Gryffindor won the House Cup in the end, and that was not the only good thing about the end of term.
If the results had not been posted on the noticeboard, Harry would almost have forgotten there had even been final exams.
But when the exam results actually came out, Harry, Ron, and Neville were all rather surprised.
Harry and Ron had both done far better than expected.
Although they were miles behind Hermione, who had the highest overall marks in their year, and clearly behind Padma and several of Ravenclaw's star students, both boys considered their results quite good.
As for Hermione, all anyone could say was that she had absolutely smashed it.
Of all her subjects, she had come second only in History of Magic and Herbology, and first in everything else.
First place in History of Magic had gone to a very quiet, studious Ravenclaw girl who spent all her time in the Library, Mandy Brocklehurst. Even in Ravenclaw, she was known as a bookworm.
First place in Herbology, however, had gone to Neville. Harry had heard from some older Hufflepuff students, though, that Professor Sprout had given Neville extra marks in Herbology for his performance beneath the Trapdoor.
Before anyone else could say anything, Neville was the first to think this explanation made perfect sense. Otherwise, he could not imagine any possibility of outscoring Hermione.
There was still a day between the end-of-term feast and the day they actually left school, and the students really let loose and enjoyed themselves that day.
Harry had originally planned to pack, but Fred and George told him, Ron, and the others that there was absolutely no need. Their luggage would pack itself that night.
Well, saying it would pack itself was not quite accurate. In fact, the school's House-elves