Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix - Mr. Weasley's Reaction to Harry's Generosity

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Mr. Weasley's reaction to Harry dumping his money bag of Galleons into the fountain is one of surprise and disapproval. The Weasley family, known for their financial struggles, value the importance of money and the sacrifices they make to support their family. This moment underscores the differences in their backgrounds—Harry having inherited wealth often does not fully grasp the implications of his actions on those who have to be more careful with their finances.

Mr. Weasley’s Financial Struggles and Prudence

Mr. Weasley is portrayed as a character who appreciates the significance of hard work and financial prudence. His reaction to Harry's impulsive act seems extravagant. This moment highlights the generational differences in financial management between the wealthy and the financially strained. The Weasleys, who are often seen making sacrifices and using creative solutions for subsistence, would likely see Harry's gesture as wasteful and a lack of understanding of the value of money under their circumstances.

The Real Amount of Money Given to the Fountain

It is important to clarify that Harry did not dump his entire money bag of Galleons into the fountain. Harry goes to Gringotts once a year and takes out enough money for a bag. He uses most of it throughout the year on school supplies, trips to Hogsmeade, and presents for his friends for Christmas and maybe their birthdays. What he gave to the fountain was what remained after all of this—a couple of weeks before he would get more. I would imagine that he didn’t give several hundred pounds but maybe 20–50. Generous sure but hardly a year’s worth of expenses at Hogwarts.

Mr. Weasley’s Feelings and Context

Mr. Weasley was likely touched by Harry's generosity and gratitude towards being allowed to return to school. He may have felt a twinge of bitterness and irony that, while people like Lucius Malfoy give lots of money to St. Mungos, their actions as Death Eaters caused incalculable harm and the fate of the Longbottoms. This contrast highlights the complexity of Mr. Weasley's feelings. On one hand, he appreciates Harry's thoughtfulness. On the other hand, he might be frustrated at the thought of such wealth being squandered, especially when his family has to carefully manage what little resources they have.

Furthermore, Mr. Weasley probably also wished that he didn’t fritter his own money away so he could better provide for his family. His job as an auror, although not high paying, allows the family to handle most of their needs through magic and buy secondhand school supplies. This stark contrast between the wealth inherited by Harry and the financial struggles of the Weasleys brings to light the importance of financial management and the impact of actions on those around us.

Conclusion

The episode in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a poignant moment that emphasizes the differences in financial management and the perspective of those with different resources. Mr. Weasley’s reaction is a mix of concern for Harry's misunderstanding of the value of money and frustration at the implications of such actions for his family. This moment serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and empathy in interpersonal relationships, especially when it comes to financial matters.