PROLOGUE: TEN YEARS AGO.



"…and so," concluded Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "I wish these young witches and wizards only the best in whatever they endeavor to undertake now that they have graduated from the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world! Congratulations class!"

The students all cheered, and Harry felt himself smile slightly with pride. For awhile it had seemed like he wouldn't graduate, and if it hadn't been for Hermoine's help with studying he was pretty sure he wouldn't. Professor McGonagall had assured him they could come to some special arrangements considering the circumstances (Harry had been involved in a fight to the death with his arch-enemy Lord Voldemort), but Harry had insisted he didn't want any special help, he had to graduate the same way as everyone else. So many nights cramming in the Gryfindor common room had followed, until Harry was sure his head would drop off from being so crammed full of knowledge. But in the end he had graduated, albeit not at the top of his class, and he felt justifiably proud of this achievement. He had led the house Quidditch team to the championship again, and had even been offered position training with the Cannons, his and his best friend Ron's favorite team. He felt himself being tapped on the shoulder, and turned around quickly, slightly jumpy. It was Hermoine, who was looking unusually glum for someone who had just been awarded the BAT (Best Achievement in Transfiguration), the MOP (Master of Potions), the HAMS (Highest Achievement in Muggle Studies) and named valedictorian of the class.

"Oh Harry, I'm sorry, I forgot, I didn't mean to startle you." She said.

Harry forced a grin. "Sorry Hermonie, it's my fault for being so jumpy. I'm more jumpy then one of those jumping whupnots Fred and George breed the other year!"

"I was just thinking Harry, it might be awhile before we all see each other again, with me off to Romania for my DOW (Doctor of Witchcraft) in vampires and Ron joining the ministry, and you…well Harry, you know you really should give some thought to your future- running off to visit Sirius is all very well and good, but every young wizard or witch needs something stable in their life- I'm sure Mr. Fudge would be more than happy to give you a job at the ministry-"

"Is she lecturing you again Harry?" Ron asked, coming up and smiling fondly at Hermoine. Whilst Harry was his best friend in the whole world he and Hermoine had a very special relationship too.

"It's for his own good!" Hermoine protested, her face turning slightly red at Ron's criticism.

"Can't we just enjoy the celebrations and not think about things like work?" Ron asked.

"Very well- but the point which I was trying to make was that we should make a pact to stay in tact. After all the adventures we've had at Hogwarts, and all…well I'll miss you both." Hermoine said.

"Of course we'll stay in touch Hermoine. You and Ron are my best friends. Apart from Sirius you're really all I have in this world. I don't think the Dursleys count somehow." Harry assured her, grinning wryly.

Ron smirked. "Did you see the look on your Uncle's face when he got the personal invitation to the graduation ceremony and feast?" He asked. Graduating students at Hogwarts all got to see the looks on the faces of their relatives when they were personally visited by Dumbledore with the invitation and a camera (of course this was no ordinary muggle camera, and so the pictures moved and talked!). Harry had to laugh, although at the time he had been much embarrassed by his Uncle's carrying on about "crackpot freaks" and "laughing stock of the entire family", especially when Draco Malfoy had made it all worse by enacting elaborate impressions of Harry's family.

"OI HARRY, RON, HERMOINE! You better come over here before these gorg tarts disappear into oblivion." Yelled one of Ron's elder brother's, Fred.

"Oblivion?" Hermonie muttered.

"I think he means his and George's fat gob!" Ron explained.

"On that note, lets go join the feast before it's too late!" Harry said, and he linked his arms through his two best friends, and they headed for the feast in the dining room. He felt as if finally his life was complete. Maybe he didn't know what he would do now, but it didn't bother him. Life would work out, he was young and carefree, and had two friends who had stuck by him through thick and thin, and would always be there for him. Suddenly he noticed Hagrid, Hogwarts gamekeeper beckoning to him, and he stopped and removed his arms from his friends.

"You two go on without me, there's someone I want to say a special goodbye to." Harry said.

Hermoine glanced over at Hagrid and then smiled. Whilst the giant gamekeeper was a friend to all three, him and Harry had a special connection.

"Righto Harry." Ron agreed. "We'll try to save you some of the mudcake, but you know it's Neville's favorite so it might be a bit hard….."

"Hello Hagrid." Harry said, looking up at the tall man. "I didn't notice you at the ceremony."

"Well I was tryin' to keep in the backgroun' a bit. People, like Malfoy, don't really like me bein' here and all, especially after that incident with Snape." Hagrid said.

Harry nodded slowly, he recalled the argument between Hagrid and Serevus Snape (their dark arts teacher, and also one of Harry's least favourite people, a favor which Snape returned heartily!), when Hagrid had whipped out the old umbrella which concealed his wand, and turned Snape a bright purple color, which took five days to disappear! In Harry's opinion, and indeed most of the Gryfindor members, Snape had deserved everything he got and the bright purple color had enhanced his looks greatly, but considering Hagrid had been expelled before he could even finish at Hogwarts it had been a bit of a scandal, with many people, such as Lucius Malfoy (Draco's father) calling for his sacking. Dumbledore, however, was having none of that. He trusted Hagrid inexplicably, and was not prepared to lose him.

"I guess not…" He said.

"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I'm mighty proud of ya Harry, ya've done Hogwarts proud and even every member of the witch and wizardy community….don't forget ya're ol' friend now, will ya?" Hagrid said.

Harry was amazed to see a tear in the corner of the giant man's eye, and he impulsively reached up and hugged him. "Not a chance Hagrid." He promised.

Hagrid smiled, slightly embarrassed. "Ah well, ya better get to the feast before you miss out completely."

"Righto Hagrid." Harry said, and he gave him one last smile, before hurrying up to the castle, his robes flapping behind him as he ran. When he walked into the dining hall he noticed a few people turn to smile at him. The famous Harry Potter had become one of Hogwarts most well known, and well respected graduates, and Harry was pretty sure life would be great from now on.. Life would work out, he was young and carefree, and had two friends who had stuck by him through thick and thin, and would always be there for him……