A/N: I know it's been a long while since I've updated, but thanks for the patience! I've finally found time to write, of course now I've forgotten everything I had hoped to put. I had a whole perfect speech planned for Harry and now I've no idea where it went, but enjoy anyways!
Chapter Two.
The week before graduation seemed to fly by. When Ron returned from the burrow to find Hermione and Harry making invitations, he got excited immediately. The whole class was to be invited, well, all except the bad half of the Slytherins. None of the trio could find it in their hearts to include them, but who could blame them.
All the invitations were sent and decorating commenced. The day before graduation, Harry and Ron apparated into Hogsmeade to fetch a keg of Madam Rosmerta's mead, about ten bottles of Firewhisky and some butterbeer, for those who didn't wish to drink and apparate. Harry offered rooms to those who wished to stay.
Hermione took an hour out of each day to work on her speech. She tried to convince Harry that it wasn't as easy as he thought it would be, but he kept telling her he knew exactly what he would say.
Finally the day of graduation arrived. Hermione slipped into Harry's bedroom in the early morning to find him scribbling furiously at the small desk.
She was already dressed in the graduation robes that Hogwarts had sent days ago. Harry on the other hand, was still in his boxers.
"Told you to write it sooner," Hermione blushed, trying to look away from his incredibly naked torso. In the few weeks at Grimmauld Place, she had never seen either of the boys like this.
Harry looked up, smiling, "I told you, I know exactly what I'm going to say. Just jotting down some notes."
An awkward sort of silence followed, while Hermione tried to tear her eyes away, but couldn't.
"Uhhh…" Harry mumbled, and Hermione finally looked at his face, "You look beautiful `Mione."
"Thanks Harry. Are you going to get chest? Umm…dressed?" Hermione corrected herself frantically, staring once again at his finely trim stomach and chiselled chest. Qudditch was a good thing.
"Yep, all finished," Harry blushed, reaching for the nearest shirt. It wasn't exactly uncomfortable, he was used to people looking at him, but Hermione was his best friend.
Hermione finally tore her eyes away when Harry slipped his shirt over himself, "So…umm…" she stammered, trying to remember why she had come into the room in the first place.
Harry noticed the portkey in her hand. It was a beat up newspaper.
"Is that what we take to get into the school?" Harry asked, blushing slightly.
Hermione nodded, "Yep…p-past the apparating wards."
Harry pulled his pants off the back of the chair and put them on.
Hermione, it seemed, finally came to her senses, "Oh gosh Harry, I'm so sorry. Here you are just trying to get dressed and I'm standing around in a daze. It must be all the excitement for later."
"It's okay," Harry smiled, "I'll see you downstairs."
Hermione spun around quickly, and practically raced for the door.
Harry finally came downstairs after practicing a few lines of his speech to his reflection. He hadn't even bothered to flatten his wild hair, which wouldn't have worked anyways. He remembered that Hermione said it was what made him so charming.
"It's about time mate," Ron said, "Let's get this over with so we can get drunk!"
"Oh Ron! This party isn't about getting drunk," Hermione scolded, "This is about all of us graduating and leaving Hogwarts, getting out into the real world."
"Please," Ron said, holding up his hands, "You're depressing me. Hey Harry, ten knuts says Hermione won't drink at all tonight."
Hermione made a face and opened her mouth to retort, but Harry cut in first, "I don't know Ron, I think she might. It is graduation day."
"Well, thank you Harry," she glared at Ron, "I'll take that bet."
Ron snorted and Hermione held out the portkey which they all took hold of, "We'll see" he said as they all felt the familiar tug and were sent hurtling through the air.
They arrived at school moments later amidst a crowd of students in the Entrance Hall. The families of the graduates had a different portkey, which led them directly into the Great Hall where the ceremony was to commence in about an hour. Professor Sinistra was trying to get everyone in order for the proceedings.
Everyone around stopped what they were doing and looked at the golden trio who had just arrived. The trio had kept to themselves since school let out.
Seamus interrupted the silence, "Way to go on the party tonight guys, I can't wait!" Everyone around agreed.
They received many pats on the back as they moved to their places. All the invitations they sent RSVP'd immediately.
The trio separated so they could get in line in alphabetical order. The Patil twins were all over Harry as soon as he stepped in the line by them.
"Oh Harry," Parvati gushed, "You look absolutely amazing."
Padma agreed, "I can't wait for your party tonight. I heard you guys have an amazing house."
"Yeah, it's pretty great," Harry agreed, stepping out of reach of Parvati who looked like she was about to pounce on him.
"I've got a great dress for tonight, Harry," Parvati said winking, "Perhaps you'll save a dance for me?"
"And me!" Padma added.
Harry sighed as the two argued over which would dance with him first. Harry blocked them out and tried to search for everyone he knew. He saw Neville a little further up the line and spotted Ron towards the back. Surprisingly, Ron was engaged in a conversation with a petite blonde who didn't even belong in their grade. Harry smiled as Luna began to laugh at whatever joke Ron had just told.
"Miss Lovegood," Professor Sinistra shouted, "This hall is only for our graduates, how did you get in?"
Luna looked around and said nonchalantly "A small pomegranate nymph let me in. I told her that I was just passing through."
Professor Sinistra looked at her disbelievingly and Ron burst into laughter, "Well, go back to your seat please," she scowled.
Luna gave Ron a kiss on the cheek and wished him luck. Ron then caught Harry's eye and motioned for him to come over.
"I hope you don't mind, but I invited Luna to the party tonight," Ron said, the tips of his ears turning red.
Harry smiled, "Of course not." He had noticed Ron spending a large amount of time with Luna recently although they must not have seen each other since school ended. Either that or he was sneaking away.
Harry continued to stare, waiting for some sort of explanation but Ron carefully avoided his eye.
"Well…" Harry said finally.
"What?" Ron replied, his face flushed.
"Come on, I'm your best mate! What's going on with the two of you?" Harry exclaimed.
Ron smiled and whispered, "She fancies me."
"And…"
"And what?"
"Do you fancy her?"
"I think so."
Harry clapped him hard on the back, "Good job, she's sweet."
"You don't think I'm loony?"
"Not at all, I've always liked Luna, she's good for you."
"HARRY POTTER GET BACK IN YOUR SPOT!" Professor Sinistra shouted, ending their conversation. Harry moved back to his dreaded spot by the Patil twins who had stopped arguing and were beckoning to him eagerly. It was going to be a long half hour till the ceremony started.
Once the ceremony started, it seemed to fly by. Harry saw everyone he knew in the crowd, the Weasley clan, including Fleur who married into the family last summer and was very pregnant now, Remus Lupin and his fiancée, Nympadora Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody and several other members of the Order of the Phoenix who were close to Harry during the final battle.
Harry's hands began to sweat as they neared the end of the long line of diplomas to be handed out. He knew his speech was coming soon.
When they were finished with the diplomas, Headmistress McGonagall took the podium. She was near tears.
"This class is the most wonderful class I have been graced with teaching," she said, taking out a handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes, "They have succeeded in shocking and angering me on many occasions, but in the end I am so proud of each and everyone of them. I am honoured now, to introduce a fine young man, who I've watched grow from a scared little boy just finding out about his magical life to what he is today. Please join me in applause for Mr. Harry Potter."
Harry, slightly embarrassed, rose from his seat and made the long way up the aisle to the podium.
He cleared his throat, nervously as everything that was in his mind went completely blank, instead of reading his paper, he looked into his heart, "Well, now," he started and coughed a little, "I had a whole speech planned, but now that I'm standing up here, I don't know where to start." A few in the audience giggled and Harry turned to Hermione in the crowd, "I should have listened to you Hermione. She told me that I should practice and get everything out that I want to say, because if I didn't write it down, I'd forget, and look at me now, I'm forgetting. I owe so much to her. From the beginning she has guided me and helped me through good times and bad. Her extraordinary intelligence has gotten me out of many rough spots throughout the years and for that I'll be forever grateful," he saw tears glistening in her eyes and next turned to Ron, "I also have to thank my other best friend, Ron. Who, although has gotten me into trouble on more than one occasion, has stuck by me. You all know me as the Boy-Who-Lived, they know me as just Harry.
As our time at Hogwarts ends, it is all right to feel the sadness. Hogwarts has been my home for the past seven years and so far my only home. Each year was filled with exciting events and many trials and tribulations. First year, I was found in the banned third floor corridor, battling Voldemort. Second year, in the girl's lavatory," many laughed at this, "battling Voldemort once again. From third year until now, I'd say the war was on. Can't say I wasn't found in any more areas where I shouldn't have been, but it was my destiny.
We've lost so many, but have gained so much. So many have touched my life in such a positive way. I want to thank my parents, even though I did not meet them, they've done so much for me, Dumbledore, a great wizard and friend, someone I looked up to as a father. Sirius Black, who was thought to be a death eater, but he really wasn't. He was my godfather and a good man. I hope I have made you all proud," Harry said, turning his face up to the ceiling, which showed a bright sunny day without a cloud in the sky, "I also send my appreciation to those still alive. The Weasley family, who took me in and treated me like another son, Remus Lupin, who has taught me so much, and many other members of the Order of the Phoenix. Neville Longbottom, who now shares my spotlight, I couldn't be happier to share it with a better person. You did it, Neville and now we can live in peace." Everyone applauded and Harry waited until they settled again before continuing, "The teachers of this school, the many who have come and gone, you've taught me so much and I plan to use what I have learned to the fullest extent. You really are the best teachers and student could ask for. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me.
I don't really have anything else to say, and I could talk on forever, but I must introduce a beautiful and intelligent young lady, who can bore you to death if you let her. I'm just kidding `Mione. She's always been better than me at everything and that is why she is our valedictorian, Miss Hermione Granger."
Hermione joined Harry at the podium where she threw her arms around him. Harry kissed her on the forehead and was about to go sit down in his seat, when McGonagall motioned for him to take a seat beside her.
"That's not true Harry, you've always been better at Defense against the Dark Arts," Hermione laughed. Her speech was articulate and well thought out. She spoke for over twenty minutes, rarely looking down at her paper taking the audience through the captivating adventures she had at Hogwarts. She ended by thanking everyone who touched her life, especially her two best friends, Harry and Ron, "I was proud to have been a Gryffindor with them and couldn't imagine myself in any other house. Thank you."
There wasn't a dry eye in the house when she had finished. Professor McGonagall joined her at the podium and hugged her tightly. Hermione, who had stayed calm and collected throughout her speech, let the tears of happiness flow now.
"Harry would you please join us at the podium," McGonagall whispered to him. She then turned to the microphone, "I have an important announcement to make," she said looking over at her best students, Harry and Hermione, who stood by her. Harry took Hermione's hand and squeezed it tight, not knowing what McGonagall had to announce.
"Although this is very sudden and not a Hogwarts tradition, but when has Hogwarts ever been traditional. I'd like to offer teaching positions to our two speakers." Harry and Hermione's mouths dropped as McGonagall continued, "I have been under a lot of stress with teaching and being the Headmistress, so I ask Hermione Granger if she would take the Transfiguration position I have open. To Harry, although I know dreams of becoming an auror, and a fine one he would be, I offer the long open position of Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. I have seen how he has been a true leader to all of the students and I know in my heart that these two have what it takes to be great."
Hermione practically jumped onto the Headmistress and Harry shook her hand gratefully.
"I'll take that as a yes?" she asked.
"Of course," both Hermione and Harry answered excitedly.
They returned to their regular seats beaming. Headmistress McGonagall gave a small closing speech, honouring Albus Dumbledore and finally the ceremony was completed. Everyone arose quickly to congratulate the new teachers.
Coming Soon: Prepare for the party! Yeah!
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