Dumbledore stood up at the staff table in the Great Hall. "It's been a great year for all of us. You've all become a little wiser, a little older, and have become a pleasure to teach. For those of you who are leaving us this year to go out into the real world, I wish you the best of luck. Everyone have an enjoyable summer, and I hope to see you again in September ready to relearn the magic you lost over the summer!"
I looked down at my plate that had suddenly filled itself with food. Normally I would have immediately devoured the chicken pie that was on my plate but today I couldn't eat at all. I couldn't even be glad about the fact that Gryffindor had won the house cup for the eighth year in a row.
Colin looked over at me. "Hey, Ginny, why aren't you eating?"
"I don't know. It's kind of sad. It's our last meal here."
Colin laughed. He had grown up so much since our first year. His photography habit was annoying at first, but he had improved so much that he was going to be starting a job with the Daily Prophet in two weeks as a photographer.
"You know, we still have breakfast in the morning. That will be our last meal here."
I threw a biscuit at him. "You're so witty, you know that?"
"Witty, yes. It's one of the reasons why you love me," Colin said dramatically. I laughed. He had become quite popular over the past two years, ever since we went with Harry to defeat Voldemort in the Forbidden Forrest. It was a hard fight, and although people seemed to be attracted to both of us because of our newfound fame, he handled his popularity well. Colin is one of those guys who can be friends with everyone and still make them feel special, unlike Malfoy, who was popular while he was here even though he was a complete jerk. I know it's awful to say this, but sometimes I'm glad that I killed him in that final battle.
People started leaving the Great Hall. Soon it was just the seventh years that were left. We were supposed to be having some sort of ceremony, but Dumbledore didn't want students in younger years to find out. Ron told me about his last year, and I was upset that I wasn't allowed to go. This would be the first time that all of the Weasleys would be together for a graduation. I think my mum felt old, because the last of her children would be leaving Hogwarts.
"Students, if you could please stand up," Professor McGonagall asked. We all stood up and she made the house tables move toward the walls. Smaller tables and chairs appeared in the room and our families came in.
I saw the group with vivid red hair in the midst of the couple hundred people in the room. I ran over toward them.
"Mum!" I shouted, trying to get her attention. I could see her looking around the room for me.
"Ginny!" George yelled. He came up to me and gave me a huge hug. Soon I was in the middle of a large group of Weasleys, all of us laughing and crying.
"Families! If you could please take your seats," Professor McGonagall shouted. It took awhile, but soon everyone was seated.
Professor Dumbledore stood up. "I want to thank you all for coming. I also want to thank you for giving all of us the opportunity to educate your children, your sisters, your brothers for these past seven years. They have shown remarkable courage and determination. You should be proud of the achievements that these men and women have made. I hope that you all give them the support that they need to succeed in the world."
Everyone clapped. I looked at my family. I knew they would be there for me as I made my way out into the world. My mum was crying. The people at the next table over were looking at us.
"Mum," I whispered. "Mum, don't cry."
Fred laughed. "You should have seen her at Ron's ceremony. It was awful."
"Oh, shut up," Mum snapped.
"Before we start in on the food, there are some awards that I would like to give out," Professor Dumbledore said.
"We wanted to wait until your families were here to give you this, even though it's been awhile since you fought." Dumbledore glanced over at our table and winked.
I stiffened up. I never do well with having to stand up in front of large crowds. One time I had to give a presentation in history and I was so nervous that I forgot most of my presentation. I still have nightmares about it.
"Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and Colin Creevey, would you please come up here."
I got up and walked up to the staff table. Colin and Luna joined me up there.
"For pure nerve, bravery, courage, and strength, you have earned Special Awards for Services to the School."
I took my award and could feel my face getting bright red. I looked over at my family and saw them giving me a standing ovation. Mum was sobbing while cheering, and Fred and George were whistling.
The ceremony ended sooner than I would have liked. Soon it was time to go to bed, and then breakfast came so fast that I couldn't believe that I was in the Great Hall at all.
Colin came up and put his arm around me. "Ready for our last meal?"
I smiled weakly. We went into the Great Hall and ate. After we finished breakfast, everyone made their way to the train.
Luna, Colin, and I found a compartment on the train and shut the door. Luna and Colin were Head Boy and Girl, but since we were technically no longer Hogwarts students, they didn't have to perform their usual duties. Luna and Colin sat next to each other, and I sat across from them.
"Does anyone else feel old?" I asked after about an hour of silence.
Luna looked up from the magazine she was reading and Colin snapped out of his reverie.
"How can we be old?" Luna asked. "We're only eighteen."
"Think about it. Our time as little kids is over. Now we have to be adults and assume responsibilities."
"You're only as grown up as you want to be. Look at your brothers," Colin said. "You wouldn't think they were twenty one, would you? Sure, they work, but they have so much fun and act the same as they did when they were thirteen."
I laughed. "Okay, you're right."
Luna picked up her magazine and Colin put his head on her shoulder and fell asleep. No one else knew it, but they had been dating for a year. Word couldn't get out because they were Head Boy and Head Girl, and one of them would have had to give up their position. So they kept their romance a secret, and the only reason I knew about it at all was because they were my two best friends. It's hard to keep a secret from your best friend.
I got off the train and dragged my trunk behind me. Colin, Luna, and I walked through the barrier together.
"Well, guys, there's my dad," Luna said. She walked over to me and gave me a hug. "Ginny, I guess I'll see you later." She walked away. Colin gave me a hug and walked with her.
"Wish me luck," he mouthed to me behind Luna's back. I grinned and gave him a thumbs up. This was going to be the first time he met Luna's dad and he was nervous.
I walked a little and saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione waiting for me. God, Harry looked so good. He seemed to have built up some muscle since I saw him last during spring break.
"Hey," I said, slightly out of breath from carrying my trunk around.
"Are you ready to go home?" Harry asked as he took my trunk for me. I looked at him and smiled. He knew that I liked him and I knew that he liked me, but we had both decided during spring break that it would be best if we waited until after I graduated before we decided to try to work on a relationship. That didn't mean I didn't stop thinking about him every night though.
"Yeah," I said.
We walked out of the station and stopped at a black car.
"Why are we stopping?" I asked.
"We borrowed the car from the Ministry," Ron said. "Being the son of the Minster of Magic has its benefits, I must say."
"Yeah, too bad he doesn't know how to drive," Harry said as he got behind the wheel. Ron helped me put my trunk in the backseat of the car and we got in.
