Party Hard! Party Hard!
As I went down the stairs towards Amos, I couldn't believe the night had finally come. My years at Hogwarts were ending, which meant also the end of an era in my life. I was becoming an adult and also seeing my parents there, for the first time inserted in that weird and magical context.
"You're astonishing." Amos, dresses as lion, gave me his arm and we walked to the Great Hall. The moment we entered I had the urge to kiss James, kiss him and never let go. The Great Hall's sky was dark, with no stars, only a new moon shinning darkly up there. The four big house tables had disappeared, and in its place there were many round smaller tabled with black, green, yellow and red towels over it, and in front of the tabled reserved for the teachers there was a wooden pulpit covered in black. Owls fell from the sky taking nonexplodable luminous balloons to the guests and candles only fluctuated over the tabled, leaving the dancing floor dimly lit. On the corner of the saloon giant pumpkins had tables and couches inside, and the house elves were dressed as waiters (don't ask) and were roaming around the tables to serve anyone. It was so well done and tidy I beamed.
"I'm talking with my parents, Amos." I ignored his speech about how better decoration would be if he had made it and left. I walked to a red table and saw mum and dad waving.
"Lily!" mum sighed as she hugged me tightly, and I even felt proud of myself, somehow. They were so happy, as well as me.
"So, enjoying the decoration?" a known voice asked, and my parents smiled significantly to me. They naturally didn't know the reason why my and James has broken up, so they still loved him. Mr. and Mrs. Potter came just after, hugging me. I smiled amongst the hugs, and then walked away to have fun.
"So, how's the party with Amos?" Remus asked about an hour later when I appeared out of nowhere in the middle of him and Dorcas to talk. I grinned and looked back, hoping not to see Amos. He wouldn't stop talking about him and what his family had done that changed Wizarding history, it was starting to bother me. He appeared in the midst of the crowd, and I was running away again, thinking about how long I would have to roam around literally like a fairy until I died of exhaustion of something alike when Dumbledore called everyone's attention to the pulpit, a large smile on his face.
"Welcome to our school, parents and guests! We're here to celebrate, indeed, celebrate! Celebrate the end of a stage to our children, friends and students; celebrate because we can still be happy in the dark world. I will not linger, no, because this is their night, therefore I leave the word for our Head Boy, captain of the Gryffindor winning team of this year's school quidditch championship: James Potter!
James got on the pulpit under applauses, and bowed his head to the guests (he was dressed as Robin Hood, by the way) smiling. He cleaned his throat and gazed around, as if the was trying to find words to speak. He didn't carry any parchment.
"Well, I haven't written a speech. I don't know if it would be necessary to write down all that I feel for the years I've been here, no, it wouldn't. When I first arrived here, I had expectations, dreams. Every single student who enters here, doesn't matter if it's muggleborn or born already a wizard, have them. I had. And I must say that my expectations were rewarded with, in my opinion, is of more value that any classes of knowledge we may learn here: love. Love of your friends, who never hesitate to help. Love one for the other at a crisis. The love of your life."
When he said that, his eyes gazed intensely on mine, and I felt something warm me inside more than any other of his words. I smiled back, and he understood.
"The adventures, the lessons, tell offs, the detentions, everything made part of my life here. I've learned I can do much more than wave a wand and enunciate spells. I've learned I can use only words to help a person. I've learned a hug can heal souls. I've learned that your past doesn't matter, or from where you came from. That doesn't determine anyone's character. I've learned that the best friends are hidden inside skinny boys and freckled girls, and that that bossy brunette can be one of the most generous people in the world. I've learned that your house doesn't define you either. There are cowards Gryffindors, stupid Ravenclaws, brave Hufflepuffs, kind slytherins. I've learn to let go all the prejudiced. I've grown. I've learned with my mistakes. I've learned to fight for what was right, better; I've learned what was right. Nothing will replace the years that I've been here, and if I could, I would live them all again, just to learn everything again. Hogwarts was always a second home for me, and to everyone who participated, directly or indirectly, of my life here, I have one thing to say: thank you. I'll miss you."
When the stopped talking I burst into tears. I felt someone pass their arm around me, and when I looked beside, Sirius was drying his eyes, which were read, on his sleeve. Remus smiled in commotion, and Peter begun to clap. James ran away from the pulpit and threw himself over them, hugging his three best friends. I could feel their connection, this friendship. Sirius messed James' hair with so much affection I smiled without noticing.
"Beautiful words, Mr. Potter. Indeed, words do more magic than we'll ever learn here. Now, our Head Girl: Lily Evans!"
I got to the pulpit, so nervous I forgot what I was planning to say. Stimulated by his speech and by the smiles on everyone's face, I cleaned my throat and begun:
"I don't know if I'll be able to say so many pretty words as James just did, but I'll do my best to transmit, as he has done, all of my feelings about Hogwarts, especially for those, like me, who didn't know they were wizards and witches until the letter arrived. Unlike the ones who were raised by wizards, we had no idea what was going to happen here, and when we arrived we found a world completely different from ours. Many told we couldn't do it, told us to go home. I have only to thank Hogwarts, because it was it and many inside who made us understand we had to stay. I've found a lot. Knowledge, friendship, love. I'll never forget the things I've learned here, and I'm sure that I won't be the only one to come back if Hogwarts asks for help, just as the school will always be here for us. Thanks you very much, Hogwarts."
I smiled to the audience, which started clapping. Someone whistled, and my eyes met Sirius's as he winked amongst the people. James stared heavily at me, and only a sign was needed for me to understand there was more to be said. "Now we ask for everyone's attention to a message."
James ran to me, and as we stood beside in front of the pulpit he had we had (he really said "we") prepared a homage to some students and staff. Somehow it just felt so right. We, together, smiling to each other facing success. Somehow I had fallen in love. No like on the holiday, when all I felt was a little thing for his smile. It was love. Love for the boy who dissipated all the darkness created by this Lord, which had already consumed my best friend. Love for seeing him strong, mature and confident. Love for the man he had become. That moment, as James called the house-elves to bring the medals for the amazement of the crowd, I realized I would always be safe by James' side. That was what I wanted.
"Firstly." James announced, picking up the first medal. "According to the votes submitted by all of the students from the four houses, the best students of the year are: Remus Lupin, Mary McDonald…"
After hearing my friend's names, I didn't hear anything else. Remus was so thrilled he couldn't even hold the medal properly, and as Mary improvised some thank you speech, I felt Remus poke me:
"Did you know that?"
"No, but you do deserve this…"
"Lily, I…"
"You don't have to say anything."
Of course one of the "year's hotties" was Sirius, the "mummy's little boy" was Amos (who spent the rest of the night telling everyone who would listen that, in fact, his mother was very proud of him). Emmeline, along with two slytherins, got the "Miss Hogwarts" prize, and Marlene got the "Two House – Heart" for Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. After that James called all the elves and made everyone clap for them, and almost all the students hugged them (unfortunately there's still much prejudice, but I loved the face of Mr. Mrs. Black were Sirius grabbed Yara, torque her in the air and kissed her. The poor thing almost melted.) By the end of the prizes the music started and everyone went to the dancing floor. I decided to take a breath outside and sat on the stone stairs from the courtyard, tidying my fairy dress, when James arrived.
"May I?" he pointed to the place by my side, and I nodded. "Did you like?"
"I loved. The elves were thrilled."
"They love gratitude. They're creatures, as us. And the decoration is it original enough?"
We laughed together, and I nodded again. James came closer and looked back.
"They're all so happy. I noticed Remus talking to you, what happened?"
"Oh, nothing. I think he's in love with me." I joked, and as James widened his eyes, I decided to go on. "Amos too."
"Big list, hun. Do you mind adding one more name on this list?"
I turned suddenly to him, and nodded. James smiled, and I felt the corners of my mouth turn up. He held my hands in his and drove closer. "I'm not the same anymore." He chuckled. "I prefer that way." And still smiling, we kissed.
"AREN'T YOU DANCING?" Sirius showed up, interrupting our, hun, moment. Marlene and him, dressed as pirates, were dancing to death, and Sirius was quite high with firewhisky, Marlene rose her eyebrows when she saw me and James together again, and she pulled Sirius by the ear inside.
"Let life come, right?" James suggested as we entered.
"I don't even want to-"I was saying, but he kissed me again.
"It doesn't matter where; I'll always be there for you. You know that?"
"I do."
And we danced. In some way this was a day that imprinted on my life, and much more elements collaborated for this to be the night of my life.
All was said, time to go. This year wasn't hell, after all.