When Did Bill Weasley Get Attacked by Greyback?

In the intricate narrative of the Harry Potter series, Bill Weasley's encounter with Fenrir Greyback is a pivotal moment. However, the specific timing of this attack remains a point of intrigue, especially considering how it unfolded in the films compared to the books.

Book Recount and Film Omission

When Bill Weasley was attacked by Fenrir Greyback, the books provide a detailed explanation of the events leading up to it. Yet, in the films, this attack is absent, making it even more mysterious how Fenrir managed to attack Bill when the Order of the Phoenix specifically guarded Hogwarts during this period.

The Anti-Death Eater Vigil

Harry and Dumbledore ventured into the cave where Voldemort had hidden the locket, and as they did, they asked some members of the Order of the Phoenix to patrol the corridors of Hogwarts. Additionally, Dumbledore assigned teachers to guard the corridors:

The book mentions that Dumbledore asked Lupin, Tonks, and Bill to patrol the corridors in his absence, while Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Luna remained at specific locations.

This preparation was crucial to maintaining security, as Draco Malfoy had discovered a way to bring Death Eaters into the school through Borgin and Burkes.

Malfoy's Treachery

Malfoy's involvement in this assault on Bill Weasley is a fan-favorite detail. During the fight atop the Astronomy Tower, Draco mentioned stepping over a body, indicating that someone had been killed. However, the casualty turned out to be Bill, who had been attacked by Greyback.

Malfoy stated, "We decided to put the Dark Mark over the tower and get you to hurry up here to see who’d been killed." — This revelation speaks volumes about Malfoy's treachery and Mark’s significance to Voldemort.

When Harry asked about the dead body, Ginny mentioned that it was Bill, who, although attacked, managed to survive.

The Battle Commences

Beyond the preparation, the actual event of Bill's attack unfolded during the initial skirmish. The following excerpt illustrates the chaos and intensity of the fight:

“Gibbon was down but the rest of the Death Eaters seemed ready to fight to the death. Neville had been hurt... Bill had been savaged by Greyback..." — Reminiscence by Tonks featuring Italyana Gibbon, Neville, and Bill.

As the fight intensified, more Death Eaters fled the scene, leaving Neville to face a cursed stair and ultimately bringing Bill to the brink of danger.

Conclusion: Unifying Continuity

While the film adaptation leaves a gap in the narrative, the books offer a clearer depiction of Bill's encounter with Greyback and its impact on the Order. This event serves as a pivotal point in the series, illustrating the harsh reality of the Dark Wizard era and the struggle for survival amidst intense battles and treacherous alliances.