It's time! Hope you enjoy and thanks for the reviews. This chapter is very short, since it is a lead-on to the story outside of Hogwarts.

Graduation day.

All the years of studying, concentrating, and learning had finally led them to this moment.

Thinking back on all the moments Harry and his friend had had in this very hall. Harry felt excited. Yet, a lingering sadness tore him as he forever had to say goodbye to his only real home. It was with a heavy heart. Looking back at his NEWT results he was quite ready to leave. Hermione had assured him that his grades were enough to get him into a healing studentship at St. Mungos. It had been a harsh month. Looking back at the disaster of his first real relationship with a boy, Harry was at least relieved to leave it behind him. He hadn't heard a single word from Malfoy ever since that day, and while he often felt the haunting looks at the back of his neck, he stubbornly held on and kept far away from the blond.

Standing in the receiving line along the others, all he needed now was his diploma. The students of the seventh year at Hogwarts were standing in their black robes, waiting for their ending as well as their new beginning. The sun was beaming through the great hall's windows, leaving the students and faculty members slightly sweaty. The entire great hall had been expanded and families were gathered on benches in the back, excitingly chattering amongst each other as everyone waited for the ceremony to begin.

"Everyone, if you could please take your seats." McGonagall stood forward and greeted the families. "When I call your name, you will step forward from the line and onto the podium."

Harry got a very nostalgic feeling as the Professor read from a long list of waiting students. As the first student was called, the line slowly began moving. As Harry got closer and closer, he felt his heart race. He clapped politely at his classmates, not that he remembered the names off all, but he was cheering loudly as his closest stepped up.

"Draco Malfoy."

Oh, the name itself sent ice through his veins, but he kept up the appearance and clapped lightly, as he did not wish to draw attention. On the way back to the gathered students, Malfoy came closer to him than he had been since the breakup, passing him slowly they suddenly got eye contact.

Harry had to bite his cheek from the pain of seeing him. Looking into the gray steel eyes, he was overcome with homesickness and for a second, he could feel any anger melt away. Malfoy was paler than usual, his eyes seemed dull and desperate. And then it passed. Malfoy had passed him, and the moment was over. Harry had to remind himself of his self-worth to keep from reaching out.

Trying to stay focused in the moment, Harry continued to clap at the right time until he was next in line.

"Harry Potter." McGonagall called his name and the hall exploded in cheers. Smiling bashfully, Harry went on stage towards Dumbledore. Getting close enough he accepted the scroll and smiled at his professor. Kind blue eyes seemed static and two strong hands embraced him.

"Congratulations, my boy." Dumbledore smiled joyfully. "I am very proud of you." He whispered.

Harry eyes became embarrassingly prickly and he didn't manage to say a thing as the lump in his throat stopped him. Thankfully, Dumbledore seemed perfectly aware of his condition and sent him along towards the other professors, as another name was called to the center of the podium.

His professors were gathered behind the headmaster, waiting for him.

Shaking hands with each of his teachers he smiled awkwardly as both Madam Pomphrey and Professor Sprout dried away their tears. Hagrid was bawling loudly into his handkerchief and embraced Harry in an airtight hug and didn't let go until Remus coughed gently, reminding him of the awaiting students.

Remus looked rather tired from the full moon's last approach but was smiling none the less. He shook Harry's hand and clasped the other one on top.

"I will see you again soon."

"Soon." Harry promised.

The next and last person was also someone Harry had thought a lot about, as he was considering their goodbye. Harry was in no way surprised when Snape was as dismissive and indifferent as he always were when it came to large crowds. He was never one to show emotions where others easily could witness.

"Potter." A long pale hand stretched out. "I believe a congratulation is in order."

"Thank you, sir." Their hands entwined in a strong hold for a mere second. "Perhaps I shall invite you over once I get my own place."

"Heavens forbid." Snape dropped his hand, but the tight lips did curl in a tiny smile. Just for a moment, before the students behind Harry came too close and he had to move along. Stepping down and joining his friends he sat down on the nearest chair, waiting for Hermione's name to be called. Obviously, she graduated on top of class and McGonagall seemed proud to announce it was the first in many years since that honor had gone to a Gryffindor.

Dumbledore raised his hands for attention as people calmed down. His cheerful yet strong voice rose.

"As the headmaster of this school I will tell you, it never gets any easier to witness so many students graduating. As we, the faculty and I, are just as proud and excited as you are, we will also feel a loss." – Harry could practically hear Snape snort."- Seeing you enter the doors as timid children and watch you each grow with confidence and strength is a true joy I never tire of."

"Hogwarts will miss your presence, but I am certain you will all do well, going into the real world and turning your focus and skills elsewhere. For everyone one of you; We at Hogwarts wish you congratulations and most of all, good luck."

The entire hall erupted in cheers as the students hurried everywhere. Some immediately ran to their families, others hugged eachother and Harry had to deal with a lot of crying girls as they tearfully said goodbye.

Harry knew it would seem rude to disappear out of nowhere but the noise and rising heat from being stuffed in an overcrowded room became too much. He soon broke free and waving to Hermione and Ron as they stood with the Weasleys, Harry left through the door to freedom.

The weather seemed truly perfect for such a day and Harry wondered if Dumbledore in someway was powerful enough to influence the weather on Hogwarts ground. Walking for some time, Harry stopped under a tree, simply enjoying the warmth seeping through the branches and watched as the students around the gardens, desperately tried to hug every single friend, goodbye.

"Congratulations." The bell-like gentle voice still managed to startle him.

"Thanks." He smiled as Luna stood beside him looking at their fellow students.

"You seem less happy than the others."

"Maybe…" Harry didn't really know how to answer that. It was true, he somehow seemed less excited than the others. Maybe it was because he didn't have someone to go home too. But he never had to see the Dursleys again. That at least made him happy. Suddenly his eyes caught sight of a family of blondes and indeed the Malfoys were leaving the Hogwarts grounds with their son a few steps behind. He was looking around and Harry hated himself for hoping he was the one the blond boy was looking for.

"Have you ever heard of Karen the Whisperer?" Luna asked out of nowhere.

"Name reminds me of something… is she one of the ghosts?"

"No," Luna shook her blond curls. "-But she does have a statue on the sixth floor."

Being used to Lunas weird antics he waited for her to explain.

"She was a witch in the eighteen hundred who fell in love with a dying man. Fearing for her life without him she turned to dark magic and on his deathbed, she turned him into an inferius. The second he woke up, he saw her and killed her."

Luna kept the mystique smile on her face even as Harry looked slightly grossed out.

"Okay…"

"People do stupid things when they are in love. Karen turned to dark magic at the hope of keeping her lover, even if she knew the chance of her getting hurt, was greater."

Harry snorted. "I bet the man wasn't exactly fine with being turned to a monster-looking death creature. Perhaps he would rather had remained dead, had she thought of that?"

"Probably not." Luna agreed. "Who knows? Maybe she hoped he felt the same as she did; That the risk was well worth the outcome. Perhaps he would see she had only done it out of love even if he didn't agree with her plan."

Understanding why Luna was telling him the story, Harry continued to argue.

"Still, she could have told him." He grumbled.

Luna was silent for some time before nodding; "Yes, they should talk about it."

Feeling tired all of a sudden, Harry didn't bother to correct her, and the pair stood together in comfortable silence, watching as more and more families disappeared through the gates of Hogwarts.

Oh merlin…. It's over! An era has ended *crying*

But thank goodness we are still going to follow the characters outside of Hogwarts. Let's see where our favorite pairs are heading in the next chapters.

Thank you for all the support this story has gathered! I'm so grateful for every review, even a simple 'good story' has truly made my day.