The Corruption Of Fudge?

[Melody]

No: HPFGUIDX 45608

Dan tediously wrote a long essay about the appearances of Fudge in the
series thus far.


He began by listing:
> Rumour has it that Fudge is either one of these:
>
> 1) Working for Voldemort. A Death Eater and a faithful servent
> 2) Used to work for Voldemort but doesn't now
> 3) Is a corrupt official who is only interested in his own power
> levels and allies with certain *people* to keep himself at a high
> level
> 4) A bumbling ignorant

and then asking at the end:
> The pros and cons of the four points are all in there.
> What's everyone's theory? 1,2,3 or 4

Me:
I always thought of Fudge as the typical, insecure politician that
greatly desired the glory of the job.  I don't really think of him as
corrupt but rather just easily manipulated.  (why does that word
always come up in my posts?  <g> )

Let me follow your excellent run down to try and explain how #3 and #4
can combine to make a happy #5.


PS/SS

>>>We are first made aware of the character of Fudge when Hagrid
collects Hagrid. Hagrid is dismissive of him, which leads the question
as to how Fudge became Minister of Magic?  He says that they wanted
Dumbledore for the job but he refused showing that the candidates are
probably not elected by the general public. So how do they get in?
Are they voted for within the Ministry?<<<

I don't see this as a big issue.  I figured Dumbledore took himself
off the ballot which probably now held the names Fudge and Crouch Sr.
 Given that Crouch Sr. was not in high regard at the time beause of
his son's demise, I think it is safe to say that the WW would vote for
Fudge as the lesser of two evils.


>>>Later, Dumbledore is called away under suspicious circumstances.
Now, Dumbledore is not perfect but he is surely not idiot enough to be
fooled by a fake letter.<<<

Very true.  Dumbledore would know Fudge's writing.  My personal
opinion about that letter relies on Dumbledore knowing that the path
to the stone labyrinth was going to be breeched and wanted Potter to
go after Quirrelmort...but that was an earlier post (#45283) and I
have no need to argue that now.  If in fact Fudge did send the letter,
then he could of been *blindly* pushed to do so.  Voldemort or his
supporters could of created a situation in the Ministry that would of
caused Fudge to call on Dumbledore for help.   It has already been
established, and well known in the Wizard World (i.e. Hagrid knew),
that Fudge relied a lot on Dumbledore.  It would not be hard to use
this for their advantage.  Hmm, need to work that as a possibility in
my side bait stone theory....


CoS

>>>Book 2, we see Fudge in the flesh for the first time and he is
alligned with Lucius Malfoy. Bad sign. We see throughout that he has
a lot of respect for Malfoy. In fact, its nothing short of ass
kissing. In fact, he's supposed to be the Minister. I get the feeling
that Fudge isn't that well off so likes to latch on to people that
are: the Malfoys.<<<

I see Fudge's actions and attention to Malfoy as being completely
political.  Obviously, Fudge greatly appreciates the money Malfoy is
giving and feels a bit of obligation, as politicians often do, to give
Malfoy more concern.  Having a politician, especially a weak one with
a lot of given power, is something that is greatly desired by those
who wish to slide under the law a bit.

In Borgin and Burkes on Knockturn Alley, Lucius practically spells it
out.  "I have not been visited yet.  The name Malfoy still commands a
certain respect..." (CoS, Ch 4)  Now that respect does not come from
just being a pureblood line.  It is all tied around money and
influence.  What Malfoy states as respect is actually a bit of fear on
the ministry's side.  A fear that Malfoy will not donate as he does to
their needs if they mettle in his affairs.  It is a card Malfoy loves
to possess.

I think this is why Fudge is shown as being "bias" to Lucius'
viewpoint.  Lucius is a bit of a sweet talker that can influence
weak-minded Fudge it seeing things from his perspective.  In Hagrid's
hut...


>>>It's a strange situation.  He shows more loyalty to Lucius than
Dumbledore although he feebly protests. He takes Hagrid to Azkaban,
which shows the first signs of his bias. An old rumour of an event
fifty years ago and the fact that Hagrid is a half giant is enough to
convince him.<<<

I does seem Malfoy played on Fudge's prejudices a bit.  Made him see
that Dumbledore is wrong to trust so much.  This is showing a shift in
Fudge's influenced decision making.  Maybe it changed because
Voldemort (as Quirrelmort) commanded Malfoy to get Fudge in their
pocket for him.  Fudge still believes that Dumbledore is most powerful
and most able to conquer evil, but he is torn because of Malfoy's
influence.  Ask a North Carolina politician if he approves of his
children smoking, but then look how he/she votes on the issue.  The
views and actions of politicians are often very contradictor.


PoA

>>>Ok, he had more of a key role in PoA. He was the first to meet
Harry.  He knew exactly where to be, his timing was perfect. Outside
the Leaky Cauldron.<<<

Harry is *very* important to the WW as at least as a symbol.  If he
were to go missing, Fudge would have a very outraged constituency.
Fudge knows that this one boy needs to be found and found in one
piece.  I think that night everyone in the Ministry was looking for
Harry.  Ron heard from his Dad that Harry was not at Privet Drive
(PoA, Ch 4).  Granted Arthur has a vested interest in the boy, but
word got around fast that Harry was not where he was supposed to be.
The fact that Fudge was the one that found Harry is more to say that
loosing Harry is something the Ministry does not want to do.


>>>Also, the overheard conversation. I didn't realise it until the
fourth book had all sunk in but a comment Fudge made, made me very
suspicious. I don't have the third book on me at the moment so it may
not be the exact quote but here is the gist of it "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"<<<

A moment Fudge showed true military intelligence...I never thought it
could happen.  If anything though, Fudge just knows the basic facts a
That Black betrayed the Potters and was the spy.
That Black escaped and was of rather sound mind in Azkaban.
That Black is intelligent enough to find Voldemort.
That Voldemort is alone and needs help to resurface.

I see know major jump from the basic knowledge the guy in charge of
the whole British wizard world should know.  Now whether or not he
should be telling this over drinks is another story...


>>>"we had Black cornered and he slipped through our fingers again.
I'll be a laughing stock, the Daily Prophet'll have a field day"   His
own image appears more important than people's saftey.<<<

I think that quote helps show that Fudge is purely politician and
cares about his reputation as much as whether he will be "voted" in
again.  His reasons for capturing Black were tainted by the glory of
doing so.


GoF

>>>The first time, he is willing to brag in the top box to all who he
knows about Harry's fame, regardless to how Harry feels. This is
Fudge's pride coming into show. *small cut*  Notice when the Malfoy's
come in Fudge pays them a lot more respect than he does the Weasley's.<<<

Once again, pure politician.  Looks at all the famous rich people that
know me and like me.  Strut around a bit.


>>>Also, after the fiasco with the Dark Mark, Fudge is noticeably
absent from the forest scene. The high ups of the Ministry are there.
Crouch snr, Malfoy (although of course in disguise) but Fudge is
absent. As is Dumbledore from the whole thing...<<<

Hmm, never saw that before.  Could be because Fudge does not want to
soil his hands or it could be that he flew out that night to have
dinner with the Bulgarian Minister and did not want to campout with
the commoners.  I really have not idea.  As for Dumbledore, he does
not seem to leave Hogwarts much.  It is so rare he comes to watch
Quidditch school games that the older students gawk at him being there
for game 2 in PS/SS, Ch 13.  I doubt he would come to Quidditch World
Cup.


>>"its Maxime, Hagrid" as they are both half giants.  Then Fudge drops
the attitude when he knows that Harry is around and gets slightly
embarrassed as though he wants to wrap Harry in cotton wool, much like
Moody/Crouch until the third task.<<<

His weak minded prejudice coming out again...possibly influence before
by Malfoy.  Can't say for sure really.  The conversation shows that
Fudge is getting stronger in his voice against Dumbledore's opinions.
 The last time they talked about half-giants Fudge was more meek.


>>>But then; aha! Suspicous part! He shouts that Harry needs to get to
the hospital wing. Then, right on cue, who should appear but
Moody/Crouch who suggests the hospital wing. Interesting coincidence.<<<

Could be coincidence, or could be that Fudge would never of thought
Voldemort was involved and just saw that Harry was covered in blood
from his leg, was very weak, and need medical attention...FAST.


>>>And if you don't believe in coincidences, this is extremely dodgy.
Fudge doesn't turn and try and calm the crowd. Is Fudge purposely
distracting Dumbledore so Crouch can get Harry away to kill him while
at the same time signalling for Crouch to take him as if Fudge himself
disappeared, the crowds would know that something is amiss and he does
not want to give up his position as Minister?<<<

Fudge does not want there to be a scene because they are harder to
control later in the press.  If he is as consumed in his image as I
seem to be thinking he is, then he would dearly want the crowd to not
freak out and start blaming him and his administration as they did in
Quidditch Cup.


>>>Then its THE scene. The big one. Fudge strides up the ward and
demands to see Dumbledore and is livid. What reason has he got to be
livid?<<<

Only because all of this would be blamed on the Ministry's poor work,
as with the Quidditch Cup, and Fudge would again be painted as a
bumbling idiot who should not have any power.  Fudge's reputation and
job is on the line.  He is not exactly a rational thinker anyway.


>>>Then when Harry started on the Death Eaters and mentioned Malfoy,
Snape reacted. I think he had worked out that Fudge wasn't all he
seemed and when Harry said Malfoy, Snape's movement was too probably
stick his hand over Harry's mouth and say "shut up" but it was too
late.<<<

I think Snape along with Dumbledore definitely knows that Malfoy has
Fudge in his back pocket nicely wedged.  By Harry accusing Malfoy or
being evil, Harry in effect is charging Fudge of bad judgment and
consorting with the enemy.  I think Snape was just trying to keep the
situation from escalating that far that night, but by then, Fudge has
clearly been won over by Malfoy's influence.

What ever honey was poured into Fudge's ear, it has poisoned his mind
and made him a puppet of Malfoy's without Fudge's knowledge.  Working
off Fudge's own weak, weak views on things, Malfoy can thus work the
Minister to divide from Muggle-lover Dumbledore.  All while making
Fudge have the opinion that he was standing on his on laurels, which
are not in anyway helpful to the cause of good.


So, from my opinion, I say a combination of #3 and #4.  Fudge is a
weak whooped politician that just wants to stay in power and respect.
 He thinks it is his own views that are running things, but he has
been captured by Malfoy, encaged by his money, and has been taught to
sing the songs Malfoy whispers.  Poor old guy.

Melody