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Chapter 28: Graduation

"Bree, get up!" I attempted to get Bree up early in the morning.

"Lil," she squinted at me sternly, "The sun isn't even up yet, why should I?"

"The sun is up!" I cried ripping open the curtains. She immediately threw her pillow over her eyes.

"Come on, Bree! Everyone else is already up and eating breakfast!" I groaned.

"Lil, this is the second to last time I will ever wake up in this dorm. Don't you think me and my pillow deserve a few minutes alone?" she asked sarcastically.

"Alright, if you insist."

"I do!"

"I'll wake you up when I'm out of the shower." I replied heading towards the washroom.

"Works for me," she mumbled before she drifted off to sleep again.

Once I was done with my shower I attempted to wake Bree up once again. After many minutes of arguing I finally managed to get her up and headed towards the bathroom for her shower.

Bree sighed, "This is the second to last time I'm going to be taking a shower in this washroom."

"I know," I sighed, "We should carve our names in the door or something." I suggested.

"Good idea!" Bree exclaimed, "We'll do it after I shower and get my robes on."

"Okay," I replied. While Bree took her shower I looked around my room and realized that I was leaving it forever. I began to unload my closet and empty it into my trunk. I sat on my trunk to try and close it but I didn't get very far.

"We'll charm it tomorrow." Bree suggested, "Since we'll be Hogwarts graduates and all."

"Oh yes," I smirked.

"Let's get carving!" Bree exclaimed pulling out a knife.

"We have to make it fast though because we need to be in the Great Hall for the ceremony soon."

"Lil, it's only seven o'clock and the ceremony doesn't start for another three hours." Bree rolled her eyes, "I'll carve my name first."

Bree scratched the knife in the door frame, 'Bree Turner and Lily Evans, Best Friends for life lived here!'

"Cute," I smiled.

"Bit more!" she added, 'I love Sirius Black. And Lily thinks she loves Jacque when she really loves James!'

"Bree!"

"Hey, its true!" she giggled.

"Let's head down and get some breakfast." I said getting up.

"Okay." Bree headed towards the door.

"I'll meet you down there in a second. I need to use the, er, bathroom." I lied.

"Alright." She replied shrugging and heading down the stairs.

I took the knife and went into my closet. In the way back I carved:

Lillian Marie Evans loves James Herald Potter.

Together, Forever.

What am I thinking!? Am I suddenly in love with James Potter? How could this be? What I really need is some time away from James. That way I can think about how I really feel for him. If I still feel love for him then maybe, hopefully, he'll forgive me and give me a second chance. But what if I wait and he doesn't want to be with me anymore?

My brain tells me just to forget about him and go with Jacque. But my heart tells me to wait and see.

I made that mistake last night by going with my damn brain…so I'm betting all I have and going with my heart.

"Welcome family, friends, and Hogwarts graduates. I am pleased to be here on this joyous event." Professor Dumbledore stood on a platform in front of seventh years that are graduating, and their family and friends behind them, "I can't help but feel exceptionally proud of this batch of seventh years. This group of students are by far the most entertaining, caring, funny, wonderful individuals. From the first day they arrived at the castle until this very day I've noticed what chemistry and spunk they all have." His gaze traveled from each student, "I believe that every student has made a new friend, made a few enemies, and even found love. Not only have the students grown as people and emotionally, but mentally as well. I have full faith in sending them into the world. I believe Hogwarts has prepared them for the challenges in life ahead of them, and I think they would agree. May their memories last forever and ever."

There was a loud applause for Professor Dumbledore. Next, James and I were each required to give a speech to the audience. James and I both agreed a long time ago that I would go first.

"When I first came to Hogwarts seven long years ago I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know what was going to happen to me at all. All I knew is that I was going to a completely new environment that I knew nothing about. But I think one of the main reasons why I got as far as I did was my peers around me. If it wasn't for some people I wouldn't be able to stand up for myself and for what I believe in. If it wasn't for others, like my best friends, I would not have made it threw the years before having a nervous breakdown. And If it wasn't for someone, I wouldn't know who the real me was. So many people inspired me to love the magic and made me believe in miracles. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd be standing up here as Head Girl. Nor did I expect James up here as Head Boy," I joked, "But I wouldn't change any of it. Every minute of my last seven years were the best seven years of my life. I wouldn't change one second. I'd get my first detention all over again, just to get the feeling. I'd go through the nagging and constant bugging from a certain someone, just to remember how I felt loved. I'd go through every single one of the Marauder's pranks on me just so I can remember how angry I got, yet I was smiling way deep down somewhere in no-mans land, and trust me I mean like to the middle of the Earth deep down. I'd just like to thank everyone who was a part of my life. My teachers, friends, and even my enemies because with out all of you…my life wouldn't be complete. Thanks for filling my heart with happiness." I stepped down from the podium and felt relief and accomplishment. I smiled at James as he took the podium and I went back to my seat.

"Thank you Lil, what was beautiful!" James smirked. "I came to Hogwarts pretty full of myself. My parents had pretty high expectations of me. But I just wanted to maybe get a few girlfriends, pass a few classes, and pull a bunch of pranks. And I can definitely say I accomplished my goals. By my second year I figured out exactly how my life was going to end. But I guess I was so obsessed with making my life perfect that I didn't think that anything could go wrong. I'm thankful for my friends and family for helping me get through the years. They say friends are the one thing that get you through the tough times and I believe it. I mean, who else would've snuck out of detention to be with you in detention other than Sirius. Who would've been the only one willing to be in the chaos in the middle of a prank other than Peter. And if it wasn't for Remus, Mr. Calm and Cool, I think I would've jumped off a cliff. You see, if we went to Hogwarts and did nothing but studied we would've wasted our time. Because life is about happiness. I appreciate everyone's support and I'm sure everyone else does too. Here's to happiness!"

James stepped off and sat down next to me and the other Professors.

"That was very nice." I replied.

"So was yours," he smiled, "I especially liked the part about me."

"Well," I smiled, "You certainly have made life…interesting."

"I try." He replied.

"And I liked the part in your speech how you were completely conceited about yourself."

"Hey," he protested, "I sat I was a bit full of myself, not conceited."

"Right," I rolled my eyes, "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For making my Hogwarts experience enjoyable." I said.

"Your very welcome." He replied, "Lil, I need to know. Is there any chance at all between the two of us?"

"I've been thinking about that." I answered, "If you were to just give me time I'd be able to answer that."

"I could do that," he slowly stretched his arm in the arm before letting it drop on my shoulders, "Because I have the rest of my life to wait for you."

"Good." She smiled, "Because I love making you wait."

"Thanks for filling my heart with happiness, Lil." James mocked me.

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes, "We should pay attention."

James didn't stop staring at me, "I am."

I felt a blush creep onto my face as I tried to focus on what Professor McGonagall was saying.

Before I knew it she called my name and gave me my certificate. I felt my emotions take over and a tear fell down my cheek. Once the ceremony was over, Dumbledore flicked his wand and the podium was gone. Little tables were around and a big table had a huge cake on it. There was a loud pop and confetti was flying everywhere. Each piece of confetti said something along the lines of, Marauders rule and Slytherins don't!

"Your impossible," Bree lightly high Sirius in the arm as James and I made our way over.

"Hey, guys," Remus greeted us, "Wonderful speeches."

"Thanks," I replied as we all took a glass of punch.

"To us!" Bree joked.

"To us!" We all chanted.

For the rest of the afternoon we all enjoyed cake and punch in celebration. And surprisingly, the only other thing the Marauders did was more confetti. Well, other than the Slytherins bursting out in a terrible tune.

Thanks for reading! One more chapter after this probably!