Gradually

Summary: Calista and her friends finally graduate from Hexley Hall, and she's immediately offered a unique opportunity that will change everything for her.

Disclaimer: I own Angel and the Hexley Hall OCs. Nana and Tanya belong to MarionetteJ2X. Everyone else belongs to Craig Gerber.

A/N: Y'all, lots of changes coming in this story! I don't know if you're ready. I don't know if I'm ready. But we're going to move on from here…and it's going to be wonderful.

*Story*

"You look beautiful, Chante."

Calista turned around from her mirror, where she was attempting to adjust her graduation mortar, and smiled as she saw Angel dressed in his more formal attire for the occasion: the dark blue outfit she loved so much. She was graduating from Hexley Hall today, and she couldn't have felt more nervous if she tried. "Thanks, Angel…" She sighed, turning back around to continue adjusting the cap.

Angel frowned as he walked up behind his girlfriend, smoothing down her hair and then reaching up, fixing the slightly askew cap, brushing the tassel over her left side. He gazed at her through the mirror. "What is wrong?"

"I'm nervous…" She turned to face him, smiling softly as he grasped her hands. "I'm graduating Hexley Hall, and starting next semester, I'll attend the Institute for Science and Alchemy. I'll gain a degree in higher level sorcery, which is what I've always wanted, but…" She searched his eyes for any semblance of understanding, and when she found it, she shook her head, looking away. "It's just…strange…moving on from somewhere if I've been comfortable for such a long time and going somewhere new. Some of my friends aren't even going with me, and…" She shrugged. "I don't know. It's just a lot to get used to, you know?"

He hummed softly, stroking the backs of her hands with his thumbs. "I know, Calista. While I did not have the type of schooling you do, I understand change. I understand uncertainty and nervousness about new situations. But look at it this way…" He reached up with his left hand, caressing her cheek, smiling gently as she sighed. "It could be exciting, and it could be better than you think. Just give it a chance."

Calista nodded, reaching up and grasping his hand. "I know you're right, Angel. I guess…" She cleared her throat, slipping her hands from his and smoothing out her graduation dress and robes. "I guess I must make a change before I can see how things turn out, right?"

He chuckled. "Right. Oh, and…" He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her lips. "Chi hullo li. I love you."

A rosy blush arose to her cheeks, despite being well used to him kissing her and proving his love for her by now. It was like a brand-new revelation each time. "I love you too, Angel."

"Calista, let's go!" Cordelia called from the base of the staircase, snickering and batting Nigel's hands away as he tried to capture her in a hug from behind. "The coach is leaving!" She whirled to the older man and playfully smacked him upside the head. "Would you stop that? Not now!"

"Bless you," Baileywick drawled sarcastically as he walked past his brother and friend with Corban holding onto his hand, swinging it playfully as they walked. "There are some things best left private."

"I don't want to hear a word, Wicky," Nigel remarked, smirking at his brother. "I saw you and Violet getting rather cozy in front of the fire the other evening."

"We were just relaxing," Baileywick contended, blushing a bit. "I was trying to…to allow her to rest after a long day. Stewarding is not easy work, I'll have you know."

"Yes, and it seemed her lips must have worked extra hard that day, considering how much attention you gave them." Nigel grinned triumphantly, watching as the silver-haired ex-steward blushed darker and hurried past them, tugging a bouncing prince along with him. "Heh. He's so easy to embarrass." He wrapped his arm around the laughing sorceress. "Are you ready, my sweet?"

"Ready, my pumpkin." She giggled as he swept her out the door, just as Calista and Angel reached the top of the steps and began to descend.

"They're so nauseating," Calista complained, rolling her eyes. "Pookie, schmoopsie, cupcake… If I hear one more disgustingly sweet nickname…"

"Granted, they are a little…much," Angel acquiesced as he took her hand and guided her down the steps. "But I think it is wonderful how openly loving they are with each other."

She smirked. "And to think, it began as a joke to make Uncle Ceddy and Baileywick uncomfortable. Now they're making the whole castle uncomfortable!"

He chuckled as he stepped onto the main floor, tugging his girlfriend into his arms, smiling as she made a small sound of surprise. "Pookie, you say?"

"Angel…" She laughed as his look turned mischievous. "Please, just stick with Chante. It's so much prettier and more meaningful anyway."

"Of course, Calista, of course…" He kissed her forehead before turning and capturing her hand once more, guiding her toward the doors and out to the coach.

"Wow," Tanya breathed as she held onto Sofia's hand as they walked into Hexley Hall's grand auditorium. "This place is…magical…"

Cedric chuckled at her choice of words while steadying Nana on his shoulder. "Considering its origins, I believe that's a bit of an understatement, my darling." He glanced to Sofia, who was yawning with her free hand to her mouth. "Didn't sleep much again last night?"

She shook her head, sighing. "Not really, and it's not the baby…" She instinctively lifted her hand to her abdomen, which was just barely beginning to grow, gently caressing it. "Just…more of those…" She caught his eye, not wanting to explain about the nightmares in front of the girls.

"Ah, I see." He wrapped his free arm around her, whispering to her, "I'll help you relax a bit tonight so you can sleep well."

Sofia smiled shyly at him before nodding. "Thanks, Cedric…"

While the royal family and the other visitors found their seats among the crowd, Calista found her place in line. She looked around at all her classmates, an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia filling her as she looked at all the familiar faces. Her heart swelled as she saw Casper and Adelina smiling and blowing subtle kisses to each other from across the way. The twins Zaida and Maida were taking turns adjusting each other's robes and hats. And even Ixte was giggling and talking with some of the new friends she'd made over the last year.

Calista felt a twinge of guilt as she glanced between a few random students, where she knew Cybil Marie would have stood had she survived… Granted, she knew she'd made her own choices and had been destroyed as a result, but it was still sad to her. For someone so young to be so corrupted…

"You look as though you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, Calista."

She blinked and turned, smiling sheepishly as she saw Headmaster Zeldon standing before her, his ceremonial regalia and robes on for the occasion. Just behind him was Fabian, who held a crate of what she assumed were their degrees. "I was just thinking about our time here, Headmaster Zeldon," she told him sincerely, sighing. "It's hard to believe my time here is almost done…"

"And you still plan to attend ISA, correct?" Seeing her nod hesitantly, he smiled wisely. "Are you sure?"

Calista shrugged. "My mum went there… And my grandfather still supports the school."

"You know, you don't always have to follow the same pathway others have tread." He chuckled as she glanced up at him, her tassel swaying in front of her eye. "You're a brilliant student, Calista. Your skills and magic familiarity are beyond most students' abilities here." He placed one hand on her shoulder, telling her warmly, "See me after graduation." Without another word, he walked past the rest of the students and onto the stage to begin the ceremony.

She wasn't sure what to think of his words, but surely there was something more to them than she knew… She heard a rather exaggerated 'pssst' and turned to see Adelina grinning and waving at her. She returned the grin and the gesture before creating a quick 'love you' motion with her arms. She giggled softly as Adelina returned it. Then, she faced forward, mentally bracing herself for her future that was mere steps away.

The swell of music echoing throughout the auditorium was unmatched, sounding magical and emotional at the same time. The graduating class of Hexley Hall piled onto the stage, facing the audience, filled with many cheering and applauding attendees. Family, friends, and former professors looked back at them, pride and love written on their faces.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Headmaster Zeldon began, holding his hands up to silence the crowd, which worked after a few moments. "Thank you for your attendance tonight. Tonight, we celebrate the graduating class of…"

Calista listened to her headmaster as he spoke, though every now and then, his voice blurred in her ears. This was so surreal… This building, these people… Everything she held dear and was familiar with… She was about to leave it all behind and move on with her life. If she was honest with herself, she was truly scared. She didn't know what laid beyond these four walls, these lessons… How were Sofia, Amber, and James able to move on so easily? Or did they? Maybe they just made it look easy…

She felt a tear leak down her cheek, and she reached up with her long sleeve to wipe it away. When she lowered her hand, she felt someone behind her grasp her shoulder. She turned and smiled, seeing that it was Ixte, who looked healthier and happier than ever. Her hair was pinned back in an elegant bun, and her new glasses framed her face much better. She and Ixte were friends, but they hadn't always been in the same classes and hadn't seen a lot of each other, which was sad to her. Still, she was glad that the girl had become good friends with others in their class. She reached up and grasped the girl's hand, squeezing it appreciatively, before releasing it and facing forward once more.

"…And now, the time you've all been waiting for…" Headmaster Zeldon nodded to Fabian, who retrieved the first degree from the crate. "Hexley Hall graduates, I hereby confer upon you Masters of Magic degrees as indicated with all rights and privileges thereunto appertaining. When I call your name, please step forward and retrieve your certificate. Azmina of the Kingdom of Aplinca…"

One by one, everyone began following the line to secure their degrees. Finally, it was Calista's turn.

"Calista of the Kingdom of Enchancia."

"Whoo!" Cordelia yelled among the applause and cheers from the Enchancian crew. "That's my baby!"

"Oh, Mum," Calista muttered in mild embarrassment, yet she smiled as she walked forward, shaking the headmaster's hand as he retrieved the degree from Fabian and passed it to her. "Thank you, sir."

"Remember to see me after this," he whispered kindly before smiling. "Congratulations." He released her hand as she nodded and walked off. "Zion of the Kingdom of Estenzo."

"Calista!" Adelina called excitedly as she rushed after her long-time friend once the ceremony ended. She plowed into the other girl, hugging her tightly. "Ay, chica! We are graduates! We are free!" She released Calista before grabbing Casper, pulling him into a passionate kiss, clearly catching the boy off-guard.

Calista giggled at her friend's antics—same old Adelina—and shook her head. "Are you two going to celebrate?" She reached up and twirled her turned tassel in her fingers, already knowing the answer.

"Yes! My family has invited Casper to stay the evening, and we are going to have a party before we prepare to pack for our vacation. Are you going to celebrate, Calista?"

She shrugged, laughing. "I think my mum had something planned, so I'm sure I'll end up celebrating somehow…" She turned as she heard Cordelia call her name. "Speaking of Mum…" She then looked back at her best friends, a warm feeling of emotion welling within her. "You guys…"

"Don't cry, Calista," Casper told her, pulling her into a hug, as Adelina joined. "This is a good thing. We will all be starting a new life now. What matters is what we make of it."

Calista laughed, wiping her tears away as her friends let go of her and instead held each other. "That sounds like something my grandmother would say…" She held onto her degree. "We'll still see each other, right? At least every now and again?"

"Of course!" Adelina giggled. "You cannot depart from us so easily, Calista. We are fat as thieves!"

"That's…thick as thieves, Adi," Casper muttered, rolling his eyes good-naturedly as she blinked at him. He kissed her cheek, causing her to blush, before smiling at her. "Some things never change, right, Calista?" He nodded toward his friend.

Calista smiled. "You're right. And I'm glad they don't." With one last hug with her friends, she turned and hurried over to her family.

"Girl, I'm so proud of you!" Amber gushed as she hugged Calista, who happily returned the affection. "Hey, listen, I've been thinking…" She gestured toward Cedric. "Cedric has told me recently that he's planning to step down soon as royal sorcerer so that he can focus on taking care of Sofia and the girls, and the baby."

"Oh?" The recent graduate glanced at her uncle in mild surprise. "R-Really, Uncle Ceddy? I kind of…thought you'd be royal sorcerer for much longer."

He chuckled as he held onto Nana with one arm while keeping Sofia wrapped in his other one. "I've been the royal sorcerer for many years, Calista. Longer than you've been alive, actually. And I can kind of feel that something inside me is saying it's time to pass it along to someone else."

"And we can't think of anyone better and worthier than you," Amber finished.

"I couldn't agree more," Baileywick added, Violet next to him nodding happily. "You more than prove your abilities each time you perform magic, Miss Calista."

"Yeah!" Corban cheered, giggling against Miranda's shoulder. "Calista's the best!"

Miranda grinned. "You heard Corban, Calista. You're the best. It's official."

"R-Really? You guys, I…" She turned as she felt a hand on her shoulder, and she smiled upon seeing her headmaster. "Headmaster Zeldon, I'm sorry. I meant to come find you."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all." He smiled toward the group behind her. "You all must be very proud of Calista. She's truly a wonderful person, so gifted in magic and always ahead in her studies. She was one of our best students."

"That doesn't surprise me," Goodwyn chuckled, having come in a bit later with Winifred. "She's my granddaughter, after all."

Winifred rolled her eyes yet smiled. "Yes, our granddaughter is amazing."

"And I've got a bit of a unique proposition—something I don't do often." Headmaster Zeldon caught Calista's eye again. "How would you like to become a graduate assistant here at Hexley Hall?"

Her mouth fell open, along with several others. "W-Wait, are you serious? But I… I was set to study at—"

"ISA is a wonderful school, but if you accept this position, you'll get all the training you would have gotten there in our private university, and you'll earn a distinction and a nice salary as well. I don't offer this position to just anyone, Calista. And I feel you would be wonderful at it." He shrugged as she slowly processed his offer. "It's up to you though."

She looked back toward Amber, who simply smiled patiently at her and shrugged. "Well… Princess Amber also offered me a job as royal sorceress…"

"Technically," Roland began, "you would be able to take over when Amber steps up as queen. I'll be stepping down in a few years, and then that position would become available."

"But…what about Uncle Ceddy?" She glanced at Cedric, who said nothing. "I know he wants to take care of Sofia and the girls and the baby, and someone needs to take over for him if he does decide to resign early…"

"I'll do it," Cordelia volunteered, smiling genuinely as the others turned to her. "With King Roland's and Cedric's permission, of course. If he decides to step down early, I'll be a transitional means for him and Calista. When Ceddy's ready, I'll take over as royal sorceress until Calista is prepared."

Amber nodded. "That's fine with me."

Roland added, "Same here. Cedric?"

Cedric processed the situation before chuckling. "Sounds like a good idea to me. And that would give Calista an opportunity to further her education and give her experience before taking on the position."

"Wow…" Calista laughed in disbelief as she smiled up at the headmaster. "Thank you, sir… This means a lot to me."

He nodded and smiled, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Welcome to the Hexley Hall faculty, Calista. And we'll get you started on those private studies next semester. In the meantime, go enjoy some free time with your loved ones." He chuckled as she swiftly hugged him, and he returned the hug before releasing her and heading off to find Fabian.

"That's so great, Calista!" Sofia enthused before hugging her friend/niece (which was still a strange combination to think about). "I'm so proud of you!"

Calista giggled. "Thanks, Sofia! I wasn't expecting all of this, but… Honestly, it's the best thing that has ever happened to me." She then turned to Angel, grabbing his hand, and smiling at him. "Well…the second best."

Angel took advantage of their linked hands and pulled her toward him, kissing her. As the others cooed or laughed at their interaction, he broke the kiss and reached up, removing the graduation cap from her head, tossing it toward Nigel, who caught it. "Congratulations, Chante. You deserve everything good that will come your way."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, tangling her fingers in his hair, as she pressed her forehead to his. "As long as you're there with me."

"I am not going anywhere. Chi hullo li na billia chih. You have me forever, my love." With that, he sealed his promise with another kiss.

And thus, several new changes were set into place… Several good changes. And the future looked very bright.

The end