By late June, the Leaky Cauldron looked much as it always did. At least, that was how it felt to old Mr. Tom Abbott.
A week earlier, several Ministry of Magic employees had shown up and posted a notice on the Leaky Cauldron's door:
"He Who Must Not Be Named has returned!"
Below it was a long paragraph stating that at least fifty witnesses had seen the Dark Lord return in the Department of Mysteries… The Ministry warned all witches and wizards to stay alert for possible attacks from dark wizards or dark magic in the coming days…
To make things worse, Old Tom was handed a stack of bright purple pamphlets:
"Published with Authorization of the Ministry of Magic — Protect Your Home and Family from Dark Magic!"
Whenever a new traveler arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, Tom had to hand them one of these pamphlets.
...
At first, all of this caused quite a panic. The long-term residents of the Leaky Cauldron rushed to Tom to check out, then fled London in haste… Diagon Alley also sank into a brief period of "decline" that lasted several days. Mr. Abbott even considered shutting down the pub entirely and taking his granddaughter back home to enjoy a quiet retirement…
But after a week, everything settled down again.
Each day, the Daily Prophet printed new "encouraging" headlines—starting with: "Wizengamot Sentences Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Twelve Other Death Eaters to Life Imprisonment…"
…then, "Aurors Successfully Capture Death Eaters Rabastan Lestrange and Evan Rosier…"
…and later, "Aurors Spot Traces of the Dark Lord in a Muggle Village in Southwest Merseyside; He Appears to Be Fleeing Toward Scotland…"
There were no dark wizards appearing, no attacks occurring, not even an injured Muggle. Every day, one or two Death Eaters were captured, and the Dark Lord was being chased all over Britain by Aurors. Compared to the terror of more than ten years ago, everything felt completely reversed.
Once everyone felt safe again, they returned to Diagon Alley in droves… The Leaky Cauldron was bustling again, and Old Tom abandoned any thoughts of retiring. Instead, he decided to take advantage of his "remaining youth" to save a proper dowry for his granddaughter.
As for the purple pamphlets, Tom continued handing them out to every traveler as promised. But usually, within a few minutes of receiving one, it could be found tossed into the trash bin at the entrance to Diagon Alley.
...
Another sharp bang echoed through the street.
A middle-aged witch wearing a scarf tossed the purple pamphlet—the Ministry's Anti-Dark Magic Guide—into the trash bin before stepping into Diagon Alley. Aside from the newly discarded copy, the bin already held seven or eight pristine ones… and a crumpled Daily Prophet.
The faintly visible headline read:
"Cornelius Fudge Announces Resignation as Minister for Magic."
"Over the past week, former Minister Cornelius Fudge faced heavy criticism and opposition… After locking himself in his office and quietly holding out for nearly a week, he submitted his resignation to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at 9 p.m. last night.
It is reported that throughout the week, Fudge sent two hundred owls with messages to Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore; however, judging from the outcome, Professor Dumbledore apparently ignored his pleas.
When interviewed about his thoughts… Mr. Cornelius Fudge said bitterly, 'In all my years in office, I've never seen you all so united on anything.'"
...
On the same front page, immediately following that article, was a photograph of a stern witch with a broad build, a square jaw, short gray hair, and a monocle.
"Amelia Bones Announces She Will Assume the Position of Minister for Magic."
"Former Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, will succeed Cornelius Fudge as Minister for Magic. Her appointment has been met with widespread and enthusiastic approval throughout the wizarding world…
Mrs. Bones's father, mother, and brother were all killed during the First Wizarding War by the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters; there is no doubt her anger and grief will become a sharp blade against dark magic…
In her speech last night, Mrs. Bones stated that the Ministry has enacted several new, forceful measures to ensure Death Eaters stay away from normal wizarding communities.
Additionally, former Head of the Auror Office, Rufus Scrimgeour, will replace Amelia Bones as the new Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; and Auror Gawain Robards, who performed exceptionally in the battle at the Department of Mysteries, will assume the role of Head of the Auror Office."
...
Most of the remaining news was obscured by trash and difficult to read. Except for a small corner on page three, where one could faintly see the photo of a toad-like witch.
"Dolores Umbridge Has Been Removed from Her Position as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic and High Inquisitor of Hogwarts."
"Minister Bones's first personnel change upon taking office was the removal of all positions held by former Senior Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge at both the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts.
However, Madam Umbridge declined our request for an interview… According to rumor, she is currently undergoing psychological treatment at St. Mungo's Hospital."
...
Old Tom Abbott shuffled over, waved his wand at the trash bin, and cleared away all the pamphlets, newspapers, and garbage inside. Then he carefully moved the bin back to its proper spot… the one just below and to the right of the brick that opened Diagon Alley.
"Which troublemaker did this again…" Tom muttered. "Do they really think blocking the entrance to Diagon Alley is amusing??"
Once he finished, he headed back toward the bar, having heard someone calling him.
It was a wizard in a long black robe, hood drawn low, looking very much like a living raven.
"Here for a drink, or looking for a room?" Tom asked lazily.
"Staying the night." The hooded wizard's voice sounded young.
"Five Sickles for the night—nine with meals included… Oh, and take this—it's free!"
As he spoke, Tom pulled out a purple booklet—the Ministry's Anti-Dark Magic Guide—and tossed it to the robed wizard.
Amelia Bones was murdered by Voldemort before Chapter 1 of Book 6 in the original story. Otherwise, she would have been the one to succeed the Minister rather than Scrimgeour.