Hermione squinted against the harsh morning light, sucking her breath in between her teeth sharply. As Madame Pomfrey said, the potion had dulled her eyesight to that of a normal human, so she didn't suffer her usual headache, but it was bright. Nothing could alter that.
Next to her, Harry laughed gently at her expression. "It's only for today, Hermione. But if you really want to take the counter-potion…" He smirked at the irritated glance she threw at him.
"Of course not! I am not going to miss today! Just give me some sunglasses, please!" Nervously, she glanced back through the window again, noting the crowd on the grounds. Hermione's stomach clenched, and she grimaced. You have nothing to worry about, she chided herself.
As if sensing her agitation, Harry moved behind her, to kiss her temple gently, and to wrap his arms about her. "It'll be fine, Hermione. Really."
"It's just…so many people…I've haven't interacted with so many people since…"
"I know."
The sound of a door slamming open made them turn to face the entrance to the hospital wing. Ron stood, grinning slightly. "You lovebirds ready to go yet, or shall I wait a few minutes and come back?"
"No, we're ready," Harry answered.
As they followed their best friend through the halls, out the doors, and onto the lawns, Hermione breathed an inward sigh of relief. Ron had learned the truth of her nature in April, and had ignored them for a month and a half. But now, they once more had a rapport, though it would take a while to fully mend their friendship. Still, she was glad it had taken place before school ended. Especially as they would no longer be returning to this castle as students, though she doubted they would completely sever ties with the school, as some graduates did.
And if Dumbledore's right, I may be back sooner than I plan…No. She wasn't going to spoil today with negative thoughts.
The ceremony passed in a blur of names, movement, and clapping. Before Hermione knew it, it was done, and she was clutching a diploma in her hands. All around her, students were rushing about, greeting families. Hermione felt a sharp pang of sadness – the anti-Muggle spells Hogwarts possessed were so interwoven into the school's defenses that they could not be lifted even for graduation ceremonies. Her parents, like those of the other Muggle-born students in her class, were waiting in Hogsmeade, where they had viewed everything through a magical viewer designed for such occasions. She would not be seeing them for another hour, at least. To cheer herself up, she looked about to see where Harry had disappeared to.
"Hermione, dear! There you are!" Mrs. Weasley made her way over to the young witch, beaming. Though Ron and Percy had initially resisted Hermione's vampiric state, the rest of the family had been amazingly accepting of it. Behind Mrs. Weasley, Hermione could see the rest of the family, Harry, and some other adults she could not see clearly, making their way toward her.
The next instant, she was being crushed in a bear hug by Ron's mother, while shaking hands with Charlie. Excited exclamations of congratulations were voiced by many, and Hermione felt her head pound. As Mrs. Weasley released, she was swept into another pair of arms, this time belonging to Ginny. Through the mass of red hair, she spied Harry, also engaged in a Weasley hug.
After a round of comments that centered around the "well done!" statement, Hermione succeeded in stepping away from the group for a minute. As she'd hoped, Harry was beside her shortly, silently offering support. She leaned against him gratefully.
"Hermione," said a soft voice from behind them. She and Harry turned to see Remus Lupin, who had come, though he claimed it was for all three of his favorite pupils, to see Harry graduate. Lupin gazed at her critically a moment, before speaking.
"I offer my congratulations, and my well wishes, of course. But as I am sure you know, you face a tougher challenge than most in your career search. Half-humans are not regarded well in most circles of wizarding society. Despite your brilliance, you may only encounter offers of drudge work, or pity offers. Very few will likely be based on your skill and mind alone. I know Dumbledore has offered you a position here, should you choose to accept it. I also believe I know you feel there's no way you can take such a job without trying to prove you can carve your own way first, without aid. And this is understandable. But remember this: never be ashamed to rely on your friends if you truly need their support. And if you find yourself doing drudge work, do it well and prove to those poor ignorant bastards that they cannot break you." He offered her a wan smile. "Best of luck to you, Hermione." With a nod to Harry, he drifted away.
The pair stood silent for a moment, before Hermione turned a puzzled gaze to Harry. "Why didn't he stay longer?"
Harry sighed. "Too many memories, I think. With all of his childhood friends gone, Hogwarts serves equally strongly as both a reminder of his gains and his losses. But he warned me he would not be able to remain long, and I don't hold it against him. He was here, and that's what counts."
Nodding, she leaned against him, both to reassure him and herself. Today, for Harry, was a reminder that he had lost the people whose presence at such occasions was normally taken for granted. Much as he loved the Weasleys and Lupin, Hermione knew he missed his true parents and Sirius quite a bit today. For her, well, Lupin had summed up the meaning of graduation quite well.
Stop, she scolded herself. Graduation is meant for celebration, not worry. Enjoy the moment while you can and worry over it tomorrow.
Glancing at her watch, Hermione's pensive expression shattered to make way for one of happiness. "Harry," she smiled, "it's time to go meet my parents!"
And together, they set off down the hill for Hogsmeade.
A/N: Ok, to clear up any confusions/misconceptions/etc: I do plan on this fic continuing. However, as I want to break away from having the trio at school, I will not be updating this as often as my other fics. New territory, new problems, new case of writer's block. So I will not make promises, other than I will see this fic through to its completion, even if it seems I've forgotten it.
Ron and Harry are not vampires. I can also say, with relative certainty, they will not become vampires in this fic. I have considered it, so I will not fully slam the door on that idea, but it is not likely to happen. If one of the boys does become a vampire, it is more likely to be Harry than Ron.
As to the vampire mythology I'm using, I've pretty much compiled several different views into one. To become a vampire, there must be a two-way exchange of blood. Since Hermione was asleep when she was changed, it is possible for this exchange to occur without the new vampire knowing it until they wake. Sunlight does not kill; it merely ranges from an irritation to an experience similar to a migraine. Vampires can shape-shift, and do not need only human blood to survive. However, once given blood directly from a living human being, they can never be fully satisfied with other blood sources again. It'd be to them what tasting the world's most fabulous pizza once, and then forever eating school pizza afterwards: sustaining, but not fulfilling. Vampires cannot, however, mind read, though if they know someone well, they may be able to sense emotions more clearly than the average human. As to the issue of mortality, there will likely be no situation pertaining to it, but my vampires are mortal. If left alone, they will live for a long time, but not forever. More like 500 – 1,000 years.