Locked Away
Chapter 6
Time To Spread The Wings
Despite all of the reassurances of "we'll only be a floo away" or "it'll be holidays before you know it", Narcissa and Madison were still dabbing at their eyes.
"Stop crying, Cissy!" Maddy croaked with conviction, "You're messing up your makeup, there's no way I'll be able to recreate that perfect blend with the concealer!"
Narcissa gave a pathetic little giggle "Your face is all blotchy."
It was June 1st.
Graduation day.
Time for last goodbyes and final dances.
And then they'd be gone.
Not forever…hopefully. No, the boys had assured their girls they'd never be far away. And the girls would be graduating next summer themselves anyway, and everything would be happy again.
But it was still a full year away.
That's twelve months.
365 days.
52 weeks.
8,765 hours.
525,948 minutes.
31,556,926 seconds.
Just to be exact.
And did I mention that there would only be two weeks of Christmas holidays? So yes, Cissy and Maddy were upset, and rightly so.
"I hate this." Narcissa looked at her reflection in the mirror, her blue eyes staring back. She'd spent a whole day at Hogsmeade with Maddy to find the perfect dress, and she'd found it: A crimson halter-necked fishtail that clung to her in all the right places. But now she wondered: what was the point, really? It was like dressing up to go to a funeral, nobody, not even the person you lost would give a damn what you wore. It was a day that wasn't about you. Minds would be focused on other things. So really, what was the point?
"I know, I do too." Madison moved to stand behind her friend.
"What'll we do for a year? With no boys I mean. We'll be taken, yet completely alone. They won't be here anymore to keep us company, to keep us occupied."
Maddy sniffed, "We'll just have to make the best of summer." True, they did still have six weeks of summer holidays, but there was no way that was any consolation. Six weeks just wasn't enough. Fact. "C'mon, I'm hungry. Let's get this over with." she latched herself onto Narcissa's elbow, dragging her out of their room.
-S-
"Do I look pretty?" Narcissa swallowed, stopping her friend just before stepping out into the Entrance Hall. Just because she thought there was no real point in dressing up, didn't mean that it wasn't important to her what she looked like; especially since it would be last time she would see Lucius until Bella's wedding in two weeks.
Madison turned to her with a small smile. "Do you really think that someone who looks like you could be anything less than pretty?"
Narcissa smirked as she contemplated this for a second. "Very true, I am a stunner aren't I?"
Maddy returned her smirk. "What would this school do without us? Sink into deepest ugliness, I think. Shame that the boys'll be gone, just makes our job to beautify this hell hole that bit harder." This made the two girls giggle madly as they stepped out into the Entrance Hall.
It was like stepping into a solid wall of sound, there were at least three hundred people bustling about, stopping occasionally to talk to a ghost or catch up with old friends. Narcissa and Madison slowly pushed their way through the throng of people before they could finally squeeze through the entrance to the Great Hall.
Madison whistled through her teeth. "Merlin, I don't think I've ever seen so many people in Hogwarts; this is absolutely crazy!" There were so many people there, it was hard to estimate the sheer number of them. They ranged from fellow students, to toddlers to grandparents.
Narcissa took a good look around, finding that at least half of the faces were familiar to her. "I think I'm related to half of these people, I wonder what father paid them to show up; 'cause I seriously doubt anybody would come willingly to Bella's graduation. Not after she scared great-uncle Tibullus to death."
Madison raised her eyebrow. "Oh? Do share, I don't believe I've heard that one yet."
"We're not really sure what happened. When she was twelve, we left her alone with him. Only for a few minutes, but when we came back, well, he was dead." Narcissa shuddered. "Bella denies her involvement to this day. But you know what she's like."
"Uh-hu." Madison nodded, gulping. Before they could imagine all the stuff that Bellatrix was capable of doing, a white haired, skeletal lady in a green leather suit came over and gave Narcissa bony hug.
"Aunt Venenifer," Narcissa squirmed awkwardly as a sharp elbow dug into her back "what a…surprise to see you here!"
Maddy sniggered as Narcissa tried to twist out of the uncomfortable embrace with her nose turned up in disgust.
"Darling, I wouldn't miss little Bellie's graduation even if Elisa von Batwing organised a private preview for next season's collection!" Aunt Venenifer's voice was shrill in Narcissa's ear. "Doesn't she look absolutely darling in those pretty little patent shoes? Seems like it was only yesterday when she first spat at a muggle, so proud of her we were." she sniffed lightly, dabbing at non-existent tears. "Oh, well, I'd better be off to find your mother. Toodles Cissypoop." she waved with her white hanky as she retreated into the masses.
Narcissa let out her breath she'd been actively holding to avoid smelling her great aunt's musky perfume; whilst Maddy was emitting a sound somewhere between snorting and giggling. "Cissypoop!" she gasped, laughing so hard that people standing around started to back away slowly and carefully.
-S-
20 minutes later, everyone seated in Great Hall…
"And now," Headmaster Dumbledore raised his hands to call for attention once again, "I would like to ask our Head Boy and Girl - Lucius Malfoy and Anna Winston - to join me up here."
From the front row where the graduates were sitting, Lucius and a short brunette rose from their seats. Lucius stepped up to the podium, shaking Dumbledore's hand before turning to the assembled crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he started, "boys and girls, fellow students and past students; Quidditch enthusiasts, Slug Clubbers, parents, grand parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, ghosts - including our very own poltergeist - Peeves, portraits and of course our dear professors; our time here in this ancient institution is coming to an end. Hogwarts, has been to the most of us a home away from home, a beautiful place and amazingly magical. There have been ups and downs, losses and gains, tears and laughter; but look at us now:" he flicked a strand of hair out of his eyes, "we've survived! Honestly, who'd have thought? And now we have the privilege of taking with us great memories and friends for life. Now, fellow graduates, as your Head Boy let me tell you something: Few of us will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." he paused for effect, "And now let me tell you something as the proud Slytherin that I am: Realise that the reason most people fail isn't because of the competition but because of the limits they place upon themselves, allowing defeat to take over. Take responsibility for your destiny." he leaned over the podium, looking at every single one of his class mates "You can come up with a performance, if you can reach down and dig deep enough into your competitive soul. You can overcome tremendous obstacles. So long as there is breath in me, that long I will persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles on success; if I persist log enough I will win! Thank you." Lucius bowed his head, stepping away from the podium.
And then the cheering started.
"Hem hem..?" Anna Winston coughed timidly, stretching to look over the podium. "Um, what Malfoy was trying to say," she said over the quietening audience "is that we'll never forget this place; and the people in it - if living, dead or painted - will always stay with us." she explained with a small nod. The crowd stayed silent, waiting for something more inspirational. The shy Gryffindor racked her brain for something to say, and in the end she just had to make something up that she hoped would bring some sort of recognition. "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." …insert short pause, "Thank you." The Hall erupted once again as the Head Boy and Girl walked off stage.
"Luce totally kicked ass." Maddy grinned at Narcissa.
-S-
Later in the evening…
"Could I please get everyone's attention." Dumbledore tapped his wand lightly against his wine glass. The swaying couples broke apart to hear what the Headmaster had to say. "Yes - you too Regulus; I'm sure that lovely young lady won't be going anywhere anytime soon."
A slightly embarrassed crooked grin spread across Regulus's face and he ran a hand through his dark hair as people chuckled at him. He even got a thumbs up from Finn!
"This evening has marked the future of all our graduates; but like every evening, there eventually comes a dawn. And it is at dawn when fledglings leave the nest to fly into a whole new world. A challenge awaits all of you, you will have to fight for your existence and explore the responsibility of independence. It is now time for you to abandon your nest and spread your wings. I would ask all our graduates to please gather outside and apparate into the real world. It's time to say farewell to your loved ones."
There was a confused murmur through the crowd until Finn finally spoke up: "But sir, you told us last year that we can't apparate within the Hogwarts grounds!" The people nodded in agreement and someone even shouted: "Bloody hell, for once Darcy's got a legitimate point!"
Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled in the starlight of the enchanted ceiling. "Ah, well you see, there are exceptions to every rule."
Narcissa looked up at Lucius, shock was not even half of what was pulsating through her mid. "But you can't go now! The party only just started!"
Lucius chuckled lightly, brushing a strand of golden hair out of her face. "It's nearly midnight Blondie, time to go. But don't worry, Bells is getting hitched soon, so we'll see each other then."
Narcissa's lip trembled but she bit down hard; no, she told herself she wouldn't cry. Not in front of a gargantuan portion of the British wizarding world. So, instead of opening the floodgates and causing a huge ruckus, she flung her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his shoulder. Lucius smiled into her curls, inhaling her rosy scent as he snaked his arms around her waist, holding her so close that he felt he'd never let go.
The pair finally tore apart when Finn tugged at Lucius's robes, "C'mon mate, nearly everyone's left." Maddy smiled at Narcissa from her position behind Finn, but moved to stand next to her best friend as the two boys left the Great Hall. "Summer's not far now." Madison said, her hand still raised in farewell.
-S-
Same time, Great Hall
"Blimey Darcy, I can't believe it's actually over. For good this time." Lucius shook his head, remembering back to that very first train ride from Platform 9 ¾ when Finn had thrown up and he himself had gotten lost on the corridor on his way back from the lavatory and couldn't find their compartment again.
"It's going to be so weird, not coming back. I mean, it already feels weird just thinking about it." Finn said, dodging a slumbering second year just lying curled up on the stone floor. "We never even got to really say goodbye to this place."
Suddenly, Lucius grabbed his friend's elbow and started dragging him up the main flight of stairs leading to the upper floors of the castle.
"Bloody hell!" Finn yelped, jumping over a missing step just in time, trying to keep up with the other blonde. "Where in the name of Merlin are you off to?" he started taking three steps at a time, then four.
Lucius glanced over his shoulder, "We're going to say goodbye. Properly."
The two boys sprinted up the moving staircases and down deserted corridors. They slipped through the secret passageways that only they knew of and hid behind tapestries whenever they thought they'd heard someone. Finally, Lucius skidded to a stop in front of a heavy oak door, with Finn lagging behind by a little, gasping for breath. "The Astronomy Tower, really Luce? Isn't it totally out of bounds?" he panted, putting his hands on his knees, still trying to catch his breath.
"Technically we're not students anymore - we're adults. So they can't tell us that it's out of bounds."
Finn grinned, "Sly."
Lucius prodded the keyhole and tapped at the door, a concentrated frown worrying his brow, and eventually it swung open with a melancholy creak.
They slowly made their way up the tightly winding staircase and were met at the top by an all-round view of the Hogwarts grounds. Finn whistled throught his teeth, "Haven't been up here since Merlin knows how long. Good old memories."
Lucius walked slowly over to the railing and leaned his elbows on it. "All the years we spent here, I never really appreciated the beauty of this place. It's funny how we become accustomed to something that should be taking our breath away on a daily basis."
Finn leaned against the edge next to his friend. "I'll miss it."
Yeah, me too…but it's time to spread out wings even if turbulence is sure to be ahead."
"We'll face it head on and conquer it."
And with that, the two boys turned to face each other and disappeared with a small crack.
You say, it's impossible to apparate within Hogwarts? Ah, well you see, there are exceptions to every rule.
AN: Not the best chappie, I know! Just please don't pelt me with Flobberworms, I'm allergic you see. Let me tell you, the next chapter is the one I know you've all been secretly waiting for: Bella's wedding! Woo! I'm hoping to have it up faster as I've spent a lot of class time secretly writing it out long hand. Shhhhhhh, don't tell!
Also, I used four quotes in the Head Boy/Girl speeches:
"Few will have the greatness to bent history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." ~ Robert F. Kennedy.
"Realise that the reason most people fail isn't because of the competition but because of the limit's they place upon themselves, allowing defeat to take over. Take responsibility for your destiny. You can come up with a performance, if you can reach down and dig deep enough into your competitive soul. You can overcome tremendous obstacles." ~ Bruce Jenner.
"So long as there is breath in me, that long I will persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles on success; if I persist long enough I will win." ~ Og Mandino.
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." ~ Goethe.
Alrighty guys, I shall see you again hopefully at Bella's wedding! And don't forget to review, Luce and Finn are still offering their services to this cause! ;)