author_by_night | Sunshine Challenge: Red

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Sunshine Challenge: Red

The Sunshine Challenge is doing a color theme this year. I thought I would relate colors to mostly fandomy things, though not all of the time, and not all Harry Potter.

Today, however, I am focusing on the reddist of them all in Harry Potter: The Weasleys. It would take too long to talk about all of them in great detail, so instead have provided some brief thoughts on each Weasley, along with many treacle tarts and a cup of hot strong love.

Arthur: I love Arthur, although he's a little problematic with his near-worship of Muggles. But I think it comes from a good place, and he eventually channels this into fighting against the Ministry and even getting a promotion. I headcanon that he teaches his granddaughter Victoire to be as obsessed with Muggles as he is, albeit in a much more sensitive and productive way.

Molly: I adore Molly. She's fun because she has two very different sides - in real life, she'd be that housewife who gets in the news after lifting up a car a stranger was stuck under. She's sweet to Harry, strict with her kids, and savage with Bellatrix.

Bill and Fleur: I put them together because I wanted to give them a shout-out for having the best romantic arc in the series. I love that Fleur overcomes being judged (and lowkey slut shamed, which I think was absolutely intentional - although I have my feelings about JK Rowling right now, I think she did some things right, and Fleur's story in HBP was one of them). I think their story was handled really well - they stay in the background while also having a coherent D-Plot, as it were.

Charlie: Am I the only one who thinks before Ron and Hagrid got chummy, he was chummy with Hagrid? I don't see it ever having been on the same level as the trio, but I kind of like to imagine them having geeked out over dragons together. They definitely seemed to have a repore of sorts in GoF. I also see Charlie and Tonks as having had a past relationship, but that's purely headcanon.
Percy: A more complicated Weasley. I know a lot of people ask him how he could possibly be a Gryffindor, but I think you could argue his actions were demonstrative of the worst qualities of a Gryffindor: He found a cause and championed it beyond reason. Rather like Dumbledore was deceived by Grindlewald. Or maybe he was just an overly ambitious jerk who could've been in Slytherin; that may very well be the intended takeaway. However, my takeaway is that he believed in everything the Ministry did to a fault. I'm sure the ending of OoTP was a rude awakening, and I don't even know what he did during Deathly Hallows except literally come through.

Fred and George: Something I never realized until I began writing an It's a Wonderful Life homage with George (which I never finished, sorry!) is how much of an impact they had on Harry. They actually took care of him, from getting his luggage on the train in the first book to picking him up in the Ford Anglia to giving him the map. I think their role in Harry's life was often overlooked, since on the surface they were mostly just comic relief.

Ron: I love Ron, and I know this is a bit of an unpopular opinion. I just never understood the whole "Ron the Death Eater" trope I often saw applied to his character. I do think Ron got a little flanderdized, and even before that, he had some bad moments. But all of them did. I love Ron's loyalty, I love his dynamic with Hermione, and I really wish we'd seen more of chess player Ron.

Ginny: Another character a lot of people don't like, but I do? It's funny because even liking her, I remember thinking her character changed drastically in the fifth book - then I re-read the series a few years ago, and honestly, she didn't change that drastically in OoTP. I think it's more that fanon Ginny was always this sweet, quiet girl when even before OoTP, Ginny shows sides of the character she will become. That said, I liked her less in book six, but I don't think I really liked anyone in book six except for Luna and Neville. And Fleur. Book six was kind of that "everyone's doing their own thing" book.

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I always liked Fleur. I think mainly because we were supposed to hate her because...she's pretty and doesn't want to date Ron? And how the other girls treated her...That never sat well with me.

Charlie and Tonks?! Tell me more, please!

I think I'm in the minority that really enjoyed book six.

I think in GoF, that was true, whereas in HBP I think we were positioned TO agree with Molly, Ginny and Hermione, but then realized how stupid and judgmental it was, of course she really loved Bill, and of course judging her was wrong. I think Fleur does bring some of it on herself - she can speak before she thinks, she can be a little vain, and she really could use to stop acting like everything was better in France. But I also think all the Weasley women made it abundantly clear she was not welcome, and while I didn't think much of it on the first read, re-reading it's not a good look.

There's no canon basis for Charlie and Tonks! However, they would have gone to school at around the same time, albeit having been in two different Houses, and I can just see their personalities working well together. I also wrote them as having to break up because their dreams had them be in two very key locations that were far apart. So they're a bit of a tragic love story, especially given what happens to Tonks. :(

See, I like book six too - I only liked it enough the first time (I felt I really needed to read the seventh book to judge), but I while it isn't among my favorites, I do appreciate it. I think it's a bit of a lighter book (despite some very dark moments) following OoTP and coming before DH. Which we really needed. I just could've done with the characters being less irritating. I was also really disappointed that the friendship we saw building between Neville, Ginny and Luna and the trio didn't really go anywhere. Though I guess Ron and Hermione were never really Luna's "type" in terms of friendship, but still. (I don't know, Luna's... well, Luna, and Ron and Hermione seem to have less threshold for that than the others. They're actually a lot alike, even though they seem like polar opposites at face value. That's why I ship them.)

Edited 2020-07-02 00:57 (UTC)

I really enjoyed this! A really sweet take on all of them. Pretty much spot on in my mind.

I bawl my eyes out every time I reread that scene between Molly and Fleur when she says that all Bill's scars mean are that's brave.

I really love that ship hard.

It's so great. And it was admittedly a surprised the first time, but a delight.

This is a lovely breakdown of the characters! I didn't get into Harry Potter enough to really know the characters, so this actually answered some questions for me about specific character elements that hadn't quite clicked.

My headcanon for Percy is that the Hat gave him a choice, and he chose Gryffindor because it's what was expected of him. He's so rule-bound and intense about doing what's proper, I can't imagine he'd even consider going off the beaten path by picking Slytherin.

I think you're right about Ginny, it wasn't so much that her personality drastically changed in OotP, more that she didn't have much of an established personality before OotP because she was such a minor character. Of course as fans we extrapolated as much as we could, but there wasn't that much to go on.

My headcanon for Percy is that the Hat gave him a choice, and he chose Gryffindor because it's what was expected of him.

That makes perfect sense to me.

Ohh, I like that theory as well!

Yeah, Ginny's character was more on the sidelines, so we made her how we had to.

I think Molly will always be my favorite, but all the Weasleys taken together have such a strong "this is what family should be" vibe.

What a nice post! I agree that Fred and George's help to Harry was important. They were like big brothers to him, confirming that the Weasleys had become his family. I also like your headcanon about Charlie and Tonks (and I liked Spectators, remember devoting time to comments you had asked for just when I was to move house, but wonder what happened then... )

I did respond! Did you not see it? Your feedback was great and helped confirm something for me. Unfortunately I wasn't in the right headspace to rewrite it, not to mention working from home made me much busier than I had anticipated. I had this image of free time that wss not to he.

Edited 2020-07-02 09:49 (UTC)

No, I never saw your response! I'm glad I've finally asked about it, as I've been wondering if my comments were out of place. I'm so happy they served a purpose, and I hope you'll get to still do the rewrite you want.

Let me know if you need me to resend it, since I specifically addressed some of your questions (IIRC anyway).

Yes, please, it would be nice to see your response! I checked, and it's not in my messages.

Arthur always struck me as someone trying very hard to get his family (and his Ministry) to pay attention to the nonmagical people around them as important, which is a hard sell in a place that's basically become convinced of their own superiority over magic. He's seen as bumbling because the narrative disagrees with him, but in another story, I can see Arthur as being a tireless champion for helping, learning, and eventually interacting with nonmagical society more. (And a lot of frustrations at having to deal with the Muggleists in the ministry.)

Molly is fiercely protective, but only of the people who are hers, if that makes sense? It's a very Slytherin trait of hers. And it might have been nice to have a few more cross-House relationships that function perfectly fine. And it's because of that possessiveness that I think Bill and Fleur mostly stay away from the burrow, at least until Molly accepts them both as part of "hers" again. (I forget how much of it is there, but I recall there's at least some negative ideas about Fleur's veela heritage expressed aloud.)

I can absolutely see Charlie being on good terms with Hagrid, and that extending well past his time at the school. Hagrid is probably the person who understood his geeking out best. And that would make sense for Tonks and him to have a relationship based on their shared visible outsiderness.

Percy is absolutely the person who believes they believe in a cause, when they're really more loyal to the institution instead. Absolutely a Gryffindor (and a reminder that all the House traits have the potential to send someone off the rails.)

Fred and George are the brothers Harry never had. They're pranksters and mischief-makers and they include Harry in as much as they can, because that's what Harry needs with all this business about being the chosen one and the Boy Who Lived.

I want to see more of chess player Ron, as well! The first book essentially laid out for us that when he actually puts his head to it, Ron is the best at strategic thinking out of the entire trio. The problem is that he's so easily knocked off his stride by someone insulting his family or his friends. If Ron were allowed to have his plotting skills come out more, and then to let Fred and George handle the operational details, he probably could have masterminded some pretty epic revenges. But we don't get that. Instead, Ron gets relegated to the muscle category, in awe of Hermione's research skills and relative ability to think situationally. (Of all three of them, Harry's actually the muscle, as described. Ron has strategy, Hermione has tactics, and Harry is the one who can put down force.)

I like a Ginny that gives zero or negative fucks and can back that boast with an versatile array of hexes and spells. It felt like the narrative wasn't always on her side about her choices to play sport and be unashamed of her own competence, but I appreciated that she was there, reminding the reader that girls can do that as well.

. He's seen as bumbling because the narrative disagrees with him, but in another story, I can see Arthur as being a tireless champion for helping, learning, and eventually interacting with nonmagical society more. (And a lot of frustrations at having to deal with the Muggleists in the ministry.)

Ooh, I like that. Now that I think about it, in the first few books, he's just quirky, but then the war starts up and he's suddenly a lot less bumbling. I remember when in OoTP someone's been hexing Muggle toilets to flush the opposite direction, and Arthur points out that while it may just sound like a funny story, it's not funny at all because of what that action represents.

but I recall there's at least some negative ideas about Fleur's veela heritage expressed aloud.)

I didn't see any of that in HBP as far as I can recall, but honestly, I don't doubt that was there. I also know in GoF, Harry tells Ron that when he asked Fleur to the ball, she was probably trying to get Cedric to ask her and Ron caught some of her Veela magic. Which is so gross, yet I don't think it's meant to be. (It's one of those textual things that aged very badly.)

Instead, Ron gets relegated to the muscle category, in awe of Hermione's research skills and relative ability to think situationally. (Of all three of them, Harry's actually the muscle, as described. Ron has strategy, Hermione has tactics, and Harry is the one who can put down force.)

Great point! You're right, Harry's really the muscle.

Edited 2020-07-03 18:44 (UTC)

We see a lot less of Arthur as the story goes on, and so there's more opportunity for him to have become less of a bumbler and more of an advocate.

Maybe it wasn't Fleur specifically, but I seem too recall a certain amount of looking down on veela. Maybe it had to do with the Quidditch World Cup in GoF, but I'm pretty sure that we were exposed to negative attitudes towards veela before the Beauxbatons champions and Fleur arrived, and there was still plenty of suspicion or something else about veela afterward.

Harry is the muscle. He casts the strong spells and is the broom flier (although Ron is the keeper, and that suggests some very good broom skills of his own.) and it, once you point him at something, Harry's going to try and beat it in the most direct way he can. Give Ron enough confidence and resources, and he can probably draw up an excellent plan, which Hermione can field-marshal (and Fred and George can run intelligence and sabotage with).

Although now I am contemplating the story where Ron is the thinker, Hermione is willing to go along with it, and they both take charge of getting Harry to have a normal life, as much as one can, rather than playing up the Boy Who Lived angle.

Book six was kind of tough on the character front, wasn't it? But I love seeing this analysis of the Weasleys! Completely agree that Charlie would have been good buds with Hagrid and I love how you pointed out that Fred and George took care of Harry in their own way. Ahh, these HP posts really make me want to revisit the series!

It really was tough! I think JKR was going for something a bit lighter and sillier before we got into Deathly Hallows, but I really wish we'd done that differently.

Agreed. I can understand that logic for sure (Hallows is certainly bleak), but at the time I remember wondering what happened to all the characters. XD I'm looking forward to my reread to see how I feel about it now. ^^

Aw, I really enjoyed this. ♥ I love Ron a lot. I was never part of Harry Potter fandom, but the books were a large part of my childhood and I loved the cosiness and welcoming family environment the Weasleys represented. They were acceptance in a world where Harry had only been rejected so far, and for that, they'll always have such a soft space in my heart.

I also appreciated your focus on Bill and Fleur. Fleur is something of a secret favourite character of mine. I've always had a soft spot for her, and I'm happy to see you liked how she was written, too!

If I hear about a family taking someone in, I'll think of them as "Weasleys."

Harry Potter played a huge part in my teen years.

Fleur is something of a secret favourite character of mine. I've always had a soft spot for her, and I'm happy to see you liked how she was written, too!

I really like "truth teller" characters, which is the role Fleur plays. Maybe in part because I'm the exact opposite of the kind of person? LOL. Either way, I enjoy those, and I also love seeing her character growth throughout the series.

RONALD WEASLEY IS OUR KING. Ron is probably my favorite character from the books.

They actually took care of him, from getting his luggage on the train in the first book to picking him up in the Ford Anglia to giving him the map. I-
how could you make me tear up today?!
Alright,but I so love your little imagery about each Weasley,Molly being the housewife who lifts up the car to save someone,indeed! :D Arthur making Victoire a nerd about muggles,how sweet!

Bill & Fleur was one of the best couples tbh.Fleur came across as such a typical popular/mean-girl type of character but she wasn't?Maybe it was that she was from a different country/culture & didn't mesh with everyone immediately!I loved the way she defied expectations and assumptions!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN PEOPLE DON'T LIKE GINNY?! I will fight for that girl...though she might just do it herself lmao. It's probably that Harry started being around Ginny more so we got to see more of her from OOTP onwards. I know I was happy to see her have more time in the story because I'd adored her from the Prisoner of Azkaban time.

Ron is another faves of mine. Just like everyone he too has many sides & traits. So he gets jealous?Gets angry at his friends!Like excuse me?!People do,okay?!You remember being a teenager?!LMAO.

Percy is interesting. Remember Peter Pettigrew in Gryffindor? Sirius who is very typically Slytherin but was a Gryffindor? Hermione who could easily have been a Ravenclaw too? I think a lot of people put characters in a box just cause of the House traits.

Sorry this got so rant-y.I haven't talked about HP in a very long time,oh dear!XD Now I'm feeling nostalgic,maybe I should go back and read some!

Edited 2020-07-04 12:16 (UTC)

Don't apologize for ranting! What my fandomy posts are here for. :)

Didn't mean to make you cry!

I definitely think there was some culture clash with Fleur. She's very direct and honest, rather than mincing words.

I think part of the Ginny dislike is that people don't like Harry ending up with her.

Peter's another character I can see either being intended for Slytherin OR just a hyper dark Gryffindor. Re-reading PoA, his reasoning for turning seems to have been "well, Voldemort was winning, why not just join him?" It was like he felt that if everyone just stopped fighting, everything would be fine. Was this a Gryffindor penchant for following a leader no matter what, though, or a Slytherin penchant for putting self interests first? Or just a non-House specific trait people sometimes have? Because I think you're right too that Houses can put characters into boxes when truth be told, no one fits into them, and I think even in canon they're really there so the characters have the best place to support their development into witches and wizards, and for the House Cup. I think Houses are still relevant, there's a lot of discussion of them and Terry Boot wonders why Hermione wasn't in Ravenclaw, but I also don't think they're as Do Or Die as either the canon characters OR fandom thinks. Dumbledore himself admits that maybe they sort too soon.

(And I agree Hermione could've technically been a Ravenclaw. I think for her it was primarily motivation - she's smart, but she's smart to show her capabilities and ultimately believes in fighting for what she perceives to be right. Whereas Luna, for example. is more interesting in exploring the various pockets of the world. She also wants to fight for what's right, but that seems very separate from her personal knowledge.)

I have to agree with you about Fleur and Bill. They had such a lovely little romance, much better than others I can think of (*cough*RemusandTonks*cough*). Some pretty awful assumptions are made about Fleur, but really she was awesome. Smart and capable and chosen to represent her school; a wonderful big sister; and a loving and loyal wife. Her complaining about things being better in France reminded me that when I was first married and I moved in with my spouse I ended up crying in the shower because it had a curtain and not a door like I was used to. I'm not ridiculous or petty, I was just overwhelmed by the number of little changes that I had to get used to and I didn't even change countries so I'd be willing to bet she was feeling lonely and overwhelmed despite being very much in love with Bill.

I am fully ready to adopt that Charlie headcanon as my own, Hagrid and Charlie being bros about all the cool dragons. ;) There done.

That is such a wonderful point about Fred and George, oh man there go my feels.

I'm totally with you on Ron, that trope makes zero sense to me honestly and while he's by no means perfect, I do feel that of the trio he is in fact the best example of an ideal Gryffindor. (Hermione having Ravenclaw leanings while Harry could have just as easily been Slytherin.)

As for Ginny, I like her too. I might not have liked where her character was taken (epilogue, what epilogue), but she was awesome; strong, and fierce and honestly a lot like her mom though I don't see her as being the happy homemaker type.

I think it's great that you used this as an opportunity to dish out some Weasley love. They were such a dynamic and important part of the series. I'm big on the idea of Charlie and Hagrid being friends, that would have been an amazing dynamic to see more of. In general I agree with a lot of this, but I also want to highlight that Fred & George really did do a lot for the other protagonists, and despite primarily being comic relief still felt like characters with some depth, same as all the other Weasleys.

Great post, it was fun to see some HP discussion again for the first time in a while (for me)!

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Sunshine Challenge: Red

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