Undercover Percy: who notified Dumbledore?

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 81030

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Grey Wolf" <greywolf1 at j...> 
wrote:
> > n_longbottom01: 
> > > 2.  Who notified Dumbledore about the change in trial date?
> > > 
> > 

<snipped>

> 
> I don't think Percy is a spy for Dumbledore, but if he is he's so 
> undercover (looking that much of a git means he's *really* 
undercover, 
> IMO) he wouldn't risk blowing it for such a minor matter as a 
change of 
> time for a hearing.
> 


Geoff:
I'm afraid I don't agree at all that this is a "minor matter". I get 
a distinct impression that the change of time and venue had been 
deliberately designed so that Harry would be late which would count 
against him in the eyes of those who supported Fudge and Dumbledore 
would miss the hearing and that it was a plot to discredit Harry and 
also find him guilty. 

Let's take a look at canon.......

"A cold male voice rang across the courtroom. 
'You're late.'
'Sorry,' said Harry nervously, 'I - I didn't now the time had been 
changed.'
'That is not the Wizengamot's fault,' said the voice, 'An owl was 
sent to you this morning. Take your seat'".

"'Very well,' said Fudge, 'The accused being present - finally - let 
us begin....'"

Not guaranteed to help the state of mind of a 15 year old being 
trated as if he was guilty of a triple murder judging by the number 
of Wizengamot members present.

"'Ah,' said Fudge, who looked thoroughly disconcerted. 'Dumbledore. 
Yes. You - er - get our - er - message that the time and - er - place 
of the hearing had been changed then?'
'I must have missed it,' said Dumbledore cheerfully. 'However, due to 
a lucky mistake, I arrived at the Ministry three hours early, so no 
harm done.'
'Yes - well - I suppose we'll need another chair - I - Weasley, could 
you - ?'

My reaction at that point even on first reading was "Liar. You 
weren't expewcting him because you'd tried to stop him. I bet an owl 
never went."

If Dumbledore had not been there, Harry would probably have had to 
try to defend himself and what would the outcome have been? Were they 
preapred to pack him off to Azkaban or just expel him to remove any 
influence he might have?

Definitely smacks of modern totalitarian states......