Graduation--Class of 2026

Maura nodded.  "Don't worry, I'll look for her you just go."said Maura softly.  Getting up slowly from her seat Maura walked towards Ryo's aunt giving her a soft warm smile.  "Hi I'm Maura, Ryo's girlfriend pleasure to meet you."said Maura.  "I have two spots next to me if you want to sit there."said Maura.

"You haven't seen Sayuri around by any chance? Ryo is looking for her."said Maura softly.  "I honestly never seen him this worried before."said Maura sighing as her eyes turned gold with worry.  Maura noticed that Ryo's aunt was wearing a very nice dress which made Maura's dress look like she gotten it from a thrift shop.  Although Maura's parents were middle class, but the dress did cost quite a bit to get it.

Noticing the graduates were lining up Maura looked at Ryo and gave him a worried look before she turned back to his aunt.  "I think the ceremony is about to start."said Maura her now chocolate brown eyes looking at the seventh years.

Robert saw the graduates lined up and smiled. This was always a stressful day not only for the graduates but for their families as well.  The sooner the ceremony was over, the sooner the graduates could celebrate their successes, and they certainly deserved it. 

He picked up the diplomas and walked down the line of graduates, handing out the diplomas as he went, addressing them one by one as he handed them out.

"Congratulations," he told them.  "And best wishes to all of you for much success in your futures.  And the graduates for 2025 are Darius Dolohov, Hallie Cooper, Alia Gibbon, Ryo Hiroku, Cecilia Krum, Jack Kubin, Kiara Lawrence, Sam, Nesbitt, Nick Potter, and Ryan Reagan.  Well done, All."

He turned to the rest who were in the hall. "A round of applause for all of this years graduates!"

At the mention of her name Hallie stepped forward to accept her scroll before returning to her seat. She looked over her shoulder from the Gryffindor table to see her Mum smiling, teary eyed and clapping. She knew why she was getting emotional, she was her only child. It was a miracle that Hallie had even reached graduation, especially after the scene in the shack a month or two ago.

Not applauding the other graduates who were collecting their scrolls Hallie opened it to read:

GRYFFINDOR GRADUATE 2025
HALLIE COOPER

Her blue eyes smiled with her lips, she had made it. The next big step was to become an auror, hopefully be accepted as a trainee then receive her certificate three years later.

Hallie clapped for her fellow Gryffindor Nick Potter as he collected his own scroll, which would say pretty much the same as hers. It was only a matter of time before August would creep up and announce her NEWT results, tell her if she had achieved the grades to become an auror. She knew she would get an Outstanding in transfiguration. She didn't know why, or how she knew, yet she just knew. It would be potions deciding whether she would even get an interview to become an auror. All she needed was an exceed expectations and the exam hadn't gone as well as she had hoped. Fingers crossed.

Sayuri hadn't shown up.

After receiving his diploma, Ryo walked over to the table where Maura was sitting with his aunt and uncle. He placed the diploma which read -  

- down without saying a word, his bangs covering his eyes and he turned to walk away.

"Ryo..?"

He turned again to see his aunt had stood up. "Ryo, are you going to look for your sister?" she asked him. Ryo looked down and made no movement to show if he was or wasn't. "Oh..." his aunt seemed to understand though and she sat back down.

"Don't worry. I'll be back with her." he lifted his head and smiled. "Maura... if she shows up or anything happens, let me know?" he asked her before he placed a kiss on her forehead and he turned again.

"Make sure you find her Ryo." his uncle finally spoke up. Ryo looked at him and nodded. "I will." he responded and he walked out of the Great Hall. Where could the girl be?

Maura nodded. "Of course love."said Maura softly knowing what he meant. "Be careful and be safe."said Maura softly as she kissed him softly on the cheek. Seeing him walk out of the Great Hall, she turned to Ryo's aunt and uncle and gave them a comforting smile.

"He'll find her and bring her back here."said Maura softly. Maura knew that Ryo would do everything in his power to bring he back, she could tell that he wanted her to be here with him.

Hallie rolled up her scroll and listened as one of the Professors began to wish the students good luck and the usual things a teacher says when they've seen an army of students grow up the past seven years. Hallie sue has grown up over that time. She had arrived at Hogwarts excited and fascinated by almost everything magical - she began to think back how giddy he got when they move onto levitating objects in charms. Although it wasn't just the lessons themselves the entire castle was her haven. After seven years of exploring the castle, discovering it's secrets she began to think how she probably hadn't unconvered even a quarter of what Hogwarts has to offer. Maybe if she had arrived to we lessons on time, done her homework on time and stayed out of detention she would have had more time to do so.

Glancing over her shoulder she noticed Ryo leaving The Great Hall. Leaving her seat and ducking down the Gryffindor headed over to Maura, who wasn't too far away from her Mum - who seemed rather focused on the long winded speech that the Professor was saying. He was that ancient she had probably been a student of his herself.

'Mars is everything okay?' She asked. Ever since the incident in the Shrieking Shack Hallie had been extra indulgent in Maura's life. She cared about her an after almost losing her ever Hallie wasn't going to take the time they had together for granted, much like how she had took the time with her brother for granted.

Maura looked at Hallie and frowned as she asked if everything was ok.  "I don't know Hal, Ryo is going to go look for his sister."said Maura softly as she looked at her best friend with sad eyes.  "I just hope he'll be alright."said Maura softly.  Maura couldn't afford for anyone else to be hurt, she already had enough this year.

"I just hope that next year will be better then this year was."said Maura softly. She was meaning all the stuff she went through this year with James and Alexis.  All Maura knew, that she was going to miss Ryo and Hallie next year.  She didn't know what she was going to do without them next year.

"You going to the party Hal?"Maura asked her softly as she looked at her yellow dress and sighed to herself. Maybe just maybe, Ryo would make it back in time, but if he didn't then it was ok though she'll understand. She just hoped that he'll find his sister who was missing for the last few months.

Hallie frowned in concern for Ryo. If Ryo's sister was in danger it meant trouble for Ryo, who Hallie now considered a friend after what they'd been through, which ultimately led to trouble for Maura... And Hallie didn't want that. Not wanting to say anything that could hit a nerve or ask questions with no answers Hallie simply listened.

' I think so.' She replied smiling. 'It's a beautiful day so we may as well make the most of it!' Hallie continued, continuing to wear a genuine smile on her face. She was never one to hide her emotions and why would she hide them from Maura? After everything that had happened they deserved to be happy and hopefully Ryo would be back in tome for the party. 'You know I'll miss you next year.' The Gryffindor added, her blue eyes gazing into Maura's brown, finally embracing her in a hug for a minute.

'We're all going to be fine.' She had said this a lot since the incident. It was her way of dealing with what happened. Hallie hadn't even recognised she said it much, at all in fact. Yet it was subconsciously soothing for her.