Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, nor do I own Harry Potter.
(J.K Rowling owns them, lucky woman.) I only own my original characters and
my own original plot.
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Chapter 34: Graduation Day
"All right, everyone." Pomfrey said, bustling past Percy and Arthur, carrying towels, a basin of water, and three vials of potion. "Sorry to break it up dears, but it's time for the bandage change."
The Weasleys groaned in unison as Pomfrey walked over, handing Jesabelle one of the vials.
"Do I really have to drink the Anti-Vampire Repellant?" Jesabelle asked, giving the vial in her hand a disapproving look.
"Yes, Jesabelle, you have to." Pomfrey said, smiling at Jesabelle's obvious discomfort.
Jesabelle sighed and downed the contents of the vial, swallowing hard, grimacing.
"Jolly good show." Molly said. "Jesabelle dear, we're sorry, but we have to go."
"Order business." Percy said, winking.
"All right then, take care, all of you." Jesabelle said, smiling as the Weasleys exited the room.
Harry and the others took seats around Jesabelle's bed as she put her gifts away, which mainly consisted of joke stuff, homemade sweets, and candy from Hogsmeade.
"You're so lucky to have a family like that." Jesabelle said, smiling at Ron and Ginny.
"Thanks." Ginny said. "They're great."
They continued to talk for a bit more until six-thirty turned the corner.
Jesabelle eyed the clock nearby her bed. "It's almost time for the Graduation Ball."
"Oh yeah, that's right." Harry said, looking at his watch.
Jesabelle watched them, waiting for a sign of any movement.
"Aren't you going to go and get ready?" she asked, confused. "I mean, it's supposed to be a night of fun, right? A night where you all get to party and have a great time with each other just for the last time. Everyone's going to be there."
"We aren't going." Ginny said.
"Why not?" Jesabelle asked, surprised.
"Because not everyone is going to be there." Neville said simply.
"What do you mean?" Jesabelle asked.
"You're stuck here in this bed until Graduation." Hermione said. "If you can't go to the ball-"
"Then we won't go either." Luna finished.
A knock sounded at the Hospital Wing door, causing everyone to jump slightly. Hermione go up and opened the door, revealing Seamus, Dean, Paravati, Lavender, Ella Bell, Colin, and his brother Dennis.
"Hello Hermione." Ella said softly. "Is Jesabelle resting?"
"Oh no," Hermione said, opening the door wider. "Come on in."
They all walked in, carrying little bags and wrapped boxes.
"Hello Jesabelle." Dean said, smiling.
"What are all of you doing here?" Jesabelle asked as they deposited their gifts on the bed next to hers.
"We wanted to visit and spend the night with you." Seamus said.
Jesabelle opened her mouth to say something but Lavender beat her to it.
"We know that the Ball is taking place tonight. But to tell you the truth, we don't care for it." Lavender said.
"All people ever talk about is you these days." Paravati said. "We've tried so many times to tell them to just stuff it, but no one wants to."
"It's the subject of gossip these days." Colin said, placing a photo album among the gifts.
Jesabelle smile and thanked each one of them gratefully for their gifts.
"I'm really going to have to eat some of these gifts." Jesabelle said, picking at the wrapper of a box of chocolates. "I should tell Madame Pomfrey that she shouldn't bring me food anymore. All of this is going to last me for a while."
They laughed and talked, sharing memories together, playing Exploding Snap and Wizards Chess until Madame Pomfrey shooed them away around midnight.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
June 25th. Graduation Day. Friday.
Jesabelle, along with Remus and Tonks, walked down to the Great Hall. Remus and Tonks walked on either side of her, as if they were her bodyguards.
Jesabelle sighed as she got in a line outside the doors of the Great Hall, which were closed.
The top fifteen ranking students were to walk in procession into the Great Hall, where the other students were already seated. She had placed number five of all numbers. Hermione was number one (who'd have thought?), Ginny was number three, and Jesabelle was, well, number five. Neville had placed number ten, while Susan Bones placed ninth.
"Five minutes." She heard Ginny whisper to Hermione excitedly.
Jesabelle sighed again. Her back stung from all the wounds that were not yet healed, and her left leg was cramping. She didn't want to graduate with the rest of her class, but Remus and all the other members of the Order encouraged her to do so.
"Don't worry about what they'll think of you." She remembered Tonks saying the night before. "What matters is what you think about yourself."
Nine o'clock came around and the Great Hall doors opened, revealing the rest of the graduating class, dressed in their uniforms at the front, the rest of the guests in the back. They all stood up.
"We now present the top ranking students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's Class of 2004." Dumbledore said as a wave of applause rang throughout the entire hall.
"Hermione Granger, ranking number one." McGonagall said, taking over.
Hermione walked up to the front of the Great Hall and bowed towards the teachers, who were seated at the front. Five to seven Ministry officials, including Fudge, were seated at the same table as the staff, watching the event.
"Blake Marshall, ranking number two." McGonagall continued.
Jesabelle and the rest of the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs narrowed their eyes as Blake Marshall walked up the path, his head held high, a triumphant smile across his face.
"Ginny Weasley, ranking number three."
Ginny walked up proudly as the cheers of all of her brothers sounded through the hall.
"Draco Malfoy, ranking number four."
The hall went silent in respect to the man who was never going to walk down the path.
Jesabelle's breath hitched. She didn't know Draco was number four. Don't think about it, she pressed herself. Don't lose yourself now. Remember, they're watching you.
"Jesabelle Potter, ranking number five."
The hall's silence grew deafening as Jesabelle slowly made her way down the path. All eyes were on her as she looked forward, determining to show them that she wasn't going to show any sign of relent.
Dumbledore began to clap, followed by the Weasleys, members of the Order, and majority of the graduating class.
By the time Jesabelle bowed in front of the teachers, cheers were sounding through the hall. She hid her smile and kept her face straight as she took her place beside Harry.
The process continued on for another fifteen minutes. When it was over, everyone sat down to listen to Dumbledore's overview of the school year.
"A fine day for a graduation." Dumbledore said, smiling. "Don't worry; my speech will be short and to the point. You'll be out soon, graduates, just give me a few minutes."
The crowd laughed at his statement and Dumbledore continued.
"This year was full of mishaps and happenings. I congratulate all of you in making it this far. Although one of you will not be joining us today, we continue to look ahead. May I please ask all of us to take a moment of silence in honor of Draco Malfoy's soul."
The Hall remained silent. Some people bowed their heads while others smirked and rolled their eyes. Jesabelle closed her eyes, blocking out the world if only to clear her mind for a second, in respect for Draco's soul.
A little while later, Dumbledore continued.
"Please graduates, be safe. Another war against the Dark Lord is beginning to take shape. I must caution all of you, be careful in your actions and choices, for there will always be sacrifices and consequences in such a time as this."
Jesabelle and Harry followed Dumbledore's gaze, finding that it led up to Blake Marshall and Gabriel Parker, who looked away in slight fear.
"I hope that all of you will follow the right path, for the future still lies ahead. For those who may take the wrong path, may you find your way back. You may have finished this chapter of your life, but another one will open."
"We shall miss each and every single one of you. We wish you all the best of luck in all that you will do in the future."
The audience clapped as Dumbledore stepped off the platform.
When the applause died down, Hermione stepped up to the platform to make her Valedictorian speech.
"A good morning to my fellow graduates, school staff, and all present here today." Hermione began, smiling. "The year has come and gone and all of us are reaching another phase in our lives. It is sad that Draco Malfoy will not be joining us today, bless his soul. But, as Headmaster Dumbledore said, we must continue to move ahead, for the future is still to come."
Some of the audience members nodded in agreement.
"We will all be choosing different roads, and some of us may be separating for one reason or another."
Hermione paused, looking at Jesabelle, who returned her gaze.
"But we shall not see this as the end, for it is only the beginning of another step in our lives. We must all step on, our heads held high. We have all stuck together; we have all known each other ever since the beginning of our time here. Although some of the relationships we had with each other here were as enemies, we will at least remember each other, if only as an enemy."
"Some of us have hit some hard spots, but we have learned to pick each other up afterwards. These halls are full of memory, and even though for some, majority of those memories are terrible, we remember the happy ones with a smile."
Hermione paused.
"Thank you Hogwarts. We are not saying 'Goodbye' but rather 'See you later'. Thank you."
The Hall exploded with claps and cheers as Hermione, grinning, stepped off the platform.
The handing out of the diplomas came next. Each student was called in alphabetical order, walking onto the platform, receiving their scrolls from Minister Fudge.
"Harry Potter." McGonagall said.
Everyone (discounting the Slytherins) cheered as Harry walked onto the platform, shaking Fudge's hand.
"Jesabelle Potter."
The Hall was surprisingly full of cheers, which blocked out the protesting sounds from some of the other audience members.
Jesabelle walked up the platform, and, under the gaze of disapproving Ministry members, received her diploma.
"Congratulations Potter." Fudge said, not meaning it.
"Thank you Minister." Jesabelle said, shaking his hand, grinning with sarcastic happiness. Her eyes flashed and for a second, Fudge looked afraid of her. A second later, the feeling dissolved and Jesabelle walked off the platform.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Congratulations, Class of 2004!" Dumbledore said, ending the ceremony.
Everyone cheered, throwing their pointed hats in the air.
Fred and George shot up rockets of fireworks. McGonagall, surprisingly, did not scold them, but rather smiled, clapping along with the rest of the people in the Hall.
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"Congratulations Jesabelle!" Tonks said, hugging her. She moved on to hug the others as Jesabelle felt someone tap her on the shoulder.
She turned around to find a blond middle-aged woman smiling at her.
"Narcissa!" Jesabelle said, smiling and hugging her tightly.
"Congratulations dear." Narcissa said, rubbing Jesabelle's back with her palm. "And here I am thinking that they would make you graduate from a jail cell or courtroom."
Jesabelle laughed as Narcissa pulled away, handing her a white teddy bear dressed in a Gryffindor Hogwarts uniform.
"It's adorable!" Jesabelle said, looking at the bear in her hands. "How did you get the uniform on it?"
"It's custom made." Narcissa said, handing her a bouquet of white roses.
"Thank you." Jesabelle said, taking the flowers.
"Draco would be proud." Narcissa said softly, so that only Jesabelle could hear it.
Jesabelle's smile faltered and tears began to fill her eyes as she nodded.
"He would be, wouldn't he?" Jesabelle said, her smile righting itself.
"Jesabelle!" Harry said from behind her.
Jesabelle turned around and Harry hugged her tightly.
"We made it Harry." Jesabelle said, tightening her hold on him.
Hermione and the others soon found their way over as well, followed by the Weasley family, a few Gryffindors, and members from the Order.
Harry and Jesabelle pulled away as a Ministry official walked up to them. He was a tall man with black hair and gray eyes who looked in his middle ages.
"Ms. Potter." He said, smiling at her.
Jesabelle looked up at him, her smile growing wider.
"Mr. Freedman!" Jesabelle said, hugging him.
"Good old Sean!" Percy said, slapping the man in the back. "You made it after all."
"He was a good friend of your Aunt Gema's." Remus said, earning some nods from the others.
"Congratulations Jesabelle, I'm proud of you." Sean said, releasing Jesabelle and handing her a wrapped gift. "From me and the family."
"Thank you." Jesabelle replied.
"Mrs. Malfoy." Freedman said, bowing slightly.
"Please." Narcissa said. "I prefer to be called Ms. Black when not in the presence of my husband, and I like to be called Narcissa, Sean."
Freedman smiled at all of them.
"You must be Harry." He said, shaking Harry's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"No the pleasure is mine sir." Harry said. "So are you an Auror?"
"Yes, I am actually, I worked with your Aunt Gema in the Department of Mysteries."
Ron and the others smiled as another Ministry official walked up to them. They eyed him curiously. He was a big muscular man, more of the bodyguard type than an Auror type with a face that looked as if it was always angry, and nearly no neck. He reminded Harry of his Uncle Vernon.
"Jesabelle Potter." The official said. "Gather your things. Pack light. We will leave in a while. I will escort you to your dormitory."
"Let me, Simon." Freedman said, standing beside Jesabelle. "I'll take care of it."
The official nodded and disappeared among the crowd, the top of his head still seen above the flurry of people.
Jesabelle's eyes were cast down, eyeing her gifts with a neutral stare.
"Let's head up." Freedman said, rubbing her back comfortingly.
"Just once." Jesabelle said, looking up at them. "Just once I wish I could have been happy for just a little while."
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Jesabelle and Sean Freedman walked up the stairs and down the corridor leading to the Heads' Dorm.
Seeing the picture, Jesabelle stopped in front of it, eyeing it with obvious sadness.
"What's wrong?" Freedman asked, looking from Jesabelle to the picture.
"It's just been a while since I've been in here, that's all." Jesabelle whispered, looking up at the portrait.
Seeing Jesabelle, the wizard stirred slightly, giving Jesabelle a slightly pitiful gaze.
"My greatest of condolences." He said softly, sad at Jesabelle's downcast eyes.
"Thank you, sir." Jesabelle said as the portrait swung open, allowing them to step in.
Jesabelle looked around the room, inhaling the familiar scent of the wood and furniture in the Common Room.
She sighed, willing herself not to cry. She moved quickly towards her room as Freedman took a seat at one of the couches near the fireplace. Despite she and Draco's absence, the house elves still worked to keep the room cozy, but it didn't offer Jesabelle any comfort as she removed another back pack from her closet, opening it and placing a few robes, jeans, and shirts into it.
Freedman knocked on the open door.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"Sure." Jesabelle said, giving him a small smile as he walked inside.
Silence filled the gap between them as Jesabelle continued to pack a few more things into her backpack. Books, notebooks, small boxes full of letters from her childhood, and other notebooks full of her original poetry.
"You've grown." Freedman said.
"That's what happens in the course of years." Jesabelle said, throwing in a pair of shoes and trying her best to put everything in neatly so that she wouldn't have too many things to carry, she doubted the Ministry would even let her keep her things with her for very long.
Freedman laughed. "Funny."
"Thank you." Jesabelle said, walking back to her closet and rummaging through it, seeing if there was anything else she wanted to take with her.
"You look just like your mother." Freedman said softly.
Jesabelle looked up from the closet and slowly walked to the side of the bed. She met his eyes and looked away.
"I may look like my mother, but we are very different." Jesabelle said, fingering a rose from the bouquet Narcissa gave her.
"That's true, but you can't blame me for saying that you have grown to be just as beautiful as your mother was." Freedman said.
"Was. She was beautiful." Jesabelle said sternly. "Is there a point to this?"
"Why do you say that you are very different from your mother?" Freedman asked.
"What's with the line of questions?" Jesabelle asked, looking up at him.
"I haven't seen you ever since the beginning of your sixth year, Jesabelle." Freedman said. "As your godfather, I want to take advantage of this time to talk with you. You have no idea how worried I have been about you."
Jesabelle turned away, closing her eyes.
"I know, I'm sorry." She replied softly. "It's just been really hard these past few weeks."
"With Draco Malfoy, you mean?" Freedman asked.
Jesabelle nodded, her back still turned to him.
"We may look the same, my mum and I, but I lack her strength." Jesabelle said, her voice choked out.
"I lack her courage, I lack her spirit. I'm her complete opposite." Jesabelle continued, turning around to face him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I was never brave like she was. I was never able to pick myself up. And even when I did, I was always beat down."
With that, she began sobbing again.
Freedman walked up to her and held her.
"I just wish she was here." Jesabelle cried. "I can't deal with Draco's death without her. I wish that it didn't have to be this way. First she was taken away, then Draco. Who is he going to take away next?"
"Shh." Freedman said soothingly.
"All I wanted was for love, was that so much to ask?" she continued. "It is a lot to ask. I'm Voldemort's daughter."
She pulled away, turning around.
"I'm Voldemort's god damn daughter!" she screamed.
Freedman stood there, unsure of what to say, unsure of what to do. Jesabelle, her tears falling, picked up her side table and threw it at the wall, the contents inside the drawers falling out.
It was then that Harry walked in, surprised at the sudden uproar. Freedman noticed him and stepped out of the room, nodding towards Harry, and then closing the door behind him, knowing that he and Jesabelle needed time alone.
Harry approached Jesabelle, stopping as he heard Jesabelle sniff the air slightly.
"Harry?" she asked.
"What's wrong, Jesabelle?" Harry asked.
"Everything." Jesabelle whispered as she looked at the ground. Her heart stopped. There at her feet, was the brown Christmas decorated paper bag that Draco gave her gingerbread cookies in on Christmas day. She bent over and picked it up, inhaling it, Draco's scent surprisingly still lingering on the paper. She sighed heavily and stood up, turning the paper over in her hands, as if trying to remember a forgotten memory.
It all flashed back to her in a whirlwind of emotions. His love for her. The love they shared. The love her father took away from her.
She felt her bandages fill slightly with blood as she stumbled slightly. She caught her balance and sighed heavily, wiping her tears and turning towards Harry, trying her best to smile.
"Could you keep this for me?" Jesabelle asked, picking up a shoe box and handing it to Harry along with the paper bag. "I don't want any memories to come with me when I go."
"Of course." Harry said.
"I'd better finish packing." Jesabelle said. Harry nodded, not sure what to say, and walked out of the room.
Five minutes later, Jesabelle emerged, carrying a backpack and a small duffle bag.
"Let's go." Jesabelle said.
Freedman nodded and the three of them exited the Heads' Dorm.
"The best of luck dear, the best of luck." The portrait said, saluting her.
Jesabelle smiled and they walked down the stairs.
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The Great Hall by then was transformed into a dinning area, where the graduates were eating a complimentary lunch with their families and guests that was provided by the school.
By the time Jesabelle stepped off the last step of the staircase leading to the dormitories, five Ministry officials immediately surrounded her.
Without a word, one of them took her bags while another pulled her arms roughly behind her back and handcuffed her hands. Despite the twinge of pain in arms at the sudden movement, Jesabelle did not cringe.
Harry and Freedman watched helplessly as Jesabelle was taken away, her face set straight.
It was as they were walking by the opening of the Great Hall that Fred, George, and Ginny walk out. The three of them stared at her as she walked by, not even giving them a glance.
The entrance doors opened, revealing a beautiful, sun-filled day, most of the students out playing around or taking it easy.
Seeing sight of Jesabelle, though, most of them cleared off the path. Most of the graduates (once again, not including the Slytherins) gathered at the doors, spilling out onto the side of the path the officials were taking.
Jesabelle looked from side to side slowly, looking each person she knew in the face. Her eyes fell upon Colin Creevey and his brother Dennis. Colin nodded to show his support and belief in her innocence and Jesabelle gave him a small smile, returning his nod.
Whispers were unleashed all around her as the younger members of the school pointed at her, some backing away in fear.
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Sean Freedman made his way through the crowd, finally stopping in front of Harry and shaking his hand.
"Please." Hermione said. "Please look after her."
"For us." Percy said.
Freedman nodded and followed the officials, his head buzzing with the promise he made to the people he had just left behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jesabelle turned her head slightly, looking at Hogwarts for one last time, her eyes falling upon Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Luna, Neville, the Weasley family, and members of the Order.
She nodded towards them and looked away, saying good-bye to the school she had grown to love, not shedding a tear as she continued on.
And it was on June 25th, 2004, Friday, Graduation Day, that at 1:47 PM Jesabelle Potter left Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, knowing what lay ahead and despised herself for creating the path that lead to it.
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Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! (Ducks, missing really sharp arrows). Here's the chapter! Anyways, I hope it was worth the long wait!
Please read and review!
Coming Up..............Stay Tuned!
Chapter 35: (gasps) The Hearing.
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Chapter 34: Graduation Day
"All right, everyone." Pomfrey said, bustling past Percy and Arthur, carrying towels, a basin of water, and three vials of potion. "Sorry to break it up dears, but it's time for the bandage change."
The Weasleys groaned in unison as Pomfrey walked over, handing Jesabelle one of the vials.
"Do I really have to drink the Anti-Vampire Repellant?" Jesabelle asked, giving the vial in her hand a disapproving look.
"Yes, Jesabelle, you have to." Pomfrey said, smiling at Jesabelle's obvious discomfort.
Jesabelle sighed and downed the contents of the vial, swallowing hard, grimacing.
"Jolly good show." Molly said. "Jesabelle dear, we're sorry, but we have to go."
"Order business." Percy said, winking.
"All right then, take care, all of you." Jesabelle said, smiling as the Weasleys exited the room.
Harry and the others took seats around Jesabelle's bed as she put her gifts away, which mainly consisted of joke stuff, homemade sweets, and candy from Hogsmeade.
"You're so lucky to have a family like that." Jesabelle said, smiling at Ron and Ginny.
"Thanks." Ginny said. "They're great."
They continued to talk for a bit more until six-thirty turned the corner.
Jesabelle eyed the clock nearby her bed. "It's almost time for the Graduation Ball."
"Oh yeah, that's right." Harry said, looking at his watch.
Jesabelle watched them, waiting for a sign of any movement.
"Aren't you going to go and get ready?" she asked, confused. "I mean, it's supposed to be a night of fun, right? A night where you all get to party and have a great time with each other just for the last time. Everyone's going to be there."
"We aren't going." Ginny said.
"Why not?" Jesabelle asked, surprised.
"Because not everyone is going to be there." Neville said simply.
"What do you mean?" Jesabelle asked.
"You're stuck here in this bed until Graduation." Hermione said. "If you can't go to the ball-"
"Then we won't go either." Luna finished.
A knock sounded at the Hospital Wing door, causing everyone to jump slightly. Hermione go up and opened the door, revealing Seamus, Dean, Paravati, Lavender, Ella Bell, Colin, and his brother Dennis.
"Hello Hermione." Ella said softly. "Is Jesabelle resting?"
"Oh no," Hermione said, opening the door wider. "Come on in."
They all walked in, carrying little bags and wrapped boxes.
"Hello Jesabelle." Dean said, smiling.
"What are all of you doing here?" Jesabelle asked as they deposited their gifts on the bed next to hers.
"We wanted to visit and spend the night with you." Seamus said.
Jesabelle opened her mouth to say something but Lavender beat her to it.
"We know that the Ball is taking place tonight. But to tell you the truth, we don't care for it." Lavender said.
"All people ever talk about is you these days." Paravati said. "We've tried so many times to tell them to just stuff it, but no one wants to."
"It's the subject of gossip these days." Colin said, placing a photo album among the gifts.
Jesabelle smile and thanked each one of them gratefully for their gifts.
"I'm really going to have to eat some of these gifts." Jesabelle said, picking at the wrapper of a box of chocolates. "I should tell Madame Pomfrey that she shouldn't bring me food anymore. All of this is going to last me for a while."
They laughed and talked, sharing memories together, playing Exploding Snap and Wizards Chess until Madame Pomfrey shooed them away around midnight.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
June 25th. Graduation Day. Friday.
Jesabelle, along with Remus and Tonks, walked down to the Great Hall. Remus and Tonks walked on either side of her, as if they were her bodyguards.
Jesabelle sighed as she got in a line outside the doors of the Great Hall, which were closed.
The top fifteen ranking students were to walk in procession into the Great Hall, where the other students were already seated. She had placed number five of all numbers. Hermione was number one (who'd have thought?), Ginny was number three, and Jesabelle was, well, number five. Neville had placed number ten, while Susan Bones placed ninth.
"Five minutes." She heard Ginny whisper to Hermione excitedly.
Jesabelle sighed again. Her back stung from all the wounds that were not yet healed, and her left leg was cramping. She didn't want to graduate with the rest of her class, but Remus and all the other members of the Order encouraged her to do so.
"Don't worry about what they'll think of you." She remembered Tonks saying the night before. "What matters is what you think about yourself."
Nine o'clock came around and the Great Hall doors opened, revealing the rest of the graduating class, dressed in their uniforms at the front, the rest of the guests in the back. They all stood up.
"We now present the top ranking students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's Class of 2004." Dumbledore said as a wave of applause rang throughout the entire hall.
"Hermione Granger, ranking number one." McGonagall said, taking over.
Hermione walked up to the front of the Great Hall and bowed towards the teachers, who were seated at the front. Five to seven Ministry officials, including Fudge, were seated at the same table as the staff, watching the event.
"Blake Marshall, ranking number two." McGonagall continued.
Jesabelle and the rest of the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs narrowed their eyes as Blake Marshall walked up the path, his head held high, a triumphant smile across his face.
"Ginny Weasley, ranking number three."
Ginny walked up proudly as the cheers of all of her brothers sounded through the hall.
"Draco Malfoy, ranking number four."
The hall went silent in respect to the man who was never going to walk down the path.
Jesabelle's breath hitched. She didn't know Draco was number four. Don't think about it, she pressed herself. Don't lose yourself now. Remember, they're watching you.
"Jesabelle Potter, ranking number five."
The hall's silence grew deafening as Jesabelle slowly made her way down the path. All eyes were on her as she looked forward, determining to show them that she wasn't going to show any sign of relent.
Dumbledore began to clap, followed by the Weasleys, members of the Order, and majority of the graduating class.
By the time Jesabelle bowed in front of the teachers, cheers were sounding through the hall. She hid her smile and kept her face straight as she took her place beside Harry.
The process continued on for another fifteen minutes. When it was over, everyone sat down to listen to Dumbledore's overview of the school year.
"A fine day for a graduation." Dumbledore said, smiling. "Don't worry; my speech will be short and to the point. You'll be out soon, graduates, just give me a few minutes."
The crowd laughed at his statement and Dumbledore continued.
"This year was full of mishaps and happenings. I congratulate all of you in making it this far. Although one of you will not be joining us today, we continue to look ahead. May I please ask all of us to take a moment of silence in honor of Draco Malfoy's soul."
The Hall remained silent. Some people bowed their heads while others smirked and rolled their eyes. Jesabelle closed her eyes, blocking out the world if only to clear her mind for a second, in respect for Draco's soul.
A little while later, Dumbledore continued.
"Please graduates, be safe. Another war against the Dark Lord is beginning to take shape. I must caution all of you, be careful in your actions and choices, for there will always be sacrifices and consequences in such a time as this."
Jesabelle and Harry followed Dumbledore's gaze, finding that it led up to Blake Marshall and Gabriel Parker, who looked away in slight fear.
"I hope that all of you will follow the right path, for the future still lies ahead. For those who may take the wrong path, may you find your way back. You may have finished this chapter of your life, but another one will open."
"We shall miss each and every single one of you. We wish you all the best of luck in all that you will do in the future."
The audience clapped as Dumbledore stepped off the platform.
When the applause died down, Hermione stepped up to the platform to make her Valedictorian speech.
"A good morning to my fellow graduates, school staff, and all present here today." Hermione began, smiling. "The year has come and gone and all of us are reaching another phase in our lives. It is sad that Draco Malfoy will not be joining us today, bless his soul. But, as Headmaster Dumbledore said, we must continue to move ahead, for the future is still to come."
Some of the audience members nodded in agreement.
"We will all be choosing different roads, and some of us may be separating for one reason or another."
Hermione paused, looking at Jesabelle, who returned her gaze.
"But we shall not see this as the end, for it is only the beginning of another step in our lives. We must all step on, our heads held high. We have all stuck together; we have all known each other ever since the beginning of our time here. Although some of the relationships we had with each other here were as enemies, we will at least remember each other, if only as an enemy."
"Some of us have hit some hard spots, but we have learned to pick each other up afterwards. These halls are full of memory, and even though for some, majority of those memories are terrible, we remember the happy ones with a smile."
Hermione paused.
"Thank you Hogwarts. We are not saying 'Goodbye' but rather 'See you later'. Thank you."
The Hall exploded with claps and cheers as Hermione, grinning, stepped off the platform.
The handing out of the diplomas came next. Each student was called in alphabetical order, walking onto the platform, receiving their scrolls from Minister Fudge.
"Harry Potter." McGonagall said.
Everyone (discounting the Slytherins) cheered as Harry walked onto the platform, shaking Fudge's hand.
"Jesabelle Potter."
The Hall was surprisingly full of cheers, which blocked out the protesting sounds from some of the other audience members.
Jesabelle walked up the platform, and, under the gaze of disapproving Ministry members, received her diploma.
"Congratulations Potter." Fudge said, not meaning it.
"Thank you Minister." Jesabelle said, shaking his hand, grinning with sarcastic happiness. Her eyes flashed and for a second, Fudge looked afraid of her. A second later, the feeling dissolved and Jesabelle walked off the platform.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Congratulations, Class of 2004!" Dumbledore said, ending the ceremony.
Everyone cheered, throwing their pointed hats in the air.
Fred and George shot up rockets of fireworks. McGonagall, surprisingly, did not scold them, but rather smiled, clapping along with the rest of the people in the Hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Congratulations Jesabelle!" Tonks said, hugging her. She moved on to hug the others as Jesabelle felt someone tap her on the shoulder.
She turned around to find a blond middle-aged woman smiling at her.
"Narcissa!" Jesabelle said, smiling and hugging her tightly.
"Congratulations dear." Narcissa said, rubbing Jesabelle's back with her palm. "And here I am thinking that they would make you graduate from a jail cell or courtroom."
Jesabelle laughed as Narcissa pulled away, handing her a white teddy bear dressed in a Gryffindor Hogwarts uniform.
"It's adorable!" Jesabelle said, looking at the bear in her hands. "How did you get the uniform on it?"
"It's custom made." Narcissa said, handing her a bouquet of white roses.
"Thank you." Jesabelle said, taking the flowers.
"Draco would be proud." Narcissa said softly, so that only Jesabelle could hear it.
Jesabelle's smile faltered and tears began to fill her eyes as she nodded.
"He would be, wouldn't he?" Jesabelle said, her smile righting itself.
"Jesabelle!" Harry said from behind her.
Jesabelle turned around and Harry hugged her tightly.
"We made it Harry." Jesabelle said, tightening her hold on him.
Hermione and the others soon found their way over as well, followed by the Weasley family, a few Gryffindors, and members from the Order.
Harry and Jesabelle pulled away as a Ministry official walked up to them. He was a tall man with black hair and gray eyes who looked in his middle ages.
"Ms. Potter." He said, smiling at her.
Jesabelle looked up at him, her smile growing wider.
"Mr. Freedman!" Jesabelle said, hugging him.
"Good old Sean!" Percy said, slapping the man in the back. "You made it after all."
"He was a good friend of your Aunt Gema's." Remus said, earning some nods from the others.
"Congratulations Jesabelle, I'm proud of you." Sean said, releasing Jesabelle and handing her a wrapped gift. "From me and the family."
"Thank you." Jesabelle replied.
"Mrs. Malfoy." Freedman said, bowing slightly.
"Please." Narcissa said. "I prefer to be called Ms. Black when not in the presence of my husband, and I like to be called Narcissa, Sean."
Freedman smiled at all of them.
"You must be Harry." He said, shaking Harry's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"No the pleasure is mine sir." Harry said. "So are you an Auror?"
"Yes, I am actually, I worked with your Aunt Gema in the Department of Mysteries."
Ron and the others smiled as another Ministry official walked up to them. They eyed him curiously. He was a big muscular man, more of the bodyguard type than an Auror type with a face that looked as if it was always angry, and nearly no neck. He reminded Harry of his Uncle Vernon.
"Jesabelle Potter." The official said. "Gather your things. Pack light. We will leave in a while. I will escort you to your dormitory."
"Let me, Simon." Freedman said, standing beside Jesabelle. "I'll take care of it."
The official nodded and disappeared among the crowd, the top of his head still seen above the flurry of people.
Jesabelle's eyes were cast down, eyeing her gifts with a neutral stare.
"Let's head up." Freedman said, rubbing her back comfortingly.
"Just once." Jesabelle said, looking up at them. "Just once I wish I could have been happy for just a little while."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jesabelle and Sean Freedman walked up the stairs and down the corridor leading to the Heads' Dorm.
Seeing the picture, Jesabelle stopped in front of it, eyeing it with obvious sadness.
"What's wrong?" Freedman asked, looking from Jesabelle to the picture.
"It's just been a while since I've been in here, that's all." Jesabelle whispered, looking up at the portrait.
Seeing Jesabelle, the wizard stirred slightly, giving Jesabelle a slightly pitiful gaze.
"My greatest of condolences." He said softly, sad at Jesabelle's downcast eyes.
"Thank you, sir." Jesabelle said as the portrait swung open, allowing them to step in.
Jesabelle looked around the room, inhaling the familiar scent of the wood and furniture in the Common Room.
She sighed, willing herself not to cry. She moved quickly towards her room as Freedman took a seat at one of the couches near the fireplace. Despite she and Draco's absence, the house elves still worked to keep the room cozy, but it didn't offer Jesabelle any comfort as she removed another back pack from her closet, opening it and placing a few robes, jeans, and shirts into it.
Freedman knocked on the open door.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"Sure." Jesabelle said, giving him a small smile as he walked inside.
Silence filled the gap between them as Jesabelle continued to pack a few more things into her backpack. Books, notebooks, small boxes full of letters from her childhood, and other notebooks full of her original poetry.
"You've grown." Freedman said.
"That's what happens in the course of years." Jesabelle said, throwing in a pair of shoes and trying her best to put everything in neatly so that she wouldn't have too many things to carry, she doubted the Ministry would even let her keep her things with her for very long.
Freedman laughed. "Funny."
"Thank you." Jesabelle said, walking back to her closet and rummaging through it, seeing if there was anything else she wanted to take with her.
"You look just like your mother." Freedman said softly.
Jesabelle looked up from the closet and slowly walked to the side of the bed. She met his eyes and looked away.
"I may look like my mother, but we are very different." Jesabelle said, fingering a rose from the bouquet Narcissa gave her.
"That's true, but you can't blame me for saying that you have grown to be just as beautiful as your mother was." Freedman said.
"Was. She was beautiful." Jesabelle said sternly. "Is there a point to this?"
"Why do you say that you are very different from your mother?" Freedman asked.
"What's with the line of questions?" Jesabelle asked, looking up at him.
"I haven't seen you ever since the beginning of your sixth year, Jesabelle." Freedman said. "As your godfather, I want to take advantage of this time to talk with you. You have no idea how worried I have been about you."
Jesabelle turned away, closing her eyes.
"I know, I'm sorry." She replied softly. "It's just been really hard these past few weeks."
"With Draco Malfoy, you mean?" Freedman asked.
Jesabelle nodded, her back still turned to him.
"We may look the same, my mum and I, but I lack her strength." Jesabelle said, her voice choked out.
"I lack her courage, I lack her spirit. I'm her complete opposite." Jesabelle continued, turning around to face him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I was never brave like she was. I was never able to pick myself up. And even when I did, I was always beat down."
With that, she began sobbing again.
Freedman walked up to her and held her.
"I just wish she was here." Jesabelle cried. "I can't deal with Draco's death without her. I wish that it didn't have to be this way. First she was taken away, then Draco. Who is he going to take away next?"
"Shh." Freedman said soothingly.
"All I wanted was for love, was that so much to ask?" she continued. "It is a lot to ask. I'm Voldemort's daughter."
She pulled away, turning around.
"I'm Voldemort's god damn daughter!" she screamed.
Freedman stood there, unsure of what to say, unsure of what to do. Jesabelle, her tears falling, picked up her side table and threw it at the wall, the contents inside the drawers falling out.
It was then that Harry walked in, surprised at the sudden uproar. Freedman noticed him and stepped out of the room, nodding towards Harry, and then closing the door behind him, knowing that he and Jesabelle needed time alone.
Harry approached Jesabelle, stopping as he heard Jesabelle sniff the air slightly.
"Harry?" she asked.
"What's wrong, Jesabelle?" Harry asked.
"Everything." Jesabelle whispered as she looked at the ground. Her heart stopped. There at her feet, was the brown Christmas decorated paper bag that Draco gave her gingerbread cookies in on Christmas day. She bent over and picked it up, inhaling it, Draco's scent surprisingly still lingering on the paper. She sighed heavily and stood up, turning the paper over in her hands, as if trying to remember a forgotten memory.
It all flashed back to her in a whirlwind of emotions. His love for her. The love they shared. The love her father took away from her.
She felt her bandages fill slightly with blood as she stumbled slightly. She caught her balance and sighed heavily, wiping her tears and turning towards Harry, trying her best to smile.
"Could you keep this for me?" Jesabelle asked, picking up a shoe box and handing it to Harry along with the paper bag. "I don't want any memories to come with me when I go."
"Of course." Harry said.
"I'd better finish packing." Jesabelle said. Harry nodded, not sure what to say, and walked out of the room.
Five minutes later, Jesabelle emerged, carrying a backpack and a small duffle bag.
"Let's go." Jesabelle said.
Freedman nodded and the three of them exited the Heads' Dorm.
"The best of luck dear, the best of luck." The portrait said, saluting her.
Jesabelle smiled and they walked down the stairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Great Hall by then was transformed into a dinning area, where the graduates were eating a complimentary lunch with their families and guests that was provided by the school.
By the time Jesabelle stepped off the last step of the staircase leading to the dormitories, five Ministry officials immediately surrounded her.
Without a word, one of them took her bags while another pulled her arms roughly behind her back and handcuffed her hands. Despite the twinge of pain in arms at the sudden movement, Jesabelle did not cringe.
Harry and Freedman watched helplessly as Jesabelle was taken away, her face set straight.
It was as they were walking by the opening of the Great Hall that Fred, George, and Ginny walk out. The three of them stared at her as she walked by, not even giving them a glance.
The entrance doors opened, revealing a beautiful, sun-filled day, most of the students out playing around or taking it easy.
Seeing sight of Jesabelle, though, most of them cleared off the path. Most of the graduates (once again, not including the Slytherins) gathered at the doors, spilling out onto the side of the path the officials were taking.
Jesabelle looked from side to side slowly, looking each person she knew in the face. Her eyes fell upon Colin Creevey and his brother Dennis. Colin nodded to show his support and belief in her innocence and Jesabelle gave him a small smile, returning his nod.
Whispers were unleashed all around her as the younger members of the school pointed at her, some backing away in fear.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sean Freedman made his way through the crowd, finally stopping in front of Harry and shaking his hand.
"Please." Hermione said. "Please look after her."
"For us." Percy said.
Freedman nodded and followed the officials, his head buzzing with the promise he made to the people he had just left behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jesabelle turned her head slightly, looking at Hogwarts for one last time, her eyes falling upon Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Luna, Neville, the Weasley family, and members of the Order.
She nodded towards them and looked away, saying good-bye to the school she had grown to love, not shedding a tear as she continued on.
And it was on June 25th, 2004, Friday, Graduation Day, that at 1:47 PM Jesabelle Potter left Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, knowing what lay ahead and despised herself for creating the path that lead to it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! (Ducks, missing really sharp arrows). Here's the chapter! Anyways, I hope it was worth the long wait!
Please read and review!
Coming Up..............Stay Tuned!
Chapter 35: (gasps) The Hearing.
