JKR Speaks: Arthur Weasly will NOT be next Minister of Magic

[Mandy]

No: HPFGUIDX 107965


> MAE Here:
> I don't think it will be Lucius.  Even when VM was in power before,
> the MoM was on the side of the good guys.  They may at times be
> misguided (as in book 5), but they know how bad it would be for the 
WW if VM wins.  >It may be someone brand new who we haven't met yet.  
The MoM may accept LM >money, but they know he is not to be trusted.

Mandy again:
Are but do they?  Remember there is no evidence that Lucius Malfoy is 
a DE, or that he works for Voldemort, and although Harry, DD and the 
Order know Lucius is not to be trusted do the rest of the WW?  I 
don't think so.  

Before the end of OotP Lucius Malfoy was a well respected, high-
ranking member of the WW community.  He had one misstep back in CoS, 
when he was removed from the Board of Governors of Hogwarts, but we 
don't know how that incident was reported to the rest of the WW.   It 
is my opinion that the rest of the WW world was told that Malfoy 
simply stepped down, that he was too busy with all his other 
commitments etc. etc.  We do know that DD kept Lucius' connection to 
the Diary, the Chamber, and Tom Riddle quiet, or the WW would have 
gone gaga over that juicy bit of scandal and there wasn't even a 
ripple.  Besides even if DD had told Fudge about Lucius contribution 
to the Chamber of Secrets scandal, Fudge would not have believed him 
and hushed it all up.  I'm sure Lucius has the Daily Prophet in his 
back pocket as well.  

So we have Lucius Malfoy as hero to the WW. Or at least an up-
standing member of the community.  Lucius Malfoy, benefactor to the 
poor and sick. Lucius Malfoy, a man who takes more than an active 
interest in the government.  Lucius Malfoy the patriarch of the old, 
wealthy Malfoy Family, one of the few pureblooded families left.  
Yes, delightfully sicking, but it is how Malfoy looks from inside the 
WW, as opposed to from Harry's, and our, point of view.

It all depend on how Lucius manages to wrangle out of Azkaban (he 
will) and if he can some how explain away his participation in the 
MoM scandal at the end of OotP so he comes out looking golden.  If 
Lucius could somehow show he was at the MoM not fighting DD, but 
assisting DD, not as member of the Order obviously, but as an 
independent bystander caught up in the action.  A stretch, I know, 
but if there is some incentive for DD to keep Lucius scandal free 
that would aid the cover up, I could see it happening.  And Lucius's 
potential connection to Snape and Voldemort might be enough for DD 
and the Order to want to keep Lucius out of prison and active in the 
WW. 

I'm not saying for certain he will be Minister of Magic but it would 
be interesting.  Plus we know Malfoy Sr. is going to be dead by the 
end of book 7 so his rein would be short, just enough time cause some 
delightful mayhem.

Cheers Mandy