The Weasley's

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 89872

Sue wrote:
 
> Malfoy's comment makes me wonder if perhaps there is something in the 
> Weasley family's past which causes them to be disparaged by the rest 
> of the "pure blood" group that we are not yet privy to.   

Of the pureblood families we've been introduced to, the Weasleys seem
to be the only family that does not hold to the pureblood-is-better
mantra.  Of course, there are a few individuals in other families, but
 not entire families.  And we've been given no indication that either
Molly or Arthur are rebelling against their own families by holding
these opinions.  So I'd say the simple fact that they (the Weasley
family both current and past) hold to a different ideology is enough
to earn the disparagement. 

> I find it 
> interesting that Arthur is the HEAD of a department, if he is 
> incompetent (which I doubt) why not just never promote him?  I am 
> sure there are 50 year old Jr. Assisstants floating around the 
> ministry. 

Well, it's not like he is busily managing many underlings in a highly
productive branch.  He is the boss of one other person, in a
department that most of the Ministry feels is worth little thought or
money.  I don't know how British government jobs function, but in the
US most come with a few automatic promotions; one has to be pretty
abysmal in order to lose these promotions.  The Wizarding World may be
horribly prejudiced, but not to the point that "he likes Muggles"
would justify denying that sort of promotion (especially in that
particular department).  As it is, Arthur has reached the highest
position he can in his branch, so no justification is needed to keep
him there.  With years of experience dealing with Muggle-related
business only, it would be very difficult for him to make a lateral
move even without people trying to keep where he is; with those people
such a move is pretty much impossible.  Unless he quits the Ministry
altogether, he's stuck right where he is.

So overall, I disagree that Arthur needed any family history (either
good or bad) to reach the position he has.  It fits perfectly with his
own abilities and opinions.     

-Corinth