Percy Ignatius Weasley

Percy Ignatius Weasley is the third son of Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley. A model of ambition and a stickler for rules, Percy's identity is defined by his career at the Ministry of Magic and his desire to distinguish himself from his family's humble background. His unwavering loyalty to the Ministry leads to a painful estrangement from the Weasley family during the Second Wizarding War. His arc is ultimately one of redemption, culminating in his reconciliation with his family and his courageous participation in the Battle of Hogwarts.

Percy began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1987 and was sorted into Gryffindor House. He was an academically gifted student who excelled in his studies, eventually earning twelve Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s). In his fifth year, he was made a Prefect, an achievement he took immense pride in, much to the amusement of his younger twin brothers, Fred Weasley and George Weasley. For this accomplishment, his parents gifted him a screech owl he named Hermes. During his time at Hogwarts, he began a secret relationship with Penelope Clearwater, a Ravenclaw Prefect. In his seventh year, Percy achieved his greatest ambition at school by being appointed Head Boy. His dedication to rules and authority often made him appear pompous and overbearing to his siblings and to Harry Potter.

Upon graduating from Hogwarts in 1994, Percy immediately secured a position at the Ministry of Magic. He started in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, working as an assistant to Barty Crouch Sr.. Percy idolised his boss, failing to see Crouch's own ruthlessness and moral failings. He worked diligently during the Triwizard Tournament, assisting Crouch and filling in for him when he mysteriously fell ill. In the summer of 1995, following the return of Lord Voldemort, Percy was promoted to the position of Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. This promotion, however, caused a major rift in his family. Arthur Weasley suspected that Fudge only wanted Percy in his office to spy on the Weasley family and, by extension, Albus Dumbledore. Percy, fiercely loyal to the Ministry and its official denial of Voldemort's return, chose to see the promotion as a reward for his merit. He had a terrible argument with his father, accusing him of having no ambition and bringing shame to the family name. He moved out of The Burrow and into a flat in London, effectively disowning his family. He even returned his Christmas jumper from Molly Weasley, a deeply hurtful act.

Throughout the next two years, Percy remained loyal to the Ministry's official line. He was present at Harry Potter's disciplinary hearing and steadfastly ignored his family. After Voldemort's return was publicly confirmed at the end of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Percy was forced to confront the truth but was too ashamed and proud to admit his mistake. When the Ministry fell to Voldemort's control in 1997, Percy retained his position, likely because the new regime saw him as ambitious, rule-abiding, and unthreatening. However, the experience of working within the corrupted Ministry finally opened his eyes. He made contact with Aberforth Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix and, when the Battle of Hogwarts began, he rushed to the school to fight alongside his family. He arrived dramatically in the Room of Requirement, apologising profusely to his family, who joyfully welcomed him back. He fought valiantly, duelling the Voldemort-controlled Minister for Magic, Pius Thicknesse, and transforming him into a sea urchin. Tragically, moments after he reconciled with Fred Weasley, Fred was killed in an explosion. A devastated Percy refused to leave his brother's side and helped carry his body to the Great Hall. He was later seen duelling Augustus Rookwood alongside his father.

Following the war, Percy returned to the Ministry of Magic and eventually became the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation. He married a woman named Audrey and they had two daughters, Molly and Lucy Weasley (J.K. Rowling interview).

Percy is described as tall and thin, like his brothers Bill Weasley and Ron Weasley, and shares the family's trademark flaming red hair and freckles. He wears horn-rimmed glasses. His personality is defined by his immense ambition, his love of rules and order, and a certain pomposity. He often came across as officious and condescending, particularly towards his younger siblings. His ambition was largely a reaction to his family's poverty; he desperately wanted to clear the Weasley name of its association with being poor and eccentric. This ambition made him susceptible to manipulation by figures of authority like Barty Crouch Sr. and Cornelius Fudge. Underneath his rigid exterior, however, he deeply loved his family, a fact proven by his eventual and heartfelt reconciliation.

• Academic Prowess: Percy was an excellent student, achieving top marks and earning twelve O.W.L.s, a feat matched only by Bill Weasley and Hermione Granger.
• Transfiguration: He demonstrated a high level of skill in Transfiguration during the Battle of Hogwarts when he turned Pius Thicknesse into a sea urchin mid-duel.
• Duelling: He was a competent duellist who survived the Battle of Hogwarts, fighting against experienced Death Eaters like Augustus Rookwood.

• Wand: The wood, core, and length of Percy's wand are unknown.
• Hermes: A screech owl given to him by his parents as a reward for being made a Prefect.
• Badges: Percy cherished his silver Prefect badge and his gold Head Boy badge, polishing them constantly as symbols of his status and achievement.
• Horn-rimmed glasses: A distinctive part of his appearance.

• Weasley Family: Percy had a complicated and often strained relationship with his family. He was a frequent target of Fred and George's pranks. His ambition put him at odds with his father's more humble and principled nature, leading to their bitter fallout. His estrangement caused his mother, Molly Weasley, immense pain. His eventual reconciliation was a pivotal moment, tragically followed by the death of his brother Fred.
• Penelope Clearwater: Percy's girlfriend at Hogwarts. They were a well-matched couple, both being studious and holding the position of Prefect. Their relationship was revealed when Ginny Weasley mentioned seeing them kissing.
• Cornelius Fudge: As Minister for Magic, Fudge represented the pinnacle of authority and success in Percy's eyes. Percy gave Fudge his unwavering loyalty, choosing to believe him over his own family and Albus Dumbledore regarding Voldemort's return.

• Percy: This is short for Percival, a name of Welsh origin. Sir Percival was one of the legendary Knights of the Round Table and a seeker of the Holy Grail, reflecting Percy's own ambitious “quest” for career success and status. This also fits the Arthurian naming theme within his family (Arthur Weasley, Ginevra Weasley).
• Ignatius: Likely a reference to St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, which is known for its discipline and strict adherence to rules, mirroring Percy's own personality.
• Weasley: According to J.K. Rowling, the name derives from the weasel. Despite the animal's poor reputation in the UK, Rowling has a personal fondness for them. The name also evokes the family's red hair and their home, The Burrow.

• In the film adaptations of the Harry Potter series, Percy Weasley is portrayed by actor Chris Rankin. His role is significantly reduced in the later films, and his reconciliation during the Battle of Hogwarts is not shown on screen (film).
• J.K. Rowling stated that she originally intended for Percy's motivation for siding with the Ministry to be more sinister, but she ultimately decided it was more interesting and realistic for him to be merely misguided and blinded by ambition (J.K. Rowling interview).
• Percy's post-war marriage to Audrey and their children, Molly and Lucy, were revealed by J.K. Rowling in interviews and on the Pottermore website after the publication of the final book (Pottermore).