When did Fudge change his mind?

[meriaugust]

No: HPFGUIDX 92539

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Elihu Falk <falkelihu at y...> 
wrote:
> Fudge's reaction to the possibility of LV's return was expected by 
Dumbledore, but seems to go against something he said in PA10: "I 
must say, You-Know-Who alone and friendless is one thing...but give 
him back his most devoted servant [meaning Black], and I shudder to 
think how quickly he'll rise again...."

Meri writes: Wow, I didn't even remember that this quote existed. 
Guess I'll have to do a more thoughrough reread some day soon. 
Anyway, remember that this is when everyone in the WW is convinced 
of a few certain facts: that Sirius was the Potters' secret keeper, 
that Peter Pettigrew was the loyal one, that Sirius was LV's 
informant and that Sirius was giulty of the murders of all the 
muggles and Peter. This is before doubts began to creep into Fudge's 
perfectly ordered world, and it was easy to scoff/worry at the 
possibililties of a returning LV, because they were so abstract. 
And, after all, having a powerful wizard like Sirius is a lot more 
comforting to have as an enemey than a weakling like Peter. Sirius 
is a lot easier to fear. 

Elihu continues:
> 18 months later, when Dumbledore mentions LV's return to power, 
and Black still out, he says "You-Know-Who returns? Preposterous. 
Come now, Dumbledore..."[GF36] And when Umbridge brings Harry to 
Dumbledore after the DA was almost caught, Fudge says "Or is there 
the usual simple explanation involving a reversal of time, a dead 
man [Voldemort] coming back to life, and a couple of invisible 
dementors?", each of those being considered impossible.
>  
> When did Fudge change his mind?

I think that the cracks of belief are there allready. Fudge is 
swimming deep in the River Denial, and now that the thing that he 
feared would happen (LV has risen again with the help of his devoted 
lost servant) has actually happened, he simply refuses point blank 
to believe, despite the evidence. His disbelief turns to fear, not 
of LV but of DD, who Fudge believes to want the Minister possition, 
and this fear turns into anger, which keeps Fudge from hearing or 
seeing reason. He never actually says that he no longer shudders at 
the thought of  LV's most devoted servant returning to him and 
helping LV to rise again, but he does point blank refuse to believe 
that this has happened. Just two thoughts worth. 
Meri - Arthur Weasley for Minister!