Chapter 46: Graduation Day

The Corridors, Hogwarts...

Severus Snape made his way down the corridors of Hogwarts. The morning chill had been welcoming as he headed toward the stage in his more formal attire. He was to be standing on the stage with the other professors handing out certificates of completion to deserving students well on their way to making a name for themselves in the wizarding world. This year's students had not been particularly interesting but "The Golden Trio" was finally leaving Hogwarts. He didn't know if this was necessarily a good thing.

The N.E.W.T.S. had been over with an impressive showing since the previous year with Hermione Jean Granger coming in second place with the highest marks in all of her classes. The only person who beat out her N.E.W.T. score had been none other than Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts. The Gryffindor witch had thought little of her time with Sebastian Prince with her future being assured with all the other schools trying to get her to accept their scholarships.

What had been surprising was that both Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson also obtained reasonably high marks. They were going to graduate on par with The Golden Trio of Gryffindor. Snape could not have been more proud to have at least two of his Slytherins on par with Minerva's group. There weren't a Trio but a Duo was just as good. Neville Longbottom had managed to gain a passing grade in potions. It was amazing that both he and Snape survived each other since the first year.

The Headmaster smiled when recalled just how much this group had changed since their first year. They had all been through so much together. Not mention surviving the war with Voldemort. Each one of them had played an important part in helping the wizarding world achieve the peace that it had not seen since before the despot's rise to power.

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Preparation...

Ron Weasley had been fidgeting in his graduation robes. He had not liked being dressed up so much. Ginny elbowed him in the arm to make him behave himself. Harry smiled at Ginny who returned his smile. Hermione kept obsessing over how her hair was going to look in the photos. She was brushing nonstop since they had gotten dressed. Draco and Pansy had found time to get in some light snogging session before their names would be called. Neville Longbottom had been feeling a good deal more confident. He had killed the despot Voldemort's pet snake and he had passed Professor Snape's potions class. The Potions Master had entered the room.

The graduating Slytherins stood off to the side as he looked them over to ensure no mishaps would occur out on stage. He took time to approach Draco and Pansy who had abruptly straightened themselves when they heard him clear his throat.

"Draco." he said.

The junior Malfoy offered him an innocent smile. Snape shook his head, the had boy looked so much like Lucius it was almost sad.

"Yes, Uncle Severus?" he said pleasantly.

This earned a collective gasp from most of the Gryffindors and a few Slytherins.

Snape rolled his eyes at the sudden childish display and reached into his pocket.

"I have a gift for you." he said meeting the boy's gray eyes.

Draco looked at him astonished.

Snape pulled an impressive silver chain with a snake pendant from his pocket and presented it to the son of Lucius Malfoy.

"Your father gave me this as a gift when I graduated from Hogwarts." said Snape. "I think it fitting that since I have you for a godson...it would be feasible to use it as a for you gift as well."

"W-What about Sebastian sir?" asked Draco. "He's your son shouldn't you be giving that to him?"

Snape sighed.

Draco had still been out of the loop as far as the truth was concerned.

"He would want you to have it." he replied evenly. "As do I."

Draco leaned his head down and Snape put the chain around his neck.

"Thank you Uncle Severus." he said. "I will wear it always."

The junior Malfoy had been honored.

Snape nodded. He tussled the sleek blond boy's hair showing a small ounce of affection for the first time in all the years that anyone has known him. He turned his attention to Pansy and nodded politely in her direction.

"Miss Parkinson." he said. "Treat him well."

Pansy smiled at her Head of House.

Snape inspected the last of the Slytherins and moved over to the Gryffindor side where Professor McGonagall was making a fuss about her little lions being all grown up and heading off into the big wide wizarding world. He sighed at such a shameless display.

The Potions Master made his way over toward Neville Longbottom.

The formerly chubby Gryffindor met his gaze.

"P-Professor Snape?" he said feeling just a little nervous with The Potions Professor looming over him.

"Mr. Longbottom." said Snape. "I believe congratulations are in order."

Neville gave him a small smile.

"Congratulations and a thank you." said Professor Snape.

Neville arched an eyebrow at this.

"A-A thank you sir?" he asked.

Snape extended his pale hand toward Neville for him to shake. The formerly chubby Gryffindor shook it surprised at his own courage.

"Thank you Mr. Longbottom for destroying that wretched snake that almost took my life." said Snape. "And congratulations on passing my class...good luck to you after graduation...you are a credit to your house...I dare say Minerva is lucky to have had you as a house member...as I was to have you as a pupil."

This earned more collective gasps from the Gryffindor side.

Neville was in utter shock.

"T-Thank you...Sir." he said.

Snape nodded and took his leave of him.

Hermione glanced in his direction but he kept walking. She never would have believed it if she hadn't heard what he said to Neville with her own ears. The chubby Gryffindor still couldn't get over the shock from what the Professor had said.

"Alright places everybody." instructed Professor McGonagall. "We go out in three minutes."

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The Ceremony...

The graduating 7th years had all been buzzing with excitement as they were called one by one to the stage before their parents and guests. Headmaster Dumbledore announced their names via voice projection charm. The respective Heads of house handed their students their certificates and shook hands with them for the last time. It had been quite the sight with the grounds littered with white folding chairs and members from all over the wizarding world looking on in approval.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy." called Dumbledore.

Both Lucius and Narcissa had been in attendance. They clapped loudly when their son strolled coolly across the stage in his black graduation robes complete with his Slytherin green tie. His new chain dangled from his neck as he proudly displayed it on the outside of his robes. He walked passed the other Heads of House over to Professor Snape who held out his and the well earned certificate of completion.

"Congratulations, Mr. Malfoy." said Snape with a hint of pride in his voice. "You've done well."

Draco's gray eyes lit up.

"Thank you Uncle Severus." he replied shaking The Potions Master's hand and accepting his certificate.

The junior Malfoy continued off the stage and waited to the side as more names were called.

"Pansy Anne Parkinson." called Dumbledore.

Pansy strolled across the stage in black robes with a Slytherin green scarf draped over her shoulders. She passed the other Heads of house and made her way over to Snape as well. He held out his hand as before along with her certificate of completion.

"Congratulations, Miss Parkinson." said Snape.

"Thank you Professor Snape." she replied smiling at him.

He gave her a small smile in return and she accepted her certificate and shook his hand. Pansy made her way off the stage as more students began to hear their name.

"Harry James Potter." called Dumbledore.

Thunderous clapping and manic cheers of admiration sounded all around as the boy who defeated the despot Voldemort walked across the stage. chants of: Harry!" Harry!" sounded lead by none other than Fred and George Weasley.

For his part Harry had turned red and made his way across the stage to Minerva McGonagall. She held out her hand and the certificate of completion. The green eyed wizard had been wearing black robes with a Gryffindor color tie.

"Congratulations, Mr. Harry Potter." she said.

"Thanks Professor McGonagall." replied Harry shaking her hand and accepting his certificate.

She gave him a warm smile.

"You do Gryffindor house proud young man." she said.

Harry nodded and continued down the stage.

A loud collective gasp filled the area when Severus Snape stepped out of the row of Professors and into his path. The green eyed wizard met the obsidian gaze of his Potions Professor.

"Congratulations, Harry Potter." said Snape.

"T-Thank you..,Sir." said Harry pleasantly.

Snape extended his hand. Harry shook it never letting his gaze fall from The Potions Professor.

"Lily would have been proud of you." said Snape honestly. "I do not believe that she could have asked for a better son."

Harry nodded.

"I believe she would have been proud of you too Sir." he replied "I do not believe I could have asked for a better Professor."

"Good-bye Mr. Potter." said Snape.

"Good-bye Professor Snape." said Harry.

Snape nodded and returned to his place with the other Heads of house. Harry continued off the stage as more names were called.

"Hermione Jean Granger." called Dumbledore.

More cheers went up as another member of The Golden Trio had been called on stage. Snape steeled himself as he watched Hermione come across the stage in her black robes with a Gryffindor colored scarf draped across her shoulder. She approached her Head of house who held out her hand and certificate of completion. The older witch could not stop the tears that came to her eyes as she looked upon her favorite student of this graduating year.

"Congratulations, Miss Granger." she said. "You were the most exceptional Gryffindor of them all and you will always have a special place in my heart."

Hermione smiled and instead of simply shaking Professor McGonagall's hand she hugged the older witch.

"Thank you professor McGonagall." she said sweetly. "For everything."

"No Thank you dear." replied McGonagall. "Had it not been for you then Mr. Potter never would have survived that despot."

Hermione shook her head. The bushy haired Gryffindor looked over at Professor Lupin and smiled. He returned her smile. Amber eyes met obsidian as she found herself locking eyes with Professor Snape. The Potions Master made no movement toward her as she passed him to get off the stage.

"Good luck to you, Miss Granger." he said.

"And to you Professor Snape." she replied as she continued on her way.

"Ginerva Louise Weasley." called Dumbledore.

Everyone watched as the Weasley clan went into jeering over drive as one of their own walked across the stage dressed in black robes with a Gryffindor color scarf draped around her neck. Ginny shook Professor McGonagall's hand and accepted her certificate of completion. Then she proceeded to make her way off the stage smiling at Professors Lupin and Snape in the process.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley." called Dumbledore.

Being the last of The Golden Trio, the red head Weasley boy made his way across the stage with more jeering from his family and a few claps from the other graduates as well. He wore black robes with a Gryffindor tie that he kept picking with as he moved. Professor McGonagall held out his certificate of completion with a smile on her face. Hogwarts had survived another generation of Weasleys. Ron shook her hand and collected his certificate before he made his way off the stage.

The fanfare had continued as more names had been called .

"Neville Longbottom."

"Luna Lovegood"

"Dean Thomas"

"Susan Bones."

All the students repeated the same process as the others collecting their certificates of completion from their respective heads of house and joined their graduated friends on the side lines.

"This concludes our 7th year graduation class of 1999." said Dumbledore. "I hope all of you go on to follow your dreams and strive to live full and happy lives. It has been a pleasure having you here for these last 7 years and good luck and farewell."

The sound of clapping sounded as the ceremony came to a close. Professor Severus Snape began chatting with the other heads of house but he took one last chance to glance at the newly graduated Hermione Granger. She had looked so happy with her little friends, full of life with a bright future ahead of her.

He had no doubt in his mind that his "insufferable know-it-all" would go far in the wizarding world.

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Aftermath...

Neville Longbottom had been the center of attention as other students crowded around him asking him what it had been like to have Professor Snape thank him. The formerly chubby Gryffindor simply shrugged. He was still not over the shock. Harry simply smiled and turned his attention to Hermione and Ron once again arguing over who had the better plans for the future.

"I'm going to play Quidditch!" said Ron.

"That is not a very safe career choice Ronald." said Hermione annoyed. "You can't play that stupid game all your life."

"Says the girl who spends most of her life with her nose in a book!" said Ron. "I know what you're going to be when you leave here...a librarian and your going to live in that place with all your books."

"Shut up Ronald!" said Hermione.

Harry shook his head and squeezed Ginny's hand.

He knew what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. He wanted to marry Ginerva Weasley and be an Auror.

Ron placed his fingers in his ears and chanted how much he was not listening.

"La La La can't hear you!" he said.

Hermione smacked him on the arm, but he ignored her.

Draco showed off his serpent chain to Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy stood holding his hand as he proudly announced how Professor Snape gave it to him. Professor Lupin walked over to Harry with a warm smile on his face.

"Well done Harry." he said. "You did your parents and Padfoot proud."

"Thank you Professor Lupin." replied Harry. "Professor Snape said as much too."

Lupin nodded.

"P-Professor." said Harry.

"Yes, Harry?" said Lupin.

"I-I was wondering if you could, well look after Professor Snape." said the green eyed wizard. "I know he's got Mr. Malfoy and The Headmaster but...I was wondering if you could look after him well for me."

Lupin smiled once more at the son of James and Lily Potter.

"Anything for you, Harry." said Lupin.

Harry seemed utterly grateful.

"Thank you." he said.

Lupin nodded once more.

The Weasley twins treated everyone to a firework display with a large Gryffindor Lion roaring across the Gryffindor students howled in approval while McGonagall smirked.

Snape rolled his eyes.

Determined not to be out done, he summoned a Giant Slytherin serpent that hissed and coiled across the sky making all the Slytherin students cheer in approval.

He treated Minerva to a smirk of his own.

Dumbledore shook his head.

That boy hasn't changed much at all.