Author's note: Immensely sorry for the late arrival of the new chapter. I have been really busy and I haven't been getting any evident responses on my stories. I FEEL NEGLECTED AND SAD....... anyways I will continue the story

Disclaimer: I'm sorry to tell you this but I don't own Harry Potter.

Anchante: Thank you so much for your review......I had double minds in not completing the story but after your review I have set mind in finishing it....Thanks!

The Graduation ball

"Hurry up Hermione! We are going to be late" Ron yelled impatiently as Harry and he paced the deserted common room waiting for her to come down. Both of them were looking charming in their dress robes: Harry in his bottle green ones and Ron in his royal blue ones which his twin brothers had gifted him, much to his confusion. It was the day of their graduation ball and the three friends planned to go together as it was probably the last day in Hogwarts and they wanted to make memory of the place together.

"Hold your horses Ron! I'm coming," Hermione yelled back from her dormitory.

"Remind me never to befriend a woman," Ron made a mental note to Harry who grinned at him but his eyes went beyond Ron, towards the stairs. Ron turned around and felt his heart skip a beat. Hermione was descending from the stairs, though frantically but Ron couldn't help notice grace as the tea pink dress robes flowed behind her as she took each step. Her hair was bouncing on her back loosely curled. Ron took his eyes from her attractive figure which was showing off miraculously in the robes to her face which was holding a scowl rather than a smile which should have fitted with the whole attire.

"Well I'm here now. Happy? I haven't even tied my hair," Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron who shook out of the trance he was in and came to his usual self.

"Oh please it will take ages for you to tie this bush," Ron retorted back. Harry just stood there in wonder how they too could be so normal after what had happened a day before in the Great hall. The total thing had vanished as though it never happened or even if it did they were both fine with it.

"When has Ron Weasley ever cared for being late? You were always late in the classes," Hermione mocked. "If it wasn't for the stupid chess game, I would have gotten ready eons ago."

"Talk about sour grapes," Ron smirked quite evilly.

"I think we have a ball to attend to and currently we are being late," Harry chimed in which he rarely did but now he felt he had to. With frostiness in the air, during the hot month of June, they raced out of the portrait hole and towards the Great Hall. Ron and Harry were quite fast but Hermione was trailing behind, clutching her dress as it kept coming between her feet. Panting, they stood out side the Great Hall door.

"Well, here we go," Hermione slipped her arms between the both boys and they entered. The decorations were somewhat closer to that of the Yule ball but the addition was the magnificent banners of the four houses and the biggest one was of Hogwarts soaring behind the faculty table. Instead of the four tables small tables were situated around the hall with menus laid open upon them, just like the Yule ball. The three made their way towards the nearest table and sat down where they could see everyone. Their eyes reached upon the faculty table where sat in the middle, in magnificent lilac robes, Albus Dumbledore, pouring his gaze onto the students he won't see anymore within the threshold of this castle. On his both sides sat the teachers who fought seven years to bring knowledge into the young minds who were now mature. Hagrid was also sitting there gazing around and when his eyes met the trio, he smiled and waved. Snape wasn't found sitting because he still hadn't recovered and was still abiding in the Hospital wing. Ron took his menu and glanced at it once and ordered quite a pile. Hermione clicked her tongue reproachfully at him and proceeded with her ordering, ordering one thing at a time. Harry followed suit and soon clatters of cutlery rang around the hall.

"The food is exceptionally good," Ron said between quite mouthfuls.

"Ron, please show a bit manners. You are the Head boy, for Merlin's sakes," Hermione pleaded with a glare.

"Sorry, your highness," Ron did a fake courtesy while Harry sniggered which he turned into a cough as soon as Hermione glared at him too. Soon the clattering came to a halt when Dumbledore came up the podium.

"Seven years ago, you boarded up the Hogwarts Train to become part of the passengers inside. But of course when you are aboard you have to get off at a certain platform. And here, you sit here waiting to get off at the platform which leads you to the real world where you will apply yourself. I have no regrets watching you leave because I have faith that I am contributing you to the real world which needs you more than I do."

"This set of students, specifically, rendered so much not only in fields of education but in fields of trials and bravery of all kinds. For this, I on the behalf of the entire Hogwarts family will present awards of pure merit to those who have excelled in these fields as well as the extensive field of knowledge." Hermione drew a deep breath as she waited for this moment ever since she stepped on the train. Ron felt the anticipation and turned around to find Hermione clutching her dress fiber rather harshly. Ron placed his hand over hers and took the dress fiber from her grasp.

"Relax Hermione, you prove to be a better candidate than either of us to get the achievement," Hermione looked at him and saw sincerity reflecting in his eyes. With this she smiled and glanced at Harry, who too nodded.

"The first award I feel proud to present is to the one of the cleverest and intelligent student Hogwarts sees in a decade or two. Her dedications did not only prove splendid in the school curriculum but also to help her friends against great trials and puzzles. I present this Distinction award to the Head Girl, Ms. Hermione Granger."

Hermione could feel every eye on her as applause began but the most cherished moment was Harry and Ron hugging her and giving her sincere congratulations.

She stood up, flushed and grinning unbelievingly and made her way to the faculty table where Dumbledore himself shook her hand and presented her the shield.

"Congratulations Ms. Granger, I am surprised that you didn't see this coming," Dumbledore winked at her and she smiled.

Hermione climbed down and made her way to her table.

"The second distinction I must present is of not only literal merit but of merit beyond words, merit of bravery, merit of principles and merit of priorities. This student has proved himself more courageous than any other adult wizard or witch. I know that you have realized who I am talking about. Yes, Mr. Harry Potter, I present to you the award of bravery beyond bravery, the award of courage beyond courage."

Harry looked around the hall and saw his fellow graduates egging him on giving him signs of encouragement and of approval that he did deserve this award. Hermione hugged him gleefully while Ron clapped on his back, encouragingly. Harry tried to smile but somehow he couldn't smile as he felt it wasn't enough to thank them. However, he stood up and walked up to the table.

"Harry Potter, the Hogwarts walls will miss you as the greatest boy who ever lived, greater than the founders as you helped restore and renovate the building which serves home to many," Dumbledore said beaming proudly at him, shook his hand and presented him the golden shield. Harry came back, giving grateful smiles at those who applauded loudly and cheerfully and sat down in the company of those who had helped him all along.

"The next award I would like to present is of services to the school. But these services are not only for the school which especially this candidate performed. It was the service which he gave unhesitant to his friends and supported them throughout the traumas they were going through. I would be honored to present this award to Mr. Ronald Weasley for rendering school services," Dumbledore gazed at Ron's direction who stared dumbfound at him as if he had heard not correctly.

"Ron, I am so proud of you," Hermione hugged him, beaming at him and Harry, grinning, urged him to go and get the award. Applause soon rang again as Ron stood up and fumbled towards the table.

"Even your brothers didn't get hold of this," Dumbledore winked at him as he shook his hand and gave him the shield. He trotted back to his table, still finding it hard to believe that he was presented this award.

"Lastly, this is a very unusual award which is rarely given to students but when the need is felt, it is proudly presented. The award for the ability to teach in Hogwarts, the award which will give the student the opportunity to become the part of the faculty of Hogwarts. I will like to call upon Mr. Neville Longbottom and to take this award or the invitation to teach in Hogwarts as the professor of Herbology as Professor Sprout has herself recommended him as her successor." A huge applause especially from the Gryffindors could be heard as Neville stumbled to the table all red in the face and extremely nervous as all eyes were upon him.

"Thus the graduation ceremony come to an end, your stay at Hogwarts has come to an end." Dumbledore bowed to them. "To start the ball, I would like to invite the Head Boy and the Head Girl of Hogwarts to the dance floor."

Neither Hermione nor Ron knew this was coming and they were completely thrown off board and it was due to Harry' help that they stood up and walked hand in hand to the dance floor. The lights had gone dim so that it became dark around them and a single light showed in the middle. Ron led Hermione there and faced her. They looked at each other and moved closer. Hermione placed her hand on his shoulders while Ron hesitantly took his hand towards the small of her back. They swayed silently to the music which flowed around them, looking anywhere but at each other. Ron though dared to look at her, the Hermione whom he had known for seven years. Seven years of countless fights, love and sacrifices. Hermione looked up at him as though felt his gaze and breaking the awkwardness by smiling. With this Ron too smiled and they moved in closer. Now few couples had joined in them and the lights became a bit brighter.

"So you are finally labeled officially as a know it all," Ron grinned at her, whispering.

"Yes and I deeply regret that you didn't get the Hogwart's biggest prat award," Hermione said in a teasing voice as Ron twirled her.

"Oh well better be a prat than a know it all," Ron threw his head and laughed as Hermione slapped at his shoulder, playfully.

"Excuse me," someone tapped Ron on the shoulder and he turned around. He saw Terry Boot staring pointedly at Hermione.

"Yes?" Ron asked, obliviously.

"Well, may I have this dance?" he turned towards Hermione, ignoring Ron. Ron glared at him rather menacingly and turned to Hermione, who nodded. Terry stepped between the both and took Ron's place. Ron returned fuming to their table and sat down, scowling. Why did he have to come and ruin their moment? Stupid Boot.

"Oy! Where's Hermione?" Harry plopped down besides Ron on the chair and followed his gaze to the dance floor. "Oh please Ron, not the return of the green envy monster."

Ron turned incuriously to him and was about to retort when Harry interrupted him.

"Yes I know, he is the enemy, she is fraternizing with him blah blah blah!" Harry mocked counting the reasons off on his fingers. Ron sneered at him and turned his burning gaze on Hermione who was coming towards them.

"Oh it's hot isn't it? It is so stuffy at the dance floor," Hermione puffed as she sat down on the other side of Ron.

"Hasn't darling Terry gone to get you your drinks," Ron snarled at her. Hermione stared at him in disbelief.

"Oh I should have seen this coming, the return of the green envy monster," Hermione said in a bored voice.

"What? Am I this predictable?" Ron rounded on Harry, who nodded yawning. "Fine!" and he leaned back in his chair, fuming.

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Fourth chapter will be a continuation of the third chapter.....