Risking True Feelings

Graduation Ceremony

All of the seventh years waited in the hallway as all of their families sat down in the Great Hall.

Harry peeked inside. Ginny was sitting on the inside of the aisle so he could go through with his dare. Hermione was pacing in the hallway, nervously. Her dare was terrifying her.

That morning, Ginny had sent a Howler to Percy, saying that he was an evil git and should die.

McGonagall exited the Great Hall and led them in. Harry slowly walked up the aisle; he was more nervous than he had realized. All of the Weasleys were here (minus Percy), and Harry was supposed to kiss Ginny in front of them, and everyone else.

Harry reached the aisle where Ginny was seated, grabbed her hand, pulled her up into his arms and snogged her in front of the entire Weasley family.

Of course, Mrs. Weasley nearly fainted watching them. Mr. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie looked as though he was going to kill Harry. The twins cheered for Harry. "Harry, you dog!"

Harry finally broke apart from her and whispered, "I love you."

Ginny sat down and smiled to herself, as her mother scolded her for 'ruining the family name.'

Harry hurried to catch up with the rest of his class, and sat down between Sally-Ann Perks and Dean Thomas.

All of the seventh years looked as though they were going to fall asleep waiting for the teachers to finish with their speeches; all of them but Hermione, anyway.

Dumbledore started calling out people's names to come and receive their diplomas.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron glanced at each other periodically, waiting for Draco to be called up, and waiting for Pansy's dare.

"Hermione Jane Granger," Dumbledore said. Hermione jumped to her feet and received her diploma.

"Draco Boyd Malfoy," Dumbledore called.

Immediately, Pansy rose to her feet and screamed, "Go Draco, my sex kitten!"

The Great Hall burst into laughter, except for several Slytherin families.

Lucius looked as though he could have used the killing curse on his future daughter-in-law.

"Harry James Potter," Dumbledore called a bit later.

Harry rose to his feet and followed Sally-Ann Perks up to the stage. Professor Dumbledore handed him his diploma and shook his hand. Harry walked to the other side of the stage and shook all of his teachers' hands. When he reached Snape, Harry froze. He was supposed to touch Snape?

Snape put out his hand tentatively. Harry shook his hand and quickly drew away. Snape seemed quite happy that Harry didn't make the moment last any longer.

Harry returned to his seat as the final people were called to get their diplomas.

Then, the moment they all had been waiting for came, The Head Boy and Girl speech.

Hermione and Draco got up and walked up to the podium. "The past seven years have been the best years of my life. I've made new friends, found love, and learned more than I thought I would in my entire life," Hermione said.

"I've made new enemies, found hatred, but still learned more than I thought I would in my entire life," Draco added.

"And even though we hate each other, we have a bond. We graduated, side-by-side," Hermione said.

"I've changed over the past seven years, as I know the Mud- Grang- Hermione has as well," Draco said, trying hard to say Hermione's name.

"I've changed in more ways I'll ever know. I've found the man I want to marry, I've found true friends, and I've encountered more dangerous adventures, than most people get in a lifetime," Hermione said, looking out at Harry and Ron in the audience.

"I've insulted more people than I thought I would," Draco added.

"Changes happen throughout everyone's life, and there's nothing you can do about it, but deal with it as best as possible," Hermione said, now looking at Ginny and Harry. Ginny had explained what Harry told her, and decided that this was a beautiful quote.

"I would like to let everyone know that my deepest darkest secret, is that I fancied Hermione during our second year!" Draco said, going through with his dare.

"You did?" Hermione asked, turning to face him.

"Don't you have something to tell everyone?" Draco asked, changing the subject.

"My deepest darkest secret is that I failed Flying lessons in our first year," Hermione admitted. "Now, you fancied me?" she asked again, turning to Draco.

"Didn't I say that?" Draco answered angrily.

"Well, this has been a... bizarre graduation," Dumbledore said, before asking Draco and Hermione to return to their seats.

"Well, this concludes our ceremony," Dumbledore told the families. "I'm not very proud to present the class of 1997!"

The students threw their hats up in the air, and cheered. Ginny sat in her seat and thought about what Hermione said. When Harry had said it, she hadn't really heard it, but when Hermione said it, she realized that it would turn out for the best. If Ginny and Harry could make it through one year apart, they could stay together for a lifetime.

"I'm scared of not being with you."

-Jamie Sullivan A Walk to Remember (2002)