| Chapter 20 - Ron's Big News Continued |
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| NEW MINISTER OF MAGIC APPOINTED Yesterday, the Council of Magic reported that they reached a decision on who to replace Mr. Cornelius Fudge as the new Minister of Magic. �It took many hours of consideration,� a council member said, �but we have come to a decision.� Whether or not the news was well received, there were many shocked faces in the audience when Mr. Arthur Weasley was announced as the new� �Ron!� Harry said, not bothering to continue the article. �This is great!� Ron, still in shock, didn�t reply. �Ron!� Hermione exclaimed, shaking Ron�s shoulders until he looked up at her. �My� my dad�� he said slowly. �He�s� he�s the minister of� of magic?� �Yes! It�s fantastic! He�ll be one of the most well respected men in the world of magic!� Hermione said, hardly believing it herself. �Not to mention one of the most well paid!� chimed in Neville, who was eagerly listening to their conversation for most of lunch. �He�s right, you know,� Harry said. �Your dad will be making at least three times as much as he did before. Looks like Malfoy has nothing more he can say to you!� A smile slowly crept across Ron�s face. �That�s right,� he said, finally realizing the full extent of the good news. �Maybe people will respect me now.� �Just be careful, though,� Hermione warned. �There will probably be people that will pretend to be your friend just to get some of the power, either for their parents or themselves. Don�t get too close to people, and make good judgments about who you do get close to.� As she spoke, Harry saw that Malfoy and some other Slytherin members had read the article, and were making their way over to the Gyffindor table. �Speaking of, look who�s coming to try to ruin the moment,� Harry said, glaring in Malfoy�s general direction. Hermione and Ron looked over and saw the group coming over to the table. Ron turned his head back quickly, obviously dreading the insults he was about to receive. Malfoy reached the table, wearing an evil grin. �Well, well, well,� he began, �Looks like Weasel�s heard the news about his dad. It�s a pity nobody else would take the job, because I�m sure the Ministry wont do well with a dirty Weasley running it.� Ron�s face turned red with anger, but he held his tongue. �And what exactly is THAT supposed to mean, Malfoy?� Harry growled. �Didn�t you even read the article?� Malfoy scoffed, turning to Harry. �It says that no one else would take the job, so they gave it to Weasley. I guess I see why he�d take it, there�s no way anyone could live off the salary he was getting before.� �Shut your mouth, Malfoy,� Hermione said, defending Ron. �You really have no opinion in the matter, so why don�t you just leave before you make an even bigger fool of yourself than you already are.� Harry saw that Ron obviously didn�t want to say anything. �The only fool here is you, Mudblood,� Malfoy snarled. �Oh wait, I�m wrong. This whole table is totally filled with losers.� �Beat it, Malfoy!� Harry said angrily. �I mean we all know that you�re jealous because your dad wasn�t chosen as the Minister. Its really not surprising that he wasn�t elected, though. No one in their right minds would choose such a slimeball to run the Ministry.� Malfoy glared at Harry. His upper lip curled slightly. �Well then why wasn�t your dad chosen?� Malfoy questioned sarcastically. �Oh yes, that�s right. Your dad�s dead!� Harry stood up, fists clenched. �Do you want to be beaten up?� Harry yelled. �Just tell me, because I will if you really want me to. You keep talking and I�ll give you more than just a black eye.� He felt the wand in his pocket, ready to pull it out. �No need to get violent, Potter,� Malfoy said calmly. �I�m just making sure Weasel here knows that his father wasn�t chosen because of his qualifications.� �That�s great to know,� Hermione said sarcastically. �Now do you mind? I�d rather not vomit right after I ate, so I�d prefer if I don�t have to look at you anymore.� �Yes, I agree. The stench from this table is making me sick, so I think I�d better go back to where I can breathe again,� Malfoy replied. He turned on his heel and strutted back to the Slytherin table with his audience. �What a moron,� Harry said angrily. Ron sat quietly, still a little red, staring at the floor. |