Chapter 10 (Gasp!)
Disclaimer: After ten chapters, you'd think they'd get the message. That I really am not JK Rowling and never will be, seeing as my initials are NCB. It just wouldn't work. I don't own Harry Potter, nor do I particularly want to. I happen to be stalking Draco at the moment, and I never stalk more than one person. Well, sometimes I make an exception. I just hope Rowling's not about to put a restraining order on me. Then I'd die. 8-) Stop looking at me.
Rating: R
Author's Note: WELL! After getting so many wonderful reviews, I got right to it and started writing. Just so I could make all of you happy. Your reviews were eloquent, long, helpful, brilliant, and they got me all teary eyed. I was quite taken aback at all the reviews I received after only one day. I knew I'd have to finish this chapter as soon as possible. And the story.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. After practically every one of you said you wanted Option 1, adding the fact that I was not looking forward to doing Option 2, I decided which one I'm going to do. Option 3! Just kidding. There is no Option 3. Hahahahahaha. Aren't I funny? You people- Um.... no. Me- Oh... all right then.
Anyways. Heh. Option 1 was my choice. So this is the last chapter of Know Your Enemy. *Jumps on bed and sobs dramatically* Oh don't act like that. You knew it had to end some time. But don't you worry. Check my bio every once in awhile (like, every day) for the first chapter of....... Know Yourself. Heh. I'm not creative. I don't try to be. 8-) Well enough of this. Stop reading my blubbering and start reading the chapter. I wouldn't be surprised if you had already skipped over it. Good for you. It's just my incessant rambling, after all.
Oh wait. Don't you want to read the responces to your reviews? Well! They're in a separate chapter. The next one. So chapter 11 is the responses to your reviews, because I'm lazy and don't feel like typing it here and making such a long Author's Note.
I know this took awhile to get out, but I had school (we get our marks back this week!) to work through. And then I got all miserable because this fic is ending. So I started moping, and I couldn't write anything for a couple days. I started up again, but this chapter doesn't have much slash because I'm not in a slashy mood. But you WILL get slash in the sequel. I promise you!
So enjoy this, and let me know what you thought. Ah revoir, mes amies! (Translation: Fuck the translation and read the story. 8-) Love you).
Everyone was relaxing in the Potions classroom. Sound strange? I'll bet it does. We were relaxing because we'd just finished our Potions final. And it was the last of our NEWTs. Now we had a full week to just wait around and see what our marks would be.
But the Potions exam had been partciularly difficult. Snape had been breathing over my shoulder for the past two hours. We'd been making a very complex potion, which only added to the fear. I was terrified that I'd fail the exam. Then I'd be screwed. Luckily, I felt I'd done all right.
I had my head on the table in front of me, and I was just starting to doze off, when Professor Dumbledore walked into the room. Ron poked me and I sat up straight, and said "What did I miss?" rather loudly.
"Not a thing, Harry. But I would advise you to stay awake during class," Dumbledore said. My cheeks reddened slightly, and I nodded. Then Dumbledore went and stood next to Snape.
"Good afternoon, Albus," Snape said, and Dumbledore nodded at him.
"Traditionally at Hogwarts, the Head Boy and Girl make speeches at the graduation ceremony," Dumbledore said, and Hermione and Draco both sat up straight. "Which would mean, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy are to speak at your graduation ceremony. I'm sure they will do a fine job."
Draco's hand shot into the air. Dumbledore called on him.
"I don't want to make a speech. I hate making speeches. Please don't make me speak in front of people. I hate doing that!" he begged. Dumbledore smiled.
"Every year, at least one of the two selections says that. I still don't know what to tell you. But my advice is, think of it as a few words. Just pick a fond memory, and talk about it. It's quite easy," the wise man said, and Draco nodded. "Goodbye." He then smiled and walked out of the Potions classroom. It was strange, seeing as Dumbledore doesn't usually come to the classroom at all. I figured it was because the Head Boy and Girl were in that class together.
"You're free to go. At least I won't have to see any of your faces again," Snape said. I was shocked, to say the least. Snape usually says horrible things, but not quite like that. But already people were bolting for the door. Seamus stuck his head back in.
"We won't have to see your face, either," he shouted, saluted Snape and took off. Ron and Dean were dying of laughter as they went out of the classroom together. Hermione looked disapproving, but even she couldn't help a hearty laugh. Everyone else eventually left as well. Except Draco. He was approaching Snape's desk. I pretended to leave as well, but stopped outside the classroom and listened.
"Well, I guess this is sort of goodbye," Draco said.
"I see you've joined Potter's little fan club," Snape observed, sneering, and completely ignoring Draco's comment.
"No. I'm not his fan. I happen to love him." I felt all warm inside hearing those words.
"I see no difference," Snape said, in exactly the same way he'd done in fourth year when Hermione's teeth had grown much longer. I thought Draco might whimper, and perhaps run out of the Potions lab in tears. But of course, he didn't.
"I guess you've never been in love then," Draco replied, coolly. Go Draco!
"I have actually," he said. Hey. Snape in love. I *guess* it's possible. I listened for Draco's reply.
"Then you must have been hurt real bad by them, if you don't see a difference between following someone around, and being in love," Draco responded, "I pity you. And I pray the person that hurt you finds you and cures you of this, Professor. What a shame. Love is so wonderful." Then he walked out the door and smashed right into me.
"Shit, be careful!" I hissed, as quietly as I could.
"You're the one standing in the doorway, you little eavesdropper," Draco hissed back. He smiled. We hooked hands and started walking down the corridor.
"So, who do you think Snape used to love?" I asked.
"I don't think, I know," Draco replied, "I pretend I don't, so he doesn't suspect anything. And I'm not going to tell you. Because I know you won't believe it."
"Oh come on, Draco. And how do you know, anyway?" I demanded.
"I happen to be quite sneaky."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"Oh," he said, "Well, in my sixth year, Snape and I got drunk together."
"What!?" I shouted.
"It's not as bad as it sounds. It was when I found out I was gay. It was quite a shock at first. Snape's been a father figure for so long. Thing is, when I found him the day I realized I was gay, he was quite drunk. He told me to help myself to the some alcohol, and I was so confused I did. I got a little tipsy, but he was so smashed, it's not even funny. He told me who he fell in love with. He has no recollection of that night. I did tell him I was gay, but he forgot."
"You have to tell me who it is, Draco," I said.
"It'd be a betrayal of the worst kind," he said, shaking his head.
"Do you always say that?"
"When I have to," he admitted, and I grinned.
"Oh come on, Draco."
"Look...." he said, as we turned a corner, "I could tell you, but you'd probably die of shock."
"Well, give me a clue. Is it someone I know well?" I asked.
"Not in so many words," Draco replied, pulling his hair into a lazy ponytail. It had been getting in his eyes for the past five minutes.
"All right, is it someone I *know*?"
"Yes."
"Okay.... what's the gender?" I asked.
"Female," he replied, smiling.
"Okay! I was starting to think Snape might be gay. But it's a woman. Is she married?" I asked.
"Was," he corrected. We stopped at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"So she's divorced," I guessed. Draco looked like he was about to tell me I was wrong, so I guessed again quickly.
"Um, she's dead." I said it rather jokingly, but Draco nodded, "Oh. I was just joking. Well, if she's dead, and I know her....."
"Password?" the Fat Lady interrupted us. But there was no answer, because Draco was right. I was practically dying of shock.
"Jiggly-worm," Draco said for me and the portrait admitted it. He nudged me and I slowly walked into the common room, feeling as though I was going to fall over. Ron and Hermione hurried over to say something, but then they saw my face.
"What's wrong?" they asked in unison.
"Snape was in love with my mum." They looked confused, so Draco elaborated.
"We were getting into a conversation about Professor Snape, and I sort of told him that Snape was in love with his mum."
"Well," Hermione said and all eyes turned to her, "It would make sense."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"If your mother was with your father, that would only worsen the anger Snape felt toward him. It would also explain why he hates *you* so much. You're the offspring of the woman he loved. But she had you with another man. If Snape loved your mum, seeing you every day would be a reminder of how your dad got the woman he loved, and well, he didn't."
"That sucks," Ron said. Everyone looked at him. "What? It does."
"Well, why did you act like you didn't know anything in the classroom, Draco?" I asked.
"Professor Snape is a very observant man. I figured I had to be rather curt toward him, or he'd pick it up. I think one day I'll tell him what happened. Maybe the last day of school. I don't know. I'm a little scared of his reaction."
"I would be too," Ron said, and everyone looked at him again. "Well, I would! Stop looking at me like that! You know I'm no good at this caring stuff." We all laughed.
"It's kind of sad," I said, "I mean.... imagine finding someone you think you love, and then finding out they don't love you." Draco cleared his throat and shuffled his feet.
"Yeah, it is," Hermione agreed, "So you can hardly blame him for being so cold to you all these years."
"Well, I agree with you, Hermione," I said, "Except, I think it's a little childish. It's not like I chose who my parents were. It's not like *anyone* does. You can't blame a person for their heritage. I have sympathy for Snape, but I think he should get over it and move on."
"Quite right," Draco said and the conversation was dropped there. It took me months to pick up on what exactly went wrong with that conversation. It took me even longer to understand it fully.
*
It was some time in the afternoon. Draco, Ron, Hermione and I were sprawled out on the grass.
"I was thinking, that in my speech, I would talk about how I met both of you," Hermione said, her head resting in Ron's lap. Draco's head was in mine. "Now I'm not sure. I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Well, whatever you do, I'm sure it'll be lovely," Ron said. I made gagging sounds, and Ron threw an acorn at me.
"Wow, that was surprisingly sweet," Hermione said and Ron pulled her upright to plant a kiss on her lips.
"I think Hagrid's dating Madame Maxime. He seems happier lately, and he's always talking about her," Hermione said, snuggling close to Ron. More gagging sounds, more acorns thrown.
"Yeah, everyone deserves to be happy," I said, feeling so giddy I wanted to run around in circles for awhile.
"Yeah...." Hermione said in a far off voice.
"Don't you love the sun?" Ron asked and Hermione started laughing.
"Yes Ron, generally the sun is something you like," she said.
"No, I mean don't you LOVE the sun?" Ron said and started giggling. We were all really giddy.
"Yeah! The sun's great!" I said, pulling my hands through Draco's hair.
"Dad told me he's thinking of getting me a job at the ministry. I told him no," Ron said.
"You did?" Hermione asked, sounding surprised.
"Hermione, you know I want to be an auror," he said.
"Yeah but...." Hermione started, then she stopped.
"What?" he demanded.
"Well, I just don't know if you have the marks to become an auror, sweetie," Hermione said.
"You just wait," Ron said an a warning voice.
"Well, Hermone, what are you going to do?" I asked.
"I don't know. There are so many things to choose from," Hermione replied. I nodded. There *were* a lot of things to choose from. I wasn't sure myself.
"Hey," Draco muttered, and I jumped. I thought he was asleep, "I want to go visit Hagrid. I mean, you guys are such good friends with him. I want to see what's so great about him."
"We were talking about Hagrid ages ago," Ron said.
"We were not," Draco argued, "You were. I was thinking about it afterward, while you were rambling about the sun, and now I want to go see Hagrid, with or without you."
"Okay, Draco, we'll go with you," I said, and he jumped up.
"Yes!" he said, sounding excited. Hermione and Ron got up slowly. Draco reached out and grabbed my hand, and we started walking. We only had to walk for about two minutes before we saw his hut.
It was sad. As soon as Hagrid's hut came into view, I got all choked up. I realized that this was one of the last times I'd ever see it, and therefore, maybe one of the last times I'd see Hagrid. Draco squeezed my hand in understanding. Hagrid was sitting on the steps of his house, playing his little flute. Fang was sniffing a tree not too far from him.
"Hey Hagrid," we chrused, and he stopped playing.
(A/N: I'm not even going to attempt his accent. It always annoys me when people try to write it, and end up doing it wrong. So, in case I mess up, I'm just going to write him without his accent).
"Hello, you four!" he said happily, "I was wondering when you'd come and see me. Sit down and we'll talk." We took his advice. "Hermione, Ron, you two look like a very happy couple. You look perfect together. Remind me a bit of your mum and dad, Harry."
I smiled. I'd been thinking a lot about them lately. I wondered what they'd think of my relationship with Draco. I wondered how they would have felt toward it. Would they have been mean, like Draco's parents? I doubted it. But I wasn't sure. It scared me. Quite a lot actually.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall mentioned that as well. She also said you two act like they fid," Hermione said, nodding at Draco and I. Draco moved his arm to encircle my waist, and grinned.
"You!" Hagrid roared, and Draco jumped.
"Me," he squeaked.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced. You're Draco? I'm Hagrid," he said, holding out his trach can lid sized hand. Draco looked at it a moment, and then held out his. They shook hands, and smiled.
"I've been doing that a lot lately," Draco said, smiling wider.
"Sometimes you need to meet people again...." Hagrid said.
"Yes well, we all know what you think of Madame Maxime," Ron said and Hagrid blushed crimson. It was very funny, and we spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and teasing each other.
I couldn't help but worry about the future. What if I never saw Hagrid again? I cherished what felt like the few last moments I'd have with him. I hugged him tighter than I'd ever hugged him before. I wante dothank him for everythign he'd ever doine for me in hat one hug. It was hard.
He'd been th person who had told me everything about my past and present, and even my future. He was a bit of a father figure. I love him for it. I tried so hard to put all that into the hug. I hope he got the message.
*
"We will now have a few words from our Head Boy and Head Girl. Please put your hands together for Miss Hermione Granger," Dumbledore announced. The hall erupted into cheers and applause. It was the graduation ceremony. Instead of four house tables, there were many smaller, circular tables scattering the hall.
Hermione stood up, beaming, and walked to the podium that was standing in the same place that the Sorting Hat had been seven years before. She grinned broadly at the seventh years and their respective families, before muttering the Sonorus spell and beginning her speech.
"Since the very first time I read those magical words, 'You have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,' I imagined what this moment would be like. It's been a long seven years. I've laughed, I've cried, I've worked hard. My most memorable moments were being turned into a cat, and being petrified, both having took place in my second year here. They were the scariest moments of my life, but I remember them like I remember my mother's face.
"I've always been a workaholic and I always will be. I'm always trying to do things better and succeed at something worthwhile. I've got the greatest friends anyone could ask for. My family and teachers have always been there for me. Even Professor Snape, who could be quite the jerk at times. He made comments about my apperance, and my craving to know more, but he always did his job. He made me want to learn. Even if it was just to prove him wrong, or to prove I knew something. At least I knew something, right?"
"Now, I'm speaking for myself here, and that's not what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to speak for you too. But I'm sure you can relate to me. You've had memorable moments, you've been pestered by Professor Snape, you've worked hard at something, and you're here now."
"You've got to remember that with the war against Voldemort, the next few years of your life are going to be extremely difficult. Whatever path you choose will make all the difference, and I pray you choose the right path. Congratulations, all of you." She smiled and sat down. Ron nudged me.
"Doesn't she look beautiful? All those years of studying were worth it. Just to see her smiling up there," he said. I looked at Ron and almost started crying. It was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard my best friend say. Draco was getting up to make his speech, though. I sat up straighter to hear what he had to say.
"Everyone, please give a round of applause for Mr Draco Malfoy, this year's Head Boy." The hall started clapping and cheering again and there were a few catcalls from the girls and even a guy.
Then Seamus yelled, "Make your boyfriend proud!" and everyone started laughing. Draco smiled and stepped up to the podium, whispered Sonorus and breathed deeply.
He looked perfect. Really he did. His hair was hanging loosely past his shoulders, his black dress robes billowing to the floor. He made eye contact with me and I smiled at him. It seemed to give him strength and he began.
"Well, when Professor Dumbledore told me I was to give a speech for you, I was in a bit of a predicament. I hate giving speeches. But then I thought of it as a few words, as Professor Dumbledore put it, and I felt a smidge better."
"When I first started at Hogwarts, I was a shrimpy dork. I thought I was better than everyone. I strutted around Hogwarts like I owned it, using my father's name as a way to get what I wanted, with my two cronies at my side. By the way, thanks guys," he said, grinning at Crabbe and Goyle.
"I like to think I'm a bit different now. I'm still a spoiled brat who obsesses over his hair, but I've come to care about people. When I found out I was gay, thing finally went into perspective for me. I couldn't tease people about their bloodline, because they could come righ tback at me about my sexual orientation."
"I'm not here to tell you about that. I'm here to tell you that if you make mistakes, you can fix them. And if you think you're falling, you can get help. I could have fallen, but with the help of a wonderful person and a few good friends, I survived."
"Believe in fate, believe in love and soulmates, believe in miracles. Things can happen. When it seems like life's got you down, it'll suddenly surprise with you something or someone amazing. Don't ever think you can't survive. In the end, it all depeneds on your decision. Make the wrong one, and things will go wrong. But don't worry about that. You will make the right one. You will. If there;'s hope for me, there's hope for the rest of us."
"Go into the world. Love every minute you're blessed on this planet. I've decided that there must be something looking out for me. It might be God, or it might be something else. But *something's* looking out for me. It's looking out for you too. I pray you find it. I pray *you* survive, and I have every confidence that you will. I hope to meet every one of you again in life. But until then, good luck."
Draco smiled, turned and walked over to our table. The hall applauded for Hermione and Draco both as he sat down next to me and kissed me passionately. I put my hands around his neck and kissed him back.
"I love you," I whimpered, tears flowing from my eyes, "I love you so much."
After all the applauding, we sat down again. I waited for the food to appear on our plates, but when I looked up, I saw Neville approaching the podium. He started speaking.
"You're all wondering what the heck I'm doing up here. I've never done anything worth celebrating. But there is someone who has. I apporached Professor Dumbledore with an idea last week."
"It was this. Just about every year, there is a boy who does something very spectacular. He accepts it willingly. He's been thrown into it, without any choice whatsoever, and he accepts without a second thought. Harry Potter."
Oh Jesus.
"I'm not giving him this award because he's the Boy-Who-Lived, or because he goes up against Voldemort, who's name you should all be able to speak by now. I'm giving it to him because he's Harry Potter. An amazing friend, a wonderful classmate, and a thoughtful, kind-hearted person. I've never met anyone a selfless as him. And whether or not you want to agree with me aloud, you do indeed agree deep down. Harry is brilliant. Get up here, Harry, and take this award. It's from all of us."
I could hardly breathe. I was so shocked, Draco had to push me out of my seat and guide me to where Neville stood. I was sincerely shocked! I walked over to Neville, and he handed me a trophy. I looked at it a moment before tears spilled out of my eyes. Neville did the Sonorus spell for me as I started to give some sort of speech.
"I - I'm overwhelmed. This is an honour. I really don't think I deserve this award, but I'm touched all the same. Thank you so much! I'm overwhlemed!" I said, beaming at everyone who was suddenly applauding me.
I turned and hugged Neville as tightly as I could. Neville hugged me back, and I turned to the Head Table, where Dumbledore was starting to stand up. Suddenly, everyone was getting to their feet, and clapping their hands. I realized it was a standing ovation and I started crying even harder. Everywhere I looked, there were people clapping for me. It was quite an amazing moment. It's one of those memorable moments Hermione was talking about. I'll remember it for the rest of my life.
*
"So where are you going now?" Hagrid asked. We were standing near the train, sharing last words with classmates and teachers. The four of us were standing in front of Hagrid.
"We're all going to get an apartment together for the summer. But until we can find an apartment, we're staying at The Burrow," Ron replied for us. We nodded our heads.
"Getting an apartment together?" Hagrid asked, eyes twinkling mischeivously.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Hermione inquired.
"Oh no reason, just.... remember that you four lived practically together for the past seven years. Now that you're *actually* going to be living together, it's going to be quite different," he said.
"Yeah right," I said, "We'll get along great, won't we?"
"Yeah!" Draco, Hermione and Ron said in unison. Hagrid smiled and gather us into a group hug.
"We'll see," he said, "We'll have to wait and see."
And so will you! Because that's where this story ends. I think it's the lamest ending to a story in the entire world. But do remember, there is a sequel! Plus, I like leaving you with a cliffhanger of sorts.
*Sniffle, sniffle* I'm so depressed. This story is over. Even if there is a sequel, it's just hard for me to grasp that it's over. So hard. I hope the seqeul to this will be just as good, if not better. I'm really going to work hard on it. Expect 'Know Yourself' out sometimes in the next couple weeks. Got to get ideas and whatnot. As Hagrid says, we'll just have to wait and see.
All of you have been absolutely brilliant. You don't even know. Your comments, compliments, suggestions and feedback were the only things that kept me and this story going. I'm shocked at the many people who enjoyed this fic, and I truly hope you like the sequel.
All the little things that have yet to be tied up, will be tied up in the sequel. Like Blaise Zabini... I bet you're all wondering what's going to happen to him. We'll have to wait and see. I have some evil plans for him. What about Snape? I said he'd be part of this story.... and he will. And Sirius! How come he didn't make a appearance? Don't worry, he will in the sequel. The Weasley clan will be a part of it, Voldemort will be in it and maybe some Hagrid and Dumbledore. And of course, the stuff we've all been wanting from the very beginning.
DRACO/HARRY SLASH!!!!! Yes, there will be some! Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione will all be in it, of course, and expect some sort of wedding. Which I will not go into detail with, as I'm very negative about weddings. Especially H/D weddings. I've not decided who will be gettiong married. There are a few candidates to choose from.
Well, I mustn't give out too much information, so you'll just have to wait. I love you all dearly, and if you'd like a response to your review, leave your email address and I'll email my response to you. I promise! 8-) But you've got to ask.
Go now.... and find more D/H slash fanfics. There are so many brillaint ones out there. One in particular that I'm quite enjoying is 'Blood Mingled' by _______. I don't know who it's by. But it's an awesome story. Read it if you can! Kisses and hugs for all of you, you're all very brilliant. Thanks a million times for everything. You've been so wonderful. Give yourself a pat on the back.
Ciao!
Tine
Disclaimer: After ten chapters, you'd think they'd get the message. That I really am not JK Rowling and never will be, seeing as my initials are NCB. It just wouldn't work. I don't own Harry Potter, nor do I particularly want to. I happen to be stalking Draco at the moment, and I never stalk more than one person. Well, sometimes I make an exception. I just hope Rowling's not about to put a restraining order on me. Then I'd die. 8-) Stop looking at me.
Rating: R
Author's Note: WELL! After getting so many wonderful reviews, I got right to it and started writing. Just so I could make all of you happy. Your reviews were eloquent, long, helpful, brilliant, and they got me all teary eyed. I was quite taken aback at all the reviews I received after only one day. I knew I'd have to finish this chapter as soon as possible. And the story.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen. After practically every one of you said you wanted Option 1, adding the fact that I was not looking forward to doing Option 2, I decided which one I'm going to do. Option 3! Just kidding. There is no Option 3. Hahahahahaha. Aren't I funny? You people- Um.... no. Me- Oh... all right then.
Anyways. Heh. Option 1 was my choice. So this is the last chapter of Know Your Enemy. *Jumps on bed and sobs dramatically* Oh don't act like that. You knew it had to end some time. But don't you worry. Check my bio every once in awhile (like, every day) for the first chapter of....... Know Yourself. Heh. I'm not creative. I don't try to be. 8-) Well enough of this. Stop reading my blubbering and start reading the chapter. I wouldn't be surprised if you had already skipped over it. Good for you. It's just my incessant rambling, after all.
Oh wait. Don't you want to read the responces to your reviews? Well! They're in a separate chapter. The next one. So chapter 11 is the responses to your reviews, because I'm lazy and don't feel like typing it here and making such a long Author's Note.
I know this took awhile to get out, but I had school (we get our marks back this week!) to work through. And then I got all miserable because this fic is ending. So I started moping, and I couldn't write anything for a couple days. I started up again, but this chapter doesn't have much slash because I'm not in a slashy mood. But you WILL get slash in the sequel. I promise you!
So enjoy this, and let me know what you thought. Ah revoir, mes amies! (Translation: Fuck the translation and read the story. 8-) Love you).
Everyone was relaxing in the Potions classroom. Sound strange? I'll bet it does. We were relaxing because we'd just finished our Potions final. And it was the last of our NEWTs. Now we had a full week to just wait around and see what our marks would be.
But the Potions exam had been partciularly difficult. Snape had been breathing over my shoulder for the past two hours. We'd been making a very complex potion, which only added to the fear. I was terrified that I'd fail the exam. Then I'd be screwed. Luckily, I felt I'd done all right.
I had my head on the table in front of me, and I was just starting to doze off, when Professor Dumbledore walked into the room. Ron poked me and I sat up straight, and said "What did I miss?" rather loudly.
"Not a thing, Harry. But I would advise you to stay awake during class," Dumbledore said. My cheeks reddened slightly, and I nodded. Then Dumbledore went and stood next to Snape.
"Good afternoon, Albus," Snape said, and Dumbledore nodded at him.
"Traditionally at Hogwarts, the Head Boy and Girl make speeches at the graduation ceremony," Dumbledore said, and Hermione and Draco both sat up straight. "Which would mean, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy are to speak at your graduation ceremony. I'm sure they will do a fine job."
Draco's hand shot into the air. Dumbledore called on him.
"I don't want to make a speech. I hate making speeches. Please don't make me speak in front of people. I hate doing that!" he begged. Dumbledore smiled.
"Every year, at least one of the two selections says that. I still don't know what to tell you. But my advice is, think of it as a few words. Just pick a fond memory, and talk about it. It's quite easy," the wise man said, and Draco nodded. "Goodbye." He then smiled and walked out of the Potions classroom. It was strange, seeing as Dumbledore doesn't usually come to the classroom at all. I figured it was because the Head Boy and Girl were in that class together.
"You're free to go. At least I won't have to see any of your faces again," Snape said. I was shocked, to say the least. Snape usually says horrible things, but not quite like that. But already people were bolting for the door. Seamus stuck his head back in.
"We won't have to see your face, either," he shouted, saluted Snape and took off. Ron and Dean were dying of laughter as they went out of the classroom together. Hermione looked disapproving, but even she couldn't help a hearty laugh. Everyone else eventually left as well. Except Draco. He was approaching Snape's desk. I pretended to leave as well, but stopped outside the classroom and listened.
"Well, I guess this is sort of goodbye," Draco said.
"I see you've joined Potter's little fan club," Snape observed, sneering, and completely ignoring Draco's comment.
"No. I'm not his fan. I happen to love him." I felt all warm inside hearing those words.
"I see no difference," Snape said, in exactly the same way he'd done in fourth year when Hermione's teeth had grown much longer. I thought Draco might whimper, and perhaps run out of the Potions lab in tears. But of course, he didn't.
"I guess you've never been in love then," Draco replied, coolly. Go Draco!
"I have actually," he said. Hey. Snape in love. I *guess* it's possible. I listened for Draco's reply.
"Then you must have been hurt real bad by them, if you don't see a difference between following someone around, and being in love," Draco responded, "I pity you. And I pray the person that hurt you finds you and cures you of this, Professor. What a shame. Love is so wonderful." Then he walked out the door and smashed right into me.
"Shit, be careful!" I hissed, as quietly as I could.
"You're the one standing in the doorway, you little eavesdropper," Draco hissed back. He smiled. We hooked hands and started walking down the corridor.
"So, who do you think Snape used to love?" I asked.
"I don't think, I know," Draco replied, "I pretend I don't, so he doesn't suspect anything. And I'm not going to tell you. Because I know you won't believe it."
"Oh come on, Draco. And how do you know, anyway?" I demanded.
"I happen to be quite sneaky."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"Oh," he said, "Well, in my sixth year, Snape and I got drunk together."
"What!?" I shouted.
"It's not as bad as it sounds. It was when I found out I was gay. It was quite a shock at first. Snape's been a father figure for so long. Thing is, when I found him the day I realized I was gay, he was quite drunk. He told me to help myself to the some alcohol, and I was so confused I did. I got a little tipsy, but he was so smashed, it's not even funny. He told me who he fell in love with. He has no recollection of that night. I did tell him I was gay, but he forgot."
"You have to tell me who it is, Draco," I said.
"It'd be a betrayal of the worst kind," he said, shaking his head.
"Do you always say that?"
"When I have to," he admitted, and I grinned.
"Oh come on, Draco."
"Look...." he said, as we turned a corner, "I could tell you, but you'd probably die of shock."
"Well, give me a clue. Is it someone I know well?" I asked.
"Not in so many words," Draco replied, pulling his hair into a lazy ponytail. It had been getting in his eyes for the past five minutes.
"All right, is it someone I *know*?"
"Yes."
"Okay.... what's the gender?" I asked.
"Female," he replied, smiling.
"Okay! I was starting to think Snape might be gay. But it's a woman. Is she married?" I asked.
"Was," he corrected. We stopped at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"So she's divorced," I guessed. Draco looked like he was about to tell me I was wrong, so I guessed again quickly.
"Um, she's dead." I said it rather jokingly, but Draco nodded, "Oh. I was just joking. Well, if she's dead, and I know her....."
"Password?" the Fat Lady interrupted us. But there was no answer, because Draco was right. I was practically dying of shock.
"Jiggly-worm," Draco said for me and the portrait admitted it. He nudged me and I slowly walked into the common room, feeling as though I was going to fall over. Ron and Hermione hurried over to say something, but then they saw my face.
"What's wrong?" they asked in unison.
"Snape was in love with my mum." They looked confused, so Draco elaborated.
"We were getting into a conversation about Professor Snape, and I sort of told him that Snape was in love with his mum."
"Well," Hermione said and all eyes turned to her, "It would make sense."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"If your mother was with your father, that would only worsen the anger Snape felt toward him. It would also explain why he hates *you* so much. You're the offspring of the woman he loved. But she had you with another man. If Snape loved your mum, seeing you every day would be a reminder of how your dad got the woman he loved, and well, he didn't."
"That sucks," Ron said. Everyone looked at him. "What? It does."
"Well, why did you act like you didn't know anything in the classroom, Draco?" I asked.
"Professor Snape is a very observant man. I figured I had to be rather curt toward him, or he'd pick it up. I think one day I'll tell him what happened. Maybe the last day of school. I don't know. I'm a little scared of his reaction."
"I would be too," Ron said, and everyone looked at him again. "Well, I would! Stop looking at me like that! You know I'm no good at this caring stuff." We all laughed.
"It's kind of sad," I said, "I mean.... imagine finding someone you think you love, and then finding out they don't love you." Draco cleared his throat and shuffled his feet.
"Yeah, it is," Hermione agreed, "So you can hardly blame him for being so cold to you all these years."
"Well, I agree with you, Hermione," I said, "Except, I think it's a little childish. It's not like I chose who my parents were. It's not like *anyone* does. You can't blame a person for their heritage. I have sympathy for Snape, but I think he should get over it and move on."
"Quite right," Draco said and the conversation was dropped there. It took me months to pick up on what exactly went wrong with that conversation. It took me even longer to understand it fully.
*
It was some time in the afternoon. Draco, Ron, Hermione and I were sprawled out on the grass.
"I was thinking, that in my speech, I would talk about how I met both of you," Hermione said, her head resting in Ron's lap. Draco's head was in mine. "Now I'm not sure. I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Well, whatever you do, I'm sure it'll be lovely," Ron said. I made gagging sounds, and Ron threw an acorn at me.
"Wow, that was surprisingly sweet," Hermione said and Ron pulled her upright to plant a kiss on her lips.
"I think Hagrid's dating Madame Maxime. He seems happier lately, and he's always talking about her," Hermione said, snuggling close to Ron. More gagging sounds, more acorns thrown.
"Yeah, everyone deserves to be happy," I said, feeling so giddy I wanted to run around in circles for awhile.
"Yeah...." Hermione said in a far off voice.
"Don't you love the sun?" Ron asked and Hermione started laughing.
"Yes Ron, generally the sun is something you like," she said.
"No, I mean don't you LOVE the sun?" Ron said and started giggling. We were all really giddy.
"Yeah! The sun's great!" I said, pulling my hands through Draco's hair.
"Dad told me he's thinking of getting me a job at the ministry. I told him no," Ron said.
"You did?" Hermione asked, sounding surprised.
"Hermione, you know I want to be an auror," he said.
"Yeah but...." Hermione started, then she stopped.
"What?" he demanded.
"Well, I just don't know if you have the marks to become an auror, sweetie," Hermione said.
"You just wait," Ron said an a warning voice.
"Well, Hermone, what are you going to do?" I asked.
"I don't know. There are so many things to choose from," Hermione replied. I nodded. There *were* a lot of things to choose from. I wasn't sure myself.
"Hey," Draco muttered, and I jumped. I thought he was asleep, "I want to go visit Hagrid. I mean, you guys are such good friends with him. I want to see what's so great about him."
"We were talking about Hagrid ages ago," Ron said.
"We were not," Draco argued, "You were. I was thinking about it afterward, while you were rambling about the sun, and now I want to go see Hagrid, with or without you."
"Okay, Draco, we'll go with you," I said, and he jumped up.
"Yes!" he said, sounding excited. Hermione and Ron got up slowly. Draco reached out and grabbed my hand, and we started walking. We only had to walk for about two minutes before we saw his hut.
It was sad. As soon as Hagrid's hut came into view, I got all choked up. I realized that this was one of the last times I'd ever see it, and therefore, maybe one of the last times I'd see Hagrid. Draco squeezed my hand in understanding. Hagrid was sitting on the steps of his house, playing his little flute. Fang was sniffing a tree not too far from him.
"Hey Hagrid," we chrused, and he stopped playing.
(A/N: I'm not even going to attempt his accent. It always annoys me when people try to write it, and end up doing it wrong. So, in case I mess up, I'm just going to write him without his accent).
"Hello, you four!" he said happily, "I was wondering when you'd come and see me. Sit down and we'll talk." We took his advice. "Hermione, Ron, you two look like a very happy couple. You look perfect together. Remind me a bit of your mum and dad, Harry."
I smiled. I'd been thinking a lot about them lately. I wondered what they'd think of my relationship with Draco. I wondered how they would have felt toward it. Would they have been mean, like Draco's parents? I doubted it. But I wasn't sure. It scared me. Quite a lot actually.
"Yes, Professor McGonagall mentioned that as well. She also said you two act like they fid," Hermione said, nodding at Draco and I. Draco moved his arm to encircle my waist, and grinned.
"You!" Hagrid roared, and Draco jumped.
"Me," he squeaked.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced. You're Draco? I'm Hagrid," he said, holding out his trach can lid sized hand. Draco looked at it a moment, and then held out his. They shook hands, and smiled.
"I've been doing that a lot lately," Draco said, smiling wider.
"Sometimes you need to meet people again...." Hagrid said.
"Yes well, we all know what you think of Madame Maxime," Ron said and Hagrid blushed crimson. It was very funny, and we spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and teasing each other.
I couldn't help but worry about the future. What if I never saw Hagrid again? I cherished what felt like the few last moments I'd have with him. I hugged him tighter than I'd ever hugged him before. I wante dothank him for everythign he'd ever doine for me in hat one hug. It was hard.
He'd been th person who had told me everything about my past and present, and even my future. He was a bit of a father figure. I love him for it. I tried so hard to put all that into the hug. I hope he got the message.
*
"We will now have a few words from our Head Boy and Head Girl. Please put your hands together for Miss Hermione Granger," Dumbledore announced. The hall erupted into cheers and applause. It was the graduation ceremony. Instead of four house tables, there were many smaller, circular tables scattering the hall.
Hermione stood up, beaming, and walked to the podium that was standing in the same place that the Sorting Hat had been seven years before. She grinned broadly at the seventh years and their respective families, before muttering the Sonorus spell and beginning her speech.
"Since the very first time I read those magical words, 'You have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,' I imagined what this moment would be like. It's been a long seven years. I've laughed, I've cried, I've worked hard. My most memorable moments were being turned into a cat, and being petrified, both having took place in my second year here. They were the scariest moments of my life, but I remember them like I remember my mother's face.
"I've always been a workaholic and I always will be. I'm always trying to do things better and succeed at something worthwhile. I've got the greatest friends anyone could ask for. My family and teachers have always been there for me. Even Professor Snape, who could be quite the jerk at times. He made comments about my apperance, and my craving to know more, but he always did his job. He made me want to learn. Even if it was just to prove him wrong, or to prove I knew something. At least I knew something, right?"
"Now, I'm speaking for myself here, and that's not what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to speak for you too. But I'm sure you can relate to me. You've had memorable moments, you've been pestered by Professor Snape, you've worked hard at something, and you're here now."
"You've got to remember that with the war against Voldemort, the next few years of your life are going to be extremely difficult. Whatever path you choose will make all the difference, and I pray you choose the right path. Congratulations, all of you." She smiled and sat down. Ron nudged me.
"Doesn't she look beautiful? All those years of studying were worth it. Just to see her smiling up there," he said. I looked at Ron and almost started crying. It was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard my best friend say. Draco was getting up to make his speech, though. I sat up straighter to hear what he had to say.
"Everyone, please give a round of applause for Mr Draco Malfoy, this year's Head Boy." The hall started clapping and cheering again and there were a few catcalls from the girls and even a guy.
Then Seamus yelled, "Make your boyfriend proud!" and everyone started laughing. Draco smiled and stepped up to the podium, whispered Sonorus and breathed deeply.
He looked perfect. Really he did. His hair was hanging loosely past his shoulders, his black dress robes billowing to the floor. He made eye contact with me and I smiled at him. It seemed to give him strength and he began.
"Well, when Professor Dumbledore told me I was to give a speech for you, I was in a bit of a predicament. I hate giving speeches. But then I thought of it as a few words, as Professor Dumbledore put it, and I felt a smidge better."
"When I first started at Hogwarts, I was a shrimpy dork. I thought I was better than everyone. I strutted around Hogwarts like I owned it, using my father's name as a way to get what I wanted, with my two cronies at my side. By the way, thanks guys," he said, grinning at Crabbe and Goyle.
"I like to think I'm a bit different now. I'm still a spoiled brat who obsesses over his hair, but I've come to care about people. When I found out I was gay, thing finally went into perspective for me. I couldn't tease people about their bloodline, because they could come righ tback at me about my sexual orientation."
"I'm not here to tell you about that. I'm here to tell you that if you make mistakes, you can fix them. And if you think you're falling, you can get help. I could have fallen, but with the help of a wonderful person and a few good friends, I survived."
"Believe in fate, believe in love and soulmates, believe in miracles. Things can happen. When it seems like life's got you down, it'll suddenly surprise with you something or someone amazing. Don't ever think you can't survive. In the end, it all depeneds on your decision. Make the wrong one, and things will go wrong. But don't worry about that. You will make the right one. You will. If there;'s hope for me, there's hope for the rest of us."
"Go into the world. Love every minute you're blessed on this planet. I've decided that there must be something looking out for me. It might be God, or it might be something else. But *something's* looking out for me. It's looking out for you too. I pray you find it. I pray *you* survive, and I have every confidence that you will. I hope to meet every one of you again in life. But until then, good luck."
Draco smiled, turned and walked over to our table. The hall applauded for Hermione and Draco both as he sat down next to me and kissed me passionately. I put my hands around his neck and kissed him back.
"I love you," I whimpered, tears flowing from my eyes, "I love you so much."
After all the applauding, we sat down again. I waited for the food to appear on our plates, but when I looked up, I saw Neville approaching the podium. He started speaking.
"You're all wondering what the heck I'm doing up here. I've never done anything worth celebrating. But there is someone who has. I apporached Professor Dumbledore with an idea last week."
"It was this. Just about every year, there is a boy who does something very spectacular. He accepts it willingly. He's been thrown into it, without any choice whatsoever, and he accepts without a second thought. Harry Potter."
Oh Jesus.
"I'm not giving him this award because he's the Boy-Who-Lived, or because he goes up against Voldemort, who's name you should all be able to speak by now. I'm giving it to him because he's Harry Potter. An amazing friend, a wonderful classmate, and a thoughtful, kind-hearted person. I've never met anyone a selfless as him. And whether or not you want to agree with me aloud, you do indeed agree deep down. Harry is brilliant. Get up here, Harry, and take this award. It's from all of us."
I could hardly breathe. I was so shocked, Draco had to push me out of my seat and guide me to where Neville stood. I was sincerely shocked! I walked over to Neville, and he handed me a trophy. I looked at it a moment before tears spilled out of my eyes. Neville did the Sonorus spell for me as I started to give some sort of speech.
"I - I'm overwhelmed. This is an honour. I really don't think I deserve this award, but I'm touched all the same. Thank you so much! I'm overwhlemed!" I said, beaming at everyone who was suddenly applauding me.
I turned and hugged Neville as tightly as I could. Neville hugged me back, and I turned to the Head Table, where Dumbledore was starting to stand up. Suddenly, everyone was getting to their feet, and clapping their hands. I realized it was a standing ovation and I started crying even harder. Everywhere I looked, there were people clapping for me. It was quite an amazing moment. It's one of those memorable moments Hermione was talking about. I'll remember it for the rest of my life.
*
"So where are you going now?" Hagrid asked. We were standing near the train, sharing last words with classmates and teachers. The four of us were standing in front of Hagrid.
"We're all going to get an apartment together for the summer. But until we can find an apartment, we're staying at The Burrow," Ron replied for us. We nodded our heads.
"Getting an apartment together?" Hagrid asked, eyes twinkling mischeivously.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Hermione inquired.
"Oh no reason, just.... remember that you four lived practically together for the past seven years. Now that you're *actually* going to be living together, it's going to be quite different," he said.
"Yeah right," I said, "We'll get along great, won't we?"
"Yeah!" Draco, Hermione and Ron said in unison. Hagrid smiled and gather us into a group hug.
"We'll see," he said, "We'll have to wait and see."
And so will you! Because that's where this story ends. I think it's the lamest ending to a story in the entire world. But do remember, there is a sequel! Plus, I like leaving you with a cliffhanger of sorts.
*Sniffle, sniffle* I'm so depressed. This story is over. Even if there is a sequel, it's just hard for me to grasp that it's over. So hard. I hope the seqeul to this will be just as good, if not better. I'm really going to work hard on it. Expect 'Know Yourself' out sometimes in the next couple weeks. Got to get ideas and whatnot. As Hagrid says, we'll just have to wait and see.
All of you have been absolutely brilliant. You don't even know. Your comments, compliments, suggestions and feedback were the only things that kept me and this story going. I'm shocked at the many people who enjoyed this fic, and I truly hope you like the sequel.
All the little things that have yet to be tied up, will be tied up in the sequel. Like Blaise Zabini... I bet you're all wondering what's going to happen to him. We'll have to wait and see. I have some evil plans for him. What about Snape? I said he'd be part of this story.... and he will. And Sirius! How come he didn't make a appearance? Don't worry, he will in the sequel. The Weasley clan will be a part of it, Voldemort will be in it and maybe some Hagrid and Dumbledore. And of course, the stuff we've all been wanting from the very beginning.
DRACO/HARRY SLASH!!!!! Yes, there will be some! Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione will all be in it, of course, and expect some sort of wedding. Which I will not go into detail with, as I'm very negative about weddings. Especially H/D weddings. I've not decided who will be gettiong married. There are a few candidates to choose from.
Well, I mustn't give out too much information, so you'll just have to wait. I love you all dearly, and if you'd like a response to your review, leave your email address and I'll email my response to you. I promise! 8-) But you've got to ask.
Go now.... and find more D/H slash fanfics. There are so many brillaint ones out there. One in particular that I'm quite enjoying is 'Blood Mingled' by _______. I don't know who it's by. But it's an awesome story. Read it if you can! Kisses and hugs for all of you, you're all very brilliant. Thanks a million times for everything. You've been so wonderful. Give yourself a pat on the back.
Ciao!
Tine