Lock Up My Heart

Chapter Two: "Thunder"

A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating! It's not because I hate you guys, it's because I've been so busy. I'm so busy I hardly have time to breathe anymore -______- PLEASE FORGIVE ME. Here's chapter two (:

Graduation Day:

Harry, Ron, & Hermione At the Ceremony

Harry Potter fixed the bowtie on his dress robes, biting his lip. He tried to comb his hair flat, but every time he thought his hair was flat, it would stick up again. Sighing, Harry admitted defeat and placed the comb down.

"Ron, does my hair look okay?" Harry hissed quietly to Ron as the set out towards the Quidditch pitch. Ron shrugged helplessly, glancing down at his own frilly robes with self-cautiousness.

"I don't know, I'm a bloke. Ask Hermione." He shifted, looking extremely nervous, and then glanced down at his robes again. "Are you sure there isn't too much lace on this?"

"You look fine," Harry reassured Ron, although he didn't look fine at all. Ron's outfit was more hideous than his Yule Ball one, if that was possible. Mrs. Weasley had really outdone herself with the frills this time. A girl could wear the robes and it would look just lovely on her.

Ron grumbled to himself, but didn't bring up the subject of his robes for the next few minutes. A few moments later, Harry heard Hermione's voice from behind him.

"Harry, Ronald, wait up. These heels are killing my feet. I don't even know why girls wear them."

Harry smiled to himself and then turned around slowly. He took one look at her and suddenly felt like he was gasping for air. Her dress robes were a light blue and seemed to flow to the ground. Her hair was glossy and straight unlike her typically bushy hair. Harry had to admit that she had never looked better.

"Bloody, Mione," Ron gaped. Hermione's face lit up like a candle after it has been torched. Harry nodded in agreement, unable to get the words out.

"You er look nice too, Ronald." Hermione glanced down at his outfit, still beaming from his compliment. "I like the frills."

"Oh, shut up," Ron responded gloomily. Hermione looked up at Harry and the two of them exchanged a private smile.

"So," Harry started, trying to change the subject, "You're a sure shoo in for the best student, Mione. Everyone knows you're the smartest."

"Oh, don't be silly." Hermione blushed crimson and looked away from Harry, a rather pleased smile plastered on her face. Ron glared at Harry.

"No need to state the obvious," Ron responded, "I think you're going to win also, you know."

Harry gave Ron an odd look. Ron looked away from Harry quickly, looking half furious and half embarrassed. Harry had no idea what had gotten into Ron. Harry realized that his frilly robes were probably the reason for his sour mood.

"I can't believe we're graduating," Hermione breathed, "It's so surreal. Harry, are you sure I look okay?"

Harry opened his mouth to tell her that she looked beautiful, but Ron answered for him, "You look bloody brilliant, Hermione."

Hermione blushed, and shooed him with her hand. "Honestly…"

Harry cleared his throat. "You do look great." Hermione looked at Harry with such sincerity. She smiled ever so slightly, and Harry felt his stomach perform a series of backflips.

Harry squirmed ever so slightly, praying that he wasn't drooling. Ever since seventh year, Harry had found himself unable to contain himself in Hermione's presence. Every time he saw her, he wanted to grab her and plant a kiss on her. There was something amazing about her. However, Harry had never brought up the courage to act because he didn't want to ruin their friendship. His friendship with Hermione was far more important than his feelings.

"How about we just apparate over to our spots on the Quidditch pitch? It's such a long walk," Ron grumbled, looking around consciously, "And everyone's staring at me!" There was bitterness in his voice. Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, haven't you ever read Hogwarts, A History? You can't apparate or disapparate in Hogwarts grounds."

The trio reached the center of the Quidditch pitch. Harry looked around at the hundreds of parents gathered in chairs. Suddenly, Harry felt a longing for his own parents, and knew if they had been there, they would have been in the front row.

Harry continued to have a dazed expression on his face. Hermione tapped him, and he blinked.

"You okay, Harry?" she asked him, concerned. Harry nodded absentmindedly, now thinking about Voldemort.

Harry was leaving right after the Graduation Ceremony to go and fight Voldemort. He knew that Dumbledore would have wanted him to stay in school for his seventh year, so Harry had. Harry was leaving tonight, and somehow, he couldn't concentrate on graduating. All he could think about was Voldemort.

Ron and Hermione knew he was leaving, though they chose to avoid the subject. Hermione woke up every morning with red, puffy eyes as if she had been crying throughout the night. They had promised each other that they wouldn't bring up the subject throughout the ceremony.

Hermione placed her arm on Harry's shoulder for moral support and Harry turned around. He didn't say anything, yet he knew Hermione understood his pained expression. She lowered her gaze and then looked back up at him, tears glistening in her eyes.

Harry gave her a half smile. "Don't let your makeup smudge."

"I can do magic and fix it," she answered hoarsely, a tear rolling down her cheek. Hermione closed her eyes and then opened them, flicking her wand ever so slightly. Her red eyes immediately turned their natural color and the wet tears on her cheeks disappeared.

"You look perfect," Harry commented. Harry tried to kiss her, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He leaned in slowly, just as a voice pierced through the air.

"Seventh years, line up in the correct order, please," Professor McGonagall said sharply.

Harry and Hermione moved away from each other quickly and hurried to join Ron in their line. Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.

Twenty minutes later, Professor McGonagall tapped her throat with her wand before speaking. "Thank you for joining us for the graduation ceremony of these Hogwarts students." Her voice was loud and illuminating. Harry immediately wondered what Dumbledore would have said if he were here. Harry did like Professor McGonagall, but it wasn't the same as having Dumbledore. Harry's mood immediately darkened, but he maintained a straight face.

McGonagall continued to speak until she suddenly said, "And now for our two awards. Every year at the graduation ceremony, we present an award to the 'Best Student' and to the 'Most Promising Student.' I'd like to start off by saying there has been plenty of competition this year."

Harry glanced at Hermione, who was on his right side. He gave her an encouraging smile, but she didn't return it. She had a pained, nervous expression plastered to her face.

"The 'Best Student' award goes to none other than Hermione Jane Granger. Miss Granger, please step forward."

Hermione blushed, her eyes wide. She exchanged an enthusiastic expression with Harry and Ron before heading towards Professor McGonagall. Harry grinned, not surprised at all. There was nobody as hardworking and smart as Hermione. She definitely deserved the award.

"And the 'Most Promising Student' award goes to Harry James Potter. We all know that Mr. Potter has amazing potential and will do nothing short of great things for the wizarding world."

Harry's jaw dropped. He was the most promising student? Harry's eyes widened, paralyzed to the spot he was standing.

"Harry, get over here!"

Harry spotted Hermione waving to him. She was positively beaming. Harry could swear that it wasn't possible to smile any more than Hermione was. Grinning, Harry hurried to join her, not noticing Ron's jealous expression.

*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*

The graduation ball was not exactly Harry's highlight of the evening. He wasn't exactly the best dancer, and had made it very clear to everyone that he didn't want to dance, yet, practically every bloody girl had come up to him and had asked him for a dance.

Thankfully, Harry spotted Hermione chatting with Parvati Patil. He hurried over towards her. "Mione, thank God. I've been looking around for you and Ron for ages. Where is Ron?"

Hermione looked at him thoughtfully. "I actually don't know where Ronald is. I've been with Parvati the entire time. I have a feeling he's hiding because he doesn't want anyone to see what he's wearing."

"Lets both go look for him," Harry suggested.

"No it's okay, I'll go by myself," Hermione responded a little too quickly. She turned around to leave, but Harry grabbed her arm to stop her. Hermione turned back around, a confused expression on her face.

Harry gave Hermione a suspicious look. They stared at each other for a few moments before they blurted out at the same time, "I have something to tell you."

"You first," Harry told Hermione quietly, lowering his gaze. He was going to tell her that he loved her. He had to. Harry didn't know when he was going to see Hermione again, and some part of him couldn't leave without telling her the truth.

"Okay…well…" Hermione began tentatively. Her face broke into a goofy looking smile. "I like Ron."

Harry's eyes widened, and he could swear he heard her wrong. His heart began to thump frantically and instant jealously flooded inside of him. The love of his life fancied Ron Weasley. What was so great about him anyways?

"I like Ron," Hermione repeated again, waiting for Harry to say something. Harry continued to stare at her.

"I think that's great." Harry forced a mechanical smile. Hermione grinned widely and pulled Harry into a hug. Feeling her arms around him, Harry suddenly couldn't breathe. He bit his lip, hoping he wouldn't explode with uncontrollable passion. He wanted her just about as much as he wanted his parents back.

Hermione pulled away from Harry, still grinning like an idiot. "So what did you have to say?"

"I…" Harry bit his lip. There was no point in telling her how he felt, because he now knew that she fancied Ron, not him. Hermione had just saved him the embarrassment of the century. "I just wanted to tell you what a great friend you are, Hermione. I don't think I would have made it through Hogwarts without you."

"Harry, that's so sweet!" Hermione's lip quivered and she looked as if she were about to burst into tears. "You definitely wouldn't have passed History of Magic without me," she added teasingly, still trying very hard not to break out in tears. She hugged him again, more tightly.

"I don't want to let you go," she whispered sadly.

"I'll miss you," Harry told her truthfully.

Harry pulled away from Hermione regretfully and watched her take off to find Ron. She returned ten minutes later, and the two of them headed towards the dance floor. Harry had never been so envious of Ron as he watched Ron and Hermione dance closely. Ron whispered something and Hermione laughed softly.

The slow song dwelled on, and Harry watched Ron put his arms around Hermione's waste. Horror struck, Harry couldn't watch anymore.

"Goodbye," Harry whispered softly to himself before turning around and leaving. Although he was leaving Hogwarts behind, he would never forget the place he grew up- his home.

A/N: Okay, so that's the H/Hr version of grad. Next chapter will start one year ahead. I hope you guys are enjoying this story so far.

PLEASE REVIEW. <3