"Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff," Professor Snape's raspy voice boomed across the magical P.A. system in the great hall. "This is the end of your 6th year and boy, have we been through a lot. I'd like to turn you attention to Professor McGonagall as she would like to make the major announcements."
Harry and Ron sniggered at how manly McGonagall looked in her tuxedo-style pantsuit. "I wonder what she really has underneath her knickers." This made Harry laugh harder.
"Thank you, professor. Now, students this is a private meeting, so we will be bewitching your mouths and hand to only speak of it to your rising-seventh year peers. Does everyone understand?" There was a wave of heads nodding and a quiet 'yes sir' through out the audience. "Now, the big news," she paused dramatically to prove she meant business. "The seventh year class will be taking a trip to America."
An intake of breaths went over the entire great hall. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other in amazement.
"We will be staying in a well-known magical town called Pebbleton in New York City. Please remind your parents of the form they received yesterday to sign and return with the correct amount of money within three weeks. The trip will last two weeks but the time will be bewitched so the other children won't know you're gone. Pebbleton has a grand hotel called the Gillton in which you will be staying in groups of three and each floor will represent Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slitherin, and Hufflepuff. Anyone who knows friends or family members that they are comfortable staying with may do so with these forms," he zipped his wand in front of him to form a stack of papers about 6 inches high. "by sending them to the relative and having your guardian sign them as well."
"You know what that means," Hermione whispered as McGonagall continued, "We can stay with my Aunt Cecile and Uncle Christopher!"
"WE!" Ron and Harry looked at her.
"Well he said friends" Hermione said.
"True," Ron replied
"Yeah, you guys have fun," Harry ignored Hermione's cooing. "Like uncle Vernon would even THINK of letting me go."
"Sirius Harry, Sirius!" Hermione whispered
"But-" He continued
"Harry's right, there's no way. Hedwig is a great owl but no way she could travel all the way to Sirius and back in TWO WEEKS"
"Well, maybe we can talk to McGonagall and she can give you a pardon."
"Ever since McGonagall became headmistress she's been acting so… bossy."
"It's always worth a try, Harry!"
"First thing in the morning we'll go to her office."
