Not JK. Should have spoken for itself by now.
What can I say? This story is coming to an end. This is chapter 46. It's been a long journey, guys. Thank you for sticking through it with me. Only two more chapters. Should be up soon, but what can I say, I'm not very good at keeping to an updating schedule. Things like work get in my way.
It's going to be awhile until you see anything on this name again. If you're a Draco/Ron shipper, let me know. I'll direct you to my penname there. If you're a Harry/Ron shipper, keep your eyes peeled for A Few Words. If you're a Draco/Harry only shipper – hold tight. If you haven't, go read Overheard and Life Left Behind. I'll be starting the LLB sequel soon.
My final goodbye's will be up on the next update. I'll be posting the last chapter and epilogue together.
Once again, I apologize to the Brits for my graduation thing. I'm (unfortunately) American. In fact, I didn't even get a graduation because I was a homeschooled American. Still . . . it makes for a nice story point.
Written before OotP. Sorry about inconsistencies. Like Sirius being alive and names being different.
Part Forty-Six: Graduation
Wooden benches sat on the Quidditch pitch in four sections, each filled to capacity with teenagers in black robes. The stands, too, were filled with spectators. All the attention was focused on Dumbledore, his voice magically magnified for the entire stadium to hear as the graduation ceremony for the class of 1998 took place. It was mid-morning and there was a light breeze sweeping through the air. The Graduation Ball was over, N.E.W.T. scores were in, trials had been passed, and now here they were, officially graduating and awaiting their licenses as fully trained witches and wizards.
As Dumbledore announced the top five students in their class in reverse order, Hermione wrung her hands and tried to go over her speech one more time in her head. Being the top student in the graduating class, Hermione was expected to give a speech and though she had gone over it many times with Servius in the Head Girl room, she couldn't get rid of the butterflies that flapped around madly in her stomach. Looking up, she saw Dumbledore turn to her and all the eyes of the students were trained on her as well. Figuring he had announced her, Hermione stood up, smiled at Harry who was giving her two thumbs up, and headed up to where the headmaster stood.
Clearing her throat, Hermione started.
"I'm standing here before you all today because I had the highest marks in this graduating class, but I'm not the only one that should be up here. For seven years, each one of us has gone through our own personal trials and tribulations. It's been a wild ride. Together we've experienced some momentous events and I wouldn't be exaggerating in saying that we have had an eventful seven years for both the good and the bad. We've witnessed the second opening of the Chamber of Secrets, a reinstatement of the Triwizard Tournament, and a second war with Voldemort.
"There has been so much that, through these experiences, we've learned that went beyond textbooks. Right now, we're standing at a crossroads, facing the rest of our lives as we close one chapter and open another. We can say we're prepared for this change because we've learned so much more than Charms, Transfiguration, or Potions. Our professors taught us lessons that went beyond the borders and into an entire new realm of magic. We've learned to look past stereotypes and outward appearance as in the cases of Professors Lockhart and Lupin. We've learned to look past fame as in the case of our own classmate, Harry Potter. Most importantly, we've learned how to be free. Our professors taught us to work together, to accept each other, and fight past our own personal demons to see the light on the other side.
"I've spoken of trials before and now I come back to it. Our last seven years weren't easy. On more than one occasion the life of a student has been in danger and some have even died. Despite the horrors taking place around us, we were expected to keep a level head and there are many of us who are more normal than we deserve to be. The biggest trial we ever had to confront was, of course, Voldemort. We were in the midst of a threatened environment, yet out professors and peers gave us the strength to continue and rely on each other.
"Some trials were more personal." Here, she paused and gave a brief glance back to Draco. "There are those who have lost themselves, but with the help of their friends, found themselves again. We've come to learn we are never alone; there is always someone who cares. Bravery and courage have been a large part of my learning experience being a Gryffindor and a friend to Harry Potter," she said, pausing while scattered laughter from the guests and her classmates interrupted.
"I've learned that courage is important, but sometimes it also means knowing when to ask for help.
"We'll be going out into the world on our own in a few days time but we'll okay because of what we've learned here at Hogwarts. I've said that I was up here because my marks were the highest and yet I'm not the only one who should be here. It's true. Every one of my classmates achieved something they should be recognized for. Congratulations class of 1998. May the memories of the past seven years be in your hearts forever."
Applause sounded as Hermione took a deep breath, turned around, and returned to her seat.
Dumbledore returned to the front to announce the presentation of their Hogwarts diplomas. Lining up in a predetermined alphabetical order, McGonagall handed each student their diploma as Dumbledore called their name. Once it was received, the students filled the benches back up in the order they had been lined up in as a symbol of the separated houses coming together in graduation. Draco, who was between David and Ernie Macmillian upon returning, glanced at first Harry and then Kali, who were next to each other, on the way back. He couldn't remember a time when he felt happier.
With the ceremony over, Draco and David walked over to Harry and Kali, joining them before going to retrieve Ron and Blaise. During rehearsal, Hermione had complained about it not being fair that she was the only one who didn't have one of their group sitting beside her at the end of the ceremony. Kali had just found it funny that they were paired off and told Hermione that at least she had Seamus to sit next to and not Goyle, who would have been there had he not been suspended a few weeks ago.
As they tried to make their way back to the castle where there was to be the post-graduation party, they weaved between eager families looking for their children. Before they made it halfway from their seats to the exit, they had already met the Finch-Fletchleys, the Finnigans for the second time (the first had been at the Quidditch World Cup), and the Patils.
"Family number four," said David. "There's my mum and dad."
David's parents came over to where they were standing waiting for Neville and his family to shift a bit so they could get through.
"Everyone, this is my mum, Rachel, and my dad, Scott. Mum, Dad, this is Draco, Harry, Kali, Ron, Hermione, and Blaise."
Introducing Blaise was all it had taken because after giving brief hellos to the rest of them, Blaise and David were dragged away to find the massive and ever-growing Zabini family. Shrugging, Kali weaved around Neville's uncle and the rest followed.
"Your speech was lovely, Hermione," said Mrs. Granger, coming up to her daughter and giving her a hug.
"She cried," elaborated Mr. Granger as he, too, hugged Hermione. "I almost cried myself. Who are the rest of your friends?"
Hermione gave them a brief account of Kali and Draco.
"Did you say 'Malfoy'?" said Mrs. Granger.
"And 'Professor Snape'?"
"But I thought you didn't like them . . ."
"Alright, mum," said Hermione, abruptly. Harry snickered, causing Draco to dig his knuckles in Harry's back. "Why don't we go find Servius and I can introduce you to him. He's Kali's cousin and a sixth year. Well, going to be a seventh year once he goes back to Chivington." Hermione's voice trailed off as she guided her parents away before they told Draco all the horror stories she must have told them at home.
"Why did you dig you knuckles into my back?" demanded Harry once they had gone.
"You shouldn't laugh," said Draco. "It wasn't a laughing matter. I was trying to put you in your place."
"How kind and thoughtful of you."
"You two fight like an old married couple," Ron observed.
"Who fights like an old married couple?" asked Sirius, coming up to them with Lupin by his side.
"Draco and Harry."
"I see."
"Where's Hermione?" asked Lupin, noticing that she was missing.
"Off to find my cousin and introduce him to her parents," said Kali. "I feel bad for the Grangers. They shouldn't have to endure that kind of torture."
"That's a shame. I wanted to congratulate her on her speech."
"You're just happy that she mentioned you," said Sirius, snickering. "You should have seen his face when Hermione mentioned looking past stereotypes, though he wasn't thrilled about being placed in the same sentence as Gilderoy Lockhart. I had to remind him he was the positive example while Lockhart was the negative. It took awhile, but it finally started to sink in through that thick skull of his."
"Very funny, Sirius," said Lupin, scowling. "Draco, I wanted to congratulate you on your outstanding N.E.W.T. score."
"Thank you, Professor."
Sirius released a very large cough that was hiding a snigger so obviously it was painful.
"Now, really, there's no need for formalities now that you've graduated. I insist you call me Remus."
"You only insist they call you Remus because I think it's funny that someone's calling you Professor. Professor Lupin." Sirius started to laugh, holding on to Harry' shoulder for support. "Professor Lupin. Gods, Remus, I wish everyone could be here for this. I wouldn't be the only one getting a kick out of it."
"No, I imagine everyone would have found it very funny," said Lupin, dryly.
They were crossing the grounds of Hogwarts now, approaching the Entrance Hall, and Serena walked over to give Kali a quick hug.
"Hi Remus, Sirius," she said, giving them each a smile and a quick greeting before turning back to Kali. "Kailah, dear, I'll see you inside, okay? I've just had the pleasure of meeting the Grangers and we've decided to have a bit of a chat and get to know each other. They want to get to know Serv and myself better after discovering Hermione planned to train near our home so that they could be together."
"No problem, Aunt Serena. Keep Servius away from me for as long as your heart desires. In fact, leave him with the Grangers for the entire party. The longer he stays away from me, the better. I thought I was going to have a year away from him and it lasted a few months. You haven't seen him in a while. Please. Keep him."
Serena ruffled her hair, gave her a kiss on the head, and bid them each a quick goodbye before disappearing back into the crowd.
"There are too many people here," said Draco, whining, as they entered the doors and went into the Great Hall after their many delays.
The setting had been similar to what was at the Graduation Ball except there were many more tables and many more people. Choosing a back corner and deciding there would be less traffic there, Draco and Kali brought two of the larger tables together for when all their families joined them.
"Is there a reason we have two tables?" asked Lupin, sitting down next to Sirius. Harry had sat on Sirius's other side and draped an arm around the back of Draco's chair when he took the other side.
"There's going to be so many of us!" explained Kali, sitting down next to Ron across from them on the other side of the tables. "I wonder where my father is, anyway."
"I don't know where my family is, either, and you'd think the red hair would be a dead give away," said Ron, causing Kali to laugh.
"Prepare for mine," said Draco, looking past Kali. "I don't believe it!"
"What don't you believe?" asked Harry.
"My grandmother is here."
"The one who won't talk to you?"
"Yes," he muttered. "She doesn't know about. . . er - this, either. Mother is okay with it but my grandmother -"
"Do you want me to -"
Draco never knew what Harry was about to suggest as he pressed his lips to Harry's in a sweet, chaste kiss to silence him and then took his hand under the table.
"Hello, mum," said Draco as Narcissa came over and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"You look wonderful, Draco," was the first thing she said. Looking him over, Harry could see she was right. After months of Draco's weight fluctuating, going from almost normal to dangerously thin and then back again, he was finally looking healthy. His skin was still immensely pale but it had it's luster back again as did his blond hair, which had been dull the last time Narcissa had seen him.
"Hello, Draco," said an elderly woman with a pine green scarf draped across her neck. Harry assumed this woman to be Draco's grandmother. With her was a blond man, a spitting image of Draco's father, and a smaller, blonde woman.
"Hello, grandmother," said Draco, tersely. "Hi, Aunt Livia."
"Draco, we've all been so worried about you," said the woman that must have been Draco's Aunt Livia. Narcissa had seated herself next to Draco and now Livia was behind him where his mother had been standing before, smoothing back his hair and placing a kiss on his forehead. "Narcissa told us how you've been sick."
"It's good to see you healthy again," said the man.
"It's good to be healthy again," said Draco, noticing that his grandmother said no more as she sat down next to Narcissa. The man and Livia sat down and arranged themselves.
"Hello, Mr. Black," said Draco's grandmother, avoiding Sirius's eyes.
"Hello, Morgana," said Sirius.
"Have you spoken to Caden recently?"
"I haven't spoken to my brother since before I went to Azkaban."
"I saw him just a few weeks ago in Diagon Alley. He was there with his wife and children. Did you know he was married?"
"I'm afraid I didn't."
"Lovely woman," said Morgana. "Now, Draco, who are your friends." Her eyes fell on Ron across the table. "You must be a Weasley."
"That's Ron, grandmother," interrupted Draco. "Next to him is Kailah, his fiancée. You should know Kailah as she's my cousin."
"Kailah is Circe's granddaughter," explained Narcissa.
"Circe is your grandmother?" asked Morgana. Kali nodded. "Which is your parent? Serena or Severus?"
"Severus," she replied. Morgana seemed she would have preferred the other.
"Anyway," continued Draco before something broke out over the subject, "you seem to know Sirius already. That's Professor Lupin."
"Remus Lupin?" asked Morgana.
"Yes," said Draco, and waited, expecting her to say more. When she didn't, he cleared his throat. 'And this is Harry Potter."
"Potter, did you say?"
"Yes. The Harry Potter, before you ask. He's my boyfriend."
Morgana sniffed. "I see. Well, I regret to inform you that I can't stay long. We just wanted to come see the ceremony. Caligula, Livia, and I are going to see Lucius once we leave. Narcissa, Draco, you're free to join us."
"I should really stay here," said Draco. "This is my graduation and all."
"You have only gone to see your father once -"
"Morgana," said Narcissa, her voice the most frightening Harry had ever heard it, "this is Draco's graduation. You needn't bother him with guilt over going to see Lucius. He'll go back when he's good and ready."
"And what about you?"
"This is my son's day. He needs someone to be here with him."
"I see," she said, looking as if she didn't see at all.
Things were very terse for the minutes that followed, the same casual conversation dominating the table. Everything felt very forced and strained to Harry and he squeezed Draco's hand from underneath the table, trying to offer him a bit of reassurance. Morgana gave them reproving looks every so often as if she knew their fingers were linked beneath the table (perhaps, though, she did) and that by doing so, it was an incredibly farce to the name of wizard and a fallacy to the name of Malfoy.
Harry was glad for the interruption when Serena rejoined them, sitting down beside Kali and squeezing her shoulders, causing her to leave out a small yelp.
"Relax, Kailah, it's only me," said Serena, rolling her eyes. "Hello, Aunt Morgana. I didn't think you would show."
"Hello, Serena. I'm not staying long. Caligula, Livia, and I are going to see Lucius today."
"On Draco's graduation?" She briefly nodded.
"Would you like to accompany us? You don't have an opportunity often as you live in America."
"Oh!" said Serena, looking to Draco, her eyes wild. "Oh, Aunt Morgana, I wish I could. The thing is, Servius has been here since January and it's the first time I've gotten to see him since then. Besides, I haven't seen Kailah since October and she's become like a daughter to me. I couldn't just walk out on her."
"You don't get many opportunities, Serena."
"I know, but I'll be here for a few days. Perhaps if I get the chance I'll go then. Saint Mungo's, right?"
"Very well," said Morgana, stiffly, but less annoyed than she had been before.
Serena flashed Narcissa a grin before turning to Kali. "You have to come with me, Kailah. There's someone I want you to meet. Trust me, it's going to be fabulous."
"Go on," said Ron, when she looked to him. "I just saw my family, anyway. I'll tell them the news and bring them over here while you're away."
"Okay," said Kali, nodding. They stood up together and Ron headed away in the direction of the Weasley family. Taking Serena's arm, Kali said, "Lead the way."
"So what news does Ron have to tell his family?" asked Serena as they weaved through people toward the other side of the Great Hall.
"Oh," she said, laughing, and sounding embarrassed. "I'll tell you later. Who is it you want me to meet?"
"This way," said Serena, a secretive grin on her face.
As they swerved, Kali caught a glimpse of wavy, golden blonde hair through the space between Mandy Brocklehurst's and Lisa Turpin's parents. Sliding between them, Kali felt like her heart was going to burst seeing the petite girl that the hair belonged to. Beside her was a short, plump brunette with a sweet face and very deep brown eyes.
"Aunt Genevieve!" shouted Kali, bursting into a sprint and practically jumping into the arms of the blonde.
"Mikailah!" shouted Genevieve.
"I thought you said you wanted me to meet someone," said Kali, who had met Genevieve when she was four and saw her periodically ever since, though the last time Genevieve had been around was on her sixteenth birthday.
"I did want you to meet someone," said Serena, walking next to the brunette. "This is Elizabeth Prescott. She went to Hogwarts with us."
"I was one of your mother's best friends," said Elizabeth.
"Were you Elizabeth Fielding?" she asked. Elizabeth nodded. "I've heard all about you!"
"I've heard all about you. I can't believe how much you've grown."
"That makes two of us," said Genevieve, taking Kali's hands and grinning at her. Suddenly, her face seemed to change and a look of surprise and amusement crossed over her face, her line of vision passing right over Kali's head. "I don't believe it. Of all the people to be here . . . DANE!"
"Dane?" said Kali.
"Dane Weasley?" said Elizabeth, passing Serena. When she returned, she was dragging a tall, red-haired man that definitely belonged to Ron's family. Kali smiled seeing that Ron looked a lot like him between the hair, the freckles, and the tall, broadened build.
"Merlin," he mumbled, "Elizabeth Fielding and Genevieve Strauser."
"Aren't you forgetting someone, Dane?" said Serena.
Turning to her, Dane's smile faded. "Serena Snape?"
"Actually, it's Atwater now, but it's all the same," said Serena, waving her hand.
"Why are you . . . your brother isn't here, is he?"
Kali burst into laughter at the sheer terror that had overcome Dane's face. Apparently her father was always this bad and intimidating to people.
"You know, he's supposed to be," said Serena sounding cross. "I don't know where he got to. I saw him at the ceremony. Now, Dane, what are you doing here?"
"I came for my nephew's graduation."
"You're actually visiting one of your nephews?" said Genevieve. Serena, however, remembering Ron, nodded in understanding.
"Yeah. I like this one."
"You actually like one of your nephews," said Elizabeth, sounding more shocked than Genevieve. "I suppose he's Richard's, then."
"No, he's Arthur's. I just like him best."
"Is there a reason to your madness, Dane?"
"I didn't have to babysit him over Christmas holiday."
"That would do it for Dane," said Genevieve, nodding. "We're here for Mikailah."
"Dru's girl?" he said, looking to Kali. "Oh, wow. You can really tell you're your parents' child. That is a creepy combination of Severus and Drusilla."
"I think she's beautiful," said Genevieve, lifting Kali's hands. "Gods, Mikailah, what is that eyesore on your finger?"
"Er -" she said, looking down at her hands. "My mother's ring?"
"No, that is Dru's ring. What is that?"
"If I didn't know better, I'd say that was an engagement ring," said Elizabeth, looking over Genevieve's shoulder. "Is that an engagement ring, Kailah?"
"Well -"
"You're engaged and you didn't tell me?" said Serena, sounding affronted. Then her face changed as realization lit it up and she gawked. "Is that the news you were going to tell me later?"
Nervous laughter escaped Kali and Serena alternated between covering and uncovering her mouth before excusing herself to go find her mother, her brother, or anyone she could share this with.
"You're engaged?" said Genevieve, staring down at her hand. "I didn't even know you had a boyfriend. After you broke up with Bryce Light, I thought that would scare you away for a while."
Elizabeth, who must have heard about the infamous Bryce, said, "I know I would have been."
"Uncle Dane?" said Ron, interrupting the gaping, looking between Kali, Genevieve, Elizabeth, and his uncle. Kali almost laughed as he seemed to be clicking the puzzle pieces together and figure out just what was going on here. "Uh -"
"You are definitely a Weasley," said Elizabeth, looking Ron over.
"Hello, Ron," said Dane, mussing up Ron's hair. "This is Elizabeth and Genevieve. We went to Hogwarts together. I thought I'd shed some light on your situation as you looked confused."
"Oh."
"I suppose you two already know each other," he said, motioning between Ron and Kali. "Being in the same year and all."
Ron narrowed his eyes, looking carefully at Kali and feeling both confused and overwhelmed. Kali didn't look much better off as her eyes were huge, and she shrugged at him. Had Harry been around, Kali and Ron both imagined he would make some comment about them spending so much time together they could have entire conversations without speaking a single word, which seemed to be a good thing. The only thing Kali imagined she could possibly get out would be 'I don't know.'
"We were both in Gryffindor," said Ron, finally.
"And we're engaged," added Kali.
"I have a headache, Kali," said Ron.
"Me, too. There are too many people here."
"How did this happen?"
"I don't know!"
"Wait," said Dane, placing his hand on Ron's chest, palm flat. "You? Ron is who you're getting married to? My little nephew, Ron? My favorite nephew, Ron? The only one I would allow Arthur and Molly to give my name to for a middle name because I hate the rest of the kids?"
"Yes," said Kali. Ron shrugged.
"Dane Weasley's nephew," said Genevieve. "That will make me related to Dane Weasley through marriage."
"I'm sorry," said Elizabeth, patting Genevieve on the back.
"I'm not that bad," countered Dane.
"This is getting insane," said Ron, holding up his hands. "Kali, I came to get you because I told Mum and Dad and they wanted me to come retrieve you. Bill's here, too. You can meet him."
"How about Charlie?"
"Charlie couldn't come. Ginny decided not to come to the party. Fred and George, thank Merlin, had to stay at the shop because their shorthanded."
"Darn. I like Charlie."
"I despise Charlie," said Dane as Kali passed him to go with Ron over to his parents. Dane, Genevieve, and Elizabeth accompanied them, all the while arguing about whether Dane needed to get over his intense dislike for Arthur's children or not.
Mrs. Weasley fawned over Kali when they got there. Perhaps she would have fawned over Kali well into the night, asking her questions and discussing the wedding if it weren't for Dane, who constantly interrupted with his two knuts and Arthur would give him a reproving look before the younger finally shut up. It was a good way into the party when Ron and Kali finally convinced everyone to go back to their table and, upon arriving, they saw that Serena hadn't made it back yet. Unfortunately, Morgana hadn't left, either.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat down without much a hassle. Harry introduced Bill to Draco when he sat down. The girls and Dane, however, caused quite a stir.
"Sirius!? Remus!?" said Elizabeth, approaching the table. Glancing to the spot next to Sirius, she practically shouted, "Is that Harry?"
"Liz Fielding," breathed Lupin.
"Lizzie?" said Sirius, jumping up to embrace her like a long lost sister.
"And Dane Weasley," said Lupin, this time dry. Dane smirked at them and sat down next to Ron, refusing to sit next to Bill on the other side of Arthur and his wife. "We heard you got married and had kids."
"You have kids?" said Genevieve, jaw dropping. "What is wrong with this picture?" She slumped into the chair next to Kali dramatically.
"Hello, Genevieve," said Sirius. "I see France hasn't changed you one bit."
"Was there ever any doubt?"
"Draco and Harry, this is Genevieve Strauser -"
"Prewett," she corrected.
"Okay, she used to be Genevieve Strauser," said Sirius. "This is Elizabeth Fielding, unless she has a new name she would prefer us to use."
"It's Prescott now that I'm married, but you may go on."
"Thank you," said Sirius, rolling his eyes as Elizabeth sat down next to Genevieve and began situating herself. "And that's just Dane. Don't talk to him."
"The one who named the skrewts?" said Draco. Sirius nodded as Dane whimpered something that sounded like, "My skrewts."
"Dane, Liz, Gen, this is Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy."
"Malfoy?" said Genevieve, looking to Narcissa. "Narcissa Delacroix?"
"Yeah," she said, grinning. "How are you, Gen?"
"I'm good. How are you? Oh, I heard about what happened to Lucius. I am so sorry."
"We're adjusting," she said, giving a side glance to Draco.
"You look so much like James it's scary," said Genevieve, looking directly at Harry.
"But he has Lily's eyes," Elizabeth pointed out.
"I always knew they would have attractive children."
"Harry's dating Draco," said Sirius, grinning.
Elizabeth had to bite down on her tongue very hard to keep from laughing.
"I think that's wonderful. You look very happy together," said Genevieve, before shooting Elizabeth a nasty glare.
"What's that all about?" asked Draco.
"Nothing, dear," said Narcissa, patting his hand and looking across the table at Elizabeth. "Just something we all discussed before you were born."
"I forgot about that!" said Lupin. "All this time I just thought Sirius was crazy."
"Don't second guess yourself, Remus. Sirius is crazy," said Elizabeth.
"I may be crazy but Remus is a professor," said Sirius, going into another round of laughter. "Professor Lupin."
"Professor Lupin?" said Elizabeth, sputtering like a muggle car with a bad muffler while trying not to laugh. "You're kidding, right?"
"Nope. Snape is, too."
"Severus is a professor?" Sirius nodded. "Well l. . ."
"Professor Snape," said Genevieve, trying it out. Assuming it wasn't as funny, she said, "Professor Lupin," and started laughing with Sirius.
"What is so funny?" asked Serena, joining them.
"Nothing," said Lupin, rolling his eyes.
"Welcome back, Serena," said Elizabeth.
Serena had returned, this time with an older woman in magenta dress robes with blonde hair that was slowly turning silver. They sat down at the table, too, and the woman situated herself before looking up.
"Hello, Morgana," she said, smiling a pleasant sort of smile.
"Hello, Circe."
Looking down at Kali, she stood once again and walked down, giving Genevieve a gentle nudge. "May I sit here for a moment? Don't worry, I'll be moving again." Genevieve laughed, stood up, and moved down to sit next to Serena."
"Hello, Mikailah, darling," she said, kissing Kali's cheek. "I heard about the engagement. You must be simply elated."
"I'm pretty happy," she said, nodding.
"I suppose you're the fiancé," she said, now looking past Kali to Ron.
"Yes, ma'am."
"None of the ma'am, business, now. You'll call me Circe just like everyone else does."
"Er - all right, ma - Circe."
She smiled kindly at him. "That'll do. Now, Draco," she said, turning to look at him from across the table. "Darling, how are you doing? I've been worried sick about you since your mother told me about the incident in October."
"I'm doing a lot better. It's mostly thanks to Harry, though," he said, motioning to Harry.
"Yes, Harry, I've heard about you," said Circe. "You have our gratitude. Honestly, we wouldn't know what to do if we lost Draco."
"Be stuck with Servius?" said Kali, grimacing.
"Now, Mikailah," said Circe, turning to look at her and trying to ignore Serena's laughter. "That isn't nice to say about your cousin."
"He calls Draco the albino rat child."
"Servius - ah- he just needs a tad bit of growing up, is all."
"Harry," said Draco, "this is my Aunt Circe, Kailah's grandmum."
"Snape's mother," he said, plainly.
"Is Severus really that bad?" asked Circe, looking amused.
"From what I hear, he's terrible," said Serena. "Servius wrote me saying that the students think he's evil. He wanted to come home and go back to Chivington with John Wagner."
"Oh dear," said Circe, covering her mouth and chuckling.
"Harry was surprised he even had a mother," said Draco. "He thought he was dropped off in the dungeons, full grown, dressed in black, and having an extensive knowledge of Potions."
"Harry also says he's like a giant looming bat," said Kali. Harry blushed at Circe's amusement.
"That sounds like Severus," said Circe. "Where is he, anyway?"
"I don't know," said Kali. "I haven't seen Daddy since last night."
"I sat with him at the ceremony but he saw you, Mum, and disappeared," said Serena.
"Avoiding me like that plague. That's definitely my son."
"Speaking of sons, Circe," said Morgana, "we're going to visit Lucius when we leave here. Is there any chance you'll be coming with us?"
"Who's going?" she asked, looking over to Draco, who was now laying his head on Harry's shoulder and looking miserable.
"Caligula, Livia, and I."
"Well, Morgana, you know I'd love to, but I think I should spend some time with my granddaughter, not to mention my own son. Let Lucius know I'll be up to visit him soon. In a week or so, I believe. I just went a few days ago. I really am sorry."
"Don't worry yourself about it, Circe," said Morgana, who, for the first time, looked genuine when saying something of this nature. "I'm sure he'll understand. You don't see Severus very much anymore."
"He's very avoidant."
"Who is very avoidant?" came a cold, icy drawl, and they looked up to see Snape standing just before Dumbledore.
"I found Severus sulking in the dungeons and thought he could use some company," said Dumbledore. Winking at Circe, he disappeared back into the crowd.
"You - sit," said Circe, standing up to force Snape down into the chair she previously occupied. "You are avoidant."
"Dane Weasley," said Snape, his eyes falling on the man sitting next to Ron.
"Er - hello, Snape. How are you? I'm fine, thank you. Look at the time, I think I have to go," he said, looking down at his bare wrist.
"Sit down, Dane," commanded Circe, who was standing behind Snape and rubbing his shoulders. "You leave him alone. Why were you hiding in the dungeons, Severus?"
"What are you doing here, Mother?" he asked in his silkiest voice that typically made Neville Longbottom whimper.
"Golly gee, Severus, I have no idea. My only granddaughter is graduating? My darling nephew is graduating? Honestly, Severus, I have no idea what would tempt me to be here. And what have I told you about calling me 'Mother?'"
From a few chairs down, Serena snickered, prompting a glare from Snape.
"Leave your sister alone, Severus," said Circe, without even looking down.
"Mother -"
"Severus, you don't call me 'Mother.' Rodolphus Lestrange called the woman who gave him birth 'Mother' and he ended up in Azkaban. Evan Rosier called the woman who gave him birth 'Mother' and he was killed for being a Death Eater. You are a Hogwarts Professor and if you call me 'Mother' again, I'm going to sock you one."
"You're being ridiculous, Mum," said Snape, and Harry almost wanted to laugh at the way he had traded in 'Mother' for 'Mum.'"
"But you're still listening to her," said Serena.
"Sod off, Serena."
"Bite my arse."
"Honestly, you two act as if you were still children." Kali giggled at her grandmother's impatient tone. "If you don't behave yourselves, I'm going to have to separate you."
"She started it."
Harry laughed.
"By the way, Kailah," said Snape, reaching into his robes, "I've got something for you." He held out a thick envelope with Kali's name scrolled on it in unrecognizable handwriting. As Kali took it, he said, "It's from your mother. She wrote it just before she died."
Staring at the letter, Kali said, "Thank you, Daddy."
"Hello, Severus," said Morgana, interrupting the moment, and Harry braced himself for what he knew she was about to say. "It was lovely to see you but we were just getting ready to leave."
"They're going to see my father," said Draco, bitterly, provoking an angry glare from Morgana.
"Have you been to see him recently?"
"You know I haven't, Morgana, so why don't you just come off it already," he said, tersely. "Did you go through this inquisition with everyone to prove how awful we are in comparison to you and your holy children or is it just me? Did you do this to your grandson, who you know is hurting?"
"Now, Severus, don't you talk to me like that."
"I'll talk to you however I wish to talk to you. I'm sick of you getting at me because I won't go see him. He isn't Lucius. Lucius is dead. The dementors sucked away his soul. He's gone, there's no chance for recovery, and he's not coming back. I think you just need to accept that. I know he was your son but you have to stop forcing everyone to feel bad about it. Some of us feel bad enough already. Some of us have so many bad things to worry about that we need to forget them to keep living."
"Do you think I'm not hurt by what happened to Lucius? If it weren't for that brat -"
"You leave Draco out of this," said Snape, sounding a lot like Harry had when lunging himself at Goyle. "This was no one's fault and I'll curse you right here if you tell me differently. I know you think I'm evil because I won't go see his soulless body but it's completely unnecessary to come in here and bring everyone down with it. This was supposed to be an important day for both Draco and Kailah and now you've come in here, throwing your weight around, and expect us to drop our lives so we can visit someone who has none. I was once told that it's best not to dwell on dreams and it won't do you any good, either."
Morgana looked furious. Harry knew it was odd, but he couldn't help but focus on Snape's last line, something that Dumbledore had to have been the one to tell him because Harry had heard it from him as well. Shoving her chair back, Morgana strode away from their table and out of the Hall. Caligula, who seemed to have been snickering, winked at Snape, gave Draco's shoulder a squeeze, and followed after his mother.
"I couldn't praise you more, Sev," said Livia. "Lucius would have been proud. He's the only one who could have thrown a diva fit better." She, also, followed the path out of the Hall.
"I've never seen you that way, Professor," said Harry after a long silence. Snape laughed.
"That is the boy I raised. My little prima donna," said Circe, patting him on the head. "I almost thought you were seventeen again."
"I did, too," said Dane, shuddering.
"She pissed me off," said Snape.
"I love when you get pissed off," said Serena, rubbing her hands together. "You hardly do it anymore."
"I know. He's not fun to fight with now," said Sirius, smirking.
"Merlin! Hello, Sirius, dear!" Circe suddenly exclaimed. "Darling, there're far too many people here. I didn't even notice you before. I'm getting too old to keep up with this crowd. How are you?"
"Much better now that my name's cleared," he replied. "And that Severus isn't screaming at me."
"Boys," she mumbled, shaking her head. "I remember how close you used to be. Sirius, you were the sweetest friend he ever had."
"Thank you, Circe," said Sirius.
"Oh, I remember how you used to make me laugh. It's a shame about what happened. I liked you so much more than Rodolphus Lestrange and Evan Rosier."
"Mum, are you forgetting that Black once tried to kill me?" he asked. She promptly swatted him across the back of the head.
"Don't talk to me in that tone of voice, Severus," she said. "I am not forgetting any such thing and I want to know why you were even trying to get him expelled in the first place."
Snape muttered something unintelligible.
"I'm sorry, Severus, but I can't distinguish actual words in your gibberish."
"I said that he betrayed me."
"There's a sentiment I'm familiar with," said Draco, rolling his eyes. "The resorting thing, right?"
Sirius nodded. "Yeah. Apparently becoming a Gryffindor and making friends with James Potter meant I couldn't be friends with anyone I had been friends with before."
"I know that feeling. Except for Blaise. He wouldn't go away and they put him in the infirmary for it."
Snape was quiet for the rest of the conversation.
The rest of the time was spent with Circe flaunting over Sirius, and then a visit by Blaise's mother, Gemma, and all six of her children. As it got nearer to dinner, the Great Hall started clearing out and Kali and Draco said goodbye to Circe and Serena before she left to say goodbye to Servius. Sirius left soon after, promising to see Harry at the end of term. Harry and Draco informed both Sirius and Narcissa of their living plans. It was agreed that they would go back to the respective homes at the beginning of the summer but that Sirius and Narcissa would help them in their search. Harry and Draco were just relieved that they weren't facing any opposition in the decision.
With everyone now gone, Dumbledore had asked the professors to stay behind to help clean up as the house elves were busy making dinner and couldn't be bothered. As things were being put back into order, Snape walked over to where Lupin was forcing garbage into a bag with his wand.
"Lupin," said Snape.
"Severus," Lupin acknowledged.
"Albus said you're staying on for next year, too."
"Yes. Sorry about that. I know how you want the job."
Snape shook his head. "No . . . if we're going to continue to work together, we need to have some sort of understanding. Enough harmony so that we don't kill each other or look unprofessional, agreed?"
"I've been trying to get along with you, Severus," said Lupin, wearily. "I've been trying since we were in seventh year ourselves. You wouldn't relent."
"Look, Lupin, I know I've been a bit - er - sour over the years -"
"A bit?"
"Don't push it, Lupin."
"Right. Sorry."
"The point is I do appreciate everything you've been trying to do for me since Dru died. I know I don't act very grateful, but I even have a hard time opening up to Kailah. Dru was the first person I put all my faith in and now she's gone. She didn't tell me how to trust anyone else."
"You don't have to tell me this."
"No, I don't."
Lupin swallowed and nodded.
"When Dru died, you know the problems I was having with Kailah. I even shut her out. Eventually, I started to feel like I could compensate. Then, however, the Potters died and Black went off to Azkaban. Rather inconvenient, wasn't it?"
"I had no idea."
"I figured Dru trusted you, you had to be worthy of it. Then Black was accused and I believed it. Made me wonder who else she had been wrong about."
"You mean me."
"I know what happened between you and Drusilla when we broke up. I also know she told you why we broke up."
"Severus -"
"I wanted to thank you for what you did. You're the reason she came back to me and you never turned me in even though you knew I was a Death Eater."
"I'll tell you the same thing I told her. You were too right for each other to throw that away. I knew you could work through it." Lupin paused, looking at a random spot on the wall. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Draco."
"Malfoy?"
"How many Dracos do you know?"
"Fine. What about Draco?"
"He lost his father. I remember feeling the same way he says he feels when Drusilla died. I didn't know what could possibly be left for me. Then someone reminded me that I had a daughter to take care of. Draco didn't have something like that. He thought he lost everything. The pain he went through . . . and then he wasn't even given the chance to heal once he did have someone to motivate him because his old friends were doing the same thing I did to Sirius."
Lupin tried to overlook the sudden change in reference.
"Sirius wasn't in the same state Draco was in, though."
"No, but he wasn't much better off. His father was furious. His mother was dead. Caden hated him for switching houses. I could have handled it better than I did. Watching Draco relate to that . . . I love that kid like he was my own son. I did the same thing to Sirius. We left him with no one and Drusilla was the one who first took him in."
"I suppose you aren't going to tell Sirius this."
"It's highly unlikely I could get it out again in coherent sentences."
"Should I let him know?"
"No . . . let him know - I'm sorry. That's it. Just let him know I'm sorry. Sirius is smart. He'll figure it out. Perhaps - bloody hell, my mother has me getting nostalgic."
"Don't let Circe hear you call her that."
"Right then. Just - let him know."
"Sure. Okay."
Snape walked from the Hall, retreating to the dungeons and leaving a stunned Lupin behind. Dumbledore, who had witness the entire scene from the Head Table, smiled before going back to picking up.
~*~
Sitting on one of the armchairs, Kali watched Ron retreat into the bathroom to wash up for the night. As soon as the door shut, she slipped her fingers into her robes, searching for her pocket, and pulled out the letter. Her father had said it was from her mother, written only hours before she died, and Kali's hands were shaking as she broke the seal and pulled out an eighteen-year old piece of parchment. The ink was still a vibrant green, and it scrolled across the page with a flourish to it that Kali had never seen before: her mother's handwriting.
My darling Mikailah,
If things go as I planned, and as I hoped, you are now seventeen and reading this on you graduation day. I do hope that Sev hasn't already read it as I plan on making a fuss about the specifics and he has a tendency to be a tad bit nosy. Perhaps it was this similar quality we share that brought us together, but if he has not, please give him my praises. I am truly impressed.
I had planned for you to receive this letter at such a time as I didn't want you to get it before you used the Resurrectus Charm. You may be wondering how I remember you using the Charm, and I must tell you that I'm not sure. What I can tell you is that when the mediwizard told me I wasn't going to make it through the night, everything came back to me. It still feels like a hazy dream and I only remember you, Sev, and Ron, but the memories are there. Perhaps it is due to the fact I'm dying, and perhaps this customarily happens. I suppose no one will ever know as everyone else is dead. Convenient, isn't it?
Congratulations on graduating from Hogwarts and I hope you're still with Ron as you read this. He's a beautiful boy and I told his uncle, Dane, that you two were going to marry far before your birth. You had better not make me look like a fool.
I'm sorry I won't be there to see you grow up. I've held you in my arms once and it looks like it was for the last time. I know you're going to be beautiful and I promise you that I'll be watching down on you from heaven. Perhaps every now and then I'll try and give you a nudge in the right direction as well.
I don't know if anyone ever told you (as I remember you telling me Lily and James are dead), but they were your godparents. I imagine it isn't something Severus brings up with you. He isn't the nostalgic type. Just thought you'd like to know.
I wish there was something more I could write (and a tad bit more eloquent at that), but alas, I've still got Remus and James to attend to in note as they couldn't be here today, and I think your father needs another reminder that I love him before I go.
You will always be on my mind and in my heart. I will love you forever.
Yours forever,
Your mother,
Drusilla Saradonna Strauser
The parchment hit the floor as it slid out of Kali's fingers, and she lifted her hand to finger her throat.
