Percy Brasco?.

[hickengruendler]

No: HPFGUIDX 121708


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "eggplant9998" 
<eggplant9998 at y...> wrote:
 
> 
> And if this was not something very very serious why was there a 
> formal trial   held in the largest courtroom by the full 
Wizengamot, 
> something that has not happened in many years. This was a criminal 
> trial not a "disciplinary hearing", Dumbledore specifically said 
so, 
> and when people are convicted in a criminal trial they go to jail. 
> The wizard jail is Azkaban.

Hickengruendler:

I think nobody denies that the "hearing" was unfair and way to much 
for such a minor delict. That does not change at all, however, that 
Azkaban was never mentioned during the whole scene. Again, and 
although you seem to ignore this point, if Fudge really planned to 
send Harry to Azkaban, than why doesn't he say so? He never mentioned 
Azkaban during the whole hearing, if he expects to sentence Harry to 
some time in prison, than he surely must demande it. And even if it 
was secretly his plan, there's no proof that Percy knew about it. 
He's his under-secretary, but that doesn't mean that he has to know 
everything that goes on in Fudge's head.

You do have a point in saying that the first owl told of a hearing in 
addition to Harry being expelled anyway. But anyway, it's just 
speculation that a) Fudge ordered this hearing to send Harry to 
Azkaban and b), if Fudge really did, that Percy knew about it. 
Remember that the whole incident happened in the late evening, when 
Percy might have been back home. And later the possibility of Harry 
being sent to Azkaban was never discussed, that's a fact. Not even as 
a worry from the other Order members.

> 
> Percy was in his element and in a very good mood when it looked 
like 
> Harry would end up in Azkaban, laughing on cue at Fudge's bad jokes 
> (very good minister!) and looking smug. 
> It was only when Harry won 
> his freedom that Percy became morose. 

Hickengruendler:

In fact, Percy didn't do anything at all during the hearing. The only 
reaction of him that was mentioned, was when he nodded solemly, after 
Fudge said, that the more impressive Harry's spell was, the worse, 
since the danger of a muggel seeing something was even higher. And 
you have to admit, Fudge did have a point there, therefore Percy 
agreeing with him there doesn't make him evil. Of course both later 
ignored some clear evidence, like Arabella Figg's testimony, which 
makes them blind and foolish, but not Voldemort-like evil.

The exact same thing happened 
> later when it looked like Dumbledore would go to Azkaban, except 
> then it was even more blatant. 

Hickengruendler:

Yes, but like I said, that was after both, Percy and Fudge, thought 
they have found some proove for their wild theories. After 
Dumbledore's confession, they thought he was a dangerous criminal, 
and therefore being glad that he's sent to Azkaban doesn't make Percy 
evil. (Note that I'm playing devil's advocate here, I immensly 
disliked Percy in this chapter, but nonetheless I can see where he's 
coming from and do not think that he's irredeemably evil).
> 
> > Mrs. Figg's (who, if we accept JKR's website 
> > as canon, did not really see the Dementors
> 
> You have me at a disadvantage, I have always taken it as a given 
> that Figg did see the Dementors, am I wrong?  What exactly did JKR 
> say?

Hickengruendler:

She said that Mrs Figg did not see the Dementors, but knew enough 
about them, that she was able to guess the situation correctly. (In 
other words, like Dudley, she probably felt them).
> 
> > we have canon for Percy's good side, 
> > what appears to be a genuine affection,
> > if not love, for his brother Ron, as 
> > evidenced by his wading into the water
> > after the Second Task in GoF after 
> > fearing that Ron would drown. 
> 
> Yes that was good I can't deny it, but it's interesting, whenever 
> somebody wants to show Percy's good side they always come up with 
> that exact same example and I think I know why; in 5 long books 
that 
> one short sentence pretty much exhausts Percy's entire good side.  
> It seems to be the only good thing he did in his life.

Hickengruendler:

- He also showed some concern for Ginny in book 2. In fact, he was 
the only Weasley brother who realized that something was wrong with 
her. He wanted to give her some medicine. Granted, it was described 
as "bullying", but nonetheless he obviously was afraid for her health.

- He also was horrified after the monster petrified Penelope, and as 
we later learn, it's not because she's a prefect, but because she's 
his girlfriend.

- He fought the Death Eaters after the Quidditch Worldcup (!!!).

- He helped searching the castle for Sirius after the attack on the 
First Lady.
 
Hickengruendler