Disclaimer: All work contained herein is the property of the respective copywright holders. No infringement is intended.
A Speech
After the Easter Formal, Belle's days seemed to pass by quicker. That was primarily due to Neville. Belle was spending every free moment with him. Before they knew it the end of the term was upon them and the students had left for the summer. It hadn't even been a week since the end of term but she already missed him. That's why when it was time for the Quadrangular Quidditch Qup final she wasn't going to miss it.
Belle knew Neville would be there to support his friends. That even served as a convenient excuse for anyone asking why she was going. "To support my friends, it isn't every day that an event like this happens." She told her parents. She knew it wasn't the truth but she couldn't tell them she found her one true love, a man that made her whole. Not now anyway, not when she hadn't completed school.
When the day of the match arrived Belle was quite anxious. Not only was she to see Neville today but she would have to travel by floo, not once but three times. Belle was quite put off by the floo experience. The blur of the passing floos made her nauseous and the soot soiled her clothes. She thought it an undignified way of travel.
Having finally reached Fizzingtons School of Magic, by way of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts floo, Belle finally met up with Neville. They found themselves a seat on the Hogwarts side of the stadium and watched the Hogwarts players being announced followed Durmstrang. Usually, Belle would have directed her attention to the architecture of the pitch and the pre-match warm-ups after player introductions. But today she was pre-occupied. Today wasn't about a Quidditch match; it was about being with Neville.
For his part though, Neville was mostly oblivious. He watched the match intently, occasionally glancing over at Belle to find her staring back. He would smile and return his attention to the match, while Belle would study his every mannerism and facial contortion as the game progressed.
Though Belle didn't know it, it was quite a Quidditch match. It ended with no goals scored and Harry seizing the Snitch in the one-hundred and seventy seventh minute. With the match over Belle turned her attention from Neville to the presentation of the qup.
Each of the headmasters from the four participating schools was present. In turn they called each of the students from the four teams and congratulated them.
When the Hogwarts players were called up they were asked to remain. On cue a four foot tall cup cut from diamond appeared. Each of its facets reflected the light from the quickly setting sun. The amplified light now filled the whole stadium as if it were day. Then Dumbledore began to speak.
"We would like to present the inaugural Quadrangular Quidditch Qup to the Hogwarts team of John Dursley, Mary Dursley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Ginevra Weasley, and Ronald Weasley coached by Viktor Krum. Also, I would like to invite everyone to a feast at Hogwarts Castle. Simply floo to the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch from any of the fireplaces throughout the stadium. That is all."
Slowly, thought not very quietly, the crowd dispersed with many flooing to Hogwarts. When Dumbledore made his way back and the various floos around the pitch had quieted Dumbledore rose to begin the festivities.
"To begin with I would again like to congratulate the fine young wizards and witches who have most recently completed their schooling. Next I would like to give a giants round of applause to the seven students that represented our dear Hogwarts in the Quadrangular Quidditch Qup." Nodding towards the table where the Dursley twins and then the table seating Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Draco.
As the applause died down Dumbledore continued speaking, "With members of the Wizarding World from throughout the continent here tonight, I believe it a great time to make an important announcement. However, that can wait until we devour this feast and the moon has reached its zenith."
As the feast began and music filled the air, contemplation of Dumbledore's special announcement piqued everyone's interest. Harry however was noticeably quiet. He ate in a slow and deliberate manner, blocking out the chatter about Dumbledore. When Ron finally decided he ate enough, Harry spoke up softly.
"I think that the eight of us, Ginny, Draco, Ron, Luna, Neville, Belle, Hermione, and I should go out by the lake. Don't ask any questions the reason for this will be revealed when we get there. Follow me."
At this everyone began to look about the table. They were all as clueless as the next. Only Harry knew what was going on. When they reached the lake nothing was out of the ordinary. It looked as it always did.
Harry began to speak. "I brought you all out here because our time together has come to an end. Five of us have walked our last steps in the halls of Hogwarts and the other three have but a year before their time is over too. This means we will be going out into the world. Surely our paths will cross out there but we will never be as close as we are now. This adventure started with Ron and I and a little later Hermione joined us making a trio. Now a few months ago Belle joined our circle of friends bringing the total to eight. As we go our separate ways there will be times when we miss those whom we no longer see. That is why I have a gift for each of you. For the girls I have a ring and for the guys I have a watch. They have all been treated with the mémoire charm by professor Flitwick. Whenever you feel alone or lost just hold onto your ring or watch and you will be overcome with memories of our time together. The memory will be stronger than you thought possible it will seem as if you are reliving the moment. This way we can all be together, if only in our hearts."
Harry passed out the gifts. First giving the girls their rings and then the guys their watches. When Harry handed Belle her ring she stared in awe. It was yellow and white gold mixed in brilliant swirls capped with a perfectly clear stone. When she placed the ring on her finger the stone began to swirl with color, reds and blues and greens jumped about activated by pleasant memories.
When Harry finished passing out the gifts the group broke into couples. The guys looked at their partner's rings why the girls reciprocated, admiring the watches. As they finished admiring the gifts, the couples thanked Harry and headed there separate ways intent on having some time alone.
Draco and Ginny left for the forbidden forest. Ron wanted to follow them but Luna convinced him to return to the castle. Harry and Hermione wandered up to the Whomping Willow, while Neville and Belle remained by the lake.
A light breeze came in off the lake. It was an unusually warm summer evening for this area of Scotland. Neville and Belle reveled in it. Belle crawled up to Neville and set her head on his shoulder. Neville in turn put his arm around her pulling her into his body. They sat there in a content state of silence, with only the Giant Squid occasionally looking on. In what seemed like only minutes to Belle and Neville but was really nearly two hours the moon approached its highest point in the sky.
Neville saw this and started to speak, "Belle, I think Professor Dumbledore might be getting ready for his announcement."
"Is it that time already?" Belle groaned.
"Yes, it is." Neville replied. "Let's head back to the pitch."
When they arrived at the pitch turned Great Hall there was quite a buzz about what Dumbledore might be announcing. As the last people took their seats, Dumbledore stood and the crowd quieted.
Standing up, Dumbledore tapped his throat with his wand and began. "It is a pleasure to be in the company of so many friends and former students tonight. That is why it is with great joy and trepidation that I make this announcement. As you may know I've been approached by the Ministry many times about the position of Minister of Magic and each time I've told them I had a more important job here at Hogwarts. Until recently it was true." At this the crowd grew frenzied with all sorts of chatter flying about.
Dumbledore chuckled a bit before beginning again. "No, no, no, I'm not leaving to become the Minister. Some of you might say that I've listened to a few too many Fwoopers in my old age, in which case I would have to say your right. But there isn't enough fire whiskey in the world for me to take that job. In my time here at Hogwarts I have seen the darkest wizard in a quarter century pass through these halls and just one week ago saw the finest group of witches and wizards to ever complete their education at Hogwarts. And now I can say my job here at Hogwarts is complete." With that final statement Dumbledore conjured a broom and flew off over the moon.
A/N: I'm so sorry for the long break between updates. If any of you are still reading this story please review, I love the feedback.