Hooray! Year Seven! I don't know if I'm going to add more chapters after this one…so review and tell me what you think I should do.
LPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLP
Year Seven, Graduation
Lily Potter wanted to laugh, cry, scream, and collapse from exhaustion all at the same time. Emotions were tearing their way through her, refusing to stop their restless bouncing on her insides. For now, her close-fitting black dress robes were doing a great job of keeping these emotions inside of her. In one hour's time, Lily would no longer be a part of Hogwarts.
She was planning to go straight into training to become an Auror after school was officially over. Both of her parents approved of this plan, so it would be put into action as soon as possible. She had sent in her application two months ago, and was currently awaiting an answer from the training center.
Waiting was frying her nerves. Her father assured her that there was no need to worry. He had been accepted after seven years of mischief-making and less than spectacular grades. Lily reminded him of that extraordinary feat he had accomplished against the Dark Lord, but he still insisted that with her grades, they would have to accept her. She wouldn't know if he was right until next month, however.
For now, she would have to occupy her time with graduating. In less than one hour, at twelve o' clock noon, she would be walking down the aisle to a life outside of Hogwarts. She was both terrified and thrilled with this prospect. She knew nothing outside of Hogwarts, besides her family. She would have to move away from home into a flat or a dormitory. She would have to make new friends. Lucile wished to become a healer, Scott a patron for the rights of magical creatures. They would be leaving her to enter training for their respective jobs and she would be all alone. Lucile was even talking about going to Greece to pursue a career there, with Garrett.
Lily knew that Lucile harbored feelings for him, and therefore knew that this option was a good one for her. She had a suspicion that the pair would eventually get married. Still, she didn't want Lucile to leave her. Scott had broken up with her months ago, claiming that he was bored with their relationship, but he still hung out with her more than he did with anyone else. Lily still carried around a sweet, strong adoration for him, but she did not let on to it under any circumstances. His picture was still the last in her locket, where it had been placed on his last birthday. Lily just could not tell him any of this information. In an hour, they would be moving on. He would find someone else and she would eventually find someone else, too. She harbored no hopes that they would get back together—no, those hopes had faded months ago—but she still wished that he still had feelings for her. It was always nice to know that someone cared about you.
Parents, friends, and relatives were shuffling into the seats packed into the Quidditch pitch, facing an immense stage. Lily and the other graduates were gathered behind a curtain next to said stage. Lucile was getting her dress robes tailored, and Scott was off somewhere, probably saying farewell to his Ravenclaw friends.
He was leaving tomorrow to go stay with his grandparents in Paris for the summer holiday. Lily did not know when she would ever see him again. Tears began to well up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She tried to think of all the positive consequences that came with graduating. She wouldn't allow herself to cry yet. Her makeup would run. Lily poked her head out from around the heavy black curtain shielding the graduating class form their families and friends. Her parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and brothers had all managed to secure seats in the front row. She knew that she was lucky to have so many people in her life to love and support her, all sitting in the front rows. Even though they were all there, cheering her on, for the first time in her life she felt truly alone. No longer was she an eleven-year-old girl, excited to go to school, hanging on her parents' every word, shy and fretting over Potions work, and waiting for her mother to approve of her outfit. Now she was an independent young woman, about to embark into the world on her own. She would make her own meals, pay her own bills, get her own job, and do her own laundry. It was nearly time to fend for herself in that wild and magical world. She could no longer rely on her parents fro approval or full support. She was alone.
Lucile suddenly appeared beside her, shaking with anticipation. "I'm so ready for this, Lily," she said earnestly. "Let's graduate."
The professors were ushering the seventh year students up a set of stairs onto the enormous stage. Chairs were set up in rows in which the students were supposed to sit themselves alphabetically. Lucile gave Lily a quick hug before she went to take her place among the Ms. Lily filed into her own designated P seat. She saw Scott taking his place two rows behind her, and she waved at him. He smiled back in return.
The headmistress began the graduation ceremony, but Lily could not pay attention to what she was saying. She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts.
There was James with his fiancée, Jordan. Last summer, when Lily visited them in California, she found a friend in Jordan. Jordan was a very active, attractive, upbeat woman, and was delighted to have Lily stay with them. Lily had the best summer of her life, staying with her brother and his girlfriend, despite the fact that she had to sleep on the sofa for two months. They took her shopping, to the beach, and to see all of the California sights that Lily had only seen in books.
Now, Lily was going to have Jordan as a big sister: something she had always wanted to have. She knew the Potters would be better off with Jordan in their family. James had proposed to her around Christmastime, before Mr. and Mrs. Potter had even been acquainted with the girl. Thus, the couple was spending three weeks with Lily and her parents in the Potter house. As happy as Lily was for her brother, she also realized that having more of Jordan in his life meant having less of Lily in his life as well. Sitting up there on that stage, Lily tried to come to terms with that. James, Scott, and Lucile were moving on with their lives, and Lily had to move on too. That was the whole purpose of the ceremony taking place right at this very moment. Lily touched that bulge under her dress robes where her silver locket lay. She would still keep all of her loved ones with her; they would just be with her in a different way.
The headmistress was now calling each of their names to come accept a diploma from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a few moments, Lily would officially close the Hogwarts chapter of her life and open a new chapter, full of mystery and possibility.
She knew that her family would always be there to support her, financially or emotionally, wherever her life took her. She knew that she would always be able to pick up the phone and contact Scott or Lucile or Garrett, good time or bad, with one of her problems. Yes, she would make new friends throughout her life, but she also knew that she could never be as close to anyone as she was to them. She and Scott had not only formed a romantic relationship, but a lifelong friendship.
Lucile Moore was rising to receive her certificate of graduation. Lily cheered loudly and happily for her best friend. Lucile had been with her through everything, good and bad, for the past seven years, and she would still be there for the next seventy.
She was grateful for all of the people in her life that would always be there for her, no matter what. All of those people sitting in the front row, that one in Greece, and the two sitting on the stage with her would drop what they were doing to come to her aid. She smiled when she realized this, and then her name was called.
Lily expected her heart to be fluttering with nervousness as she made the trek up to the podium, but it was fluttering with excitement instead. She was ready to move on with her life.
The headmistress shook her hand and gave her a diploma while the crowd applauded for the success of Lily Potter. Lily detected deafening cheering from the front row. She turned and smiled broadly at her family as she made her way back to her seat.
Her diploma belonged to all of those whom she loved. Without them, she did not know where she would be right now. They had all encouraged and tutored her through her seventeen years of life. She was who she was because of them.
Lily applauded thunderously for Scott Warner as his lovely body approached the podium. She caught his eye when he strode confidently back to his chair. Lily's face nearly split in two with a smile.
She knew that she would be a great big mess of tears later today when she said goodbye to Scott, although for now, she was merely immensely proud of him, not to mention Lucile. They had all made it this far, and who knew how far they would make it over the next 10, 20, 50 years?
The headmistress finished handing out diplomas while Lily sat in a sort of daze. She was no longer a student, but a woman of the world. The Potters were all through school. Lily was an adult.
Commencement was over, and they all left the stage to roaring applause. The graduates scattered across the green, summer grounds, waiting to meet their families, but Lily found Lucile first. They crushed one another with embraces.
"I love you!" Lucile exclaimed, cutting off Lily's circulation. "You'd better always be there for me, Lil, even when I'm off in Greece!"
Lily squeezed her back. "I love you, too, Lucile. You'd better not forget to phone me while you're off in Greece."
"There's no chance I could forget you, even if I wanted to!" Lucile replied. "Ooh, there's my family! I'll see you later, at the party!" Lucile ran off past Lily to meet up with her parents and sisters.
Lily scanned the crowd for her own family. She found them looking around for her as well, and rushed over to them as quickly as her dress robes would allow. Her father opened his arms to embrace her and she launched herself at him, nearly knocking him down.
Her relatives surrounded her with congratulatory remarks. She allowed them, this one last time, to ruffle her hair and call her "kiddo". However, after today, that type of behavior would not be tolerated. She was an adult now, and would expect to be treated as such.
The commotion died down around her after a few minutes, and James approached her. "Well done, little sis," he said. "Welcome to the world of the graduated. What's next?"
"You know what's next, James," she said. For some reason, she couldn't stop smiling. Who knew that graduation would feel so good?
"Auror training, right?" James said, cocking a half-smile.
"Of course…if I get accepted, that is."
"Oh, I have no doubt that you'll be accepted, Lily," James told her wisely.
"Could you kindly get to the point of this conversation? I would like to get to the party, if you don't mind."
"I know that dad's excited that you want to follow in his footsteps," James continued. "I just advise you to think long and hard about becoming an Auror. That training is a long process and you don't very well want to drop out of it in the middle. I know that no one has ever challenged your plans, so I'm doing it now. Just make sure that is absolutely what you want to do with your life. There, that's all I have to say. Have fun at the party. Oh…and congrats." He gave her a hug before walking over to his fiancée, who was waiting for him a few meters away.
Lily had been raised to make her own decisions, and her decision since she was eight years old was to become an Auror, just like her father. James was right: that plan had never been questioned. Her father was excited that his daughter wanted to follow in his footsteps, perhaps even work with him, and her mother had always fully supported the idea. Her main reason for choosing this profession was because she has always wanted to grow up to be just like her father. That plan had been formulated long ago and she hadn't questioned it in nine years. Until now.
Of course, there were other, fantastic reasons for becoming an Auror. These were reasons she had just never mulled over before. So, as she made her way to Hogsmeade for the graduation party, she pondered these reasons so that she could tell James that this was absolutely the career path she desired to choose. She'd show him. First of all, as an Auror, you got to work with the best of the best, the cream of the crop. Only the most talented, skilled, and sharp witches and wizards became Aurors. Secondly, she would obtain a fabulous education at the training academy. She would be respected. Dark wizards would fear her name. On the other hand, Aurors, especially ones on the lower rungs of the ladder, had to work ridiculous hours. They were given the craziest assignments. Of course, once she worked her way up, that would change. Also, she would be put in dangerous situations mostly every day. She had never handled dangerous situations before. She would have to study and work very hard, and probably have to file a lot of paperwork, especially when she started out. It would be a lot of work, but that was what she wanted to do, right?
The party was already fully underway when she arrived. Most of the graduates were in the Three Broomsticks purchasing drinks or dancing out in the streets. Loud music was pouring from the open doors. Lily searched for Scott or Lucile.
She found Scott gathered with some of his mates from Ravenclaw, a drink in his hand. They were all laughing rancorously. When Scott saw her, he broke the gathering and hurried over to her, throwing his arms around her waist.
"Hey, Lily, I didn't see you before the ceremony," he said. "Congratulations!"
"Congratulations to you, too!" she laughed, hugging him back tightly. She thought their bodies fit together so well when they embraced. It felt so natural, but she let him go. She would not get lethargic today—today was a day for celebration.
"I can't believe we've graduated!" he cried. He was smiling widely, revealing all of those perfect teeth he had. Lily twirled the Gryffindor-colored ring around her finger.
"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow," Lily said.
Scott's smile slid from his face. He set the mug in his hand down on the cobblestone and wrapped his arms tightly around her, enveloping her body into his.
Lily breathed in the smell of his dress robes deeply, the scent of him seeping into her every pore. The pressure of hot tears built up behind her eyes. She tried to stop it, but in vain. A torrent of tears burst forth from her eyes and she buried her face in Scott's chest, shaking with sobs.
"Aw, Lily," Scott sighted sympathetically, holding her close to him. "I won't be gone for long."
"Y-yes you will!" Lily cried. "I-I…I don't k-know when I'll ever see-see you again!" The tears burning paths down her face embarrassed her, but she could not quell the downpour. She was desperately sucking in air, trying to breathe, making unflattering gasping noises. "Scott, you mean s-so m-much to me, a-and I don't want to lose you!"
"Lily, baby, you're not going to lose me," he soothed. "I promise we'll see each other once I get back from Paris."
He had not called her "baby" since they broke up. That was also the last time she had cried this violently.
He waited for her sobs to subside to a dull roar before continuing. Stroking the small of her back, he said, "You're the last thing in my life that I would ever dream of losing, Lily. I can't even describe to you how lucky I feel to have you in my life. Do you remember what I wrote to you in your sixteenth birthday card? Well, that still holds true, and I don't want you to forget it. I love you, Lily, and I will always be your friend."
Those three words did not set her heart a-flutter as they used to because she knew he meant them in the way she herself had said them to Lucile half an hour ago. Still, this sentiment meant more to her than he could ever imagine.
They stood there, Lily wrapped in Scott's arms, for a few more minutes. When he kissed the top of her head, Lily knew that meant it was time for her to cheer up and go on with the day. She wiped her eyes the best that she could with her hands before emerging from the folds of his robes. Her face was most likely red, splotchy, and covered with blots of eyeliner, but she did not want to think about that at the moment. Right now, there was something she had to do.
Scott wiped a stray tear from her cheek with his finger as she began. "I feel the same way about you, Scott," she told him. "I'm so glad I got to be so close to you and that I have you in my life. No matter how far away we may end up, I want you to know that I will always be here for you and I will always abandon everything to come and visit you if you need me. You are one of the most important people in my life, and I don't want to say goodbye to you, even though I have to; even though you say we'll see one another after you get back from Paris, who knows where our lives will be by then? So before you go, I just want to tell you that I love you. I don't mean it the way you do, though. I mean I'm in love with you. I still am, and I always will be. You will always be my first love." Then she leaned her tear-stained face towards him and kissed him softly. She expected no response from him, but to her surprise, he kissed her back.
Congratulations.
LPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLPLP
I don't know if I'm going to add more chapters to this story…review and tell me what you think.