Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
Author's Note: I have sent this to Eliza for her okay, but she hasn't given it yet. Any mistakes are mine alone (damnit).
Graduations and Decisions
The teenagers, saviors of the wizarding world at large, assembled with the rest of the graduating class and made their way to the ceremony. For the first time, it was to be held on the front lawn. Hundreds of chairs sat in lines in front of the large tent with the raised podium. The professors sat behind the podium. In a long procession, the headmaster led the staff, followed by the graduates out of the great front doors into the afternoon sunlight. The sprawling lawn, so recently covered in blood and gore, had been transformed into the perfect green of summer grass. The white chairs a stark contrast.
The staff took their places on the sides of the Headmaster. Two chairs stood empty. One with a single black sash covering the back, one with a red rose in the seat. As Professor Dumbledore stood to give his speech, the crowd quieted. The flashbulbs continued for some time, however, as there were representatives from every magical written press in the world in attendance. "My fellow staff members, students, parents and guests, we once again must say goodbye to a group of students who have completed their magical education with us here at Hogwarts.
"This, however, is not the usual graduation, as these are not the usual students. In the years these students have attended Hogwart's, we have seen the Magical Community's greatest fears realized and conquered. I have watched these students teach and learn more magic in a shorter amount of time that any other group to attend this school in memory."
With a slight pause and grin, "We have also witnessed more rule-breaking, children out of bounds, deceit, fights, and love from this group. We have had more staff change-over and losses throughout the years of these students attendance than any other set of years. And last, we have had more publicity about this group than any other. Yes, over all, I would say that the class of 2007 has made more impact than the last fifty years' graduates combined." Laughter rang through the attendees.
When silence was restored, there was a crack at the back of the ceremony. The seventy-nine remaining graduates rose as one and pointed their wands at the intruding noise, ready for another attack. However, it was Dobby, who had transported Rowan, using his own brand of magic; releasing her cautiously, he waited to see if she was going to be able to stand on her own.
She was dressed in her best Hogwart's robes, her hair, which was usually in a tight bun, hung loosely around her shoulders and down her back. The various injuries she hid by walking with a cane and a smile toward the standing students. "My apologies for my absence Headmaster, and my rude entrance, but it could not be helped." Most of the students gaped openly at her, having been part of her interrogation of Dumbledore some days before. But there were seven students who smiled proudly at her. Her children cried through their laughter at her entrance. She made her way up to the head table, paused to hug Remus, before picking up her rose and taking a deep smell of it, to sit next to the chair with the black sash. Mason watched as she reached over and put her hand on Hagrid's. He patted it with his massive mitt and looked back at the headmaster.
"As you can see, we are always on edge. We have been training for a war that was only a short few days ago. Without further adieu, I give you the class of 2007:
"Miss Hannah Abbott, Miss Susan Bones…" and the list went on until finally, "Mr. Blaise Zabini" was called forward to collect his diploma.
The supposed saviors sat with mouths opened. None of them had been called; had they failed and not graduate? How was this possible? Hermione's tears were falling down her burning face. Ron's ears were almost as red as Ginny's. Draco hung his head in shame. Harry looked incredulously at the headmaster, anger radiating from every pore of his body. Mason and Madison just wanted the ceremony to end so they could see their mom.
Finally, Zabini returned to his seat. The Headmaster, now accompanied by Arthur Weasley, approached the podium. Arthur began, "There are some in our midst's who were singled out for additional studies this year. Their in-depth research was on the most advanced levels known to the Wizarding community world-wide. Their absence from the school for the special studies did not keep them from being active participants in most of the adventures.
"In their absence, Neville Longbottom assumed Head Boy duties with Hannah Abbot acting as Head Girl. Neville split his time between his classes here, his research into new potions and Herbology, and independent classes with the group.
"Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Mason Cowan Black and Madison Black Cowan in order to learn advance potions with the very talented and missed, Professor Snape." Tears fell steadily down Rowan's cheeks; she leaned into the massive arm for comfort. Arthur continued, "They studied with Professor Rowan Black, hand-to-hand combat with the most advanced Aurors world wide who apparated in three times a week in order to teach them.
"Their training was accelerated and had healers came in from every major magical hospital once a week in order to teach healing charms and diagnosis' with them; Draco and Madison took more hours than the others in order for completion of future plans. Their classes also included Defense against the Dark Arts, theory and practical; and advanced Ruins and Ancient texts. Advanced Apparition and Transfiguration resulted in all seven quietly being registered as animagus.
"Their studies continued with every major military strategist's world-side, Aurors, Clergy, Demons, Vampires, Werewolves, and Demon Hunters. The term that these students spent in seclusion and study, resulted in a unified, fully qualified, committed and complete team. The list of their accomplishments goes on. When the time came to fight for the school and the 'Light' side, these students were instrumental in bringing together magical creatures and wizards from around the world. The defeat of Voldemort and his followers is one about which legends will be written. Their loyalty to the students, adults, and creatures is second only to the loyalty they showed to each other."
"I am please to present, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Madison Cowan, and Mason Black their advanced diplomas as graduates of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Additionally," the headmaster added, "these students will receive Special Service Awards and their names added to a plaque to be put on the rear wall of the dining hall of Hogwarts." As he finished these statements, he beckoned them forward. The group rose as one and walked forward. Turning to face the crowds of people, the flashbulbs flashed until none of them could see properly.
"Their NEWT results were sent to me just this morning. These students set records in each test. Draco Malfoy was the top scorer in NEWT's, beating Hermione Granger's overall score by one point." The crowd applauded loudly and wildly.
"I must stress that seven of these students will be taking a year off of their studies. I ask that as the media reports of today's announcements are printed, that we each remember that although they were instrumental in the defeat of Tom Riddle, it is only because we all worked together that success was complete." They returned to their chairs. Hermione leaned over and gave Draco a hug.
Arthur took the podium once again. "Witches, wizards, media and guests, I present to you the Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's graduating class of 2007!" The students rose and threw their hats in the air with a scream.
Sometime later, they could be found by the lake sitting quietly as Madison called to the squid. She held the great tentacle and played with the ends, tickling and teasing it for a few minutes. Draco's voice carried to her "So what are we going to do this summer?"
Dropping the tentacle, she walked back to the group and sat next to the handsome blonde. He wrapped his arms around her to draw her in closer. "I dunno, I was thinking I would like to be a regular student for a year. Maybe go back to Texas and finish my high school in a normal fashion. What about you?"
He thought for a moment, as did the others, "I'm in. If that's what you want to do, I'll go with you. But we could go ahead and start Medical School, whichever way you want to do it. This diploma transfers to any Wizard or Muggle college in the world you know."
Hermione answered, "Yes, it magically shows requirements completed for entry into any post-high school system world wide."
"It's the only school in the world that can hold that rank." Ron nodded.
"I did not know that," Mason said, "I just want to be with Katie. I may go to college with her for a year then."
"I just want to relax and go through my parents' home in Godric's Hollow. Your parents said they would help me when I was ready. After Tom Riddle, I figure it can't be as scary as it was last summer." Harry said to Ginny and Ron.
Laughing, Ginny said "To quote a certain blonde, 'I'm in!" He gave her a quick hug of thanks.
With their future more clear than their past, they set off towards the great castle to collect their belongings and begin their next great journey of peace for a year that for which Ron had prayed so hard.
