Weatherby

[davewitley]

No: HPFGUIDX 37720

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "grey_wolf_c" <greywolf1 at j...> wrote:
> 
> I don't think that Crouch Sr. is confused at that point. More 
probably, 
> he gets Percy's name wrong the first time and Percy never corrects 
him 
> (he is to awed of his authority), so Crouch really believes he's 
> getting it right.
> 
There is an alternative explanation for the fact that Crouch calls 
Percy 'Weatherby'.

We know that at the beginning of COS, Malfoy is wandering round 
Diagon Alley, planting dangerous magical books on Weasleys.  We find 
that at that time Percy is engrossed in a deeply boring book 
entitled 'Prefects who Gained Power', subtitle something like A study 
of the later careers of Hogwarts alumni.

It could be that this book, with its obviously Slytherin theme, was 
constructed by a Dark wizard named Weatherby, who gradually takes 
over the reader in the same way Riddle took over Ginny.  On hearing a 
code word which indicates the victim is in the MOM (the 
phrase 'cauldron bottoms' springs to mind), Weatherby takes over 
completely, and only relinquishes control when the victim leaves the 
ministry.

So Crouch is just calling Percy by the name he answers to at the MOM.

No, I don't believe it either.

David