On the day they left school, Harry and his friends picked up the luggage the House-elves had packed two nights earlier and set off for home.
With their usual lack of originality, the Twins complained again that day about receiving yet another warning that they were not allowed to use magic at home.
Unlike in previous years, however, Percy was not beside them, nagging and criticizing them.
The reason was rather unusual.
The Twins had discovered that Percy was dating the Ravenclaw Girl Prefect, Penelope Clearwater. Well, to be precise, Ginny had discovered it, and then she had told the Twins.
After that, whenever Percy tried to discipline his younger brothers and sister, they would run to Penelope to complain.
Whenever Penelope looked at Percy with a half-smile, he could only beat a hasty retreat. He could do nothing about Ginny and Ron making faces at him from behind her.
Harry and the others had laughed about this in private for a long time.
"One more month at most!" Fred told Harry happily. "Then we'll have enough money to reopen the manor."
"When that happens, Harry, you have to be our first guest!" George picked up seamlessly.
"Haha. Then you'll have to wait for me. You know I have to spend a month and a half at my aunt's first," Harry replied with a grin.
Amid the young Wizards' chatter and laughter, the train slowly pulled away from Hogwarts.
High in one of the Castle's towers, a window stood open.
Dumbledore stood at the window, gazing at the receding train for a long while. Only when it had vanished completely from sight did he withdraw his gaze.
Turning around, Dumbledore made his leisurely way to the fireplace. A large sofa stood in front of it.
Dumbledore sat down on