[HPforGrownups] Chapter 8 Summary: The Quidditch World Cup

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 432

>What do you think of Fudge's relationship with the Malfoys?  He's 
>really buddy-buddy with them in this chapter, making sure to mention 
>their most recent contribution (to the same hospital where Neville's 
>parents reside - though we don't know that until near the end of the 
>book).

This is one of my favourite chapters in GoF.

Re Fudge: I imagine Fudge is scared of Lucius Malfoy and might be getting a
nice little pay packet, or 'protection' from him in return for doing a few
dodgy cover-ups. When Fudge finished off Crouch Junior, for example, he may
well have been acting upon instructions from Lucius, who was acting upon
instructions from... well, Voldemort.

When Fudge introduces Malfoy to Arthur Weasley at the Quidditch match he
assumes that they will have met, but he doesn't give the impression that
he's aware of their likely animosity towards each other.  This suggests that
he's a bit out of touch, to say the least.  After all, Lucius and Arthur
once had a fist fight in Flourish and Blotts, which he must have heard
about.  It's more likely that he's been turning a blind eye to Malfoy's
illicit activities for years and - out of fear, mostly - continues to
present Malfoy as a pillar of the community.  Could he be under the
influence of some sort of charm?  Or is he living in cloud cuckoo land, like
most politicians?

Neil
            Flying-Ford-Anglia

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   "Then, dented, scratched and steaming, 
   the car rumbled off into the darkness, 
   its rear lights blazing angrily"

 [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]

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