Arthur Weasley
Arthur Weasley works at the Ministry of Magic as the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, a position that reflects his deep, almost childlike fascination with Muggle objects and his modest standing in the wizarding bureaucracy. He is the father of seven children—Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny—and is married to Molly Weasley. The family lives in the Burrow, a ramshackle but warm home, and Arthur's salary is modest; when he wins the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw of seven hundred Galleons, the family uses the gold for a summer holiday in Egypt, and Ron gets a new wand. Arthur is tall and balding, with a kind face, and his ears turn red when he is under pressure, a trait Ron inherits.
Role at the Ministry and Relationship with Harry
Arthur is deeply involved in the Ministry's efforts to recapture Sirius Black after his escape from Azkaban. He is pulled off his regular job to help search for Black, and he looks extremely strained and grave when discussing the case. He is the one who informs Harry, indirectly, of the true danger: he argues heatedly with Molly that Harry has a right to know that Black is after him, saying, "Harry's got a right to know. I've tried to tell Fudge, but he insists on treating Harry like a child." Arthur reveals that Black has been talking in his sleep in Azkaban, always saying "He's at Hogwarts," and that Black wants Harry dead, believing murdering Harry will bring Lord Voldemort back to power. He also tells Molly that Dumbledore has agreed to let Azkaban guards station themselves around the school grounds, though Dumbledore is not happy about it. Arthur personally warns Harry, swearing him not to go looking for Black, and he is the one who arranges for Ministry cars to transport the Weasleys and Harry to King's Cross, ensuring Harry is kept safe until he is on the train.
Concern for Harry's Safety and Moral Stance
Arthur's protective instincts toward Harry are evident throughout the year. He is the one who, after overhearing the argument, tells Harry the truth about Black's pursuit, and he is visibly relieved when Harry says he already knows. He also reveals that the Ministry has been keeping a close watch on Harry, and that Fudge was lenient with Harry after the Aunt Marge incident because he was relieved to find him alive. Arthur's moral compass is clear: he believes in telling the truth, even when it is frightening, and he is willing to defy Fudge's policy of treating Harry like a child. He also shows a deep distrust of the Dementors, saying, "Dumbledore isn't fond of the Azkaban guards... Nor am I, if it comes to that... but when you're dealing with a wizard like Black, you sometimes have to join forces with those you'd rather avoid." This pragmatic but principled stance defines his character.
Family Life and Personality
Arthur is a loving but often overwhelmed father. He is proud of Percy becoming Head Boy, but he is also the target of Fred and George's jokes. He is the one who, after the family's return from Egypt, is seen reading the Daily Prophet with a furrowed brow, and he is the one who, during the chaotic departure from the Leaky Cauldron, keeps close to Harry's elbow. He is also the one who, when Harry asks about the Firebolt, is the source of the information that it might have been sent by Sirius Black. His love for his family is evident in his willingness to use Ministry connections to get them to King's Cross, and in his quiet, steady presence during the tense moments of the year. He is a man of modest means but great heart, and his actions throughout the book underscore the theme that ordinary people can be heroes in their own right.
