Percy betraying? (Was Re: Evil Hermione)

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 154922

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "festuco" <vuurdame at ...> wrote:

Gerry:
> When did Percy betray anybody?

Geoff:

I think that this may depend on which definition of "betray" you may
feel is relevant.

The Readers' Digest Word Power dictionary which is one I use frequently
defines it thus:
verb 1. act treacherously towards (a person, country, etc.) by revealing
information to or otherwise aiding the enemy.
2. Be disloyal or unfaithful to.
3. Unintentionally reveal, be evidence of.

The Concise Oxford:
v.t. Give up treacherously (person or thing to enemy); be disloyal to;
lead astray; reveal treacherously; reveal involuntarily; be evidence or
symptom of.

I believe that Percy has certainly betrayed Harry in the context of (2)
above – he has been disloyal or unfaithful to him.

When we first meet Percy, he is clearly the rather self-important and
officious person we know later when he is speaking to the family about
his prefect duties. However, his attitude both towards Harry and
Dumbledore is supportive and affable.

`He was so relieved to have been chosen and not put in Slytherin, he
hardly noticed that he was getting the loudest cheer yet. Percy the Prefect 
got up and shook his hand vigorously, while the Weasley twins yelled 
"We got Potter! We got Potter!"'
(PS "The Sorting Hat" p.91 UK edition)

`"Welcome!" he (Dumbledore) said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!
Before we begin, I would like to say a few words. And here they are:
Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered. Harry didn't know
whether to laugh or not.
"Is he – a bit mad?" he asked Percy uncertainly.
"Mad?" said Percy airily. "He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But
he is a bit mad, yes. Potatoes, Harry?"'
(ibid. pp.91-92)

We know that there is a measure of ill-feeling between Percy and the
twins at the beginning of POA and there is a glimpse of mild animosity
towards Harry in GOF.

`The box filled gradually around them over the next half hour. Mr.
Weasley kept shaking hands with people who were obviously very
important wizards. Percy jumped to his feet so often that he looked as
though he was trying to sit on a hedgehog. When Cornelius Fudge,
the Minister for Magic himself, arrived, Percy bowed so low that his
glasses fell off and shattered. Highly embarrassed, he repaired them
with his wand and thereafter remained in his seat, throwing jealous
looks at Harry, whom Cornelius Fudge had greeted like an old friend.'
(GOF "The Quidditch World Cup" p.91 UK edition)

But it is in OOTP that we see the way in which Percy is attempting to
ingratiate himself with Fudge by his sycophantic behaviour which also,
in my opinion, demonstrates disloyalty to Harry.

This ranged from little matters top much more revealing examples:

`"It's not a question of how impressive the magic was," said Fudge in
a testy voice, "in fact, the more impressive the worse it is, I would have
thought, given that the boy did it in plain view of a Muggle!"
Those who had been frowning now murmured in agreement but it was
the sight of Percy's sanctimonious little nod that goaded Harry into speech.'
(OOTP "The Hearing" p.130 UK edition)

`"Oho!" said Fudge, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet again.
"Yes, do let's hear the latest cock-and-bull story designed to pull Potter
out of trouble! Go on, then,. Dumbledore, go on – Willy Widdershins was
lying was he? Or was it Potter's identical twin in the Hog's Head that day?
Or is there the usual simple explanation involving a reversal of time, a dead
man coming back to life and a couple of invisible Dementors?"
Percy Weasley let out a hearty laugh.
"Oh, very good Minister, very good!"
Harry could have kicked him.'
(OOTP "The Centaur and the Sneak" pp.541-542 UK edition)

Percy may be of the view that the accusations against Harry are true but
the public demonstrations of support to the "party line" just adds to the
implication that Percy is prepared to do anything to thwart his family –
and by extension, Harry – to further the feud which has erupted.

And, to me, the most damning evidence of Percy's betrayal of Harry is in
the letter which he sends to Ron:

`
From something the Minister let slip when telling me you are now a
prefect, I gather that you are still seeing a lot of Harry Potter. I must tell
you, Ron, that nothing could put you in danger of losing your badge more
than continued fraternisation with that boy



As you must be aware, given that our father escorted him to court,
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.

It may be that you are afraid to sever ties with Potter – I know that he can
be unbalanced and, for all I know, violent



Please think over what I have said carefully, particularly the bit about
Harry Potter
'
(OOTP "Percy and Padfoot" pp.267-268 UK edition)

This in fact is tantamount to "acting treacherously towards a person" in
definition (1) above.

No, no. In my book, Percy has betrayed Harry big time.