NOTE: The last and final chapter of this story. I started it a long time ago, and I finished it finally, after many waits for chapters that sometimes takes months…hehe. Well, hope you like this one. It's the final one. Yeah, I don't know what's the date Hogwarts ends, so I just made it up. Oh, about those British, long, hard candies (Stick of Rock), they do really rock. I love them…so, I decided to add them in this chap…hehe…Please review!

Chapter 25: Final Years

When there's something wrong you've done, knowing it for a long time, then you finally realize that you should stop and the unchangeable consequences finally become very clear, what do you usually do?

That's exactly what Hermione had in her mind for the whole morning. She surprised even herself that she could concentrate on her last two exams. But of course, it's the Hermione Granger who we are talking about.

By the time the exams were over, the whole Hogwarts population had managed to find their own way of celebrating. Only one girl wasn't in a party mood.

For the whole morning, she had been trying hard to avoid her two best friends. She woke up and ate breakfast way before them, come to all her exams just before they begin (so that there's no chance at all for them to talk) and leaving before everyone else.

But despite the fact that Lily Evans' diary was no longer a secret she can keep, she kept to her promise (to herself) that she would finish the last entry.

Making sure that she was well hidden behind her favorite tree by the lake, for the last time, Hermione opened the red diary.

June 15

Dear Diary,

I can't believe it. I'm actually leaving Hogwarts. I've never actually felt this sad in my entire life. Seriously, this old castle had become my home for 7 long years, each day I spend here as eventful as the last. If I read back my past diaries, including this one, I would never ever find any of them dull. It was probably because I'm muggle born. I've never been exposed to magic like this.

But you know, before I found out that I was a witch, my everyday life was not as exciting. They were pretty…normal, in a muggle way. The only times they were actually colorful was when something out of the ordinary happened to me. Apart from that, I never really belong in the Muggle world. I felt left out. Sure, I have my parents and my primary school friends, but it was as if a big part of me was missing.

Yet that part was miraculously filled in when I received my very first Hogwarts letter.

It was the day I found out that I, Lily Elizabeth Evans, was a magical witch by birth. At the same time, everything that had been happening to me fit into place.

Even though, I was still afraid to go to a school with the type of people I had not grown up with. I was anxious to feel left out like I did when I was in the Muggle world. I was reluctant to leave my Muggle home.

But when I arrived in magic's dimly lit heart, it was the exact opposite. I felt like I was in my own place: starting on the train, where I met Sam and Wilma…and the Marauders, most unfortunately.

Now, I don't want to leave anymore. It was where my magical life started, and I would never ever forget the times I spent in it.

Now, I would be living in the real world where a mad, dark wizard is out on the rampage. Merlin, I really want to stop him. He had murdered many good people. He has this way to discriminate Muggles, muggleborns and those who are on their side. Thank goodness I was able to convince James that I was capable enough.

I just wish I was able to cherish my years at this school more. It was after all, a once in a lifetime experience.


As Head Girl and Head Boy, Professor Dumbledore summoned us into his office in the afternoon.

"Ms. Evans, I assure you, there is nothing to be graven about," he said calmly. I rarely saw that old man without the twinkle in his eye. "You are not after all leaving the wizarding world, only its first few steps. You are now going to its next and more serious part. You are about to embark on a journey all grown wizards and witches go through." He was always so serious, well maybe not. "But I, myself, am also quite sad to see some of my precious students leave. I even derived myself from indulging in some of those delicious muggle Stick of Rock which I often devour during my leisure times."

James and I exchanged glances. I guess Dumbledore will always have that peculiar wit of his.

"But before you two leave," he continued. "I would like to give you my appreciation and compliment for being excellent Head Students this year. I think I have made the right decision to give these positions to you both."

"Thank you, Professor," we said.

Then that twinkle again, more suspicious this time. "I think putting both of you in this position had not only helped the student body but yourselves as well. Am I right, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore said, serving himself a cup of tea from a kettle he conjured out of nowhere.

I looked at James and saw him flash Dumbledore a casual smile, "I think so, professor."

I looked down and blush. How is it possible that the Professor knows everything? Wait, did he plan this teaming-me-with-himself thing with Dumbledore?

"Well, on to the real reason I've called you up here."

He stood up and went to a handsome, rosewood cupboard. With his wand, he took out two miniature golden shields that resembled badges and put them on his table.

"This is an old school tradition to be done with the Head Girl and Head Boy just before they leave Hogwarts. Please touch your wands to the surface. One for each of you."

When James and I did that, our names appeared, engraved onto the golden surface. Then Dumbledore gave us two small pieces of parchment and quills.

"Now, write on those the advices you found useful on your becoming Heads," Dumbledore said, as if he had repeated that for years tiringly. Then he winked at us, "But I must say those scrolls are rather clichéd, don't you think?"

I nearly laughed out loud. James turned his into a hacking sound which was a cross between a snort and a cough.

"But we must go with the school tradition," he said with a serious tone before winking at us one more time.

Once we were done, the scrolls involuntarily rolled up, and stamped with the year.

"That will be all, Ms. Evans, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said. "I wish you both the best as you swim through the depths of the real world. I believe that I will hear a lot of outstanding things about the both of you."

But as he said those words, I felt miserable all over again.

"Ms. Evans," he said. "You should not think that you would never come back to Hogwarts again."

I looked up.

"Perhaps, someday, if you are old enough, you can be a professor here. I'm sure you would, someday, have all the necessary experience to teach here. Hogwarts will welcome you again with open arms."

My eyes brightened. Hmmm…perhaps when I'm around 30 years old. "Thank you, Professor."

"Anytime, Ms. Evans."

James and I turned to leave when he called.

"Oh, yes, before I forget. Expect to be hearing more from me, Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans."

Whatever it is he would ask us to do, I can't wait. At least there's more to look forward on my list of things to do after Hogwarts.

Well, right now I'm in my dorm waiting for the call that the carriages are coming, going back to the train station…where it all started.

I couldn't stop myself from crying since I woke up. Leaving my beloved Gryffindor tower (even after the ceiling-hole incident) was too hard for me. That was only this morning, just to go to my last breakfast in this school. I was partially dragged out by Sirius and James. I'm not joking. Well, at least I would still have my loyal friends by my side. Sam decided to continue her Healer studies while Wilma said she would just find a job in the ministry before entering any Quidditch teams. I don't doubt she'll get a lot of offers. She was much better than some of those professional players.

I'm not quite sure what Sirius, Remus, and Peter are doing, but I'm sure they will find promising careers. They are talented enough to become animagi after all. But I sure do hope that Sam wouldn't have to go to America, where her father is staying. Her mother is in Ireland. But Sam said the United Kingdom need more healers than the Americas.

Meanwhile, I have to stay with my parents until I can officially start as an Auror-in-training. I have to take an examination first, to see if I'm capable, then take a month of evaluation and finally wait for a week to see my results. After that, I'm moving to a new house. By then, Lily would be an Auror-trainee. James would be doing the same. But only difference is that he wouldn't be staying at his parents' house.

Anyway, on a more rather family note, Petunia is getting married at the end of next month. I still can't believe she will marry that large, beefy showoff. I think the date was July 22nd. The worst part is, I'm the maid of honor. No way in hell!

No doubt mum made her do it. Mum said that I deserve it since I am still her only sister.I could just imagine her horsy face contorting with rage and frustration. Let me think: "Mum! What were you thinking? That freak would just ruin my perfect day."

That's exactly what she would say. Well, this freak is no way in hell going to her wedding, even with her parents there. But I must. I don't think I can do that to mum. She is expecting me to be equally co-operative as my beloved sister. At least that's what it says in her letter a week ago. Co-operative!

It's more like forced-cooperation if you ask me! Let me tell you what I'm going to do about this wedding of hers, I'm bringing in some company.

Ever since she had that future husband of hers as her boyfriend (Vermin Dursley or something like that. Or was it Venom Dussly, I have no idea), he had been welcome into our house like family. It's how my parents are. My dad loved interrogating and "observing" his daughter's new boyfriends, while mum just loved to have some nice company. So for the past 3 years, Petunia and Verminom (whatever) truly enjoy each other's companies in our home…while I, the daughter who had never before brought a boyfriend home, sat in the sidelines regurgitating. You should see the gross things they say to each other. Which loving couple calls each other "Vernooninuns" or "Sweetie-petunia-cakes"? Oh the hours I had to bear the last 2 summers. See the reason why I don't know his real name?

My point is, if Petunia was allowed to bring that fat lump she calls her future husband almost every month, then certainly I am allowed to bring James for just a few weeks. It's only for the best.

In that way, I don't have to endure Sweetie-petunia-cakes and Vernooninuns by myself for the whole month. (They're moving into their new home after the wedding.)

Also, at least there will be some humor in the house with James around. Oh, did I mention the priceless look that would be on Petunia's face when I bring "another of my kind" back home?

The summer after our fourth year, I brought Sam and Wilma for the summer. Petunia did all she can to avoid us. One time she squealed in fright when Sam took out her wand and pointed it at her face to fix her sunglasses. It was a memory that always brought tears of laughter on Wilma's face because Sweetie-petunia-cakes ended up nearly falling off the stairs screaming like a baby. Not very attractive for an eighteen-year-old-girl. Well now she's twenty-one and still the same.

But my mother loves my friends. Every time they visit, my mother would fuss endlessly with them. My beloved sister never liked it. Just because her friends are those vain, talkative girls who put 5 layers of makeup and who mum never enjoys having over, doesn't mean she have to be jealous.

Well, one thing's for sure, she's not at all going to like James. But my parents will. Dad and mum had no problem with Vernooninuns since he was hardworking enough to provide their daughter with her proper needs and loves Sweetie-petunia-cakes a lot. So James would be more than a "no problem", if he doesn't act like an idiot. But mum is always saying that if only Vernooninuns would just talk less about his new job, new car, great love for Sweetie-petunia-cakes, and his "healthy" diet, he would be a great person to be with. Dad said that means he just need a more normal sense of humor and less fat.


My parents love humor and a lively conversation since that's how their love started and blossomed. When they bring home friends, those things were never missing. It was only Vernooninuns that they accepted who lacked a good amount of both. I guess they knew that he was what made Petunia happy and content, and he was nice enough so they didn't really shove him out of their house "politely". If they knew a person makes their children happy, loved and content, they would welcome that person into their life…as long as their not brutal.

Another reason James would be allowed to live with me for a while. He was all of that.

Anyway, I think, even with his best friend as a neighbor, he deserved some company. Also, if he were alone, he'd miss his family too much. Being with another, even if not his own, will make him feel much better. He has me too, so that completes the picture.

Mum wrote me back yesterday saying yes, he could stay. See, what I mean? Hmmm…Although I don't approve of him doing so in Hogwarts, playing a few harmless pranks (preferably on Vernooninuns and Sweetie-petunia-cakes) will brighten things up a bit. Oh, I couldn't wait to see Petunia's face when I see her at home. Even if she demands to live somewhere else until James leaves, dad would not allow it. It was after all her last few weeks with her parents.

I guess getting out of Hogwarts was not as bad as I thought. Dumbledore is right. I'm not leaving the wizarding world, only its first part. Now, I'm on my way on its more serious next step. Another way of saying: leaving childhood and fun and onto the more eventful days of adulthood. Just imagine the old Professor saying that with the same twinkle in his blue eyes.

Oh, Sam's here to tell me something. Better finish fast.

As my last few sentences in this diary, I would like to say that whatever it is that the future holds, we must face it boldly, even through the tears and pain. It's a saying that got me started in Hogwarts, got me through it and onto the end.

Lily

P.S. Oh, jumping Chocolate frogs, the carriages are on their way, and I still haven't finished putting my clothes in my trunk. Hope I don't forget anything. If I do, hopefully someone trustworthy or a future relative finds it.

Hermione closed the diary and stared at it. Lily Evans did forget something, and it's currently in her Hermione Granger's hands.

"Now, what do I do with you?" she whispered. She looked around the tree and searched the grounds. Just in time, she saw Harry heading out of the castle; talking to someone she can barely see behind the slightly ajar oak doors.

Hermione contemplated her next move.

Finally, she decided.

Moving slowly behind the tree and towards Harry, she held her head high. She would take boldly whatever Harry has to say towards her. She was a Gryffindor after all. And according to a certain girl, whatever it is the future holds, face it boldly.

But had she done worst mistakes that I did? Probably did.

Harry saw her coming and stopped in his tracks.

"Harry, I'd like to talk to you," she said casually.

He just looked back in return. Hermione waited for a reply and got none. She took a deep breath.

"This book doesn't belong to me," she said. "It was a great reading material, full of many various stuff. But someone once told me that it's neither me nor anyone else who decides whose hands shall it go to. It decides by itself."

Harry did not reply.

"I think that it stated clearly, that it legally belongs to you. So, please forgive me if I had violated its privacy nor never told you about it before."

After a while, Harry smiled and spoke. "If I were you, I would have done the same Hermione. Who says I wouldn't read it?"

She dropped her jaw, "But aren't you mad I didn't share it with you? The owner's son?"

"I gave it a thought. I'm not the owner after all and you had your reasons."

Hermione was speechless.

Harry laughed, "Ron told me that. He said not to be mad because you think that I would not be happy if I read it, whatever the reason for that may be."

She smiled back. Maybe she was just too cooped up with the evil happenings or reading the past of another person that she didn't notice that there were two boys who had matured over the years other than James Potter.

"Did I miss anything?" someone said over Harry's shoulder.

"Nah, I just got an end-of –the-year gift, mate," Harry replied, waving the journal around before stuffing it in his bag. "Thanks, Hermione."

Ron looked at Hermione in surprise. She shook her head and hooked her arms with both of her best friends.

"Enough talk. Let's celebrate the end of sixth year and a start of our very last year at Hogwarts."

"It's not going to be as good as the last few years, now with Voldemort lose," Harry replied.

"So what? That doesn't mean we'll spend the rest of our days fighting him. Right, Ron?"

"Maybe so. She's right mate, don't think about it. It's our last year after all, might be our last few months to be together."

"Last few months to be together? Oh, you're so pessimistic, Ronald. We have to look forward to it not because of the dark times. It may be our most eventful year yet?"

"Alright, what is it that you read in this diary that made the old plan-the-future, serious and rather anxious Hermione Granger go away?"

"Shut up, Harry. Think about it. What will come, will come, and you just have to face it when it does. Perhaps, the old Hermione needed that lesson."

Walking towards the lake, to the setting sun, the three of them enjoyed what may be the end of the carefree days and the start of a whole new year, alas full of hurdles and pain, but with whole other load of surprises. Lily and James may be gone, but they had left their mark…on a whole new generation. It's all written in a diary.

The End

NOTE: Thank you so very, very much to all my readers. I couldn't have finished it without you. This was my very first fanfiction and I am happy that it ended well. I hope you like this chapter and the story in its whole. Please review. Hopefully some of you also read my one-shots and my other story found in the Series of Unfortunate Events category. For those who did read that, I promised that I will make a sequel for that one. I would like to apologize since I didn't really start the sequel at the date I promised I'll start it. Since this story is over, I will try and start it as soon as possible. I'm currently moving homes (and countries) but hopefully I'll finish it. I may also write another story about the summer of Lily Evans after her seventh year, like a continuation of this story, but not in diary type. Only Lily's time though, not Harry's as well. Once again thank you for everyone!

-Willherm Simetra (Keren)