Disclaimer: I only own the original characters.

Part I: Chapter Five

1965

Alice and Duke sat outside. It was a beautiful day right before the end of term; they had been studying for OWLs, but had gotten sidetracked in conversation. Alice smiled. This was what she had missed the most during the months they had spent apart.

"We should probably get back to studying," Duke picked up his Charms book.

"Yeah," Alice agreed.

"We have to know the basics of a fidelius charm," he continued.

"That's easy," Alice replied, "The secret is concealed inside one trustworthy soul, the secret keeper. The information cannot be discovered unless the secret keeper divulges it."

"Alice?" Duke asked, almost hesitantly.

"Yes?" she asked in reply.

"Hypothetically, if you were ever in the position to need someone to be your secret keeper, who would you choose?"

"My father," Alice replied instantaneously.

He nodded, "That's a wise choice."

"Yes, but not because he's perfect, because he isn't. I'd choose him because he's learned from his past mistakes and would never repeat them again. I really admire that."

Duke nodded again, "He's an admirable man, your father."

"What about you? Who would be your secret keeper?"

Duke hesitated, "I…erm…I don't know."

"Not one of your parents?"

Duke gave a short laugh, "I hardly trust my parents. Actually, the person I trust the most is, um…"

"Who is it, Duke?" Alice prodded curiously.

"You. Alice, it's you. Over the past nine months or so, you've proved yourself to be one of the most loyal people I've ever seen."

Alice smiled happily, glad that he felt he could trust her. She had always heard people say that young love was rare, cliché, and over diagnosed, but she truly did feel something for Duke. He took his hand in hers, and they stayed like that for awhile, until they eventually began to study once more.

Minerva reread Bartholomew's letter for what seemed like the thousandth time.

Dear Mrs. Dumbledore,

I am not sure how to begin this letter. I have something I want to tell you but I am not sure you want to hear from me, because if I was in your position I don't know that I would want to hear from me. I am going to take a risk and write to you, anyway.

What I want to say is that I am very sorry for what I did. So terribly sorry. I know you know that I had been working on the curse for years. I was blindly trying to fulfill my cousin's last wish, that wish was to tear your family apart. Once I saw the effects that my actions had, I instantly regretted them, I knew that I had tampered with something very precious - your family. I knew all along that this was Gellert's goal, but seeing it actually take place was very much different from thinking about it. I cannot imagine what kind of pain this caused you, and I am very glad that Katherine was not permanently harmed. So very glad.

I'm not asking for anything in return. I only wanted to apologize. Also, thank you for being lenient and not sending me to Azkaban and having me under ministry probation instead. I assure you that that act does not go unappreciated.

Sincerely,

Bartholomew Bagshot

Minerva didn't know how to respond to this. She decided to treat it as if it was a written assignment that a student had submitted to her and began to analyze it as such. Bartholomew's grammar was terrible, but his emotion seemed genuine. She could tell that he was being honest; he sincerely regretted his actions. She could tell that he was sorry. Most of all, she could tell that inviting him to dinner would not be a bad idea.

Minerva knew that there were many different types of magic. When one considered them all, they covered such a broad spectrum. Each type of magic was special, but when Minerva thought about it, she knew that forgiveness was one of the most powerful types.

Arthur Weasley frowned from his spot in the Gryffindor boys' dormitory. He had been rereading his transfiguration notes for the past hour and was no closer to understanding what Minerva had taught his class. He sighed; this stuff was truly beyond him.

Duke gave Arthur a glance, "You seemed distressed."

Arthur sighed a second time, "Transfiguration is my worst subject, and it's our first exam."

There were a few seconds of silence.

"I cold try to help you, if you like," Duke said. He didn't mention that transfiguration was his best subject or that he had one of the best grades in their class, second only to their professor's daughter. He didn't want to sound pretentious during that particular moment. Arthur was one of Alice's best friends, and therefore Duke thought it would be good if the two were on friendly terms.

"Alright," Arthur replied, uncertain with that first word. However, in a matter of seconds, the idea seemed to grow on him, "Yes, okay. Thanks Duke."

Duke picked his transfiguration book up and sat next to Arthur. An hour and a half later, Arthur was in a much better mood and had mastered everything that would be on the exam.

"Thanks again," Arthur said.

"Glad I could be of assistance," Duke said in response.

Arthur recalled his initial reaction to the news that Duke and Alice were back together. It was not a happy one; Arthur had had doubts about his best friend dating Duke Boipelo on the pretense that he constantly acted as if he was a thousand times better than everyone else. Now, Arthur reconsidered that reaction; perhaps he had been to quick to judge Alice's boyfriend.

"Duke?"

"Yes, Arthur?"

"I'm glad you and Alice are back together."

Minerva studied her fifth year students while they worked on their transfiguration OWLs. Molly Prewett was twisting a strand of red hair around her pointer finger. She had a nervous expression on her face. Arthur Weasley was slowly moving through his test paper, meticulously looking at each question; he exhibited a quiet confidence that brought a smile to Minerva's face. Rose Savant had been working fairly quickly but seemed to have come across a particularly difficult question. She frowned. Minerva's glance moved to Duke Boipelo. He was slowly considering each question, a thoughtful expression decorating his features. Minerva knew that he and Alice were back together, and she had no problems with the relationship as long as he treated her properly and they were both happy. She suspected that both of those conditions were being fulfilled.

Minerva looked at her eldest child. Earlier, Alice had been working swiftly. Now, she worked at a slower pace, rereading every word on the test carefully. Minerva knew how her daughter worked; she answered test questions quickly and confidently, and when she was finished she carefully checked over her work. Her father had been the same way as a student; Albus had told her this years ago. Minerva remembered a more recent conversation that she and her husband had held.

"Albus," she had said his name several nights ago, "Albus, I've been thinking."

"What about, love?"

"Bartholomew Bagshot. I can see your view on the subject quite clearly now."

"Can you?"

"Yes. He wrote me a letter. Albus, he regrets what he did. I think - no, I know - that I can forgive him."

Albus smiled, "Well then, perhaps we should set a date sometime in the near future."

Although she was a model student, Alice was immensely relieved when OWLs were over. She hoped that she had done alright, and she doubted that she had failed any. Still, she knew that obsessing about her examination results would get her nowhere; she would simply have to wait and see what she got.

She sat between Arthur and Duke; the graduation ceremony was about to begin. On Arthur's other side sat the Prewetts: Molly, her parents, and Gideon. Jacob was sandwiched between Gideon and Greta.

"Meryl Abbot," Minerva called the first witch of the graduating class of 1965. Meryl walked over the elaborate looking drawbridge that was placed over the lake every June for the graduating students to cross over. It was fitting: students entered the castle as first years through this lake, and they did so a final time at graduation.

Momentarily, Meryl was on the other side of the lake where the students and family members sat. Albus handed her diploma and shook her hand, smiling.

So it went for every seventh year, until Minerva began to reach the end of the alphabet.

"Fabian Prewett," Minerva said with a hint of a smile.

Fabian crossed the lake, his charming grin in its typical place on his features.

Mrs. Prewett smiled, tears in her eyes. Momentarily, she recomposed herself.

"Being the favorite son that I am," Gideon whispered to Jacob, "when I cross that bridge next year, she's going to completely lose it."

Jacob suppressed a snort.

Shortly after that, both the graduation ceremony and the school year ended. A sea of people rose to congratulate the class of 1965. Alice, Duke, and Gideon ended up walking together to give their congratulations to the graduates.

"Are you two coming to Fabian's graduation party?" Gideon asked.

Alice nodded, "Of course."

"I wish I could make it, but I have family things to do. Sorry, Gideon."

"No worries, Duke."

After he had helped Arthur with transfiguration, Duke had gradually been accepted by the group. He was still keen on rules and punctuality, but he had mellowed down a bit; he credited it to Alice's influence.

Gideon grinned. Summer was his favorite season, and it was now in their midst.

Author's Notes:

Lots of notes for you this time around.

"The group" consists of Alice, Molly, Gideon, Jacob, Arthur, Greta, Benjy, and (now) Duke. It's clearly like that in my head, but I'm not sure if I'd made that clear here in the story, hence this note.

Since some Bartholomew stuff is coming up fairly soon, a short refresher in Bagshot family history: Bathilda Bagshot is Bartholomew's grandmother (something I know I messed up somewhere in Ties of Blood and Loyalty; I believe I referred to her as Bartholomew's great aunt. Disregard that.). Bathilda raised Bartholomew. Gellert Grindelwald is Bathilda's great-nephew and therefore Bartholomew's (second) cousin.

I know, in reality it would likely take the graduates a while to walk over the lake. Please, bear with me and pretend it wouldn't in this particular chapter. It seemed like a fitting way for them to end their time at Hogwarts.

Duke's family will come up in soon-ish chapters. His parents play a major role in why he is the way he is. This was slightly hinted at in Ties of Blood and Loyalty.