Chapter 15
Graduation came quicker than planned. To me, it felt as if yesterday, I had arrived at Hogwarts as an eleven year-old, and now- I was an adult witch. Ginny was the only student who knew about my curse, no- gift, but since she was busy snogging Harry, I didn't have anyone to confide in about the change of my plans.
Professor Snape was going to travel with me to search for the needed ingredients. He would teach me on the way, using an enchanted suitcase (how awesome was that???) to carry his lab. We now had a solid foundation about what ingredients we would need for the potion, so that was at least something to start with.
Added to that, it was probably the best for us to leave the country with the mysterious kidnapper still after me to blackmail Professor Snape for something.
I knew we had a lot of work ahead of us, but- I couldn't help but get excited about the upcoming traveling. I had gotten quite good at pushing my feelings down for- a certain someone, so I wasn't too worried about getting all hormonal.
****
"Are you ready?" asked Ginny and turned around, her long black dress swirling around her legs.
We'd gotten ready for the ceremony in my room to have some privacy from 'Lav and Pav'. I felt like a bundle of panic as I stared into the mirror, picturing the moment when I had to go on stage to shake the headmistress' hand, as every seventh-year would.
I'm going to fall. Or faint. Or both. I just know it-
"Hermione," said Ginny softly, pulling me out of my trance. She smiled at me. "Don't worry about the moon. This is why McGonagall is having the ceremony start already at five p.m., although the others think it's too early."
"It's not that," I said and swallowed, "I- I'm just terrified I'll embarrass myself in front of everyone."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "You survived Umbridge, fought Voldemort, accepted an apprenticeship from Professor Snape- and now you're afraid of a stage?"
I nodded weakly.
The redhead stared at me for a moment. "Completely understandable," she said and put a hand on my shoulder. "But don't worry. You look stunning. I'm sure Snape-"
"Professor Snape," I corrected her automatically.
"- will lose his eyeballs after seeing you."
I had to smile weakly.
"Plus, you don't have your period like I do," grimaced Ginny, "why do you think I chose black?"
"My condolences," I said sympathetically. "Do you need anything?"
"I'll just leave to 'powder my nose' when I have to," said Ginny and took my hand. "Come on. Showtime."
Together, we exited the tower.
Following the chatter that rose up from the entrance hall, we began to descend the marble staircase. My dark red dress trailed behind me, embroidered with golden symbols. Two red straps held it on my shoulders. The dress hugged my waist, but flowed down between my legs. I had fallen in love with it the moment I had seen it.
Ginny had suggested to put my hair up in a bun, but I had decided against it. Instead, I had pulled it back in a braid, and the end of it fell over my left shoulder. A few locks framed my face. Ginny had helped me put golden pins with dark red blossoms attached to them into my hair that formed a trail from the back of my head to the end of the braid. Since I wasn't wearing any jewelry, I didn't think those pins were too much.
I had actually planned on wearing the purple dress I had worn to the opera, but my parents had sent me this one a few days ago. They were still in Australia and unable to attend my graduation. A part of me was upset, but I knew that they felt terrible about not being able to come. They just had too much work to do.
We arrived at the bottom of the staircase. The young men were already eagerly chatting with their dates, as well as their families that had come to see their graduation. My eyes swept over the happy faces and I felt a twinge of sadness when I saw how happy everyone was. Even Draco had his parents with him.
"You look dashing, Hermione," grinned Harry and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I smiled at him. Then he turned to his date and pulled her closer to his chest.
"And who did you dress up for, gorgeous?" he said with a big smile.
"I can't remember," purred Ginny and leaned into Harry's arms. "Perhaps you could...jog my memory."
The two leaned closer to each other-
"Oi! Harry!" called Ron, pushing himself through the crowd with Lavender in tow, as well as the rest of the Weasleys.
I rolled my eyes at Ron's bad timing, although I had to admit, he looked very handsome in his dress robes.
"Hey, 'Mione," said Ron and enveloped me in a warm hug, "you look stunning."
"Thanks, Ron," I smiled, biting back a laugh when Lavender glowered at me. "I love your dress, Lavender," I said and gave her a hug as well. While her cloud of perfume made me want to choke, she did look amazing. It seemed she had dropped the schoolgirl-outfit over night.
"Won Won," said Lavender after we'd exchanged pleasantries with the Weasleys, "remember not to dance with anyone else."
I rolled my eyes at Ginny, who suppressed a laugh.
The crowd began to stream into the Great Hall, which was lit by hundreds of candles floating beneath the deep blue ceiling. The house tables had been replaced with many round ones and at the end of the Great Hall was a stage.
I followed Harry and Ginny, making sure to lift my dress slightly so no one would step on it. Several seventh-years had asked me to accompany them to graduation, but I had said no. First of all, because I hadn't known them. Second, because I would constantly compare my date to- a certain someone. And third, because I wanted to make my last night as a student at Hogwarts about me. I could enjoy my friends' company without having to plaster a smile to my face and listen to a long monologue about Quidditch, or whatever boys talked about these days.
I sat down at a table with Harry, Ron, Ginny, Fred, Angelina and Charlie, while Arthur, Molly, Percy, George, Percy and George's dates, as well as Bill and Fleur chose the neighboring table. The sounds of chairs scraping across the floor and of people chatting began to fade when Professor McGonagall ascended the stage. She lifted her wand to her throat.
"Good afternoon," her magically amplified voice rang through the hall. Everyone's head turned to look ahead and the hall became very silent.
"Today, we say goodbye to the students of Hogwarts, who have been with us since they stepped foot into this hall at the age of eleven," spoke the headmistress. She looked amazing in her emerald-green dress robes and radiated the same calmness that Albus Dumbledore always used to have.
"Now, these children have grown up to become young adults, ready to step out of this school and into the world."
My mouth twitched when Alastor Moody muttered, "Young adults, my arse. Bloody children, more like." Since Professor McGonagall had been drawing a breath in that moment, everyone heard it.
A chuckle went through the hall.
"Yes, thank you, Alastor," the headmistress said, then continued, "It has been a trying time for our graduating class, filled with hardships and pain. None of us will ever really forget what these students had to go through, but we shall forever see how it shaped them into the strong witches and wizards they are today. Brave, loyal, intelligent and cunning. These are the witches and wizards that will now set foot into the Wizarding community and forge their own path."
As Professor McGonagall carried on, my eyes wandered through the hall. Many seventh-years had a sad look on their faces, as if they suddenly realized that Hogwarts had become a home to them- and now it was time to leave it. My own eyes began to burn and I blinked quickly, before returning my attention to the headmistress.
"And now, I will call every student to the stage, to retrieve their diploma," said Professor McGonagall. A scroll magically popped up in her hand. The other professors rose from their seats and ascended the stage, lining up behind Professor McGonagall. "Miss Hannah Abott!"
Hannah shyly walked forward as Professor McGonagall listed the Hufflepuff's great achievements during her years at Hogwarts. Hannah got a handshake from Professor McGonagall, then her diploma, and then proceeded to shake the hands of every teacher behind the headmistress.
Everyone applauded when a proud Hannah Abott descended the steps and returned to her seat.
As the next students were called forward, I noticed that Professor McGonagall managed to say something good about every student. It wasn't necessarily their grades, but often their courage in trying times or when they'd shown kindness to another. Especially the Slytherins seemed surprised to get such praise from the headmistress, and I saw every single one of them leave the stage with a smile on their face. Even Draco looked happy with himself.
Neville, to my surprise, strode onto the stage with confidence and shook Professor Snape's hand without flinching. He'd really come a long way from the insecure boy in first year.
To my shock, my name was not called when it should have been, since Professor McGonagall was going through the list alphabetically. I shifted restlessly and exchanged a confused look with Harry and Ron, who just shrugged back at me.
After Blaise Zabini sat down, I tightly knotted my fingers together, wondering if I'd been forgotten.
"And finally," said Professor McGonagall, and a rare smile appeared on her face, "we have one last student to mention tonight."
Ginny gave me an exciting nudge in the side. My heart began to thump in my chest.
"She has received the highest score on her NEWTs in the history of Hogwarts-"
I paled in surprise, not having known that before. Was she really talking about me?
"-and has proven to be one of Hogwarts' most loyal students it has ever had. She has shown in her years at Hogwarts that greatness does not come from magical power, or heritage, but that it comes from doing the right thing when it is needed the most. Miss Hermione Granger, please join me on stage!"
The hall burst into applause. To my surprise, I even saw Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy clap for me, which was most likely because I had spoken positively about Draco at his trial after the war.
I blinked, realizing that many people were cheering for me, the bookworm of Gryffindor. I heard Bill Weasley whistle loudly and even Moody was thumping his cane on the ground with a small smile. I spotted Minister Kingsley, who gave me an approving smile.
"Hermione," Ginny snapped me out of my shock, "come on." She beamed at me.
I felt as if I were in a trance. Slowly, I got up from my seat and made my way to the stage. My red dress trailed behind me and I had to lift it slightly to make it up the steps. With my heart hammering in my chest, I stopped in front of Professor McGonagall.
She shortly canceled the Sonorus and handed me a scroll, before pulling me into a hug.
"My dear girl," she said proudly and stepped back, "well done. I am so proud of you." Her voice was almost drowned out by the clapping crowd.
I felt my mouth curve into a sincere smile when my chest started to heat up with a warm feeling.
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall," I said gratefully.
"Minerva," she corrected me with a smile. I couldn't believe that she was offering me to call her by her first name, so all I managed to do was to incline my head gratefully. She smiled at me one last time, then gestured to the line of professors waiting for me.
Hagrid pulled me into a bone-crushing hug, with fat tears leaking out of his eyes. Professor Sprout shook my hand excitedly, offering me to call her Pomona and commenting on how lovely the fireblossoms looked in my hair. Professor Flitwick- whom I was now allowed to call Filius- shook my hand for a full minute, squeaking how excited he was for me becoming a Potioneer. As I shook everyone's hand, I received to my surprise the offer from every single one of them to call them by their given name. I made sure to thank each professor for everything they had done for me. It wasn't just a polite sentence I repeated over and over. I truly meant it.
The professors had become like family to me.
The only time I did not mean it was when I faced Wernin.
And finally, I stopped before Professor Snape. He looked at me silently, his eyes trailing over my red dress.
"Thank you, sir," I said and extended my hand, "for everything." I wasn't worried about anyone hearing us. My voice was too low for anyone to eavesdrop.
His cool hand wrapped around mine. "Is this supposed to be a goodbye, Miss Granger?" He said with a raised eyebrow.
I had to grin. "No, I'm just using this sentimental moment to say that I appreciate everything you've done for me. And I look forward to working with you, Professor Snape."
His grip tightened slightly on my hand. After a moment, the wizard said, "Severus."
Astonishment crossed my face. While receiving the offer to call the other professors by their given names had certainly been a great surprise, I'd never dreamed I would be allowed to call Professor Snape...Severus.
A smile brightened my face.
"Hermione," I responded and inclined my head slightly.
Then I let go of his hand and descended the steps, lifting the hem of my dress in one hand and holding my diploma in the other. When I had taken my seat again, Professor McGonagall officially opened the feast.
Food began to appear on the tables, which instantly groaned from the sudden weight. I let my diploma vanish to my room and took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.
I watched the professors descend the stage and return to their tables, when someone poked me in the side.
"What did you talk about?" said Ginny quietly with a big grin on her face.
I shrugged. "He allowed me to call him Severus."
Ginny squealed, but luckily, the noise of the people drowned out her voice. "You can call him by his given name?"
"It's not that big of a deal," I tried to put it off, even though my red cheeks betrayed me, "all professors allowed me to call them by their given names."
Ginny's eyes went wide. "Even Wernin?"
I shuddered at the memory of shaking his sweaty hand. "Yes." He'd stared at me in a way that was definitely creepy. Luckily, Bathsheda Babbling had been eager to compliment me on my dress and had forced Wernin to let go of my hand.
"I think you're the only student who they offered that to," Ginny interrupted my thoughts. She gave me a proud smile and squeezed my hand.
The dinner passed quickly and once all plates were cleared, everyone rose from their seats. The tables were levitated to the walls, creating a large space in the center. A band had appeared on stage and was beginning to play a boogie. Harry pulled Ginny onto the dance floor, followed by Lavender and Ron, Arthur and Molly, Fleur and Bill, Fred and Angelina-
I leaned against a pillar, remaining in its shadows as I watched the scene before me. Many more were joining the dancers.
I had to smile. The warm glow in my chest appeared again, filling me from head to toe.
"I am surprised, Miss Granger," said a velvety voice. Severus appeared out of the shadows. "I would have assumed you would have claimed the dance floor with your date by now."
"I don't have a date," I said calmly, refocusing on the dancing crowd before me. "And it's Hermione, remember?"
I grimaced in sympathy when Tonks stumbled into Remus, stepping on his foot with her pointy high-heel.
"What about you Pr- Severus?" I said, my tongue stumbling over the unfamiliar word. I turned my head. "Can't you dance?"
Severus' eyes bored into mine. "Of course I can."
"I've never seen you do it," I said with a slight provoking tone.
"You do not believe me?" said the wizard in a baritone voice.
I smirked. "Saying and doing are two very different shoes to be worn," I lectured him.
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Well in that case-"
He extended a hand toward me. "May I have the honor of having your first dance?"
I stared at him, speechless. Several seconds ticked by, until Severus said mockingly, "Can't you dance, Hermione?"
The way his velvety voice pronounced my name sent shivers down my spin. "Of course I can," I said firmly and placed my hand in his. "I just didn't expect you to be a fan of boogie."
Severus gave me a sly look and led me onto the dance floor. The moment we stepped on it, the music changed to a classical waltz. I shot Severus a surprised look, who responded with a twitch of his lips. A strong wave of magic tingled around me and I furrowed my eyebrows.
"A distracting charm?" I asked. "I'm not that bad of a dancer, mind you."
"I was not concerned about that," Severus replied and pulled me closer to him. He placed a hand on my waist and began to lead me across the dance floor. No one else seemed to notice us, yet somehow, everyone miraculously moved out of the way as we danced. Severus made sure to keep an appropriate distance between us, but I couldn't stop from feeling a hot tingling where his hand touched my waist.
"It seems that a few reporters have managed to get an invitation and I am not particularly fond of appearing in the Daily Prophet, as you perhaps recall."
My dress swished around me when he lead me into a twirl.
"Congratulations on your NEWTs," said Severus suddenly, "you were the first in over a decade to surpass the highest score."
"Thank you," I said and blushed. "Whose score was it?"
Severus' lips twitched. "Mine."
"Oh," I said with large eyes.
"Does that come as a surprise to you?" said Severus with a raised eyebrow.
"Actually- no," I admitted, "you are, after all, the smartest person I know."
Severus inclined his head slightly. Several minutes passed, during which we just danced to the music.
"When will be depart for Brasil?" I asked, trying to distract myself from how close I was to him.
"I was going to discuss the details with you tomorrow," said Severus, smoothly leading me across the floor, "as I am sure you would rather have one evening free of work."
Hagrid and Madame Maxime, who had to be his date, danced past us.
"Then what should we talk about instead?" I asked, feeling quite light-headed from the wine and the dancing. I wasn't drunk, not at all. But I was beginning to feel the relaxing effect after having a glass of red wine. I felt like I was gliding on clouds. Who knew Severus Snape could dance?
"What normal people usually talk about," responded Severus dryly, "the weather, local gossip-"
I had to grin. "But we're not normal people, are we?"
When his dark eyes locked with mine, I felt as if for a short moment, I was connecting with him. The music, the talking and all other sounds seemed to fade- it was just him and me.
I knew Severus did not love me. Not like I loved him. But what I did know was that we were- friends. Friends who shared a love for books and knowledge, who both had a secret to hide, and who had each other's backs.
And for now, that was enough for me.
"No," said Severus quietly, "we are not."
The dance ended too soon for my taste. Severus escorted me back to my table before breaking the enchantment on us.
"Thank you for the dance, Severus," I said with a smile.
He bowed slightly, before disappearing into the shadows.
Throughout the evening, more young men seemed determined to dance with me. Perhaps it was the dress, or they were all drunk- whatever it was, I had no clue why they were suddenly so keen on dancing with me. When my feet were aching and my head was spinning, I bid everyone a farewell and left. Severus had, once again, disappeared completely.
Deciding to take a stroll to clear my head, I went outside and followed a path to the rose gardens. It was only seven o'clock, which gave me a few more hours until moonrise. The warm summer breeze cooled my heated face and I closed my eyes, enjoying the calmness.
"Back inside McLaggen!" snapped a sharp voice and I opened my eyes, "and you too, Miss Heliotrope! You two are a disgrace to your former houses!"
Two seventh-years hurried past me, both flushed red and disheveled. I suppressed a grin and turned my head, only to see a black-robes figure round a corner. In the evening sunlight, he looked more handsome than ever and I forced my heartbeat to slow down.
"Busy as ever," I said with twitching lips.
Severus scowled. "They could have at least waited until they have left the premises."
"Well, since they're officially finished with school, they're probably not expecting detention," I said.
"I can still scare the shit out of them," said Severus and his voice carried a hint of maliciousness.
I rolled my eyes.
"I saw that, Granger."
"Pardon me, sir," I said with a grin, "I wouldn't want to doubt your ability to scare other people out of their wits."
"You should not." When Severus spoke, I got a peek at his elongated fangs, but the amusement I detected in his voice took the seriousness out of his statement.
Another breeze blew through the maze of roses. I turned my head to look back at the castle and found that we were hidden from the castle's view.
"Why are you outside?" I asked and turned back around. "Shouldn't you be rejoicing in seeing your students for the last time?"
"I will be seeing their offspring soon enough," said Severus dryly, "no doubt most of them will get to it soon."
I chocked in surprise and pressed a hand over my mouth to stifle my laugh. The wind picked up, pulling a flower pin out of my hair. I saw out of the corner of my eye how the red pin sailed to the ground, landing before Severus' black shoes.
"Oh, darn," I muttered and took a step forward to pick it up. But Severus was faster than me. With the pin in his hands, he took a step forward and said, "Allow me."
What-
"Thanks," I said in surprise and turned around, allowing him to place the pin into my hair. He did it carefully, not like Ginny who sometimes pulled a little too hard on my hair. My chest began to heat up with happiness when I felt Severus' fingers brush my neck and I had to smile.
I turned around and found the wizard frowning at me. "What is it?" I said confused.
Instead of answering, Severus wrapped his long fingers around my right wrist and lifted my hand. I followed his gaze- and stiffened.
My skin was glowing. It was only a weak, golden light- but it was unmistakably there.
"Did the Cygnus Cantare inside you affect you like this before?" said Severus in a low tone and let go of my hand.
The warmth in my chest vanished as I stared at my skin in confusion. I looked at my other hand- it was glowing too. I was glowing everywhere. Suddenly, the glow faded away.
"My eyes changed," I said perplexed, "and when I sing as a swan, all my ailments disappear, but that's all."
Severus looked thoughtful. "What were you feeling just now?" he inquired.
I blinked. "Er- I was happy because- I got to see all of my friends tonight," I stammered, hoping he wouldn't see the lie, "and- I was happy about my NEWTs."
"As a swan, you glow when you sing," said the wizard in a low tone. "When you sing, you are happy, which means that if your emotions are strong enough- you will glow even when you're not a swan."
I stared at him in shock. "Are you saying that I'm turning into a lightbulb of a sort?" I said and frowned.
"No," said Severus, "but you will have to keep your strong, positive emotions in check if you do not want others to realize what you are."
Okay, simple enough. I'm about to go on a long travel with the man I love and I have to be a cold rock the entire time. No problem. I'll just think of something calming- or gross- like Umbridge doing a bellydance...
I grimaced and shuddered. At Severus' raised eyebrow, I explained, "I was just imagining what to think of when this happens again. And- something...disturbing came to my mind."
The eyebrow rose higher. "Fudge in a bathing suit."
"Umbridge doing a bellydance."
The following moment, I was stunned into silence because that was one of the rare moments I heard Severus Snape laugh. His baritone voice sounded amazing in my ears and in that moment, I decided to make that man laugh as often as possible, no matter what. If anyone deserved to have an opportunity to laugh, it was him.