Chapter 40: One step into a brighter future
Finally graduation had come, Hermione stressed through her finals and NEWTs alone because Harry kept disappearing at random times, and Ginny and Luna weren't old enough to understand her frustrations. She and Neville had studied together a few times; she helped him with potions while he helped her in herbology. She was a nervous wreck and stayed that way until the results came in; she was sitting in her grandmother's private study reading a book when her grandfather came in with her results. She eagerly read them and she got straight outstanding on both tests, she was so excited but when she tried to find out who would be the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian her grandfather's eyes twinkled as he told her she would just have to wait.
She got her letter two days later congratulating her on her achievement of receiving Valedictorian, Draco had gotten word that he was Salutatorian. They quickly wrote their parents the good news and they got ecstatic responses from both. Now Hermione was sitting with Draco by her side on the stage of the graduation ceremony; her grandfather had given his usual speech saying how much the class had accomplished, how quickly it had all gone, and how much they would be missed. However, this year he added that the loss had impacted the class greatly and that those that were not with them that day would forever be remembered. Hermione had to brush a tear away as she thought about the two that meant the most to her off of the unsaid list, Draco put a comforting had upon hers as it sat upon her speech in her lap. She gave him a small smile just as Dumbledore announced her for her speech. She rose and went to the podium.
"Thank you headmaster, and congratulations class of 1997, we have accomplished so much and with it I know we will do great things; some of us will go to the ministry, some of us will go into professional quiddich, some may start their own business and some may return to teach. Whichever direction you may choose, let it be for you, do something that you think you can do not just what you know you can do. Each of you has the potential to be great; all you have to do is apply that greatness.
Keep in mind that each goal has its own individual obstacles, and that each obstacle is going to present challenges both easy and difficult. Things are going to pop up in your lives that you least expect and that could cause you to doubt yourself, I just want you all to remember that the end result is going to give you all the greatest feeling, something that only you can feel, don't give up.
Each of us has felt a loss this year and that is going to be your first obstacle, getting over the hurt, and learning to live as care free as possible. I am not saying to forget, just to remember and smile as you wake with the sun each morning and count your blessings." Hermione pulled out an empty jar from under the podium before continuing her speech.
"The main advice that I want to offer you all as young adults today was something I learned from my mother; this jar is your life and you are going to fill it with your priorities." She grabbed a few fairly large sized rocks and said, "These, represent what matter most, such as family and friends," She grabbed some smaller rocks, "These represent what comes next on the list like education and familiars," she grabbed some dirt and said, "These small bits of sand is for things like jobs, food and money, and yet even if I put all of these things in here, we are still incomplete, so I add the final little things, like appearances, hobbies, and sports and anger and hate. These last things should be things that if something were to happen, you could live without. Hate lead us to where we are now and our recoveries from the war, I hope that none of you fill your jars with hate, it will destroy you, worry about the bigger things in life, they are what you are going to want to wake up to each morning, and they are going to be the first and last thing you think about before you close your eyes to go to bed." She smiled at her class and said, "Once again, congratulations class of 1997, I wish you all the best of luck."
Dumbledore stood and smiled at her and Minerva did the same as she stayed in her seat, He read off the names of the graduating class and as they walked across the stage, each teacher shook their hands and they left the stage, when everyone had received their parchment, the group became a bit less formal, everyone stood in groups, offering Hermione and Draco their congratulations for their accomplishments, eventually they were allowed to stand with their parents and grandparents as they talked with the Weasleys and Jane.
"That was a very good speech dear," Narcissa said hugging her daughter.
"Thanks mother."
"I must agree angel, I am surprised that you remembered that speech from seven years ago." Jane said.
"That was the best advice I could have ever received," Hermione hugged Jane and then they parted just in time to see a splash of red hair come up to them. "Susan, congratulations."
"Thank you, you too, that was a wonderful speech by the way."
"Thank you."
"Harry, thank you for the flowers, they were lovely," Harry shocked the group when he went up to the red head and kissed her.
"SUSAN?" Ginny and Hermione said shocked.
"Is that a problem?" Harry asked.
"No it's just that we didn't even think about that, we tried to think of those that you had communicated with often since fourth year, wow, I feel dumb." Ginny said.
"I told you to leave well enough alone love," Draco said kissing her hair.
"Wow, um… Congratulations you two, I am very happy for you," Hermione walked over to them and hugged them both. "I'm just sorry that we won't be related through marriage like so many had predicted."
Harry looked at Narcissa and Lucius, "Should we tell them?"
"Tell us what?"
Narcissa laughed and pulled her daughter to her, "Hermione, your father and I have adopted Harry so that he has a guardian since he is underage in the muggle world and he doesn't have to go through all of the awful paperwork."
It took her a moment to realize what had just been said but when it clicked in both teenagers' heads, Hermione squealed and jumped at Harry hugging him tightly, and Draco offered him a smile and his hand welcoming him into the family.
"I hope I am not interrupting anything," Severus said looking at the four teens.
"Not at all Severus, we were just congratulating Harry on his new family." Draco said.
"Ah yes, that adoption came through this morning didn't it?"
"Yes it did," Severus hugged Narcissa kissing her hair and shook Lucius' hand.
"Hermione, could I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure," She made to leave the group but was halted by Severus' sudden kneal, "Severus, what are you doing you are making a scene." She started to blush.
"Hermione Jean Granger-Malfoy, we have become close in the past three years and I have come to realize that my emotions are far more… involved then I had initially thought. I have watched you grow from this quiet girl who wanted to learn all she could to this beautiful young woman with that same spunk that now stands before me. You have seen through my walls and as the years went by, you brought them down revealing the man that I have always wanted to be but feared that no one would understand. You understood and I have come to realize that I love you Hermione Jean, and after all of our time together I am certain that you are the one for me, will you marry me?"
Hermione was crying at this point and was absolutely speechless, Severus had just shown so much emotion in one sitting then she had seen from him in all of her years at Hogwarts, "Yes, Yes Severus I will marry you." Severus smiled and slowly slipped a diamond ring on her left hand before he stood and kissed her on the lips. When they parted, Hermione and Severus received a loud cheer from the group that surrounded them; both smiled and received their rounds of congratulations from everyone.
The past few weeks had been stressful, and if Hermione was honest with herself, the past seven years have been stressful too. However, when she looked at Ginny and Draco, Harry and Susan, Neville and Luna, Herself and Severus, her parents, her grandparents and the other older couples around them, she could see clear as day, that they were all taking that first step into a brighter future.
A/N: The speech Hermione gives here is credit to my English Teacher - Coach Benson. She gave this speech on the seniors last class and it is an image that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Benson for everything!