What about Percy?

[i_tuan]

No: HPFGUIDX 72740

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "mhershey2001" <mhersheybar at h...> 
wrote:
> This is my first post
> 
> What I have been wondering is what significance Percy will have in 
> the upcoming books.  There was so much foreshadowing of a Percy split 
> before book 5, I wonder if it was a red herring, or if we will be 
> seeing a greater significance.  I previously thought Percy would end 
> up a supporter of/under the influence of LV because he craved power 
> and importance so much, but now I am wondering if he will stick on 
> the MoM side, now that it seems that the MoM will be more closely 
> aligned with the OoP.

I think you were on the right track before.

Percy's an importance addict (not *too* uncommon for mamas' boys);  he needs 
"important" people to "rely on" him;  he needs to feel special.  Given his brazen 
toadying to Crouch, Fudge & Umbridge (sounds like a law firm), it seems he's not 
choosy about who yanks his chain, or for what purpose.

I'm quite convinced that FU - excuse me, Fudge & Umbridge are (if not evil, then at 
least) thoroughly compromised by their association w/ Malfoy pere (and 
company?)...and, through them, the entire Ministry is compromised.  Percy is either too 
dim to notice (not likely), or too committed to his path to afford the luxury of second-
thoughts (he having burned his family bridges right properly).

I expect that Percy will cling tightly to Fudge's coat-tails, and fight his father's efforts to 
clean up the MoM most strenuously - and in doing so will burn still more bridges, only 
to find that he's in WAY over his head - and in very bad company, to boot.  He will land 
in this fix because he's not *just* emotionally attached to being important - he's also 
emotionally attached to NOT having to apologise to his parents for his high-handed, 
short-sighted, and miseably ungrateful behaviour.  Being so attached, he runs a grave 
risk of being very stupid just when he most needs to be very smart indeed.

Not to develop a scenario or anything, but imagine if you will the hapless and 
crumbling Fudge, in imminent danger of being forcibly driven from the MoM for the 
Heinous Mis-handling Of Everything, is desperately searching for a way to save his 
bacon when someone approaches with an offer he can't refuse - perhaps a personal 
Dementor guard, or a "Citizen's Group, Willing To Help Maintain Order in These 
Troubled Times".  Desperate and gullible, he takes the bait, and in the ensuing chaos, 
Rodent & the DEs move quickly to secure both the Ministry (thru Figurehead Fudge) and 
the Daily Prophet (with aid & comfort from PW?), while Crabbe/Goyle peres roam the 
countryside with their bully squads.  With the WW effectively in hand (and Muggle 
attacks skyrocketing), Hogwart's would be isolated, relatively easy to pick off, and 
Dumbledore's focus would be divided between the need to protect the Wizarding AND 
Muggle worlds, defend Hogwarts & its students, and take the fight to the DEs.

The useless figurehead (Fudge) and his semi-faithful igor (Percy) are, of course, 
helpless, expendable, and in the way.  It will not surprise me when they do not survive.