[HPforGrownups] Re: Thoughts on Muggles with Wizards

[yr awen]

No: HPFGUIDX 42420

Brenda said:
  Also, regarding a mention about Arthur Weasley while at Hogwarts, I think he 
  was probably there with Lucius Malfoy because Lucius is always making 
  comments on how slowly Arthur is climbing up the ladder of success at the 
  MOM.  Something one would say to a schoolmate of whom greater things were 
  expected (if not by Malfoy- at least by the rest of the school). <<<<<<<<<

  According to the dates given in the HP Lexicon, as derived from random comments in the series, the only way Lucius could have attended Hogwarts with Arthur is if he was entering his first year at some point after the re-opening of the Chamber of Secrets by Tom Riddle and Hagrid's installation as the new Groundskeeper, all of which took place 50 years ago as of CoS. In CoS, Draco inadvertently tells the disguised Harry and Ron that the re-opening was before his father went to Hogwarts, and in GoF, Molly remembers Ogg, the ex-Groundskeeper who Hagrid ended up replacing. The Chamber opening would have to have taken place before Lucius' entrance into Hogwarts, but Luciou while Arthur was still there (maybe Arthur would be in seventh and Lucius in first year, or something.)

  The thing, though, is that it's common opinion regarding Arthur's slow ascent up the Ministry hierarchy. Lucius is probably very aware of that, and plays on it as best he can -- assuming Arthur started at the Ministry right out of school, he's been there a long time without much in the way of advancement. In GoF, Molly tells Dumbledore that Arthur's love of Muggles has kept him back for several years, position-wise:

  "There is work to be done," [Dumbledore] said. "Molly... am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"

  "Of course you can," said Mrs. Weasley. She was white to the lips, but she looked resolute. "We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride."

  Arthur's slightly non-majority opinions have been influential in preventing him from becoming the political force he, at least according to Molly, is quite capable of being. Dumbledore continues on to say, though, that Arthur is "well-placed" to contact those people who can be swayed to Dumbledore's cause. Additionally, Arthur *is* a respected member of the wizarding community and the Weasley family is still considered a prominent one.

  I'll be interested to see what Arthur's role in OoP is, but I'm sure he'll prove Fudge more than wrong in the 'proper wizarding pride' department :-) He'll prove Lucius wrong, too, and Lucius plays on the same 'pride' issue as Fudge seems to do. Most of his insults, when not referring to the Weasleys' financial situation, are targeted at Arthur's pro-Muggle stance and consequent lack of pride in his status as a wizard.

  HF.


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