OOtP: Misunderstood Molly (Was Molly's Shortcomings)

[Mary]

No: HPFGUIDX 66436

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" <drednort at a...> 
wrote:
> It's hard to describe what its like when you've been working like a
> maniac for thirty hours straight and you walk into a place where 
> there's a hot meal, or even just a cup of tea waiting for you (-8.
> 
> I'm sure Molly would be perfectly capable of doing other things - 
and
> perfectly willing too. But her contribution is important even as it 
> is.
> 
> And, frankly, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Order is 
keeping 
> her doing what she is doing *because* she has Ron and Ginny to take 
> care of. She still has minor children in her care, and while we see 
> the Order say that they will take care of them if they have to, 
they 
> must know the best thing they can do for those kids is keep Molly 
> Weasley alive.

Now me:

Are we sure that Molly is just cookin', cleanin', and naggin' the 
hell out of everybody? ;)  I, like everyone else, blew through the 
book in a couple of days, but I'm reading it aloud to my family now, 
and catching a few of J.K.R.'s "throwaways."  We just read chapter 
17, in which Sirius has a conversation with the trio about setting up 
D.A. He dutifully recounts Molly's message to them to cease and 
desist their little adventure, then explains that:  
     
     "She would have written all this to you, but if the owl had been 
intercepted, you all would have been in real trouble, and she can't 
say it for herself because she's on duty for tonight." 
     "On duty doing what?" said Ron quickly.
     "Never you mind, just stuff for the Order." said Sirius. 
(pg 371 U.S.)

What everyone forgets is that just about everyone in the Order is in 
the business of risking life and limb to protect those they love. 
Emotions are running high, and things are said in the heat of the 
moment that probably should not be said.  Molly, especially, has more 
at risk than anyone.  There is no greater source of anxiety to a 
mother than having her children in danger - and all of hers (and yes -
Harry is included here) are.  Many moms will do anything - SAY 
anything to keep them safely under her control. It may not be 
healthy, but it IS human. That's why I love J.K.R.'s portrayal of 
Molly.  She is NOT June Cleaver, as mentioned in another post - she 
is scattered and distracted, unorganized and cranky - but she makes a 
home (not a perfect one, but a reasonably happy one) whereever she 
is, and loves her family fiercely.  So fiercely, that she tends to 
blunder when she feels them slipping away from her - hence her 
strained relationship with her twins, and her nearly hysterical joy 
at Ron becoming a prefect. Is her behavior wildly inconsistent?  You 
bet! That's what makes her such an interesting character, and the one 
I identify most closely with. The fact that she's carrying these 
tremendous fears around with her, even as she risks her own life for 
the order raises her to goddess status in my book.
          
-Mary (Another plump, red-headed mom who would love to tip a few back 
with Molly and see what truths emerge)