Percy's Reconciliation

Percy finally came to his senses, apologized and fought in the last battle with his family.The scene in the Room of Requirement between Percy and the other Weasleys was so natural, hugs and Fred and George cracking jokes.

I doubt that Mrs. Weasley would've doubted Percy at any time, but I think the rest of the family's reactions had a lot to do with the timing. He said it had "been coming on for a while." Something makes me think his willingness to be involved in the battle was what really proved how sincere he was, especially to Fred and George and Ron and that if everything hadn't been going on, that wouldn't have been so quick to forgive him.

Do you think that the Weasleys would've reacted any differently if a major battle wasn't about to take place when Percy came back to apologize?

Did you expect it and did you think he redeemed himself enough to make up for the last two books?

I felt down by Percy's reconciliation. The Weasley's acted exactly how I felt they would but it seemed almost an after thought. Like well I am about to kill off Fred so I better make sure Percy has made up with the family. Sort of a let down anyway for me.

I think it was absolutely perfect. It was one of the places in the story where I really got choked up.

I don't think the Weasley's reaction would have changed regardless of the circumstances. I think they felt Percy was always one of them, they just needed HIM to remember that. I don't think they have ever given up on him. (Mrs. Weasley bursting into tears whenever they mentioned his name is proof enough.) Strong families always forgive, always look past mistakes and move forward.

This is the part of the book where I cried the most. There was something so touching seeing them reconcile and having the family together again for one last time. I was so emotional!

I thought the scene was realistic given that in real life people don't make Hollywood speeches and considering they were all under enormous stress at the time. Simply saying sorry after a long estrangement isn't easy under normal circumstances and doing so speaks volumes when it is said. The Weasley's were always a tightly knit family so as other posters mentioned it looks like they expected him to return to the fold eventually and a crisis is a fine opportunity to do so.

I have to say that I didn´t like this part of the story. I wished Percy had stay the same old git he was ever before. As I read this part I felt nothing (after this I did), I was just ticked off by Percys attitude.

I agree with SeeNot. The Weasley's are a strong family, one just went astray and needed to have his own revelation...

I loved his almost heroic entrance and the family reuniting. It was so touching!

I liked it, and I think even if they were not about to fight, there would of been less jokes, but he would of been accepted either way.

I loved it, really moving. It was one of my favourite moments of the entire books. He was a prat, Percy, but he wasn't evil. He would have come back at some point, regardless.

I loved how he came back. Though it was really rushed, kind of clear because they didn't have so much time, I mean there was a battle. But loved it.

I liked that he came back, I was always expecting it, but I don't know I kind of expected more from it.

I was super happy he came back and surprised as well. I do think under the circumstances the family (siblings) were a lot more open to him. In war there is love. I'm happy he found he could joke too!:lol:

It was a lovely scene, but it made it all the sadder when he wouldn't let go of his brothers dead body.

I thought it was also hilarious that Ginny, the little minx, used the reconciliation as a means to escape, but her mother caught her out :lol:

I loved that Percy showed up to fight at the end! I'm sure it took him so much longer to attempt a reconciliation just because he was too proud to admit he was wrong. Perhaps the reason he had such trouble meeting Arthur's eyes in the MOM lift scene was because he knew his father had been right all along.

Let's not forget that he may have feared for his life too. Bloodtraitors were being rounded up too...

I think that Percy would have come to his senses regardless. I understand why JK killed Fred, but it was really sad. I bet George will be serious for the first time after Fred dies:no:

Glad to see Percy was back, I was hoping that JKR would give Mrs W all her kids back before the end, just so sad that Fred was taken away so soon after.

I think that the reconciliation was very in character for the Weasley's. This is a family that grew up under the shadow of LV, fully believing him to be there and to have come back. They knew there was no point in holding grudges, life is far too short on the front lines. Perce apologised, it was immediately accepted because he'd always remained a part of them.

I was glad, however, that JKR showed that he was still an annoying prat 19 years later in the Epilogue.

It's good to have Percy back in the fold. He just had to have his head removed from his bottom. Percy just wanted to be successful. Not the best way to go about it but he did come around.

"So... How's Teddy?" :lol:

Fleur and Lupin expecting the worst I see. I thought Percy showed his true colours here - Dumbledore's right, it takes more guts to admit you're wrong than some think.

I've felt for a long time that Percy would be redeemed in DH. Of course, in typical JK fashion, I only got the general idea right :lol:. I'd predicted that Percy would help in the horcrux hunt somehow, perhaps at the MoM, but yeah, missed that one :rolleyes:.
I'm very happy percy came back. He never was evil; he was merely misunderstood and misguided. He is also young, and time is a great teacher (or whatever that cliche' is :p)

i loved it, but what i thought was hilarious about that moment, was lupin trying to attract everyones attention to the photo of his child because the moment was so awkward!!!:lol:

I am happy that he came back to the family fold. I think it was at this point I really started weeping and didn't stop until after I had finished it!

I was convinced that Percy was going to die before he could make it up with his family.

I've felt for a long time that Percy would be redeemed in DH.

I was hoping (although the evidence wasn't there) that he was a double agent for the Order. Wrong also, but it kept my spirits up, thinking he was doing something useful, other than being a berk.

I didn't expect it at all. I had written Percy off, actually, as being a casualty of war, so to speak (meaning the propaganda war), so I was pleased with it.

I especially liked the bit in which he "tendered his resignation"- too funny! When Fred died I got the feeling that Percy would be a more relaxed, more caring person from then on, and try to fill Fred's shoes as best he could (a theory that was neatly blown all to heck when Harry hears him being pompous again in the Epilogue).

And yeah, the bit with Lupin and the photo of Teddy was hilarious! :D

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

It was perfect. Percy made the effort and I love how the twins were the first ones to say something back to him.

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

It was perfect. Percy made the effort and I love how the twins were the first ones to say something back to him.

Of course the twins were going to be first...do you think they would have let Molly get the first word in? :p
The twins gave him the hardest time, but they also were the first to welcome. It's perfectly circular :)

I’m very happy that Percy redeemed himself. I find his return to be quite humorous – he just pops through the door in the wall, as if he was held up by traffic or something.

I knew he was going to reconcile, but I didn't expect it to happen at the end. I thought that Percy would have done it sooner. The timing was weird, but at least he reconciled.

Almost cried during his apology. Percy was never a bad guy, he made many bad decesions. With the war about to happen, I think everyone int eh back of hteir heads woudl be thinking, 'I may not get a chance to forgive him again.'. Percy reaction to Fred's death was perfect, btu I kind of wish Percy jumped in front of Fred, it would have been the perfect, heroic ending. Percy is deffinitly redeamed and showed his true Gryffindor bravery.

Percy got caught up in power. He thought the Ministry was doing the right thing and he saw that perhaps he could climb the ranks and become something important in the Ministry. He was wrong, but it didn't make him evil.

I think Percy coming back was one of the greatest points in the book.
I think that in a way he did redeem himself, by being so willing to fight with the rest of the family, and by being so torn up over Fred's death.

i didn't expect Percy to do what he did, and he did not redeem himself in my eyes. Also, shouldn't this be in Legillemency studies?

I wanted and expected Percy to come to his senses and I'm not surprised that the family accepted him immediately. But I wish there could have been some scene that led up to it - or he could have said what happened that made him change his mind finally. I mean it had to be obvious that the Death Eaters had taken over the Ministry, etc. It just would have been good if he could have made the decision before the final battle.

I honestly gave up on Percy and what surprised he came back. I, in fact, thought he was going to die along with one of the twins.

I do not think the timing of his reconcilliation would have changed a thing. He would have been welcomed back in to the fold regardless. The love the Weasley have for one another is so strong. I can't see them reacting any other way.

I also posted this on the Percy Weasley character analysis thread:

I'm very happy that Percy came around in the end, but it felt very rushed and superficial to me. I wish that we'd seen a scene in which Percy was wavering, and in the process of changing heart. In fact, when we went to the ministry to get the locketcrux from Umbridge, I expected to see something of the sort while we were in the ministry anyway. I wish that we'd gotten to see Percy interact a bit with his family at the end, because I'd have liked to see him apologize and do some soul searching - this could have happened, we just don't know.

One thing that I was very happy about was that Percy was finally able to make a joke, and Fred was finally able to laugh at Percy in a friendly way. I was glad that they got that chance before Fred died.

This was my favorite scene of the entire book. Percy's resignation to the ministry was brilliant!!

I half wanted Percy to be a death eater, (I'm wierd like that, don't try to get into it. I tried to analize why, and I got a headache) but I LOVED how the Weasley's Reconciliaed (eh I don't know how to spell it, sue me.) and I also LOVED his powerline when they are fighting the deatheaters "Did i mention, I'm resighing Minster" (It's late and I long ago gave up on spelling :P)

It felt extremely rushed and out of place considering it happened during the battle. It made me anxious. I was like, "NOW? YOU SAY THIS NOW?! WHAT ABOUT THE BATTLE?!"

With that being said, I like that he apologized. It was a long overdue apology but better late than never. It proved how close of a family the Weasleys are considering they forgave him so fast. It was quite sweet but I guess it was better to forgive him before any of them was hurt. I don't think they would have forgave him THAT fast if he came back in a time of peace but they would have nonetheless.

It was a major step to reedeeming himself by coming back and fighting alongside his family but he has more to go.

I was glad that Percy came back, I doubted at that point of the story that he ever would

It also comforted me somewhat to know that the last thing Fred knew before he died was that his long lost brother actually made a joke :)

I had completely forgotten about him until he re-appeared, I was so wrapped up in the story! :lol: But I was very glad that he came back and made up with his family, I always thought he would.

It also comforted me somewhat to know that the last thing Fred knew before he died was that his long lost brother actually made a joke
That's a really nice way of looking at it. :D

I was convinced he would die protecting his father, but instead we lost fred :(.

I really feel it would have been more fitting if the last thing he did after cracking a joke, we save a member of his family..

Glad that Percy's reconciliation had such a positive impact on the whole family, especially Fred, when he had accepted Percy for the brother he grew up with. Then Fred had to die..maybe it's like you gain some you lose some.

Do you think that the Weasleys would've reacted any differently if a major battle wasn't about to take place when Percy came back to apologize?
I think that the family was greatful that Percy came back to join them in fighting for the good. They were probably just happy that he wasn't fighting against him. They were probably more forgiving than if there wasn't a battle about to happen, but not by much.... Mrs. Weasley was waiting for this for a long time.

Did you expect it and did you think he redeemed himself enough to make up for the last two books?
Actually, I completely forgot about Percy in this book! I'm so happy that he came back though, it was a really nice touch, especially right before the final battle. I do believe I cried when he came back, out of happiness though! It was really, truly sad that he had barely an hour with his brother after years of silence before Fred was killed. They were at least acting like there had never been a falling out period, making jokes until Fred's last minute.

This is the first scene that made me cry... I don't know why but I cried during the scene... tears of joy maybe...

Percy came to his senses at the face of true evil. However, I would have rather have him transfigured into the toad that he is and have seen Frec survive

I think that the Tiwns knew how arrogant Percy was and for him to admit his failure in front of the family took great guts ensured they forgave him straight away. Even Ron would have, remember when Hermione said that DD told them that to ask for forgiveness is harder when you are wrong, Ron agreed and said that was the kinda of mad thing DD would say.

The weasleys are quite a kind understanding lot.They are very close to each other.He did seem sorry,I think it's nice they forgave him(though I honestly wasn't a fan of him after he left).I think Percy will really regret his decision to leave though,he'll have time with the rest of the family but he loss two precious years with Fred.

I was glad that Percy came back, I doubted at that point of the story that he ever would

It also comforted me somewhat to know that the last thing Fred knew before he died was that his long lost brother actually made a joke :)

That's nice. :)

And it did say he died with a smile on his face, which, if he had to (and apparently he did), seemed more than fitting.

Do you think that the Weasleys would've reacted any differently if a major battle wasn't about to take place when Percy came back to apologize?

Did you expect it and did you think he redeemed himself enough to make up for the last two books?


I can imagine a somewhat different reaction from the Weasleys, had Percy timed his return different. The mere mention of his name causes sour feelings throughout the family - it always stings to think of the son/brother who picked the ministry over his family. Arriving in the heat of the moment (though undoubtedly with good, pure intentions) definitely helped his cause, in my mind.

I was not expecting his return. Sadly I thought he might fall victim to the ministry, especially considering his dangerous position near the minister. In any case, returning to the battle scene to aid his family was wonderful. It might not make up for his few years of ignorance and bad choices, but at least Percy came to his senses in the end.

Clumsy and unconvincing.

I didn't expect it, it hoped it, because everything seemed to be rounding itself off, so i thought why not that?

i thought in a way, he did redeem himself enough, he was willing to fight in the battle, and basically put his life on the line for what he seemed to oppose for years, so to me that was reconcilation enough.

i thought it would have been a nice touch for him to die. . . i no it may sound sad and stuff, but it would have sort of made it more emotional especially after they had all just made up.

I think their reactions wouldn't have been any more different, battle or no battle, it was what they wanted all along, so i couldn't see them being stubborn about it.

:wow: I was expecting him to make an appearance though it shocked me when Fred died! I had expected Percy to suddenly appear and save a Weasleys life take a bad curse or something and then die with all the family and last words "I'm so sorry" and then Arthur grabs his hand and says " Don't be, Everythings ok now." WAW that's quite dramatic! But maybe a tad too predictable and corny! I think if that would have actually happened we would have been too focused on them and forgotten about Harry v Voldemort!:lol: It was good how JK did it though with them all joking together and Freds death but still laughing and smiling . Beautiful. :upset:

That was one glorious moment. And really funny too: first he falls into the room, and then there's this big awkward silence and then people talk about Teddy, and then he roars 'I was a fool!' (and an idiot and a pompous prat, haha!).

I think the whole family would have forgiven him anyway, because they're good people. And because he's acknowledged his own stupidity in no uncertain terms, and apologised. The scene was short, but well-written, and the fact that there was a battle to be fought just made it more intense.

And then in the epilogue he is 'discoursing loudly on broomstick regulations', so Percy is still Percy. Bless him.

It was great timing on JKR's part! I do not think the Weasley's would have reacted differently had it been a more peaceful time, like the wedding, but I would have expected the twins to give him a harder time about it then.

I did expect him to come around, and he did redeem himself in my opinion. As Albus said, its hard to apologise when you realize you've been wrong. He came through in the clutch and joined a deadly fight on the correct side.

Mercer
Elf of Old

i thought percys rconciliation was brilliant he called him self a prat i think or something along those lines and he made a joke i think he should have died insted of fred because it would have been more significant. i loved how JK basically reconciled all of the characters we were mad at,.(snape, kreacher, percy)

I loved the book, but I thought Percy's reconciliation was a bit cheesy. It just seemed to me that he was just a jerk before that he'd have to do more than say "I'm sorry" to make it better again. But other people saying they liked it means I was wrong, I guess. :)

I knew he'd come back and appologize to his family. After all the horrible stuff thats happened at the Ministry, there reaches a point where you realize how wrong you were and that you have to say your sorry.

I was never fond of Percy, but I am so thrilled that he came to his senses right before Fred dies. It was perfect, and that way, the family was whole for one more time.

I loved that part in the story. I seen it coming though but....I had actually forgot about Percy. Is that like totally bad or what? There had been no mention of him before then, no that I can remember anyway so when Percy showed up I was like "OMG....I totally forgot about Percy"
I like the makeup scene because really that's how it usually works out in situation like that.

I don't think Percy deserved it, to be honest. If anything, he should have died for Fred. That would have proved his sincerity. Why should Fred, who had always been true and loyal not only to his family, but to Harry as well, die? But it of course, reminds me of why I love the Weaslys! They took him back because he was family, even if he didn't really deserve it.

I was a bit supprised when I read that Percy was finnaly comming out and, saying that he was a fool. However. I thought that it was about time he did.

Any time Percy had finally said those things would have been fine. After all, he is family, and that's what it really is all about. And when push came to shove--it was his family that mattered.

Yes, I expected it. It was clear throughout the previous books, especially during the second Triwizard task.

An excellent return to the family, bravo J. K. Rowling.

... If the circumstances were different, I don't think the weasleys would have been so ready to accept Percy again... Mrs weasley probably would have for sure, but, I don't think the others would have been so forgiving..

I was glad to see Percy reconcile with his family. (It took him long enough!) I think the Weasleys acted just like any loving family would regardless of the situation. They accepted Percy with loving arms, as it should be. After having a son of my own, I certainly can understand what is meant by a mother's love and it is indeed unconditional.

Now with that said, I think if I had my rathers, I would prefer Percy's death instead of Fred's. The twins were the ray of sunshine amongst the storms of a wizarding war. George will be lost without him.

I think we all would have been willing to trade Percy for Fred! It would have hit us much less hard. It would have even given poor Percy a certain nobility it is clear from the epilogue he never got. I had completely forgotten Percy even existed, so it was a surprise and a thrill when he showed up ready to apologize and fight. I'd guess every member of the family was ready to take him back. Love really is an amazing thing, especially the love in a family. Worth writing a whole 7 book series about.

I am really glad that they reconcilled. I think that he would have been accepted at any time, but that he showed up ready to fight in a major battle accelerated the process. It showed his sincerity.

Why not Percy instead of Fred. I think it was a load of **** that he just came back all nonchalant like and was apart of the family again. You can't just say sorry and think people aren't going to forget. I mean that kind of thing is understandable when you are dealing with friends. Sure you make mistakes and you ask for forgiveness and they may or may not forgive you. But when you disrespect your parents, there just seems to something wrong with that.

Why not Percy instead of Fred. I think it was a load of **** that he just came back all nonchalant like and was apart of the family again. You can't just say sorry and think people aren't going to forget. I mean that kind of thing is understandable when you are dealing with friends. Sure you make mistakes and you ask for forgiveness and they may or may not forgive you. But when you disrespect your parents, there just seems to something wrong with that.

haha agreed.

I would have liked it a little bit better if there had been clues throughout the book that Percy was starting to change his way of thinking. It just seemed so sudden and kind of forced for me. I was very proud of him for showing up and his willingness to fight. I wanted the reconciliation to be something a little bit...more, but it is what it is, and I guess it is only a subplot in a book jam packed with things going on.

I was actually kind of surprised he came back before anything really major happened to the family. I mean ok George lost an ear, but that really isn't all that bad in the great scheme of things. I thought it was going to take a great tradgedy to bring Percy back.

it seemed almost an after thought. Like well I am about to kill off Fred so I better make sure Percy has made up with the family.

I agree, it was nearly too late.

For the first dozen chapters or so, I kept expecting a betrayal, other than Mundungus's especially since Snape said he was informed by "the source we discussed." I predicted that Percy would go to the wedding - like Christmas, whether or not he reconciled. Furthermore it was before Voldemort took over, so he might not have been blacklisted.

It was a theory that the bad guy was always in Chapter 13. When I went back, I found Percy was in that chapter with Arthur in the elevator. Had he apologized to his dad then, we might have been led to view it with suspicion.

Finally, I predicted that Fred would die, but without knowing his brother Percy had reconciled just a day or so earlier.

I was so happy when Percy stepped into the RoR...I knew he would come back to his senses, but had completely forgotten about it until I reread the sentence, not fully comprehending what I had read first. It was a great way to show that even if a person makes mistakes, they still have the opportunity to make things right. But it is incredibly sad that Mrs. Weasley only had all of her children back for a short while...
And maybe on a random note...why was Percy at Platform 9 3/4 at the end? Does he work at Hogwarts now or something? I'm glad to know he's still a prat, though. Ah, Percy.

Percy was a prat but he was only a brain washed ministry person. I love that he came back to fight. Too bad only like an hour after his brother forgave him....he died.

i don't think the weasley brothers would have forgiven quite as easily if they all weren't embarking upon a battle. i do think that him saying sorry and that he was stupid for doing the things he did in the past 2 books, was enough for his family's forgiveness. After all, a family is a family no matter how estranged they become. you can never forget the love that once existed. i suppose this is the reason why everyone could forgive so easily, because percy always was, and always will be, a weasley brother and child.

And maybe on a random note...why was Percy at Platform 9 3/4 at the end? Does he work at Hogwarts now or something? I'm glad to know he's still a prat, though. Ah, Percy.

I assumed that he was seeing his own kid(s) off. I found it amusing that Harry still didn't like him. Not that Harry wasn't glad that Percy reconciled with the rest of the Weasleys, just that Harry really had little in common with that particular brother in law.

I would have liked it a little bit better if there had been clues throughout the book that Percy was starting to change his way of thinking. It just seemed so sudden and kind of forced for me.


I agree. Arthur is still working at the Ministry, right? Doesn't Harry see him there when he goes in disguise? So Percy had plenty of chances to talk to his father at work. He says it was hard to get out of the ministry? Well, yeah if you wait until its just about too late, I suppose. He stays until the very last possible moment, when he sees the ministry is going to fall, before he jumps ship and tries running back to his family?

And then, after two years of working against Harry and everything he was trying to do Percy doesn't even give him a nod? Feh! And he barely even apologizes - Fred has to fill in the blanks for him. To me, that whole apology scene was really ill-crafted.

I think the way she wrote the Weasly reaction and acceptance was perfect, though, and just what you'd expect from them.


Gwen

I think that if it was a different situation, Mrs Weasley would have still been overjoyed to see him, like she was at Christmas, but that Mr. Weasley would have acted coldly towards him for a bit. I think Fred + George would have made fun of him and stuff as well, then Ron would have insulted him behind his back to Harry + Hermione.

I expected Percy to come back to his senses and his family, but I thought it would happen earlier. I guess that Fred and George at least would have given him more **** if it wasnt such a dire time. I think Percy makes up for his doubt: he is willing to put his life on the line

I loved the reconciliation, but the part that got be choked up was after Fred died and Percy laid over his lifeless body, shaking him, trying to wake up up and not realizing his sleep was everlasting. And when he got up and screamed "ROOKWOOD!!", he was finally forgiven in my eyes.

I've never liked Percy. Everytime Fred and George would do something to him I felt glad. Truth be told, I sort of wanted him to die.

I completely forgot about him until he came through the hole. When he appeared and asked for forgiveness, I started to cry. His parents suffered with his absence, and the fact that Fred held out his hand to him and forgave him was too much for me at that moment. Such a good and strong family like the Weasley's would forgive him and forget. Family tend to do that. After fighting alongside his brother, I think he redeemed himself. It just so sad he lost years of being with Fred. He can't have those years, or his brother back.

I thought Percy would lighten up, but then the stupid broomstick regulation talk. He obviously did not change

I thought Percy would lighten up, but then the stupid broomstick regulation talk. He obviously did not change


Aw, but he went back to his old self from before his Ministry days--the one that could write a report on Cauldron bottoms but still snog his girlfriend in an empty classroom and hug his little brother when he came out of the lake. His family never hated him for his personality, that's just one of his quirks, that just didn't like what he was doing. He'll always be Percy, but at least now he's Percy with the rest of the Weasleys too.

well..percy's reconciliation was bound to happen...it was due in sixth book actually..but yeah it wasnt one of DH's highlights was it?
just got blended in with the fight...

I loved the way rowling described his anger at losing fred in his bull-like roar of ROOKWOOD ! epic.reaLly.

I expected him to do something at thw MOM that would reunite him with the family, like perhaps stop Umbridge or something, showing that he regretted all he had done in the past, Either way I hoped he'd see the light sometime for Molly's and Arthur's sake.

Aw, but he went back to his old self from before his Ministry days--the one that could write a report on Cauldron bottoms but still snog his girlfriend in an empty classroom and hug his little brother when he came out of the lake. His family never hated him for his personality, that's just one of his quirks, that just didn't like what he was doing. He'll always be Percy, but at least now he's Percy with the rest of the Weasleys too.

That's true, he had always been a bit pompous and ambitious, though I'm really glad that he made his peace with his family and especially Fred before he died.

Even though I love the fact that Percy sincerely felt sorry for what he'd done,I get depressed everytime I think of the jokes Fred made when he reconciled..

Aw, but he went back to his old self from before his Ministry days--the one that could write a report on Cauldron bottoms but still snog his girlfriend in an empty classroom and hug his little brother when he came out of the lake. His family never hated him for his personality, that's just one of his quirks, that just didn't like what he was doing. He'll always be Percy, but at least now he's Percy with the rest of the Weasleys too.

Ear!Ear! Besides that's why we love him so much... isn't it?

Nah. He should have got back with his family as soon as the end of OOTP. While his family were out there risking their lives, he was still in the Ministry. Surely with Voldermort out there he must of been worried enough to go home and find out how his family was doing.

Plus I never liked him as a person anyway. An annoying Head Boy, demanding respect all the time. Swat in class. Too goody two shoes for my liking.

I thought the reconciliation was written fabulously. The way Lupin and Fleur tried to break the awkward silence, it was great. I was laughing out loud.

Percy is a prat.

Coming back at basically the last possible moment, being happily accepted by the family and then watching his brother die was was a major let down.

I could forgive him for being a **** under Fudge and Rufus, but spent nine months (or so) in Voldemort's Ministry. I don't think for a moment he was doing anything truly evil, but neither was he doing anything to stop it and in my book that is just as bad.

I would like to see him disappear after the Ministry falls to Voldemort, the family think him dead, and then have him reappear after thinking about his actions and building the courage to face the family. When Ron returns to Harry and Hermione we could have got the story second hand, with some anecdote about the twins taking the **** out of Percy for taking so long. That plus a kick in the groin every morning for turning against his family would have restored my faith in Percy.

I've never liked Percy. Everytime Fred and George would do something to him I felt glad. Truth be told, I sort of wanted him to die.

I completely forgot about him until he came through the hole. When he appeared and asked for forgiveness, I started to cry. His parents suffered with his absence, and the fact that Fred held out his hand to him and forgave him was too much for me at that moment. Such a good and strong family like the Weasley's would forgive him and forget. Family tend to do that. After fighting alongside his brother, I think he redeemed himself. It just so sad he lost years of being with Fred. He can't have those years, or his brother back.

Very intense. I did not wish him to die, but I always knew he would redeem himself. So sad that he missed out on Freds life, he must have felt like one hell of a prat.

I think Percy's reconciliation was genuine. He certainly was afraid to come back - remember DD's like about it being easier to forgive others for being wrong than it is to admit you were wrong yourself - and it took him those 9 months to summon up the courage to admit he was wrong.

Several members of the Order and other "good" witches and wizards worked for a time at the MoM under Voldemort and Thicknesse. They were waiting for the right opportunity, and trying to minimize the damage that the DE's were doing. I can't hold it against him that he worked for the MoM during this time. And, I have to give Percy credit for the "I'm resigning" line while he was battling Thicknesse at the Battle of Hogwarts :).

i loved how percy came back, and showed his love to his family by fighting. and when he made that joke, making fred laugh, and then fred died, it was VERY intense, and moving seeing him cry!!!!!

perfect scene, so symbolic to the Weasley family.

I was such a good part of the book i was in tears, especially now looking back that fred died a few pages after. I suppose if they hadn't have being in the middle of the war it would have took a few of the members longer to forgive him but as people say, lifes to short to bear grudges. I loved the way Percy was devestated when fred died and they'd only made up a bit ago, it shows how close of a family they are

I've always kinda linked Percy, don't ask me why, it's a quirk. I think it's the glasses.

Despite all the pomp and stuffyness he's always seemed to care deeply about his family, looking after Ginny in CoS, Ron in GoF. That's why the rift between him and his family was so upsetting to them.

I felt that his return was very moving and funny and also foreshadowed earlier in DH, when the trio are in the Ministry at the beginning,

Percy Weasley strode into the lift, his nose buried in some papers he was reading.
Not until the doors had changed shut again did Percy realise he was in a lift with his father. He glanced up, saw Mr Weasley, turned radish red, and left the lift the moment the doors opened again.

I felt that at that point Percy had seen the light and was embarressed to see his father but was in the awful position of still being the assistant (I believe, given he tried to resign) to Minister Thicknesse (puppet to Voldie). If he tried to contact his family and return at that point, then they (MOM) would want him to at least spy on his family who were under suspicion, or at worst turn them all in for hidinf and abetting Undesirable No. 1.

By staying away at that point, he was protecting both his family and himself, (OK slightly selfish), because if he had gone back to them there might have been some muttering by the twins after the MOM takeover but his parents would have welcomed him back at any point if he apologised, but the MOM would have definitely used him to either get into the safe house (secret keeper) or to help to find Harry.

Also, I can't remember who said it but I agree with Fred being the first person to accept him back was very circular given that the Twins were the ones who gave him the worst hassle about the Ministry position and everything that came with it.

I was very near tears when Fred dies and Percy can't let go of his brothers body. It makes sense that he would want to protect his younger brother and having failed to do so componded on the earlier estrangment must make his guilt and loss even harder to bear. When all the family meet in the Great Hall during the cease-fire, he's there
Ron joined Bill, Fleur and Percy, who flung an arm round Ron's shoulders. and he's part of the family not to be removed again.

That he returns to the pre-Ministry Percy still worrying about broomstick regulations means that he also (like everyone else) gets to move on from the idiotic behaviour of his youth and enjoy the benefits of a Voldie-free society.

It doesn't make him perfect but that's the point, making a mistake, owning up to it, learning from it in the most terrible way and moving on.

I think Percy's reconciliation was genuine. He certainly was afraid to come back - remember DD's like about it being easier to forgive others for being wrong than it is to admit you were wrong yourself - and it took him those 9 months to summon up the courage to admit he was wrong.

Several members of the Order and other "good" witches and wizards worked for a time at the MoM under Voldemort and Thicknesse. They were waiting for the right opportunity, and trying to minimize the damage that the DE's were doing. I can't hold it against him that he worked for the MoM during this time. And, I have to give Percy credit for the "I'm resigning" line while he was battling Thicknesse at the Battle of Hogwarts :).

I agree that his change of heart was genuine, and I have no problem with him working at the ministry either. I just think he was still a prat, and I know I'm being stubborn, but still...

I thought Percy would lighten up, but then the stupid broomstick regulation talk. He obviously did not change

I agree with you. Percy came back, yea, but did all of the "I'm sorry's" really last? From the reaction that Harry had when he saw Percy on the platform in the epilogue, it seemed that he went back to his normal self, and seemed to be maybe working for the Ministry with his talk on the broom regulations. Harry avoided him, which says a lot for someone who is in a family that Harry has considered his own for years. I never liked Percy; from his bragging about being Prefect and Head Boy and being so pompous, to abandoning his family during Dark Times, and not returning until the very end to "redeem" himself. I'm not quite sure that if there was a Great Battle and people FINALLY realized that the Ministry was a corrupt system that Percy would have come back; I found him to think that he was too above his family to ever come back unless in dire circumstances such as this one. I wished that something would happen to him, as bad as that may seem. My friend read the leaked version online and told me that a Weasley died, and I hoped that it would be Percy.

I didn't expect Percy to change personalities. He would always be pompous and think he is right. He would always want to be in charge. However, I think the reconcillation with the family was perfect. It was done the way the Weasleys do things. Fred and George would have taken him back in an instant if they felt it was true. I was happy to see it was consistent with personalities and character.

I don't think the Weasley's reaction would have changed regardless of the circumstances. May be some of his brothers would need more time to forgive him in another scenario, but in the end they would have the same reaction, since they all were good and capable to forgive.

However him coming back didn't mooved me. I never liked him, I always felt that he was different from his brothers and sister, so it didn't surprise me when he left. Of course that I felt bad for Molly, Arthur and the rest of the family, but he took a long time to make his way back and the circumstances, the fall of the Ministry in the hands of Voldemort, the battle in Hogwarts, made his way back a little more easy, meaning that he didn't have many choices. And as far as we can see in the book, he reconciliated with his family, ok, but there's nothing that suggest that he changed.

originally posted by Prof_Lovegood
Despite all the pomp and stuffyness he's always seemed to care deeply about his family, looking after Ginny in CoS, Ron in GoF. That's why the rift between him and his family was so upsetting to them.

I felt that his return was very moving and funny and also foreshadowed earlier in DH, when the trio are in the Ministry at the beginning,

I agree. After OotP, I found it hard to believe that the Percy who told Ron not to be friends with Harry could possibly be the same Percy who turned pale and ran to help Ron out of the water. He cared so deeply for his younger siblings, that I couldn't believe he would run out.

I admit, he's never been my favorite Weasley, but I never hated him. I wanted him to come back, and I love how it happened. I believe it was absolutely genuine. I loved how he just sort of bellowed his apology. Such a Weasley.

He was in tears when he apologized to Arthur. I was deeply moved by it, especially when Fred was the first sibling to accept Percy back. Fred always seemed to be the most outspoken about Percy, and he was the first to forgive Percy. The fact that Fred and George forgave him shows that Percy was genuine. They never bought for a second Percy's arrival in HBP at Christmas.

Percy's reaction to Fred's death was the most moving, to me, out of any of them. He loved his family, and just as they were a finally a family again, Fred was ripped from him. There were probably a lot of things Percy wanted to say to Fred after 2 years of never speaking, and he never got the chance. It was heart breaking.

Percy and Dudley are on the same spot in my list of unbelievable things that happened in the book.

I believed and desired that Percy would come back, but not in the "Gosh golly, I made a mistake" kind of way. It did not feel sincere and genuine. As for him saying that it was coming on for a while, when do we really see this? What were the clues? It wasn't very satisfying because it was just dropped in there. I think many of us expected it only because this was the last book.

Rowling had a lot of opportunity to expand at least a little on Percys character and his relationship to the Weasley clan. The fact that he was so high ranking in a Voldemort controlled government that was watching his family... just a lot of lost potential there. I think the only reason Percy was brought back was just because it was a big dramatic scene and Fred was about to die. If some of you have been reading my posts, you know I maintain that she wrote the bare minimum.

originally posted by NeoInvaderGaz
I believed and desired that Percy would come back, but not in the "Gosh golly, I made a mistake" kind of way. It did not feel sincere and genuine. As for him saying that it was coming on for a while, when do we really see this? What were the clues? It wasn't very satisfying because it was just dropped in there. I think many of us expected it only because this was the last book.


Well, how did you expect him to come back? Percy made a mistake, and to be forgiven, he had to admit it. If OotP and HBP weren't enough of a wake-up call, then Voldemort taking over the Ministry certainly did it. He finally realized Voldemort was a real threat, but by then it was too late to back out. He was in a very high position within the ministry and like he said, they were arresting traitors all the time. Percy had to bide his time to get out from the ministry. I don't think it was a tack on, there just had to be something truly huge to wake Percy up.

Well, how did you expect him to come back? Percy made a mistake, and to be forgiven, he had to admit it. If OotP and HBP weren't enough of a wake-up call, then Voldemort taking over the Ministry certainly did it. He finally realized Voldemort was a real threat, but by then it was too late to back out. He was in a very high position within the ministry and like he said, they were arresting traitors all the time. Percy had to bide his time to get out from the ministry. I don't think it was a tack on, there just had to be something truly huge to wake Percy up. Yeah, I think I would have been annoyed if Percy had just woken up one day and decided that he was on the wrong path, or if Scrimgeor yelled at him one day, and he decided to leave. None of that would have been in character. But it is in character for Percy to realize that Voldemort was evil and finally that he was in *** wrong about things.

What we needed was an occasion where Percy would truly have a chance to show why he was Gryfindor. He came back when Hogwarts was under lethal attack and he knew his family would be there fighting for their lives. Neither Christmas, the Wedding, nor Dumbledore's funeral were such events. He might have come instead of Kingsley's patronus, and battled to help others flee, but what would he have done for the rest of the book? If he was killed off then, Arthur couldn't go back to the Ministry, so Harry couldn't meet him there.

Well, how did you expect him to come back? Percy made a mistake, and to be forgiven, he had to admit it. <...> Percy had to bide his time to get out from the ministry. I don't think it was a tack on, there just had to be something truly huge to wake Percy up.

To put it bluntly, I was expecting the scene of Percy returning to his family to be a lot less hokey and more sincere, perhaps with the caveat of him bringing some useful info or doing something that was relevant to his post at the ministry. Something special relating to Percy's character.

Furthermore I would have liked to have seen it coming, some clue dropped somewhere. How about the piece of information that *Harry* passes to Arthur, that the family is being watched? Maybe Percy defending the Weasleys status? I think that and a lot more could have been subtley written in so that you could look back and say "Oh Percy was behind all that".

Instead we got what looked like Percy suddenly changing his mind one day. Oh he says he had it on his mind for a while. However we are offered nothing to support that beyond his words. It felt like Rowling just wanted to get Percy in there, and resolve the forgiveness issue all at once.

I absolutely loved his reconciliation with the family but I thought it lacked exposition. I think there should have been further explanation for Percy's defection. JK adequately explained everything through other characters throughout OOTP to DH but I felt that Percy himself should have added some insight into why he found it acceptable to abandon his family to the Ministry for 2 years. Still his return was a great scene and I hope it's done well in the movie. :)

Cheers :tu:

Of all the redemptions in DH, Percy's is my favourite because it was the most credible one. His family was in mortal danger, this was the decisive battle, and there he was - the prodigal son. I loved that he was very outspoken about his former actions, which showed that he is a Weasley after all. :D I think his family would have taken him back in any case, fierce battle or not, because they love him.

I'm really glad that Percy was reconsiled in the end. I think his actions in the battle more than make up for the last two books. However, I am also glad that his personality did not change really at all. He seems to be his usual pompous old self in "Nineteen Years Later." I would have been very dissapointed if this were not the case, but it was, so--Yay! Go Perce!

I'm glad he returned.I hadn't thought much about it,or Percy(I didn't really care what happened to him),but I was happy when he came back,mainly for the parents,they were so happy.I love how everyone forgave him,it shows what a loving family the Weasleys are.I particularly liked how Fred and George with so accepting,as someone said they were the most outspoken but it shows they did care.
And considering that Rowling took away one of their sons it seems only fair that they should get the other one back.

Of all the redemptions in DH, Percy's is my favourite because it was the most credible one. His family was in mortal danger, this was the decisive battle, and there he was - the prodigal son. I loved that he was very outspoken about his former actions, which showed that he is a Weasley after all. :D I think his family would have taken him back in any case, fierce battle or not, because they love him.

And they needed someone who could taunt the imperiused minister, too :lol:

I know I am probably in the minority, but I thought his coming back was kind of contrived. The family had already faced a lot of very well published pain and Percy didn't return then (Ron was supposedly stricken, George lost an ear, Ginny was tortured). Then all of the sudden at the battle Percy shows up.

I was glad he came back story-line wise, but it seemed a bit ill-timed - just in time for Fred's death and all. I frankly never got the idea throughout the series that Percy didn't love his family or visa versa. So I was not surprised by his coming, just in the timing of it all.

I loved how Fleur and Lupin tried to break the tension by shouting to each other about Teddy. I think that was the last time we saw Lupin alive, wasn't it?

Furthermore I would have liked to have seen it coming, some clue dropped somewhere. How about the piece of information that *Harry* passes to Arthur, that the family is being watched? Maybe Percy defending the Weasleys status? I think that and a lot more could have been subtley written in so that you could look back and say "Oh Percy was behind all that". I agree. Even though I liked the scene where Percy finally came back, I wish we'd gotten some hint about it before.
I know I am probably in the minority, but I thought his coming back was kind of contrived. The family had already faced a lot of very well published pain and Percy didn't return then (Ron was supposedly stricken, George lost an ear, Ginny was tortured). Then all of the sudden at the battle Percy shows up. I was glad he came back story-line wise, but it seemed a bit ill-timed - just in time for Fred's death and all. I frankly never got the idea throughout the series that Percy didn't love his family or visa versa. So I was not surprised by his coming, just in the timing of it all.Percy did say that he'd been wanting to come back for a while, but was unable to do so.
Of all the redemptions in DH, Percy's is my favourite because it was the most credible one. His family was in mortal danger, this was the decisive battle, and there he was - the prodigal son. I loved that he was very outspoken about his former actions, which showed that he is a Weasley after all. I think his family would have taken him back in any case, fierce battle or not, because they love him.The Weasley's are a great family :agree:. They let Percy come back just as soon as he admitted to all his past mistakes.

Do you think that the Weasleys would've reacted any differently if a major battle wasn't about to take place when Percy came back to apologize?

I am not sure. I think Arthur would have accepted his apology, and Molly would have been so relieved. But I am not sure the Twins would have. (Though, in my opinion, it is a matter between Percy and his parents).

Did you expect it and did you think he redeemed himself enough to make up for the last two books?

Yes. Percy was wrong about the Ministry, and when he realized it, he fought with the Order and apologized to his family. I don't understand what else anyone thinks he should have done.

I am not sure. I think Arthur would have accepted his apology, and Molly would have been so relieved. But I am not sure the Twins would have. (Though, in my opinion, it is a matter between Percy and his parents).

I don't think so. I think it was a matter for the whole family. Percy's defection affected all of them. It was most difficult for his parents, yes, but I think it also hurt the others in the family. Reconciling with his parents was a matter for Percy and his parents. Reconciling with his siblings was a matter for Percy and his siblings.

Yes. Percy was wrong about the Ministry, and when he realized it, he fought with the Order and apologized to his family. I don't understand what else anyone thinks he should have done.

I'm glad Percy came back, and I'm glad they were reconciled before Fred's death. However, I would have liked to hear about Percy opening his eyes to reality before that. Surely it didn't take him nine months of Voldemort's puppet administration persecuting Muggleborns and spouting idiotic propaganda for him to realise something was wrong? The dogs in the streets knew that Voldemort had taken over. Percy was intelligent enough to figure this out.
It would have been nice to see Percy at the Ministry when the trio broke in - perhaps looking uncomfortable or seeming wary around Runcorn!Harry.


Even before DH, he knew he'd been wrong about the Ministry and Dumbledore in HBP, but seems to have been too proud to admit he was wrong.

I am not sure. I think Arthur would have accepted his apology, and Molly would have been so relieved. But I am not sure the Twins would have. (Though, in my opinion, it is a matter between Percy and his parents).

Given that Fred is the family member who breaks the ice and welcomes Percy back into the family the moment he determines that Percy's contrition is sincere, I do think that the Twins would have reconciled with Percy even without an impending battle.

I'm glad Percy came back, and I'm glad they were reconciled before Fred's death. However, I would have liked to hear about Percy opening his eyes to reality before that. Surely it didn't take him nine months of Voldemort's puppet administration persecuting Muggleborns and spouting idiotic propaganda for him to realise something was wrong? The dogs in the streets knew that Voldemort had taken over. Percy was intelligent enough to figure this out.

Given that Fred is the family member who breaks the ice and welcomes Percy back into the family the moment he determines that Percy's contrition is sincere, I do think that the Twins would have reconciled with Percy even without an impending battle.

I suspect that's true, but--and FurryDice's post sort of points at this--I'm not sure that Percy would have approached them without an impending battle or some similar kind of crisis. Until then, he seemed perfectly content to turn a blind eye to whatever the Death Eater regime cooked up. Whatever internal turmoil he may have been experiencing was apparently not enough to "wake him up," as it were.

In my opinion, that's because he fell prey to a very human frailty. We construct a world picture that is satisfactory to us, and in a kind of hysteresis, we fail to see its flaws until something exploits those flaws to do sufficient violence to something or someone we care about--long after most everyone else has seen through them. We see what we expect (and often hope) to see, not what there really is to see. And the most insidious thing about it is that those who vehemently insist that they see things as they really are, are rather prone to it after all. The best we can do is to maintain a vigilant sense of doubt.

Anyway, in Percy's particular case, I sense he confused lawfulness with justice. A lawful society is a means to achieve justice, and I think for large societies, the only workable solution, but it is not on its own sufficient to do the job; the laws and their enforcement need to be informed with a sense of morality, and it was this that Percy gave short shrift to. Percy's split with the family began, I think, when he insisted on following laws for their own sake (something that was already in his make-up), and rest of the Weasleys were, I sense, generally willing to sacrifice the occasional law in favor of a just outcome. So long as the victims of the new regime could be relegated as scofflaws and criminals, Percy could look past the excesses, but the attack on Hogwarts (or events leading immediately up to it) was, at last, enough to open his eyes.

The Weasleys were very much about family, and I think were at any point more or less ready to welcome Percy back, had he really been sincere about his apology (which he was, of course). It is, I think, an example of the old adage that one really must want to be receive help, before one can accept it.

Given that Fred is the family member who breaks the ice and welcomes Percy back into the family the moment he determines that Percy's contrition is sincere, I do think that the Twins would have reconciled with Percy even without an impending battle.

I am not convinced Fred would believe his sincerity or give him the benefit of the doubt under less dramatic circumstances.

Percy finally came to his senses, apologized and fought in the last battle with his family

* * * * *

Do you think that the Weasleys would've reacted any differently if a major battle wasn't about to take place when Percy came back to apologize?

Did you expect it and did you think he redeemed himself enough to make up for the last two books?

I think the family would have been surprised and perhaps taken a bit longer to forgive Percy, under different circumstances, including peace time.

I think that his return during war -- when the threat of Voldemort ruling the magical world might be a possibility -- affected Percy the way it did some of Voldy's followers: Percy realized just exactly what he would be sacrificing, and doing for Voldy, realized he couldn't do what was expected of him, and decided to take a chance and defect. I think he and his family understood this without a lot of explanations.

I didn't expect to see him in the final book and was surprised. He seemed so convicted of his beliefs in the previous books.

Maybe. Ultimately, though, I think they (say, the Weasley twins, who were as dismissive of him as anyone) forgave him--peacetime or no--because they wanted to forgive him. It might have taken longer during peacetime, but I think that extra time would not have been because he needed to convince them that he was worthy of forgiveness. It would have been because they needed to convince themselves that it was OK to forgive him. When you've deprecated someone as long as they had, it takes a while to reverse course under normal circumstances.

During battle, I think people are generally more ready to forgive more promptly because of (a) a common enemy, and (b) the sense that time is at a premium. Unfortunately, the latter was borne out in dismayingly quick order.

In my opinion, that's because he fell prey to a very human frailty. We construct a world picture that is satisfactory to us, and in a kind of hysteresis, we fail to see its flaws until something exploits those flaws to do sufficient violence to something or someone we care about--long after most everyone else has seen through them. We see what we expect (and often hope) to see, not what there really is to see. And the most insidious thing about it is that those who vehemently insist that they see things as they really are, are rather prone to it after all. The best we can do is to maintain a vigilant sense of doubt.

Fooling oneself to the extent that one thinks the Voldemort Ministry is doing the right thing is a troubling level of seeing what one wants to see.

Anyway, in Percy's particular case, I sense he confused lawfulness with justice. A lawful society is a means to achieve justice, and I think for large societies, the only workable solution, but it is not on its own sufficient to do the job; the laws and their enforcement need to be informed with a sense of morality, and it was this that Percy gave short shrift to. Percy's split with the family began, I think, when he insisted on following laws for their own sake (something that was already in his make-up), and rest of the Weasleys were, I sense, generally willing to sacrifice the occasional law in favor of a just outcome. So long as the victims of the new regime could be relegated as scofflaws and criminals, Percy could look past the excesses, but the attack on Hogwarts (or events leading immediately up to it) was, at last, enough to open his eyes.

I can see Percy holding that mindset. However, I think it's an extremely dangerous and unhealthy one. How many people have done terrible, horrific things and claimed afterwards that they did so because it was law/they were just doing their jobs? It's foolish and dangerous to just blindly follow without thinking for oneself. Learning to think for oneself is part of growing up. Learning that positions of authority do not automatically mean that oe is right is an important part of growing up. Might is not always right. Unfortunately, I think this is a lesson Percy didn't learn until it was almost too late.
If this is what happened, then Percy just failed to think for himself. He left his critical thinking at the door, and thought what he was told to think. He knew Harry, yet he followed the official Ministry line that Harry was mad and attention-seeking. He knew Hermione and Penelope, and yet, if your theory is correct, he followed the official Ministry line that Muggleborns were criminals.

The Weasleys were very much about family, and I think were at any point more or less ready to welcome Percy back, had he really been sincere about his apology (which he was, of course). It is, I think, an example of the old adage that one really must want to be receive help, before one can accept it.

I think so - if they felt that Percy was sincere and had no agenda, they would have been glad to have him back. Siblings argue, it doesn't mean they never want to see each other again.

I am not convinced Fred would believe his sincerity or give him the benefit of the doubt under less dramatic circumstances.

There's no way of knowing, as Percy didn't return to his family until the most extreme of situations occurred. He didn't return when Arthur was attacked, he didn't return when Ron was poisoned, he didn't return when George's ear was sliced off. All difficult situations for the family, but none of them prompted Percy to return to his family.

We don't know what Fred -or any of the other Weasleys - would have done if Percy had come back under different circumstances, but we do know that Percy didn't come back until things were at their most dangerous point.

I didn't expect to see him in the final book and was surprised. He seemed so convicted of his beliefs in the previous books.

I think he finally woke up to reality and thought for himself. He realised exactly what was at stake. He knew that his entire family would be fighting - they wouldn't sit by when the wizarding community was finally going to take a stand.


During battle, I think people are generally more ready to forgive more promptly because of (a) a common enemy, and (b) the sense that time is at a premium. Unfortunately, the latter was borne out in dismayingly quick order.

Sadly, that proved true. But, I think it was important that Percy returned in time to reconcile with his family before Fred's death. I think it would have made reconciliation so much harder if any of his family had died before Percy chose to come back.

I think Molly would have been quick to forgive him regardless of the situation because she always seemed the most upset about it in the book. I think Arthur would have taken a little longer to come around but he eventually would have done so. As for Fred, George, Ron and Ginny, I think if the battle hadn't being going on, it would have taken much longer for them to forgive Percy but they eventually would have done so.

Fooling oneself to the extent that one thinks the Voldemort Ministry is doing the right thing is a troubling level of seeing what one wants to see.

I was not attempting to assess its moral or ethical implications for Percy--only to describe an interpretation I find to be most consistent with his behavior. Your mileage may vary, of course.

I can see Percy holding that mindset. However, I think it's an extremely dangerous and unhealthy one.

It's essentially the Nuremberg defense, and I agree, it doesn't hold water. That doesn't mean that people don't attempt it.

Sadly, that proved true. But, I think it was important that Percy returned in time to reconcile with his family before Fred's death. I think it would have made reconciliation so much harder if any of his family had died before Percy chose to come back.

I think you're quite right.

Do we know what post Percy had at the Ministry in the months between Thicknesse taking over and the battle at Hogwarts? Under Fudge he seemed to be some sort of clerk to the Minister.

I was not attempting to assess its moral or ethical implications for Percy--only to describe an interpretation I find to be most consistent with his behavior. Your mileage may vary, of course.



It's essentially the Nuremberg defense, and I agree, it doesn't hold water. That doesn't mean that people don't attempt it.

I think your analysis of Percy's behaviour is spot-on. I agree that he seems to be invested in the idea that authority is always right and must be obeyed unquestioningly. I think that he skipped that part of growing up where people come to see that everyone makes mistakes and that authority doesn't make people infallible or incapable of less than honourable intentions or acts.


Do we know what post Percy had at the Ministry in the months between Thicknesse taking over and the battle at Hogwarts? Under Fudge he seemed to be some sort of clerk to the Minister.

I can't remember if it's mentioned in DH.

Fooling oneself to the extent that one thinks the Voldemort Ministry is doing the right thing is a troubling level of seeing what one wants to see.

On what basis do you conclude that Percy ever thought the Voldemort Ministry was doing the right thing? The split between Percy and his family began during the Fudge Administration.

Percy finally came to his senses, apologized and fought in the last battle with his family.The scene in the Room of Requirement between Percy and the other Weasleys was so natural, hugs and Fred and George cracking jokes.

I doubt that Mrs. Weasley would've doubted Percy at any time, but I think the rest of the family's reactions had a lot to do with the timing. He said it had "been coming on for a while." Something makes me think his willingness to be involved in the battle was what really proved how sincere he was, especially to Fred and George and Ron and that if everything hadn't been going on, that wouldn't have been so quick to forgive him.

Do you think that the Weasleys would've reacted any differently if a major battle wasn't about to take place when Percy came back to apologize?

Did you expect it and did you think he redeemed himself enough to make up for the last two books?

I did expect Percy to be redeemed in the end. It was a pretty severe argument, but all that was really needed was for Percy to realize he had been wrong, admit that he was wrong, and apologize to his family for his behavior.

In HBP, Percy had realized that he had been wrong. Voldemort's return had been revealed to the public by the events at the end of OOTP so everyone knew that Harry had been telling the truth and Dumbledore was not going senile. At that point, Percy wasn't yet ready to admit that or apologize to his family - pride can be difficult to swallow and a large helping of crow isn't particularly palatable. I think Percy had to come to terms with what he had done on his own first. He had let his ambition blind him and turned away from his family at a time when they all needed to stick together.

I think Percy wasn't sure how his family would react if he tried to apologize. He had been pretty horrible to them - particularly refusing to even speak to his mother and returning his Christmas present unopened. He was embarrassed and ashamed of what he had done, but finding a way to tell his family that and apologize was difficult. I knew that wasn't likely to happen until the final book - and I got that vibe from the scene where Arthur and Percy were both in the lift at the Ministry. They were both very stiff and ignored each other, but that's what stood out to me - particularly with Percy. Whenever he was embarrassed, he stiffened up and acted even more pompous. It was the same when Scrimgeour used him as an excuse to corner Harry at the Burrow in HBP. Though I did not expect Percy to apologize then. It would have been difficult to apologize when it was so obvious that he was helping Scrimgeour get to Harry against Dumbledore's wishes.

I don't think the battle had anything to do with the Weasleys accepting Percy's apology in the end though. I think they would have given him the same welcome back if he had come to them sooner and said the same things. The important thing was that he acknowledged that he had been wrong and apologized for it. That's all that was needed for him to reconcile with his family.

On what basis do you conclude that Percy ever thought the Voldemort Ministry was doing the right thing? The split between Percy and his family began during the Fudge Administration.

I think the possibilities are either that Percy was foolish enough to believe that authority had to be right, or else, he believed it was wrong and knew his family were in danger and just didn't care enough to do anything about it. No approaching his family or the Order, nothing. His apology and his joke about resignation just before Fred's death seems to suggest the former, and that he had finally woken up and gained the ability to think for himself rather than blindly obey.

Actually, the split between Percy and his family is part of the reason why I find it possible that Percy was once again, blinded by the idea of authority always being right. I think Percy is shown to be very blinkered and narrow-minded in that regard. Orders from superiors are always right, the people in charge are in the right. I find it easy to believe that Percy could have rationalised what was going on under the heading of following orders and authority being right.

Percy respected Dumbledore as Headmaster. He even worked with Dumbledore on the Triwizard Tournament and served as judge alongside Dumbledore for the second task. And yet, it's shown in OotP how quickly he bought into the idea that the man he used to repsect was senile/trying to cause trouble for Fudge so he could take over. He followed the official line. He thought exactly what he was ordered to think, with no regard for what he himself knew - he knew and respected Dumbledore, he knew Harry, and knew Harry wasn't unstable or attention-seeking. Percy thought what he was told to think, because it came from someone in authority.

I can see him doing the same under the Voldemort-administration and rationalised it with the idea that the Ministry couldn't possibly be in the wrong.

I felt it was a pretty rushed reconciliation but they were about to enter a battle so that makes sense. At first I thought that the Weasleys forgave him too easily but I suppose thats just the type of family that they were. Also, there was a 'relief' factor involved, as if they'd just been waiting for Percy to see things right and he finally managed to do that at such a crucial time.
Personally, I think that if Percy had reconciled at another time, not during the start of the battle, their reactions might have slightly been different. I'm sure Mrs. Weasley would have forgiven him right away, but I think Fred and George would have wanted more of an explanation.

I always knew once Fudge accepted that Dumbledore and Harry were telling the truth, Percy would come around, but he never struck me as to apologise easily, so I never knew exactly when it would happen. And just when I had forgotten about it, he came around. I found the scene both touching and humorous. The Weasleys were never the type of people to abandon anyone, especially Molly. I could just picture them all gathered together, staring as Percy came stumbling in, blinking as if trying to get used to the sight; awkward at first, but heart-warming in the end.

I found the scene both touching and humorous. The Weasleys were never the type of people to abandon anyone, especially Molly. I could just picture them all gathered together, staring as Percy came stumbling in, blinking as if trying to get used to the sight; awkward at first, but heart-warming in the end.
Totally agree. I love that scene. Also later, when Percy protects Fred's dead body with his own living one. Almost made me cry.

Percy's not a bad sort, really. Just misguided. And pompous, but he seems to have outgrown that by the time of DH. He learned to put things in perspective, IMO.

I've always thought it was a bit strange that it took Percy was so long to actually come around. He must have known at the end of Harry's fifth year when Fudge and the the rest of the Wizarding world realise Voldemort has come back, that he was in the wrong. So why did it take him two whole years to own up? Apologising and accepting blame isn't easy but two years is a long long time.

In that time frame he almost lost two of his brothers (Ron and Bill) and even missed his eldest brothers wedding. I am of the opinion that there must have been something holding him back from going back to his family. We know he cares for his family and siblings. His letter to Ron (although it was completely uncalled for) does show that he cared for him.

I think there's a possibility that he was watched by the death eaters in the hope that he might lead them to the Weasley hiding place or something of that sort.

I also wonder what he was doing in the ministry during Harry's seventh year. Percy was a Weasley i.e a blood traitor and given that his ex girlfriend was a muggleborn herself it's hard to believe he could just stand their and watch muggle borns being prosecuted and being sent to Azkaban.

I think there's a possibility that he was watched by the death eaters in the hope that he might lead them to the Weasley hiding place or something of that sort.
I never thought of it, but you have a good point there.

I also wonder what he was doing in the ministry during Harry's seventh year. Percy was a Weasley i.e a blood traitor and given that his ex girlfriend was a muggleborn herself it's hard to believe he could just stand their and watch muggle borns being prosecuted and being sent to Azkaban.
I guess that's what got his eyes opened. Maybe he thought it would do more good if he just stayed where he was to see what was going on? He'd have been helpless to act, since he was considered a blood traitor. We don't know whether he did anything to help the Muggleborns. That'd be an interesting topic for a Percy fan fic.

When the Battle of Hogwarts broke out, he must have realized that he couldn't just stay sitting on the fence and decided to join the Hogwarts fighters and reunite with his family. JMO.

I thought of it. And I can see your views. Percy was a blood traitor and they were most likely watching him. When everyone comes to Hogwarts that is the best time to leae since they would not be spying on him much; they'll be too occupied with Voldemort's attack on Hogwarts.

I can also see him trying to do some good at the Ministry too. Good point.

My initial thought was that pride held him back and the fear of his family rejecting him eve though we know they would not. The twins, Ron and Ginny would be mad and yell at him or give him the silent treatment but never disown him. But he knew he did some pretty bad stuff. He did not visit his father in he hospital, he sent back his presents and he did not attend Bill's wedding. His siblings did not react to well toward him when he came to the Burrow with the Minister to see Harry. Maybe it contributed to his fear. But he overcame it in the end, in a time when he was most needed, so I think he showed the courage of a Gryffindor then and while shielding Fred's body. That must've been awful for him.

I found the way everything worked out a little bit disappointing because I was hoping there would have been more of a scene. However, I can't complain that much about it. I am sure Molly would have forgiven him no matter the circumstances. I am not sure who held the greater grudge: The twins or Arthur. I think the fight was the main reason that everyone accepted him so quickly, but it was also the hardest time to come. I think that it was Percy's pride that held him back for so long anyways.


My initial thought was that pride held him back and the fear of his family rejecting him eve though we know they would not. The twins, Ron and Ginny would be mad and yell at him or give him the silent treatment but never disown him. But he knew he did some pretty bad stuff. He did not visit his father in he hospital, he sent back his presents and he did not attend Bill's wedding. His siblings did not react to well toward him when he came to the Burrow with the Minister to see Harry. Maybe it contributed to his fear. But he overcame it in the end, in a time when he was most needed, so I think he showed the courage of a Gryffindor then and while shielding Fred's body. That must've been awful for him.

I agree with this statement. However, if it weren't for Molly, I don't think the family would reach out to him at all. She was probably the only reason why he was sent the presents, he was even invited to Bill's wedding, and he was let in at the burrow. Arthur showed no effort- in DH at the ministry, he made no means of trying to talk to Percy when they were on the elevator, they just avoided each other.

Percy finally came to his senses, apologized and fought in the last battle with his family.The scene in the Room of Requirement between Percy and the other Weasleys was so natural, hugs and Fred and George cracking jokes.

I doubt that Mrs. Weasley would've doubted Percy at any time, but I think the rest of the family's reactions had a lot to do with the timing. He said it had "been coming on for a while." Something makes me think his willingness to be involved in the battle was what really proved how sincere he was, especially to Fred and George and Ron and that if everything hadn't been going on, that wouldn't have been so quick to forgive him.

Do you think that the Weasleys would've reacted any differently if a major battle wasn't about to take place when Percy came back to apologize?

Did you expect it and did you think he redeemed himself enough to make up for the last two books?

They probably wouldn't have been so quick to forgive him, like you said. It would have taken them some time to do so, since he'd have to prove himself to them again. After all he'd done.

The way he acted in battle, was enough of an impetus, imo, to help him get reunited with his family. He showed them that he wasn't loyal to the Ministry and that he'd do anything to fight against those who'd try and harm his family. In a way, his true colors showed ;). Was very proud of him when he did what he did.

No I did not. Thought he'd be a Ministry stooge forever. For the most part.

I thought Percy would come back. He was totally overwhelmed with the promotion that Fudge gave him even though he messed up in GOF. He was blinded by ambition. He was a Prat.
but, he had to come back. He was a Weasley, no matter what.

I thought Percy would come back. He was totally overwhelmed with the promotion that Fudge gave him even though he messed up in GOF. He was blinded by ambition. He was a Prat.
but, he had to come back. He was a Weasley, no matter what.

Good point, merrymarge. He did screw up a lot in that one, didn't he :lol:. He bit off a little more than he could chew. Makes sense that he'd come to his senses one way or another. Bet he was blinded enough to not even notice the Ministry's take over at first.