Chapter 14: The Final Weeks
By the middle of May, Hogwarts was back to its normal, mostly predictable ways. Quidditch resumed and the final match would be between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff which would also determine the winners of the House Cup. James was probably the most stressed person in all of Hogwarts right now. Not only did he have to worry about his N.E.W.T.s but he also was trying to keep his team in shape for the final match and keep up with Lily and all their duties as heads. All of Lily and James' friends tried to help out wherever they could but they couldn't do his studying for him.
A week before the final match found James sitting in the library, furiously working on a potions essay. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice that someone sat across from him. He also almost missed the fact that this person yanked his parchment away from him mid-sentence.
"Hey!" James shouted looking up. Sitting across from him with James' parchment in their hand was Lily.
"Oh! He speaks!"
"Give me back my essay. I need to finish it." James pleaded.
"You need to take a break. This" Lily waved his essay "can wait."
"Lily, I love you, but that cannot wait. If I don't finish that now, I will have to wait until after practice tonight and I don't know when that will finish."
"Oh, did I forget to tell you? I must have. Silly me. I cancelled your practice tonight." Lily told him in the most nonchalant way.
"YOU DID WHAT?!"
Every head in the library turned towards their table glaring at James for making such a racket. Exams were coming up and fifth and seventh years were trying to prepare themselves the best they could.
"Calm down James. Every single member on your team came up to me and asked if there was anything I could do to get them a night off. They need a break and so do you. So I told them that practice was cancelled tonight and I would handle you. You cannot imagine the relief on their faces."
"Lily. That's not your decision to make. I'm captain and I know what's best for the team. And cancelling practice so close to the final match is not best for the team." James whispered furiously.
Lily steeled her shoulders and took a deep breath before responding.
"While I understand how important this match is, running yourself and your team members into the ground will not help. One break will do wonders for everyone. You and your team can rest and relax and build your energy back up. Don't think I don't know that you have practically been skipping every meal this month to have more time for everything."
James and Lily just stared at each other, neither backing down. James could understand what Lily was saying but didn't want to believe it. This was his last chance to win the Quidditch Cup and he wasn't going to let McGonagall down. But as he sat there he could feel how tired he was and slumped back in his chair looking away from Lily.
"Yeah. I guess you're right. I just want this so badly."
"I know you do. I want this too. And your team wants it just as badly but everyone needs a break sometimes. You have been running your mind and body ragged for weeks."
They sat there in comfortable silence for several moments. Not sure what to do, Lily set James' essay back in front of him and told him to come find her when he was finished with the essay.
It was about two-thirty in the afternoon when James finished the essay and packed up his stuff. He had an inkling about where Lily was but he wanted to drop his stuff off first. Stopping in the common room, James found several fifth years milling about before he ran up to his dorm. None of his friends were there and he was okay with that. About to go find Lily, he caught his reflection in the mirror and decided that he should probably take a shower. His hair was almost matted instead of its usual messy look and he had bags under his eyes. A shower would most definitely make him feel better.
As he stood in the shower, he got a little lost in thought and was reminiscing about his time at Hogwarts. He could not believe that he was almost finished with school. He had come so far from that rambunctious first year he was. Now he was eighteen, had the best friends in the world, the best fiancée, and was unfortunately leaving school at the beginning of a war. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do about anything anymore. He obviously wanted to marry Lily and start a life with her but he didn't need to work even though he thought about becoming an auror. The pending war made him want to help out and be a part of something. He knew about the Order of the Phoenix but had no idea how to become a member or if they would even take him. He wasn't sure that any seventh years knew what to do anymore. His friends were probably just as confused as he in the after Hogwarts stage.
James realized he had been standing in the water for a very long time and he was very pink by now. He finished up his shower and stepped out into a very steamy bathroom. Using his wand, James cleared out the steam and looked in the mirror again. He still had his wiry, muscular frame but you could tell he had lost some weight. But overall he looked much better.
The dorm was still empty when he opened the bathroom door and began to get curious as to where everyone was. Noticing it was almost three-thirty, James quickly got dress and went to find Lily. He wasn't sure exactly where she was but he had a good idea and just let his feet take him there while his mind wondered. Eventually he made it outside and just looked around at all the students on the grounds. There were students dipping their feet in the lake and others sitting in or under trees. James loved when the grounds looked like this. So full of life like no one had a care in the world. As he kept walking, he spotted his friends on the far side of the lake. Sirius and Remus were chatting animatedly, Frank was chiming in every once in a while, and Peter was quietly reading a book. The girls were all sunbathing, chatting about who knows what but Lily was not with them. James didn't expect she would be. As he kept walking he was just mildly keeping an eye on everything. His time as Head Boy would be over soon enough but he couldn't be slacking just yet.
Soon enough he was coming upon the cliff that he had taken Lily to on their first official date. As he suspected, Lily was sitting there on a blanket, reading a book. She didn't look up as he sat behind her, she just leaned into him as he snaked his arms around her.
"Thank you for being so wonderful." He whispered in her ear.
"You are most welcome, James."
For the next hour they just sat together, not speaking much, just looking out over the lake. Lily was the first to break that serene moment.
"James?"
"Yes, Love?"
"How are you doing?"
"I'm good. I really am."
"Really? Because we've all been worried about you. I just don't want you to get burned out."
"I know. And I think the small kick in the arse that you gave me will help. Sometimes I just get so focused that I lose sight of the other important things in my life."
"I hope you know that I am always willing to give you a kick in the arse." Lily smiled teasingly.
"I wouldn't dream of anyone else touching my arse." James replied with the straightest face he could. Lily giggled and shoved him backwards. Following his movements, Lily laid on top of James slowly kissing his jaw all the way up to his lips. She captured them with hers and they snogged for a little while, just being intimate with each other, something they had neglected for weeks.
When they both came up for air, they smiled and decided to just lay there in each other's arms, basking in the May sun. Eventually, their stomachs began to rumble and they decided they should head back to the castle. Trying to keep a few more minutes of the beautiful outdoors, they took the long way back and found that some students were just making their way back into the castle. Their friends happened to be on their way in too, so James and Lily paused and waited for them to catch up.
"Look who took a shower!"
"Shut up Padfoot." James glowered.
"I was merely making an observation. No need to get hostile." Sirius said sweetly, dodging James' fist.
"I know I looked wretched. No need to rub it in."
The group made their way into the Great Hall just as dinner started. James didn't realized how famished he really was and scarfed down an entire plate of chicken. Lily looked mildly disgusted at how much he was eating but let it go because she knew how much stress he had been putting on himself lately. After dessert, Lily convinced everyone to keep up the relaxing evening by joining James and herself in the Head's common room. The rest of the evening was spent in merriment as the friends just hung out as teenagers for one of the final times at Hogwarts.
A week later found all of Hogwarts out in the Quidditch stadium making enough noise to intimidate the professionals. It had been a while since Hufflepuff had been in a Quidditch final and all houses except for Gryffindor were cheering for them. The day was turning out to be perfect, a mostly sunny blue sky with a warm breeze, any Quidditch players dream. The teams were flying around the stadium, warming up while spectators trickled in. The announcer was testing the microphone and bets were being placed. The referee blew the whistle, signaling for the players to head back into their lockers room and that the game would begin in ten minutes.
"Welcome to the Quidditch Final! Our teams today are the fearsome lions of GRYFFINDOR!" Anthony Bennett of Ravenclaw announced, pausing for the cheers. "And playing against them are the troublesome badgers of HUFFLEPUFF!" Even more cheers were heard for them. "In just a few minutes our two teams will emerge once again from their locker rooms to play for the final time this year. Each team has done remarkable things over the course of the school year and this announcer believes that we have two of the very best teams Hogwarts has seen in many years playing against each other. I think we are all thrilled that the weather today is just so perfect for a friendly game of Quidditch."
"And here comes the Hufflepuff team! First out of the gate is Keeper, Captain Marshall Hill followed by the chasers Jenny Bates, Paul Shaw, and Gregory Young. The beaters are next with Yule Thomas and Isaac Jones. And bringing up the rear is Seeker Paisley Ridge. Let's give a cheer for the Hufflepuff team!"
"Here comes the Gryffindors! Up first is Captain James Potter who is followed by his fellow chasers Ben Gordon and Alyssa Hewitt. The beaters are next with Jonathon Bleat and George Harper. Their wild Keeper Susan Jacobs. And pulling up the reigns is Seeker Maria Stanley. This is the last chance for Captain James Potter to snag the Quidditch cup."
"This should be one rousing game of Quidditch everyone! With the seekers matched up almost perfectly and the chasers taking no shit from anyone, this is anyone's game." Lily could hear the announcer being scolded by McGonagall in the background and smiled.
"The Captains are shaking hands, everyone is in formation waiting. And the whistle is blown! The game begins!" The whole stadium cheered as the players took to the air.
"And it's Potter with the quaffle, soaring down the pitch. He passes it to Gordon which is almost intercepted by Young. Back to Potter, over to Hewitt and she shoots and it's saved by Hill."
"Bates with the quaffle, racing across field, dodging bludgers and people. Quick pass to Shaw who shoots and misses. A great save by Jacobs."
After about an hour of play the score was tied at 30. Lily couldn't believe some of the saves the keepers had been making. She kept on cheering for James and the team knowing her voice would be hoarse in the morning. There was still no sign of the snitch and the players were receiving very minor injuries which was unusual for a final.
"And James Potter calls for a time out. This is turning out to be a great game. The chasers are really keeping the keepers on their toes."
While the announcer was wasting time, James was formulating a play with his team. He had noticed a weakness in Hill's game and wanted to take advantage of it.
"Everyone understand?" With multiple nods, James went on "Good. Now Maria, just keep searching for that snitch and boys keep those bludgers away from everyone. You're doing a great job already, keep it up. Gryffindor on three."
"And with that everyone, the game resumes. Potter with the quaffle, drops it to Hewitt who barely touches it and passes it to Gordon. Back to Potter and he shoots and SCORES! Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Lily kept watching and saw that Gryffindor was taking advantage of the other keeper's weakness. The score steadily grew to 70-40 and Marshall Hill just couldn't save those passes. Clearly that was something he would need to work on.
"There goes Stanley racing toward what I can only assume is the snitch. Ridge is quickly closing in. Ten points to Hufflepuff. What a beautiful throw by Bates. Poor Jacobs must have been distracted by the sudden snitch sighting. The seekers are still racing around the pitch. Neck and neck and they quickly turn toward the sky, matching each other and the snitch's spastic movements. 80-50 as Gordon scores for Gryffindor."
"Out in the middle of the pitch, the seekers are dodging bludgers and each other trying to catch this snitch. AND THEY CRASHED INTO ONE ANOTHER! THE SEEKERS ARE DOWN! In a turn of events, the seekers bumped into each other too hard and took the other down with them. No one knows what happened exactly but they both hit the ground pretty hard. And they seem to be alright, both moving. Game play has paused and MARIA STANLEY HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS! FINAL SCORE IS 230-50!"
Lily could see Maria sitting up, holding her shoulder awkwardly but with the snitch in her hand. She was smiling and being a good sport to Paisley, who she could tell was disappointed but also holding her shoulder awkwardly.
"Wow folks, what an amazing finish to a game. It looks like the seekers will be alright. I am very impressed with these two teams and their displays of sportsmanship and talent here at the final Quidditch match of the school year. I could not have predicted this outcome. I want to thank all of you spectators who have let me announce these matches for the last five years. It has truly been a wild ride. Signing off for the final time, this is Anthony Bennett, have a marvelous last month of school. Cheers."
As the teams shook hands, the crowd cheered for Anthony as he took a bow and went and joined his friends. The crowd finally made it onto the field where the team was celebrating. Maria was on the shoulders of Jonathon and George. Dumbledore was handing James the Quidditch Cup while McGonagall was standing nearby, beaming proudly. The crowd parted enough to let a picture be taken and then quickly closed in around the team.
"Mr. Potter, I am very proud of the display today and the team you assembled. Well done. I'm pleased to be keeping that cup in my office for another year." McGonagall patted James on the shoulder and left with Dumbledore.
James was beaming and hadn't noticed Lily because Sirius had captured his attention. Lily tapped James on the shoulder and he swung around to see who it was. When he caught sight of Lily, he pulled her to him and lifter her in the air. Then he dipped her and gave her the silliest, happiest kiss ever. A flash went off indicating someone had taken a picture. The whole of Gryffindor house looked on and cheered. When they came up for air, they were both red.
The crowd started dispersing as they realized it was time for lunch. The team headed to the locker room and James told Lily he would find them when he was finished. He watched Lily meet up with her friends and they began the trek back to the castle. Remus patted him once more on the back before following the girls. James quickly ran to the locker room in hopes of catching all of his team before they left.
Luckily they were just stripping off their protective gear when James walked in. They were all chatting happily, with Maria having the biggest smile of all. When James stood before them, they all quieted down, waiting for him to say something, like he always did at the end of a match.
"I have few words today because I am so overwhelmed with so many emotions. First, I want to say how proud I am of you for the display today. It was marvelous. Second, this has been a fantastic year and I couldn't have asked for a better team. You all worked together and showed me the meaning of teamwork. I hope you all come back next year and I wish the next captain all the luck in the world. Lastly, I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful year you have given me. Even if we hadn't of won, I would still be this proud. So thank you. I hope we can keep in touch."
James decided to stop there because he could feel himself getting choked up. Each team member got up and gave James a hug or a handshake and a pat on the back. They all thanked him too because he truly made them better players.
Lunch was almost over and Lily still hadn't seen James. The rest of the team trickled in over the course of the meal but still no James. She decided to gather up some food for him and see if he was still down in the locker room. She bid her friends farewell and started down the hill. When she opened the door she saw James standing in a towel, gathering his dirty uniform up. She almost dropped the food. There was just something about him standing practically nude with wet hair that made Lily all tingly inside.
Apparently, she made a noise because just as she stopped, he looked up. With that stupid smirk on his face, he motioned for her to come closer. She sat the food down on a bench and walked over to him. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and told her to wait a moment while he finished getting dressed. Lily sat down in front of his locker and waited patiently. She smiled at the thought that his body would belong to her forever.
Lily didn't notice James walk up behind her, so she was startled when two arms snaked around her waist. James began kissing her neck until Lily couldn't take it anymore and turned around and captured his lips. They held that kiss for a while, neither moving. When James' stomach rumbled, they pulled apart and laughed.
"Come on stomach, you couldn't have waited!" James admonished his stomach making Lily laugh.
"Apparently not. But that reminds me, I brought you lunch. Since it didn't look like you were going to show up anytime soon, I figured you would like something. Why were you still in here? All of your teammates had wandered in already."
"First off, thank you for the food. Second, I ended up sitting in here just thinking for a while. Soaking up the sounds and smells of the locker room. I've spent a great deal of time in here and out on the field while we've been at school and I just wanted once last chance to remember the feeling of this place. Nostalgia if you will." James explained as he started on his food.
"That makes sense. I never thought about it but you're right, we don't have much time left and it would be nice to just sit somewhere and soak in everything one last time." Lily grabbed James' hand and gave it a squeeze. He winked back at her.
"I'm really proud of you today. That was a great game and you are a great captain. What a great way to leave."
"Thanks love, I'm really proud of the team too. They worked so hard all year for this and to see them get this kind of accomplishment is just the best feeling in the world."
"They did, but don't put your accomplishments on the back burner. You worked just as hard as they did and you garnered their respect. There have been a lot of Quidditch captains who are not respected by their team. You did them and yourself proud. Not to mention McGonagall gets to keep the cup one more year."
James laughed heartily and leaned over to kiss her. "You are the most wonderful person in the world."
With the Quidditch final over, the only thing the fifth and sevenths years had left to tackle were their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. Everyone could be seen cracking a book or rummaging through their notes trying to absorb any final detail they may have missed. The fifth years would take the written part in the morning while the seventh years took the practical part and vice versa in the afternoon. The last test for the seventh years was Transfiguration. After a week of other tests, everyone was ready to be done. James and Lily could be found in the Head's Common room practicing with their friends trickling in and out.
At lunch, you could see seventh years flipping through pages of notes while the fifth years were practicing wand movements. To anyone else it was quite comical. At the end of the day, the seventh year Gryffindors settled into the Head's Common room with butterbeer, firewhisky, and lots of snacks curtesy of the house elves. The rest of that night was spent drinking and laughing and celebrating that they were finished with exams.
With two weeks left in the school year, the teachers didn't have anything left to teach the seventh years. Some just let them talk throughout the class while others set them to basic work to keep them busy but it always ended in them talking. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were trying something new. They both let the students vote on a new topic for each class that they could learn about. Something outside what their standard school texts taught. For example, in Charms class they started the topic of Fidelius Charms, which could come in handy with the changing times.
The night before their last day of classes, the seventh years decided to roam the castle, reminiscing about their time here. They laughed at memories of pranks or silly things that happened in a certain part of the castle. Eventually they ended up outside sitting by the lake. They stayed there until night fell and knew they should be getting back inside.
"Well seventh years, I just wanted to say what a privilege is has been to teach you students for the past seven years. There were times when we all wanted to rip our hair out but we made it through together. I wish you well on your future endeavors and I look forward to learning what those may be. As a farewell, I am letting you out of class to do as you wish for the rest of the day. Good Luck to you all."
The sevenths years cheered and gathered their things. McGonagall stood by the door and shook hands with each person wishing them well. When she turned back toward her desk, the Gryffindors were standing there waiting for her. She had a look of mild surprise on her face not expecting them to be there.
"What are you still doing here?"
"Well, we wanted to thank you personally for everything you have done for us over the years." Lily responded first.
"We know at times we could be difficult but why you stayed and put up with us, I will never know." James added.
"You have been the best Head of Gryffindor House that we could have hoped for." Alice said.
"When we doubted ourselves or thought we couldn't do something, you always made sure that we knew we were capable of anything." Frank said.
"You put up with the boys' prank and their antics." Emily said.
"You helped us grow into the people we are today." Peter said.
"Whenever we were in need, you were always there to help us." Mary said.
"At times, I never thought you would be on our side, but hey I've been wrong before." Sirius said.
"So thank you. For putting up with us and teaching us much more than what is written in books." Remus finished.
In all her time here at Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall had never been more proud of any of her students. With a smile on her face she hugged each seventh year. Something she never does.
"I have never been more proud of anyone in all my time. You are most welcome for everything. And don't tell anyone this because I will deny it but you have truly been my favorite students since I began teaching."
The seventh years smiled and hung around talking to their professor for a little longer before she shooed them out of her classroom. The next day before the train left, there was a new framed picture sitting on her desk that mysteriously appeared. It was taken by the lake with the subjects goofing off like they normally do. It became one of Minerva McGonagall's most prized possessions. Next to the Quidditch Cup of course.
At the final feast, everyone was in high spirits. All the students were happy that summer was upon them. And everything was a little bittersweet for the seventh years. The feast was spent with everyone telling stories and sharing wisdom. Before the food appeared though, Dumbledore stood up and announced the winners of the House Cup to be Gryffindor. The outstanding display by the Quidditch team sent the house into first place followed by Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and then Ravenclaw.
Halfway through dinner, nine notes discretely appeared on the plates of the Gryffindor seventh years. The other students didn't seem to notice while they opened the notes. Each said the same thing.
10 p.m. My Office.
It was clearly from Dumbledore and then the ink on the parchment faded and the parchment itself disintegrated. They all went back to their meals and conversations, ignoring the hippogriff in the room. Dessert was served and shortly after Dumbledore rose to speak again.
"I must say I am flummoxed as to where the time has gone. Another year over and you all are another year wiser. I have but one piece of advice for you this summer and that is to be careful. I hope that our first years had a wonderful year of school. And I would like to wish our seventh years the best of luck in your future. I certainly hope that you learned all that you could during you time here at Hogwarts and much more than your professors could teach you. You will be missed. Have a safe and happy summer students and I will see you this fall."
The Great Hall clapped for Dumbledore while he sat down. The dessert was finished and students mingled throughout the hall. Tomorrow everyone would leave on the train to enjoy their summers while the seventh years would be sitting in anticipation for their exam results. Hoping to get the job.
It was nearing ten when the Gryffindors headed toward Dumbledore's office. Upon arrival, James gave the password and up the stairs they went. A simple knock on the door and they entered the cozy office. Dumbledore waved them to the seats in front of his desk and he looked each one in the eye before he spoke.
"Thank you for meeting me tonight. I know this is not how you want to spend your final evening as students but I have a pressing matter that I hope will be of interest to you. Before I begin, I must warn you that what I will be asking of you is dangerous and should not be a decision made lightly. If any of you would like to leave, you may and I nor anyone else will hold it against you." He paused, waiting for anyone to leave if they wished. When no one got up, he waved his wand, warding his office against eavesdroppers. When he gazed back at his students, he couldn't help but get a little sentimental. They had come a long way since they first set foot in the castle and he was saddened to ask them for help because they had such bright futures. Alas, he needed them or rather, the war needed them.
"I have created an organization to fight the war against Lord Voldemort. We help protect those who cannot protect themselves against his forces. Unfortunately, we do not have the numbers that we need to fight this war. That is where you come in. I am asking you to join this group and fight among others who do not believe in his cause. I am asking you to join the Order of the Phoenix."
They all just stared at Dumbledore, not believing what he was saying. A few had dreamed about being members of this organization but knew that it would never be a possibility. Now here it was being handed to them on a silver platter.
After several moments, Lily gained her senses back and was the first to speak.
"Why us? What can we do to help the cause?"
"You are young and have a different, fresh way of thinking. Sometimes it takes the younger generations to speak up to show the older ones where they are going wrong. You are all talented as well and can hold your own. I have no doubt that you will be an asset to the cause in not only protecting but in defending."
"That's great and all but we're only eighteen. That's a lot of pressure to put on us." Remus added.
"I agree it is but I would not ask this of you if I did not think you could handle it. I have seen you all grow over the past seven years. I have seen much more than you think I have." Dumbledore finished with a twinkle in his eye. The boys gulped a little bit at that because they knew what they had gotten up to in the past.
"I will let you think and discuss among yourselves for a bit. I will go fetch some tea."
Dumbledore left through a door behind his desk and the Gryffindors sat there for several minutes just thinking. What should they do? Is this really the best course of action for them? Those were the kinds of questions running through their heads.
"I'm going to do it." Sirius said first.
"You didn't think about that very long, did you?" Emily asked with a smirk on her face.
"No, I did but this is what I've been looking for. I want to help, I want to make a difference for someone. This war needs to end and I want to be part of that movement."
"Well, if Sirius is in, so am I." Peter said with a waver in his voice.
Everyone followed in agreeance for mostly the same reasons. Shortly after, Dumbledore came back with the fixings for tea and everyone took some.
"So can I assume a decision has been made?" Everyone looked to James, who was decided would be the voice for them, and James looked back confirming what everyone said earlier.
"Yes sir, we all accept."
"Wonderful. I truly appreciate your help. I will tell you that the other members will also need to approve of this decision. I have no doubt that they will all agree but that will be discussed at a later time."
For the next few moments, Dumbledore explained what would happen next. He answered any questions they had and once the tea was gone he sent them on their way with a goodnight and a good luck.
Back in the common room, the seventh years enjoyed their last night at Hogwarts. Stories were told and other students joined in with their memories. It could not have ended more perfectly.
After breakfast, the students brought their trunks and other belongings down to the carriages or other designated areas. The Gryffindor seventh years got up early for an early breakfast and a last trip through the castle and grounds. The boys went their own way and the girls went theirs. Lily ran her hands over surfaces of the castle trying to remember every last detail. Mary stood in several spots just looking around, taking it all in. Emily couldn't help but smile at certain areas where memories were made. Alice smelled everything she could to keep those memories fresh. Frank met up with some of his friends from other houses to hang out one last time.
In another part of the castle, the boys were getting up to trouble one last time. Peter was holding the Marauder's Map keeping an eye on nearby people while the other three were trying to break into Filch's office. Once they were in, they quickly booby-trapped his office and locked it back up. As they rounded the corner, Peter ran straight into Filch. Unfortunately for them, he confiscated their map because he deemed it dangerous.
When they met back up with the girls, they were severely defeated looking. They explained to the girls what happened but Lily made them all feel better by telling them that it was okay and they were just leaving it behind for the next troublemakers who are able to break into Filch's office. They were all quite happy about that and joined the girls on their walk to the boat house.
The boats looked exactly the same as they did seven years ago. They could really only fit two or three in a boat instead of the four when they were eleven. Once all the seventh years were seated, the boats started moving and everyone turned to look at the castle. It was just as mesmerizing as when they saw it for the first time. Everything was sparkling in the sunlight almost blinding the admirers. Everyone was just trying to soak up the last bit of wonderment that they could. Once they got off the boats everything would be different.
The boats began stopping at the shore and no one wanted to leave. But when the train whistle blew its ten minute warning, the sevenths years took one last look and began making their way towards the train. On the train platform, last minute things were happening. Exchanges of addresses for new friends and exchanges of miscellaneous items between old friends. It was a whirlwind of excitement.
"I can't believe this is it." Emily lamented. "We are no longer students at Hogwarts."
"I know. It's a weird feeling knowing that we will be doing other things that aren't homework or tests. We'll have jobs that may or may not make a difference in this world." Lily added.
No one had much to say after that. The train was on its way back to Kings Cross Station and the lunch trolley came and went. The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about nonsense and silly things. Once the train started to slow down, the group gathered their things and waited for most of the train to clear out. Out on the platform there were last minute hugs between friends and one last kiss between boyfriends and girlfriends.
"Well, I guess this is it for a while." James said with everyone nodding in agreement.
Frank and Alice were the first to leave. They hugged and shook hands with everyone promising they would write and that they would see each other relatively soon. Remus, Peter, and Mary were next. Each needed to get home to their families. Sirius was going to meet Emily's family so he was traveling with her and they left. The last ones standing on the platform were James and Lily. Unable to move, they stood hand in hand watching the people on the platform. When they were one of the last people there, they slowly made their way out.
"This is it James. The start of the rest of our lives."
"I'm ready when you are." Lily took a deep breath and pulled James through to the other side. They made their way out to the apparition point.
"Ready?"
"Ready." And they spun on the spot into their new lives.