Fudge is Way Evil and I have the acronyms to prove it

[dicentra_spectabilis_alba]

No: HPFGUIDX 35884

Dicentra wrote:
> > But because few Potterverse characters turn out to be what
> > Harry originally thinks they are, I have to anticipate some kind of
> > revelation later on. Not so much because I don't believe Harry's
> > interpretation to be valid, but because JKR likes to yank the rug 
> out
> > as often as possible.
> > 
And then continues:
> > I think that Big Trouble is definitely what we're in for, but as I
> > stated earlier, JKR rarely lets us maintain a particular impression 
> > of a character for long.
> > 
Naama throws down the gauntlet:
> Okay. This is one of my pet peeves. I've commented on this a few 
> times (way back) but didn't get much response. So I'll just say it 
> again (in the most provocative way I can :-)) :
> 
> MOST Pottervers characters turn out to be exactly what Harry 
> originally thinks they are. Moreover, once a character has been 
> established s/he NEVER surprises us as far as his/her basic qualities 
> go. If you'll think back to the books, you'll see that all the 
> characters who surprised us were part of each book's plot and the 
> twist in our perception of them serves and is part of the twist in 
> the book's plot.

<snip proof points, all good.>
> 
> Apart from these twists, that are very closely tied each specific 
> book's plot, NO other characters change in any significant way 
> (particularly the Good-Bad affiliation). Even characters such as 
> Lupin, who seem suspicious for a while, once their innocence has been 
> established, do not change. 
<a bit of snippage>
> No member of the regular cast (so far, of course) has surprised us. 
> So, if I apply this to Fudge, I'd say that (as a member of the 
> regular cast) he is precisely what he seems to be. Lacking in moral 
> courage, tending to avoid nasty realities (remember that "you must 
> love each other.. er.. deep down"?) but not affiliated with Evil.
> 
> Naama, hoping for some reaction

Dicentra obligingly reacts:
You make an excellent point about who is misperceived and who isn't.
And as far as Books 1-4 are concerned, you are spot on. However, JKR
has stated that Book 4 signals a watershed in the series, chiefly
regarding the issue of Harry being protected. He has been, but no longer.

I think that with the return of Voldemort, the landscape of the
characters is going to change dramatically. As during the first Reign
of Terror, people are not going to know whom to trust. It makes sense
to me that many of the apparently benign members of the regular cast
will resume their old loyalties, and in some cases it will be a
surprise (as was *not* the case with Lucius Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle,
etc.). It also makes sense to me that part of Harry's future peril
will come at the hands of someone he has heretofore trusted. Of
course, it's possible that Fudge is not one of those people, but it's
also possible that he is. I cast my vote for Fudge as someone who
might put Harry in danger because of what I think I've seen in the text.

--Dicentra, who fervently hopes that NOT ONE of the predictions,
speculations, or theories presented in this forum and others turns out
to be true, including her own