The Carefree year
By Dueler312
Note: I Do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 21
Graduation Time
Once it reached midnight, The Great Hall started to empty, as the Graduation Ball had come to a close. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were the first to leave as they headed back to Gryffindor Tower. They were so happy, after the boys asking to marry the girls and accepting the proposal, they didn't even noticed Pansy taunting them as they past by. When Pansy saw that they completely ignored them, she replaced her taunting look with a look of surprise. Usually, Harry and the others would tell anyone, including a Slytherin, who was messing with them to back off. But with they were going to marry the ones they love, they didn't hear her.
When they got back to Gryffindor Tower, all they wanted to do was to stay together.
"Man, its amazing what could happen in just one night," Ron said as he and Hermione snuggled onto the couch. Harry just sat down on the chair with Ginny sitting on his lap, spreading her dress all over Harry's legs.
"Yeah," Ginny agreed. "We're all going to be one big family," she said as she snuggled next to her fiancé.
"Well guys, I know we all may want to celebrate," said Hermione as she rubbed Ron's back, "but I think we need to get to bed so we can be ready for tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" Ron asked.
The other three looked at him, as he was stupid. "Ron, the Graduation Ceremony, remember?" Harry reminded him.
Ron looked dumbstruck as he heard what he said, and then he grabbed a pillow and hit himself in the face. The others laughed at him when he did that.
The girls said good night to the boys as they went up to the stairs to their dormitories, while the boys did the same to theirs.
But halfway up the stairs, Hermione stopped, with Ginny nearly bumping into her.
'"Is something wrong, Hermione?" she asked.
"Huh?" Hermione jumped. "Oh no, Ginny. It just that it still sinking it that I'm going to be marrying Ron."
"Well, it still sinking in to me that I'm going to be marrying Harry," Ginny revealed. "Besides, if he wasn't going to do it soon, I was going to ask him myself."
"You were?" Hermione asked, surprised that Ginny said that.
"Mm-hmm," Ginny nodded. "There is no way I'm spending my life without being with him."
Hermione just smiled as she took Ginny in her arms and they both walked up to their dormitory.
The next morning, Harry and Ron woke up about seven o'clock. They still had that joyous feeling inside of them that they felt when Ginny and Hermione said yes to marry them.
"You ready to get his over with Ron?" Harry asked.
"Oh yeah," he said. Then he looked around and saw something he didn't notice the night before. "What's that?" he asked, pointing it to Harry.
Harry got up and went to look at the one that was hanging next to his bed. He then just smiled. "They're our robes for the Graduation Ceremony, Ron."
"What?" Ron asked, still confused.
"Graduation robes, Ron," said a familiar voice. It was Hermione, with along beside her. Ron didn't waste any time and got of bed and hugged her. Ginny couldn't wait and ran to Harry, literally leaping onto him.
"Whoa, calm down there, Ginny," said Harry.
Ginny jumped off of Harry and said, "Sorry, I guess I'm still excited of what you did last night."
"Hey," Neville called from his bed. "Can you keep it down, please? I'm trying to sleep."
"You might want to go on and get up, Neville. It is the last day for us here," said Hermione.
"It is," Neville said, jumping out of the bed. "I need to start packing."
"Neville, don't you think you might want to eat first?" Ginny suggested.
"Oh right, but can I get changed, please?" Neville asked the girls.
Ginny and Hermione just smiled as they went to leave the dorm. "We'll meet you in the common room," said Ginny as they exited.
"Did I miss something last night?" Neville asked.
Harry and Ron just smiled at each other, and then Harry said to Neville, "We'll tell you later." And started to get changed, while Neville was still confused.
They met the girls in the common room and headed down to the Great Hall. They managed to get down there in record time and found a good spot to themselves.
"Hey, Dad and Mom are still here," noticed Ginny.
Sure enough, Arthur and Molly (A\N: They must be called that now) were sitting on the left of Professor McGonagall. Arthur looked like he was having a good time. Molly was also glad, but, as Harry thought about it, must be that she didn't have to cook the food she was eating.
"Knut for your thoughts, Harry," a voice said next to him. Professor Lupin was heading up to the staff table and when he saw him looking around.
"I'm okay, Professor," said Harry. "Just trying to remember everything around here at Hogwarts."
Lupin just smiled at him and said, "Well, at least you'll have someone to remember those memories for the rest of your life." Then he winked at him as he continued his way up to the staff table.
"Do you think he knows about us being engaged," Harry asked the other three.
"I don't know, unless Mom and Dad told them," Ron said.
"Whoa, Mom and Dad knew about you guys proposing to us?" Ginny asked.
"Well, he wanted to make sure it was okay with them, sis," said Ron. "Besides, isn't the man supposed to ask his girlfriend's parents if he could marry her?" He looked at Hermione, expecting the answer from her.
"He has a point, Ginny," said Hermione.
"Well, I supposed you figured it out that they knew about Harry and Ron's surprise?" Ginny asked.
"Right," Hermione answered. "Plus, I have a feeling that my parents already know as well, seeing that they gave the okay for you to ask the question," she added, looking at Ron.
"When did they say that?" Ron asked.
"When we were at your house during the holidays, remember? I had Apparated to my house to spend some time with my parents. And they noticed that I was thinking about you a lot when I was there, Hermione explained. "Then my mom said that she wouldn't be surprised if you were going to propose to me, which she was right about."
Ron turned red when Hermione said that, which caused Harry and Ginny to giggle a little.
"You know that we are going to have to find a place to live, Ron, right?" she said.
"Yeah, I know, but the thing is, I don't think my room will be big enough to share for us, while we try to find a place to live," Ron said.
Harry and Ginny started to giggle a little, making Ron and Hermione look at them with confused looks.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked.
"Did you two forget about Grimauld Place, the house I own?" Harry reminded them.
"But I thought you and Ginny were going to live there?" Ron asked.
"We are, Ron, " said Ginny. "But that doesn't mean you guys can't stay with us while you guys look for a place."
"You're sure about this?" asked Hermione. Harry gave her a look that said he was certain.
"Hey, except for Ron who is part of it, you're going to be part of the family soon. And families help each other if they are in trouble," Ginny stated.
"Well, I will be legally," said Hermione.
They all smiled as they ate one of their last breakfasts they would eat at Hogwarts.
When they were done, Ginny and Hermione went up to Molly and Arthur to show them their rings while Harry and Ron waited for them
"Hey Harry, you sure it wouldn't be any trouble if Hermione and I stay with you and Ginny," Ron asked.
Harry just shook his head and said, "Ron, you and Hermione have been my best friends since we first came here, and helped me throughout everything. Why wouldn't Ginny and I suggest it?" Ron just smiled as he gave Harry a friendly slap on the back
Later on, Ginny and Harry were taking a walk through the castle, walking by side in each other arms.
"Man, I can't believe that our time at Hogwarts has finally came to an end," said Ginny.
"I know, but at least I had some good memories here," said Harry.
"Including kissing me when you came in from that detention with, that traitor?" Ginny asked.
"Definitely," agreed Harry. He was glad that Ginny didn't say Snape's name. His mouth always went sour when he or anyone said Snape's name. But he put that into the bottom part of his mind as he and Ginny continued their walk throughout the castle.
Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione were walking around on the grounds, looking at the pictures Colin took of them.
"Hmm, Colin would definitely make a good photographer some day," said Hermione.
"Yep, as long as he doesn't get put up with an reporter from the Daily Prophet like Rita," said Ron.
"Don't worry, unless Rita wants me to spill the beans on her, she'll keep quiet," Hermione said while smiling.
Later on, the boys were in their dorm with Neville gathering all of their supplies and stuff that they didn't want to leave here. Also, they were putting on the robes for the Graduation ceremony. Unfortuantely, they wouldn't be able to sit right next to each other, as they were going to be seated alphabetically by their last name. Only Ron and Ginny were going to be able sit next to each other, and Ron was a little mad that he had to be last on that because his first the letter of his name came after the first letter of Ginny's name. Also, he had to sit next to Zabini as well, and he was the only one of the four who had to sit by one of them.
Once they got done, Neville went downstairs in his black graduation robes, and Ron was about to follow him when he noticed Harry didn't follow him right away.
"You okay, mate?" he asked.
"Yeah. I'm just thinking that we're only staying here for more night, and then after that, we're out of here," said Harry.
Ron just smiled as he said, "Come on, we better go, otherwise the girls would be suspecting that we have something else up our sleeves."
"Which we don't," Harry added.
They met the girls down in the common room, and they all started to head down to the grounds, where the ceremony was being held. But on the way, they had a little trouble by being blocked by Pansy and her gang of Slytherins.
"What do you want, Pansy?" Harry asked.
"You're not going out there, because we're going to teach you a lesson of not to mess with us," said Pansy as she raised her wand. But before she could send out a spell, Pansy and the other Slytherins got hit with ink balloons from Peeves. Harry and the others saw this as a chance to get away from them as they snuck through one of the secret passages down to the ground floor. When they got there, they thanked Peeves in their mind.
They made it out beside the lake, close to the same place that Dumbledore's funeral took place. Mr. Weasley also could be seen at the staff table, where the speaking would be held.
"Well, I guess we have to split up from you guys right now," Ginny said as she went over to Ron.
"Hey, at least we'll be able to celebrate together when it's done," said Hermione.
"Yeah," Harry said.
They all smiled as Ron and Ginny walked down to their assigned seats.
"Later, Harry," Hermione said as she went up to her spot. Harry went over to his spot, but before he sat down, he saw that Pansy and her Slytherin gang finally came out of the castle, drenched in ink. Harry had to hold on to his laughter as hard as he could when he saw them. McGonagall saw this as well, and told them that they would not be able to attend the ceremony in an angry voice. They tried to tell them what happened with Peeves, but Crabbe ruined it for them when he said 'cornered those Gryffindors.' McGonagall was so furious at them that she escorted them back to the castle. Everyone was in shock, except Harry and the others, who just shook their heads.
Luckily, Madam Pomfrey gave Professor McGonagall a Calming Draught before they started the ceremony. All the students sat down as she began to speak.
"Hello, one and all. And I do apologize for the behavior of those students," she said into a magical megaphone.
"Now we are here to congratulate these new bunch of wizards and witches who have completed their magical training, and are ready to begin their life.
"Now, there is one student that I'm am very proud of in her efforts to do best in her magical training, and she is the one of the best students that we have had here in Hogwarts. Please allow me to introduce Ms. Hermione Granger for receiving the award for the brightest student of the year."
Flitwick held up a plaque for everyone to see as Hermione went up there to get it. Hermione looked so excited as Harry and the others could see. Ron was cheering the loudest of all the students, so he could make sure Hermione could hear him.
However, Hermione didn't leave yet as she whispered something to McGonagall. The Professor then smacked herself in the head as she said, "I forgot. She also has to make a speech as well." She shook her head as Hermione went behind the staff table to read her speech.
"My fellow students," she started to say, "I promise this isn't long as my assignments are." Harry, Ron, and Ginny hid a smirk when Hermione said that.
"We have learned a lot since we came here to Hogwarts. Now, I know that some of you are thinking that I'm talking about spells, charms, and other stuff about our world, even about a certain someone. ('I'm going to get you back for that one, Hermione,' Harry thought.) But there are also other things that I'm talking about that you can't just learn from any textbook.
"When I started here, I wanted to study and become the best, also with showing that you can't bend the rules at all. Then I met two people who I thought first were just stupid, just taking risks to lose points for our house. Then, when they saved me from an incident that I didn't know about, because they insulted me, I learned that book smarts isn't what makes a great wizard or witch. It's the strength inside you. Its the loyalty you show, to always help the ones that you care for and love. That's something you should never forget, while living your life. Thanks." Hermione then walked away from the staff table. But as soon as she moved, Harry, Ron, and Ginny started clapping really hard, as did the rest of the students (except the Slytherins) on what Hermione had said.
After all of that, everyone was called by his or her last name in alphabetical order to receive a piece of parchment. As Harry could see, Mr. Weasley was putting his signature on there, as they were being handed to them b Professor McGonagall. Hermione was so nervous to get hers, that she almost ripped it when she took it from Professor McGonagall.
Neville was so excited that he was able to graduate. He and Luna were able sit next to each other, as their names were next to each other in the alphabet. Harry was sure that Luna gave him a kiss when they both received their graduation parchments.
Harry got the loudest clapping when he received his. He was also glad that as he got it signed by Arthur, he almost could feel that Dumbledore and his parents were watching him from the other side, cheering him on.
Finally, at the end of the line, Ginny and Ron finally got theirs, and after receiving a great clapping, the loudest from Harry and Hermione, they went back and sat down.
McGonagall finally then declared them graduates from Hogwarts, and all the students leapt from their seats. Harry and Hermione though went to find Ron and Ginny. As soon as they found them, they ran over to them, with Harry grabbing and lifting Ginny, and Ron doing the same to Hermione.
"I can't believe were finally graduates," said Hermione. The other three just smiled at her and came in for a group hug, with Neville and Luna joining them. Harry knew Hermione was right on one thing. He just couldn't believe it either.
After the ceremony, they found out that Gryffindor had won the house cup again, which they were very excited. Harry knew that he was going to remember this day for a long time.
(A\N: So, how did you like the Graduation ceremony? Pretty neat, huh. There's only one more chapter left here in this story, so make sure you stay tuned. Time for reviews.)