Chapter Sixteen: Graduation Day

Finally the big day came. The girls were all dressed up in their graduation caps and gowns. Hermione was preparing to read her speech to all of the audience. She could feel her heart pounding and her head reeling. Hogwarts graduation had finally come. This was it. This was finally it. The very last day at Hogwarts for all seventh year students. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the flowers were blossoming and the teachers were busy setting up chairs outside on the grounds. Hermione was still trying to figure out what to say in her speech. She certainly had no trouble memorizing it, but she's afraid she will forget her words once she steps up to the podium.

Harry and Ron were already on their way towards the ceremony. They went to the carriages that carried them and all the other attendants to the grounds. The ladies were putting on their graduation gowns. Very color-coded, just like the regular school robes. Some of the prefects and head boys and girls all wore banners and sashes over their robes. Hermione was wearing hers very pressed as she was, of course, valedictorian. Ginny was all dressed up. She was on her way to the stage and Hermione followed. Luna was already out. "So, this is finally it. Are you ready for this?" Ginny asked her. "Yeah," Hermione replied. McGonagall walked to the two. "I understand you two are all set for the stands." "Yes, Professor," Ginny told her. "Miss Granger, a word?"

"Of course, professor." Ginny walked off.

"I hope you know now how impressed and proud I am of you and your progress, Hermione. You certainly have a keen, academic mind."

"Thank you, professor."

"And integrity. Accepting responsibility. Taking drastic action. All the noble qualities. I see now why the Sorting Hat chose you and Harry for Gryffindor house." Hermione swallowed. "Well, we all can't be just one house, can we?" They hugged and McGonagall walked off.

The time had finally come. Everyone had showed up in the crowd. Harry and Ron were in the front row, alongside Bill and Fleur, George and Percy, Molly and Arthur. Charlie was also there. Some familiar faces were in the audience as well. Neville Longbottom was sitting to the right of Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley were also seen in the audience, as well as Padma and Parvati Patil. Kingsley Shacklebolt has shown up and sat at the far end of the crowds. Oliver Wood had also been there, so have Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, and Lee Jordan! Mr. and Mrs. Granger had also made an appearance, much to Hermione's surprise, and so was Mr. Lovegood. Oh, and Leanne was also sitting in the crowd, opposite Cho Chang. Even Draco Malfoy was there, with his parents! Why they were there, no one will ever know. McGonagall and the other professors were sitting behind the podium. Hagrid was sitting next to Flitwick and Sprout, and Slughorn was right by Madams Pomfrey and Hooch. Filch was sitting right next to Madam Pince, the librarian while Vector and Sinistra were right by Periwinkle. Harry and Ron took a glimpse of her. They were content.

McGonagall walked up to the podium. "Welcome, everyone, to this year's graduating class of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Applause and cheering occurred. "Now, before we begin, a word from this year's valedictorian, Miss Hermione Granger." Whooping stamped out from every Gryffindor in the Grounds. Ron whistled. "Thank you," Hermione started. "Well, where do I start? As you all see me standing here, I suppose that's it. When I first came here to this school, I was always told of being an 'insufferable know-it-all.' But over the course of time, I made some great friends, I studied for every class, and I scored high on every single test examination. Divination was not at the top of my list." Chuckling from the audience. "After eight amazing years, which ordinarily would've been seven, I leave now with a high head and a heavy heart. I'm really going to miss this place. You all played your part, and this also goes out to all of you. So thank you all so very much." Applause and cheering happened again. Hermione felt content with her choice of words. Professor Dumbledore would be proud. As for Professor Snape, well...I think he would've tolerated it.

McGonagall read the names of the seventh years that have graduated. "Hannah Abbott." Applause and cheering stamped. Hannah meekly smiled and walked across the stage to receive her diploma. She waved to the audience. Ernie whooped and Neville blew her a kiss. "Hermione Granger." The audience definitely cheered when Hermione walked across the stage. She chuckled. "Whoo!" she shouted. Harry and Ron stood up, as did the other Gryffindors and the Weasleys. "Luna Lovegood." Luna smiled and Xenophilius could not have looked happier. "Ginny Weasley." Applause and cheering once again. Ginny felt proud. She knew she had done it. Molly shouted, "Well done, Ginny!" Arthur shouted, "That's our girl!" After the last name had been called, McGonagall announced, "Congratulations, students! May you all achieve your magical goals in life." The graduates cheered and threw their caps up in the air.

Now that the ceremony had been official, it was time to head for home. Everyone outside said their final goodbyes. Hagrid walked to the trio and said, "Well, this is it. I'm really gonna miss all of ya." "We'll miss you, too, Hagrid," Harry said and they all hugged him. Fang barked and ran to Hermione. "Oh, not again," and he licked her face. Ron laughed. "Very funny, Ronald," and she kissed him to retaliate.

Ginny ran to Harry and hugged him. The two kissed. Much to all their disdain, Draco slimed up to them. "Well, congratulations, Granger. I see you served your time well." "Don't tell me," Hermione remarked, "you just came here to insult us."

"No, really, I mean it. Congratulations. You know, Blaise and Pansy would've also been here, but they wouldn't be caught dead seeing any of you walking across that stage." Ron snarked, "Why are you really here, Malfoy?"

"Well, you all saved my life last year. You could've left me and Blaise to die in that Fiendfyre, but you didn't." Ron said, "They made me do it."

"Still, just because you saved my life..." "Yeah, yeah, we know," said Harry, "it doesn't change anything. Whatever." Draco smirked. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Gryffindors." He walked away. Ron said, "God, I hope we never hear from that clown again." Ginny insinuated, "I don't really think we'll be hearing from him any time soon."

After saying their last goodbyes, Hermione introduced Harry and Ron to Gwen and Willow. The two little girls were in awe when they saw them. The boys chuckled. The girls hugged Hermione and Ginny and then took off, ready to survive their next six years.

Time for the students to leave Hogwarts. When they wondered where the carriages were, McGonagall had explained to them that seventh years are required to leave Hogwarts the same way they come to Hogwarts...they had to sail on the boats. "What?!" Hermione said. Wow. So the seventh years all got in a boat. Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Hannah all got in a boat. The others got in other boats and they started sailing off to Hogsmeade. All of a sudden, fireworks started shooting up into the daylight sky. The professors were all waving. Slughorn called out, "Bon voyage!" Flitwick cried, "Farewell, Miss Granger!" McGonagall called, "Goodbye!" It was a good day.

By the time the Hogwarts Express made its way to King's Cross, everyone got off wearing casual clothes. Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked back, thinking about all the good people at the castle. Nick, Hagrid, Moaning Myrtle. The Fat Friar, Helena Ravenclaw. They will think about every single one of those people and ghosts, but maybe not Peeves. Definitely not Draco Malfoy and his family, either. Harry and Ron were even impressed when Hermione told them about Professor Periwinkle, staying there for more than one year, they were content. "So," Ron said, "I guess this is it now, huh?" "Yeah," Hermione said. "I suppose it is." Ron said again, "So," followed by, "where do we go from here?" Harry answered, "Wherever we go, whatever we do, we have the power to decide." The three friends all turned and smiled, walking away, another year gone. And they all lived happily ever after...until 18 years later.

The End Disclaimer: Thank you all so much for reading this if you bothered to.