Disclaimer; I don't own Harry Potter. And I think I might have taken the title from this chapter from that Robin Williams movie, but it definitely will be happier than that movie. Also if you want to listen to the song I had for the chapter it is 'You're still the one' by Shania Twain.
What dreams may come…
He held his breath as she descended the stairs. She was a vision of delicate beauty. And he felt like he didn't deserve her. She was dressed in a gown that was fit for a princess. Long, green and full, it made her look like pureblood nobility, and twice as beautiful. Her long curls were swept up into what looked like a sparkling tiara, and large diamonds dangled from her delicate ears. He noticed that the hem of her dress was trimmed in glowing moonflowers, and that she was wearing the snowflake he had given her for Christmas. She looked so happy that she almost glowed. Her shoes seemed to be made of glass, faintly reminding him of that Muggle fairy tale 'Cinderella'. He could not take his eyes off of her. Her amber eyes twinkled in the moonlight, and her smile was so bright it lit up the room. He kept her gaze as she walked down the steps. He ran to the bottom stair, taking her hand to his lips and kissing it lightly. She smelled like heaven, like an angel on earth would smell, and he couldn't get enough. He looked up to see every man in the room had stopped what they were doing to stare at his date. They all had the same look on their faces that he had the first night he realized that he loved her. Some of the other girls were hitting their men on the shoulder and scowling. He heard some ask,
"Who is that girl?"
"Where did she come from, is she visiting from another school?"
His smile brightened immensely and he suddenly felt less nervous.
"My lady" he said to her, his eyes never leaving hers for even a second.
"My lord" she said in a breathy voice that made him long for her right then and there.
His eyes were locked into my soul as he kissed my hand. They were shining and he looked so handsome, and sexy that he took my breath away. I noticed that several guys had stopped and looked my way as I came down the stairs. Guys who had barley noticed me the past seven years. I also noticed girls who had been cold to me in the past, looking very jealous at my handsome date. The room had gone ghostly quiet, when I looked over Harry and Ron. They too were caught in some kind of limbo, mouths hanging open as they looked at me like I was a total stranger. Ginny broke the silence after a minute or so.
"Harry, you might want to close your mouth before you drown in your own spit." she laughed.
He looked startled, as he closed his mouth and wiped a little saliva from the corner of his mouth.
"Wow, Hermione! Is that you?" Harry asked, almost as if he were expecting me to say no. I blushed.
"Yes it is, surprised?" I asked, laughing at him. Ron just stared, and didn't say a word. Hannah looked annoyed.
"Ronald," I said, "doesn't Hannah look beautiful?" I was trying to divert his attention.
"Oh, Hannah, I am so sorry," he said, his face turning red. "I usually don't see her in anything other than big oversized school robes, or jeans. You look beautiful Hannah, I got you this." his ears going redder, and placed the orchid on her wrist.
"Thank you" she said blushing and giggling. I winked at her, telling her in girl language that I was no threat to her and Ron. He turned his full attention to her and that was how it should be.
Draco took my arm and placed a corsage on my wrist. He then took my hand and led me over to the doors of the great hall. It was now eight o'clock and the doors suddenly swung open. The full effect of the ball was thrust upon our young eyes. It was a magical place, full of possibilities. We got our picture taken by the fountain and then made our way over to our table, which was at the front of the hall. As head boy and girl we were expected to lead the first dance. Up at the staff table, most of the teachers had made a real effort to dress up and have a good time. They were chatting and dancing and looking curiously at the bewitched speakers.
Draco, being the noble gentleman, pulled out my seat for me and motioned for the other two boys to do the same. Harry and Ron were clueless about dating etiquette. The guys went off to get us some drinks.
"This is wonderful Hermione!" Ginny said as she glanced around at the great hall. "I hardly recognize it."
"Thank you" I said "it did turn out nice." It had the feeling of an outdoor garden party, and that is just what I wanted. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Even Neville had found a date. Luna Lovegood. They looked happy together and I felt happy for them.
The boys came back with our drinks and sat down. Just then McGonagall stood up at the podium.
"Attention, attention students, please take your seats for just a moment. I have a few things Id like to say."
Everyone walked to their assigned tables and took their seats.
"First off, I would like to thank our Head boy and girl for all of their hard work and dedication this past year to make this school, not just this party a complete success." she motioned over to us, and we stood up and looked around as everyone clapped.
"Second, I must say, after the events of last year, I never thought this school would regain the unity and spirit it had long ago. Dumbledore will always live in this school, in our hearts and in our minds. And I think he would be more than proud that everyone came together this year and made an effort at school unity." she raised her glass, "to Dumbledore"
"To Dumbledore" the whole room whispered and held their glasses high.
I noticed tears welling in Harry and Draco's eyes. I knew both of them felt personally responsible for Dumbledore's death, and my heart went out to them both. They were both so similar now, both orphans riddled with grief, but also both able to move on and grasp life.
"Thirdly," McGonagall begun, "I have to say how sad I am to have this class leaving us this year. From the moment you stepped into Hogwarts, I knew things would never be the same. Some of you have fought your demons and won." she glanced at our table and I saw Harry blush, but smile just the same. "While some of you have demons yet to face. I know everyone in this room has the potential to be someone great, no matter what you choose to do." Her blue eyes sparkled with tears. "Here's to the seventh years of Hogwarts." she held her glass high again, and everyone joined in. "to us."
"Finally, let us have the Head boy and girl, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger up here to lead us in the first dance of the night. Mr. Thomas, are you ready? Yes? Then let's begin." she motioned for us to come onto the dance floor at the front of the hall.
Draco and I stood up and walked to the dance floor.
"Are you ready?" he asked me with his head on my shoulder.
"Seems like I always have been." I smiled back, wrapping my arms around him.
The wireless started to play the song I picked for our first dance; 'Your'e still the one' by Shania Twain.
He looked me deep in the eyes as he whirled me around the great hall, in front of the whole school. He leaned his head on my shoulders and whispered the song into my ear, into my heart.
He leaned his head in close to mine…
The whole room was deafly quiet. It was if we were the only ones in the room. He was kissing me lovingly, and all else faded into the walls. All at once I heard clapping, and looked up to see a standing ovation. Everyone in the hall was standing up, clapping, and some whistling loudly. I looked around, blushing madly, smiling from ear to ear.
"See my princess" he whispered "you make the world a better place to live in."
Another slow song came on, and everyone flooded the floor. I saw Harry and Ginny dancing slowly in a loving embrace, and Ron and Hannah looked awkward, but still happy. Group after group of happy couples danced slowly around us.
"I never imagined our final year here would be like this." I told him as he held me tightly.
"Me either. If you had told me last year, when I was so consumed with saving my family," he looked down, sadness in his voice "that I would be so happy now, I never would have believed you." The slow song ended and a fast one began.
"Let's go sit" I said sweetly to my shining prince, as he led me back to our table.
I was proud of myself. The night had gone on without any problems. We sat and made small talk, ate some delicious food, and danced the night away under the stars.
Just before midnight, Draco stood up and walked over to McGonagall. She smiled at him, and stood up at the podium.
"Your head boy, Draco Malfoy, has some parting words for the class. Please everyone take your seats, and give him the respect and attention you would me. Thank you."
Draco nodded at her, and walked up to the stand.
"Good evening all seventh year students and their guests. It has been my pleasure this year to be your head boy. I think over the past seven years, all of us, including myself, have grown into the people you see before you today. I know I have not always been the perfect friend, classmate or team mate, but I am grateful to all those who saw past my past deeds, and came to be my friends. Everyone here has made changes, and sacrifices so that we would all be sitting here today, free of an evil dictator, free to choose who to be and who to love. As you all prepare to go back to your families, remember how precious they are. They may not be perfect, mine were not, but they are yours and yours alone. And once they are gone," he had tears in his eyes, "there will be no replacing them. Some of us will go on to Wizarding College, some to a job that is waiting, and some to marry and start families, and as we scatter across these lands, remember the unity and friendships you made here at Hogwarts. And that is why I would like us all to stand up and sing the Hogwarts school song, just as we did our first year here when we were just beginning our life's journey." He motioned for everyone to stand.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees.
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff.
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn till our brains all rot!"
I didn't know whether to laugh madly, or cry hysterically. I looked back to that first day here, that first song, and to Dumbledore standing at the front of the hall, instructing us all to keep out of the third floor corridor. (Which we never listened to anyway.) I looked up and saw Draco looking proudly on the class, all of whom were a little teary eyed. He had shining tears in his beautiful pale silver eyes. He cleared his throat a little and said;
"I would now ask Hermione Granger, Head girl to come up here and say a few words. She earned the most N.E.W.T.s with a perfect score on all of them. The brightest, most promising witch in our class." he beamed at me, clapping and bowing. I was very red, and didn't want to go up and speak. But I was more confident than I ever was and held my head high as I walked up on the stage and took the podium.
"Well…uh…thank you for that warm welcome, I don't know where to begin. I too have had a wonderful year as Head girl. And I'm glad its over." the whole crowd gasped.
"Not in the way you may be thinking." I smiled sweetly. "My seven years here at Hogwarts have been filled with much more than I could have hoped. I found friends, loves and been through more emotion than I care to recall. I love studying, but I am also glad that I can take time to relax after exams are over, and spend time with my friends and my friends who I consider to be family." I looked over at Ron and Harry and smiled.
"Last year was one of the saddest I had, and for all of us who loved him, he is still alive in our hearts. And it is sad to leave him and the memory of him here. But remember, he will always remain here, as long as those who are loyal to him remain. So I say to our underclassmen, make sure that the legend of Dumbledore lives on in these great hall, make sure everyone who enters here knows the great things, and the great sacrifices he made, make sure all who enter here are loyal to him and his memory."
"Well said" someone yelled.
"Here, here." another shouted.
Draco came towards me, and stood next to me.
"And now, classmates and friends, I have just one more thing to say, before we depart and prepare for graduation tomorrow."
He stepped back, and bent down on one knee. My eyes widened.
'No, he is not doing this.' I thought, nervously biting my lip.
"Hermione Granger, will you do me the honor of spending your life with me? Will you marry me?" he flashed a diamond the size of a gobstone, and smiled up at me with those beautiful, clear silver blue eyes.