The Secret Job of Arthur Weasley

[hermione_ew]

No: HPFGUIDX 40610

While waiting for OoP, I have been re-reading all of the old books, 
and one thing caught my attention: Arthur Weasley.  It seems that he 
is more than just a low ministry official working in the "Misuse of 
Muggle Artifacts" office.

He starts to play a role in CoS.  He comes back to the burrow after a 
NIGHT at work, talking about "nine raids".  If he was only looking 
for bewitched muggle artifacts, then why was he working at night?  
that work could have easily been done during the day.  Then, when 
Harry is hidden in Borgin and Burkes, in Knockturn Alley, he 
overhears Lucius Malfoy talking about selling some of his "items" 
because the Ministy is conducting more and more raids, and 
his "items" would embarrass him if the ministry were to call.  If 
Arthur was only looking for bewitched Muggle items, why would Lucius 
be worried?  The family obviously wants nothing to do with muggles or 
muggleborns.  I doubt that the Malfoys would waste their time 
bewitching muggle stuff if they don't want any contact with muggles 
at all.  Also, Arthur said that he would love to "get Lucius for 
something." if he only works for the "Misuse of Muggle Artifacts" 
office, then it wouldn't be possible for him to "Get" Malfoy Sr. for 
anything.  

There is also the fact that Arthur knows when Harry recieved the 
letter about not using Magic.  That sort of thing wouldn't be in his 
department, and He probably wouldn't know a thing about it.

There is more minor evidence in PoA.  First, Arthur once again knows 
when Harry accidentaly blows up his aunt.  Secondly, he states 
that "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs to look for [Sirius 
Black]"  If EVERYONE was pulled off their jobs, how would the 
ministry run?  Some people have to be doing their regular jobs, 
otherwise Muggles would find out about the wizarding world, as it is 
the ministry's job to keep them away from muggles.  And, if Arthur 
was as "junior" an official as Malfoy claims in GoF, then why would 
he be having direct contact with Fudge?  Arthur states in PoA, that 
Fudge didn't want Harry to know that Sirius was supposedly after 
him.  It appears that he has been talking directly to Fudge about the 
entire Black situation.  It is also apparent that he knows the entire 
story about Sirius as the Potter's secret keeper, when it is a story 
that is not widely known.  If he only worked with Muggles, then he 
probably wouldn't be working on these types of things.  

In GoF, even more evidence is presented.  First, the "running 
commentary" about the ministry officials.  At one point he gives the 
names of two 'unspeakables' from the department of mysteries.  If 
Boad and Croaker really were unspeakables, then it would follow that 
no one save the minister himself should even know who they are, much 
less a 'junior' official.  Later, after everyone is home, and they 
are working overtime after the appearance of the dark mark, Molly 
states that Arthur hasn't worked over time since the days of 
Voldemort's reign.   

At the end of GoF, Dumbledore says that Arthur is well positioned to 
act from withing the ministry, informing key people about Voldemort's 
return.  Dumbledore also wants Arthur to get the ministry involved 
under Fudge's nose.  

Athur is an intelligent man.  If he can figure out how to take apart 
a car, bewitch the parts to fly, and put it back together correctly, 
then is is reasonable to assume that he would remember words such as 
ESCALATORS and ELECTRICITY.  

My guess is that Arthur is an Auror working with Dumbledore to 
protect Harry, and fight against Voldemort.  I think that he is part 
of a small department in the ministry, which is second only to the 
minister himself.  The fascination that Arthur seems to have with 
muggles is an act.  I wouldn't be surprised if in the next three 
books, Arthur weasley is a key player for Dumbledore.

Hannah (Hermione's Muggle Twin)