Hermione's parents were very proud of her achievements. So proud, that they were less angry about the danger she had put herself in, and more accepting of the world she belonged to. They had agreed to her staying at the Burrow along with everyone else for a few months, before deciding what she wanted to pursue. Hermione had a faint idea, but there was so much to do out there, she wanted to get a taste of it all before she decided.
Hermione was glad she was spending time with her friends. It had been a long time since they had all just enjoyed life, without the stresses that seemed to follow them. She was a bit worried about possible tension that may occur between certain people, but, she thought as she watched Harry and Ginny hugging, that may not be such a problem.
"Hermione..." She turned around to the source of the voice, and found herself face to face with Ron. She looked at him for a few seconds, trying to gauge his emotion. The look affected them both, as Hermione felt her cheeks flush, and saw Ron's ears go red, which made her even more flushed.
"Congratulations Ron! I'm so proud of you!" She said sincerely.
"Me? What about you? Top of the class!" He exclaimed, looking at her warmly.
"Congratulations yourself" He said, giving her a hug. He quickly pulled back, and they both seemed unable to look at each other.
"So, er, are you parents okay about you coming to the Burrow?" He asked quickly, breaking the silence.
"Oh, uh, yes. They think I need time to relax, after everything."
Their conversation was soon interrupted as Professor McGonagall announced to the crowd that food and drink were now being served in the Great Hall.
Ron and Hermione met up with Harry and Ginny on the way in, and the four managed to grab a seat at an empty part of the table, reserving the rest of the seats for their families.
The Great Hall had been completely transformed from it's usual Hogwarts eating arrangements. The four long tables now joined, and the room was decorated with gold and silver flowers. The ceiling had been enchanted to portray a golden pink sunset, and Hermione thought the room had never looked prettier.
The Weasley and Granger parents soon joined them, as did Hagrid. The house elves had really outdone themselves in a final farewell to the leaving students, and perhaps to show off to the previous students who were now guests. Even Mrs Weasley was impressed. The eating, drinking and talking continued for what seemed like hours, until Professor McGonagall stood up and raised her glass.
"I would like to propose a toast. To all those leaving us. May you live happy and peaceful lives. These past few years have wrought chaos and disasters to our kind, so may you all now, as a dear friend of mine was fancy to say, live life! Cheers!"
Everyone joined in, and Hermione looked at her old Headmistress, her mentor of a sort, and could swear she saw a tear in the old lady's eye. The professor caught Hermione's eye, and the two shared a smile. There were a lot of people here she would miss.
The feast over, everyone began their goodbyes. Some may not see one another again, some had made friendships they would carry for the rest of their lives.
As Hermione's party left the Great Hall to depart, they said goodbye to Hagrid, and promised to keep in touch. Harry practically had to dislodge himself from Hagrid, the big man weeping on him.
Finally it came time for Hermione to say goodbye to her parents, who had decided that while Hermione was at the Burrow would take a second honeymoon. Hermione was happy her parents would have time to enjoy themselves, albeit a bit sad to have not spent much time with them.
She hugged them both tightly, promising to owl them often.
The four Weasley's, Harry and herself, then floo'd back to the Burrow.
Although Mr and Mrs Weasley were exhausted, the graduates were keen to keep celebrating. The two older Weasley's retired to their rooms, Mrs Weasley first lecturing them on behaving themselves, then telling them all how proud she was of them. After Mr Weasley finally dragged her off to bed, the trio, now a foursome sat in the living room, thinking about recent events. No one talked for awhile, each sat with their own thoughts.
What the others were thinking about Hermione did not know. But there was only one thing on her mind. And as much as she admonished herself for being foolish, she didn't want to stop thinking about him. About Ron. On one hand, she thought as she snuck a look at him, he's my best friend. If anything happened, where would that put us? Where would it put Harry and Ginny? In a pretty uncomfortable spot. On the other hand, I can't help how I feel. And the way I feel isn't going to change anytime soon. She was in a tight situation. And she knew it. She thought Ron might like her also, he sure acted jealous enough, but she wasn't brave enough to ask him. She snuck another look at him, and was startled to see him looking straight at her. They both looked away quickly. The silence was now suffocating Hermione, and she found she had to say something.
"So, what shall we do?" She asked, looking around at everyone. The group seemed to come to themselves, and started suggesting activities.
"Quick game of Quidditch?" Ron asked. Hermione was about to shot down that idea when, suprisingly, Ginny beat her to it.
"No. How about a game of truth or dare?"
Ron looked puzzled, but Harry laughed and Hermione looked at Ginny apprehensively.
"What?" Ron asked.
"It's this game some girls from Muggle families in my dorm room played. We each go around in a circle and ask, 'Truth or Dare?' The person has to choose one, without knowing what the truth or dare is. Then they HAVE to do it. And to make it a little more interesting…" Ginny got up, and disappeared upstairs. The remaining three looked at each other curiously. Ginny was soon back, holding a dusty bottle of Firewhiskey in her hand.
She sat down, and Hermione started to object. But she stopped when she saw the look on the boys' faces. Why ruin their night? I won't have much, she thought to herself.