CHAPTER3: UNBELIEVABLE NEWS

(N.B. I wasn't really thinking when I wrote this chapter, had something of a writer's block. It's not really good and not to mention short but you'll get the flow of the story)

Harry looked at the clock.

4:30 a.m.

He was having trouble sleeping again.

It was the end of the summer holidays and no one seemed too happy to return to school except Hermione, who had received a letter from Hogwarts that informed her that she had been made prefect.

"I can't believe it!" she had said, her eyes glazing over. Ron merely rolled his eyes and whispered to Harry, "As if, everyone knew it would happen."

Looking back since the day he had had a first real conversation with Ginny everything had gone quite well. The Weasleys on their part had accepted the news of Ginny being a parseltongue quite well, except for the little mishap of Molly Weasley fainting at the shocking announcement.

Harry had been quite perturbed when Molly fainted and had refrained from telling the Weasleys about his sleepless plight during the summer. He had later on told Ron and Hermione privately about this. Both of course had been appalled. Hermione being Hermione had immediately suggested that he write write to a various number of people which included Albus Dumblebore, Sirius, Remus Lupin and even the Hogwarts matron, Madame Pomfrey.

Ron on the other hand was a bit put off, "You really are a prat Harry," he said, "should have told us earlier, at least talked to someone. Keeping all this inside, typical…"

But that was over with and they had soon patched up.

Harry placed the last item he needed in his trunk and looked around. The Pensive was at the bottom, he hadn't had a chance to use it yet. He didn't want to tell the other Weasleys, as he wasn't sure that Ginny wanted it to be told, besides, he thought, neither did he.

Shutting the lid of his trunk, careful not to wake Ron, he made his way downstairs to the empty kitchen. As he expected, no one was up. Harry took hold of his firebolt and was about to go outside when he noticed an owl arriving.

He quickly exited the kitchen door to see which owl it was when…

Thud.

Harry rubbed the spot on his head where the owl had dropped the newspaper. He was surprised that it was this early today. Shrugging he picked up the paper to leave it on the table, when the he noticed the headlines that made him freeze on the spot. He stared at the paper shocked.

Albus Dumbledore removed as Headmaster of Hogwarts

Today the rumors about conflict between the Minister of Magic and Albus Dumbledore since the events that took place two months prior have been confirmed when today the Headmaster was officially removed from his post suddenly without prior notice.

The reason for this removal was given as 'unnecessary interference regarding matters concering the Ministry only,' and 'conflicting intrests' by the spokeswizard for the Ministry.

Cornelius Fudge said that Albus Dumbledore will be succeded by Minerva McGonagall in his post. None of the afore mentioned people were available for questioning. The Ministry…

But Harry couldn't read anymore. He clutched the paper in his hand crumpling it as he trembled with fury. He no longer had the comfort of knowing that Dumbledore would be at Hogwarts to keep him safe. All thanks to that thick headed Fudge who belives everything he reads, Harry thought bitterly, that filthy scumbag, that b…

"Harry?"

He whipped around to face the red headed tired looking girl who stood at the kitchen door looking out at him anxiously. Harry blinked back tears of anger and thrust the paper at Ginny,

"Here," he said, "read this."

Ginny looked at him momentarily bewildered as she shook out the crumpled Daily Prophet. Harry watched her as her eyes widened in shocked horror as she quickly read through the contents.

"No…" she whispered her eyes leaving the paper to look at Harry, "They can't do that…"

"They have done it," Harry said flatly, his voice wavering slightly, "an there's nothing we can do to change it."

Ginny stared unseeingly at him, disbelif etched all over her face, " No…" she whispered yet again. Harry looked at her, they both needed something to clear their minds so Harry offered her his hand,

"Come on," he said, "get on my broom we can talk abut this while we're flying, believe me it'll help."

As the soared high above the Burrow Ginny broke the silence, "He was the one who helped me keep my sanity," she whispered, holding onto Harry, burying her face in his shoulder as tears flowed down her face, "I would have gone mad after what happened had he not been there…"

Harry looked straight ahead as he listened to Ginny speak, during theor third year ron had told him that Ginny had never spoked a word about what had happened in the Chamber. Now here he was listening to her and even more surprising willing to share his feelings and experiences with her.

"Dumbledore always made me feel safe at Hogwarts," Harry said, "taking every precaution to see that Voldemort-" he felt Ginny wince, "never got near me. He gave me something that belonged to my father, he was always there when we needed him and now even Hogwarts will never be safe."

"We're talking about him like he's dead," said Ginny, her voice took a slightly lighter tone, "But he's not and Harry we really don't have to worry because he will really be checking on you, he'll make sure your safe."

Harry tried to shake off his depressed mood, after all, he thought, Ginny was right Dumbledore was still alive and they were still safe.

Half an hour later they trooped into the kitchen feeling much better from the ride. As they entered Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Hermione and the twins came in.

Catching sight of them Mrs. Weasley demanded angrily, "Where have you two been?!" then seeing the broomstick, "Flying?"

At this point neither of them was in the mood to answer any questions, Harry simply held out the paper to Hermione who was nearest and sat down on the table resting his head in his hands.

Hermione took one look at the paper and shrieked. Ron took the paper from her and paled on seeing the news. "Not Dumbledore," said Hermione wringing her hands, "Oh Ron…"

"That smarmy git, Fudge," growled Fred.

"Disgusting flithy little pig," said George, "how dare he?!"

Mrs. Weasley was too shocked to bother and correct her childrens language. Suddenly she looked at Harry, "Harry, will it be safe now for you to attend school?" Everyone turned to look at Harry, concern evident on their faces. Harry sighed wishing that they wouldn't fuss so,

"Yes Mrs. Weasley," he said, "I'm sure Dumbledore would have owled me if it was not."

"I'd better go tell Arthur…" she said and bustled off back upstairs.

Ron dropped into a chair, "I don't believe this," he said. Hermione had burst into tears, "He was the best ever… how could Fudge be so stupid…?" she sobbed. Suddenly Harry's head snapped up, "For God's sake! He's not dead! Stop talking as if he was!"

Through the corner of his eye he saw Ginny smile ever so slightly. The rest looked at him dumbly. Hermione sniffled,

"Harry right," she said, "True he's no longer headmaster but I'm sure he's thought of something to keep You-Know-Who at bay."

Harry sighed tiredly, "There's nothing we can do right now so let's just take each day as it comes," he shook his head, "I don't think I can take it any faster than that."

Thanx to all those who reviwed 'A Fluff Story' you guys really made me fell great.

Anu –if you read this, I'm not going to apologise for almost making you fall of the chair and express my sincerest sorrow in the fact that you didn't completely  fall off.

Thanks to sew2100,Karen, lan and she for reviewing this story. Due to my exams the next chapter may be a little delayed.