A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate it. I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I'm sorry that this chapter is a bit short, butI promise it will get better. I also wanted to explain that it wasn't Ginny who locked the door. She's underage, so she technically really can't do it. It was really Hermione who locked the door. When she slammed the door, her high emotions locked the door because at that time, she was wishing she could lock herself somewhere and hide. She did some wandless magic, without realzing it because it never happened to her before. And it's technically not breaking the law because it is magic from emotions. It's kind of like how Harry was able to make the glass disappear in the first book at the zoo. He didn't realize it was him, until Hagrid explained it to him. Sorry, if the door mystery wasn't as exciting as you hoped. I wasn't going to explain it later in the story, so I thought I'd tell you now.

CHAPTER 6

"I'm so bored," Ginny complained on a hot mid-July afternoon.

Hermione was reading The Daily Prophet. Since the news of Voldermort's return, there have been loads of stories aboutVoldermortand the Death Eatersbeing printed in the paper. Hermione was hoping one story will help her, Harry and Ron prepare for him this year.

Ron was on the floor playing chess by himself. It looked like he wasworking out strategies and moves.

"So, what do you want to do," Ron said, not looking up from his chessboard. "It's too hot outside. Have you seen the garden gnomes? They're passing out from heat exhaustion."

"Well, if you put some water out there, like I told you," Hermione said looking over the newspaper.

"Why? Then, all the gnomes would come into our garden. And I'll have to degnome the garden all over again," Ron said.

Hermione continued reading the newspaper, and then saw the article that she was looking for.

"Do you think they'll replace Fudge," Hermione asked now looking away from the paper.

"Of course they will," Ron said as a matter-of-fact. "It was his fault the Ministry was attacked. He wouldn't admit You-Know-Who is back. Everyone at the Order said if Fudge believed it, the paper would believe it, and everyone else would believe it. Then, everyone would have a better chance in protecting themselves. If they keep him in office, then that's just stupid."

"Well, according to The Daily Prophet, everyone is crying for his resignation," Hermione said flipping over the paper so they could read the title, PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR FUDGE RESIGNATION.

The paper and everyone has always blamed the entire Ministry for not warning the public earlier. But now, it seems like everyone has picked a scapegoat. A well deserved scapegoat, Hermione thought. But nevertheless, everyone is now worried that another war will break out. Only time will tell.

Ron and Ginny came over and sat on either side of Hermione and she read the article out loud to them.

PUBLIC OUTCRY FOR FUDGE RESIGNATION

The guides Prime Minister Cornelius Fudge has promised to send out to all the houses have arrived earlier this week. However, the public are still not happy that they are getting the guides just now.

"We should have had these guides when he came back," wrote Sheldon O'Hara, 48, Leeds. "The Prime Minister has alot of explaining to do." O'Hara continued to write.

"I don't understand why the public is just finding out about You-Know-Who's return now. Didn't someone say he was back ages ago?" complained Meredith Reyes, 36, Manchester.

And these were just some of the responses from around England. In fact, we received some howlers and nasty letters we couldn't publish in this paper. But it seems that everyone wants Fudge's resignation. And they want it soon.

The Daily Prophet has also done a recent poll, rating the satisfaction rate of our Prime Minister, Cornelius Fudge. 92 wanted his resignation, 5 said he's doing fine, and 3 were too incompetent to really say anything.

Now, everyone in the country is waiting to hear when Fudge would resign. If he does, who will replace him? What wizard or witch will take the office when we are in a peril time?

"I bet Dumbledore will take that job," Ron said, looking at both Hermione and Ginny. "Didn't people want him to have the job before Fudge took it."

"Yes, but Dumbledore would never take it," Hermione said. "He wouldn't want all that power. He's going to be busy with Hogwarts and the Order."

"Maybe someone from the Order can replace Fudge," Ginny suggested. "That way the Ministry and the Order can work together to stop You-Know-Who."

"Maybe," Hermione said, looking doubtful. "But who in the Order would take the Prime Minister job? The need to be careful that they won't show any favorites with the Order, or else everyone will be upset."

Honestly, the country is in a dangerous time. Whoever takes the office of Prime Minister needs to be able to handle the pressure that comes with being the new Prime Minister. Everyone in the country is going to expect certain things from the new Prime Minister and set thebar pretty high. If that person can't fulfill the expectation of the public, the rest of their term in office will be difficult. This can either break or make a person's career.

Just then, Mrs. Weasley came back in the house. She was outside bringing in the laundry that was outside hanging on the line.

"Ron, you'll have to degnome the garden again," Mrs. Weasley said, wiping some sweat off her forehead. "All of them are passed out in the garden. I almost tripped on some of them. Ginny, come and help me fold the laundry."

Ginny obeyed andg ot up from the couch, but she didn't do it quietly. She took the basket of clothes from her mother and walked into the kitchen.

"I'lldegnomelater," Ron said, twisting his body on the couch so he was looking at his mother. "It's too hot right now."

Mrs. Weasley nodded her head and disappeared in the kitchen.

When Ron turned around, they both noticed how close they were sitting exactly. Ron's arm was resting behind Hermione on the couch. Hermione could almost feel the heat coming off of Ron, and that's not because it was the hot summer.

Hermione has wanted to kiss Ron for so long. They almost did, twice, in her bedroom when they were locked in. But so many interruptions postponed the moment Hermione longed for. However, the room is now empty. The only other occupants of the house is busy doing house chores. Hermione was sure there would be no interruption this time. All she needed was a couple of minutes.

Hermione was now staring at Ron's lip. All she wanted to was to kiss Ron, to share one intimate moment with him. She licked her own lips, then, looked Ron in the eyes. His eyes were staring back at her with the same look she was giving him. Hermione tilted her head a little and leaned in.

Then, Mr. Weasley just entered the room. Once again, Ron and Hermione were interrupted. One would think since the twins are gone, there would be more privacy available. Hermione didn't even think about Mr. Weasley because he was suppose to be at the Ministry, working. But for some reason, he came home early.

"Oh, um, hello," Mr. Weasley said, realizing what he just walked in on. "Right, sorry, um, but I got some news."

Ron got up as soon as possible and Hermione remained seated.

"What's wrong," Ron asked concerned. "What happened?"

"No, no, nothing of that sort. I'm just letting you know, we're going to go to Grimmauld Place for the rest of the summer again. Harry's there so you can see him. Wouldn't you two like that?"

"Why's Harry at Grimmauld Place," Hermione asked, now getting up from the couch.

"Oh, that's nothing for you kids to worry about," Mr. Weasley said. "I'm going to go today, but you two, along with Ginny andMrs. Weasleywill come next week. All right, I got to pack. "

The news about going to see Harry completely made Hermione forget about what just happened a few minutes ago. All she could think about was seeing Harry, and maybe this time she will be able to get some answer.