Chapter 1 – An Invitation

Ginny Weasley was trying to focus the entire group on the task at hand, but it was impossible. Their N.E.W.T.s were over: they were done with school. The resultant release of tension was not going to allow any organization to survive for more than a few minutes at a time.

"We need to decide. Do we want to invite teachers or not?" She said, sounding a bit like Professor McGonagall exasperated with a troublesome class. No one was listening. In the back, Colin Creevey was trying to perform a charm on an inkwell, but his wand kept turning into a rubber chicken. Ginny had slipped him a wand from Fred and George, and she was now regretting it.

"If you don't wish to join the discussion, why don't you leave, and those of us who care will make the decisions," she finally stated. No one seemed to rise to her challenge, and she looked at Luna, who nodded silently. They both packed up their things and left for the library, where they commandeered a corner far away from everyone else. Needless to say, they were the only seventh year students there. As they sat down, Luna surprised her with an idea she hadn't considered. It went way beyond graduation and Hogwarts.

"Why not?" she responded after some consideration. "It's not like we can't use some community re-building." Unlike Luna, she recognized more than most that the entire wizarding world was still trying to cope in the aftermath of the war. This might be a perfect opportunity, and Hogwarts was an obvious place. Maybe the first graduating class after the war could become the first graduating class of the peace.

They began to bounce ideas off each other, going further and further in new and different directions. Ginny stopped from time to time to write down a thought or sketch something for later consideration. This was beginning to look less like a graduation, and more like a homecoming at a public school. They sat back to look at the rough outline, and very much liked what they saw. If only they could get McGonagall to go along with everything.

After lunch, they approached the head table.

"Professor, " Ginny started off, "we have some ideas about our graduation that we would like to discuss with you." McGonagall looked up, and then turned to Dumbledore. They all adjourned to the meeting room next to the head table, and Luna began explaining what they had in mind. McGonagall said very little, but continued to look more and more amazed at their proposal. Finally, nearly in tears, she turned to Dumbledore.

"Albus, do you realize what this could do? It could start things all over again."

Dumbledore looked over the top of his glasses and studied both Ginny and Luna at length. "You are correct, Minerva, it could present many problems. However, I believe that our students may be telling us it's time to do things differently. It is clear that the old ways have not served us well. You know my feelings on the direction Cornelius took."

McGonagall nodded, still looking fearful. Dumbledore continued, now looking at the girls, "I see no reason that you cannot proceed with these plans. You understand what is at stake, certainly as much as we do. I will be happy to help in any way possible. You need only ask."

McGonagall's expression changed quickly. "I, too, will help you however I can. Please forgive my concerns…we have lost so many and the pain is still so fresh."

Ginny nodded, sensing her own feelings sneaking out of the box where she forced them to reside. She turned to Luna as they were leaving. "Do you think they will come?"

Luna knew to whom she was referring to, and she nodded. "Yes, they will come, because we will ask them, and because they will want to."

In the next couple of days, they worked hard to complete the plans, periodically involving a few others who were willing to help. There were feasts to plan, trains to arrange, and accommodations to devise. Eventually, everything was completed, and they went to Hogsmeade, needing every available owl. That afternoon they filled the sky with birds of every stripe, winging towards all corners of the world. The message was friendship, and a celebration of peace. It would be welcome news in the wizarding world.