Harry walked slowly back to the Gryffindor Common Room, thinking about what Dumbledore said.

"Hey, Harry!"

Harry turned around, and Cho Chang was standing there.

"Er — hi," said Harry. Cho wasn't smiling. They both stood silently for a moment. Then, Cho broke the silence.

"Can I ask you about what happened at the end of last year?"

Harry nodded.

"When you and Cedric met up with You-Know-Who, did he die quickly? I've heard so many stories, and I just want to know the truth," said Cho.

So she just wanted to hear about how Cedric died. Of course.

"He died quickly. It was nearly right after we got there," said Harry. "It was very fast, the Killing Curse. No pain."

"Good," said Cho. After another pause, she said, "You know, he really was fond of you, Harry. He always was telling me about how surprised he was that you were competing, how concerned he was about your safety. How lucky he was that you told him about the dragons. He said he was furious with his dad for treating you so poorly."

Harry had found out that the first part of the Triwizard Tournament was fighting dragons, and warned Cedric about it. However, Cedric had repaid Harry by helping him with the second task though.

Amos Diggory, Cedric's father, had constantly put Harry down, praising Cedric.

She went on, "He was worried about you competing. And, well… I was, too."

Harry, who had been staring at his feet, looked at Cho when she said this. She looked as if she really meant it.

"I mean, no offense or anything. I know you're really brave, not being killed by You-Know-Who…"

After an awkward pause, Harry decided that he had to ask Cho something. And if he didn't do it now, then he wouldn't know until next year, and he couldn't bare the thought of waiting all summer.

Forcing himself, he said quickly, "Cho… did you like Cedric?"

Cho went red, and looked embarrassed at this. "Like Cedric? Well, somewhat. Why? Did someone tell you I liked him?"

Harry went equally red. "Malfoy."

There was another uneasy pause.

"So, do you have something to tell me? Or, have you told me it already?" asked Cho.

"What?" said Harry, confused.

Cho looked puzzled at this reaction. "You're friend… what his name… Ron. He said that you had something you wanted to tell me."

Harry turned even redder. "No, no I don't Cho. Not… right… now…"

Cho cocked her head, but then Hermione came running down the hallway. He stopped, seeing Cho and Harry. She was already in her dress robes, and she had used Sleekeazy potion, which she had used the year before, that smoothed her bushy hair.

"Oh — sorry…" she said, looking back and forth between them. Then, she stared at Cho with an odd expression on her face.

"We were just talking," said Cho. Harry nodded. "Bye, Harry." Cho walked off towards the Ravenclaw tower.

Harry watched her go, and then turned back to Hermione, who had a rather strained look on her face. "What?"

"Nothing, Harry. Come on, you've got to change into dress robes… it's the graduation tonight…" she motioned for Harry to follow her, and began moving swiftly towards Gryffindor Tower.

"Hermione, are you all right?" Harry asked.

"Sure, I'm fine," she said, sounding a little angrier than Harry believed she meant to.

"Ron told her that I wanted to talk to her, all right? She came and found me because Ron told her too," said Harry, catching on. He added, "I swear, Hermione."

Hermione didn't respond, and Harry didn't try and comfort her any more. They walked in silence to the Common Room.

As Harry walked in, Ron rushed over to him.

"Harry, look at this!" said Ron, a huge grin on his face. He held up a nice dark brown dress robe. "Fred and George gave it too me! Said it was a late Christmas present… I didn't ask where they got the money…"

Harry just smiled. The year before, everyone needed dress robes, because of the Triwizard tournament. As the Weasleys were poor, Ron had gotten a velvet maroon dress robe, with lace on the collar, and sleeves. Ron had fringed the sleeves and edges trying to magic off the lace. Harry had won one thousand galleons from the tournament, and had given them to Fred and George asking only that they buy Ron some new dress robes, and say they were from them.

"You two better get changed quickly. All the Seventh-years are already gone!"

Harry and Ron raced up the stairs the their dormitory.

"Isn't it great, Harry? Mum'll flip when she sees them," said Ron, ecstatic about his new robes, pulling them over his head. Harry was now digging through his trunk for his bottle green dress robes.

"It's great Ron," Harry said, pulling his dress robes over his head. He smoothed his hair (or tried, rather), and he and Ron hurried down the stairs, where Hermione was shouting, "Come on, you two!"

"Coming, Hermione," said Ron and Harry said together. The three of them left the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Jessica left with Ginny, Fred, and George," explained Hermione. "We're to go to the Quidditch field."

Harry gave Hermione a glance, and said, "Hermione, would you mind walking behind a bit? I'd like to talk with Ron."

Hermione looked indignantly at Harry, but obediently began walking a step behind him and Ron.

"What's up?" asked Ron innocently.

"You know, Ron," said Harry pointedly. Ron just grinned. "It's not funny, Ron. Why'd you tell her I wanted to talk to her?"

"'Cause I figured you wouldn't bring it up yourself, so I got her to talk to you so you could tell her you like — "

"That's enough, Ron! First, don't do that unless I ask you to, and second, Hermione saw us. She had this odd look on her face as she was looking at Cho, like she was both hurt and angry," explained Harry.

Ron gave Harry a look that looked exactly like Hermione's had.

"She did?" asked Ron.

"Yeah. I think it bothers her, so would you not do that?" asked Harry.

Ron just nodded.

"Am I allowed to come back now?" asked Hermione, stepping up to them, clearly taking advantage of their pause.

"Sure," said Ron and Harry together.

"I'm really looking forward to this," said Hermione, smiling.

As they entered the Quidditch field, Harry saw that they were filled with parents coming to see their child. A number of students also were finding seats. Down on the actual field, Harry saw a table with a large group of teachers, including Dumbledore.

He saw rows of seats occupied by the Seventh-years, all of who were chatting excitedly. They were all divided by house.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned, and saw a large group of Weasleys sitting together. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were sitting next to each other; Bill and Charlie were sitting beside Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley came down to see Ron, Harry, and Hermione.

"Hello you three! How are you? You staying out of trouble, Ron? You're just in time… Dumbledore's about to start," said Mrs. Weasley. Then she noticed Ron's robes, and asked, "Ronald Weasley, where in the world did you get those robes?"

Ron grinned proudly. "Fred and George. They gave them to me just last night."

"Come on," said Hermione, seeing Mrs. Weasley give Ron a disbelieving look. "Students have to sit over here… see? There's Ginny and Jessica."

Harry and Ron followed her.

"Hi!" Ginny and Jessica said together.

Dumbledore pointed his wand at his throat, enlarged his voice, and said, "Welcome teachers, students, parents, and, most importantly, graduates." Loud cheers erupted from the Seventh years. "We are all here tonight for one purpose: to honor those who have worked hard, and are now completing their education here at Hogwarts. In these times, we are threatened to return to the days of fear, and division. We will forget all of that tonight. We will honor our graduates as we always do. I ask you all to remember that we are all stronger together than You-Know-Who."

Harry was shocked. Dumbledore never said "You-Know-Who," he always called him Voldemort. Harry supposed he didn't want to cause too much trouble, or uproar.

"That will be the last time we will even think about him tonight. I now would like to distribute some special awards before we recognize all of our graduates."

He cleared his throat. "Quidditch, as I'm sure all of you know, is no delicate sport. It is dangerous, and very exciting. It takes not only skill, but also dedication to make the house teams. Therefore, I would like to ask everyone who is a member of their house team to please come and receive these certificates."

Everyone cheered and clapped loudly. Harry saw Fred, George, Alicia, Angelina, and Katie step up, looking very proud and happy.

Once the players had gotten their awards, Dumbledore quieted the audience, and went on, "All players on the team show great skill. However, managing the team along with playing on it is even more challenging. Two of our captains are graduating this year: Fred Weasley, and Marcus Flint. They are being presented with this special pin in acknowledgment of their achievement."

More cheers erupted from the crowd, and Fred looked extremely proud of himself.

Dumbledore went on, "Ever since his first year here at Hogwarts, we have depended upon someone for his — ah, intriguing commentary during the games. I would like to acknowledge the services of Lee Jordan."

The stands filled with noise once more, and Lee rose from his seat, and, grinning broadly, accepted a certificate from Dumbledore.

More awards were given: awards for service to the school, awards for he highest number of O.W.Ls, highest grades overall…

Soon, the teachers actually stood up, and gave an award for their subject. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the others were quite pleased, as a lot of Gryffindors were winning awards. Alicia Spinnet took the award from Charms, and Katie Bell took it for Care of Magical Creatures.

Now, all of the teachers except for Professor McGonagall had given their awards. Professor McGonagall stood up, and said, "Good evening. As I am sure most of you know, I am Professor McGonagall, and I teach Transfiguration, perhaps one of the most difficult subjects of magic. I was looking at my grade book yesterday, and was quite surprised by who had the highest grade. It was a tie. For the first time in Hogwarts history, there is a tie for the highest grade."

"That won't happen in our year… Hermione'll be winning each award," Ron whispered to Harry, who smiled.

"Also, it was a tie between two of the most unlikely people… the award for Transfiguration goes to Fred and George Weasley."
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jessica, and Ginny all stood up and cheered, and Harry saw The Weasleys do the same. Mrs. Weasley was crying.

Fred and George looked pleased, but shocked as they stood up to take their awards.

Dumbledore then stood up. "Now, we have recognized those special students. There are many more who work endlessly. Now, we will celebrate the achievements and hard work of all of our students. Professor McGonagall will now be reading off the names of the graduates."

Professor McGonagall stood up. She held a scroll in her hand. "You have been put into houses for symbolism. For, in a sense, you are leaving your house. The night you arrived here, seven and a half years ago, you were sorted. But now, we will undo the process, symbolically. We have reserved rows of seats for you in the stands. When I call your name, you will come up here, I shall hand you your pin and certificate of graduation, and you will find a seat, among your parents." She unrolled a piece of parchment.

"Bones, Tanya!"

A girl, who looked a lot like Susan Bones, a Hufflepuff In Harry's year, stood and took her certificate, and found a seat in the stands.

"Bell, Katie!"

Quite a few people cheered as Katie glided up.

Harry smiled. It was a lot like the Sorting Ceremony… He watched the graduating students go up one by one. He saw Alicia, Angelina, and Lee. It did seem to go on for a long time… Harry began to get drowsy.

Finally, as Harry decided to succumb to his exhaustion, and shut his eyes, he heard McGonagall call out, "Weasley, Fred!"

Harry cheered loudly as Fred came up, and as George came next. They looked happy, enjoying the attention. Harry almost wished he were up there, too. It was nice having people applaud you. However, it was also nice to just sit in the stands and applaud the other people on too, Harry decided. He'd been applauded enough.

With one or two more people, the seats that had been occupied by Seventh years were empty. Everyone had taken a seat in the stands.

Professor McGonagall sat down, and Professor Dumbledore stood up.

"I would like to congratulate every one of the graduates." Applause overcame the crowd again, and died down. "I would also like to explain what is going on tonight. Parents, and relatives, I thank you deeply for coming. If you care to join us for our dinner tonight, we will welcome you graciously. If you care to leave you may. We wish you a safe travel, and that you will come back to visit again at some time.

"Seventh years may stay and visit with their friends and relatives. However, we are having dinner in a half hour, and I don't suggest missing it. Other students, you are free to do the same. I bid everyone goodnight."

And he changed his voice back to regular volume, and said no more. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Jessica all made their way towards Fred, George, Lee, Alicia, Angelina, and Katie, as the families were doing the same.

When they got there, Mrs. Weasley already had her arms around Fred and George. "I can't believe it! You won an award in Transfiguration!" Mrs. Weasley was shouting proudly. "My boys!"

Harry saw Fred and George, surrounded by family as well as friends, he saw Mrs. Weasley, so proud. It brought an ache to Harry's stomach as his mind reminded him that his parents wouldn't be doing that. Then he remembered Sirius, and felt a little better. But it wouldn't be the same.

"You all were so great," said Mrs. Weasley proudly, looking at the twins' friends, who smiled back. "Congratulations! Oh, it's going to be so different…"

"Don't worry, Mum," said Fred, patting Mrs. Weasley on the back. "We'll keep in touch."
"Too right you will," said Mrs. Weasley pointedly. "I didn't spend all this time raising you for you just to leave after graduating!" Everyone laughed. "Well, I suppose we'd better be getting home, Arthur."

"Why?" asked Harry.

"Well, you are coming home tomorrow. We want to be well-rested to greet you," said Mrs. Weasley cheerfully. "Come on."

"We'll be right behind you," said Bill. Mrs. Weasley gave him a look to make sure that he kept his word, and began walking towards the exit.

"She's sure happy," said Charlie, grinning.

"Yeah. Even happier than when we and Percy graduated," said Bill.

"I guess she's really proud of us," said George said.

"Nah. I reckon she's just very surprised," said Bill. Everyone laughed again. "Well, we should go. I'll see you all tomorrow, I guess." He and Charlie then left in the same direction as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

"Shall we go get dinner?" asked George, pretending he hadn't heard Bill's comment.

They all made their way towards the Great Hall, and took their seats.

Neville saw them all dressed up, and said, "Hey, what's the occasion? Where were you all?"

"Graduation," said Hermione.

"I always wanted to go to one," Neville said longingly.

"Yeah! I remember my older brother graduated the year before I came here," said Seamus. "It was really neat…"

They spent the rest of the evening talking, and laughing. For the first time in a while, Harry ate a large dinner, helping himself to three servings of dinner, and two of desert.