Harry Potter and the Sisters

Author's Note: Let's assume that Voldemort is dead, but Harry and the gang must go through their seventh year. Dumbledore survives, too.

"I would like to remind you all that the trip to Salem is next week, and you cannot go without permission slip." Professor MacGonnagall stood in the Griffindor commonroom, surrounded by seventh-year students. Griffindor was celebrating yet another spectacular Quidditch victory, and she joined her students in the revelry. They squirmed in their seats every time she mentioned Salem, and she'd been doing so for the past month. Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged faces. With Serius dead, there was no way Harry could get a proper slip. The three of them wished, for Harry's sake, that their Head of House would stop bringing the subject of a field trip up. MacGonnagle ordered the students off to bed, and Harry turned his back to follow Ron.

"Harry, come see me in my office." MacGonnagall's face lacked expression, and Harry wondered what she could possibly want with him at 11:00 at night. Stifling a yawn at the thought of his cozy bed upstairs, he followed.

"Harry," said Professor MacGonnagall when they were both seated, "You may be an adult, but you still need a permission slip-"

"But, Professor-"

"which is why we've made an exception in your case. Remus has signed a permission slip, which Dumbledore was kind enough to accept." Harry's face lit up. He could go! He couldn't wait to tell his friends!

"Thank you, Professor!" he practically shouted.

"Don't thank me, Harry. It was Dumbledore's decision. Now get some sleep. I won't hear of one of my students falling asleep in class." Harry, grinning, left Professor MacGonnagall's office, and headed back to his bed.