Chap. 60 Graduation
Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room. Students, not just Gryffindor, were passed out everywhere. Hermione saw Ron and Lavender together on the couch. Ginny and Harry were curled up on a love chair. Parvati and Dean were lying on the floor. Other students were randomly placed on the floor, some in chairs, some on tables.
Hermione rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe all these people, some her friends, succumbed to this crazy immaturity. She couldn't really blame them either. Their seven years of hard work are now over. They had a reason to celebrate. Hell, she celebrated, too...just in a different way. Hermione went into her bedroom and saw that a young Gryffindor girl and Hufflepuff boy were asleep in Lavender's bed. The girl was in a tank top, the boy shirtless, a sheet covered them below their stomachs...she didn't even want to imagine what they did last night.
Hermione looked up on her wall clock. 9:30. Draco was right. She wondered if her and Draco had just had a real argument, or was it just a disagreement.
'No. How could it be a disagreement? Draco thinks Harry isn't a gifted wizard.' She told herself.
She then remembered how well he and Harry had been getting along recently, and how Draco asked for Harry's help to rescue her. If he truly thought Harry wasn't a excellent wizard, why would he ask him for help? She then heard some one come in behind her. She turned to see the person she had just been wondering about.
'Can we talk?' Draco asked her, leaning in the doorway.
She nodded and sat down on her bed. He joined her.
'Harry is a good wizard.' Draco mumbled, 'And i'm sorry I said different.'
'Are you just saying that because it's what I want to hear, Draco?'
'I say what I want. Not what others want.' He replied coldly.
She nodded sadly. He realized he was harsh.
'Snape is proud of my work and what I have achieved, and i'm thankful for someone who has accomplished much, to recognize me, and that's why when people question his favor for me, I get offended.' Draco said quietly.
'I guess with your father...who he is and what he does, you don't have an adult father-like figure to praise you and your accomplishments. I hadn't thought about it before.' Hermione replied, 'But you also know how much Harry has gone through, along with me for some of it, and Harry doesn't deserve some of the things thrown at him by Snape and others. He also doesn't deserve to have people such as yourself to discredit his wizarding capabilities.'
'I know, I didn't really mean what I said about Harry, but it made me mad when you complained about Snape playing favorites, so I said that about Harry to made you mad I guess.' Draco responded humbly.
'It worked.' She retorted as she looked to the floor.
'I don't want to be in a petty couples' argument the week of graduation.'
'Me either.' She agreed.
'I'm sorry for what I said about Harry.'
'And i'm sorry for what I said about you and Snape.' She replied.
He sweetly kissed her lips and pulled her down to the bed. He wrapped his arms around her, laying close to her.
'So, I saw Gryffindor had a big party last night, eh?' He said changing the subject.
'Yeah, I saw that when I walked in, too. How'd the Slytherin room look?' She asked.
'Oh. The same thing with the students, 'cept there were alot more empty liquor bottles and things lying around. I even saw some chick lying in the boy's bathtub. I really don't know why she was there, but she was.'
Hermione laughed at the thought.
'Wow...students are so immature.' She said.
'Hermione, if I didn't have you, I have to admit, i'd be one of those slobs on the floor. What would you be doing?'
'I would probably be...sleeping on a couch, but not passed out, just sleeping. I would have probably hung out with Harry and Ron the whole night, until they passed out, then I would sleep.'
'Always the good girl...' He sighed.
'Always?' She asked, eyebrow raised.
'Well, not when your alone with me...' He said kissing her shoulder. 'I do think i've corrupted you, Miss Granger.'
'I think you have, too.'
---
The day of Graduation came quickly. Students were rushing about, changing into their grad robes and getting ready.
'I'm so nervous, Ginny!' Hermione cried, 'I don't want to do the Valedictorian speech!'
'Yes you do. Don't be nervous, you'll be great. I read it last night and I told you it was excellent.' Ginny said as she magically curled Hermione's hair.
'I can't believe i'm done with school...' Hermione sighed.
'I can't believe you are either...'
Hermione then heard soft sniffles. She turned around to see Ginny crying.
'Ginny! What's wrong!'
'Nothing, let me curl your hair.' She said quietly, holding back tears.
Hermione stood up and hugged her friend.
'Ginny, i'll see you so much over the summer, I promise...'
Ginny shook her head.
'Your moving to France, i'll never see you after that.'
'Yes you will! My parents live back here in England, so i'll be visiting alot!' Hermione cried.
'My school year next year is going to be horrible. Your gone, Harry is gone, Lavender is gone, Parvati is gone...Ron is gone. I know Ron is annoying and some times I hate him, but he's my brother, he was always there for me. Now I won't have anyone.'
'Ginny, your class wants to be you. You get to hang out with the other kids, your going out with THE Harry Potter, you'll have no trouble making more friends whatsoever. You know Harry will come visit you constantly, and i'm sure Ron will come, too to make sure your not getting into trouble.'
Ginny laughed.
'Don't worry about it, okay?'
Ginny nodded. 'Now can you finish making me look presentable?' Hermione asked.
'Yes.'
'Good.'
---
The students were piling into their seats as parents and friends filed into the Great Hall. The ceremony would start in 10 minutes. Hermione and Draco were outside the Great Hall, in a small room, getting ready for their speeches.
'I can't believe our class voted me to give the end of the year speech.' Draco said as he paced the floor.
'I am so happy you are, you can stand up there with me now as I give the Valedictorian speech.' Hermione replied.
Dumbledore then appeared in the doorway.
'I'm going to announce you two, please some to the front of the Great Hall with me.'
Draco and Hermione followed Dumbledore to the Great Hall's doors. They opened and music started to play.
Draco and Hermione walked side by side down the long aisle.
'How do you like walking down?' Draco whispered to her.
'It's kind of a rush.' Hermione smiled.
'Wait until you walk down the real 'aisle'.' He said relating it to their wedding.
Hermione looked at him and smiled.
They reached the front of the room and went up the small stairs to the platform. They stood behind Dumbledore.
'Welcome students, families, and friends!' Dumbledore cried, 'Today we are gathered here to celebrate the class of 2005! -Cheers abrupt.- Your class Valedictorian, Hermione Granger, and Class Selector, Draco Malfoy, have prepared speeches for you today. So without further ado, Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy.'
Wild claps and cries welcomed them.
'Hermione, ladies first.' Draco said bowing and waving his hand toward the microphone. Audience laughed at this.
He smirked as she stepped up to the podium.
'Good afternoon, friends, classmates, families.' She started, 'This has been a fun and crazy year for us hasn't it? From new teachers, (she nods to Miss Carleigh) to new vacation spots, to unfortunate events, that usually occur (she said smiling at Harry and Ron, people who knew what she meant laughed) to our Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. We have all gone through alot together, and I am sad to leave this great place we've called home for seven years now! If you would have asked me a year or so ago, I would have said that Hogwarts is going to take forever to finish. Now, I cannot believe we're done. Some of you, I know i'll will be seeing a lot, and our friendships will become even stronger, some of you I probably won't see again, but I wish the best of luck to you all. We've been taught by some of the best wizards and witches, known to the Wizarding World, and for that I am thankful. I also want to thank all of you, my fellow classmates, for making these seven years, the most enjoyable, i've ever had. Memories that were made here, will never be forgotten. Thank you.'
Hermione stepped away from the podium, tears running down her face. Draco smiled and kissed her cheek. Many girls added "Ahhhhhh...." to this action of Draco's.
Draco then walked up to the podium and cleared his throat.
'I suppose looking at me now, dampens your spirits, after watching the beautiful Miss Granger, eh?' He joked, leaning on the podium, elbows on the surface. He looked very casual and nonchalant. The audience laughed at his statement. He continued, 'Ah, just kidding, I know i'm nice to look at, too.' The audience laughed again, especially the girls. 'Well, I could start out by saying these were the best seven years of my life, but I won't, because it's not true. The first six sucked ass-(he then heard many gasps, especially from Professor McGonagall)- Err, I mean the first six years were not my best, to tell you all the truth, I acted like a dick. (more gasps) I acted like a punk, and I know pretty much all of you will back me up on that (lots of laughs from students). I would like to apologize to each one of you personally, who I acted stupid to, but that's too many people, so I apologize publicly to you now. I thank God that I was smart enough this year to realize, with the help of some (He looked back at Hermione), that I needed an attitude adjustment, and i'm glad I made one. This was the best year i've ever lived, even with the three week suspension.' Students laughed and Draco looked over at Dumbledore, who of course was smiling, 'I am grateful that here at Hogwarts, teachers care about their students, even ones as difficult as myself. I am grateful that here at Hogwarts, there are students, classmates, who are willing to accept people, even if they were cruel to them in the past (he glanced at Hermione, then at Harry and Ron). I will truly miss being here, but i'm sure I will see most of you again. Congratulations, Class of 2005. Now GO KICK SOME ASS!' He cried over the microphone.
The students stood up and cheered.
Draco walked back to Hermione and kissed her. Cheers grew louder. Hermione and Draco sat down with their classmates, and Dumbledore handed out certificates and degrees.
A few minutes later, everyone from the Great Hall, were outside talking and congratulating students.
'Congratulations, Hermione!' Anne and Richard cried, hugging their daughter.
'Thanks you guys.'
'Great speech, too, honey.' Richard added.
'Where's Draco?' Anne asked looking around.
'He's with his mother I think.' Hermione said.
Then two platinum blonde haired people came up behind them.
'Never mind.' Hermione replied. She walked up and put her arm around Draco.
'Congratulations, Hermione. Great speech!' Narcissa exclaimed hugging her.
'Mom, dad, this is Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother.' Hermione said stepping aside.
'Good to finally meet you, Narcissa!' Anne cried, hugging the blonde mother.
Richard and Narcissa shook hands respectfully.
'I'm Anne, and this is my husband, Richard.' Anne smiled.
'Pleasure to meet you both, i've been waiting so long to meet pretty Hermione's parents.' Narcissa smiled. 'Draco and Hermione's engagement especially triggered my want to meet you, two.'
'Yes, us, too! Your son is very wonderful, Narcissa.' Anne smiled.
'Oh, and I just love Hermione! She's so good for my Draco!' Narcissa cried.
Hermione and Draco just sat down as their parents went on and on about how good they are for each other.
Hermione put her hand in Draco's lap.
'That was a good speech, baby.' She said, 'I can't believe you swore so much, though. It was funny, McGonagall nearly fainted.'
'I know, I thought i'd finish the year with a BANG.' He replied. 'You did. Go kick some ass??'
'Yeah, well, they should.' He smiled.
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