Chapter 19: Graduation
When Harry opened his eyes he immediately felt like the world was coming to an end. Everything that he'd been dreading poured onto him. It was his last day at Hogwarts, the train left tomorrow morning, and he would never come back as a student....never. He sighed and pulled himself up. He was shocked to see three people sitting on the couches not to far away. He stood up and walked towards his friends. Hermionie was resting her head on Ron's shoulder, silent tears running down her face. Draco was running his hands distractedly through his hair, looking upset and nervous all the same. Ron just looked like he had just heard someone say Dumbledore had been permanently turned into a toilet. Harry sighed and sunk into the chair beside Ron.
"Can you believe it?"
Hermionie choked, sniffling
"We're leaving tomorrow"
The group nodded and no one said anything else. Hermionie continued to cry. Harry left and got changed into his robes then returned
"Lets go to breakfast"
He muttered, taking Hermionie's arm and leading her out of the room. They were surprised to see Neville waiting just outside. Ron, Harry, and Hermionie stopped to talk to him and Draco went ahead, saying he better go spend some time with his graduating class. They talked long enough to calm Hermionie down. The four linked arms and started their way towards the great hall, being the only four Gryffindor seventh years that survived. When they entered every student was there. Everyone turned to look at them. Mcgonagall seemed to be close to tears as she stared the four of them, standing there, looking like this days was the last of their lives, when it was only the beginning. Harry sighed and took a seat at the table, his friends sitting around them. Ginny was already there, chatting away with all the other sixth years, sending random glances at Harry. The four of them ate their breakfast slowly, hoping it would just drag out the day. It didn't. In what seemed like minutes Dumbledore dismissed breakfast. Harry didn't move from the table. All the students cleared out except for the 4 Gryffindor seventh years, 6 Hufflepuffs, 8 Ravenclaws and 7 Slytherin. They didn't leave their tables, they didn't move, they just sat there, heads bowed. This was supposed to be a happy day, they'd face the world now, and most of them were thrilled. Harry wasn't, not in the slightest. He didn't want to face the world. He'd faced a lot of things, and most things he'd faced alone, and the world was one of those he didn't want to face. Suddenly Harry heard someone sit down in front of him. He looked up. All the Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws had moved tables, now sitting with the Gryffindors. Harry grinned and Justin Flinch-Fletchy stood up
"Hey, we may not have liked each other to much in school, no matter what bloody house we're from...but I sure as hell promise to keep in contact"
He said, his eyes sweeping over his fellow seventh years. Harry smiled
"Me too"
He said
"Me three"
Susan Bones piped, grinning broadly. Some students whom Harry had never really talked to began smiling at him and writing their addresses on napkins. By the end he had the addresses from Terry Boot, Susan Bones, Justin Flinch-Fletchy, Padma Patil, Eddie Macmillan, Hannah Abbot, Mandy Brocklehurt, Morag McDougal, Sally-Anne Perks, Lisa Turpin, Blaise Zambini, even Pansy Parkison and Millecent Bullstroad. ((Ok, all these characters are real, I got them from the books!)) It felt weird, after seven years, for the first time, all four houses were sitting and chatting, giving away addresses and planning on meeting up. Harry of course had Hermionie, Ron, and Draco's, but they wrote theirs down to, just because. Harry wrote Lupins address down, saying he'd be staying there until he got his own flat. When he did, he'd send them all an owl letting them know. Harry glanced at Dumbledore while he was writing his address down for Lisa Turpin. He had the proudest smile on his face, like nothing Harry had ever seen. Mcgonagall seemed to be in shock, as did Snape who was staring at them, mouth hanging open. Flitwick seemed thrilled. Eventually the group made their way outside. They all sat by the lake talking and laughing. After about thirty minutes Harry stood up and walked to the edge of the lake, tossing rocks lazily into it. Hannah Abbot walked up beside him
"Bored?"
"Hardly, you?"
"Very"
"Really?"
Harry asked, a smile creeping onto his face
"Yea- oh no, no, NO!"
Harry grabbed Hannah and launched her into the lake. She screamed and went under, surfacing moments later, glaring at Harry. All the seventh years laughed. Harry and Ron began pulling everyone in. Hannah eventually got Harry in the water. Then they all teamed up on Neville who was putting up the biggest fight. Soon they were all soaked to the bone, wading in the water, splashing each other randomly. Harry was floating on his back, staring up at the blue sky, a content smile on his face. Hermionie swam up to him
"You're really going to miss it aren't you"
"Like I miss yesterday"
Hermionie sighed
"We'll be back you know"
"Yeah, but it will never be the same...I feel like I'm leaving home for the first time...leaving a place I've grown up in. Even though I've spent more of my life at the Dursley's, Hogwarts is different"
"I know, but look on the bright side...now you can break the rules and NOT get detention out of it"
Harry had to laugh at her sad attempt at humor
"Right you are Hermionie"
Mcgonagall appeared only moments later, urging them all to go get ready for graduation was going to start in three hours.
"Spastic"
Ron muttered, shaking himself off
"Bloody Loony"
Eddie Macmillan added
"How long does she expect us to take?"
Neville asked, squeezing water from his robes
"Three hours?"
Hannah muttered. They all chuckled
"Adults are so jumpy"
Justin added
"They think just because we're teenagers we have no responsibility"
Draco said, rolling his eyes
"Some of us don't"
Pansy muttered, throwing Draco a dirty look. He smiled at her
"Why thank you Pansy"
The group laughed again
"And we never did this before, why?
Terry Boot asked
"Because we're stupid"
Susan Bones said
"Crazy"
"Opinionated"
"Did I mention we're stupid"
"Air heads"
"Loony's"
Harry rolled his eyes as he listened to the group of them talk. They re- entered the great hall only to have Filch chew them out from dripping water all over the place. They all went back to their common rooms, or it Harry's case, his room and took showers. He changed quickly and went into the Gryffindor common room. Hermionie and Ron weren't down yet, but Ginny was sitting in the corner, reading a book.
"Hey Gin"
Harry said, sitting beside her
"Hey Harry, are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine"
Ginny grinned
"I'm glad"
She said, going back to her book
"What are you reading?"
Harry asked. Ginny, still reading lifted the cover so Harry could see. Animagus. Harry smiled
"Want to become an Animagus?"
"Yep, that's my seventh year goal, be an animagus before next years graduation"
Harry chuckled
"Don't become anything that eats dog"
Ginny smiled
"I don't think I really have a choice"
She closed the book
"So, do you have your speech ready?"
"Yeah, I do"
"My family is so excited to see Ron graduate, they were convinced after your second year that neither of you would live till seventh year"
Harry grinned
"I was too"
Ginny giggled
"But you did it"
"Yes I did"
Harry sighed
"Who's coming to watch you graduate?"
She asked
"Daniel, Sirius, Laura, Cassi and Lupin..."
Harry muttered, looking at her.
"Your family"
"All I have left"
They went silent. Ginny went back to reading and Neville showed up, followed closely by Hermionie
"Where is Ron?"
"He's still getting ready, I swear, that boy has gotten more and more vein as the years pass"
Neville said. Harry snorted
"Ron was always vein"
"I heard that"
Ron grunted, taking a seat beside Harry
"I am not vein"
"All right Ron"
Harry said
"Whatever you say"
Hermionie added. Ron glared at her
"You know what I just realized"
He said
"What?"
"Malfoy has no family to see him graduate. His father killed his mother, and well, his father is in prison"
They were all silent
"Bloody hell, I never thought about that...I was to busy thinking about me not having any family"
Harry whispered
"Poor Draco"
Hermionie muttered, sighing sadly. The group shrugged. After a moment of silence the portrait opened and Mcgonagall stepped in
"Everyone please be quiet. All seventh years, please follow me, we have to get you all ready. The rest of you, if you wish to see the graduation come to the great hall at 6 o'clock, anyone who wishes not to attend the house elves will bring you your dinner"
She nodded to the group and slowly Ron, Harry, Hermionie and Neville followed her out. They walked quietly through the halls and Harry was sure Mcgonagall looked like she was on the verge of tears. They entered the now decorated great hall and followed Mcgonagall into the room behind the teachers table. It had been enlarged, Harry recognized and all the seventh years were sitting in chairs chatting amongst themselves. Draco waved at Harry, Ron, Hermionie and Neville and they walked over. He'd been talking to Blaise Zambini and Lisa Turpin about becoming Aurors.
"Amazing"
Harry said
"What?"
"Well, think about it. Last week every house hated each other and now we're all acting like we've been best friends forever."
"Not all of us"
Draco said, looking over to the corner where a group of rather defiant Slytherins were huddled including Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott. Harry rolled his eyes
"Their idiots, plus aren't they death eaters?"
"Yeah, they are, already following in their parents foot steps. Pansy's parents also serve Voldemort, but she does not want to become one, and neither does Blaise, he never has. That means if the death eaters are after blood we'll be first on their hit list"
Draco muttered darkly
"Never fear Draco dear, we'll blow them to the moon if they come anywhere near you!"
Hannah Abbot said, joining the conversation
"Plus, all death eaters are dudderheads, I doubt they have the brains to arrange a successful attack without their Dark Lord"
Draco shrugged
"You'd be surprised how many of them aren't"
Suddenly the door opened and Dumbledore stepped in
"The ceremony will begin in a moment. You all need to watch the door. When your name appears on it you must walk out and collect your diploma then go sit down at the student table. Harry, you will when make your speech, everyone okay with that?"
They all nodded and Dumbledore left the room. They sat silently for a moment, then golden writing appeared on the door. Abbot, Hannah. Hannah stood up, smiled at her friends then left out the door. They heard Dumbledore speaking for a brief second, then the door closed. Bones, Susan, Boot, Terry, Brocklehurt, Mandy, Bullstroad, Millecent, Flinch-Fletchy, Justin, Granger, Hermionie, Longbottom, Neville, Macmillan, Eddie, McDougal, Morag, Malfoy, Draco, Parkinson, Pansy, Patil, Padma, Perks, Sally-Anne.. the names were written across the door. Harry was becoming more nervous by the second. He knew in only seconds Dumbledore would give him his ticket to adult hood. If he was in a hurry to embarrass himself he would just give the diploma back, but that was ridiculous. then the writing began again. Potter, Harry. Harry stood up slowly and walked towards the door. He opened it and walked out. The hall was packed full once again. He could the students standing with their families rather than sitting at the table. HE was happy to see Draco standing with a woman he guess was his grandmother. Dumbledore grinned and began to say things about Harry's achievement and hobbies during his seven, well, really only about six, school years. Mcgonagall handed him the diploma, smiling at him proudly. Harry took it and turned towards the crowd. Sirius, Remus, Daniel, Laura and Cassi were standing near the front, clapping enthusiastically. Harry was surprised to see that many of the Aurors and Order members that he knew had no children were there two, clapping away, obviously here to see him. Harry smiled wider and walked towards the group. He hugged Sirius, then Daniel and Remus. They all congratulated him and Sirius claimed that he would be framing the diploma. Harry laughed at this and watched as Lisa was given her diploma. He clapped for her. Then came Ron. The Weasley's who were standing only a few feet away cheered loudly. So did the group that had come to watch Harry. Ron blushed bright red and accepted his diploma quickly before running to his parents and hugging them tightly. Blaise was finally given his diploma, and the room went silent. Dumbledore smiled at the crowd
"And now, on behalf on this graduating class we have Harry Potter speaking"
Everyone clapped once again and Harry went and stood on the stage, pulling out a crumpled sheet of paper. He cleared his throat stupidly, making many people chuckle and shake their heads.
"A wise man once told me, bad things come and go. You can't stop them, you can't change them. You just have to follow through with what's been planned for you. The best thing you can do, is help out in the places you know can be helped, and try your best, nothing is ever gunna change your destiny, but in the end it will always turn out okay. I didn't understand what he meant then, in fact, I thought he was full of rubbish. Everything NEVER turned out okay for me. In my mind my life was like a never ending horror story that always ended with something bad. But now I understand what he was trying to tell me. I can't change the past, as much as I want to, I can't. These group of kids have fought and lived through times tougher than any person should have to live through. We lost our loved ones, felt helpless...but in the end, it all turned out all right. I just spent a full afternoon with all the graduating students...I have never done that before. NEVER, and I've been here a long time. The fights we fought brought us together, and I have faith that we'll all turn out just fine. My years at Hogwarts were, interesting to say the least. Something bad started up, I got wrapped up in it, nearly got myself killed, fell into a coma for a week or two, did something else death defying, got detention, got knocked out, fought the bad guys....got pulled into stuff I shouldn't know about, got in trouble, got detention, passed out...pretty continuos pattern if you ask me."
The audience laughed
"But through it all, the few of us that survived have learned to treasure what we lost, and now we won't take it for granted. Neither of the people that spoke my words did. My father told Hagrid what I just told you, and Hagrid told me. I got the best advice in my life from two of the people that meant the most to me, and what they told me really changed me, and I hope it changed you, thank you"
Harry left the stage and went to sit with Sirius and Co. Dumbledore took the stage again
"Once again I would like to say how proud I am of this group of students, they are miraculous...I am so happy I got the pleasure of teaching them, and it will be one of the hardest things to do when I have to let them go. I hope all of you know that I will see you again...If any of you ever need advice or a place to stay, don't hesitate to come to us, we'll miss you greatly, good night"
He stepped down and chatter immediately broke out
"Harry, you make some of the most beautiful speeches!"
Molly Weasley cried, hugging him tightly
"After you get back from your trip with Sirius, Remus, Daniel and Ron you must come stay at the burrow for a while."
Harry smiled
"I'd be happy to stay with you Mrs. Weasley"
"We might have to put up bars, Mr. Potter will be playing Quidditch for England!"
George cried, nudging Harry. Mrs. Weasley let out a cry of surprise
"Really dear?!"
Harry nodded
"Oh, I'm so proud!"
She hugged him again then trotted off to go talk to the other parents.
"Harry, we have to go back to Remus's to finish planning the trip. We'll pick you up tomorrow at the platform all right?"
Sirius said
"No problem Sirius"
Sirius smiled, hugged Harry then lead the group out of Hogwarts. Harry strolled through the crowd, letting random people introduce him to their parents. He met Draco Malfoy's grandmother. She was a very sweet old lady, she didn't fit the Malfoy criteria in the slightest. He also talked to Neville's grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. Abbot, Mr. and Mrs. Perks, Mr. and Mrs. Patil, and many others. They were all very nice, and very pleased to meet him. Finally the students bade their parents good-bye and returned to their common rooms. When Harry, Ron, Hermionie and Neville entered the common room all the Gryffindors were their waiting. The common room was decorated with a banner hanging there that said 'We'll miss you'. They clapped and cheered when the group entered. There was food and music. People talked and goofed around. Devon Rocky was trying to teach Ginny how to do the moon walk. Ron, Hermionie and Harry were having the time of their lives. After a while Collin stood up on a table
"Everyone"
He said, no one listened
"Hey, guys, SHUT UP!"
The music went off and everyone turned to look at him
"Thank you. As you all know it is Harry, Ron, Hermionie and Neville's last night in Gryffindor tower."
There were sad Awws and fake crying
"And well, we've never really done this for any other graduating class"
"Yeah!"
Devon cried. Everyone giggled
"But we have quite a special class leaving, so we've made something for them. Other than the fact that we're all camping out down here!"
Cheers echoed through the room
"We have a few gifts"
Collin jumped off the table and went and grabbed his book bag. He pulled out four, rather thick leather bound books. They each had one of the four's names on them. Collin gave each book to the respective person. Harry flipped his open, on the first page was a small note written in neat, loopy handwriting
~To Harry Potter, Gryffindor tower will sourly miss your happy laugh and, *cough* heroic 'aura'. It's a great loss to loose one of our best and most loyal Griffindors, come back and visit any time, we would all like to see you again. Love The Griffies~
Harry smiled at the people in the room and gave Collin a pat on the back. He flipped through the book. Pictures from every year, of everyone with little stories beneath them. Even the people Harry didn't know that well were in the book. The last three pictures are what really got him. One was them all smacking each other with pillows, the other of Ron, Hermionie and Harry in their dress robes, then the picture of everyone from Gryffindor. Harry felt tears well up in his eyes as he scanned through the book. He looked at the others. Hermionie was sobbing, Neville was crying like a baby. Ron had silent tears running down his cheeks. Everyone was looking expectantly at him. A single tear ran down Harry's cheek
"Oh hell Collin come here"
He hugged the boy tightly while everyone laughed
"You made Potter cry!"
Someone yelled and they all laughed again
"Fancy that!"
They all stayed up well into the night laughing and talking. Ron and Harry took the liberty of re-enacting many of their adventures and cursing each other with screwed up curses. Finally, at about 3 in the morning they all crawled into sleeping bags that Hermionie had conjured up and went to sleep.
~*~
The next morning Harry was shaken awake by Hermionie
"Harry, go get dressed, we have to go to breakfast then catch the train"
She whined. Harry groaned and pulled himself up. Everyone was gone mostly except for a few people who were just dragging themselves out of bed. Harry got up and left the common room. He entered his room and changed quickly, checking to make sure everything was packed. He ran to breakfast. Everyone was unusually solemn. Harry and his friends ate in silence, but ate quickly. They had 30 minutes before they were do at the train station
"I have to go say good-bye to Madam Pomphrey"
Harry said, taking off towards the hospital wing. He knocked on the door and opened it slowly. Madam Pomphrey was sitting at her desk. She looked up and smiled, walking over to him
"What is it this time Potter, kill another Dark Lord? Or maybe a basilisk?"
Harry grinned
"No, I just came to say good-bye this time"
Tears welled up in Madam Pomphrey's eyes. She leaned down and hugged Harry tightly
"Your a very good boy Harry, and I'm very proud of you. You must come back and see me, all right? Being on a Quidditch team can be dangerous, come to me with any aches or pains"
She let go and smiled at him, tears running down her face
"Run along now"
Harry smiled at her then took off back towards the Great Hall. When he entered it most people had already left. Ron, Hermionie, Draco, Neville, Hannah, Justin, Padma, and Lisa were all standing there, waiting for him. Mcgonagall and Dumbledore were waiting by the door. Harry caught up with his friends and they began file out of the hall. When Harry reached Mcgonagall she was already crying for saying good-bye to Hermionie. Harry never remembered her being this shook up at the end of the year, not with any other class. She hugged him and patted his shoulder
"Come back to visit, okay?"
She said, wiping her eyes
"I'll be back before you know if Professor"
Harry said, smiling at her. She hugged him again, then went onto tackle Ron. Harry walked up to the headmaster. Dumbledore smiled at him
"You've done well Harry, and I look forward to having your children here, hopefully they won't be as much of a handful"
Harry chuckled
"Well it all depends"
He said, shrugged. Dumbledore hugged him to
"Take care of yourself Mr. Potter, we'll see each other again soon"
Harry nodded and left the hall. He got into a carriage with Ron, Hermionie, and Neville and they rode to the train station. They climbed onto the train and went to the back compartment. Draco was already there, waiting. They sat down and waited for the train to start
"That was one of the hardest moments of my life"
Ron said
"Yeah"
Hermionie agreed
"But we'll be back, I know we will....weather it be with our own children or teaching...we'll show up eventually"
Draco chuckled
"And by then they'll want to get rid of us"
The group laughed and chatted happily all the way back to London. People came in to say good-bye and by the end they had arranged to meet up on September first of next year to have a party. When the train stopped Harry had to force himself out of it. He got outside and lifted his trunk out of the train. He put a few charms on it and shrunk it so it could fit in his pocket. With his wand in hand and trunk in his pocket he turned towards Hermionie, Neville and Draco. The only two he wouldn't be seeing till September. He hugged Hermionie tightly and kissed her on the cheek
"We'll owl you all through the summer, then send you word on the party, all right?"
"Deal"
Hermionie said, moving onto Ron. Harry hugged Draco and Neville
"I'll get both of you tickets to my first Quidditch game!"
He said grinning
"Who knows, maybe someone will notice you and stick you on a team with me!"
Harry cried, nudging Draco. Draco laughed
"Not in this life time Potter, I'll see you"
Harry smiled, put his wand in his pocket the left through the barrier. Sirius, Remus, and Daniel stood waiting, waving at him energetically. Maybe this won't be so bad He thought, before running to them and apparating to Remus's flat.
((And there's another chapter! It's not the last one, there will be one more, maybe two! Tell me, I'm gunna write a sequel, should it be right after they graduated or like 15 years later after Hogwarts, when they're married with children. I'll write both, I know I will, just in what order? Ideas please! Thanks, please review! ~ Kay))
When Harry opened his eyes he immediately felt like the world was coming to an end. Everything that he'd been dreading poured onto him. It was his last day at Hogwarts, the train left tomorrow morning, and he would never come back as a student....never. He sighed and pulled himself up. He was shocked to see three people sitting on the couches not to far away. He stood up and walked towards his friends. Hermionie was resting her head on Ron's shoulder, silent tears running down her face. Draco was running his hands distractedly through his hair, looking upset and nervous all the same. Ron just looked like he had just heard someone say Dumbledore had been permanently turned into a toilet. Harry sighed and sunk into the chair beside Ron.
"Can you believe it?"
Hermionie choked, sniffling
"We're leaving tomorrow"
The group nodded and no one said anything else. Hermionie continued to cry. Harry left and got changed into his robes then returned
"Lets go to breakfast"
He muttered, taking Hermionie's arm and leading her out of the room. They were surprised to see Neville waiting just outside. Ron, Harry, and Hermionie stopped to talk to him and Draco went ahead, saying he better go spend some time with his graduating class. They talked long enough to calm Hermionie down. The four linked arms and started their way towards the great hall, being the only four Gryffindor seventh years that survived. When they entered every student was there. Everyone turned to look at them. Mcgonagall seemed to be close to tears as she stared the four of them, standing there, looking like this days was the last of their lives, when it was only the beginning. Harry sighed and took a seat at the table, his friends sitting around them. Ginny was already there, chatting away with all the other sixth years, sending random glances at Harry. The four of them ate their breakfast slowly, hoping it would just drag out the day. It didn't. In what seemed like minutes Dumbledore dismissed breakfast. Harry didn't move from the table. All the students cleared out except for the 4 Gryffindor seventh years, 6 Hufflepuffs, 8 Ravenclaws and 7 Slytherin. They didn't leave their tables, they didn't move, they just sat there, heads bowed. This was supposed to be a happy day, they'd face the world now, and most of them were thrilled. Harry wasn't, not in the slightest. He didn't want to face the world. He'd faced a lot of things, and most things he'd faced alone, and the world was one of those he didn't want to face. Suddenly Harry heard someone sit down in front of him. He looked up. All the Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws had moved tables, now sitting with the Gryffindors. Harry grinned and Justin Flinch-Fletchy stood up
"Hey, we may not have liked each other to much in school, no matter what bloody house we're from...but I sure as hell promise to keep in contact"
He said, his eyes sweeping over his fellow seventh years. Harry smiled
"Me too"
He said
"Me three"
Susan Bones piped, grinning broadly. Some students whom Harry had never really talked to began smiling at him and writing their addresses on napkins. By the end he had the addresses from Terry Boot, Susan Bones, Justin Flinch-Fletchy, Padma Patil, Eddie Macmillan, Hannah Abbot, Mandy Brocklehurt, Morag McDougal, Sally-Anne Perks, Lisa Turpin, Blaise Zambini, even Pansy Parkison and Millecent Bullstroad. ((Ok, all these characters are real, I got them from the books!)) It felt weird, after seven years, for the first time, all four houses were sitting and chatting, giving away addresses and planning on meeting up. Harry of course had Hermionie, Ron, and Draco's, but they wrote theirs down to, just because. Harry wrote Lupins address down, saying he'd be staying there until he got his own flat. When he did, he'd send them all an owl letting them know. Harry glanced at Dumbledore while he was writing his address down for Lisa Turpin. He had the proudest smile on his face, like nothing Harry had ever seen. Mcgonagall seemed to be in shock, as did Snape who was staring at them, mouth hanging open. Flitwick seemed thrilled. Eventually the group made their way outside. They all sat by the lake talking and laughing. After about thirty minutes Harry stood up and walked to the edge of the lake, tossing rocks lazily into it. Hannah Abbot walked up beside him
"Bored?"
"Hardly, you?"
"Very"
"Really?"
Harry asked, a smile creeping onto his face
"Yea- oh no, no, NO!"
Harry grabbed Hannah and launched her into the lake. She screamed and went under, surfacing moments later, glaring at Harry. All the seventh years laughed. Harry and Ron began pulling everyone in. Hannah eventually got Harry in the water. Then they all teamed up on Neville who was putting up the biggest fight. Soon they were all soaked to the bone, wading in the water, splashing each other randomly. Harry was floating on his back, staring up at the blue sky, a content smile on his face. Hermionie swam up to him
"You're really going to miss it aren't you"
"Like I miss yesterday"
Hermionie sighed
"We'll be back you know"
"Yeah, but it will never be the same...I feel like I'm leaving home for the first time...leaving a place I've grown up in. Even though I've spent more of my life at the Dursley's, Hogwarts is different"
"I know, but look on the bright side...now you can break the rules and NOT get detention out of it"
Harry had to laugh at her sad attempt at humor
"Right you are Hermionie"
Mcgonagall appeared only moments later, urging them all to go get ready for graduation was going to start in three hours.
"Spastic"
Ron muttered, shaking himself off
"Bloody Loony"
Eddie Macmillan added
"How long does she expect us to take?"
Neville asked, squeezing water from his robes
"Three hours?"
Hannah muttered. They all chuckled
"Adults are so jumpy"
Justin added
"They think just because we're teenagers we have no responsibility"
Draco said, rolling his eyes
"Some of us don't"
Pansy muttered, throwing Draco a dirty look. He smiled at her
"Why thank you Pansy"
The group laughed again
"And we never did this before, why?
Terry Boot asked
"Because we're stupid"
Susan Bones said
"Crazy"
"Opinionated"
"Did I mention we're stupid"
"Air heads"
"Loony's"
Harry rolled his eyes as he listened to the group of them talk. They re- entered the great hall only to have Filch chew them out from dripping water all over the place. They all went back to their common rooms, or it Harry's case, his room and took showers. He changed quickly and went into the Gryffindor common room. Hermionie and Ron weren't down yet, but Ginny was sitting in the corner, reading a book.
"Hey Gin"
Harry said, sitting beside her
"Hey Harry, are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine"
Ginny grinned
"I'm glad"
She said, going back to her book
"What are you reading?"
Harry asked. Ginny, still reading lifted the cover so Harry could see. Animagus. Harry smiled
"Want to become an Animagus?"
"Yep, that's my seventh year goal, be an animagus before next years graduation"
Harry chuckled
"Don't become anything that eats dog"
Ginny smiled
"I don't think I really have a choice"
She closed the book
"So, do you have your speech ready?"
"Yeah, I do"
"My family is so excited to see Ron graduate, they were convinced after your second year that neither of you would live till seventh year"
Harry grinned
"I was too"
Ginny giggled
"But you did it"
"Yes I did"
Harry sighed
"Who's coming to watch you graduate?"
She asked
"Daniel, Sirius, Laura, Cassi and Lupin..."
Harry muttered, looking at her.
"Your family"
"All I have left"
They went silent. Ginny went back to reading and Neville showed up, followed closely by Hermionie
"Where is Ron?"
"He's still getting ready, I swear, that boy has gotten more and more vein as the years pass"
Neville said. Harry snorted
"Ron was always vein"
"I heard that"
Ron grunted, taking a seat beside Harry
"I am not vein"
"All right Ron"
Harry said
"Whatever you say"
Hermionie added. Ron glared at her
"You know what I just realized"
He said
"What?"
"Malfoy has no family to see him graduate. His father killed his mother, and well, his father is in prison"
They were all silent
"Bloody hell, I never thought about that...I was to busy thinking about me not having any family"
Harry whispered
"Poor Draco"
Hermionie muttered, sighing sadly. The group shrugged. After a moment of silence the portrait opened and Mcgonagall stepped in
"Everyone please be quiet. All seventh years, please follow me, we have to get you all ready. The rest of you, if you wish to see the graduation come to the great hall at 6 o'clock, anyone who wishes not to attend the house elves will bring you your dinner"
She nodded to the group and slowly Ron, Harry, Hermionie and Neville followed her out. They walked quietly through the halls and Harry was sure Mcgonagall looked like she was on the verge of tears. They entered the now decorated great hall and followed Mcgonagall into the room behind the teachers table. It had been enlarged, Harry recognized and all the seventh years were sitting in chairs chatting amongst themselves. Draco waved at Harry, Ron, Hermionie and Neville and they walked over. He'd been talking to Blaise Zambini and Lisa Turpin about becoming Aurors.
"Amazing"
Harry said
"What?"
"Well, think about it. Last week every house hated each other and now we're all acting like we've been best friends forever."
"Not all of us"
Draco said, looking over to the corner where a group of rather defiant Slytherins were huddled including Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott. Harry rolled his eyes
"Their idiots, plus aren't they death eaters?"
"Yeah, they are, already following in their parents foot steps. Pansy's parents also serve Voldemort, but she does not want to become one, and neither does Blaise, he never has. That means if the death eaters are after blood we'll be first on their hit list"
Draco muttered darkly
"Never fear Draco dear, we'll blow them to the moon if they come anywhere near you!"
Hannah Abbot said, joining the conversation
"Plus, all death eaters are dudderheads, I doubt they have the brains to arrange a successful attack without their Dark Lord"
Draco shrugged
"You'd be surprised how many of them aren't"
Suddenly the door opened and Dumbledore stepped in
"The ceremony will begin in a moment. You all need to watch the door. When your name appears on it you must walk out and collect your diploma then go sit down at the student table. Harry, you will when make your speech, everyone okay with that?"
They all nodded and Dumbledore left the room. They sat silently for a moment, then golden writing appeared on the door. Abbot, Hannah. Hannah stood up, smiled at her friends then left out the door. They heard Dumbledore speaking for a brief second, then the door closed. Bones, Susan, Boot, Terry, Brocklehurt, Mandy, Bullstroad, Millecent, Flinch-Fletchy, Justin, Granger, Hermionie, Longbottom, Neville, Macmillan, Eddie, McDougal, Morag, Malfoy, Draco, Parkinson, Pansy, Patil, Padma, Perks, Sally-Anne.. the names were written across the door. Harry was becoming more nervous by the second. He knew in only seconds Dumbledore would give him his ticket to adult hood. If he was in a hurry to embarrass himself he would just give the diploma back, but that was ridiculous. then the writing began again. Potter, Harry. Harry stood up slowly and walked towards the door. He opened it and walked out. The hall was packed full once again. He could the students standing with their families rather than sitting at the table. HE was happy to see Draco standing with a woman he guess was his grandmother. Dumbledore grinned and began to say things about Harry's achievement and hobbies during his seven, well, really only about six, school years. Mcgonagall handed him the diploma, smiling at him proudly. Harry took it and turned towards the crowd. Sirius, Remus, Daniel, Laura and Cassi were standing near the front, clapping enthusiastically. Harry was surprised to see that many of the Aurors and Order members that he knew had no children were there two, clapping away, obviously here to see him. Harry smiled wider and walked towards the group. He hugged Sirius, then Daniel and Remus. They all congratulated him and Sirius claimed that he would be framing the diploma. Harry laughed at this and watched as Lisa was given her diploma. He clapped for her. Then came Ron. The Weasley's who were standing only a few feet away cheered loudly. So did the group that had come to watch Harry. Ron blushed bright red and accepted his diploma quickly before running to his parents and hugging them tightly. Blaise was finally given his diploma, and the room went silent. Dumbledore smiled at the crowd
"And now, on behalf on this graduating class we have Harry Potter speaking"
Everyone clapped once again and Harry went and stood on the stage, pulling out a crumpled sheet of paper. He cleared his throat stupidly, making many people chuckle and shake their heads.
"A wise man once told me, bad things come and go. You can't stop them, you can't change them. You just have to follow through with what's been planned for you. The best thing you can do, is help out in the places you know can be helped, and try your best, nothing is ever gunna change your destiny, but in the end it will always turn out okay. I didn't understand what he meant then, in fact, I thought he was full of rubbish. Everything NEVER turned out okay for me. In my mind my life was like a never ending horror story that always ended with something bad. But now I understand what he was trying to tell me. I can't change the past, as much as I want to, I can't. These group of kids have fought and lived through times tougher than any person should have to live through. We lost our loved ones, felt helpless...but in the end, it all turned out all right. I just spent a full afternoon with all the graduating students...I have never done that before. NEVER, and I've been here a long time. The fights we fought brought us together, and I have faith that we'll all turn out just fine. My years at Hogwarts were, interesting to say the least. Something bad started up, I got wrapped up in it, nearly got myself killed, fell into a coma for a week or two, did something else death defying, got detention, got knocked out, fought the bad guys....got pulled into stuff I shouldn't know about, got in trouble, got detention, passed out...pretty continuos pattern if you ask me."
The audience laughed
"But through it all, the few of us that survived have learned to treasure what we lost, and now we won't take it for granted. Neither of the people that spoke my words did. My father told Hagrid what I just told you, and Hagrid told me. I got the best advice in my life from two of the people that meant the most to me, and what they told me really changed me, and I hope it changed you, thank you"
Harry left the stage and went to sit with Sirius and Co. Dumbledore took the stage again
"Once again I would like to say how proud I am of this group of students, they are miraculous...I am so happy I got the pleasure of teaching them, and it will be one of the hardest things to do when I have to let them go. I hope all of you know that I will see you again...If any of you ever need advice or a place to stay, don't hesitate to come to us, we'll miss you greatly, good night"
He stepped down and chatter immediately broke out
"Harry, you make some of the most beautiful speeches!"
Molly Weasley cried, hugging him tightly
"After you get back from your trip with Sirius, Remus, Daniel and Ron you must come stay at the burrow for a while."
Harry smiled
"I'd be happy to stay with you Mrs. Weasley"
"We might have to put up bars, Mr. Potter will be playing Quidditch for England!"
George cried, nudging Harry. Mrs. Weasley let out a cry of surprise
"Really dear?!"
Harry nodded
"Oh, I'm so proud!"
She hugged him again then trotted off to go talk to the other parents.
"Harry, we have to go back to Remus's to finish planning the trip. We'll pick you up tomorrow at the platform all right?"
Sirius said
"No problem Sirius"
Sirius smiled, hugged Harry then lead the group out of Hogwarts. Harry strolled through the crowd, letting random people introduce him to their parents. He met Draco Malfoy's grandmother. She was a very sweet old lady, she didn't fit the Malfoy criteria in the slightest. He also talked to Neville's grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. Abbot, Mr. and Mrs. Perks, Mr. and Mrs. Patil, and many others. They were all very nice, and very pleased to meet him. Finally the students bade their parents good-bye and returned to their common rooms. When Harry, Ron, Hermionie and Neville entered the common room all the Gryffindors were their waiting. The common room was decorated with a banner hanging there that said 'We'll miss you'. They clapped and cheered when the group entered. There was food and music. People talked and goofed around. Devon Rocky was trying to teach Ginny how to do the moon walk. Ron, Hermionie and Harry were having the time of their lives. After a while Collin stood up on a table
"Everyone"
He said, no one listened
"Hey, guys, SHUT UP!"
The music went off and everyone turned to look at him
"Thank you. As you all know it is Harry, Ron, Hermionie and Neville's last night in Gryffindor tower."
There were sad Awws and fake crying
"And well, we've never really done this for any other graduating class"
"Yeah!"
Devon cried. Everyone giggled
"But we have quite a special class leaving, so we've made something for them. Other than the fact that we're all camping out down here!"
Cheers echoed through the room
"We have a few gifts"
Collin jumped off the table and went and grabbed his book bag. He pulled out four, rather thick leather bound books. They each had one of the four's names on them. Collin gave each book to the respective person. Harry flipped his open, on the first page was a small note written in neat, loopy handwriting
~To Harry Potter, Gryffindor tower will sourly miss your happy laugh and, *cough* heroic 'aura'. It's a great loss to loose one of our best and most loyal Griffindors, come back and visit any time, we would all like to see you again. Love The Griffies~
Harry smiled at the people in the room and gave Collin a pat on the back. He flipped through the book. Pictures from every year, of everyone with little stories beneath them. Even the people Harry didn't know that well were in the book. The last three pictures are what really got him. One was them all smacking each other with pillows, the other of Ron, Hermionie and Harry in their dress robes, then the picture of everyone from Gryffindor. Harry felt tears well up in his eyes as he scanned through the book. He looked at the others. Hermionie was sobbing, Neville was crying like a baby. Ron had silent tears running down his cheeks. Everyone was looking expectantly at him. A single tear ran down Harry's cheek
"Oh hell Collin come here"
He hugged the boy tightly while everyone laughed
"You made Potter cry!"
Someone yelled and they all laughed again
"Fancy that!"
They all stayed up well into the night laughing and talking. Ron and Harry took the liberty of re-enacting many of their adventures and cursing each other with screwed up curses. Finally, at about 3 in the morning they all crawled into sleeping bags that Hermionie had conjured up and went to sleep.
~*~
The next morning Harry was shaken awake by Hermionie
"Harry, go get dressed, we have to go to breakfast then catch the train"
She whined. Harry groaned and pulled himself up. Everyone was gone mostly except for a few people who were just dragging themselves out of bed. Harry got up and left the common room. He entered his room and changed quickly, checking to make sure everything was packed. He ran to breakfast. Everyone was unusually solemn. Harry and his friends ate in silence, but ate quickly. They had 30 minutes before they were do at the train station
"I have to go say good-bye to Madam Pomphrey"
Harry said, taking off towards the hospital wing. He knocked on the door and opened it slowly. Madam Pomphrey was sitting at her desk. She looked up and smiled, walking over to him
"What is it this time Potter, kill another Dark Lord? Or maybe a basilisk?"
Harry grinned
"No, I just came to say good-bye this time"
Tears welled up in Madam Pomphrey's eyes. She leaned down and hugged Harry tightly
"Your a very good boy Harry, and I'm very proud of you. You must come back and see me, all right? Being on a Quidditch team can be dangerous, come to me with any aches or pains"
She let go and smiled at him, tears running down her face
"Run along now"
Harry smiled at her then took off back towards the Great Hall. When he entered it most people had already left. Ron, Hermionie, Draco, Neville, Hannah, Justin, Padma, and Lisa were all standing there, waiting for him. Mcgonagall and Dumbledore were waiting by the door. Harry caught up with his friends and they began file out of the hall. When Harry reached Mcgonagall she was already crying for saying good-bye to Hermionie. Harry never remembered her being this shook up at the end of the year, not with any other class. She hugged him and patted his shoulder
"Come back to visit, okay?"
She said, wiping her eyes
"I'll be back before you know if Professor"
Harry said, smiling at her. She hugged him again, then went onto tackle Ron. Harry walked up to the headmaster. Dumbledore smiled at him
"You've done well Harry, and I look forward to having your children here, hopefully they won't be as much of a handful"
Harry chuckled
"Well it all depends"
He said, shrugged. Dumbledore hugged him to
"Take care of yourself Mr. Potter, we'll see each other again soon"
Harry nodded and left the hall. He got into a carriage with Ron, Hermionie, and Neville and they rode to the train station. They climbed onto the train and went to the back compartment. Draco was already there, waiting. They sat down and waited for the train to start
"That was one of the hardest moments of my life"
Ron said
"Yeah"
Hermionie agreed
"But we'll be back, I know we will....weather it be with our own children or teaching...we'll show up eventually"
Draco chuckled
"And by then they'll want to get rid of us"
The group laughed and chatted happily all the way back to London. People came in to say good-bye and by the end they had arranged to meet up on September first of next year to have a party. When the train stopped Harry had to force himself out of it. He got outside and lifted his trunk out of the train. He put a few charms on it and shrunk it so it could fit in his pocket. With his wand in hand and trunk in his pocket he turned towards Hermionie, Neville and Draco. The only two he wouldn't be seeing till September. He hugged Hermionie tightly and kissed her on the cheek
"We'll owl you all through the summer, then send you word on the party, all right?"
"Deal"
Hermionie said, moving onto Ron. Harry hugged Draco and Neville
"I'll get both of you tickets to my first Quidditch game!"
He said grinning
"Who knows, maybe someone will notice you and stick you on a team with me!"
Harry cried, nudging Draco. Draco laughed
"Not in this life time Potter, I'll see you"
Harry smiled, put his wand in his pocket the left through the barrier. Sirius, Remus, and Daniel stood waiting, waving at him energetically. Maybe this won't be so bad He thought, before running to them and apparating to Remus's flat.
((And there's another chapter! It's not the last one, there will be one more, maybe two! Tell me, I'm gunna write a sequel, should it be right after they graduated or like 15 years later after Hogwarts, when they're married with children. I'll write both, I know I will, just in what order? Ideas please! Thanks, please review! ~ Kay))