Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: This Graduation chapter gets quite soppy in the middle, but it makes up for stuff that might not be as happy in the future.
Chapter Four
When Jena woke up the next morning, she was filled with a mixture of strange feelings. Happiness, that today all the hard work from 7 years would pay off. Sad, because everything was coming to a end, a little scared because they'd no longer be under the safety of Hogwarts, and mostly excited about everything the future had to bring her.
She woke up at 9am - two hours before she needed to greet her guests in the entrance hall - and decided she couldn't be bothered getting changed. They would meet their guests, and then leave them while they had an hour to get ready before the ceremony (or take their parents and family with them to help them get ready.
She shrugged, not seeing the point in getting changed properly only to get changed in little more than two hours into the graduation robes they'd all been issued with. She figured she had some time to relax.
Instead, she pulled out a book, and pushed open the door to the stone steps.
The younger years had all gone to lessons - their last day of time - but the 7th year had done all their exams, and had no lessons to go to. She was quiet as she left, careful not to wake any of her roommates. They were all taking advantage of the extra sleep they were getting, without lessons, and catching up on last minute beauty sleep - at least, some were. Others, like Jena, had given up on sleep and were too filled with different emotions to sleep anymore.
In the common room, she found that there were very few people there - in fact, the only people there were 7th years. And there were only ten Gryffindor 7th years - five girls and five boys.
Two of the girls from Jena's dorm were there - Tiffany and Charlotte - as were Bill and all of his dorm, leaving Lucy and Daisy the only ones still in bed.
They weren't all friends, but they'd all known each other 7 years and spent enough time in the same classes and common room to know each other well enough, and to get on well enough.
On a day such as today, where they might never see each other again, there seemed to be a feeling of sticking together, and the 7 were sat together on the sofas, armchairs and floor space around the fire when Jena walked down the stairs.
One of the boys wolfwhistled at Jena, and she shook her head. She was wearing a pair of red silky pajamas.
" Nice outfit Mason," he smirked, causing all eyes to turn to Jena.
Jena shrugged as she walked over, " I know - great isn't it? " she drawled, as she looked around for a seat. The sofa was full, and she was about to sit on the floor when she looked at Bill, sitting in one of the armchairs.
He was wearing his dark blue pajama bottoms, and while he was wearing his shirt, it was unbuttoned, to reveal his chest and stomach.
" Very nice, William," she said with a grin.
He held out his hand towards her, and she smiled, walking over to him and perching herself on his lap.
" Morning sweetheart," Bill said, kissing her cheek, and causing the others to pretend to be sick.
Jena rolled her eyes at them all and stayed comfortably in Bill's arms as the group started to reminise about their times at Hogwarts, and all the stupid stuff they remembered doing.
While the grls were telling a loud story which had everyone in peals of laughter, Bill pressed his lips to his girlfriend's ear. " How did girls night in go? " he asked quietly.
" Yeah, good," Jena mumbled.
" Good," Bill echoed, " I don't suppose there's a reason why I heard you screaming my little brother's name last night? "
He sounded casual, and Jena knew he wasn't that bothered by it, but she decided to have a little fun with it.
" Which brother? " she asked innocently.
" Charlie," Bill said, rolling his eyes at her.
Jena's face lit up with a wicked grin, " Well," she said, " thing is, Charlie's just so ... irresistable. We managed to sneak him up to the dorm last night, and he kept us well entertained. " She sighed with a smile.
Bill raised his eyebrows at her, " Charlie's irresistable, is he? Would you like to go sit in his lap then? "
Jena laughed and snuggled closer to Bill, " Honey, no-one quite compares to you. " Checking that the others were still not paying much attention to them, Jena leaned in and whispered, " we were talking about your dear brother, because Daisy fancies him. "
"Really? " Bill asked quietly, to which Jena nodded. Bill shrugged, " Huh. Unexpected. "
" But you're not allowed to say anything, because I'm not supposed to have told you," Jena said, " I promised I wouldn't tell anyone. She won't do anything about it, because she's leaving so soon. "
Bill promised he wouldn't say anything, and Jena was satisfied, leaning back against his chest and turning her attention back to the rest of their friends.
A short while later, Lucy and Daisy joined them, and the ten Gryffindor 7th years spoke about all the good times they'd had, all the bad times (a strange amount of them involving Snape, somehow), everything they'd miss (which somehow included Snape) and anything they wouldn't miss (Snape's name came up in this list, too.)
When it was almost time to greet their guests, Jena sighed, " We should get changed," she said, " I dont suppose they want us wandering around the castle in our pajamas. "
" I wouldn't complain" Bill smirked.
" Git," Jena said, swatting at his arm playfully, before clambering off him.
She got changed into a decidedly plain outfit, and walked down to the Entrance Hall with the others. Somehow, they'd formed one unit, since it was their last day at the school, and they had all bunched together, in a way that Jena quite liked.
In the Entrance Hall, some of the other 7th years were there, as was Dumbledore and the heads of houses, and their families. Each scanned the crowd for their families - some, like the Weasleys, were noticed instantly, while others like Daisy's quiet parents, faded into the background.
Jena's mother was talking to Mrs Weasley, while her little twin sisters - Anna and Sophia - were being chased around by the twins of Bill's family.
Isobel Mason and Molly Weasley had met several times at the train station, and were hardly the best of friends, but got on well enough. They each liked the other and their families, and agreed that Bill and Jena could have done much worse.
Jena grinned and left her friend's sides, hurrying over to the group.
" Mum," she grinned, hugging her mother tightly.
Isobel often felt like she didn't see enough of her eldest daughter. She spent her days working so she'd have enough money to look after the family, leaving the twins home with a neighbour. She spent her evenings looking after the twins, and was immensley grateful whenever Jena was around, because not only was there someone to help with the girls, but someone to talk to, and keep her sane. She didn't want her daughter to feel pressured into staying around at home, and put on a grinning exterior, so Jena wouldn't worry, and would be off with her friends.
Isobel asked how her daughter was and fussed over her for a few minutes, before turning to Bill and hugging him too.
Jena picked up one of her sisters and hugged her happily, tickling her, before doing the same with the other. She then was pulled into a tight hug by Mrs Weasley, before she scooped up little Ginny Weasley into a hug. She had a great deal of affection towards Bill's only sister, mainly because the girl was the same age as her own sisters.
She hugged Mr Weasley, who she'd always quite liked.
She had no father in her own family anymore, since her father had left them before the birth of the twins - just the year before she was about to start Hogwarts, become an teenager, and need him the most.
Mr Weasley had always been kind to her during school holidays, and she could safely say that he was a substitute father.
She ruffled Ron's hair, at which he looked rather unimpressed, and she leant down so Fred and George could each place a kiss on her cheek, at the same time.
Jena spoke to her mother for ten minutes, before Dumbledore realised all the parents were there, and made a short speech, stating that the Graduation ceremony started at mid-day sharp, and the students had from now until then to get ready.
With about three quarters of an hour to get ready, Jena headed up to the dorm with her mother, who had wanted to help her, as had most girl's mothers, whilst most boys left their mothers behind. Anna and Sophia were left in the capable hands of Mrs Weasley.
Jena allowed her mother to help her with her hair and make up, and chat away at her - just like the mothers of the other girls in the dorm were doing - because she was too nervous to do her own hair or make-up. All she could think about was that scary thought that after this, they'd left school. After this, they had to go out into the wizarding world and make their own way.
All the excitement of living her own life and really doing something, was gone as the nerves took over.
About half an hour later, Isobel clapped her hands together.
" You look beautiful, darling," she said with a smile, shaking her head a little.
" Thanks, Mum," Jena mumbled, feeling quite overwhelmed as she found herself pulled into another hug.
Isobel touched a hand to her daughter's cheek with a smile, before kissing her cheek and telling her she'd see her after the ceremony.
The other mothers left too, leaving the five girls to look at each other. With a slight smile, Jena looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing the new robes the school had ordered for them all - long, flowing, black, with the Gryffindor emblem printed on, and the edges rimmed in red. Her graduation cap was red, edged in gold.
Her hair was in its natural state - light brown hair falling around her shoulders, waving slightly. Her face was made up, enough to enchance her features, but not too much that she looked stupid.
" Ready to go? " Lucy asked.
Jena looked at her watch, " We don't have to leave her for another ten minutes. "
Lucy shrugged and left the room. Daisy followed, and Jena did too, as did the other girls. Down in the common room, the lads were already stood there.
Jena grinned when she saw Bill stood with the others, taller than all of them, looking even more so in his sleek black robes. He looked as handsome as ever, though she could hardly believe he could get anymore handsome.
The ten of them gathered together, complimenting each other and admitting how nervous they were, and how weird this felt. Jena moved towards Bill instinctively - they'd been together three years - it would be four in November - so by now they just worked. Without even thinking, they knew what the other needed, how they felt, and usually what they were thinking.
She stopped in front of him with a smile, and he grinned back silently. She shook her head when she saw his messed up collar, and reached up to straighten it, her eyes fixed completely on his. She straightened out his collar and then ran her hands over his shoulders, down his arms and then took both of his hands in hers.
" Lookin' good, William," she said, her nerves dimming slightly.
Bill smiled. He'd never liked his first name much until he met Jena. He found that when she used it, it didn't sound as awful as he usually felt it was. He didn't even tell her not to use it, like he would anyone else, because he liked her too much to care.
She didn't call him William too often, and he didn't call her Jennifer too often. It was only when they were teasing each other (usually stated as "Dearest William" or "my dear Jennifer") or when it was a serious moment.
This was sort of both - it was serious, with graduation looming over them, but she was grinning as always, and teasing him too.
" You should see yourself," Bill said with a grin, pulling her arms around his waist and wrapping his own arms around her, holding her to him. He felt her grip the front of his robes, as she turned her face into his body and closed her eyes.
" Bill," she sighed.
" I know," he said, rubbing her back slowly, " I don't want it to end either, but let's enjoy today. Have fun, and tomorrow we can be sad, if we need to be. "
" Why do you always have the right answer for everything? " Jena asked, slowly looking up at him.
" Because I'm perfect," Bill said as they broke apart. She laughed and he smiled - he loved it when she laughed, though he was always there for her and knew how to make her laugh, how to comfort her, and to hold her when she was past comforting. There was very little doubt in his mind that Jena was the person he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with.
" Are we ready to go? " Lucy asked, looking around at them all.
" Oh, let's just take a minute, just together," Jena said with a smile, stepping away from Bill, and feeling strong enough to stand firmly on her own.
Everyone else agreed, and somehow, hands joined, and they were standing in a circle, all in their graduation robes, holding hands. Jena stood between Bill and Allan, holding both of their hands.
" One thing we're all thankful for about the school. Not neccessarily most thankful for, but still, thankful." Charlotte, from the girls dorm, insisted. " I'll go - library, because I'd have failed everything without the library to study in. "
" That fire," Tiffany said, pointing at the fireplace in the common room, " for keeping us warm while we gossip. "
" My friends," Lucy said.
" The quidditch pitch," one of the boys said.
" Care of Magical Creatures, for helping me realise my future career, " Daisy said.
" Yeah, quidditch, I guess, " said another of the lads.
" Friends, " came another answer.
" Teachers," said Allan, " especially Dumbledore. "
Jena stared at the floor, " There's lots I could be thankful for, but there's one thing above everything else. I love my friends, but ... you all know what I'm going to say," she looked at Bill, " you've been my best friend right from the beginning. " She looked back at the circle, " Bill," she finally answered.
" Jena, obviously," Bill replied at once, " but also, the whole building, because there's so many memories. The stairs, over there, to the dorms, is where Jena and I first kissed. That spot there, we argued, then I pinned her to the wall and ... well, kissed her. And that sofa there, where we finally got together after all that messing about. "
There was a silence, as they all took a moment to reflect, and then it was time to go. As earlier on, they walked down together.
They didn't speak much, each too busy thinking.
When they got to the Great Hall, the guests were sitting down in their chairs, and the heads of houses were organising them all. They stood with the other 7th years at one side of the hall, forming a line in alphbetical order.
The whole thing was completely surreal, as Jena stood in the line, waiting for her turn, hardly daring to believe that this was it - they were nearly finished. Dumbledore made a long speech, and a few of them from their year read poems.
Then one by one, Dumbledore read out the names, and the whole hall clapped as said student would come forwards.
" Jennifer Mason! "
Jena willed herself to remain calm and she walked to the front, aware that all eyes were on her. She beamed as wide as possible and she glanced out to see her mum and sisters sat behind Molly, Arthur and their family - Percy and Charlie had left lessons to come and see their elder brother graduate. She also glanced at where those who'd already come forward were sat, and back to those who were still waiting.
Everyone looked proud, happy, so she grinned and shook hands with Dumbledore and accepted a certificate from him, knowing her exam results would come in August.
She went to sit with her friends, those who had already been sorted, sitting beside Daisy.
She clapped loudly when the others got sorted, and soon Bill vacated the empty chair beside her.
The Head Girl - a Hufflepuff - got up to make a speech, and then it was Bill's turn, as Head Boy.
Jena watched proudly as he adressed the whole hall. She knew he hadn't really planned out the speech, and waited to hear what he'd say. He stood up confidently and looked out across everyone.
" Obviously, I want to thank everyone who's helped up get here, on behalf of all the 7th years. Our friends and family, our teachers, the rest of the staff, and each other. But more importantly, I want to say a few words for everyone to remember. Over the last 7 years, we've made friends, learnt new spells, gotten taller and ... " he glanced at Jena and winked, " fallen in love. Now, it's all change. But change doesn't have to be bad. "
Jena smiled a little because he'd reassured her, only the day before, that the changes in their life didn't have to be bad.
Bill continued, " I look at the people in my classes and in our year group, and in front of me, I can see Aurors, Healers, dragon handlers, teachers, quidditch players, home makers, maybe even the Minister for Magic. But none of it matter now, because right being young is about making mistakes, having your heart broken, doing everything wrong, and picking yourself up to do it all again. We've got the rest of our lives ahead of us, and all we've got to do, is make the most of it. "
His words were followed by applause and cheers as he joined his friends. Dumbledore nodded appreciatively at Bill before taking a place in the centre of the front of the hall.
" Well done, to all students," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling, " you have all done remarkably well, so all that's left to say is ... hat's off! "
There was a loud cheer, and they all threw their graduation caps up in the air. Blue, yellow, red and green fell down around them and the students hugged each other, barely looking to see who they were actually embracing.
Jena hugged everyone around her, while they all continued to cheer. Some were close to tears at the thought of having to leave, others were grinning and laughing, but everyone felt the need to hug everyone else.
Jena felt a pair of hands on her waist from behind, as she broke away from one of the Ravenclaw boys. She turned around expecting to throw her arms around another casual aquaintance, but instead was faced with Bill.
He hugged her only briefly, because there were so many other people around, and it was so hectic. She pushed up onto her tip toes to kiss his cheek, " Nice speech, honey," she said.
" Thanks," he mumbled.
" Though I hope the broken heart mention wasn't you thinking about the future," she added mildly.
" Course not," Bill said, " being in love though - that's all about you. "
Jena grinned at him, before moving forwards into the throng of people and being pulled into a hug by someone else.