Three weeks had past and the return to Hogwarts was drawing near. This displeased Harry, greatly, but he didn't need to worry about it. It was the beginning of the end, was the way he thought it. Harry just made his way upstairs, from a great breakfast served by Mrs. Weasley. He couldn't possibly play Quidditch as of, now. If Ron was able to, he had no clue, since he figured he must've eaten more than Harry had. He settled himself on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. A few moments later, he heard Ron and Hermione enter the room. He drowned their voices out, sighing. Lately, he'd been thinking about Sirius, and he couldn't get him out of his mind. He felt that familiar anger rise inside of him, and felt the need to kick something repeatedly.

"You okay, Harry?" asked Ron.

Harry took a breath, which refrained himself from snapping at him. He looked over at Ron and smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm just feeling a little lazy from all that food," he said, sitting up to face them.

Ron nodded, "Same, I'm tired..." he yawned, "and we got up about an hour ago?" he chuckled.

"Ooh, Ron, when does your father leave for work?" questioned Hermione.

"About twenty minutes," he said, narrowing his eyebrows, "Hermione, why do--Ooh!"

Hermione grinned, "I'll be back, I have a plan. Stay put," she said, pointing a finger at the two.

Harry and Ron exchanged nervous glances. They probably didn't even want to know what she was up to. She probably didn't want to them to say anything that would make it sound as if they were going to go hunt down the Minister. The boys sat there, keeping to themselves.

Harry pondered in his head a million of questions that he'd like to ask the Minister. If Lupin trusted him, he couldn't be terrible, could he? He also remembered Lupin saying the man had children attending Hogwarts... Since when? Well, he couldn't verify if he had known them, or not, since he didn't even know the wizard's name. The information that they would hopefully gather today, would be in good use, perhaps when they arrived at Hogwarts, they could possibly find this children and ask them about their father, though he thought this a terrible tactic.

"Come on, you two, let's go," said Hermione, beckoning them to follow.

"How'd you do it?" asked Harry, slightly impressed.

"Told him about out History of Magic paper, we do have to write about Ministry laws and such... If we find the Minister, he's sure to know them."

"Brilliant," beamed Ron, as they made their way to follow Mr. Weasley through Floo Powder.

The familiar rush Harry had gotten last he traveled by Floo Powder, returned. It only upset his stomach, slightly, since he hadn't done it in a while, but once he landed in his destination, along side Ron and Hermione, he felt much better to be on firm ground.

Mr. Weasley furrowed his brow, as he looked at the lot. "All right, you three. I'm trusting you know how to behave yourselves,"

The three of them nodded. "Don't worry, dad," said Ron, smiling weakly.

"All right, it's a quarter to ten, meet me here, in my office area, around eleven-thirty, yes?"

"Yes," they all replied.

"Good. Go on, now," he said, gesturing them to be on their way. Little did Mr. Weasley know, this would be a great mistake, as the three more than likely wouldn't have no such time as to actually gather research for that paper.

"All right," mumbled Ron, as they departed Mr. Weasley's company. "Where should we start looking?"

"I doubt we'd find him around the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office," pointed out, Harry.

"Perhaps, we should go to the main floor, see who we can find there?" suggested Hermione.

Harry shrugged, "It's worth a go, c'mon," he said, as they made their way down a flight of steps that seemed to never end.

Once they had gotten to the bottom floor, a crowd soon appeared into sight. The front doors opened and in came a bush of people, who seemed to be surrounding one person. Reporters rushed to the shield of people, trying to get to the core-- which wasn't visible from where Harry was standing. He started to walk a little closer, but not wanting to get trampled; kept a safe distance. He bent down a little, and saw a glimpse of whom he figured was the new Minister of Magic. He only saw the side of his face, though. He stood upright and looked over at Ron, who was taller, and could probably get a better sight of him.

"Do you see him?" questioned Hermione, who couldn't see hardly anything at the height she was.

"Not really," mumbled Ron.

Harry noticed Rita Skeeter in the crowd, he pointed it out to Hermione and Ron, who scowled as their eyes spotted the horrible woman. ("Does she EVER quit?" groaned Ron, underneath his breath).

Rita looked obnoxious as ever. Her blonde hair back in those curiously ridged curls, and her robes were a bright pink. The same jeweled spectacles, she wore, and in hand the same crocodile handbag, from which Harry guessed she retrieved her notepad and quill. The woman was jabbering about, pushing her way, in the middle of the circle. Suddenly, to Harry's surprise, the circle ceased it's protection and the Minister was clear in view.

He didn't look like a Minister at all, to Harry. He sort of reminded him slightly of Remus and Sirius. Although, as Harry quickly thought this through, this shouldn't be too much of a surprise, they were after all the same age. He was about six feet and a few inches tall, and had his hair's length in between Snape and Sirius. It was a dirty blond or a light brown, at the moment Harry couldn't define the two, since it was a pretty close definition between them. He had no facial hair apparent, which gave him a youthful look.

Harry figured he must have cleaned up seeing as he would be getting his pictures taken on a regular basis now that he took this position. His robes were a deep green, and the Slytherin reminder popped into Harry's mind. It suddenly vanished at the man's words toward's Rita Skeeter.

"So, what would you like to question me about today, miss Skeeter? What shampoo do I use? Or perhaps where I purchased my cologne, can you smell it?" he smirked.

Rita stood there and seemed to be searching for the smell, but suddenly began to speak. "Oh, no, Minister. I was wondering when the media could get a glimpse at your family? To see how your environment is aside from work, now,"

"That's not necessary," stated the man, a small furrow in his eyebrows, "the public will see them in due time,"

"Can I ask a few questions?"

"If I said no, would you really not ask them, anyway?"

Harry grinned at the man, he was quite clever and really did remind him of Sirius. But it was only the sarcastic nature the man possessed, Harry wasn't sure about the rest of his attributes that left him, as he did indeed graduate from Slytherin house.

Rita indeed ignored his statement and proceeded on with her questions. "I understand you have six children,"

"Seven," the man, corrected.

"Well, you have six girls, right?"

"Correct, and one boy."

"Would they happen to attend Hogwarts?"

"In fact they do, and no you will not get their names. Next question?"

Rita scowled as she scribbled upon her notepad. "I heard a nasty rumor that you knew Lucius Malfoy, discussed things reguarily, and were friends with the man, correct?"

"Yes," he answered, "but, I had no idea he was honestly serious about being with Voldemort," stated the man.

The reporters gasped at his careless front of not referring to him as 'You-Know-Who' or 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'.

"Interesting..." the blonde woman, mumbled. "during the whole debate between previous Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, against Professor Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter, about You-Know-Who being in power, who did you believe?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's nice to know which side you were on-- I mean, the evidence we have now, states that he has indeed risen in power... but there was no way of knowing before this occurred, I assume the public would like to know your original opinion before the article was released, in The Quibbler, shortly afterwards, the Daily Prophet," explained Skeeter.

"Well, I'm sorry, but for now, I've had enough of your ridiculous question-answer games, I have a meeting to attend, so thank you..." he said, the circle came to a close and he continued down the floor, a few reporters following him, to get a few more shots, before he entered the elevator.

"Hmm," blinked Hermione.

"We didn't get too much to go by, did we?" questioned Ron.

"No, not really. But he doesn't seem terrible," reasoned Harry.

"What do you think they're having a meeting about?" asked Hermione, pondering, slightly.

"No clue," answered Ron.

"Why don't we go upstairs? Maybe we'll run into him, and see where exactly he's headed to..." suggested Harry.

Harry knew this would cause lot's of trouble in itself. Harry wasn't even too sure if they were exactly approved to being here, he didn't want to get Mr. Weasley in trouble, or worse lose his job, but he just had a strong urge to go and follow the Minister, who still remained nameless.

"We don't even know what floor he arrived on..." said Hermione.

As if on cue, the reporters rushed from down the hall and made their way up the staircase, in a hurried frenzy.

"I suppose, if we follow them, we might," said Ron, starting behind Harry, who started jogging towards the steps.

Harry managed to catch a quick glimpse of them turning the corner on the third floor, Harry quickened his pace, Hermione and Ron trailed behind him, although Hermione a little slower than they were.

Harry stopped at the doorway, noticing the reporters were being held back, a young man, who seemed only a year younger than Harry, was standing at the door.

The reporters flooded him with questions, but another man emerged from the room the Minister was currently in. This man was at least thirty years of age and didn't seem to pleased as he glared upon the reporters.

"In case you lot haven't noticed, they're trying to have a meeting in there, would you please at least give them that? We don't need you outside the door, snapping pictures about and fighting for the best spots on the window, now if you please..."

Harry beckoned Ron and Hermione to follow him as they quickly walked out of the stairwell, and peered around the corner, waiting until the reporters disappeared down the steps. They watched as the older man nodded at the boy and walked back inside the room, the boy continued to stand there, looking rather frustrated and bored.

Harry wondered who he was and walked from the corner. Harry smiled hearing Ron's whispered protest against talking to the boy, but Hermione had already trailed behind Harry and Ron wasn't going to stay lingering behind. Ron sighed and followed Hermione.

The boy looked up at the three and raised an eyebrow. "What are you three doing here?" the boy, asked, as if he knew them.

Hermione seemed to pipe right up, but ignoring his question. Much like Rita Skeeter had done to the Minister. "Do you know what's going on in there?" she questioned.

"Not exactly, all I know is that they're on a conversation discussing wizarding laws," the boy, replied.

The boy had a goofy look to him, to Harry, he seemed like a joking type of person. He probably didn't even really want to be here, for whatever reason that may be. He had dirty blond hair and brown eyes, he was slightly pale, with a few scattered freckles upon his face.

"You didn't answer my previous question," the boy, stated. "you three shouldn't be here,"

"For your information, my dad works here, and they're with me, so I think we're covered," snapped Ron, "what about you?"

"Oh, really, so does my father. What does yours do?" the boy, questioned.

"He works in the Misuse of Muggle Arifacts office," Ron replied, promptly.

The boy smirked and shook his head, lightly. "You should advise him to get a job for better pay, they should really train House Elves to do that sort of nonsense," he stated. "Although, I have nothing against Muggles, just doesn't interest me all that much, to be honest,"

Ron's ears began to turn pink from embarrassment. He didn't like when people badgered his father's job. Harry knew this, and knew that more than likely the only reason he refrained from going off on the boy, was because the Minister of Magic was just inside the room.

Harry decided to break the silence and speak up for Ron. "So, what does your father do?"

"As far as I'm concerned, I don't have to share my life affairs with you lot," he stated, simply.

"Who are you?" questioned Hermione, the look on her face seemed annoyed. "you seem vaguely familiar and I cannot place it,"

"Call me, Ashton," he replied, "I go to Hogwarts, I'm in Gryffindor, fifth year. Soon to be sixth, mind you. You three are: Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter. The reason I know this is because I talk to your sister, Ginny, Ron. No, I'm not interested in her, so you don't have to threaten me, like Ginny said you did when you found out about Michael Corner that one time. Although, it wasn't really a threat, just rambling about how you didn't like that kid and that sort of stuff," he said, simply.

The three of them stared at the kid, baffled. He delivered all these facts and information in a calm manner as if he had been reading them out of a book, it was quite odd.

"Nice to meet you..." said Harry, blankly.

Ashton smiled weakly. "Sorry if I frightened you, I tend to remember details-- a lot of them. I store them in my brain it's rather amazing. I just think it's my natural laziness that makes this stuff pointless in school, because I still got quite a few 'Average' marks on my O.W.L.'s," the boy shrugged.

"So you've been going to Hogwarts this entire time?" questioned Harry.

"Pretty much," he boy, answered, blinking. "Why are you asking me all these questions? I thought the reporters already left," he grinned.

"Just curious as to why we didn't recognize you, is all," answered Hermione.

Harry agreed with this statement, why hadn't they noticed him? Especially if he was in Gryffindor. Well, then again, Harry had over looked quite a few students that attended Hogwarts. It's not like he had done it intentionally, but it's not like he had done it on accident, either. There were a ton of students attending Hogwarts and a new batch arriving as an old one leaves, it's hard to keep up sometimes -- Scratch that, majority of the time.

"Do you know anything that everyone else doesn't about the Minister?" asked Ron.

"I do, but can't say, sorry."

"Why not?" asked Hermione, before Ron could give an infuriated reply.

"Because, my dad would kill me. I swore to him I wouldn't, so I'll keep my word, for once," he said, nodding lightly.

Already forty-five minutes of their time had passed, surprisingly and still they had little knowledge of the Wizarding World's new Minister of Magic that everyone longed to know about. Harry didn't find this in the least unexpected. He figured their trip over here would be a tad disappointing, but as the year went on more had to be made known public about the Minister of Magic. Or at least, Harry could hope.

"You lot should be heading out about now," suggested Ashton, looking down from his watch and up at the three.

"Why you say that?" questioned Harry, curiously.

"Because I know Percy Weasley's supposed to show up to take part of this meeting at this hour, he'll report you for being here," he replied.

"Oh, damn it," snarled Ron. "I'm definitely leaving, now..." he mumbled.

"What would he be here for?" asked Harry.

"Wondering if he's still got an assistant position set for the new Minister, perhaps," scowled Hermione.

"Well, nice meeting you lot," said Ashton, settling himself on the floor.

"You too," said Harry, nodding. "See you at Hogwarts."

The group turned around and began to walk, they had only gotten three steps towards the door before they all saw the disowned Weasley son. Or rather, the son that disowned the Weasley's -- Percy Weasley. His usual annoying appearance and the sharp look he kept underneath those hawk like spectacles, still there as he surveyed the three.

"What on earth do you three think your doing here," he questioned. "did Arthur really allow you all to be here?"

"Yes," answered Hermione, promptly, "We're looking around for a few things that we could use for our holiday homework, we found ourselves on the wrong floor and Ashton, over there helped us find out place, so you see, we were headed back to where we need to be to find our information," she explained.

God, how Harry loved when Hermione could think of brilliant explanations such as these that Harry would have stumbled over if he had to create the excuse in his brain. The young witch had certainly learnt tricks from Harry and Ron over the years and she actually seemed rather proud of it, if Harry said so himself.

The young man continued to watch the three, his eyes seemed to bounce off each one of them, as if he were searching for something else he could possibly blame them for, like blinking twice in a row. The redhead finally lowered his powerful gaze and straightened up a bit.

"Well, then off you go..." he said, in an undertone. "no one wants to see you lot running about possibly causing chaos," he snarled as he opened the door to the room and disappeared behind the doors.

Ashton gave a look of displeasure at the door and Harry grinned, seeing him do so and proceeded in the direction they were heading a moment ago, before their interruption.

Harry shoved one hand in his pocket, as the other gripped the railing of the long staircase. The Department of Mysteries was in this building, and for some reason had the need to go on an investigation. What necessarily the investigation held, Harry was clueless of. He just had the need to be in the realm of danger, amidst the small angst, as he classified it as, lingered in his mind. He hated to admit that he hadn't gotten over his many woes of the world, but who could in the many years that Harry's life had plummeted drastically. He was just thankful that his two best friends remained by their side, although secretly hoping they'd go off into their own world sometimes, it was again just the bitter seed that had been planted in Harry near the close of his fifth year.

Losing his godfather, Sirius Black, had to have been the most hardest tasks to overcome in his years. He had hated Voldemort very much, but right in second place had to have been Bellatrix Lestrange. The last bit of family (one he had truly appreciated and had returned the favor) was just gone. He remembered how he continued to deny it in his mind. How he knew any moment Sirius would just stand up again, and reveal himself from behind the veil.

"God, damn it!" he yelled, aloud.

Hermione and Ron had stopped their small talk conversation for the time being to stare at Harry, who had been ahead of them.

Harry could see them in his head right now: They both shot glances towards each other and Hermione would be the first to speak up, since Ron is usually hesitant to see what exactly is wrong with his best friend, these days.

"Harry, are you feeling okay?" came Hermione's voice.

Harry cringed at his predictability. He figured if he didn't respond, Ron would try to join in on the lovely interrogation process, he opened his mouth to speak, but of course, Ron couldn't see this.

"Oy, Harry..." said Ron, his footsteps ascending as he joined his left side. "something you want to talk about?"

Harry glared at the wall ahead of him. Talk? This was much more than just a talk. For Christ sakes, these two shouldn't even have to ask. If he could predictably come up with their actions of concern towards him, surely they were just wasting their time in actually asking Harry what was wrong and if he wanted to talk.

For it was far more complicated than that and they just tossed it aside, as if Harry hadn't realized he had forgotten to do Snape's essay due next period. Or Harry made a blind choice by cursing Malfoy in front of all eyes and Professors to see. That behavior was something for them to possibly want to talk about. This was something to be discussed upon. Wither they liked it or not... Wither they meant to or not... They weren't much supporting him; In fact, this sort of thing made Harry want them to depart his company even more. Not in the good light, either. As in the leave him the hell alone, dark.

"Harry?" came Hermione's voice, now on his right side.

"I'm fine," was all Harry managed, his teeth cringed, as he spoke. Now, they would try to get him to talk, in the most irritable manner possible.

"Harry, you don't have to pretend your okay to make us feel better, you can tell us what's bothering you," assured Hermione, in a soft tone.

Ron slowly nodded, "Yeah," he agreed, "we're here to listen, we want to help as much as we can, you know?"

"Oh? Do you now?" questioned Harry, he felt his temper rise again.

Harry glanced at Hermione, to see her biting her lip, she was more than likely going to start sobbing while Ron comforted her and called Harry something along the lines of a jerk, perhaps. It seemed Hermione wasn't too clueless in Harry's efforts. She knew the anger was beginning to rise again.

Harry managed to calm himself down, he didn't want an episode now, not here. Not today. He took a deep breath, before Hermione's emotions took over and it all exploded and Harry couldn't control it.

"Ignore that," said Harry, "I've been doing some heavy thinking, nothing I'd like to share at the moment, thanks for your concern."

Harry didn't mean what he said. Well, he didn't want to. Of course, he thanked them for worrying, but Harry, for some reason, had the feeling that the only reason they really did over do it sometimes, and ask more than once, is because they felt the need to; The way Harry was acting, in his state an all...

Stop it. Harry told himself. You don't need to lose your two best friends before school starts, that isn't the wisest of things to do, especially this last year, no time for games.

Yeah, but if it wasn't time for games, why did Harry have the feeling that's all these two were doing? He continued to drown the thought out of his head, knowing they'd be all departing back to the Burrow for lunch in due time, that would get his mind off of things and a well play game of Quidditch, that would most definitely calm his nerves.

Well, there's chapter two, and all hopes of you getting to know the Minister somewhat failed, but hey, when Harry discovers what's going on you, will, too! So, your not the only one in the dark. :D

Please review! and thanks, in advance. :D

-Vikki-