The enchanted ceiling above their heads shone with stars. The Great Hall was decked out in all yellow, as Hufflepuff had managed to secure the most House Points this year. Gryffindor had come a slightly embarrassing third after Slytherin. Frowns on the members of Ravenclaw had slightly lightened their spirits though. Poppet had just finished her meal and everyone was waiting for Professor Clearwater to make her end of year speech. She couldn't believe it has been a year. It only felt like yesterday she was sat at this table, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of people from the same family in one house. Nine months ago she never would have dreamed that she'd be sat at this table and actually have friends.
James squeezed her hand under the table and she turned to look at him. In a predictable turn of events, Poppet had taken him back. Everyone was overjoyed. Even Roxanne had smiled when she'd told them of the news. Poppet had plans to go away with James for a week in the summer, just the two of them, and she was very excited. Everything really seemed to be back on track again. "Daydreaming?" James asked, with a coy smile.
"Maybe," Poppet replied, with a sigh.
James had been beside himself in the past few weeks because Albus had got himself a girlfriend. Emily, from Ravenclaw, and Albus had really been hitting it off and this weekend Albus had finally plucked up the courage to ask her out. Thankfully, Emily had said yes and now poor Albus was the butt of every joke that James made, even when Albus himself wasn't present.
Florence was tucking into a steak. Veganism, she had decided, wasn't for her. Blane was sat as far away from her as he could get. She'd also decided that he wasn't for her in a moment of self-empowerment and told him she would be seeing other people, whether he liked it or not. Poppet admired her best friend's balls.
"I'd like to make a toast," Albus said, suddenly. He grabbed his glass and held it up, clearing his throat as he did so.
"I can already predict how this is going to go. 'To Emily, thank you for being the first girl ever to find me attractive. I better hold on to you, as you may be the last.'" James started hysterically laughing and Albus shot him a look of disgust.
"Ignore him, Al," Roxanne said, shooting daggers at James.
"Thanks, Rox. I'd like to toast to friendship, to family and most importantly to Poppet for putting up with my arse of a brother. You have the patience of a saint," Albus said, extending his glass. "Cheers!"
Everyone clinked their glasses together, laughing and chattering. Even James did, begrudgingly. They were silenced by Professor Clearwater who made her way up to the podium, her eyes glistening. She spoke about another great year at Hogwarts and then announced the retirement of Professor McGonagall. Everyone whooped and cheered as McGonagall stood up, waving to everyone around her with a warm smile. Clearwater then went on to announce that Neville Longbottom would be taking her place as Head of Gryffindor and the Wotters went crazy, standing up and cheering for their family friend. Professor Longbottom blushed, tipping his glass in the direction of the Wotters.
Poppet looked around at everyone and smiled. She only had one year left of all of this. It was almost over. She'd need to cherish every moment until this time next year to make sure that none of it went to waste. Before Hogwarts, Poppet had known what it had been like to be in love with a person but she never thought she'd ever be in love with her entire life. That was a nice feeling. It was a very nice feeling indeed.
AN: So, that's it! A very happy ending, I think. Poppet went from insecure and friendless to surrounded by people that loved her and that consequently helped her become a better person and I'm so proud of what she became. Maybe it was cliché to have James and Poppet get back together but I really wanted to end it on a happy note. It'll be sad to say goodbye to these characters but I am so happy to have created something that I am proud of, despite it being Harry Potter fanfiction. Thank you to everyone who read this, followed it or reviewed it at any point. You've kept me going and I can't tell you how grateful I am for that. Special thanks to Lauren, Rose, Emily and Aliyah for being 'Chloe's Fanfic Squad' and supporting me with your honest feedback and friendly words. Em, you got what you wanted in the end! You're dating Albus! These 81,000 words were sometimes a challenge to write but I am so happy I managed it. Thanks for everything! PS: If you enjoyed this and want to see more from me then I am starting a new Teddy/Victorie fic set in the same universe as Poppet, James and co. but just in the past, during Teddy's last year at Hogwarts. It's going to be called "In Trouble Again" and I'm excited about it.