At night, to welcome everyone home for the holidays and celebrate Fred and George's successful graduation, Mrs. Weasley specially prepared a huge feast and even invited Moody, Tonks, Kingsley, and other members of the Order of Phoenix to join them for dinner.
Even Professor McGonagall, who had just started her holiday, showed up.
As she pushed open the door and walked into the hallway, Mrs. Weasley immediately greeted her with delight.
"I'm so glad you could come, Minerva," she said with a smile.
"I just happened to have business in London as well," Professor McGonagall replied. "Cecily has brewed a new Healing Potion; apparently it's very effective on wounds caused by Dark Magic."
"Merlin, a potion for Dark Magic…" Mrs. Weasley said with surprise. "That's wonderful! Have you got it already?"
"Not yet." Professor McGonagall shook her head. "I've only just arrived in London."
"Is it alright for you to come here first?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "Do you want Arthur to take you to St Mungo's first?"
"It's fine. Cecily and I agreed to meet at eight, so there's just enough time for dinner," McGonagall said.
"You two?" Mrs. Weasley glanced toward the door. "Is someone else coming?"
"No, just me." Professor McGonagall headed toward the dining room. "Severus won't eat here. We'll meet at St Mungo's later."
"Alright then…" Mrs. Weasley said.
If it's Snape, forget about coming over for dinner at Sirius's house—he'd probably take a detour just to avoid walking past the front door.
"Mum, who's here…"
Just then, Ron and Ginny happened to run downstairs, but the moment they saw Professor McGonagall, both of them stopped in their tracks at the same time.
"McGonagall…"
"Professor?"
"Yes, hello, Mr. Weasley. Miss Weasley." Professor McGonagall greeted coolly.
"Come on in, today's a big day." Mrs. Weasley pushed open the dining room door, then turned to Ron and Ginny and said, "Don't just stand there, go call Fred and George for dinner. They're the stars today."
It wasn't until Professor McGonagall walked into the dining room that Ron and Ginny snapped out of it.
"We really are on holiday, aren't we?" Ron asked uncertainly.
"Clearly, yes." Ginny sighed, "Though you could just go upstairs for a nap, maybe when you wake up, you'll find yourself still in your Hogwarts dormitory."
"No, let's not. I'm starving," Ron said. "But why is Professor McGonagall here… I mean, she's never been here before."
"Just because she hasn't been doesn't mean she won't." Ginny had already accepted reality. "Don't forget this is the Order of Phoenix headquarters; all the members might drop by, McGonagall included."
Meanwhile, Fred and George Apparated straight into the dining room.
Just like the others, they had been grinning and about to crack some joke, but the moment they saw Professor McGonagall, their faces instantly turned serious, and they were suddenly silent.
But in the next second, they remembered they'd graduated; why should they still be afraid of Professor McGonagall?
The two exchanged a smile and greeted her enthusiastically.
"Welcome, Professor McGonagall…"
"Hope we can see you here more often…"
"Would you like us to recommend you a room?"
"The sunshine on the third floor is the best."
The two chimed in, sounding just like two real estate agents.
But this made Ron, who had just entered the dining room, freeze again.
Because his room was on the third floor.
Ron had plenty of reason to suspect Fred and George were doing it on purpose.
"Thank you, gentlemen, but that won't be necessary." Professor McGonagall said, unable to keep from smiling. "I won't be staying overnight."
"That's such a shame." Fred moaned dramatically.
George clutched his chest,
They genuinely looked heartbroken.
"Come on and get ready for dinner." Mrs. Weasley put a plate of fried fish on the table and turned to the twins: "Professor McGonagall still has things to do after this, don't waste time."
"Alright, Mum."
"We're just sad for Ron…"
"He missed a chance to improve his grades."
Fred and George sat at the table with grinning faces; Ron grumbled quietly as he came over as well.
"Alright." Mrs. Weasley stood up, smiling and said, "First, let's congratulate our two new graduates who have landed wonderful jobs…"
Everyone clapped along in good spirit.
Fred and George immediately stood up, elegantly bowing in thanks to everyone.
They had specially worn their black Fire Dragon Leather Jackets today, making their moves look extra stylish.
"Now, next comes the gifts…"
"Gifts too?" Fred asked in delight.
"Of course—Bill and the others got gifts when they graduated, so naturally you're no exception. Arthur…"
Mr. Weasley quickly stood up and handed them two small boxes.
"You two aren't lacking anything else, so I picked these out specially."
Fred and George took the boxes eagerly, tearing them open at once. Ron leaned over curiously as well.
"Dad, what are these?"
"Ties," Mr. Weasley said excitedly. "I asked Mr. Granger—he said Muggles always wear these when they go to places like the Ministry of Magic for work, so I had him help me pick out two."
"Honestly, they aren't cheap; converted to Galleons, they almost cost enough to buy a broomstick."