Smells Like Teen Spirit
A/N: Thank you all very much for the reviews, praise, and favourites. I really do appreciate it. This one is for all the guest reviewers out there who I unfortunately cannot reply to.
Friday, 23rd July 1999. The final day of the year for the students at Hogwarts, and graduation day for the seventh and eighth years. There had been an excited buzz around the school all day, and now, at the Farewell Feast, it was reaching its peak. Parents and relatives had been welcomed into the school during the day to watch their children graduate, and they were now sitting at their own table at the back of the Great Hall, watching, talking amongst themselves.
Suddenly, silence fell as Professor McGonagall took her place at the front of the congregation. "Another year is done. And what a year it has been. We have been joined this year, not only by two other schools, and ex pupils, but we have had our only ever eighth year. Behind me, those eighteen students are joined by the twenty students from the seventh year, all ready to graduate. These are the two years I have to commend the most, as they are the two who have seen the most in regards to Lord Voldemort, and the War, yet they are the ones who have come out the strongest. For that, I want to give them a big round of applause." She started to clap, as did the rest of the school. "Now, their graduation will commence in just a moment, but first, I have an announcement for you all." She turned to look at Professor Elliott, who nodded her head in return. "I have been asked by Professor Elliott to inform you that her and her husband, Head Auror Gawain Robards, are expecting a baby. The Professor is eleven weeks pregnant. Congratulations to her." Another round of applause, this time more enthusiastic and congratulatory. "Of course, that means that she will be going on maternity leave at Christmas, but you'll be back for their exams, did you say?" She nodded. "Good. Congratulations again. Right, graduation. We'll go in alphabetical order, so first we have Hannah Abbott…" The graduation continued in much the same way, with each student being called up, having their hands shook, and being given a scroll congratulating them on completing their time at the school, with a photo of themselves in first year added inside for some comical embarrassment.
"Yes, yes, well done one and all." Professor McGonagall said as the final student, Blaise, sat back down in his seat. "Finally, it only leaves me to announce the results of the Quidditch, and the House cup. As you know, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw came fourth and third in the Quidditch respectively, with Gryffindor and Slytherin ending the season on an exact same score of 500 points each. Madame Hooch, the Heads of House, and I went back through each of the games that Gryffindor and Slytherin played, totalling up the amount of fouls and attempts at goal, adding and deducting points where needed. We have finally come to our decision. Second place has 470 points, first place has 480 points. The winner, of the Quidditch cup for the year 1998-1999, is…" She paused for dramatic effect, allowing the two houses to get impatient and start shouting and chanting for their house. "…Gryffindor!" The house of the lion erupted into rapturous applause and screams. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Demelza, Dean, Jimmy and Ritchie stepped up to the front of the Hall, all hugging each other, before engaging in a group hug. They separated as Professor McGonagall steppes up and handed the cup to Harry, who stared at it for a moment, looked proudly at his team, then lifted it high, to more cheers and screams. Ron and Dean nodded their heads at each other and lifted their Captain onto their shoulders, starting a chant of his name, which quickly spread to the whole of the Gryffindor table, and some of the Hufflepuff table. Eventually, they put him back down, and he handed the cup back to his Headmistress, where she placed it next to the covered House cup.
"Well done Gryffindor, Well done. House points. In fourth place, with 325 points, is Ravenclaw. In third place, with 394 points, is Hufflepuff. The gap between second and first place, I have been told, has never been this small since 1782. There is one point in it." This earned a gasp and excited whispers from the four houses. "One house has 500 points, the other has 501 points. The winner is…" She raised her hands and changed the banners around the school, which went from the white with the school emblem on, to… "Slytherin!" The house of the snake took their turn to break into very undignified screams and applause. Draco stepped up and took the cup from her, which had green and silver ribbons hanging from it. He held it high for everyone to see, a broad grin on his face. Placing it back on podium, he went back to his seat as the Professor stepped back up to the stage. "All that is left for me to do is congratulate you all on your performance this year, to thank the Quidditch teams, the Prefects, the Head Boy and Girl, the staff, and everyone who has been involved in this school year for making it one of the most enjoyable years this school has seen, and for one of the most enjoyable years I have ever had here. Give yourselves a round of applause." They started clapping each and every one, as Hermione and Draco made their way over to the stage, to have their say.
"Thank you, everybody, for a remarkable year, once again, here at Hogwarts. We both represent both sides, not only of the War, but of the students that this magical school is willing to accommodate. If a pureblood and muggle-born can put aside their differences and become friends, then anybody can." Hermione started.
"We would like to thank all the Prefects for their continued efforts alongside us to make sure that you all enjoy your time here and feel safe. We would like to thank the staff for doing their best to make this year enjoyable, and for helping trying to make the scars of the War easier to bear. But that's not the only thanks we'd like to offer."
Hermione waved her hand, and from the air fell two big bouquets of flowers, landing neatly into her and Draco's awaiting arms. She turned to the Headmistress. "You are the one who has done the most for this school. You were here from the very start for all of us, and throughout the years, you've certainly been a force to be reckoned with. A tower of strength when things have gone wrong. We were proud to call you our Head of House, proud to call you our Transfigurations teacher, and we're proud to call you for our Headmistress. After the War you did everything you could to build this school back to its former glory to make it habitable for us to get an education. You have given everything to the cause of helping every student who passes through these doors first year, exit them in their last year with the qualifications to go far in life. We thank you, and we'll miss you. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Professor Minerva McGonagall." The Hall erupted into applause and everyone stood on their feet for the now blushing Headmistress, who accepted the bouquets graciously. Hermione and Draco then stepped back and joined in the applause, as the Professor stepped up to the front again.
"Thank you. Thank you so much for that. I certainly was not expecting it. It's a wonderful surprise, thank you. All that's left for me to do is tell you to enjoy your holidays, stay safe, and enjoy the feast." At her words, food appeared on the tables and the seventh and eighth years went to join their houses. "Oh, and as it is your last day here, you may sit where you want." There was a scraping as benched were instantly moved and students moved to sit with their friends. At the far end of the Gryffindor table sat all the eighth years, Ginny, Luna, Demelza, Daphne, Millicent, and Theo. All in all, 24 friends sat together. Harry took the time to look around at the mismatched group. At the start of the year, nobody here would have been friends, let alone sat with each other at the same table, laughing and joking as if they had been friends for life. Suddenly, he felt a jab in his right side and turned to stare into the eyes of his boyfriend.
"Are you OK Harry?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thinking how, at the beginning of this year, the idea of us all sitting together like this, having fun, would have been ludicrous. Now look at us."
"And it's all because of two annoying boys, one speccy git and one pompous prick, who finally gave into the sexual tension that's been surrounding them for years!" Pansy announced cheekily, causing them all to laugh, and the boys in question to blush."
"Well I for one think we ought to give them a toast. What do you say? To Harry and Draco!" Ginny toasted them, which the others copied, furthering their embarrassment.
They chatted aimlessly about their time that year, and what they were planning to do after school. During that time, their relatives came over to them to offer congrats, and a very happy Teddy played with them all, his features changing rapidly to match them all. Soon, the tables and chairs were removed and a dance floor was placed in the centre, as a band struck up and the party began. One last surprise from the Heads and the Prefects. They partied the night away, with most of the adults leaving sporadically throughout the night.
Finally, as the last song of the night, the band slowed down and played a muggle rock song: Always, by Bon Jovi. The last time it had been played had been at the Yule Ball, and Harry and Draco had had Ginny and Astoria to dance with. But now, they danced together; Harry's arms around Draco's neck, and Draco's arms around Harry's waist, the Slytherin leading. Harry lent his head next to his boyfriend's, enjoying the feel of having him in his arms. He slowly kissed the other boy's neck, earning quiet little moans from him.
"Mmm, keep that up Harry and I'll drag you out before the song ends."
Harry chuckled. "I'll stop then. Draco, where do you plan on living after we leave here tomorrow morning?"
"In my flat, why?"
"Well, we're dating now, and we both live alone, so wouldn't it make sense if we, you know, lived together?"
Draco pulled back slightly to look the other in the eyes. "Are you asking me to move in with you?"
"Yeah, I am actually. And don't worry, I have a house elf to cater to your needs."
"I know. It's just a case of whether Kreacher will work with Savannah."
"He'll have no choice." Harry pulled the other boy closer again. "If you're moving in with me, and you're brining Savannah with you, he'll have to get used to her. So what do you say? Will you move in with me?"
Draco paused, for typical-Draco dramatic effect. "I'd love to." He pulled back slightly and kissed the other boy on the lips. "Now why don't we get out of here? You've been driving me mad all night in that graduation gown."
Harry laughed, but nonetheless, took his boyfriend by the hand and led him through the halls to their dorm, the both of them stopping every so often to snog and let their hands roam…
A/N2: This is the penultimate chapter, I think. Unless I have another idea come to mind, the next chapter will be the last. I intend to get it released before I go on holiday next Saturday, but I may not be able to. I'll try my best, but I can't promise anything.
Review darlings. :D
xxxxx