Of graduations, parties and freedom
Both Draco and Hermione were standing in the Great Hall heatedly discussing plans for the graduation ceremony and dinner. It was just a couple of hours before the event took place, and final touches were being done.
The elves had taken the liberty of arranging the decorations early, leaving the Hall looking like a mixture of Christmas, Halloween and Valentine's Day had vomited all over the walls and the ceiling. Draco flicked his wand elegantly, allowing some of the decorations to disappear.
Climbing up on to the stage, they spotted a man setting up the lighting and greeted him. They turned around and admired their decorative expertise. The room was with gold and silverstreamers and chair covers; silver chosen as it was the common colour between the Ravenclaw and Slytherin house crests and gold to represent Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. The tables were covered with white linen with the appropriate house crest for each of the tables.
Half an hour later, Hermione and Draco found themselves sitting before a hall full of chirpy 7th and 8th year students, awaiting graduation. The younger years were yet to be allowed in. Afternoon tea was being served to the students' and their families.
Hermione, who sat peacefully at the Head's table, looked around the hall and smiled serenely. The year could not end on a higher note than this, she thought to herself. She felt her hand being squeezed by Draco's warm and large hand underneath the table, and squeezed back in anticipation of graduation.
At a quarter to seven, the Great Hall was devoid of any light as the first to sixth year, parents and Professor's sat waiting for the stage at the head of the hall to light up.
"Lumos" a quick and seemingly authoritative voice uttered. Suddenly the Hall lit up with thousands upon thousands of floating round tea lights, revealing the Head girl and Head boy standing behind two lecterns at opposite sides of the stage. The sound of the heavy oak doors of the Great Hall opening drew the attention of all present, as the eldest students into the school strutted in with swag, pride and happiness.
"It is my pleasure to begin the age-old tradition of the graduation dinner. The speech." The student all groaned good naturedly as the professors and parents remembered back to their day of leaving school. "It's been a long seven, and in some of our cases, eight years but we've finally got the that stage. The pride and happiness filling each and every one of us."
"We've come through dark times, moved on from childish disputes" she paused glancing covertly between Harry, Ron and Draco only to continue. "Gotten closer through the years and found out things that could even surprise the best of us." Just as she said this she smiled at Blaise who in turn smirked right back.
A whirring sound was heard as everyone's attention was drawn to a large white piece of material that was just conjured. Pictures if laughing students, friends mucking about, and students with their books and parchments scattered about the library, quill in mouth, spending the remaining moments reviewing for the N.E..
A few hiccoughs, strangled sobs, and laughs eachoed through the almost silent hall. Tissues now sodden, in the girls' case, with tears were scrougified or lay banished as they felt it necessary just to use their once immaculate sleeves. "We've come through even the most intense and life-draining wizarding war. Of this we should be proud." Draco said as emotion blocked his throat making it hard for him to continue. "Here we are, Class of 1998. Congratulations, we are now adults. Welcome to your new life."He said with a smile.
"Welcome to a life with no 3 foot long parchments on Potions, Herbology or Divination due in two weeks. No pesky-sorry, professors- professors breathing down out necks. And most of all," she paused smiling with laughter twinkling in her eyes as she looked towards the Teachers table. "A life filled with what we can only hope is happiness, success and prosperity in all aspects."
The hall erupted in cheers and claps as they rose to their feet in pride as each of the seventh and eighth year student approached the stage to receive their diplomas.
Only two days later, the girls were occupying Hermione's head girl dorm room. The rush of dressing for the ball apparent as dresses, shoes and other clothing items and accessories were strewn across the usually immaculate floor.
''Oh, for the love of Merlin!" Pansy shouted "Where in the name of Morgana's saggy tits is that wretched copy of teen Witch Weekly. It's had all the hair charms and what not in there."
"You have got to be kidding me" Ginny shouted in exasperation. "How is it that I can manage to fight off Bellatrix Lestrange, but I can't seem to battle with these high heeled menaces."
Already dressed and hair promptly done in an elegant uptwist, Luna sat calmly in a conjured chaise watching the craziness ensue. In her airy voice she state. "Hermione, it will happen tonight," vague as ever, Hermione whipped her head around with a questioning stare.
Ambling out of the portrait hole and down towards the steps leading towards the ballroom, they chatted. Stopping short of their destination all the girls gasped as they saw their dates looking rather dashing at the foot of the stairs. Pansy who was dressed in only the finest if gold silk dress robes looked down at her boyfriend of 4 months, Adrian Pucey and uncharacteristically smiled broadly as she gracefully held on to the banister walking down the stairs. Ginny, on the other hand, was dressed in a floor length ivory black Giorgio Armani dress, that twinkled with green glitter. Her long time boyfriend, Harry Potter smiled at her in pride as she also began to descend the steps. Luna was dressed a beautiful red strapless dress that had a long slit down her right leg, stiletto boots which clip clopped as the descended down the stairs towards her boyfriend Blaise. Lavender descended the staircase in nestled in an amazing black-printed off-white dress reaching just passed her knees with some killer silver heels. Ron's breath caught in his throat as his eyes kept trained on her happy face. Amara, however, was wearing a simple off-white chiffon off-the-shoulder ball gown which flowed to the ground pooling around her feet. Which were fitted with wonderful black and silver embossed stilettos.
Hermione was dressed in a muggle gown of green silk that pooled at her feet showing delicate feet painted with silver nail polish and embellished heels. Reaching the bottom of the grand stair case she was captured by Draco.
"Hey, you look beautiful." He said in awe. "But why the makeup, you know that I love you and think you're beautiful without that rubbish on." He whispered in her ear.
"I know, love." She said looking in his usually cold grey eyes. "I just wanted to go all out."
They walked towards the Great hall and the doors opened automatically to a renovated hall.
"Oh my, it's beautiful." The girls said in unison. Their eyes widening in shocked surprise.
The room was decorated with all the house banners, the roof of The Great Hall had been magically removed and snow was falling from the sky. When everyone was there McGonagall announced that the ball was to begin.
Ron twirled Lavender on to the dance floor and accidentally stepped on her toes.
"I'm sorry, my Bad." He apologised.
After a few songs they tired of dancing and gathered in a corner with their friends. Turning to Amara, Theo politely requested a dance, "May I have the pleasure of this dance madam?"
Amara took his hand and they began to dance to Unforgettable. As Pansy danced with Adrian she spotted her sister and smiled. Adrian caught the smile and said. "She seems happy." It wasn't a question, but a statement, Pansy just nodded.
The night passed as fast as the partners came. Ivy and Harry were dancing when the music was interrupted by the Headmistress' voice.
"Now we will see the Head Boy and Girl dance the Tango." She announced.
This announcement shocked Ivy as Much as it did to Draco.
The music had started; he spun her around and retrieved her draping his arm around her waist so that there was little to no space between them that their noses were touching each others.
"So you felt that too?" he questioned as he dipped her. In an attempt to keep her balance she wrapped her leg around his waist. The students 'ohhed' and 'ahhed'.
The music came to an end and applause erupted from the crowd as they took their bows and left the dance floor.
The night wore on, food and drinks consumed, dances danced. Just as the night was about to end, Draco got up on the podium to thank the guests for taking part in the age old tradition.
"Before I thank you all for coming on this very special day, " he said pausing for effect. "I'd like to call upon my girlfriend and the Head Girl."
Shocked into submission, Hermione ascended the podium as she watched Draco closely, but he was giving nothing away. "Now, you all know that myself and this beautiful witch have been going out for some time now." He said. "But, it has come to my attention that this may not be enough for me."
Not deterred by the butterflies and nauseous feeling gathering in his stomach he pressed on turning towards Hermione and slowly getting down on one knee. "Hermione, love, you mean the world to me and I'd do anything for you. " Her eyes bugged out as he reached into his robes and produced a small black ring box. He opened it, revealing a rather large diamond set in the original Malfoy family engagement ring. "Will you do me the greatest honour, and be my wife?"
All she could do was smile broadly and blink back her tears of happiness. A round of clapping, cheering and whistling took place after Draco placed the Malfoy engagement ring on her finger and proceeded to sweep her up in a long romantic kiss.