Perago

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Prologue: Here's To a Better Life...Right?

"Miss Hermione Granger."

Applause followed Hermione all the way up to the podium. She received the diploma from Dumbledore, and looked at the crowd. Fretting her hands, and picking on the sleeves of the robes, she stood in front of the school, prepared to speak.

"I...I...I think I forgot what I was about to say," she admitted, blushing hard when laughter erupted. Straightening up, she took a deep breath, and improvised. "Normally, people begin these speeches with your typical 'I didn't think we'd make it'. In fact, I actually started my first twenty attempts at a speech with that exact phrase as well. But now I'd like to correct myself. I will not say that I didn't think we'd make it. Because deep down, all of who are here today knew they'd make it.

"We can admit it's been a bumpy ride and for a few of us, it's been too bumpy. When I entered this school I had one goal in mind: proving myself. Prove the fact that blood doesn't matter when it comes to us bookworms." Hermione was encouraged by the silent laughter, and continued, "Of course, I also wanted to get out of here being the Valedictorian of our class." More laughter followed. "I most certainly didn't expect finding two lunatics who'd get me into trouble and in my first year as well. But that is what you can expect when you come to Hogwarts. The unexpected.

"In seven years, we have experienced enough to prepare us for the world outside. We've been proven that Slytherins aren't always spawn-of-the-devil. Some even found friends in them. We learnt that blood doesn't matter. We stood together. The old Sorting Hat should be proud that we actually listened to it for once." Hermione smiled content that she was making her audience laugh. "We lost the biggest enemy, but we will find others. We might think we know what waits for us outside Hogwarts, but we don't.

"We're adults now; we should put differences behind, and look forward to a new future. Hogwarts class of 98, I salute you. To a better life!" she shouted excitedly, waving her diploma in the air, while the other students followed her example laughing and cheering.

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"I can't believe we are leaving forever," Ron commented, once Hermione had joined them again.

"I'm going to miss this place," Hermione answered, smiling sadly.

"Hey, guys? Please? I still have another year to go, okay? I can't believe you're abandoning me here," Ginny said, pouting at them.

"We're not abandoning you, Gin," Harry answered, chuckling softly.

"Next year is going to be a bore without you three here. No adventure, no nothing. Just N.E.W.T.s. Even my boyfriend is leaving me!"

"Aha! So it's a seventh year! Who is it, Gin? Come on, spill!" Ron started poking Ginny's head.

"Ronald Weasley, remove that finger from the vicinity of my head, or god help me, I'll bite it off!" Ginny bellowed angrily.

Laughing at her friend's antics, Hermione turned around to survey the Great Hall. Small groups of students were surrounded by their parents and people spread all over the hall. The few remaining Slytherins stood in a far corner, excluded. Hermione fumed. No body had listened to her speech. The five Slytherins that remained were of no threat whatsoever. Hermione knew as she actually knew each of them personally. Millicent Bulstrode, for example, was an excellent Herbology student, and far more intelligent than people gave her credit for. Pansy Parkinson was a very protective friend, not to mention she delivered nasty remarks for free, but Hermione had enjoyed tutoring her in Transfiguration in their sixth year, and she'd adventure to say that Pansy now had a different opinion on Hermione as well. Draco Malfoy was ...different. Hermione knew he couldn't exactly be called redeemed, hell; the boy could conquer the world the next day for all Hermione knew. However, he was a better person now that his father had no power over him. In all honesty, she couldn't claim she knew him all that well. Ginny knew him better. Hermione snickered; Ron would have a fit if he'd know Draco was his sister's boyfriend. Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini were the only two boys from the group of Slytherins that Hermione didn't know well. She had just met them in Arithmancy, and maybe got them out from the range of a curse during the final battle. Other than that, they were a mystery. The only knowledge she did have was that Theodore Nott was currently dating Padma Patil.

Two arms slung over Hermione's shoulders. She turned around to look into the smiling faces of Fred and George Weasley.

"What's wrong, Mione," they asked in a cooing voice. "Going to miss old Hoggy-warts?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "How do you guys live through the day knowing you never had a graduation?"

"Oh, oh! Touché!"

"Hermsy, be not so harsh to us! You had enough time to do it in your fifth year," the other replied. Hermione couldn't help but laugh loudly at the memory.

"Look at her Forge! Laughing at our expense! Remembering the times she tortured us! The times she almost destroyed our business!" Gred sighed dramatically.

"Boys, I think you should give Hermione a rest, she's going to explode laughing," a deep baritone voice came from behind them.

"Billie, old chap! How's it going?" The twins jumped on the older brother.

"Ah look! My hero!" Hermione joined them in their reunion.

"Madmoiselle!" Bill bowed down elegantly.

"Ah shucks, you shouldn't, Bill. We're brothers!"

"Cut it out, George, I was talking to Hermione."

"I'm not George! He's George!" George pointed in Fred's direction.

"Think I wouldn't know my brother? Besides, you were the copy cat who decided to pierce his ear. Just like your older brother. Now I can finally distinguish you two."

"Forge, I think we should let our hair grow, to be more like Bill. Our idol!"

"Please Bill! Sign my book!" Fred laughed.

"Guys, why don't you go bother someone else, I want a private chat with Hermione. Try and get Ginny off from Ron, last I saw them she was trying to bite his finger off."

"Our baby sister would make a great Wheezes member!"

"Duty calls!"

"See you at dinner, Hermsy," they both yelled, running outside the hall to look for the youngest siblings.

"Bye!" Hermione shouted back. Shaking her head, she turned to Bill. "I really don't get Ginny when she says holidays are a bore. You guys are too much."

"Probably because she's missing her boyfriend. Although I don't get how one could miss Malfoy," replied Bill.

"How did you know?"

"Apparently being the oldest brother makes me into the most trustable. She told me during one of her breakdowns while I was petting her back. Tell you this; I was more than a little surprised. Of course I swore secrecy, but that's because my dearest sister had me under death threat. If I spill anything, she swore to damage several parts of my anatomy I can't do without. Funny that one. But I wasn't here to talk about my little sister's love life. I heard you were admitted into Salem University."

"Yes! I can hardly wait! I heard it is the toughest university to get accepted to, and I'm one of the few Hogwarts students to ever make it," Hermione answered, beaming proudly.

"Congratulations! Hopefully, in the next year or so I'll be having you as a partner. Don't give me that look! Ginny told me you were heading for the Curse Breaker career."

"That girl can't keep her mouth shut, can she? Yes, well, if I do get out of University alive you best watch out," she replied.

"This is where you laugh maniacally Hermione," Bill whispered.

"Oh you just had to be a Weasley," she answered, laughing.

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**August 31st, noon**

"Toothbrush?"

"Check."

"Clothes?"

"Check."

"Hair brush?"

"Check."

"Socks?"

"Twenty pairs. Check."

"Underwear?"

"For Pete's sake, check."

"Books?"

"Check."

"Condoms?"

"Mother!"

"What? Hermione dear, you never know when the chance arrives!"

"Fine. There. Happy?"

"Very."

"Good. What am I missing? I know I'm missing something."

"The cat?"

"Crookshanks! Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry, I forgot about you."

"There, all ready. Oh honey, I can't believe you're going to university! I'm so proud of you! My daughter going to the best university for magic in the world!"

"I'm going to miss this place."

"Come on, sweetie, give me a hug."

"Mmmmh. I love you Mom."

"Love you too."

"I'm gonna say bye to the room and join you and Dad in the kitchen, okay?"

"Sure thing. Don't take long."

"I won't."

Hermione surveyed her room sadly. The yellow curtains were closely pulled together, all light gone from the room. Her white bed, her desk, her dresser, her favourite black armchair, her books. In Salem, she'd have none of those. Sighing softly, she turned around and went to the door. Before closing it, she gave her room one last glance, just like she used to do every year before school; only that this year she didn't say her normal good bye. Her eyes skimmed over the wall full of photos of her friends. She smiled widely. Ron was now the Chudley Cannons' Keeper and Harry was starting his Auror training. Every friend of hers was doing something they liked. The world was a safer place now. Her eyes stopped on her graduation photo. "To a better life, guys. For everyone," she whispered as she closed the door.