Disclaimer: I do not own anything of J.K Rowling's. Anything mine: character and plot
A/N: The last chappie of the second book. I have to say, though, I will have the third up in a few days minimum. Top is a week. Thank you to everyone for reading!
Chapter 34: Graduation
"...This is it.."
"No turning back now.."
"Time to shine."
"Time to move on."
"The day is here."
"At last."
"Let's go already!"
Students were chatting to themselves and others, hopig to boost their confidence before walking into the Quiddich Pitch. Everyone from teachers to students to parents and family were in the stands, awaiting our arrival. I looked around at everyone, even the students I didn't know so well. This was the day of parting.. The day we wouldn't be together anymore. Some of us would stay in touch, like our best friends, but some of us would never see the same faces ever again. It was depressing but true.. This was the day we would learn to say goodbye.
"Everyone is in alphabetical order according to last name, right?" Filch screamed at us, which caused the narrow hall to get quiet. We were standing where the quiddich players usually flew off into the field to play a game.
In my head, I could see the smiling faces from family for all of my friends, for all of my classmates. I was the only one with no parents. This depressed me, but then I pictured Hagrid's smiling face and realized not only did I have him as family, but my parents were grinning down from Heaven.
In the field, we could hear Dumbledore's voice booming over the loudspeaker, "...and now, the Graduates!"
This was our cue to walk along our path to the huge stage set in the middle of the field. We were destined to walk up the three steps, shake Dumbledore's hand, take our diploma from him, shake hands with the Minister of Magic, step off the stage, and sit aside in these black fold-up chairs in the field, all while staying in our alphabetic spots. Draco was one person behind me.
The sun was brighter than ever, making everyone's eyes squint as we first exited the quiddich preparation rooms. I glanced around me and noticed just how high the stands were, and imagined how hard it must be for people to see us. Then I noticed Dumbledore set up some kind of magic projector, which showed the stage on a screen high above us for the viewers to see.
Plans for the ceremony included receiving our diplomas, sitting down, listening to Dumbledore talk for a few, and listening to the class speakers. Hermione was a class speaker, as well as a few others I wasn't too aquainted with.
"Miss Hermione Granger," Dumbledore spoke over the loudspeaker from the stage. It was Hermione's turn to take her prize for Graduating. The line of students was dwindling down one by one.
How proud and happy we all looked in our house robes didn't make up for the itching the pants gave me. I wouldn't scratch, though, for I would look like an impatient dog. After ten minutes, Dumbledore reached the last names that began with 'L.' And then I finally heard it...
"Miss Maranda Maguire." Dumbledore called my name and at first, I couldn't move.
A second slipped by and I at last moved my arse to the stage. Up the three steps, shake hands with Dumbledore while smiling and thanking him, then taking my diploma, and shaking hands with a man I have never met. He was the Minister of Magic, but looked like someone who would work at a candy factory. I walked off the stage and to my seat. I was in utter awe at how little time that took. I suddenly wished I could have hugged DUmbledore or stayed on stage just to absorb all the memories.
Sooner than I knew it, Draco's name was called. I watched the Ferret walk up, shake hands with Dumbledore, take his diploma with a grin, shake hands with the random man, and then get off the stage. He inched closer to my area of seating. The person who was between us looked as though he belonged in college. His name was Benjamin Makfeere, and he had a mustache. That was a turn off. A few rows in front of me sat neville, who was frantically looking around him for someone to talk to.
Draco found it funny to reach over and tap my shoulder, then pretend he didn't do it. I wasn't laughing at first, but the next time he did it, I grabbed his finger and nearly pulled him off of his seat. Who knew misbehaving could be so much fun?
"Maguire," Draco whispered, leaning forward to meet my eyes, "you're coming back next year, right?"
Not wanting to be loud, I mumbled, "Ya, I am."
"Who are you working with?" He asked with a concerned look planted on his face.
I didn't want to admit it, but I didn't want to lie either. So I responded, "Snape."
"Hey!" Draco was obviously flustered, "I wanted to work with him.. I got stuck with Lockhart."
"You mean Professor Poptart?" I giggled.
Draco started to laugh at the name, but then he sat back against the chair. It was almost time to hear the speeches. Yesterday, I spent the day helping Hermione write hers. It wasn't like her to wait for the last minute, but she didn't want the reality of Graduating to hit her yet. I even wrote a speech in case Hermione decided not to read hers.
"Now that all of our graduates are sitting, we will have a few moments to gather our thoughts before any of our speakers come up." Dumbledore spoke through a microphone this time, which was just as loud as the loudspeaker he used previously. Dumbledore continued, "A few select students have been chosen to speak concerning their own views on Graduation and education. These students have well-prepared themselves with speeches and whatnot. Their work has payed off, clearly, and so without further adue, I present, firstly, Miss Hermione Granger."
The Quiddich Pitch erupted with applause for my best friend as she walked on the stage and up to the microphone with two pieces of paper in her hands.
"Hello," She began with tears in her eyes, "as you all know, we graduate today. Some of us with memories that will scar us, and some of us with memories that will help us. We have so many memories of Hogwarts in our minds right now, just waiting to be looked at. Today is a day to think back upon all of these memories and smile, laugh, cry, or even become angry with them. We will think all day about the future, the past, the present, and inbetween. We will be frightened to move on, or we will be overexcited and not scared at all. Either way, we all have one thing in common: We will remember Hogwarts. Some of us were outsiders, popular, strange, quiet, loud, or even unknown.. But we all have one thing in common: We came to Hogwarts. We will take the tomorrows and twist them the way we want. In order to do this, however, we need hope, faith, and love. I know someone who is very close to me. She came here not knowing what to do with herself. She was an outcast in some eyes. In others, she was a pest..Sometimes eye looked upon her as a girl who would never reach her dreams. She doesn't know I wrote this about her. I want her to know my eyes have always seen her as a best friend. I'd like her to come up here and speak on her behalf, for I know she wanted to be up here with me. Maranda Maguire, come on up."
Uhh...brain fart... She just call me up there? Did Hermione just say all of that? Oh My God my eyes are watering..
I rose out of my chair automatically and walked up to the stage. One, two, three steps up and I was facing Hermione with my eyes yearning to burst out with tears. I held them back and silently asked Hermione why she wanted me up on stage with her.
"...I want you to speak. You never speak your heart or mind when put on the spot, and I wanted to change that. Go ahead, Manic-Mara." Hermione patted me on the shoulder and stepped away from the microphone.
Clearing my throat, I was still in disbelief that my best friend told me to speak in front of the entire school and all of these radnom people who came for Graduation.
"Uhh.." My voice echoed over the microphone, "I must say, Hermione did not tell me she would be doing this. Please forgive me for any stuttering or stammering I may do. I guess 'Mione wanted me to tell you all what I wrote yesterday on this little note card, but I threw it away this morning. So, instead of trying to remember it all, I'll just speak...my mind. Two years ago, I was in my orphanage reading a book. This was all I ever did. I heard this noise outside, and, to my surprise, there was Hagrid ready to pick me up and bring me here. I learned of my parents' true reason for death, which still haunts me, and I also learned that I was a half-blood witch. I came to Hogwarts and the first person I met was Professor Snape. Truth be told, after his intimidating first impression, I didn't really want to be here. I was left out, friendless, and depressed. I also had a lot of anger in me. I don't want to tell my whole life experience here, but there is a point to all of this. Within the two years I was here, not only did I learn how to use magic, but I learned how to make friends. I have to admit, I have the best friends I could ever imagine having. My shyness has stayed for the most part, but I learned to speak up when needed...My professors should know that." I heard some laughter in the background, and a giggle from Hermione who was behind me.
Taking a breath, I looked around and concluded, "Hogwarts has not only become a part of me, but it has become my home. I just hope all of my peers realize that Hogwarts has changed us for the better in many ways. It really is a part of all of us. This is where we can turn to for shelter, joy, confidence, and education. We are not ending anything here, but beginning a new journey to our goals. Good luck to everyone. Thank you. I actually lived through my first speech.. Happy Graduation!"
Backing up, my eyes wandered about the field. Clapping and cheers were heard. Hermione and I went to our seats and listened to the other speeches about Quiddich bringing everyone together, and other topics concerning Hogwarts life.
The ceremony was over, bringing all of us graduates to the center of the field singing and clapping in euphoria. We had done it.. We had survived the life of school. The life of detentions, failures, passings, tests, quizzes, and professors. Graduation had ended, but our adventures in life had only just begun.
Professors were out and about in front of the school as buggies came to pick us graduates up. The underclassmen had another three weeks before school ended for them. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Seamus, Harry, Gwen, Victoria, and I were planning on meeting each other in a compartment on the train. Draco said he might visit, but he wants to be with his friends too, considering neither Crabbe nor Goyle were returning next year.
"Ahh," A cheery voice sounded behind me, "Miss Maguire! How lovely to see you before you leave!" It was Gilderoy Lockhart, but something inside me didn't want to pick on him today. This was kind of a 'be nice or else' day.
I smiled, "Hi, Professor."
"You did a wonderful job speaking in front of everyone.. You reminded me of how much fun I have teaching. Thanks for that." He kept drabbling on about teaching and how fun it is. I didn't really want to listen. Guess that 'be nice or else' day was getting old even after five minutes of having it.
Hagrid was coming over, but stopped to talk to Harry and Ron who were already boarding the black buggy.
Snape strode over, practically pushing Gilderoy over, "Miss Maguire, may I speak to you in private?"
Lockhart took the hint and said his final farewell before leaving my sight.
"Thanks, Professor," I sighed, "He wouldn't stop talking."
Taking a deep breath, Snape said, "I know. I figured you wouldn't want your ear talked off by a buffoon before you left."
I laughed.
"Well, I suppose you should be heading over to prepare for departure." Snape sounded almost upset, but I probably misunderstood a feeling of relief.
Twiddling my thumbs, I responded, "I guess so. Sorry my speech made you appear to be the bad guy. That is how I felt the first day, though."
"Better to be telling the truth than lying, right? I don't see any harm in you ro anyone else thinking I am intimidating. I'll just give you a detention for saying it.." Snape smirked.
I bit my lip then admitted, "I would rather have a detention with you than leave this school. I know I'll be back, but it's so sad...Yet, I'll be with Hermione all summer, so I'll be okay."
Hagrid started to walk over to me when Snape spoke his final words of the year, "As long as you read that book I let you borrow, you'll feel like you're still in Hogwarts. Shall I assign you an essay to hold your sanity together? ... Maybe not. Even I need a vacation. Nevertheless, I'll see you when summer ends."
"Have a good summer, Professor Snape." My words floated in the air as Snape walked away.
"Maranda!" Hagrid grabbed me for a hug and I jumped in surprise.
We chatted for a few minutes, but I had to catch my buggy soon. I gave him another big hug and went on my way.
Once on the train, which was at least a half-hour later, I met my friends in a compartment towards the entrance. We talked, ate candy, and remembered all of our adventures together. As we had so much fun, it was only normal for my brain to start thinking about the future. I couldn't worry too much, though, for the path of life would only be as smooth as I make it out to be. Life would always have some let downs, but it was up to me to pick myself back up.
Graduation had ended some time ago... but it didn't quite kick in yet.