AN: I don't know if Hogwarts has any sort of graduation for their students, but for the purposes of this story lets just say they do. Also I was having a really hard time trying to figure out what the marauders should do for a last hurrah, it took me four days to think of anything and I'm still not happy with it.
On the day they were to graduate, the day before they would ride the Hogwarts Express home for the last time, Remus was awoken by Sirius at five a.m.
"What's it?" he asked groggily as he tried to sit up and failed because Sirius decided to sit down.
"We have to get ready Moony. This is it, the swansong of the Marauders."
James was already dressed and was in the middle of trying to wake Peter, who as usual squeaked in alarm when he saw someone standing over him.
"Would you mind terribly getting off of my stomach Padfoot? It's beginning to get hard to breath."
"Oh, sorry mate." Sirius stood and Remus sat up throwing his covers back and standing.
"Is everything ready?" he asked as he changed out of his night cloths.
"Yeah. Prongs figured out the last bits. If this goes down right we'll be remembered for a while."
"At least by the staff." Remus muttered as he tied his shoes.
"Ah come on Moony." James exclaimed. "This is going to be great, we haven't done anything in ages. And we're leaving tomorrow forever."
Remus shook his head but smiled. They had been planning this for a while, and he had to admit he was exited to see if it would work.
Silently they slipped out of their dorm, down the stairs, through the portrait of the fat lady who was snoring in her frame and down to the great hall. It was empty and the ceiling above was reflecting an early dawn glow that promised to brighten into one of those days when it was a crime to stay inside.
"Right, Wormatail you keep a look out in the hall." Peter looked nervous and Sirius rolled his eyes.
"You can't get in trouble for being out there, it's morning, you have every right to be standing like a duffer in the middle of the hall if you want."
Peter reluctantly stood outside the doors and the other three set to work.
"Well gentlemen," James said after they had finished. "That's it. The last prank the Marauders will ever pull in these hallowed halls."
Quickly the four of them exited the room and headed back up to Gryffindor tower. Now it was just a matter of waiting until everyone would be gathered for breakfast.
"Remus?"
They were sitting in the empty common room, Remus had produced a book from somewhere; he didn't seem at all affected in anticipation, and now he found both Sirius and James watching him. Peter had fallen asleep.
"Yes?"
"Sirius and I have been talking, and thinking,"
"Never a good sign,"
James ignored him and continued, "We've been talking about it for a while. We know that with your furry problem you'll never be able to get a job, at least not one that's not under the table. We know it's going tot be hard for you sometimes and we want to be able to help you."
"What James is trying to say," Sirius interjected, "Is that if you ever need anything you can ask us. We'll be there to support you even when you're an old cantankerous werewolf with no teeth and lecherous eye."
Remus just stared at them, so James continued. "We both have more then enough money, and you're family, so it wouldn't seem right to let you have to suffer when you wouldn't need to."
"And before you say that you don't want pity and charity and all that faff, let me remind you that without you James and I would have been kicked out of this school a long time ago and right now be living as shiftless Muggles. We're not saying that we're going to treat you like some poor homeless bloke or anything, just if you need anything we'll be there."
Remus was touched and yes it had crossed his mind that this was too much like charity and that he could never accept. But they were his friends, his family. The only one he had. If the positions were reversed he would do the same for them. So he nodded his acceptance and both James and Sirius seemed relieved.
"Lecherous eye?" he asked raising a brow.
Sirius just laughed in his usual bark like manner causing Peter to jump in his sleep.
When the time finally came that the great hall was packed with chattering students the four of them sat down at Gryffindor table and waited with baited breath. It was going to be more of a spectacle really then anything but in true Marauder style it was going to be big.
"Wotcher gents." Tonks greeted as she pecked Remus on the cheek and stole Sirius toast.
"Hey get your own!" She had taken the toast right out of his hand.
She just smiled angelically as Remus pulled her down to sit at their table. She reached for his goblet and he shook his head. "I wouldn't drink that if I were you."
"What's up?" she asked eyeing them all suspiciously. They shook their heads and James turned to Sirius, "Well I think the halls full enough now, don't you Padfoot?"
Sirius nodded, a grin pulling at his lips "Oh I'd say so Prongs, what do you think Moony? Operation a go?"
Instead of answering, Remus discreetly pulled out his wand and flicked it ever so slightly.
A scream came across the great hall. As one it seemed everyone turned toward the Slytheran table. A first year girl was screaming hysterically as her goblet started to smoke. Professor Slughorn strode from the head table to his houses table and could be heard saying almost impatiently, "Now really Mildred it's only..." but whatever it was he did not finish saying as he had reached for the goblet at that moment and a shower of sparks had spurted out singing his moustache. He stood there dumb founded as the sparks shot into the air and became bigger forming into some sort of animal. The firework creature then charged down at the Slytheran table right at Snape who tried to duck out of the way.
All around the great hall fireworks were exploding in massive forms, with eye blinding colour. They were coming from the most unexpected places. One burst from a Ravinclaw girl's mouth as she opened it and she sat there looking shocked as the Catherine wheel rolled down the table making a beeline for the Ravinclaw Quiddittch captain.
Up at the head table the teachers were also finding that their food and beverages were exploding in Fireworks. At one point Dumbledore's hat began to smoke and whistle. Professor McGonagall reached up almost hesitantly and whipped it off his head. She then began to laugh, although it can be said that she tried very hard not to, as a red and gold firework that looked like a leprechaun began to do a sort of dance on Dumbledore's head. Dumbledore himself seemed delighted and as the leprechaun jumped off his head and began dancing down the table sticking its fiery tongue out at the teachers and pulling Professor Flitwicks nose, he laughed uproariously.
Meanwhile fiery creations of all sizes and shapes were zooming around the room and chasing students who were both screaming and laughing.
A large purple one that vaguely resembled a dog pursued a screaming Shannon Finnegan right out of the great hall. Her shrieks could be heard echoing down the hall for at least five minutes after.
"You guys are ridiculous!" Tonks gasped between fits of laughter as a small firework that resembled a pixie gave her a smacking kiss then danced away with a lude gesture. The image of Shannon Finnegan running away screaming her head off would stay with her forever.
After Twenty minutes, the marauders who had been laughing hysterically finally regained themselves and wiping his eyes James muttered, "Finite incatantum." With a loud bang all the fire works converged together to explode in a large multicolored M that hovered and crackled before dissipating.
"I couldn't resist mate." He told Remus who was trying in vain to breath normally now. "If we're going out we mise well leave our mark."
At first it seemed no one knew what to do after the display was over. People were still laughing, but soon they started to clap. Even the professors, including Professor McGonagall, clapped.
"Well I'd say you managed to do that."
Graduation at Hogwarts consisted of a small feast and celebrations were each graduate was presented with a hat, not unlike the one Dumbledore was so found of wearing. Parents also attended before leaving to let their children take the Hogwarts express for the last time the next day.
Neither Sirius nor Remus would have their parents there. But Andromeda had shown up unexpectedly, something that although he wouldn't admit it pleased Sirius a great deal. Somehow Tonks had managed to convince Professor Sprout that she had to attend to support Remus.
After the feast Dumbledore made a speech congratulating the students on their hard work and achievements. He wished them luck in their future endeavourers and expressed his hope that they would all always think of Hogwarts as home. He also expressed his hope that they would continue to use what they had learned over their seven years. Somehow everyone knew he didn't just mean what they had learned in their classes.
When it came time for the heads of house to present the hats to their students Tonks whistled loudly as each of the Marauders were called up and she cat called when Remus's hat was placed on his head.
As Professor McGonagall placed the star covered hat on his head, she said quietly. "You should be very proud of yourself Remus. I know that we all are, myself especially."
Remus was surprised; this was the first time that she had called him by his first name. He surprised himself further by giving her a brief hug. "Thank you Professor." He said simply, but heartfeltly. As he walked back his friends McGonagall readopted her usual professional manner, but a slight smile tugged at her lips.
"Well, how dose it feel?" Tonks asked pulling him away from his friends. James was being introduced to Lily's parents, who were there with special permission of the ministry and he looked like he was about to faint. Behind them Sirius was in deep conversation with Andromeda. Peter had disappeared somewhere. No one noticed them leave.
They made their way outside to walk the grounds together for what would be the last time as students.
"Being finished here?" he asked taking her hand.
She nodded.
"Strange. I feel sad that it's over, but at the same time I'm looking forward to the future."
Tonks sighed. "It's going to be so boring here for the next two years. What will I do without you?"
Remus smirked and raised a brow. "Actually get some work done?"
She laughed and elbowed him lightly. "I'm serious. I'm going to miss you. Cally might be fun to hang out with, but she doesn't kiss half as well as you do."
"Oh, and how would you know how well Cally Kisses?"
Tonks smiled devilishly. "Oh, wouldn't you just love to know."
They were nearing the Whomping Willow and Remus stopped them. For what felt like minutes he stared at it as it moved twistedly. So many nights spent going through that tunnel into his own personal hell. But it had also offered him safety. That tree would always stand as a reminder to him.
"Are you ok?" Tonks asked concernedly. "You've gotten all quiet and you have that brooding look on your face." She imitated the look perfectly and Remus laughed.
"I'm fine Dora. Lets head back inside." As they turned and walked up toward the castle Remus glanced at her. In the moonlight her pink hair was shinning and when she caught him looking at her she smiled back, her large grey eyes lighting up.
They always did that whenever she looked at him he had noticed. The depth of emotion he saw there scared him, yet he knew that when he looked at her it was probably the same way.
"I love you Nymphadora." He said as they reached the castle doors.
Tonks stopped him from walking any further and gazed earnestly at him for a moment. She then smiled and said, "I love you too. And don't call me Nymphadora."