Wow, another update so soon! Happy New Year everyone! x
"Welcome back," Dumbledore says, looking down at Hermione, who is sitting in front of him. "How did you enjoy the Malfoy Ball?"
"Quite pleasant," she says.
"You didn't stay for long," he observes. "And I don't recall seeing you for most of the time you were actually there."
"I was…otherwise engaged," she says. "Tom was there."
"Interesting," Dumbledore says. "How was he?"
"He is growing increasing irrational," she says. "In my opinion, we have only a couple of months left before we'll have to deal with him."
"Well then we need to make some progress with finding the Horcruxes," he says. He stares at Hermione, considering her carefully, and then says, "You've dealt with them already, haven't you?"
"Yes," she says. "They're all gone. I just need to fix a time to meet him and…end this."
"Does he know?" he asks.
"I don't think so," she says. "I'm going to wait until after our exams and graduation. When we leave Hogwarts, he's expecting an answer anyway. I can arrange to meet him and…do it."
"Very well," he says. "You shouldn't go alone."
"No-one else is expendable," she says. "It's my duty and mine alone."
"Now, family and friends, please can we welcome our Hogwarts 1978 graduates," McGonagall says. The doors to the Great Hall swing open and the crowd of seventh years enter. The back third of the hall is filled with sixth and fifth years; the rest is filled with parents, family and friends.
Hermione, dressed in a short white dress and her graduation robes, leads the crowd. James, Lily, Sirius, Remus and Peter are just behind her, with the Slytherins behind them. They walk up to the front few rows and sit down, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
"First up with the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Ancient Runes, Outstanding Achievement in Arithmancy, Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration and the Professor's Prize for Ancient Runes is Mr Castor Avery," McGonagall says. Avery walks up to the stage with all the class of a pureblood, accepts his certificate, nods gratefully to the cheering crowd and then heads back to his seat sedately.
"Next, with the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Potions and Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, Miss Bellatrix Black," McGonagall continues. Bellatrix walks up, takes the certificate and goes straight back to her seat without even acknowledging the cheers, clearly disgruntled by the number of awards before her name.
"With the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Ancient Runes, Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Potions and Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, Miss Narcissa Black," McGonagall announces. Narcissa is beaming more than anyone has ever seen as she rushes up to the stage and accepts her awards. "Probably because she beat her sister," Sirius whispers to Hermione, who snorts in agreement.
"Next, with the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration and the Godric Gryffindor Cup for Contribution to House Life, Mr Sirius Black," McGonagall says and the room erupts into cheers. Sirius walks up to the stage with all the grace and poise of the family he's been raised into but as he reaches McGonagall, he cracks, cheering loudly and throwing his arms around her. She hugs him back, laughing, hands him his certificate and sends him back to his seat.
"Accepting the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, the Professor's Prize for Potions, the Excellence in Potions Cup and co-recipient of Most Potent Potions Young Potioneer of the Year, Miss Lily Evans," McGonagall continues and the room explodes again. James is on his feet, as are Lily's parents, as Lily rushes up to the stage in floods of tears. As a recipient of Young Potioneer of the Year, she is held on stage to pose for a picture before she's allowed to head back to James, still sobbing with joy.
"Now, receiving the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Ancient Runes, Outstanding Achievement in Arithmancy, Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, the Professor's Prize for Arithmancy, the Professor's Prize for Charms, the Professor's Prize for Defence Against the Dark Arts, the Arithmancy Achievement Accolade, the Barnabus Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spell Casting, the Charms Chalice, the Excellence in Runes Cup, the Headmaster's Award for Academic Excellence and co-recipient of Transfiguration Today's Most Promising Newcomer, your valedictorian, Miss Hermione Granger," McGonagall says, taking a deep breath as she finally gets to the end of the list. Hermione looks both mortified and thrilled as she takes to the stage; thunderous applause and a room-wide standing ovation goes on for several minutes as she poses for photos and then struggles back to her seat, weighed down with all her prizes.
"Next up, receiving the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, the Angus Buchanan Cup for Outstanding Effort and the Headmaster's Award for Contribution to School Life, Mr Remus Lupin," McGonagall announces. Lupin takes to the stage, clearly close to tears as he hugs McGonagall and accepts the prizes, and then he heads back to his seat, hugging Sirius as he sits down.
"With the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology and Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, Miss Marlene McKinnon," McGonagall continues. Marlene is in floods as she rushes up, grabs her certificate and hurries back to her seat, but she still takes the time to hug McGonagall and wave frantically to her parents, who are on their feet.
"Next, with the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Astronomy, Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration and the Professor's Prize for Astronomy, Miss Dorcas Meadowes," McGonagall says. Cass is also in tears but she takes her time on the stage, hugging McGonagall, waving to her parents in the crowd, blowing a kiss to Remus and then finally hurrying back to her seat.
"With the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Astronomy and Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, Mr Alton Mulciber," McGonagall says. Mulciber grins as he heads up to the stage, laughing at the extra loud whooping from his brothers, and takes his certificate gratefully.
"Receiving the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration and the Salazar Slytherin Cup for Contribution to House Life, Mr Theodore Nott," McGonagall announces. Nott, like all his friends before him, is stoic as he goes to receive his prizes, barely cracking a smile in his bid to maintain his composure.
"With the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology and the Headmaster's Award for Effort & Endeavour, Mr Peter Pettigrew," McGonagall says, laughing as the room erupts into cheers. All three of the Marauders are on their feet, as are Hermione, Lily and Marlene, while Peter takes to the stage; he does a small bow which makes everybody howl with laughter and then he heads back to his seat.
As she reads the next name, she has to take a moment to compose herself and when she looks up, her eyes are shining. "I always knew I was her favourite," James whispers to Sirius and Hermione who both beam at him. "With the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, Outstanding Achievement in Transfiguration, the Professor's Prize for Transfiguration, the Wronski Award for Excellent Pitch Skills, the Transfiguration Trophy and co-recipient of Transfiguration Today's Most Promising Newcomer," she says, inhaling sharply as her voice cracks. "Mr James Potter." James shoots to his feet and Hermione and Lily both burst into tears as he rushes to the stage. His parents, all the Marauders and his friends give him a standing ovation as he throws his arms around a clearly tearful McGonagall, poses for a picture with her and then hurries back to his seat, where he buries his face in Hermione's shoulder and starts to cry.
"Receiving the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Astronomy, Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology, the Professor's Prize for Herbology and the Herbology Award for Excellence is Miss Alice Prewett," McGonagall says. Frank shoots to his feet, whooping like a crazy person; Alice is in tears as she accepts her prizes, hugs McGonagall and then runs along the stage to hug Professor Sprout tightly. Finally, she is ushered back to her seat and McGonagall can move on.
"Last, but by no means least, receiving the awards for Outstanding Achievement in Charms, Outstanding Achievement in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Herbology, Outstanding Achievement in Potions, the Slime and Potion Concoction Award and co-recipient of Most Potent Potions Young Potioneer of the Year, Mr Severus Snape," McGonagall says. Snape is doing his best to hide how pleased he is, but the flush of his cheeks and the small smile gives him away, as he takes to the stage, poses for a photo and hurries back to his seat.
"And now, all that's left for me to say is congratulations, graduates," McGonagall says, clearly emotional. "I am proud of all of you for your hard work, your spirit and your support of each other. I hope it will continue whatever you go on to face. And I hope you know that Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."
Hermione, Lily, Marlene, Cass and Alice are all in floods of tears, sobbing as the class celebrates, hugging, laughing and cheering loudly. "It's party time," James shouts and another cheer goes up.
"You look beautiful," Hermione says, hugging Lily as she comes downstairs. Lily Is dressed in a long-sleeved blue mini-dress, covered all over in glittery sequins, paired with nude heels and a pretty silver necklace she got from James for graduating.
"Says you," Lily says, looking Hermione up and down. Hermione is wearing a short, tight black dress, strapless with long mesh panels up each side. She obviously isn't wearing any underwear underneath and she attracts the attention of every guy in the room. "Are you hosting tonight?" Lily asks.
"Sort of," Hermione says. "I'll be speaking a bit but James and Sirius are doing most of it." She glances over her shoulder and nods. "Speaking of which, I think they're about ready to start."
"Hi everyone," James shouts. "Thanks for coming to the Hogwarts 1978 graduation party! Before we start the actual party, we wanted to begin the evening with some awards of our own."
"First up is the award for Most Sarcastic," Sirius says. "Now there really is no-one else who could take this title – please give it up for Mr Castor Avery!"
Avery rolls his eyes, heads up to the stage and takes the mic James is offering him. "There's a lot of pressure here to say something really funny and sarcastic," he says drily. "But I've never really been one for conforming to expectations so…I'll treasure this always."
Everybody laughs and Avery hands the mic back to James, who says, "Next up is the award for biggest drama queen." Another laugh goes around the room. "Now there were a lot of contenders for this prize, but really we had one person in mind. Please give a big cheer for our queen, Miss Bellatrix Black!"
Bella laughs, heading up and taking the award with uncharacteristic good grace from a laughing James. "You guys are just lucky I'm at the happy level of drunk," she says loudly. "Salazar knows I'll probably throw a bitch fit later." Everybody laughs again and Bella stumbles back to the audience, sitting down beside Narcissa.
The awards go on for a while and everyone gets at least one. Avery goes up again to receive the 'Least Likely to PDA' award, Bellatrix gets another award for 'Funniest Drunk' and Narcissa receives two for 'Most Likely to marry for money' and 'Most Likely to Marry First', both of which she takes in good humour.
Marlene receives two awards for 'Best Sportswoman' and 'Biggest Gossip', Cass gets 'Most Likely to become a model' and 'Biggest Lightweight', Mulciber receives 'Worst Attendance' and 'Best Drunk Dancer' while Nott is awarded 'Biggest Party Animal and 'Biggest Flirt'. Peter receives the prizes for 'Worst Flyer' and 'Funniest Laugh' and Alice gets the prizes for 'Most Caring' and 'Worst Apparition'; Severus grabs the prizes for 'Most Likely to become a Professor' and 'Worst Comebacks', while McGonagall, as a special guest at the party, gets the prize for 'Favourite Professor', which she accepts tearfully.
Lily gets the prizes for 'Most Organised' and 'Best Smile', which she accepts from her boyfriend, rolling her eyes but laughing. Remus takes the awards for 'Best Bum' and 'Teacher's Pet'; Sirius insists on showing his ass to the whole audience for a solid five minutes, a move which has Remus blushing and the girls howling with laughter. James gets the award for 'Best Sportsman' and Sirius gets the 'Best Hair' and 'Biggest Ego' prizes. Hermione receives the awards for 'Best Legs' and 'Most Likely to become Minister for Magic' and then they come to the final few prizes.
"Okay, now we come to one of the most highly contested prizes of the evening," James says. "Sirius and I fought about this so much that we actually handed over the decision to Avery, Severus, Remus and Peter. They also fought about the winner but eventually, they did choose a winner, which they put in this envelope so that we couldn't argue about it anymore. So here goes. The Winner of Best Couple 1978 is… Hermione Granger and Sirius Black!"
Hermione rolls her eyes but heads up to the stage to join Sirius, who is doing a victory dance in front of a laughing James. Throughout the evening, they have been steadily drinking more and more and now, they are so drunk they can barely even stand or speak. "Thanks guys," Hermione says, downing the shot that James decided every winner had to do and kissing her boyfriend deeply.
"Okay, next up is a very special and official award," Sirius says, slurring slightly. "We spoke to Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore to see if there were any awards that were given out annually. And they gave us a very special one to honour the most excellent student of the class. Obviously, we all know who it's going to, so please give it up for Miss Hermione Granger, who is receiving the Hogwarts Prize for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence."
Hermione laughs, hugs Lily and Professor McGonagall and then heads up to the stage, taking the prize off her boyfriend and kissing him again. She heads back into the crowd and then it is time for Sirius and James to award the final prize of the evening.
"Now, we spoke to Lily and she said that Muggles have one particular tradition we should definitely incorporate into this evening," James says.
"Yes, apparently they call their graduation party a Prom," Sirius says. "And they end the awards with the crowning of the Prom King and Queen."
"To be honest, I don't know why we're explaining," James says. "All of you know because all of you have voted for your King and Queen this evening. Professor McGonagall has counted your votes and I have the results here."
"First up, your Prom King for 1978," Sirius says. "I really hope you guys voted for me because otherwise you're all snakes." He slits open the envelope, rolls his eyes and says, "The winner is…James Potter!"
James lets out a loud whoop, downs the shot and takes the tiara out of Sirius's hands, jamming it on his head. "I wonder who will be my queen," he says, wiggling his eyebrows at the crowd, all of whom are laughing hysterically.
"The Prom Queen for 1978," Sirius continues, "is…who else but Miss Hermione Granger!" Hermione's eyes roll to the back of her head but she accepts the cheers gratefully, heads up to the stage and takes the crown.
"Thank you everyone," she says loudly. "I love you all."
"Thanks for listening, everyone," James shouts. "We'll be serving some food throughout the night but don't be afraid to have a dance, drink as much as you want and enjoy the party! All our love!"
The crowd cheers and then dissipates; Avery, Severus and Mulciber head to the food, Hermione and Lily hurry up to the stage to meet their boyfriends and Remus, Cass and Marlene start the dancing. Throughout the evening, everybody dances with everyone, laughing and turning and drinking til they can't feel their legs. Then, at about 2am, Nott approaches Hermione on the dancefloor. "Can I speak to you?" he asks quietly.
"Yes, of course," Hermione says, giggling at something Marlene is doing on the other side of the room. She follows him out of the room and down the hall to the library, where she sits in an armchair by the fire. "What's up?" she asks quietly.
"I have a message for you from the Dark Lord," Nott says, and Hermione sits bolt upright.
"Excuse me?" she says. "What message?"
"He expects your answer tonight," Nott says. "He requests you meet him at 3 o'clock in…in the place of your first meeting."
"3 o'clock?" Hermione gapes, glancing at the clock on the mantle. "But that's in 45 minutes, Nott? I can't meet him in 45 minutes, I'm too drunk." She stares at him, realisation dawning on her face. "But he knew that. He knew that we were having a party, he knew that I'd be drunk and he knew that we'd all be in one place. He's trapped me into saying yes."
"Would you have said yes anyway?" he asks quietly.
"Well, he'll never know now," she says furiously. "For fuck's sake, and I was having such a good night."
"I'm-" Nott begins.
"No," she snaps. "No, shut up. Don't say you're sorry, just don't say anything. You can go away now, you've done your job."
"Hermione, you've been really good," he says. "I didn't understand how important you were but I do now. I'm-"
"Go away, Nott," she says. "Go away and let me plan."
She watches him leave the room, locks the door and then sticks her head into the fire, calling Professor Dumbledore.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore says, surprised. "Aren't you supposed to partying?"
"Yes, and I'm really drunk but I just got a message from Tom and he wants my answer in 45 minutes," she says, clearly panicked.
"Where?" Dumbledore asks. "I'll meet you there?"
"No," Hermione says. "He'll detect your magic if you get there too soon. You'd be better off apparating in at about quarter past 3 and helping me take him down."
"Okay," Dumbledore says. "What are you going to say?"
"I don't know," she says. "But I'll work it out."
"Okay," he says.
"Yes," she says tiredly. "Okay, so I'll see you at Little Hangleton at 3.15."
"Yes," he says. "Good luck, Miss Granger."
"Thank you," she says. "And, sir…if I die…"
"You won't," he says. "You'll be okay."
"Hmm," she says. "See you later then."
She pulls her head out of the fire and turns around, jumping as her eyes find Avery, who is staring at her. "Shit, you scared me," she says, laughing. "Are you okay?"
"You're going tonight?" he asks softly.
"Yes," she says, staring up at the ceiling as she tries to fight back tears. "Yes, apparently he's demanded my presence this evening."
"So, you're trapped," he observes sadly. "If you don't go, he'll storm the house and kill everybody here. If you don't say yes, he'll storm the house and kill everybody here. So…"
"So, I have to say yes," she finishes. "Yes, it would certainly seem that way."
"Hermione," he begins.
"Don't," she says warningly. "You don't have to say goodbye, Avery, I'll be coming back."
"What if we just run?" he asks desperately. "What if we took everyone and went back to Hogwarts? They couldn't get to us there."
"They'd get us eventually," she says. "And people wouldn't go along with it. They all have family, they all have friends. People would keep dying and then eventually we would have to face them. We're just delaying the inevitable."
"Well then delay it," he says. "We can come up with a better plan, we can keep you safe."
"Nonsense," she says. "You know who I am, Avery, you know that I'm not meant to be here. If anyone is going to die for this, it's going to be me."
"But…but you're one of my best friends," he says, losing his composure for the first time since Hermione's met him. "I can't lose you, I'll…I'll lose everything."
"No," she says softly. "Avery, you are brave and strong and good. You will be fine."
"Don't die," he says firmly. "Do not make us bury you."
"Come here," she says, pulling him into a hug. "Be strong, Avery."
"Will you tell the others?" he asks, hugging her back.
"I don't know," she says, pulling away and checking her watch. "No, I only have half an hour. I'll tell Sirius but that's it."
"Stay here," he says. "I'll fetch him."
"Thank you," she says. She sits down on the sofa to wait; Sirius has joined her within a minute. He is drunker than the rest of the party, but he sobers up as soon as he looks at her.
"What's the matter?" he asks gently.
"I am going to meet Tom tonight," she says softly. Immediately, he flinches, sitting up a little straighter; she puts a reassuring hand on his thigh and says, "Calm down. I'll be okay."
"Are you mad?" he says. "He'll kill you."
"No," she says, tears starting to drip down her cheeks. "I'll be okay. Please, Sirius, I need you to be strong."
"How can I be strong?" he asks. "You're going to die."
"No," she says, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look her in the eye. "No, I'm not going to die. I'm going to kill him and then we'll be safe. It will be over."
"How?" he says, close to sobbing. "You're drunk and tired and he's trapped you into this crazy meeting."
"I'll work it out," she says. "Have I ever let you down?"
"Yes," he says. "Several times."
"Excuse you, I have been the perfect girlfriend," she teases, laughing tearfully.
"You have been anything but," he laughs. "But I never wanted the perfect girlfriend so you've been just right for me."
"And you for me," she says. "You have been…everything I needed in the exact moment I needed it. And I will never stop loving you, whatever happens next."
"Same," he says, smiling fondly. "Hermione, even if you haven't been perfect…you have saved our lives more times than we will ever know. You have been brave and kind and good and…Just thank you, Hermione, for everything. For saving Peter, for saving the Slytherins, for…"
"I know," she says softly. "I know, Sirius, and I'd do it all again. And tonight…I'll finish it."
"When are you leaving?" he asks quietly.
She glances at her watch again and then sighs, "Now."
She stands up, hugs and kisses Sirius fiercely and then disapparates, reappearing in the Little Hangleton graveyard.
"Ah Miss Granger," Tom says softly. "You are a beauty."
"Liar," she says. She knows she looks hot, with her short dress and long legs and all that hair, but she is not beautiful, with watery eyes and tear-tracked foundation. She glances down, suddenly realising that she's left her heels in the corner of the ballroom, and she smiles weakly, remembering the night she's had.
"Something funny, Miss Granger?" he asks.
"Not at all," she replies, folding her arms and putting all her weight on her back foot. "How are you?"
"Fine, fine," he replies calmly. "Pleased to see you here tonight."
"In all honesty, Tom, you didn't give me much of a choice," she says.
"Excuse me?" he says.
"Oh, don't let's start playing games with each other now," she says icily.
"Now now," he says. "We ought not to pretend that our interactions have been anything other than a game. We have been dancing around each other for months now. Nevertheless, continue, I'm sure this will be a very prettily arranged speech."
"You have invited me here, drunk and alone, to force my hand into joining your side," she says. "In the full knowledge that if I say no, you will kill my friends and loved ones. Knowing how well I feel about coercion."
"Interesting," he says. "And if I had given you the choice, what would you have said?"
"Well that's exactly my point, Tom," she says furiously. "You'll never know now!" He blinks at her, waiting for her to calm herself, and she does. "However," she says, "Given that we are about to enter the next stage of our…relationship, I think it only prudent to be completely honest with you."
"I'm waiting," he says coolly.
"I am not a Seer," she says. "I was not at a private school these past 17 years."
"Where then?" he asks.
"I am from the future," she says. "I was born in 1979."
"Fascinating," he says slowly. "So, you came back to…help me? Or kill me?"
"I didn't come back on purpose," she says. "It was an accident. I didn't know what I was going to do. Not at first."
"And now?" he asks. "What have you decided, Miss Granger?"
"And now…I'm going to fix everything," she says.