[HPforGrownups] Is Arthur Weasley destined to become the Minister of Magic?

[rayheuer3 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 89099

BrwNeil at aol.com writes:
> Ron joked in OotP that Gryffindor had as much chance of winning the 
> Quidditch Cup as his dad did of becoming Minister of Magic.  
> Gryffindor did in fact win the Quidditch Cup.  Could the poor, 
> honest, Muggle loving Arthur have a political future ahead of him? 

Ray replies:

My wife and I have had several heated discussions about this.  I personally 
believe that Fudge's political career is about to come to a disasterous end.  
Just exactly who would replace him is a question for much debate.

Many point to Arthur Weasley, based largely on Ron's "prophecy" in OotP.  And 
I do believe that the Weasley name draws more respect than their financial 
situation would seem to justify.  However, because of his muggle-loving ways, 
Arthur is seen as much of a buffoon.  Granted, his being wounded guarding the 
Ministry will certainly cast him in a hero's light, but I doubt that he has the 
political standing to rise to the Minister's post.  (Do you suppose the Green 
Derby is a badge of rank, or just Fudge's taste in clothes?)

Add to this that the Malfoy-funded politicos who put Fudge in over Dumbledore 
the first time will likely work against Arthur.  Dumbledore will likely find 
some polite way of dodging it again, and I doubt that Percy will even be 
considered for the post.

So who does that leave? Snape and Lockhart would both make for fascinating 
fanfics, but I doubt JKR will go that route.  Lupin, Hagrid, and Prof. Binns all 
have problems with "racial prejudice".  Neville's gran is probably too old 
and Tonks too young.  Mooney and Prof. Trelawney are just too ... you know ...

I am left with just two candidates, assuming we have heard the new Minister's 
name mentioned at all...  Mr. Lovegood (Luna's dad) as a "respected 
journalist" and Nicholas Flamel.  Although Dumbledore said his old partner would "put 
his affairs in order and live out his alloted lifespan", there's no reason to 
think he isn't still alive some five years later.  And who could naysay this 
acknowledgement for a man who was a great enough wizard to create the 
Philosophers/Sorcerers Stone, and a great enough man to voluntarily give it up?

  --  Ray


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