Title: The Hogwarts Vingettes: Flashbacks and Memories
Characters: R/Hr and Harry of course
Disclaimer: Don't own these people or places.
A/N: Okay, I started writing this back when the 7th book came out, because at the time, I was entering my Senior year of high school and I was getting all nostagic. This is just the prologue, but my plan is to write a number of chapters dedicated to one of the trio's fond memories of Hogwarts, triggered by someone or something. I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to have gone for one more year, I mean, they love this place. They grew up here. And I just thought that their times there needed to be honored in some way. Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and let me know if you'd like to read more.
As the brilliant amber sun descended behind the foreboding trees of the Forbidden Forest, Hermione Granger let out an angry swear. She was sitting in the plush rug of the Gryffindor Common Room, hunched over a long sheet of parchment, scribbling away. Though seeing Hermione poring over a lengthy piece of parchment was not an uncommon sight, the malice with which she was writing was seen as quite odd, particularly to her two bemused companions sitting on the couch behind her.
"Having a bit of trouble there, Hermione?" Harry Potter snorted, watching his best friend scratch out a whole paragraph with venom.
"Shut up," she sighed immediately, not bothering to look up.
"You know Herms, graduation is supposed to be a time of alleviated stress," Ron Weasley chuckled, shaking his head at his girlfriend's agitation.
"Ronald, why don't you make yourself useful, and stick your wand up your-"
"Now, now, Hermione, there are children present," Harry cried, nodding to a group of 2nd Years in the corner. Hermione turned to them for the first time in an hour and looked ready to spew expletives. Instead, she caught herself and let out a defeated sigh.
"I can't do this. I just-I don't know what's the matter with me," Hermione whimpered, casting her quill down and literally drooping. Ron and Harry exchanged glances, slightly concerned.
"Okay, I think it's time for a little break," Ron said, sitting up. When Hermione didn't move he sunk to the floor next to her, and put a comforting arm around her.
"Listen to me," he said, softly. "You are perhaps the smartest woman I will ever meet. Like, ever. You're beautiful and funny and you always know exactly what to say. And even though you're having a bit of trouble now, I know that you're going to write the greatest valedictorian speech this school in Hogwarts history," Ron said, proudly. Hermione looked up at him uncertainly.
"At this rate, I'll never finish the bloody thing," she murmured.
"A brilliant mind such as yours can get tired. Even you need to take a break every once in a while, or your head will explode," Ron explained, earnestly. Hermione stared at him quietly for a moment before cracking an enormous smile.
"How can I argue with such sound logic?" she said, and gave her boyfriend a well deserved kiss.
"You guys are disgusting," Harry laughed, walloping Ron in the back of the head with the latest issue of the Daily Prophet. Ron grimaced and flashed Harry a rather obscene hand gesture. Hermione rolled her eyes and dragged Ron to his feet, taking her place between him and Harry on the couch.
"Okay Hermione, you can settle this. How many boxes of fireworks should we get for our graduation party?" Ron asked. "Ten or thirty?"
"Ron, why would anyone ever need thirty boxes of fireworks? EVER?" Harry burst, before Hermione could reply.
"I believe I was asking Hermione, Harry, but I dunno, maybe to have the most amazing party ever!" Ron cried.
"Yeah, the only thing that'll accomplish would be setting your parents' house on fire," Harry snorted.
"Ron, I'm afraid I'm with Harry on this one," Hermione giggled, noting Ron's sour expression. "Here's an idea. Why don't we compromise- we'll get fifteen boxes," Hermione suggested, resting a placatory hand on her boyfriend's knee. Harry merely nodded, grinning, but Ron seemed to being having a minor internal struggle.
"I suppose that will do," Ron conceded, sulking a bit, but he perked up as Hermione gave him a soft peck on the cheek. The three of them fell into a relaxed silence, looking past their cozy surroundings into the not so distant future.
"I can't believe it's finally ending," Harry said after a while.
"I know," Ron agreed. "It's so weird, isn't it?"
"There's so much to think about now. I mean, we actually have to enter the real world, get jobs, move out… It's more like the beginning really. Very emotional time," Hermione sighed, wistfully. Ron turned to her, his nose crinkled.
"You're gonna cry, aren't you?" he asked.
"What?"
"At the ceremony, you're gonna cry."
"Oh, I am not," Hermione scoffed. "It's merely a natural transition in life, really, it's not even that momentous." Harry let out a bark of laughter.
"Oh, you are so gonna cry," he chuckled.
"No I am not! Frankly, I'm insulted. I'm not the type of girl who cries so frivolously," Hermione snapped.
"Who exactly is the type of girl that 'cries frivolously?'" Ron asked, grinning.
Before Hermione could make her retort, a shrill wail echoed down the Girl's Staircase. A sobbing Lavender Brown rushed into the Common Room, and threw herself on the floor in front of the closest armchair. Parvati Patil hurried after her.
"This is the worst event of my life!" Lavender screeched, and buried her head in the seat cushion.
"Lavender, it's not that bad. I mean, it isn't the end of the world, it's just graduation," Parvati sighed, plopping down next to her hysterical friend.
"Yes it IS!" Lavender screamed into the cushion. "Everything is changing. Seamus-Seamus is moving to Ireland!"
"Lav, he's always lived in Ireland," Parvati groaned, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, but I always got to see him nine months a year because of Hogwarts! How will I ever see him now? What if he breaks up with me?" Lavender moaned.
"He is not breaking up with you," Parvati said, rubbing her back.
"If he breaks up with me, I will kill myself-KILL MYSELF, like Romeo and Juliet," Lavender cried. She continued to blubber despite Parvati's attempts to soothe her. Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances.
"I rest my case," Hermione smiled at Ron.