J.K. Rowling's known for offering up interesting little tidbits about her Harry Potter characters. Among the latest offerings is the reveal of which Weasley twin came first. If you've read the books closely enough, you may be able to guess...
As one fan pointed out, F does come before G. And we can add that Fred's name is usually said before George when they're referred to as "Fred and George" in the books. But that might not be the only "obvious" clue that Fred was born before his twin brother George. While the duo are often featured together in the Harry Potter books, there are little indicators of their differences worked into the text.
While both tend to be on the same page about things, Fred does seem to be a bit more vocal than his brother. He often reacts first when the two are addressed, and is probably more likely to speak on behalf of both twins than George is. Prime example, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Fred spoke on behalf of himself and his brother when he grandly announced to Umbridge that they were leaving the school to start their own joke shop.
Fred's also demonstrated himself to be the louder of the Weasley twins. In Goblet of Fire, he was the one to call out "You're joking!" to Dumbledore, when the Hogwarts headmaster revealed to the school that the Triwizard Tournament was happening at Hogwarts. And he asked Angelina to the Yule Ball by shouting the request across the room.
Of course, it would be a pretty big generalization to suggest that the louder or more forthright twin is assumed to have been born first. But seeing Fred and George as they're presented to us in the books, it's easy to see why Rowling would think it was obvious that Fred arrived before his brother. To put it simply, if I were to imagine Fred and George queued up to be born, it's not difficult to picture an infant George stepping aside and allowing Fred to make the grand entrance. Wouldn't that be a perfect introduction to the comfortable and wonderful dynamic that existed between these twins?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows spoilers ahead...
This revelation is surely bittersweet for fans, as it's another reminder that not only did Fred enter this world first, but he also exited first. Fred Weasley died during the Battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, leaving George to represent the Weasley twins in all their playful, pranking glory.
