Aurora Borealis

Chapter 13

Harry and his housemates arrived at Fork High a little late thanks to Teddy and his monster dog. It had taken a lot of convincing but Harry managed to convince Teddy that Moony would be perfectly fine at home with the house elves. Even now Teddy was still sulking a little and he refused to tell Harry 'bye' when Neville and Blaise walked off to join the group of parents and siblings taking seats in the gym. 

"He'll get over it so stop looking so heartbroken," Draco said with a roll of his eyes as Luna patted Harry comfortably on the arm. Harry just managed to control the urge to stick his tongue out at Draco, but only just. As it turned out, Draco seemed to sense Harry's intention anyways because the blonde threw him a dirty look before strutting toward the back of the Gym - where the seniors were told to gather. However, as Draco left Harry gave into his urge and made a face at the older teen's back. 

The cramped area behind the Gym was a bit chaotic when Harry and Luna finally rounded the corner. Ms. Cope from the front office and one of the math teachers were trying to get everyone into an alphabetical line - but most people were milling about, chatting with their friends instead of cooperating. It seemed like after a while the math teacher lost all patience and began yelling at people to get into place. 

Harry ended up standing right in front of Jessica Stanley of all people. If that wasn't a testament of how small Forks was, then nothing was. As it stood, the girl talked everyone's ear off for a whole thirty minutes before the actual graduation began. She kept lamenting on how awesome the year had been and how good friend everyone had been and how they should all keep in touch when the all went off the university. Harry just kept giving Bella long suffering looks of empathy. And then the graduation was on its way. 

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Neville looked around the gym with wide eyed wonder, taking in all the Muggles and Muggle products. The stuff was so strange and foreign and amazing. 

"That's not a look someone normally sees on a teen's face." The dry comment came from right next to him and so Neville turned to look at the person. It was Leah, he remembered her from the bonfire and yesterday's talent competition. Despite that he still couldn't help but marvel at her amazing russet skin or her spiky dark hair. She just looked so bloody cool. 

"Cat got your tongue?" 

"Pardon," Neville asked, blinking when he realized he was staring. 

"You look like you've dropped into wonderland," Leah told him with some amusement. 

"What's wonderland," Neville asked, his brows furrowing at the unfamiliar term. 

"You've never read Alice in Wonderland?" Neville shook his head and Leah sighed. "You're childhood was seriously robbed." 

"I suppose it's a Muggle think then," Neville wondered. "I've always wanted to read Muggle stories, but my grandmum wouldn't let me. She was afraid it would confuse me too much." 

"Well I'll lend you the book and you can figure out whether or not it will confuse you," Leah told him with a small smile and a shake of her head. 

Neville smiled back before turning to face the front as the graduation started. 

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Harry had finally come to the decision that Alice Cullen was a force to be reckoned with. Not only had she managed to single handedly plan the best party in the existence of Forks, but she had also managed to set it all up in only two short hours. Harry supposed she had a little help from a thing called vampire speed, but it was still rather disconcerting.  

"I like it," Draco declared imperiously as he critically took in the flashing strobe lights and the gleaming stage that had replaced the platform that had previously housed Edward's piano. Bella let out a low groan from beside Harry and he could guess that she now wished she had stayed for dinner with her dad for just a little bit longer.