Graduation - Hogwarts Class of 2027

Stepping through the doors of a completely empty Great Hall, Katrina-Carlotta smiled slightly. Her Seventh Year students would be graduating today. The hall was elaborately decorated, thanks to the elves, with crests of all four houses hanging from the celling. The crests fluttered slightly in a nonexistent breeze, even as the huge Hogwarts crest behind the staff table stayed utterly still.

The house tables had been removed for the event, replaced by row after row of chairs. The witch had ensured that there would be enough seats for family and friends, as well as her students. Katrina-Carlotta may have never been handed a diploma, but she knew how important this day was for the graduating class. They would be adults, after this. The moment she handed each student their ribbon-tied diploma, they would no longer be a student of Hogwarts. They would be out on their own, with no elves to serve regular meals or do their laundry. It would be a big step in all of their lives.

Well, not all of their lives. Two of her seventh year students would not be graduating with the rest of their peers. Lily Potter, and Peter Simmons would both be getting letters from her sometime during their summer break. After all, their education was her responsibility.

Smiling pleasantly as people began to trickle into the hall, Katrina-Carlotta ran a hand down the slick black material of her robe. She wore it open, as she usually did, showing off the gray dress that the witch had donned underneath. The Headmistress tried to be as neutral as possible, when it came to houses. Black and grey was safe, as well as fitting.

Sliding into her seat, the woman waited for the rest of her students and their loved ones to arrive.

After spending time in a holding cell in the bowels of the ministry it was somewhat refreshing to walk into The Great Hall. Today was graduation, the day Alexander was sent into the adult working world to achieve and fulfill his ambitions. However, would his stance against the marriage law, opposing the ministry, mean they wouldn't employ him? He had made a mistake not going along the marriage law, now the Slytherin didn't know if it would haunt him forever.

What else would he decide to do apart from a ministry role? There were hardly any other high flying careers where he could make decisions, influence Wizarding Britain and make changes in the favor of a pure blood society. A career in healing wasn't exactly for him, nor was research. Alexander was made to work in the ministry, to become a politician. Evidently it seemed that ambition would be more trickier to fill.

For now he'd bide his time, wait for the law to subside, hope that the ministry regime was corrected. Hope. For the first time in his life the Slytherin was relying on hope. However, in spite of everything Alexander was going to forget about it all today, forget about his future and live in the present. It was something he hadn't done for a while, it seemed foreign and wrong to him but it was his way of escaping the predicament he'd landed himself in. Today was graduation. He'd completed seven years at Hogwarts and today Alexander was going to wear a smile on his face for getting this far in life.

Taking a seat somewhere in the middle Alexander looked down at the list of names on a piece of parchment he'd collected on his way into the Great Hall.

Alexander Nott - Slytherin.

Today was graduation, the day Alexander was sent into the adult working world to achieve and fulfill his ambitions.

Maura couldn't believe it, she was finally  done with her seventh year and was about to be graduating from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly. It just seemed like yesterday that she was here as a first year waiting to get sorted. Now she was a seventh year who was about to become a healer and married to the love of her life Ryo Hiroku. Yes, a year later they were married and have na beautiful baby girl.  Yes the struggles were hard,  but in the end Maura made it through.

This whole year had been crazy for Maura,  but she wouldn't had changed it for anything if she could.  " Still better than last year. " Maura thought to herself shivering.  Last year she was tortured twice and almost died,  but this year she gotten pregnant hurt by Henry and burned.  " Wow...these pass two years been crazy!"Maura thought to herself chuckling.   Shaking her head,  she checked herself in the mirror before heading down towards the Great Hall.  

Walking into the Great Hall she gasped at how beautiful it looked,  it made her almost cry knowing this was the last time she'll see  it again.   Taking a parchment with the graduating students on it,  she seen her name written on it and smiled.   She did it, she graduated from Hogwarts.  For all the people who doubted she'll graduate because she was pregnant,  she proved them wrong.  Although she was home schooled for some, but Maura came back and completed her schooling like she never left.  She even made top marks on some of her NEWTs which she was quite pleased with.

Taking her seat,  in the front,  Maura's eyes wondered around looking for Ryo and her family.   Looking around she sighed not seeing them,  but the event just started so there was still time.  She didn't even know if Ryo or Hallie was coming,  but she knew her parents were.   Looking up she smiled as her parents and brother walked towards her.  Hugging them,  they took their place beside Maura saving two seats in case Ryo and Hallie came.

It was finally time.

For once in his life, Kaiden Poliakoff was nervous about something. Well, not exactly for once, he'd been nervous before but not like this. This was something.. Well, great. He honestly couldn't believe he was graduating. Him, the slacker, the flirtatious Slytherin who didn't like doing work, was graduating. As much as he couldn't wrap his mind around it, he knew there was one main reason it was happening. And that was because of his, now, wife. Adrienne had changed him a lot, so much more than he had ever imagined.

Right now, the thought of her kind of upset him though. Even though she had helped him achieve his goal of graduating, the two had fought and she had left. They'd been able to settle things, but the bitterness her leaving caused him remained, making him seem just a little bit colder toward her and everyone than he would have liked. Kaiden shook his head though, as he straightened the tie he had just finished tying. He stared at the green and silver tie, through the mirror he stood in front of, and sighed. He couldn't believe that after this he would no longer be a Slytherin snake, or a Hogwarts student. But instead, a graduate, one who would work at the ministry.

Finally deciding he looked decent as presentable, the Slytherin left his dorm and made his way to the Great Hall where a few students had already made their way into. He glanced at a fellow Slytherin, Alexander Nott, and nodded in his direction before continuing to look around the room before his gaze fell on Maura. A pang of guilt always hit Kaiden when he saw the Hufflepuff. He'd been such an arse to her and while their relationship was better now - friendship was a better word, he couldn't help but feel bad about everything he did to her.

"Hey Mars." He greeted her lightly with a smile, planting a quick kiss on her cheek as a usual greeting now.

The Great Hall was slowly starting to fill up with graduates and their loved ones. Looking around for her friends, her eyes landed on Kaiden who seemed to saw her first. "Hey Kai!"said Maura hugging him and giving him a friendly peck on the cheek. It was their normal greeting for one another, they were good friends and close friends oddly enough. A lot of people thought Maura shouldn't have forgave him, but she found goodness in people just like Sophia did.

" Well... well.. look who looks all nice for this occasion. " said Maura smirking at him. " I would of thought you would of came wearing what you normally wear. " said Maura honestly. " I know you hate to get dressed up. " said Maura smirking at him once again. She knew how Kaiden was all to well, she knew all her friends like the back of her hand.

"I can't believe after tonight, we'll no longer be Hogwarts students. "said Maura sadly. She was sad to leave the only place she called her second home for the past seven years. She had alot of memories here, from the good to the bad she had them all. Now she was going to carry those memories in her heart forever. Although she had a feeling she'll be back, it was still hard leaving.

Snapping out of her trance, he seen Kaiden was a bit out of it and down. " Hey Kai, are you ok? You seem a bit out of it. " said Maura softly. Looking around, she seen that Addie wasn't with him which made her confused but she didn't say anything. "I got a job at St . Mungo's as a healer, I guess my internship there landed me the job!"said Maura happily. Funny how things were falling into place for her after everything she been through these pass years.

It was time to gaduate from this school now for Mason. He wanted to graduate but same time he didn't want too. He will miss even few peope fro here and he had so much fun here awhile attending. He had no idea what he will do yet in future. He had no plans at all for real.

He walked into the great hall and saw there her fellow students who will graduate too this year and headmistress. He didn't know anyone here right now. He had met Maura once and said few not so nice words to him. He just did take a seat somewhere. He wasn't really in the mood to talk with anyone.

He wasn't sure if his family will come or not and he actually didn't care about it so much right now. They probably will come here. He looked around and wondered why he had came so early here.

This time last year Amelia was sat at the back of the Great Hall with her fellow parents, watching teary eyed as Hallie graduated. Her daughter had been through so much in her life it was surprising that she had graduated at all. What with her being attacked by a werewolf, which turned out to have been her brother the summer before fourth year. Then she'd almost died trying to rescue her friends Taranee and Maura. Yet she'd graduated, thinking life would be easier but then she fell from Gryffindor Tower, was abducted, tortured, lost a leg and ended up pregnant. The past year hadn't been great for her daughter. Amelia would have given anything to have turned back time, prevented Hallie from ever graduating.

Unlike last year Amelia was sat the other end of the Great Hall, two seats down from the headmistress Katrina-Carlotta Du Hunt. Wanting a change in her career the witch had left her job with the ministry working in the department of magical transportation and returned to the castle she'd once called her home from home.

She'd been a Professor for an entire academic year. It was rather sad staring across the hall at the sea of students ready to leave Hogwarts, start their own careers and heck maybe a few of them would return to the castle to teach. That would be rewarding, to work alongside some of them one day. To know that she inspired them enough to learn that they decided to share their knowledge and pass on their wisdom.

Amelia smiled. When the Professor had began her year at Hogwarts it was rare to catch even a quick curl of her lip. She'd be an empty shell, sad, alone and grieving for her husband and son. Amelia had found it hard to sleep at night, so much so that she had become an occlumens to block out her own thoughts and nightmares. The charms Professor was still an insomniac, however, and had spent the majority of her nights staying up late to mark work and re-plan the next days lessons. She may not have learned to sleep but Amelia had remembered how to smile. She'd achieved her goal for she hoped returning to Hogwarts would inspire her, allow her to witness the good in the world and finally it had. Amelia had been reunited with son, her daughter was now content and she'd watched the students grow.

Her blue eyes caught sight of Maura, Hallie's best friend. It was a shame to see her leave earlier in the year because of her pregnancy but from what Hallie had heard her baby was perfectly healthy and the hufflepuff was enjoying motherhood. Amelia could only hope Hallie would have the same experience, an experience like Maura's as opposed to her own. Hopefully her little auror wouldn't find herself a single Mother with a missing child. Amelia wouldn't wish that upon anybody, not even the death eater that had taken her husbands life.

Lily knew this was going to end poorly. But she, like so many of her fellow human beings, had this horrible capacity for hope. Even when the evidence all pointed otherwise, she knew that there would be no way that she could ignore the draw that the graduation ceremony that would have been hers was going to have on her. She would just drive herself nuts, probably drink a whole bottle of wine, and then show up anyway – drunk and high. At least showing up before that happened meant coming on her own terms.

She had already nearly failed twice, but the last run in propelled her towards the castle. She entered, realizing she was one of the stragglers who had not been prompt in arriving. Indeed, the castle gates were closed by the time she reached the castle, and the doors would be sure to follow soon. She had made it. Barely, with very few minutes left to spare, but she was now here, and the time for turning back and leaving before she was noticed was escaping before her.

Stewart had suggested she come back to school for the next school year. Showing up tonight meant that Du Hunt, and maybe even Stewart, would see that she was intending to do just that. Part of her wanted to show Stewart she had taken a lot of what they had spoken of seriously. Another part of her just wanted to stop hiding, wanted to see the climate she had left Hogwarts in so that she could see what she would be facing next year. She was cranking up her mode of life from Existing to Surviving. It didn’t seem like much, but it was definitely a step.

She had changed out of the pajamas, out of the stained sweaters, traded out her slippers. She wore the [url= http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=125750733]dress[/url] she had been given for Christmas, a dress she had only worn to prove she had received it. It was now too big on her shrunken frame, fitting length wise, but she could not quite fill out the torso, the arms, her hip bones adding an angular look to the get up. She pulled on tights, boots, donned an old ring. Brushed out her hair, long strokes, careful, meaningful, untangling all the knots.

And now, she walked into the Great Hall. Her hair rested over either shoulder and the dress gently bounced against her thighs as she walked inside, her arms at her side, her neck forward ever so slightly as though looking for somebody, when, in truth, she was looking out for everyone. The danger was not over. It probably never would be.

But, for tonight, she had to be brave. It was time to be a Gryffindor.

The seats weren't all filled, she hadn't expected them to be, but a quick scan of the room told Katrina-Carlotta that all of her graduating students were in attendance. Most were seated, waiting patiently or chatting with their neighbors. Others were mingling, walking around the room conversing with family and friends. It was with this knowledge, that the Headmistress stood from her chair.

The chatter dissolved almost instantly into whispers as people tried to get in the last few words of their conversation, or mutter a comment to those sitting near them about the witch herself. It was a new experience for Katrina-Carlotta. While she wasn't exactly a stranger to people going quiet upon her entrance, the look in the eyes of her students was something she'd not before experienced. She'd seen respect, dislike, and obedience upon the faces of others whom had regarded her, but never so purely. These teenagers knew her as their Headmistress, nothing less and nothing more. It was almost refreshing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I know that our graduates are most eager to be handed their testimoniums, but I'd like to say a few words first. This year has not been easy on our students. With all the changes that have taken place within our Ministry, and within our school's walls, it may have been difficult at times to concentrate on things like NEWTS," Katrina-Carlotta paused for a moment as murmurs of agreement and a laugh or two emerged from the crowd. With a small smile of acknowledgement, the woman began to speak once more, magnified voice resonating in the hall, "for those of you who wish to know, scores should be sent approxamately two weeks from now. Off the record, since I'm not officially supposed to know yet, this year's scores were quite impressive. So well done seventh years!"

"Graduating class, you've been a great example for the lower years and helped to make Hogwarts into the brilliant academy of magic that it is. You are certainly welcome to come back and visit at any time, although an owl in advance might be nice. While I know this place has been your home for the past seven years, Hogwarts has taught you all that it can. It's time for you to go out into the world, and use the skills that you've obtained. Graduating Class of 2027, come collect your parchments!"

Amidst the applause, the Headmistress turned around to grab an armful of scrolls, intending to personally hand them to each student, perhaps with a short word as well. Katrina-Carlotta had tried to meet with all of her seventh years in the two terms that she had been a part of the school, but hadn't quite succeeded. After all, she had more than one responsibility, and the students were spending their time preparing for some of the most important exams they would ever take.

As the seventh years stood and flooded towards her, the dark witch's eyes found Lily Potter. Not headed towards her like the rest of her fellow students, the Headmistress quirked her lips in the Potter's direction in something that was almost, but not quite, a smile.

The Headmistresses speech had certainly been somewhat uplifting. It placed a positive end on the seven years Alexander had lived, studied and found himself at Hogwarts. Although he was excited to enter the wizarding world, enter a career within the ministry and continue the Nott traditions it would be sad to say farewell to the castle.

Would he be returning? Most likely not, he no longer had a purpose to be here. Alexander didn't want to end up teaching, he wanted to make a difference to the world, bring back pure blood traditions that had been castrated and change the face of the ministry. His first aim would be to do something about half breeds. They needed more restrictions, whoever had been controlling the ministry clearly wasn't doing a good enough job. Thanks to James Blood the werewolf population had drastically increased, how unfortunate. Alexander hoped to change that.

At the sound of the applause the Slytherin stood up and made his way to the platform where Katrina-Carlotta would be handing out strolls. His dark eyes fell upon Lily Potter. She wasn't rising. Nudging his friend Alexander muttered, loud enough for those around him to hear.

'Clear some people wont be leaving this place.' His friend laughed, along with another Slytherin who had caught up to them after needing to fasten their shoelace.

'Not that we should complain. The fewer Potters out there the better.'