Percy's Letter (Was: Is Percy a spy?)

[Kim]

No: HPFGUIDX 111068

Hello!

I rarely post, but I really love this topic; I must begin by saying 
that I felt genuinely betrayed by Percy-- until I read OOTP twice 
and ran into a couple of theories regarding Percy here on the list.  
Now I am definitely siding with the "Percy is a top secret spy" 
camp, mostly because of the letter he writes to Ron.  In my book, 
the American hardcover edition, the letter is found on pages 297 and 
298 and all quotes below are found on those pages. 

A couple of months ago, I read a post here about this same issue 
(I'm sorry, I don't remember the name of the poster and can't seem 
to find the post!) that mentioned just how much Percy gives away in 
the letter.  The poster posited that Percy was, in fact, working for 
the order, and the letter gives many very important clues.  After 
reading the post, I went back to the letter and was surprised by how 
much information really is handed to the trio in that letter.

First of all, the letter is received on the evening before Umbridge 
becomes "High Inquisitor" and things get very, very bad at 
Hogwarts.  And, according to the Daily Prophet article that arrives 
the next morning, the move to make her High Inquisitor occurred 
during the night.  Percy must have fired off his letter to Ron 
rather quickly, perhaps right after the MoM decision.  He also knew 
that the Prophet would have the information for the morning's paper 
and that the students would know about the move right away.  If 
Percy is on the side of the MoM, why write with such haste, if not 
to warn the trio?  Why not just let them find out on their own?

The opening two paragraphs of the letter are sheer Percy Weasley, 
written to throw anyone who might be reading the mail.  And remember-
- we are constantly reminded, from the beginning of OOTP, that the 
mail is not safe.  Percy would know this, and gives a clue right in 
the opening lines of the letter when he states his connections (MOM, 
Umbridge).  He seems to be saying, "Dear Ron, Big Brother is 
watching!  Listen up."

Paragraph three furthers this idea: "But I want to give you more 
than congratulations, Ron, I want to give you some advice, which is 
why I am sending this at night rather than by the usual morning 
post."  Why send it under the radar at all?  Nothing in here could 
damage Percy; it isn't as though he is saying anything the MoM 
wouldn't love to hear-- at least on the surface.  He continues,
"Hopefully you will be able to read this away from prying eyes and 
avoid awkward questions."  Percy would know the trio spends the 
majority of their time together.  I believe he is counting on it.  
So whose eyes are prying?  I believe this is another reminder, as we 
have been told throughout the novel by various characters, that the 
mail is being monitored.

Paragraph four begins with advice against hanging out against 
Potter, but this is Percy's real reason for writing: "I feel bound 
to tell you that Dumbledore may not be in charge at Hogwarts much 
longer and the people who count have a very different--and probably 
more accurate--view of Potter's behavior.  I shall say no more here, 
but if you look at the Daily Prophet tomorrow you will get a good 
idea of the way the wind is blowing--and see if you can spot yours 
truly!"  This seems like a very clear warning that the MoM is moving 
in and will take no prisoners.  

Paragraph five carries a direct warning to Harry: "Potter had a 
disciplinary hearing this summer in fornt of the whole Wizengamot 
and he did not come out of it looking too good.  He got off on a 
mere technicality if you ask me and many of the people I've spoken 
to remain convinced of his guilt."  If Percy were a spy for the 
Order, he would feel it important to let Harry know about how the 
MoM continues to perceive him.  He seems here to be warning Harry 
specifically not to get into any more trouble, as despite the 
success of his hearing, without Dumbledore at the school and without 
supporters in the Ministry Harry could face serious problems.

Paragraph six-- Percy openly defames Harry's character and gives a 
little "shout out" to the one person he is sure will be reading this 
letter: Dolores Umbridge.  He calls her "a really delightful woman, 
who I know will be only too happy to advise you."  Why call her 
delightful, unless she's reading the letter?  Unless I am way off 
base, none of the students or teachers, and even some of the MoM 
members do not seem to care for her very much, and I am not sure 
that even Percy would call her delightful.

Paragraph seven, more clues: "Dumbledore's regime at Hogwarts may 
soon be over."  Another warning about Dumbledore!  Then, after 
expressing his sorrow that Umbridge is "encountering very little 
cooperation from staff as she strives to make those necessary 
changes" at Hogwarts, Percy says again "although she should find 
this easier from next week--again, see the Prophet tomorrow!" and 
finishes with a comment about students finding it prudent to help 
Umbridge.  What strikes me the most about this paragraph is Percy's 
repetition of the important information: Dumbledore's position at 
Hogwarts is threatened and drastic changes from the MoM are coming, 
so beware!

Paragraph eight gives an interesting note as well: "if you are 
writing to Mother at any point, you might tell her that a certain 
Sturgis Podmore, who is a great friend of Dumbledore's, has recently 
been sent to Azkaban for trespass at the Ministry.  Perhaps that 
will open their eyes to the kind of petty criminals with whom they 
are currently rubbing shoulders."  Unable to communicate with his 
mother, Percy sends this along instead.  Unless he were trying to 
communicate this information to the Order, why else would he believe 
his mother would want to know it?  By doing this, he also 
demonstrates an awareness of the OOTP and some of its key members.

Last paragraph: "Please think over what I have said most carefully, 
particularly the bit about Harry Potter."  Clearly, Ron does not 
think carefully on the information he has received.  Harry does, a 
bit, but is caught up in the more inflammatory comments made and 
loses sight of the more important information that Percy gives away 
before he becomes completely distracted by Sirius in the fire.  

This letter can be read all sorts of ways, of course, but in the 
end, I am just thinking the best for Percy.  My guess is that Percy 
truly is "acting on his own," trying to do some good independent of 
both the Order and the MoM.  After all, he has the best chance of 
getting information from the MoM if Fudge believes that Percy has 
cut ties with his family, Dumbledore, and Harry.  I only hope that 
if he is working on his own, nothing unfortunate happens to Percy 
before he's had the chance to work things out with his family.

BetterBeGryffindor 
(who knows, after all, that Percy IS a Gryffindor!)