Cornelius Fudge - Character Study

[Carole Estes]

No: HPFGUIDX 3202

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, stevekimmel at y... wrote:
> Cornelius Fudge – Minister of Magic
> Question 1: Who are they? Is this some variation on a Voldemort 
plot 
> to move Dumbledore away from Hogwarts?

I think "they" are whomever elects the Minister of magic whether that 
be a party or the wizard population at large.  Its definitely a 
politcal office rather than one determined by wizarding skill.

> Question 3: If it was Fudge who called Dumbledore away, how did he 
> know Quirrell was going to make his attempt that night? Voldemort 
was 
> so weak that it is doubtful he could have informed Fudge by magic.

I have always assumed the owl was sent by Quirrell to get Dummbledore 
away from Hogwarts so he could steal the stone...Fudge having nothing 
to do with it.  Din't it imply in SS that the people at the ministry 
were surprised to see Dumbledore...maybe thats my imagination.... 


> Question 4: In retrospect, why did Fudge seek to send Hagrid away 
and 
> the same time Voldemort's other follower, Lucious Malfoy, is trying 
> to rid Hogwarts of Dumbledore?  Is Hagrid more important than we 
have 
> previously thought?

Hagrid was the scapegoat...he'd been the scapegoat (although we 
didn't know that at the time) 50 years previously, he's the obvious 
choice, plus as someone else pointed out it satisfied the public 
demand that he do "something"

> Presumably he knew the truth about Sirius Black 
> and knew that Sirius was actually not a threat to Harry. Presumably 
> his actions were consistent toward eliminating another foe of 
> Voldemort's.
>

I've never thought for a moment that Fudge knew the truth about 
Sirius.  He had had to inform the muggle authorities that Sirius was 
on the loose and a dangerous criminal.  If he'd known the truth about 
Sirius why would he have gone through that charade.  In fact Fudge 
still doesn't know the truth about Sirius, otherwise why would Sirius 
still be in hiding..I assume the minister of magic would have some 
power to pardon...Plus wasn't Fudge in on the conversation in the 3 
broomsticks where its related that Sirius was thought to be the 
secret-keeper...Fudge never does anything but agree with that whole 
line of conversation.


> though, we see him defending everyone Harry mentions as a 
>Deatheater,

Most of those mentioned were prominent members of the wizarding 
community, large charitable contributions were mentioned...I think 
he's naive and he can not believe that someone who is "important" 
could also be evil...

> Question 6: Is there an explanation of Fudge's actions other than 
his 
> being a follower of Voldemort? 

He's an ostrich...and I think its right in character for him he's the 
quintesential politician without an ounce of the ability to see the 
truth when its staring you in the face if it might upset the boat.

carole