The Woes of Mrs. Weasley
chapter nine of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
After a brief run-in with Lucius Malfoy, Harry returns to Grimmauld Place, where he soon learns that Ron and Hermione have been made prefects. An emotional evening, though, is capped when Harry runs into Mrs. Weasley, trying to face a boggart but crying as she sees her family members dead, one by one, and Harry goes off to bed thinking hard about all that’s going on.
Mr. Weasley broke off in mid-sentence. They had just reached the ninth-level corridor, and Cornelius Fudge was standing a few feet away from them, talking quietly to a tall man with sleek blond hair and a pointed, pale face.
(by MartinTenbones)
“I don’t think private matters between myself and the Minister are any concern of yours, Potter,” said Malfoy, smoothing the front of his robes.
(by Heather Campbell)
Fred, George, and Ginny were doing a kind of war dance to a chant that went “He got off, he got off, he got off -”
(by Marta T)
“There’s been a mistake,” said Fred…. “No one in their right mind would make Ron a prefect.”
(by Drew Graham)
Hermione… spotted the badge in Harry’s hand and let out a shriek. “I knew it!” she said excitedly, brandishing her letter. “Me too, Harry, me too!”
(by pojypojy)
Harry… was relieved to hear that his voice had stopped sounding hearty. “Listen – Ron – well done, mate.” …
“I never thought it would be me!” [Ron] said, shaking his head. “I thought it would be you!”
(by Jenny Dolfen)
Someone was cowering against the dark wall, her wand in her hand, her whole body shaking with sobs. Sprawled on the dusty old carpet in a patch of moonlight, clearly dead, was Ron…..
“R-r-riddikulus!” Mrs. Weasley sobbed, pointing her shaking wand at Ron’s body.
Crack. Ron’s body turned into Bill’s, spread-eagled on his back….
“R-riddikulus!” she sobbed again.
Crack.
Mr. Weasley’s body replaced Bill’s, his glasses askew, a trickle of blood running down his face.
“No!” Mrs. Weasley moaned. “No… riddikulus! Riddikulus! RIDDIKULUS!”
Crack. Dead twins. Crack. Dead Percy. Crack. Dead Harry…
(by MartinTenbones)
about the chapter
I love the simple, stark contrast between Lucius Malfoy – who Harry runs into working out a deal to give gold to the Ministry for favors – and Harry himself, who moments later dumps the entire contents of his money bag into the Fountain of Magical Brethren, anonymously donating all of it to St. Mungo’s Hospital. The public vs. private nature of their respective donations makes a neat comparison, especially when you remember that Malfoy’s donation to St. Mungo’s the previous year had earned him tickets to the Top Box at the Quidditch World Cup. Can you imagine what Arthur Weasley would have thought, watching these two events back-to-back? Or, for that matter, what the Ministry employee responsible for cleaning out the fountain must have thought when he came across the stack of gold?
Something You May Not Have Noticed
When Lupin and Sirius walk into the drawing room to find Molly, Harry, and a dead Harry lying on the floor, Lupin instantly realizes it’s a boggart and reacts accordingly. But Sirius takes a little bit longer – “staring at the patch of carpet where the boggart, pretending to be Harry’s body, had lain,” and then not talking at all for a minute or two. At first I thought Sirius was simply realizing how much Molly actually cares for Harry, as he’d essentially dismissed her role in Harry’s life just a few weeks previously. But then it occurred to me that Sirius was the first person to arrive at Godric’s Hollow after Voldemort was defeated. Sirius was the one who found James dead. And out of nowhere, he’s forced to relive that very real memory – probably the worst of his life – right now. I bet Harry wasn’t the only one who laid awake that night, thinking about all he had seen.
Life at Hogwarts
It’s interesting that Dumbledore himself chooses prefects, and the heads of houses don’t seem to be involved. I’m not familiar with the customs of English boarding schools, so perhaps this is standard practice. But doesn’t it seem that the heads of houses would know their students better than Dumbledore does? How many prefects must Dumbledore choose that he’s never even had a conversation with? On the other hand, it’s also fair to say that this could make him less biased in choosing. Either way it would be fun to get inside his head while he’s making the decisions, and see his reasons for choosing each of the eight people each year.
The Boy Who Lived
Finding out that Ron has been made a prefect is such an extraordinary moment for Harry. He’s so used to being the one in the limelight that it literally never crosses his mind that Ron might be made a prefect instead of him. I don’t think it’s that he particularly cares about the role – contrasted with Ron, who has clearly been thinking about it. But despite Harry’s initial negative reaction, I absolutely love the way he pulls himself together to congratulate Ron just a few minutes later, and the fact that he clearly means it. It’s certainly fair to say that Harry deserves the badge, but so does Ron, and Harry knows it. And it doesn’t take Harry too long to realize just how much more it means to his best friend.
I like reading Harry’s thought process about Ron getting the prefect badge. It’s this that makes the characters so realistic. Also, remember how Lupin said that no one knows what a boggart looks like when it’s alone? Well, looks like Moody might since he can see it without it seeing him!
Roonil Wazlib said this on November 6, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I’ve thought about that before. I always assumed that Moody saw the boggart being the thing he was afraid of even when it was inside the desk. (A wand in a back pocket, perhaps?) But you make a good point that the boggart wouldn’t be able to see Moody as he is a floor below. Maybe it just knows when it’s being looked at.
Ben said this on November 6, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I had never thought about that explanation for Sirius’ reaction to dead boggart Harry. How tremendously sad. I always just assumed that he reacted as he did because he had such a love for Harry.
Jessi said this on November 6, 2009 at 4:48 pm
You say Dumbledore doesn’t know the students too well, but I have a feeling he does. I don’t think anyone passes through Hogwarts without him knowing about them to some extent. He’s a mysterious one, is Dumbledore. I can’t remember which character said it, but I’m sure someone said that nothing happens without him knowing. And they’d be right.
Lizzie said this on November 6, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I never really thought of Boggarts have too much of a brain or anything. I just thought if it’s being looked at it’ll automatically turn into that person’s fear. But maybe Moody can see the boggart. If only I could ask JKR.
I feel really bad for Sirius now, because I never thought about how he was the one to find James dead. Can you imagine being in that situation? Then knowing your other friend had taken a place in killing him?
As for Dumbledore picking prefects, it just still leaves me wondering about how he seems to know EVERYTHING that goes on in the school. He knows about who’s friends with who, the interactions between the students, and enough about Ron and Hermione to give them proper ‘gifts’ in his will, without almost ever talking to the students. And I still wonder what a Headmaster does. It seems like he spends half of his time away from the school anyway.
Ron is one of favorite characters and I wanted to give him a big hug here. I was getting mad at Fred and George because they keep making fun of him for it, when it does mean something to him. I can’t help but think Hermmione was right… they could be a little jealous- especially with Molly’s comment about everyone in the family being prefect. She hasn’t exactly made them feel like the favorites of all the children. I think they were honestly glad to have a brother who wasn’t perfect. Of course, there’s also the fact that they don’t want another Percy. And they are Fred and George. Making fun of Ron is just what they do.
Mickey said this on November 6, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Note about the prefects: I always assumed the Heads of Houses suggested candidates (you know, submitted a few names) from each of their Houses, but that the Headmaster had final say.
John: I love that every time I read one of your chapter notes, I can see everything a little differently. I’d've never put together that Sirius seeing boggart!Harry on the floor might bring back memories of Godric’s Hollow.
I also love how “rash” Harry can be. I mean, dumping a whole sack of gold? Anyone a little more world-weary would have held back and maybe thrown in a few Galleons. I’ve also wondered how the Ministry enforces that all donations get to Mungo’s–is there magic there that stops someone with bad intentions? Or does all money thrown in the fountain apparate/portkey over to St. Mungo’s while a representation of what was donated is left in the pool?
Natalia said this on November 6, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Great insight about Sirius’ response to Molly’s boggart. I glossed right by that, thinking only that he was disquieted by the sight of a dead Harry. Poor Sirius…
Natalia, I like the idea of the fountain being enchanted.
Perhaps the money itself is jinxed as soon as it’s dropped in? Or is that getting too complex, given that most people probably only drop a few knuts in? (Such a rich, detailed world Rowling’s made, when I can actually sit here and ponder magical anti-theft measures).
Inky Squirrel said this on November 6, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Very interesting and moving suggestion about Sirius seeing James in the Harry boggart. But one question: did Sirius actually see James the night he went to Godric’s Hollow with his motorbike? The fidelius charm was still in effect, wasn’t it? So Sirius wouldn’t have actually been able to see anything. It’s still possible that the boggart made him think about what James would have looked like dead, but not that he was recalling an actual memory.
Ben said this on November 6, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Ben: Remember in book seven, it says the Fidelius Charm died with the house so I’m sure
Sirius saw their bodies. In fact, he even mentions it in the third book (see page 365 of US edition).
Roonil Wazlib said this on November 6, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Poor serious, I didn’t even think of that…
With the boggart, what if someone was more afraid of an actual boggart? Than it would have to take its true form.
Eliza said this on November 6, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Eliza: I love it. Especially if someone didn’t know what they were afraid of the first time they came upon a boggart–I can just hear them trying to explain what they’d just seen/experienced to others. Didn’t JKR herself say something about how telling one’s boggart and Patronus were? Now we need to write JKR and ask her to include a character with a boggart-fear in a revised edition. Or in that encyclopedia she keeps promising. ;)
Natalia said this on November 7, 2009 at 12:12 am
I LOVE Marta T’s drawing of the Weasley family, with Fred, George, and Ginny doing their little war dance!! I never thought about Sirius seeing dead James…that is so incredibly sad to contemplate. I’m betting Remus did some serious comforting that night, since he’s the only one there who would pick up on such a thing. And to all the dirty-minded fanfic writers: not THAT kind of comforting!
hpboy13 said this on November 7, 2009 at 1:17 am
Wow, I can’t believe there have already been so many comments.
Ooh, I like Jenny Dolfens picture of Ron.
Again, very good Something You Might Not Have Noticed.
Mr. Weasley says to Harry that Lucius Malfoy was probably trying to sneak down to the courtroom trying to find out about Harry. Though he might have actually wanted to go in that direction I doubt it was about Harry…
Since we know where DADA classes are headed the title “Defensive Magical Theory” is pretty telltale, isn’t it?
I, too, was wondering how and why Dumbledore chooses Prefects. Lupin thinks he was chosen to keep his friends in line. Maybe Ron was chosen to grow as a person? Or to for once be a step ahead of Harry? Anyway, the broom he gets is the foundation for his Quidditch career.
I always thought Moody could see the Boggart the way it looks when noone sees it and I’ve wondered what form it takes. Hopefully JKR will shed some light in the Scottish book.
Hm, I was pretty sure this is where we learn that the Prewetts were Molly’s brothers. I guess not. Actually, do we ever in the books? I remember that the watch Mrs. Weasley gives Harry for his 17th birthday once belonged to her brother Fabian, but there’s no last name mentioned. Anyway, check out the initials of their first names and compare them to the twins’.
“It’ll be a miracle if we all come through this.” – Foreshadowing?
Kim said this on November 7, 2009 at 11:46 am
Kim – Jo says on her site that Molly’s brothers are the Prewetts. It’s nowhere in the books, unless you count Fabian’s watch. The foreshadowing was meant to be even more intense than just Fred’s death. Harry “dies” at the end of DH. Percy “dies” in that he’s estranged from the family. Bill is attacked by Fenrir. Ron is almost killed in HBP. George loses an ear and could very well have died from blood loss. Fred actually does die. And Arthur almost dies from Nagini’s bite in OotP, and should have died in DH, though Jo couldn’t bring herself to do it – and no wonder, when you think of what she’s alreayd put this family through!
hpboy13 said this on November 7, 2009 at 1:08 pm
On prefects: Don’t you think it could be a nomination process? The heads of houses propose the best choices and Dumbledore goes from there, maybe.
Hayley said this on November 9, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I wonder if Ginny was ever made prefect? It doesn’t say in Book 6.
Roonil Wazlib said this on January 23, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I always assumed she didn’t, since Mrs. Weasley would’ve made a huge deal out of it/she’d've had to patrol the corridors instead of meeting up with Dean on the train. But that’s just my private thought. :D
Natalia said this on January 24, 2010 at 11:14 pm
I never thought that Sirius could be thinking of James when he’s staring at the Boggart Harry… I always assumed it was because he loves Harry and he’s imagining him dead…. hmmm very good suggestion!
Erica said this on January 27, 2010 at 1:24 am
The boggart scene always had me feeling so bad for Mrs. Weasley-she must worry about her family dying every single day. And then the fact that she loves Harry enough that her boggart turns into him dead…. that says a lot about her, in my opinion. Well, very good artwork and wonderful commentary. I love reading these and hearing so maany people’s opinions. :)
Erica said this on January 30, 2010 at 11:27 am
I do love that Ron gets the prefect badge instead of Harry, for all the reasons mentioned above. But Draco Malfoy? Was there really no one in all of Slytherin 5th year who was more suited to the job?
Anna said this on March 14, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Anna, Draco does seem an awful choice, but when you think of the other Slytherin boys we know it starts to make more sense – Malfoy is certainly more deserving than Crabbe or Goyle, and Zabini doesn’t seem any better (and he certainly isn’t as much of a leader, for whatever that’s worth). We don’t know anything about Theodore Nott, but he must be pretty quiet given the number of classes Harry’s had with him without ever really noticing him. Malfoy really might have been the best choice. Which is a scary thought for Slytherin house….
John Kearns said this on April 2, 2010 at 10:32 am
Roonil Wazlib: I was curious about that as well! If Ginny wasn’t made the Gryffindor prefect, then who was?
Lydia said this on May 7, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I never ever ever would have thought of Sirius being the one to find James’ body. And then to see Harry there? And that is why I like Molly. She continues to try to dispel the boggart, even when she’s totally overwhelmed.
Amanda said this on May 23, 2010 at 4:04 am