° Chapter Thirty-Five °

                                    

                                          
Graduation!
"I would like to send you off, great work. All of you."
                          
××× 
                          
Harry was sitting in his room, glaring at his Red and Black robes. They were his graduation robes but he couldn't find it in himself to even put them on. He was leaving his first real home in the next three days.
                          
He was scared, he didn't want to leave but he knew he had to leave his comfort place once more. Oh, Hogwarts. The first place he met Ron and Hermione. The first place he witnessed magic for the first time. The first place, he got detention. The first place he met Draco. The first place he had found his happiness. The first place he finally found his family at.
                          
Everything leading up to this moment was filled with happy and sad memories but in the end, he knew that he found his long-term home. Maybe not now but in the future he knew he would be returning. Even if it was for a split second.
                          
Someone clearing their throat broke him out of his thoughts. He looked up and saw Hermione and Ron standing in the doorway. Ron was wearing his Red and Black robes, while Hermione was wearing a Red dress with Black sparkles. She had her hair in a tight braid. Harry immediately stood up, knowing that everyone was waiting for him.
                          
The three friends didn't have to say words. Hermione helped Harry get his clothes off. He had started gaining muscle and his body fat was coming back. Ron grabbed his robes, helping Harry with putting them on. He fixed his tie with a large grin.
                          
"Ready?" 
                          
"Yeah. I am!" Harry took a deep breath. The Golden Trio walked out to see the whole common room chatting quietly. Harry caught Draco's eye, the blonde was wearing Dark Green and Black robes. Pansy was wearing a Black dress with Dark Green sparkles. Theo and Blaise wore the same thing as Draco.
                          
Neville was wearing a Dark Red and Black suit, that matched Ginny's dress. Luna was wearing a strapless Royal Blue and Black dress. Harry smiled brightly at them all, his eyes almost filling up with tears but he held them back.
                          
The common room went silent went they saw the three. "Give a speech," Hermione whispered, gripping his hand.
                          
Harry cleared his throat, looking at his eighth year. "I'm proud of you all. We've made it through hell and back but we're stronger. We will make it, now is our time to prove that we were better than what we were before. Understand?" 
                          
He saw hopeful faces with tears in people's eyes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Suddenly Professor McGonagall stepped out from the back. "Wonder speech Mr. Potter. Now I shall lead you to the grounds. Let's go!" 
                          
Harry's face was burning. The students filed out one by one until the only ones left were the group. "Ready?" Harry asked, standing in front of his group. "Yeah. We're in this together." Hermione said, taking his hand. Ron took his other.
                          
The Golden Trio walked the rest of the group out. They walked the empty halls down to the big oak doors. They walked down the grounds, the path was lined with burning white candles.
                          
They arrived at an archway, which was covered in Green, Red, Yellow, and Blue roses. Vines hung down to create a magical effect, each time a person entered the vines would move so they could pass without messing their appearances up.
                          
Next to the arch was a small stand where Professors were handing out caps that matched people's robes or dresses.
                          
The group gathered theirs then continued walking. The path held a white silk fabric that was charmed. There were tables and chairs for the party afterward. Once the group passed the tables they found the rows of seats for the seventh and eighth years. They had four different sections for the houses, then they had two different stands off the sides for families. Up at the front held a stage with a banner with the Hogwarts symbol floating above it.
                          
"Wow Hare, you went all out for this." Pansy hummed. "Well of course. This is our last year here and I wanted it to be remembered." Harry stated with pride. Students were talking with their families but the group settled into a spot to the side. 
                          
Molly, Arthur, Bill, Flur, and Charlie found the group first. "Oh, you guys look lovely!" Molly said, hugging every one of them. Blaise looked like he was going to shite himself but took the hug altogether.
                          
Once Molly reached Ron and Ginny she teared up. "My babies are so grown up. You have no idea how proud I am of you two." She whispered, hugging them tightly. 
                          
Draco looked at them but then looked past. He saw Narcissa and Andromeda coming towards them with Teddy running towards Harry. "You made it..." Draco whispered to Narcissa.
                          
"Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world Draco." Narcissa said. Harry grabbed Teddy and hugged him, "Hey little man!" He smiled brightly. "Hoi."
                          
"Guys we have to go sit down! Professor McGonagall is starting soon." Neville stated, kissing Teddy's cheek. The group waved their goodbyes and hurried to their seats. Soft chatter was heard all over the grounds. Upon the stage held a long table for all of the Professors, who sat in their best clothing.
                          
Soon Professor McGonagall stood, silencing everyone. She looked among everyone and caught Harry's eye. She smiled warmly and started her speech. "Today, we are here to celebrate the students who have made it to the end of the year. I have never been more proud of students than I am of these we are letting go of today. After today they will go off and become someone that most of them never thought they could've.
                          
I wish I could go back in time. These last years have gone by quickly but at last... I must let them go. Let us start, shall we?"