On September 1, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, and Chris Moen boarded the Hogwarts Express, dragging their trunks as they made their way down the aisle.
"At this rate, Platform 9 3/4 is going to need expanding sooner or later."
"Yeah! It's not even nine yet, and there are already this many people... It really does need expanding!"
"And it's easy to make Muggles suspicious, too... Though that's none of our business. Let's see how the Ministry of Magic handles it!"
The three of them passed carriage after carriage, chatting idly as they went.
"Speaking of the Ministry of Magic... did you read The Daily Prophet this morning? The part about the Ministry of Magic..."
"The Ministry of Magic? Michael, have you been too heavily influenced by Anthony? Why are you always paying attention to the Ministry of Magic?"
"Hm? Chris, did you get rammed by an Erumpent? It's fine if you slander Anthony, but don't you dare slander me! I still have a date later! Don't make people misunderstand me!"
"You actually have a date? Then I definitely have to shout louder. Michael, you and An—"
"Chris! If you don't shut up right now, I'm going to use magic on you!"
"All right! All right! Tell us about that Ministry of Magic thing... what did The Daily Prophet say..."
"Cornelius Fudge resigned. Soon, he really won't be Minister of Magic anymore."
"Huh? Seriously? Cornelius Fudge resigned? I didn't expect him to resign at a time like this..."
"You could probably have seen it coming, right? After all, as Minister of Magic... hehe!"
"Chris, I'll say what you don't dare to say! Cornelius Fudge, as Minister of Magic... was absolutely terrible! I can't believe he even got to resign on his own instead of being impeached and forced out!"
"All right!