I hope you enjoy this story! I have no idea how I came up with it, but I think the result is funny sweet, and original. I started writing it between the 5th and 6th books in the series, so some of the info is incorrect or out of place – although I predicted stuff pretty well! Just give it a chance! You'll like it! Rated T for language, but nothing worse than the S word.

Breakfast and The Daily Prophet

It was Harry, Ron, and Hermione's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The trio had gotten a lot closer after the happenings at the Ministry of Magic and Voldemort's return to power last year and now they were even better friends than before. The early part of the school year had passed quickly, despite the huge amount of N.E.W.T. homework, the quidditch season, and the frequent run-ins with fiends such as Malfoy and Snape.

It was mid-December. All the students were just about to finish their semester exams. It was an especially stressful time for the 6th years with their first N.E.W.T tests. But Harry, Ron, and Hermione had gotten through most of them pretty well. The only one they had left was charms, which the Gryffindors had double with the Slytherins. But first, everyone headed down to the Great Hall for the last breakfast before the Christmas holidays.

"I'm so gwad we on'y hab Charbs lef'," said Ron through a mouthful of scrambled eggs.

"Ron, when will you learn not to talk with your mouth full?" Hermione asked, rolling her eyes.

Ron swallowed and said, "Probably never. But it's not like you can't understand me."

"That's because you do it all the time. I've gotten used to deciphering your 'food speak.'"

"Then if you're used to it, don't complain!" Ron retorted. He and Hermione then exchanged spiteful looks. Harry watched them, fearful that his friends had started an argument that would make them not speak to each other for a while. But then they suddenly smiled and began to laugh. Harry nervously joined in. He supposed Ron and Hermione had finally realized that creating big arguments doesn't accomplish anything.

"Anyway, are you boys ready for the test?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," said Harry, "it was pretty hard studying when you wouldn't let us borrow your notes, Hermione."

"Yeah, if we fail, it'll be all your fault, Hermione," Ron joked.

"Oh for Heaven's sake!" cried Hermione, smiling. "I'll quiz you right now to make up for it, okay?" She flipped through her notes and asked Harry and Ron the results of various charms.

"Let's start with easy ones… Diffindo?"

"Splits stuff," answered Ron.

"You're right, but that won't get you much credit on the test. Oh look! The post is here!"

Sure enough, hundreds of owls had just swooped in from the high window in the Great Hall. They dropped their post to the students below, probably receiving requests from their parents to return home for the holidays.

"You two are staying here over Christmas, right?" asked Harry.

"Of course we are, Harry!" said Ron. "Mum and Dad are visiting Bill and Fleur to help with the wedding arrangements."

"Oh, I'm so happy for them!" gushed Hermione. "I'm staying here too."

"Why?" asked Ron. "Are your parents out of town too?"

"No, I just couldn't' bear to part with you guys! That's all!" Hermione said dramatically, her wrist at her forehead.

"Very funny, Hermione," said Ron, amused. "Hey! Heads up!"

Just then, a copy of The Daily Prophet fell into Hermione's lap. She unrolled it and looked at the front page. Her jaw dropped.

"What? What is it?" demanded Harry.

"Look over at Malfoy and tell me about the look on his face right now," said Hermione intensely.

"Er, ok," Ron and Harry turned around to scan the Slytherin Table for Malfoy. "Oh! There he is! Whoa, he looks really upset!" Ron observed happily.

"Yeah. And really angry, and on the verge of tears! And he's talking to Crabbe and Goyle really urgently," Harry chuckled.

"Alright," said Hermione, "because take a look at THIS!" Then she revealed the front page. Harry and Ron's jaws dropped too.

"Ministry Catches Remaining Fugitive Deatheaters. Dumbledore Lauded." Below the headline there was a huge picture of Lucius Malfoy, wildly struggling against Ministy officials carting him and other Deatheaters off to Azkaban. Harry and Ron recognized several other Deatheaters that they had faced in the Department of mysteries last May. All three were in shock.

"I can't believe it…" said Harry dazedly. "They caught them… Do you know how great this is? Oh look at this!" They continued reading the article excitedly until Neville, Ginny, and Luna Lovegood came over to them, having also heard the news. Hermione and Ginny screamed in delight upon seeing each other and danced around. Harry, Ron, and Neville all shook hands and talked about the article. Luna smiled dreamily and serenely watched as the word spread to everyone in the Great Hall. Soon people were talking excitedly about the news, others were celebrating. But several people at the Slytherin table looked nothing less than livid.