Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the general story line.
A/N: I really hope you will enjoy this story to the fullest. There is only going to be one chapter after this one so be prepared for a tearful ending. Anyway, here is chapter ten!
A Year to Remember
Chapter 10
"You know what I figured out today?"
"What?"
Harry and Hermione were lying lazily on a big red couch in the common room. It was late at night and many students had already gone up to their rooms. Graduation was less than twenty-four hours away. They had spent the whole day together, not knowing what the future may bring them.
"Maybe God," Hermione went on, "has a bigger plan for me than I had for myself. Like maybe this journey never ends."
Harry smiled down at her and pulled her closer to him.
"You were sent to me because I'm sick, to help me get through all of this." She looked up into Harry's bright emerald eyes and smiled. "You're my angel."
Harry bit his lip, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to fall. He lightly caressed her cheek and bent down and kissed her. She kissed him back and then nestled her head into his broad shoulder, wrapping him in a hug.
"I love you," Harry muttered into her hair, finally letting some tears fall down his face, "so much more than you know."
"I love you too," Hermione replied, "just as much."
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"Stupid piece of . . ." Harry muttered, "tie damnit!"
Harry was standing in front of his mirror all by himself in his dormitory. He was so nervous about graduating that his whole body was shaking, thus complicating the tying of his tie.
"Here, let me help you."
Harry turned around in surprise to see Lavender standing in the doorway. She walked up behind Harry and put her arms around his neck. Within moments his tie was straight and perfect.
"Thanks," Harry muttered, turning awkwardly to face her.
"I, uh, brought you these," she reached into the purse on her arm and brought out an envelope. "They're pictures from the play."
Harry nodded and took them. She stared up at him with a sad look upon her face. They held their gazes for a moment until Lavender blinked and turned away, wiping her eyes.
"I'm sorry about those flyers," she whispered.
"Hey, hey," Harry said gently, "forget about it. I did."
Lavender laughed uncomfortably.
"I guess you're with who you should be," she muttered, looking down at her shoes, "it's like she chose you."
"Yeah, and I don't even know why."
Lavender looked into Harry's emeralds and gave a weak smile.
"I do."
They stared at each other for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally, Lavender cleared her throat and kissed Harry on the cheek.
"Well, bye," she muttered, leaving the room as fast as possible. Harry watched her go and sighed. She had finally let go of him, and it was a good moment to do so. He looked back at his reflection and was finally ready to give his speech.
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The ceremony had gone by quicker than Harry had hoped. He sat next to Hermione the entire time, holding her hand. The diplomas had just been given out and all there was left to do was for Harry to speak to the audience. He stood up nervously and slowly walked to the podium to deliver his address.
"Good morning professors, family, friends, and fellow graduates," Harry began slowly. "Today we are celebrating the end of a journey that began seven years ago, but most importantly, we are celebrating the commencement of an amazing adventure, the rest of our lives."
Harry paused briefly, his hands sweaty and shaking. But with an encouraging smile from Hermione, he took a deep breath and continued with ease.
"When Dumbledore asked me to speak to you all today, I really didn't find myself worthy. I grew up a very lonely child with no future ahead of me. But then I got my acceptance letter into Hogwarts and my life completely changed from there. I suddenly had choices and a future I could plan myself. But I never made any of the right choices. A wise professor once told me that, that in this world we may choose to do what is right, and what is easy, and it is those choices that make us who we are, far more than our abilities. Well my abilities far surpassed the choices I made. I wasn't a good role model and I didn't always treat people as they should have been treated. This year I've had a chance to examine my life and I've realized that I never really was a good person."
He looked out among the crowd. Dumbledore caught his eye and smiled at him. He saw Hermione's father, who nodded at him in return. Harry quickly glanced at Hermione and she winked at him.
"I met someone this year. I always knew her but I never got a chance to, to really know her, basically because I didn't choose to. She was never popular or selfish, never rude or boastful. She wasn't . . . me. So for once in my life I made a right choice. I decided to change. It wasn't easy but with her help I came through. I fell in love with her, and in doing so, I lost things that I thought were important. My popularity, my 'coolness,' the people I thought were my friends left me for sometime too. But that's all because they didn't understand. You are going to face a lot of things in life that you will never be able to explain. But you'll enjoy it so much more if you don't demand an explanation. The truly great things in life are indescribable anyway.
"I think that's the reason Dumbledore wanted me to speak today. I made a choice this year. It changed my life and all for the better. It wasn't easy and there's been a lot of suffering involved with it, but it was the right choice and I'm so thankful I had the courage to make it. The whole point I'm trying to make is that when we walk out of these hallow halls today, we're going to have a million choices thrown in our faces. Most decisions will be simple and unimportant but some will be life altering. I encourage you all. If you have the choice to do what is right and what is easy, always, always do what is right. It may be hard and it might not seem worth it at the time but you will be rewarded at some point. Be a good person, even though it's hard. Keep your chin up through lives hardest times. Learn to breathe. Dare to move. And once in a while, take a risk. You have the power to make it all happen. Just choose to."
Harry took a deep breath and looked out among the crowd once more. He had finished. He said what had needed to be said. Everyone was staring at him in silence. And then, in the back of the Great Hall he saw someone stand up and slowly begin to clap. It was Draco. Ron stood up next to him and began to clap as well. Soon, everyone was standing, cheering themselves hoarse. Harry smiled gratefully and sat back down. Hermione looked up at him positively glowing. Her pearly smile was so wide and perfect that he hardly noticed the tears that were streaming down her face. He wiped her face gently with his thumb and kissed her lightly. Dumbledore walked up to the podium and silenced the crowd.
"Will all the graduates please stand up?" he asked boldly.
All of the graduates did, except for Harry and Hermione. Harry sat where he was, gazing at her warmly.
"Stand Harry," she whispered, giving him a slight nudge.
"Do you love me?" he asked her.
"Of course I do."
"Will you do something for me?"
"I now present to you," Dumbledore's voice rang out.
"Anything," Hermione smiled.
"The new graduates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Will you marry me?"