OoP: Molly's relations

[Aesha Williams]

No: HPFGUIDX 65942

    Yikes, I almost forgot the OoP warning *and* put a spoiler in the heading! Man, I can't wait until spoiler time is over so I don't freak out about almost making a mistake like that again. And right after I was taken off of moderated status!
    Anyway... I have read the posts regarding Molly's familial relations with much interest. That was actually one of the most interesting things in the book, IMO. Like many, I'm curious as to who Harry is related to- JKR has made us think thus far that James was a pureblood wizard (I can't recall right now if she's said as much, but just the fact that she's made mention many times of the fact that Lily is muggle born and not so much as a hint that James could be is where I'm coming from). I think it's fairly safe to say that Sirius and James aren't related, though they could be related-by-relations (as in, they have the same cousins or something). I actually don't think he could be related to any of the Marauders, except for Peter- if it was Sirius or Lupin he was related to, that would just give Harry a family like he's always wanted. If it was Peter, however, who was a cousin or something (which is perhaps why they were friends to begin with- he's such a weakling and seemingly out of their league), then why would they tell Harry? That the only wizarding relative he knows is still alive is the one who's actions directly caused the death of his parents? I really, really hope she lets us in on who some of his relatives are in future books. It seems almost ridiculous that she hasn't thus far, especially with the in-depth family tree she presented us with for Sirius. Unless she's saving Harry's family tree for a future book, of course. 
    Anyway- my whole point in sending this email was because I wanted to note that quite a few people, when discussing Molly's relationship with Sirius, are saying she's a maternal cousin. Forgive me if I'm incorrect, but I don't remember reading anywhere in OoP *which* side of the family she was from. I must admit, this "cousin by marriage" thing is interesting. Obviously it can't be that Arthur is Sirius' cousin and that's why they're cousins by marriage- well, I won't say obviously, but it would just be a lot easier to say "Arthur is my cousin" than "Molly is my cousin by marriage", so I'm making an assumption here. So either Molly *is* in fact a Malfoy, Lestrange, or... well, she can't be a Tonk, because she's pureblood. So we've got Malfoy, Lestrange, or is the sister of the husband of one of Sirius' unknown maternal cousins, if he indeed has any. I'm wondering if perhaps Molly isn't indeed Molly Malfoy- maybe that's why Malfoy Sr. takes such cheap shots at Arthur and the Weasley clan all the time. Draco did say something along the lines of "You must be a Weasley... father says they all have red hair and more children than they can afford" in SS. We've yet to hear anything about the Weasleys, yet Lucius seems to know them well enough to make this statement. Also, it's never been said- that I can recall, at least, though it's been probably at least 6 months since I've read any HP with the exception of OoP- that *Molly* has red hair as well. Though the rules of genetic inheritance supports this, I think... I can't find my genetics text to look it up. Anyway, my suggestion is that she is Molly Malfoy, older sister of our dear Lucius, who shamed the family when she was sorted into Gryffindor and later made it worse by marrying a Muggle-loving fool. Of course there's things wrong with this... Molly is said to have a cousin that's an accountant, so he's either a muggle (and a cousin by marriage) or was born a Squib. So she wouldn't be the only "outcast". 
    This brings up another question. Of course the wizarding world kind of looks down on Squibs... but I wonder, which is worse in the eyes of the Death Eaters? A muggle or a squib?
    I'm sure there's more I'll think about once I send this off... I have a feeling I'm forgetting something.

Aesha

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