CHAPTER 7

"How'd you like the karaoke?" Ernie asked, wishing he could think of more than Smalltalk.

"It was great," Ginny replied, wishing she could stay out all night.

" I'm glad you liked it. It was my grandmother's favorite place in town." Ernie said, "She loved it."

"Well, I guess I'll see you around," Ginny said blandly.

" I guess so," Ernie said.

Ernie leaned in to kiss her again, but she pulled away, wishing it were Harry leaning in to kiss her. Ernie tried again, not understanding Ginny's reaction.

"I'll see you around, Ernie," Ginny said. Ginny walked into the inn feeling bad that she rejected Ernie's second kiss. She had a lot of things on her mind. Harry, Hogwarts, Dumbledore, Snape, Malfoy, Harry….

She walked up to the room and opened the door.

"Where have you been?" Mrs. Weasley yelled.

"I told you, I was going out with Ernie and I'd be back later!" Ginny replied.

"When you said later, I had no idea that had meant 1 o'clock! I've been worried sick!"

"I'm sorry. I had no idea I would be this late. We went to a karaoke and…and I guess we lost track of time. I'm sorry"

"A karaoke?" Ron asked, puzzled. "I didn't know you sang…"

"Oh, shut up, Ron!" Ginny said and ran to the small couch where she slept.

Harry sat on his makeshift bed, wondering about Ginny and Ernie's date. I wonder if they kissed….I wonder what they did…I wonder if she thought about me… Harry pondered these things for a while, and then finally fell asleep.

"Wake up Harry! Wake up!" Ron yelled at the top of his lungs into Harry's ear.

"Whassagoinon?" Harry said, trying to wake himself up.

"Mum's found something…a letter of some sort. She wants us all to be there when she opens it. I think it's from Hogwarts," Ron said excitedly.

"Okay," Harry said sleepily.

Mrs. Weasley opened the envelope and read the letter aloud.

"Dear Weasleys, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that Hogwarts will be open again this year! We are sad to say that we are being required to replace our beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

"A great wizard, a friend to all student and teachers, a caring soul, Albus Dumbledore was a grand man. On a dark night, he was killed by Severus Snape, a trusted friend and teacher. He did not deserve his death.

"His position as headmaster will be filled in by Minerva McGonnegal, former Transfiguration teacher. Tiana Benuva, acclaimed transfigurator, will fill her position as transfiguration teacher. Leucetius Karalna, auror for the ministry of magic, will fill the position of Defense of the Dark Arts professor. Scipio Flintuna, famous for love potion number 8.9, will be filling in for Severus Snape as Potions master.

" Classes will begin as usual, September 1st, please be ready and at platform 9 and ¾ by then. A list of your required books is attactched.

Thank you,

Minerva McGonnegal"