Ahem. I am proud to introduce… the disclaimer. J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter and all the characters and settings that go along with it. The original characters belong to me.

This was a little plot bunny that ran out of control -; I just wanted to see if the whole "Hogwarts Exchange Program" thing could be written plausibly, and… well let's see how it worked out.

This is just the prologue. More is being written as I come up with it! Oh, before I forget… this takes the place of the fifth book. I haven't read it in forever, and don't want to mess up canon TOO badly, so there you go. After I reread OotP, I'll rewrite this to make sense. Enjoy!

Cornelius Fudge sighed with exhaustion. He opened his eyes, looked Dumbledore in the face… then sighed again, breaking eye contact once more. The whole affair was just too difficult. Every silly little mistake and misstep quickly became major events that only hindered their progress further. If he made it through to the next year, it would be a miracle. Without looking up, he spoke.

"Albus… You do realize I've done all I could, right? It's not that I'm trying to get out of the consequences, I'm just saying it's up to you from here. You understand?" A moment passed with no response. He opened one eye and looked at the headmaster. He was nodding.

"I do realize what an ordeal this has been for you, Cornelius. And I appreciate what you've done." He smiled slightly. "But you needn't lose sleep over it anymore. Starting today, this little nightmare is my responsibility." The Minister gave another deep sigh.

"I know that, but I just can't stop worrying! Oh Merlin, so many things could go wrong," he began to massage his temples. "God know's we need to present a unified front, but if anything should happenmaybe we should move the program to Beuxbatons, before it's too late? No, I should just call it all off while I still can! I'll call it off and let some association hold a fair in England or something!" Dumbledore grasped Fudge's shoulder, stopping him.

"These children are extremely excited and proud to be going to Hogwarts. It's too late to abandon this project now." Fudge met Dumbledore's eyes once more.

"But He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…"

"Voldemort will not attack Hogwarts while I am Headmaster." Dumbledore ignored Fudge's flinch at then name, and continued. "These children will be safe under my care. Now go home and get some sleep." Fudge stood up. He glanced at the portraits of former Headmasters, most snoring peacefully, and stifled a yawn.

"Perhaps," he had to pause for another yawn, "I should. Good evening…" He shook Dumbledore's hand and turned to leave. Dumbledore smiled tiredly at Fudge's back. The minister could go home to sleep, but…

"Alas! There is much to be done if we want to be ready for September!" He said to himself, and taking out some papers from his desk, he began to write.

Alright! Chapter one is complete! Next time, enter Harry Potter! (Possibly!)

This is something of a pet project for me, so constructive criticism would be really appreciated! I shall wait here for your reviews!

BOW BEFORE THEALMIGHTYJ!11!1!1!eleventy-one!1111