The Awards Ceremony
A/N: Sorry for the delay. School and exams and moving back home was kinda hectic. And then some other shit happened. I should be updating more often now that I've gotten my life situated.
Hermione awoke feeling slightly panicky until she realised where she was and that the war was finally over. Then she remembered that the ceremony was today and that by tomorrow afternoon she would be on her way to Australia to find her parents. At that thought she sprang up and went to get a shower. Of course, being in a house with so many people, there was someone in the shower. She knocked on the door, "Hello? Be out in a few." She sighed, and went back to the room she was staying in. There was no question of who used to sleep in this room if you knew the family. There were several burn marks on the walls, as well as a trick wand that had turned into a rubber mouse lying in a corner.
She decided to go back and see if the shower was free, and as she got there, Ron came out in nothing but a towel. He walked right by Hermione as if he hadn't even seen her and went to his room. She felt a bit hurt, but went into the bathroom to get a shower and clear her head.
As the water cascaded down her back and made her hair lay flat, she thought of all she had been through with Harry and Ron. They had been through so much, and it felt as if their friendship was coming apart at the seams. They had been friends since the moment that the boys had saved her from the troll in their first year. That seemed like ages ago now, as they prepared to go to the ceremony and act like the 'Golden Trio' for possibly the last time.
Hermione stepped out of the shower and made a decision right then and there that she would try to remain friends with Harry and Ron for as long as she could. She loved them both, but not in the way that Ron wanted her to. She would go to Australia alone, and when she returned, she would go back to Hogwarts to finish her education before going on to bigger and better things.
While Hermione was in the shower and having her revelations, the rest of the house had woken up and started to get ready for the ceremony. Everyone had put on their best dress robes and dresses. Hermione put on a pale green dress and plaited her hair so it was more manageable. She also put on a touch of make-up that she had borrowed from Ginny.
When she went downstairs for some breakfast, all noise ceased. Jaws dropped, and George let out a low whistle. "Hermione, you look gorgeous. Better than you did at the Yule Ball in my third year." "Thanks Gin, but it's nothing really. I didn't even do anything fancy with my hair or anything." "I know, that's part of what makes it, you didn't even try hard. All the girls there are going to be so jealous. You're now one of the most famous witches in the world, and all before your twentieth birthday. And you're a Muggle-born to boot. So much for Pure-bloods being better than Muggle-borns." Everyone around the room nodded in agreement.
Soon it was time to leave for the ceremony. Hermione took one last long look at the Burrow, knowing that she may never see it again. She would miss this place of family and friends. But it was time to move on, move on to the time of after the war. She couldn't remember a day since she became friends with Ron and Harry that fateful Halloween that she hadn't been afraid of someone dying, at least in the back of her mind. And now she didn't need to fear for anyone's life. Not only that, but she didn't have to be 'the brain' anymore. Of course she would still be intelligent, that's something you can't get rid of, but she could just be a brain and not the brain.
When they arrived at the ceremony, Hermione and the Weasleys were swept away to a VIP section where all those who were getting Order of Merlin 2nd Class and higher were to be seated. The 'Golden Trio' was seated on the stage with several Aurors and Order Members. Kingsley Shaklebolt was the Master of Ceremonies, and gave a quick introduction.
"Sonorous, I'd like to thank you all for coming to this extremely happy event. I would like to begin with a moment of silence for all those who have fallen in the name of the Light in these past few terrifying years. I am going to ask Mr Harry Potter to read a list compiled of those who we lost in the second war."
Cheers thundered through the stadium as Harry went to the platform to read the list given to him by Kingsley. Harry raised his arms for silence, and started to read the names off: "Sirius 'Padfoot' Black, Broderick Bode, Amelia Bones, Colin Creevey, Dobby the Free Elf, Albus Dumbledore, Nymphadora 'Tonks' Lupin, Remus 'Moony' Lupin, Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, Severus Snape, Ted Tonks, Fred Weasley and the countless others, Muggle and Magical alike. May they rest in peace. We shall never forget their sacrifices and may they live forever in our hearts."
There was some music to signal the beginning of the silence and some after a minute to signal the end. (A/N: Think 'Last Post' and 'Reveille') At the end of the Reveille, Kingsley went back up to the platform to present the awards, which took quite some time. There was a huge party afterwards with live entertainment and it was there that the Minister took the trio aside.
Hermione was the first to speak, "Minister, before you say anything, I would like to let you know that I'm not taking any jobs without finishing my education at Hogwarts."
"That's fine Hermione, I wouldn't really expect much else from a brilliant witch like yourself. However, I am still putting the offer out there. You three are the best I have seen at not getting caught and/or found when you don't want to be. What I'm offering is a chance at being in the law portion of the Department of Mysteries. You would be the highest level of Unspeakables, and would be doing a lot of undercover work. You would have to go through some intense training, but compared to what you have achieved this year, it should be a bit easier. You would be trained in concealment and disguise, as well as most of the courses that Aurors have to take. You would essentially be Aurors, with a few more qualifications, and more authority. What do you say?"
"It's a lot to take in so soon after everything else has happened. I've always wanted to be an Auror, so my answer will probably be yes, but first I want to go and find my family," Harry told him.
"I'd love it." Ron seemed to be the only one who would be able to start right away, having no loose ends to tie up. Ronald seemed to be a no strings attached kind of person.