Our Truest Love

Chapter 34

[Soon enough, the last week of May had arrived, all of the seventh-year students took their N.E.W.T examinations and final exams. By June the third, 1999, all of the students were done with all of their examinations and Harry ended up passing both Divination and History of Magic with an A (Average). Eventually, that Saturday it was graduation day, and the security measures were taken off so the muggle parents that had muggle-born students could see the event]
{In The Great Hall}
[The Great Hall was beautifully decorated from top to bottom from the stage to the audience seats. Over behind the stage, there was a table and chairs for the professors. The audience was made up of parents and family members, Ministry Officials, Alumni, Witch Weekly Reporters and photographers, The Daily Prophet Reporters and photographers, The Quibbler Reporters and photographers, and other students. Mrs.Granger was holding baby James and baby Chase while Andromeda was holding baby Teddy. All of the seventh year students were outside The Great Hall ready to go]
*Hermione's Outfit*

[Just then the first few rows got occupied by the seventh year students, Headmistress McGonagall stood up, and went to the podium]
Headmistress McGonagall: Good Morning and welcome students, professors, family members, and ministry officials, to the graduation of the class of 1999. It is a pleasure to have you all here today at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry joining us for this momentous event. Class of 1999, I look at you and I can't believe how much you've grown, mentally and physically. I remember when you were only eleven years old and you were first getting off of those boats with Professor Hagrid to come to Hogwarts for the very first time. I am so happy that this day has finally arrived and even though we went through hardships, we were able to come back stronger than ever. Now, I'd like to present our valedictorian, Miss Hermione Granger
(Mostly everyone claps and cheers, Hermione stands up, goes on stage, and Headmistress McGonagall goes to her seat)
Hermione: Good Morning everyone, I honestly can't believe this day has finally arrived. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry became a second home to us, our houses became our family, and we've learned so many valuable life lessons from so many wonderful people here. James Potter taught us the value and importance of friendship, bravery, and loyalty. Lily Potter taught us that there is nothing stronger than a mother's love
(She turned to the professors)
Hermione: Sirius, Professor Black, you taught us that there's both light and dark inside of us but what matters is the side we choose to act on. Hagrid, Professor Hagrid, you taught us that our future isn't determined by our background. Professor McGonagall, you taught us that the things, places, and people you care about are worth fighting for. Each and every one of you have taught us so much
(She turned back around)
Hermione: Professor Lupin taught us that, us exactly as we are, are capable and deserving of finding love and friendship. Professor Dumbledore taught us that it is our choices that show who we truly are far more than our abilities. We lost so many lives during the second wizarding war but they will always live within our hearts, our souls, and we honor and thank each and every one of them for their sacrifice. We're all heading our separate ways, it's nature, but in the end, we'll always come back to one another, we'll always have each other's backs, we'll always be a huge family, and Hogwarts will always be here for us as our second home, as our home away from home. There are a few special things that I want to say to some people here before we leave because honestly, I don't want to keep them inside of me. Neville
(Neville stands up)
Hermione: Where's the forgetful and slightly clumsy boy who was always chasing a little toad we met years ago?
(He laughs alongside others)
Hermione: No seriously Neville, you're definitely a true Gryffindor that taught us to always stand up for what believe in and to always strive to be better. I am so proud of how much you've grown, of the person you've become, and I love you very much
(He nods smiling and sits down)
Hermione: Luna, my dear friend
(Luna stands up)
Hermione: You've been really good friends ever since you first arrived at Hogwarts and you've always been so unique and so different from everyone and you've never cared about what others think of you and that is a powerful trait. You've taught us that it's better to stand out rather than fit in because we should always celebrate our individuality, that being different and unique is not a bad thing, it means that you're brave enough to be yourself, I love you and thank you
(Luna dries her tears, smiles nodding, and sits back down)
Hermione: Seamus
(He stands up smiling)
Hermione: Seamus, all this time you made an effort to become someone different...but you didn't achieve it
(Many laugh including him)
Hermione: No, but that's a good thing because you're so cool the way you are, we love you so much just the way you are, and we couldn't live without your funny explosive accidents
(Many laugh and he smiles nodding at her)
Hermione: Padma
(She stood up)
Hermione: At first everyone saw you as this very shy and very quiet studious girl who wasn't as outgoing as the other girls but later on we saw that you're actually a very determined and courageous individual that's not afraid to stand up for what is right and I love you
(She smiles, nods, and sits down)
Hermione: Parvati and Lavender
(They stand up with linked arms)
Hermione: You know, I have to confess, well we have to confess that at first, we thought that you both were a little bit like plastic but hold up, wait a minute, because with time you both have truly shown that you're actually alive, that you've always been here for us by our sides, you're both queens and we love you both so much
(They smile and hug each other giggling and sit down)
Hermione: Megs and Su
(They stand up with linked arms)
Hermione: We've been amazing and really good friends ever since we were kids, we've always been really connected and I love you both so much and I am so grateful to have you both in my life because you mean the world to me
(They nod smiling and sit down)
Hermione: Draco
(He looks at Astoria questionably)
Hermione: Yeah, you, who else is named Draco?
(Draco stands up awkwardly)
Hermione: Ever since day one we did not get along at all. My friends and I didn't like you and you didn't like us back. We always fought, argued, we have so many differences, you've made so many mistakes but who hasn't, right? We're all human, we all make mistakes, we all have the right to fix them, we have the right to a second chance, and we have the right to become better people. I gotta say that I'm proud of you for doing the right thing in the end and you've taught us that nobody is born evil, some people are just misunderstood, and I am very happy that you're fixing your mistakes and that you're becoming a better person every day
(He is smiling and nods at her as in saying thank you and he sits down)
Hermione: Alex, Laurie
(They stand up)
Hermione: You two were the very first guys that I considered my older brothers even though I'm older than you, Alex, you two always defended me from the bullies back when we were kids and I used to live in France with my cousins and you two will always be my brothers even though we're not related by blood
(They nod smiling and sit down)
Hermione: Hails, Hailee, my best friend
(Hailee stands up)
Hermione: What can I say to you?
(She laughs and shrugs her shoulders)
Hermione: You're my best friend and I love you
(Her voice breaks, tears start forming, and she clears her throat)
Hermione: I know that both of us are very stubborn, that we're a pair of warriors, you're like a sister to me, and you'll see that happiness does exist, I promise you
[Tears run down her and Hailee's eyes. They clean their tears and Hailee gets out of her chair and goes on stage. They embrace in a tight hug and let out their tears, mostly everyone claps, and cheers, and after a small while, they pull away]
Hermione: I am so glad I'm wearing waterproofed makeup
Hailee: Me too
(Many laugh and Hailee goes back to her seat)
Hermione: Oh man, I'm missing someone, babe
(Harry laughs and stands up)
Hermione: Harry, my love, you're my other half, the love of my life, my soulmate, my other best friend, the father of my child, I love you with everything I have and everything I am. You've taught us that the greatest witches and wizards started out the same way we did, as students, and if they could do it, why not us, but that's not all, you taught everyone that working hard is important but that believing in ourselves matters even more. You're such a strong person because no matter what life threw at you, you never lost faith, and you were able to overcome any hardships that you came across
(Laurie and Alex stand up and join Hermione interrupting her making her laugh a bit)
Laurie: We'd like to say a little something, the truth is that you stole our best mate's heart ever since you two were kids
Alex: Yeah, you two were destined for one another ever since day one, it was already written in the book of life that your hearts and souls would intertwine
Laurie: And the truth is that you're a girl that always fights for what's right, for what she believes in, and for what she wants
Alex: You're a girl who never gives up, you're such a badass, and don't ever change because we love you so much and you mean the world to us too
(Hermione dries her tears and all three of them hug. The boys then go to their seats)
Hermione: All I have left to say is thank you to every student who is here with us, to all the alumni, to all the students who are not here with us, and to all the professors for making these years at Hogwarts the craziest and the best. Congratulations class of 1999
[Basically almost everyone claps and cheers. Hermione goes back to her seat and Headmistress McGonagall stands up. She calls each student's name, each student comes up and shakes her hand getting their diploma, each one gets a first class of the order of Merlin for fighting in the war, of course, except for some Slytherins and Zacharias smith]
Harry: Hi, uh, I have a speech too
(Harry clears his throat)
Headmistress McGonagall and Hermione: Uh-oh
Harry: Goodbye seniors, Goodbye class, High school, you can kiss-
Headmistress McGonagall: Ok, thank you, Potter
(Hermione pulled him away making Sirius and James' image laugh)
Sirius & James Potter's image: That's our boy
Lily Potter's image: Both of you be quiet
[After everyone had their diplomas and medals, they went back to their seats but didn't sit down, they stayed standing up]
Headmistress McGonagall: On this day, June the fifth, 1999, at this time, 11:30:00 am, I declare every single one of you, graduates from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Congratulations class of 1999
[Everyone threw their caps in the air catching them a second later, and everyone clapped and cheered for them. Headmistress McGonagall presented the graduating class of 1999 on stage and they all got up on stage without their robes to perform their graduating song]
{On stage}
*Pretend it was Hermione's song, pretend that Mal was Hermione, Evie was Hailee, Harry was Ben, Doug was Alex, Laurie was Jay, Rolf was Carlos, Fay was Lani, and Luna was Jane. Pretend they were in The Great Hall and there were family members, other students, alumni, reporters, and photographers in front of them while the professors were behind them enjoying their performance**Ignore the water and the ring scene*

[Everyone claps and cheers then the graduates get on the canoes and travel back to the train. This signified their transformation from children to adults. Later on, everyone would return for the special lunch and dinner that would be held outside The Great Hall. After a small while, they returned and everyone was helping each other bring out the tables, food, and drinks]
{With Hermione}
(Ron pulled Hermione aside while Harry was talking to Sirius and carrying baby James)
Hermione: What do you want?
Ron: Hermione, can we talk
Hermione: Now?
Ron: Yes, now, I've been trying to talk to you all year
Hermione: Ron, make it quick, we're trying to get the lunch started and I want to talk to Harry
Ron: Are you gonna break up with him?
Hermione: What? No, why would I do that? Why on earth would you think that? I love him
Ron: Hermione, I love you
Hermione: I'm sorry, but I don't, Ron, I never have and I never will, I already told you that Harry is the man I love and the father of my child
(Ginny was hearing the conversation)
Ron: Hermione, I might not be rich like Harry, but I'm gonna be an Auror and then I'll have money
Hermione: Do you honestly think I'm with Harry because of his money?! What kind of woman do you take me for, Ronald, a gold digger?!
Ron: I didn't mean it that way, I-
Hermione: Get this straight through your thick head, I love Harry and I always will, it's always been him and no one else, I belong to Harry, and he belongs to me, I'm in love with him and nothing or no one will ever change that
Ron: But Hermione-
Hermione: He's the love of my life, he's the man I love, he's my other half, he's my soulmate, he's my fiancé, and the father of my child. Wasn't it clear when I said it to everyone at graduation? Have I not stated this fact a million times, Ronald?
(She took out her wand and cast Expecto Patronum then a doe came out)

Ron: But, but your patronus was an otter
Hermione: A patronus can change form for one reason and one reason only, and that reason is love. I fell in love with Harry, I love him with everything I have and everything I am ever since I was a little girl. I have no idea how you haven't understood? I've said it more than a million times
(Ginny approached them)
Ginny: Leave her alone, Ron, she's already with someone else
Ron: Stay out of this
Ginny: I won't, move on, damn it, you've got no chance, Hermione and Harry love each other, and you can't do anything about it, just accept it
Ron: You're in love with him!
Ginny: No I'm not, I love him as a friend, I used to have the biggest crush on him, yes, but it wasn't love, I found love with Adrian!
Ron: A Slytherin? You've got to be kidding me
Ginny: So what if Adrian is in Slytherin? He's a good person who fought alongside us, he's my best friend and I love him, not all Slytherins are bad, Ron. Hermione, go, have fun
Hermione: Thanks, Gin
Ginny: Anytime
(Hermione and her hug then she leaves)
Ginny: That's why I took that trip to Ananda Ashram, Indonesia. To get some time to myself, to figure out my life, to get a new perspective, it helped me out a lot, and I think you need to take that trip too
Ron: I don't need shit
Ginny: Fine, then continue being a hard-headed arse and soon enough you'll see that you're gonna start to lose all the people who care about you and when you realize your mistake, it'll be too late
(She leaves to continue helping everyone with the lunch and dinner set up for the celebration)