Character from harry-potter-order-of-the-phoenix by
The Minister for Magic who would rather destroy a fifteen-year-old's reputation than admit the most dangerous wizard in history has returned. His cowardice will cost the wizarding world a year of preparation it desperately needed.
Fudge is not evil. He is weak, and in a position of power that makes weakness catastrophic. He was adequate as a peacetime minister -- friendly, consultative, always asking Dumbledore's advice. When Harry and Dumbledore told him Voldemort had returned, admitting it would mean admitting his entire tenure was a failure. So he chose denial. He smeared Harry in the Daily Prophet as a disturbed attention-seeker. He painted Dumbledore as a power-hungry old man angling for the Minister's job. He sent Umbridge to Hogwarts to suppress the truth. He tried to have Dumbledore arrested. He used his power to silence the only people telling the truth because the truth was worse than anything he could face. When Voldemort finally reveals himself at the Ministry -- appearing in the Atrium during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries -- Fudge sees him with his own eyes and can no longer deny it. He is removed from office shortly after, replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour. His legacy is a year of wasted time that Voldemort used to rebuild his forces unopposed.
Portly, short, lime-green bowler hat, pinstriped cloak. Genial, slightly sweaty. Nervous smile that widens when he's most afraid. The confident politician of previous years is crumbling -- his hands shake, his smile doesn't reach his eyes, and he clings to denial like a drowning man.
Also known as: Cornelius, Minister Fudge, Fudge, the Minister