-By order of Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic-

Any person who is currently living in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are henceforth required to participate in and pass all of the newly constructed assessments, at the beginning of each quarter.

Positive results on the tests (the LITMACOB tests) are required from teachers, students, and anyone else with room and board from Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

A failure to achieve assessment scores over 65 correct will result in that individual's expulsion from Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The Minister of Magic reserves the right to expel anyone from Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, despite their score, during the assessment time.

The above is in accordance with The Ministry of Magic Decree number 4,508,223,176.

Signed, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic.

"I thought they stopped these things!" Harry cried angrily. The note was posted in the same spot as Dolores Umbridge had posted her terrible notes.

It was nearly a month since Goyle's funeral. Crabbe's funeral had been a few days later (Harry had gotten another great potions grade) and then Fudge had left. It seemed he had lost no time in making the school miserable.

The situation had not changed. Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws still played nasty tricks on Slytherins, who in turn, played tricks back. The list of forbidden objects tacked on Filch's door had grown extensively to include all but a few of Fred and George's merchandise. The only problem for Filch was that Fred and George were making more merchandise than ever imagined, and there was a 20 percent discount for anyone who promised to use their goods on a Slytherin.

The Gryffindors had come back to their common-room for their free period to find the not tacked on the Gryffindor bulletin board. Slytherins were having Transfiguration at the moment.

"Naw," said Ron looking (for once) deep in thought, "That was Educational Decrees. They've been doing Ministry of Magic Decrees for centuries." Hermione nodded. She also looked as though she were thinking.

"So... what does LITMACOB stand for, do you bet?" Ron asked, looking to Harry. Hermione started speaking, however, so they both turned to her.

"I've been working on that. Does either of you have a bit of parchment? Thanks, Harry. Well, let's figure out the who-what-when-where-why of the situation."

"Hogwarts is where," offered Ron, "And 'what' is the tests..." Hermione shook her head.

"I've gotten it." She said. "The L is loyalty. I mean, someone who's NOT loyal is the person who used the curse on Slytherin, right? And the M is... well, Magic. Or Magical. You were wrong about the where, Ron, the 'where' is Britain. The 'what' is Hogwarts-well, it's The Magical Academic Community, anyway, and-"

"Hermione! Out with it already!" Harry almost shouted. Everyone in the common-room was looking at them by this point. Hermione sighed.

"Loyalty In The Magical Academic Community of Britain. It means our minister of magic is trying to catch Voldemort supporters in Hogwarts." she said loftily. When she looked up, however, she noticed no one was looking at her. They were looking at Dumbledore, who was standing in the doorway.

"A good guess, Miss Granger. It would be more than my job to tell you if it was correct, however." He winked.

"Also, it is my duty as Headmaster to inform all of you of the severity of these tests. Many students will find these tests just as hard, if not harder, than the OWLs. I must also remind you that the beginning of the next quarter is in but five days, and that is the day when you will be tested." Everyone looked horrified. Lee Jordan was pale, and the Creevey brothers were looking stunned and horrified, at the same time.

"And," he said, slowly, looking directly behind Harry, at the wall, "I need to talk to Mr. Ronald Weasley, in my office. Now. " Everyone, including Harry stared at Ron. Dumbledore walked out of the room, and Ron went after him, shrugging his shoulders at Harry.

Harry looked at Hermione. She looked worried.

"Harry! I don't know what to do! You can't pass a test if you don't know what's on it!" But Harry already had an answer.

"Tonks." He said.

"Gee. It's a good thing you explain yourself, Harry, cause otherwise-"

"No, Hermione!" he whispered in her ear, "Tonks works for the ministry. And she works for the Order. She's bound to know what's going on. We should owl her." Hermione brightened.

"Wonderful idea, Harry! Let's write a rough draft." They both sat down on the loveseat, and started writing.

Twenty minutes later, the note read,

Hey, Tonks

How have you been lately? How has you're job been? Ours hasn't been so good. We have to take tests! Since you went to Hogwarts, and know what we're talking about, can you give us some pointers on how and what to study? Your friends, Harry, Hermione and Ronald.

Hermione sighed. "Good enough, I guess. At least we don't really need to worry about it being intercepted..." Harry nodded, and strapped the note to Hedwig. Just as she flew from the window in the common-room, Ron burst in.

"Harry! Hermione! I know what's on the test!" Ron said, breathlessly.