Friendship and Beyond 50/?

Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.

Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.

Graduation Day

The next day Harry and company were so busy that they did not have the time or inclination to worry about each of their perspective future plans. From the first ray of the sun shining in their windows to getting ready to walk down the aisle and get their diploma to become adult wizards, that day was one non-stop event after another.

During the rehearsal for instance the professors had to physically separate Ron and Draco after the latter insulted the formers girlfriend repeatedly. In his anger Ron forgot temporarily that he was a wizard and punched Malfoy in the face. During the ensuing mayhem, Harry comforted a distraught Hermione who was close to having a nervous breakdown due to all the pressure of having to give the valedictorian speech that evening.

"Just shut up, the both of you." Hermione snarled viciously from her position in Harry's arms. "I don't have the bloody time for this right now. If you two want to knock each other's heads off do it later tonight with my blessing."

"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed in shock, looking at his girlfriend as if she just grew another head and decided to dance a jig during graduation naked.

"Look Ron, I've just written my 22nd copy of my speech, but it isn't coming out as I want it to. I have a total of four hours and thirty-seven minutes until I have to give this speech. Forgive me if I have more important things to worry about right now." Hermione told him in a particularly uppity way causing Ron to sniff disdainfully staring at her retreating back.

"I'll just let him pound my head in why don't I?" Ron questioned softly after she was out of hearing distance, looking at Harry for guidance. "Bloody women! Who can understand them, right Harry?"

Harry on the other hand was staring off into space with a dopey grin on his face, not paying the least amount of attention to the scene before him.

"Oi! Potter, pay attention, mate!" Ron yelled in his distracted friend's ear loudly causing him to flinch away from the noise.

"What Ron?" Harry asked loudly in annoyance at his best friend's antics.

"You haven't listened to a thing that happened have you?"

Harry just shrugged slightly in embarrassment. He was trying to figure out what he was going to say to Severus tomorrow night, and how he would tell his friends tonight at Hogsmeade.

"Damn it, Man. Get your head together. We're graduating in a couple of hours."

"You don't think I know that?" Harry asked patiently. "I was just thinking about my future is all."

"Anything you want to talk about, mate?" Ron asked supportively, chucking Harry on the shoulder.

"We don't have the time right now, but let's just say that I've gotten another, better offer since the last time we discussed it."

"Don't leave me hanging like that."

"Look, I want to tell both you and Hermione at the same time. Besides, I need your advice anyways. I'm not sure if it's feasible at all. Tonight before the big fight we'll talk about everything alright?"

"Sure Harry." Ron agreed reluctantly. "Seven at the Three Broomsticks?"

"Seven, then." Harry answered before taking his place near the middle of the precession. "I'll see you and Hermione during the ceremony before then anyways."

"Yeah but we'll both be busy getting ready, so I didn't want to risk it." Rom explained before hurrying off in the direction where Hermione walked off in.

That evening came quickly for the seventh years. Their families began arriving at four o'clock, apparating and port keying in from all over Britain. The great Hall had been completely over hauled. No more house tables. Instead, there were beautiful chair filling the large room, as well as a magaestic stage up front with sweeping stairs at each side. Off to one side was an ornate pedestal and on the right were a neat pile of rolled parchments.

The room was packed with witches and wizards, the decorations were in place and all that was needed were the graduating student to arrive. Anticipation hung heavily in the air as the seventh years strode in to the great hall purposefully, beautiful in their white robes as they took their places in the front of the hall to thunderous applause.