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

[brandy]

No: HPFGUIDX 111262

"Kim" <WriterKim at c...> wrote:
> 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?

But on the other hand, why warn them the night before? What good could it possibly do them to know twelve hours in advance?

> The opening two paragraphs of the letter are sheer Percy Weasley, 
> written to throw anyone who might be reading the mail.  

Or maybe because it's being written by Percy Weasley, so of course he sounds like himself.

> 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.

Whether or not the trio are together at night, they're certainly together during meals, along with all the Gryffindors.  If he's not a spy and just 
bad-mouthing Harry, he knows for sure that Harry is likely to be around Ron 
if the letter is delivered at breakfast.  I think that this can be taken at face value.

> 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.  

Again, why bother warning them a few hours in advance?

> Paragraph five carries a direct warning to Harry: "Potter had a 
> disciplinary hearing this summer in front 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.

Or warning Ron that Harry is dangerous and should be avoided.

> 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?  

Eh, we already know Percy is a Ministry sycophant - whoever is in charge at 
the Ministry is his favorite person.
 
> 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.

If he were a spy, why on earth would he send this info through RON? Ron who 
a) doesn't know he's a spy and so is likely to disregard what he says and b) 
is not an actual member of the Order, and is left out of important meetings, etc.  If they were going to send Percy off to spy, I would certainly hope that they would give him better means of communication than through someone who doesn't even know he's supposed to be relaying information.  

-Brandy