Commencement

Disclaimer: All characters herein (except for the lovely Tommi) are the property of J. K. Rowling. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Thank you all for your patience. This is the last chapter of part one!

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Commencement

-~*~-

There was an incomparable sense of excitement in the Slytherin common room this morning...quite a feat as the group of returning students (and even the first years, as they'd been warned of their House's reputation even before sorting) tended to be quite subdued.

Severus Snape scanned over the group of gathered seventh and eighth years, hands clasped behind his back, and smiled faintly at them all.

Well, he did not quite have the knack to smile sincerely at Malfoy, but he still meant it when he intoned to them, "Well done."

They looked at one another, mildly surprised, but stayed silent.

"You have all represented your House admirably, this year, and I've no doubt you will be successful at whatever it is that you choose to do with your lives after you receive your diplomas. Our House has been cast in shadow for a very long while, and it will still take some time for the prejudices between us and the rest of Wizarding society to diminish, but I have every faith that you will keep your honour and your wits about you. Be proud, but not overly so. This is the first day of the rest of your lives, as they say." He smirked when some of the eighth years chuckled darkly. "The awards ceremony starts at ten this morning, and I want you all to be on your best behaviour...keep your heads high, for although Slytherin won't be receiving too many Orders of Merlin or awards for special services to the school..." there was another, darker chuckle. "...you have all been fine students and finer people."

Snape sent them off to dress (as he'd unceremoniously woken them early that bright Saturday morning) and turned to re-enter his office, sitting and propping his chin on a fist, staring at the framed newspaper cut-out of him and Albus Dumbledore retreating from the trial room some seventeen years or so ago.

"Cheers, old man," he muttered, smirking as newspaper-Dumbledore grasped newspaper-Severus' arm and led him away from the camera, steering him and directing him as the old coot had always done.

For some reason, Severus felt oddly sentimental about this group of students who would be departing this year. Well, he knew the reason, but never had he thought he'd be moved to inspirational speeches and such...like a sodding Gryffindor, man!

Of course, it had already been decided that he was going completely soft...or mad, as the case may've been.

After all, why else could he have fallen for yet another pretty Gryffindor Muggle-born who had the tendency to see the good in everyone? And who went off with a sworn enemy? Okay, well, Draco Malfoy wasn't what one could call an enemy...at the most he was emotionally unstable and at the worst of times completely unhinged, but he was a good person, Severus admitted grudgingly, who really wouldn't hurt a fly. Well, kill it anyway.

But that was beside the point.

Severus Snape and Hermione Granger hadn't spoken more than passing greetings since their almost-kiss at the Potter wedding, which might've been good or bad. Severus couldn't decide. He really was torn between keeping as far away from her as possible (for his sanity and her sake) and kidnapping her and stealing away to Timbuktu (for his sanity and his sake).

But today had come quicker than anyone had expected; the whole year had seemed to speed by, and so today had decided for him...that he'd let her depart on her journey, let her ignore all her friends and let her follow Draco Malfoy around the world. He had a sneaking suspicion that she, out of the goodness of her heart, had agreed to go just because Malfoy had some things to figure out, and he couldn't figure them out alone.

But perhaps that was just his hope speaking.

He allowed himself the luxury of thinking about Granger for the remainder of his free time before turning to his quarters and dressing in his best robes, the same ones he had generously shared with Hermione during the Halloween ball. He'd been reluctant to wash the coat after the event, but had scolded himself for the creepy sentiment and sent them off to the house-elves.

Now, he stood in front of his mirror, tugging on the crisp, white cuffs of his dress shirt and adjusting his collar. Then, he slipped into the black frock coat and tied his lengthening hair into a queue. The look was complete...scary, bat-of-the-dungeons Professor Snape.

He couldn't wait until he could wear other colours. This was getting ridiculous.

--

Hermione grinned unabashedly at Harry and Ron, who looked surprisingly magnificent in their graduation robes. Ron towered over the both of them, laughing with Neville (who was not that much shorter than Ron and a bit more broad-shouldered now) about some such thing as Harry carded fingers through his hair, blushing. Lavender and Parvati giggled a ways off with Seamus and Dean, who looked to be soaking in the attention in their white attire.

Hermione slipped her heel out of one white pump in an unconscious show of nerves, smoothing her dress robes over her hips.

"You look like an angel, Hermione," Harry slipped his arm around her shoulders and placed a kiss on her cheek. Now that the wedding was over, Harry had returned to the friend she and Ron remembered, although Ginny was no longer the fourth wheel. Ginny, however, was hanging about with her fellow seventh years. Both years were to proceed down to the Entrance Hall at fifteen 'til ten.

Hermione was getting restless, as Harry pointed out almost immediately. "Take a few breaths, we'll be out of here in no time, and then you and Malfoy can go off to Bora Bora... or wherever."

Ron rolled his eyes as Hermione blushed and poked Harry in the side. "His name is Draco, Harry," she murmured half-heartedly.

"I don't know if he'll ever have a first name to me, Hermione, but I think it's neat that you're being spoiled for once," Neville said. "Merlin knows how much you've been mothering us for ages."

Ron snorted and shook his head. "You really think Hermione will be getting a break from mothering while on a trip with Draco? If you ask me, he is a bit..." he gestured funnily at his temple. "...in the head."

Hermione frowned. They'd been getting along so well these past couple of months, but whenever Draco was away, Ron didn't seem too pleased with this new addition to the group.

"You've been hanging around him for months, and you still can't stand him?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow...Hermione was reminded briefly of another dark brow, but shook the thought away, wondering instead where Harry had picked up that mannerism.

Ron shrugged. "He's alright, but not alright for Hermione, y'know?"

Neville and Harry both looked away. Hermione felt a little betrayed.

"Anyway," Neville broke the silence and clapped a hand on Ron's shoulder. "We should get going, don't you think?"

"Yeah." Hermione poked Harry in the stomach once more and ducked out of his embrace, linking an arm with Neville and proceeding toward the portrait hole. The whole lot of them joined the throng in the Entrance Hall, a crowd of white-robed students ready to enter into true adulthood. She let go of Neville when Draco appeared amongst the mob, quite stunning in his immaculate robes.

"Congratulations, love," he murmured as they both met halfway, his eyes even smiling as she swung a comforting arm around his neck and claimed his lips in greeting.

"Hey, you," she said.

"Mother owled the tickets this morning."

"Good!"

"So we'll be off to the London Portkey Office after the ceremony."

"I've got it, Draco." She rolled her eyes, tucking a curl behind her ear and folding her arms even while his arm curled around her shoulders and his other stretched out in a sweeping motion, imitating rather ridiculously, the two of them Portkeying to Asia.

"And then we'll head to Beijing..."

"Yeah, I got it. I've heard you the last eight times, too."

He looked a little taken aback, bringing his arm up to brush at the nape of his neck, and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, love. I'm just very excited. A new place and new experiences for six months...and most importantly, no one will know the Malfoy name."

Hermione cringed a little. She'd been too harsh, maybe. She should be just as excited, shouldn't she?

Hermione leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, brushing her nose against his skin. "And I'll be there with you."

--

There were many people. Too many people, Severus observed as he sat atop the professors' dais. Crowds. Hoards.

Severus gulped.

Perhaps nearly a thousand. Reporters, Aurors, Wizengamot, and the Minister. And of course, the students and parents. The graduating classes shone like the sun in their white robes, among the black and Ministry maroon.

And Severus felt very, very unsure about why he put up with this anymore, especially when he spotted Hermione laughing and... nuzzling... with Malfoy before they retreated to their respective seats at the front of the assembly, conjured chairs awaiting them in alphabetical order as rehearsed.

The ceremony began with a speech from Minister Shacklebolt about this year being a culmination of the hard work everybody'd done to recover from the war and blah, blah, blah, for several minutes. Severus was quite warm in his robes, which didn't make the situation any better.

Minerva spoke next, took time to thank the Minister and such, and then spoke about the two classes as a whole...a troublesome lot...and their many accomplishments as students. Awards were presented for excellence in the many electives and core classes, and Severus was surprised to hear that Draco Malfoy had received the Excellence in Arithmancy Award along with a seventh-year Ravenclaw, Emmett Glascow.

And then, obviously, Potter received the Excellence in Defence Against the Dark Arts along with... Luna Lovegood, who was slightly overshadowed by Potter's role in the war, but who smiled beatifically anyway.

Hermione, of course, was given the Potions award with a Hufflepuff (what a surprise that had been to review all the grades and find Mister Waverly at the top of his class).

The rest of the prizes were awarded in a slow stream of boredom as Severus stared into the crowd, keeping an eye on his Slytherins as well as the troublesome Gryffindors (who, for once, didn't seem to be causing much strife).

And then it was time for the school-wide awards.

And Minerva called Potter to the stage.

Just as Severus was in the throes of what would have been a spectacular eye-roll, Minerva called his name to the stage.

"Would Severus Snape join Harry Potter on the stage, please."

He stood, not a little ungracefully (this was absolutely ridiculous), as his Slytherins cheered and...actually quite a few others applauded as well.

Once the crowd quieted, Minerva began what would prove to be a very long speech. "I am pleased to present, this year, twin awards for special services to the school. For nearly twenty years, Severus Snape has struggled through adversity as a double-agent to the Order of the Phoenix..."

--

Hermione leapt to her feet as Harry and Severus...Snape...were given their medals: polished bronze Hogwarts' crests with thick black ribbons that hung about their necks, paired nicely with their solemn faces (Harry was trying very hard not to grin like a madman). Hermione couldn't hold her mad grin back, though. Snape had given her the Potions award, even when she'd betrayed his trust around mid-year... Well, her and Draco's project had turned out very well, even though Se...Sna¬pe wasn't generous with praise. But that wasn't surprising. At least he hadn't slandered them in front of the class like he had with Neville and his partner, Daphne.

Soon, the band struck up, and all the graduates stood to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, the billowing robes of white flashing in the sunlight only just a bit brighter than everyone's smiles. Draco winked at her from his spot in line before the stairs to the platform, as she took her seat...a fully-fledged witch.

Her eyes travelled to Snape's as Draco passed across the stage. He'd... he'd been staring at her? The man blinked as if startled and looked away.

--

Minerva had drawn him into conversation about the coming summer and consequent hirings, but he wasn't paying much attention. To be honest.

There were thousands of witches and wizards, too many, and he could locate an escape route that wouldn't involve bowling over this hoard of second years that had decided to set up camp around their Headmistress and Deputy-Headmaster. Severus allowed himself to fantasize the moment when their silly little bodies would topple and scatter like balls in a billiard game, but was brought to the present when Minerva mentioned something about 'Mister Potter and his companions.'

Severus glanced up at the words and located the trio, Potter nodding calmly as Weasley probably waxed Quidditch, Hermione standing silent, checking her watch and scanning the crowd.

When her eyes fell on him and Minerva, she broke away from their little island and strode toward them, a determined look upon her pretty round face. He hadn't realized he was staring until McGonagall snorted. He glared at her before Hermione's voice called for his attention.

"Good afternoon, Professor," she began.

He nodded to her, folding his arms as the uncomfortable feeling settled in. He hated this feeling. He was losing her. This was a goodbye. McGonagall couldn't save him now, though, seeing as some fifth-year's parent was currently scolding the Headmistress about her son's final marks. "Miss Granger."

He watched her watch him for a moment, brown eyes gliding over the material of his dress robes, probably remembering October.

She took a breath. "I wanted to thank you..."

"There is no need for that, Miss Granger," he muttered gruffly, shoulders hunching under the weight of her gaze.

She smirked, momentarily reminding him of Lily...he'd gotten that trick from her, anyway. "May I continue, anyway?"

Severus mentally shrugged.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything that you've done for my friends and me"...he scowled..."over the years. With everything that you were doing for Dumbledore"...another deepening scowl (this was so impersonal, he nearly rolled his eyes)..."it must have been a real drag to put up with our antics. But you did, and I, at least, am thankful for that. But, I am grateful, especially, for everything that you've done for me, this year. And I haven't been exactly... embracing... of the care you've given me, despite what it might've cost you..."

His expression softened, then; he couldn't help himself. She smiled briefly, holding out her hand. And very tentatively, cautiously, the Potions master extended his, wrapping his fingers around her small palm.

Suddenly, her grip changed and she was lunging toward him. He, startled, let go of her hand, arms flying upward slightly as she brought both of hers to curl around his neck.

Hermione Granger was hugging him.

His entire body went rigid when she squeezed him lightly, and just as he thought the worst was over, she stood up on her tippy toes and pecked him on the cheek...

A strange concoction of nausea and triumph flooded through his veins at the gesture, and he brought his hands up to wrap around her waist when a familiar, nasal voice rose above the crowd. "Oi, Granger! Stop harassing my Head of House! We've gotta get a move on!"

As she backed away, never breaking eye contact, his hands brushed against her ribs. And that was it. He curled his lip, fighting the urge to take her hand and fight that stupid Malfoy to the death. "Your boyfriend is calling for you," he sneered around his words.

Another burst of triumph shuddered through him as she turned toward her companion, who immediately slipped his hands over her bum and gave it a squeeze, even as she glanced over her shoulder at him. The bat of the dungeons.

Severus fled.

--

Hermione looked up at Draco, who draped his arms about her possessively as they made their way toward the Weasleys as the group chattered boisterously by the lake. Harry and Ginny were lounging under the tree with Ron and Tommi, who waved enthusiastically at them in the dappled sunlight.

"We're leaving, folks!" Draco yelled.

The group of them groaned appropriately and stood to welcome Hermione into a big hug. Hermione closed her eyes, savouring the feeling, the boyish smell, the everything of Harry and Ron...her old best friends...before she turned to Ginny and Tommi, tackle-hugging the both of them, loud squeals erupting from their wide smiles. "I love you all," she murmured. "I'll owl you every day. And send you gifts. And you'll owl me back, right?"

"I'll make sure Ron does," Tommi said, nudging her boyfriend with her hip. He grinned and shrugged.

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

"'Course, 'Mione. If I don't, Gin will most likely kill me."

"Well," Hermione huffed, backing into Draco who wrapped an arm around her shoulder, startling her slightly. "I'm glad everyone's so enthusiastic about it."

"We'll owl them first so they get our addresses, and then they won't have an excuse," Draco said.

Hermione elbowed him, watching him double over for a moment. "Excuse?" The rest of them laughed.

"We love you, too, Hermione," Harry said, smiling a small smile before lunging in and smooching her on the cheek.

"Hey! My girlfriend, Potter!" Draco growled, although no one was sure if he was joking.

"Hermione, can I talk to you a moment?"

She turned to Ron, who had a look on his face that she couldn't quite read. He led her to the edge of the lake, watching pensively as the Giant Squid looped in lazy circles right under the surface of the water. They stood for a little bit, until Hermione couldn't take it anymore and squeezed his hand. "What is it, Ron?"

He turned to her. "Look. I think you're making a mistake with Draco, here. But who am I to order you around? I've learned from my mistakes."

Hermione stared at him.

"I just need to express my opinion that he's no good for you...you're having to take care of him and accommodate his possessiveness. And... what happened to independent Hermione, you know?"

"Ron... I'm trying something new for a while. I'm going to get away from England and be pampered, and if I need to pamper back, well, then I will. And I know he's not for me, but I don't have to make that decision right now, do I?"

Ron looked down at her, brow furrowed and blue eyes intense. Suddenly he enveloped her in a tight hug. "I understand."

"That's all?" she murmured.

"Yeah. I think."

Hermione took a big breath, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Okay."

"I just gotta say, I liked it better when you had a thing for Snape."

Hermione shoved him away, blushing uncontrollably. "Ron!" she hissed.

"Fine, fine. Go. I love you. If you get in over your head, just come home. Please?"

"I promise," she said, and kissed him on the cheek.

Draco was waiting for her under the willow tree.

--

The timepiece on the mantle tocked as Severus sat at his desk, staring down at his medal for special services to the school, which sat atop his grade book. Still marking May's last week. He'd neglected to update it for all the hectic NEWT testing and rowdy soon-to-be-graduates who'd taken the last week as a free-for-all.

The medal was beautiful, but couldn't outshine Hermione's glowing face as she'd watched him and Potter receive their awards.

"Christ," he muttered as the shiny medal blurred, distorted by the tears he would not cry. "Christ," he said again.

He had let her get away. Just like last time. And now it was a fucking habit, and he'd never see her again save for Order reunions...and she wasn't even guaranteed to be back in two years as promised. When travelling the globe, one tended to get sidetracked.

Without further ado, Severus Summoned some Firewhisky (for the shitty days) and opened it with his hand, enjoying the tension the cork absorbed as his twisted away with the strength of his arm.

"Now," he announced to the empty...empty...room, "to drinking oneself into a stupor over lovely, unattainable women with Muggle parentage and bright..." his voice broke a little, undignified and raw, "...futures." He toasted the air and proceeded to drink from the bottle.

It was an hour later when a knock on the door interrupted his plans of drinking himself into oblivion, and he spilled Firewhisky over his best robes as a result. He swore, standing and practically storming to the door, already half-drunk and contemplating homicide, when the heavy oak opened on its own, only to reveal a tall, ginger bloke.

"What the fuck do you want, Weasley? Commencement is over, and you're welcome...believe me...to leave and never come back."

The man rolled his eyes and offered his hand. "Just wanted to offer my congratulations on your award. Also wanted to check and see if you hadn't offed yourself now that Hermione's run off with Malfoy."

Severus just stared at him, probably looking a fright (well, when didn't he?) and resembling a confounded toddler. "What?"

"I think the proper thing to do now is shake my hand. And maybe offer me a drink. Although I think you didn't leave much drink for anyone else."

Severus slowly took the young man's hand and gave it a confused shake, then turned back to his living room cum study and sat in front of the fire.

"You look a fright," Weasley said unnecessarily.

Severus snorted.

"Your cheeks are wet, and your robe smells like foul whisky. Clean up, Professor."

"What's the point?"

"Because when she comes back in two years, I'd rather she were knocked off her feet by the bloke she fell in love with than the mere smell of the bloke who turned into a snivelling drunkard the minute she left."

Severus was perplexed and told his former student so.

"I know about Hermione; you're blubbering over her, and you know I know you've been blubbering over Hermione all year..."

"I do not 'blubber', Weasley," Severus began.

"What do you call this, then?" Weasley gestured at his former professor.

"Moping."

Weasley snorted. And Severus sat. Somehow it wasn't surprising that Weasley'd noticed more than he'd let on all year. The younger man helped himself to a chair and leaned on his knees, looking at Severus with his ginger eyebrows raised.

"Fine, I'm blubbering."

"Indeed," Weasley said. "Now, why'd you let her go, if you were going to blubber like this when she left?"

Severus picked up the whiskey bottle and drank from it. Screw manners. "She has a boyfriend," he slurred.

"Malfoy is a pillock, not a boyfriend."

Severus looked at him. "That's interesting," he said after a while, sloshing the whiskey about in the bottle with the swing of his arm.

Weasley looked resigned. "What is?"

"We agree!" he said, finally spilling on himself.

With that, Weasley banished his alcohol. "You're quickly sliding from 'blubbery' into 'pathetic', so I'm stopping you before I see something truly embarrassing."

"Ugh."

"Where's your Sober-Up?"

"Third door on your right...NO!...left, and in the mirror cabinet. And no snooping, Weasley."

The younger man sniggered. "I knew why I chose you over Malfoy," he muttered as he located the loo. He returned in a short while and tossed the phial of blue liquid into Severus' lap.

"If I take this, will you go away?"

"No, I don't think I will."

Severus fought a pout, but in the end decided that if he was that drunk, then he'd best sober up quickly...wouldn't want Weasley to blackmail him or anything. Although, Gryffindors weren't the type to...

"For Merlin's sake, drink it!"

"All right, Weasley! Don't get your knickers in a twist!" Severus downed it and quickly realized what he'd just said. They sat a moment before Severus looked up and growled, "So help me if you tell anyone about this, I will not hesitate to come into your home and poison you secretly so no one will be able to trace me to the crime."

"I've no plans to blackmail you," he said simply. "Now that you're sober, I'd like to offer you a slice of the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes Potions department."

Severus stared at him. "That is the most absurd thing I've ever heard."

"I'm serious. Since Fred's gone, Wheezes is missing its Potions maker, and we both know I'm utter shit at it."

"I don't know why I haven't shown you the door, yet."

"I do. It's because you'd get a crack at invention again...and for good things... mostly."

Severus puzzled over this deal for a moment, then realized his robes were soiled. "I'll have to mull this over. You need to leave, so I can sulk in peace. No, I won't off myself. Trust me, I don't keep any lethal potions in my vicinity...all the dunderheads nearly drive me suicidal."

"You would get a large portion of the profits since you'd be inventing alongside George. Almost half, for potions and edibles."

"Leave, Weasley." Severus stood and shooed the younger man toward the door.

"Fine, fine! Just consider it. George and I can whip up a formal proposal if you like."

Severus snorted and continued to shoo him, opening the door wide and sneering.

"Just one more thing, sir."

"What?"

"Do you love Hermione?"

"Yes."

Weasley seemed to release a breath, nodding with a slight smile. "All I needed to know. Now, should I pop by next Tuesday for an answ..."

Severus slammed the door in his face.

"Maybe stay for a game of chess, just to bother you?" a muffled voice said through the wood of the door.

"Leave me in peace! I need to recover from seven years of Harry Potter! And you! And... children!"

Weasley's laughter petered off as he disappeared down the corridor, and soon all was silent, save for the clock.

Severus sighed.

Two years.

Certainly, if he'd been waiting all his life, it couldn't be that long.

Severus headed toward the bedroom, suddenly as weary as an old man. His bed looked incredibly inviting, and he had to fight to at least not collapse with his soiled clothes on. Sliding under the covers, naked and boneless, Severus allowed only one thought to permeate his hazy mind:

Hermione.

-~Finite Incantatem~-

A/N: Holy Mother of God, that was a long time coming! I send out my very sincerest apologies to all who loved my story and were watching avidly for a post. I just went to college this past September, so my focuses have been elsewhere. I finally sat down a month ago and this week and wrote it all down, but I'm still dissatisfied with the result. It's not my best, I'll tell you that, but I hope it's entertaining and leaves you with a tad bit of hope... Maybe?

Okay, so enough from your crazy ConstantComment. Much love to all.