Disclaimer: I'm sorry to say this, though sad as it may be, it's true. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: This is a short little sappy ficlet that I wrote in the middle of the night. If you like it, I may form a longer story
around it. But for now, enjoy!
Professor Remus Lupin smiled down at the gathered students. For this occasion, the Great Hall was decorated in a flurry
of vivid colors: green, silver, blue, bronze, black, yellow, red, and gold. A stranger entering the hall would think
an interior designer on drugs had decorated it. Then again, a stranger would never be allowed into Hogwarts School for
Witchcraft and Wizardry unless they were magical and had purpose. To everyone else, all that was seen was a flurry of house
colors; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
His mind seemed to have stray off topic, and he barely registered as the anxious, excited Seventh Years poured in; clad in
matching black satin graduation robes, and wizarding hats baring tassels in their house colors. Eyes wandering to Harry
Potter, he smiled warmly; remembering the past year. Harry was a brave young lad, having defeated Voldemort once and for all
mere months ago.
The battle; however, had not left him untouched. Remus wiped a silent tear away as he glanced ruefully at the wheelchair
that Harry's crippled frame was occupying. It had been a tough battle, and everything tried by various mediwitchs and
mediwizards had not helped in bringing back the use of Harry's legs.
Harry caught Remus looking at him, and, smiling, nodded in appreciation. Remus nodded back, and turned his attention to next
in line; Ron Weasley. If it were at all possible, it seemed to Remus that Ron had grown another 5 inches or so overnight.
Towering over every student in the hall, and most teachers; it was widely joked about that Ron was Hagrid's long lost twin.
The fiery redhead was grinning from ear to ear, waving at anyone and everyone he recognized. Remus waved back, laughing as
Ron jumped up and down in excitement.
Then again, he mused, I would be excited too if I got to finally leave the ever foreboding presence of Severus Snape; who
after the war had been declared 'of the light' when his efforts of spy had been revealed, had not changed his surly demeanor
one bit. The teacher in question, at this moment, was glaring upon the anxious souls he had tortured for the past seven years;
saving the most caustic sneers for the Gryffindor trio.
Rolling his eyes in disgust, Remus once again reverted his attention from the Potions Master to the young woman behind Ron.
Hermione Granger was smiling shyly, often shifting her gaze from the floor to the Head Table, and back again. She too, was
quite tall, with long legs and a curvy figure. Her chestnut locks, Remus noted, fell in graceful waves down her back; no
longer frizzy and untamed. Her chocolate eyes swam with merriment, her tanned complexion shining with excitement.
Eyes riveted on his soon to be former student and Head Girl, Remus payed nearly no attention to the happenings in the room.
Still, he gazed intently at her, as one by one, the graduating students made their way forward and were presented with shiny
new diplomas.
Legal wizards.
Oh god.
Having had the pleasure...er...responsibility of teaching the lot both in their 3rd and 7th years, Remus had passed many of
the students with 60%'s. A select few had excelled, including Hermione, Harry, Ron, Draco Malfoy(who had proven himself
also 'of the light' when he killed his own father to prevent Harry's ultimate demise), and Justin Finch-Fletchly.
He started out of his reverie when he heard Minerva's sturdy voice trill out "Hermione Anne Granger." Grinning widely, he
watched, memorized, as Hermione smiled, stood and made her way to the front. He managed to catch her eye quickly as
she accepted the diploma, hugged her Transfiguration teacher, shook hands with and hugged the Headmaster, and moved slowly
back to her seat.
~*~
After the Commencements commenced, a great feast was held, where the Quidditch and House Cups were awarded (Gryffindor and
Gryffindor!). When the dishes were finally cleared away some time later, Dumbledore, with a flick of his wand, moved the
large house tables to the side. Out of nowhere, music filled the room; and students 5th year and up were able to stay for
the Graduation Ball.
Remus sat quietly throughout most of it, watching the happy witches and wizards dance with each other and a number of the
Professors.
What shocked most; however, was Snape's avid participation. Not only was he dancing, but he was smiling, laughing, and
gazing lovingly into the eyes of one Ginny Weasley.
Most didn't notice this, too preoccupied with their own lives. Remus had only noticed because he was the only one still
sitting.
Too bad old chap, Remus grinned, glancing once more at Snape and Ginny; you have another year to go.
Just as the last song was announced, Remus finally stood. Making way to the dance floor, he pushed through the happy couples,
swaying slightly to the music. Finally reaching his target, he tapped lightly on Ron's shoulder, signaling that he wished
to cut in.
"Certainly Moony." Ron grinned, glad at finally being able to use the nickname in public. Stepping aside, he had in no time
found another partner in Parvati Patil. Remus laughed, turning back to gaze into the velvety depths of Hermione's eyes.
"Hi." he whispered, pulling her into his embrace and moving slowly, sensually to the hauntingly beautiful tune.
"Hi." she whispered back, blushing profusely and reverting her gaze back upon her shoes.
"Hermione." he breathed, tilting her chin up with a gentle touch. The music stopped all around them, but Remus and Hermione
remained in their position; embracing each other tightly, as if it were their last time.
All around, students and staff stopped, staring at the unlikely couple. At the Head Table, Albus sat, grinning like a mad man.
"Hermione," he spoke again, this time more sure of himself. "I wonder how I ever made it through a day. How did I settle for
a world in shades of grey. When you go in circles all the scenery looks the same and you don't know why, and I looked into
your eyes, where the road stretched out in front of me, and I realized...I never lived before your love. I never felt before
your touch. I never needed anyone to make me feel alive, but then again, I wasn't really living. I never lived before your
love."
Smiling, he brushed away a tear that escaped her beautiful gaze. Dropping gracefully to one knee, pulling a small
velvet box out of one of the many pockets his voluminous robes held. Opening the box and taking her hand in his, he continued.
"I wanted more than just an ordinary life. All of my dreams seemed like castles in the sky. I stand before you and my heart
is in your hands and I don't how I survived without your kiss, cause you've given me a reason to exist. I never lived before
your love. I never felt before your touch. I never needed anyone to make me feel alive, but then again I wasn't really living.
I never lived before your love."
"Remus..." Hermione whispered, her breath catching as she choked back a silent sob.
"And I don't know why the sun decides to shine, but you breathed your love into me just in time." Taking a deep breath, he
gazed lovingly into her eyes. "I love you, Hermione Anne Granger. You would make me the happiest man alive, if you would
be my wife. Let me share my life with you. Marry me."
"Oh Remus! Of course, yes! I'll marry you!" she breathed out, smiling and laughing as he slid the small diamond and ruby
ring on her finger. As the two embraced, cheers sounded through the room.
A whisper of a kiss under the twinkling of stars and candlelight.
FIN.
R&R please. It would be greatly appreciated.
Song lyrics taken from "Before Your Love" by Kelly Clarkson.
A/N: This is a short little sappy ficlet that I wrote in the middle of the night. If you like it, I may form a longer story
around it. But for now, enjoy!
Professor Remus Lupin smiled down at the gathered students. For this occasion, the Great Hall was decorated in a flurry
of vivid colors: green, silver, blue, bronze, black, yellow, red, and gold. A stranger entering the hall would think
an interior designer on drugs had decorated it. Then again, a stranger would never be allowed into Hogwarts School for
Witchcraft and Wizardry unless they were magical and had purpose. To everyone else, all that was seen was a flurry of house
colors; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
His mind seemed to have stray off topic, and he barely registered as the anxious, excited Seventh Years poured in; clad in
matching black satin graduation robes, and wizarding hats baring tassels in their house colors. Eyes wandering to Harry
Potter, he smiled warmly; remembering the past year. Harry was a brave young lad, having defeated Voldemort once and for all
mere months ago.
The battle; however, had not left him untouched. Remus wiped a silent tear away as he glanced ruefully at the wheelchair
that Harry's crippled frame was occupying. It had been a tough battle, and everything tried by various mediwitchs and
mediwizards had not helped in bringing back the use of Harry's legs.
Harry caught Remus looking at him, and, smiling, nodded in appreciation. Remus nodded back, and turned his attention to next
in line; Ron Weasley. If it were at all possible, it seemed to Remus that Ron had grown another 5 inches or so overnight.
Towering over every student in the hall, and most teachers; it was widely joked about that Ron was Hagrid's long lost twin.
The fiery redhead was grinning from ear to ear, waving at anyone and everyone he recognized. Remus waved back, laughing as
Ron jumped up and down in excitement.
Then again, he mused, I would be excited too if I got to finally leave the ever foreboding presence of Severus Snape; who
after the war had been declared 'of the light' when his efforts of spy had been revealed, had not changed his surly demeanor
one bit. The teacher in question, at this moment, was glaring upon the anxious souls he had tortured for the past seven years;
saving the most caustic sneers for the Gryffindor trio.
Rolling his eyes in disgust, Remus once again reverted his attention from the Potions Master to the young woman behind Ron.
Hermione Granger was smiling shyly, often shifting her gaze from the floor to the Head Table, and back again. She too, was
quite tall, with long legs and a curvy figure. Her chestnut locks, Remus noted, fell in graceful waves down her back; no
longer frizzy and untamed. Her chocolate eyes swam with merriment, her tanned complexion shining with excitement.
Eyes riveted on his soon to be former student and Head Girl, Remus payed nearly no attention to the happenings in the room.
Still, he gazed intently at her, as one by one, the graduating students made their way forward and were presented with shiny
new diplomas.
Legal wizards.
Oh god.
Having had the pleasure...er...responsibility of teaching the lot both in their 3rd and 7th years, Remus had passed many of
the students with 60%'s. A select few had excelled, including Hermione, Harry, Ron, Draco Malfoy(who had proven himself
also 'of the light' when he killed his own father to prevent Harry's ultimate demise), and Justin Finch-Fletchly.
He started out of his reverie when he heard Minerva's sturdy voice trill out "Hermione Anne Granger." Grinning widely, he
watched, memorized, as Hermione smiled, stood and made her way to the front. He managed to catch her eye quickly as
she accepted the diploma, hugged her Transfiguration teacher, shook hands with and hugged the Headmaster, and moved slowly
back to her seat.
~*~
After the Commencements commenced, a great feast was held, where the Quidditch and House Cups were awarded (Gryffindor and
Gryffindor!). When the dishes were finally cleared away some time later, Dumbledore, with a flick of his wand, moved the
large house tables to the side. Out of nowhere, music filled the room; and students 5th year and up were able to stay for
the Graduation Ball.
Remus sat quietly throughout most of it, watching the happy witches and wizards dance with each other and a number of the
Professors.
What shocked most; however, was Snape's avid participation. Not only was he dancing, but he was smiling, laughing, and
gazing lovingly into the eyes of one Ginny Weasley.
Most didn't notice this, too preoccupied with their own lives. Remus had only noticed because he was the only one still
sitting.
Too bad old chap, Remus grinned, glancing once more at Snape and Ginny; you have another year to go.
Just as the last song was announced, Remus finally stood. Making way to the dance floor, he pushed through the happy couples,
swaying slightly to the music. Finally reaching his target, he tapped lightly on Ron's shoulder, signaling that he wished
to cut in.
"Certainly Moony." Ron grinned, glad at finally being able to use the nickname in public. Stepping aside, he had in no time
found another partner in Parvati Patil. Remus laughed, turning back to gaze into the velvety depths of Hermione's eyes.
"Hi." he whispered, pulling her into his embrace and moving slowly, sensually to the hauntingly beautiful tune.
"Hi." she whispered back, blushing profusely and reverting her gaze back upon her shoes.
"Hermione." he breathed, tilting her chin up with a gentle touch. The music stopped all around them, but Remus and Hermione
remained in their position; embracing each other tightly, as if it were their last time.
All around, students and staff stopped, staring at the unlikely couple. At the Head Table, Albus sat, grinning like a mad man.
"Hermione," he spoke again, this time more sure of himself. "I wonder how I ever made it through a day. How did I settle for
a world in shades of grey. When you go in circles all the scenery looks the same and you don't know why, and I looked into
your eyes, where the road stretched out in front of me, and I realized...I never lived before your love. I never felt before
your touch. I never needed anyone to make me feel alive, but then again, I wasn't really living. I never lived before your
love."
Smiling, he brushed away a tear that escaped her beautiful gaze. Dropping gracefully to one knee, pulling a small
velvet box out of one of the many pockets his voluminous robes held. Opening the box and taking her hand in his, he continued.
"I wanted more than just an ordinary life. All of my dreams seemed like castles in the sky. I stand before you and my heart
is in your hands and I don't how I survived without your kiss, cause you've given me a reason to exist. I never lived before
your love. I never felt before your touch. I never needed anyone to make me feel alive, but then again I wasn't really living.
I never lived before your love."
"Remus..." Hermione whispered, her breath catching as she choked back a silent sob.
"And I don't know why the sun decides to shine, but you breathed your love into me just in time." Taking a deep breath, he
gazed lovingly into her eyes. "I love you, Hermione Anne Granger. You would make me the happiest man alive, if you would
be my wife. Let me share my life with you. Marry me."
"Oh Remus! Of course, yes! I'll marry you!" she breathed out, smiling and laughing as he slid the small diamond and ruby
ring on her finger. As the two embraced, cheers sounded through the room.
A whisper of a kiss under the twinkling of stars and candlelight.
FIN.
R&R please. It would be greatly appreciated.
Song lyrics taken from "Before Your Love" by Kelly Clarkson.