A/N: And so here it is: it's officially the end of one crazy fic, written
by one crazy writer. But before you let you all read the ending, and
probably go off and cry (like I will), I'd like to take this opportunity to
thank each and every person that has made this production what it is.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank Amanda, my Beta reader. She was the first one to read my story, and she read the ending over the summer, and she was so helpful. Without her, this story would've been shit. I know she might not be reading this, but I thought I'd just let her know that she rocks my socks. No words can express my deepest gratitude.
Nicole: you were my first reader, and it all happened by accident. I know you might not be reading this either. You're probably waiting for me to send you those chapters of my other stories. But I also want you to know that I am truly blessed to have someone like you cheering me on during the early days of BOTC. It was rocky, but without you and Amanda, I probably would've never posted this story.
Rosh: my first official reviewer. I never though that one review could possibly develop into one cool friendship. I never got to ask you how you liked CoS. I thought it was awesome. Girly, if it weren't for you, I probably would've given up all hope, and I probably would've hated myself for being a shitty writer.
Cedar and Meg: the two of you are both wonderful writers, and I'm honored that the both of you took some time to leave me a review. I absolutely love Rondo and Forbidden Love (which, by the way, I have yet to review, and I apologize!) Thank you both.
Sneezy Mouse: Guuuuuurl, you rock. Your encouragement, and enthusiasm never ceased to make my day. You are truly a gifted writer; keep doing what you're doing, and I hope you receive many more reviews in the future because you deserve them.
Daphne: ever since you read my story, we've had something to talk about nonstop at school. I can't wait 'til you get deeper and deeper into Tragic Repeats; it has a promising beginning.
Ice Chick1205, Obsessed over flamedramon, Aahz, Mariameia, crazyme89, Dark Fairy: your reviews mean the world to me. It's true, reviews are what keep me going. Writing up reviews is so easy, yet there are people that don' take the time to do it. Even if you don't review every chapter like Rosh used to do, you actually took the time to sign just one review.
Belen, Penelope, Diana, Deb, and Elena (the REAL exchange students): it was fun while it lasted, huh? Now that we're off in our different high schools, I don't want that to mean that we all can't hang out anymore. I miss y'all so much, and our stupid conversations about Riordan and Roxie's...I miss them.
J.K. Rowling: this is getting a little farfetched now, but I think she deserves some recognition. I used to think Harry Potter was stupid, to be honest. If J.K. weren't such a good writer, I would've never gotten into the series. She will be an inspiration to me in the years to come (well, along with Jonathon Larson, but that's a different story.)
Daniel, Emma, and Rupert: well, if you all weren't so cute, I probably wouldn't have written this fic either. I mean c'mon, I base these characters after you, with your faces making all my lines come to life.
Sean Biggerstaff: thanx for being dead sexy, and an inspiration for all the Oliver scenes. Even though Ollie has graduated, you just had to be so hot, and I knew I couldn't resist writing you in, haha.
Tom Felton: you're just sexy, gosh darn it. If you weren't Draco, I probably wouldn't've cared a rat's ass about the character. But, you are Draco, so that's a different story.
To everyone else that I could've possibly forgotten to mention: thanx anyways. I hope this story makes you laugh, cry, or just make your day in general. This story is my baby, and I'm sharing it with all of you.
This'll be the last time I say it: I don't own Harry Potter.
Without anymore delay, the final chapter to Bouncing Off the Ceiling (Upside Down).
Chapter 28: The End of a Crazy Year
"Another year at Hogwarts has gone by all too quickly." The students listened attentively as Professor Dumbledore began speaking to them at the last dinner of the term. "It seemed like it was just yesterday when you all stepped off the Hogwarts Express at the beginning of the term. Our seventh years will be graduating tonight, and at the beginning of the next term, our first years will no longer be the youngsters of the school." He smiled down at the Gryffindor first years. "On to other things, there will be a change in the awarding of the House Cup. Two houses tied, and it is only fair that we celebrate the triumph of both houses, instead of one. Ravenclaw ends in last place, with three hundred twenty points. In second place we have Hufflepuff, beating Ravenclaw with three hundred ninety points. If you haven't been keeping track, the tie is between Gryffindor and Slytherin, both coming in at first with four hundred ten points." The Hogwarts banners levitating high above the tables magically changed to the colors of Slytherin and Gryffindor. It looked like they were celebrating Christmas with the scarlet of Gryffindor and green of Slytherin both on the same banner. Some banners had the Slytherin serpent, and others had the Gryffindor lion. A single banner levitating about the staff table had the Gryffindor and Slytherin house crests side by side. Did that mean the end of the Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry? "Congratulations to both houses. Let the feast begin!"
"I'm so hungry, I think I can eat a whole cow!" Ron said, his eyes lighting up when the food appeared on the table. "Pumpkin pasties! We haven't had these in forever." Ron reached for tray full of pumpkin pasties, but Hermione slapped his hand.
"You're going to spoil your dinner!" she said. Ron shrugged, and grabbed one of the pasties anyway.
"I can't believe I passed Potions." Neville piped up. He was sitting next to Hermione.
"That's just because you were paired up with Erin McAteer. Snape is afraid of her." Dean Thomas said.
"Yeah, he thought that if he gave you a failing grade, Erin would turn him into a frog again." Seamus said.
"My score for Potions this year was the highest score I've ever gotten in Potions, and I owe it all to my partner, Alina Halliwell." Alina blushed, and told him she didn't need all the credit, but Ron still urged all the Gryffindors sitting around them to give Alina a round of applauds.
"That's nothing. Hermione and I topped the class in Potions." Megan bragged.
"Shut up." Harry said, pretending he was extremely mad. He and Draco had the second highest scores in their Potions class, trailing behind Hermione and Megan.
"Maybe next year, Harry." Hermione said. Megan sniggered.
"Yeah, maybe." Harry shot her a death glare, and Megan stuck her tongue out at him.
"Cut it out." Alina said between giggles. Harry sighed before kissing her cheek.
"Whatever you say, my darling." He draped an arm over her shoulders.
"A certain blonde haired Slytherin has been staring at you since we entered the Great Hall." Penelope leaned over and whispered to Hermione. "I'm telling ya, he's only got eyes for you." Hermione's face turned a dark shade of red. "Ooh, he's got you *blushing*." Penelope teased.
"Who-OHHHHHHH!!!" Megan butted into the conversation to see why Hermione was blushing. When she stole a glimpse at the Slytherin table, she realized why. "I don't think Draco realizes that there are people trying to get through to him." Megan said, referring to Blaise Zabini, who was waving his hand and snapping his fingers in front of Draco's face to get his attention.
"Hey, look at Cho Chang!" the three girls stopped paying attention to Draco when Seamus had pointed out Cho Chang. "She looks *mad* beyond reason." Hermione, Megan, and Penelope burst out laughing at the sight of the pout on Cho's face. Megan abruptly stopped laughing, as did Penelope, but Hermione kept chuckling quietly to herself. She looked to her two friends to see why they had stopped, but when she looked up, she immediately knew why.
"Draco," she said, in a voice two pitches higher than her regular one, "what are you doing here?"
"Well, it looks as if there isn't much of a Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry anymore, and I wanted to be one of the first to celebrate it." Hermione raised her eyebrows as Megan and Penelope averted their eyes away from Draco, pretending they weren't listening to the conversation.
"Is that so? How are you going to celebrate?" Hermione asked. Draco put a hand under her chin and gently lifted her head so her eyes could meet his.
"Like this." He said before his lips met hers. Megan gasped loudly, and Penelope almost fell out of her seat in shock. Ron dropped his fork in a loud 'clang', and Alina and Harry shared a smile before they turned back to the couple. Draco pulled away from Hermione, leaving her breathless.
"You go, Hermione!" Alina exclaimed as Ron hooted in the background.
"I'll, um...see you later. I still have to pack." Draco said, flushing scarlet. He pecked at Hermione's lips before running out of the Great Hall. As soon as he did, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown pushed Neville aside to get the spots near Hermione.
"Girl, what's the deal with you and Draco Malfoy?" Parvati asked. Hermione bit her lip.
"They're dating!" Ron called out from a couple of seats down. Parvati and Lavender giggled perkily.
"Oh Merlin, you two make the cutest couple!" Lavender said as the three girls went deep into conversation.
"Now there's another happy couple for ya." Megan said before she took a bite out of Ron's pumpkin pasty.
"Am I the only one here that doesn't have a boyfriend? Jeez..." Penelope said, shaking her head. She looked over the table at Alina before getting her attention. "Hey Li, would you mind if I tried hooking up with Oliver Wood?"
******
"...I can't imagine a day without Fred and George Weasley setting off dungbombs. I can't imagine how Quidditch matches would be without Lee Jordan commentating. And I can't imagine how life would be without my two best friends, my partners in crime, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell walking with me every step of the way." In the middle of Angelina Johnson's valedictorian speech, she broke into tears. "Hogwarts has been my second home for seven years. Seven years. I watched Fred and George start out at this school as little, mischievous pranksters and grow into big, mischievous pranksters. Alicia and Katie grew with me. We shared tears, laughs, and memories." She wiped away the tears that streamed down her cheeks. "To all the seventh years that will come after us: cherish your last year here at Hogwarts. Tell all your friends how much they mean to you. Take a walk down memory lane with them, and then make more memories. Your housemates, your classmates: they're not only your friends, or enemies; they're the people that have shaped you into the person that you have become. Um...thank you." Angelina walked off the makeshift stage, and found her seat between Alicia and Katie. The three of them cried all through the rest of the graduation ceremony up until the time Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall began to hand out the diplomas.
"Two more children leaving Hogwarts, two more children." Mrs. Weasley cried as Mr. Weasley put a comforting arm around her. Ginny found she was sandwiched between her two oldest brothers, Bill and Charlie, and beside them were Percy, Ron, Megan, Alina, Harry, and Hermione.
"Frederick Weasley." Mrs. Weasley cried harder when the eldest twin was called up to receive his diploma. Charlie stood up to take Fred's picture, but Fred turned away at the flash to hide his tears. Ron stifled a laugh, and Megan nudged him in the stomach.
"George Weasley." Mrs. Weasley was now crying buckets as the younger twin walked up to the makeshift stage to receive his diploma. Charlie tried signaling George to look at the camera, but George had quickly scurried off the stage.
The ceremony ended and the students scattered around the Great Hall, looking for their parents, or taking pictures with their friends. Bill had to drag Fred and George over to their sobbing mother. Mrs. Weasley threw her arms around her twin boys, and the three of them cried. Ginny rubbed Fred's back soothingly to try and calm him down as Charlie clutched his camera in his hand, clicking away.
Ron, Megan, Alina, Harry, and Hermione tried mingling amongst the crowd, occasionally spotting a Gryffindor and giving them a hug, or a warm smile. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia had all kissed Harry, like the time when they had beaten Ravenclaw in the Quidditch match before the Finals.
"Next year, you will lead our Gryffindors to the Cup!" Katie exclaimed.
"Alina, I am so sorry!" Alicia cried as she embraced Alina. "I didn't exactly intend on the whole Winter Ball thing. I feel so horrible."
"Oh, it's okay. Don't cry!" Alina said, taking Alicia's hands in hers.
"I need to go meet up with my parents. I'll see you tomorrow on the train." Alicia said before she walked away. George silently walked up to Alina, and gave her a small smile. He wrapped his arms around Alina, and picked her up off the ground.
"I'm gonna miss you." He said. Alina blushed.
"Likewise. You were like my first official-unofficial boyfriend at Hogwarts."
"You and Megan better keep an eye on my brother. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble. Do the same for Harry." Alina nodded, "Gryffindors better win that Cup next year. We were so close this-" blinded by tears, Fred practically ran into Alina, and threw his arms around her in a bear hug.
"Little Lina, you're gonna help Harry win us that Cup, aren't you?" Fred asked as he pulled away from her, and wiped his tears away. "I must look like a big baby." He chuckled as he pulled a handkerchief out of his robes. "I still can't believe I just graduated. I thought I'd never get enough points to pass those N.E.W.T.'s."
"Oh no! We forgot to set off those dungbombs!" Fred and George gave Alina one last hug before they ran out of the Great Hall to pull their last prank as Hogwarts students. Alina stood in the crowd, looking at all the sad faces passing her by.
"You're not gonna cry now, are you?" Alina felt his hand in hers, and she turned to give him a smile.
"I hope not. Just watching them makes me think of our graduation. It's only two years from now."
"Don't remind me." Harry groaned, "I hope I won't cry at our graduation."
"You know you will. If Fred and George couldn't hold it in, I doubt you'd be able to. I can imagine you crying a river." Harry smacked her playfully on the arm.
"Okay, I'll cry. But I won't cry that much." Harry said. Alina rolled her eyes.
"Wanna make a bet?" Harry arched an eyebrow.
"I'm listening."
"You pay me ten Galleons if you end up crying buckets at graduation. I pay you ten Galleon if you don't cry, or if you don't cry as much as I had expected." She held out her other hand to him. "Deal?" Harry nodded and shook her hand.
"You've got a deal." He said with a smirk playing on his lips.
"You can't charm your eyes to keep tears from falling. That's cheating."
"Darn." He said as Alina hit his arm.
******
Harry, Alina, Ron, Megan, Penelope, Hermione, and Draco were all squished together in a compartment at the end of the Hogwarts Express. Most of them were wearing sad faces, due to the fact that they'd soon be arriving at King's Cross Station, and saying goodbye to each other at the platform.
"I can't believe you didn't ask me sooner! Charms is one of my greatest subjects, and you don't even know how many times I've used that Forget-Me-Not Charm!" Megan said as Ron pulled a piece of parchment out of his jacket pocket.
"What're you two up to?" Alina asked, her head resting on Harry's shoulder.
"Forget-Me-Not Charm for Ron's old girlfriend." Draco snorted. "What?" Megan questioned.
"The Muggle?" Draco raised his eyebrows, and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Yes, the Muggle." He sighed. He unrolled the parchment and placed it on his lap.
"So, what do you want to do? Are you going to write anything?" Ron shook his head.
"Just charm it and get it over with." He ordered.
"If you had decided on using a Forgetfulness Potion, I could've helped you there." Hermione said.
"Oh, come *off* the subject of Potions already." Harry said. Hermione smirked.
"I'm sorry. Isn't that the potion you and Draco had trouble with?" Hermione giggled.
"Hermione." Draco said sternly.
"I'm just playing, Draco." She said as she punched him playfully in the stomach.
"I hope you write back soon. Sincerely yours, Penelope Stoneriver." Penelope read the last part of her letter aloud. She folded up the piece of parchment and placed it neatly into an envelope.
"What're you up to, Penny?" Ron asked.
"Memorius!" Megan exclaimed, with the tip of her wand against the parchment on Ron's lap.
"I'm just writing a letter to Oliver Wood." Penelope said as she wrote his name on the envelope in loopy handwriting. "Lina, can I borrow Melody?" Penelope was referring to Melody, Alina's owl. Alina picked the owl cage up off the floor and held it close to her.
"You are not using Melody ever again!" she said. Penelope gave Alina her puppy dog look.
"Please, pretty, pretty, please." She begged. Alina shook her head.
"No! The last time you used her to send a letter, she was lost in Alaska for almost a week. I had to contact owl shelters all over the country, until I received a letter from an owl shelter in Alaska. They said she was found on a snowy mountain, suffering frostbite! Don't you-"
"Yes, I remember. I told you I was sorry. Now, can I borrow the owl?" Alina glared at her. Penelope stuck her tongue out at Alina, and turned to Harry. "I was the one that convinced Alina that you two were meant for each other-" Megan laughed loudly at that, "Shut up, Meg! Harry, can I please-"
"I don't want Hedwig to get frostbite. I'm sorry, Penny." Harry said. She turned to Ron.
"Hey, I'm using Pig to send that letter to Mila." He said, putting his hands up in defense. Draco sighed.
"Use Duke. Just make sure he comes back in one piece." Draco handed Penelope a cage containing his owl.
"Thank you, Draco! You're the best!" Penelope let the owl out of its cage, and she tied the envelope to Duke's legs. She opened the compartment window, and the owl flew away. The train was slowly coming to a halt, and everyone's faces grew sad.
"Let's not say goodbye." Alina said as the train came to a complete stop. The group stared at her silently, waiting for her to continue. "See you later. Let's just say, see you later. It'll only be two months 'til we see each other again." The group nodded before they picked up their things off the floor, and made their way out of the compartment, and off the train.
"Now would be a good time for you to meet my mom. She was just too hysterical yesterday." Ron said. They gave all their friends hugs, or in Ron and Draco's case, and firm handshake. With one more smile, he took Megan's hand and led her over to his mother. Draco and Hermione were the next to leave. Draco had gone to introduce Hermione to his mother.
"My daddy's here. I'll owl you as soon as I get home. You, Meg, and maybe even Hermione can sleep over at my house." Penelope suggested. Alina nodded before giving her friend a hug. Penelope gave Harry a hug, and then she was off with her father, leaving the platform.
"I wish I could say I'd like you to meet my mother, but-"
"It's okay, Harry. I'm sure she was a great woman." She said, offering him a warm smile.
"I'm sure she would've liked you." Harry said, squeezing her hand before they let go to push their carts. They left the platform, and Harry groaned when he spotted his Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley waiting nearby.
"Is that your uncle?" Harry nodded, "Who's the whale?" Harry snorted at her reference to Dudley.
"That's my cousin Dudley." Alina looked past Vernon and Dudley to see her parents waving at her.
"My parents are here." Alina said as she turned to face him. She took his hands in hers. "I'm going to miss you so much over the next two months, you can't even imagine what I'll be going through without you. I'll write you every day." Alina leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I hope that lasts you two months." He brought a hand to her cheek, and caressed it softly before she waved, and met up with her parents.
"You have a *girlfriend*?" Dudley asked in utter disgust. Harry, though, couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
"Yeah, I do." You couldn't even imagine the happiness running through Harry's veins as he said that.
Until Next Time, This is Indeed the End
First and foremost, I'd like to thank Amanda, my Beta reader. She was the first one to read my story, and she read the ending over the summer, and she was so helpful. Without her, this story would've been shit. I know she might not be reading this, but I thought I'd just let her know that she rocks my socks. No words can express my deepest gratitude.
Nicole: you were my first reader, and it all happened by accident. I know you might not be reading this either. You're probably waiting for me to send you those chapters of my other stories. But I also want you to know that I am truly blessed to have someone like you cheering me on during the early days of BOTC. It was rocky, but without you and Amanda, I probably would've never posted this story.
Rosh: my first official reviewer. I never though that one review could possibly develop into one cool friendship. I never got to ask you how you liked CoS. I thought it was awesome. Girly, if it weren't for you, I probably would've given up all hope, and I probably would've hated myself for being a shitty writer.
Cedar and Meg: the two of you are both wonderful writers, and I'm honored that the both of you took some time to leave me a review. I absolutely love Rondo and Forbidden Love (which, by the way, I have yet to review, and I apologize!) Thank you both.
Sneezy Mouse: Guuuuuurl, you rock. Your encouragement, and enthusiasm never ceased to make my day. You are truly a gifted writer; keep doing what you're doing, and I hope you receive many more reviews in the future because you deserve them.
Daphne: ever since you read my story, we've had something to talk about nonstop at school. I can't wait 'til you get deeper and deeper into Tragic Repeats; it has a promising beginning.
Ice Chick1205, Obsessed over flamedramon, Aahz, Mariameia, crazyme89, Dark Fairy: your reviews mean the world to me. It's true, reviews are what keep me going. Writing up reviews is so easy, yet there are people that don' take the time to do it. Even if you don't review every chapter like Rosh used to do, you actually took the time to sign just one review.
Belen, Penelope, Diana, Deb, and Elena (the REAL exchange students): it was fun while it lasted, huh? Now that we're off in our different high schools, I don't want that to mean that we all can't hang out anymore. I miss y'all so much, and our stupid conversations about Riordan and Roxie's...I miss them.
J.K. Rowling: this is getting a little farfetched now, but I think she deserves some recognition. I used to think Harry Potter was stupid, to be honest. If J.K. weren't such a good writer, I would've never gotten into the series. She will be an inspiration to me in the years to come (well, along with Jonathon Larson, but that's a different story.)
Daniel, Emma, and Rupert: well, if you all weren't so cute, I probably wouldn't have written this fic either. I mean c'mon, I base these characters after you, with your faces making all my lines come to life.
Sean Biggerstaff: thanx for being dead sexy, and an inspiration for all the Oliver scenes. Even though Ollie has graduated, you just had to be so hot, and I knew I couldn't resist writing you in, haha.
Tom Felton: you're just sexy, gosh darn it. If you weren't Draco, I probably wouldn't've cared a rat's ass about the character. But, you are Draco, so that's a different story.
To everyone else that I could've possibly forgotten to mention: thanx anyways. I hope this story makes you laugh, cry, or just make your day in general. This story is my baby, and I'm sharing it with all of you.
This'll be the last time I say it: I don't own Harry Potter.
Without anymore delay, the final chapter to Bouncing Off the Ceiling (Upside Down).
Chapter 28: The End of a Crazy Year
"Another year at Hogwarts has gone by all too quickly." The students listened attentively as Professor Dumbledore began speaking to them at the last dinner of the term. "It seemed like it was just yesterday when you all stepped off the Hogwarts Express at the beginning of the term. Our seventh years will be graduating tonight, and at the beginning of the next term, our first years will no longer be the youngsters of the school." He smiled down at the Gryffindor first years. "On to other things, there will be a change in the awarding of the House Cup. Two houses tied, and it is only fair that we celebrate the triumph of both houses, instead of one. Ravenclaw ends in last place, with three hundred twenty points. In second place we have Hufflepuff, beating Ravenclaw with three hundred ninety points. If you haven't been keeping track, the tie is between Gryffindor and Slytherin, both coming in at first with four hundred ten points." The Hogwarts banners levitating high above the tables magically changed to the colors of Slytherin and Gryffindor. It looked like they were celebrating Christmas with the scarlet of Gryffindor and green of Slytherin both on the same banner. Some banners had the Slytherin serpent, and others had the Gryffindor lion. A single banner levitating about the staff table had the Gryffindor and Slytherin house crests side by side. Did that mean the end of the Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry? "Congratulations to both houses. Let the feast begin!"
"I'm so hungry, I think I can eat a whole cow!" Ron said, his eyes lighting up when the food appeared on the table. "Pumpkin pasties! We haven't had these in forever." Ron reached for tray full of pumpkin pasties, but Hermione slapped his hand.
"You're going to spoil your dinner!" she said. Ron shrugged, and grabbed one of the pasties anyway.
"I can't believe I passed Potions." Neville piped up. He was sitting next to Hermione.
"That's just because you were paired up with Erin McAteer. Snape is afraid of her." Dean Thomas said.
"Yeah, he thought that if he gave you a failing grade, Erin would turn him into a frog again." Seamus said.
"My score for Potions this year was the highest score I've ever gotten in Potions, and I owe it all to my partner, Alina Halliwell." Alina blushed, and told him she didn't need all the credit, but Ron still urged all the Gryffindors sitting around them to give Alina a round of applauds.
"That's nothing. Hermione and I topped the class in Potions." Megan bragged.
"Shut up." Harry said, pretending he was extremely mad. He and Draco had the second highest scores in their Potions class, trailing behind Hermione and Megan.
"Maybe next year, Harry." Hermione said. Megan sniggered.
"Yeah, maybe." Harry shot her a death glare, and Megan stuck her tongue out at him.
"Cut it out." Alina said between giggles. Harry sighed before kissing her cheek.
"Whatever you say, my darling." He draped an arm over her shoulders.
"A certain blonde haired Slytherin has been staring at you since we entered the Great Hall." Penelope leaned over and whispered to Hermione. "I'm telling ya, he's only got eyes for you." Hermione's face turned a dark shade of red. "Ooh, he's got you *blushing*." Penelope teased.
"Who-OHHHHHHH!!!" Megan butted into the conversation to see why Hermione was blushing. When she stole a glimpse at the Slytherin table, she realized why. "I don't think Draco realizes that there are people trying to get through to him." Megan said, referring to Blaise Zabini, who was waving his hand and snapping his fingers in front of Draco's face to get his attention.
"Hey, look at Cho Chang!" the three girls stopped paying attention to Draco when Seamus had pointed out Cho Chang. "She looks *mad* beyond reason." Hermione, Megan, and Penelope burst out laughing at the sight of the pout on Cho's face. Megan abruptly stopped laughing, as did Penelope, but Hermione kept chuckling quietly to herself. She looked to her two friends to see why they had stopped, but when she looked up, she immediately knew why.
"Draco," she said, in a voice two pitches higher than her regular one, "what are you doing here?"
"Well, it looks as if there isn't much of a Gryffindor-Slytherin rivalry anymore, and I wanted to be one of the first to celebrate it." Hermione raised her eyebrows as Megan and Penelope averted their eyes away from Draco, pretending they weren't listening to the conversation.
"Is that so? How are you going to celebrate?" Hermione asked. Draco put a hand under her chin and gently lifted her head so her eyes could meet his.
"Like this." He said before his lips met hers. Megan gasped loudly, and Penelope almost fell out of her seat in shock. Ron dropped his fork in a loud 'clang', and Alina and Harry shared a smile before they turned back to the couple. Draco pulled away from Hermione, leaving her breathless.
"You go, Hermione!" Alina exclaimed as Ron hooted in the background.
"I'll, um...see you later. I still have to pack." Draco said, flushing scarlet. He pecked at Hermione's lips before running out of the Great Hall. As soon as he did, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown pushed Neville aside to get the spots near Hermione.
"Girl, what's the deal with you and Draco Malfoy?" Parvati asked. Hermione bit her lip.
"They're dating!" Ron called out from a couple of seats down. Parvati and Lavender giggled perkily.
"Oh Merlin, you two make the cutest couple!" Lavender said as the three girls went deep into conversation.
"Now there's another happy couple for ya." Megan said before she took a bite out of Ron's pumpkin pasty.
"Am I the only one here that doesn't have a boyfriend? Jeez..." Penelope said, shaking her head. She looked over the table at Alina before getting her attention. "Hey Li, would you mind if I tried hooking up with Oliver Wood?"
******
"...I can't imagine a day without Fred and George Weasley setting off dungbombs. I can't imagine how Quidditch matches would be without Lee Jordan commentating. And I can't imagine how life would be without my two best friends, my partners in crime, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell walking with me every step of the way." In the middle of Angelina Johnson's valedictorian speech, she broke into tears. "Hogwarts has been my second home for seven years. Seven years. I watched Fred and George start out at this school as little, mischievous pranksters and grow into big, mischievous pranksters. Alicia and Katie grew with me. We shared tears, laughs, and memories." She wiped away the tears that streamed down her cheeks. "To all the seventh years that will come after us: cherish your last year here at Hogwarts. Tell all your friends how much they mean to you. Take a walk down memory lane with them, and then make more memories. Your housemates, your classmates: they're not only your friends, or enemies; they're the people that have shaped you into the person that you have become. Um...thank you." Angelina walked off the makeshift stage, and found her seat between Alicia and Katie. The three of them cried all through the rest of the graduation ceremony up until the time Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall began to hand out the diplomas.
"Two more children leaving Hogwarts, two more children." Mrs. Weasley cried as Mr. Weasley put a comforting arm around her. Ginny found she was sandwiched between her two oldest brothers, Bill and Charlie, and beside them were Percy, Ron, Megan, Alina, Harry, and Hermione.
"Frederick Weasley." Mrs. Weasley cried harder when the eldest twin was called up to receive his diploma. Charlie stood up to take Fred's picture, but Fred turned away at the flash to hide his tears. Ron stifled a laugh, and Megan nudged him in the stomach.
"George Weasley." Mrs. Weasley was now crying buckets as the younger twin walked up to the makeshift stage to receive his diploma. Charlie tried signaling George to look at the camera, but George had quickly scurried off the stage.
The ceremony ended and the students scattered around the Great Hall, looking for their parents, or taking pictures with their friends. Bill had to drag Fred and George over to their sobbing mother. Mrs. Weasley threw her arms around her twin boys, and the three of them cried. Ginny rubbed Fred's back soothingly to try and calm him down as Charlie clutched his camera in his hand, clicking away.
Ron, Megan, Alina, Harry, and Hermione tried mingling amongst the crowd, occasionally spotting a Gryffindor and giving them a hug, or a warm smile. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia had all kissed Harry, like the time when they had beaten Ravenclaw in the Quidditch match before the Finals.
"Next year, you will lead our Gryffindors to the Cup!" Katie exclaimed.
"Alina, I am so sorry!" Alicia cried as she embraced Alina. "I didn't exactly intend on the whole Winter Ball thing. I feel so horrible."
"Oh, it's okay. Don't cry!" Alina said, taking Alicia's hands in hers.
"I need to go meet up with my parents. I'll see you tomorrow on the train." Alicia said before she walked away. George silently walked up to Alina, and gave her a small smile. He wrapped his arms around Alina, and picked her up off the ground.
"I'm gonna miss you." He said. Alina blushed.
"Likewise. You were like my first official-unofficial boyfriend at Hogwarts."
"You and Megan better keep an eye on my brother. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble. Do the same for Harry." Alina nodded, "Gryffindors better win that Cup next year. We were so close this-" blinded by tears, Fred practically ran into Alina, and threw his arms around her in a bear hug.
"Little Lina, you're gonna help Harry win us that Cup, aren't you?" Fred asked as he pulled away from her, and wiped his tears away. "I must look like a big baby." He chuckled as he pulled a handkerchief out of his robes. "I still can't believe I just graduated. I thought I'd never get enough points to pass those N.E.W.T.'s."
"Oh no! We forgot to set off those dungbombs!" Fred and George gave Alina one last hug before they ran out of the Great Hall to pull their last prank as Hogwarts students. Alina stood in the crowd, looking at all the sad faces passing her by.
"You're not gonna cry now, are you?" Alina felt his hand in hers, and she turned to give him a smile.
"I hope not. Just watching them makes me think of our graduation. It's only two years from now."
"Don't remind me." Harry groaned, "I hope I won't cry at our graduation."
"You know you will. If Fred and George couldn't hold it in, I doubt you'd be able to. I can imagine you crying a river." Harry smacked her playfully on the arm.
"Okay, I'll cry. But I won't cry that much." Harry said. Alina rolled her eyes.
"Wanna make a bet?" Harry arched an eyebrow.
"I'm listening."
"You pay me ten Galleons if you end up crying buckets at graduation. I pay you ten Galleon if you don't cry, or if you don't cry as much as I had expected." She held out her other hand to him. "Deal?" Harry nodded and shook her hand.
"You've got a deal." He said with a smirk playing on his lips.
"You can't charm your eyes to keep tears from falling. That's cheating."
"Darn." He said as Alina hit his arm.
******
Harry, Alina, Ron, Megan, Penelope, Hermione, and Draco were all squished together in a compartment at the end of the Hogwarts Express. Most of them were wearing sad faces, due to the fact that they'd soon be arriving at King's Cross Station, and saying goodbye to each other at the platform.
"I can't believe you didn't ask me sooner! Charms is one of my greatest subjects, and you don't even know how many times I've used that Forget-Me-Not Charm!" Megan said as Ron pulled a piece of parchment out of his jacket pocket.
"What're you two up to?" Alina asked, her head resting on Harry's shoulder.
"Forget-Me-Not Charm for Ron's old girlfriend." Draco snorted. "What?" Megan questioned.
"The Muggle?" Draco raised his eyebrows, and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Yes, the Muggle." He sighed. He unrolled the parchment and placed it on his lap.
"So, what do you want to do? Are you going to write anything?" Ron shook his head.
"Just charm it and get it over with." He ordered.
"If you had decided on using a Forgetfulness Potion, I could've helped you there." Hermione said.
"Oh, come *off* the subject of Potions already." Harry said. Hermione smirked.
"I'm sorry. Isn't that the potion you and Draco had trouble with?" Hermione giggled.
"Hermione." Draco said sternly.
"I'm just playing, Draco." She said as she punched him playfully in the stomach.
"I hope you write back soon. Sincerely yours, Penelope Stoneriver." Penelope read the last part of her letter aloud. She folded up the piece of parchment and placed it neatly into an envelope.
"What're you up to, Penny?" Ron asked.
"Memorius!" Megan exclaimed, with the tip of her wand against the parchment on Ron's lap.
"I'm just writing a letter to Oliver Wood." Penelope said as she wrote his name on the envelope in loopy handwriting. "Lina, can I borrow Melody?" Penelope was referring to Melody, Alina's owl. Alina picked the owl cage up off the floor and held it close to her.
"You are not using Melody ever again!" she said. Penelope gave Alina her puppy dog look.
"Please, pretty, pretty, please." She begged. Alina shook her head.
"No! The last time you used her to send a letter, she was lost in Alaska for almost a week. I had to contact owl shelters all over the country, until I received a letter from an owl shelter in Alaska. They said she was found on a snowy mountain, suffering frostbite! Don't you-"
"Yes, I remember. I told you I was sorry. Now, can I borrow the owl?" Alina glared at her. Penelope stuck her tongue out at Alina, and turned to Harry. "I was the one that convinced Alina that you two were meant for each other-" Megan laughed loudly at that, "Shut up, Meg! Harry, can I please-"
"I don't want Hedwig to get frostbite. I'm sorry, Penny." Harry said. She turned to Ron.
"Hey, I'm using Pig to send that letter to Mila." He said, putting his hands up in defense. Draco sighed.
"Use Duke. Just make sure he comes back in one piece." Draco handed Penelope a cage containing his owl.
"Thank you, Draco! You're the best!" Penelope let the owl out of its cage, and she tied the envelope to Duke's legs. She opened the compartment window, and the owl flew away. The train was slowly coming to a halt, and everyone's faces grew sad.
"Let's not say goodbye." Alina said as the train came to a complete stop. The group stared at her silently, waiting for her to continue. "See you later. Let's just say, see you later. It'll only be two months 'til we see each other again." The group nodded before they picked up their things off the floor, and made their way out of the compartment, and off the train.
"Now would be a good time for you to meet my mom. She was just too hysterical yesterday." Ron said. They gave all their friends hugs, or in Ron and Draco's case, and firm handshake. With one more smile, he took Megan's hand and led her over to his mother. Draco and Hermione were the next to leave. Draco had gone to introduce Hermione to his mother.
"My daddy's here. I'll owl you as soon as I get home. You, Meg, and maybe even Hermione can sleep over at my house." Penelope suggested. Alina nodded before giving her friend a hug. Penelope gave Harry a hug, and then she was off with her father, leaving the platform.
"I wish I could say I'd like you to meet my mother, but-"
"It's okay, Harry. I'm sure she was a great woman." She said, offering him a warm smile.
"I'm sure she would've liked you." Harry said, squeezing her hand before they let go to push their carts. They left the platform, and Harry groaned when he spotted his Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley waiting nearby.
"Is that your uncle?" Harry nodded, "Who's the whale?" Harry snorted at her reference to Dudley.
"That's my cousin Dudley." Alina looked past Vernon and Dudley to see her parents waving at her.
"My parents are here." Alina said as she turned to face him. She took his hands in hers. "I'm going to miss you so much over the next two months, you can't even imagine what I'll be going through without you. I'll write you every day." Alina leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I hope that lasts you two months." He brought a hand to her cheek, and caressed it softly before she waved, and met up with her parents.
"You have a *girlfriend*?" Dudley asked in utter disgust. Harry, though, couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
"Yeah, I do." You couldn't even imagine the happiness running through Harry's veins as he said that.
Until Next Time, This is Indeed the End
