DISCLAIMER: Again, as much as I'd love to, I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters....

A/N: Thanks to those who have reviewed so far!!! I was informed that British schools don't have "graduation"...so I made it a feast instead...but for the sake of the storyline....use your imaginations! =)

Split Second

Chapter 2



The time had finally come, Harry thought to himself, looking down at his cloak. Here he was, sitting down with the rest of the seventh years at a designated table, to eat the final feast they'd ever have at Hogwarts as students. It was a bittersweet feeling. He felt accomplished, but he also felt sickened. Hogwarts had been his refuge, practically his home, and it was being snatched away, just like that, by the evil known as reality. He sighed as Hermione placed a comforting hand on his, giving him a sympathetic smile.

Ron, however, was too busy eyeing Malfoy, who was seated diagonally to his left, to notice.

"PST. Hey, Malfoy," Ron said, ready to egg him on. It hadn't been enough for him earlier when Malfoy tripped.

"Ron, do not even--" Hermione began maternally as Malfoy turned to face him.

"Have a nice trip!!! SEE YOU NEXT FALL!!!" Ron bellowed. At this, the rest of the table burst out laughing, and even Harry cracked a smile.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. She didn't have enough time to finish yelling at him, as Professor Dumbledore rose, silencing the kids.

"Students, this feast, is your final step into reality. You have spent seven years here. Seven long years, filled with education and new experiences. Seven years filled with new friends (Ron and Hermione each grabbed Harry's hands), new thoughts, and even new dreams and goals. I hope the seven years you have spent here have prepared you adequately for the life you are about to face. You will not be guided in this new life by anyone here, but are indeed out to face it on your own. This is what you have been waiting for. Thank you students for being a tremendous part of the past seven years of my life, and I wish you nothing but the best in the future," he said, as tears appeared in the corners of his eyes.

"Oh...." breathed Hermione, tears streaming down her face. Harry sighed. Ron looked melancholy.

"With all that said, let's start the feast!! you deserve it!!!" Dumbledore waved his wand grandly.

At that moment, hams, chickens, turkeys, pork, different types of soups, salads, salad dressings, potatoes, noodles, and many different desserts appeared on the table. Ron switched from melancholy to rabid.

"Fooooood...." he grinned, snatching up a plate as Harry laughed. He'd miss Ron's food insanity.

And so it began, their final feast together as students. Ron sampled just about everything......twice. Hermione stuck mainly with soup, salad, and brownies, sniffling here and there, and Harry ate as much as he could without falling over. Conversation wasn't much, as many of the students were too busy thinking, whether it be about the past or the future.

Harry watched Hermione play with her soup and Ron guzzle down more pumpkin juice. So this is what it's like, saying goodbye.....he thought. He smiled to himself.

It was time to let go, and he'd do just fine.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After the feast, the new "un-students" made plans for the party that was shortly to follow in Hogsmeade and went to change and freshen up.

"Okay, so you're going by Floo powder?" Hermione asked Ron as they walked back up to the tower.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "Harry?"



"Floo powder for me, too," Harry told her. He'd mastered the skills of floo powder.....he hoped.

"Okay," Hermione said, turning towards her dorm. "Well, Lavender and I are going through the tunnel you showed us, Harry. So I'll meet you in Hogsmeade then I suppose."

"Okay 'Mione," Ron said, he and Harry walking towards their own dorm to get changed. "We'll see you in a little bit."