Last one guys!! *sniff* -HP does not belong to me, sady-

Chapter Nineteen:- Out to Face the World.

When Lily told the girls the happy news, there were hugs and kisses all round. They oh-ed and ah-ed over her ring. Sirius and Remus congratulated James wholeheartedly…but Peter hadn't talked much since he got back from visiting his uncle. The others, however, agreed that the ball was something they would never forget.

But, as fantastic as it had been, the seventh years were soon faced with the harsh reality that NEWTs were coming up. Jaye and Tara studied to all hours of the night, pouring over Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms theory. Sometimes the whole group met in the ROR to practice the spells and charms they'd need for the exams on each other. Peter was by far the worst wizard in the grade, but with James, Remus and Sirius' help, he managed to master the basics which would guarantee him a pass at least.

At long last, the final exam of the year was over and the seventh graders were free. Free, that is, to worry over how many NEWT's they'd gotten and to puzzle over what they truly wanted to do. None of them could truly fathom that this was the end of a chapter of their lives. The world seemed so big and so distant when they were in the first year…and true enough, it was still vast, but so close it was scary.

There was much hugging and kissing at the last breakfast in the Great Hall. Jaye and Remus were inseparable, as were Ana and Sirius. James and Lily had stood up in front of the cohort and delivered their last speech as Head Boy and Girl. Then the teachers came down from the staff table to mingle with the students.

"Jaye Kline." Professor Bhoy shook her hand. "I want to see your name up there with the great healers of our time, alright?"

"Yes sir!" Jaye blushed. It was rare for Bhoy to give out compliments like that.

"And Remus," Their teacher moved on. "I have no doubt in my mind that you'll accomplish whatever you set out to do."

"Thank you sir!"

The couple received similar sentiments from all their Professors. Last, but not least, to wish the couple well was Dumbledore. He strode up to them, a twinkle in his eyes and skip in his step.

"Now Remus, I see you followed my advice."

Jaye looked at Remus curiously. "Yes, sir. I did." He said, taking Jaye by the hand.

"Good, and do remember what I told you…there is no greater magic than love. Jaye, take care of him."

"I will sir. Thank you."

"Good luck to you both."

Before the truth had fully set in to their minds, the Marauders and the girls were standing in the sunshine, unsure of where to go or what to do.

"So." Tara said.

"So." Jaye replied. They looked at each other and laughed. Laughed at nothing. It was so good to know that there would be no more tests, no more lessons. Little did they realise that life was full of lessons and tests.

"Jaye," Tara burst out excitedly. "Alastor sent me an owl last night. It's official, I'm going to be an Auror!"

"That's fantastic!" Jaye embraced her best friend, feeling this bizarre sense of happiness and profound sadness that Tara had already found her place in the world.

"The only thing is, I have to start training right away. There's Alastor now!" The young man flew down to them and dismounted his broom.

"Ready to go Tara?" She turned to Jaye. The girls hugged tightly again, scared to let go of each other, to let go of the past.

"Write to me often, alright?" Jaye said. Tara nodded, happy and sad at the same time. The rest of the group watched as Alastor and Tara flew away. They were left once more in silence.

"You know." Remus said. "I could really use a holiday."

Jaye grinned at him, and held him close, glad that someone else was unsure of what they should be doing.

"I've heard Australia's good this time of year!" Ana put in, also in high spirits. She wanted to spend as much time with Sirius as she could before going back to school.

"I've got a beach house there!" Jaye smiled. "It sleeps about four comfortably, one double bed and two singles. But with a bit of magical tweaking…"

Plans soon unfolded, the group coming up with dozens of places where they had relatives and ties. Australia was the first stop and then…in fact, they travelled all over the world. But that's another story…

Be my friend, hold me

Wrap me up, unfold me

I am small, I'm needy

Wrap me up…Just Love Me