[HPforGrownups] OoP: What if? The death hadn't happened

[T.M. Sommers]

No: HPFGUIDX 64130

darrin_burnett wrote:
> 
> If Sirius had lived and the Order had managed to get him out of there
> before Fudge arrived, he'd have gone right back to his routine. Most
> likely, Fudge's new awakening would not have stretched so far as to
> include a pardon for Sirius. Maybe eventually, but not right away.

Fudge will do whatever Dumbledore tells him at this point; he is in no
position to argue.  Dumbledore can have Fudge's job (or have have the
job given to one of his allies) in a minute if he wants it, and Fudge
knows this.  Since Fudge has been so close to Malfoy, he has to worry
not just about losing his job, but also about ending up in Azkaban.  We
have seen that the minister is not only the chief executive officer, but
also the chief judicial officer, so Fudge's replacement would have no
trouble tossing him in the hoosegow and throwing away the key.

Of course, Dumbledore has no desire for political power, and will be
content to let Fudge keep his job and take care of the routine
administration, as long as he does what he is told.

"T.M. Sommers"