Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter as it is the property of JKR.

Chapter 18.

Months passed since the Christmas Eve ball, and all was well.

James and Lena's relationship had gone from strength to strength.

Remus and Maria were going strong too, and he had told her about his 'furry little problem', which she accepted telling him it didn't matter to her what he was .. who he was .. because he was only that thing for 12 days out of a whole 365, and she had fallen for him whatever the cost.

More suprisingly, Sirius seemed to have given up his playboy ways to be with Lauren, and they really were a perfect match.

Alice and Frank, and Molly and Arthur were also happy.

It was now the 31st of May - last day of term - and the 7th years were at their Graduation Ceremony. The whole of the school was there to watch, as were the families of the graduating students.

The 7th years were all dressed in smart black robes, with their pointed hats on top of their heads.

Dumbledore made a welcome speech, before the four heads of houses stood on the stage and in turn called out the names of their 7th years, who came on to the stage, shook hands with their head of house, and the headmaster, and left at the other side, taking their seat as a fully qualified witch or wizard.

After each of the 7th years had recieved their scrolls of grduation and certificates, Dumbledore took to the stage once again and announced,' This year group is filled with fine students, who have already achieved fne things, and will continue to do so in later life. The young lady whom I would like to invite to speak is a high skilled witch, a remarkably kind and caring person, star chaser, prefect, head girl ... Miss Selena Black.'

The applause was plentiful as Selena stood at the podium, in front the the microphone.

She smiled nervously, and waited for the gathered people to be silent.

Once they were, she spoke,' It is tradition for one ale and one female to make a speech at graduation, and as Head Girl, I was the obvious choice, but each one of us young people leaving the school today has accomplished so many great things ... we have quidditch players, musicians, great academic ... and each will go on to become great people ... among us here we have aurors, healers, professors, bankers, ministry officials, quidditch players, and so many more important people. I want to wish luck to every single person who is going out in the world today for their first day as a fully qualified witch or wizard. Thank you.'

She attempted to leave the stage, but James shouted up,' You left out the Thank Yous! ' from his seat in the front row.

She blushed and stood in front of the microphone again,' Right, Yes. Thank you James. You can all tell I'm so confident with speeches that I just missed half of mine out. I think it is important that we all thank the people who helped us through our journey along the road to where we are now. On behalf of everyone, I would like to thank our wonderful professors - with special attention to our headmaster, Professor Dumbledore - we love you! - and the heads of houses who've looked after us and taken us under their wings. To Mr Filch, for keeping the school clean, even though you ruined all our fun with your many, many lists of rules.'

Filch, it seemed, did not appreciate the joke.

She continued,' To Madam Pince, who shooed us out of the library when we were staying late because we were doing essays that were due in first thing the following morning. To Hagrid, for chasing away all the animals from the forest, which would otherwise come and eat us all. A huge thank you to Madam Pomfrey - I can't count the amount of times which she had to patch me alone up ... so for the whole lot of us ... wow.'

There was a round of applause for Madam Pomfrey.

' To the board of Govenors - I'm not really sure why, but I got told to make sure not to forget them, or else they'll get grumpy.'

There were a few titters at the lame joke.

' To our families here today, who supported us, were always there for us, and have always loved us no matter what,' she stumbled slightly over these words, as her family had never been there for her.

She took a breath and continued, ' I personally would like to thank Mr and Mrs Jonathan and Cherylin Potter. You see, my brother and I had a difficult home life, and we left home and were taken in by Mr and Mrs Potter. They went from having the one son, to an extra son and a daughter, and they were great about it. I think that's everyone, so thank you.'

She was about to leave again when Sirius shouted out from beside James,' What about friends? '

' And I've forgotten even more people,' she sighed, sheepishly taking to the microphone again,' Finally - and I think that this actually is finally - I think we all owe a lot to our friends, who are always there for us .. we live with these people, we eat with them, sleep in the same room as them, take classes with them ... so it's important that we establish good friendships, which we all have and are all grateful. '

There was a cheer, everyone thinking it was really over, before Lena shouted out,' No! Wait! There is one more person. Now, I mentioned friendships, but there are those special friendships ... those ones that turn out to be love.'

There was a collective 'aaaaaaawwww' from the crowd, as the pupils all knew she was talking about James.

Lena nodded, ' Yes. I would like to say a big thank you to some one who has been one of my bestest friends for the past 7 years. He's smart, he led the Gryffindor team to victory in the quidditch stakes this year, and of course he's the most handsome man on the planet. I would like to say thank you to Mr James Potter because he's always been there for me. I'd also like to wish other young couples success in their relationships ... I won't go into details but lets just say I will be expecting to have friends named Maria Lupin, Molly Weasley, Alice Longbottom and Lauren Black in years to come.'

There was a huge cheer from the crowd as Lena left the stage.

Next up was James, who laughed as the applause stopped and he leant over the microphone,' I think Lena covered everything there was to say in her speech, so there's just one thing I'd like to say.'

He took the microphone from it;s hook and managed to attatch it to his robes so he could talk hands free.

He then slowly got down on one knee in the middle of the stage, where Lena was sat in front of him in the middle of the first row of chairs

He put his hadn in his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black box, flipping it open to reveal the most beautiful, sparkling, golden ring which she had ever seen.

' Selena Black, I know we're young, but when you know something's right, why wait? You're the most fantastic girl .. woman ... I've ever met, and I want to be able to spend the rest of my life with you. And also, I thought that if I said all this in front of such a big crowd, you wouldn't be able to say no. So, what do you say ... will you do me the great honour of becoming Mrs Potter? '

Lena stood up and pulled James up by the hand,' Yes!' she cried, as he put the ring on her engagement finger,' there's nothing I would rather be ... nothing I would rather do ... than become your wife. '

The crowd cheered loudly - particularly the students .. younger students who looked up Lena and James, and the older students, who were their friends.

Lena took the microphone from James and said in to it,' Thank you so much, and I'd just like to say that when this is i the Daily Prophet tomorrow ... make sure you get my best side.'

The joke made every one laugh because the Daily Prophet were indeed there taking photos on the ceremony, and no doubt something like a proposal would be right in there.

James took the microphone from her and said,' Thank you for listening to us, everyone. Um ... my new fiance and I will be getting the drinks in at The Three Broomsticks tonight! '