FanficTalk Archive
Unleash Your Fandom
'Cornelius Fudge doesn't know his head from his arse!'
LOL
I really enjoyed how you described how his career was ending right when he shoved everything into the garbage. Nice touch.
I would have liked to see something like this in the books, we read about him informing the Muggle Prime Minister what happened after, but it would have been nice to read about him having to swallow exactly what he let happen. It's really interesting to see him realize his actions had these kinds of consequences.
Well done!
Thanks for the swap :)
-Heather
Author's Response:Hi there!
It's another one-shot review! I am really loving these comments on stories that I wrote a while back. Thanks for looking them up!! I, too, would have liked to have seen a moment like this in the books, but alas, they were Harry's POV and we never got to see the adults do their adulting. Hence the fanfic!
Thanks for the swap!
Pix
Hi Pix!
First things first: happy New Year! I hope that you have had a wonderful holiday season as well! I'm also here to leave you a review for your wishlist seeing as I haven't done so yet! Onward to the review, shall we?
The way you start each section with the headlines sneering at Fudge in each section before we shift over to Fudge realising the error of his ways is brilliant in that it's like he's responding or answering each one of them yet it's not directly even though we get to see more of his thoughts and reaction to it. We can see the error of his ways being not only pointed out but also how it leads to his eventual resignation as Minister of Magic which is great.
Another thing that I loved about this one shot is how you not only show the effect that the truth has when it all comes back to what he's done in the past. It's great that you don't shy away from showing how flawed and or the faults his decision was and how emphasised it is in this one shot. It definitely goes back to pointing out how things aren't always black and white as well.
Additionally, the small detail about Percy Weasley is one of my favorite things seeing as we get to see that he does care about him and feeling that regret of having to get him involved in the whole situation itself and it gave me a better understanding of not only Fudge's feelings towards his assistant but also Percy as a character as well.
It's always a treat when there are stories about another's character point of view of events in the canon that we don't truly get to see and this is one of them. I truly enjoyed reading Cornelius' point of view after the discovery of Lord Voldemort's return and the consequences of his decisions in going against Harry's and Dumbledore's warning. I definitely felt myself understanding slightly more of his feelings even if I can't truly sympathise or agree with his past actions.
Anyway, keep up the amazing job and hope that you're having a good 2023 by far!
-Diana/Di
Author's Response:Happy new year to you! Thanks for coming by and reading one of my stories!
I don't have any love for Fudge, but he does have an extremely difficult job. Anyone in his position would have had to make hard choices and be under a tremendous amount of pressure. His job now is especially brutal because obviously he has made a graver error and must face the people who trusted him, including poor Percy.
There are always regrets, and I'm sure both Fudge and Percy feel them here. You can only move forward though. Hopefully Percy learned somethingfrom his mentors errors.
Again, thanks so much for dropping your thoughts on a story!
Hope your future is merry and bright!
Pix
Hey Pix! I’m here with 4/4 prize reviews from my Science Fiction Challenge!
I love a good minor character fic, and the way you’ve chosen to set this one up is super neat! Separating out sections by the headlines he himself has caused is a fresh take on a semi-epistolary thing, and it works very well with Cornelius Fudge as a character. You illustrate that he’s initially wanting to do what he thinks is best for the Wizarding public, realizes too late he’s royally messed things up, and now must face the consequences of his actions. Or rather, his inaction. The quoted bits from what other people are saying about him are subtle touches and really reveal his damaged psyche over what he’s caused by refusing to listen to the signs and to the people who know more than he does. This is a poignant ending, too, and I think that’s befitting of Minister Fudge. Great job with this fic! :)
~Madi
Author's Response:Hi Madi! You don't know how wonderful I felt when I woke up to your reviews this morning!!! Or maybe you do, but it was such a nice change to my usual mornings, and I appreciate this so, so much! This piece was written a few years ago, almost as a throwaway thing, but it came out pretty decently. I've been trying to get back to that place where I just write and don't agonize over every little thing. The newspaper headlines were fun to use because they were that tangible evidence of his past actions. You can't argue with something in black and white. It is just there, staring you in the face. Thanks so much for the review. It really started my day with a smile!!
Pix
Hey Pix! Here for RvG, POGs edition!
I always enjoy reading your writing! You do not shy away from trying out new writing approaches or unusual characters or complex plots. You tackle these fics like a pro--and it's so fun to be constantly amazed at your writing. :)
This story is no different. I love how you have the Daily Prophet headlines haunt Cornelius Fudge throughout the story. And I love, love, love how he acknowledges his own ignorance and prejudice as causing this diaster. Fudge has so much blame to carry--and he rightly points it out throughout the entire moment you capture. I do not envy being in his position, and I also am in the camp of "If I were him, I wouldn't have made those mistakes"--which I think a lot of us say this when we learn about and reflect on certain events in history. "If I were living in THIS time, I would have definitely resisted." And yet... here we are, in a current state of affairs that has many atrocious things to speak out against.
Fudge has made quite a few mistakes. Major ones. And now he has to face the consequences and bear the brunt of the Ministry's lack of preparedness against a threat that he could have spent time gearing up for (hmmm, that kind of sounds familiar with the current pandemic, to be honest--but at least Fudge has some accountability and sees himself removed from office, sigh). Anyway, I'm digressing. This is such a raw moment of reflection for Fudge as it dawns on him just how impactful his willful ignorance and stubbornness have been.
And then you have Percy enter--Percy! I wonder what is going through his mind right now, having to accept that what his family has been saying this entire time (obviously we know he shows up in the end and makes amends at the Battle of Hogwarts, but I wonder if he contemplated going back to the fold at this moment or shortly afterwards).
My favorite detail in this whole piece is Fudge leaving behind his hat. After everything that's happened, how he ignored Dumbledore, sabotaged Harry, persured Sirius Black, it's time to face the music. He may be closing the door to his career--and what he leaves behind is going to cause immeasurable conflict and pain, a heavy outcome from his misuse of power. Wow. I really enjoyed the piece, thanks for sharing!
Howdy Pix!
It's always a pleasure to read your work and this is no different.
There's not a lot of coverage of Fudge in the IMMEDIATE aftermath of discovering Voldemort's return is in fact real and it was neat to see the way that he actually handles it himself. I like that the 'truth' that he manufactured is sitting there on his desk mocking him such that he could replace their names with his: Fudge: Daft or Dangerous; The Minister Who Lies?
It's also fitting that he is about to be swallowed up by the same people he allowed to swallow Harry, Dumbledore, and others. I like that you included him being able to hear the voices outside calling for him to speak. And the time pressure they put on him to scramble for something. Of course, in this progression, his assistants are still bustling about, doing their jobs, trying to save him, which feels authentic politically when there's any kind of scandal.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi pix! Here for the HC finale!
Somehow, I don't think I've ever actually read a story about this moment before? I haven't read many stories about Cornelius Fudge, either, but I love missing moments and this one was a really fascinating take on it. To be honest, I don't think that I'd even stopped to think what it must have been like for Fudge realising that he'd been wrong all along, and that Voldemort actually was back. When we see him at the start of the HBP, he seems resigned to his fate - but this is the moment of the actual resignation, and I thought you wrote it really well.
(One tiny thing - I'm not sure if it was intentional but this story appears in a different font to the archives standard, and it's a bit smaller/more difficult to read because of that - just letting you know in case you hadn't realised.)
I thought that you captured Fudge's sense of utter disbelief in this moment brilliantly. We only see him in the books when he's been Minister for quite a while already, and so he's much more confident in his position, and that confidence has made him wilfully blind to what people are telling him. The shock and devastation at the realisation that he's been wrong all the way through the last year, and has said so many things to contradict the truth, were written really effectively. I felt for him here, because I think one thing I wasn't expecting is that the disbelief seems to be more focused on the fact that Voldemort has returned and the consequences that'll have for the wizarding world, rather than for his own career.
Percy's appearance in this story was great, too - especially with the way his presence acted as a reminder for Fudge of some of the many people who were trying to convince him of the truth, and who he refused to listen to. The dreadful certainty at the end of this story, as he goes out to talk to the press, is really effective - we don't need to see his resignation to know what's going to happen, and I think seeing his inner thoughts at this moment tells us far more than the press conference could.
Sian :)
Author's Response:Oh hey, Sian! Fancy seeing you over on this story!
I imagine that you haven't read about this moment. It's mostly why I picked it. Surprise! I don't know why that bit with the formatting happened. I really should look in on that. I needed to include Percy in this, since he spent a lot of time with the man. His decisions affected the both of them in big ways. Thanks so much for the wonderful review!
Pix
Hi, Pix! I'm stopping by for the HC Final! :)
I must admit, I went into this story expecting to... well, certainly not feel any sort of sympathy for Fudge. Yet here I am, feeling a bit sorry for the bloke rather than rolling my eyes at his blunders. I like this alternative side to Fudge that you presented. We know him as the pigheaded Minister who will sweep anything under the rug in order to save face, but I think you added a bit of humanity to him that we didn't get the chance to see in the books. You show him not as a politician who royally messed up, but as a man realizing the errors of his ways and readying himself to own up to those mistakes. Few things are more relatable than that. Owning up to screw-ups that resulted from your own stubbornness is just one of those shared human experiences (although hopefully not to such extremes lol), and I really enjoyed your depiction of Fudge being forced to face the music. His feelings or regret and somewhat reliving all the things he could've (and should've!) done differently were all incredibly believable.
I really liked how he almost felt a bit sorry for Percy, too. It wasn't explicitly stated, but I got the vibe that Fudge felt like he'd failed his young assistant. Percy gave everything for his job and stood by Fudge through thick and thin. I mean, he is even here, prepping Fudge for the reporters even when its all but certain Fudge's career as Minister is over. This notion seemed like it was the biggest truth for Fudge to swallow, and was almost certainly the most humbling.
So, in the previous story of yours I read, you made me feel sorry for a lamp post, and now you've got me feeling sorry for a slimy politician. You certainly have a talent for getting into the minds and thoughts of the most unlikely, and sometimes unlovable, characters and making us like them!
Well done!
Cheers,
Reilly
Author's Response:Hi Reilly!
Surprise? haha. Fudge does have a lot of stuff to rethink, now that his original stance is proven to be fictional. He HAS failed a lot of people here, and this is the moment where he has to at least pull himself together and admit to it. Haha. Lampposts and Fudge. Next, you'd think I'd be writing about Billywigs... oh wait...
Thanks for the excellent review!
Pix
This is a moment which I feel we needed to see in canon. Fudge is one of those supporting characters that doesn't really feel like a person unlike say Mundungus Fletcher or even Phineas Nigellus Black. All of his story is mostly second-hand through other characters.
You deliver the feelings of dread and regret brilliantly in less than 800 words, a great read.
Author's Response:Hi there! Thanks so much for the review! I wasn't really expecting many people to read this fic, since it's about Fudge, but you know, there is a great bit of intrigue in a small fic. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your thoughts!
Pix
okay, so i went through all of your stories and the three that intrigued me the most was the short one about the lamp post, this about fudge because omg i was so interested in his reaction to voldy and basically knowing how he inadvertently helped the death eaters and voldy in their devious plans, and the one about borgin (i've yet to read it but exepct a review there :D )
anyhow, i think you captured his reaction wonderfully but i must admit i would've expected him to try and place the blame on someone else (at least consider it!). in your story, cornelius fudge is a better man than i thought him to be and you made me believe it (and in not that many words!). so it means you did a great job with the story!!
kris
Author's Response:Hi again!
This is sort of the reaction after the initial reaction, you know? He's already gone through the shock and the disbelief, and now he has to face people and give reasons and answers, so it's time for him to put on his big boy pants and be the adult.
I'd like to think that Fudge still had some decency in him and he wanted to leave the public with his own dignity intact. This would be a way to accomplish that, I guess.
Thanks for letting me know which stories interested you. It's hard, from my perspective, to know just which of my crazy ideas are interesting to other people.
Thanks again!
Pix
Popping in from the Review Swap...
This is excellently written, which is especially nice to see for a relatively minor character.
You've captured the intensity of emotion very subtely. I could feel it in my gut when he began questioning his own rationalisations and trying in vain to convince himself he'd been right.
This was my favourite line: "Fabrications of his own making stared up at him in garish black and white block lettering." It externalises his inner turmoil in a really fun way; he is mercilessly interrogating himself.
Small lines like "too many people had suffered from his igorance" work to reinforce his sense of self-importance (everything flows from his qualities) and I feel as though it never abated even into his twilight years.
His energy is also conveyed extremely well, with the fact the he doesn't dwell too long on any one thing (tossing the papers aside and deciding against writing) and even the small bit about his shaking hands. It's telling of a man who, try as he might, can't think beyond the now, which is a common trait among self-serving politicians.
I genuinely can't find anything to criticise and I hope you consider following this vignette up at some point or do something else with Fudge.
Author's Response:Hi there!
Aww, thanks! I like subtlety. Sometimes it works for me, and sometimes I flounder around with no direction, but I guess I hit it right this time. Fudge has indeed come to a point where he has to face up to some of his questionable decisions. He had to figure out whether he's going down honorably, or not. I'd like to think he went down a bit like this.
Thanks so much for saying all those nice things about this little fic! I may or may not do something with this. It was written for a challenge, and for now, let's call it done.
:)
Pix
Hey! I'm here from the review tag!
So I chose to review this piece because I was intrigued, not much is done on Cornelius Fudge in the world of fanfiction - and I like that you decided to write this.
I think you got his characterisation spot on. Fudge has always reminded me of the british prime minister, Neville Chamberlain - and I got that vibe from your writing too.
The last line is my favourite "He looked back over the darkened room, his Office, and then resolutely closed the door on the future of his Ministry career." It's like you have a really clear vision of Fudge's aims as a person and a politician. I didn't feel sorry for him as such, but I acknowledged him as a human being for coming to the realisation that he had made some very grave mistakes - and that he knew he had to pay for them.
This really was a lovely read, the right length, the right style - and a perfect ending! 10/10!
Bex
Author's Response:Hey! Intrigued is a good thing, right? LOL.
Yeah, I don't see many Fudge fics around... wow, that was fun to say. Haha! And no, you're right. I didn't want anyone to feel sorry for him. He knows what he did, and he knows that he has to own up to his actions. This is that moment where he either embraces the truth or it bites him in the rear end. Which it probably will anyway. But he's ready to face it. So there you go.
I'm glad you thought the length matched the story idea. Sometimes my ideas run away from me, but this one was pretty whole.
Thanks for the review!
Pix
To be fair, at least Fudge could admit he'd made a mistake. That's more that a lot of politicians do. A lot of people, really. O.K, it would be hard for him to deny this, but I wouldn't put it past some politicians to try and blame the mistakes on an underling or something.
Author's Response:Yes, that's true. The realization of what he'd inadvertently covered up for so long must have surely been a haunting moment for him. That's what I tried to capture here.
Thanks for reading and leaving words on my story!
Pix
Any access or use of the FanficTalk Archive is conditioned upon compliance with our Site Guidelines and Terms of Service and the Copyright Policy and Privacy Policy contained therein. Should you have any questions about them, you are very welcome to contact any of our archive validators. For advanced searching, please click here.
Any characters, source code, text, or titles contained herein which are recognizable as copyrighted material are the sole property of their owners.