A New Beginning (Harry & Hermione from "Harry Potter")

Epilogue: One Year Later

It was finally the end of Harry's journey at Hogwarts. He was now walking towards the stage along with Hermione, Ron, Luna and Ginny. He could see the Weasleys in the crowd and was so grateful to see them. But he also felt his heart broken. Wish you were here, mom and dad, he thought. I hope I made you proud.

Next to the Weasleys was Neville. He had graduated last year but didn't want to miss his friends' graduation ceremony. Everyone became silent as McGonnagal started talking.

"Dear Guests,

We have all gathered today to celebrate the end of another year and the graduation of the class of 1999. For the first time in years, we are not face to face with the threat of 'The Darkest Wizard of All Times' and we owe it to all people who fought for us and of course, mostly to these today's three graduates: Ronald Bilius Weasley, Hermione Jean Granger and of course, Harry James Potter. However, it would be unrespectful not to accept that we have lost so many beloved ones in this difficult journey. I am inviting you to a moment of silence to show our respect towards all the warriors we lost in the war."

Everyone stood up. There was a minute of silence. Harry could hear some of the guests and the students sobbing. The nearest was coming from the people next to him: Ron and Ginny. Harry knew they could never forget the death of Fred, and neither could himself, along with Dobby, Remus, Tonks, Mad Eye and many other people.

"And now," continued McGonagall, "I am inviting the valedictorian of the class, Hermione Jean Granger, to give us her speech."

Hermione stood up and walked towards the lectern.

"My Beloved Professors, My Friends and Dear Guests,

I always thought being wise, reading books and cleverness would be the solution to every obstacle that I would ever face. I had been fighting with one of the darkest wizards of all times since my first year at this school, and I can say that my cleverness had a really important role in saving my life most of the time. However, I learned from one person, the person I love the most, that there are more important things such as friendship and bravery."

Hermione beamed at Harry.

"I would like to call this person, Harry James Potter, to deliver his speech instead of me."

Harry couldn't believe Hermione was giving her chance to make her speech as the top student of the class to him. With the shock, Harry started walking towards the lectern as she stepped aside. He couldn't believe how loud people were applauding.

"Well, hello everyone. I have no fancy speech prepared, to be honest. I had no idea that Hermione was going to make me give a speech to you, but I really want to thank her for giving me this chance." He stopped for a while to think about what to say. But the words just started flowing.

"I grew up with my aunt and uncle as my parents were mercilessly murdered by Voldemort."

Everyone gasped. Even if he had been gone, people still had fears about using his name.

"I used his name on purpose because of what my respected professor, Albus Dumbledore, had told me in my first year: 'Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.'

I could not believe that I was a wizard when my now close friend Hagrid told me I was one because as long as I had known myself, I was 'just Harry.' I had never heard of magic, and I only knew that my parents were dead in a car accident. My whole world turned over all of a sudden. I was 'The Boy Who Lived' at first and 'The Chosen One' after a few years in a world that I had newly stepped into. I never had an ordinary year of education here, yet I always felt like Hogwarts was my home. Hermione, Ron and the Weasleys became my family. I could finally feel like I belonged somewhere.

This journey has taught me that love and friendship are the most important things one has to have. I am not going to lie, Tom Riddle and I had some very similar personality traits, but he lacked what I was capable of: loving and caring. My mother, Lily, sacrificed herself on behalf of protecting me as a child, and that's why I can stand here today to give you this speech. Tom Riddle, however, never understood the value of bonding with other people. And he died without knowing how important it was.

I would like to end my speech with something one of my favorite people had told to me once: 'Do not pity the dead. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.'"

Everyone started applauding. Harry saw tears dropping from Hermione's eyes. He looked at the students and the crowd to see Ron, Luna, Ginny, Neville and the Weasleys cheering up for him. Now, they could all step into the real world of magic.