A/N: So, when I said more frequent updates, I lied, and I'm sorry. Who knew AP Calculus, AP English Lit, AP Psychology, and Physics could suck so much all together? I'll really try to get back on the bandwagon when it comes to updating. I feel bad for being so bad at it.
This is the last chapter that takes place at school :( I actually wrote the speeches for this chapter (and one for a later chapter) all at one time, way before I actually wrote any of the rest of it. Fear not, this isn't the end of the fic – there's still 5 chapters to go.
So, on those notes, please Read, Review (reviews are good things!) , and Enjoy!
"James! Have you seen my brush anywhere?" Lily yelled down to the Head's common room, where James was reviewing his speech for the final time. "James! Did you hear me?"
He looked up and yelled back to his girlfriend. "Did you look in your bathroom drawer? Or, if you've already packed, I'd check your trunk!"
"Oh! Thanks!"
James grinned and shook his head. They were due to line up for their graduation ceremony in fifteen minutes, and Lily was a acting like a nervous wreck.
Five minutes later, she came down to the common room, wearing emerald dress robes with her Head Girl badge gleaming on her chest.
"Ready?" she asked James.
He lazily got up from the couch and ran a hand through his hair. After dusting imaginary lint off his navy robes, he replied, "Now I am. Lets go."
The seventh years were lined up outside the Great Hall, listening to Dumbledore start their ceremony.
"Friends and family, we're here today to usher yet another fantastic group of students out of these doors for the very last time. Now, please join me in welcoming Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's graduating class of 1978!"
As he said this, the doors to the Great Hall burst open and the students filed in amongst thunderous applause.
After the students took their seats, Dumbledore stood up and began to talk again. "As you all know, these students have spent the past seven years here at Hogwarts, working their way through the lessons they'll require for success in the real world. However, as every single one of these young people in front of me will tell you, school is not just learning – it's much, much more. Who better to tell you about that than tow of our brightest students. Please welcome this years' Head Girl and Boy, Lily Evans and James Potter!"
Lily and James walked to the front together, and Lily took her spot at the podium.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," she said. "Looking back at these past seven years, I can say, without a doubt, that they have been the best seven years of my life. In fact, I'm sure that throughout the rest of my life, I'll always fondly remember the years I've spent here.
"I was raised as a Muggle, by my mother and father, who were both Muggles themselves. At eleven, I got the letter telling me that I was a witch, and was thrilled to be thrown into a world that I thought only existed in fairy tales.
"Then I got to Hogwarts. This castle has been my home for the past seven years, and in it I've encountered learning opportunities, friendships, good times, and bad. I don't regret a single thing that's happened to me here.
"From the very beginning, I mad friends with many incredible people. I've lost some of those friendships, gained new ones, and even reformed a few of the lost ones. I've never had friends like the ones I've had here at Hogwarts, and I wouldn't wish it any other way.
"At first, I was overwhelmed with the magical world. However, I quickly picked up on it, and wanted nothing more than to learn everything I could. I soon made it my personal goal to excel at my schoolwork and to learn as much as possible.
"At the beginning of this year, when I received my badge, I was ecstatic. Me, a Muggle-born witch, had beaten the odds and gained the top honor. My parents eagerly rejoiced with me, and sent me off to school, not knowing that they would never see me again. I only wish that they were here to see me now. I know they're proud of me, and they would want to be here as well.
"Because of the friendships acquired here at school, coupled with the knowledge, of course, we can make it through anything life throws at us. I know I've already made it through several trials, and I know many other people who have done the same.
"These will be some of the best years of our lives, years that we'll never forget, and I dearly hope that's the case for all of us. I'd like to propose a toast, then, to Hogwarts, and to all it's taught us through the years. To Hogwarts!"
As the students, teachers, and guests applauded for Lily, James stepped up to the podium, and started his speech after the noise had died down.
"Well then, I guess I don't have to say much besides that I second every single thing that the wonderful Head Girl already said, not counting a few exceptions.
"While I don't doubt that my parents would be proud of me, I also know that they'd be incredibly surprised that I was made Head Boy. I know I was.
"I mean, really, why make the notorious prankster the one with the most responsibility? Although at the beginning of the year I was just as surprised and confused as everyone else, I'm actually glad that the badge came to me.
"It taught me responsibility, sure, but it also helped me see how great these past seven years have been, and I doubt I'll ever encounter a stretch of years like these again.
"Like Lily said – in here marvelous speech, I might add – I learned a lot, had loads of un, and made many great friends.
"Now, I know that my speech is no where near as good as Lily's – although she did help me write some of it – so I'm going to end it with agreeing wholeheartedly with her once again.
"These really are the best years of our lives, and we are all incredibly lucky to have spent them here. Once again, to Hogwarts!"
For the third time, the audience burst into applause as Lily and James took their seats once more.
Dumbledore than began to call off names, shaking hands and handing out diplomas to students as they crossed the podium.
"Friends and family," Dumbledore said again. "Thank you again for allowing these students to learn here at Hogwarts, and for coming to the ceremony tonight. Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce the graduated class of 1978! Congratulations!"
As he finished, the students threw their pointed hats into the air, and the Hall erupted into cheers once more.
Moments later, the mass of people began to flow out of the Hall, parents and friends continuing out the enormous front doors, students separating as they went to their dorm
rooms.
"Oy! Prongs, Evans, if you two don't drag your trunks down here right now, I'm leaving without you!" Sirius yelled to the closed doors of Lily and James' common room.
At the same time, the doors opened and they came down, levitating their full trunks in front of them.
They joined Sirius and found Remus as they made their way to the Entrance Hall, and the four of them scrambled into a carriage.
Instead of their normal train compartment, Sirius and Remus decided to join Lily and James in the spacious Head compartment.
While Sirius snagged a bench for himself and while James and Remus secured the heavy trunks in the overhead racks, Lily wrote and sent a letter to her sister.
"What was that?" James asked as he sat down and leaned against Lily.
She smirked and said, "A letter to Petunia telling her I'm not coming home, and that I'll be by in a few days to get my things."
James laughed a little and hugged Lily. "I still can't believe it, Lily Evans is coming to live with me on her own free will. I never thought that'd be the case."
"What? You were planning on my living with you without my consent?"
"Of course not, Lils. The thought never crossed my mind. How about a game of chess before patrols?"
So the four of them settled to patrolling, emptying the snack cart, and playing cards and chess against each other for the train ride to Kings Cross.
Once they arrived and pulled their trunks to the platform, Lily, James, and Sirius bid temporary good-byes to Remus, who was going to stay with his parents for a bit.
After Sirius had Apparated to James' house, Lily took hold of her boyfriend's arm and turned back to the scarlet train, saying, "It's really over, huh?"
James hugged her around the shoulders and said, "Yeah, the end of seven great years. But, Lils, we're about to start a whole new chapter of our lives now that we've graduated! Now, grab hold of your trunk and my arm. Ready?"
With a pop, the two of them left platform 9 ¾ and landed in front of James' house.
END YEAR 7, NOT END OF FIC!