114 reviews! Thank you all! And . . . heh heh, sorry about the mix up with
snoggle. I've never been to Europe and do not personally know any British
people, so I tend to screw up on those words. Thanks to everyone who
corrected me . . . which was about everybody. Sorry it took so long, but it
was just with school and writer's block . . . or maybe it's just I'm too
lazy to type up this chapter, you'll never know! ^_^
Oh and another thing. Do you guys think I should bump the censor up to PG 13 or leave it like this at PG?
Last thing: Ironically I thought authors who take forever to update are really annoying, but now I find there are reasons for them to leave us on edge so much! So please don't hate me and review!
* * *
Lily had left, seeing how late the time was and how her friends would be suspicious if she never came back. She smiled as she looked at James's sleeping form, and then realized what she had done.
So she got back to her dormitory to her waiting friend Margaret. She looked Lily up and down and made a tisking noise.
"What?" Lily asked innocently.
"Messy hair . . . late arrival . . . no books . . ." Margaret smiled mischievously.
A chill went down Lily's spine. Oh no. Her books!
"So how long did you guys kiss before you had to come up for air again?" Margaret asked, her face spreading into a teasing grin.
Whew. Lily's heart filled with relief. Margaret merely thought that they were . . . erm . . . passionate kissing.
"Right, a minute. Or two." Lily replied absentmindedly. "I'm tired now; I think I'm going to go to sleep."
* * *
"Nooo! You have to help me, Lily. N.E.W.T.S. are in two weeks, and I'm completely lost." Sirius moaned.
"Since when did you care about how many N.E.W.T.S. you have Sirius?" Remus asked skeptically.
"Since this year is our last year, and after graduation James's parents will probably start making me pay rent, and I need a job to pay for that." Sirius said as if it were the most obvious thing.
"Uh-huh, right, actually they might now that I think of it." James said with an afterthought.
"Well, I'm really the only guy here that cares about grades, even though I can't really get a job anyway since I'm not technically all human, or all wizard for that matter." Remus said in a middle of a yawn.
"Oh come on, Moony! Sure you can get a job! Just . . . just tell them you need the night when the full moon is out off." Sirius suggested.
They all laughed at that.
"You know, James, you're the only person I know that copied off his girlfriend's career for Career Advice week!" Sirius said.
"So? Maybe I've wanted to be an Auror for quite some time now." James huffed.
"Or you could have ripped off the idea from your girlfriend." Sirius said again stubbornly.
"Or maybe I didn't!" James retorted, crossing his arms.
"Okay, boys, let's not fight, now," Lily said in her best soothing voice.
"Okay, then, help me on this question Lily, I don't get it . . ."
* * *
A Week Later . . .
"Lily, there's an owl for you!" Margaret said, pointing out the owl that swooped down, just missing Lily's hair. A fancy looking envelope was in front of her, like an envelope to an invitation to a wedding or a party.
"What is it?" Margaret asked.
"I don't know . . . but then as Lily got a good look at the envelope, it seemed to not only be addressed to her, but to Margaret, James, Remus, and Sirius as well. As Lily stared at the supposedly innocent piece of paper, she couldn't help but feel dread in her heart.
Lily knew what was in it before she even opened it.
"Well?" Margaret asked anxiously.
"It's an invitation . . . to Celia's funeral." Lily heard Margaret draw in her breath.
Going to her funeral . . . would mean admitting that she really was truly dead.
"We have to tell Sirius sometime." Margaret said flatly.
"I know . . . but part of me wonders if he'll even go," Lily answered.
* * *
"-as a loving daughter, as a student, and a loyal and faithful friend, we will all miss and remember Celia McBride." The priest concluded.
Silent tears had flown down Lily's cheeks like water flowing down a river. She could hear Margaret sniffing, she couldn't see James and Remus, but she could see Sirius. God, Sirius must be in so much pain. His face was stone cold, devoid of all expression. But every once in a while, whenever the priest said Celia's name, Lily noticed that Sirius's face twitched, and it looked like he was trying hard not to cry.
Afterwards the teens met with their friend's mother and father. After hugs and tears, Mrs. McBride told them how much it meant to her for all of them to come, especially with N.E.W.T.S. coming up in a week. It was rather emotional. Then, Mrs. McBride announced that she was pregnant with her second baby, and that when the baby's old enough, she will tell of Celia's bravery, and of her friends.
They said good-bye to Celia's parents, and then they were off onto the train back to Hogwarts.
* * *
"So, how does it feel to get our N.E.W.T.S. tests done and finished with?" Lily asked Sirius.
"GREAT!" Sirius boomed. "I cannot believe I got through that!"
Sirius seemed to be in an unusually hyper and cheerful mood ever since the funeral. His friends were starting to notice and worry about him.
"Well, believe it!" Remus laughed.
"I d-don't know." Peter said worriedly, "I-I'm not as smart and clever as you guys, a-and I'm not sure h-how I did . . ."
"Don't worry, Wormtail, I'm sure you did just fine." James reassured his friend, although he wasn't sure why Peter was so worried.
"R-Right." Peter stuttered. (A/N: I don't really know if Peter really did stutter this much, but since I hate him so much and he seems to be like this I wrote him like that.)
James slung an arm around Lily's shoulder. "And there's that certain benefit that since we have to train for three years we can comfort each other when someone else gives us horns during a duel or something."
Lily scoffed. "Like they would!"
"You never know, Lily. People change when they get older and get constantly hit with by charms and stuff." James said a matter of factly. (A/N: Don't know if "factly" is even a word. lol)
"You know James, your logic . . . just isn't logic." Lily said before suddenly bursting into laughter and kissing James on the lips.
"Get a room!" Remus and Margaret said in unison.
But Sirius Black stared at his best friend and his girlfriend with sadness in his eyes.
* * *
"And now, a toast to the graduating seventh years!" Dumbledore announced, raising his cup. Everyone attending followed suit.
"You have been with us for seven years, through all the hard times, through all the friendships, and through all the homework, which I imagine was the worst of all, and now we salute you as you leave us for your future. Some of us who should have been here graduating aren't so if we would please allow a moment of silence." Dumbledore bowed his head, his long silvery beard steeping down, almost falling into his flask of pumpkin juice.
Lily bowed her head down, her flaming red curls covering her face, which hid her tears. Celia was not the only student that wouldn't be there. Some kids in their graduating grade, kids she knew, were killed by You-Know-Who as well, because their parents posed a threat to him. So he slaughtered their entire family.
"And now, on a happier note, you will all be awarded with Graduating Hats!" Dumbledore announced suddenly in a happier tone.
Lily looked at Margaret in confusion. "Graduating Hats?"
Margaret looked at her with a "you don't know?" expression on her face, but then she said, "Oh, you wouldn't know, coming from a Muggle family. When we graduate, we get 'graduation hats' which are bowler hats coordinating with our house colors. Then on the inside rim has the name of the house, your name, and the years you went to Hogwarts. It's also like a . . . what do the Muggles call it . . . television? Once the hat goes on your head, all your prime or important memories of Hogwarts are inside it, so whenever you want you can watch those memories with crystal clear vision! It's neat, isn't it, what magic can do?"
Lily smiled. "That sounds like really complicated stuff!"
"It is. I think only the top wizards like Professor Dumbledore can do that!"
"We will call out your name and house. When you hear your name, please come up and receive your hat and diploma."
Lily sighed in relief. She at least knew what a diploma was.
"Anderson, Patty: Hufflepuff!" Everyone had a round of applause for Patty, especially the Hufflepuff Table. Only the Slytherins refrained from enthusiastic applause.
The list went on in alphabetical order. Lily's name came up soon enough since her last name was Evans.
"Evans, Lily: Gryffindor!" Dumbledore boomed. Lily's cheeks flushed red as she walked up to Dumbledore at the High Table. James, Sirius, Margaret, Remus, and all the other Gryffindors that knew her applauded loudly and James even whooped.
Lily finally got to hear what Dumbledore said to each person.
"Congratulations Lily on making it here so far. I hope this hat will preserve many fond memories of here. I really think you have potential, Lily, don't lose it." Dumbledore said to Lily as he placed the bowler hat onto her head and handed the diploma to her.
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore." Lily said with true gratefulness.
* * *
"We are finished with school!" James shouted to a large Hogwarts castle.
"I'm going to miss it here." Margaret said sadly.
"Some more than others." Lily muttered, remembering how James and his friends used to treat people: especially Severus Snape.
"Oh shush Lily." James said with a grin.
"Besides, James, school isn't over for us yet." Lily reminded her boyfriend.
James's grin faltered. "What?"
"Don't you remember? Auror training lasts for three years and in the end you might not even be accepted to become one." Lily explained.
"Oh . . ." James groaned.
"Ha ha!" Sirius laughed.
"Well you actually have to go find a job at the Ministry!" James retorted.
"Mine's easy, I'll just apply for the Daily Prophet." Margaret shrugged.
Remus looked sad. "I really don't know. I studied all the requirements enough for whatever job I wanted, but I don't know who'll hire me!"
"It's alright, Remus," Margaret said, "I'm sure someone will hire you, just make sure you can have vacation at least once a month, and you'll do fine!"
"I hope so," Remus said, but he seemed to cheer up a bit.
"Now we're all going to keep in touch, right guys?" Lily said.
"Of course we are, Lil, don't worry!" James said with a goofy grin.
Lily sighed and took one last glance at the Hogwarts castle that she could have called her second home. She was sure going to miss this place . . . and the people too. Although not the classes and homework too much.
But now that adventure was over, and now they are moving on: to the world of finding a job and hard Auror training.
* * *
Whew! There! I know I haven't updated in forever, so to make it up I mad this chapter extra long. Or at least, I think it's extra long. Anyways, review please!
Oh and another thing. Do you guys think I should bump the censor up to PG 13 or leave it like this at PG?
Last thing: Ironically I thought authors who take forever to update are really annoying, but now I find there are reasons for them to leave us on edge so much! So please don't hate me and review!
* * *
Lily had left, seeing how late the time was and how her friends would be suspicious if she never came back. She smiled as she looked at James's sleeping form, and then realized what she had done.
So she got back to her dormitory to her waiting friend Margaret. She looked Lily up and down and made a tisking noise.
"What?" Lily asked innocently.
"Messy hair . . . late arrival . . . no books . . ." Margaret smiled mischievously.
A chill went down Lily's spine. Oh no. Her books!
"So how long did you guys kiss before you had to come up for air again?" Margaret asked, her face spreading into a teasing grin.
Whew. Lily's heart filled with relief. Margaret merely thought that they were . . . erm . . . passionate kissing.
"Right, a minute. Or two." Lily replied absentmindedly. "I'm tired now; I think I'm going to go to sleep."
* * *
"Nooo! You have to help me, Lily. N.E.W.T.S. are in two weeks, and I'm completely lost." Sirius moaned.
"Since when did you care about how many N.E.W.T.S. you have Sirius?" Remus asked skeptically.
"Since this year is our last year, and after graduation James's parents will probably start making me pay rent, and I need a job to pay for that." Sirius said as if it were the most obvious thing.
"Uh-huh, right, actually they might now that I think of it." James said with an afterthought.
"Well, I'm really the only guy here that cares about grades, even though I can't really get a job anyway since I'm not technically all human, or all wizard for that matter." Remus said in a middle of a yawn.
"Oh come on, Moony! Sure you can get a job! Just . . . just tell them you need the night when the full moon is out off." Sirius suggested.
They all laughed at that.
"You know, James, you're the only person I know that copied off his girlfriend's career for Career Advice week!" Sirius said.
"So? Maybe I've wanted to be an Auror for quite some time now." James huffed.
"Or you could have ripped off the idea from your girlfriend." Sirius said again stubbornly.
"Or maybe I didn't!" James retorted, crossing his arms.
"Okay, boys, let's not fight, now," Lily said in her best soothing voice.
"Okay, then, help me on this question Lily, I don't get it . . ."
* * *
A Week Later . . .
"Lily, there's an owl for you!" Margaret said, pointing out the owl that swooped down, just missing Lily's hair. A fancy looking envelope was in front of her, like an envelope to an invitation to a wedding or a party.
"What is it?" Margaret asked.
"I don't know . . . but then as Lily got a good look at the envelope, it seemed to not only be addressed to her, but to Margaret, James, Remus, and Sirius as well. As Lily stared at the supposedly innocent piece of paper, she couldn't help but feel dread in her heart.
Lily knew what was in it before she even opened it.
"Well?" Margaret asked anxiously.
"It's an invitation . . . to Celia's funeral." Lily heard Margaret draw in her breath.
Going to her funeral . . . would mean admitting that she really was truly dead.
"We have to tell Sirius sometime." Margaret said flatly.
"I know . . . but part of me wonders if he'll even go," Lily answered.
* * *
"-as a loving daughter, as a student, and a loyal and faithful friend, we will all miss and remember Celia McBride." The priest concluded.
Silent tears had flown down Lily's cheeks like water flowing down a river. She could hear Margaret sniffing, she couldn't see James and Remus, but she could see Sirius. God, Sirius must be in so much pain. His face was stone cold, devoid of all expression. But every once in a while, whenever the priest said Celia's name, Lily noticed that Sirius's face twitched, and it looked like he was trying hard not to cry.
Afterwards the teens met with their friend's mother and father. After hugs and tears, Mrs. McBride told them how much it meant to her for all of them to come, especially with N.E.W.T.S. coming up in a week. It was rather emotional. Then, Mrs. McBride announced that she was pregnant with her second baby, and that when the baby's old enough, she will tell of Celia's bravery, and of her friends.
They said good-bye to Celia's parents, and then they were off onto the train back to Hogwarts.
* * *
"So, how does it feel to get our N.E.W.T.S. tests done and finished with?" Lily asked Sirius.
"GREAT!" Sirius boomed. "I cannot believe I got through that!"
Sirius seemed to be in an unusually hyper and cheerful mood ever since the funeral. His friends were starting to notice and worry about him.
"Well, believe it!" Remus laughed.
"I d-don't know." Peter said worriedly, "I-I'm not as smart and clever as you guys, a-and I'm not sure h-how I did . . ."
"Don't worry, Wormtail, I'm sure you did just fine." James reassured his friend, although he wasn't sure why Peter was so worried.
"R-Right." Peter stuttered. (A/N: I don't really know if Peter really did stutter this much, but since I hate him so much and he seems to be like this I wrote him like that.)
James slung an arm around Lily's shoulder. "And there's that certain benefit that since we have to train for three years we can comfort each other when someone else gives us horns during a duel or something."
Lily scoffed. "Like they would!"
"You never know, Lily. People change when they get older and get constantly hit with by charms and stuff." James said a matter of factly. (A/N: Don't know if "factly" is even a word. lol)
"You know James, your logic . . . just isn't logic." Lily said before suddenly bursting into laughter and kissing James on the lips.
"Get a room!" Remus and Margaret said in unison.
But Sirius Black stared at his best friend and his girlfriend with sadness in his eyes.
* * *
"And now, a toast to the graduating seventh years!" Dumbledore announced, raising his cup. Everyone attending followed suit.
"You have been with us for seven years, through all the hard times, through all the friendships, and through all the homework, which I imagine was the worst of all, and now we salute you as you leave us for your future. Some of us who should have been here graduating aren't so if we would please allow a moment of silence." Dumbledore bowed his head, his long silvery beard steeping down, almost falling into his flask of pumpkin juice.
Lily bowed her head down, her flaming red curls covering her face, which hid her tears. Celia was not the only student that wouldn't be there. Some kids in their graduating grade, kids she knew, were killed by You-Know-Who as well, because their parents posed a threat to him. So he slaughtered their entire family.
"And now, on a happier note, you will all be awarded with Graduating Hats!" Dumbledore announced suddenly in a happier tone.
Lily looked at Margaret in confusion. "Graduating Hats?"
Margaret looked at her with a "you don't know?" expression on her face, but then she said, "Oh, you wouldn't know, coming from a Muggle family. When we graduate, we get 'graduation hats' which are bowler hats coordinating with our house colors. Then on the inside rim has the name of the house, your name, and the years you went to Hogwarts. It's also like a . . . what do the Muggles call it . . . television? Once the hat goes on your head, all your prime or important memories of Hogwarts are inside it, so whenever you want you can watch those memories with crystal clear vision! It's neat, isn't it, what magic can do?"
Lily smiled. "That sounds like really complicated stuff!"
"It is. I think only the top wizards like Professor Dumbledore can do that!"
"We will call out your name and house. When you hear your name, please come up and receive your hat and diploma."
Lily sighed in relief. She at least knew what a diploma was.
"Anderson, Patty: Hufflepuff!" Everyone had a round of applause for Patty, especially the Hufflepuff Table. Only the Slytherins refrained from enthusiastic applause.
The list went on in alphabetical order. Lily's name came up soon enough since her last name was Evans.
"Evans, Lily: Gryffindor!" Dumbledore boomed. Lily's cheeks flushed red as she walked up to Dumbledore at the High Table. James, Sirius, Margaret, Remus, and all the other Gryffindors that knew her applauded loudly and James even whooped.
Lily finally got to hear what Dumbledore said to each person.
"Congratulations Lily on making it here so far. I hope this hat will preserve many fond memories of here. I really think you have potential, Lily, don't lose it." Dumbledore said to Lily as he placed the bowler hat onto her head and handed the diploma to her.
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore." Lily said with true gratefulness.
* * *
"We are finished with school!" James shouted to a large Hogwarts castle.
"I'm going to miss it here." Margaret said sadly.
"Some more than others." Lily muttered, remembering how James and his friends used to treat people: especially Severus Snape.
"Oh shush Lily." James said with a grin.
"Besides, James, school isn't over for us yet." Lily reminded her boyfriend.
James's grin faltered. "What?"
"Don't you remember? Auror training lasts for three years and in the end you might not even be accepted to become one." Lily explained.
"Oh . . ." James groaned.
"Ha ha!" Sirius laughed.
"Well you actually have to go find a job at the Ministry!" James retorted.
"Mine's easy, I'll just apply for the Daily Prophet." Margaret shrugged.
Remus looked sad. "I really don't know. I studied all the requirements enough for whatever job I wanted, but I don't know who'll hire me!"
"It's alright, Remus," Margaret said, "I'm sure someone will hire you, just make sure you can have vacation at least once a month, and you'll do fine!"
"I hope so," Remus said, but he seemed to cheer up a bit.
"Now we're all going to keep in touch, right guys?" Lily said.
"Of course we are, Lil, don't worry!" James said with a goofy grin.
Lily sighed and took one last glance at the Hogwarts castle that she could have called her second home. She was sure going to miss this place . . . and the people too. Although not the classes and homework too much.
But now that adventure was over, and now they are moving on: to the world of finding a job and hard Auror training.
* * *
Whew! There! I know I haven't updated in forever, so to make it up I mad this chapter extra long. Or at least, I think it's extra long. Anyways, review please!