You’re exploring the dusty corridors of Hogwarts in the 1890s, and suddenly, you see it. That shock of red hair. The name "Weasley" pops up on your screen. If you're like most fans, your brain immediately goes to Ron. But how exactly does Professor Matilda Weasley fit into that famous, slightly chaotic lineage? Honestly, it’s not as straightforward as just drawing a line from the Deputy Headmistress down to the Burrow.
The Matilda Weasley family tree is one of those deep-lore puzzles that Hogwarts Legacy players and Potterheads have been obsessing over since the game dropped. We know she’s a Weasley. We know she has that "true Gryffindor" spark. But the gap between her era and Harry Potter's time is roughly a century. That’s a lot of generations to account for.
The Deputy Headmistress and her Place in the Lineage
Matilda wasn't just some random teacher. She was a powerhouse. Before she took over the Transfiguration department and became the right hand to the (fairly useless) Phineas Nigellus Black, she was a Curse-Breaker for the Ministry of Magic. This is a huge detail. Why? Because it’s a career path we see again much later with Bill Weasley. It seems the knack for dangerous, high-stakes magic runs in the blood.
But here is where things get tricky. Is she Ron's great-grandmother? A distant aunt?
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Actually, the evidence suggests Matilda might not be a direct ancestor at all. According to The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy, Matilda had a bit of a whirlwind romance with a man named Paul while they were both working as freelance Curse-Breakers. They traveled the world, but eventually, Matilda wanted the stability of a settled life—something Paul wasn't interested in. They split up. By the time we meet her in the game, she appears to be unmarried and, as far as the lore goes, childless.
So, if she didn't have kids, how does the name continue?
The Garreth Weasley Connection
Enter Garreth Weasley. You’ve probably seen him blowing things up in the Potions classroom or asking you to steal Fwooper feathers. He is Matilda’s nephew. This is the "smoking gun" for the Matilda Weasley family tree.
Since Garreth carries the Weasley name, we know Matilda had at least one brother. In some lore circles and game files, this brother is referred to as "G. Weasley." If we’re looking for the direct line to Arthur and Ron, it almost certainly goes through Garreth or one of his siblings.
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- Matilda Weasley: The stern but kind aunt, likely childless.
- G. Weasley: Matilda’s brother (the father of Garreth).
- Garreth Weasley: The mischievous nephew and likely ancestor to the modern Weasley clan.
It’s easy to see the family resemblance in Garreth. He has that Fred-and-George-style penchant for trouble and a love for experimenting with magical brews. Most lore experts place Matilda as Ron’s great-great-great-great aunt. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but the math checks out given the 1890 timeline.
Breaking Down the Generations
To bridge the gap between Hogwarts Legacy and the 1990s, we have to look at the "Sacred Twenty-Eight." The Weasleys are famously part of this list of pure-blood families, even if they hate the "blood purity" obsession.
Around the 1930s, we find Septimus Weasley. He’s a crucial branch in this tree. Septimus married Cedrella Black (who was struck off her own family tree for marrying a "blood traitor"). Septimus and Cedrella are Ron’s grandparents.
Now, if we work backward:
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- Ron Weasley (born 1980)
- Arthur Weasley (his father)
- Septimus Weasley (Arthur’s father, born roughly 1910s-1920s)
- Septimus’s Father (likely born in the late 1800s)
This "Septimus’s Father" figure is where the Hogwarts Legacy characters likely sit. Garreth Weasley is a fifth-year in 1890, meaning he was born around 1875. By the time Septimus is born in the early 20th century, Garreth would be the right age to be a father or even a grandfather.
Why Matilda Matters to the Lore
Some might say, "Who cares? It’s just a cameo." But it’s more than that. Matilda represents a version of the Weasley family before they were "poor." In the 1890s, the Weasleys were clearly well-respected. Matilda holds one of the highest positions at Hogwarts. She is exceptionally talented, sophisticated, and carries a lot of authority.
It adds a layer of bittersweet history to the family. They didn't always live in a house held together by magic and luck (though the Burrow is charming). They were once at the very top of the academic and Ministry food chains.
Common Misconceptions
- "Matilda is Ron's Great-Grandmother": Probably not. As mentioned, her backstory with Paul suggests she chose her career and Hogwarts over starting a family of her own.
- "The Weasleys were always 'Blood Traitors'": In Matilda’s time, this term wasn't used as much. She was respected by the pure-blood-obsessed Phineas Nigellus Black, which says a lot about her standing.
- "Garreth is Arthur's father": The dates don't quite align for Garreth to be Arthur's dad, but he's almost certainly his grandfather or a close grand-uncle.
What This Means for Your Next Playthrough
When you’re talking to Professor Weasley in the Room of Requirement, you’re looking at the foundation of the family we love. She embodies the "Gryffindor way"—protecting the underdog (the player) and standing up against dark forces like Ranrok and Rookwood.
If you want to dive deeper into the Matilda Weasley family tree, pay close attention to the letters found around the castle. There are small hints about her Ministry days and her relationship with her brother. It’s these tiny, non-scripted details that make the connection feel real.
To get the full picture of the lineage, you should track down the "Art and Making of" book for the game. It confirms the specifics of her relationship with Paul and why she ended up back at Hogwarts. Also, keep an eye on the Black family tree in the game; while the Weasleys aren't on it yet (that doesn't happen until Cedrella marries Septimus decades later), the proximity of the two families at Hogwarts sets the stage for everything that happens in the books.
Next time you see Garreth brewing something suspicious in the common room, just remember—you're looking at the guy who likely kept the Weasley name alive so Ron could eventually help save the world.