Chapter 17: A Promising Future

The memorial gleamed in the sunlight, the engagements that it held traced by its rays graciously. McGonagall looked down into the ground with her pained look, she focused on Harry and nodded. He got the signal as he told Hermione that he would be right back as he stood and made his way to the small stage in front of them all. McGonagall moved away as Harry took his place at the podium and looked out into the crowd. He looked at the list of the names that still laid upon the wooden surface.

"I know it isn't going to be easy to heal the wounds that have been caused by this war. All of you didn't deserve any of these losses. None of these people should have been killed, but there was a monster out there. I've lost friends and family all due to him, I may have conquered him but I didn't completely win. Sure, the war is over but, I can't get any of those people back. Each of the students that died here, I knew them each. I may not have had the best relationship with one but, in the last moment he sacrificed his life for that of another. In my eyes that makes him a hero along with the rest of them. They deserve more, don't let their memories die. I thank each of them from the bottom of my heart for their sacrifices, they helped with their opposition. They will forever be apart of my life, and I'll miss them all." Harry spoke out.

The crowd's eyes all focused on the young man before them. This was the boy who had been renowned for all most his entire life. Harry had lived with the biggest loss of all due to Voldemort's actions, He had lost his freedom. He had to fight in the war and defeat the dark lord. His family was murdered before his small eyes and that memory was imprinted into his mind, no matter how long ago it was. Even with all these horrendous acts that had occurred throughout his life, Harry was still a great person who had saved them all.

Hermione stared at Harry with a smile while tears trickled down her cheeks, he had grown so much from that small little boy fascinated with every thing of the world in which he truly belonged. She knew that he was the one she was meant to be with. People had guessed that the two were together long before they ever were, guess their suspicions weren't too crazy after all. She turned her gaze toward her hand and smiled even bigger at the ring upon her finger, its emerald stone sparkled as the sunlight touched it. Following the drop of a tear by wiping the rest away, she returned her attention to him as the continued to speak to the crowd. By the end of it all, Harry had his own tears as he walked down the middle of the chairs and returned to Hermione's side. The two immediately embraced the other, the warmth of the other helped comfort each. Their eyes closed as they cherished the touch of the other against them, a small smile worn on their faces.

The sound of another voice caused them to return their attention toward the stage, the voice belonged to that of Kingsley Shacklebolt. He stood out and gave them all a look of understanding. He took a deep breath before beginning to speak.

"As some of you may have knowledge of is that I shall be the new prime minister, the ministry will undertaking various changes to further make sure the safety of world and its people. I am here on its behalf to announce news that revolves around students who were/would have been in their seventh year here at Hogwarts this year. This includes Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley who did not attend this year due to a mission that had been passed along to them which it's contents are confidential to even myself. All of these students that were present during the battle will be put into a special program being done for the first time due to the circumstances. Due to each of their performances they will be allowed to graduate from Hogwarts School with high marks. I'm sure they will have many options for work due to their participation. This program will allow them to as I said before graduate early without the need for exams but, they shall also be given free training for any subject that they'd like. A letter will be deliver within the coming month with more information about this subject. Thank you all for your time and I'm sorry for your various losses. I hope to help bring you comforting in this dark time."

After Shacklebolt finished, he nodded toward them all and gave a small smile to the trio who had been named. Within another second, he left the area for most likely the ministry of magic. Harry turned to Hermione and smiled.

"That sounds interesting. What shall we do with this news?" He questioned her.

She smiled and shrugged as she looked up into his eyes. After she placed a soft kiss on his cheek she replied:

"I don't care as long as I'm with you."

A Month Preceding The Ceremony

Harry sat upon the couch of an unfamiliar home, the furniture within it was colored warmly. It did have a very inviting atmosphere but, the circumstance for which he was there for caused him to be nervous. Hermione came into the room and sat down upon the white and soft couch next to him, their fingers immediately becoming entwined.

A man and woman followed after her shortly, the man was tall and slender with a head of lightly fading brown hair while his wife was shorter and slender herself but, had long very vibrant brown bushy hair very much like Hermione's. They sat down adjacent from the younger two, the older couple was obviously not magical due to their dress and their home. They were muggles and worked at their own dentist office.

"So, Harry you would like to marry my Daughter?" Mr. Granger inquired intimidating as his wife gave a friendly smile.

"Yes sir, I just thought it'd be best to ask for your blessing instead of just us go along with it ourselves. I mean Hermione is great and I can't live without her but, It's not right to do such without at least asking your thoughts on the subject."

"I see, very well spoken. Hermione has told us very much about you over the years and we both know now what happened this year. I know that you had no intention to put her in that danger or even have the power to keep her away so don't worry. She's always spoken highly of you and we expect this relationship to blossom so day."

"What my husband is trying to say is, of course Harry we both give our blessing for the marriage. But, we hope to be able to get to know each other better over the course of its planning."

Harry and Hermione smiled with their gaze turning to the other. They had been very happy with one and other over the course of their relationship and it was just beginning. With one door closing and other opening, the promise of a great future was before them. Harry stared into her eyes as he knew as strong as he had the first time, that he was hers and she was his.

The end.