Bring Me Back Down to Earth

Prologue

Dumbledore was standing by the lake; he was giving a heartrending speech about moving on in life and never forgetting your friends. Our graduating class was facing the great man silently crying for the speech and that it was our last day.

"…And you will not forget the friends that you have made here in the past seven years. Although you probably will forget a lot of the stuff you have learned here," Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. "Most of these friends you have made will stay with you for the rest of your life, which is very important now that the days have been growing as dark as the nights."

Everyone knew what he was talking about, the Death Eater attacks had been growing by the day, more students left because of their dying families than ever before. Just yesterday a seventh year student in Ravenclaw left because of the Death Eaters and their dark ways. I was very thankful that surprisingly my family hadn't been harmed yet. It was surprising because I was from a muggle family and Voldemort was very much against anybody but a pure-blooded witch or wizard.

My thoughts we interrupted by Dumbledore, "If the Heads would be so kind to come up here please."

James and I rose out of our stiff folding chairs and walked towards Dumbledore. Both of us had prepared speeches, but now they didn't seem important anymore. Something like this should come from the heart, not a piece of parchment. Glancing at James out of the corner of my eye I realized that his eyes were puffy like he had been crying. When I saw that I knew that it didn't matter what we had been through this past year we would always be friends, and he wouldn't let me this up.

We had decided that I would start our speech first so as I got up to Dumbledore he hugged me and introduced me to the crowd, "This is our Head Girl, Lily Evans, one of the brightest girls in her class, never afraid to raise her hand and give the correct answer or ask a question. So it is my great pleasure to turn the microphone over to her."

I blushed, "Welcome fellow friends, teachers, and family," my eyes glanced over to my parents who were crying. "Today is a very important day for our graduating class; we will be leaving the protected walls of Hogwarts and going into the real world. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be able to make it. The great professors at this school have taught us how to be well prepared for the real Wizarding World. It may frighten some of us, but we have to be strong to know who are our friends and who our enemies are." I glared at Lucius Malfoy. "But today we all need to forget about that, and kick back our feet and rejoice that school is finally over!!"

"Well spoken Miss Evans. Now our Head Boy, James Potter, would like to say a few things." Dumbledore shook James' hand and I moved out of his way.

"These past seven years have flown by. Thank god." He flashed that killer smile and laughed. "We learned some very valuable information at this school. Some great people have passed through these walls of this school. I think that this graduating class will be one of the best Hogwarts has ever had. And now I think its time for Dumbledore to come up here, and get this show on the road! Congrats graduating class of 1975!!" James and I walked back to our seats and sat down.

"Now when I call your name please come up of the stage on your left, and exit on your right." I had already droned Dumbledore out when he started calling the names. It was alphabetical order within the houses, so I knew I had all of the Hufflepuff's to go threw first.

Something tapped me on the shoulder; I turned around and noticed there was a paper bird trying to get my attention. I grabbed it realizing that it was a note from James.

Hey Lils,
Your speech was awesome! Although I remember it a little different, but now we know the Head Girl is good at improvisation. Haha. I can't believe the school year is over. It feels like we just got here on the Hogwarts Express seven years ago. What are you planning to do after we graduate?
Please write back,
James

I took out a quill and ink and began to write:

James,
Thanks, your speech was pretty good yourself. I'm rather sad that school is ending. I feel as though I am going to leave everybody during the summer. In a few weeks I am moving to New York City in the United States to dance with the New York City Ballet. I'm extremely excited and can't wait to start. The weird thing is that I won't be able to use magic because I am going to be working with Muggles galore. And what are your plans after graduation?
Lily

I turned around and blew the paper bird back to James. I decided that I should probably start listening because there were only a few people that still had to go before me.

"Evans, Lily," Dumbledore said. I rose once again and headed for the stage. I was focusing on not to trip and fall to make myself look like a complete idiot. I got up the steps and sighed, I was safe. I shook hands with all of my professors and finally got to Dumbledore.
"Lily, I want you to be safe, ok?" Dumbledore asked handing me my diploma.

I took it and shook his hand. "Don't worry I will." I walked back down the right side of the stage and sat down. It was over. I would never have to learn out of a text book again.