[HPforGrownups] OOP :: Fudge's role in the next book - Spoilers

[rayheuer3 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 65399

padawanmage at mac.com writes:

> Now that's he's been caught with egg on his face, who could truthfully
> follow him anymore? Might there be a vote of no confidence against him?
> 
> If so, who'd head the Ministry?

Many Ministers, even Prime Ministers, have resigned when proven as 
disastrously wrong as Fudge has.  But, as you mention, the problem is just who replaces 
him.  

Speaking of PMs, the constant reference in the books to "the Muggle Prime 
Minister" makes me think that the WW simply does not acknowledge the authority of 
the Queen and cabinet.  To them, the Ministry of Magic is the government and 
the Minister of Magic the Prime Minister.  Just how a complete fathead like 
Fudge got such power is a mystery, but sometimes, in politics, it's the bland 
useless ones who advance while the powerful, accomplished ones (like Dumbledore) 
are considered "too dangerous".

Before OotP, I would have assumed that Fudge's replacement would be Lucius 
Malfoy or someone chosen by him.  However, even if Lucius is released from 
Azkaban, his association with the Death Eaters will probably rule him out.
Arthur Weasley is a possibility, since he has "put in the time", but I get 
the impression that his Muggle obsession makes him something of a joke in the 
Ministry.  Plus there's the fact that he can't even control his own son, which 
brings me to:
Percy Weasley's name might come up, but he's only been out of school for two 
years, and I doubt he'll be in serious contention.
Dumbledore?  A possibility, but unlikely.  a) He'd have to leave Hogwarts, 
and he has no intention of doing so, b) see above.
McGonagall?  Dumbledore in a dress.  Although she might be more disposed to 
leaving Hogwarts to take the job.

My candidate would have to be Kingsley.  Already an insider, apparently he 
has the respect of the Aurors, since he heads the (laughingly futile) search for 
Sirius Black.  Unknown to the Fudge supporters, Kingsley is a member of the 
Order of the Phoenix, which would mean he would be "grudgingly" supported by 
Dumbledore's supporters.

Meanwhile, what happens to Fudge?  Well, I understand that Hogwarts has an 
opening for a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.....

  --  Ray

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