Fudge/Capture of Sirius (was "is there a reason?")

[Matt]

No: HPFGUIDX 77494

"maneelyfh" <maneelyfh at y...>: 
> > Things that bother me about Fudge:
> > 1) Puts the blame on Sirius for the Potter's, and 
> > Wormtails supposed death without a trial or asking 
> > for an explanation.

"James Redmont" <jamesredmont at h...>:
> Fudge didn't do that...he had Percy's job when that 
> happened (see PoA, the scene in the Three Broomsticks 
> where Harry finds out what Black supposedly did.)

Wellllllllll, Fudge wasn't the one (Crouch) who sentenced Sirius 
without a trial, but he was the first on the scene of the Ministry 
wizards who apprehended Sirius, and it might reasonably be surmised 
that his account would have been instrumental in convincing Crouch of 
Sirius' guilt.  Moreover, if I recall correctly, Fudge was the one 
charged with modifying the memories of the witnesses, which would 
have put him in a unique position to conduct an investigation if he 
had wished to scratch beneath the surface.  But the path of least 
resistance is always well-trod when Fudge is doing the walking.

It's hard for me to characterize either Crouch's or Fudge's actions 
as evil, but they certainly make for bad government.

-- Matt