"I hope that you will take this excellent opportunity to create international bonds as well as improve your cultural experience. It is a great chance to see new things and find out about other witches and wizards in the wider community. I expect you all to sign up – it is open to all fifth years and it will last the duration of you Christmas holidays. The partnered school is Beauxbatons academy and we will travel there by coach."
Harry glanced at Hermione. How were they going to travel to France in a coach? Hermione looked unperturbed, and continued to stare at Professor McGonagall as if breaking eye contact would result in a long and painful death.
"The trip is free, however next Christmas the exchanges will be returning to Hogwarts, so you must be available and hospitable then. There will be a sign-up sheet in each Common room, so anybody who would like to register interest must sign their name before the end of this week. Any questions see you head of house. Now off to lessons."
There was a great scraping of benches as the entirety of fifth year hurried to the entrance.
Hermione turned to Ron and Harry, beaming. "It's going to be an incredible opportunity. I mean my French isn't that good. Well I have lived in France for a couple of years when I was little, but it's going to be so interesting to experience it from the magical point of view." Hermione paused for breath. "I'm just going to the library. Meet you in Charms." And she rushed off, making a beeline for the library.
Ron stared apprehensively as she hurried off.
"I'm going to sign up. The trips free so why you wouldn't want to go..." He trailed off, glancing at Harry. "Are you?"
"Can't," Harry replied, trying not to reveal how badly he had wanted to go. "Can you imagine the Dursley's accepting a French exchange next Christmas?"
A shadow of guilt flittered across Ron's face. "But you can have your exchange at Hogwarts over Christmas? Or you can bring them over to my house." Ron looked triumphant. "You can bring your exchange to stay at our house for Christmas!"
For a moment Harry's spirits were lifted, but then he remembered. "I had better ask Professor McGonagall," he said glumly. He walked up to her slowly, a lead weight pushing down on his heart.
"Professor?" he asked quietly. "I can't take the exchange back to my Uncle's house. He won't allow it. But Ron says he's very happy for my exchange to stay at his house over Christmas..."
Professor McGonagall regarded him with a sorrowful smile.
"Sorry Potter, the rules are there for a reason."
"What about my Godfather's house?" Harry asked wildly. His godfather was Sirius Black, a man believed guilty of murder, but who was actually innocent. He lived in London, and his house was the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, but it was worth a shot.
"I don't think that's appropriate Potter." Professor McGonagall said grimly. "I know the rules look unfair, and often discriminate against the people they are supposed to protect, but there's nothing I can do. Sorry." Professor McGonagall looked rather sad. "Off to lessons now."
Harry walked out of the Great Hall with a heavy heart. Ron, who had lagged behind to wait for him, looked at him questioningly. He shook his head, and they walked to Divination together in silence.