Fudge as Dumbledore's Man

[lucky_kari]

No: HPFGUIDX 47213

Off list, talking about our logistical problems with MAGIC DISHWASHER,
I mentioned to Abigail that I didn't like the idea of setting off the
wizarding world apocalypse with Fudge in office. She developed the
idea further by asking why Dumbledore didn't become Minister under
MAGIC DISHWASHER, and that question has lead to some interesting
discussion.

However, in a non-MAGIC DISHWASHER world, the question also stands. Why?

In the past, I have been very skeptical about Hagrid's summing up of
the situation. First of all, it's Hagrid talking. "Wanted him for
Minister for Magic" could easily go along with the "not a single witch
or wizard" line? Whoever decides on the Minister for Magic (and it's
definitely not by direct election, as even a Muggle prime-minister
isn't directly elected), it seems strange to me that they'd be so
unanimous in their choice. Look at it in light of Sirius's line in GoF
that Crouch was popular and tipped to be the next Minister for Magic,
and it gets even stranger. At one point was Dumbledore apparently
offered the job (officially or non-officially?) Where was Crouch in
all this? And who in their right mind would pick Fudge in the end? Was
he a compromise candidate?

And then, it clicked. 

Fudge is Dumbledore's man.

Let's review the facts. 

We'll go back to 1981. We don't know who the Minister for Magic was
then. Sirius's testimony in GoF gives an impression that Crouch was
very much in charge, but I pointed out in Post 44636 (Despiadado
Denethor et. al.) that there are many indications that Crouch's hands
were actually tied on certain things. Do you think Lucius Malfoy could
have got off on Imperius if Crouch had his complete way? Anyway, they
weren't in a hurry to get a new Minister for Magic, in the months
following Voldemort's downfall. I imagine both Fudge's and Crouch's
stars were in the ascendant at this point, as they mopped up the
post-Halloween 1981 mess in their different capacities. Crouch was
tipped to be next Minister for Magic, as Sirius says.  

We've have a debate about this on the list, but the Longbottom affair
could not have happened till sometime in 1982, some time passing
between Hallow'een 1981 and that event, enough time to make people
feel safe, for the Lestranges to talk their way out of Azkaban etc. 
The Longbottom affair ruined Crouch's political chances, but we don't
know how long after that Fudge was made Minister for Magic. Later
rather than sooner perhaps. I don't think there's anything to date it
by. We also don't know when Crouch was removed from Magical Law
Enforcement, though Sirius's language would almost suggest it was
simultaneous with Fudge's appointment. To a Canadian ear, it sounded
like a good old Cabinet Shuffle, but the two could have been unrelated. 

So, if after Crouch's downfall, the post of Minister for Magic becomes
vacant, and the office is offered to Dumbledore. Dumbledore, for
various reasons, doesn't want it. Peace has been restored to the
wizarding world, and Dumbledore has a mission in educating the next
generation, and preparing them for a future battle.

But that's irresponsible, isn't it? Leaving Britain to the
incompetencies of whoever is picked for office. 

Well, no, not if Dumbledore uses his influence to put his man in
office, a man who will undertake the things Dumbledore believes should
be done, who will take Dumbledore's advice. Cornelius Fudge, to be
precise.

There are signs throughout the books that this is so. Let me direct
your attention to Fudge's first introduction in PS/SS. There Hagrid
establishes that Fudge is very reliant on Dumbledore for advice,
hailing him with owls every day, and it is apparently not unusual, for
Dumbledore to be called down to the Ministry to consult with Fudge. 

In CoS, Fudge almost goes to pieces when Lucius Malfoy walks in and
announces that Dumbledore's being fired. I think from his reaction
it's quite clear that he can't override the decision, and that he has
a good deal of confidence in Dumbledore. 

In PoA, he's quite thick with Dumbledore as well. He's up around
Christmas time for dinner and he seems to have got directions from
Dumbledore for Harry to get off the Knight Bus. I've always thought
his "You know who alone and friendless is one thing but give him back his
most devoted servant and I shudder to think how fast he will rise,"
sounded like he was mouthing something Dumbledore would say. Even at
the end, he pays lip service to Dumbledore's criticism of his dementor
buddies.

In GoF, interestingly enough, he is meeting Narcissa Malfoy for the
first time, suggesting that the friendly relationship between him and
the Malfoys is not very old. He does a little bit of consulting with
Dumbledore in GoF too, though by this point he isn't listening. 

Then, after Cedric is dead, Fudge breaks down entirely and pushes
control of the situation onto Dumbledore. 

We get to the infamous Parting of the Ways (which is a suggestive
title in itself), and the impression that Fudge was once one of
Dumbledore's people gets stronger. "seeing him clearly for the first
time" suggests that Dumbledore had not always estimated Fudge to be
that way, that he hadn't always been that way. How long has he been
nagging Fudge to get rid of the dementors? Had Fudge come into office
with plans to do so?

Now, on the F.I.E. people are going to come out of the closet,
war-whooping and screaming, "Everything's explainable once you know
Fudge is a Death Eater!" but, as I've said before, I don't buy it. The
whole point of ending speech of choosing against what's easy is lost,
since Fudge obviously represents what's easy. 

I'm aware that this reading of the text will call for a complete
re-evaluation of Fudge. Cornelius Fudge, member of the Old Gang?
Dumbledore's protege? Reformer in earnest? The implications are just
beginning to settle in my mind. The 2D stereotype is being replaced by
a real person, a good guy who brings about his own downfall.   

But I think I'm going to like my new 3D Cornelius Fudge. I must go and
see if he works with my favourite memory charm theory. Maybe, I'll
write him a redemption theory eventually. 

Maybe.

Eileen