Friday, 9 June, 16:30 GMT, almost 12 years ago, Graduation
"There," Mr. Phillip Martinez, Sr. adjusted his son's dark blue tie. He dusted the shoulders of his jacket. The older man's eyes started to water.
"Are you alright, Dad?" the young man asked as he took in a breath.
"Yeah, I just," the older man said, "I know your mom's really proud of you right now."
"Yeah, probably," Phillip said, a little choked up. "We should start heading for the auditorium. You want a good seat."
"You're graduating," Mr. Martinez said as he helped Phil with his gown. He handed him his cap. He nodded for them to exit his office in the gymnasium. "There's no bad seat in the house."
Phillip laughed as he followed his father out. They heard the bottom of their shoes hit the tiled floor as they walked down the hallway.
"So, we're heading to the restaurant with the Bensons straight after the ceremony," Mr. Martinez said.
"Right Dad," Phillip said as he quickened his pace.
"I want to get a picture of you and Drew, though, before we leave for dinner," Mr. Martinez said.
Phillip almost stumbled. "Um, yeah," he said. "Did you know she's going to college in Hawai'i?"
"Wow," Mr. Martinez said as they turned the corner, "That's amazing. I'm happy for her."
"Yeah," Phillip said as his father opened the auditorium door. Phillip took in a breath as he saw the auditorium filling up with both graduates and audience members.
"Go on, Phillip," his father said. "I'm going to sit by the Malfoys."
Phillip nodded. Drew was the first person that caught his eye. She waved at him. He smiled to himself as he walked towards the other gowned graduates.
It was twenty minutes to the start of the ceremony. There were so many thoughts running through his head. The most prominent one was what Drew had shared at dinner with her family. The thought of her being five thousand miles away made his chest clench.
He shook hands with Aston and Dean. He gave Drew a hug. "We ready?" Phillip asked the group.
The four friends laughed. Aston nodded as Ashley and the Bensons entered. "Let the games begin," he whispered into Drew's ear as Phillip headed over to welcome his girlfriend.
"We should take our places," Drew said as Dean squeezed her hand.
o-o-o
Friday, 9 June, 17:15 GMT, almost 12 years ago, Graduation
"And now, we would like to call up our Valedictorian," Director Stein Timson began, "She is one of our highest achieving and more well-rounded students in recent years. She is a member of our Chess Club and has been part of the school's basketball championship teams the past two years while balancing an ambitious and rigorous academic schedule. Please join me in welcoming Drew Granger, daughter of Draco and Hermione Malfoy. She will be attending the University of Hawai'i in the fall on an academic scholarship."
The audience applauded as Drew stood from her first-row seat, where the other valedictorians, salutatorians, a few students whose last name were at the beginning of the alphabet, two professors involved in the ceremony, the two assistant directors and the director sat. She made her way up to the stage. Nervous butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She just hoped she wouldn't take a header before she reached the podium. She took a breath as she looked over the crowd.
The graduates, in their black caps and gowns, sat in the first ten rows down the center of the twelve hundred seat arena. She turned to her right and saw her family sitting in the fifth row on the left-hand side of the stage. She smiled. 'You can do this,' she told herself.
"Thank you, Director Timson, parents, families, friends, professors, faculty, alumni, honored guests, and my fellow graduates," Drew began. She nervously took in a breath. She skimmed the audience. "I am honored to speak on behalf of this year's graduating class. When we first stepped into these hallowed halls four years ago, we were but wide-eyed cubs.
"We arrived from all over the world," she continued as she nodded at Phillip who returned her smile. "We came from all walks of life. We were artists, musicians, normal kids, misfits, cool kids, athletes, and geeks. We represented the whole spectrum of differing viewpoints. We had one thing in common; we knew nothing of the world and its possibilities.
"And like all other Year 10 students, we were petulant and selfish at times. But we grew out of that phase, maturing on our own or by mentorship from our professors. We've learned to embrace those differing viewpoints and to gain a greater respect for each other. Through all the ups and downs, we've made friendships and connections that will last. We've survived our four years of challenges and we've become better young men and women for it. We can apply what we've learned here to our future endeavors.
"Our professors have instilled in us our academic foundations and have encouraged us to become global citizens. We are who we are because of the support and encouragement from each and every one of you in this audience today," she said as she made eye contact with a few of her fellow graduates. She took in a breath as Phillip smiled at her, encouraging her to continue. "We are Wellesley Lions, and as we step into the workforce, go into trade school or take on college aspirations, the world will hear us roar."
Her fellow graduates and the audience erupted to their feet, applauding. She looked at her family in the crowd. Her parents nodded at her. Her brothers whistled. Her grandparents clapped.
She looked over at Phillip. He placed his thumbs up as he smiled at her. She nodded before giving up the podium to the Director of the school who whispered, 'great job,' to her. She went back to her seat.
"Thank you, Ms. Drew Granger," Director Stein Timson began. "At this time, we will recognize the graduates. Professors Conner Ingles and Julian Kaiser will do roll call."
The two long-time professors stood at the podiums located at the opposite ends of the stage. Assistant Director Liza Thornton and Assistant Director Melanie Nguyen stood on each side of the stage, one to hand the diploma holder to the male graduates and the other to hand them to the female ones. The Director stood at the central part of the stage to shake each graduate's hand before they would walk back to their seats.
Drew looked at her row of students and nodded counting under her breath. The front row stood up in sync. The ten girls followed Drew on the left side of the stage where Professor Conner Ingles stood at one of the podiums. The fifteen boys walked to the other end of the stage where Professor Julian Kaiser stood.
Drew handed her name card to Professor Ingles who smiled at her, knowing he didn't need a pronunciation guide. "Ms. Drew Granger, University of Hawai'i, Hawai'i, U.S.A.," her English professor called as she walked across the stage where she received the diploma holder from Director Nguyen.
Drew walked forward to where Director Timson stood. He extended his hand that Drew shook. He smiled at her. "Good luck to you, Ms. Granger," he said as she walked down the steps back to the auditorium floor and headed back to her seat.
She took a deep breath, waiting for everyone in her row to return before the whole row sat down. The next row stood up.
Drew smiled as her fellow classmates' names were read. "Mr. Aston G. Baguio, Kapi'olani Community College, Hawai'i, U.S.A.," Professor Julian Kaiser said as he nodded at the graduate.
"Ms. Kelsey Benson, Syracuse University, New York, U.S.A.," Professor Ingles said. Drew blew out a breath.
"Mr. Phillip Martinez, Jr., Syracuse University, New York, U.S.A.," Professor Kaiser smiled at the lad. Phillip rolled his eyes good-naturedly before receiving his diploma holder from Assistant Director Thornton. On his way back to his seat, he nodded at Drew who nodded back. The stream of graduates walked down the center aisle returning to their seats.
"Mr. Dean Thomas, Jr., University of Cambridge, London, England, United Kingdom," Professor Kaiser said as Drew smiled. The last of the Four Horsemen had finally walked across the stage as graduates.
o-o-o
Friday, 9 June, 18:30 GMT, almost 12 years ago, Graduation
"Graduates, please stand and turn around," Director Timson instructed the graduates. "I present to you this year's Wellesley Comprehensive School graduates. Graduates take a bow.
"This concludes the formal ceremony. Thank you for attending and please get home safe."
With that the full house applauded. The Pomp and Circumstance graduation march played and the graduates were greeted by their families and friends. Phillip looked over at Drew as Kelsey reached him. Drew nodded at him before Kelsey ushered him out to where her parents were. Phillip's father joined them outside of the auditorium where many of the graduates and their families convened. 'I guess no time for a photo with Drew,' Mr. Martinez thought to himself. It was just as well. The group headed to the parking lot; they needed to get to a 7:30 p.m. dinner reservation.
o-o-o
Friday, 9 June, 18:45 GMT, almost 12 years ago, Graduation
Drew and Aston met up where the Malfoys and Thomases sat, on the left-hand side of the auditorium. They hugged and congratulated each other.
"You must be the blind date?" Mr. Draco Malfoy said, smiling and extending his hand.
"Dad," Drew said, laughing as Aston shook her father's hand. "Aston Baguio, meet the family. My Dad, Draco Malfoy. My Mum, Hermione Malfoy. Grandma Narcissa, Grandpa Lucius.
"My brothers, Junior, Hans and Heath," Drew said as Aston shook everyone's hands.
"Nice meeting everyone," Aston said.
Dean finally found his way through the masses. He found Drew and Aston. Dean shook hands with Aston and kissed Drew on the cheek.
"I'm so proud of you, Son," the blonde Pureblood mother hugged her son.
"Thanks, Mum," Dean said.
"Could you take a picture of the three of us, Mum?" Drew asked her Muggle-born mother.
"Get in close," Mrs. Malfoy said as she framed the three graduates into the shot with Drew's smartphone. "Okay, one more time."
"Thanks, Dr. Malfoy," Aston said.
"Hey, Dad," Aston said hugging his father in welcome.
"Hi Mr. Baguio," Drew said. She turned to her Dean and Aston. "I guess we should introduce everybody."
"Christian," Luna Thomas hugged her former Ravenclaw Housemate.
"I didn't think you'd remember," the Muggle-born raven-haired father said.
"Hey, Chris," Hermione also hugged the older wizard. Both Dean and Draco shook hands with their former schoolmate.
"Small world, huh?" Christian said.
"You know each other?" Dean, Jr. asked.
"Yes," the former Ms. Lovegood said. "Mr. Baguio graduated two years ahead of me. We were both in Ravenclaw together."
The three graduates looked at each other and shrugged. "Small world," Aston echoed his father's sentiments.
"So, what are you up to now, Christian?" Draco, Sr. asked.
"Continuing the family bakery business," Christian Baguio said.
"Yeah, Dad, Mr. Baguio runs the local bakery," Drew said.
"Ah," Draco nodded. He looked over at his wife, "You're that Baguio."
"I send the boys desserts and baked goods from your bakery," Hermione laughed. "I didn't even realize."
"Yeah," Christian smiled.
"You had ties to the Greengrass family, right?" Lucius Malfoy asked.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy," Christian said as he put his arm around his son's shoulders. "Astoria and I married a few years out of Hogwarts. Took us a while before we had this guy though."
Aston rolled his eyes. Drew and Dean laughed.
"She died after delivery," Christian said. It was Aston's turn to squeeze his father's shoulders.
"We're sorry to hear that, Christian," Narcissa Malfoy offered.
"Well, Aston's been with me the whole ride," Christian said as he looked at his son. "I think she's smiling down on him right now."
"Thanks, Dad," Aston said.
"Well, we should get a move on," Christian said. He looked at the Thomases and Malfoys. "Our bakery family has got a small get together going on for this guy."
"Well it was certainly nice seeing you again, Christian," Luna hugged him again. She hugged Aston. "Congratulations, Aston."
The Baguios left the two Wizarding families. The Thomases and Malfoys also headed to the parking lot. They were getting together at the Malfoys where they would celebrate their children's graduation. The Potters, Weasleys, Zabinis, and Goyles were meeting them there.
o-o-o
Friday, 9 June, 23:53 GMT, almost 12 years ago, Graduation
Drew was just about to shut her eyes in the darkness of her room when she heard the text notification. She looked at her mobile and smiled.
o-o-o
Friday, 9 June, 19:00 GMT, almost 12 years ago, Graduation
The close-knit circle of Wizarding friends had set up the backyard of the house in the Muggle suburb while the graduation ceremony took place. They watched the streaming video of the ceremony that Hermione set up.
The Malfoys and Thomases were greeted warmly when they arrived at the Malfoy residence. Mrs. Molly Weasley, hugged both Drew and Dean first, congratulating them. The two Muggle school graduates were ushered to the backyard where they were welcomed by all of the Wizarding guests.
"Let the fun begin, huh?" Dean said nudging Drew.
"You only graduate from secondary once," she smiled and rolled her eyes. With that, the graduates and guests started their celebration.
o-o-o
Friday, 9 June, 23:55 GMT, almost 12 years ago, Graduation
"Happy graduation, Drew!" Drew read the text to herself and texted back.
"Same to you, Phil. Hope your dinner date was enjoyable," she texted.
"It was nice. Normal and 'Muggle-like,'" he texted back.
She laughed. She took in a breath. "I'm sure your father and the Bensons had a lot to iron out before you two head to Syracuse."
"Yeah," he texted back. "Whole lot of things to air out."
"I hope dinner was the highlight," she texted.
"It was very nice," he texted back. "Probably not as nice as yours."
"Dean and I had a great time," she texted back.
"One chapter ends, another begins. Can you believe it?"
She paused. "That's life =)."
"Goodnight. A thousand times goodnight."
She laughed. "You know, that's my line, right."
"Ha ha! Goodnight, Drew."
"Goodnight, Phillip." Drew paused for a moment and then smiled as she put her phone on her nightstand. She shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep.