Leaving Hogwarts

On a warm, June evening, Hermione Granger stood at the window of her dormitory, surveying

the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With the Leaving Feast tomorrow

night, her time at the school would draw to a close.

Hermione was ready to leave, but was scared of what would come next. At Hogwarts she had

enjoyed seven years of intellectual gain, and had used her knowledge to score high marks and

become Head Girl. The seven years there had given her better self-esteem and confidence. And,

most importantly, the seven years had given her the two greatest friends that anyone could ask

for: Ron and Harry. Friends she had grown to respect, trust, and love.

They had been through so much together: from helping each other on homework, to preparing to

face Voldemort, they had, almost constantly, been there for each other.

But now their time at Hogwarts was at an end, and Hermione was moving on, taking a job in the

Ministry of Magic's Department of International Magical Cooperation. She hoped to accomplish

great things with her new post, while helping to unify the wizarding world.

Hermione wasn't as worried about her job as she was with what the changes in her life would

mean to her relationship with her friends. They wouldn't be by her side every day, as they had

been for so long. Harry and Ron were both going to play Quidditch professionally: Ron had been

signed as reserve Keeper for the Chudley Cannons, and Harry as Seeker for Puddlemere United.

Being on the same circuit, they would be able to see each other regularly, attending functions

together and whatnot.

Harry and Ron would be able to carry on almost exactly in their usual fashion, and Hermione

wondered where that would leave her. Would she be shunned as she was during her third year?

She hadn't voiced her worries to her friends. Harry had spent the better part of the last two weeks

in the hospital wing, recovering from his final battle with Voldemort. Ron had been busy either

sitting with Harry or "celebrating" the end of the war with Lavender that Hermione hadn't had

much time to talk to him.

Do old tendencies run true? They were all very different people now than they were before

Voldemort's return, but there was a growing fear in Hermione's heart that she and the boys

would be on opposing sides once again.

Suddenly her musings were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

"Hermione?" Harry whispered. "Can I come in?"

"Sure." Hermione opened the door and let him into the empty dormitory. Lavender and Parvati,

along with Ron and Dean, had decided to spend their last night together in Hogsmeade. She

wasn't expecting them back until late, if at all, so she had few worries that they would be

interrupted, since, after all, boys weren't allowed in girls dormitories.

Hermione resumed her post at the window, and Harry went and stood next to her, and, touching

her shoulder, asked softly:

"What's been bothering you, Hermione? You've seemed upset the past few weeks."

"Nothing has been bothering me, Harry" she said curtly, trying to mask her feelings. "I'm just

tired."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Hermione answered. As her voice filled with emotion, tears

began to run down her cheeks. "Really, I am."

"Then why are you crying?" Harry replied.

"Because-" but her sobs made her unable to finish, and she sat down on her bed, weeping.

Harry sat and held Hermione in his arms until a very long time, until her tears dried up. Then she

told him everything: how worried she had been for him in the past, and how scared she was about

losing their friendship in the future, how she might be cast aside. When she was finished, Harry

quickly reassured her that their relationship would not fall apart.

"Hermione, what would make you think that we didn't care about you? You are so important to

me, and to Ron. We all have to go through changes. It's a part of life. But I know that there is no

change that could make you stop being my best friend.

"Look at you, dear. You have changed so much. You have grown up and become a confident,

beautiful woman- the Hermione I love. Remember what Hagrid said when Voldemort returned?

What's coming will come, and we'll have to meet it when it does. It's time to move on,

Hermione. You are going to be fine, okay?"

She nodded, and Harry kissed her cheek. He stood up, and started to leave, when Hermione asked

him a question:

"You love me?" she said incredulously.

Harry grinned. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?" He stooped and pecked her forehead. "Without

you, where would I be? Dead, most likely. I couldn't be me without you." He crossed the room.

"Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight."

As Harry closed the door, Hermione thought to herself. He said he loves me. Maybe change isn't

so bad after all.

*****

The morning after next, the students of Hogwarts were crossing the grounds to the horseless

carriages that were to carry them to Hogsmeade station.

As the mass of bodies moved forward, one person held back, turning around for a last glimpse of

the giant castle. She sighed as a hand touched her shoulder.

Hermione looked up into Harry's green eyes.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked.

She took his hand in hers."Yes. I'm all finished here."

And, with that, the two made their way toward the carriages, crossing the threshold to a new part

of their lives. Nervous, but thankful that they had each other.