The Great Hall was almost vibrating with excitement on the last day of school. Seventh years, in their black graduation robes and hats, were exchanging addresses and conjuring up tissues before they started sobbing. Parents, sneaking in to see their child before the leave to wait outside for them, snapped pictures and sniffled excessively. Amongst all this were the teachers, beaming with pride and sadness while trying to usher out the wayward parents at the same time.

The last of the families were scurrying away when Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium and clapped to quiet the seventh-years down.

"Before I usher you out into the graduation ceremony, I must say one thing. I would like to tell you all. Congratulations on passing all seven years in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We are deeply honored for you to be our graduating class of 2006." Clapping and cheering erupted from the students. McGonagall smiled and waited patiently until the noise died down.

"Now, as soon as the doors to the outside open, the seventh years of the Gryffindor house will file out—" cheers came from the Gryffindor table- "followed by the Slytherins-" clapping issued from the respective table- "then Ravenclaw-" more shouts "and Hufflepuff"- a surge of badger pride was let forth- "onto the lawn for your graduation ceremony. The diplomas will start at the top of the alphabet of the Hufflepuffs and move its way down to Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor." Professor McGonagall sighed and gazed out at the four tables. "This class especially has been through some of the hardest times that Hogwarts has ever seen. The rest of the school is deeply proud of you for persevering through those troubling ordeals." She paused. "Now, if the Gryffindor Head Boy and Girl please lead the Gryffindor students out to the lawn. More cheers and clapping burst forth as Neville Longbottom and Lavender Brown started forward out through the doors.

The bright sunlight from the clear sky above soaked into the black robes of the students, seeming to bake them quickly. Everyone soon started to realize the terribly large amount of Hufflepuff graduates there were. As the last Hufflepuff, Jason Zimmerman, received his diploma, the clapping was a bit more enthusiastic. The Ravenclaw students came and went uneventfully, and the Slytherins started up.

"Malfoy's just about to go up there." Hermione nudged Ashley. Ashley nodded and clapped as Emily Lyne stepped off the stage.

"Draco Malfoy."

Hermione nudged Ashley a bit harder and grinned at her. Ashley giggled and pushed back. Draco stepped up onto the stage with a ghost of a smile on his face. Professor McGonagall handed him his diploma and shook his hand.

"You deserve it, Mr. Malfoy." She nodded and let Draco bow towards the audience. Ashley whistled. Draco grinned at her and shook his head as he sat back down.

The rest of the Slytherins graduated quickly, finally letting in the Gryffindors, starting with the valedictorian of the class.

"Before we start calling the last of the seventh years, I feel I must announce the valedictorian of this class, which has this year come from the house of Godric Gryffindor. May Hermione Granger please come up to the stage." Cheers erupted violently from the graduating class as Hermione, face a bright shade of vermillion, shuffled towards the stage. Ron beamed at her.

"I knew she would be it. I just knew it. Bloody brilliant, she is. Don't you think, Harry?" Ron let out a loud whistle. Harry laughed and shook his head. Hermione soon came back to her seat beside Ron as Hannah Artinger was called up for her diploma.

"Congratulations, Hermione." Ron hugged her. Hermione giggled and turned to hug Harry and Ashley as well.

"I had no idea I would be the valedictorian, I mean- me…" Ron laughed.

"Well, of course it would be you- Sirius himself said that you were the brightest witch of your age." Harry mentioned his godfather, Sirius, who had indeed said so before going into hiding from the Ministry of Magic.

"Jon Bakesworth." Professor McGonagall called out.

"Almost your turn, Ashley." Harry commented. Ashley gave a small smile. A few rows back Draco was on the edge of his seat.

Ashley's next in line. He thought. 1…2…3…

"Elizabeth Blinkley."

What!

"What!" Harry whispered to no-one in particular, Ron's mouth fell open. Ashley just stared at Professor McGonagall.

"Maybe she just…skipped your name. That's all. After Elizabeth sits down, she'll call you." Hermione stammered. Elizabeth sat down amidst muffled clapping. Professor McGonagall gazed at her list of names again.

"Matthew Cerris." Matthew stood up. Ashley closed her eyes.

"I am graduating, aren't I? Is there some course I forgot to take? Something?" Her voice shook. Hermione put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's all right- you are graduating. We'll just find Professor McGonagall afterwards and tell her that she didn't call your name. Ashley opened her eyes. Harry and Ron nodded vigorously to reassure her. A short hiss came from behind them.

"What is she doing?" Draco mouthed as Harry turned around. Harry shrugged and turned back around. Draco leaned back in his chair and frowned.

"Harry Potter." An explosion of applause burst forward as his name was finally called.

"Congratulations, Mr. Potter. And thank you for all you've done." Professor McGonagall beamed as Harry took a bow towards a standing audience. Ron stood up on his seat and whistled as loud as he could.

"GO HARRY!" Ron yelled as Hermione and Ashley doubled over with laughter. Harry waved to him from the stage and laughed as well. It took a full five minutes to quiet everyone down after Harry had sat back down, and "Kiera Povan" was called up to continue the ceremony.

A reception similar to Harry's was issued for a red-eared Ron as well, and the Gryffindors at the end of the alphabet were finished quickly. Ashley was back to fidgeting nervously after Oliver Zarin sat down with his diploma. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and stepped to the podium once more.

"I will take this time to congratulate you all on this very high achievement, and I would also like to congratulate the parents on raising such brilliant students." Light clapping interrupted her for a moment. "But there is one other person who has come here from across the ocean to be our very first exchange student here at Hogwarts. Many of you already know who this person is, and will you please join me in welcoming Ashley Baron to the stage."

Draco jumped to his feet along with everyone else as Ashley gave an embarrassed smile and a bow to the crowd. At least she had her diploma now. The cheering quieted as Ashley returned to her chair next to Hermione and the student speech-giver, a Ravenclaw, stepped up to the podium with a pile of notecards.

"Ashley!" Draco whispered, and grinned as she turned to face him.

"Congratulations, Ash!" He grinned. Ashley smiled.

"Congratulations to you too!" She answered before the Ravenclaw started to speak. Most of the seventh-years didn't listen to her speech- even Hermione zoned out after a minute and could only say afterwards that the speech was something about success after school and finding the right career. Professor McGonagall stepped up after her and, sensing the students' rapidly decreasing attention span, made a short speech of congratulations. Sighing, she once more gazed out at the graduating class of 2006.

"You are now alumni of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The whole lawn exploded with cheers, sobs, clapping, and pointed hats being thrown into the air.

"Ron! Harry! Hermione! Ashley!" Mrs. Weasley pushed her way through the mass of students and families towards the group. "Oh, I'm so proud of you." She gave a sob and threw her arms around Ron.

"Thanks, mum. Really." He stepped back a bit and let his father pull her off. Mrs. Weasley sighed and started hugging all of the others.

"We're very proud of you, son." Mr. Weasley grinned. Ron nodded and laughed as Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry a second time.

"Oh, I need a tissue." Almost in hysterics by now, Mrs. Weasley went off in search of a tissue, Mr. Weasley trailing behind.

"Well, Harry, it's only a matter of time before you get attacked by another certain redhead." Ashley remarked. Harry grinned.

"Actually, I thought she was going to come earlier than this, but…" A blur swept past the others and latched itself onto Harry.

"Harry, congratulations. Really, we're all so proud of you." Ginny blurted before kissing him. Two simultaneous groans came from in front of the group.

"Get a room, you two!" Fred and George sauntered up to them. Fred slapped Ron on the back.

"Congrats, dear Ronald. You've done what we never had the courage to do-"

"Been nerds and stayed at this place for seven years." George finished and tussled Ron's hair. Fred tapped George on the shoulder.

"Got to get back and close shop before the party." He waved to the others. "See you all at Malfoy's house."

"Party? Malfoy's house?" Ashley asked.

"Don't you remember? Draco organized a graduation party at his house. He's invited us, my parents, and Ron's whole family." Hermione explained. Ashley paused, then nodded.

"Ok, I remember now. Yeah, that's right. Speaking of Draco, did he get lost on the way over here or something?" She tried to search the crowd for him.

"Attack!" Draco yelled and grabbed Ashley's waist from behind, spinning her around.

"Malfoy, put me down!" Ashley shouted and was set down on her feet again.

"Congratulations, first exchange student ever." Draco hugged her.

"You too, un-special graduate." Ashley hugged him back.

"Hey!" Draco mock pouted. Ashley laughed and gave him another quick hug.

"You know I'm kidding." She said. Draco sighed.

"I guess."