Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Academy.

Ch. 22 Graduation Night

Lissa walked alongside me as we headed towards the fields. "I know you'll do well on your tests," she said. A slight gust of wind blew her blond hair into her face but she brushed it away. It was now midnight, prime time for the Moroi. With a big full moon overhead, it would be easy to see.

"Thanks, Liss," I said to her, adjusting the wooden stake I wore at my hip.

"I'm glad you'll be my guardian when we graduate tonight," she said lightly, wrapping her cardigan a little tighter around herself.

"Hopefully. Even though I'm supposed to be your guardian, we're not absolutely sure," I reminded her with a sigh.

"If Her Majesty won't accept you, I'll make her," Lissa said fiercely.

I picked up her tone without having to read her mind. She was willing to use compulsion to have the Queen accept me, if it came to that. "No, Liss. I'm sure it'll be fine." Actually I wasn't sure, but I didn't want her to worry. That was something I had to worry about, not her.

Today was graduation – and the day of our last tests to prove ourselves worthy of being guardians. After today, we would be full-fledged guardians, ready to protect the Moroi. Most of us graduating guardians would head for Court and wait to receive our assignments. For me, I already knew who I would guard.

I looked up into the stands of roaring people…and gasped. It couldn't be. I blinked, trying to make sure it wasn't an illusion. Nope, it wasn't an illusion

"What's wrong?" Lissa asked, craning her neck to look at the stands.

"My mom's here!" There she was, the famous Janine Hathaway. I hadn't seen her since she'd returned to guard Lord Szelsky after the winter holidays. She hadn't even told me she was coming. I was stunned to think that she would come to my graduation, having already written her off as not going to come. I felt guilty now, and was glad I hadn't said anything.

Lissa laughed. "Did you think your own mom wouldn't come to your tests? She might not be the best mother, but that's just cruel if she didn't come."

We arrived where all the other novices and guardians were gathered. Lissa gave me a hug. "Good luck," she whispered, and hurried off in the direction of the stands.

Last month, Dimitri had requested to be reassigned – to someone at Court, hopefully. We'd both been a little sad, but I knew that in the long run, it would enable us to be together. Lissa would also be safer this way, with two guardians who weren't in love with each other. If Dimitri had stayed with her, he wouldn't have been able to protect her properly. He'd once told me that he would throw himself in front of me, not Lissa, to protect me. Dimitri's request was still being processed, and we were hoping for the best.

I paced worriedly in the tent. Although I knew I was one of the top novices in the class…what if I failed?

Someone put their hand on my shoulder, and I jumped, since that was how tense I was. I turned around to see Dimitri. "You look worried," he commented, giving my hand a brief squeeze. "What's on your mind?"

I hesitated but let it out. "It's just…I hope I'll pass the tests and become a guardian."

"Don't worry," he whispered to me. "You'll do fine as long as you keep your head clear. And after the tests today…"

I smiled up at him. "I know. And with such a badass god as my personal mentor, how could I possibly fail?" Still, these tests were hard. If a novice didn't take them seriously, she could fail and not become a guardian. I had no intention of failing these tests.

Then, my name was called.

"Rosemarie Hathaway!"

I stepped out onto the field, ready to pass the tests and become a guardian.

The tests were practically all a blur. I just kept fighting, left and right, at anyone that was completely dressed in all black.

One of the tests involved going through a maze…with very shaking boards under our feet. Sure, there was a safety net, but we novices were told to regard it as fifty feet – a distance that would kill us. I'd successfully "staked" all of the five "Strigoi" who attacked me. In reality, they were just guardians playacting as Strigoi, but they were the best of the best, all of them famous guardians who guarded top Moroi royals.

When I finally stopped fighting, all the sounds I'd been blocking out rushed in. The audience in the bleachers was cheering me. Lissa and my mom looked like they were cheering the loudest, screaming and clapping like crazy.

Alberta led me off the field, and led me over to a bench. She handed me a bottle of water and a towel. "Drink," she ordered. "Two more tests and then you can go get ready for the graduation ceremony." She then disappeared.

Lissa and my mom then appeared. I was a bit disappointed Dimitri couldn't come over, but I spotted him near the other guardians. He caught my eye and smiled. Pride and happiness sparkled in his eyes.

I hid my surprise at my mom coming over to see me, and pasted on a smile. "You passed with flying colors!" Lissa said, her eyes bright with excitement. "And we'll be graduating tonight!"

"You did very well on your tests," my mom said. It was a very high compliment coming from her, considering how she used to see me as a rude, rebellious daughter. Happiness shone in her eyes.

"Thanks," I said to them both. I then said to Mom, "I didn't think you would be coming to graduation."

Mom laughed. "Of course I was going to come. I couldn't miss your graduation! And besides, one of Lord Szelsky's nieces is graduating tonight, so he came for that."

I smiled. She extended her hand to me, and surprised, I opened my hands. A red velvet bag fell into my hand.

"A graduation present. Open it later."

"Thanks," I said, even more surprised. The last time she'd given me a gift, it was a nazar – and I deeply suspected that my unknown Moroi father had given it to her, which made it more meaningful although I didn't know who he was.

We watched the last two tests together, and Alberta announced the end of the tests. She also announced graduation at five-thirty. The Moroi and the dhampirs would have separate ceremonies, since the dhampirs would also be receiving their promise marks tonight.

I said my goodbyes to Mom and Lissa, promising to see them a little later at the post-graduation party. I then headed off to my room to shower and change.

After taking a very long, hot shower that relaxed my muscles and got the grime off me, I changed into appropriate graduation clothes. I wore a simple lacy white blouse with a black pencil skirt and heels. I decided to do nothing with my long hair except tie it up into a loose bun.

I then remembered Mom's graduation present. I quickly unwrapped it, and the wrapping fell away to reveal a silver necklace. It was made of intricately braided silver, with a tiny ruby hanging from it. I let out a low whistle. That was a pretty pricey gift of Mom to give me, but it was very pretty. I clasped the necklace around my neck and examined myself in the mirror. It actually complimented the rest of my graduation outfit.

I hurried out of my dorm and onto the Academy grounds, towards the large imposing gym where I'd had my practice sessions with Dimitri.

I was among the last to arrive, and quickly took a seat beside Eddie.

"Hey," I whispered as I sat down.

"You're late," he muttered, a rare amused glint in his hazel eyes.

The ceremony started. As the graduates were called up, their scores were read out, and they sat in front of the guardian who would give us the tattoos. I was surprised to see it was Guardian Daniel, but I hadn't known he also gave guardian tattoos.

When it was my turn, I sashayed confidently forward. When my scores were read, there were loud gasps – mine had been the highest scores out of all my classmates (at least, so far, but I didn't think anyone could beat me). I could see Mom sitting in the audience, clapping and wearing a proud look on her face. Dimitri was standing near the back, but as I met his eyes, he gave me a secret smile that showed how proud he was of me. I'd come a long way from the rebellious runaway who'd returned in the fall of my senior year.

I took a seat on the stool in front of Guardian Daniel. He sounded surprised as he studied the back of my neck. I had two molnija marks from Spokane, which brought back painful memories…

He managed to put the promise mark in the center of my neck, wrapping it around the molnija marks. If I remembered correctly from seeing Dimitri's, the promise mark was like a twisting line. The process stung, but I kept the pain off my face.

When the tattooing was over, I was given a white bandage to cover it up and care instructions. I ignored the instructions, since I'd already heard them when I'd received my first molnija marks.

The sun was already above the horizon when the ceremonies ended – seven at "night."

I hurried back to my dorm, and changed again. This time I changed into the red dress Dimitri had gotten for me that I'd worn on our first "date." I left my heels on, but quickly braided part of my hair. I applied a teeny bit of mascara to my eyelashes, and headed out the door.

I reached through the bond to find where Lissa was. She was already at the post-graduation party, with Christian. Rose, come to the party! she said, and flashed a location to me.

I hurried to the party, which was hosted in a different gym from the one I'd been in earlier.

All my fellow classmates were there, dressed up in their party clothes. I spotted a few underclassmen who must've known some seniors who'd taken them here.

When I spotted Adrian, my eyes widened in surprise. He was chatting with a tall, slim Moroi girl with unruly brown waves. She looked around a few times shyly.

"Jill!" I shouted as I hurried towards her.

Jill Mastrano looked up, her pale green eyes wide. I then noticed that the dress she wore complimented her eyes. For a startling moment, her eyes briefly reminded me of Lissa's. "Rose!" We hugged briefly and let go. "I love your dress! It's so pretty. That shade of red really goes with you. I wish I could look as pretty as you do. And this party is really cool. I can't wait till I'm a senior." Her eyes then went wide, sort of like a deer caught in headlights. "Oh, I almost forgot! Congratulations!"

"Thanks," I said with a laugh. "How did you get into the party?"

Jill opened her mouth to reply, but Adrian replied for her. "Jailbait here has Fire Boy as her magic trainer, so he asked her if she wanted to come and so she got in."

"Hey, what kind of a nickname is that?" Jill exclaimed, but there was a slight blush on her cheeks and she didn't sound that mad. I could tell that she had a slight crush on Adrian. That was pretty cute. "I'd rather be called Jill than by my full name."

"Sorry," Adrian said, shrugging and patting her on the head. She almost looked ready to pass out but held her composure pretty well.

I bade them farewell, and moved on to find Lissa. I had to admit, it would be nice to see if Adrian would eventually for Jill.

Lissa was chatting to Eddie, with Christian looking on. "Oh hello Rose," she said to me.

Christian gave me a brusque nod before returning to the conversation at hand. Lissa and Eddie continued talking about Court, and I spotted another figure through the crowd.

"Mia?" Geez, this really was turning into some type of high school reunion and we hadn't even all parted ways yet.

Mia came up to us. Yes, it really was her. Short frame, blue eyes, blond hair…Her blond hair was left straight with only a slight curl instead of being curled into doll-like ringlets. She laughed when she saw my expression.

"Yes, I'm back from the dead," she said, and we hugged. She also hugged Lissa, which greatly amused me, since we had all been enemies when we first returned to the Academy.

"How did you manage to get in? You're not even a senior," I said. And she didn't even go to the Academy anymore.

Mia shrugged. "I just snuck in. Crap security you guys."

"Good point," Christian muttered.

We spent the rest of the party dancing our asses off, and pigging out on all the food we could eat. To my disappointment, Adrian didn't linger with Jill. About an hour and a half into the party, he said his good-nights, presumably to get drunk in his room. Alone. Eddie chivalrously danced with Jill during the first slow dance song, and danced with Mia for the second. To my surprise, it looked like Mia was sort of eyeing him.

Lissa noticed it too. Looks like Mia has noticed how Eddie looks tonight, she said with a grin as she sipped her punch.

I gave her a look, and whispered, "But I can't even tell with Eddie."

She shrugged. Hey you never know right? If Mia ever says anything, and if Eddie ever says anything, let's get them together.

I sighed, but laughed and grabbed a glass of punch. I clinked it against hers. "To the future!"

"Cheers!" Jill piped in, lifting her own glass.

I walked Lissa and Christian to their dorms. Of course, Christian had to go with Lissa. I bade them good-night and started walking back to my own dorm. After what happened last time, I completely blocked her out of my mind.

I walked up to my room and headed straight for the closet before a voice spoke.

"Planning on going to bed so soon?"

I whirled around and saw that Dimitri was casually lounging on my bed, a slight smile on his face. "Comrade, what are you doing here?"

"I think I'll kidnap you for a night," he said with a wink as he got up and walked towards me to take my hands in his.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, as he started tugging me towards the door. "And what if everyone's still out?"

"I'm taking you…somewhere," he said secretively.

I looked at him, confused. Then the meaning of his words sank in, and I blushed a little and looked down. "Oh…"

He leaned in and whispered, "Tonight you're formally a guardian. You did it, Roza. Now we can be together."

Author's note: One last chapter before I wrap this story up! And I'm going to be putting something in that some of you have been waiting for... ;D Should I make the last chapter a lemon or no? Reviews greatly appreciated :D !