Percy

[rbookworm46]

No: HPFGUIDX 138210

Ravenclaw Bookworm wrote:

> As much as I dislike the idea, and unless JKR has kept some
> (more) info from us, I am afraid that Percy is just as
> ambitious and self-centered as he appears. 

Diane C:
I'm sorry, I don't think Percy is imperio'd or under
anyone's control. <snip>

I think back to the time Harry went to Percy to
discuss what kind of magical studies he should pursue,
and Percy advised him to "play to his strengths".
Percy is ambitious and self-centered, but he is also a
Weasley and a Gryffindor. By joining the Ministry he
is doing what is expected of him. By becoming a
little bureaucrat, he could be "playing to his
strengths", and by keeping Dumbledore and the Order of
the Phoenix advised of what the other Ministry
bureaucrats are doing, he could be providing the kind
of help only he would be capable of.

Bookworm:
I don't think Percy is imperio'd either; part of what I
snipped referenced JKR's quote that said he wasn't.  I
haven't seen any evidence (just speculation) to counter my
statement above.  IMO, Percy is certainly playing to his 
strength – loyalty.  Unfortunately, that loyalty seems to be 
blind loyalty to the authorities in power, without any 
consideration of what is really happening.  

You are right, he *could* be spying for the Order.  But as 
I said, we have no canon to back this up.  Unless his letter 
to Ron was some in very secret code that no one has figured 
out, he was praising Umbridge.  He was very eager to follow 
Fudge's orders in Dumbledore's office (OoP).  

To me, the telling action was rejecting his mother's 
Christmas present.  Even Fudge could understand Percy 
keeping a Christmas present from his mother ("I didn't want 
to hurt her feelings."), if Fudg even knew about it.  

To me, Percy has some very Slytherin-ish characteristics.  He 
was sneaky about his relationship with Penelope and meeting 
her in the dungeons (!?).  He was very quick to both show off 
and defend his authority as Prefect and Head Boy.  "Prefects 
Who Gained Power" – that's what Percy wants, and it seems
he will "use any means" to get it.  

Ravenclaw Bookworm