Chapter 26. I know I haven't updated for a while, but I've been trying to think on what to call the sequel and if this should be the last chapter. I still haven't decided, so I will let you know by the end of this chapter, I hope. On a sadder note, NO ONE reviewed my last chapter. There was like 115 people that got onto it, but no one reviewed….that's sad.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 26: Graduation
Hermione and Draco were satisfied on how the wedding went. It was huge and elegant. They loved that they put it outside and their surroundings helped set the mood just right, especially the sunset.
Graduation was only in a few days. Everyone finished their exams with passing grades, especially Hermione and Draco. Harry and Ron had done better than they had expected, but they were happy with whatever they got, as long as they didn't flunk. As the tests ended and the seventh years got their relaxation time, most of them became more depressed. They were leaving their home of seven years, and not to mention their friends who are practically family to them.
"I don't want to leave this place, Draco," Hermione said. They under a tree outside by the lake. They were lying on their backs looking up at the beautiful sky.
"Me either," he said truthfully, "we've been here seven years and they expect us to just walk out of here with joy and happiness."
"I know, but we have a lot to look forward to too," she smiled at him and took his hand. He smiled back.
"True, and we can easily keep in touch with Harry, Ginny, and Blaise," he said.
"Yeah, but still," she sighed, "I don't want to leave. I may not be best friends with everyone, but they're still my friends nonetheless."
"Don't worry, we'll keep in touch with them," he reassured and kissed her lightly.
"Alright…" she sighed again.
"Come on, get a little happier for now, we haven't left yet," he said. She smiled and nodded.
"Okay, let's go get something to eat," she suggested. They stood up and went to the Great Hall.
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Graduation Day
The five closest friends were in the Heads' Dorm, putting on their cap and gown. Harry, Ginny, Blaise, Hermione, and Draco were in the common room getting themselves ready for the exciting, yet depressing somewhat, day.
Hermione sighed, "Everyone ready?"
"Yeah," said Ginny. I'm not Hermione sighed to herself and walked down to the Great Hall where the students were to meet before they started the ceremony outside by the lake. Don't worry about it she heard a voice in her head. It was Draco. She kicked herself mentally because she forgot the whole mind reading thing, which she figured is permanent. We've been over this, Draco, and I am happy that we're graduating, but I still don't want to leave everyone behind she told him. Don't worry, you'll see them again Draco mused. Hermione turned her head towards him quizzically. He smiled and opened the doors to the hall before Hermione asked what he meant.
"Good afternoon, seventh years," he said, not having the usual bounciness in his voice, but his eyes twinkled just the same, "I would like to congratulate you all for succeeding in these seven years. I, of course, do not want to see my students leave the castle unhappy, so I have talked to the Head Boy and we have made an agreement, in which he will announce after your ceremony."
The hall erupted into whispers on the surprise Dumbledore and Draco seemed to be planning. Hermione turned to him and looked at him.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I'm not telling," he teased.
"Does this have to do with what you just told me?"
"Yup."
Hermione thought to herself and spoke, "Fine, I'll wait, but I think you should have at least told me something about a surprise."
"Too late now, huh?" he asked rhetorically while smiling. She rolled her eyes.
"Alright, everyone, out to the lake!" Dumbledore boomed. Everyone moved outside and sat in their seats in front of the platform.
"I am proud to announce the graduating class of 2005!" he bellowed, everyone applauded, "I would like to thank all of you for coming. This is a great honor for the students, staff, and myself." he smiled, "I would like to start naming off students as they come up for their diplomas in alphabetical order."
Dumbledore began calling names while everyone sat quietly and patiently until they were done. As he called just a few more people after Blaise Zabini, he smiled and made a notion for Draco to come up. He gave Hermione's hand, which he'd been holding since it started, a squeeze and walked up to the platform.
"On behalf of the headmaster, myself, and my beautiful wife, or Head Girl," he smirked as Hermione rolled her eyes, but gave him a smile, "We would like to announce that every five years from now and on, there will be a reunion for the seventh years that are graduating today." Everyone cheered.
Draco just smiled and yelled over them, "You will receive an invitation two weeks prior to the reunion!" He walked back to Hermione and kissed her as everyone started throwing their hats up, just like the way muggles do when they graduate.
"Did you like the surprise?" he asked.
"Yes!" she cheered, "I'm so glad that you thought of that."
"Me too." he kissed her lightly.
At the party after the ceremony that was held in the Great Hall, Hermione met up with her family. She ran to them and threw herself onto her brothers and parents, briefly forgetting about Draco.
"Congratulations, Hermione," each of her brothers said as they gave her a hug.
"Thank you, guys, I'm so glad you could make it," she told them.
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Danny said. They others nodded. Hermione turned around and grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him closer.
"Congrats to you too, Draco," said Greg.
"Thank you," Draco nodded and smiled.
"Mom?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, dear?"
"Can I speak with you for a moment?" she asked a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"Sure," she said and Hermione lead her away.
"Mom, I wanted to tell you something…" Hermione looked away.
"What is it, Hermione?"
"Um…I just wanted to tell you…that I want to go live with Draco at the manor." she inquired.
Her mom nodded and smiled, "That is totally up to you, honey, you are a married woman now, but you must visit at least once a week."
Hermione nodded, still a little shocked her mother just took it as if she just asked for a new pair of jeans instead of asking to move out with her husband, and hugged her mother, "I'm glad you're okay with this, I honestly had no idea how you would react."
"Well, you're a big girl and I think you're old enough to make these decisions." she said.
Hermione sighed in relief, "Thanks, Mom."
"You're welcome. Now come on, who knows what they're doing to the poor boy." They walked back to Draco and Hermione's brothers. They were talking animatedly. From what Hermione could tell, they were talking about sports.
"Hey," said Ryan as they walked up.
"Hello, what are you guys talking about?" Hermione asked.
"Sports," said Danny. Hermione rolled her eyes, but smiled. She liked sports as well, but her brothers never really took her to games or stuff like that. Her favorite was basketball.
"I've never really heard you talk about sports, besides quidditch," she said to Draco.
"You never asked," he smirked and kissed her lightly. "Besides, you don't talk about sports either."
She smirked, "You never asked."
After the party, the seventh years had a couple more days to pack up and bid their good-byes to all their friends and teachers. Hermione's family had gone home, and her and Draco had gone back up to their dorm.
"This has been a long day," she said exhaustedly while dropping herself onto the warm cushions on the couch.
"Yeah, it has," Draco agreed, sitting down next to her. She leaned over and laid in his arms.
"I love you." she said.
"I love you too."
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The End! I hope you all liked it and I know it was an awkward part to stop it, but hey, its my story and there's going to be a sequel anyways. I've chosen Life, It Used To Be Perfect as the name of the sequel so keep an eye out for that. Okay, now that I'm done with this chapter, there was only 3 reviews! that's still sad considering there were like 140 people that got on the chap before this….. Here's how it works, the more who review, the faster you get the sequel out, okay? Thanks, it really does motivate me to write when I read your reviews.
P.S. I know it's short, but hey, it was the end so…. Please let me know if I forgot anything and I will try to fit it in the sequel or something…I don't know, but just let me know if there is any problems or something. Thanks.
K
