disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does

Chapter 29: Look to the Future

On that note the rest of the school year passed by quickly. Gryffindors seized the Quidditch cup and after that the House Cup- no big surprise, really. NEWTS were as frustrating and difficult as expected- but Alina and Selena both passed with high marks. The last day of school for the graduating seventh years arrived, full of excitement and enthusiasm.

As Alina sat in her seat, watching everyone receive their diploma and shake hands with Dumbledore. Hermione Granger was given a full list of honors and achievements, along with top NEWT scores. She had already received an acceptance letter from St. Mungo's for their internship program. She planned on becoming a member of the Order and working at the Ministry eventually. It was about time that someone changed its policies.

Alina shouted and cheered the loudest as Draco strode to the front. He seemed to have no current plan, but he knew he wanted to be his own boss, to run his own corporation, or firm, or whatever he decided to do. Any occupation where he could be the sole person in control was appealing to him.

The sound level nearly blew out Alina's eardrums when the infamous Harry Potter was called to the front. Everyone knew and had understood for years now that he was destined to defeat Voldemort, though none knew how he planned on doing so. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione had decided to stick with him through it all- they would go with to Godric Hollow after Bill and Fleur's wedding and after he visited the Dursleys once more. For the moment being he would become an Order member and train to be an auror. His marks in potion just barely allowed him to be qualified for auror training.

Alina could hear Selena cheering as she walked towards Dumbledore. Dumbledore congratulated her on a few achievements, mailny her successful scholarship at Hogwarts and NEWT accomplishmnets. Her plans for the future were obscure to many, but Selena and Draco, who had just discovered it recently and had seemed extremely solemn and quiet on the subject.

However, Alina did not stop to outdo her sister in her shouts as Selena, the only sixth year to graduate with the rest of the seventh years, walked with confidence and smiles to the front. Oliver was nearby, holding quite a beautiful, petite bouquet of flowers. Selena would approve. Despite other people's warnings Selena applied to a Muggle university in the states. She planned on returning to the U.K. once more, with Oliver, to come and visit her sister.

Ron Weasley was congratulated by a many number of redheads, excluding Percy who was not there, and, like Harry, planned on becoming part of the Order and if possible, a job at the Ministry in the future. Hey- if Hermione was working there, why shouldn't he?

As the applause eneded after Zabini, Blaise, Dumbledore gave a grand speech that no one would, or even could forget. He spoke of the approaching war and conflicts and even mentioned Harry specifically in respect. At the end of it all Alina fought hard to hold back her tears. She began thinking to herself, How can I live without Selena? Without Hogwarts? Without Draco?

For, in fact, she would have to. A month before commencement Alina had decided firmly that she would tour the world, as an artist and as an intellect. To help in the war she had also planned on training as a nurse before leaving. She and Hermione would be working close by each other at St. Mungo's. Her personal Helare had said he would do the honors of teaching her, and coincidentally had suggested that she take a vacation as soon as her training was up.

Alina ha dthought about traveling with Draco, but she didn't want to deprive him of his own aspirations and desires. Instead, she had waited till yesterday to inform him. So far he had only asked a minimal amount of questions and addressed her curtly, with indifference. Alina had expected it, but nonetheless it hurt her.

But a selfish part inside of her also wanted freedom. To escape and learn to live life on her own, to see the sights she had always wanted to paint, to live without inhibitions. While she knew that was impossible, the past year had thrown her into a whirlwind of emotions and she only wanted to abandon it. Erasing her notions of staying an extra year in England, she had packed her bags and belongings to leave the very next day.

'Alina,' she whipped around. Quickly she realized Draco was inside her mind.

'Draco?'

'Alina, I need to see you. I won't see you tomorrow.'

'Why not?' she asked while pushing past various people, anxious to find him.

'Father.'

'Oh.' She stood five feet away from him and he saw her first. After a short pause Alina ran into his arms, as he swung her around lightly, kissing her soflty on the forehead. 'I'm sorry,' she thought.

'It's your life, Alina. Who am I to stop you? What could I even do to stop you?'

'It's just that it's- it's something I have to do, you know?'

'No, I don't. But I'm sure someday I will.' he sighed mentally and held her tighter. 'You know I can't live without you,'

'And you know that I can't live without you,' she thought back. 'But I have to.. I don't know how to explain it. Restoring myself? I don't know,' she shook her head, confused herself.

'How long?' he asked finally.

'I don't know. Maybe six months. Maybe after the war is over. Maybe in years.' she thought. Draco looked away, keeping back uncharacteristic tears that were welling up.

'Why Alina?' he turned to look at her. 'I could go with you and start my life with you. You don't know what could happen during the war. Do you not want to be with me? How can I just wait for however long it takes you?'

'Then don't. Don't wait for me, just to start your life,' she said honestly, looking at him. Draco shook his head again.

'You don't get it, do you? I can't. You don't want me to and you know I don't want to.' Draco placed a hand on her cheek, wiping away a single tear that had slid down on her face.

'I'm sorry,' was all she could say.

'Aren't you always,' he said sarcastically, smiling a bit. She smiled too and rested her head on his chest, glad they wouldn't be departing with anger towards each other.

'I'll wait for you, Alina. Promise you'll wait for me," he said, his stormy gray eyes overwhelming her own.

"I promise," she whispered. And he quickly disappeared after a quick kiss and hug, searching around for his father. After he blended into the crowds and she could no longer see his shining platinum blonde hair she turned around, trudging towards a huge group of people, who were waiting to see her. Their attention was focused on Selena at the moment, but as soon as they saw her they rushed towards her, engulfing her in a semi-mob. Lilith was a bit taller, Andrew had definitely grown but hadn't yet reached puberty yet it seemed, and Mike had definitely shot up, even though he was only ten. Her mother and father were crying with joy and Alina allowed herself to cry with them. "Are you watching Uncle Chris? I've missed you, and I wish you were here..." she thought to herself. "But you are here. Always," she said, looking at her family and wiped away her tears, a new expression on her face.

"We did it sis- one full year of Hogwarts," she smiled and hugged her sister.

"Yea, we did." Alina smiled back at her and let her go as she went to introduce Oliver to the rest of the family. Alina walked around the whole grounds, looking at the wide expanse of the lake and the dense Forbidden Forest, and Hagrid's hut in the background. She looked upwards towards the school and observed its massiveness, the sheer magnificance of a school that old. Mentally imprinting these images upon herself she went back to her sister and their friends and sighed, fully prepared to face the harsh reality of the world.