Forever Young

Hello my dear readers. It pains me to say that this will be the final chapter of Forever Young. But do not worry! There will be a sequel and a 'trequel' as my lovely best friend calls it. Thank you all so much for reading this story I appreciate it so much! The sequel will be coming along soon but it won't be as long as this one. Only 15-20 chapters, maybe less. But the 'trequel' will be longer hopefully! Now enjoy the final chapter of Forever Young!

Also quick shout-out to my BFFLAO who helped me write Cassidy's graduation speech! Love you!

Chapter 45: Magical

Cassidy's POV:

"Cassidy don't forget your speech!" Lily yelled at me as we started our descent to the common room. I rolled my eyes and yelled back that I had it.

"Can you believe that we're graduating today?" Marlene cheered. Yep thats right. It's graduation day. The past month has been pretty rough but we handled it. We finally confessed to Dumbledore and our parents what had been happening this past year. When Spencer found out he was absolutely livid we hadn't said anything.

"Did you ever thing for a second what could have happened if Sirius and James hadn't gotten there on time?" he yelled at me as I lay in the Hospital Wing.

"They aren't the ones who saved me," I croaked. "No one saves me but me."

"Cassidy I don't know what I would have done if you had gotten killed by this...psychopath," he said finally calming down.

"You would have gotten over it eventually," I muttered. He smacked my uninjured arm but then took my hand and kissed it.

"I really don't think I would have,"

"Cassidy focus," a voice said breaking me from my trance. I looked up and saw Sirius standing in front of me with a concerned look on his face.

"You okay?" he asked. I nodded my head and took his hand and we all made our way outside to the Quidditch Pitch where graduation would be taking place. We quickly found McGonagall who was giving out graduation caps and gowns. Everyone had a black cap and gown with the tassel matching the color of their rightful house. As I finished fixing my hair and hat Professor Dumbledore approached me with a gold sash looking thing.

"Miss. Clark as you are the top of the class you get the wear this over your robes," he announced handing it to me.

"Thank you Professor," I smiled as he placed the stole around my neck.

"You're quite welcome dear," he replied. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing better," I nodded grimly. He smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder and then left to oversee us getting everyone lined up. I let out a large breath and closed my eyes.

"Hey,"

I turned around and smiled at Sirius.

"Hey," I reached out and hugged him.

"You ready for this?" He asked.

"No way," I said pulling back and looking into his stunning gray eyes.

"You'll be great," he reassured me. "Got your speech?"

"Yup," I smiled holding it up. "Wanna hear it?"

"Why not we've got a while," he said leaning against the infamous Marauders tree. I cleared my throat and began to read it.

"Hello and welcome to the class of 1978's graduation. We have been working toward this day since we stepped through the Great Hall 7 years ago and now that we have reached it I would just like to-,"

My speech was suddenly ripped out of my hands and was sailing towards the Black Lake.

"My speech!" I shrieked racing after it trying to fall in my very high wedges. I then felt a splatter of water on my face. I couldn't tell if it was tears or sweat. I reached the lake a moment too late. My speech was now face down in the murky water. I picked it up hoping to salvage it but the writing was smeared and the paper was tearing.

"Damn it," I cursed. "Damn it! Damn it!"

I then began to feel more water and I looked up and noticed it was raining. Sirius grabbed my hand and we began heading toward the castle where graduation was being moved. I'm trying to hold back the tears that I know are coming.

"I can't believe this is happening!" Lily chirped excitedly. She then noticed the look at my face and looked concerned.

"What's wrong?" she asked grabbing my hand.

"My speech flew into the lake," I whispered to afraid to speak any louder. "It's the only copy I had and it's ruined!"

"Well maybe you can-"

She was cut off by McGonagall grabbing me and taking me to me spot behind the prefects. Luckily I was right behind Remus.

"1 more minute and we go in," she said giving us a stern look. I gave her a fearful look and wiped my face to make sure there were no tears. Then the doors opened and I knew it was time to go in. I took a deep breath and began walking. The seats were filled with the family and friends of all the students. I immediately saw Spencer sitting with the Potters and the Evans. I gave them the best smile I could muster and turned back to the front where all the teachers were sitting with Dumbledore in the middle. As I filed into the first row of chairs set out for the 7th years I was reminded of my first day back after the incident.

"You don't have to be here Cass," James insisted. "You can go back to the dorms and rest more if you need it."

"But I don't need it James," I said through clenched teeth. My friends have been treating me like a glass figurine all week. One wrong touch or look and I would break into a thousand little pieces.

"I'm just saying-"

"And I'm just saying shut the hell up," I growled. He immediately shut himself up and sat down next to Lily furthest from me. I sighed and laid my head down on the table.

"He's just worried about you," Sirius said from next to me.

"Well he needs to stop with the coddling I'm not a child," I snapped.

"Okay," he said simply looking up to Dumbledore where he was about to make a speech.

"Good morning students," he called silencing the hall. "As most of you know we recently had a student whom was harming her fellow classmates. We have had the Auror department investigating her identity based on the information we have been supplied with. If any of you have any information on a young woman that goes by the name of Ellie Smith or Elizabeth Carlisle please report it to a staff . Thank you."

"Thank you James. Now Cassidy Clark this years top of the class will give her speech," Dumbledore said looking at me his eyes twinkling. I give him a small smile and head onto the stage to give my speech. I look out into the audience and find my friends and family. They give me encouraging smiles and I take a large breath and tried to remember my speech.

"Hello and welcome to the class of 1978's graduation. We have been working toward this day since we stepped through the Great Hall 7 years ago and now that we have reached it I would just like to..umm… I would like to…," I sighed and closed my eyes taking a deep breath.

"So I had this really great speech prepared about moving forward with our lives and stuff about the future, but that got destroyed in the lake so I'm just gonna make this up as I go," I started. Luckily that got a laugh out of them so I continued on with a smile.

"These past 7 years at Hogwarts have been...interesting to say the least. But we have now reached a point where one chapter of our lives is ending and a new one is beginning. Reflecting on the past 7 years there have been both good memories and bad, happy and sad. But no matter what has happened it is made me who I am today and I will be eternally grateful. And I would personally like to thank everyone who has helped shape me into the person I am today. I would also like to give a special shoutout to the Professors for putting up with our class. I know we have been an especially rowdy bunch thanks to four special boys," I looked out into the audience and winked at Sirius whose beaming up at me.

"But like I said, here at Hogwarts there have been both good and bad times. This year due to the dangers lurking outside and within times have been especially hard. But I don't want to focus on the bad I want to focus on the good. Because I've lived. I've really really lived. I've failed. I've been devastated. I've been broken. I have gone to hell and back. Multiple times. But I've also seen joy and passion. And I've loved a great love. You see graduating for me is not the end, but the start to a beautiful journey. Congratulations class of 1978. We did it! Now, let the good times roll!"

The audience all stood up and began whooping and hollering. I smiled down at them all searching for my brother who was letting out a long whistle. Dumbledore came up behind me and shook my hand. I thanked him and went back to my seat where I was praised by my peers.

"That was fantastic Cassidy!" Remus whispered squeezing my hand.

"Thank you," I whispered sheepishly. I let out a large sigh of content and listened to Dumbledores.

"Now the graduating class of 1978," he said. The four heads of house stood and went to the end of the stage.

"Head Girl, Lily Evans: Gryffindor,"

"Head Boy, James Potter: Gryffindor,"

He then continued to go through the 7th year prefects before he got to me.

"Gryffindor Prefect, Remus Lupin,"

I took a deep breath in a let it out as I prepare to walk across the stage.

"Top of the Class, Cassidy Clark: Gryffindor,"

Blood was pounding in my ears as I walked up the steps and received my diploma and shook Dumbledore's hand. I continued across the stage to shake the four heads of house hands. I walked down the stage as the next person was called up and took my seat next to Remus.

"We did," he whispered knocking his shoulder with mine.

"Indeed we did," I smiled back at him. We remained silent as we waited for the rest of our friends to be called.

"Sirius Black: Gryffindor,"

"Marlene Mckinnon: Gryffindor,"

"Peter Pettigrew: Gryffindor,"

We all whooped and hollered as the rest of our friends were called up to receive their diplomas and graduate. As the last person returned to their seat we all stood.

"Graduates please move your tassels from left to right," Dumbledore said smiling brightly. As we did so I felt an enormous weight lifting off me shoulders.

"Congratulations Hogwarts class of 1978, you did it!" he announced. We all cheered and threw our hats into the air.

"We graduated!" I shouted to Remus next to me throwing my arms around him. He lifted me off the ground and I squealed.

"Thank you for the past 7 years students," Dumbledore cheered. "Good luck!" Everyone in the hall was buzzing and congratulating each other. I quickly found Lily and James and wrapped them into a hug.

"We graduated!" I yelled at them excitedly.

"You're speech was great Cassidy!" Lily said into my ear as she pulled me into a hug.

"Thanks," I smiled. "Yours was too!" I then felt arms wrap around me from behind.

"Cassidy Clark you just graduated," my boyfriend whispered into my ear. "What are you going to do next." I turned around in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck.

"I'm going to celebrate with me incredibly handsome boyfriend," I said seductively. He laughed and lowered his lips to mine.

"Alright you two get a room," my brother interrupted. I laughed and jumped into my brothers embrace.

"You did it sassy," he laughed. "You graduated!"

"I did, didn't I," I smirked.

"Alright I want my three graduates in a picture," Grace Potter ordered as she ushered James and Sirius over to Spencer and I. James stood to my left and Sirius to my right. They wrapped their arms around me and both went in to kiss my cheek as I laughed and scrunched up my eyes.

"Perfect," she cheered. "Congrats you three." She came around and gave each of us a kiss on the cheek.

"Well I'd hate to cut the festivities short but we have a party in Gryffindor Common room to get to," Sirius said taking hold of my hand.

"Bye Grace and Chris," I reached up and hugged them both. "Bye Spence!"

"Please refrain from doing anything stupid in the last three days you're here," he begged as he hugged me.

"No promises there big brother," I winked as we all exited the hall to head up to the Common Room. The girls and I made our way up to the dorms to shed our robes and white dresses for more comfortable party clothes. I threw my hair into a ponytail and pulled on a pair of olive green jeans and a black sleeveless blouse.

"Here wear these," Marlene suggested tossing me a pair of brown leather ankle boots. I entered the Common Room and along with the graduated 7th years was the rest of the Gryffindor students.

"Our last Gryffindor party together," Lily remarked.

"True," I noted. "But not our last party together...I hope." She smiled at my and gave me a side hug then ran off to find James. I smiled and took in the party scene a bit more before getting a drink and finding Sirius.

"Hey," I called over the loud music playing.

"Hello love," he said wrapping an arm around me and giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Wanna take a walk?"

"Always," I agreed setting down my drink and following him out of the portrait. We were both silent until we found ourselves at the base of the Astronomy Tower stairs.

"Can we go up?" I asked. He nodded and took hold of my hand guiding me up the stairs. When we reached the top I looked around remember the horrid night.

"Feels like it was just yesterday," I commented. "God...how did we get ourselves into this mess."

"It wasn't our fault at all," he reassured me. "It was all Ellie or Elizabeth or whoever the hell she was."

"But Sirius," I started but he cut me off.

"Not 'buts'," he said taking hold of my chin in his hand. "Remember what I told you a week or two after it happened?"

I nodded remembering the talk we had two weeks after the incident.

"Cassidy?" Sirius called out to me. I turned around a gave him a small smile.

"Hey," I greeted. He came over and sat on the side of the tower with me.

"What are you doing here Cass?" he asked concerned.

"Just thinking about...graduation," I replied not really believing my own lie.

"And what are you actually thinking about?" he asked not believing it either.

"Ellie," I replied simply.

"Cassi," Sirius sighed taking my hand in his.

"'But the fault my dear Brutus is not in our stars...But in ourselves,'" I quoted. "Don't tell me it wasn't my fault because it was Sirius. There is no denying it, anyone would be mad to think otherwise."

"Well you can't help that," he said. "We're all mad here." I turned and looked at him.

"Did you...did you just quote...Alice in Wonderland?" I asked trying not to laugh.

He was silent a moment before answering, "...maybe."

"You're such a dork," I giggled kissing his cheek.

"At least I'm not spitting out Shakespeare," he said defending himself.

"Okay okay," I said holding up my hands. "Truce."

"Deal," he smiled. "But honestly love it isn't your fault. I don't think that and neither does Dumbledore, or your brother, or anyone else."

I nod my head and begin to wipe away the tears that had fallen. I let out a laugh before speaking again.

"I don't understand how you put up with my and all my problems," I told him.

"Your problems are my problems now," he said. "Now I can't promise that I can fix them all, but I can promise that you won't have to go through them alone."

"How did I get so lucky to have you," I whispered.

"Now I love you Cassidy Clark," he told me. "And I know we might not be together forever, but right now that's what it feels like."

"I love you too Sirius Black," I smiled. "And I'll take as much time as we can have together." I reached up and captured his lips in mine.

I don't really remember what happened next but I can tell you this, it was...magical.

I had to throw that magical in there! Thank you so much my amazing readers! I love you all so much! I would like to give quote credits to the people who came up with the quotes I used. And the 'I've Lived' part of Cassidy's speech was a speech from Dr. Webber on Grey's Anatomy. Once again thank you to everyone and I will post a little authors note once I have the sequel up. It might take a while but I will get to work on it ASAP! Love you all so much!

Kisses

XOXO,

SophieElizabeth