[HPforGrownups] Snape and Percy (was: Authority and rule-breaking)

[Samaporn Teeravechyan]

No: HPFGUIDX 16128

At 09:16 PM 4/8/01 -0000, you wrote:

>> I also think that was what impressed him about Voldemort and what 
>>  made him join the DE. Their inner organisation is based on 
>> hierarchy, on orders and obedience, and for someone looking for 
>> respect and recognition at all costs, that sort of system is very 
>> inviting (just a side thought - that´s exactly why I think Percy 
>> Weasley will go over to the dark side, too).

The operative word here is 'at all costs' - which is why I strongly oppose
the idea of Percy Weasley joining Voldemort (I chose this wording because,
from the text, it seems as though JKR is hinting at the possibility - but I
think it's just another red herring). An extremely anal person (pardon the
American slang I picked up a few years back) is just as capable of
distinguishing between good/bad, right/wrong as the next person. The
comment that Percy would not hesitate to hand a family member over to the
Dementors (or something to that effect) means just that. He has a very
strong sense of duty that takes a front seat to emotional attachment.

While both Snape and Percy enjoy exercising power and enforcing rules,
Snape's actions seem to be dictated more by personal preference and an
unreliable emotional pendulum. Percy, on the other hand, is unwaveringly
strict (and stuffy). His principles form a steady compass that dictates
objective, unbiased (well, relatively so) and resolute action in face of
the smallest infraction of rules/the law. While his harshness and general
air of pomposity is often remniscent of Snape, let's not forget that, when
it boiled down to his concern over appearances versus Ron's welfare (end of
second task, GoF), we saw Percy racing pale-faced into the water to pull
his brother out.

Samaporn

P.S. Again, please note that this was written without being able to check
out the exact details from GoF.