Disclaimer: If Harry Potter belonged to me, I would never work again and it doesn't so off to school and work I go! (JKR is awesome)
Chapter One.
Harry put the roller down and turned to stare at Hermione. With her face spattered with paint, she gracefully glided her paintbrush over the wall in her new bedroom. She took a step back to admire her work.
The trio were moving in together. With school just over and life in the real world ahead, they had all decided to live at Grimmauld Place. Harry loved the idea of the only people he had ever considered family living with him.
Hermione felt Harry's gaze on her and turned towards him.
"Levicorpus," Harry said slyly.
Hermione was lifted off the ground and held upside down by one leg. Her soft brown curls dangling below her. "Har-RY!" she squealed, "PUT ME DOWN!"
"I'm going to see if Ron's done eating," he smiled, "You hang around here."
"Don't you dare leave," Hermione threatened, pulling out her wand. The door slammed shut and Harry burst out laughing.
"Too bad you weren't wearing a skirt," Harry joked.
"I'll get you for this," she growled.
Harry didn't know what to expect. Hermione had used a non-verbal spell, with a swish and flick of her wand. He knew that gesture from somewhere but couldn't place it until it was too late; Wingardium Leviosa. A whole can of lavender paint rained down on his head.
Laughing he moved close to Hermione and shook his hair, spraying her with paint as well.
"Will you let me down now?" Hermione asked sweetly, a wide smile on her angelic face.
"You can do it yourself, you have your wand," Harry teased.
"Catch me?" she asked in the same sweet voice.
"Maybe."
Hermione muttered the counter-spell and tumbled into Harry's arms.
"You're my hero!" she said adoringly, throwing her arms about Harry's neck, then sang, very off key, "Did you ever know that you're my hero? You're everything I wish I could be…"
Harry laughed. Hermione would always sing that to him now. Harry had saved her life. The final battle had taken place just a few months previously. Harry had rescued Hermione twice from the wrong end of the killing curse and she would be forever in his debt, although Harry had told her many times that she would have done the same for him.
In the end, it had been Neville Longbottom who defeated the dark lord. Hermione, Harry and Ron had searched far and wide to find and destroy all the Horcruxes, so when the killing curse hit Voldemort, he was gone for good this time. Neville had paid Voldemort back for his parents and was now as well known and respected as Harry was. His grandmother was so proud.
It was also then that Severus Snape had shown his true colours. When the dark lord fell, all wands from the Death Eaters turned on Neville. Snape had stepped in front and was killed instantly. It had been his plan all along. He continued to work against the dark lord, even right under his nose, though no one knew it.
After that battle, the trio finally returned to the school, which they had left for so long in search of the pieces of Voldemort's soul.
Being friends with Hermione sure paid off at this time. Even though they had taken many books with them along their journey, they were still behind. It took a lot of cramming to feel at least a little confident in taking their NEWTs. They were expecting the results and details of the graduation ceremony to arrive any day now.
"I love you, Miss Granger," Harry said, sincerely.
Hermione returned his smile, "Love you too, Mr. Potter."
"Remember when I said that to you for the first time?" Harry laughed.
Hermione nodded, "I thought for sure Ron would do you in."
They had been saying `I love you' to each other since the beginning of the mission to destroy Voldemort's souls. Harry had said it to her while her and Ron were sort of dating. He had heard it, which led to a huge argument. Harry tried to explain that it had been just a friendly love, and that he also loved Ron too. That had cracked a smile out of Ron.
Hermione and Ron hadn't lasted very long as a couple. They soon realized that they felt nothing more than an everlasting friendship towards each other. It didn't help that they bickered constantly and it was driving Harry to the brink of madness being caught in the middle of it all.
Hermione finally realized that they had a quest to fulfill and it didn't require constant fighting between the two of them. Things got more pleasant after they had broken up. Harry had felt much better too. The knot in his stomach over seeing his two best friends together went away.
"Well, shall we go see if Ron cleared out the refrigerator yet?" Harry asked, setting Hermione down on her own two feet.
"Sure," she replied. Before following Harry out the door, she set the paintbrushes to continue themselves. The whole house was being repainted. Most of it was done by magic, but Harry and Hermione wanted to do their own rooms the muggle way. Ron was too lazy, spending most of his time in the kitchen while Hermione and Harry continued on.
"You done yet?" Ron asked, his mouth full, when they entered the kitchen.
"Yeah, it's painting itself now," Hermione replied, "It would have gone faster if you had
helped."
"Now why would I want to do things the hard way when we've got magic we can use outside of school," Ron
said, then pointed at their clothes, "Looks like you guys were painted too."
"Oh, sorry Harry," Hermione pulled out her wand, "Scourgify."
In seconds they were both wiped clean.
"This place is starting to look good, huh?" Ron commented.
"Sure is," Harry agreed.
"Not that you deserve any credit," Hermione smirked.
Ron rolled his eyes, "I'm just glad Mrs. Black is gone. Wouldn't have been any good if she were yelling at us every time we made a noise. How'd they get her off?"
Harry laughed, "Well, she threw herself off the wall, shrieking madly when the house came into my hands."
Hermione and Ron joined in the laughing.
"Oh, our marks are coming in today," Ron, mentioned casually, knowing it would set Hermione off.
She nearly choked on the bite of apple she had just taken.
She swallowed hard, "How do you know?"
"I have my sources," Ron smiled slyly.
Hermione hopped up off her chair and moved towards the window. She bounced anxiously on her heels.
"Oh I know I failed everything," she shrieked.
This time both of them rolled their eyes at her.
"We went through this with your OWLs, Hermione," Harry said, "And look how that went."
Hermione's mouth dropped open, "I got an E! Oh, what if I get all E's this time! We didn't have enough time to study. I mean, I know I did okay in Ancient Runes, I may have missed a translation or two. In Potions, mine turned out too thick…"
Harry tuned her out. It was no sense listening to nonsense. Harry felt he did all right considering they had been absent throughout the most of the year. They had been through plenty of hands on learning.
After eating, Harry and Ron tried desperately to convince Hermione to do something other than pace in front of the window, but she wouldn't budge.
As the day drew on, the boys decided to play a few games of wizard's chess in the kitchen.
"Harry, watch your king," Hermione sighed, finally stepping away from the window.
"Hermione!" Ron snapped.
"Sorry, but he's not very good Ron," Hermione laughed, "Give him a break."
"Oh and you think you're better?" Harry challenged.
"Yes."
"Fine, I give up. You play," Harry smirked. His white king clasped his neck and fell over, while the rest of the white pieces protested in tiny little incoherent voices at him.
Hermione took his seat and set up the white pieces again. She and Ron had a good run at it, but Ron had won in the end.
"Well, she put up a harder fight than you Harry," Ron laughed.
"Great! How do you feel, Hermione?"
"Good," Hermione said suspiciously, "Why?"
"'Cause here comes a few owls right for the house," Harry gestured towards the window.
Hermione shrieked and stood up quickly, opening the window to let the owls in.
She tore the letter that belonged to her off the unsuspecting owls leg. It hooted scandalized and set off out the window immediately. The other two owls looked disheartened and cowered away as the boys drew near.
"It's okay, I'm not crazy like she is," Ron spoke gently to it so that it came forward again and held out it's leg. Harry did the same and they pulled their letters off as gently as possible. Those owls left hastily after the other one.
Hermione was already fully immersed in her grades when Harry and Ron finally pulled theirs out.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I am pleased to inform you that the date of your graduation ceremony has been set to July 16th and that you have been selected as the class elected speaker. Your speech will take place after the diplomas have been handed out and before the valedictorian speech. You will introduce none other than Miss Hermione Granger as our valedictorian.
Congratulations to you on all of your hard work throughout the years.
Professor M. McGonagall
Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Before he looked at his marks he plucked Hermione off her feet and spun her around in a bear hug.
"Congratulations, Miss Valedictorian!" he said excitedly.
"How did you know?" Hermione beamed as she was placed back on her feet.
"Look," Harry replied, handing her his letter.
"Wow, that's wonderful Harry! Class elected speaker!" Hermione said when she had finished. Ron plucked the letter away from Hermione and read it through also.
"That's great Harry, and you Hermione," Ron said, trying to sound enthusiastic, though the tips of his ears burned red. Both Harry and Hermione knew what that meant. Ron felt left out and a little jealous.
"How'd you do?" Harry asked, trying to make him feel better.
"Very well, I passed everything," Ron said, handing his grades over, with what seemed like a fake smile on his face.
NEWT Results for Ronald Weasley
Charms E
Defense against the Dark Arts E
Herbology E
Transfiguration A
Potions A
"That's wonderful Ron!" Hermione encouraged, who had read the results over Harry's shoulder.
"Yeah, mate. Great job!" Harry added.
"How about you? What did you get?" Ron asked them.
Hermione blushed, "All Outstanding."
"I got two O's and three E's" Harry said, finally looking at his own grades. He had received the O's in Defense Against the Dark Arts (obviously) and Potions (surprisingly). The half blood prince had rubbed off, even if it had turned out to be Snape.
"Wow, those are Auror grades Harry," Ron said as the rest of his ears went red.
Harry smiled, "I'm sure yours will do fine Ron. You could be one too."
Finally Ron frowned, "No, Acceptable isn't good enough I don't think."
"I'm sure it'll be fine, Ron," Hermione said comfortingly, "It's still a pass."
"Yeah, well, I'm going to apparate to the Burrow and let mum know how we did. I'm sure she'll be happy," Ron said, then left with a `pop'.
"Should we follow him?" Hermione said, a little worry in her voice.
"His mum will cheer him up, I'm sure," Harry said, a little concerned. It was just like Ron, though, to get a little jealous. He'd get over it.
Hermione nodded, "He just needs time."
"I know how to cheer him up," Harry smiled, wickedly.
Hermione gave him a look, "Oh no, I know that face. What are you planning?"
"We have one week till graduation. We have to celebrate!" Harry explained, excited, "Dobby!"
Dobby appeared with a `pop' and bowed low.
"Yes, Harry Potter sir!" he squeaked.
"We have to decorate the house, we've got our results and we did very well Dobby. Would you mind giving us a hand? And I was thinking about a big party the night of graduation, could you make the meal. I'll pay you a little extra this week, how is that?"
"Dobby is not needing extra pay, sir," he squeaked, "Dobby is just happy Master let Kreacher stay at Hogwarts so Dobby could help Master instead. One galleon a week is fine for Dobby."
"So, it's alright?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry Potter sir, Dobby is happy to help!"
Dobby was about to leave when Harry stopped him, "Oh and no decorations with my face on them, please."
Dobby blushed, "Yes, sir!"
A/N: Sorry guys, I'm a university student and I will try to get these chapters out ASAP, but I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I wrote this for the competition, lol, but it's been delayed till now. I'll try to get things going faster, I've already started the next chapter, so hopefully it will be done soon.
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