The sun rose gently over the grounds of Hogwarts, spreading warmth across the ancient stone walls, the sparkling lake, and the emerald green of the lawns. Spring was fully in bloom now — pink blossoms floated from the trees in the courtyard, and birds chirped through the open windows of the Great Hall, their songs mingling with the hum of morning voices and clinking cutlery.
It was a Monday, but it felt different. There was something lighter in the air, something almost sacred about mornings like these in the final weeks before graduation. For the seventh years, every moment suddenly felt like it might be the last — and because of that, every moment felt alive.
Lennon entered the Great Hall with Mattheo beside her, their shoulders brushing now and then. He looked relaxed for once, his usual tension softened by the good sleep and the golden haze of sunlight on his face. Behind them, Lorenzo and Theodore trailed in, still half-asleep, hair messy and expressions unreadable but familiar.
The Gryffindor table was already lively. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Ginny, and Luna were gathered around, voices overlapping as they discussed Quidditch scores, upcoming exams, and — in Seamus's case — a bizarre dream involving Hagrid, a fire-breathing chicken, and a misplaced broomstick.
"Morning," Lennon said, sliding into the bench between Ginny and Hermione.
"Morning, lovebirds," Dean teased, giving Mattheo a mock salute.
Mattheo rolled his eyes and poured himself some pumpkin juice. "Still funny after all these weeks."
"It never gets old," Ron said with a mouthful of toast.
Theodore dropped into the seat across from them and groaned. "It's illegal to be this awake before nine."
"Agreed," Lorenzo added, slumping beside him. "I vote we skip everything today and go nap by the lake."
Ginny perked up. "Seconded."
"Thirded," Seamus said, raising his hand dramatically. "And I'm not even tired. I just don't want to be in Arithmancy."
"Can we make this official?" Dean asked, glancing toward Harry like he expected him to lead the charge.
Before anyone else could weigh in, Hermione, ever prepared and already halfway through a cup of tea, glanced up from her planner and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "We all have classes today, remember?"
The groan that followed was nearly deafening.
"Oh, come on, Hermione," Ron said, dropping his fork dramatically.
"It's the last month! One nap isn't going to doom us all!" Seamus protested.
"You sound like Trelawney," Luna added dreamily.
Hermione raised her brow and looked like she might launch into a lecture, but then — without warning — a soft bread roll bounced off her arm. She blinked in surprise.
Then another roll landed square in her lap.
She looked up to see Lorenzo with a completely innocent expression, holding a third bun in his hand.
"Mutiny," he said calmly. "Total uprising."
"Long live the nap," Theodore said, lobbing a croissant gently at her.
Even Harry joined in, tossing a small pastry. Hermione ducked, laughing despite herself.
"You all are unbelievable!" she said, trying to dodge a muffin from Seamus. "I'm trying to keep you from failing!"
"And we love you for it," Ginny said, chucking a bit of toast playfully.
Eventually, she held up her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! No more food-throwing!"
Everyone eased up, still laughing, and went back to their breakfast.
Mattheo leaned toward Lennon and whispered, "That was the most fun I've had at breakfast in years."
She grinned. "You should've seen in second year when Fred and George enchanted the bacon to fly."
"I would've liked that," he said, and she kissed his cheek without thinking, like it was second nature now.
Hermione, still dusting crumbs off her robes, gave them a smirk. "I am glad some of us are enjoying this last stretch."
Harry reached across the table and gave her a warm look. "We all are. Even you, admit it."
She didn't deny it.
⸻
After breakfast, the castle slowly emptied as students drifted off to class. The seventh-years had a slightly more relaxed schedule now, with final projects nearly complete and professors offering more freedom to work independently — or simply reflect.
Lennon and Mattheo walked slowly through the courtyard with Theodore and Lorenzo trailing behind, hands in their pockets. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows over the stone benches where younger students studied or chatted.
They paused by the edge of the courtyard fountain, the water catching the light in little arcs. Lennon sat on the edge, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"So," she said, "still thinking about what comes after?"
Lorenzo exhaled. "All the time."
Theodore nodded. "Dumbledore's letters make it real, don't they?"
Mattheo stayed quiet. His fingers brushed the inside pocket of his robes where he kept the letter — where it had stayed since the morning he received it.
"I read mine three times already," Lorenzo admitted.
"Just three?" Theodore teased.
"I might've memorized it," Lorenzo muttered.
Mattheo looked at Lennon. "Have you made a decision yet?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "I think I want to become an Auror."
They all looked at her, surprised.
"Like your dad?" Mattheo asked.
She smiled a little. "Yeah. It feels right. I've spent my life watching people fight for what's good. I want to be someone who protects that."
Mattheo looked down. "You'd be brilliant at it."
She nudged him with her knee. "And you? Still unsure?"
He nodded slowly. "I spent so much time trying to undo what my father made me. I never thought past surviving."
There was a pause.
"But now," he said, "I think… I want to live a life where I'm not hiding. I just don't know what that looks like yet."
Lorenzo clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Together."
Theodore added, "We've made it this far. We're not about to let the future scare us now."
A voice cut through the calm.
"You lot planning to skip class after all?"
They turned to see Neville approaching, smiling. Harry and Ginny were with him, followed by Hermione, Dean, Seamus, and Luna.
"Come sit with us," Luna said brightly, already settling herself in the grass.
They all found places — stretched out on the warm lawn or leaning back on benches, bags forgotten. The conversation turned easy, flowing from dreams and travel ideas to Quidditch gossip and ridiculous hypotheticals. The sun moved lazily overhead, and none of them seemed in a rush to leave.
Oliver, Angelina, and Katie arrived a bit later, grinning as they joined the growing group.
"Let me guess," Angelina said, sitting beside Lennon. "Skipping class?"
"Not skipping," Mattheo said. "Reallocating time to reflect on life."
Oliver smirked. "You sound like Dumbledore."
The group laughed.
Lennon turned to Oliver. "Are you excited about Puddlemere?"
His eyes lit up. "Beyond excited. I've waited for this since I was twelve. It's… unreal."
Angelina nodded. "I think we all still can't believe it's really happening. Graduation. Moving on."
Katie smiled, though it was tinged with nostalgia. "I'm going to miss this."
"Same," Lennon whispered.
They sat in that moment a while longer — the warm spring air, their friends around them, the castle watching over them like an old friend.
And just as the sun began to dip a little lower in the sky, a soft flutter of wings interrupted the stillness.
An owl swooped down, graceful and sure, dropping a sealed parchment in Lennon's lap.
Everyone stilled.
She opened it slowly, scanning the contents.
Her eyes widened.
"Well?" Mattheo asked.
She looked up, stunned. "It's from the Auror Office. They want me to come in for a meeting this summer."
Cheers erupted around her.
Ginny hugged her from behind. "That's amazing!"
Hermione looked like she might cry. "Lennon, that's— that's incredible."
Mattheo reached for her hand. "You're already becoming everything you were meant to be."
She turned to him, cheeks flushed. "Only because I had the chance to grow. And to be loved."
He kissed her then, surrounded by their friends and the golden haze of spring. And for that moment, everything was perfect — exactly as it should be.
A loud voice broke through the peaceful scene, startling them all.
"Oi, you lot! You're gonna be late for your classes if you don't hurry up!"
The familiar figure of Hagrid lumbered over to them, looking a little out of breath but as cheerful as ever. He grinned widely at the group of seventh years. "The sun's high, the birds are singing, and I'll bet your professors aren't too pleased with you all lounging around."
Lennon groaned and threw a playful look at her friends. "Does he ever not ruin the moment?"
"I think it's his job," Mattheo teased.
Seamus threw his head back dramatically. "Hagrid, you've ruined our perfect day of rebellion! Just give us five more minutes!"
Lorenzo nodded sagely. "Five more minutes and we promise to go."
Theodore added, "Just a little longer to enjoy the sunshine. You know, for the memories."
Hagrid chuckled heartily. "The lot of you are trouble, aren't you? Well, get going before I have to carry you all to your classrooms myself."
The group groaned in unison, dragging themselves to their feet. They were all clearly reluctant to break the spell of the perfect afternoon.
"Come on," Hagrid called, waving them off. "You've got another day to mess about, but not today! Off you go!"
The group slowly began walking toward their next classes, still laughing, but there was an undeniable sense of finality in the air. Their days of carefree Hogwarts life were quickly coming to a close.
As they walked toward the main doors, Lennon leaned in to Mattheo. "You know, I'm kind of glad we didn't skip out on the last couple of days. There's something… magical about Hogwarts, even when you don't want to be here."
Mattheo smiled, taking her hand in his. "We'll carry it with us, no matter what comes next."
Together, they walked into the castle, ready to face whatever the final days of their time at Hogwarts held.