Percy's Role in Book 6

[drliss at comcast.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 107960

Tara:
I'm anxious to see where Percy turns in book 6.. will he admit he was wrong, run 
home to his family and join the order?  Will he be stubborn and arrogant, not 
admitting his mistakes, disbelieving in Dumbledore?  Percy's character is a 
little frightening to me.  He wants so much for power.  I fear thet Voldemort 
could sway him.  I don't like to think its possible, but it is probable.  I 
believe I read that Voldemort supporters didn't think so much about good or 
evil, but instead of power.  It is not a quote, but I'm sure I read it in CoS, 
PoA, or GoF.  Forgive my unsupported remark.. but its an important one!

Lissa:

Percy is a subject I've sort of been avoiding because my own brother is pulling a Percy, but I'm feeling masochistic this morning ;)  

I think Percy could go in a few different directions.  I don't think he will intentionally "turn evil", but I think very few people do.  

Percy's probably hurting a bit right now.  He's been proven wrong.  Will he go back to his family?  I almost think not- I think he's dreading the sounds of the "I told you so"s.  I don't think (all of) the Weasleys would say this, but I think that's what Percy would be anticipating.  And he knows, on some level, that he's been a jerk and he's hurt them.  I can see him being too afraid to go back to his family and admitting he was wrong.  It's facing up to a lot.

The role I see Percy eventually playing is "What Wormtail really should have done."  I don't see any redemption for Peter Pettigrew.  If he had JUST betrayed Lily and James, maybe.  But framing Sirius and (this is the big one) killing 12 innocent bystanders in the process... no.  The only ones whose forgiveness would mean anything is Lupin and Harry, and after Sirius's death (and 12 years of exile for Lupin, inadvertantly thanks to Peter, who robbed Lupin of his only friends), I don't think it's reasonable to expect either of them to forgive Peter.

Instead, I think Percy will encounter a similar situation as Peter.  He will be lured in to the Death Eaters.  No, Rookwood's not going to say "Hey kid!  Check out this brouchure for our awesome group!  Muggle-torture, killing, rape, arson... it's a blast!  Stop by our meetings sometime- the big guy would love to meet you!"  But Percy has some mighty big chinks in his armor.  He craves power, yes- I think he's very frustrated by his family's status.  And he craves approval.  Someone who can offer him both things combined would be exceedingly dangerous.  (I also think this was the tact that got Peter into the Death Eaters.)  

I think Percy will dip into the Dark Side.  But I think he will eventually see what's wrong and have the courage to turn back.  It's a mistake that will probably cost him his life- Sirius says you don't just hand in your resignation to Voldemort.  But I could see that being what JKR has planned for Percy.  And I think he WILL die to protect his family... as Peter should have done.

Liss

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