Disclaimer: This is the disclaimer for the whole story because I hate writing these. We do not own any characters except Brittany Buttkiss and the plot. The rest is the bright idea of J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Sorry for not updating in a while but we've been busy. You know how it goes. Anyways, we have a great chapter in store for you, even though it's a little sad. But you be the judge. By the way, the song at the end of the last chapter is called, "I'm a Fool in Love with a Fool Who's Still in Love With You". Leave us plenty of reviews. So on with the story!
Chapter 11-Graduation
The morning all seventh years had been waiting for had finally come. Graduation. Just the word made Hermione want to laugh and cry. Cry because didn't want to leave her home of seven years and laugh because she was so happy to pass another milestone in her journey to become a successful businesswoman in the Muggle world. She had told Draco that once but now Draco is just a thing of the past and her dream can wait another day so she can get her diploma.
Now, Hermione stood in front of the mirror studying her maroon gown and hat with a gold tassel. Alright, Hermione thought, I'm totally ready for this.
She walked to the Gryffindor Common Room where she met Harry and Ron. They all three shed some tears before getting their pictures taken by Professor McGonagall.
"It's for my scrapbook that I make every year of the Gryffindor seventh years," she had explained earlier, "I'm going to miss you all so much!"
The trio hugged their old professor before she walked away to take pictures of other students. In the meantime, Hermione, Harry, and Ron started to talk about what the future may bring for each of them. They were soon interrupted by Professor McGonagall who ushered the seventh years into the Great Hall where the graduation was to be held. The students sat with their houses, chattering excitedly amongst themselves. Professor Dumbledore walked up to the podium, which immediately silenced everyone and started his annual graduation speech, "The past seven years has been some of the best years of my life. This is the best group of students we've had in long time and I want to thank you all for making it the best for me as well as all of you. Now Professor McGonagall, Minister, if you would so kindly join me on stage for the presentation of diplomas."
Professor McGonagall and Fudge stood behind Professor Dumbledore on the stage. One by one, the houses and students in alphabetical order received their diplomas (I.e. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin). As Harry and Ron received their diplomas and then took their seats on either side of Hermione, she saw the tears in their eyes through her own watery eyes. Without even saying a word they reflected on their memories at Hogwarts over the past seven years.
As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends forever
Wasn't it just yesterday that Harry and Ron saved her from the troll in first year? Or just last week when the Golden Trio had conjured a Polyjuice Potion in the girl's bathroom during second year? How about what seems like just last month when Hermione let Harry in on her big secret to being in two places at once in third year? Wasn't it just a few days ago that Harry and Ron "recognized her as a girl" for the first time at the Yule Ball in fourth year? Or just a few weeks ago when Hermione had a near death experience in fifth year? How about what seems like just a few months ago when she had shared some intimate moments with Draco Malfoy? No, she decided, I don't have time to think about that. Some things should be left in the past.
By the end of the ceremony, every single person there had shed more than one tear, even the cold-hearted Slytherins. Later, there was a party for the Gryffindor graduates in their common room. Music and refreshments had already been provided by their favorite House Head, Professor McGonagall.
Hermione thought all of this sounded fun but she decided to go to her room instead and start packing. The train left at 11:00 AM sharp the next day and Hermione noticed a few other people doing the same thing she was. She, once again, couldn't help but think back on the past couple of years she had spent at Hogwarts. If someone would have told her that she would be dating Malfoy, she would have sent you to St. Mungo's. But now, she was happy that she had had the experience of a real boyfriend while she was still in school. Experience wasn't really the word to use in her situation though. More like puppy love. No, it wasn't that either. What they had was real love. The kind that only comes once in a person's life. It's just taking Draco longer to figure that out. With that positive thought in mind, Hermione went to bed. Tomorrow was a big day so she needed as much sleep as she could get.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Hermione's alarm was loud in her ear at 9:30 AM the next morning. After her usual morning routine, she headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. She found Harry and Ron but Draco was nowhere in sight so she sat by her best friends of seven years.
"Hey guys," she said sleepily.
"Morning 'Mione," Ron greeted her through a mouthful of food.
They talked about how they were going to keep in touch. Both Harry and Ron wanted to be Aurors so they'd be traveling a lot and it would be hard for Hermione to keep in touch with them. Lavender, who sat a few feet away happened to hear their conversation and said, "You do know that there will be reunions and stuff don't you?"
"Oh good! When?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Every five years. Or so I've heard," Lavender, Queen of the Rumor Mill, answered.
"That's great!" Hermione said and then got up from her seat, "Well, guys I'm going to go finish packing."
She went to her dorm, finished her packing, and had her stuff in her and Draco's common room by 10:45 AM. Hermione took one last look around and was about to walk out the door when a deep voice behind her said, "Amazing how fast a year can go isn't it?"
Hermione turned around and was face to face with none other than Draco Malfoy. "Yeah," she replied, "Amazing." Right before she turned to leave she could have sworn she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Hermione met Harry and Ron with her trunks by the train. It wasn't long after that that people began to board the train. She followed behind Harry and Ron as they walked up the four steps into the train. As Hermione put one foot on the first step, she looked back at what she was leaving. Hogwarts, memories, and Draco. He was standing with Brittany laughing about something but she could tell he looked absolutely miserable. He caught her eye for a quick second without showing any emotion.
With that, Hermione Granger left her past behind, without even looking back.
On the train, memories were still flooding her mind. She was reminded of Draco once again. But she couldn't help if most of her good memories in the past two years included Draco.
Every time you walk away
You just bring me down
I pretend that I'm okay
So I'm counting my tears until I get over you
We both know that I'm not over you
All the things she was leaving behind were some of the most important things to her. Hermione decided to take advantage of that fact that her best friends were still in front of her and they still had several minutes left to spend together.
"Hello? Hermione? Did you hear what Harry just said? We've been waiting to tell you the good news since yesterday," Ron said, apparently frustrated that Hermione wasn't listening.
"Huh? What good news?"
"Tell her, Harry."
"Ron's mum said yesterday that I can live with them until I find an apartment! Isn't that great?" Harry asked excitedly.
"That's great, Harry!" I'm soooooo happy for you!" Hermione smiled. She was already planning a visit to The Burrow for a few weeks this summer.
This was exactly where she wanted to be at this point in her life. With her friends and enjoying moments like these. My summer is already looking up, Hermione thought.
A/N: And that's a wrap! For the second part in the three part series anyway. We won't be updating again until August 8 because I'm going to church camp. So in the meantime leave us plenty of reviews. Oh, and for those of you who were wondering, the song excerpt in this chapter is called , "Graduation" by Vitamin C and the other one is called, "Till I Get Over You" by Michelle Branch. Keep on the lookout for the third part in the series titled, "I'll Be the Greatest Time of Your Life".
Blackpearl07 & dracoandhermioneforever88
A/N: Sorry for not updating in a while but we've been busy. You know how it goes. Anyways, we have a great chapter in store for you, even though it's a little sad. But you be the judge. By the way, the song at the end of the last chapter is called, "I'm a Fool in Love with a Fool Who's Still in Love With You". Leave us plenty of reviews. So on with the story!
Chapter 11-Graduation
The morning all seventh years had been waiting for had finally come. Graduation. Just the word made Hermione want to laugh and cry. Cry because didn't want to leave her home of seven years and laugh because she was so happy to pass another milestone in her journey to become a successful businesswoman in the Muggle world. She had told Draco that once but now Draco is just a thing of the past and her dream can wait another day so she can get her diploma.
Now, Hermione stood in front of the mirror studying her maroon gown and hat with a gold tassel. Alright, Hermione thought, I'm totally ready for this.
She walked to the Gryffindor Common Room where she met Harry and Ron. They all three shed some tears before getting their pictures taken by Professor McGonagall.
"It's for my scrapbook that I make every year of the Gryffindor seventh years," she had explained earlier, "I'm going to miss you all so much!"
The trio hugged their old professor before she walked away to take pictures of other students. In the meantime, Hermione, Harry, and Ron started to talk about what the future may bring for each of them. They were soon interrupted by Professor McGonagall who ushered the seventh years into the Great Hall where the graduation was to be held. The students sat with their houses, chattering excitedly amongst themselves. Professor Dumbledore walked up to the podium, which immediately silenced everyone and started his annual graduation speech, "The past seven years has been some of the best years of my life. This is the best group of students we've had in long time and I want to thank you all for making it the best for me as well as all of you. Now Professor McGonagall, Minister, if you would so kindly join me on stage for the presentation of diplomas."
Professor McGonagall and Fudge stood behind Professor Dumbledore on the stage. One by one, the houses and students in alphabetical order received their diplomas (I.e. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin). As Harry and Ron received their diplomas and then took their seats on either side of Hermione, she saw the tears in their eyes through her own watery eyes. Without even saying a word they reflected on their memories at Hogwarts over the past seven years.
As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends forever
Wasn't it just yesterday that Harry and Ron saved her from the troll in first year? Or just last week when the Golden Trio had conjured a Polyjuice Potion in the girl's bathroom during second year? How about what seems like just last month when Hermione let Harry in on her big secret to being in two places at once in third year? Wasn't it just a few days ago that Harry and Ron "recognized her as a girl" for the first time at the Yule Ball in fourth year? Or just a few weeks ago when Hermione had a near death experience in fifth year? How about what seems like just a few months ago when she had shared some intimate moments with Draco Malfoy? No, she decided, I don't have time to think about that. Some things should be left in the past.
By the end of the ceremony, every single person there had shed more than one tear, even the cold-hearted Slytherins. Later, there was a party for the Gryffindor graduates in their common room. Music and refreshments had already been provided by their favorite House Head, Professor McGonagall.
Hermione thought all of this sounded fun but she decided to go to her room instead and start packing. The train left at 11:00 AM sharp the next day and Hermione noticed a few other people doing the same thing she was. She, once again, couldn't help but think back on the past couple of years she had spent at Hogwarts. If someone would have told her that she would be dating Malfoy, she would have sent you to St. Mungo's. But now, she was happy that she had had the experience of a real boyfriend while she was still in school. Experience wasn't really the word to use in her situation though. More like puppy love. No, it wasn't that either. What they had was real love. The kind that only comes once in a person's life. It's just taking Draco longer to figure that out. With that positive thought in mind, Hermione went to bed. Tomorrow was a big day so she needed as much sleep as she could get.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Hermione's alarm was loud in her ear at 9:30 AM the next morning. After her usual morning routine, she headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. She found Harry and Ron but Draco was nowhere in sight so she sat by her best friends of seven years.
"Hey guys," she said sleepily.
"Morning 'Mione," Ron greeted her through a mouthful of food.
They talked about how they were going to keep in touch. Both Harry and Ron wanted to be Aurors so they'd be traveling a lot and it would be hard for Hermione to keep in touch with them. Lavender, who sat a few feet away happened to hear their conversation and said, "You do know that there will be reunions and stuff don't you?"
"Oh good! When?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Every five years. Or so I've heard," Lavender, Queen of the Rumor Mill, answered.
"That's great!" Hermione said and then got up from her seat, "Well, guys I'm going to go finish packing."
She went to her dorm, finished her packing, and had her stuff in her and Draco's common room by 10:45 AM. Hermione took one last look around and was about to walk out the door when a deep voice behind her said, "Amazing how fast a year can go isn't it?"
Hermione turned around and was face to face with none other than Draco Malfoy. "Yeah," she replied, "Amazing." Right before she turned to leave she could have sworn she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Hermione met Harry and Ron with her trunks by the train. It wasn't long after that that people began to board the train. She followed behind Harry and Ron as they walked up the four steps into the train. As Hermione put one foot on the first step, she looked back at what she was leaving. Hogwarts, memories, and Draco. He was standing with Brittany laughing about something but she could tell he looked absolutely miserable. He caught her eye for a quick second without showing any emotion.
With that, Hermione Granger left her past behind, without even looking back.
On the train, memories were still flooding her mind. She was reminded of Draco once again. But she couldn't help if most of her good memories in the past two years included Draco.
Every time you walk away
You just bring me down
I pretend that I'm okay
So I'm counting my tears until I get over you
We both know that I'm not over you
All the things she was leaving behind were some of the most important things to her. Hermione decided to take advantage of that fact that her best friends were still in front of her and they still had several minutes left to spend together.
"Hello? Hermione? Did you hear what Harry just said? We've been waiting to tell you the good news since yesterday," Ron said, apparently frustrated that Hermione wasn't listening.
"Huh? What good news?"
"Tell her, Harry."
"Ron's mum said yesterday that I can live with them until I find an apartment! Isn't that great?" Harry asked excitedly.
"That's great, Harry!" I'm soooooo happy for you!" Hermione smiled. She was already planning a visit to The Burrow for a few weeks this summer.
This was exactly where she wanted to be at this point in her life. With her friends and enjoying moments like these. My summer is already looking up, Hermione thought.
A/N: And that's a wrap! For the second part in the three part series anyway. We won't be updating again until August 8 because I'm going to church camp. So in the meantime leave us plenty of reviews. Oh, and for those of you who were wondering, the song excerpt in this chapter is called , "Graduation" by Vitamin C and the other one is called, "Till I Get Over You" by Michelle Branch. Keep on the lookout for the third part in the series titled, "I'll Be the Greatest Time of Your Life".
Blackpearl07 & dracoandhermioneforever88