Undercover Percy

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 81006

First I wanted to comment on post 80982 from Deidre saying that 
the "Percy as a git" theme has been building since Book 1, and Jim in 
post 80999 who stated:

"We've seen Percy go further and further down that road. As Hermione
became more and more her own person and no longer a slave to rules and
conformity (although rules still matter to her), Percy became more and
more a slave. He turned his thinking and conscience over to his 
bosses."

That is exactly how I first read Percy's character in OOTP, and it's 
*exactly* the reason why I think the "Percy as a Git" theme should 
come into question now. 

We are being led to believe Percy's character in OOTP was just the 
natural progression for him.  Not too long ago, we were led to 
believe Snape was the bad guy in PS/SS, Draco was the heir of 
Slytherin in COS, Sirius was a murderous traitor in POA, and Fake!
Moody was really on Harry's side in GOF.  None of these proved true 
and I was surprised every single time (well, maybe not with Draco!).

His personality as a git *has* been building: He was definitely a 
sufferable know-it-all and toady in GOF, and it's very possible the 
humiliation he suffered from the inquiry over Crouch, Sr. was enough 
to send him over the edge and into Fudge's office. 

There are also omissions and other evidence that don't add up, and 
could be explained by Undercover!Percy (not all ideas are mine, just 
summarizing this thread and "Percy" thread):

1.  How did Percy get promoted after an inquiry at work over the 
Crouch, Sr. affair?

2.  Who notified Dumbledore about the change in trial date?

3. The Letter--option 1: Code Letter. The Letter to Ron is sent at 
night when Percy states Ron will be "alone." Huh? Since when? No, 
night is the time when no teachers or high inquisitors are around. 
The Letter also contains odd phrases, discrepancies (i.e., Umbridge's 
role at Hogwarts) and happens to appear in the same chapter where 
Harry sends a "code letter" to Sirius. 

4.  The Letter--option 2:  Tampered with by Umbridge.  Even though 
she hasn't passed her decree to that effect yet, Umbridge is already 
trying to tamper with mail (i.e., the dung bomb tip to Filch when he 
tries to catch Harry sending his letter to Sirius).  

5. Isn't it interesting Percy's Letter is sent after Harry's Letter 
and before Sirius appears in the fire? Percy is in Fudge's office and 
knows that if he wants to send a letter to Hogwarts, now is the time 
before communication is essentially cut off. And he would also know 
Umbridge might already be trying to intercept mail.

6.  Percy's respect for Dumbledore--canon.

7. Percy and Penelope--we are given a clue she's Muggle-born in COS 
since she is petrified (it could be wrong-place, wrong-time, but we 
don't know). "Percy the git" theory would say he broke up with her to 
further his grab for power. Wouldn't we hear about that though, as 
further evidence for his complete break with his past life and 
continuing "git-ness?" What better example could F/G give for Percy 
going over the edge than him breaking up with a girl because she's a 
Muggle. 

I'm sure there's more--hg chime in, please--but this is getting long 
and looking suspiciously like a TBAY...I'll close with a good quote 
by hermionegallo:

> Kelly said that "it all comes down to DD's statement about the 
> choices we  make rather than birth being the deciding factor in our 
> lives (CoS)."  I totally agree.  Percy could have been faced with 
> making a very difficult choice: hiding something important from his 
> family and pretending to disown them, for the sake of a greater 
> cause.  

Jen Reese