As Harry walked into the locker room, he saw Hermione walk into his office. They both had the same look. "She's not a Horcrux," Harry said. Hermione nodded. "At least that makes things a bit clearer, but we still don't know the rest of them," Hermione said. Harry shook his head. "It would be impossible to find them, but I just don't understand how they work," Harry said, contemplating. "Don't worry about it now, Harry," Hermione said. "Now is the time to celebrate," she said, as she jumped over the captains desk into his arms. They both laughed hysterically as Harry fell off his seat. After changing, all of them left the locker room, Harry took one of his uniforms and put in the locker, making sure someone was able to hold Harry Potter's uniform. In the Great Hall later that day everyone was eating, and chatting as usual, and a couple of Hufflepuff girls came up to Harry giggling. "Hi Harry," one of the girls said. "Hello," Harry said. "My friend was just wondering if you would like to go to the Senior Ball with her," she said. Her friend blushed. Hermione looked over.
"Uh, hello!" she exclaimed at the girl. "Can't you see I'm right here, you dirty tramp?" she added, and the girl gasped and jogged away, her friend close behind. Harry giggled. "Hermione she was real sweet," he kidded. Hermione looked at him. "Sweet is my broomstick giving her face a big smackaroo on the cheeks," she said, and they both laughed. Ron was in the distance, talking to Lavender. "So, that's how I battled a giant spider," he said, looking at Lavender. "I feel like us, you know, was all my fault," she said. Ron coughed a little. "I just wish I had a time-turner or something to change everything," she said. Ron grabbed her hand. "We don't need a time-turner for anything," he said, his eyes tearing up. Harry saw right through that pimp from afar. Lavender put her hand over her mouth. "Do you...wanna go for a walk?" she asked. Ron smiled. "I'd love to," and the both walked out of the Great Hall. On their way out Ron heard Harry cough and mumble, "Pimp," under his breath.
After dinner in the Great Hall, Harry and Hermione walked together into the Common Room, where everyone was reading with butterbeer and party kits, courtesy of Fred and George, who said they were staying the night here at Hogwarts. "This place does bring back memories," Fred said. George opened one of the party kits, which exploded with party favors and gifts and food. Everyone was cheering and laughing and having a ball. About three hours later, McGonnagall walked in. All of the music stopped. "Why are you all still parading?" she said, softly. "McGonnagall, we are just celebrating for Gryffindor's last victory under captain Potter," George said professionally. "Since when have you been so dictated with your words?" McGonnagall said smiling. "You know us only too well, Profess-uh, Headmistress," Fred said. McGonnagall smiled. "No worries all, I will put a silencing charm on this room, I just wanted a butterbeer," she said smiling. "Coolest Headmistress since Dumbledore!" Dean said smiling. "Go Gryffindor," McGonnagall whispered under breath, Harry heard her, and she left, butterbeer in hand. The party continued with even more laughter. "Harry, come here and check out what me and Fred found," George said. Harry walked over to see Fred and George with cards and some chips. "What the heck is this?" said Harry, bewildered. "The Muggles call this game, 'Texas Hold 'Em'," George said. "Who's holding Texas?" Seamus asked. "No, its poker," Dean said. "How do you play?" Harry asked. Well, like wizard poker, you make a hand with five cards, except these cards don't slice off the other cards if they win, like Wizard Chess," George said. "But according to the rules, you only get two cards, and you have to bet these chip things with them," Fred added. They explained the rest of the rules, and Harry, Seamus, Dean, and Ron all played Texas Hold 'Em with the twins while everyone partied, some of them stopping by to watch. "Can we bet Sickles on this, guys?" Ron wondered. "Sure little brother, anything you want, you can makes 'pots' or like winnings for the winner," Fred said. Harry was really good too, as it was similiar to wizard poker, which he was also good at. Hermione walked over. "Need some luck?" she asked, giving him a big kiss on the forehead. "Oh, seriously you two need a room," Fred said, as George laughed. "Don't worry guys, Fred is going out with Fleur's cousin, Dalia," George said, looking a Fred with a grin. Fred turned defiantly to George, "You prat, you didn't tell them that YOU were going out with her twin sister, Daisy," Fred said smiling. "The irony of it," Harry said, smiling. "Who could think that the Weasley twins would find love with twins?" he added smiling. He gave the twins a high five and left the table to hang out with his girlfriend. As Harry was sitting down with Hermione in their big red chair, Hermione excused herself to her dormitory for a bit. Harry stuck around to see what everyone was up to. In the distance, he saw Ginny sitting down in the corner, her Herbology book in her hand. "Hey Ginny, why aren't you out and about partying?" he asked her, she looked up and smiled. "Because, I'm trying to be a good student and pass my Herbology," she said. Harry looked and saw another book. "Who are you studying with?" he asked. She looked at him, blushing a bit. "Mr. Neville Longbottom," she said. Harry laughed. "Well, if anyone is good at Herbology, its Neville," he said slyly, smiling. "Shut up," she said, punching Harry in the arm. "I know what your thinking, but you can just throw those thoughts out that window, okay smarty?" she said, laughing. "All right," said Harry, and he caught Ron by the arm as he was walking by. "I gotta have a talk with my best bud here anyways," and Harry ushered Ron into a corner of the common room. "Alright, Romeo, why are you playing Lavender?" Harry said to Ron, who was grinning a bit. "Harry, don't think like that, seriously, I'm not playing Lavender, I asked her to the Ball," he said. "Come off it, Ron, your just asking her so you can do what you can and then dump her again," Harry said to Ron, not in an angry tone, but in a tone that showed concern. "Don't worry, Harry, I will be okay, and so will Lavender," he said, giving him a hug and then looking off. "You better get back your girlfriend though, it seems she made you something," he said, and Harry walked off. After the sun came up, it was apparent that it was time to get some rest, and Harry gave Hermione a kiss, and walked off with Fred and George to their dormitories.
Harry and Fred and George woke at dusk, sleeping all day, and went out to the pitch to fly around and toss the Quaffle around. It was really great having those two around, they were two really cool friends to hang out with, and Harry held them in the highest regard. With all of the help they gave him, he was really happy that they were finally successful. As they flew down to the grass, Fred called out to Harry, "You know what the best part of this little weekend is?" Harry turned around. "What?" George walked up to Harry. "I bet you miss having us around at Hogwarts, don't you?" he said. Harry looked over. "You know this," he said. staring at them. "Wait, what does this mean?" he said expecting the best. "McGonnagall is letting us take our exit exams to graduate from Hogwarts!" Fred said. Harry smiled. "That's awesome guys, I mean, you were almost out of there anyways," he added. "Yea, well at least we can be rich and educated," George said, and they laughed all the way back to the Common Room, and to the dorm where they would be sleeping with Harry and the others. When they entered their dorm, Fred shut the door. "You know guys, I'm really starting to like this "Poker" these Muggles play," he said. "Me too," Ron said. "Well, they do have these "Poker nights, that they designate one night to play poker with the same group," George said. "Whos down for Sunday night Poker nights?" he added. Ron,Harry,Fred,George,Dean, and Neville all raised their hands. That night they played till about 4 in the morning, before realizing lessons were in three hours. "Crud, I guess its time for some rest," George said. All Harry dreamed about that night was Hermione and poker chips.
A week before the Ball for the seventh years, everyone who was a seventh year was going nuts. Ron and Hermione had to stop people from snogging left and right, people were going nuts. McGonnagall threatned twice that she would cancel the dance, but the students obeyed and everything died down. Hermione was even more excited than usual. Seventh years also had two days off from lessons before the Ball to go shopping at Hogsmeade. It was less crowded, and that meant that there was more freedom for the more mature students. But Harry and Hermione got even better news the day before, when they were one of about 30 students to receive a letter by owl.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Let me be the first to say congradulations on being accepted to Hogsbrook College of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Your O.W.L.S. and recent study have qualified you in the highest caliber, and we would love to extend our hand in welcoming you. There are various majors that we have at this collge, more specifically are our most prestigious ones, which include:
Order of Marlow in Wizarding Business
Order of Marlow in Auror Study - - Your inquired major, refered by Mr. Albus Dumbledore 4th year, confirmed 7th year by Miss Minerva McGonnagall.
Order of Marlow in Investigation Practice
Order of Marlow in Teaching
Order of Marlow in Herbological Care
Order of Marlow in Muggle Studies
Order of Marlow in Journalism
And many more!
Please take the time to fill out your letter of intent, along with the attached letter that informs you whether or not you have received any scholarships for your academic of athletic accomplishments. Once again congradulations and I am eager to await your response. Please entitle the Subject - Raspberry, Letter of Intent, so that our owls know where to send it.
Good Day,
Headmaster, Hogsbrook College.
Harry looked at his second piece of parchment.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Congradulations! You have been awarded a full scholarship to Hogsbrook College based on:
Prestigous Seven Year Career as Hogwarts Seeker for House of Godric Gryffindor
Highest Passing Score in Defense Against the Dark Arts
Top 3 percentile with students in seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
You are only one of 5 students who have been awarded this rare opportunity. Please sign your acceptence of this scholarship and send it via owl with your letter of intent.
Congradulations,
Molly Weasley, Scholarship Director, Hogsbrook College.
Harry stared at his parchments, smiling. "Hermione! I've been accepted to college!" he exclaimed. "Me too! Full scholarship!" she said. "For my academic and top witch in my class!" she exclaimed. "Me too," Harry said, and they both kissed each other, smiling. Ron walked in. "You guys, I got a half paid scholarship to Hogsbrook!" he said. "And my MOM is the Director there!" he added. "She said that if I play Quidditch there, that they would pay the rest!" he added smiling. "We both got in too!" she said, hugging Harry. Neville walked in. "Full scholarship at Hogsbrook for Herbology!" he screamed, and they all jumped around happy as can be. Ron was majoring in Investigative Practice, Harry and Hermione in Auror studies, and Neville in Herbology. Nothing could be better, best friends going to college together! And best part was that it was all paid for, and they said that Hogsbrook was the most prestigious college out there, and the most expensive. But it was free for them. As for Harry, it meant that he was going to have the chance to spend two more years with Hermione Granger. And that made him feel very happy inside. Harry got up. "Well, now that our futures are decided, lets go shopping in Hogsmeade, come on Neville," he added to Neville. "Hey Harry," Neville said. Harry turned around. "I'm not going into Herbology anymore though," Harry and Hermione turned around. "What are you gonna do then?" Hermione said. "I'm gonna be an Auror," he said smiling. Harry smiled. "I can't wait to be an Auror with you Neville," he said, and they left the common room, shopping for the Senior Ball.