Apologies for the delay in writing, have been very busy and just didn't have the time. Thanks so much to everyone for reading and especially reviewing. You keep me going!

Disclaimer: Nothing HP-related is mine. Darn.

Chapter Four

Harry couldn't help but break out into a genuine cheek-splitting smile as he and Hermione entered the Great Hall once more. The floating candles, the enchanted ceiling, the four elongated house tables all brought back a swirl of happy memories and he was quite taken aback by the glow of affection that suffused him.

However, as he walked up the hall he noticed something obstructing the pathway between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. Without a word to Hermione, he doubled back and began to walk down the row towards the unfamiliar obstacle. Gentle footfalls behind him alerted him that his friend had followed.

A rectangular stone plaque was affixed to the floor and an iron framework was constructed about an inch from its edges to protect both it and any student from falling over it. He found himself gripping the iron bars with a white-knuckled intensity as he read the words carved there.

"On this spot, on May 2nd 1998, Harry James Potter defeated Tom Marvolo Riddle for the second time and permanently ended his reign of terror. Pupils and staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as well as the entire wizarding world, are eternally grateful to Mr Potter for his fierce loyalty, his numerous sacrifices, and his refusal to give in to insurmountable adversity."

A fierce pain in Harry's chest alerted him to the fact that he hadn't taken a breath in quite some time. He inhaled with a gasp as he felt Hermione's hand grip his elbow. He glanced up and the first person he saw was Professor McGonagall. He only then noticed that she and the rest of the faculty had been paying silent witness to his discovery. He attempted a smile but his lips couldn't quite manage it so he settled for a jerky nod instead, not trusting himself to speak and rather startled by the fact that the room was blurring rapidly in and out of focus. He took a number of fortifying breaths and blinked hastily. Placing his hand over Hermione's, he bypassed the plaque and continued to walk towards the head table.

Clearing her throat, Professor McGonagall spoke, her voice easily carrying down the length of the hall, although it trembled almost imperceptibly, "We had to expand the width of the room ever so slightly but we all agreed that...a tribute needed to be made and if the corridor outside had to be narrowed to accommodate this, so be it."

Harry nodded at the floor but couldn't quite think of anything to say. After a moment, he heard the Headmistress speak again; her tone more assured this time. "If it comes as any consolation, Mr Potter, we had originally thought of erecting a statue in tribute to your achievements instead."

Harry blanched visibly and turned a horrified gaze to the smiling witch.

"In the end, though, we decided against it. We simply wouldn't have been able to do that remarkable hairstyle justice."

Harry let out a bark of laughter in spite of himself at the mischievous glint in the older woman's eyes. A couple of the other staff members chuckled too and the tension that had been building steadily in the cavernous room was dissipated in an instant.

As the faculty's cumulative attention drifted away from them, Harry made a point of stopping and clasping Hermione's hand a little more firmly. Her gaze met his in unspoken question.

"You know I couldn't have done it without you, Hermione. Any of it. Every so-called admirable thing I've ever done, bar not getting blown up as a baby, only came about because you helped me. I never thanked you enough and I'm so sorry that we...that I took you for granted. I know it's too late to start saying this, but I really am sorry and I hope you'll let me work to make it up to you."

There was a frantic ringing in his ears following his spontaneous speech and he searched her face hungrily for any inkling as to her reaction.

She chewed her lip for a couple of moments, her eyes lowered, before he felt her hand squeeze his elbow that bit harder.

"It's alright, Harry. It was all a long time ago...such an awful long time ago really. I just... You were... Anyway, it's done now. But...that was still nice to hear. Thank you."

She smiled weakly at him before removing her hand and striding forwards toward the stately table. Harry swallowed heavily and nodded to himself. As good as could be expected. He still had his work cut out for him but it was effort he was more than willing to put in. Because, he knew, she was more than worth it.

She had taken one of the few remaining seats by the time he reached the table and so Harry moved to sit beside Professor Flitwick. All of a sudden, loud crashes and excited shouts could be heard booming from the corridor outside. The great doors smashed wide open and hundreds of students of various ages and sizes poured into the hall. Hagrid's good humoured shouts could be heard somewhere in the midst of the crowd outside as he attempted to direct people without being able to see them. He heard Professor McGonagall mutter "And so it begins," which was greeted with some dry laughter from the staff around her.

Harry felt his heart begin to thump rather quickly in his chest and felt it flutter momentarily as Hermione leaned forward to catch his eye, giving him a nervous smile as what they had both signed up for suddenly became a reality around them. He flashed a grin at her, telling her with his eyes that she had nothing to fear. She tipped her head in acknowledgement and turned to face the teeming mass of students before her. Harry watched her for a couple more seconds before following her lead.

He took another deep breath in. This was it.