The Weasley's

[suehpfan]

No: HPFGUIDX 89862

I am curious about the Weasley family history.  In CoS Lucius Malfoy 
says to Mr. Weasley "Associating with muggles, and I thought your 
family could sink no lower."  (I do not have my book in front of me 
so the exact quote.) If it isn't "muggles" then why are they low? 
Sirius refers to the family as "blood traitors" in OotP and Mrs. 
Black is also constantly shreiking the same insult. What makes 
a "blood traitor"?  

Malfoy's comment makes me wonder if perhaps there is something in the 
Weasley family's past which causes them to be disparaged by the rest 
of the "pure blood" group that we are not yet privy to.   I find it 
interesting that Arthur is the HEAD of a department, if he is 
incompetent (which I doubt) why not just never promote him?  I am 
sure there are 50 year old Jr. Assisstants floating around the 
ministry.  It seems to me that there must have been other Weasleys in 
the Ministry and Arthur (and all the rest of the Weasleys for that 
matter) might be paying the price for something someone did long ago. 
Perhaps..."Oh and this is a portrait of ****** Weasley, the most 
unpopular Minister of Magic in history."

Any ideas?
Sue (Who desperately wants Mrs. Weasley to survive so that at least 
one mother gets to see her grandchildren!)