CHAPTER 14

~Pleasant Surprises~

Happy and relaxing weeks followed their demanding test. Fifth and seventh year students were able to unwind—sitting out in the Hogwarts grounds, reading books ("I've had enough of books to last me a life time, thank you very much," said Ron), playing wizard chess, watching the Giant Squid and talking cheerfully without a single worry.

The whole wizarding world had been feeling very safe ever since the day when Lord Voldemort lost his powers for the second time. Everyone had celebrated, parties were happening everywhere…

Fewer and fewer owls were delivering Harry letters now—'thank you' letters. The first day when people found out about Harry's defeat of Voldemort, Harry had received about twenty to thirty owls a day saying that he was the greatest and thank you for saving the world. Some sounded very silly, such as: You're the greatest, Harry Potter! Thank you very much! You should be made a king now and even I shall serve as your servant! But Harry appreciated them all the same.

Draco Malfoy was surprisingly quiet. It was quite plain that he was jealous of all the attention Harry was getting. It seemed to increase his hatred for Harry even more.

Finally, the last day of school came and the Great Hall had once again been prepared for the Leaving Feast. It looked spectacular with the scarlet and gold decorations in honour of Gryffindor—the winning house for the fifth year in a row.

Everyone looks happy, Harry thought, as he watched all the four house tables, his fellow students chatting happily to each other. Harry didn't feel as happy as them—the thought of going back to the Dursleys and spending the summer with them was very disturbing and it made him unhappy. He envied Ron. He longed to stay with the Weasleys and not ever coming back to the Dursleys but Dumbledore insisted that he visits his relatives first—Harry didn't know why but he trusted Dumbledore and did what he was told .

Also, their O.W.L results had come back and Harry, to his very great surprise, had gotten seventeen O.W.Ls; Hermione (to no one's surprise) had gotten a perfect score of twenty O.W.Ls; Ron received fifteen, which was enough to satisfy him.

After eating a superb feast, Dumbledore got up from his chair and looked around them all. He smiled. "Another year has come and another year has gone by," he said, smiling. "and I still have some notices to give out. Firstly, our Gryffindor Prefect, Kyle Boggin, will unfortunately, be leaving us. He has decided to move to Beauxbatons Academy where he will be closer with the rest of his family. And so, we cannot leave Gryffindor having no Prefects, now, can we? I am proud to announce, everyone, that next year's Gryffindor Prefect will be none other than Miss Hermione Granger!" The Great Hall rang with polite applause and Hermione, surprised, just merely blushed and laughed. The applause died down and Dumbledore spoke again.

"Also, our Gryffindor Quidditch Keeper—Brett Featrepp--will be leaving us to go to Durmstrang,"

There was a great "What?" from the Gryffindors and they all looked at Brett, who shrugged, muttering a sorry.

"But, Gryffindors, there is no need to be worried," said Dumbledore, smiling his mysterious smile. "We have a new replacement for your Keeper and I am, again, proud to announce that that new Keeper is Mr Ron Weasley!" At this Ron jumped up, said, "Really?" and whooped. The Gryffindors (including Harry and Hermione), the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs all laughed. The Slytherin table said nor did anything but scowled.

When the noise, too, died down, Dumbledore continued. "On a sadder note, we have lost yet another member of our school—our dearly beloved Professor Leanne Kasender." Heads bowed and there was a slight sniffing around the Hall. "Yes, we will remember her forever—a great friend and also a great teacher…" then he added quietly, "and a beautiful phoenix."

~~~

Their trunks packed, their pets once again caged and ready to go home, Harry, Ron and Hermione boarded the Hogwarts Express. As the scarlet train chugged silently in the background, the trio talked and talked the whole way. The time Harry was dreading came (as he thought it would) and they arrived at King's Cross Station.

He got onto the platform, placed his trunk and his snowy owl on a trolley and turned to face his two very best friends.

"Goodbye, then," he said.

Hermione flung her arms around him, kissed him on the cheek and did the same to Ron.

"Goodbye."