Graduation

Harry sighed. If he was honest with himself, he would acknowledge that he had never thought this day would come.

But here it was. And despite all the guilt he felt when he thought of all those who couldn't be there, he couldn't help feeling happy with himself. And relieved.

Voldemort was dead. Harry had defeated him. Not in the way everyone had thought, but defeated him none the less. The trio had had some narrow escapes when tracking down the horcruxes. Hermione had nearly been hit with the Crucio curse, and Ron had been taken away for a long three days, in an attempt to lure Harry to Voldemort. Luckily, he had used his wits and magic skills to escape, and arrived back to a worried Harry, and a tearful Hermione. The trio had escaped alive, but not unscathed.

The same couldn't be said for some of their friends. Neville Longbottom had fought gallantly during the last battle, only to be taken out by Bellatrix LeStrange. He had, however, hit a curse straight back at her before he'd died, rendering her incapable and worthless to her boss. She had no memory, and no mental capacity, and currently was under very careful observation at St Mungo's.

Kingsley Shacklebott, the talented and caring Auror, had also fallen in the last battle. He had died at the hands of Voldemort himself, when he had tried to shield Harry. Kingsley, like the others, was a true hero in Harry's book, and would go down in history as one. Harry felt immense guilt at Kingsley's death, but as Tonks had assured him many times, Kingsley had lived his life to defeat Voldemort. He would have just been happy he was apart of Voldemort's downfall.

Another death, and one that hit the Weasley's hard, was Percy. While they hadn't been on the best of terms, the Weasley's still missed their brother. He had been put under the Imperio curse by Lucius Malfoy, and discarded when he was no longer of use.

Severus Snape had also died a heroic death (Harry sneered at the word heroic when describing Snape). He had been fighting for the Death Eaters and Voldemort, but also died at the hands of them when he protected Hermione from a curse shot by Draco Malfoy. Some now had their doubts about Snape's loyalty to the Death Eaters, and were reconsidering whether he had really killed Dumbledore out of loathing, or loyalty. Harry was glad he was gone however grateful he was that Hermione had been saved.

A few Deaths Eaters had also been killed, mostly by miss-fired curses from their own side, or accidents. Most of the other known Death Eaters were rounded up, and currently in Azkaban, which was now guarded by the once-again loyal (if you could say that they ever were) Dementors. Included, Harry happily noted, the father and son Malfoy team. He had heard Peter Pettigrew had a cell next to them.

And Voldemort, of course, was no more. Harry hadn't had to Avada Kedavra him after all. Once the horcruxes were destroyed, and Voldemort had only his one piece of jagged, black soul, he had been significantly weakened. Voldemort had tried to throw Harry's parent's death in his face, but Harry hadn't taken it. He had mocked Voldemort for his inability to love. Just as Harry had gone to kill him, he had froze. He didn't know whether he had the ability to use an unforgivable curse. Voldemort had struck, and it seemed Harry was done for. But once more the spell had rebounded on Voldemort, and this time, destroyed him once and for all. Love had destroyed him. Or, more appropriately, the lack of that he possessed.

All in all, the Wizarding world was experiencing a peaceful happiness it hadn't for a long time. Harry had received the fame he knew he would, but was relieved that it wasn't as fanatical as it once had been. People saw him as more a person than a mystical figure now, and although he was destined to be famous for the rest of Wizard history, he just wanted to live out the rest of his life peacefully.

Which bought him to today. Since the end of his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry had thought he'd never be back again, never graduate. While Hogwarts had stayed open to those students who wished to return, (and few had), Harry had been too busy to come back. However, once Voldemort was defeated, and the last known Death Eaters rounded up, Hermione had convinced him and Ron to take up a special offer the school was offering in it's last term. Anyone who had missed out on their year at school could study with some of the teachers for a month, and then take their exams.

Ron and Harry had often regretted agreeing, as they spent a whole month, straight after what they had just accomplished, cramming as they never had before. But today, Harry thought affectionately, was well worth it.

The few who had come back from his year, stood with the few who had completed their seventh year at Hogwarts that year, Ginny amongst them.

She stood there, her black robes billowing, her silky red hair whipping around her face. Harry hadn't had much of a chance to talk to her since Dumbledore's funeral. There was Bill and Fleur's wedding, and his short stay at the Burrow, but Harry had tried to keep his word, and much to Ginny's chagrin, had stayed away from her. It had worked, that and the fact Ginny was at Hogwarts, where tighter security was never seen. She had been safe.

"Hermione Granger"

Harry snapped out of his thoughts, and looked toward Hermione, who was stepping forward to receive her certificate. Headmistress, Professor McGonagall, greeted her, and hugged her.

"Hermione Granger, has graduated top of her year, despite missing out on her whole seventh year. She has also received a Merlin of the third class for her part in the downfall of… of Voldemort"

Harry smiled. She did it! He'd known she would.

He also smiled at Professor McGonagalls use of Voldemort's name. Since his downfall, some people had started using it, though most people tried to forget he had ever existed. He had yet to really experience life outside Hogwarts since Voldemort's fall, however, and was eager to see it. Harry's thought wondered, until he heard Professor McGonagall say his name.

"Harry Potter"

He stepped forward, as a cheer went up in the crowd. He looked out, and saw people were actually standing to applaud him.

"Harry Potter… HARRY POTTER" Professor McGonagall yelled loudly to make herself heard.

The crowd quietened down, and she tried again.

"Harry Potter received top marks in Defence against the Dark Arts, and received a Merlin of the first class for his… part in the downfall of Voldemort."

As the crowd cheered, harry felt himself grow red. McGonagall turned to him and whispered, "Your parent's would be very proud Potter. So would Dumbledore"

He smiled at her, and stepped back in line. Although he'd heard it many times in his life, he knew they would. And although he wished they could have been here, he had other family here. People whom he loved just as much.

"Ginevra Weasley"

He focused his attention toward her, and watched as she gracefully strode forward to receive her certificate.

"Ginevra Weasley was also at the head of her class, and Head Girl"

Harry smiled. He'd known Ginny was a talented witch, and had real potential.

His eyes scanned the crowd, and saw Mrs Weasley dabbing at her eyes, holding Mr Weasley's hand tightly.

"Ronald Weasley"

Harry couldn't hide a small laugh at the grin on Ron's face as he strode forward. He knew Ron had seriously doubted his potential, and was glad he had proved himself.

Ron shook Professor McGonagall's hand, as she announced,

"Ronald Weasley also received extremely high marks in Defence Against the Dark Arts, and received a Merlin of the third class for his role in the downfall of Voldemort."

Harry saw the surprise on Ron's face, and felt an immense amount of pride in his best friend. Harry watched as Ron glanced over at Hermione, and smiled at the unbridled pride plastered over her face.

The short ceremony ended soon after, as everyone was greeted and hugged by their friends and family. Hermione's parents embraced her, while Mr and Mrs Weasley took turns with Ron and Ginny. Harry stood by awkwardly.

"Where's Harry?" Mrs Weasley' muffled voice asked. She soon spotted him, and pulled him into her embrace, where Ginny currently resided. Harry felt his stomach react at being so close to Ginny. It had been awhile.

"Congratulations Gin" He said, when they were finally released. She smiled up at him, and hugged him close.

Harry felt his heart drop down into his stomach. He tightened his hold on her, and rested his head on hers. He could smell her hair, and it was a smell he had kept with him this lonely past year.

She pulled back slightly and looked up at him.

"Congratulations Harry." She whispered, and leaned back into him.