The Seventh Year Soap Opera

The Seventh Year Soap Opera

RECAP OF CHAPTER TWENTY ONE-Graduation: It's graduation! The gang exchanges presents, takes pictures, Ron makes the announcement that he and Eloise will be moving in together, Harry is looking into staying with Remus, Hermione tries to deliver a speech, but can't find the words, she and Ron share a kiss in the rain.

Chapter Twenty-Two-Graduation Party

Ron and Hermione didn't speak as they walked into the castle, and when they entered the Great Hall, still wet and muddy, no one looked up. Ron was fine with that; he didn't think his mother would appreciate the state his robes were in. He muttered a drying and cleaning spell on himself, but it didn't help much. His robes still clung uncomfortably to his lean form, and they were wrinkled in several places.

Ron ran a hand through his hair, and turned his attention up to the stage, where the seventh years were now accepting certificates from Professor McGonagall. Eloise's name was called, and she stood up and walked proudly over to her professor, and took the certificate. She caught Ron's eye on the way back to her seat and he knew exactly what her look meant. She wanted to talk.

Great, Ron thought. Just the thing that I don't want to do. He glanced sideways at Hermione, but she was staring at the stage, and gently tucking her messy hair behind her ears. Ron wondered what had happened to her onstage. She had started the speech wonderfully, and then had suddenly blurted, "Yes I have, and it's all because you love me!"

Battle of the brains, he thought wryly to himself. Harry was now receiving his certificate, but he seemed troubled, even though he had a huge smile on his face. Ron sighed and looked down at the ground, his mind now returning to the kiss he had just shared with Hermione. There was only word for it--perfect.

But in the end, Ron knew she wouldn't leave Viktor. Viktor had money, and would support her through thick and thin. He had a calming personality, and had drifted out of his surly stage. Unlike Ron, he did not act on his impulses, and was not wild, but thought through every decision and chose the best one. Ron knew Hermione would be happy; she loved Viktor. That kiss had just been an escape from her troubles, just like when Harry had gone away.

Ron was strangely at peace with her unspoken decision, even though he was drowning in pain and sadness inside. Would he ever find love? Would he ever love anyone besides Hermione? Could anyone ever compare? He had his whole life ahead of him after all.

"Mr. Weasley, your certificate," said a voice, snapping him back to reality. Professor McGonagall, along with Dumbledore, was holding him a yellow-brown piece of parchment that was rolled up, held together by a thin, purple ribbon. The ceremony was over and people were beginning to fill out of the hall, chatting happily.

But Ron did not feel happy at all. "Thanks, Professor," he said gruffly, and then he had her in a hug. She seemed surprised, but gave him a small smile and handed Hermione hers. Ron shook hands with Dumbledore, who winked at him, and then heard a shrill voice--

"Ronald Weasley!" His mother and father, along with the Grangers, Harry, Eloise, and Ginny, were walking over to him and Hermione. His mother looked at him questioningly. "Walking out on your graduation like that! Why on earth..." Her voice trailed off as her eyes fell on Hermione. "Dear, you look a fright! Quite peaky, are you alright?"

Hermione, who had not performed the drying or cleaning spell on herself, merely nodded, and exchanged a look with her mother. Soon, mother and daughter were hugging, and Hermione's face was unreadable. "I'm so sorry I ran out on my speech daddy," she said to her father, once pulling from her mother's grasp. She sounded like a lost girl in a supermarket, and her voice trembled. "I just--I couldn't, and...I don't know why, really, I don't have stage fright--I-I've given speeches before...I feel like such a fool..."

Tears were sparkling in her eyes again. "It's quite alright, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore said, "I remember I was to give a speech in front of the Ministry in my youth. I had the parchment, it was a brilliant speech, actually, and I walked up to the podium...and suddenly burst into giggles. I couldn't stop myself--my brother Aberforth was impressed if I recall, but I was so embarrassed."

He smiled at her, nodded at Harry, and walked away with McGonagall on his heels. "I can't believe we're really leaving this," said Harry.

"No more Malfoy," said Ginny.

"Hey, did you know his father was sent to Azkaban this morning? The Ministry found some Dark Items under the drawing room floor. He's not getting out."

"No he's not, and it serves him right," said Arthur.

Everyone was silent, as they basked in happiness for Lucius Malfoy's arrest.

"Hang on, when did you come?" said Ron to Ginny.

"Oh," and she had a grin on her face, "I snuck in." Mrs. Weasley tutted.

"Well, I suppose we'll see you lot in the morning," Arthur said, arranging his hat, "Molly, Ted, Courtney, shall we?"

"Goodbye Charlie," Hermione and Ron said to their baby, as Mrs. Granger walked out of the room.

Eloise jumped up and down. "Are you coming to the graduation party?" she asked. "It's going to be on the Quidditch Pitch at ten tonight. It's supposed to be a secret from the teachers, but Dumbledore knows, and he said he's going to have loads of butterbeer there!"

"I'll go," Harry said, looking glum, "I'm going to miss it here and I don't want to miss out on anything."

"Well, I'm coming," said Ginny, "Anyone who tells me I can't come because I'm a sixth year will get hexed."

"Ron?"

He shrugged. "Hermione?" he said. She smiled weakly at him, and looked at Harry.

"Would you mind if I don't go? I'm tired and..."

"I don't mind," said Harry gently. He whipped out his wand and performed the drying and cleaning spells on her.

"I'm taking a nap," she said, and she walked off, while Eloise and Ginny went to find Parvati and Lavendar.

"What happened out there mate?" said Harry, once they had left.

"She was crying and I comforted her...and kissed her."

"What? But Ron, she's engaged."

"Don't you think I know that Harry? It didn't mean a thing anyway, she's still head over heels for Krum."

Harry shook his head. "You two will never learn. I didn't believe that story when you and Hermione said it to me, and I still don't believe it. You love each other, it's not a secret."

"I know I love her, Harry, but it's not mutual. Like I've said over and over, the girl doesn't know what her priorities are! Gosh, how can I love someone who aggravates me so?"

"It's like Arabella said. Fiery is where the passion is. That's why Hermione and I didn't work out; we got bored with each other."

"Well, that was a given..."

They began to walk out of the hall and to the Gryffindor Common Room. Once inside, they went over to Dean, Seamus, and Neville, who were playing exploding snap. "We've played this game too many times. I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight," they said, and Ron trudged up the stairs, into the quiet room, plopped on his bed, and fell asleep almost immediately.

**

When Hermione woke up, it was completely dark outside. She rubbed her head and got out of bed, and looked out the window. It was pitch black, but she could see bright lights in the distance, accompanied by shouts and laughter.

"The graduation party," she murmured. Suddenly, she felt sick and alone. She just wanted the world to swallow her up and put her out of her misery. She was now an adult, would be without her friends after tomorrow had a child to raise, and she had to deal with the haunting fact that she had cheated on her fiancé and they weren't even married yet.

Sighing, she remembered the letter and present Viktor had delivered to her this morning. She pulled the items from her pocket and set them on her bed. Then, she turned on the light, and sat back on the bed, staring at the carefully packaged gift. She opened the letter first.

Dearest Hermione,

But you are doing something more important today. You are graduating from Hogwarts, the place you have called home for many years. You are feeling lonely, I know, and very sad to be leaving all of the memories behind you.

But I do not want you to feel glum on this special day. You should feel very happy, because you will soon be making new memories and meeting new people. You are about to begin your life as an adult, and it will be difficult, yet brilliant.

Today I want you to enjoy yourself. There are probably many happy activities taking place and it would probably do you good to go. Do not fret about the future, Hermione, make the most of what you have right now. At this moment.

Your present is satisfactory I hope. I will be seeing you soon.

Love,

Viktor

Hermione folded the letter and felt tears prickle in her eyes. He was the best man alive; how did he know exactly what she was feeling? He understood her more than she understood herself. "I love you Viktor," she said softly to herself, but an image of Ron polluted her mind. "Get out!" she said loudly, and her mind obeyed. Now a picture of Viktor glowed inside her, wearing Bulgarian Quidditch Robes, and smiling. Well, not smiling--smirking. Viktor did not smile.

She sighed again, and held his present in her palm. She opened it eagerly, not even bothering to keep the paper in tact. A small blue box was in her hand and she opened it. Inside was a small scrap of paper with Viktor's handwriting in it. This is the heirloom that has been in my family for several generations. My great-great-great-great-great grandfather gave this to his wife as an engagement ring. When they had their first son, it was passed to him and he gave it to his wife and so on. I decided to go against tradition when I got you the engagement ring from Arabella, and my mother found out and threw a fit. So before she could skin me alive, I decided to give this to you. The initials are R..S. and they stand for Rosemary Sven, my mother. The initials change when it is passed on to another woman about to be married into the family.

Hermione put the scrap of parchment aside and pulled the ring out of the blue box. It was a small, delicate ring that looked homemade (which it probably is, thought Hermione). It was silver, with little slivers of blue and gold and black. In the middle, was a stone that was a red color. On top of the stone were the initials R .S. , in blue, but as Hermione slipped the ring onto her finger, they slowly burned gold, turned into silver H.G., and changed blue again.

Hermione gasped; the ring was extraordinary. She pulled off her engagement ring from her left finger, placed it in the box and moved this heirloom ring to her finger instead. She loved it. In a much happier mood, Hermione decided she would attend the graduation party; after all, hadn't Viktor said it would be good for her?

She skipped into the bathroom, smoothed her robes, and redid her hair. Then, she turned off the light, and practically flew down the stairs, nothing on her mind but the ring. "I thought you weren't going to the party," a voice said.

Her heart stopped and all of the happiness she had just been feeling drained out of her like a balloon. She couldn't see him in the darkness of the Common Room, but she knew the voice was Ron's. "Lumos," she muttered, and her wand tip glowed. He was sitting on the couch wearing his pajamas, his expression unreadable.

"I changed my mind," she said simply. This is good, she thought. Talking is good. "Why are you sitting here in the dark?"

"It helps me think," he said.

"Oh."

"What's that on your finger?" he asked suddenly, pointing at her hand. "That's not your engagement ring." His tone was almost accusatory.

"Could we turn on the lights?"

Ron stood up, walked across the room, and flicked on the lights, and headed back to the couch. "So?"

"It's the heirloom ring in the Krum family," she said, feeling awkward.

"Let me see it." Uncertainly, Hermione walked over to the couch, sat next to him, and held out her hand. "Nice," he said, barely looking at it. "I have something for you too."

"I already got my present," Hermione said, confused.

"No, you got the present that Harry and I made together. This one is the one from me to you. No Harry involved. But it's not wrapped, so now you can't take forever to open it."

Hermione chuckled, and then there was silence. "Well, where is it?"

"Right," he said, and he no longer had the cool voice; his tone was now dripping with nervousness and Hermione could see that his cheeks were pink. He unfolded his hand slowly.

It was a pin, a beautiful book pin. It was golden, radiant, and eye catching, and yet so simple. "Ron...it's lovely," she said, taking it out of his hand and fingering it lovingly.

"It's a locket too," he said, now eager. "See?" He opened it for her, and she could see on the left side, it read: From Ron Weasley to Hermione Granger. On the right side, was a small photo of Charlie, giggling, and looking adorable with his baby blue eyes and the tuft of red hair in the middle of his head. Hermione smiled through her tears and threw herself into Ron's arms, giving him a hug. He patted her back soothingly and he let her go. When she had let go, and was wiping her eyes, he closed the locket, and pinned the golden book onto the collar of her scarlet robes. "So you have a book with you at all times. To keep you sane."

Hermione laughed. "Thanks Ron," she said. "I'll wear it always."

"You'd better, it was expensive."

"Well, I...better get to the party."

Ron cleared his throat and nodded. "See you tomorrow."

Hermione looked at him for a moment, directly into his mesmerizing blue eyes, opened her mouth, closed it, and then walked out of the room. When she had closed the door, Ron stood up, walked across the room, turned the lights back off, sat back down on the couch, and lost himself in his thoughts once more.

**

Harry smiled as Ginny threw her arms around him and gave him another kiss. The seventh year boys, and some of the girls, raised their butterbeer bottles and cheered madly. "Boy Who Lived Gets Seduced By Beautiful Redhead!" called Dean.

Harry laughed. "Great Artist Paints Crazy Girl Wearing Blue Robes With Yellow Ribbons!" he shouted, and everyone cheered again.

"Hey, Mr. Potter, I like my robes, thank you very much," Parvati said, kissing Dean. "And so does the Great Artist."

"You Gryffindors are making me truly sick," came a drawling voice. Malfoy was approaching with his thugs.

"It's not only us Gryffindors," protested Seamus, "Look at Lisa and Terry."

Terry Boot and Lisa Turpin, who were Ravenclaws, looked unabashed. "If you don't like it Draco, you can leave," said Lisa hotly, tossing her soft brown hair.

"Ooooh," everyone groaned.

"Grow up," Malfoy snapped.

Harry laughed. "Look who's talking."

"Ooooh."

"You want another scar, Potter?" Malfoy challenged, his pale, pointed face filled with anger. Everyone was silent.

"What did you say?" said Harry, his voice echoing around the stadium. He was feeling really angry, why did Malfoy always manage to get under his skin?

"Harry, drop it," said Ginny. Her voice was sharp.

"You're going to let that Weasel boss you around like that Potter?"

"Why don't you just sod off?" said someone in the crowd of Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, and Ravenclaws.

"Let's have it out, Potter, right here, right now," said Malfoy.

"Why? Feeling especially angry right now because I got more awards than you, or something?" said Harry. Malfoy was being ridiculous.

"You know why, Potter."

"Er, no I don't."

"Don't read the Daily Prophet anymore, do you?"

"Not really." And then it dawned on him. "Your father was sent to prison this morning," he recalled blandly.

"Yes he was," said Malfoy glaring.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"Well, Harry, you were the one who exposed him as a Death Eater and made him get on probation..." Ginny reminded him.

"Oh, right. Look Malfoy, I don't want to fight you," said Harry, feeling very irritated.

"I want to pound in your face in!" said Malfoy angrily, whipping out his wand. Everyone gasped.

"You put that away this instant!" shrieked Ginny.

"Like I'm going to listen to you." His wand was pointed directly at Harry's face.

Harry wasn't afraid, and he wondered why. Malfoy could kill him if he wanted to. "Malfoy, put the wand away," said Seamus. It was no use, Harry reasoned, Malfoy wouldn't listen to anything they said. The Slytherins sniggered. Malfoy cleared his throat. "Cru--

"Petrificus Totalus!" roared an angry voice far away, and Malfoy stiffened and fell backward onto the ground. Everyone gasped again. Hermione was walking out onto the dark field, tucking her wand into her robes, looking murderous. She exchanged a meaningful look with Harry, who smiled, and looked down at his body. "Who spiked the butterbeer?" she demanded.

Blank looks spread out on everyone's face. This seemed to make Hermione even angrier. "Look, I know that Malfoy wouldn't just whip out his wand and curse someone to that extent right in front of everyone! Then, he'd have a lot of witnesses against him on trial; he was drunk, or didn't anyone notice?" Her eyes glowed dangerously. "Who spiked the butterbeer?" she asked again, in a low, harsh voice that Harry had never seen her use before.

Some boy with dark hair raised his hand. "Michael?" Ginny gasped. "Michael Corner?"

"I did," he said.

"Well, thanks to you, Harry almost got tortured," Hermione said icily. "You're in Ravenclaw; you're supposed to have some sense! I am so disgusted that someone would do that; we're all underage! Take away all the spiked butterbeer now, and ask Dumbledore if there is anymore."

"But we'd have to tell him why--"

"No, you'd have to tell him why. Do it now." Michael scowled, but Harry supposed he wouldn't dare talk back to Hermione. Her voice and her face and especially her eyes, had never looked so dangerous. Michael obediently walked over to a table with butterbeer bottles, levitated them, an started to walk to the castle.

Hermione turned to a group of Slytherins standing nearby. "Get him out of here," she ordered, pointing to Malfoy.

"I'm not going to listen--" Pansy started, but Hermione cut her off.

"You are going to listen. Take him to the castle now, and make sure he stays there. Unless you'd rather I finish him off right here right now."

Pansy rolled her eyes, and nodded to Crabbe and Goyle. They picked up Malfoy as one and began to take him to the castle. Pansy followed and then there was silence on the Quidditch Field.

"Way to go, Hermster!" said Seamus.

Hermione gave him a funny look as everyone cheered. "What did you call me?" she asked.

"It's your nickname," Harry whispered. "Thanks for that by the way."

Hermione turned to him and smiled. "You're my friend Harry. I'll always be there for you, just like you will for me." Harry grinned at the quotation of his own words. "Besides, I know what the Cruciatus is like, remember. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"Ron's going to be mad he missed that," Harry said, but Hermione didn't smile. She looked at the decorations on the Quidditch Pitch.

"This looks nice, doesn't it?" she said, indicating the sparklers levitating in the air, the different house banners glowing and also levitating in the air, and the tables of food. "Are those sugar quills over there? Ron first gave me one in third year...we were sitting in the Three Broomsticks, sipping butterbeer and he just whipped one out of his pockets...you weren't there because you didn't have permission, but...Ginny, I like your necklace."

"Thanks," said Ginny, "I like it too." Harry glowed; it was the one he had given her last night and he told Hermione so.

"That's good," she said, twisting a ring on her finger, and looking hopelessly withdrawn. There were tears in her eyes.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" said Harry.

"You almost got hurt!" she said shrilly. "I've practically lost one friend already, I don't need you to go too!"

"Hermione, I'm fine," Harry said, giving her a hug and Ginny looked concerned over her shoulder, "I'm not going anywhere."

She pulled away. "Look!" she said, tugging at something on the collar on her robes. She ripped it off and shoved it into Harry's hand. It was a book pendant, rather pretty. "Why would Ron give me something as good as this if he wasn't leaving me?"

Obviously, the conversation had turned, Harry mused. Ron was the topic now. "Because he loves you. He wants the best for you. He's not going anywhere either."

"Harry's right Hermione," said Ginny looking out of place, "Ron wouldn't leave you."

"Wouldn't he? I mean, he's obviously upset because I love Viktor and he's already got plans to move in with Eloise...he didn't even tell me that...what if he decides he can't deal with seeing Viktor and I together every day, or that Viktor is going to be as much as Charlie's father that he is? He's jealous, a-and you know how he is! He just kind of builds his feelings inside of him, and then they suddenly explode. W-What if all that anger just reaches a climax a-and he just walks away? I know you two think that's impossible, because Ginny, you're his sister, and Harry, you're his best friend, but I know he could do something like that. I know him more than anything; he's like a book I've read a thousand times! And I-I'm scared, because I don't want him to go, b-but my feelings are just coming out of nowhere and--ugh!"

She began to break down completely and Harry and Ginny were so bewildered by her behavior. Harry just couldn't see Ron abandoning her and Charlie, and she was one to talk about building up feelings. "Hermione, I--" he started hopelessly. "Why don't you just go talk to him about it?"

This was the apparently the wrong thing to say. "No, I can't talk to him about it! What would he think of me? He'd think I was calling him an incompetent father and person all together! Are you daft Harry? Have you been drinking that spiked butterbeer?"

He had.

"You're right, Hermione, but I just don't see that happening."

"I don't either," added Ginny.

"I do," said Eloise's voice. She was striding over to them with untainted butterbeer, and she handed one to Hermione. "Ron's capable of anything. It's that Weasley Temper."

"What do you know about a Weasley Temper?" said Ginny heatedly.

Eloise looked at her knowingly. "I rest my case," she said. "I'll talk to him for you," she added to Hermione.

"I don't need you to do me any favors," Hermione snapped.

"Fine," said Eloise haughtily, now looking as though she wanted very much to take away the butterbeer that she had just handed Hermione. "It's not like Ron would listen to me, right? I'm just the girl who tried to curse off her pimples, at least that's how you lot see me. For your information, Ron and I have a good relationship. Why else would he move in with me? He doesn't only hang around with you three, you know. I'm sorry I offered."

And she walked off looking hurt. "Well, that's lovely!" Hermione said loudly. "I'm going to bed, can I have my pendant back Harry?"

Harry handed her the golden book pendant, and she clasped it in her hand protectively, and walked away to the castle. Ginny turned to Harry. "And that's why you shouldn't have sex as a teen. Look at all the problems it causes," she said, giving him a knowing look.

Harry went red.