OOP: JKR's message? (was Percy is Not Evil)

[jenny_ravenclaw]

No: HPFGUIDX 65537

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "joywitch_m_curmudgeon" 
<joym999 at a...> wrote:
 
> Yes, but assholes can *allow* a lot of evil things to happen -- just 
look at Fudge.  People who are ambitious and self-centered can 
convince themselves that it is ok to do a lot of very slimy things, 
like appoint Umbridge to be Headmaster of Hogwarts.  And Umbridge 
might as well have been a Death Eater, considering the damage she did.  
 
I tend to agree that Percy is unlikely to ever visit the Dark Mark 
Tatoo Parlor in Knockturn Alley, but he could do plently of damage.  I 
think he will be an active opponent of the Order in Books 6 and 7, 
since I'm sure Fudge will declare groups such as Dumbledore's Army and 
the Order of the Phoenix to disband.>

Moi:
True, true.  I'm not saying I excuse Percy's behavior, but I do 
understand it.  Percy, at this point, really really believes the MoM 
is right.  If they tell him Harry is a liar, he'll agree with no 
questions asked.  He thinks the MoM is on the side of Good as much as 
Harry, the Weasleys and Dumbledore *really* are on the side of Good.  
This is why I can't say that Percy will turn to the Dark Side - ever, 
out of choice.  He thinks he is helping!    

I also can't argue with the fact that Percy can do a lot of damage.  
In some ways, he is no different than Sirius Black's mother, who 
thought that Voldemort had the "right idea" when it came to ensuring 
the pure-bloodedness of witches and wizards.  Percy thinks the MoM has 
the right idea about keeping an eye on Hogwarts, even though we the 
readers know it is the worst idea ever and no good will ever come of 
it.  

Again, I am not saying that Percy should have sent the sweater back to 
Molly or ignored his father while he was in the hospital, but he 
doesn't have to believe what they do, either.  I mean, I love my dad, 
but he's a ::shudder:: Republican.

Ach, I've rewritten this about three times.  I hope it makes sense.

--jenny from ravenclaw, who'd abhor Percy in reality, especially if he 
came to her school to poke around 
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