ALWAYS

GRADUATION

"Ughhhhhh" groaned Lily as she struggled to open her eyes. She turned to side, to look at James, but to her surprise couldn't find him anywhere. "James" she called out, an unknown sense of fear growing inside her. "James!" she called out once again, now sitting up straight and getting out of bed. She walked down the staircase to find Sirius and Marlene, sound asleep on the couch, she glanced at Remus and Peter huddled together on the ground and slowly made her way to her bedroom, the fear started creeping deeper and deeper into her heart. She slowly opened the door, to find Alice and Frank wrapped in each others warm embrace, peacefully sleeping. She smiled before the fear overtook the tiny moment of joy again. Ever since James had gone missing doing Christmas, Lily would often wake up freaking out and terrified that something had happened to James. Where was James? She tried to stop the tears that were struggling to flow free. "James" she called out once again, making sure she doesn't wake any of the others up. She was about to wake Sirius when she heard the portrait hole open and James come in, wiping off the snow on his black, messy hair. She turned around, relief spreading through her body, "James" she let out a sigh, as James looked up after hanging his coat on the stand to see Lily, come up to him, and throw her arms around his neck. Tears sprang from her eyes, "Thank Merlin!" she whispered as she pulled him closer. James, knowing Lily better than anyone, immediately understood why Lily was so scared and pulled her close. "It's okay, I'm fine" he said, stroking her hair. She nodded, refusing to let go. James pulled her away, looked into her emerald eyes, wiped the tears off her face, and kissed her gently on the lips. "Where did you go?" she asked, now annoyed that he had left her, this early in the morning. "I woke up, and you were still sleeping. I knew you'd be tired so I cleaned up" he said. She looked around and realised that their dorm indeed looked tidy. She smiled at him before a blinding pain passed through her head. "Ughhh.... my head" she said massaging her temples. "And that my dear is a hangover" he explained, taking her hand, led her to the kitchen and made her sit on the kitchen counter. A few minutes later Lily had gulped down a potion that James claimed was Sirius's recipe for a hangover and indeed it had worked. 

"Byee guys" said Lily, as she stood at the portrait hole waving to Sirius, Marlene, Remus, Frank and Alice. Peter had already left, and no one knew where he went. "The rats were probably running around in his stomach again" joked Sirius, as he left. After everyone had left, Lily joined James on the couch. "Peace at last!" said James as he pulled Lily close. She was leaning on his chest, and looked up to give him a smile. James looked at her and smiled back. But Lily immediately got up and pulled James up too. "Let's take one last stroll through Hogwarts before the graduation ceremony starts" she said. "I would love to" replied James as they walked out of their Dorm. 

James showed Lily all the secret passageways in Hogwarts, the kitchen. They walked past the Gryffindor common room. Lily pointed towards the entrance and said "you bumped into me on purpose everytime I passed through the potrait hole". James did nothing but nod, with pride. They walked past the great hall, the feeling of nostalgia spread through them. How many fascinating, silly, romantic and creative talks had they had in the hall, how many times had the Marauders pranked the school in the hall. They passed through the classroom, where James fondly remembered Lily twirling her hair with her finger, fidgeting with her quill and writing furiously during her N.E.W.T.S. Lily too remembered James gazing at her instead of writing his own exam. They both looked at each other at burst out laughing, both understanding what the other was thinking. Finally the visited the Library, where James and Lily had carved "James + Lily- for eternity" under one of the tables, as a final memory of their love and presence in Hogwarts. 

They rushed back to the Dorm. They quickly got ready and went to the Gryffindor common room to find everyone hugging Alice and Frank. "Hey" greeted James. "James, Lily, guess what?" said Frank excited. James and Lily looked at Frank and Alice confused. Alice held up her hand, a big wide smile plastered across her face. Lily immediately let out a gasp, as she saw the pretty diamond ring on her finger. "What?" said James, still confused. Lily smacked him on the head before tackling Alice into a hug. "We're engaged" explained Frank. "Oh my merlin" exclaimed James, pulling Frank into a hug. "Congrats" he said. Everyone was distracted by the engagement that they didn't notice McGonagall come in. "You guys are still here! Come on mov-" she ordered before she spotted the ring on Alice's finger. "Oh, Alice, Frank! How lovely! Congratulations" she said. "Now, enough of this. We can celebrate later. But now it's time for us to go the grounds" she said. Everyone nodded and followed McGonagall.  They walked to the grounds to find parents sitting in chairs and a stage where Dumbledore stood proudly handing the last of the certificates to the Ravenclaws. 

"Next I would like to call upon Sirius Black". Dumbledores voice was loud and clear. Sirius walked up to the stage, proud yet nervous. His eyes were searching for his parents, biological parents. Hoping for even a sliver of their appreciation and love. But when he finally found them he saw his mother fussing over Regulus, only to stop and give Sirius a disapproving look. A feeling of grief tugged at Sirius, but as Dumbledore gave him his certificate, a deafening whoop startled everyone. And a Sirius couldn't help but laugh at Dorea Potter, his mother, who proudly cheered, letting the crowd know who was up on stage, "That's my son right there!" she shouted, a cheeky grin on her face as she saw Walburga Black eye her, an evil look on her face. Dorea Potter continued cheering for Lily, Remus and Peter. She joined in Frank and Alice's parents, and cheered for Marlene along with her parents too. She cheered for James as loud as possible, but everyone agreed she cheered the loudest for Sirius. 

After the ceremony all the parents congratulate Alice and Frank. Lily excused herself from the swarm of her friends and her parents, taking a moment to remember hers, and letting a tear trickle down, she let out a quite sob. But James was not going to let her ruin her day, and so sneaking up behind her, he gave her a warm hug, a kiss on the forehead and led her back to his parents. Dorea embraced her lovingly, telling her how proud she was of her, and how ecstatic she was when she saw her on stage. "Oh, I almost forgot. We have something for you. A little graduation present" she said unable to hold her excitement. She looked at Charles who pulled out a tiny rectangular box from his pocket and opened it. Inside lay the most exquisite necklace she had ever seen. The locket had a couple, carrying a little girl in their arms. Lily immediately recognised the plump man, and short curly haired women- her parents. She let out a small cry as she pulled Charles into a hug. "Thank you" she whispered. Charles hugged her back, and as they pulled apart, he took the necklace from her, "May I?' he asked. She nodded, tears swimming in her eyes. How lucky she was to be able to see in Mr and Mrs. Potter her parents. She turned around, holding her hair out of the way as Charles pinned the clasp of the necklace. She felt it on her neck and smiled.

 The festivities ended with a grand feast and a teary good bye. The Marauders had a hard time saying goodbye to McGonagall, and she too had a very hard time saying her goodbye to her best set of students, especially the Marauders. Marlene, Lily and Alice could've swore that they saw McGonagall wipe away a few tears as she saw the Marauders leaving the Great Hall. 

Over all it was a great day and a great graduation. Everyone was happy but at the same time sad, to have finished such a wonderful journey at Hogwarts. But they knew that Hogwarts would always be their home, no matter how far away they are from Hogwarts, it will always be close to them in their hearts. Always.