Fudge Administration

"Bungler if ever there was one."

- Rubeus Hagrid on Cornelius Fudge

The Fudge Administration refers to the executive government of the British wizarding world led by Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge from 1990 to 1996. As Minister, Fudge had complete control over the British Ministry of Magic, the main governing body of wizarding Britain. Fudge came to power following Millicent Bagnold's resignation, in a time of relative peace, a decade after the conclusion of the First Wizarding War.

In the early years of his administration Fudge could be viewed as a well-meaning, yet ineffective, leader. In the wake of Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban in 1993 he set Dementor guards around the village of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle in an effort to protect Black's supposed target, Harry Potter, however this inadvisable decision ultimately caused more harm than good, due to the Dementor's Dark nature. Later, he worked with Department Head Bartemius Crouch Sr. of the Department of International Magical Co-operation to organize the hugely popular Quidditch World Cup, and the Triwizard Tournament to be held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, the tournament ended in tragedy with the death of Hogwart's champion Cedric Diggory at the hands of the returned Dark Lord Voldemort. Despite eye-witness Harry Potter's claims of the Dark Lord's return, backed up by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Fudge refused to accept the reality of the situation and used his power as Minister to spread damaging propaganda to discredit the pair.

However, following the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Fudge came face to face with the Dark Lord as he fled the Ministry following a ferocious duel with Dumbledore. Whilst Fudge finally accepted Voldemort's return and began to support Potter and Dumbledore's claims, the wizarding community was so enraged by his smear campaign and inaction that they unanimously called for his resignation, which he was forced to provide.

Election (1990)
Bartemius Crouch Sr. was originally favored to succeed Millicent Bagnold as Minister for Magic. The wizarding community approved of Crouch's strong leadership, evidenced by the harsh but effective methods he utilized against Death Eaters before and after the First Wizarding War whilst he Headed the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. However, when Crouch's son was accused of participating in the torture of Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom, and Crouch Snr. sentenced him to life imprisonment the tide of public opinion began to turn against him. Not only did Crouch fail to become Minister, but he was shunted sideways from Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Albus Dumbledore, widely considered the greatest wizard of all time, was in fact offered the position of Minister on several occassions. However, Dumbledore declined the offer, preferring to remain in the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With Dumbledore declining the position, and Crouch's public support low, Fudge, who had been serving as the Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, won the election and succeeded Bagnold.

Senior personnel

 * Dolores Umbridge: Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic
 * Amelia Bones: Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (-1996)
 * Bartemius Crouch Sr.: Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation (1990-1995)
 * Rufus Scrimgeour: Head of the Auror Office
 * Ludovic Bagman: Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports(-1995)
 * Percy Weasley: Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic
 * John Dawlish: Personal Auror bodyguard

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows