Chapter 64: Finishing School
Everyone had a good Christmas holiday at Harry's again. Hermione spent most of her time there but was able to see her family for a few days without arising suspicion. The mood was lively. Justin proposed to Hannah and she eagerly agreed and Charlie requested Albus to remodel Hagrid's hut so he could have a small cottage suitable for a family. He had told his brothers that he would propose to Jasmine once he had the house finished. The biggest news of the holiday was when Tonks announced she was pregnant. No one could tell who was more excited, Remus or Harry. The Weasley family was constantly asking Bill and Ron when they were going to start families of their own. Bill told them that they were going to start trying once the summer started and Ron told his mother that they were not even thinking of kids until Susan was finished with her schooling. Plans for Harry and Ginny's wedding were underway and although Harry hated being the center of attention he knew Ginny wanted the world grandest wedding and was letting her plan whatever she wanted. Hermione was to be the maid of honor and Ron the best man and they were going to have it at Hogwarts at the beginning of the summer down near the lake. They moved the date up to June so that they wouldn't have to worry about Tonks going into labor.
Severus bought Hermione a few books and a pair of earrings to match her necklace but the best present he gave her was a two way mirror like the ones the marauders used. He had Remus and Flitwick help him with the charms so that they could talk face to face whenever they wanted to no mater how far away they were. The two of them gave everyone copies of their newly published books but the biggest surprise was that Luna gave everyone a book. It was just finished the editing process and would not go on sale to the general public until the anniversary of Voldemort's defeat. It was the book on the war. She had spent most of the summer writing it and was finally able to get Harry to give his ok on some of the more personal parts concerning him. The book was called Legacy of the Light: A History of the Order of the Phoenix. Everyone was happy that the story was being told by someone they trusted so much. In fact on the second page of the book, right after the title page, were the signatures from every person whose story was told in the book and their admission that what was relayed was the truth and Luna had their permission to tell their story. It was a nice personal touch that would show that her book was the only one with the entire truth and not to believe all the other books put out there by authors trying to make a quick buck.
Neville and Luna were getting married the weekend that school ended in a very small private ceremony at the ministry and then having a party for all their friends at Neville's parents' house. They didn't want any fanfare and would only be gone for a week on their honeymoon. Harry and Ginny would get married the weekend after that and be gone for most of the summer traveling the world; he had already taken his leave from the English National team for the season so he could globetrot with his soon to be wife. They would still be reachable through Hedwig and would stop back from time to time if anything came up.
The rest of the school year for Hermione flew by thanks to the mirrors she and Severus had. They were able to grow even closer to each other and had established a very sound relationship. By the end of March they had discussed what they would do if her grandmother forced her into the betrothal contract and how to get out of it with her magic in tact. Hermione was somewhat saddened as he had still not told her that he loved her, yet it was implied in everything he said and did. She had therefore not told him that she loved him either but yet had told him that she wanted nothing else but to marry him. She was also upset that her parents kept avoiding the subject of her betrothal in all of her letters as well as the few times she had visited them.
Hermione smirked to herself as she headed up the path to Hogwarts on the first day of her Easter holiday break. She had told Severus that she had too many projects going at school to get away but was planning on surprising him and showing up at the school. Minerva had owled her and asked to meet with her and she was on her way up to her old head of house's office. "Good morning my dear," the older lady said with a smile and offered Hermione some tea and a comfortable chair. The two women talked for almost an hour before Minerva got down to the reason for the visit. "Hermione, I know you will need an apprenticeship for Transfiguration once you graduate and I would love it if you would become mine."
"Really?" Hermione asked excitedly. She had hoped she could convince either Minerva or Albus to take her on as an apprentice since she wanted to be close to Severus. "That would be wonderful. I had been trying to determine how to ask you if you would take me on!" The two women laughed and worked out the details. She would start two weeks before school began and help get the class schedule prepared and would help teach 1st year and completely teach 2nd and 3rd years. She would have her own quarters and was allowed guests as long as they were approved by the headmaster. Since all of her current friends were already approved guests she didn't really care.
"There is one thing that may cause problems," Hermione told her new mentor. "I may be needed from time to time for family business. I cannot tell you anything else about it at the moment but there may be times that I will not be available." She saw the curious look on Minerva's face and decided she had to try and explain better. "My parents may need me to join them from time to time for different social events. They will be making an announcement sometime this summer and after that I will be able to explain things better to you. Until then that is all I am at liberty to tell you. I am sorry if this causes any confusion."
"It's not a problem Hermione. If you feel it is important then I am sure I will as well. Besides, you will not need the whole year to reach the level of master. I am quite sure you are already far enough along to not even need the apprenticeship but since it is tradition we must." Minerva told her with a smile. "I heard that Severus is thinking of taking on another apprentice do you know why?" She asked switching to gossip.
The reason Severus was considering an apprentice was so that he could quit teaching after Hermione finished her apprenticeship. They both hoped it would be so they could get married and move into the castle to begin their royal duties but were also prepared to flee the country if need be. "The war is over now," Hermione told her friend. "There is no real reason for him to stay here and teach when there are so many other opportunities out there for him. I think he would like to get back into full time research and this would allow him to train a replacement teacher so he would not be leaving Albus in a pickle."
"That is what I thought as well," Minerva said sadly. "I feel like all my young ones are leaving the nest. First your class graduated and soon the rest of you will be gone again. When Severus leaves it will seem as if my son has left home."
"I doubt he plans on leaving the country," Hermione reassured her. "Besides I am sure he will come visit. He will even be able to be himself around you once he no longer has to play the bat of the dungeon teacher role."
"Well, enough of my melancholy." Minerva said standing up and taking Hermione's empty cup. "You have a potions master to surprise and I don't want to keep you. Albus set you up in the same rooms as before so you should have no problems. I will see you at lunch my dear." She said before pushing the young woman out the door.
Hermione was pleasantly surprised when the wards on Severus' chambers still recognized her. She had anticipated that she would have to break down his wards to wait for him in his rooms. She smiled as she entered his rooms, wishing she could spend more time with him during the year and glad she would for sure get to see him every day next year. She settled down on the couch after saying hello to Jade who was sunning herself in the light of the magic window.
She did not have to wait for too long for Severus to return and she could see he was agitated when he didn't even notice her presence he just walked straight into his room muttering about dunderheads and stupid holidays. She smirked as she followed him and watched with a smile as he tossed his teachers robes on a chair before heading to his bedside table and grabbing his communication mirror. "Hermione Granger," he told it and waited for her response. "Hermione are you there?" He asked and at his sad look she decided to speak up finally.
"No, but I am here," she said and tried not to chuckle as he snapped his head to her in shock. She didn't have time to react before he has vaulted across the room and had her wrapped in his arms.
"I missed you," he breathed into her hair before capturing her lips in a kiss he had been longing for since Christmas. It had been way too long since he held her in his arms. Every time they put the mirrors away after talking he just wanted to apparate to Rome and hold her in his arms. He loved her more than he ever thought possible and was so happy to see her.
"Do you like your surprise?" She asked once they had to separate for air. She was surprised that he had responded like that but was more than content to spend her entire holiday in his arms.
"Best surprise I could think of," he told her and led her to the sitting room so they would be more comfortable than standing in the doorway. "I was wondering why Albus was sending me more twinkling smiles than normal this morning. I had decided it was from eating those marshmallow and sugar muggle candies in the shapes of Easter bunnies and such."
"I am afraid that Harry is to blame for those," Hermione laughed. "He wrote me and said he sent Albus a whole case after he came across them. They're called Peeps."
"Ahh, well that would explain his new password as well," Severus laughed and the two settled into comfortable conversation before they were required for dinner in the great hall.
The break went by too quickly for both of them and soon Hermione had to head back to school. "I will see you at Neville and Luna's wedding feast," she told him before they indulged themselves in a passionate kiss before she hurried out of the school, afraid that if he kissed her again she would never be able to leave.
"Hermione, you need to calm down," Gabrielle told her with a soft chuckle as she watched her roommate pace. They were waiting for their exam results and Hermione, as usual, was worried she had messed something up. "You know you'll ace everything just like you did last semester. You will graduate top of your Transfiguration class and get your Potions Mistress certificate and make history as the youngest ever potions mistress."
"Thanks," Hermione told her friend and gave her a hug. Gabrielle had spent the last 3 weeks straight at school without flooing home to Draco so she could study for her exams. Although she was not taking such an accelerated course load as Hermione she was still determined to get the highest grades possible.
"This is it," Hermione said excitedly as the bulletin board in the common room of their dorm sprang to life with the exam results. Gabrielle didn't even have time to look for her own scores before Hermione squealed and pulled her into a hug. "Oh, I did it! I have to go tell Sev!" She said before running off to their room. Gabrielle noted she got top marks in all her classes as well and smiled before running off after Hermione to fire call Draco.
Tori and Phillip reapplied their glamour charms before heading off to their daughter's graduation. Although it wasn't the safest thing to do they would not miss her big day for anything. Severus smiled to himself as he remembered the crushed look on Hermione's face when he told her he wouldn't be able to get away from Hogwarts to make it to her graduation. He smiled at Albus who had decided to come as well. The two were on the stage as distinguished guests and as Severus looked out in the audience he smiled to see all of their close friends and even Hermione's parents in the audience, the entire Weasley family was present as well.
Hermione was to be the last one called onto the stage as she was receiving both her diploma as well as her master's certificate. She was nervous as the last of the graduating class was called out and now she was alone until the Dean called her name.
"Our last graduate of the evening is an exceptional young lady who has achieved great things already in her career. We are pleased to have played host to her this last year during her schooling as she is one of the most brilliant minds in the wizarding world. She had completed all necessary requirements for her potions degree before even graduating from Hogwarts as well as having completed her apprenticeship and developing life altering potions. While here she completed the entire Transfiguration curriculum in one year and it is my privilege to present to her diplomas in both Transfiguration and Potions. Our last graduate Miss Hermione Granger!" There was thunderous applause as Hermione stepped out on stage to receive her diploma.
"As Miss Granger has completed all requirements for her potions mastery she will now be presented with her certificate. As is the age old custom her certificate will be presented to her by her former master Severus Snape." The Dean said and stepped away to let Severus speak.
"It is my greatest privilege to present Miss Hermione Granger with a Mastery in the field of Potions for her success in the field. Her partnership in the creation of the Cloud Clearing and Winter's Tale potions helped shape the course of the war we have just finished. Her line of hair care potions has revolutionized the business and her success with the Silver Solution has cured the curse of every werewolf to where within a few years there will no longer be any who are afflicted. For these great accomplishments I present to you the youngest potions mistress ever. Potions Mistress Hermione Granger." He said before pinning her potions mistress emblem on her robes and giving her a hug to the roar of the crowd. "Congratulations," he whispered in her ear. "I wouldn't miss this day for the world."
After the ceremony finished Hermione spent some time saying hello to all her friends and marveling in how many people cared for her. She had been shocked that both Albus and Minerva turned up along with Severus, her parents, friends and the entire Weasley clan. "Thank you all for coming!" She told them with tears in her eyes she was so happy!
"There's a party for you back at Hotel Potter once you gather up all your things." Harry told her with a smirk. They had all taken to calling his house that as it was no longer Headquarters and was definitely not the Most Noble House of Black.
The party was a loud and fun affair with all the boys using it as an excuse to get drunk and the girls chatting about the upcoming weddings. Luna and Ginny would be graduating the next weekend from Hogwarts and the boys were already planning another big bash for then. "I can't believe it's almost over," Ginny said with a wistful sigh. "Now we have to start our real lives even though we've all fought in a war and done so much more than we ever should have at our age."
"Yes, I am afraid reality is about to come crashing down on us as we take our places in the grown up world." Hermione said before ducking one of the twins' fireworks.
"Well at least not all of us are growing up," Luna joked as they watched the twins. It was good to know that some things would never change, even with everything that happened in the war.
Luna and Neville's wedding feast was small but fun. It was only the Order and the pair's family. The party was casual and everyone had a great time congratulating the newly married couple. The best present for Neville was when he received a congratulatory note from the Queen letting him know she was happy for the pairing, looked forward to meeting him and that she hoped he would consider redesigning the gardens of the palace over the next few years as they had grown into disarray over the years the palace was unused.
The next weekend was the 'event of the year' according to Witch Weekly as it was the day of Harry and Ginny's enormous and fancy wedding at Hogwarts. Hermione and Ginny got ready with the help of a bawling Mrs. Weasley and Tonks as the mothers of the couple. Hermione was wearing a pale purple gown and Ginny was wearing a traditional white muggle wedding dress but with purple accents. Her hair was pulled up off her face with a crown of purple flowers and she looked stunning. She was wearing a new necklace that was a wedding gift from Harry it was diamonds and amethyst. It was a stunning creation that Hermione was in awe of. She thought it was probably worth more than most of the crown jewels her grandmother was in possession of.
Harry was wearing traditional black wizarding robes over a tux. Hermione had never seen him looking so happy. He was positively glowing with the knowledge that he was soon to marry his true love and soul mate. Ron was his best man and dressed much like Harry except where Harry's vest and tie were white his were purple to match Hermione's dress.
Albus was even dressed for the occasion in what appeared to be new deep purple velvet robes with silver phoenixes on them. He was beaming down at Harry who only had eyes for the end of the isle where Ginny would approach on the arm of her father. A very pregnant Tonks along with Remus were sitting in the front beaming at their son on his happy day. They knew it was the day he had been dreaming of for so long and were happy for him.
As the wedding march began all those assembled, over 500, turned to watch Ginny. She was a vision of beauty as she seemed to almost float down the isle, eyes locked on Harry and ignoring all else but her soul mate. She kissed her father as he handed her to her soon to be husband and spared a smile over to her mother and brothers who were all smiling, even though Molly was still crying.
The ceremony was beautiful and when they shared their first kiss as man and wife the golden soul mate bond glowed fiercely to show the world that the two were meant to be one. The party was underway and the food was perfect. Hermione and Ron danced the customary dance after the bride and grooms first dance and the father daughter dance, where Harry danced with Tonks and Remus even danced with Molly. Everyone had a great time dancing and Hermione enjoyed dancing with Severus for most of the evening in between taking turns dancing with each of her friends.
The surprise came when it was time for the tossing of the bouquet. When it was tossed Hermione was shocked to discover that she once again caught it, much to the displeasure of Lavender and the Patil twins who had 'divined' that Lav was going to catch it and hook up with whoever caught the garter that Harry was about to toss. Severus had been forced to partake in the silly tradition by Remus and was glaring at the single boys around him who were jostling for better positions so they could dance with Hermione if they caught it. When Harry released the garter it sailed right into Severus' outstretched hands and he smirked at the put out look on some of the boys faces as he headed over to dance with Hermione.
"You know that I am not one for divination," Harry whispered into his new wife's ear. "But this is the second bouquet Hermione had caught and now Severus catches the garter, that's got to be a good sign for the two of them."
"I agree, besides I charmed my bouquet to go to the best person along with the garter and I know Susan did the same with her bouquet." Ginny told him with a smirk. "Hopefully her parents will come around soon and they can officially be together. I know it's been a hard year on them spending so much time apart. We had to endure it as well but at least we knew we would always be together."
Before the newlyweds took off for their summer of traveling they told everyone they would be back to see Harry's new sibling and for the Royal Gala that was scheduled to be held midsummer.