Percy Weasley Character Analysis in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

One of Ron's older brothers. Percy has always loved rules and being successful, and so he feels very important when he gets a job working for Mr. Crouch at the Ministry of Magic after Hogwarts. He takes his job very seriously and though he says some things that can be construed as dry jokes, he's a mostly humorless individual. He shows that he prioritizes his job over family when, following an article criticizing how Mr. Weasley dealt with the mayhem at the Quidditch World Cup, Percy suggests that Mr. Weasley made a mistake in speaking at all. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn more about Percy's boss, Mr. Crouch, Ron begins to see troubling similarities between the two and believes that Percy would prioritize rules over compassion for his family if forced to do so. However, Percy's obvious fear and concern during the second task, when Ron was underwater, suggests that Ron may be incorrect about this. When Mr. Crouch "falls ill," promotes Percy, and stops coming to work, Percy initially sees it as a reflection on his own competence. The responsibility begins to wear on him, however, especially as others begin to question whether or not Mr. Crouch is actually the one sending Percy instructions.

Percy Weasley Character Timeline in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The timeline below shows where the character Percy Weasley appears in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

History, Community, and Coming of Age Theme Icon

...get jobs at the Ministry. The group passes a door off the second landing and Percy pokes his head out to tell the group to be quiet. Percy tells Harry importantly... (full context)

Good, Evil, Power, and Choice Theme Icon

...the owl Pigwidgeon, which he hates, so he calls the owl Pig. He says that Percy loves work an unhealthy amount; he'll go on at length about his boss, Mr. Crouch,... (full context)

...two long tables and making them smash into each other. Fred and George laugh while Percy yells out the window to stop. Several hours later, the tables are laden with food... (full context)

Reading, Critical Thinking, and Truth Theme Icon

Percy talks on and on about Mr. Crouch and the preparations for the Quidditch World Cup.... (full context)

...to check to make sure that his Muggle outfit is appropriate, while Fred grumbles about Percy, Bill, and Charlie getting to Apparate to the match. Harry learns that wizards must pass... (full context)

...Harry and Hermione about all the Ministry people passing by. Just after Bill, Charlie, and Percy arrive around lunchtime, Ludo Bagman stops by and happily says that everything is going well.... (full context)

...Crouch arrives. He's dressed in a crisp suit and looks highly polished; Harry thinks that Percy's idolization makes sense. Mr. Crouch impatiently says that the Bulgarians want them to add seats... (full context)

...have been finalized and they can't tell anyone yet. He finally cuts Bagman off, thanks Percy for the tea, and leads Bagman away. Throughout the rest of the day, the excitement... (full context)

...tells Fred, George, Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny to head for the woods while he, Percy, Bill, and Charlie help the Ministry. After Ron yelps with pain in the dark, Hermione... (full context)

...notes that there were no bodies but now there will definitely be rumors. He and Percy leave for work at the Ministry. (full context)

Mr. Weasley and Percy are at work much of the next week. One evening, when Percy is home and... (full context)

...out what happened with Winky, which sparks an argument on house-elf welfare between Hermione and Percy. Mrs. Weasley breaks it up by sending everyone upstairs to pack. Harry worries out loud... (full context)

...and Parvati follow the other champions to the head table where the judges are seated. Percy is sitting where Harry assumes Mr. Crouch was supposed to sit. Harry sits next to... (full context)

...Parvati just as Krum approaches with butterbeers, looking for Hermione. Ron sends him away as Percy arrives, thrilled that Ron is making friends with Krum--he says the point of the Tournament... (full context)

Percy sits down next to Ron and he and Harry watch Fred and George accost Bagman.... (full context)

Harry and Ron are shocked that Bagman wants to help and Ron wonders jokingly if Percy poisoned Mr. Crouch so he'd be made head of the department. Rita Skeeter enters the... (full context)

...to the lake and notices the stands set up around it. He's surprised to see Percy at the judge's table and has no time to catch his breath before Bagman arranges... (full context)

Percy, his face white, splashes into the lake to meet Harry and Ron. On the bank,... (full context)

...sense of. After a moment of thoughtful silence, Sirius asks if Ron will write to Percy and see what Mr. Crouch is up to, especially in regards to Bertha Jorkins. Sirius... (full context)

...to the edge of town. As the trio re-enters the Hogwarts grounds, they wonder if Percy knows what Sirius knows about Mr. Crouch. (full context)

The next day, after sending a letter to Percy, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stop in the kitchen to give Dobby his new socks. Dobby... (full context)

Hedwig brings a reply from Percy at the end of the Easter holiday with a package from Mrs. Weasley. Harry and... (full context)

...spends the day walking around the school with Mrs. Weasley and Bill and learns that Percy isn't doing well, as people suspect that Mr. Crouch isn't writing the instructions he's sending.... (full context)