At this point, Fudge is still relying on Dumbeldore for support and advice, but has begun to move more under Malfoy's guidance.

IIRC, the only thing we really know before the end of GoF is Hagrid's comments in SS that the Minister sends daily letters to Dumbledore asking for advice. Later, he gets confident in office and worries that D'dore is trying to take over. I think it's possible that it's already moving this way by the start of SS, but Hagrid doesn't realize it yet, but I only think that because it seems like a very sudden change otherwise. I really wonder when Fudge was "elected," whatever that may mean in Wizarding Britain.