Chapter Fifteen: End of the Line
As the last days of Hogwarts were finally coming to an approach, Hermione and Ginny made the most of it to get ready for graduation. Graduation at Hogwarts was going to be done in a way most ceremonies don't, but that's another time.
Hermione was packing her chests and parchments and decided to pay a visit to Professor Periwinkle when the time was right to see if the seventh years all did well on their N.E.W.T. tests. Everyone passed. Hermione, of course, got all perfect marks. Ginny passed with actual flying colors. Luna succeeded as well. And Hannah was relieved to find out she also did a fine job. She nearly fainted as soon as she saw her test score results.
Hermione was skipping stones near the lake. A snowy owl was flying above. Hermione thought for a second that it looked like Hedwig. Well, obviously it wasn't. The owl was a male. He dropped a parcel in her hands and she opened it. It was a package from Mr. Weasley. He sent a photo of the new recruits at the Ministry of Magic. They were all smiling and standing alongside Percy and Kingsley. Hermione smiled at this photograph, knowing that the Ministry has improved over this past year. In the package, she unwrapped a brand new scrapbook so that she could use it for all new memories to have, even after graduation. Lovely thought, given the circumstances.
Hermione went to Dumbledore's office for a little stroll down memory lane. She walked around observing the Sorting Hat and the perch where Fawkes the phoenix used to stand. Phoenixes in nature burst into flame when they die and then are born again from their ashes, as it is known. It is also known that their tears have the property to heal. Fawkes has always been a very majestic creature, as well as Hagrid's old Hippogriff, Buckbeak. He still resides at Grimmauld Place.
"Well!" A voice said, which made Hermione jump. She turned around and noticed that Hat was speaking to her. "I see you've returned up here to take one last look before you depart." Hermione nodded, "Yeah."
"You were always too keen for your own good, Miss Granger. When you were a first- year, you knew all there was to know already, I was almost tempted to sort you into Ravenclaw." "I know. Why didn't you?" she asked him. "I figured it would be a nice change of pace. Besides, I could tell you wanted to be in Gryffindor. You and Potter."
Hermione knew Harry was almost put into Slytherin their first year. Ah, memories.
"With all due respect, Harry might have had all the qualities Voldemort himself possessed," the Hat was impressed by her saying the dead Dark Lord's name, "but in the end, Gryffindor seemed like the appropriate choice. Because he's always been brave. And anyway, he stopped speaking Parseltongue. Ever since last year, he lost the ability to speak to snakes." The Hat chuckled, "So it would seem. Well, regardless of the houses, you all earned your right to be in Gryffindor." Hermione smirked. "Well, it's been a genuine pleasure, Granger. Try not to read too many books."
As soon as Hermione left the office, she felt good about herself, as well she should. She did everything she was supposed to do and she did it without even trying. The Sorting Hat basically knew what he was saying this time around. Hermione thought for a second she was going to miss that hat, but on the other hand, she was okay with that.
In the Defense Against the Dark Arts office, Professor Periwinkle was busy taking care of the final examinations. Hermione walked in and knocked on the door. "Miss Granger, I was expecting you. Come in. I understand you've certainly given this your all this term." "Yeah," Hermione told her. "Hermione, I don't blame you for having your suspicions about me. Don't you think I'd know about the Dark Arts teachers before me? One of them being a master of Potions." "I was just concerned is all," Hermione explained. "I didn't want to be fooled by anybody."
"Uh-huh, well, it's been pretty decent this year. No deaths, no battles, no dark magic." "Well, the school year's not over yet." "I know, and it's been wonderful getting to know everyone, especially you." Hermione
beamed at this. "Well," she said, "I suppose you're going to take off after this." "Actually, I think I'm gonna stick around for a while. I mean, I don't have anywhere else to be, and Hogwarts is a very magical place. I love it here." Hermione didn't know what came over her, but immediately, she hugged her. Periwinkle smiled and hugged her back. Hermione released and said, "Sorry. I got carried away."
"Ah, quite all right, it's perfectly natural. Anyway, you'd best get going. I'd better get these papers graded before the term comes to a close." Hermione nodded, then left without another word.
