Graduation crept up on Ginny with a sharp finality. She wouldn't get her grades back until later in the summer, but she thought she had done well. Her last day at Hogwarts saw her waking up in her dorm, the drapes softly blowing in the breezes wafting through her window. A sudden urge to cry overtook her, but she fought back the tears with a sigh and looked to her packed bags. Stepping into the shower, she wiped her eyes. The last time I'll… the sentence was left hanging in her mind as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Tears fell with the water from the shower, and as she shut the flow of water off from the shower head and looked around at the stones of the floor, she stopped crying as well. Ginny moved to the mirror that held her bathroom things and opened the door above her sink. The cabinet looked strangely empty. Brushing her teeth with a sigh, she watched Kate, another girl in her year come out of the showers with a towel wrapped around her chest. Her eyes were red and puffy. Ginny smiled sadly and gathered her things into a bag, nodding to Kate as she left.
Her appearance much improved, Ginny walked down the steps into the common room, playing with the ring on her middle finger. With a smile, she moved her wedding ring onto the correct finger. An odd gathering of students in the common room sparked her interest.
"What's going on?" She asked a girl standing at the back.
"Professor Malfoy needs to speak with you."
"What?" Ginny asked. She moved through the crowd of students toward the Fat Lady. Draco stood, elegant and composed as ever, right inside the portrait's frame. With a stony face and bright eyes only Ginny could decipher, he smirked and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"I talked to Dumbledore."
"What?" She asked questioningly.
"I got permission."
"For what?"
"This." Reaching forward, he grabbed her hand and entwined his fingers with hers, twisting their hands together. It felt so natural, but wondering whispers fled through the crowd that had gathered. They walked out of the common room together, followed by whispers that had changed from wondering to accusing, and some to angry.
Ginny felt as if she was the center of attention. Draco didn't seem to be bothered, and it did feel nice to walk around together and not hide. When they walked into the Great Hall, the first thing she noticed was small invitations tied with bows at select places around the hall.
"Surprised?"
"Don't you know it!" Ginny smiled very widely.
"The sixth years and under eat in a different room because of graduation. The seats are assigned this morning, so I took our guest list and put invitations on the seats assigned to your friends. I figured I would check with you before we sent the rest." He smiled at her.
"Sounds good! I'm so excited, and nervous, and I can't believe that a year ago I hated you!" Ginny gave him a quick kiss and then sat down. They ate breakfast in almost complete silence besides the whispers. Ginny was seated next to Savanna, most likely because of Draco or Dumbledore's insight. Ginny's parents arrived at noon, along with everyone else, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley welcomed her and Draco with smiles and hugs. It had been a day full of questions and people yelling at her, but by the time the graduation began, everyone invited had excepted. The students were all seated and quiet as Dumbledore took the podium.
"I am pleased to welcome you all to the graduation of some of Hogwart's brightest students! This year has been full of new ideas and learning, surprises." he looked pointedly at Draco and Ginny. "Our new teachers and the loss of some old. I would like to congratulate our new teachers on a great new year, and of course the wonderful job of our old professors."
"Finally, to our students I offer the greatest praise. You have grown so much since your arrival here at this wonderful school. I hope you enjoy your final hours here as much as you have the rest of your education!" Applause echoed with the completion of his speech. Students stood and filed to the podium to receive their individual certificates and then back to their seats.
The procession took a good four hours with all the eating, drinking and congratulations. Ginny stuck close to Draco the entire time. When the ceremony ended, Ginny and Draco bid each other goodbye and Draco left for his home while Ginny went home with her parents to say their final 'moving-out' goodbyes.
a/n: Hey guys! (the one or two that reviewed the last chapter) Thanks for your reviews! They were fun to read. Please don't leave me hanging! Review! I do appreciate it TONS! Next chappy should be up sooner if I get reviews! They inspire me!
Love you's guys!
Kirra