Evil Evil Fudge and his curious smile

[Audra1976 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 48305

lmccabe at sonic.net writes:
> The strange smile on his face at the end of GoF is 
> worrying exactly what the price he's going to have to pay to Voldy 
> now that he has risen again.

       Me:
       *Something* was up with that "curious smile."  It's mentioned three 
times in the text.    Maybe there should be some more theories about that 
rather than Dumbledore's gleam.

       I can't find who asked about what House Fudge might have been in, but 
I'd have to assume Slytherin.  Look at Dumbledore's comments to him at the 
end of GoF:
       "You are blinded by the love of the office you hold, Cornelius!  You 
place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity 
of blood."
       I'd be willing to bet that many of the higher ups in the Ministry are 
former Slytherins.  The values of that House go along well with politicians.  
And don't forget Fudge's *green* bowler hat.

       Also, I found something that might add to this Evil, Evil Fudge 
argument.  Back in CoS, when Lucius Malfoy, Fudge, Dumbledore, and Hagrid 
(and also Harry and Ron under the cloak) are in Hagrid's hut together, the 
dialogue goes like this:
--------------------
       "Oh, now see here, Lucius," said Fudge, looking alarmed,  "Dumbledore 
suspended --no, no -- last thing we want just now."  
       "The appointment or suspension of the Headmaster is a matter for the 
governors, Fudge," said Mr. Malfoy smoothly, "And as Dumbledore has failed to 
stop the attacks --"
       "See here, Malfoy, if Dumbledore can't stop them," said Fudge, whose 
upper lip was sweating now, "I mean to say, who can?"
-----------------------

       It appears that Fudge is arguing for Dumbledore, and that he is 
alarmed and anxious at the prospect of Dumbledore being suspended, but if you 
look at the wording, and you believe F.I.E., you could say Fudge let 
something slip.  When Fudge is alarmed he blurts out "*Lucius*" and that's 
the "last thing *we* want just now."  
       Lucius keeps his composure and responds "smoothy" calling Fudge, 
*Fudge*, not Cornelius, and separating himself further by saying it's a 
matter for the governors that Fudge *shouldn't* be concerned about.  *Now* 
Fudge's upper lip is sweating, and he corrects himself, using *Malfoy* now, 
and not the familiar, Lucius, as he had just before.  Lucius might have 
oh-so-subtlely been prompting Fudge to correct his slip.

Audra


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