The end of the school year came all too quickly for Hermione. She couldn't comprehend that this was the last time she would ever walk through the halls of Hogwarts as a student. She would be leaving behind all the teachers and students that mattered to her. Never again would she have an experience like this in her life.

It was almost enough to distract her from her N.E.W.T.S., but she studied hard. The tests were challenging but not impossible, at least not for her. Ron felt a little differently.

"I don't know what I'll do if I don't pass some of those tests," he moaned. "Our entire futures depend on them!"

Harry looked worried. "If I don't pass my potions test I won't be allowed to go into auror training."

"Don't worry," Hermione reassured them. "I'm sure you'll pass, and even if you don't you'll still find a job that's good for you."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Sure, you can say that because you're going to pass everything. You took all the tests anyway so you could have any career you wanted."

Hermione frowned. "No one says I necessarily passed everything."

Ron snorted. "Sure."

"Well, it's not like we have to worry about it right now," Harry pointed out. "We won't find out our grades until July anyway. For now, we can think about graduation." He turned to Hermione. "Have you written your speech yet?"

Because Hermione would be graduating with the highest grades, she was the Hogwarts Valedictorian and had to make a speech to all her peers and their families.

"I started it."

Ron smiled. "I'll be looking forward to it."

oooooooooooooooooooo

Graduation day came, and Hermione was extremely nervous about speaking in front of all the students of Hogwarts. The only other person to be making a speech was Draco Malfoy, as the person with the second highest grades (and the best connections).

Hermione and Draco were seated next to each other on a platform in the Great Hall, sitting silently and not speaking to each other. Hermione had brilliant burgundy robes with gold trim, and Malfoy's were green and silver.

The ceremony seemed to drag on forever, and Hermione anxiously awaited her turn to speak. Finally Draco was announced, and Hermione knew she just had to get through his speech, and then it would be time for hers.

Malfoy strolled up to the podium and looked calmly out over the audience. "When I began writing my speech, I was having a hard time thinking of what to say. While I was hunched over my parchment and quill, I received a letter from my mother. In it, she went on about my future and what I should do with my life. And she asked a question that really made me think: Why is it that extraordinary people end up doing ordinary things with their lives?

Right then, I resolved that I would not live an ordinary life. I am extraordinary, and I will do extraordinary things. When I first found out I would be speaking today, I was not surprised. Everyone knows that I am intelligent, I have worked hard and I have the Slytherin quality of ambition. Some people might say, 'what is he going to do with his life?' And I tell them, 'my life will make a difference.'

Others might compare me to those that have graduated with top grades in the past and have gone on to great things. They wonder, 'will he make it as far as they have?' And the answer to that is: yes. I will go farther than anyone before. I will do bigger and better things than you can even imagine. I am extraordinary."

He stepped back from the podium and basked in the applause of the audience, which seemed a little weak to Hermione compared to the amount of people there. However, a large section of the Malfoy family cheered for him, drowning out the boos of the Gryffindors.

Hermione was so nervous about her own speech she hadn't really been paying that much attention to Malfoy's. Had he really just gone on about how wonderful he was? Surely even he wouldn't be that conceited. There must have been more to it.

She nervously took her own place at the podium and began to speech that she had been working to perfect for a month. She cleared her throat and began, "A wise man once said, 'it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.'"

She went on to discuss the importance of making good decisions and living your life in a way that benefits others. She talked about how your grades and talents mean nothing when you don't use them correctly or if you are cruel to others. She made sure to point out that your ancestry or natural gifts don't mean as much as the decisions you make in your life. And she wasn't sure, but she could've sworn that she received a little more applause than Draco had.

And just like that, the ceremony was over. The 7th year Hogwarts students received magical diplomas and were sent off into the grown wizarding world. Hermione turned to Draco for what would hopefully be the last time she ever saw him, and to her surprise he stuck out his hand.

"So long, Granger," he muttered.

"Goodbye, Malfoy," she replied coolly.

"You know, if it wasn't for you I might not be as successful and extraordinary as I am." Hermione gave him an odd look. "The way you sucked up to all the teachers and studied every waking second of your life really made it so that I actually had to do a little work every once in awhile."

With that, he began to walk away and Hermione just stared at him in disgust. However, just as she was about to turn and find her friends and family, McGonagall came marching toward her with Malfoy trailing behind.

"Congratulations, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall, giving a small smile. "You've worked hard."

"Thank you," replied Hermione.

"Because of that hard work, I have something special to tell you. The Ministry has asked us to recommend two students to work on a project for them over the summer, and I've selected you."

Hermione beamed until McGonagall continued and said, "The other student that has been selected is Mr. Malfoy. The two of you will have to work together over the summer. It will be a lot of hard work, but this is a huge honor and you should both be thrilled."

"Professor, no," stammered Hermione. "I mean- I can't work with him!" she blurted out.

McGonagall gave a severe look. "If you wish to turn down the position then I will find a replacement. However, Mr. Malfoy has already accepted, and I'm sure you'll regret it if you don't."

Hermione bit her lip but nodded. "Of course I'll do it."

"Good. Congratulations to both of you, and the Ministry will be in touch with you over the summer with more details."

The professor strode away, and Malfoy smirked over his shoulder at Hermione as she headed away to find Harry and Ron.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A/N: I know, I know, I'm terrible. I haven't updated in two months, and I really apologize for that, but there's nothing I can do about it now. I only just had inspiration to continue this story- I was completely blank before. Hopefully I will be able to update a little more frequently for you.

This chapter wasn't entirely from my own imagination, either- the two speeches were real, for the most part. I just graduated high school as the salutatorian, and Hermione's speech was pretty much what I said- complete with Dumbledore quote. Malfoy's speech, believe it or not, was pretty close to what our valedictorian said. Needless to say, he was a bit full of himself.

Anyway, if you've read it and want to review I'd appreciate it, but I probably don't deserve it due to my lack of updating. I promise the next one will be sooner, hopefully next week!