“Want a hand?” With these words, the character of George Weasley enters the readers’ lives and hearts. This is also Harry Potter’s first impression of George when they meet on the train. Harry Potter, a boy who can’t remember the last time anyone showed him kindness, George Weasley for the first time and is helped out by the young man. As the years have gone by, George’s kind, supportive personality has shone through:
“This is all your fault,” George said angrily to Wood. “‘ Get the Snitch or die trying,’ what a stupid thing to tell him.” (CS10)
Quidditch is the passion of the entire wizarding world, especially those who participate. George Weasley is a Beater for the Gryffindor house Quidditch team, with Oliver Wood as his captain. With a whim, Wood could have any member dismissed and replaced. Regardless of this fact, George yells at his superior because Wood put another team member in danger by adopting a win-at-all-costs ultimatum.
“And me,” [Oliver] added as an afterthought.
“We think you’re very good, too, Oliver,” said George. (PA8)
After a frustrated Oliver Wood tries to build up team morale with praise, he pauses and adds his own name without much conviction. George immediately pipes up on behalf of the team (the use of “we” instead of “I”) and strengthens the self-esteem of their captain.
“This, Harry, is the secret of our success,” said George, patting the parchment fondly… “Anyway, we know [the Marauder’s Map] by heart,” said George. “We bequeath it to you. We don’t really need it anymore.” (PA10)
A scrap of parchment, the Marauder’s Map, is one of the most important mischief-enabling tools the Weasley twins possess. It has been a major part in aiding them to break rules and avoid getting caught. Though, from context, it is a given that both twins came to the conclusion to pass the map on to Harry, George is the one of the pair to say the words—which is probably even harder than the decision itself.
The statement that they “don’t really need it anymore” because of the aforementioned comment that they have it already memorized, cannot possibly be true. More than a mere map, this particular tool has the ability to locate and identify anyone on the Hogwarts grounds. It is also an aid in certain processes (e.g., Harry saw a miniature version of himself tapping the witch statue with his wand, thereby telling him how to gain access to the tunnel). By now, the twins must have realized how hard it was when they had to sneak around Hogwarts past curfew without the map and George Weasley agreed to give away the irreplaceable map, so that Harry may be aided in all future “adventures.”
“Fred—George—wait a moment.”
The twins turned. Harry pulled open his trunk and drew out the Triwizard winnings.
“Take it,” he said, and he thrust the sack into George’s hands.
“What?” said Fred, looking flabbergasted.
“Take it,” Harry repeated firmly. “I don’t want it.”
“You’re mental,” said George, trying to push it back at Harry. (GF37)
George may be poor and in desperate need of money, now that he and his twin plan on expanding their business (Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes), but his pride and sense of scruples preside over his wants. Given over a thousand Galleons, he hands it back only seconds later, not thinking of his own needs. While his twin just looks stunned, George takes action and tries to talk sense into Harry by handing the sack back. At Harry’s insistence, they keep it and George thanks him while his twin is only able to nod fervently at his side.
