In the kitchen, everyone raised their glasses in congratulations.
"To be honest, I never wore a prefect badge or became a prefect when I was at school either," Tonks revealed at the dinner table with a broad smile. "Our head of house said I lacked certain essential qualities."
A Metamorphmagus's hair changed color with their mood.
Today, Tonks's hair was the color of a ripe tomato, falling in a brilliant cascade to her waist. Standing beside Ginny, she looked for all the world like Ginny's older sister.
"What qualities, exactly?" Ginny asked curiously as she concentrated on choosing a potato roasted golden and crisp on the outside, fluffy within.
"Well, always breaking school rules, for one..." Tonks said casually.
Ginny burst out laughing.
Hermione seemed a little uncertain whether to laugh along or maintain her composure. In the end, she compromised by raising her glass and taking a long drink of Butterbeer, only to choke because she drank too quickly.
Jerry patted Hermione on the back.
"What about you, Sirius?"
Beside Harry, Sirius recalled his days at Hogwarts and gave a slightly shrill laugh.
"Me? I never had the good fortune to become a prefect. James and I were always getting detention together. Lupin, though—he was a good boy who earned his prefect badge with honor."
"I suspect Professor Dumbledore hoped I might keep my friends in check," Lupin recalled with a smile. "As for the results, well, I clearly failed."
The celebratory dinner was drawing to a close.
Hermione was discussing house-elf rights with Professor Lupin. She felt that, as a werewolf, he ought to understand her views particularly well, but the two seemed to have reached a disagreement.
Elsewhere, Mrs. Weasley and Bill had returned to that well-worn subject—Bill's hairstyle. Their argument was a replay of old times.