Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Graduation Day

Friday the school woke up to bright sunshine and clear skies. The Quidditch Stadium had been transformed into the graduation arena. The bleachers had been lowered, chairs were set up for the graduating seniors; the platform had been set up for the speeches and for handing out the diploma's.

Hermione was #1 in her class and Draco was #2 so they were both giving speeches. Hermione was upset that she looked 6 or 7 months pregnant

Thursday came and went and soon it was time for them to Graduate! Hermione was miserable at 6 months she was bigger then Ginny who was due to deliver very shortly. Even her new robes were getting tight and she finally gave up and left them open.

Graduation was due to start at 2:00 in the afternoon, the Hogwarts express was bringing in some of the parents at 1:00 and the rest would be either flooing or apparating in around the same time.

Cissy and the Wesley's were supposed to floo in before lunch along with many of the Order of Phoenix members and have lunch in the Great Hall; so at 11:30 the apartment mates went down to the entrance to wait for friends and family to start flooing in. The first to step out of the fireplace was the Weasley family; even Charlie was seen coming out of the fireplace. Cissy came next and she was soon followed by member after member of the Order.

Everyone was thrilled to see family and friends. Hugs were given all around and soon they were all settling into seats for a lunch celebration.

As soon as lunch was over everyone started heading out to the pitch. The students had to stay inside until just before the start of the ceremony when Hermione and Draco would lead them out. Hagrid went to Hogsmeade to escort the parents back to Hogwarts. Minerva, Severus and the other Professors went down to the pitch to welcome the parents.

At 1:55 Hermione and Draco lead the students out of the castle and into the Quidditch pitch; Hermione wore the sash that denoted her as Head Girl and Valedictorian she also wore her Order of Merlin First Class and Draco wore the sash as Head boy and Salutatorian along with her Order of Merlin Third Class. As they entered the pitch they both found Cissy and the Weasley's and Hermione realized once again that she no longer had her own parents and stumbled just a little. Draco reached for her hand that was in the crook of his arm and gave it an extra squeeze. "I love you and we are our own family now, and your parents are smiling down watching us."

Hermione smiled up at Draco and nodded. The two of them stood at the front of the chairs while they watched their classmates fill into the chairs, they looked at how many were wearing Order's of Merlin and how many were missing; and then they moved up onto the stage with the professors.

Headmaster Dumbledore gave his opening speech, then Hermione got up to give her speech while giving her speech she noticed that Ginny seemed to be having a hard time sitting still, but didn't think too much about it. Draco noticed Ginny and also the concern on Harry's face; because he was worried he shortened his speech a good bit and watched as the diplomas began to be given out. Hermione and Draco were presented theirs first then the rest were called up in Alpha order, needless to say the couples were called up together. When Ginny was called up Harry came with her, when they got up on the stage Ginny clutched her belly, half way up the stairs then stood up and moved on.

Harry and Draco exchanged worried looks and Draco knew that Ginny was in labor, as the diploma's continued to be given out he got Severus's attention and mouthed that Ginny was in labor; Severus jumped up and whispered in Minerva's ear who told Dumbledore. Severus then looked at Ginny and said Legilimens and moved into Ginny's mind. She felt him enter and told him she was ok, she wanted to finish the graduation. Severus let the Headmaster know and he nodded. But, he did start calling the names a little quicker; and Severus sent his Patronus up to Poppy to let her know what was going on.

Soon the students were throwing their hats up into air and they were graduates. As soon as the hats landed Severus, Hermione and Draco were hurrying to Harry and Ginny. Draco helped Harry support Ginny as they headed up to the Hospital ward.

As soon as they got to the hospital ward Ginny's water broke and drenched her and splattered Draco and Harry. Both guys were totally freaked out but continued to hold on to Ginny and got her seated on one of the beds.

Poppy sent them both behind the curtain but let Hermione remain when Ginny wouldn't let lose of her hand. Poppy checked Ginny then helped her into a gown and got her settled into the bed; then she opened the curtain so that Harry and her family could come in while she flooed the Midwitch that was assigned to Hogwarts.

Harry felt like he was going to fall apart he was totally losing it watching Ginny in pain. Molly and Arthur weren't much better and her brothers wanted to strangle Harry for doing this to their baby sister.

If Severus hadn't been there Harry might just have been hurt. For that reason he Accioed all the wands. He had a feeling that it wouldn't be safe for any of the Weasley including the youngest who was in labor to have access to a wand.

When the Midiwitch arrived she made everyone leave but Poppy and Harry. She told Ginny she was only 75 effaced and 2 cm dilated so she had a while to go. She also wanted Ginny to try to rest so she closed the curtains and told everyone other then Harry that they had to go so that Ginny could rest.

The rest of the group trooped down to the Great Hall and waited, eventually they were run out of the Great Hall so that it could be decorated for the Great Hall for the leaving feast and the dance. The groups went back up to the hospital ward but were turned away. Draco finally suggested that they all go back to their common room; the Weasley's, Cissy and most of the Order squeezed into the common room and waited.