'…Graduation is only the beginning of a new journey in life. Congratulations, young wizards and witches, happy graduation, and best of luck to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry class of 1978!'
Dumbledore's voice echoed in the Great Hall, in which hundreds of graduates of '78 sat solemnly at their respective tables, each house dressed in robes of their own colour. Today was the day of graduation, and the class of '78, which contained the Marauders, Lily Evans, Severus Snape and more were about to set out into the world and walk their own paths. Looming over them was the rise of Lord Voldemort; some had chosen to fight by the bright side, while some had dwelled in the dark, the slithering dark mark inked on their left arms sending shots of pain when the Lord summoned his subjects, like a constant toothache…
'To the future!' said James Potter, wand held high, a beam of light shot from his wand tip, which exploded and sprinkled sparkles all over the Great Hall.
'To our friends!' said Sirius Black, wand high up like his best friend, sending a pink beam up and sprinkling roses down the Hall.
'Here's to our future and many more years of unbreakable friendship!' chorused the crowd in unison, each of them raising their wand in salute to their teachers, friends and the special occasion of graduation. Amidst flowers, champagne and shouts, Dumbledore saw the Marauders hug tightly together. The four boys dug their heads in the middle, arms around each other. Sirius's arm encircled James and Remus on the back; the short, pudgy Peter almost hoisted himself up to give his much taller friends a heartfelt embrace, while Lily stood at the side, busy taking snaps of this unforgettable moment with a camera, smiling dotingly at her dearest friends.
'We will live forever,' Sirius said loudly
'For ever and ever,' said James, giving each of the Marauders a squeeze on the shoulder, then turned and planted a chaste kiss on Lily's forehead.
'May the world find peace, and youth like you flourish,' prayed Dumbledore silently as he watched friends and lovers cement a deeper bond under the safe roof of Hogwarts, which shielded them from the outer world of betrayal, suffering and deaths. Solemnly, he raised his cup in salute.
'Are you absolutely sure that you want to join the Order?' asked Dumbledore.
The teenagers before him nodded in determination. James and Lily stood side by side, their hands clasping; Peter stood beside James, breathing heavily, a frown crept between his brows; Sirius and Remus clutched their wands tightly, their shoulders pressed together.
'Very well,' said Dumbledore. 'Each of you will be assigned missions, and each of you will not divulge your mission. This is for the good of your beloved ones, as well as the Order,' Dumbledore looked at the teenagers right in the eyes. 'Torture and the Imperius Curse are common ways to elicit information from an enemy, and we must do our very best to prevent such occasions,' said Dumbledore sternly.
The new members of the Order of the Phoenix exchanged a glance and nodded again. Dumbledore thought he had never seen five people so in synch.