IHi, everyone, it's me, Michael here! Believe it or not, this past Wednesday was the two anniversary of the publication of A Different Path. This story started from the simple plot bunny of Harry actually supporting Hermione when Ron was an asshole to her in POA and I had no idea where it would go. I've basically been winging it this whole time as none of this story was pre planned. As of now, A Different Path has 343059 views, 344 favorers, and 456 followers. Thank you to everyone has traveled this path with me whether you've been here from the start or crossed the path just today . Much love from Arizona for all the support. Love you all -Michael.
It was the morning of August 19th, 1994, and after they awoke, Harry, Colin, Dennis, Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan all headed outside for breakfast where they expected to find Arthur, Molly, and eleven place settings at a long rectangular table.
But, when Harry, Colin, Dennis, Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan reached the rectangular table, they saw only ten place settings and Molly with an emotional expression on her face as she held a newspaper tight in her hands. Arthur was nowhere to be seen and Harry, Colin, Dennis, Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan all wondered why he wasn't there.
"Good morning, " said Molly chokily as everyone helped himself or herself to a seat.
Molly held out the newspaper for Harry, Colin, Dennis, Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan to see. It was that morning's addition of the Daily Prophet.
The headline read:
FUDGE RESIGNS AMDIST PUBLIC PRESSURE. MADAM BONES APPOINTS ARTHUR WEASLEY NEW MINISTER OF MAGIC:
The article itself read:
In the early hours of Friday morning, Cornelius Fudge resigned as Minister of Magic amidst growing public backlash against him as the wizarding community has become more aware of his role in the attempted revival of the Triwizard Tournament. With Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch Sr. already sacked from the positions of Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports and Head of the Department of International Cooperation respectively, Fudge had very few supporters left at the Ministry of Magic and the public backlash seemed to overwhelm him. Mr. Fudge submitted his resignation early Friday morning and issued a short statement that it was in his best interests to step down at this time. Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, seriously considered Amos Diggory, Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for the Minister job. However, Madam Bones ultimately felt that Mr. Diggory, who is more knowledgeable about Magical Creatures than anyone currently employed by the Ministry, was too value in his current post to uproot him from it. Madam Bones settled on appointing Arthur Weasley, who had been working in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office, to be the new Minister of Magic. Madam Bones cited Mr. Weasley's pro muggle attitude as a major reason she liked him in the post of Minister of Magic as she expressed hope that wizard-muggle relations would improve under Mr. Weasley's direction.
"I'm so proud that Arthur was selected for such an important and influential position, " said Molly emotionally, "Now he's in a position to use his pro muggle mindset for good and not just be silly with it."
"Congratulations, that's awesome!" said Harry proudly.
"You are sweet, dear," said Molly as a few tears ran down her cheeks.
"But?" said Ginny in a confused voice, "Dad has always turned down promotions. I thought he was happy in his job and didn't want to leave it?"
"This is different, " said Molly seriously, "The previous promotions Arthur has turned down would've been good promotions for him, but he wasn't truly needed in those jobs. He could afford to make more selfish decisions then. Arthur told me this morning that he would accept the role of Minister of Magic out of a sense of duty. Deep down, Arthur knows that he can have an incredibly positive influence on our society from the Minister's position."
"Do you know when dad will make his first public appearance as Minister of Magic?" Fred asked his mom.
"Tonight, at the Quidditch World Cup Final!" answered Molly matter of factly.
"Talk about being thrown into the fire suddenly, " said George bluntly, "Dad's suddenly got a lot on his plate."
"He already knows the inner workings of the Ministry, " said Hermione reasonably, "Why shouldn't he be able to adjust quickly?"
"And" promised Susan, "Auntie has known for a week that Fudge would not be Minister of Magic much longer. She actually informed all potential candidates for the new Minister of Magic last Saturday of their consideration. Kingsley Shacklebolt refused consideration under the premise that he's more useful as an Auror right now but said he'd be open to reconsidering in the future if the opportunity presented itself again. Ultimately, it came down to Amos vs Arthur and auntie felt Arthur was more replaceable in his current job. Arthur's had some time to prepare albeit not a lot."
"Well, " said Luna, staring up at the sky, "As long as the wrackspurts don't infest his brain, Arthur will be better than Fudge ever was."
"How will Arthur being Minister of Magic affect his relationship with his family?" Colin wondered aloud.
"He's not the type to bring his work home with him, " said Molly matter of factly, "Any frustrations he has at work, he's usually very good at leaving at work."
"That's good, " said Dennis simply.
Them without preamble, Molly stood and listened as Harry, Colin, Dennis, Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan all burst into chants of "Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!"
"Aww," cooed Molly.
After that died down, Molly retrieved her wand from her right hand pocket with her right hand and made a few movements with that caused breakfast to appear.
This morning, their breakfast consisted of French toast with sides of bacon strips and tater tots and Budweiser to wash it down with.
When they had awoken, Harry, Colin, Dennis, Fred, George, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan all thought they'd be spending breakfast eagerly discussing the Quidditch World Cup Final. Instead, they were just telling each how great it was that Arthur had such a wonderful opportunity before finishing their breakfast in satisfied silence.
That didn't mean that they weren't still looking forward to attending the Quidditch World Cup Final between Ireland and Bulgaria that night and their excitement about the Quidditch World Cup Final came roaring back to them when Molly said, "We've got a bit of a walk."