| “ | You know what? I don't think we are. George, I think we've outgrown full-time education... Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon? | „ |
| ~ Fred to George on leaving Hogwarts. |
| “ | Point is, people, don't get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he's out of the country. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but the fact remains he can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo when he wants to, so don't count on him being a long way away if you're planning to take any risks. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first! | „ |
| ~ Fred reporting on the Death Eaters on Potterwatch. |
Fred Weasley (1 April 1978 - 2 May 1998) is one of the protagonists of the Harry Potter series. He is a pure-blood wizard, a son of Molly and Arthur Weasley, a brother of Bill, Charlie, Percy, Ron and Ginny Weasley, and the twin brother of George Weasley. He is a toddler during the height of the First Wizarding War and was three when Lord Voldemort fell for the first time.
He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from 1989 to 1996 and was sorted into Gryffindor house. Both he and his twin brother were popular students, known for their sense of humor, pranks, and Beaters for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. In their seventh year, they joined Dumbledore's Army, an organization taught and led by Harry Potter.
A born prankster and inventor, Fred left Hogwarts shortly prior to graduation to become a successful entrepreneur, alongside his twin brother, George, and opened the joke shop Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. Fred was also a member of the Order of the Phoenix; he fought in the Battle of the Seven Potters (1997) and was a commentator for Potterwatch during the height of the Second Wizarding War. Fred participated in the Battle of Hogwarts (1998), defending the castle's passageways with his twin. While fighting alongside his brother, Percy, he was killed in an explosion.
Fred later had twelve nieces and nephews; his twin brother George named the first of his children after him.
In the film adaptations, he was portrayed by James Phelps.
Biography
Early Life
Fred Weasley was born on April 1st, 1978 alongside his twin brother George (but the former was born first) to wizards Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett. He is also the younger brother to Bill, Charlie and Percy Weasley, and the older brother to his own twin, and his last two siblings - Ron and Ginny Weasley. Fred and George grew up with their family in the Burrow near Devon, England, and despite living poor, loved his family dearly. At a young, Fred became a troublemaker alongside his twin, and would often pull pranks on his siblings Percy and Ron, such as turning Ron's teddy bear into a spider. Another prank that the twins pulled on Ron was trying to trick him into making an unbreakable vow, but they were disciplined by their father when he discovered it.
Attending Hogwarts
Fred and George were allowed to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1989, and like the rest of their family, were sorted into House Gryffindor. The twins became well known for their humor and pranks, and befriended their fellow Gryffindor mates - Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Lee Jordan, and Alicia Spinnet. The two also managed to obtain the Marauder's Map from Argus Filch's office, and used it to move around the school to the point they managed to memorize it. During their second year, Fred and George joined Gryffindor's Quidditch team, and held the titles of beaters on the field.
Philosopher's Stone
At the start of their third year at Hogwarts, the twins befriended Harry Potter during his first year, and also teased Ron since it was his first year as well. Fred and George became close friends with Harry after he joined the Quidditch team (thanks to Draco Malfoy), and also continued to pull pranks on their siblings, students, and Hogwarts staff. Notably, the twins bewitched snowballs and threw them at the back of Professor Quirrell's head, and unbeknownst them, they were actually hitting Voldermort's face. When Harry was placed in the hospital wing after stopping Professor Quirrell, the twins attempted to send Potter a toilet seat.
Chamber of Secrets
Before the end of 1992s summer, Fred, George and Ron decided to rescue Harry from the Dursley residence, and saved him by driving their father's flying car. After helping Harry, the twins began their fourth year, and started to tease but support Ginny since it was her first year attending the school. When the chamber of secrets was opened, rumors spread that Harry was the heir of Salazar Slytherin since he could speak parseltongue, but the twins didn't believe them. The twins also became close to Harry and Ron's friend Hermione Granger, and came to her defense when Draco Malfoy referred to her as a "mudblood". Fred would also later go on to assist Harry when a rogue bludger (which was being used by the house Elf Dobby in an attempt to send him back home injured) attacked him during a Quidditch game, and then visited Potter with his teammates in the hospital wing. The Weasleys were relieved when Ginny was saved by Harry and Ron from the Basilisk in the chamber, after the end of their fourth year, went to Egypt after Arthur won a large sum of money from a Ministry contest.
Prisoner of Azkaban
Fred and George gave Harry the Marauder's Map since they've memorized it, which allowed the latter to enter Hogsmeade unnoticed. The twins then went on to provide comfort to Harry when he had to deal with the Dementors, and later Ron when his pet rat, Scabbers, went missing. Fred and George also started to create their own inventions to pull more pranks in the summer, such as inventing ton-tongue toffe, which they gave to Dudley Dursley.
Goblet of Fire
During the summer of 1994, Fred and George attend the Quidditch World Cup and gambled for the outcome, but lost their money when Ludo Bagman called it off. While attending Hogwarts, the twins attempted to enter the Triwizard Tournament by putting their names in the goblet, but failed in all their attempts. By the end of the year, the twins were given a thousand galleons by Harry since he was given them for winning the tournament. Fred and George remained grateful to Harry, as they would decide to use the galleons to start their own business.
Order of the Phoenix
Continuing with their final year, Fred and George became members of Dumbledore's Army under the leadership of Harry, but also continued to create their inventions and sell their products. After Dumbledore took the blame of the army after it was discovered and Dolores Umbridge kicked them off the Quidditch team, the twins decided to rebel against her and leave Hogwarts.
Half-Blood Prince
Despite not continuing with their education, the twins started a successful business called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, which became so popular that they were able to move into a flat above their store. The twins also created products for the Defense Against the Dark Arts called "shield hats" and "shield cloaks" that were bought by the Ministry, and secretly sent their products to Hogwarts.
Deathly Hallows
After the death of Dumbledore by the hands of Severus Snape, Fred and George became members of the Order of the Phoenix to support their late teacher and fight against the Death Eaters. The two participated in taking polyjuice to disguise themselves as Harry to become the "seven potters", and managed to pull off the ploy despite the death of Mad-Eye Moody. During the Second Wizarding War, Fred and George also participated in Potterwatch, a radio program headed by Lee Jordan to speak against Voldemort and support Harry. The twins would return to Hogwarts to fight against the Death Eaters, and Fred was killed by an explosion caused by Augustus Rookwood. He was avenged by his allies as Voldemort was defeated, thus ending the war. Fred's death was mourned by his family and friends, and George would name his son after his twin to honor his sacrifice.
Gallery
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Trivia
- Fred's birthdate alongside his twin, April 1st, is appropriate since they both became pranksters.
