Disclaimer: For the 33rd time, I don't own anything. JK Rowling does!

Author's note: So, yeah, I finally got a keyboard that works. It isn't even brand new, but it's doable. At least it didn't take me three months to update this time, right? Anyway, we're getting closer to the end...only one more chapter to go and then the sequel. Honestly, I don't know when I'll be starting the sequel, cause I have an idea for a new fic, a series actually. No worries though, cause it will all happen eventually. Until then, I hope you enjoy reading everything that I write. Thanks, LilyK

Don't forget to Read & Review!

Chapter 33: Newts and Graduation Day

"You ready?" Ron asked, putting a comforting arm around his much shorter girlfriend.

"As ready as I'll ever be, Ron," replied Hermione with a weary smile. All of that hard work and studying till all hours of the night had better pay off, or she might just scream.

"Let's do this," Harry said with a confidence that had formed from all of Stephanie's encouragement.

Ron grunted, looking sort of green in the face. "No, lets get this over with."

Hermione glanced at her boyfriend and felt a twinge of guilt. All of this time Ron had been busy telling her how great she was going to do and she hadn't even thought to return the favor. He was probably more nervous than she was, considering that he'd always had a harder time with school than she did. "It will be alright, Ron," she promised, giving him a light peck on the cheek.

Ron gave her a small smile, appearing alot healthier than a few minutes before.

The trio looked at each other, then back at the double doors that led to the Great Hall. Apparently thinking along the same lines, they all headed inside.

-------------------

"So, have you two studied?" Stephanie asked them for the thousandth time in the last two days.

"Yes," Draco and Blaise sighed.

"So when you two walk through those double doors, you're absolutely positive that you're going to kick ass and do great on the NEWTS!" she exclaimed.

The older boys looked at her as if she was someone who belonged in St. Mungos.

Stephanie tapped her foot impatiently. "Well?"

"Yes, Granger," Draco answered sarcastically.

She glared at him. "Alright, good. Now get your asses in there and make me proud!" Stephanie demanded.

Blaise winked at her. "Yes, ma'am."

"Go!" she yelled.

They gave her the look again.

"Now!" Stephanie screamed, pointing to the doors that led to the Great Hall.

Almost running scared, Blaise hurried to get away from the crazy woman.

"Bloody poofter," Draco muttered, taking his sweet time to get to the doors.

"GO!" Stephanie roared at him.

"Bloody hell, I'm going," Draco said, running away.

-------------------

Professor Snape seemed just as menacing as he did almost seven years ago as he walked in front of his seventh year students.

Ron scowled at the greasy-haired man. "Bloody hell, lets get on with it then," he mumbled under his breath in annoyance. This was taking way too long and he was already starving.

"What was that Mr. Weasley?" Snape drawled.

"Uh, nothing sir," Ron coughed, trying to hide his embarrassment at being caught.

"That's what I thought," the Professor sneered at him.

Draco let out a snicker from the seat behind Harry.

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry growled out at the Slytherin.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Shove it, Potter. No one was talking to you."

"So much for getting along," Hermione retorted quietly, but loud enough for them to hear her.

That made them shut up, for the time being anyway.

"Now," Professor Snape began, "you are about to begin your Potions part of the exam. Absolutely no talking at all. Period," he said, glancing at three particular people, "Or you will be severely punished," he threatened.

"Oooh, so scary," said Ron sarcastically, tapping his quill against the top of his desk.

"Shut it, Ronald!" Hermione demanded, exasperated. Good Merlin, that boy was going to drive her nutters before the day was over with.

"Yes, do be quiet, Mr. Weasley," Professor Snape echoed. "Now, here are your tests," he said, and with a wave of his wand they appeared on the student's desks.

"You may begin."

-------------------

"I can't believe that we're leaving this place in exactly two days," Ginny said, taking a seat next to Stephanie in Defense Against The Dark Arts.

Stephanie nodded. "Yeah, I know. And just think, we'll be spending the entire summer in another country, with four other people!"

"Yeah. It still seems really hard to believe. It's like something you'd read in a muggle book," she observed. "I just wish that I could see my mum, you know? Just so I can see that she's okay, because if I see it myself, then I know for sure," Ginny said, thinking of how much she missed her mum and her father.

Stephanie laid her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Don't worry, Gin. I'm sure she's fine. I'm sure everything is fine," she reassured her.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Ginny agreed, praying that it was true.

"Hey, look on the bright side," she smiled. "At least you and Drake are getting along."

Ginny winced, "Yeah, not so much actually."

"Why? What happened?" asked Stephanie, concern etched on her pretty features.

"He kind of tried to kiss me and I sorta pushed him away," Ginny informed.

"What?" Stephanie asked in shock. "You're shitting me!"

Ginny shook her dark red hair out of her face. "I'm afraid not."

Stephanie made an 'oh' face. "Wow, that's big."

"Yeah it is," she retorted, getting angry. "And I honestly cannot believe that git tried to kiss me! I mean, who the hell does he think he is? After every damn thing that he's done and he has the nerve to try and kiss me!" Ginny screamed, earning the attention of the entire class.

"Nothing to see here! Move it along! Get your own life, people!" Stephanie yelled, making a few of the students jump in fear. She turned back to Ginny and was about to ask her something else, but the DADA Professor walked in the classroom, signaling the start of exams. Stephanie stared intently at Ginny, knowing her friend was a hiding a certain something from her. She guessed that it had to do with the fact that Ginny had probably wanted to kiss Draco, but was afraid to do so.

Ginny leaned over. "I'll tell you later, I promise," she whispered, knowing exactly what her dark-haired friend wanted to ask her. "Until then, bring on the exams."

-------------------

Ginny chewed on her sandwich, a thoughtful expression on her face. Stephanie, who was busy tapping her nails on the desk, sat next to her with an impatient look on her face.

"Are you going to tell me anytime soon?" Stephanie asked in annoyance.

"Tell you what?" Ginny replied, acting like she had no idea what Stephanie was going on about. She loved getting on her nerves, which wasn't too often, since it was usually the other way around.

Stephanie threw her hands in the air, letting out a groan. "You know exactly what, so don't even think about playing the dumb card with me, Gin!"

"Yeah, okay." Ginny smiled at the little 'huff' that escaped Stephanie's loud and obnoxious mouth.

"Well?" Stephanie urged.

Ginny shrugged. "I already told you everything. He asked if he could kiss me and I was completely shell-shocked. I didn't say anything. I just stood there like an idiot waiting for him to do it," she explained, playing the memory over and over in her head. "When he finally tried to kiss me, I said no and pushed him away," Ginny finished morosely.

"Gotcha," Stephanie said, making a clicking noise with her tongue. "So why'd you push him away, Ginny?"

"I don't know!" Ginny cried. "I wanted to kiss him, I did! It's just that..."

"It's just what?" Stephanie asked, eyebrow raised.

"I'm not ready for that yet, no matter how bad I may want it," Ginny replied honestly, finally admitting it to herself.

Stephanie nodded. "Totally understandable, chick. But," she paused, "do you think you'll ever be ready for that again?"

"I really dunno," Ginny answered truthfully.

-------------------

"So how did you do?" Ginny asked The Trio as soon as they walked out of the dining hall.

"I'm at least 99 sure that I got an Outstanding in everything!" Hermione announced proudly.

Ginny squealed, giving the older girl a hug. "Congratulations, Hermione!" Turning to her big brother, she asked, "Well, what about you, Ron?"

He sighed. "Uh, I did alright I guess. Not as good as my Hermione of course, but it's safe to say that I passed," he joked. "Hell, I'm just glad that it's over with."

"Merlin, you're telling me," Harry chimed in.

Ginny laughed. "How'd you do Harry?"

Harry shrugged. "I did good enough. All of the studying that Hermione and Steph made me do really paid off in the end.

"Well it was definitely our pleasure," Stephanie said, popping up behind Ginny. "Right, Hermione?"

Hermione smiled. "Yes, of course it was. It's always nice to know that I've helped someone better their education."

"Definitely my girl," Ron laughed, hugging her to him.

Hermione blushed lightly, smiling happily.

"So," Stephanie looked at each of them. "Where's Draco and Blaise at?"

"Oh, I saw Malfoy stop to talk to Professor Snape," Harry replied, while Ron made an ugly face at the mention of his favorite Professor and Ginny giggled. "So Blaise probably stayed with him," he continued, trying to ignore his best friend.

"Well, I think I'm gonna go set up for the party," said Ginny, slowly inching away from the group.

Stephanie could see straight through Ginny's little act. "Oh no you don't," she said, grabbing her arm. "Don't even think for one second that I'm gonna let you run away because of one little screw up," Stephanie whispered in Gin's ear, while the others looked at the both of them curiously.

"Fine," Ginny growled, yanking her arms away. "I'll stay," she said, crossing her arms angrily.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Oh stop pouting, you big baby."

"Who's a big baby?" Blaise asked in confusion, appearing with Draco right behind him.

Ginny glared at Stephanie. "No one."

Draco gave the Trio a questioning glance. "Hey, we're just as lost as you are, man," Harry replied.

"So," Stephanie said, changing the subject, "how did you two do on the NEWTS?"

"I did fine," Draco answered, his eyes lingering on Ginny longer than necessary. He really wished that he could just push her up against that wall and-

"So what about you?" Ginny asked Blaise politely, avoiding the blond's eyes at all costs. She knew that if she looked at him, she'd probably become a blubbering idiot again.

"Uhh, I did alright," Blaise replied, his eyes darting back and forth between his best mate and his best mate's ex-girlfriend.

Everyone stood there, an awkward silence filling up the atmosphere.

"So," Stephanie began, trying to ease some of the tension in the room, "Graduation is tomorrow! Anyone excited?"

"Well, I am-"

Ginny rolled her eyes, then started for the stairs that would eventually lead to the Gryffindor common room.

Unknown to everyone, except Stephanie of course, Draco went after her. The others were too busy talking excitedly about the Graduation ceremony to notice.

"Ginny!" Draco called out after her, taking two steps at a time to catch up with her.

The sound of his voice calling out her name just made Ginny go faster. She wasn't ready to deal with this, not right now.

Draco's lithe body finally caught up. Stopping right in front of Ginny, he put both of his hands on her shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. "Stop, okay?" he asked pleadingly.

"I already have," Ginny said numbly, turning away from him.

"Oh, right," he said, clearing his throat awkwardly.

Ginny sighed. "What do you want Draco?"

"I wanna know why you ran away from me yesterday, Ginny," Draco stated bluntly.

Ginny blinked. Well he definitely didn't waste any time getting to the point. "I didn't run away," she denied, chewing on her lower lip.

"Well you certainly didn't skip away," Draco said sarcastically.

"Okay.." she drawled out. "What do you want me to say, Draco?" Ginny huffed, exasperated and just plain tired of everything. "Yeah, I ran. So what?"

"So what? So what!" Draco yelled, running his hands through his hair, feeling frustrated beyond belief. "Why? Why did you run away? Just tell me, Ginny," he begged her.

Ginny's eyes filled with unshed tears, making them appear bright and glossy. "I don't know," she lied.

"How the bloody hell could you not know?" he ranted. "There's no way...wait a damn minute," Draco cursed, realization coming into play, "You're lying to me."

"Wh-what?" Ginny sputtered, outraged. "I absolutely am not lying!" she denied.

Draco smirked at her. "You never were a good liar, Ginny."

"Alright, smartass," Ginny growled at him. "If you know so much, then why did I run away from you?"

He shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "Because you're scared," Draco simply replied.

"Scared?" Ginny laughed shakily, "Ha. Scared of what exactly?"

"You're scared," he paused, feeling like his chest was about to burst, "of us," he finished quietly.

Ginny remained silent, her bright brown eyes on his grey-blue ones.

"And I'm scared too," Draco admitted reluctantly. Merlin, this was the only girl who brought the best and worst out of him at the same time.

Ginny stared at him, wide-eyed. "Why are you doing this, Draco? Why now? Why not later, when things are more simple?" she questioned, desperately needing an answer.

Draco sighed wearily. "Things are never going to be simple, Ginny. You know that, just as well as I, that isn't going to happen." He paced in front of her, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "So you want to know why I'm doing this now?" he asked her.

Ginny nodded, praying that he would give her the answer that she wanted.

'Just tell her, you dumb prat,' Draco thought to himself. "Because I care about you, Ginny," he told her, truth in every word.

Ginny's face fell. She felt like someone had just ripped her heart out and stomped it into the ground. Again. "Well," Ginny started, angry that he had made her cry once again, "you can just shove it, Malfoy!" she spat, angrily pushing him aside.

"What the bloody hell did I do now?" Draco yelled out to the empty halls.

-------------------

"Ginny, aren't you going to come and celebrate with us?" Hermione asked, poking her head into the girl's sixth year dormitory.

"No," she barely heard Ginny mumble from her pillow.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, concerned for the younger girl who had become like a little sister to her.

"No, I'm not," Ginny answered honestly, lifting her head to reveal her pretty, but tear stained face.

Hermione gasped, "Oh, Ginny, what's wrong?"

"Draco Malfoy, of course," she replied bitterly. "What else could it possibly be?"

"What did that idiot do now?" asked Hermione, taking a seat next to her on the bed.

Ginny sniffed. "Nothing at all, really. I could've sworn that he was about to tell me..." she trailed off, a far away look in her eyes.

"What?" Hermione asked gently.

"I thought that he was going to tell me that he loved me," Ginny sobbed. "But all he said was that he cared about me," she replied, wiping away the dried mascara from her eyes.

Hermione gave her a small smile. "Listen to me, Ginny. You shouldn't worry about it, alright? Guys are really stupid and ignorant sometimes," she stopped, a thoughtful look crossing her face, "scratch that. Guys are stupid all of the time. He could've just been nervous about telling you, so he blurted out the next best thing," she advised wisely.

Ginny's mood brightened somewhat at this little tidbit of information. "You think so?" she asked her hopefully.

Hermione nodded, "Yes. Besides, would him telling you that he loves you make the situation any easier?" she asked, the question obviously making the younger girl think long and hard for a moment.

"No, it wouldn't have. It might've made it harder, honestly," Ginny replied, then gave her a smile. "You know, I wish I could've had a sister like you instead of six older, annoying and over-protective brothers."

Hermione laughed. "Hey, I'm practically your sister already. We're just not blood related is all," she joked, earning a small grin from Ginny. "So, are you going to come down and celebrate?"

Ginny shook her head. "Nah, I think I've tired myself out with all the tears," she informed, gesturing towards her puffy-red eyes. "They'll be another party tomorrow night to celebrate Graduation, anyway."

Hermione groaned. "Yeah, don't remind me. I still have fights and make out sessions to break up. And that's just from tonight."

Ginny snorted, wondering why Hermione even bothered when she'd probably be busy herself later on with her brother, Ron. "Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Ginny."

-------------------

On the next day, early in the morning, every student of Hogwarts sat at their respective tables quietly, patiently awaiting for the graduation ceremony to start. People sat in silence, most of them fearing that if they broke that silence, Voldemort would strike at any given moment. This was the day that the Boy-Who-Lived, the great Harry Potter would graduate. Who wouldn't be nervous?

"Ron, are you alright?" Hermione asked. Seeing the dazed expression on her boyfriend's face was enough to snap her back to reality.

Harry laughed. "I don't think that he's quite gotten over the fact that Gryffindor won the House cup and the Quidditch cup." Hell, he still couldn't believe that his seventh year was ending like this. Not a single attack or anymore deaths had been confirmed as of late. Of course, this had him worried as to why Voldemort was laying low for so long, but he was just going to try and enjoy what peace and quiet he had left.

"Damn right I haven't gotten over it, Harry," Ron remarked. "Hell, I'm just glad that Vo-Vol, You Know Who hasn't busted through those doors, with his Death Eaters behind him, firing off the killing curse," he admitted.

"Well, thanks for that visual, Ron," Harry retorted sarcastically. That was a possibility that he definitely didn't want to think about.

Ron grinned at his friend sheepishly. "Sorry, mate, I didn't mean to bring that up," he apologized, feeling stupid.

"Idiot," Ginny mumbled.

"Hello, everyone!" Stephanie greeted, sitting herself between Harry and Ginny.

"What are you doing? I thought that you'd be sitting with Malfoy and Zabini," Harry said, after placing a kiss on her cheek.

"I was, but Draco's all bad-moody for some reason," Stephanie responded, sending Ginny a questioning look, "so I decided that I would come over here with the happy people. I mean, I gotta keep some sort of balance going on or I'll go crazy," she joked. Actually, it really wasn't a joke. She would already be crazy if it hadn't been for Ginny and Harry.

Ginny turned her head to glance over at the Slytherin's table. Draco definitely looked like he was pissed off about something. She noticed him sneer at everyone who appeared to even glance his way. Even so, he still looked dead sexy with his new green robes on, his blond hair falling in his soulful grey-blue eyes, while Blaise made funny looking faces behind his back...wait a second. Ginny giggled out loud earning the attention of her friends.

"Whatcha laughing about?" Stephanie asked curiously, turning around in her seat.

"Oh my God," Hermione laughed.

Ron snorted. "Looks like we aren't the only ones who like to make fun of Malfoy, huh?

Harry just shook his head in amusement.

Draco glanced over at the Gryffindor table, watching Ginny as she laughed about something. His cousin was also laughing, but staring at him in the process. What the hell was so funny? Did he have something on his face? Realizing that wasn't the case, he turned around, only to find his best friend making a brooding face, a sneer firmly attached.

Blaise stopped abruptly, coming face to face with Draco. "Hey, mate," Blaise said uneasily. His friend wasn't looking so happy.

Draco brought his fist back, preparing to hit his so-called friend in the face.

-------------------

"Uh, oh. I better get back over there before Draco kills somebody," Stephanie told them, watching her cousin who had just turned around to find Blaise.

"Alright, see you after the ceremony," Harry said, kissing her once more, only this time it was on the lips.

"Bye!" Stephanie waved, then ran back to her table quickly.

-------------------

Draco got ready to let his fist fly, but it was held back by a dainty hand grabbing a hold of his strong arm. Actually, it was the fact that someone's nails were currently digging into his skin and it hurt like a bitch.

"Ow!" Draco yelped, prying his cousin's nails out of his arm. "What the fuck are you doing?" he demanded angrily.

"I'm stopping you from making a mistake, you idiot," Stephanie advised him, crossing her arms. "You aren't supposed to hit your best friend in the face!"

"He started it!" Draco defended, glaring at Blaise.

"Well, maybe if you weren't acting like such a dick," Blaise argued back.

"I'm not!" was all Draco could come up with.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Good comeback, cuz," she applauded sarcastically. "Now, you," she pointed to Blaise, "apologize to Draco. And Draco, you apologize to Blaise." Good lord, she felt like a freaking kindergarten muggle teacher.

Draco opened his mouth to protest, "But I didn't do anything to him!"

"You almost hit him in the face!" Stephanie exclaimed.

"Well, he deserved what was coming to him," Draco spat.

Blaise sneered at him mockingly. "Oh, you're so scary."

Draco flipped him off.

"Stop it!" Stephanie screamed at them. "You two are supposed to be best friends and you're both about to graduate for Merlin's sake! Draco," she began, giving her cousin a look, "just because you've got issues with Ginny, doesn't mean that you have the right to treat people like shit."

"How do you know about Ginny?" Draco asked, forgetting about everything else she'd just said. "Did she say something to you?"

"No," she replied dully. "It was a lucky guess."

Blaise rolled his eyes.

"And you," Stephanie said, noticing Blaise's response, "just because you're crabby about something, doesn't give you the right to make fun of your friend," she advised him.

"Fine," Blaise gave in. "But I'm not apologizing first," he said childishly.

Stephanie smirked at him. "Alright, fine. But the next time you get a girlfriend, I'll tell her about that time I caught you in the boy's locker room with your pants-"

"Alright, alright!" Blaise shouted in a panicky voice. He turned to his best friend reluctantly and sighed. "I'm sorry, mate. I didn't mean to come off as an arsehole," he said sincerely.

Draco grunted. "Yeah, mate. Sure, whatever. I'm sorry too," he said, feeling uncomfortable. He never was good at the whole apologizing thing.

Stephanie clapped her hands happily. "Good. Now mostly everything is settled and everyone's doing okay." She slapped both of them on their backs, "Now, be happy, cause you're both about to graduate!" she said, grinning.

-------------------

"Welcome, welcome, to the graduation ceremony of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, class of 1997. It is a great pleasure to be with all of you young, wonderful people today, despite some of the circumstances," Headmaster Dumbledore began, staring at everyone with his sparkling blue eyes from behind his spectacles. "Sadly, your parents could not be here with you today, but I'm quite positive that they are more than proud of each and every one of you," at these words, tears appeared in many of the students eyes. There was no doubt in Dumbledore's mind that they were all scared, fearing the worst would happen to their loved ones.

The Headmaster suddenly clapped his hands, snapping everyone out of their stupor. "On a much brighter note, I'd like to welcome our Head Girl, Miss. Hermione Granger, to the stage."

The Gryffindor table burst into cheers, with Ron, Harry, and Ginny being the loudest of them all. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs politely clapped, some of them whistling their congratulations. Stephanie stood up, cheering along with the rest of them and even Draco and Blaise clapped.

Hermione made her way up to the podium that had been created by Dumbledore, along with the fold-up chairs that everyone currently occupied. Her face was probably blood red from all the attention she was receiving, but she was honored to be here. "Good day, everyone. Obviously, you know who I am, so I won't bore you with that again," Hermione began nervously, staring out at the crowd that resided of more than one thousand people.

"We love you, Hermione!" Ron yelled out, encouraging her to go on.

Ginny whistled. "Hell yeah! You go, girl!"

Hermione smiled brightly, gathering much needed courage and strength from her boyfriend and friend's words. "We're all here today to celebrate the graduating class of 1997," she said, smiling at the hoots and hollers of her fellow classmates. She stood up straight and took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. "You might be here to celebrate that, but I, am here to celebrate so much more." The Great Hall remained silent, appearing very much interested as to what she was about to say. "Hogwarts has been like a home to me for the past seven years of my life, just like I'm sure that it's been to all of you. Without Hogwarts, I wouldn't have met my closest friends," she glanced at Harry, Ginny, and even Stephanie, "or the love of my life," Hermione gazed at Ron, who stared right back with his bright blue orbs, which were filled with loved and admiration for her. "Some of the experiences that I've had while staying here, good or bad, I wouldn't change them for the world. Those experiences are a part of what made me who I am today," she explained passionately, pouring out her heart and soul into her speech. "I don't know about you, but I know that when I go out into the real world, I'm going to do everything in my power to change it for the better. That includes standing by my friends," she gave Harry a look, "no matter what. So I want to thank you, all of you, for being a part in my life and making me become that person." Hermione smiled at the Professors. "To my teachers. Without you, I wouldn't be the know it all bookworm," Ron snorted at this, along with everyone else who let out a laugh. "Even you, Professor Snape," she gestured towards the dark-headed man. "I think the fact that you tormented must of us, made most of us push even harder to prove you wrong." Professor Snape nodded his head politely, a ghost of a smile upon his lips. "So without further ado, we should all celebrate our victory together. Right here, right now. Because we deserve it," Hermione finished proudly.

The Great Hall erupted into cheers, loudly praising her for her work. People stood to give her a handshake, a light pat on the back, or a short hug as she headed for her assigned seat.

Ten minutes later, Dumbledore was already through with the A's.

"Brown, Lavender."

Ginny watched from the back row as her brother gazed at Hermione lovingly and she felt a pang of loss. She glanced over to Draco's seat, surprised to find him already staring at her. She quickly turned away, her heart beating wildly in her chest. For a moment, she could have sworn that she'd seen the same thing in his eyes that she'd just seen in her brothers.

"Finnagin, Seamus."

As Dumbledore made his way through the alphabet, Draco sat in his seat, nervously awaiting for his name to be called. He couldn't imagine what Blaise felt like at the moment, seeing as how he was pretty much last, his surname starting with the letter Z and all. Deciding that he should do something useful with his time, he continued to stare at Ginny. Hopefully she would look at again. Good lord, he sounding like a poofter.

"Granger, Hermione."

Hermione stood up, feeling elated and very happy with herself. The time was finally here. All of that studying and hard work had finally paid off.

Thirty minutes later, Ginny still sat, deep in thought. Tomorrow, she, along with Harry, Hermione, Ron, Stephanie, Blaise and Draco would officially be living together. What would happen with all of them living under the same roof? How in the world was she going to live with Draco Malfoy for three months without giving in to him?

"Longbottom, Neville."

Ron shuffled his feet, waiting impatiently. Why the bloody hell did his last name have to begin with a W? Why couldn't it begin with the letter A instead? 'Maybe because it just isn't, you idiot,' he insulted himself. 'Oh great, now I'm talking to myself. I've officially gone off my rocker.'

"Malfoy, Draco."

It seemed like you could hear if a quill dropped, it was so quiet. Or at least, that was what it seemed like to Draco. He quickly made his way up to the stage, ignoring the whispers and the evil stares that were sent his way from the Slytherins. Taking his certificate from Dumbledore, he shook the older man's hand.

Headmaster Dumbledore gripped the blond's hand a little more tighter than necessary, but it was only to get his attention. Draco looked up at the old man curiously, an eyebrow raised. "I just wanted to say congratulations, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore revealed.

Hearing the sincerity in his Headmaster's voice, Draco nodded. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."

Ginny watched Draco walk off the stage, diploma in his hand, smirk firmly planted on his lips. She couldn't help but smile at the sight and clap for him. No matter what he'd done to her in the past, Draco had still come a very long way.

"Patil, Padma."

Ron slapped his hand on his knee to keep it from shaking. Groaning inwardly, he wondered how much longer this was going to take.

"Potter, Harry."

Harry blushed violently as the people screamed and yelled for him as he made his way towards his destination. Most of these people weren't congratulating him for graduating this school, but were congratulating him because he was the Boy-Who-Lived. At least he knew that his friends were truly happy for him. And Stephanie obviously was too, since she was currently standing on a table screaming at the top of her lungs.

"YAY, HARRY!"

Ginny giggled at her best friend's antics. Leave it up to Stephanie to liven up the atmosphere.

"Thomas, Dean."

Ginny scowled darkly when Dean's name was called. When he almost tripped on one of the stairs, she burst out into laughter, tears of mirth forming in her eyes. 'Ah, karma bites, doesn't it, Thomas?' she thought to herself.

"Weasley, Ronald."

Hermione let out a loud squeal. "Woohoo! I love you, Ron!"

Ginny echoed her friend's words, except in a sisterly sort of way of course.

Twenty minutes later, Blaise was relieved when he heard his name. His ass was going to hurt like hell tomorrow. Why couldn't Dumbledore have made the chairs more comfy?

As Ginny watched her friends, her ex-boyfriend, and her older brother graduate, she realized something important. In not even two years time, maybe even sooner, some of these people would be dead, because of Voldemort. It wasn't fair to any of them. Not her, or her family, who had suffered the hardship of losing a loved one. Not the innocent muggles and muggleborns like Hermione or people like Draco, who couldn't help what they were born into. And certainly not Harry, who's whole life had been filled with tragedy and despair. Ginny wiped away a stray tear, wondering to herself as to why the world had to be the way that it was today.

On the other side of the room, Professor McGonagall sat at the Head's table while pursing her lips as usual, appearing thoughtful and serious, but also trying to look happy for the students at the same time. What no one knew was that deep down, she was terrified. Discussing the things that she had with Dumbledore only some hours ago, some of the things that he'd discovered...it was horrible. She knew that the worse was yet to come. Until then, she would put on a brave face for the children and pray to Merlin that Harry Potter would somehow save them all.

So whaddya think? Like it, love it, hate it? Questions? Review and let me know, people! There's only one more chapter left, folks! Yeah, I still can't believe it myself. Oh yeah, and I finally got a job! I start working on Wednesday at a CD/DVD/Games store called Sam Goody. It's a kick ass store if I do say so myself. Anywayz, I wanna say thanks to all of you faithful reviewers who encouraged me and still do. You're the reason that this fic has done so well and gotten so far. I love you guys!

Review! Pretty please.

LilyK