Chapter 18
N.E.W.T.S. and O.W.L.S.
Hermione Granger reclined on the bed shifting through her notes on transfiguration a couple days
after the incident at the Riddle house. Madame Pomfrey insisted she and Ron lay in the Hospital wing to
recover from the Cruciatus curse Voldermort had used on them. Harry and Heather had come to visit
everyday for the past two weeks, making sure the two of them were recovering from their encounter
with the former most evil wizard. The cut on her forehead that she received from struggle scabbed over
nicely and Hermione smiled at the thought of her scar could be something she shared in common with
her boyfriend. She ran her fingers over her forehead, thinking about all that had happened with in the
time in the time she had been rescued.
Professor Dumbledore and Professor Gaddis had allotted them extra time to review the exams
they missed of which they would take as soon as they were able. Harry had told them the Minister of
Magic wanted to throw Heather and him into Azkaban prison when the ministry had been informed the
unforgivable curse had been performed, but once Cornelius Fudge learned of the details associating with
the usage of the curse, he practically danced around the Headmasters office. "Praise Merlin!" He had
exclaimed as he shook Harry and Heather's hands. "There will be a big reward for the two of you!"
"Well, we didn't do it alone." Heather had smiled. "We had help from Ronald Weasley,
Hermione Granger, and several of our professors."
"But the two of you were the actual ones to do it, so you two deserve a big reward. I'm sure
the Daily prophet will want an interview with the two of you and of course I think a thanksgiving party
is in order."
Hermione smiled at the thought of the party in honor of Harry and Heather occurring as soon
as they finished taking their N.E.W.T.S. and Heather's O.W.L.S. Her thoughts were interrupted when
Harry stepped into the hospital wing. "Hey, how goes the studying?" He asked her as he slipped behind
her and began to rub her back.
"It's going." Hermione's gaze went back to her books. "How was your testing?"
"I think I did well. At least on the Defense Against the Dark Arts portion and the Charms portion.
Heather thinks she completely bombed the Divination portion of her O.W.L.S, but she thinks she received
"O's" on the rest. Then, again, her definition of bombing the exam is getting an "Acceptable" on her exam."
Hermione moaned under his attentions. "Does that feel good?"
Hermione moaned her response and Harry laughed. "You sure you're going to be up to taking
your N.E.W.T.S. tomorrow? Ron isn't going to be taking his until the day after tomorrow."
"Keep it up with that back rub and I will." Hermione smiled and Harry moved his attentions to
her middle back. "So how did the interview with the Daily Prophet go?"
"It went, but you never will guess they had interview Heather and me."
"Rita Skeeter."
"How did you know?"
"Who else would they send?" Hermione looked up from her books. "How did it go?"
"She's still the same. You should have seen Heather go off on her. It was priceless."
Hermione giggled. "I figured the two of them would have hit it off like they did. Did she make
you out to be a grand hero?"
"Unfortunately yeah. I just hope she mentions you and Ron. We will be lucky if she mentions
Heather after her ill-tempered moment with her." Harry laughed. "You know, if you're not up to it, you
don't have to come to the feast Saturday."
"I wouldn't miss it." Hermione sighed. "Professor McGonagall mentioned we have to make a
speech at graduation. I just hope I am well enough to handle standing for that long. Professor Gaddis
mentioned to me I could conjure my testing in a chair while taking my N.E.W.T.S. tomorrow, so there
will be no need to stand then, but the speeches are made standing."
"You'll do fine." Harry rubbed her shoulders as he quit the administrations to her back. "You
always do." Harry kissed the Head girl's shoulder blade, and then hugged her from behind.
"Do you have something together already?" she asked. "I just wanted to make sure I don't really
repeat anything that really isn't necessary."
"Not really, obviously, I'm going to talk about my fond memories of the place," both Harry and
Hermione laughed at this last statement, "and how much I am going to miss a few people."
"Sounds like a real sappy moment, Harry." Hermione giggled. "So, are you going to take Mr.
Nelson up on his offer?"
"Are you?"
Hermione reclined against Harry a little to lay her head against his shoulder. "I want to be an
auror, Harry, and I know you do too."
Harry smiled a little. "Oh, do I?"
"Yea," Hermione turned around in the bed to face him, "Harry, every time I hear you talk
about your parents and why they died, you are filled with this fire. Why not use that fire to keep other
kids from having to go through the same thing you had to?" Hermione caressed his cheek and then
tousled his hair. "Why not do something worth wild?"
Harry grinned from ear to ear. "I'd figured you'd say as much. Must be why I sent Mr. Nelson
my acceptance a couple of days ago."
"Really?" Hermione's eyes brightened up and she enveloped him in a hug. "That's wonderful!"
"Now all you have to do is get better." Harry whispered into her ear and she let go of the hug.
Harry smiled at her and caressed her cheek with a lingering finger. "Promise me." Hermione shook her
head and Harry stood up. "I have to go. Heather does not want to be left alone for too long especially
around those news reporters. She's afraid she might tell one off again."
"Tell her the next time she does, I want to be there." Hermione smiled evilly.
"Will do," Harry walked out of the Hospital wing, but not before looking over to see how Ron
was doing. Ron peacefully slept against the white sheets of the hospital bed and Harry did not have the
heart to wake him, so he stood there quietly for a moment, then left.
As Harry walked out of the hospital wing, he was greeted with the blonde hair and blue eyes of
Draco Malfoy. "You will pay, Potter." He had his wand at the ready.
"Why, because I named your father as a Deatheater? Isn't that the truth, Draco? Your father was
practically his lap dog." Harry poked at Draco's flame and Draco lunged at him. Harry pushed him off him,
albeit receiving a hit to his stomach first and only temporary. "I hope he stays in Azkaban for a really long
time."
"Mr. Potter!" the voice belonging to Daniel Gaddis called down the hallway as he ran toward the
two of them.
"This isn't done yet, Potter." Draco announced and he took his exit down the hallway.
"What's wrong, Professor?" Harry asked the headmaster of the other school.
"There's nothing wrong, son, but I was wondering if you would do something for me."
Professor Gaddis clapped his hand on Harry's back.
"Sure."
"Would you be so kind and deliver this message to Professor Moon for me. I am sure she will
be glad to see it." Professor Gaddis handed him a sealed blue colored parchment to give to the
mentioned Professor. "Professor Dumbledore and I must go to a press conference with the Cornelius
Fudge and Roger Nelson about what happened a couple of weeks ago. The wizard wireless is going to
be there to document this extraordinary event."
Harry nodded his head and turned to walk down the hallway, but the Chicago Institute of Witchcraft
and Wizardry stopped him. "What should I tell the press when I tell them you won't be there?"
Harry smiled, knowing the Professors knew his like for talking to the press. "Tell them I am finishing
my exams and helping my friends recover." The professor nodded and Harry walked down the hallway to
deliver the message.
******
The night after Ron finished his testing the party to celebrate the defeat of the most evil wizard
alive had finally been planed. As Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry hosted the event, several
of the more prominent members of the wizarding community made an appearance including Roger and
Virginia Nelson. Harry and Heather decided to stay close to Ron and Hermione until they grew too tired
to stay rather than mingle with the guests too much.
About halfway through the evening, Professor Dumbledore stood up to purpose a toast. "Tonight
is about family fore it was the love between a brother and a sister who had gone through many trials
before they would be able to defeat Lord Voldermort. It is also a night of friendship because without
with their friends, they would not have been able to do as they did as well. So to Harry and Heather
Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley the entire wizarding community thanks you." The
professor raised his glass to them. "To family and Friendship."
"To family and Friendship." The room echoed and glasses clinked. Everyone but the four being
honored took a sip of their drinks.
Harry stood up and spoke. "The four of us drew straws to see who would make the speech
tonight and its rather obvious who won that." There were a few chuckles and then Harry continued. "I'm
not a real big fan of speaking in public, so this will be short. Heather and I agreed along with Hermione and
Ron; we did absolutely nothing of which deserves any of this. We were just in the right place and had a lot
of luck. I cannot say for my sister, but I can say for myself that if we could we would have done anything in
our power to bring the man who murdered our parents to justice, but even then, it does not bring them back.
I know I feel a small sense of closure now that I don't have a mad man trying to kill me." A small cluster of
people chuckled and Harry sat back down.
Professor Dumbledore stood up and clapped, "with that said, tuck in," and the food appeared before
them magically. Cornish hens, corned beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie were among
the favorites served.
As the dinner finished, Hermione leaned over at Harry and whispered into his ear. Together the two
of them exited the Great Hall and down the corridor, but not before there were whispers amongst the guests.
Professor Gaddis took the cue and mentioned to the crowd. "Some of our honored guests are still recovering
from the incident we are celebrating, but still enjoy the evening anyway."
Not too much later, Ron leaned over to Heather and they too left the party. As the two of them walked
down the hallway, silence enveloped them. It was not until they reached the Third-Floor corridor, Ron said
something; "marry me."
"What?" Heather inquired, making sure she heard him right.
"Nothing."
"No, you said something." Heather stopped him. "Did you just ask me to marry you?"
Ron nodded his head, sheepishly, "but I understand if you didn't want to. I mean, I know there are
going to be times I won't be around as much as I should."
Heather looked distant for a moment then replied, "Let me think on it okay? I mean, I almost lost
you with the whole thing with Voldermort…I do not know if I can handle doing that every time you have to
go to work."
"I'd be willing to give up being an auror for you." Ron took her hands. "I love you."
"There is no way I would let you do that." Heather caressed his cheek with his hand. "You would
be miserable and not to mention hate me if I did that. Just give me sometime, okay?" Ron nodded and they
continued down the corridor. Once they walked down the hall a little ways, she took a hold of his hand.
*****
At the blink of an eye, Hogwarts graduation rites were upon the whole school and several of the
underclassmen at Hogwarts found themselves buried deep in their examinations. Harry, Ron, and Hermione
found themselves donning on the ancient black robes and brimmed hats every Hogwarts students had worn
upon their graduation, of which was held in the Great Hall. Hermione and Harry pulled their red and gold ropes
over their shoulders as symbol they were the Head boy and Head girl along with their medals around their next
they received from being the heads and their metals for defeating Voldermort. Their head badges shined in the
sun light through the windows once Hermione looked over at Harry where they had donned their gowns in their
shared common room.
"Where's Ron?" Hermione asked impatiently as she fixed her brimmed hat for the umpteenth time.
"He should have been here by now."
"I'm right here." Ron entered the room with Heather in tow. He wore a black gown much like Harry
and Hermione's gown, but his did not have the large head metal on it. He wore his honors from the Ministry
and Secretary of magic just like Harry and Hermione had and his prefect badge.
"Heather, I thought you had to be practicing with the color guard." Hermione noticed Heather wore
he captain's marching uniform. Her tight fitting black pants with silver, red, white stripes down either side clung
to her with out revealing too much. She wore a red marching band jacket with silver buttons and silver and white
accents. Her hair stayed out of her face with the help of her black beret. Upon her chest, she wore the metals of
honor, her prefect's badge and her captain's badge. Her black belt sheathed a sword of command and her
hands were covered with white cotton gloves.
"We practiced really hard this morning and since most of the guard has held a flag, rifle, or saber
before, we really didn't need to practice too much." Heather smiled slyly. "But I promise an entertaining
show for you guys. Graduation rites are always boring if you don't make it interesting."
"Heather, for once, could you leave it alone with the pranks?" Hermione asked. "My parents are
going to be here."
Her eye twinkled. "I promise I won't cause too much mischief."
"We'd better be going if we want to make the ceremony on time." Harry looked at his watch and
together the four exited the Gryffindor tower to make their way down the Great Hall. Harry sighed and then
said his bittersweet thoughts aloud. "You know, this is going to be the last times we travel down to the Great
Hall."
"Yeah, I know, but we still have the good-bye feast." Ron mentioned as he took hold of his
girlfriend's hand.
"Yeah, I know, but it's not the same."
"At least you won't have to worry about an evil possessed wizard chasing after you." Hermione
offered once she took Harry's hand.
"True." Harry smiled. Once they reached the Great Hall, the four of them let out the breath that
they did not realize they were holding. "Here we go. Heather we'll meet you in the foyer after we're
done, is that okay?"
"That's fine." Heather kissed her brother on the cheek. "Good luck."
"Break a leg." He hugged her back.
"Harry, that wasn't very nice." Ron scoffed.
"Ron that means good-luck in the muggle theater scene." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Didn't you pay
any attention in Muggle Studies?"
Ron huffed and together the three graduating students walked down the hallway to the room they
were to meet. "Good luck." Heather waved before walking down the hallway in the other direction to meet
with her color guard.
"If I remember correctly, this is the room we were put in before our sorting our first year." Hermione
mentioned casually once she, Ron and Harry walked into the room.
"Yeah, I think you're right." Ron said as he glanced around the room. Harry was not sure if he was
just agreeing with her to keep her from going off on him again or if he really remembered which room they
were put in before they were sorted.
Professor McGonagall entered the room briskly. "Attention, attention. Everyone get into alphabetical
order and into four separate lines, one for each house. Mister Potter, Miss Granger, you come with me. I'll be
back for you once Mister Potter and Miss Granger are seated up front." She gestured toward the door and
the three of them stepped out of the room. "Wait here until Professors Dumbledore and Gaddis come here.
I have to go and get the rest of the graduates. Good luck."
"Hey, Harry and Hermione." Dudley Snape had stopped in front of the Great Hall on his way from
his potions final.
"Hey, Dud." They chorused.
"What are you doing this summer?"
"I'm staying with my sister's family and then her father got me, Ron, and Hermione into the auror
training over there for next fall."
"Well, the reason why I was asking was because mum and dad decided to get married this summer
and I was wondering if you would be available to come." Dudley decided his knuckles were the most important
things to look at that particular moment and while he invited the two of them to the wedding, he watched them
very carefully.
"We would love to." Hermione answered as she inaudibly made sure her answer was right. "Just let
us know when."
"Of course if you could, invite your sister and her boyfriend. I'm sure she wouldn't mind being there."
Dudley continued nervously watching his knuckles.
"They wouldn't miss it for the world." Harry nodded.
"Good. I'd best be off then. I have to find mum and dad because they are saving me a seat.
Good luck, Harry, Hermione." Dudley opened the doors to the Great Hall and made his exit to watch
the ceremony.
Harry groaned and Hermione laughed. "It's going to be okay, Harry. At least the two of you
will be on the opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean."
"It's not far enough." Harry leaned his head against the wall behind him and groaned. "I am going
to have to quote Neville. "Why is it always me?""
This made Hermione laugh even harder. "Don't worry, Harry. I am sure Uncle Severus won't
bother you unless he has to."
"Are you two ready to get the show on the road?" Professor Gaddis asked them as he and
Professor Dumbledore along with Cornelius Fudge and Roger Nelson came up behind them.
"More than you will ever will know." Hermione smiled at them.
"Let's do it then." Mr. Nelson said and opened the doors to allow the two headmasters through them.
"Here we go." Hermione muttered under her breath as she and Harry entered the Great Hall
for the graduation rites. The room was filled with on-lookers and well-wishers and they clapped as the
six of them walked out onto the stage. Soon after, the song Pomp and Circumstance began to play and
the houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin soon followed in and filled the empty seats
on the right side then the members of Franklin, Milner, Sifto-Salt, and Western filled the left side. All the
students continued to stand as the Headmaster of Hogwarts told the audience to continue standing as the
color guard presented their countries flags.
"Mark time-hut!" Heather commanded as she and the rest of the color guard began marching
forward and the room filled with silence except for Heather counting the beat off. The team of ten students
each was carrying an element of the guard. Heather marched behind them so all of them could hear the beat.
The two in front, India Jade and Mika Salena, carried sabers. The two behind them, Parker Aubrey and Cosmo
Cyrus, carried the British and American flags. After them Jasmine Brown and Amanda Miller carried Hogwarts
and the Chicago Institute's crests on flags to represent their schools and they were followed by Amanda's twins
sisters, April and Amber (with out her various rings on.) carried rifles.
Once the entourage came to a halt in front, they waited for the command to put the flags in the stands.
Once they did, the entire group came to attention or saluted during the national anthems belonging to the two
countries. Once they finished, Heather counted time again and they exited the same way they came minus the
flags. "The time has come again for another graduation rite here at Hogwarts and this year has truly been a
special one. Amongst the students you did very well, or so I am told on your N.E.W.T.S. more so than any
other year to date." Professor Dumbledore announced. "A fact of which should make you all proud, speaking
today are the two of your own. Your Head boy and Head girl wish to have a few words with you before you
disembark your journey here at Hogwarts."
Harry and Hermione both stood up and walked toward the podium while the audience clapped
excitedly. To get a laugh, Harry and Hermione did paper, rock, and scissors to decide who would speak
first. Once Hermione lost, she went stood at the podium and spoke. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,
fellow students, honored guests, teachers, and of course Professors Dumbledore and Gaddis. This year has
been a remarkable year like Professor Dumbledore mentioned as a student body, we have done it all. From
arrival here at Hogwarts, it was filled with many complications. We never would have known that our student
body would almost triple in size when we stepped off the train this year when the students from the Chicago
Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry joined us when their schools were attacked by Lord Voldermort."
Hermione took the moment to breathe, look down at her notes, and continued. "How could we have known
our very own school, students, and faculty would be tested by an attack in Hogsmede where me and another
student were held against our will? How could we have known several of our student body would have ended
up defeating Voldermort at his own game?" There were lots of cheering and screams of excitement after she said
this, "but I learned something much more important than how to transfigure a bird into a water goblet. I learned
the most important things in your life are: love, family, and friendship, but the most important of these things is love.
My challenge to this class is to love. Love someone like you have never loved before. Love like you are never
going to love again. Love someone like you will not wake in the morning. Love someone until you cry. For it was
love that defeated Voldermort and it's only if we do love he will never be able to regain power again. Thank you."
Hermione backed away from the podium, but not before, she gave Harry a quick kiss.
Harry took the podium and looked out at Ron sitting amongst the Gryffindors, then to find Heather
was not in the Great Hall. "I was going to say something about love, but since Hermione already spoke about
it, I won't, so this will be again a short and sweet speech from me." The graduates cheered gratefully and
Harry smiled. "I don't think any of us could have gotten to this point without the help of a teacher somewhere
down the lines; therefore, it is to them I say thank you for all your hard work in and out of class. I know my
N.E.W.T.S. scores are better because of the faith some of the teachers gave me such as Professors McGonagall,
Hagrid, and Lupin had shown in me and I thank them." Everyone clapped with courtesy. "Then there are the
teachers whom of which are glad to see me go and I agree." All the students knew whom he was talking about
and cheered. "Hermione and I were talking a couple nights after she was recovered from what happened in
Hogsmede and we agreed on three things. We learned the most important lessons in life are not necessarily
found in a classroom with teachers and books. That the most important things in life are: love, family, and
friends." Harry paused. "Family and Friends is the most important people in your life. I unfortunately was not
able to know my parents and just recently learned to love my sister for all her faults and accomplishments. Your
family and your friends, the real ones and not the ones who just pretend to be, will no matter what you will
do affect you in some way and when they are taken from you forever will leave a piece of them with you.
Therefore, my challenge to my fellow students today is look at your relationships with your friends and family
and dig a deeper relationship with them. They may mean more to you than you will ever know and stand by
you when no one else will. Thank you."
The rest of the ceremony went by like a blur to Harry until Professor Gaddis stood up to tell this years
class at Hogwarts they had graduated. Instead of saying anything, he was interrupted by some rather
impressive magic. Heather Potter's head appeared on the wall behind him and she spoke. "Hey, everyone,
Heather Potter here. Sorry Professor Gaddis, but I had to pull one more prank before I leave Hogwarts and
have fun during the summer. I think my father would have been rolling in his grave if I didn't do something at
such teary-eyed moment to liven it up a bit." There was some laughter amongst the audience and Professor
Gaddis grew red with fury. "Anyway, I have some unfinished business to take care of. First off, I would like
to say two songs would be played through out Hogwarts. I mean seriously, the entire school will hear them
and the Professors cannot do anything until they are done. It's a really powerful spell I found in the restricted
section when I was browsing them for a report like a month ago. The first song is dedicated to Harry and
Hermione. It goes along with what they had to say about their challenges to this class. The other song is for
Ronnie. The refrain is my answer to his question he asked me a few days prior." Heather's face faded away
and soon the song "Crash and Burn" by Savage Garden played with highlights of the prior years. When the
words of the next song played, the smile Ron had on his face grew. "Yes I will." By the Backstreet Boys
was Heather's answer. An uproar amongst the crowd occurred and Heather found her way back through
the Great Hall to hug her fiancé. He enveloped her in a hard hug. He unzipped his graduation gown and
gave her the ring he carried in his pocket. She held out her hand and slid it onto her finger.
*****
The following morning, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Heather packed their things to returned back
to the United States. Thick bitter sweetness clung to the air as the four of them packed. "Heather, you
have your passport?" Harry called his room once he had finished packing; knowing she had probably
finished packing the night before.
"My back pocket." Heather patted her right back pocket. "You got your student visa?"
"In my purse." Hermione patted the hemp purse hanging from her left shoulder down to her right hip.
"Heather, have you seen my visa?" Ron called from the doorway.
"Yeah, its in my purse." Hermione rolled her eyes. "You told me to put it there last night so you
wouldn't forget it."
"I guess then we're ready to go then." Heather said with an excited tone in her voice.
"Yeah." Harry smiled and the four of them. "Let's go down to the carriages." The four of them
exited the Gryffindor common room and said good-bye to the various paintings along the way. They
traveled through the Third-Floor Corridor and said several good-byes to students passing by. As soon as
they reached the front doors, a carriage waited for them and Harry was a little hesitant to enter it. "I can't
leave with out saying good-bye to Hagrid."
"He's probably already there, Harry." Hermione told him to hurry. "We'd better be going or we're
going to miss the train."
"In a minute." Harry sighed, taking in and remembering what all had happened during the previous
years. "Okay." Harry entered the carriage and it took them to the station at Hogsmede. Once on the
railway platform, the large site of their former Care of Magical Creatures Professor stood like a proud
pillar amongst the sea of students boarding the train. Harry ran up to the half-giant and hugged him tightly.
"Ya din' think I'd let ya go off wit out say'n good-by, did ya?" Hagrid hugged him back.
"Of course not." Hermione hugged the large man and the four of them took turns to say good-bye
to the man.
The large became teary-eyed and stepped away. "Be good now, 'Arry, Ron, 'Ermione, 'Eather."
"Mischief managed." Heather smiled as she quoted her favorite pranksters.
"And if Malfoy giv' ya any problems, giv' em a really good curse fo' me." Hagrid smiled. "I guess
I shouldn't have' told ya that."
The four of them laughed, then Harry hugged the man who brought him into the world he belonged
to after all those years with the Dursleys. "Thanks, Hagrid."
"Fo' what?"
"For bringing me here." Harry said as he let go of the hug and stepped onto the Hogwarts express
for the final time followed by Heather, Ron, and Hermione. Soon the train's engine let some steam out of its
brakes and soon it was headed back for Kings' Cross.
*****
End of chapter…Yes there is an Epilogue. Don't worry.
I wouldn't keep all of ya hanging like that…wait a minute…
Yeah you bet I would. See what happens when I get all this
time away from the Internet? I get things done with out all the
wonderful distractions! LOL.
God bless,
S'Eleene Paris