A/N - well, I hope the speech doesn't disappoint you all - I don't think its quite what is expected, if the reviews are anything to go by. Thanks for the reviews, by the way, they rock!!
Chapter 5 - The Speech
Hermione
"Well, let's get this over with," Ron mumbles and Harry nods. A Ministry official is coming towards us and starts to chat as she takes us to the Great Hall.
I'm suddenly terrified. Inside sat hundreds, maybe thousands, of witches and wizards, all there to give thanks to us. I looked over at Ron and saw he was a deathly white while on my other side Harry just looked…resolved. His shoulders were back and he was standing rim-rod straight. His eyes were focused solely on the door in front of him and if he was nervous, he wasn't showing it. I saw then, in his profile, the great leader he would one day be. My heart swelled with pride.
Seeing Harry like that gave me strength and I followed him by standing just that little bit straighter and readied myself for what lay ahead. The doors finally opened and as one, we began to walk in, Ron and I automatically letting Harry led us down the aisle made down the middle of the Great Hall. I didn't let myself look at the faces that followed our progress, but I knew they were all on their feet and clapping. I could hear a few wolf whistles and wondered if they came from Fred and George.
I couldn't help but smile.
Harry looked so handsome, so regal, as he walked toward the small stage at the head of the hall, his presence having everyone spell bound. It was an amazing feeling and I could see Ron felt it too as we shared a look during our walk down the aisle. We were proud of ourselves.
I sat down in the chair offered to me, sitting on Harry's left side. The Minister spoke, but I didn't really hear what he was saying as I gazed around at the tables before us. At the front were all the familiar faces that I loved and respected - and when I saw Professor McGonagall, she looked back at me with a teary smile.
Then it was Harry's turn to speak, drawing my attention back to the young man at my side. He stood when his name was called, taking out some notes from his robes which I guess was his speech. Another wave of guilt ran through me, but I let it pass as Harry began.
"Thank you Minister, for those kind words.
"We are here tonight to celebrate the destruction of the evil that was Lord Voldemort. For me, it has been a journey of a life time, starting with the death of my parents and ending in a battle that took place only a month ago.
"When I first came here, to Hogwarts, I had no idea that I was famous or that I had a prophecy stating my future as a killer, but I was and I did. That knowledge was a struggle that I could not have managed on my own.
"Luckily, I wasn't alone and from the moment I found out I was a wizard, I had a group of people with me, guiding me on an unknown and sometimes dangerous path but stayed with me anyway. It is these people I want to remember tonight.
"Rubeus Hagrid, my first introduction to the wizarding world and my first real magical friend. Hagrid has always been there for me, this wonderful constant when everything around me kept changing.
"Professor McGonagall seemed to see something in me worth fighting for, which she had to do time and time again both as her role as head of Gryffindor and a member of the Order. Along side her were the many teachers of this school who taught me a lot more than just classroom lessons."
I look down at the professor and she was dabbing the corner of her eyes with a hanky, Hagrid wasn't as subtle as he blew his nose loudly just when Harry had paused. Harry smiles down on them and continues.
"My classmates, especially Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood - you two were always steadfastly loyal even when you didn't really know what you were getting into. I will always be grateful.
"Remus Lupin, one of my father's best friends and hopefully I can say now one of mine. Always a steady head and calming presence, it's an honour, Professor Lupin." I smile at the use of Remus's defunct title and I see our old professor give Harry a small nod of thanks.
"Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt and the many other Auror's who fought by me, some paying the ultimate price, I salute you.
"Arthur and Molly Weasley, what can I say? You are my family. You welcomed me into your home without question and treated me as one of your own. I can never thank you enough for how much that meant to me and how you have shown me time and time again what love actually is. You and your family are an amazing, fantastic group of people who I am proud to know. Thank you all so much."
Harry paused.
"But this journey hasn't come without its sacrifices. I have lost some who were close to me, as many of you have, but as someone a lot wiser told me once those who we loved and have died, don't truly leave us. As long as we keep their memories alive within ourselves, they are never far away.
"I have been told so many times of how I look like my father, but with my mothers eyes. That fact alone keeps my parents memory alive as does the stories I've heard over the years about what they were like before they died. They will never be forgotten.
"My godfather, Sirius Black, spent my lifetime paying the price for a crime he did not commit. My time with him was brief, but his impact on my world was huge. He will never be forgotten.
"But I guess my biggest loss was that of Albus Dumbledore. He had been my guide on this journey, showing me the way so many times. We didn't always see eye to eye but it was his need to protect me and his love for me that kept me safe for so long. I knew Professor Dumbledore the longest and his loss changed my life. But more importantly, what he taught me when he was alive changed me even more. He was a brave, kind, compassionate man who I loved and respected. He will never be forgotten."
Harry paused again and I felt a lone tear slide down my face. Ignoring it, I watched him breathe deeply and get himself back in control. It took a few moments but he did it and I let out the breath that I didn't realise I was holding.
"While all those I've mentioned have helped me and been there for me on this journey, it was Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, my two best friends, that were there for me the most.
"I met Ron on my first ever train ride to Hogwarts and I was so jealous of him. He knew all there was to know, or so I thought, about magic and had a family that cared for him. From that first meeting, he and I became mates. Although there were a few hiccups along the way, his loyalty and friendship helped me through some times when I was about to give up.
"Plus, he's always good at making me smile."
A ripple of laughter went through the hall and with a grin, I glanced at Ron. He also had a smile on his face, though it was somewhat more reflective, making him look so much older
"The initial meeting with Hermione wasn't so smooth, but over the years my appreciation, admiration and respect for her has grown and grown. Scarily smart and fiercely loyal, it was always Hermione that thought of the spell needed to get us through whatever mess we were in. She constantly worried about me and my well being and at times it seemed she knew more about what I was feeling than I did myself. Willing to sacrifice her schooling, and nearly her life, for our quest, I don't actually think she realises just how special she is to me…"
I was crying, though trying desperately not to. My eyes flickered down to Ginny who was also crying, but there was a hardness to her expression that was slightly scary. I quickly looked back to Harry who was still looking at his notes and continued to speak.
"I would have died in my first year if it wasn't for both Ron and Hermione and I need them to know just how much I value their friendship and support. You are both amazing. Thank you.
"So tonight, as we enjoy this wonderful occasion, please remember those who are no longer with us and the sacrifices made so we could all live in peace.
"Thank you."
Harry turned abruptly from the podium and went to sit down, but before he did I stood and began clapping wildly. In an instant, Ron was at my side and doing the same thing, making Harry pause and look at us with surprise. When the whole of the audience stood as well, we came together, the three of us, and hugged.
I could feel it, the bond between the three of us that I know will never diminish. It didn't matter what happened in our futures, whether Harry and I end up together or not, or even if one of us chose to leave the country and start a life somewhere else - there would always be us, the Trio, and nothing could change that.
"Your speech was fantastic Harry," I tell him, still engulfed in our group hug, "perfect."
"I don't think I've ever heard you say so much," Ron says as we stand in a circle and smile at each other, oblivious of the still applauding crowd.
"I wanted to thank everyone, you know?" Harry replies, suddenly looking worried, "I didn't go overboard, did I?"
"No, you didn't," I assure him and his smile returns. We break then, turning to the crowd of people before us. The Minister is talking once more but I wasn't really listening - something has changed.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Harry
I needed to focus. As we walked up the steps towards the Great Hall, I tried to do just that - focus. However, it was very difficult to focus when I was so aware of Hermione looking smashing and walking beside me. Plus it was nearly time for this stupid speech.
I think everyone who knows me would say I'm not much of a talker so the idea of me and a speech is just ridiculous. And I'm sure I've forgotten to mention some people that I shouldn't have forgotten…
Too late now.
Before I knew it, we were standing in front of the doors to the Great Hall with the Ministry official giving me some last minute instructions that I tried to listen to but really, I didn't hear a thing. Taking a deep breath, I tried even harder to focus, letting my mind calm and shut out all around me - like I did during the last year when not focusing may have cost me my life or the lives of Ron or Hermione….
Berating myself for thinking of the one person that I shouldn't think of because at the moment thinking of her makes me want to do very un-platonic things to a very platonic female friend (meaning I'd lose it completely) I took another deep breath, stood straighter and tried to clear my mind once more.
When the doors opened, I had zoned out. Only vaguely aware of the people that were applauding as we walked down the make-shift aisle, I kept looking directly in front of me and no where else. We made our way to this little stage thing and sat down, allowing the Minister to do his speech. I didn't hear a word as I continued to try and stop the urge to run out of the Hall screaming.
I saw the front table full of the people that meant the most but when I saw Professor McGonagall tear up, I quickly looked away.
Focus, that's all I have to do. Focus on the speech and getting it done without making a fool of myself.
My name was called and with another deep breath, I took my notes out of my pocket, made my way to the podium and began to speak. I didn't look up from what I had written (though allowed myself a smile when I heard Hagrid let out an all-mighty sob) and ploughed on.
Until I got to the point of remembering those that had died.
As I said the words, images of the people I was talking about passed through my mind - Sirius at Christmas, Dumbledore with his knowing smile and twinkling eyes, mum and dad…
The little slither of control I had was going and I desperately needed to get it back. I had to stop for a moment and focus, not letting my emotions take over. It took a moment or two before I felt it was safe to continue but since the next part of my speech was about Ron and Hermione, the emotions remained very close beneath the surface.
And then it was over. The relief was immense and the need to get off that stage was even more so. Still 'focused', I went to sit down but suddenly noticed that Ron and Hermione were standing and clapping wildly, Hermione with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Seeing them there, supporting me like they always did - my two best friends - I felt a wave of…love that made the stress of the speech and the occasion melt away. Our friendship was special and it didn't matter what happened with Hermione and I, there would always be a bond between the three of us that would be near to impossible to break.
We came together and hugged, unaware of what was happening around us and where we actually were. It didn't matter, it honestly didn't matter. We had been through so much together and although it always seemed to be my name used with regards to the end of the war, it hadn't been just me. It had never been just me and I hoped that now the both of them knew that.
"Your speech was fantastic Harry," Hermione says, her voice muffled from our hug, "perfect." I feel embarrassed but proud.
"I don't think I've ever heard you say so much," Ron adds, making me suddenly worry as our hug expand to the three of us standing in a circle, arms entwined.
"I wanted to thank everyone, you know?" I ask quickly, knowing I'm frowning as I dart my eyes between the two of them, "I didn't go overboard, did I?"
"No, you didn't," Hermione assures me and I feel a final surge of relief. It was over.
I look out at the crowd now, not feeling so nervous because Ron and Hermione are by my side. I really see how many people were there and that they were all standing, applauding us.
It was finally over.