Cornelius Fudge
He denied the return of Lord Voldemort until he saw him with his own eyes.
Cornelius Fudge is the Minister for Magic during the events of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He is described as being in denial of Lord Voldemort's return, a stance that shapes much of his actions throughout the film. His leadership is marked by attempts to stonewall rumors about Voldemort and to discredit those who speak the truth, including Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore.
- Role
- Minister for Magic
- Affiliation
- British Ministry of Magic
- Status
- Resigned from office following public exposure of his denialism
Lore & Background
Fudge's denialism leads him to appoint Dolores Umbridge as Hogwarts' new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. He later orders Dumbledore's arrest on false accusations of forming Dumbledore's Army, and after Dumbledore escapes, Fudge makes Umbridge the new Headmistress. His refusal to accept Voldemort's return continues until the climax at the Ministry of Magic, where he arrives to find Voldemort himself present. After witnessing this, Fudge admits that Voldemort has returned and resigns in disgrace.
In Their Own Story
The Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had spent months insisting that the Dark Lord could not possibly have returned. He appointed Dolores Umbridge to Hogwarts to keep an eye on Dumbledore, convinced the headmaster was plotting to seize power. When Dumbledore escaped arrest, Fudge made Umbridge Headmistress. But in the Atrium of the Ministry, after a violent duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort, Fudge arrived with Ministry officials to find the Dark Lord before him. Only then did he admit the truth and resign in disgrace.
Reader's Guide
Cornelius Fudge is the Minister for Magic who appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. His primary characteristic is his denial of Lord Voldemort's return, which drives the political conflict of the film. He appoints Dolores Umbridge as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, and later orders Dumbledore's arrest, leading to Umbridge becoming Headmistress. Fudge's downfall comes when he personally witnesses Voldemort at the Ministry of Magic, after which he admits the truth and resigns.
Did You Know?
- Cornelius Fudge is played by actor Robert Hardy in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
- Fudge orders the arrest of Albus Dumbledore on false accusations of forming Dumbledore's Army.
- After witnessing Voldemort at the Ministry, Fudge admits Voldemort has returned and resigns in disgrace.
- Fudge appoints Dolores Umbridge as Hogwarts' new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
- The film states that Fudge's denialism included stonewalling rumors about Lord Voldemort's return.
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