Disclaimer: I didn't create Harry Potter, nor do I own it, and I'm not making any money from this story.
Warning(s): None for this chapter.
Shoutouts: Thanks to codla, Sakural Lisel, GryffindorGirl11, and an anonymous reviewer for reviewing!
A/N: I got some questions in reviews, so I'm putting the answers here:
Sakura Lisel:
Chapter 6 - Even though no one would blab to the press or the ministry, if they found out, it would ruin Remus and put Dumbledore in a bad light...also, Remus feels bad about the situation.
Chapter 8 - Because I decided that werewolves transform at midnight...yes, I know I'm taking a few creative liberties here).
Chapter 9 - Molly thought Ron was behind her, Dobby had nothing to do with it. Also, I did mention that Ginny received a letter and that it brightened her day: it was from her mother, so her mother was not as angry at Ginny as she was at Ron, therefore, she didn't mention Ginny in the Howler.
Anonymous Reviewer:
Greyback was going to hurt Ron, not necessarily change him into a werewolf...remember, he gets as much joy out of killings kids as he does infecting them.
Recap:
"Pansy's pregnant."
Chapter 28: Not Alone
In the days after Theo announced his girlfriend's pregnancy, they had to deal with a lot of crying and hysteria on Pansy's part. After all, her family didn't know. And of course, this was news that they had to keep out of the Hogwarts grapevine.
But while they were dealing with Pansy's predicament, life still went on. They had to prepare for their N.E.W.T.'s, which would ultimately decide where they were going to do in life.
Draco ended up studying nearly as much as Hermione. Finally, the first day of exams arrived. Defense Against the Dark Arts was in the morning, and Transfiguration was in the afternoon.
Defense was easy, mainly because they had Remus as a teacher, but Transfiguration was going to be hard. After the break between exams and their Transfiguration written exam, Harry watched as Hermione paced back and forth, muttering spells under her breath as they prepared for the practical. He was nervous too.
"Ready?"
"Yep."
They went in alphabetical order, so Harry went close to last. He had to transfigure a desk to a pig, and back again. The examiner nodded to him with a smile on his face, so hopefully he had done everything correctly.
The rest of exam week flew by, and at the end of it, Harry and his friends relaxed on the grass at the edge of the lake, basking in the spring sun. But not everything was okay.
Pansy and Theo had been sharing several hushed conversations, and they both looked tremendously stressed out.
"Did you tell your parents yet?" Neville asked.
Pansy nodded. "They took things pretty well, all things considered. My mother suspected something was going on, so telling her wasn't as bad as telling my father."
"And we decided to keep the baby," Theo added nervously.
"Congratulations," Daphne squealed. "I'm so happy for you!"
It looked like things were beginning to turn around.
On the last Friday in June, every seventh year at Hogwarts filed into the Great Hall for the last time as students. It was the night of their graduation, and they were the only students left in the school, except for younger students who were siblings and invited guests.
Harry could feel himself shaking as he sat in his assigned chair towards the front of the room.
"Another year gone," Dumbledore said. "And another fine group of students is about to step forward into the world. I must say that I am impressed with everything that all of you have accomplished during your seven years here at the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please ascend the stage when Professor McGonagall calls your name, and accept your certificate."
Harry zoned out, but he vaguely remembered Daphne gracefully walking up the stairs and flashing him a grin. And then he heard his name.
"Harry James Potter."
Harry was broken out of his stupor when he heard the applause of everyone around him. The room seemed to sharpen into focus as he accepted his certificate from Professor McGonagall, and shook hands with Professor Slughorn and Professor Dumbledore.
After the ceremony ended, fifteen black pointed hats flew into the air. Their time at Hogwarts had come to a wonderful, bittersweet end.
A/N: And that's the last chapter of Not Afraid to Live. Only the epilogue left to go. Review, please.
