This Gryffindor Was Actually a Slytherin Hidden in Plain Sight

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Percy Weasley was initially placed in Gryffindor, but looking back, he seemed to embody more Slytherin traits. The four houses at Hogwarts – Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin – are unique, each with its own distinct characteristics. To be assigned to one of these houses by the Sorting Hat, a magical artifact, it’s essential that a student shares the house’s values, aspirations, and principles.

It’s not just Percy Weasley from “Harry Potter” who was possibly assigned to the wrong house; fans have often debated and re-sorted characters based on their unique traits and complexities. Since the “Harry Potter” series gained popularity in the late ’90s, many readers have found it intriguing to consider where different characters might truly belong. Characters like Hermione Granger and Minerva McGonagall are so multifaceted that they could fit comfortably in more than one house. Conversely, characters such as Draco Malfoy embody their assigned house so strongly that it’s hard to imagine them elsewhere. In the case of Percy Weasley, while he seems like a classic Gryffindor, there are arguments to be made for sorting him into Slytherin as well, given his ambition and leadership qualities.

Gryffindor TraitsSlytherin Traits
Bravery Courage Determination ChivalryCunning Ambition Resourceful Independent

How Did Percy Fit Into the Weasley Family?

Percy Was Routinely Bullied By His Younger Siblings

In the magical world, Percy Weasley, born to Arthur and Molly Weasley, was their third child and part of a large family that included younger brothers Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny, as well as younger brother Charlie. The Weasleys, a well-known but financially struggling pure-blood (fully magical) family, were initially portrayed in the Harry Potter series as a lively and carefree bunch. However, Percy stood out for his serious and formal demeanor, often contrasting with the rest of his family’s jovial personality. When Harry Potter returned to the Wizarding World at 11 years old, only Percy (and his brothers Bill and Charlie who were less prominent) did not offer an excited greeting to him.

Percy was deeply loved by his mother, but endured persistent teasing from his brothers Fred and George. In the initial Harry Potter movies, their playful torment never escalated to anything serious, but it was incessant. Regardless of whether Percy interacted with his siblings or retreated to his room, he was always the target of their jokes. However, in the books, Percy suffered more severe treatment from Fred and George, such as having his pet killed, getting his tongue burned, and narrowly escaping being trapped inside an Egyptian pyramid before the story of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban unfolded.

Percy Weasley’s Ambition Clouded His Judgment

Percy Remained Loyal to the Ministry of Magic when Voldemort Returned

In his youth, Percy demonstrated courage by bending some rules, yet he was consistently the one to uphold regulations towards others. A diligent and goal-oriented individual, Percy set aside numerous priorities to boost his reputation at Hogwarts. Serving as a Prefect in his fifth and sixth years (essentially, a student with additional duties and privileges), Percy was determined to keep order among the students. He took his responsibilities very seriously because he aspired to become Head Boy in his seventh year at Hogwarts, which he did accomplish. In the initial three Harry Potter films, Percy’s character is generally portrayed as a strict wizard, often repeating phrases such as, “I’m a Prefect!” and “Excuse me, I’m Head Boy!”.

It wasn’t until Voldemort resurfaced at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire that Percy, who had graduated from Hogwarts after Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and was immediately employed by the Ministry of Magic, started to deviate significantly from the values of Gryffindor. Prior to this event, he primarily handled clerical work within the Department of International Magical Cooperation until he eventually became Barty Crouch Sr.’s assistant, who was unfortunately murdered by his son during the same period as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In the instance when Voldemort resurfaced and Cedric Diggory was tragically slain, Harry found himself in a battle not only against Voldemort but also the Ministry. The Ministry, rather than supporting Voldemort, vehemently opposed him. Cornelius Fudge, specifically, refused to accept Voldemort’s return and instead attempted to smear and accuse both Harry and Dumbledore. Many characters in the Harry Potter series aligned with the Ministry and distanced themselves from Harry, including his dorm-mate Seamus Finnigan and Percy. For instance, when Ron and Hermione became Prefects in the book “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” Percy sent a hearty congratulatory letter to Ron. However, following the initial congratulations, Percy advised Ron that if he wished to preserve his position and avoid making enemies, he needed to sever ties with Harry.

Percy Weasley Chose His Career Over His Family

Percy Shunned the Weasleys After an Argument With His Father

Throughout the entirety of the Harry Potter series, Percy Weasley displayed unwavering loyalty; however, this loyalty was primarily shown when it was advantageous or served a particular purpose. In the initial films, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Percy was an integral part of the Weasley family, but his role as Prefect/Head Boy often took precedence over other relationships. During these interactions with characters like Harry, conversations were more focused on formal school matters rather than personal topics.

Following his graduation from Hogwarts, Percy cropped up sporadically in subsequent Harry Potter films, primarily serving the Ministry. After the events of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Percy was summoned back to Hogwarts for a short period, acting as an assistant to Professor Umbridge, who was a representative from the Ministry of Magic attempting to undermine Dumbledore’s role as Headmaster.

During his time at the Ministry, Percy initially kept in touch with his family; however, by the Christmas break in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, he had grown completely distant from the Weasleys. The rift between Percy and his family deepened after Harry was reinstated at Hogwarts following an event where he was temporarily expelled for using magic around his cousin, Dudley Dursley. A dispute between Percy and Arthur, both Ministry employees with Arthur holding a lower rank, added fuel to the fire. When Percy’s mother came to visit during Christmas in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Percy shut the door on her. Shortly after, when Arthur was assaulted at work and hospitalized, Percy declined to visit him.

In his later years at Hogwarts, Percy’s character took on a more non-Gryffindor-like demeanor, similar to how Harry Potter was perceived. Post-graduation, Percy pursued success with unyielding determination and leveraged his ambition to ascend the corporate ladder from an early age. As he grew older, his career and the prestige it afforded him became more important than family ties, leading him to cut off relations in order to safeguard his achievements.

Percy demonstrated a knack for using his wisdom to advance in Hogwarts and at the Ministry of Magic, but he wasn’t exactly cunning. While Percy’s actions could sometimes be morally ambiguous, he was not deceptive or underhanded. However, it wasn’t until the that we truly saw Percy display genuine courage and bravery.

Percy Weasley Eventually Reconciled With His Family

Percy’s Amends During the Battle of Hogwarts Were Cut From Deathly Hallows Part II

As a devoted film buff reflecting on “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” I can’t help but feel that Percy erred in severing ties with his family due to his work at the Ministry of Magic. However, he ultimately realized his mistake, though it was close to being too late. In the novel, it was Aberforth Dumbledore who tipped off Percy about something significant. Upon his return to Hogwarts, amidst a crowd of familiar faces, there was an awkward reunion between Percy and his family. The air was thick with tension, but eventually, Percy confessed his errors and begged for forgiveness. The Weasleys, ever the welcoming bunch, quickly took him back into their fold. From that moment on, Percy stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Harry in the fight against Voldemort.

During the movie adaptation of the Battle of Hogwarts, Percy was merely a secondary or background character, present but not heavily featured. Interestingly, the final part of the Deathly Hallows series omitted an entire character’s death during the battle, a death that Percy had witnessed personally.

In the book, Percy and Fred engage in a conflict involving two unspecified individuals. Harry, Ron, and Hermione intervened when they stumbled upon the confrontation. Percy cracked a joke about quitting the Ministry, which caused Fred to chuckle. Sadly, that was Fred’s final action; Death Eaters triggered an explosion that claimed Fred’s life. Harry and Percy carefully moved Fred’s body aside. Later in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, the Weasley family momentarily grieve over Fred in the Great Hall.

In the Harry Potter series, the Weasley family is one of many pure-blood families where every member ends up in the same Hogwarts House (such as the Malfoys, who are well-known Slytherins). Although it’s not entirely implausible for smaller families within Harry Potter to all be sorted into Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, it is quite uncommon. Given that the Weasleys are a family of nine, the likelihood of both parents and all seven siblings being placed in the same Hogwarts House is extremely unlikely.

Throughout the Harry Potter series, every member of the Weasley family embodied the virtues characteristic of Gryffindor House. Among them all, the Weasleys are the one wizarding clan that consistently exhibits these noble traits with great ease.

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2025-06-07 05:08