A/N: I don't own any of this stuff.
Chapter 7- Return to Grimmauld Place
Harry Potter helps oust Minister FudgeBy Richard Barrett
Yesterday was the hearing of Madam Umbridge at the Ministry of Magic. Harry Potter a.k.a The-Boy-Who-Lived was there as a witness and to deliver testimony. After starting to testify about how Umbridge was horrible, Harry Potter changed his testimony to accuse ex-Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge of trying to ridicule him and more. Harry Potter eventually ended his testimony by saying that a new Minister was necessary. A Minister who could stand up for the families who are afraid of You-Know-Who. Who was the candidate that Harry Potter suggested? Why the candidate was none other than Arthur Weasley, head of the misuse of Muggle artifacts office.
Why has Harry Potter chosen Mr. Weasley? People do not know but obviously Harry Potter had his reasons for choosing Mr. Weasley as the next Minister. After Harry Potter had finished his testimony, he left the Ministry of Magic without speaking to any reporters. Judging by what Harry Potter said during his testimony, Mr. Weasley is against Voldemort and will act in the interests of the people who live in fear of the Death Eaters. The question the wizarding world must ask itself is do we trust Harry Potter's judgment? This reporter for one supports Harry Potter's choice and believes that the wizarding world should agree.
Read more on page 3A statement by ex-Minister Cornelius Fudge on page 5
What do people think? Ideas and opinions on page 11
All across England, wizards, witches and squibs all opened the Daily Prophet only to see that headline. Some were surprised by the headline but most knew it was only time before Fudge would be kicked out of office after what had happened last year with Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore. A huge majority of wizards, witches and squibs had agreed with Harry Potter but they were unsure of the replacement.
Lord Voldemort was making plans to help release the Death Eaters from Azkaban prison later that night. Soon his plans would start to develop and soon he would have an army that was more fearsome than the one he had over ten years ago. First he would start off small by attacking some muggle and wizarding families. His plans would continue to grow until his final plan. He would later launch a grand scale attack with his Death Eaters and dementors on Hogwarts where Dumbledore would die. And Potter? Well he wasn't too sure about Potter but he figured that Potter might die too, leaving him ruler of the world.
Meanwhile, it was Hermione's last day at Privet Drive. Harry and Hermione were busy in Harry's room kissing each other. Hermione had already taken off Harry's shirt and Hermione was wearing her bra and a pair of cut-off jeans. They kept kissing but took breaks for air.
"I'll miss you Herm," Harry said.
"Me too," Hermione said. "Do you know when you'll be going to Grimmauld Place Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Dumbledore indicated that I might go to Grimmauld Place soon Herm," Harry said. "And then you'll be there and we can tell Ron," Harry said kissing Hermione who started to kiss him back. Soon it was time for Hermione to leave. "Bye Hermione," Harry whispered as she left.
In 12 Grimmauld Place, Ron Weasley was angry. Hermione hadn't sent him any letters or responded to his letters. For all Ron knew, Hermione could be anywhere. 'Maybe she's with Krum,' Ron thought as he tried to read a comic book. 'What does she see in Krum? The guy is a bloody asshole,' Ron thought when he heard a knock on his door and Ginny came in.
"Hey Ron," Ginny said, sitting down beside her brother.
"Ginny," Ron said then continued reading.
"Ron, do you love Hermione?" Ginny asked him.
"WHAT!" Ron shouted as he started to think. Hermione had really become somewhat attractive during the last two years and although he had a slight crush on Hermione during fourth year, he now liked Lavender. "No," he said.
"Then who do you like?" asked Ginny.
"Lavender Brown," he whispered.
"Who? I couldn't hear that Ron," Ginny said.
"Lavender," Ron said in a louder voice. "And why do you care so much?" Ron asked.
"Ron, mom wants you to marry Hermione and me to marry Harry" Ginny said as Ron's eyes widened. "The thing is, I don't like Harry and you don't like Hermione," Ginny said. "Mom's been thinking about that scenario often but I don't think it will happen," Ginny said before leaving the room.
Ron sat there stunned. 'His mom wanted him to marry Hermione?' he thought. Then he saw Lavender in his head- her blue eyes and light brown hair. Her nice (a/n: you know where) made him want to kiss her. Lavender was so beautiful. How could he have missed it before?
Finally the day came when Harry was going to leave Grimmauld Place. Harry had spent the days after Hermione left by reading his books about the dark arts and by doing crunches and push-ups. After Dudley had been arrested, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia seemed to avoid him more than ever. Dudley had been sentenced to community service and had been forced to have a police officer follow him everyday for the next six months. Uncle Vernon had complained, arguing that Dudley was misunderstood but the judge wouldn't have none of it and gave Dudley his punishment.
"Are you ready Potter?" growled Moody as he kept his eye on Uncle Vernon.
"Yeah Moody," Harry said dragging his trunk with Hedwig's cage balanced on top. "Well bye Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon" Harry said before grabbing hold of the portkey that Moody had given him. Harry then felt the all too familiar tug at his waist and he found himself in Grimmauld Place.
"Harry! How are you?" squealed Hermione who kissed him on the lips until Harry heard Ron cough. Harry then looked at Ron, who seemed upset and then ran upstairs. Harry was about to go up and speak with Ron but Mrs. Weasely stopped him.
"Don't worry Harry, I'll go speak with Ron," Mrs. Weasley said before going up the stairs after Ron.
Ron ran up to the bedroom he and Harry shared last summer when they were in Grimmauld Place slamming the door behind him. 'Damn it!' Ron thought. 'My two best friends are dating and now I'm the odd man out yet again,' Ron thought. Ron heard a knock on the door but didn't want to speak with anyone so he said "go away," and looked down at the floor. When Ron looked up, he saw his mother who didn't appear to be happy.
"Ron, what were you thinking?" Mrs. Weasely said, glaring at her youngest son.
"Mom, its not fair. Now that Harry and Hermione are dating I'm left out. Why am I always the one left out?" Ron said angrily.
Mrs. Weasley hugged Ron. "Ron, nothing is going to stop the love that Harry and Hermione have for you. By acting like this, you're making it worse for them. Learn to deal with the fact that they're dating Ron. They still care about you and acting like the way you are just scares them and you're making them worry over nothing," Mrs. Weasley said.
Ron took a deep breath thinking about what his mom had just said. It all made sense to him now- Harry and Hermione may be in love but they still cared about him. 'Nothing would be different at all,' Ron thought as he started to nod slowly.
Harry was holding hands with Hermione and greeting people when Ron came down with a smile on his face. Ron immediately went to Harry and Hermione and gave both of them a hug.
"I'm sorry for before," Ron said.
Upon hearing this Harry and Hermione beamed at each other and Hermione kissed Ron on the cheek while Harry gave him a pat on the back.
"It's okay Ron," Harry said before Mrs. Weasley said there would be an Order meeting in ten minutes.
"Harry and Hermione, Professor Dumbledore asks that you stay for this meeting. Ron and Ginny both of you are to go upstairs," Mrs. Weasley said. Ginny and Ron started to complain but Mrs. Weasley had enough. "Go up now!" she said before going into the kitchen.
The meeting began shortly afterwards as Harry and Hermione stood by the kitchen door. Various members of the Order were there including Tonks, Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Remus Lupin, Dedalus Diggle and more. Harry then heard three pops and saw Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall in the kitchen. Dumbledore started the meeting.
"I have gathered you here today because I want two people to become the newest members of the Order. First Mr. Potter and Miss Granger will join the Order," Dumbledore said.
"Oh really make Potter a member?" Snape asked in his oily tone.
Dumbledore was going to respond but Harry spoke first. "I must apologize Professor Snape, sir," Harry said.
"Apologize for what Potter?" Snape asked.
"I must apologize for the events that happened last year and I hope we can put aside our differences for now so that Voldemort can be defeated," Harry said before taking a deep breath. Harry then put out his hand and a reluctant Professor Snape shook hands with Harry.
"I admit that I was a bit too harsh Potter," Snape said. "This year I will try to go easier on you in classes," Snape said with a sigh.
"It is nice to see you two put aside your differences," Dumbledore said, smiling. "Now on with the meeting," he said. "Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, these are for you," Dumbledore said, giving Harry and Hermione a pin shaped like a phoenix. "This is to show that you are in the Order and it serves as a portkey when you hear phoenix song," Dumbledore continued.
Harry took the pin from Dumbledore and stood there dazed. He had just reached an agreement with Snape and became a member of the Order.
After the meeting was over, Harry was about to leave when Dumbledore told him to stay.
"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said. "I must apologize for my behavior last year," Dumbledore said sadly.
"It's okay sir," Harry answered.
"There are some things I would like to speak with you about and I didn't put them into the letter I sent you so please listen," Dumbledore said. "First, don't let the prophecy bother you too much. There will be a time and place when you will face Voldemort but its not now. Second here is your broom," Dumbledore said, giving Harry his Firebolt back.
"Thank you sir," Harry said then went to find Hermione and Ron.
"Wait so you made peace with Snape?" Ron asked Harry in disbelief.
"Yeah," Harry said.
"Well I'm glad that you and Professor Snape made peace even if its an uneasy truce," Hermione said kissing Harry while Ron rolled his eyes.
"Yeah well we are on the same side now right?" Harry said to Hermione as they started to kiss more passionately.
Ron watched all this with an amused expression and walked out without interrupting Harry and Hermione's kissing session. He was now going to have to deal with watching his two best friends kiss and make out with each other. 'At least they're not doing it in the middle of an Order meeting,' Ron thought as he went to help his mom cook dinner.
That night at dinner, Mrs. Weasley had prepared a delicious meal with beef stew and spaghetti. Several members of the Order had stayed behind for dinner that night. When Mr. Weasley arrived, he kept shaking hands with Harry and thanking Harry for nominating him as the next Minister of Magic. After dinner, Mr. Weasley spent some time discussing policies with Harry and Hermione.
"So Harry, do you have any ideas for our safety?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"Yes Mr. Weasley. I think there should be some kind of sensor in each household and if there are dementors or Death Eaters within a six kilometer radius, the sensor warns the family and sends a message to the Ministry. Aurors can then go to the scene and fight off the intruders" Harry said.
"But Harry, the Ministry lacks enough aurors," Mr. Weasley said.
"Then we need help from other nations Mr. Weasley" Harry replied. "It is your duty to help England Mr. Weasley. The people of England need a strong Minister who won't back away from a challenge," Harry said in a sincere voice before leaving.
In Little Hangleton, Lord Voldemort had assembled a group of two dozen Death Eaters to go break into Azkaban prison. When all the Death Eaters were ready, Voldemort and his Death Eaters then apparated to the island where Azkaban prison was.
Author's notes: Please read and review.