In an industry where absent guardians are easily written in to create conflict with teenage protagonists, there are still a few movie parents who have been indefinitely adopted by fans due to their help and support. Molly Weasley (Julie Walters) from the Harry Potter franchise is one of the most welcoming and loving mother figures in any film. She not only manages her own gangly mob of children — there are seven in all — but she has enough love in her heart to practically adopt Harry into her family.
From a character created by pen and paper to Walters' portrayal of this caring matriarch on-screen, it soon became evident that Molly Weasley's destiny was to be loved by audiences everywhere. At times, she is strict with her children, and she scolds them for putting themselves in danger or causing a mess at school. Then, there are times when she can be found making sure everyone at the table has enough food. During these scenes, one should note that Molly herself never sits down to enjoy her own meal.
In short, this mother never stops moving, working, or taking care of her children. Check out the scenes where Molly Weasley proves to everyone that she is in fact the best mother to those she deems her own.
10 Platform 9¾
In the very first movie, The Sorcerer's Stone, Harry is confused about how to locate Platform 9¾. He goes as far to ask an attendant, but he scoffs at Harry and walks away. Harry overhears the Weasley clan talking about muggles as they make their way through the station, so he follows them. After watching Percy, Fred, and George got through the brick pillar, he approaches Mrs. Weasley and asks how to get through to the platform. Without mockery or hesitation, she tells Harry that it is Ron's first time as well. With a smile on her face, she instructs him how to get to the other side, and she gives him the advice to run at the wall if he is nervous. This warm and genuine interaction sparked the love fans hold for Molly Weasley today.
9 Christmas Presents
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Ron calls Harry down to wish him a Happy Christmas and to see the presents under the Christmas tree. When Harry asks about the homemade sweater Ron is wearing, Ron says his mom made it, and that Harry has one under the tree, too. His facial expression changes from neutral to shocked, to pure excitement within a second after he realizes someone has thought of him on the holiday. Over the next several years, Harry continues to receive homemade sweaters and scarves from Mrs. Weasley. She does not leave him out of any family tradition, which makes him feel like a key component to the Weasley family.
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8 Home Sweet Home
Upon entering the Weasley household for the first time in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry discovers the most welcoming and homey residence. He finds dishes washing themselves, a scarf being made, and a clock that tells where all the Weasleys are (notice how one of the locations is prison). Molly Weasley created such a warm environment that Harry cannot help but smile and feel as if he has been transported to another world filled with love and caring individuals. Ron makes a comment about the house not being much, but it is home. Harry remarks that the home is "brilliant" as he continues to take in the welcoming feeling.
7 Reprimanding the Boys
In the same scene where Harry is taking in the lovely Weasley home, Mrs. Weasley comes down the stairs and immediately starts chastising Ron, Fred, and George about their whereabouts. Within the same breath, she lowers her tone and cheerfully greets Harry. While she is ripping her three sons apart for their lack of communication, she tells Harry that she does not blame him at all. After Ron says Harry has been starved, Mrs. Weasley ushers everyone into the kitchen for food. She walks around the table serving up plates and heaping piles of home cooking.
6 Diagon Alley
After the boys receive their school supplies lists from the Weasleys' owl, Mrs. Weasley takes Harry's list and comments that they must go shopping. She tells Harry to go first into the fireplace to travel by floo powder. It is important to note how Mrs. Weasley calls Harry out by name and tells him to go first. She does not want him to feel like an afterthought following her own children. After Ron says that Harry has never traveled in this fashion before, she tells Ron to go, so that Harry can see how to do it. Then she encourages Harry not to be afraid, and she reassures him they will all end up in the same place.
5 The Howler
After Ron and Harry miss their train to Hogwarts, they concoct a plan to get there using Mr. Weasley's car. Upon finding out about the second hijacking of the family vehicle, Mrs. Weasley sends Ron a "howler." It is essentially a talking envelope that howls and yells at its recipient. Ron opens it in front of all of his friends, and Mrs. Weasley's voice soars over the noise of the room to yet again chastise Ron for his bad actions. After the howler is done reprimanding Ron, it turns to Ginny, Ron's little sister, to congratulate her on her house assignment. Molly Weasley is hilarious by taking the opportunity to yell at one child while wishing another child the best on her accomplishments.
4 Checking in on Harry
Every time Molly Weasley initially sees Harry, she either grabs him by the arms or cups his face in her hands to greet him. It is a very warm and sincere touch for a mother to focus all of her attention on the child to whom she is speaking. During Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Molly hurries over to Harry and embraces him. Being a good mother, she asks Harry if he has all of his books and if his clothes are put away. When he indicates that he has everything he needs, she pats his face and calls him a "good boy." He thanks her with the most boyish smile that it almost feels like a reflex to say back to such a motherly figure.
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3 Kids Will be Kids
When Harry first arrives to a meeting of the Order in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Mrs. Weasley tells him not to worry about what is going on with the adults. Instead, she instructs him to go upstairs to see his friends. Later, Sirius Black tries to tell Harry that Voldemort is searching for him, but Mrs. Weasley cuts him off by saying, "He's just a boy!" Molly is protective of Harry like he is one of her own, and she also does not like how involved Harry has to be in deadly schemes. She sees Harry as a child who needs to focus on school and friends rather than being a part of an upcoming war.
2 Positive Marriage
On top of being a great mother to all seven of her children (eight, if you include Harry), Mrs. Weasley also shows her children what it means to be in a healthy relationship. When Mr. Weasley sits down at the table, Molly is always quick to have a plate prepped in front of him. She often stands behind him monitoring the conversation at the table, but her presence feels more protective and maternal than smothering. When Arthur returns home for Christmas, she announces, "Daddy's back," while instructing everyone to sit down and open presents. She is elated to have her whole family with her as they receive homemade goodies.
1 Protects Ginny
During the battle in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, fans get to see a more serious and badass version of Molly Weasley. She and Bellatrix engage in a duel, and Mrs. Weasley drops her voice to a threatening tone. She says, "Not my daughter, you bitch," which becomes an iconic piece of dialogue for the beloved mother. With her children behind her, Mrs. Weasley does not back down from Bellatrix and actually manages to kill her. Molly has always been protective, but it was not until this scene that fans saw how aggressive she could be when put into the line of fire to save her family.
