One-Shot: Graduation Clock Tower Kiss
The sun was blindingly bright and warm on the grounds of Hogwarts Castle. By the Black Lake, the Class of 1999 was gathered to receive their diplomas. Most of the group consisted of last year's seventh-years, who had opted to re-do and appropriately complete their studies following the Battle of Hogwarts.
Among such students was Hermione Granger. Having always been enthusiastic about school, she had returned to the castle after the Horcrux Hunt. She had been disappointed when her best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, had refused to join her. Thankfully, many of her other friends supported her as they completed their studies together, and one in particular.
Neville Longbottom had shied away from the heroics he had displayed during the War, content to return to the peripherary. He had been hand-selected by Professor Sprout to be the next Professor of Herbology; he would start teaching the next academic term. He and Hermione had become closer friends over this past year, bolstering each other in their studies.
"I'll miss our study sessions under the trees by the lake," Hermione confided in him as the class received the Benediction.
"I can't believe you will be all the way at the Ministry of Magic," Neville expressed. Hermione had accepted a post in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and he was very proud and happy for her. Even so... "I'll miss you."
Hermione beamed at him. "I'll miss you too."
The graduating class stood as they were introduced as a whole by Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. "The Class of 1999!"
All at once, Neville grabbed Hermione's hand. "Hermione."
"What?" She had only just turned to him before Neville was slipping an arm about her waist, pulling her close. And then Neville Longbottom kissed Hermione Granger right on the mouth. The beautiful witch's eyes popped open in surprise...
But then they fluttered closed, as she surprised even herself in her sudden resolve to kiss Neville back, bracing her hands against his shoulders. At that moment, a great cheer went up as black mortorboard hats were tossed high into the air, tumbling down around the snogging couple.
When Neville and Hermione broke the kiss at last, Hermione gaped at him, stunned but nevertheless pleased. Little by little, her kissed lips curled up into a smile. Hermione grabbed Neville's hands, and, laughing, the pair disappeared among the congealing throng, heading back up to the castle.
The repairs to Hogwarts had taken most of the year, working around the school's regular activity. Scurrying up the rotating staircases, Hermione led Neville into the Clock Tower, which had been carefully reconstructed - one of the first landmarks to be completely restored. Stopping behind the glass face of the great clock, Hermione turned to face Neville. Giggling, they pulled each other close. Neville's hands fell along Hermione's slim waist and into her bushy brown hair. Hermione's hands gently cupped his face, and the new lovers shared another long, passionate and private kiss.
As Neville and Hermione embraced and kissed, Hermione procured her wand from her robes. Giving it a casual flick, she sent a spell whizzing into the clock tower bells, so that they began to chime in celebration. Only the spell ricocheted among all five before boomeranging back to the pair, its magic working up a frantic whirlpool of wind that flapped at the black tails of Neville and Hermione's graduation robes, the light of the spell engulfing the kissing couple.
Then, the spell zoomed out of the Tower, and with a piercing shriek, turned into fireworks that whizzed and exploded into the sunny sky above Hogwarts Castle.