Graduation of the seventh year class was upon them before Lily had a chance to blink. The graduation dresses – to be worn underneath the robes that the school provided – had all been bought to satisfy both the comfort level of Alaura, Lia and Lily but also the tastes of their boyfriends. The three had decided to keep those dresses a secret from the Marauders and surprise them during their graduation dinner. The day of the ceremony dawned bright and clear, something Lily had been hoping for. The ceremony was to take place outside in the schoolyard by the lake, a place Lily had treasured since the day she had arrived at Hogwarts. Following her fellow seventh year Gryffindors down the sloping lawns to the chairs reserved for them, dressed in the customary red and gold of their house, Lily couldn't help the feeling of pride and sadness that welled in her heart. Sitting between Sirius and Remus, Lily couldn't stop her mind from running over each and every experience that the school had graced her with. She wasn't really listening when Dumbledore stood up and spoke his speech nor when each of the heads took a turn to tell the gathered parents, students, and friends about students in their own house. When her name was called to make a speech, she and James stood together and walked up to the podium. They had written separate speeches and James had asked to go first.
"Teachers, students, parents, and friends, welcome to our graduation. I was asked, as Head Boy to make a speech about the life we had here at Hogwarts, out of the way of prying eyes of parents, but I never expected to be at a loss for words. Our years here have been filled with laughter, friendships, hardships, and of course schoolwork bestowed upon us by our ever loving faculty." The crowd chuckled lightly. "I have, in my time here, tormented the teachers, the caretaker, and my fellow students, though not necessarily to embarrass them. I have pulled many a prank, though not without help from my five greatest friends, and served many a detention, three thousand two hundred and forty six to be exact, and yet, I'm still standing here, making a speech to all of you. I'd like to hand the microphone over to my fellow friend, student and head, Lily Evans." Lily took the podium shaking slightly.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, fellow students, faculty and family, welcome. We never thought this day would come. We prayed for its quick delivery, crossed days off our calendars, counted hours, minutes and seconds and now that its here I'm sorry it is because it means leaving behind peers who spur me to greater heights and professors who have been my mentors for the last seven years, valiantly attempting to change my life and my fellow students' lives impermeably and forever.
"I live in two worlds. One is a world of books. I have been a resident of Jane Austin's Mansfield Park, hunted Juska vermin in Mossflower Wood, fought alongside our founders, sailed a raft with Rosalind, David and Petra, committed absurdities with Roddy and Nick, ridden a sad horse with Winnie Foster, and strolled down the Crystal Path. It's a rewarding world, but my second is by far superior. My second world is inhabited by characters slightly less eccentric but supremely real, made of flesh and bone, full of love, who are my ultimate inspiration for everything. Kristiina Peters, Tanice and Alaura Cook, Lia Winters, Sirius Black, Lucy Penner and Remus Lupin are beautiful, kind, a little mad and unfailingly generous people. But my ultimate inspiration comes from not one but two amazing members of the Hogwarts student body, James Potter and Karissa Peters. James never gave me any idea that I couldn't do whatever I wanted to do or be whomever I wanted to be. He helped me through my roughest times, held me close when I wanted to cry, and encouraged me when my doubts and fears surfaced. He would sacrifice everything for me in an instant and for that, I love him. Karissa has made me want to be more and do more. She is a fighter and a trooper as well as the most beautiful, loving heart I have ever seen. She helps every one, male or female, Slytherin or Gryffindor. She will never be replaced.
As we prepare ourselves to leave this school, it really is not a relief, but a great sadness. I am leaving behind unfinished business, unsolved mysteries, broken friendships, and the greatest of peers but the one thing I will always strive to achieve is to do things for others like my friends, have done. So, if you are like many and are about to go out and forget most of what you've learned at least remember one thing. Remember that it is not what you do for yourself that creates your legacy, no, that dies with you. It is what you do for other people that will make you truly immortal." Applause greeted the end of Lily's speech and tears glistened in most eyes. Lily sat back in her seat and James kissed her cheek lightly.
"Now that we have completed our speeches, we would invite all family and friends back to the Great Hall. I believe there is a graduation feast waiting for us," Professor Dumbledore said, his usual twinkle sparkling in his eyes. Lily stood with the rest of the student body, making her way slowly back to the castle. Lucy, Tanice, Kristiina and Karissa would not be staying with them any more. It suddenly hit Lily. She was about to go out to the real wizarding world. The world of jobs and heartbreaks, of rejection and ultimately acceptance; a world full of the greatest challenges and rewards and she was about to leave Hogwarts behind.
Forever.
The feast was as stuffing and fulfilling as Lily had ever believed it to be and sandwiched between Alaura, whose parents had flown in from their latest international business trip, and James was exactly where she wanted to be. The families of her peers were scattered around her and Lily felt more at home than she had ever felt. But as Dumbledore stood up to announce the end of the feast a ominous feeling of finally having to leave the stony castle overtook Lily's heart.
"Students, faculty and honoured guests, thank you for a most fabulous seven years of magical education. Now, we invite our graduates to stay one last night in the castle and attend the dance we have so painstakingly prepared. Goodnight." Lily smiled as she watched the parents and other guests leave the Great Hall before standing with the rest of her peers. The tables, with a wave of Dumbledore's hand, were send to the ends of the hall, clearing a large open space for dancing groups and couples.
"I can't believe this is our final night in the castle," Alaura said over the slow melody.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
"Its been a wonderful seven years," Lily answered wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulders. James wrapped one of his around her waist.
"Now we're going to go out and get jobs," Sirius said with a shudder. Lily smiled wistfully, the seven years of memories assaulting her brain.
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Flashback
An eleven year old Lily sat in the large Hogwarts train all by herself. She was a muggle born and had not yet deemed herself confident enough to socialize with her fellow students.
"Is any one else sitting in here?" The soft voice startled Lily who jumped and quickly turned to face the door. The ebony haired girl smiled shyly as Lily shook her head negative.
"You can sit here if you want. I'm Lily."
"Liandra, though most just call me Lia."
End Flashback
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake but its worth making
Flashback
"Potter!" Professor McGonagall's voice startled Lily and she cringed. That was her cue. Sirius Black grinned at her cheekily and Lily smiled sarcastically back. She crept quietly into the staff room, dropping the curled up animal into one of the large comfy chairs before scooting out again.
She met a slightly scowling James Potter and a still grinning Sirius Black just outside the Great Hall.
"You put it in there?" Sirius asked gleefully. Lily rolled her eyes.
"I don't back out on a dare, Sirius." The retort was short and simple.
"Why did I have to be the one in trouble? Now I've got another detention."
"Jamsie my boy, think of it as a quidditch trophy. You're name will go down into Hogwarts Hall of Fame!" James only glared.
"Now, if all has gone according to plan, we should be hearing a scream right about—" The yell that came from the direction of the staff room sent Lily, Sirius and James to the Gryffindor table quickly, yet calmly, taking their places beside Remus Lupin and Lia.
"Everything went well, I wager?" Remus asked quietly.
"Any second now—" Sirius replied. McGonagall burst through the doors.
"Black! Potter! In my office! NOW!"
End Flashback
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Flashback
"Damn Brits! I can, in no way believe this!" An ashen haired girl stormed into the compartment Lily and Lia were sharing on their first day back to Hogwarts. The girls glanced up from the window – where they were, of course, looking for their male counterparts – to look curiously at the new student.
"More? I can't get away. Man, oh man! Why can't you guys just leave me alone, huh?" Lily smiled lightly.
"And who, may I ask, have you met first? James Potter and Sirius Black, or Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape?" The girl stared, blinking slightly.
"Black and Potter, I believe. I think the one said his name was Sirius—" Lily nodded her smile growing wider.
"Then he pinched your rear?"
"How did you—"
"Too many years with the boy. Come sit, maybe we'll get you on better terms with the rest of their group."
End Flashback
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
Flashback
"Alaura come on! We have to get all the way through Madrid before we can move on!" Seventeen year old Lily Evans yelled to her best friend.
"Gee wiz, Lil! Some of us need to take a break every once in a while," Alaura answered puffing slightly as she caught up. Lily only grinned in response turning to the skyline.
"Holy mother of pearl," Alaura gasped as she followed Lily's line of sight. The entire Madrid skyline was spread out in front of her silhouetted against the reds and golds of the setting sun.
"Welcome to Spain."
End Flashback
I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Flashback
"Lil? You alright?" Lily turned in her seat to find James standing silhouetted in the doorframe. She couldn't explain why she had ventured to an old unused classroom to think. She shrugged her shoulders, standing and twisting her hands in front of her.
"I don't know." James moved, weaving his way in between the desks until he was standing face to face with her. Lily sighed as he pulled her into his arms.
"What's going to happen, James?"
DanceI hope you danceI hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
"What do you mean?"
"We're graduating soon. What are we going to do afterwards? Have you even thought about it?" James was silent for a few moments, pondering Lily's words. There was the obvious curiosity in them but, yet, also an underlying meaning.
"In regards to a job, I don't know what I'm going to do yet. There is, however, one thing I do know and that is that there is no way that I'm leaving you or forgetting my friends. We've been through too much to stop now." Lily pushed herself away defiance suddenly springing into her emerald eyes.
"Don't be stupid. You're going to go on and become a huge quidditch star, James. You'll be too busy to worry about me—" James could not believe he was hearing this. Lily believed that he would chose his job over her.
"Lily. Stop. Listen." Lily, whose eyes had suddenly found the floor very interesting, looked up at him, crystalline tears shining in those emerald depths. She took a deep shaky breath to calm her nerves.
"How could you even think, even for the briefest of moments, that I would forget you? My love for you is completely unconditional, no borders, no limits. And that is how it is going to stay. If my job takes me to America, do you think I'll stop, even for a second, thinking of you? Of Sirius and Remus? Of Alaura and Lia? By yourself, you exist. With your friends, you live."
End Flashback
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)
"We've had some good times," Lia said breaking the suddenly quiet silence in the group as the song faded away and another one began.
"And we'll have many more," Alaura agreed, placing her hand in the middle of the circle, much as James had done over a year ago along the crystal path. Lily smiled fondly at the memory and placed her hand over Alaura's. When all hands were piled they quickly whispered, "All for one and one for all. Always and forever."
Okay, I'll end this chapter there. There will be an epilogue before I start on the ordered third story in the "series"
The only thing I need is an underlying plot for that one.
The Angel's Seal (which all of you should have read before reading this one any way) was the saving of Tanice along with the pointless but beautiful fluff.
Possession was, as the title suggests, about the possession of one of the members of the close knit 'family' (Tanice, Alaura, Lia, Sirius, Remus, James, Lily, Lucy, Karissa and Kristiina)
I COULD DO WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HELP ON THAT!
Keep looking for the final instalment! The heartfelt end of the year letters from each friend to each other!
PS The song is I Hope you Dance by Lee Ann Womack
PPS Yes, Lily's graduation speech is off of Rory's from Gilmore Girls
Kavi Leighanna