The Great Hall had been decorated extravagantly for the graduation. Silks hung from the ceiling in deep reds, frosty blues, fired oranges, and fresh greens. The House tables had been removed and chairs put in their place, with an aisle parting the sea of chairs. There was a dull roar coming from the crowd of family and friends of the graduates as they waited for the ceremony to begin. The nervous 7th years crowded at the back of the Hall, eagerly awaiting their turn to accept their diplomas. James, Remus, Sirius, Lilly, Beth, and Jessie stood close to the back of the group, waiting their turns as well. James held Lilly's shaking hand firmly in his and smiled at her.

"You okay?" He whispered quietly.

"N-No…James, I can't do this." She looked like she was about to cry as she turned her face to his.

"You can and you will…I'll be there the whole time." The graduates started moving, the line inching forward. James heard Lilly give a quiet moan.

"What if I trip and fall?" She bit her lip and watched the line inch forward again. James couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry—I'll catch you," He managed to say as they started walking up the aisle. They got to the podium in the front of the Hall with no tripping, falling, or any other sufficiantly awkward occurances. James glanced at Lilly who was flushed and nervously biting her lip. He grinned, and then turned back to Dumbledore.

Twenty minutes past before--

"Mr. James Alexander Potter," Dumbledore's voice boomed through the Hall. "Co-captain of the Quiddich team, graduating with special honors in Defense against the Dark Arts." James squeezed Lilly's hand before walking up the steps and accepting Dumbledore's outstretched hand. "Good luck Mr. Potter. I wish you all the best in the life you have chosen. Always remember to go with your heart, especially when concerning the hearts and feelings of others." Dumbledore said as he gave James his diploma. James looked confused, but when Dumbledore subtly jerked his head in Lilly's direction, James understood. …Follow your heart, especially when concerning the hearts and feelings of others….

"Thank you sir." He said to Dumbledore, nodding to show he understood, then walking across the stage and sitting by Beth, Sirius, and Jessie, who had already gotten their diplomas.

"Miss Lilly Halie Evans," James heard as he sat down. He turned and watched as Lilly made her way up onto the stage, glancing over at him for reasurrance. He winked and she smiled. As she reached Dumbledore and stretched out her hand, Dumbledore said, "Voted Best-All-Around by her teachers and friends, graduating with Honors in Charms and Defense against the Dark Arts." James cheered at the top of his lungs along with his friends as Lilly, with eyes wide, accepted the diploma, shook Dumbledore's hand and hurried to her seat next to James. She sat down and stared at the diploma in her hand.

"Congrads, Miss All-Around-Evans," James whispered as he kissed her cheek and gave her a quick squeeze 'round the waist. "You deserve it." He was interrupted by a loud scream in his ear. Beth jumped out of her seat and applauded. James and Lilly looked towards Dumbledore and saw Remus there, with the Valedictorian's Medal around his neck. Dumbledore was congradulating him and wishing him the best. James and Lilly jumped out of their seats and appplauded with the rest of the roaring crowd. Dumbledore whispered something in Remus' ear, so Remus turned and waved at the crowd, blushing and holding his cap in hand along with his diploma. He walked over to where the rest of the graduates were sitting and returned his cap to his head; only to have it knocked off again when Beth jumped into his arms and planted a kiss square on his lips. Everyone laughed and they both turned pink; but after retrieving his hat from the floor, they sat in their seats as happy as ever.

After the graduation ceremony, all the graduates headed up to their common rooms for their last night at Hogwarts. When the portrait hole pulled back, it revealed a sign someone had hung, Congratulations Remus and Lilly!

"James! Did you—" James shook his head innocently, but gave himself away in his grin.

"Nope—must be the ghosts."

"Oh James! Please!" She squealed, slipping her arm around his waist as he led her over to the sofa in front of the fire, their usual spot. Everyone else piled in behind them and the party began. The last kids finally left the common room at three the following morning, leaving the Maurauders and their girlfriends in front of the fire once again. Everyone else was asleep when Lilly leaned over and whispered in James' ear.

"You know whats strange?" She asked, watching as Beth moaned and stretched her arm across Remus' chest.

"Hmm?"

"We'll never get to do this again. No more late-night talks--no more sneaking off to get food from the kitchens--nothing..." She faded off as she sat up and looked into James' face. "What about us?"

"What do you mean babe?"

"Will we still be together in two months or what?" As she said this, James smiled softly and put his arms around her.

"Of course we will. In fact--" James pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket, "--What do you think?"