Ok, so I just read the last chapter and I just have to say that I am truly sorry I put you all through that.  It was horrible.  //Tear*Tear// //Sniffle*Sniffle// Ok, next chapter:

Chapter 16

Graduation and the Final Speech

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          It was a month later.  Graduation was creeping up on the 7th years, reminding them to cherish the time they had left at Hogwarts.  It was also nudging Lily to the future.  She only had a month left of her pregnancy and the very thought made her tremble.  Not that she wouldn't be happy it was over, mind you.  Her back hurt, her feet ached, and to sit through a class was terrible because the baby would kick her in the bladder throughout the period.

          She also had to endure watching James practically throw himself at every other girl.  He knew, and they knew that he only had a month left as a truly single man for the year, and everyone was using it to their advantage.

          James was nervous, that was his big reason for being such a player.  But, he had an image to maintain and he didn't want anyone to know he was scared!  Sex was just something to keep his mind off of the following year and…Lily.  He didn't know if he was starting to like her, gain more responsibility, or what.  All he knew was that she was on his mind a lot.  He didn't have to look around to find her, his eyes already knew where she was.

          He kind of believed that he was going crazy.  Lily didn't return any of his ardors.  In fact, she almost pushed him away.

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          Lily lay on her bed, exhausted.  There was only a week left of school and the 7th years had just finished their N.E.W.T's.  These had just about drained her of all her energy.  It took all she had left to walk to the Gryffindor tower and throw herself on the bed.

          For about the fifth time that day, she cursed herself for being pregnant and not having enough strength to walk around, savoring the castle.  That's what everyone else was doing: Alisa, Sirius, Remus, Lizzie, and Kari.  Lily didn't know about James, he was probably finding another girl to sleep with and dump.

          That was, in fact, just what James was doing.  He stood against the wall in the Great Hall, watching all the students stroll outside to lounge in the sunlight.  A couple of 5th year girls burst into tears at the sight of James, because they had just been dumped.  (Not at the same time, of course.  James is sleazy, but not that bad.)  He shrugged them off before continuing his search.  James didn't know what he was looking for, just that every girl that passed giving him suggestive glances, seemed…too immature.

          Just when he was about to give up and head towards the kitchen, he saw Kari walking slowly from the library, her eyes focused on a book. 

          Mmm-mmm, smart, pretty, and single!  Maybe that is just what I need… James thought, smiling.  He assumed she was single, he'd never seen her with a guy before, anyway.

          He walked over to her, still grinning.  "Kari!  Hey!  How are you doing today?"  He asked.

          She slammed her book closed, blushing slightly.  "I'm ok, you know, just hanging out, taking mental pictures."

          James, curious, looked at the title of the book.  The Art of Beauty by Rossi Perfecciόn.  "Why are you reading that?  You're pretty enough already," Kari blushed even deeper.  James held out his hand, "Want to go to Hogsmeade?"

          Kari hesitated; she didn't want to become one of James's toys.  Besides, she had always considered him Lily's man, ever since the pregnancy, of course.  But, on the other hand, he was cute, he'd called her pretty and what was wrong with having a little bit of fun sometimes?  Finally, she accepted his grasp.  "Let's just go take this book back to the library first." 

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          "So, I was flying straight towards the ground and the snitch was right there!  I was almost there when I heard a whistle behind me and I turned around.  There's a bludger and the other seeker right behind me, so I turned forward again to catch the snitch but it's not there anymore and I plowed right into the ground!"  James laughed, leaning across the table towards Kari and gently holding her hand.

          They were sitting in a small, romantic café, sipping coffee.  The candle in front of them magically emitted a red glow onto the white table cloth.  All around them, couples snuggled in private booths while eating and drinking. 

          James wasn't sure why he was taking Kari here.  It wasn't something he normally would do for a girl.  But this one was different.  She was funny and intelligent; she made him want to make an effort.

          Suddenly, she leaned forward.  "Listen James, this is amazing, but I think we both know what we want.  I think we both just need some fun.  Do you want to go back to the castle or something?"

          Right, that blasted the last thought out of his head.  He couldn't believe that he had gone to all that trouble…oh well.

          "Yeah, let's go," James said in a determined tone.

          They left the money on the table and hurried out.  Kari avoided his eyes, smiling to herself instead.  She couldn't believe she had actually said it!  She felt so dirty, and yet so liberated.

          In what seemed like an hour, they made it back to the castle and snuck up into the boys' dormitory.  Kari hopped on to James's bed and pulled him towards her roughly.  He barely was able to close the curtains around them and murmur a silencing spell. 

          Her hands skimmed James's body, before pulling off his shirt.  She couldn't help drawing a quick breath at the sight of his finely sculpted muscles.  She quickly traced three scars on his stomach.

          "Remus," he said shortly, yanking off her shirt and jeans.

          Kari nodded, trying to act innate, though she felt extremely aware of all her flaws now.  Relax, she thought, you're not a little girl anymore!  She took a deep breath and pulled off his pants as well.  From there on, Kari just let natural reflexes take control…I'll let you imagine the rest.

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          It was finally graduation and the day before the 7th years left Hogwarts for a long time.  Everyone was glowing, it seemed, even Lily who was wearing out fast.  The entire grade level sat in the Dining Hall to receive their certificates and listen to Dumbledore's speech.

          Some chattered happily, clutching their diplomas, glad to be starting something new.  Others sobbed quietly into friends' shoulders.  

          Dumbledore stood up and everything became quiet.  "Ladies, gentlemen, I would like to thank you for another wonderful year at Hogwarts.  I hope that you will leave here with your head a tad smarter than when you arrived.  You all have weathered many things here; happiness, sadness, death, and," he glanced at Lily, "new life.  But now is the time to gather that courage, that bravery and face what lies ahead.  We are in danger from deadly foes, all of us.  Now is the time to join hands, to unite forces, to tie bonds.  Should you refuse the world as you know it may crumble.  A terrible war is raging just beyond those doors, one which, I'm sad to say, you have been shielded from.  It is a silent fight, pure-blood against muggle-born, family against family, brother against brother.  I warn you now, choose your allies wisely.  Congratulations and thank you."  He sat down to a buzz of whispers.

          Most faces were anxious or confused, but a group of Slytherins and some other students from different tables huddled around mumbling secretively, their own expressions a mixture of worry and delight.

          Sirius wrapped his arms tighter around Alisa.  She laid her head onto his shoulder and noticed that he was shaking ever so slightly. 

          Looking concerned, she sat up, "Why are you shaking?  What's wrong?  Are you cold?"

          He shook his head as if searching for the right words.  "My parents…they were killed by this war, by that man and his followers.  It's the same thing with Lily and Remus."  Tears welled up, but he furiously wiped them away.

          Alisa didn't know what to say.  She knew that nothing would make Sirius feel better, so instead she hugged him tighter, kissing his cheek gently.

*Fire*

*The sun is well asleep*

*Moon is high above*

*Fire grows from the east*

*How is this*

*Hate so deep*

*Lead us all so blindly killing killing*

*Fools we are*

*If hate's the last gate to peace*

*This is the last stop*

*For raining tears*

*War*

*The only way to peace*

*I don't fall for that*

*Raining tears*

*You're righteous, so righteous*

*You're always so right*

*Go ahead and dream*

*Go ahead a believe that you are the chosen one*

*Raining tears*

*Oh no, Gracious even God*

*Bloodied the cross*

*Your sins are washed enough*

*Mother's cry*

*"Is hate so deep*

*Must a baby's bones*

*This hungry fire feed?"*

*The smoke rolls in*

*The symphony of death*

*This is the last stop*

*Scream*

*Right is wrong now*

*Shut up you big lie*

*This black and white lie*

*You comb your hair to hide*

*Your lying eyes*

*You're righteous, so righteous*

*You're always so right*

*But why your lie*

*Go ahead and dream*

*Go ahead and believe that you are the chosen one*

*This is the last stop*

*Here there's more than is showing up*

*Hope that we can break it down*

*It's not so black and white*

*You're righteous*

*You're righteous*

*You're righteous*

*You're always so right*

*There you are nailing a good tree*

*Then say forgive me, forgive me*

*Why*

*Raining tears*

*This is the last stop*

*Here there is more than is showing up*

*Hope that we can break it down*

*It's not so black and white*

---Dave Matthews Band

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Ok, first off I would like to say that I am so sorry for putting James with someone else and I know some of you will be slightly pissed off but don't worry because for the time being, it's simply a one night fling, ok???  Everything will be explained later.

Thank you to all who reviewed.  Your thoughts and compliments are greatly appreciated. 

FEAngel…: I think I'm going to use some of your ideas for sure now, so I wanted to especially say thanks to you.  Unless…well read on…

If I get 10 reviews I'll continue the story rapidly, if I get 5 reviews I'll update whenever I feel like it, which may not be quickly and if I get less, I'll discontinue the story, so it's up to you guys…what do you want?

---dOOdles