Hey guys! Thanks for all the great reviews. I can't say enough how much it means to me. And as for the year thing, I know that they entered school in 1991, but I just decided to go with if J.K.Rowling wrote a book every year it would be 2006 when they graduate. This is due to that, when they graduated in 1998, I was only 7 turning 8. (yeah I'm only 13) It was very different back then, and I don't have much memory of it. I thought it would just be easier to have it in the future, and not in the past. I know this is a horrible excuse, please don't hate me! It's just a lot easier for me, and I hope you all don't mind too much. Anyway, I hope you like the story, and remember to write any and all comments, for I really appreciate them. As for the grammar, yes I know, I'm not the best in the world, and that's why I'm asking that if any of you would want to be my beta, I would appreciate it very much. If your interested, email me at babyhalo19@yahoo.com. If not, then I hope you don't mind reading a few wrong uses of you're, your etc. ;p And as for Draco, whoever said he was going soft? Just cause he's attracted to someone, doesn't mean he's gonna start being all nice to everyone. Just wait a few chapters, and see what I mean.
As the guests started to head outside, everyone was left staring at each other. How were they supposed to say goodbye to the people they've known since they were eleven? As Hermione looked around, she spotted Neville who looked like he was about to cry. She ran over to him and hugged him.
"Oh Neville, it's all right. We're going to see each other soon. With you training to be a nurse too and all. We'll probably bump into each other a lot. We might even be in the same training courses! That would be fun wouldn't it?"
"Yeah, it would." He said with smile. "You always know what to say Hermione. I'm just so worried about my gram. Every time I even open my mouth to say something, she bursts into tears! I don't know what to do."
"Well that sounds familiar." She said, telling him about Mrs. Weasley and her own mother. He laughed and said, " I'm glad I'm not the only one. And I'll owl you tomorrow with my schedule, and we can see if we have anything together."
"Okay," she said, hugging him once more. "Take care of yourself Neville." With this and a smile, she walked over to a group of girls she had shared a room with for the past six years. This last year she had her own room though, so she wondered what she'd missed. She'd become very close with them. As soon as she walked over, they immediately fell into the latest gossip, trying to delay the looming goodbyes. When it was finally time, there was lots of hugs and tears. They exchanged job info and new addresses, promising to owl at least once a week. Hermione hugged Lavender tightly, before telling her she'd owl her as soon as she found a flat. With a last wave at all of them, she turned to walk towards Harry and Ron, who seemed to be wrapping up their goodbyes too. As she walked over, they smiled and seemed to ask without words if she was alright. She smiled and nodded, wiping her eyes.
They walked over to her parents and the Weasleys. The three of them were suddenly enveloped in a bone crushing hug by the two mothers. "You were all so wonderful up there, so grown up and ma-m-mature." With this Mrs. Weasley flew into another round of tears, followed closely by Mrs. Granger. The two husbands looked like they were about to leap out a window as they comforted their sobbing wives. Hermione, Harry, and Ron all exchanged looks; this was not going to be easy.
As Hermione turned to look at the rest of the Weasleys, she noticed Ginny was staring at a familiar blonde boy, who was talking to Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione grabbed her arm and pulled her out of earshot of everyone else.
"Since when were you head-over-heals for him?" She asked smiling.
Ginny looked taken aback. "W-what? Me? He-head over heals for s-someone?"
"Oh get off it! I've known you almost your whole life and you think I'm gonna fall for that? I saw you bloody drooling over him when he got his diploma. And then that look you both shared when he sat down, you seriously don't think I'm that stupid do you?"
Ginny looked like she was about to die. "Alright, alright. We've went out a few times, nothing serious." She saw Hermione's disbelieving glare and continued quickly. "Alright, so maybe it is serious. I don't know! He's not that great at expressing his feelings in case you haven't noticed! I promise I'll let you know about anything that happens, but please don't tell Ron! He'd kill him!"
Hermione, seeing Ginny's frantic look couldn't help but smile. "All right, all right! I won't tell him! Just promise me you'll use your head Gin; Draco can be a very complex person."
Seeing Ginny smile at this, and mumble, "As if I wouldn't know," they headed back to the group. Everyone, except Harry, hadn't noticed their short disappearance. He shot her a 'what's going on' look , but she just gave him an 'I'll tell you later'. The discussion suddenly turned to houses, and where they were going to stay that night. Mrs. Weasley was just offering that everyone could stay at her house, when Harry cleared his throat.
Everyone turned to him, and blushing rather deeply, he said, "Well this would be up to Hermione and Ron of course, but I've purchased a 3 bedroom flat a few weeks ago in anticipation of finally getting away from the Dursleys. It's right in town, and is quite cozy. It would be a graduation present or something to both of you." He saw them open their mouths to protest, so he went on quickly, "It's already bought, and I have the room. You could help pay the bills or something if you really feel that bad about it, but I really want to treat you both to this. You've both given me my life, and I think the least I could give you is a house."
"Oh Harry that's a wonderful idea!" Said George fondly. "Why Fred and I were on the streets for our first few months." Everyone laughed, except for Mrs. Weasley who shot him a glare. Hermione turned to Harry, giving him a huge hug.
"Thank you so much Harry! I don't know what I would do without you."
"Likewise," he whispered in her ear, before releasing her.
"Thanks mate," Ron said smiling at him. "This really means a lot."
As Harry smiled back at them, Hermione turned towards her mum and dad. "Would you mind so much if we apparated over there quickly? I can't wait to see what it looks like."
"Of course not," her dad said. "Meet us at the burrow after, Arthur and Molly have been kind enough to let us stay there tonight."
Hermione kissed both of her parent's cheeks, and was just walking away with Harry and Ron when Mrs. Weasley called out, "And don't forget to say goodbye to Dumbledore before you go!"
They all stared at each other. They had completely forgotten about saying goodbye to him and the rest of the teachers. The rushed over to where the teachers were all lined up, saying their goodbyes to other students. As they reached him, Dumbledore smiled. "I was wondering when you three would come over here. I meant every word I said up there; I could not be prouder of you three. I know you'll take the world by storm. Great things will happen because of you three, and I hope you remember to owl me every once and while to tell me about it. But I feel we'll be seeing each other soon. Perhaps not at the happiest of meetings though," he said mentioning the upcoming war with Lord Voldemort. "Just be prepared, and on guard, and nothing will stop you three. Good luck." With this he gave them a crooked smile, and walked away toward a punch stand that had been set up.
Professor Mcgonagal walked up to them, and smiled a large smile. "I'm sad to see you three off. You've proved a great deal of excitement around here, no matter how many rules you broke. Just stay together and trust your hearts. With that you can't go wrong." With this she too walked away, leaving the three of them in the path of one more teacher, Snape.
As they walked up to him, he gave them an amused smile. "You've had to suffer my constant cruelty and unfairness for seven years, and it couldn't have helped you more. You're now ready for the real world, and all the meanness that comes with it. Remember all that you've learned here, and don't disappoint me." With this and a small smile, he too walked away. The three of them stared at each other for a while, before moving. That was all a lesson? Hermione wondered. Wow, he was a better teacher than she thought.
With this they walked out of the Great Hall. Hermione cast it one last look and walked out, wiping the last of her tears away. Some were for Hagrid, who wouldn't be able to see them today. He had died a year earlier saving her life from a Death Eater. She would never forget that, and would one day avenge his death. With this thought, they walked onto the Hogwarts Grounds and towards the clearing by the forest. They could from there apparate over to their new flat. As they reached the boundary of Hogwarts they turned so they could face the castle, and linked hands. With one last image to fill her mind, and a loud pop, they were gone, as was this chapter of their life.
Well what did you think? I was a little uncertain with this chapter, so any thoughts about it would be really appreciated! Thanks,
Erin