Memories to Last a Lifetime

"And now, this year's chosen class speaker, Ms. Hermione Granger."

I slowly got up from my seat and approached the podium. I looked down at Harry and Ron, they both smiled at me and Ron flashed me a quick thumbs up. Those small gestures gave me that little bit of extra confidence. I took a deep shaky breath and started,

"Well here we are. We've counted down the days on our calendars and marked the day with a big read circle. Well at least I have." An appreciative chuckle rippled through the crowd. "The past years have been the best years of my life, full of new experiences and meeting new people," I paused as I scanned the group of students before me. "Some enemies." I glanced directly at Pansy Parkinson and her group of Slytherin girls. "Some unexpected friends." I glanced at Draco who typically smirked in response. "And making best friends anyone could ever ask for." I smiled at Ron and Harry, tears pricking in my eyes. "Do you guys remember the first Potions class with Professor Snape?" I grinned as my fellow Gryffindors giggled. "Sorry Professor. Or how about getting into those little rickety boats and looking upon Hogwarts for the first time? I know I do. Pretty scary, it was so intimidating. But take a look around. Now it isn't so scary and doesn't seem so big, does it? But I know the greatest memory for all of us was that day." I knew the students knew immediately what I was talking about because they nodded. "I think that day brought the whole school closer together. I remember walking amidst the grounds and seeing Slytherins helping Gryffindors and Ravenclaws helping Hufflepuffs. But along with the triumphs came defeats. The death of our dear Professor Sprout, Professor Sinsta and Madam Hooch. Our fellow classmates and friends Hannah Abbott, Blaise Zabini, Vincent Goyle, Padma Partil, Maria Medeko, and Josie McKay. Those brave students in this years graduating class but there were many who walked the halls with us, that we never talked to that also passed on. And each one will be greatly missed." There was barely a dry eye in the house. "This year, two of the many greatest minds over the years at Hogwarts will graduate, many Quidditch players have received invitations to play for professional Quidditch teams, a select few were accepted into Auror training, and another select few accepted into prominent wizarding schools, plus the defeat of Voldemort. I'd say we are one of the most successful classes to walked the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." I laughed as my friends and classmates cheered and whooped loudly. "But in time these halls will fill with students who never saw us studying in the library, lounging by the lake or play Quidditch. Our yearbook will be placed on the shelf with the many before us and we will be forgotten." The Great Hall filled with a heavy silence. I knew none of them, not even me wanted to hear those words. "But we will never forget each other. We will always be the Graduating Class of 1998!" My classmates cheered loudly and hugged each other and finally over the top of my classmates voices I shouted, "LET THE PARTY BEGIN!" I bounded down the stairs to Harry and Ron. These last few moment were memories to last a lifetime.