Percy's House (long)

[princesspeaette]

No: HPFGUIDX 78499

Margaret wrote:
>Why isn't Percy in Slytherin?
> >
>If the defining charcteristic of Slytherins is "use any means to
>achieve their ends" (Percy sending back his mum's sweater, that's
>just wrong!) "Power hungry Slytherin loved those of great ambition"
>(definitly sounds like Percy) and the Weasleys are pureblood wizards
>as far back as anyone can remember, shouldn't he be?
>
>He seems like the type who's always wanted to be in the MoM, even
>before Hogwarts.
>
>I think JKR may have missed her chance for 'the good slytherin' here
>(assuming he shows some major redeeming qualities, including an
>apology for the sweater, in the last two books, until then, I'm
>counting him as evil-by-lack-of-goodness)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>Lori :
>Do you think that Fudge will remain Minister of Magic? And if he 
>doesn't who do you think would want that post, Maybe someone like Mr 
>Crouch, someone that is Percy! And given the fact that he is a 
>Weasley he would be well liked by most of the WW. Regardless of his 
>falling out with his parents. Percy to me should have been a 
>slytherin but choose to be in Gryffindor because of his family. 
>Weasley's are braver then most.  <snipped>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>bibphile : 
>Yes, but just because Percy is ambitious doesn't mean he's not 
>brave. <snipped>
>Besides, Percy ins't willing to "use any means." Or at least he 
>hasn't shown himself to be yet. If he were, he'd have stayed closed 
>to his family and spied on them (like Athur suggested was the intent 
>of his promotion) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Lisa :
>I agree with you Margaret. I've asked this before...isn't anyone 
>concerned that Harry found Percy reading a book called "Prefects Who 
>Gained Power" or some subject to that liking? It happened in PS/SS, 
>I believe. <snipped>
 I think he was placed in Gryffindor on precedence... 
>Charlie/Bill. It is my understanding that the Sorting Hat does not 
>know definitely which house a student belongs it, it just makes its 
>best guess. If it knew Charlie and Bill, or remembered them for that 
>fact, the Hat may just have grouped him as a Weasley.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Me again: 

I admit there is some merit to the argument that if Percy was really 
evil he would have stayed and spyed on his family and Dumbledore.  
But I think that was his pride talking, not his integrity.  He was 
offended by the idea that Fudge only made him junior undersecretary 
or whatever it was, to spy on his family.  Percy believes firmly in 
his own worth.  (And he was seen reading a copy of 'Prefects Who 
Gained Power: A Study of Hogwarts Prefects and Their Later Careers' 
in CoS ch 4, pg 58 US softcover)  I just hope the proof of Fudge's 
covering up of the whole Voldemort's Back issue will cure him of his 
misguided faith in the MoM. 

(I think Fudge will do some MAJOR damage control and hold onto his 
tile as Minister, but it would be better for everyone if he got the 
boot.  Then again, that's probably why he'll stay.  ARTHUR WEASLEY 
FOR MINISTER OF MAGIC! Who's with me?)



And just because he's shown some bravery (though I don't think he 
has, you can't use the "all Weasley's are brave" argument, you could 
just as easily say "all Blacks are evil" in regards to Sirius, if 
Percy's brave, I don't see any canon for it) 
doesn't mean anything.  As Phineas Nigellus said:

"We Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid. For instance, given 
the choice, we will always choose to save our own necks". (OoP pg495 
US hardcover)

Sounds like Percy sending back his mum's sweater doesn't it?  Or 
saying he has nothing to do with his father, who's reputation has 
been holding him (Percy) back at the ministry?


The argument for being sorted into Gryffindor on the basis of family 
ties doesn't really hold up.  Pavarti and Padma Patil are identical 
twins, but they're in different houses.

But for there to be any surprise in Percy's defection to the MoM 
(what little there was) in OoP, he would have to have been in 
Gryffindor.



~Margaret,
Who's still upset about the sweater thing.