We have finally reached the end! Thank you all so much for the follows, favorites and reviews. This has been my longest story to date, and it has been a labor of love. I hope that you have enjoyed it. Once again, I must credit Charles Dickens, who is quoted by Kingsley Shacklebolt, and a great big tip o' the nib to the Queen of Fantasy-JK Rowling, who made this all possible!
The sky was bright and clear, and a light breeze lifted the pennants that flew above the Quidditch pitch towers. No snitch or bludgers sailed through the air on this day, and no excited contenders lined up in the tunnel. Instead, anxious students adjusted pointed hats upon their heads. Unlike those which they wore upon their arrival seven and eight years ago, these hats had brims, signifying the completion of their matriculation. Each graduand wore sub fusc and ceremonial robes in their house colors, rather than black, and Draco attired in his Master's epitoge. Harry, Ron, and Hermione wore ceremonial livery collars recognizing their Order of Merlin awards.
On the lawn of the pitch, a dais had been erected facing several rows of chairs. The stands were full of family, friends and Hogsmeade residents. The Hogwarts Express had been commissioned to transport muggle relatives of graduates to the ceremony. The music professor took his place and the student orchestra began to play a march. Each Head of House led their students out onto the pitch.
Speeches were given by the Headmistress, the chairman of the Board of Governors and the Minster of Magic. The students were lauded for their perseverance in during the war and returning to complete their education. Many students, teachers and guests found themselves dabbing at their eyes as certificates of recognition were awarded to the families of students who had fallen.
Hermione received the Headmistress' Award for Superior Academic Achievement. Ron and Draco were recognized for their chess accomplishments.
"I would like now, to present an award which is considered to be among the highest honors conferred here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Godric Gryffindor esteemed courage, determination and strength of heart above all qualities, and students who were possessed of a level of daring and bravery were those whom he chose for his house. Additionally, he created a confraternal order to honor wizards whose loyalty not only to Gryffindor House, but to Hogwarts School he considered above and beyond distinction. There is one such student whose name emerged from Gryffindor's venerable hat for the first time in more than 800 years," announced Professor McGonagall.
Many of those present cast their gazes towards Harry, who wore a slightly confused and embarrassed expression.
"It can't be me," he murmured. "Please don't let it be me!" he whispered to himself.
"During the occupation of Hogwarts, this young man openly defied the Death Eaters, standing up to their bigotry and cruelty, and protecting the students of this castle from harm, without regard to his own safety," she said. Harry looked down the row and smiled at his friend who nodded back as he blushed. "During the Battle of Hogwarts, he bravely engaged against attack, helped to transport the injured and fallen during the cease-fire and brazenly confronted Tom Riddle face-to-face, pulling the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, and beheading the great snake Nagini. His remarkable valor in performing this act demonstrated to the world that he is a true Gryffindor."
Professor Nakagawa approached the podium carrying a flat leather box. Hagrid stationed himself at the other side, holding a scarlet pillow upon which, the Sword of Gryffindor lay.
"Neville Longbottom, please come forward." Neville stood, cheeks flushed, and made his way to the stage. She indicated for him to kneel on a tufted stool which she conjured. "It is my sincere pleasure to bestow upon you, Neville Francis Longbottom, the Order of Gryffindor." She touched each shoulder with the sword.
Professor Nakagawa opened the box to reveal a livery collar composed of golden griffins linked together by fiery rubies. The badge featured the Gryffindor Lion statant guardant with ruby eyes. Neville stood, and Professor McGonagall fastened the chain about his neck as the crowd cheered noisily. Neville continued to blush as he shook hands with the Headmistress and other members of the dais before returning to his seat.
"Before we begin awarding diplomas, there is one final award to be made. I now yield the podium to our esteemed Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt." Kingsley stood, and the crowd applauded politely as he took the podium.
"One of my favorite novels begins thus: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…'
These words, I believe, embody the great drama of the wizarding world over the last decade, or perhaps since one fateful night in 1981. In this short year, we have made great strides on many fronts, but there is still quite a way to go. I only hope that during my tenure as Minister of Magic, I will always remember to strive to open the doors of communication, cooperation and progress. One graduate today has certainly come to embody the idea that he who endeavours to learn, endeavours to change, for it is impossible to achieve one without accepting the other.
This young wizard has demonstrated the capacity and willingness to change, to grow and learn, not only for his own advancement, but for the betterment of our society. His research has resulted in the most successful and economically accessible treatment for lycanthropy to date, providing hope that those who have been infected will soon be able to integrate effectively and safely into society. As is often the case with research into new treatments, his work has produced improved treatments in pulmonology and neurology.
He is the first wizard ever to be admitted to the Royal Guild of Potions Brewers while still a matriculating student, proving that one's past need not define one's future. As our venerable Headmaster Emeritus, Albus Dumbledore once said, 'It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.' Draco Lucius Malfoy, please come forward."
Draco felt goosebumps prickle his flesh as he stood and made his way up the center aisle. There was a moment of deafening silence throughout the arena, and then a wave of murmurs floated on the air as he stepped up to the podium.
"Young man, it is with profound pleasure that I present the Order of Merlin, Second Class, for achievement or endeavor beyond the ordinary, to you, Professor Draco Malfoy." The golden medal hung from a bejeweled purple collar, and Draco bowed low to receive the award.
The applause began as polite. The Headmistress and Faculty rose to their feet. Harry stood, clapping loudly.
"Whoohoo! Malfoy!" Seamus called out as he and Dean stood. Ron let out a whistle and the graduates in Slytherin House stood with a shout. Luna, Rolf, Hermione and Hannah got to their feet and the applause built like a wave moving towards the shore, until the entire arena thundered with applause. Draco shook the Minister's hand and turned towards the audience, searching until his eyes met Harry's. A slow smile spread across his face as he was warmed with contentment.
Draco took his seat, and the awarding of diplomas began, almost anticlimactically.
"Hannah Abbott…Susan Bones…Michael Corner…" Flashbulbs popped and a continuous round of applause punctuated each announcement. "Hermione Jean Granger…Neville Francis Longbottom…" As each student accepted their parchment from Professor McGonagall, echoes of all that they had overcome floated into the atmosphere around the arena. "Luna Charis Lovegood…Draco Lucius Malfoy…Theodore Nott…"
Harry tuned out the thunderous applause that accompanied his name as he crossed the dais and accepted his diploma. He looked up over the towers of the pitch to the highest spires of the castle, reflecting upon the first place that he'd ever considered his home.
"Dean Anthony Thomas…" As the list grew shorter and shorter, Harry scanned the faces of his fellow graduates.
"Ginevra Molly Weasley…Ronald Bilius Weasley…"
The final graduates crossed the stage, and Harry could not ignore the same introspective expression on the faces of many of his peers.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the graduates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Class of 1999."
The house tables were replaced with round banquet tables in the Great Hall, and graduates joined family and friends for the leaving feast. The increased numbers in the enchanted space was hardly noticeable, save for a slightly elevated volume level which nonetheless felt subdued to many. An air of solemnity and thoughtfulness pervaded the meal, and to anyone paying close attention, it was clear that the minds of many were focused upon feelings of regret, contentment, and hopeful anxiety.
"It doesn't seem like it should be over," remarked Ron. "Does it?"
"I keep waiting for something…amazing to happen," Dean agreed.
"Whaddya mean? Somethin' amazing did happen," Seamus declared. "We made it. We lived!"
"Yeah. We did." Harry nodded. "We did." He gave Draco's hand a squeeze.
"Oh my god!" Ginny gasped. "Ron, look!" She pointed to the entrance of the great hall. They all turned.
Lavender Brown, Colin Creevey, Cedric Diggory, and Fred Weasley stood smiling as they gazed upon the proceedings.
"Merlin!" Ron leapt to his feet. The spirits turned, his brother giving a salute as they faded away. A sob escaped his throat, and his eyes filled with tears. His sister and fiancée stood, wrapping their arms around him.
"It's okay," Hermione murmured. "It's okay."
"Draco!" Draco paused and turned to see Hester hurrying down the stone path.
"Hester." He smiled as she approached.
"Congratulations," she said. "What will you do now?" she asked.
"I have quite a bit of work ahead of me now," he replied. "The Ministry has released the Apothecary to my control. What about you? Erm…"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "I have considered petitioning my parents for my dowry. It is sizeable enough for me to live as a witch of independent means while I consider my options for the future."
"I think that is amazing, Hester, and I wish you the best of luck." He hugged her and gave her hands a squeeze.
"I owe it all to you and Harry," she smiled, patting his hand. He noted that the signature was no longer imprinted into her flesh. He kissed her fingertips.
"No, it is you who is owed the debt of gratitude. You are stronger than you know, Hester. Remember that."
They made promises to keep in touch and continued down the path to the dock where they boarded the boats that would carry them across the lake once more. Draco looked over his shoulder at the castle looming high above them as they glided across the dark and peaceful waters. Harry took his hand and gave his shoulder a nudge, whispering in his ear.
"Let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure."
"Dumbledore?" Draco asked.
"One of the last things he ever said to me." Harry nodded, and rested his head on his shoulder.
"You are now, and have been my greatest adventure." Draco kissed the top of his head. "I shall only set out if you promise to forever be at my side."
Harry lifted his head, giving him a soft kiss. He gazed into Draco's eyes, shining in the light of the moon.
"Always."
