Disclaimer: Previous disclaimer applies.
A/N: Okay, I admit to getting a bit teary when I wrote this chapter.
Chapter 52
The children were excited about moving into their new building. Remus and Missy, Severus and Lily, and Alice and Frank along with other students who were participating in Remus' mentoring program went to help the children get settled in their new quarters. Even Adam Wilkes came along to everyone's shock. Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Professor Flitwick were also there. Directress Grovenor was very grateful for all the help the children had been given since the attack in October. She had received many inquiries about adoption and some were in progress.
"I guess that attack may have been a blessing in disguise," Remus remarked as they were walking back to the castle from Hogsmeade. "That previous building was really old and I was always worried it might catch on fire."
"There's a lot more rooms and it looks as if the children's rooms are bigger than before too," Alice added.
"And it also bought attention to how many children need families," Severus remarked. "So You-Know-Who's plan mostly backfired."
During the next two weeks the elves were seen getting the castle ready for the Parents Weekend and being directed by either Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, or Professor Slughorn. They didn't have as much to do this year; mainly they just had to turn the rooms off of Gryffindor Tower; the ones the children from the orphanage had been using, back into suites for the families and siblings of the Gryffindor students and make sure the other suites for the Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw parents were cleaned and aired out.
The front page of the Prophet the next morning had an announcement that Minister Millicent Bagnold would officially dedicate the new werewolf apartment complex, Nottingham Pines, outside of Hogsmeade. The ceremony was set for the Saturday of Parent's Weekend. All the board members of the Romulus Foundation would attend with the exception of the two members who suffered from Lycanthropy. They could not afford to risk exposure. Severus was happy that his mum and Rose would be able to attend as well as Petunia and Liam. Dumbledore had also informed him that Minister Bagnold would award him, Regulus, Garron Goyle, and Vance Crabbe their Order of Merlin, First Class in a private ceremony in his office at one o'clock. Paul would be given his Special Service to the School award that evening during the formal dinner.
The fifth and seventh years continued to study diligently for their OWL's and their NEWT's. Severus, Lily, Frank, Alice, Remus and Missy quizzed each other and practiced spells. Occasionally, Chea and Amos joined them. Chea also wore a modest diamond on her left hand. Lily, Missy, and Alice all congratulated her. She and Amos planned to marry before Auror Academy started. Amos would began his training in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry the Monday after graduation.
During the next week Missy received her acceptance to the Department of Mysteries as an Unspeakable-in-training and Alice, Frank, Chea, and Sirius received their acceptance into the Auror Academy.
"What about Potter?" Lily asked.
"Sirius told me his admittance is dependent on his NEWT's being Exceeds Expectations or above," Remus replied.
"I hope he only get Acceptable in all his NEWT's," Frank said.
That weekend found Severus holding Harmony, Lily, Frank and Alice, Paul, Remus and Missy waiting at the Hogsmeade Station waiting for the train to come in.
"I think I see it," Missy yelled standing on her tiptoes. "Isn't that smoke I see?"
Severus looked in the distance since he was 6'2 and could see over everybody else. He could see a plume of smoke in the distance. "Yes, that's it." He turned and ordered, "Everybody back away from the tracks until the train comes to a full stop."
The junior Marauders wouldn't step back at first. James had told them they should oppose Snivellus' orders no matter what they were, but when Lily threatened them with detention and loss of house points if they didn't step back, they sullenly followed her orders. After all they were already in dutch with their housemates for their continual lose of house points.
The train pulled majestically into the station and came to a stop. Watching it, Severus felt a little sad that coming back from spring break was his final ride on it. They wouldn't be taking it again when school was out.
The passengers began disembarking from the train. "Mum, Dad, Petunia, Liam over here!" Lily shouted waving her hand in the air. She and Sev stepped around people to get to hers and Sev's parents. Mrs. Longbottom and Mr. and Mrs. Downing were standing with them. Behind them stood the Lupin's and the Reisdorph's. Mr. and Mrs. LeClair were just getting off the train.
Lily's parents gave her and Severus a hug and a kiss as did Petunia. Liam gave Lily a hug and shook Severus hand. "I hear you've done a smashing job as Head Boy."
"I've done the best I could," Severus answered.
Hal lifted Harmony out of Severus' arms. "How are you, Miss Harmony?"
"Fine, Ganpa," Harmony replied smiling.
This time Severus and Lily's families got to ride in the Head's carriage up to the castle. They pulled up in front of the castle. Severus helped Lily down then took Harmony from Hal who jumped down and helped Rose out. Liam got out and helped Petunia down.
As it was last year, Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout were standing behind a small table handing out maps of Hogwarts and a schedule of events for that night and the next day. Lily took her parents up to the seventh floor while Severus took his mum and Robert to the dungeon. "It'll be much nicer this year. All the Death Eaters are gone," Severus remarked.
"Well, I'm certainly thankful for that," Eileen said. She gave Harmony a kiss. "I'll see you later, sweetie."
"Bye, Ganma and Ganpa," Harmony said waving over Severus shoulder.
As last year, Dumbledore was acting as the welcome guide for Gryffindor Tower. "Your quarters are just around the corner and there's a plaque with your names on it next to your suite. Welcome back to Hogwarts, Mr. Hollywell and congratulations on Miss Evans and your engagement."
"Thank you, Headmaster," Liam replied. "I'm happy to be back."
Again Rose had baked a box of different treats for Dumbledore. Lily resized the box for her and she gave it to him. "I baked you some cookies, brownies and some other treats, Headmaster. There's also a couple of bags of lemon drops."
"I thank you very kindly, Mrs. Evans. Your treats are always something I look forward to with great enjoyment."
The Evans' found their suite and Lily went back to the Head's suite. She planned to freshen up and then go back upstairs to escort her family down to the Great Hall for dinner.
Severus had gotten Harmony washed up and into one of her new dresses. "I'm going to go down to Slytherin House and escort mum and Robert up. We'll wait for you at the bottom of the stairs, okay?"
"Okay, Sev," Lily called from the bathroom.
Severus picked up Harmony and left the suite. He went downstairs to the Slytherin House and knocked on the door. Robert opened the door. "Come on in, Sev. Eileen is just putting the finishing touches on."
Severus put Harmony down for a few minutes while they waited for Eileen. "Are you ready for your NEWT's, Sev?" Robert asked.
"Yes, I think I'm ready as I'll ever be," Severus replied. NEWT's and OWL's were the next two weeks. The Examiners would probably be arriving on Sunday evening. "After we've finished; it's another week's wait before we find out our scores."
"Yes, it's quite nerve-wracking waiting for those scores to come," Robert recalled.
Eileen walked dressed in a pale green velvet robe with matching shoes. With it she wore the emeralds Robert had given her as a wedding gift. She lifted Harmony out of Severus' arms. "My! Don't you look pretty tonight?"
Harmony was wearing a pale green, ruffled dress, lace trimmed white socks, and her black patent leather Mary Jane's.
They walked up the stairs from the dungeon to the Entrance Hall to wait for the Evans. Alice, her parents, Augusta, and Frank came down the stairs. "We'll save a table," Frank called.
"Okay," Severus replied with a wave.
Lily and her parents, Petunia and Liam came out of their suite to go downstairs. The Potter's with the McKinnon's were just coming out of their suite. Marlene had a younger brother that was a fifth year Lily smirked as she noticed how tightly Marlene was holding onto Potter's arm. If she wasn't careful she was going to cut off the circulation in that arm.
"Well, well," James drawled. "If it isn't the most boring head boy we've ever had back again."
"You shut up, Pothead unless you want another busted nose," Petunia threatened, but then she smirked. "But I suppose you're jealous because Dumbledore made Severus head boy and not you." She took Liam's arm. "Come on, Liam, Mum, Dad, Lily, let's get away from these losers."
"How dare …" Marlene started to splutter. The Potter's looked shocked and the McKinnon's appeared even haughtier than they normally did.
The Evans' made it to the top of the stairs before they burst out laughing. "That was good one, Tuney!" Lily said when she finally caught her breath.
"Well, I never met such a bunch of stuffed shirts!" Petunia said. They were still laughing as they reached the bottom of the stairs where Severus, Harmony, Eileen and Robert were waiting.
"What's so funny?" Severus asked.
"We met the Potter's coming out of our suite," Petunia began. "Pothead insulted Liam and I threatened to break his nose again and called them a bunch of losers."
"Perfect, Tuney!" Severus complimented her.
The double doors to the Great Hall stood wide open as they walked in. "Over here," Remus waved. He and Frank had put three tables together so everybody could sit together. Severus', Lily's, Alice's, Frank's, Remus' and Missy's and the Reisdorph family all sat together. Augusta was between Hal and Severus chatting about the dedication tomorrow. As a board member of the Romulus Foundation she had toured the apartment complex and had been very impressed with the construction, decorations and furnishings. She was happy the transformation rooms were furnished with thick rugs and soft, comfortable furniture. "I think this will be so much better for people suffering from Lycanthropy. Now if we can just get some of those abominable laws regarding employment that Umbridge has passed, thrown out."
"We'll do it, Augusta," Hal said. "We may have to do it one step at a time, but we'll get it done."
Harmony was sitting in a high chair next to Lily seemed particularly happy this evening and was giggling and waving at everyone who passed their table. Paul's two younger sisters, Jillian and Tessa sat on Lily's other side. Jillian was now nine and would be attending Hogwarts in two years and Tessa was seven.
Sirius walked into the hall by himself. James stood up waving at Sirius and calling, "Over here, Padfoot." He looked over to where James, Marlene and their families were sitting with other prominent 'light' families and instead of heading in that direction, he walked over to the table where his parents and Reg were sitting with other Slytherin families, who were neutral as far as Voldemort was concerned, and spoke with his parents. Orion, to everyone's surprise, stood up and shook Sirius' hand and then pulled out a chair for him to sit down. Walburga looked as if she might start crying.
"I'll be damned," Severus muttered.
"I guess wonders never cease, Sev," Rose said smiling. "I'm glad Sirius has decided to reconcile with his family. I told Reg he might."
"I'm sure Walburga is happy to have her family reunited," Eileen remarked.
People began ordering their food. Hal ordered the same meal he had last year; baked sea bass, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and roasted potatoes.
After the meal was finished, Dumbledore stood up and announced the schedule for the next day. "Beginning at nine o'clock will be the dedication of Nottingham Pines after which is the last Quidditch match of the year, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. Lunch will be served after the game. Visits to Hogsmeade, tours of the castle with our professors and tours of the grounds led by our Care of Magical Creatures Professor Kettleburn or our Groundskeeper and Keeper of the Keys, Rebeus Hagrid will take place all afternoon and a formal dinner tomorrow evening at seven o'clock with a social hour beginning at six-thirty. Formal dress robes are required for fourth years and up. Please enjoy the rest of your evening."
Professor Spout had invited Rose and her family to visit her in her quarters after dinner and they were agreeable to joining her. Severus took his mum and Robert to see the greenhouses which hadn't been anywhere as large as they were now when they were at Hogwarts. He also took them upstairs to the seventh floor to the Room of Requirement to show them the high tech lab he and Lily had designed.
Page ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Break
Remus and Frank entered the portrait hole, walked into the common room on their way to their dorm. They went up the stairs to their dorm, but were stopped from going in by loud yelling coming from their dorm room.
"If you're going to be hanging around with your dark family, Padfoot then you can't hang around with me! It's either them or me!" James shouted.
"My family isn't dark, Prongs!" Sirius yelled back. "My dad's a retired Auror for Merlin's sake. Don't forget he's put a lot of dark wizards in Azkaban! My mum might believe Purebloods are superior, but she doesn't believe in murdering Muggleborns and Muggles!"
"You're a traitor to the light, Padfoot!" James hissed. "Maybe you should have been sorted into Slytherin!"
"And you're a prejudice narrow-minded jerk, Prongs. You don't have that many friends left so be careful who you throw away!"
The door flew open almost hitting Frank and Remus as Sirius stormed out with an expression like a thundercloud.
"Damn dark wizards!" James yelled after him.
Remus and Frank looked at each other and decided they'd find somewhere else to go for awhile until things cooled off again.
Page ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Break
The next morning after breakfast the dedication ceremony at Nottingham Pines took place. There was a heavy concentration of Aurors and other Magical Law Enforcement officials to protect the Minister and prevent any attacks by Voldemort or his followers. Reporters from the Dailey Prophet, The Quibbler, Witch Weekly and the Wizarding Wireless Network were crowded into the press section.
Severus dressed in his Slytherin house robes, sat up on the platform with the other members of the Romulus Foundation. The leaders of Hogsmeade were also seated on the platform.
Minister Bagnold stepped up to the podium. "We are here today to dedicate Nottingham Pines, safe living accommodations for people suffering from Lycanthropy. For too long the Ministry has ignored the needs of people who through no fault of their own have been stricken with this terrible condition. For too long the Ministry has taken an active part in persecuting them and forcing them to live in the shadows or turned a blind eye to the fact. It took the vision of one young man to open our eyes as to what was going on. He founded this foundation, the Romulus Foundation, to help people suffering from Lycanthropy and with the cooperation of the leaders of Hogsmeade Village has made the building of this complex possible. Today I dedicate it with the words, Emuno Annosus Aevum. Thank you."
Everybody clapped as she stepped away from the podium and Dumbledore took her place. "I'd like to thank the village of Hogsmeade for its overwhelming acceptance and tolerance that made this project possible. I'd also like to thank the members of the Romulus Foundation for accepting their nominations to the board. Finally I'd like to introduce the young man Minister Bagnold spoke of whose vision made this entire project possible, Mr. Severus Snape of Slytherin House. Severus, would you please stand."
Severus quickly stood and accepted the applause and then sat back down just as quickly.
After the dedication, there were tours of the Nottingham Pines. As Severus came off the stage, Lily grabbed him and gave him a kiss. "Sev, I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks, Lily. I'm just glad everything turned out so well and Dumbridge wasn't able to stick her big ass foot in anything."
They returned to Hogwarts to change into more casual clothes for the Quidditch match. Eileen, Rose, and Petunia chose to wear slacks to the match rather than dresses or robes. Hal had wisely thought ahead and bought earplugs so Augusta wouldn't scream him deaf. The match was a fierce one and Severus was amused at Professor Flitwick jumping up and down while cheering his house on. Augusta was yelling, "Go, Frank! Kick their bums!" Lily was just as loud or louder than Augusta in urging her house to victory. Severus held his hands over Harmony's ears to prevent any auditory damage from all the noise. He wished he had a pair of the earmuffs they'd worn second year when they repotted the Mandrakes.
Gryffindor won the match and would be award the House Cup at the farewell feast. Severus didn't really mind. Slytherin was in second place and the majority of their points were for academic excellence.
They visited Hogsmeade and ate lunch the Three Broomsticks. Everybody ordered the house specialty, grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade crips. Thankfully, there was no dungbomb attack this year. Hal, Rose, and Petunia had announced they were going to take a tour of the grounds later as they had not been able to fit it in last year.
"You better buy some trainers then. You're going to need them especially if you go with Hagrid. He sometimes forgets that everybody can't take as big of steps as he can," Severus remarked.
They were all in Dumbledore's office at one o'clock to see Severus awarded his Order of Merlin, First Class. He and Lily had changed back into their school robes. Also attending were Orion, Walburga, and Sirius, Mr. and Mrs. Goyle and Mr. and Mrs. Crabbe.
Minister Bagnold had four blue velvet boxes open on Dumbledore's desk. She took out the first medal and slipped it over Reg's head, the second over Vance's head, and the third over Garron's head. She took out the fourth, but as she was much shorter than Severus he had to bow quite low for her to get it over his head. She stepped back and addressed the four of them, "Gentlemen, the Order of Merlin, First Class is awarded to people who go beyond the ordinary to save others from serious injury and/or death. In risking your lives to save the lives of your fellow housemates last January you have proven beyond a doubt that you are worthy to wear this medal with pride." she said and congratulated them and shook each of their hands. "In addition, Mr. Snape, yours is being awarded for your invention of the Wolfsbane Potion and as the founder of the Romulus Foundation to aide the victims of Lycanthropy."
Everybody began clapping and family members rushed up to hug and kiss the awardees. Lily gave Severus a big hug and a kiss. "I know I've already said this once today, but it bears repeating. I am so proud of you!"
Harmony reached for the medal. "Daddy good."
"Daddy was very good," Lily said with a smile.
Sirius came over. "I just wanted to say congratulations, Severus and thank you for keeping Reg from harm when he decided to say no to the Death Eaters."
"Thank you and no thanks needed for Reg. I would have done it no matter what because I've always looked on Reg as a younger brother." They shook hands and Sirius returned to his family.
Severus and Lily returned to their suite after the ceremony and put Harmony down for her nap and decided to have some time to themselves. They got up in time to get dressed in their dress robes. Lily wore a sea mist colored rob while Severus wore his forest green one and they had even bought a dress robe for Harmony that was pale green. "I think we're presentable," Lily said as she straightened Severus' Slytherin tie.
"More than I'd say," he replied. They went downstairs and waited for Eileen and Robert to come up from the dungeon and the Evans to come down from the seventh floor.
Petunia wore an attractive sheath dress of a warm brown color and brown heels. She wore the amber earrings she'd bought last year in Hogsmeade with the matching necklace Lily had bought her for Christmas. Liam looked very handsome in a plain black velvet robe. Rose wore an attractive flower print dress and Hal wore a suit. Eileen wore pale blue dress robe and Robert wore a expensively tailored linen robe with his pin indicating he was a Master Healer.
Dinner that night was very formal. Again Sirius chose to sit with his family rather than sitting with James and his family. The elves had decided on roasted chickens with chestnut stuffing, three different kinds of vegetables, mashed, roasted and creamed potatoes. Apple or cherry pie with ice cream for dessert.
Once dinner had ended, Dumbledore once again stood up. "Congratulations to Gryffindor House for winning the cup today. I have one very special honor to award tonight. Mr. Reisdorph, would you please come up to the front with your family."
Paul looked confused. Severus of course had known he was receiving a special award, but it was a complete surprise to Paul. He got up and walked to the front followed by his parents and two sisters. Dumbledore came down from the high table holding a thin brown box.
"Mr. Reisdorph last January at great personal risk to yourself alerted us to the fact that Death Eaters had invaded Slytherin House and were threatening the lives of you housemates. You acted bravely and without concern for your own safety so tonight I am awarding you the Special Award for Services to the School." He gave the box to Paul who opened it and found a plaque engraved with his name, the date and the inscription that read 'For Special Services to the School'. "Wicked!" Paul said and showed it to his parents and his sisters. "An identical one will be placed in the trophy case permanently." Dumbledore added.
Everybody clapped as they made their way back to their table. When the clapping died down again, Dumbledore said, "For those of you leaving on the Express tomorrow; it will leave Hogsmeade station at ten o'clock. I wish you a good night."
Everybody at the table congratulated Paul. After the dinner was over they went to the Evans suite for a short time, but as it had been a long and very eventful day; everyone decided to retire early.
The next morning breakfast was a buffet and the carriages were waiting outside to take the people taking the Hogwarts Express down to the station. Lily and Severus gave their parents hugs and kisses and Harmony added hers. "We'll see you back here in three weeks for graduation," Lily said as her parents got on the train. Robert leaned out the window and called, "Good luck on your NEWT's tomorrow."
"I can't believe we're graduating in three weeks," Lily said. "It seems like only yesterday we were crossing the lake in a boat."
"I know it. Before you know it we'll be sending our own kids off to Hogwarts," Severus teased.
"I don't even want to think about that yet, Sev!"
Page ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Break
The Examiners arrived Sunday night and the exams would start tomorrow. The OWL's and NEWT's were given over a two week period so as to give the students time to rest and relax between tests. The rest of the school would have their exams the last week of school
Severus rose at his usual time the next morning to go to his college class, fortunately his first test wasn't until ten and it was Arithmancy. Professor Slughorn was proctoring the written portion of the test. That was a piece of cake for Severus. The practical consisted of solving a problem designed by the Examiner; he had to solve it and list all the steps he'd taken to solve it. Since the practicals were given in alphabetical order, Lily was finished before him.
"That was rough," Lily said when he got back before lunch. "I'm not sure how I did, but I hope I got at least an Acceptable."
"I'll bet you get an Exceeds or an Outstanding," Severus replied confidently.
Potions was after lunch. McGonagall proctored the written portion of the test after which they lined up outside the Great Hall to wait to take the practical portion. Both Severus and Lily breezed through the practical. "I never liked brewing the Draught of Living Death," Lily complained. "The Examiner gave me kind of a funny look when I used the changes you came up with instead of what was in Borage's book."
"Consider yourself lucky. I had to brew Amortentia and that's one of the hardest potions to brew correctly," Severus replied pulling out his shirt and loosening his tie before flopping down on the couch.
"Sev, you could have probably brewed that when you were twelve," Lily teased sitting down beside him.
The entrance way opened and Harmony ran in followed by Rose. "We were out walking on the grounds," Rose announced. "It's very lovely this time of year. We had a nice chat with Hagrid."
Harmony ran over to the couch and climbed up and sat between Severus and Lily. Lily gave her a hug. "Spring and Fall are the prettiest times here, Mum," Lily replied.
"Hagrid does enjoys talking," Severus laughed. "I imagine he invited you to stay for tea too?"
"Yes, but I told him we needed to get back as your test was probably over with," Rose replied.
They didn't have any exams again until Wednesday and Thursday when they had Charms and Herbology. Next week would be Transfiguration on Monday, Ancient Runes on Tuesday and the last exam would be Defense Against the Dark Arts on Wednesday. Warding was not included in the NEWT's, but they did need to pass a test to receive their certification and that would take place on Tuesday of the last week.
The Charms exam at ten o'clock was proctored by Professor Marlwick. Severus felt he did well although it hadn't been one of his favorite classes. The practical was much harder because he had to listen closely to what the Examiner requested by way of spellcraft because she would throw in a something small and he could miss it unless he was paying close attention. He was glad when he was dismissed. Lily was all smiles because she had excelled at Charms right from the first year.
Thursday morning was Herbology and the written portion of the exam was proctored by Professor Flitwick. The practical part had the Examiner firing questions at them about plants, their properties and their usages.
Aside from Severus' college class on Friday morning, they had no other classes so Severus and Lily decided to put Harmony in her stroller and take a walk around the Black Lake. Severus pushed Harmony's stroller while Lily walked beside him. "Glad Potter's not around. He'd probably try to do a repeat of fifth year if he was."
"And I'd send a stinging hex right to the idiot's family jewels too," Lily answered.
"Ouch!" Severus muttered wincing.
"I wonder if Potter's still mad at Sirius." Frank and Remus had told everybody about the argument between James and Sirius.
"Didn't Remus say that Sirius hasn't come back to the dorm yet?" Severus asked. "He must have found somewhere else to sleep."
"I'll bet he's staying in the Room of Requirement," Lily guessed.
They stopped to watch as the Giant Squid came to the surface and stuck one tentacle out of the water before swimming back down into the lake. Harmony giggled and pointed at the lake and yelled, "Fishy!"
"Big fishy," Severus laughed.
They spent the entire weekend studying for the NEWT's they were having the coming week and practicing non-verbal spells for Defense. Alice and Frank needed top grades in Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts for the Auror Academy.
Professor Hubris proctored the written Transfiguration exam. The practical was really tough as the Examiner had them transform something into one form and then shot instructions one after another to transform it into many different things. Severus was ready to kiss the hem of the robe of whatever deity presented itself in thanks when he left the Great Hall.
The next morning was Ancient Runes. Professor Sprout proctored the written portion which Severus completed easily. Lily and Remus did also. The practical portion of the exam involved interpreting a long passage of runes and determining what it said.
Their final written exam for Defense Against the Dark Arts on Wednesday was once again proctored by Professor Flitwick. Severus felt he'd done well on it. The practical portion of the test involved a great deal of non-verbal spells. Severus even threw in a bit of wandless magic for extra credit.
"Now comes the really hard part," Remus remarked at dinner that night. "Waiting for our scores."
"Yeah," Frank agreed. "Next week seems like a long way off."
"How do you suppose Potter did?" Alice asked.
"Well, he certainly looks pleased with himself," Lily said.
"He always looks pleased himself," Missy said.
On Tuesday they took their final test in Warding which if they passed would earn them their certification a Wardsmiths. The rest of the week was spent sweating and waiting for the owls to arrive with their NEWT results. Professor Marlwick passed out the certificates of Wardsmith Certification after Dumbledore had awarded the house cup to Gryffindor. Suddenly the hooting of many owls could be heard and the Great Hall was suddenly filled with owls of many kinds and sizes carrying the familiar envelopes of the Wizarding Examination Authority. A big barn owl landed in front of Severus and he took the envelope from it and offered it a strip of bacon. He opened the envelope, took out the slip of parchment inside. He was pleased to see that he had six Outstandings and one Exceeds. He bent over to Lily and asked, "How did you do?"
"Five Outstandings and two Exceeds," Lily said. "What about you?"
"Six Outstandings and one Exceeds. I brought my Transfiguration score up, but my Charms score is still the same as it was on my OWL's."
"I know. My scores in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy were still the same as on my OWL's."
The students were getting ready to leave for the summer. Severus and Lily rode down to Hogsmeade to make sure all the students got on the Express safely.
"Sev!" Paul called.
"Hi, Paul," Severus called waving.
Paul ran up to him. "I just wanted to say thanks for everything over the last two years! Can I come to your graduation tomorrow?"
"You're welcome and if you need any help with anything next year, Lily and I will be living in London and you can just fire-call us. As to graduation, if you fire-call the Evans, I'm sure you can floo over with them tomorrow."
"Okay, Sev I'll do that. Thanks!"
Severus and Lily stepped back and watched as Hagrid and the station master made sure all the doors were shut securely. The station master waved to the engineer. They watched as the Hogwarts Express began pulling out of the station with the kids hanging out the windows yelling and waving. "It doesn't seem possible they we won't ever be riding on the Hogwarts Express again," Lily said softly as the train fading into the distance.
"I know, but after tomorrow we'll be moving on to a new life and that's a good thing," Severus replied squeezing Lily's hand. "And besides we get the pleasure of seeing Potter's expression tomorrow when he finds out we've been married for over a year," He added and smirked.
Lily giggled. "I am so looking forward to that!"
Dinner that evening consisted of listening to James brag that he'd gotten Outstandings in Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures and Exceeds in everything else.
"What a bloody braggart!" Alice complained. "I'm not thrilled with having Potter in class with me another three years."
Severus and Lily were up early the next morning making sure everything was packed. Severus had cleaned out their lab the night before and carefully packed all the ingredients and his microscope in boxes that he shrank and put inside his trunk. Lily packed Harmony's trunk with all her clothes and toys, shrank it and put it inside her trunk. She shrank her doll and her plush heart and put them in her purse. Severus shrank her Big Wheels and put it in his pocket. The Evans,' his mum and Robert, and Petunia and Liam flooed over at nine o'clock because the graduation ceremony started at ten. Paul and Reg were with them.
"You didn't tell me you were coming to my graduation," Severus said.
Reg grinned and joked, "Well, I don't tell you everything, Sev."
Hal took Harmony from Lily. She was dressed in a white ruffled dress, white sock trimmed with lace and wearing her white patent leather Mary Jane's. They left to go down to find good seats.
The ceremony was being held on the wide expanse of lawn that led down to the lake. A podium had been erected and there were seats on both sides of the podium. A to P would sit on the right of the podium and R to Z on the left. They lined up in the Entrance Hall in alphabetical order with help from Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout. "Mr. Pettigrew, please straighten your tie," Professor McGonagall ordered crisply. "Mr. Black, your shirt is untucked. Please smarten yourselves up, everyone."
Lily and Severus had decided to wear their wedding rings to the ceremony since everybody would find out soon enough they were married.
They walked out the front doors and took their seats. James was looking around and then reached over and tapped Remus, who was sitting in the row in front of him, on his shoulder. "Why's Evans sitting next to Snivellus?"
Remus sighed and rolled his eyes wishing his last name started with an A instead of an L. "I have absolutely no idea why Lily is sitting next to Severus, James."
"Will you shut up, Potter!" Frank said. "If you keep yapping we won't be able to hear Dumbledore when he calls our names!"
Dumbledore welcomed everyone to the ceremony for the graduation of the class of 1978 before he launched into his speech encouraging unity. "It doesn't matter whether you are Pureblood, Half-Blood, Muggleborn or Muggle, Tom Riddle will not ignore you if you are in his way! You do not have less chance of dying just because your status is a Pureblood."
"Merlin's beard!" Severus muttered. "What a cheerful speech!" He contented himself with gazing at the Black Lake and recalling the boat ride first year and his first glimpse of Hogwarts. Although his mum had told him about it countless times, he'd never expected to see such a beautiful sight as that night.
"I urge all of you to forget your petty differences and join together in the fight against Riddle A united front is the best front in fighting Tom's influence and preventing his rise to power."
The clapping was thunderous. Severus scanned the audience and saw most of the Gryffindor parents were the clapping the loudest while the Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw parents were clapping politely.
"Thank you," Dumbledore said. "Now if you will indulge me for a few more minutes I have some special awards that need handing out." He picked up a scroll that was tied with a bright red ribbon.
"Here it comes," Severus muttered to Lily.
"Our first award is the Miranda Goshawk for Excellence in Charms award. Not only has our recipient received an Outstanding in Charms since her first year, but she's invented at least two medical charms that are now being tested at St. Mungo's and she served as our Head Girl this year also This year the award goes to Lily Elizabeth Evans Snape of Gryffindor House."
A/N: Emuno Annosus Aevum - Safe, Full Lifetime
