and three-quarters, and Molly realised he needed caring for, he was one of them. Whether it was Mrs Weasley knitting Harry an iconic Weasley jumper, Mr Weasley accompanying him to his hearing at the Ministry, Molly always making sure he had enough to eat, Arthur eagerly chatting to him about all things Muggle, Molly holding Harry in the wake of Cedric’s death or just the way they made sure that Harry knew their home was always open – they fully embraced him. Not only was it what Harry desperately needed, but it was a brilliant example to set to the rest of their children too. Mr and Mrs Weasley showed that love is not a finite resource and there is plenty to go around. 

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## They know when to let go
Sometimes you can do everything right as a parent and your child still pulls away from you – and all you can do is let it happen. Molly and Arthur certainly found this to be the case when it came to Percy. Even though they had tried to raise him with the right values and attitude, he still chose to side with the Ministry of Magic when it came to Voldemort’s return. We can only imagine what a gut punch that would have been for his parents. And while they did try to get him to see the truth – he wasn’t having any of it. However, Percy eventually saw the error of his ways and apologised to his family. Now this could have been a moment where his parents decided to be petty and to give him a taste of his own medicine – but they didn’t. The awesome and forgiving Weasleys accepted his apology and welcomed him back immediately, no questions asked.

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## They would do anything to protect their children
Mr and Mrs Weasley would do anything to protect their children – and that includes Harry. You just need to look at the way that Molly killed Bellatrix, in a spectacular duel, to make sure that Voldemort’s right-hand woman could never harm her children again. Arthur is also no slouch when it comes to sticking up for his family. After all, the incredibly mild-mannered Weasley did get into a literal brawl with Lucius Malfoy when he dared to insult his clan. And when George was injured in the Battle of the Seven Potters, Arthur refused to let Kingsley check it was really him before he had seen his son. Harry even claimed he had never heard Mr Weasley shout like that before. Both Weasley parents were fierce protectors of their brood and would do anything to ensure that they were safe – which only added to their reputation as excellent parents.

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## Molly knows how to keep her kids in line
This is one area where Molly truly excels – and Arthur could probably do a little bit more. Mrs Weasley knew how to run a tight ship… she had to with that many kids all under one roof. Her scolding was legendary, and it worked. When Molly unleashed one of her spectacular tirades, it wasn’t because she wanted to take out her frustration on her children, but because she wanted to push them to be the very best versions of themselves. Sometimes, when her children stepped out of line and did something spectacularly stupid (looking at you Ron and the time you crashed your dad’s car into a the Whomping Willow), her sharp words were necessary for their own safety. We can imagine when Ron received a Howler in his second year, it knocked some sense into him and made him more afraid to do something so reckless again (until he got involved in another of Harry’s adventures that is).

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## Their own solid relationship
One thing that makes Molly and Arthur such great parents is that they are a team. This flame-haired pair have been together such a long time and while Molly may seem like the driving force in the Weasley household, she is supported by Arthur who is happy to let her lead. Molly says they knew they were meant to be together – even as a couple of Hogwarts students sneaking around the grounds. We also think they are the perfect fit, the love that these two have for each other is clear. For instance, when Arthur and the rest of the family returned after the Quidditch World Cup fiasco, Molly was beside herself with worry and flung herself towards her husband – who knew exactly how to comfort her. And even though Arthur may be known to tinker with things in his garden shed that aren’t strictly legal (flying cars and motorbikes for instance) … he would never do anything that he thought would hurt Molly. These two are a shining example of a fantastic relationship, and as a parenting team, they are unstoppable. 

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and the Goblet of Fire

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## The examples they set as individuals 
Molly and Arthur do make a great team, but as individuals they are awesome role models too. Arthur may have had a hard time from numerous people about his apparent ‘lack’ of ambition, but we think his work ethic, dedication and his goal of Muggle equality is something to be admired. Despite being a pure-blood, Arthur never believed himself to be better than Muggle-borns and Muggles, and that inclusive approach was something all his children emulated too. 

Molly was also someone her children (and others) could look up to. She was an incredibly talented witch, especially when it came to household and healing spells – and that should not be underestimated. Even though she had seven children to raise, she still found time to be an active part in the fight against Voldemort. She always made sure her family felt loved, would stand up to protect them (whatever the cost) and was someone who you should only mess with at your own peril. As parents go – Molly was ace.

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## Knowing what is truly important
The Weasley family were never wealthy and while their lack of Galleons sometimes made their children feel slightly awkward (especially when awful people like the Malfoys made snide comments), it wasn’t what was most important to them. Their family was the top priority and the well-being of all seven of their children. And even though we know the kids weren’t always perfect, none of them were spoilt brats. Ok, so Ron maybe resented the hand-me-downs and probably would have liked a niftier broom – but he still knew that there were more important things in life. Ultimately, Molly and Arthur managed to raise their kids with the right priorities and as a result, all of them appreciated what family meant and enjoyed being together as one at The Burrow.

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Celestina Warbeck

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Celestina Warbeck on the Wizarding Wireless Network

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Internationally-acclaimed singing sensation Celestina Warbeck (sometimes known as ‘the Singing Sorceress’) hails from Wales. Her father, a minor functionary in the Department of Muggle Relations, met her Muggle mother (a failed actress) when the latter was attacked by a Lethifold disguised as a stage curtain. 

Celestina’s extraordinary voice was apparent from an early age. Disappointed to learn that there was no such thing as a wizarding stage school, Mrs Warbeck reluctantly consented to her daughter’s enrollment at Hogwarts, but subsequently bombarded the school with letters urging the creation of a choir, theatre club and dancing class to showcase her daughter’s talents. 

Frequently appearing with a chorus of backing banshees, Celestina’s concerts are justly famous. Three devoted fans were involved in a nasty three-broom pile up over Liverpool while trying to reach the last night of her Flighty Aphrodite tour, and her tickets often appear on the black market at vastly inflated prices (one reason why Molly Weasley has never yet seen her favourite singer live). 

Celestina has sometimes lent her name and talents to good causes, such as raising funds for St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries with a recording of Puddlemere United’s anthem ‘Beat Those Bludgers Back, Boys, and Chuck that Quaffle Here’. More controversially, Celestina was vocal in her disagreement when the Ministry of Magic sought to impose restrictions on how the wizarding community was allowed to celebrate Hallowe’en. 

Some of Celestina’s best-known songs include *You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me* and *A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love*. Her fans are usually older people who love her grandstanding style and powerful voice. The early 21st-century album *You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart* was a massive global hit. 

Celestina’s personal life has provided much fodder for the gossip columns of the *Daily Prophet*. An early marriage to a backing dancer lasted only a year; Celestina then married her manager, with whom she had a son, only to leave him for the composer Irving Warble ten years later.

## J.K. Rowling’s thoughts

Celestina is one of my favourite ‘off-stage’ characters in the whole series, and has been part of the Potter world ever since its inception, making an early appearance in the short-lived ‘Daily Prophet’ series I produced for members of the equally short-lived fan club run by my British publisher, Bloomsbury. Although we never lay eyes on Celestina during the whole seven volumes of the Potter books, I always imagined her to resemble Shirley Bassey in both looks and style. I stole her first name from a friend with whom I worked, years ago, at Amnesty International’s Headquarters in London; ‘Celestina’ was simply begging to be scooped up and attached to a glamorous witch.

All the times Molly Weasley was scarier than a Norwegian Ridgeback 

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We doubt anyone could run The Burrow quite like Molly Weasley could – managing to keep her big family fed, clothed and yelled at in perfect succession. 

To run a huge wizarding family like that required a formidable leader, and Molly was an absolute force to be reckoned with – in fact, we’re pretty sure that, at times, the Weasley brood were warier of their mother’s wrath than if they’d spent a weekend with a Norwegian Ridgeback.

Here are some of Mrs Weasley’s most terrifying moments, just in time for Hallowe’en...

## When her kids disappeared suddenly in the night to pick up Harry in a secretly enchanted car

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Yeah… we can kind of see where Molly was coming from here. When Fred, George and Ron flew their dad’s enchanted Ford Anglia into Little Whinging, their focus was on busting Harry out of number four, Privet Drive, action-movie style. They obviously didn’t mention their slightly illegal plans to Mrs Weasley. A decision they definitely regretted later. 

> Mrs Weasley was marching across the yard, scattering chickens, and for a short, plump, kind-faced woman, it was remarkable how much she looked like a sabre-toothed tiger. 
> ‘Ah,’ said Fred. 
> ‘Oh dear,’ said George. 
> Mrs Weasley came to a halt in front of them, her hands on her hips, staring from one guilty face to the next. She was wearing a flowered apron with a wand sticking out of the pocket. 
> ‘So,’ she said. 
> ‘Morning, Mum,’ said George, in what he clearly thought was a jaunty, winning voice. 
> *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* 

## When Hermione used her as the perfect threat for Fred and George

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Nothing worried Fred and George. They laughed in the face of danger and detention, smirked at the idea of writing lines, literally flew away from Professor Umbridge and even threw snowballs at Professor Quirrell’s turban – aka the face of Lord Voldemort.

There was perhaps only one thing that truly frightened them, and that was their mother... a weapon Hermione used to her full advantage.

> ‘If you don’t stop doing it, I’m going to –’ 
> ‘Put us in detention?’ said Fred, in an I’d-like-to-see-you-try-it voice. 
> ‘Make us write lines?’ said George, smirking. 
> Onlookers all over the room were laughing. Hermione drew herself up to her full height; her eyes were narrowed and her bushy hair seemed to crackle with electricity. 
> ‘No,’ she said, her voice quivering with anger, ‘but I will write to your mother.’ 
> ‘You wouldn’t,’ said George, horrified, taking a step back from her. 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* 

## When she sent *that* Howler

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The Howler screams at Ron over breakfast.

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When Harry and Ron borrowed the flying Ford Anglia (again!) to get to Hogwarts, Mrs Weasley didn’t hesitate in letting them know exactly what she thought of their escapades. It turns out that Molly, combined with a Howler, was a pretty powerful thing. Who knew? 

## When Molly taught her sons about proper wand use

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When any boy comes of age, it’s always a bit of a bumpy ride. When a wizard comes of age – double it. When it’s Fred and George Weasley coming of age, throw all mathematical equations out of the window. Yes, when the twins were finally allowed to use magic, Molly had to up her battle stations. 

> ‘FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!’ screamed Mrs Weasley. ‘THERE WAS NO NEED – I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS – JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE ALLOWED TO USE MAGIC NOW, YOU DON’T HAVE TO WHIP YOUR WANDS OUT FOR EVERY TINY LITTLE THING!’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* 

## When her love for Harry was as fierce as her tellings-off

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Sirius Black was a fascinating and compelling character who formed a bond with Harry while clearly still mourning his father, James. In a heated moment, Molly made Sirius face the grim truth he refused to face. 

> ‘He’s not a child!’ said Sirius impatiently. 
> ‘He’s not an adult either!’ said Mrs Weasley, the colour rising in her cheeks. ‘He’s not James, Sirius!’ 
> ‘I’m perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly,’ said Sirius coldly. 
> ‘I’m not sure you are!’ said Mrs Weasley. ‘Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it’s as though you think you’ve got your best friend back!’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* 

## When she came face to face with her future daughter-in-law

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When Mrs Weasley loved you, she’d really go to town. She’d send you Christmas presents, make sure you were always filled with chocolate and even make you your own personal Weasley jumper just so you know you’re truly one of the gang. 

When it came to initiating a new family member in the shape of Bill’s beloved Fleur Delacour, however, Molly wasn’t exactly running for her knitting needles. Of course, the pair ended up making up in the end, when the ladies broke down in a tearful hug after Bill’s werewolf attack. But before then, Molly wasn’t exactly in the mood for a girly hour with the part-Veela who’d stolen her eldest’s heart.

> ‘Mum hates her,’ said Ginny quietly. 
> ‘I do not hate her!’ said Mrs Weasley in a cross whisper. ‘I just think they’ve hurried into this engagement, that’s all! … Bill and Fleur ... well ... what have they really got in common? He’s a hard-working, down-to-earth sort of person, whereas she’s –’ 
> ‘A cow,’ said Ginny, nodding. ‘But Bill’s not that down-to-earth. He’s a curse-breaker, isn’t he, he likes a bit of adventure, a bit of glamour ... I expect that’s why he’s gone for Phlegm.’ 
> *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*

## When she took on Bellatrix, and won

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Molly Weasley pointing her wand in the final battle 

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That moment. The one where Mrs Weasley, the loving, homely witch from Ottery St Catchpole, took on one of the most evil forces that recent wizarding history had seen. The one where she finally got the chance to give Bellatrix Lestrange what was coming to her. 

When asked why Molly was the one to duel Bellatrix in the final book, J.K. Rowling said: ‘The first reason was I always saw Molly as a very good witch but someone whose light is necessarily hidden under a bushel, because she is in the kitchen a lot and she has had to raise, among others, Fred and George which is like, enough... I wanted Molly to have her moment and to show that because a woman had dedicated herself to her family does not mean that she doesn’t have a lot of other talents.’

We couldn’t agree more.

The importance of the Weasley jumper

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For Harry, receiving his first Weasley jumper was a surprise, not least because at that point he had only met Ron’s mum very briefly. But from the outset Molly Weasley seemed to sense instinctively what Harry needed: a family who would actually care for him.

So Harry’s first Weasley jumper – an emerald-green creation that came with a large box of home-made fudge – was Molly’s way of welcoming him to the fold. She was moved to add a jumper for Harry to her knitting pile after Ron said Harry wasn’t expecting any presents. Sure enough, within a year or two, he was basically part of the family. It’s almost as if the jumper itself bestowed upon Harry some honorary Weasley status. Fred and George helped Ron rescue him from the Dursley’s; Arthur secured an extra Quidditch World Cup ticket for him; Molly comforted him after Cedric’s death. (Of course, much later, Ginny actually married him, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.)

In the meantime, every year, there was a new Weasley jumper for Harry. Which must have taken some doing, if you think about it. Even if Molly used magic to help with her festive [knitwear](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/an-appreciation-of-harry-potter-knitwear-web) production line, she had at least 8 to produce every year: one for each of her own 7 children, plus Harry, and that’s assuming there were no other jumper recipients on her list.

But the effort was what it was all about – even though, let’s face it, not everybody appreciated a Weasley jumper. Ron complained his were always maroon, Malfoy once mocked Harry’s, and when Percy was estranged from his family, he sent it back unopened. 

Still, Molly kept making them. For her, it was about more than the item itself. The real magic was in its creation, and we don’t just mean the wand-work. Whatever the finished item looked like, receiving a Weasley jumper on Christmas morning was a clear demonstration of Molly’s affection for the recipient. It said: ‘you’re part of this family.’ No wonder Dobby was so pleased when Ron bestowed one on him one Christmas. Dobby definitely didn’t mind maroon.

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Dobby looked quite overwhelmed. ‘Sir is very kind!’ he squeaked, his eyes brimming with tears again, bowing deeply to Ron. ‘Dobby knew sir must be a great wizard, for he is Harry Potter’s greatest friend, but Dobby did not know that he was also as generous of spirit, as noble, as selfless –’

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And so the Weasley Christmas jumper became a regular festive tradition. We can just picture Harry and the Weasleys lounging around after Christmas dinner at [The Burrow](https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/4-reasons-we-always-wanted-to-run-away-to-the-burrow), woolly jumpers on for a snooze on the sofa. Or Ron and Harry wearing one under a Hogwarts cloak, keeping warm as they threw snowballs at Fred and George. And no doubt they were perfect for keeping off the chill of those draughty Hogwarts corridors.

The Weasley jumper was also a masterclass in gift-giving, if you ask us. A hand-made gift, unique to the wearer, lovingly created with a specific individual in mind? It ticks a lot of boxes (even if Mrs Weasley did repeatedly forget that Ron didn’t like maroon…)

Overall, though, the Weasley jumper was important because of what it represented – particularly to Harry, who had never before experienced what it was like to be part of a warm, loving, slightly chaotic family. Cosy, comforting, and with ample space to snuggle in, it was basically an extension of the Weasley family home. Those jumpers did a lot more than keep out the chill for Harry. Right from the very beginning, they were symbolic of the very thing he needed: a family who actually cared for him.

Bring on Weasley jumper season, we say.

The Molly Weasley wordsearch 

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Finish this wordsearch as quickly as you can, or Molly might send you a Howler!

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[See our latest wordsearches, crosswords and Number Magic puzzles over at our hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles)

Complete the quote quiz: Molly Weasley edition

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‘Imagine a wizard buying a rusty old car and telling his wife all he wanted to do with it was take it apart to see how it worked, while really he was enchanting it to make it ______.’ 

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‘It’s your own fault you’ve been up all night. You’re going to ______ the garden for me, they’re getting completely out of hand again.’ 

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‘Oh, Harry, it’s lovely to see you!... You’re looking ______; you need feeding up, but you’ll have to wait a bit for dinner, I’m afraid.’   

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‘Well, I think I’ll sort out ______ before I turn in ... Arthur, I don’t want this lot up too late, all right? Night, Harry, dear.’ 

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‘You’re like Ron,… Both of you look as though you’ve had ______ put on you. I swear Ron’s grown four inches since I last bought him school robes.' 

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‘Ron!... Don’t you ever let me see you throwing ______ again!’  

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‘You – will – never – touch – our – ______ – again!’  

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The matriarch of the Weasley family was a loving yet formidable woman – with an excellent turn of phrase. Can you remember some of her most iconic quotes? Take our quiz and find out…

The Molly Weasley challenge quiz 

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Molly Weasley greets Harry in Grimmauld Place 

The Molly Weasley Challenge Quiz

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How do you de-gnome a garden?

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How do you punish your child who flew a magic car to school?

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What do you do if a family member plans to help destroy the darkest wizard of all-time?

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What dead nest was discovered at 12 Grimmauld Place during a major spring clean?  

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What does Wartcap powder do?

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Which of these isn't a Gilderoy Lockhart book?

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What nickname of mine should always have remained private?

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Being a mum to seven magical children, all while maintaining a topsy turvy home like The Burrow, requires some serious skill. So, do you have the intuition to pass Molly's challenge? Find out here...

The Burrow crossword

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How much do you know about The Burrow, really?

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Visit our [puzzles hub](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) to try more challenges.

Molly is the Weasley matriarch that would do anything to protect her family. Even if the Burrow was quite cramped, her heart was so big it had more than enough room not only for her own seven children but to welcome Harry too. Celebrate the Howler-writing, Celestina Warbeck-loving mum and all-round fierce witch here. 

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The Molly Weasley wordsearch

Complete the quote quiz: Molly Weasley edition

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The who said it quiz: Weasley edition