I'm a horrible person! All that time and this teeny chapter. Oh well! Thanks for the reviews glomps reviewers

CORNELIUS FUDGE STEPS DOWN: AMELIA BONES

NEW MINISTER OF MAGIC

Following the events of this past June, Cornelius Fudge had resigned his title of Minister of Magic. In his place is former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones.

Many were skeptical about Fudge's ability to continue; especially after having denied the tales of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. "Fudge was so dense that he didn't change his mind until he had seen the proof himself", says Regimald Ferguson of 19 Diagon Alley, "If he had just listened to those few voices that were speaking the truth over a year ago, a lot of time and pain could have been spared".

In the wake of Fudge's denial is the damaging absence of the Dementors. Without them to guard Azkaban, the chances of the Death Eaters escaping are high. Not to mention the people will be in danger of their attack. It makes one wonder what other creatures the Dark Lord may have an alliance with. However, envoys are being prepared with the guidance of Hogwarts' Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. The envoys will be dispatched to different locations of the globe, in order to gain alliances with the creatures inhabiting those areas. Holland, where the VanBiin family-

Hermione scoffed at the Daily Prophet she had spread out on the table before her. She took a sip of her tea and read the rest of it to herself, her lips moving silently as she went along. Ron looked at Harry, who had the same half-amused/half-exasperated expression as he did. They continued eating in silence until Hermione folded up her paper and stuffed it into her bag. Ron looked down at his plate and concentrated on cutting up his toast. Wait for it…

"What I don't understand," she began, and Ron popped a piece of toast into his mouth, "Is why they were following Fudge in the first place." Ron kept wisely silent. "Sure, now they'll say what a coward he is, but what about before, when we really could have used it?"

"Because they'd have gotten fired." Harry said. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, and that's supposed to matter at a time like this?"

"Well, I can't blame some of them." Hermione looked sharply over at Ron as he said this. He looked unblinkingly at her. "Fudge could have put them on some kind of blacklist or something…" He looked away and ate another bit of toast. "Well, whatever. I'm not saying they were right doing that, but Fudge is gone now. Bet Susan is happy about this."

Harry smirked in agreement and they continued to eat in silence. That is, until Ginny came storming into the Great Hall and plopped down beside Harry (he left it to Ron and Hermione to tell her whatever they liked about him, and their relationship was as normal). She piled some food onto her plate and began butchering her eggs. They watched her with a cautious air.

"Good morning." Ron said cheerfully. She scowled at him and ate a fork-full. They didn't have to wait long to find out the reason for this newest development. Dean and Seamus walked by their table, Ginny glared at Dean as if to kill him. Ron thought she almost did it, too.

Hermione was watching her. "Did you two break up?" she asked softly. Ginny nodded and stared at her plate. Hermione tsk-tsked and got out of her seat. She took Ginny by the arm and led her out of the Great Hall. Ron and Harry looked at each other. "Women," they said at once.

After dinner that evening Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville collapsed onto the comfortable chairs in the empty Gryffindor common room. They all felt pleasantly full and sleepy, and were content to just sit there and watch the flames crackle happily in the fireplace. Ron burped loudly and Hermione made a sound of disgust. He muttered an apology, and Harry was quite sure he had never felt this happy.

Hermione noticed his peaceful expression and smiled when he met her eyes. "Glad it's the holidays," she said, stretching her arms. There were various sounds of agreement and they felt silent once more.

Just when Harry could feel his eyes closing, Neville let out a hearty sigh. He looked over at the boy, who was staring moodily into the fire. "Hey," he muttered to get his attention. Neville looked at him and then over at the other couch, sighing again.

Ron and Hermione were sitting there and (Harry noticed with a bit of sleepy glee) not paying any attention to the fact that Hermione's feet were against Ron's thigh, or that Ron occasionally touched her foot. Harry wondered when he became sappy before returning his attention to Neville. "Just…bored." He said quietly and Harry nodded in agreement. Holiday weekend or no, a whole nearly empty castle wasn't all that exciting.

"We should have a Christmas party," Ginny said idly from her chair. Harry sat up a bit more and thought about it. "Actually," he said slowly, "That wouldn't be that bad of an idea…What do you guys think?" Ron and Neville were all for it, and even Hermione caved and suggested they have it in the Room of Requirement.

Ginny caught Harry's eye and an Evil Plot was born.

Hehehe, sorry. I promise, the next one will be much longer! And you can probably guess what that Evil Plot is, too. Evil Plot makes an appearance next chapter, when we will finally be beyond Christmas!! Well...xmas day more like...but still...More HL next time, too.

Stay tuned, as all Evil Plots must backfire. MWAHAHAHA!!!! REVIEW!!!!!!