She slipped into her normal exam routine, making schedules, helping Ron and Harry memorize complicated charms and Transfiguration spells, making sure that she could remember all her Potions ingredients and History of Magic dates. They were all taking their N.E.W.T.S. this year, and next year they would suceed into the magical world.
Their last exam fell on June 3rd, and it was the worst. Their Potions class was still a disaster, even though Neville had finally gotten the hang of Potions last year. Snape was showing one last spurt of animosity before sending them out into the wizarding world.
�Potter. A little off-color if you ask me. I thought it was supposed to be apple-red. This looks more like a rosy red. Not quite thick enough. . .now, let�s see if it works.� They were brewing a potion to cure boils. Snape gave a small dose to the rat, sitting on his desk, that he had hexed in order to test the potions finals. The rat began to twitch, and the boils disappeared, but it turned the rat�s hair red, instead of back to it�s normal black color. Snape marked down some notes and put the rat back right, and went around testing everyone else�s potions. Hermione thought she had done quite well, but she would not know that until June 10th, like everyone else.
Finally, their exam results were in. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all gotten top scores, even in Potions. The End-Of-Year Feast had come, and it was time to say good-bye to her best friends for a while. Hermione thought of all the friends she had made at Hogwarts while she listened to Dumbledore�s annual End-of-Term speech.
�The end to another year. Our Grade 7�s finally have completed their training. Most of them will continue on to jobs at the Prophet, or perhaps the Ministry. But let me assure you of one thing: you have done well. You have been one of the most memorable classes to grace the steps of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I don�t think I�ve ever seen a more graceful quidditch player than our very own Mr. Potter, or a wittier mind than Ms. Granger. A cunning mind like Mr. Malfoy�s only comes once in a lifetime, and no one could be more accident-prone than Mr. Longbottom.� Neville smiled at this, knowing that he had blossomed from the round-faced forgetful boy into a man who could take care of himself. �And Ms. Zabini, who�s outstanding Herbology treatments have made her famous, I think we�ll never forget her either.� Blaise grinned, and looked quickly over at Terry, who grinned back. �The class of 1998 will forever stick in my mind as being a special class, not only to me, but also to Hogwarts history.� Everyone in the room stood and clapped as Dumbledore sat down. Their schooling was over, and they had the rest of their lives in front of them.
The trunk was packed, Crookshanks was shut up in her basket that she had converted into a carrier, and she was rummaging around her room, making sure she had not overlooked any stray books or quills. She heaved her trunk down to the Common Room, and went to join Harry and Ron in their corner.
�I guess this is it,� she said as she walked up.
�Yeah,� said Ron.
�I don�t know what I�m going to do. Mum and Dad may not like the idea of me going into the wizarding world.�
�If they give you any trouble, you can always stay with us.�
�I am,� said Harry. �Don�t really have any choice. The Dursley�s won�t take me in this summer.�
�Hermione, I bet in a couple of weeks, you could pack your stuff and come stay with us and look for jobs. I�m sure with your writing skills, you could get a job at the Daily Prophet.� Hermione�s face brightened. It made her smile knowing that Ron still wanted to see her after they graduated.
�Yeah, I think I just may do that. No question about Mum and Dad. I know they won�t want me to be a witch. But I have to, it�s in my blood. I promise, somehow, I will come visit you. Even if I have to walk to the Burrow.�
Ron smiled at this last remark. �If I don�t see or hear from you in three weeks, I�ll come pick you up myself. How about that?�
�That would be great.�