Percy (Was: "What's Arthur been up to")

[hermionegallo]

No: HPFGUIDX 80912

"Kath Lane" <diversity33 at h...> wrote: Post 80753


> >from hg's original post "What's Arthur been up to"
> >"Either way, it seems clear that something happened
> >with Percy: it was either right before the third Triwizard task, or
> >it was after that argument with Arthur; but something happened that
> >changed him."

K replies:
> There is a similar inconsistency with Fudge's attitude though --
> in POA he says "You-know-you alone and friendless is one thing,
> but give him his most faithful servant back and I dread to think
> how soon he'll rise again" (approximately). But in GOF he totally
> disbelieves in this return, even though he thinks the servant
> (Sirius in his eyes) has escaped to assist Voldemort.
> 
> Probably it is just a JKR mistake instead of deep plot significance!
> 
> K

hg's response:
I would in no way consider either scenario a mistake on JK's part.  I 
think Fudge has good (for him) reasons to wholly deny the return of 
Voldemort.  It will threaten his position in the ministry, mayhem and 
chaos will engulf the WW and he knows he's not the leader to try to 
rein that in.  He's asked Dumbledore's advice for years, and he's now 
certainly relying on Malfoy's advice (happily doled out with a bit of 
gold for good measure).  He's terrified and choosing to bury his head 
in the sand.
There is a clear change in Percy from the last we see and hear of him 
in GoF to when he first shows up in OoP, and all the way through OoP, 
each time we see him the point is driven home farther that he's way 
over the top.  When did you ever see him guffawing along when the 
Minister made a derisve comment, before OoP?  When did he ever write 
such a long-winded, fawning letter?  And, as Entropy said just today 
in post 80904, when did Percy ever refer to Harry as "Harry Potter," 
or "Potter," or anything other than "Harry," for that matter?
I'm open to speculations as to WHY Percy has changed, but I am 
sticking by my observation that there has indeed been a change in him.

hg.