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Ch. 21: Starting over
The next Monday before Transfiguration, Hermione saw Draco down the corridor and called out his name. He turned around and they faced each other.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she replied, "Wow you look…clean."
They both laughed and thought of the food fight, "Thanks, you look pretty clean yourself," said Draco.
Hermione laughed again, "Thanks," she sighed, "Listen; I shouldn't have thrown the cake----"
"Granger stop," he interrupted her and chuckled, "I deserved the cake in the face."
Hermione grinned, "Yes, yes you did."
To her surprise Draco laughed at that and said, "Look, why don't we start over? Forget everything we've been through in the past and just be Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, just two teenagers, and I am going to start telling the truth now, I mean it, so truce?"
Hermione smiled for what seemed like the umpteenth time, "Sure, I like that, friends?" and she took out her hand.
"Friends," answered Draco and shook her hand, but pulled her closer for a hug, which was unexpected for her. When they pulled apart Hermione grinned and he said, "So, I'll see you around?"
Hermione nodded, "Yeah see ya."
Draco however is hoping for a second chance with her.
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"So, it took us twelve bottles of shampoo and two days to get the cake out of our hair," said Hermione. She, Cho, Hannah, Pansy, who are friends again, including Harry, Ron, and Ginny are all outside by the lake and are actually getting along famously, "but you know what? It was all worth it."
Everyone laughed and agreed.
Then a voice is calling her and Hermione turned around. It is Dominique to her surprise, "Hey Hermione," he said and smiled.
Hermione smiled at him and waved, she looked at her friends and said, with her finger up "Um, give me a sec," and she walked towards him.
They walked away from her group and he started saying, "So things didn't quite work out with my lab partner and I---"
"What happened this time?" Hermione asked concerned.
He chuckled and said, "No I…look, potions does suck without you."
Hermione smiled and he said, "So, what do you say? Lab partners?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I am sure," he answered, "You're perfect Hermione," her breathe got caught in her throat for a second but then he started stuttering, "Um, I-I mean you know 'cause you're uh…smarter than me," they both laughed and he said, "Yeah…well I'll see ya around."
"Yes we will," said Hermione and walked back to her group.
Before she could reach everyone she was attacked by Pansy, "You totally have a crush on the other Malfoy."
"She'll definitely need our help with this one," said Hannah.
Cho gasped, "I just bought more mirrors and a new pin! We can do a full frontal attack."
Hermione shook her head, "Uh no, I have my eye on someone else, let's just hang out tonight, okay?"
"Hang out? Where's that going to go on my application to St. Mungos?" asked Cho. They all laughed and shook their heads.
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Three weeks later graduation has finally arrived. The seventh years couldn't be anything but anxious. They all have there the graduation robes to the house that they belong too. Hermione is wearing red, Draco is wearing green, Cho is wearing blue and Hannah is wearing yellow and so on.
Everyone is lined up in alphabetically order and grouped by their houses. Professor McGonagall turned up in front of the awaiting crowd, "Everyone please settle down," she ordered and almost immediately everyone topped talking and stopped fussing around, "good. Now, all of you remembered graduation rehearsal a couple days ago, right?" everyone nodded their heads 'yes' and she continued, "excellent, as soon as I open these doors, just go to your respective seats and we'll start as soon as we can," everyone nodded again and she opened the doors.
Once again the Great hall looked different, the four house tables are gone and are replaced with wooden chairs aligned on each side, like a wedding and right now they are filled with loved ones of the graduates.
The Ravenclaws were in front and the Head Girl is in front of the group. They all sat in the first row to the left and Cho sat closest to the aisle. Then the Slytherin came in and of course Draco led the group. They sat in the front of the right side then Draco sat across from Cho. Soon afterwards the Gryffindors came in and sat behind the Slytherins then the Hufflepuffs came in and sat behind the Ravenclaws.
"Will the Head Girl please come up to the stage and say a few words for our graduating class," announced Professor Dumbledore.
Cho got up and went up to the podium, "Fellow classmates, professors, school representatives, and loved ones, thank you for coming on this very important day for us," she paused for a moment and continued, "We've come along way to get were we are now, we've seen more things, dangerous things, than anyone should've seen especially people our age," everyone in the crowd nodded their head in agreement, "As I look at all of you I actually remember the first time I met each and everyone you, whether it was in on our first train ride here, on the boats as first years, in our common rooms on our first night, or in our classes. Each one of you has changed me before I came to Hogwarts and I am grateful for that," she paused again and took a deep breathe, "So, as I stand here today representing this amazing class of brilliant, young minds, I am honor to say; congratulations to the class of 1997, we did it!" she smiled really wide, everyone clapped and the students cheered.
Cho got off the stage and Professor Dumbledore stood up once more, "Thank you Miss Chang, everyone please give a round of applause for your Head Girl," everyone clapped and cheered again and some guys even cat called. The Headmaster ignored that and continued, "Now, if you would please welcome our Head Boy; Draco Malfoy," there was clapping again and Draco went up to the podium, "Thank you Professor Dumbledore," he said with the utmost respect. Dumbledore nodded, smiled politely and sat back down next to Minerva McGonagall.
Draco continued, "This year has been quite an unusual journey for most of us," he then eyed Hermione, Cho, Hannah, and Pansy, everyone quietly laughed, mostly the students of course because they knew what he was talking about and so the Head Boy continued, "I think this year defined us who we are, as students and as individuals, maybe this year made us realize where we want to go in life, perhaps some of us will become workers at Gringotts, or reporters for the Daily Prophet, famous Quidditch players, even professors here at Hogwarts because we just can't seem to let go of this place to what some of us called home, or one of us might even become Minister of Magic," he paused for a moment, "but wherever life takes us and whatever what we decide to become, just remember where it all started and never regret it, without further ado, congratulations to the class of 1997," he finished, stepped off and the audience gave him a standing ovation.
Professor Dumbledore took the stage again, "Now, as the professors and I call your name come up here to receive your diploma," the first row of students on Cho's side stood up first, then the first row of students on Draco's side. As Cho received her diploma she raised it up in the air with a big smile and everyone cheered loudly for her. The same went for Draco.
As Hermione stood up she took a deep breathe, 'calm down, there's nothing to be nervous about, you're almost done here, just one more thing and its waiting right in front of you,' she thought and sure enough she stood there frozen on the stage.
"Miss Granger," she heard someone call out her name to get her diploma.
She looked up and noticed that it was Professor Dumbledore. She blushed at how ridiculous she probably looks right now, "Oh sorry."
"Quite alright miss, here you go," he said as he gave her the diploma.
Hermione grabbed it and smiled, "Thank you professor," but instead of shaking his hand she hugged him. Dumbledore stood motionless for a second but smiled and returned the gesture. Once they pull apart the Headmaster showed her the way off the stage.
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As soon as everyone got their diplomas and sat down, this time Professor McGonagall took the stage, "Once again congratulations to the class of 1997, you are now free to go into the real world as graduates!"
Everyone cheered and through their black hats into the air.
Hermione found Harry and Ron a couple rows behind her and gave them both a bone crushing hug, "Hermione can't breathe!" said Ron in between gasps.
"Oh sorry," she blushed and let go, "I am just so excited, we actually did it, can you believe it?"
"No," both replied.
Hermione laughed but then the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted them. She turned around and found Draco.
"Hi," they both said at the same time.
As they laughed both Harry and Ron gave each other weird glances.
"You guys go ahead, I'll see you in a few," said Hermione.
"But Hermione," wined Ron.
"Ron stopped," said Harry and pulled Ron's arm, "Hermione's a big girl, she can take care of herself, she's proven that for the last seven years," he winked at her.
Hermione smiled and mouthed, 'thanks,' Harry nodded and he finally dragged Ron out of the way to leave them alone.
"Mind if we talk outside?" asked Draco.
"Sure," she answered and he led the way.
Once they were outside Hermione broke the silence, "Great speech by the way."
"Thanks, I almost choked," he laughed.
"Really, well there's something you don't see everyday," Hermione said with a smile.
"And what is that?" asked a confused Draco.
"Draco Malfoy is admitting he has a weakness."
"And what might that be?"
"Stage fright," she answered simply.
Draco scoffed, "I don't have stage fright thank you very much, my throat was just very dry…" he trailed off.
"Uh huh," she smirked.
"Hey that's my smirk," he laughed.
"Oh no, I stole your smirk what are you going to do about it Mister Head Boy," she teased.
He then took a step closer until they were mere inches away from each other. Hermione stopped smiling and looked up at his eyes, "Draco…"
"You should know that I don't like sharing things," he replied in a whisper.
"Well then, you are going to have to learn to share me," she replied. She knows what she's implying and she won't be ashamed in repeating it. She took another small step further.
So, now as he spoke his lips lightly brushed up against her, "I don't think so," and he collided his lips with hers in the gentlest kiss Hermione has ever receive from him.
As they broke apart Hermione smiled, "What now?"
"I know I've already done this but now I think it will be official," he said and took off his Slytherin ring, "this belongs to you," and he slid it onto her ring finger.
Hermione looked up at him then he asked, "Will you be my girlfriend, for real this time?"
"Well I don't know, I might have to think about that," she placed her index finger on her chin as she put a face of concentration.
Draco looked at her in shock, "I am just playing," she said and laughed. Draco led out a breath he didn't know he was holding, "Of course I'll be your girlfriend," she reached up and kissed him gently like he just did with her.
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Draco and Hermione eventually made it back inside the Great Hall after a nice little snogging session and joined their friends.
Hermione found Cho, Hannah, and Pansy and told them the news. They all gasped and laughed at the turn of events, because they all thought she was going to end up with Dominique. Speaking of Dominique he went over to the group and shook hands with everyone. He hugged Hermione and told her no hard feelings and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Draco also grabbed Blaise so he won't be by his lonesome and soon came to realize that Gryffindors aren't that bad once you get to know them.
That night there was a graduation ball so once again the students dressed up in their best robes and danced the night away.
Hey everyone, I hoped you liked this chapter, I hoped you liked their speeches, that was fun to write and I hoped you liked how they ended up together unlike the movie oh and I also hoped that the last bit of this chapter didn't seem too rushed. This was my first actual story and I am so glad I wrote it and that most of you guys enjoyed, I am also sad that it's over. This was a great experience for me and I want to thank each and every one of you who have reviewed and stuck with this story. I will be gone for a week from today so I will reply to all of your reviews when I get back. Also this won't be the last time you will hear from me in the Draco and Hermione department, I have a few ideas up my sleeve for another story coming soon, so look out for that. I guess the only thing left to say is; PLEASE REVIEW!