AN: I've updated. And I don't want to write a long author's note, so here it is!
Tell me about any typos!
Enjoy! And R & R!
Constant Vigilance!
magick
Chapter Fourteen: Now
"Ronald! How long does is possibly take to put your robes on?"
"Mione, if you must know, much longer than you thought it would take me!"
"Well, we don't want to be late to Rose's graduation! This only happens once in a lifetime, Ronald. I think she deserves for us to arrive in a timely fashion. She is Head Girl and is receiving top honours for her academic excellence. Honestly, Ronald."
"Honestly Hermione. I know this. I told all my teammates twenty times over, to the point that they were ready to aim a bludger at their best Keeper's head!"
"I think you're exaggerating. Why would they do that?"
"I'm not, Mione. Even Dorkins was ready to let them!"
"I highly doubt your manager was willing to injure the reason the Cannons are doing as well as they are."
"Think again, Mione."
Ron emerged from their bedroom, finally dressed.
"Happy now? We can be on our way, love."
Hermione rolled her eyes as her husband spun around in a circle, showing off his robes. Stopping him, she gave him a kiss.
"Let's go then."
They made their way to the fireplace, taking a handful of Floo powder each.
"You go first, Ron."
"Why Mione?" he whined.
"Because you always fall on me when you Floo behind me and because I want to be able to land on something when I make it to Neville's office."
Rolling his eyes, Ron obeyed. He didn't want to upset Hermione.
Just as he expected, Ron fell on his landing, Hermione shortly after him.
"Oof!"
"Merlin Mione, you've got to cut back on the chocolate frogs. I think you bruised my spleen," Ron complained as he got up.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him as he helped her up.
"Time to head down to the Great Hall then!" Ron said cheerfully, ignoring his wife's glare.
They arrived in the Great Hall, entirely overwhelmed to see all of the other parents mingling. Ron spotted his sister and began pulling Hermione behind him.
"Oi! Gin!" he called. At the sound of her name, Ginny's head swiveled.
"Merlin Ron, you're late. I can't believe you did this again to poor Hermione," Ginny scoffed with sisterly affection.
"But – I – she – robes – Ah, bugger. Never mind," Ron said, giving up trying to explain their lateness.
Hermione pulled Ginny into a hug, just beginning to get emotional even though the graduation ceremony had not even begun.
"Oh, Hermione. Please hold those tears in until Rose gives her speech," Ginny comforted her as Hermione began sniffling.
"Don't you 'Oh Hermione' me. As soon as it begins I know you will be bawling because of Albus. It's so hard to believe that our babies are graduating from Hogwarts!"
"Harry, mate," Ron said to his best friend as he meandered over, holding two glasses of pumpkin juice. "Good to see you."
"Ron, you saw me three hours ago when we had breakfast together," Harry said curiously.
"Yeah, so? Ginny and Hermione are back to their sniffling about 'their babies' graduating. They were doing that three hours ago too."
Harry attempted to give Ginny the pumpkin juice, but she just brushed him off, too busy talking with Hermione. He handed the second glass to Ron.
"Well, after this, there will be two kids out of the house."
Harry motioned for cheers before taking a sip of pumpkin juice. Ron followed his lead.
"Don't be getting too excited about that just yet, dear old Dad," a voice said.
Harry turned around to see James and his girlfriend Anna.
Harry looked at his eldest warily. "What do you mean by that, James?"
"I mean that my flat will be uninhabitable within a few weeks and Anna's place isn't big enough for both of us and I need a place to crash for the summer."
"Hi, Mr. Potter," Anna addressed Harry before he could say anything. "Hello Mr. Weasley."
She smiled at them and Harry nearly forgot what he was going to say. Anna was a beautiful girl, as well as an amazing Quidditch player. He had decided that after meeting her for the first time as James' girlfriend, she was a keeper.
"No. Absolutely not. Al has already gotten a flat lined up and Lily is going to France to visit with Louis. It is just supposed to be me and your mum this summer. No."
"Oh, come on Dad. How about I stay in the guest house?"
"No! That is definitely not even an option. You'd have all your Quidditch parties there and your mother and I would hear that at three in the morning and no."
"Dad –"
"No James. You're a Quidditch star. You'll be able to find a flat easily enough. Just start looking."
"But –"
"I told you that your dad wouldn't go for it Jamie. I don't even know why you bothered to ask. Let's just start looking for a bigger flat that we can share," Anna said, amused and very smug.
"Anna's a smart girl. You should listen to her," Harry told his son smiling.
An unpleasant frown was on James' face.
"Come on, Jamie. Let's go get a seat for the graduation. Should we save you a few, Mr. Potter?"
"Oh no Anna. That's alright. The Weasleys have a section already. You just go find it," Harry told her.
Anna smiled at Harry before pulling James out of the Great Hall and onto Hogwarts' grounds.
"Is your son ever going to propose to her?"
"Not for a while. He's only nineteen and he's only got a year of professional Quidditch under his belt. Anna's twenty and has been playing for two years, but I don't think either of them wants to seriously settle down. Maybe in a few years they'll get married, when they're no longer the newbies on the team and, granted, if they're still together. I think they will be though."
"Got it all figured it out, don't you, Chosen One?" Ron joked.
"You got it, Best Friend of the Boy Who Live."
Ron and Harry partook in a good laugh before their wives dragged them to their seats out on the Hogwarts grounds.
There were parents and siblings and grandparents filling the hundreds of seats upon the grounds.
Hermione called to Astoria once she saw her a few rows in front of where she sat. Astoria promptly smiled and told Hermione that they must get together soon, with their families.
Astoria nudged her husband, silently telling him to agree with the proposition. He nodded sullenly in response.
"It will be marvelous. I can't wait now!" Astoria gushed.
Beside Hermione, Ron couldn't believe that Hermione had roped the entire family into a dinner with the Malfoys. He, of course, kept these thoughts to himself for fear of incurring the wrath of his wife and offending his daughter in any way. After all, it was her day and he had no desire to ruin it any way.
Striking up conversations with other parents and families, the Potters and Weasleys were getting anxious.
Ginny was anxious because her baby Albus was actually graduating. She had often worried about him because he was a rebel, always ready to break the rules and question authority (not that James was a model student either). He was quite intelligent, but much too absorbed in girls or pranking or scheming, and not to mention his dyslexia continually dissuaded him from actually doing work. However, Ginny knew that his best friend Scorpius was the voice of reason for him when he went too far on a limb. This day, graduation day, was the start of her middle child's adult life. She was terrified for him and incredibly proud.
Harry could barely comprehend that his life had turned around so much in twenty-six years. With a loving wife, a brilliant godson, and three amazing children, one a professional Quidditch player, another graduating, and a third a hardworking student. He could hardly believe he had defeated a dark lord at the age of eighteen, the same age as his second son. Life had become so much simpler and rewarding since 1998. He was thankful that his life hadn't been entirely swallowed by war, death and destruction. His son's graduation was a testament to the growth that wizarding world had experienced.
Hermione was a nervous wreck for her only daughter. She did not know how she could possibly be able to get in front of all her peers and make a speech about their multiple accomplishments. And yet, Hermione couldn't help but feel unending love and admiration for her daughter. Rose was an outstanding individual, destined for many great things. Hermione knew that. Sometimes, Rose's intelligence astounded her, and her compassion and accepting nature was an enviable attribute. Her daughter was born to succeed in the professional world and despite any current worries she had about Rose and her future, Hermione knew she would make her dreams a reality.
Ron was worried as hell for his baby girl. As a father of a daughter, it just came naturally. He was very much aware that Rose had inherited his wife's intelligence and had a strong sense of the famous Weasley loyalty. He was also acutely aware of her relationship with Scorpius Malfoy and that scared him more than the idea that she was going out into the real world. He wanted to always be there for his daughter, but with a boy-man in the mix, Ron wasn't so sure how that would work. He feared for her; he feared that her heart would be broken by this boy-man and that it would jeopardize her future. If that time would ever come, Ron didn't know, but he would be there for his daughter when it did, just as he was always there throughout her life when she needed him.
Professor McGonagall made her way onto the stage, ready to address the families waiting for the graduation to commence.
"As Headmistress, I, Minerva McGonagall, welcome all to the Hogwarts class of 2024 graduation. In a few moments, the ceremony will commence, but first, the other students must file in order to support their friends, family, and classmates on their last Hogwarts journey."
With a sweeping arm, McGonagall gestured to the first through sixth years who began to fill the seats reserved for them. Those who had siblings graduating made way for the sections where their families sat.
Hermione and Ron hugged Hugo before he sat beside Hermione. Lily sat beside her father, fidgeting rather uncomfortably. (This was probably due to the fact that Harry still had no idea that his baby girl was dating Atticus Wood although Ginny knew full well the extent of Lily's relationship with Atticus.)
Once McGonagall noticed that everyone was in a seat, she motioned to the Hogwarts professors, calling them each by field and name. There was Deputy Headmaster, Head of Gryffindor, and Herbology Professor Neville Longbottom, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Alison Montgomery, History of Magic Professor Cuthbert Binns, Muggle Studies Professor Miranda Welch, Charms Professor Filius Flitwick, Care of Magical Creatures Professor Rubeus Hagrid, Potions Professor Pippa Padgham, Transfiguration Professor Mercutio de Agnellis, Ancient Ruins Professor Eris Kensington, Divination Professor Firenze, Arithmancy Professor Septima Vector, and Astronomy Professor Cyrus Nashira.
They were collectively dressed in traditional graduation garb: black, but lightweight, robes, adorned with house colour cords and other various cords. On their heads rested the standard pointed black wizarding hat.
All of the professors soon found their seats upon the large stage. They did not sit down, rather waiting for McGonagall to finish her introduction.
"As a wizarding institution dedicated to the importance of academic excellence, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is immensely pleased to have such a brilliant class of students pass through our halls. Each and every individual has made a significant impact upon their peers and professors. Although these young adults have not faced fears and challenges to the extent of those who were a part of the Second War, they have fought internal and confrontational wars that may have been just as exhausting as a real war. While the threats they have been affronted with may not be death or destruction, they have employed all means necessary to succeed and overcome their trials. It is my great pleasure to introduce the entire class of 2024, a class that will move on to do magnificent things."
With that, the one hundred and seventeen person class, dressed in similar attire to their professors, stepped out in front of the stage to take their seats. The audience exploded in a round of applause.
Once the applause began to die down, Professor McGonagall turned to the Deputy Headmaster for a few words of encouragement. Neville Longbottom motioned for everyone to sit down as he made his way to the podium.
"Many, if not most, of these young adults that sit before you, I have known for a good portion of their lives. I know most of their parents, seeing that I had gone to this same institution with them years ago. What I shall tell you will not come as a shock to most, but these young adults are going to take the wizarding world by storm. I have seen them grow, year by year, into the lovely, thoughtful, intelligent, inquisitive people they are.
"They have questioned the accepted answers, only to prove that archaic teachings are not the only answer. They have expanded their minds, refusing to believe that there is only one way to do anything. They use their compassion to assist others in whatever way possible. They are not going to stop with Hogwarts lessons; they are going to apply these tactics into their future professions and lives to help advance wizarding-kind. I could not have wanted a better class to collectively show to me how important personal achievement and drive is in order to succeed and make things happen. I present you with the outstanding individuals of the Hogwarts Class of 2024."
The audience once again erupted in applause, with a few cat calls coming from the graduating class. After all, Neville Longbottom was not merely the Deputy Headmaster, Head of Gryffindor house, or the Herbology Professor; he was also a friend and mentor to many of the students.
Neville took his seat once more, leaving room for Professor McGonagall.
"Thank you, Professor Longbottom. It has been the duties of the Heads of each house to gracefully and ecstatically hand our graduates their testimoniums. Before we begin, Professors Montgomery of Ravenclaw, Nashira of Slytherin and Kensington of Hufflepuff would like to dedicate a few words to the class of 2024."
Allowing ample room for Alison Montgomery, McGonagall backed away from the podium.
"As a fairly young professor, I have had only the pleasure of working here at Hogwarts. I must say that the students here are incredibly driven, poised and talented. I have been fortunate to be able to be a part of their lives, learning more about life from them than I ever thought possible. They have brilliant careers and opportunities ahead of them. Although wherever they end up will be appropriate and completely rewarding for them, I can truthfully say that their presence will be sorely missed come next September first. This class is the first class to have been taught by me throughout their seven years. I will never forget the lessons they have taught me about patience, courage, intelligence, and excellence."
Alison paused, looking about the graduates fondly.
"Thank you."
As expected, the audience once more erupted in applause. Professor Nashira smiled at Professor Montgomery as she passed him, on her way back to her seat.
Cyrus Nashira cleared his throat, gripping the sides of the podium.
Cyrus Nashira spoke with a thick Indian accent, despite having been born and raised in the United Kingdom. His accent, however, never detracted from the words he spoke to his students. Each phrase and sentence made complete sense and never needed to be repeated for clarification. The eloquence and fluidity of speech was elevated due to his rich inflection.
"As a young man, I had the opportunity to attend this magnificent school. I had the privilege to be taught under brilliant professors and mingle with gifted peers. When Professor McGonagall asked me if I wished to teach here, my immediate answer was 'yes'. Had there ever been anywhere else that I had desired to work? No; of course not. Here, at Hogwarts, I have had the chance to continue being submerged in learning, both intellectually and socially. Those that sit before me have proved the worth of a Hogwarts education and will continue to do so as they excel in the real world. It is I who must thank them for all that they have done and all that they will do. Thank you, class of 2024."
Silently, Professor Nashira returned to his spot beside Alison Montgomery as the crowd began to clap.
Eris Kensington sauntered up to the podium, smiling her lucid smile.
"Although I am perfectly aware that I do not have the same abilities for speeches as any of those who have spoken before me, I share their same sentiments. This class, the class of 2024, is going to amaze the world. No doubt about it. There is no need to know how to decipher runes to know that."
Eris Kensington promptly turned around, barely waiting for her applause to begin, and sat down.
McGonagall nodded appreciatively to each Head of house before making her way back to the podium.
After a short transition, the presenting of the testimoniums commenced.
The process was lengthy, but the audience and graduates accepted it for what it was. There was no need for a rush, since the experience was meant to be savoured. After all, graduating from Hogwarts only happens once.
Addressing all in attendance, McGonagall directed the attention to the Head Boy and Girl.
"Straying from tradition slightly, our Head Boy and Girl will say a few words in memoriam of the past seven years to end the ceremony. May I have Atticus Wood and Rose Weasley come to the stage please?"
A reluctant Atticus Wood and an anxious Rose Weasley stood up, looked at each other and slowly made their way onto the stage.
They stood on the stage, gazing out at all of the families, friends, and classmates that had helped them, supported them. This was simply the end of the beginning.
McGonagall gave a nod of her head, urging Atticus onward.
His nerves nearly shot, he pulled out a folded piece of parchment and set it upon the podium. Glancing about, he began.
"I stand before you all now as a graduate of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizarding. It has been a long run, but I am thrilled to say that we have made it. Our first beginning has ended, but our new beginning has just begun. We have innumerable doors standing before us, begging to be opened. We will all pick different doors, yet each will be potent with opportunities for each one of us. After trying to open these doors, we must look at what lies within. We will have to set aside fear and prejudice before we may advance as we pass through some doors. In order to unlock others, we need to uphold our sense of justice and dignity. We cannot afford to be discouraged when a door suddenly shuts before us. Instead, we must look for the unexpected opening of another. We must seize our future and taking it into our own hands, do with it what we will, striving towards excellence. It is the beginning of something new and unknown, and we will face it head-on because we must. As Hogwartians, we shall embark upon our lives with a sense of accomplishment and determination. Carpe diem and always remember: Draco dormiens nunquam titilandus. Congratulations class of 2024!"
As expected, Atticus Wood received a standing ovation for his speech. Girls all over 'oohed' and 'ahhed', but only one person kept his attention. (And she knew it.)
Atticus mumbled a humble a simple 'thank you' leaving the podium free for Rose.
Atticus gave Rose a wink in passing, ending up standing beside Professor McGonagall.
Rose could feel the snitches flying around in her stomach. She wished them away, but unfortunately, they stayed. She prepared herself. To anyone observing her, she looked as cool as a cucumber. She wasn't visibly shaking or turning exceedingly pale or a bright red. Oh no.
Beginning her speech proved the most difficult. Her eyes had swept the audience, seeing the expectant faces, as well as the irritated ones who wished the ceremony would just end. She made contact with one person who winked encouragingly. She had his attention, now she needed everyone else's.
This was Rose's one chance to capture everyone's attention.
"Seven years. We have been here at Hogwarts for seven years. Now, as a graduate, I try to think back to my first year. I was a small, eleven year old girl who had voraciously read Hogwarts: A History one hundred times over. I stood upon the platform, my parents grinning proudly and wishing me well while I was barely there, dumbfounded by the sheer magnitude of the situation. Soon enough, I had been herded into the Great Hall with all of you, anxiously anticipating my turn. At that moment, the moment before the hat was placed upon my head, everything that had once mattered was insignificant, rendered inconsequential. The only thing that existed was what house I would be put it. I was thrilled, of course, when the hat shouted 'Gryffindor.'
"But now, that is inconsequential. Where I had been placed, where each and every one of us had been placed, no longer makes any impact on what is to come. We may like to believe that it is, but that is not true. What matters is who we are, regardless of the house we were sorted into. Now, all that matters is where we will decide to go from here, where we decide to take our lives. This very moment, this is everything. I am determined to succeed; we are determined to succeed. Make sure to make this moment significant for any future endeavours. Class of 2024, remember this moment because this moment is the turning point. This moment begins the rest of our lives. Congratulations and the best of luck to all."
Rose's words were met with hoots and hollers, a burst of applause. The sound brought tears to her eyes now that she realised Hogwarts was just a former stage in her life.
Retreating from the podium, she found herself by Atticus' side. He pulled her into a brotherly hug, holding her tight.
"That was brilliant Rose," he told her.
"Thank you, Atti. Your speech was magnificent."
"Thanks. It means a lot to hear that from you, Head Girl."
Rose laughed, sniffing in attempt to stop her oncoming tears. "Don't you start that Head Boy. You're going to make me cry."
Atticus hugged her tighter. Rose buried her face in his shoulder before pulling away, grabbing his hand and rushing off the stage into the crowd of graduates.
On a unanimous count to three, every single one of them threw their pointed, black hats into the air.
There were shouts, cat-calls, whoops, hollers, and congratulations of all sorts. They were no longer Hogwarts students; they were on their own.
Rose ran about the crowd, looking for Scorpius, Al, and Cecelia.
She found them jumping and screaming happily. Albus had Cecelia in his arms, holding onto her tightly. The two of them didn't even notice Rose's approach. Scorpius, however, did.
He ran to her and picked her up, swinging her around.
"That was a brilliant speech that you gave, love!"
Rose was laughing as she was being spun around and praised for her so-called brilliant speech.
The vision of Rose and Scorpius, together, was just immaculate. They looked so in love and as happy as can be.
Rose kissed Scorpius before he had the chance to say anything else.
He set her down slowly, losing himself in the kiss.
Around them, the excitement was dying down a bit as graduates began being congratulated, hugged, and kissed by their families and friends.
Harry and Ginny Potter rushed to meet their middle child and smother him with love. Cecelia's family – Caleb, Cailyn, Chloe, Cameron, Claire, Cedric, Charlotte, and the latter three's significant others – ambushed both her and Al, along with Al's parents, in a passionate embrace. (They hadn't all known about the extent of their relationship.)
James and Anna came upon Al, Cecelia, and crew with shocked, but glad, faces. Lily ran by her brother quickly, giving him a brief hug and Cecelia one as well before rushing onward to Atticus. Harry was suspicious, but decided to overlook Lily's quick disappearance for the time being.
Ron and Hermione were on the move, searching for their daughter to congratulate her and shower her with praise. However, Ron wasn't expected him to be there, but with his parents.
Rose was completely unaware of her father's presence, but her boyfriend wasn't. He had his arms around her and that's all that she cared about.
Scorpius knew very well that Ron Weasley was nearby, and he could care less anymore.
In one swift movement, Scorpius' lips captured Rose's in one of the most beautiful and passionate kisses of all time. (Or so Rose thought.)
Of course, Ron was absolutely dumbfounded and mortified that his baby girl, his only daughter, was allowing this boy to snog the life out of her. Ron was ready to tear the two of them apart when his wife's cool fingers wrapped around his bicep.
"Ronald, let them be," Hermione uttered soothingly. "Don't you remember when we would just get caught up in the moment, not giving a damn who the bloody hell was watching us?"
"Don't we still do that?"
"Ronald."
"Yes, I remember," Ron answered to his wife's scolding. "But Rosie is my baby girl. I don't like seeing her with a boy, especially not that Malfoy boy."
"You promised that you would try to tolerate him."
"That doesn't mean I can't talk about him any way I bloody well please when she isn't around!"
Hermione sighed exasperated before slipped an arm around her husband's waist.
"Yes, it does. You need to learn to tolerate him. He may be in her life for a very long time. As parents, we can never know what exactly is going on in our children's minds."
"Well I know what's going on in Malfoy's mind."
"Oh, Ron," came the exasperated reply. "She is a legal adult. Her life is no longer mandated by what we say."
"It will be if she lives under my roof!"
"Be civil and congratulate him before giving Rose your love."
Ron harrumphed but listened to his wife. After all, he didn't want to sleep on the couch.
He walked up to his daughter and him. He swallowed his pride and addressed the Malfoy boy.
"Congratulations Scorpius. You've graduated. Now please go find your parents so I can congratulate my daughter."
"Daddy!"
Scorpius hid a laugh. He hadn't expected Ron Weasley to be so accommodating. Facing him, he spoke. "Thank you Mr. Weasley. I'll do that."
He turned back to Rose. "I'll see you in a few."
With that, he left her with a kiss and an about-to-explode father.
AN: R & R, lovelies!