Hermione strode up purposefully to the podium, holding her head high in front of all of the onlookers. Ever since Professor McGonagall had told her that she was a role-model, the girl carried herself differently, proudly. Just months previously, Hermione thought she would never have cause to think positively of a Malfoy; yet she was now using Draco's post-war pride as her inspiration. Even McGonagall herself said that Hermione should take a leaf out of Draco's book and learn how to respect herself. I wonder what Draco would think about a Muggle-born using him as a shining example. She took her wand and aimed a Sonorus spell at her throat before speaking.
"First of all, congratulations, to all of you, for making it this far!" Hermione smiled and applauded her fellow classmates. A smattering of applause broke out in the crowd as she said it, especially amongst her friends. "I must admit, when Professor McGonagall asked me to give this speech, I was more than a bit apprehensive," Hermione continued. "But she helped me to realize that we can touch each other's lives for good.
"Doubtless many of you wonder whether or not you have done the right thing, sacrificing time with your families after the war, to come back to Hogwarts and graduate. I can assure you that this success will have ripple effects for you the rest of your lives. You can have better jobs, better options, better livings, with an education.
"By coming back, you are also showing that you can renew, you can rebuild, and that you are not letting the tragedies of the past hold you back. That is what life is about—moving forward in the face of adversity.
"Several of you have questioned me about what it was like to go into hiding with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley." Hermione said, looking over at Harry and Ron. Every eye in the crowd was now looking at Hermione. She continued intently, "I won't lie to you. It was pure hell. We often found ourselves on death's doorstep at every turn. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life—just trying to stay alive.
"Suffice to say that all three of us are still alive, not through any special talents or abilities of our own, but due to the selfless actions of other people," Hermione now looked straight at Draco, who looked down at the floor. Then he looked back up and held her gaze as she continued, "So I say this to you out there who fear that your actions don't matter. I am here to tell you that they do. There are people in your life that only you can help, only you can touch, so never underestimate that power that you hold in your hands. One person can make a difference.
"Life will always be a constant struggle. One war might be over, but there are many more to come. And I'm not speaking about literal wars—I mean those that can come from within. The personal struggles each of us will face in your day-to-day lives will never cease. Some days you'll be the comforter, some days the comforted. The important thing is that you remember the place you came from—you came from out of the ashes.
"Let us honor those who have died—let us keep them within our hearts and memories by always continuing to fight for what we believe is right. Even if you're the only one who believes in your cause—you can do it. And so, Hogwarts class of 1997, we go out with a bang…and a tear."
Everyone slowly stood up out of their seats, giving Hermione a standing ovation. She stood there, so touched, that tears began to leak out of her eyes and down her cheeks.
As the Headmistress came back up to the podium, the cheering and applauding died down. "Thank you, Miss Granger. That was very inspiring indeed," said McGonagall. "Now I have seen decades of students come in and out of Hogwarts. Sometimes, the students went on to become Healers and Aurors, amazing students doing great things with their lives." Uncharacteristic tears welled up in McGonagall's eyes as she looks over the crowd of fresh graduates, seeing Harry and Neville in the crowd, both having shown so much of their parents' bravery.
"Other times, students leave for a while, only to make their way back to Hogwarts in the end, as a young Potions Master had once done going from becoming my student, to a few short years later my colleague. So many times, I have seen the students of Hogwarts go off and not just succeed at life, but excel. The graduating class of 1997 is no exception. You all have already proven your greatness with this war. I never asked for any of you to fight for your school, yet when the time came, I watched as none of you doubted grabbing your wands. Push came to shove and my students, who I watched walk in here as young children, fought against werewolves," her gaze fell on Lavender, who touched the angry scar on her face, "reached down and found courage they didn't know they possessed." She looked from Neville to Ron and sighed. "I have seen my students fight against each other for years and years, and in the end," she looks over at Draco and Hermione, her hand in his. "When push came to shove, they found the courage to take each other's hand and walk through the darkness together. Parents, I ask that you stand up."
The Headmistress called out, watching as the parents of the students stood up. She watched as Molly and Arthur stood, as Mrs. Zabini, the Finnigans, the Browns, and even Narcissa Malfoy stood up. "I personally want to thank you all for bringing me such amazing pupils. I believe I have learnt just as much as they have over these past seven years. Thank you for bringing these heroes into this world. You may now sit down." She paused, watching as the parents sit down. "Class of 1997, raise your wands."
The students hugged each other as the crowd went wild, clapping and screaming. Seized by the moment, Slytherins embraced Gryffindors, Gryffindors embraced Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs hugged everybody, so caught-up was everybody in their emotions.
Eventually, the students made their way of walking back down the aisle towards the crowd. Blaise and Pansy stood up out of their seats, walking regally down the aisle. Seamus walked down with Cho, both of them smiling as they skipped down the aisle together. Not far behind them, Ron walked with Lavender, both of whom had set aside their differences and were trying to make things work again, and Ron kissed her fiercely on the lips halfway towards the crowd, just to get a head shake from McGonagall. Harry and Ginny followed behind them, walking arm in arm calmly, both really pleased. Luna and Neville were next, both wearing Spectrespecs.
More and more students walk back down the aisle, until finally the last couple remained. Draco bowed, taking Hermione's arm and walked her down the aisle towards the crowd, both of them holding their heads high like royalty.
"Congratulations, Granger," Draco whispered, with a smile.
"I never thought I'd hear you say those words, Malfoy," Hermione answered, not even looking at Draco. "Congratulations," she smiled back at him.
"How do you feel?" he asked, still facing forward.
"Like a queen," she replied, also facing forward, tears glistening in her eyes. "Like a queen."
A/N: This author's note is ridiculously long, so I decided to put it at the end of the chapter. Someone has expressed to me their worry that Draco is becoming too OOC. Hopefully, the following explanation will help you understand why my co-writer and I are writing Draco the way we are.
First off, please keep in mind this is a work of fanfiction. There will always be slight variations in personality and presentation, considering the original books were all from Harry's point of view, and written by a different person than my co-writer and I.
Second of all, we have always believed that Draco is capable of having a softer side; it would just take a LOT to bring it out. He needs to get beat up a bit…okay, he needs to get beat up a lot.
Which brings me to my third point—in order for Draco to avoid getting bitter and to bring out the softer side, Draco needs to have an outlet—his talks with the Healer allow him to vent in ways that the original story never did.
Fourth point is, we don't believe that Draco would be the same pompous ass that he was when he was thirteen. He came to learn that not only his father, but his entire way of life was wrong for him, and that can destroy a person from the inside out. On the flip-side, Draco only shows his vulnerability to certain people—same as everybody else in this world. It's not like he's throwing his heart out on his sleeve, he's not suddenly kind to everyone or anything, but the war did drastically change his emotional awareness, as did Hermione's pregnancy and Draco's experience with cutting. In order to heal, Draco has to get inside his own head. I and my co-writer believe that this "awakening" would help Draco become more conscious about Hermione's emotional needs.
Fifth point: Dramione would never work without Draco showing Hermione that he's capable of caring. She would never accept him as a lover with anything less.
Sixth point: My co-writer once dated a Draco for seven years. It took him ages to tell her he loved her, but he did do and say kind things for her, every once in a while. It just took the right woman to bring it out of him, i.e., how we believe Hermione would be for Draco.
Seventh point: There is no seventh point, we just like the number seven, for obvious reasons. ;) Again, my co-writer and I hope this helps you, the reader, to understand our rationale.