Chapter 33

18 Months Later

Harry sat in the head boy common room thinking the same thing that he had been thinking for the last 18 months. How did I manage to get myself here?

In the last 18 months that had followed since Hagrid's funeral many things took place.

Harry and Hermione were made head boy and head girl. No one was surprised at this except Harry and Hermione of course. The ministry of magic tried to award Harry an order of Merlin but Harry turned it down his reply was truly honourable.

"If you wish to award the fact that Voldemort is dead then honour the man who gave his life protecting Hogwarts. Honour Rubeus Hagrid."

Neville and Luna were still going strong, Luna was able to bring out a new found sense of purpose in Neville and together they were achieving new found designs in Herbology and even found an alternate cure for petrifaction.

Ginny had been able to pass her admittance exams. She dared not try and get Harry from Hermione again; she had managed to turn the majority of the school against her. So she spent the majority of the last 18 months focusing on nothing more than her school work. Luna still spoke to her however. Turns out Luna believed in second chances. Though Harry and Hermione couldn't get past this they still admired Luna for it.

Ron to no one's surprise failed the admittance exam. The last they heard he was being home schooled by Molly and from what the Gryffindor's had heard, that wasn't going to well either. Ron had tried on several occasions to send howlers to Harry and Hermione but thanks to a new spell Hermione learnt they were quickly returned to sender.

Remus and Tonks had married in the last 18 months. Harry was Remus' best man whilst Tonks asked Hermione to be her matron of honour. The service was held in the Hogwarts grounds. Simple but elegant never the less.

The ministry under the new leadership of Madame Bones finally got their act together and began implementing new laws that would mean anyone found with the dark mark would be questioned under a new strengthened truth potion and if they were found to have taken the mark willingly it was straight to Azkaban. Now under the watch of Goblins.

Hermione had received her own share of shocks as well. Because of her performance in disproving Dumbledore during his trial Madame Bones had offered Hermione a job straight away working within the ministry as part of a the investigation team working directly under the minister of magic. Harry had congratulated her but Hermione although honoured turn down the position. She explained to Harry.

"Don't get me wrong it's a fantastic opportunity but my ambition has always been to teach and by the heavens I'm going to follow that ambition to my grave" Harry understood where she was coming from after all she had been teaching Harry for the last 6 years. Her biggest triumph was that she managed to achieve her Animagus transformation. She had accidently walked into an unknown acromantula nest and as she ran her mind allowed her to transform. She carried on running around for hours before turning back and going to find Harry to show him what she had done.

Perhaps the biggest shock of all came from Draco. After they had been given protection Harry stood by his word. Draco and Narcissa received the entire Malfoy estate and Draco during his seventh year started foundation to help muggle born become accustomed to the wizarding world. Whilst at the same time helping purebloods learn the ways of muggle society.

As for Harry. During those 18 months he spent as much of his time with Hermione as possible. After being begged by most of Gryffindor and Professor McGonagall he agreed to start playing Quidditch again and helped lead Gryffindor to straight victories throughout both years. He also with Hermione managed to create a new rune security system for houses. Putting spell wards into things of the past. The runes themselves were quite ingenious at the touch of the owner the house itself would become completely un-plot table. They also provided moderate shielding against charms and nature.

Harry was shook from his daydreams of the past by Hermione.

"Ready?" She asked as she stood in her full Hogwarts robes.

"As ready as I'll ever be" He replied. They walked hand in hand down to the great hall which had been transformed for the events of today. Professor McGonagall approached the stage.

"It is always a sad occasion when we reach the end of a school year. It is even sadder when we must say goodbye to an entire year of students. Every one of you sitting before me has proven that you have what it takes to be worthy to use magic. Through a variety of skill and knowledge. I know that the last 7 years have been difficult and we have faced many unprecedented dangers. Yet you all got through it. You have all proved that when times become tough you are all capable of pulling together and achieving feats of incredible passion. I am extremely proud of each and every one of you. And now to start the graduation we shall now commence with the each professor awarding one pupil who they believed has progressed the most."

"Arithmacy, the award is presented to Daphne Greengrass"

"Charms, the award is presented to Hermione Granger"

"Care of Magical Creature, the award is presented to Seamus Finnigan"

"Defence against the Dark Arts, the award is presented to Harry Potter"

"Divination, the award is presented to Hannah Abbott"

"Herbology, the award is presented to Neville Longbottom"

"History of Magic, the award is presented to Hermione Granger"

"Potions, the award is presented to Draco Black"

"Runes, the award is presented to both Harry Potter and Hermione Granger"

"Transfiguration, the award is presented to Harry Potter"

After each awards the students who won was to stand and make a bow or curtsey to the noted professor. The professor in turn would return the gesture before both taking their seats again. The awards would be given with their diplomas of success. Professor McGonagall then stood again.

"Now we would like to present a new award. This award is called the Rebeus Hagrid courage award and is awarded to 5 students each year who have shown a sense of determination and courage to others regardless of what the consequences of their own safety. For these reasons and so many more this shall become a tradition at Hogwarts and we hope that we can keep the honour of the fallen hero alive and make students believe that there is always something worth fighting for." With a flick of her wand the 5 award appeared on a table. Everyone could see that they were gold medals that Hagrid's house with Hagrid stood outside stamped onto them.

"If your name is called please come up onto the stage to collect your award. The first award is awarded to Harry James Potter." Everyone expected this and with a push from Hermione he stood up and walked onto the stage. Harry could see that the entire school was cheering with the exceptions of one or two Slytherin students. He received the award and then returned to his seat.

"The second award is awarded to Miss Hermione Jean Granger" Hermione never expected that. She stood and graciously walked to the stage. Again everyone minus a few students were cheering Harry was easily cheering the loudest. Hermione blushed and returned to her chair.

"The third award is awarded to a student who has done more this last year to help end the segregation of students than anyone I know. Ladies and Gentlemen the third award is awarded to Draco Scorpius Black.

Draco was in shock. He never believed he would ever win something like this. He walked onto the stage and received his award. He turned and gave a slight nod to Harry and Hermione. They both nodded back and he returned to his seat.

"The fourth award is awarded to a student who showed that courage exists within us all and it can be called upon whenever required. The fourth award is awarded to Neville Longbottom" Neville looked more shocked than what he did during the end of the first year when the points he was awarded helped Gryffindor win the House cup. He had to be nudged to remind him to get up and walk onto the stage to receive his award. When he returned to his seat Professor McGonagall waited for silence from the cheering.

"Our fifth and Final award is to be presented by Mr. Potter, he was the one who came to me with the idea of this type of award and so ladies and gentlemen, Mr Harry Potter" She said as she gestured for Harry to come onto the stage. There was some light applause. Harry looked out to the audience and then began.

"When I first thought of this idea I thought that it should be something that Hagrid would believe in. Something he would want to present. That is why I am presenting this final award. I'm doing so in memory of Hagrid. You see I know exactly who Hagrid would pick to receive this last award. It goes to someone who has been there for all of us and yet never asks for any kind of recognition. She believed that every student should have the right to be educated and she believed that every student was equal. Well now it is time for her to be recognised for her contribution to this school. Ladies and Gentlemen the fifth and final award of this category goes to none other than our very own Professor McGonagall."

As Harry finished the entire hall erupted into cheers. Professor McGonagall looked shocked. Possibly more so than what Neville did. Harry looked around to see that all the students and professors were cheering. After a gentle push by Madame Pomphrey she walked forward and Harry placed the award round her neck. He then took a step back and carried on applauding. Never in Professor McGonagall's time had she felt more appreciated than what she did at this very moment. A few minutes later and the cheering died down. Harry had returned to his seat and Professor McGonagall closed the ceremony.

"All that is left to say now is congratulations on the work that you have all completed and good luck in your future endeavours I am confident that each and every one of you will go on to do amazing things."

One everyone received their diploma's everyone held up their wands, with a quick charms fireworks erupted out of them and illuminated the ceiling as the cheers started again.

A few hours later the students were all packing to go home for the summer. Harry found Hermione sitting on her bed.

"Knut for your thoughts?" He asked.

"Just thinking about the future" She replied. Harry smiled and sat down next to her.

"Oh yeah anything interesting happening?" He asked jokingly.

"Oh I should hope so Mr. Potter" She replied before kissing him on the nose.

"Least we know one thing though Mione" He said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"What's that then?" She asked.

"We can face the future together" He said kissing her cheek.

"I like the sound of that. Together" She smiled.

AN: Before you panic this isn't the end of the story, I'm just through with Hogwarts... for the time being anyway. Harry and Hermione may see themselves returning in their future. But doesn't worry I decided to instead of post a sequel just carry on with the story and make it one massive story. This is a mile stone for me this chapter. This chapter puts my total word count on fan fiction at over 100,000 words! High fives all round!

Review please guys!