The Bet

"The Bet--Part Fifteen--Graduation Looms"

"Ava--," Harry began but was cut off as Ron dived in front of him and took his wand.

"What the fuck did you do that for?"

"I'm not letting you kill her, Harry."

"Fine," Harry grumbled sulkily. Ron sighed and turned to say something to Hermione. Harry took this chance to grab his wand back. "Ava--," he began again.

But Hermione was quicker. She'd grabbed her wand the first time he tried to kill her, and quickly shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

Harry flew back against the wall, and Hermione caught his wand. The blast had knocked Harry out.

"I'll carry him back to the dorm, Herms," Ron said and picked Harry up.

"I better come with you," Hermione said and followed Ron back to the boys dorms. The three boys glared at her as she entered, but she didn't pay any attention to them. Ron lay Harry down on the bed and turned to Hermione.

"We need to talk."

"Okay," she nodded feebly.

The pair sat by the fire in the common room, silent for a moment.

"Well, you got me back, I guess," Ron said finally.

"Yeah," Hermione smiled.

"Herms, I just...I want you to know that I never meant to hurt you. And that uh, well, that I really care about you, and...I would never cheat on you like Neville did."

"No, but you did lie to me and tell me you weren't in on that bet."

"Oh. That."

"Yeah, that."

"Well, I...damn it. I'm sorry, okay? There isn't much I can say to make this better, but I do mean that."

"I know," she said and rubbed his arm gently.

"You forgive me?"

"Not yet."

"Okay."

"Night, Ron."

"Night."

"Hey, you think Harry really wanted to kill me?" she asked, turning just as she reached the stairs.

"Nah, I'll calm him down in the morning. He's just pissed you ruined his chances with Cho."

"You think he'll forgive me?"

"Yeah."

Hermione bit her lip and gave a weak smile before turning back to the stairs.

Ron watched Hermione climb the stairs up to her room, and he headed for his.

-Scene Change-

The sun rose to an overcast morning a week later. Five Gryffindor boys rose out of their beds sadly.

"Can't believe this is it," Seamus said sadly.

"Me neither," Dean said, affectionately touching the curtains around his bed.

Neville was standing looking around the room, tears in his eyes.

"This is the only home I've ever had," Harry said, fighting back tears of his own.

Ron just stood silently looking at his friends.

Today was graduation. Seamus had won the bet, because no one had been able to score any more since the girls' revenge. They had few hours until time to graduate, so with one last glance around the room that had been their home for seven years, they shut the door with a click and headed into the common room.

They stood in the room sadly, receiving hugs from many of their fellow graduates and quite a few younger students. Collin Creevy gave Harry a big hug, took one last picture, then ran off crying. Harry had to laugh. The hero worship got old, but truth be told, he liked that kid. He would miss him.

With one last glance around the common room, they exited into the hallway. They stood before the Fat Lady to say their good byes. She had a handkerchief in one hand, and was dabbing her eyes.

"I'm going to miss you boys so much," she said with a wistful smile.

They each said good bye and made empty promises to keep in touch before waving good bye one last time and heading into the Great Hall.

They entered the Hall and all burst out crying. They hadn't expected to miss this place that much. It was if entering the Hall, the first bit of Hogwarts they'd seen, had suddenly brought back every happy, sad, painful, scary, and beautiful memory they'd ever had. The five boys hugged each other, and quickly found other students joining the hug. They all stood sobbing in the middle of the Hall, holding on to each other.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and spoke loudly enough for them to hear. "Students, this is not the end, only the beginning. Besides, graduation is in three hours."

The massive hug broke apart and all stood looking sheepish, trying to hide their tears.

Five Gryffindor boys sat down to breakfast and went nostalgic.

"Remember back in third year? When we finally won the quidditch cup? That was so wonderful, Harry," Dean said.

Seamus made Ron and Harry recount the story of the troll in their first year one last time.

Neville fondly remembered losing Trevor on the train and Hermione helping him to find the pesky pet.

Ron talked about the Yule Ball in fourth year, laughing at how silly he had been that night.

Harry remembered other things. Silly things, like his first Christmas at Hogwarts. He'd never gotten presents before. He remembered that first Weasley sweater. He'd never understand why Ron didn't like them. Sometimes, Harry would hold that shirt tight whenever he felt lonely. It reminded him that he had a family. Maybe he didn't have red hair and freckles to match them, but they were his family. Harry remembered the loving moments like these.

They had sat talking for so long that it was time to head outside for the ceremony. The five boys looked at each other and stood in the doorway one last time. Collin Creevy couldn't resist taking a picture of their sad, yet smiling faces. They walked out together and into the sun.