Graduating

GRADUATING

By Lady Jane

Yes! I have finally completed Chapter Five which I thought would be the last Chapter but it's not - it's the second last and that's a definite because Chapter Six is finished - I've written it and it's all done, I just need to beta it - or is that "alpha" it if you do it yourself? So I'll be posting the last chapter in the next day or so. Happy reading! xxxx Lady Jane xxxx

Chapter Five

'So, d'you think you'll get a chance to talk to Ginny today?' Harry asked Hermione at breakfast the next morning.

Hermione shrugged. 'I can only hope! I've got to make absolutely sure we're alone. This is not something I can risk being overheard.'

When they finished eating, they headed out of the Great Hall to go and visit Hagrid, something they were painfully aware would become a far rarer and more difficult event in the not too distant future. Harry put his arm around Hermione's waist and pulled her in close to him as they walked. 'Fancy another walk around the Lake this evening?' he inquired, smiling suggestively down at her.

They had just passed through the open oaken doors of the castle when Hermione stopped at the top of the steps. 'Harry,' she chided him softly, 'why so impatient? Aren't I worth waiting for?' She looked at him coquettishly, fluttering her eyelashes, making light of the situation.

Harry's eyes met hers. 'Of course you are,' he told her in all seriousness and Hermione melted under the heat of that green gaze. Then Harry leaned down to whisper in her ear, ensuring none of the passers-by could hear him, the huskiness in his voice sending delicious shivers down Hermione's spine, 'But that doesn't mean I'm not going crazy here, thinking about you - about how you looked and felt last night by the Lake and about the way you kissed me-'

'Harry, please!' Hermione cried softly, images and sensations from the previous evening swirling in her head - Oh, no! DLTs! Not NOW, standing here in bright daylight at the main entrance to the castle in full view of everyone!

'You said that last night too...'

Hermione groaned. Then she stamped her foot, making Harry laugh. 'Harry, that's not fair! You're teasing me!'

'Feeling a little impatient, Miss Granger?' he asked, a definite smirk on his face.

Out of the blue, Hermione smiled sweetly at him as she said, 'Well, of course.'

He should've known better.

Harry smiled at her triumphantly, only to have the smile fade as Hermione continued, 'But then, you'd spoil your surprise.' Oh, Harry...

'Surprise?' repeated Harry, 'What surprise is that?'

He was beginning to sense something...

She'd thought it all out that morning as she'd showered and gotten ready for breakfast.

Putting her hand around the back of Harry's neck, Hermione drew his ear down to her mouth, her voice dropping to a low whisper as she said, 'Well now, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it? But I can't wait to give it to you.'

Hermione's hand slipped off Harry's neck and he straightened up, 'Give it to me?' he repeated, staring at her. It's about to hit him and he still doesn't see it...

Hermione had a wicked gleam in her eye.

'Yes, Harry, after the Ball, that's when I'll give it to you.'

Bullseye.

Oh, shit. If that wasn't a double meaning he didn't know what was.

Harry couldn't move. He simply stood and stared at her. FINALLY he gets it. Holy shit! How does she do that to me?! From absolutely nothing to totally horny in a couple of sentences flat! And all the while she manages to look so bloody sweet and innocent, dammit!

Hermione turned and started down the steps, looking back over her shoulder at Harry; she gave him that maddeningly innocent, sweet smile as she went, leaving Harry gaping after her, speechless.

That afternoon, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Luna once again visited the beech tree with afternoon tea packed in a picnic basket by a delighted Dobby who was so happy to see them, he tried to give them enough food for ten afternoon teas until Harry and Ron protested they'd need a herd of pack animals to carry it all.

Harry groaned as they packed away the leftovers from their feast. Dobby had still managed to fit in way more than they could possibly eat, even Ron. Harry groaned again. 'I am so full my stomach hurts,' he complained.

'You've nothing on Ron, Harry! I can't believe how much it takes to fill that bottomless pit he calls his stomach!' exclaimed Luna as she settled down, leaning back against the tree, her legs crossed so that Ron could comfortably put his head in her lap as he lay down.

'Can you believe it?' sighed Ron. 'For the rest of the week we have nothing better to do except enjoy ourselves, relax, eat, sleep in, snog, beat Ravenclaw at Quidditch,' he looked up at Luna, winking, 'do a little snogging...'

Luna smiled lazily down at him, 'Eating and snogging. Your two favourite things Ronald Weasley.'

'And Quidditch! What more could I want?' he laughed.

'It's a hard life, all right,' agreed Harry, also lying with his head in Hermione's lap as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair which he was enjoying thoroughly. 'A little harder for us Quidditch players though, Ron, isn't it?'

Ron groaned. 'That's right,' he said as he remembered, 'no sleeping in tomorrow! Early Quidditch practise! Aye, aye, Captain!'

'And don't forget the late practise!' reminded Harry.

'Oh, well, it's worth it!' sighed Ron. 'To be in the team that not only contains the one and only Harry Potter but that also wins the Quidditch Cup is a great and wonderful thing!'

'Spare me!' cried Harry.

'By the way, Hermione,' Ron turned his head to look at her, 'have you managed to get anymore out of Ginny about that mysterious bloody boyfriend of hers?'

Hermione stiffened and she felt Harry do the same. Doing her utmost to sound offhand, Hermione replied, 'Actually Ron, I think it's blown over. I heard Ginny say yesterday that it wasn't working out.' At least that was the truth.

'Good!' said Ron, then he laughed. 'Too bad you snaffled Harry, Hermione - I used to think how great it'd be if he and Ginny got together!'

Harry rolled his eyes at Hermione and shook his head, laughing. 'Sorry Ron, it'd be a bit hard to snog the little sister of your best mate! You know what you're like!'

'Too true,' said Ron.

'We went and saw Hagrid this morning,' threw in Hermione, wanting to steer the conversation away from Ginny and boyfriends. She sighed. 'I'm going to miss him terribly when we leave.'

'Miss him, yeah, but not his bloody stoat sandwiches and that brown tar he insists on calling toffee!' cried Ron, making them all laugh. 'Actually,' he continued, 'how about we go see him now?'

'A perfect idea, Ron; you can walk off some of that food,' said Luna.

'Yeah, make room for dinner!' he replied as they stood up.

'You go,' said Hermione, 'I really must write to my parents. I promised them one last letter before the end of the week.'

'I'll walk back with Hermione and take the basket back,' said Harry, standing up and brushing himself off, then holding out his hand to Hermione to help her up. 'We saw him this morning, anyway. Tell him we'll come again tomorrow though; we have to make the most of it while we can.'

As Ron and Luna walked hand in hand towards Hagrid's hut, Harry and Hermione headed back to the castle.

Hermione gave Harry a worried look, 'I haven't given Ginny a thought all day! I got such a start when Ron asked about her like that.'

Harry squeezed her hand gently. 'Neither have I, so don't worry. We still have the rest of the week.' Looking down at her, he thought how adorable she was. 'You look very kissable right now,' he told her.

Hermione smiled up at him. 'So, you'll have to kiss me soon, then, won't you?'

'That's a promise!' he replied as they went up the steps and walked through the Entrance Hall, turning right and heading for the door to the kitchen. Suddenly, Harry muttered, 'Speak of the devil!' as Ginny came flying down the marble staircase, giving them a quick wave as she ran past them and out the door. 'I wonder where the hell she's in such a hurry to get to?' he said to Hermione, a slight frown on his face.

* * * * * * * * *

Outside, Ginny stopped, poised at the top of the stairs; she looked around as though checking to see the coast was clear, then headed for the forest, giving Hagrid's hut a wide berth. She tried to walk nonchalantly despite the fact that her heart was beating wildly and she felt as though she was having trouble breathing. As she reached the shadow of the trees, she spotted him, leaning against a huge, old oak just inside the perimeter of the forest. When he saw her, he straightened up and looked directly at her, waiting. She walked slowly towards him, unable to tear her eyes away from his tall, lean form. When she reached him, he said nothing. He simply enfolded her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Ginny held him tightly, drowning in the kiss, wanting only this, only him... When they finally parted, Ginny pulled herself right away, shaking her head violently when he made a move to take her back into the circle of his arms. Her voice sounded strangled as she spoke.

'Draco, I've given this a lot of thought and I won't be going to the Ball with you.'

He groaned, stepping towards her, his hands outstretched. She stepped back to avoid the contact she knew would cause her defences to instantly crumble.

'Ginny, please,' his voice a hoarse whisper, 'I want you with me, you know you want to be with me, don't deny it!'

'I'm not denying anything, Draco. But what I - we - want, is not possible. You know that and you can't deny knowing that!'

He fell back against the tree, crossing his arms tightly, his head dropping. He looked so defeated it wrenched at her heart and she went to him, putting her small hands on each side of his face to lift it so that their eyes met as she spoke softly, 'Draco, you know what I'm saying makes sense. There is not one person either of us knows who would even consider the idea of you and I having a relationship. You know that! It's out of the question! You leave here in a week to take up a life I don't even want to begin to imagine so it has to end here, now!'

She dropped her hands and stood there as he slowly nodded. 'I know you're right,' his voice an anguished whisper, 'it is impossible, truly impossible. But that doesn't stop me from wanting it - you...'

In a swift movement, before she could escape, he pulled her back into his arms and crushed his lips against hers. She was powerless to resist and let her body mould to his, her arms holding him with desperation, knowing this would be the last time...

* * * * * * * * *

As they left the kitchen, the green door handle once again becoming a huge green pear, Harry noticed how quiet and deserted the stone corridor seemed and instead of walking back towards the Entrance Hall, he turned and swung Hermione around so that her back was against the wall. He leaned against her and by resting his forearms on the wall each side of her head he managed to get very close. Just one kiss wouldn't hurt and he had promised her he'd kiss her soon, hadn't he?

'Harry, what - ?' She got no further. Harry covered her mouth with his as he instinctively pushed his slowly growing hardness into the soft firmness of her stomach, achingly aware of the feel of her breasts against his chest. Hermione felt her legs tremble a little. She'd never be able to resist him when he could do this to her so easily - with just a kiss. But, oh shit, what a kiss! And the feel of him so hard up against her... Hermione groaned and wrapped her arms around Harry, responding to the feel of him pressed into her by slowly rolling her hips. The effect this had on Harry was electric. His hands clenched themselves into tight fists, every muscle in his body was tense, every instinct screaming for release, yet he lifted his mouth from Hermione's who then made a soft noise, like a whimper, 'Harry, please, don't stop,' she begged him. She had no idea the effort it took him not to do as she asked.

Holy shit - how stupid to start this when he knew how it would end - with a massive hard-on and an equally massive bout of frustration!

'I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't've done that,' he managed, 'to you or me!'

He pushed against the wall with his hands to separate their bodies, breathing rapidly as though he'd just been running. Hermione felt as though she wouldn't be able to remain standing without the support of his body pressed against hers but she managed it somehow.

'Holy Merlin, Harry, you can do that to me anytime!' she told him, her eyes looking directly into his.

Harry gave her a lopsided grin, 'Don't tempt me, Hermione - one thing I can guarantee is that next time you beg me not to stop, I won't.'

Hermione put off writing to her parents until later that night as she and Harry decided the remaining daylight was too good to waste indoors and spent the time until dinner outside, walking and chatting to others who were doing the same. After they returned from the Great Hall, they followed their usual routine whereby Harry and Ron played chess and Hermione read. Ron went to bed a little earlier than usual, 'Can't afford to be late for Quidditch practise, now can I? Got no excuses sleeping in the same bloody dorm as the team captain!'

A while later, Hermione sat up and stretched as she put down her quill. 'There, done!' she announced, rolling up the parchment and sealing it. That should keep her parents happy until she saw them again in a week's time. She was sitting at one of the small tables in the common room, Harry not far away in one of the squashy arm chairs, reading "Quidditch Through The Ages" for the umpteenth time; his favourite chapter was Chapter Four, "The Arrival of the Golden Snitch". He wondered what it would have been like to chase a real bird, the model for the Snitch, known as the Golden Snidget. Probably easier to catch than it's modern counterpart he thought.

'Not reading that again are you Harry?' she inquired in a rather exasperated voice. 'I could give you heaps of different books to read if you're interested!'

Harry smiled indulgently. 'It's all right, Hermione. This suits me fine, don't worry. I've done enough "serious" reading in the last seven years to last me for a long time!'

Hermione, having gotten up with the intention of walking up to the Owlery with her letter, bent over and kissed Harry on the cheek. 'Don't want to read, eh? Well, I never could resist a sexy air-head!' she mocked as she danced out of reach of his grasping hands. She ran for the portrait hole, almost making it through before Harry reached her - grabbing hold of her robes and pulling her back, both of them ending up leaning against the wall and trying to catch their breath after laughing.

Harry, still puffing a little, managed to say, 'Let me come with you - I can say hello to Hedwig while we're there.'

'All right,' Hermione agreed, 'but NO funny business Harry Potter, or else!'

Harry managed an injured look before they climbed through the portrait hole. 'We sexy air-heads have feelings, you know!' he told her.

As the portrait swung shut, the Fat Lady gave an exaggerated sigh and rolled her eyes at them. 'I suppose,' she said, huffing,' you aren't going to be long tonight either, are you?'

'Not at all!' promised Harry

'We're just ducking up to the Owlery to send a letter,' put in Hermione, smiling despite herself. The Fat Lady sniffed loudly. 'We'll see,' she muttered, 'we'll see...'

They actually made it to the Owlery and back, Harry having seen Hedwig and Hermione having seen her letter safely on it's way to her parents, without any 'hanky panky' as Ron sometimes called it (to everyone's great amusement.) As they reached the portrait hole ('My, my, very surprising and very impressive!' remarked the Fat Lady, eyeing the timepiece pinned to her bodice).

Harry complained the walk had woken him up and he needed something like a hot chocolate to make him feel sleepy again. So saying, they settled themselves in the lounge before the remains of the fire and Hermione conjured two mugs of hot chocolate for them. Harry was extremely impressed. 'Now that,' he said, 'is an impressive spell!' Hermione, understandably, looked a tiny bit smug as she sipped her hot chocolate. They were sitting, both holding their steaming mugs, their legs stretched out in front of them to the warmth of the fire, a lovely, sleepy feeling creeping over them.

'Mmm, we'll have to go soon or we'll fall asleep right here and freeze to death when the fire's gone out,' commented Hermione, sitting up and putting her empty mug on the floor. Harry followed suit, but then as he turned to look at Hermione, he felt a sudden, upsurge of desire... a desire to touch her, and hold her, and kiss her...

As she stood, Hermione looked down at Harry, still sitting on the edge of the lounge, her eyes widening as she caught the intensity of his gaze. He stood too, bringing his hands to rest ever-so-gently on each side of her face. He moved himself closer to her and instinctively she hooked her arms behind his, placing the flat of her hands on his back, pressing herself tightly against him.

'Hermione...' his voice was nothing less than a husky whisper.

'Harry, we really should go up to bed...'

'Now there's an idea,' said Harry, a smile in his voice.

Hermione gently shook her head, smiling. 'Just kiss me goodnight Harry and then I'm going.'

'That's what we sexy air-heads do best,' he told her as he did just that.

* * * * * * * * *

The next day, Hermione was determined to speak to Ginny, all the more so because Ginny had seemed so sad at breakfast that morning (which hopefully meant that things weren't going well with Malfoy).

After a gruelling, early morning session on the Quidditch pitch, Harry had showered and changed and then he and Hermione had gone to have some morning tea with Hagrid. Coming back from their visit, they'd seen Ginny heading up the marble staircase. Being fairly certain she was heading back to their common room, Hermione told Harry she'd meet him in the Great Hall later and ran to catch up with her. As soon as she was within earshot, she called out to Ginny who stopped and turned, giving Hermione a small smile as she came up beside her.

'Hi, Ginny. Going back to the common room?' Hermione asked.

Ginny nodded. Hermione noticed her eyes looked a little red, as though she'd been crying.

'Me too. I'll come with you,' said Hermione, falling in step with her.

The path to the portrait hole was basically deserted as most of the students, if not in the Library or Great Hall, were outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Hermione decided it was now or never.

'Ginny, I need to ask you something. It's a little personal but your answer is very important.'

Ginny gave Hermione a puzzled look and shrugged lightly as she said, 'Ask away.'

'Well, you know this boyfriend we've all been wondering about,' Ginny nodded so Hermione continued, 'are you still seeing him?'

Ginny stopped and turned to Hermione, frowning.

'Why do you ask?'

Hermione sounded rather desperate as she said, 'Ginny, please, you have to trust me - I hate saying that, but it's true - please just tell me, are you still seeing him?'

Tears rose in Ginny's eyes, spilling silently down her cheeks. She shook her head, unable to speak.

Hermione pulled her into a hug, her heart breaking for her friend. 'It's for the best, Ginny, you know it's for the best,' she murmured.

Ginny pulled away, wiping at her tears with her hands, staring at Hermione. 'What makes you say that?' she demanded, sniffing.

Hermione leaned forward to whisper; even though there was no one around she just couldn't say it out loud: 'Because we both know that you and Draco Malfoy would never have a future. It's completely impossible.'

Ginny's mouth dropped open as she gaped at Hermione.

Hermione put her arm around Ginny's shoulders, steering her in the direction of the portrait hole. 'Come on Ginny, let's go talk,' she told her.

Early that evening at dinner, Ron and Harry were eating as quickly as they could as they had to get to Quidditch practise. Between mouthfuls, Ron asked Hermione if she knew where Ginny was as it wasn't like her to miss dinner. Hermione had her story ready. She told Ron Ginny hadn't been feeling well that afternoon and she'd taken her up to see Madam Pomfrey who had given Ginny a potion, sending her to bed for the rest of the day.

'Hope she feels better tomorrow, it's not like Ginny to get sick,' he said when Hermione finished.

'I'm sure she will, Ron, don't worry,' said Harry, although he knew what the real problem was. Hermione had filled him in when she'd finally made it to the Great Hall to meet him as they'd arranged. He'd spent the afternoon, while Ginny and Hermione were talking, playing chess with Neville, Ron being busy with Luna. He told Hermione he wondered why Ron kept playing him when he always won because that's what it was like playing Neville - who was definitely no whiz at chess - and Harry found it a little tedious knowing he was going to win.

Hermione looked in on Ginny before she went to bed, pleased to find her sleeping peacefully. She'd been reassured by the talk earlier with Ginny - knowing that Ginny had called it off with Malfoy. Once he was gone from Hogwarts, Ginny would be able to spend the holidays getting over him and return to a Malfoy-free Hogwarts in September, although it seemed it could take a little longer than she thought for Ginny to put Malfoy behind her; she hadn't realised, until that afternoon, just how deep their feelings ran for each other. She shuddered. Draco Malfoy. What the hell was Ginny thinking?

* * * * * * * * *

The next few days passed in a blissful summer haze. With no homework, no study, no classes! -the seventh-years felt their holidays were already in full swing. Ron and Harry really didn't even mind all the Quidditch practice and when the morning of the final match dawned, it was with a cloudless sky that held the promise of yet another perfect summer's day.

As it was, there was not a teacher or a student left in the castle when the match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw commenced at eleven o'clock that Wednesday morning. Even Filch, along with the dreaded Mrs Norris, his cat, were to be seen skulking at the back of the Slytherin stand.

The Gryffindors could taste victory before the game had even started and the air of excitement surrounding them in the stands was almost tangible - after all, they had the best Seeker Hogwarts had seen for many a year: Harry Potter. And this was his last year at Hogwarts. And he was captain of the team. How else could he go out except with a win? Plus, the other member of the "dream team" as Snape had once sneeringly dubbed them, was Goal Keeper, Ron Weasley. Double trouble for the opposing team now that Ron had found his goal keeping feet.

Hermione couldn't sit still; she was beside herself with excitement. She, Neville and Ginny had made a banner that they hung across the front of their stand:

GRYFFINDOR WILL WIN!

POTTER + WEASLEY = THE QUIDDITCH CUP!

As Madam Hooch blew her whistle and released the Quaffle, signifying the start of the match, the crowd rose as one to its feet, the roar almost deafening. Luna had forsaken her fellow Ravenclaws this day to be with Hermione, Neville and Ginny, barracking for Ron. After all, he was far more important than a mere game she'd informed her housemates. The Creeveys were madly snapping away until one of the teachers put a silencing charm on their cameras because they were so distracting.

Hermione couldn't remember the game in a coherent fashion; she remembered covering her ears as Hagrid roared his approval behind her when Gryffindor scored first; then Neville picking her up and shaking her as though she was a salt dispenser when Ron, as Gryffindor Goal Keeper, stopped the Ravenclaws from scoring their first attempt at goal. But always, every second, she knew exactly where Harry was. He made her heart stop while he made it sing; her breath was trapped in her throat as he flew around the pitch, always at breakneck speed, looking for the elusive Snitch. He was in his natural element and it showed.

Nearly three-quarters of an hour into the match, the score was Gryffindor 70, Ravenclaw 40. Then Harry saw the Snitch. Hermione knew the moment he spotted it. She'd been watching him for so many years she was an expert on Harry's Seeking. Her heart was in her throat. It wasn't even beating. She wasn't breathing. Time stopped. Only Harry moved. He was a blur, hurtling directly towards the ground, his right hand outstretched. The Ravenclaw Seeker was too far away to stand a chance. If Hermione had been capable of making a sound, it would have been nothing more than a whimper. It was the same every time she watched him play Quidditch. Her thoughts were just a jumble. Harry. Oh, God. Please. Get it. Pull up. Catch it. Stop. Oh, God. Harry. Stop. Catch it. Please. Harry. Harry! It was as though some strange mantra was running through her head, independent of her own thoughts.

Then he had it. His fist was raised in victory as he rose up through them all, a look of total triumph evident on his face. Hermione could hear nothing but whether it was because of her own scream of victory or the noise of the whole crowd, she couldn't say. She didn't care. He'd won. Gryffindor had won. He was part of Hogwarts history and not just because he was Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, but because he was one of the best Seekers Gryffindor and Hogwarts had ever seen. And this was his last Quidditch game at his beloved Hogwarts. How marvellous it would be if Fred and George were here to celebrate with them! She never thought she'd miss the pranks those two would pull, but at times like this she did!

The whole Gryffindor team flew to hover ecstatically in front of the stand, waving and yelling, sending their supporters into a total frenzy. Harry, with his unerring skill, stopped right in front of Hermione in the first row, his right hand clutching his broom, his left arm encircling her small waist as he leaned over and pulled her out of the stand and onto his broom in front of him, totally oblivious to the jealousy this created in many of those watching.

Hermione threw her arms around Harry's neck in sheer fright even though his arm was still tightly holding her on the broom in front of him. She couldn't help herself because, despite her terror, she was more elated than she remembered ever being before in her whole life and she kissed him. They were both grinning madly as their lips separated.

'Harry!' she called above the noise of the crowd, 'I love you! You're brilliant - no, wonderful! No, wait - you're PERFECT!' She threw her head back and laughed, joining in the chant that had been taken up in the background: "Har-ry! Har-ry! Har-ry!"

The whole crowd, not just the Gryffindors, took up the chant. Except the Slytherins, of course, who would never join in such a thing.

Harry waited until Hermione was looking at him again. 'Hermione,' and although he was smiling he sounded solemn, 'I dedicate this moment to you and when I get a chance, I'll also dedicate it to Ron as my other saviour. Without the two of you - either of you - I wouldn't be here today.'

The youngest, most famous and infamous Seeker in a century, saviour of the wizard world (lining up for a second bite at that particular cherry), landed with the rest of his team, his heart filled with pride in his team; the girl he loved had her arms around him, kissing his face wherever she could reach it. He made sure he congratulated each and every one of his team mates, shaking their hands and drawing them into a one-armed hug, he and Ron hugging the hardest and longest of all, Hermione crying with joy between them. It was a wonderful, memorable day, guaranteed to make everyone present smile when they thought of it. Except, of course, for the Slytherins.

That evening, after a rather raucous dinner in the Great Hall with the awarding of the Cup by the Headmaster, Gryffindor Tower was awash with Butterbeer and Fire Whisky - and Gillywater for the younger years - because ALL Gryffindors, first-years and up, were included in the celebration. By eleven o'clock, all but the sixth and seventh-years were herded up to their dormitories and a small measure of calm descended upon the common room. Within an hour, most of the remaining students had either left for quieter and more private spots or gone to bed themselves. Harry, Ron and Hermione were in their customary spot before the fire, happily exhausted from the days' exertions and celebrations. Hermione was lying between her two friends, her head in Harry's lap.

'Now it's just the Ball to go and...' began Hermione.

'And we leave Hogwarts, never again to return as students,' finished Harry.

'Fully fledged, adult wizards,' added Ron.

Hermione pretended to clear her throat in a very loud manner.

'Oh, yeah! Sorry Hermione!' said Ron, turning to smile at her, 'Fully fledged adult wizards and witch! Can't forget the "baby" of our little trio!'

Hermione groaned, rolling her eyes.

'Actually, he's right, isn't he?' put in Harry.

'Rub it in, rub it in! Thanks you two!' she exclaimed.

'Nothing wrong with being the "baby" of the group Hermione,' said Ron, totally enjoying himself.

Picking up a wrapped sweet from the dish on the floor beside the lounge, Hermione threw it with startling accuracy, hitting Ron on the side of the head, causing her to double up with laughter as he shot her a look of amazement. Harry couldn't help but laugh either and Ron eventually stopped trying to pretend to be injured and laughed as well.

Then Harry remembered what he'd told Hermione earlier.

'Ron, I told Hermione this just after we won today and I haven't had a chance to say it to you. Just between the three of us, I dedicated our win today to you and Hermione because you're both my saviours. And as I said to Hermione, without you, or her, I wouldn't be here today. Thanks, mate.'

'Fair's fair,' replied Ron gruffly. 'We wouldn't be here without you either!'

The three of them laughed, each grabbing a Butterbeer to make the toast official.

'To us!' they cried, then fell about laughing.

* * * * * * * * *

In the Great Hall at dinner time the following Friday night, Professor Dumbledore asked that all seventh-years and any sixth-year partners remain behind when the meal was finished. Luna walked over to the Gryffindor table to meet up with Ron and they all waited until the Hall was empty of all but those students specified by the Headmaster.

When Professor Dumbledore, standing behind the teachers' table, stood and cleared his throat, the room quietened immediately. He smiled at them all, the trademark twinkle in his eye, then said, 'Tomorrow night's Ball is all organised which I'm sure you are pleased to hear. You will each be given your own, personalised invitation tonight without which you will not be able to attend the Ball so I would advise you not to lose it. All other information you require is on the parchment accompanying your invitation. The invitations are bewitched so that only the person whose name appears on them is able to read and use them. The same goes for the parchment containing all other instructions. This is to ensure that those students below sixth and seventh-years do not know the details of the Ball and so, avoid spoiling their enjoyment of their own Graduation Ball when the time comes. Please make sure you have your parchments before you leave the Hall. It's not something you would want to miss, I'm sure,' he finished, smiling graciously.

Ron and Luna decided to go to the Astronomy Tower to read their parchments so they could do it together. Harry and Hermione decided to join them as they knew the common room would still be full of younger students for many hours yet and they didn't want to wait that long before reading their own invitations.

They sat outside because it was such a mild, beautiful night, each breaking the seal on their invitations, Harry using his wand for the Lumos spell so they could see to read. The invitation was straight forward and had their names on it as Dumbledore had said it would, but it was the instructions they were interested in. They explained that a long-held tradition to maximise the enjoyment of the Ball for those yet to reach seventh-year, was that no one below the seventh-year (except their sixth-year partners) would know any details about it. Luna's instructions contained a small vial which she was to drink at the end of the evening, so that she would actually forget all details of the Ball until the night of her own Graduation Ball when she would remember everything.

'No wonder we never heard about it from anyone,' commented Harry.

'It's all rather ingenious, isn't it?' said Hermione. The instructions went on to say that at seven o'clock on Saturday evening they were to sit on their beds, dressed and ready for the Ball, holding their invitations. Any sixth-years would have to join a seventh-year; Luna said she'd be going to Padma Patil's dormitory. Each invitation was a Portkey and so each student would be transported to the location where the Ball was being held at seven o'clock. They would be arriving, the instructions continued, in an Antechamber where their invitations would be kept as they were also a Portkey to return to the castle and also it would give partners time to find each other before proceeding into the Ballroom.

Once everyone was in the main Ballroom, you could leave at anytime by simply returning to the Antechamber and picking up your invitation, although everyone was warned not to do this unless they had no wish to return to the Ball as it wouldn't be possible once they'd left. The Ball would end at one o'clock in the morning and - to everyone's delight - this was the one night of the year when the Hogwarts feared and hated caretaker, Argus Filch, would NOT be prowling the corridors, although he always grumbled mightily about this. They would be transported back to the Great Hall and from there they would then have to make their own way back to their dormitories. Eventually.

'Quite simple, really,' said Luna as she rolled up her parchment.

'I can't wait!' exclaimed Hermione. Harry shot her a look that made her smile sweetly at him. She knew he was thinking about her "surprise" and that it was driving him crazy. No crazier than he's driving me, though - he really doesn't realise what he does to me. One day, I might tell him about my DLTs. She giggled, feeling very happy and excited - and full of anticipation. It was going to be a wonderful night!