Filch the Traitor?

[Tom Wall]

No: HPFGUIDX 55343

I've suspected for a while that Filch would turn out to be the 
turncoat. After all, classical history teaches us that a seige never 
succeeds unless there's a traitor within the castle/city (exceptions 
being clever maneuvering by the enemy, ala Troy.)

Taking that into account, Filch is an ominous possibility, because 
he has an extensive knowledge of the grounds and the secrets of 
Hogwarts that (I bet) rivals even Dumbledore's knowledge of the 
school.


Sarah wrote:
Is it possible that one day Filch might make a bargain with 
Voldemort in exchange for magical abilities and sell Harry out?

I reply:
I couldn't agree with you more - after all, Filch's 'squibbiness' is 
a plot item that has gone *nowhere* since we learned about it in 
CoS. In that sense, unless we find out that JKR has a use for that 
before book 7, (and I'm sure that it'll come up again, and that it's 
not meant for the GARBAGE SCOW) I think that Filch is the prime 
inside candidate for treachery.

Now, whether or not such powers *can* be awarded, we don't yet know. 
That'd be some pretty powerful magic, to do that, though.

What we do know is that Filch does seem to possess a rather 
vindictive personality. For instance, in CoS, when Mrs. Norris is 
petrified, we see: 

"My cat has been Petrified!" he shrieked, his eyes popping. "I want 
to see some *punishment!*" (CoS, US paperback, Ch.9, 144)

And there was no punishment dealt out... giving Filch one possible 
grudge against Dumbledore.

Another? Peeves.

"...You've gone and stolen a Triwizard clue, Peeves... Dumbledore'll 
have you out of here for this, you filthy, pilfering poltergeist..." 
(GoF, US paperback, Ch.25, 468)

and:

"...it might be my chance to get him thrown out of the castle once 
and for all -" (GoF, US paperback, Ch.25, 470)

Filch, we see repeatedly, doesn't just "not like" Peeves. He detests 
him. He *loathes* him. And he wants him removed, no doubts about 
that. I read this as an ongoing battle, not any kind of recent 
development. So, it's another case where Dumbledore isn't doing what 
Filch wants.

And then, again and again we see Filch's anger towards the students 
that make his life harder, tracking mud and glop around the school, 
making messes in the dungeons that he has to clean, without the aid 
of magic. And to boot, we haven't heard any reason in canon thus far 
regarding what, if any, loyalty he has (or should have) to 
Dumbledore.

Never mind how Mrs. Norris is connected to all of this... ;-)

Yep - I think Filch is an excellent candidate for the position 
of "disgruntled, dissatisfied traitor, led away by false promises 
from the enemy."

-Tom