It was dark. She paced across the floor of the small apartment. Her blonde hair shimmered in the moonlight as she refused to light a fire. She didn't want to wake them. They didn't need to worry. She just had some things she needed to think through. Then again, Melinda wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind.

It'd been so great. She'd been happy only a week ago. Hermione and Draco had gotten married on a weekend in April, and would be going on a honeymoon never. They'd claimed not to need one, though she was sure it was because they were both still uneasy about going away and leaving her. A month later they were still a content little family.

And she'd gotten some new friends. Not that it had been a problem in the first place, but it had become necessary. She'd been attacked by a small group of hardcore Slytherins. They'd gotten expelled but fearing that others would be encouraged to do likewise, McGonagall switched her to Griffindor. They were kinder than she'd expected, had a right to expect. It'd been assumed that they'd completely ignore her, maybe even look down on her. But they'd welcomed her. In fact, they welcomed her friends Timothy and Bailey.

This thing she had with David was great, sort of, but she had no idea what it was anymore. They hung out occasionally, last Saturday they'd had a picnic on the grass with sweets they'd splurged on during the last trip to Hogsmeade. But it wasn't the same. His eyes didn't light up when he laughed anymore and he never seemed to have much to say.

She'd been blaming it on the pressure. She was still willing to place the blame there. He was, after all, a seventh year. She knew he spent the majority of his time studying for the N.E.W.T.s. It was a scary thought, your future depending on how well you did on a test. But it didn't change the fact that he was pulling away inch by inch, but she had no clue how to catch him before he was really gone. Because today was it. The tests were yesterday and the seventh year's ceremony was today. Today David would get on the train with his family and she had no concept of whether or not she was ever see him again.

So why wasn't she crying, that was what had her pacing. Why wasn't she begging him to tell her that what they had wouldn't go away. Didn't she love him? No, she could answer that now after wearing a trail in the floor for the last hour. She liked him, a lot. The kind of like that could one day lead to love. But when it came down to it, she didn't love him. She didn't love him enough to embarrass them both with unnecessary and useless tears.

The sun was starting to come up. She dressed nicely, waited for Hermione and Draco. She'd said she'd go, so she'd go.

The Great Hall had been transformed once again. A huge platform stood where the teacher's table should have been. In one of the rooms to the side, she knew the seventh years waited anxiously. They'd sit in there for a little while yet, until McGonagall was ready. Chairs filled the remaining hall, parents sat around the outer edges. But the chairs in the center sat empty, for the graduating year. The choir, still led by dear Professor Flitwick, entertained the waiting guests.

The teachers sat on the platform, and so did she. She'd been asked, by McGonagall only an hour ago, to award two people with a medal. It wasn't the first time she'd seen such a medal as the ones she held in hands. Hermione had one on her wall, so did Harry and Ginny (actually they had two but Harry had refused to let Ginny hang his next to hers), and she imagined Ron did too. It'd been an extraordinary exception to award five the award in the year Harry, Hermione, and Ron would have graduated. They'd awarded one to Neville and Luna, as well. Ginny had waited another year, until she graduated to get hers. They had been given because of brave things they'd done, for all that they'd done during the second war.

These, well these were for bravery too, for two who held their own in the potions room. It seemed like ages ago that she was hiding out at the Weasley's and her mother strolled in and took an entire class hostage.

Tanya Lily had been allowed to leave. Bellatrix had underestimated her spine, believing that she'd run or keep her mouth shut in fear. She'd kept her cool up until the end and got help. Mel couldn't have done it. Maybe that was the definition of bravery, doing what was right despite how scared you are. Did that make Mel a coward? She didn't know. But it made Tanya a hero.

And David, the other hero. She'd heard the retelling more times than she cared to remember. It was stupid of him, shouldn't have attacked a crazy lady when her wand was jammed against his throat. So he'd earned it for his stupidity.

Others had earned the Extraordinary Wizard award for other reasons of course. Kindness, intelligence, what ever they did to stick out in the minds of those around them. Two students are chosen by the teachers and students every year to receive the award. It was the high honor of the school and opened more doors than the receiving student could imagine.

The choir's song changed, the alma mater. The doors on either side of the platform opened and, almost mournfully, the seventh years filed in to the empty seats. David's eyes swept the stage casually as he sat, froze when he saw Mel. He looked confused, as he should. The award was given out by students, this much was no surprise to him, but he hadn't expected it to be Mel. They didn't even know who would be receiving the award.

She just shrugged, dropped her gaze. She was going to be sick. She'd been wrong, she could put it off on lack of sleep that she'd misjudged her own emotions. She did love him and she was going to die when he left. But she couldn't stop it from happening, even if she had the heart to try. She wasn't going to make him feel bad for doing so well.

She did her best to pay attention to McGonagall's speech. It was difficult, she was aware that there were two sets of eyes on her, that they never left her face.

When she looked out and acknowledged Tanya's gaze, she smiled just a little. She had become one of her closest friends, but she hadn't been positive she'd be here.

She'd started her internship a month ago, and she'd left without regret. Mel understood, this was what she wanted and nothing would stop her. Still, it was hard not to miss her presence. She didn't sit in the common room, laughing or perusing some book. And she wasn't the only one. There were others who looked curiously at the couch and and tried to figure out why it looked so different. And there were even others who knew but kept their mouths shut, because she'd never let them get close enough to care.

"Now, as some of you might know, we have an award for the top two students of the class. It has nothing to do with grades or results on tests, but on who the people of this school believe to be the best. So, to present the award, here's Melinda Granger of the House of Griffindor and Slytherin." McGonagall stepped away from the podium, looked at Mel.

As she looked out at the many face of people she knew, and people she didn't, she knew exactly what she was supposed to say. "This award means so much more than just that a student is courageous, smart, popular, or special. It means that this school, students and faculty, stand behind these fine men and women. No matter what reason had caused them to receive this, the Extraordinary Wizard award demands respect and it demands loyalty. That is what they take with them, even those who shall not receive the award. Demand it anyways, and you shall receive. So, without further ado, Miss Tanya Lily of the house of Griffindor and Mr. David Tyler of the house of Ravenclaw."

Both fumbled as they got out of their seats, exchanged looks. Mel just kept smiling as they joined her on the platform. With exaggerated honor, she placed the first medal over Tanya's head. "Go with our blessings and respect." she turned to David and dropped her voice so that the spell McGonagall had cast wouldn't pick it up and project it to everyone. "I am so proud of everything you are, David, and there's something you have the right to know before you get on that train. Then you're going to get on the train anyway, but it needs to be said." She placed the medal around his neck. As the room filled with polite applause. "I love you."

The terrified shock on his face hurt her more than any goodbye ever could. So she stepped back. "See you around, hotshot." And took her spot between Hermione and Draco so that the ceremony could proceed.

Afterward, she went around to the Griffindor section, hugged Tanya the moment she found her. "I'm really going to miss you." She smiled a little. " You have to promise you'll write."

"I promise." Tanya wasn't sure what she'd do, out on her own in the big bad hospital. But when Mel tensed up, she didn't need to be told David had come up behind her. At least for now, while she was here for the couple of minutes, she could be the friend her friend needed. "Come on." She gripped Mel's shoulder as she walked. Mel had said her goodbyes already, he didn't need to upset her. "We'll go find your parents." She wouldn't be getting on the train anyhow.

"Mel." David grabbed her arm, looked at her with an unsteady gaze. She wanted to tell him it would be alright, that it had to be. But it wasn't going to be. Still, he stared at her. "Mel, I..."

"Goodbye, David." She could feel the tears fill her eyes but kept her voice calm. "Find your parents and get on the train."

Tanya pulled her along, and when they found Draco and Hermione, they were talking to Harry and Ron. "Hey." Mel smiled, felt Hermione's hand on her shoulder. "What's going on?"

"Just being cautious." Ron looked away from Hermione to make a joke about worrying too much, but stopped dead when he saw Tanya. Instead, he smiled warmly. "Hey, congratulations."

The heat rose to her cheeks as she mumbled her thank. She turned to Mel, gave her a quick hug. "I'm on duty in a little more than a half an hour and I've still got to get down to Hogsmeade. Ergo, I have to run, like now, if I intend to not get marked for being late."

"Go." Mel laughed. "Save lives."

Tanya hugged her one last time. "Bye." And she was taking off.

Ron watched her with concerned eyes, standing in place as she dodged people in order to leave. Hermione smiled at him, holding back the laugh that dared to escape. "Go on, then. Make sure she gets there in one piece if she worries you that much."

"What?" Ron stiffened, did his best to look insulted. "I'm not worried about her. I'm concerned she'll kill some innocent bystander in her mad break for it."

Hermione's smile grew just a little bit bigger. "Oh, I believe you."

"Shut up."