While the Golden Trio made up of Harry, Ron, and Hermione may be the stars of the series, there is no doubt that the minor characters still add a whole lot to the story of the Harry Potter series.
As we read, we get to meet and fall in love with some of the most Riddikulus characters. Take the Weasley twins, for example. Fred and George – always together, and always in some sort of mischief.
These two make all the readers fall in love with their partnership and brotherly bond and are responsible for some of the most memorable scenes in the books. Which made it a lot more painful when we had to say goodbye to one of them.
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How Does Fred Weasley Die?
Fred Weasley may not have been a member of the Golden Trio but he, along with his brother George, has played a vital role in the success of Harry Potter’s journeys.
Not only did he rescue our dear hero multiple times, he, though he might not have known it at the time, provided key items that aided our hero in his adventures. He even became a member of the Order of the Phoenix and valiantly spoke out and fought against the Death Eater regime.
As members of the Order, Fred, along with his family and friends, returned to Hogwarts for the final battle against Voldemort in the Second Wizarding War. He defended the secret passageways to Hogwarts together with his brother Percy.
Even in his last moments, he was gleefully joking around until a Death Eater caused an explosion outside the Room of Requirement ended Fred’s short but meaningful life. It was said that even in death, the ghost of his last laugh was still etched upon his face.
Who Killed Fred Weasley?
While the books and movies never explicitly say who killed Fred, it is known that the explosion was caused by a Death Eater. This leads people to assume that Fred’s killer is Augustus Rookwood, the Death Eater seen closest to the scene immediately after Fred’s death.
Augustus Rookwood is a Dark wizard and a loyal Death Eater to Lord Voldemort. His involvement with Voldemort began as early as the First Wizarding War. After the war, his comrades ratted him out and he was imprisoned in Azkaban.
He escaped Azkaban twice and joined the Death Eaters once again for the final battle at Hogwarts where he supposedly caused the explosion that killed Fred Weasley. He was then chased by Percy in a fit of rage until he was ultimately defeated by Aberforth Dumbledore.
It is unknown what exactly happened to him after the Second Wizarding War, but it is presumed that he was recaptured and returned to Azkaban.
Did Draco Go to Fred’s Funeral?
Draco Malfoy did not have particularly good relationships with any of the Weasleys. Despite both being included in the Sacred Twenty-Eight, both families had very different beliefs and values.
This led to underlying conflict between the families that was further aggravated by their interactions. In fact, Fred attempted to assault Draco twice: once when he called Hermione a mud-blood, and another when he insulted the Weasleys’ and Harry’s parents.
Regardless, it remains headcanon to all Potter fans that Draco did, indeed, attend Fred’s funeral. He stood at the far back where no one would see or recognize him.
It is said that he later approached Fred’s tombstone and expressed deep regret and sadness for his role in Fred’s death. He never told anyone that he came. However, this was said to have been witnessed by George who never told anyone else about seeing the blonde-haired boy crying at his brother’s tombstone when everyone else had left.
Conclusion
Fred Weasley might not have had the biggest role in the books, but he truly won the hearts of all witches and wizards who met him.
His wit and humor as well as the bond that he and George had in the stories were a welcome source of relief for Harry and the readers as they went on this excruciatingly hard and dark journey.
Fred may be gone, but his magic, memory, and the ghost of our last laugh with him live on in the hearts and minds of those he touched.
Join us as we raise our wands in salute to our fallen hero, Fred Weasley.