Graduation 2026

[Cecily Rambolt]

The time had come once more, as it did once a year, to send the seventh years off into the world. Not as students but as graduates of the fine institution of Hogwarts in New Zealand. Be they muggle born or of pure blood, Slytherin or Hufflepuff, it made no difference now as they prepared themselves for their final days at the school most of them had called home since they were eleven years old. Families and friends had answered the owls call; honored guests that either sat with small smiles on their faces...or mothers who pulled stiff, used tissue's from their purse's.

Amid the loud honking of red noses and the gentle guffawing brought upon by stories remembered, stood an occupied podium. Cecily Zhefarovich remembered the first time she had stood here in this spot with their first graduating class. Although those first students would always stand out in her memories, each group to leave imparted a piece of themselves on witch, wizard and the very stone walls of the school itself.

Light green eyes touched upon their youthful faces and she said a silent prayer for them. As she drew her speech to a close, she turned with a smile and bid the Head Boy and the Head Girl to take her place to deliver their heartfelt words.

Out of Character:

Remember that graduates may not post until after the headboy and headgirl have given their address, and I have posted again. At that point your character can be roleplayed as having heard their name being called, receiving their diploma, and sitting back down to observe the rest of the ceremony.
Guests may only post in the appropriate guests thread and any threads that graduates begin after the ceremony.

Congratulations, once more!

 

[Mike Gray]

Mike smiled, opening his parchment that his speech was written on. Full of nerves, he opened his mouth and began.

"Our time here is almost at an end. It feels as though it was yesterday when we all walked through this hall for the first time ever. Hogwarts has been my home for the past seven years. It has been your home for the past seven years" Mike stated with a beaming smile. Most of you I have known for the full duration of my time here, the rest, for a couple of years. We have finished our schooling, and we advance into the world of work, but learning still continues. But remember, learning is not just about exams and text books. We learn from our mistakes, past experiences, in the hope we can pick ourselves up and move on". Mike took a few seconds to take a breather, getting ready to continue his speech.

" I could not believe my eyes, when I opened the letter, explaining to me that I had been chosen for Headboy. I would like to thank Headmistress Zherfarovich for placing trust in me to do a good job. I am honoured to have held a prestigious position, and so" Mike said looking back to Professor Zhefarovich. I also think that a thanks is due for the Professors. Without them, learning wouldn't be possible. Learning wouldn't be fun, and looking at all our fantastic N.E.W.T results, I would like to say one huge thank you the Professors!". As I entered Hogwarts, I knew this would be a place I could call home. I've made some fantastic friends, learnt some lessons about life. It's needless to say that I would not be who I am today without all of you!

As we entered the world of work, many of us will split ways. Some may go on to work at the Ministry, others abroad. Some may become Quidditch Players, some may even turn up here and become a Professor. But whatever you do, whatever profession is your desire, go ahead, don't be afraid. The world is your oyster, and as long as you follow your heart and do what you want to do then everyone will be happy for you. I cannot believe I'm saying this, I never thought the seven years would go as fast as it has done, but we did it guys, we made it!

 

[Cecily Rambolt]

Cecily was touched by the speech given by the Headboy. She'd instantly recognized the look that had come over the Headgirl, Zazuka Bones, as she was asked to take the podium for the first time. Cecily could practically see the words disapparate from the young lady's pretty head and all the blood rush from her face to perhaps her toes; the same had happened to the Headmistress years ago. She didn't come to the podium, and Cecily didn't try to force it upon her. At least Miss Bones had not tried to give her speech and ended it by clapping a hand to her mouth and running to ralph in a potted plant somewhere.

"Thank you," Cecily said with a wide grin, retaking the podium as if everything was normal, and Zazuka had never been meant to speak as she clapped along with the audience. Lightly she placed her slim hands on the podium and surveyed the crowd before beginning to call the students up, one by one. As she passed them their diplomas and shook their hands, she marvelled at how they had grown.

One thing she knew was that they had entered the Great Hall as students; they would leave it as graduates, ready to take on the world.

 

[Amzurah Archer]

Amzurah Archer applauded the brief speech made by the headmistress and their headboy and girl. She smiled warmly at them both, knowing it couldn't be an easy feat to get up in front of so many and speak about the past several years of their lives and the future they all hoped for. Her eyes moved out across the crowd of people that were here today to celebrate with the students. Her mother had been adamant that she would not be able to attend and it broke Zura's heart that she had not relented, so when her eyes alighted on her mingling with the rest of the family members, Amzurah could not help how her eyes filled with tears. It was bad enough knowing her father would not be with her today but she had secretly hoped her mother would have at least tried. She smiled now at her just as her name was called.

As she walked up to receive her scroll, she wondered if Bas had come at all. She had not seen him yet and could not help the butterflies that plagued her stomach in anticipation of seeing him. Amzurah smiled politely at the headmistress, accepted her scroll and walked off the other side of the podium to retake her seat. She was now a Hogwarts alumni, she looked at the scroll in her hands and wondered what her life would have been like if her father had not died. Would she now be graduating from Durmstrang with a whole different future mapped out for herself? She wasn't sure but as she lifted her head to smile as the next student walked on to receive their scroll, she knew she wasn't sad about any of it. She had no regrets and would actually miss this school and the few friends she had made.

 

[Danny Boyd]

Daniel Boyd was so busy scouting the crowd of faces for one particular one, when he felt the slight nudge to his rib cage to let him know his name had been called out. Smiling he stood up and walked languidly to the podium. Taking his scroll and shaking hands with the headmistress. He gave her a warm smile before waving his scroll in the air as if completely thrilled he had made it this far. He looked about the group of seventh years that were applauding him and grinned at them, noting how the seat for Andromeda Fiorelli was empty. It was true then, she was still missing and no one knew where she was. He felt a momentary pang run through him. He hadn't ever really gotten on with her, they had flirted some but no more. She was way too wild and unpredictable for him but even he would not want her absent from her own graduation. He took his seat and looked down at the sea of faces once more, all those that were graduating before looking back over his shoulder to see if there was any sign of Kara.

She was the only one that had held him to this school for so long, the only one he knew he cared for. The rest of the world could seriously just fall apart and he would not care too much. Unable to see her as yet, he turned back in his seat glancing at the parchment in his hand before applauding for the next student and those that came after. This was it, he was free of the school but all he really thought about was how he was now to be away from Kara for the next few years. He would not see her every day as he had here and that would break him completely. He loved her and knew very well he would wait for as long as forever for her. He had found his soul mate and was not letting her go for anyone or anything. Itching now for the ceremony to be over so he could go back amongst the crowd and find her, Danny's legs seemed to shake violently with the restlessly in him that the very thought of her invoked.

 

[Andrew Bruke]

Andrew Bruke wasn't big on getting dressed for his graduation or anything but his girlfriend was and that is why he was in this black suit. What was the whole point? He just wanted to be done with this school and go to the death eaters and start his training. He sat with his classmates clapping for the headmistress and Mike, he wondered why Zazuka didn't make her speech. Although Andrew hardly bothered about thinking about anyone else apart from Adira he did cherish the times he had spent with Zazuka as his girlfriend and then as a friend.She had been nice to him and he even liked Violet and the times they had spent working at Mallory's store, speaking of which he wondered if she had come. He did not speak to her from two years and was angry with her but he missed her.

When his turn came and his name was called he walked up and gave the headmistress a smile as he accepted his scroll and went back to his seat. In this minute he spotted Mallory who had come even though she was uninvited. After the ceremony came to an end he made his way towards his girlfriend ignoring Mallory's presence.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka was not at all ashaimed that had not given her speech and had made a good show of being shy to talk in public. Only Andy, who knew her inside and out would have been able to see that this had been an act. Quite frankly Zazuka had not wanted to speak. She conserded herself in no condition too. What would she had looked like talking about the hope for the furture when there was none unless things where changed. Zazuka, in her purple dress under her graduation robes to match her now purple left eye, came back to the stage after a convincing bit and crossed her legs elegantly.

Zazuka watched as loved ones entered the stage and knew that no one would be here for her. She had not invited anyone. She was sure that Mortemore would be here with his girlfriend Mallory, what she hoped she was right in considering her his soon to be wife but he would be here for Andrew not for Zazuka. She felt at the moment like she didn't need anyone to make compleat. She was meant to be an oberserver really not someone who was activly involved in the lives of others. Zazuka listened for her name carefully then made her way up gracefully to the Headmistress. Her now mismatched eyes managed to bring up some of the old warmth as she smiled brightly, thanked her then walked back to her seat along side Mike to wait for the rest to go by.

 

[Jacob Holland]

The tux underneath his graduation robes made him feel a bit uncomfortable sitting there as the head boy gave his speech. There had been a few times he had to fix himself to feel more comfortable, Jake never been a type to dress up in a tux. Except for his father wedding, and his two sister, he never like wearing the tux, it made him look like a penguin. Or that's just how he saw it, a good looking penguin with sleek hair. He had meant to spike in place, but it didn't come out the way he wanted. Instead his hair was comb back, resembling so much like "the king" if he were still alive. And Jake knew when he meant by "king", thank you very much. Glad he didn't wear blue sued shoes.
After one more tuck at the necktie, he turn his attention up when it was Zazuka Bones turn to give a speech. For a minute he thought she had meant to give a long awkward pause, but when the headmistress took over, Bones failed. Or so he thought when she merrily picked up her diploma. "Nice speech erem mmm, Zuka" he snicker from behind her. And from up the stage, he saw Lila and Roswald. He waved silently at them and noticed little Liam was sitting clapping his loudest when he saw Jake. That made him grin the widest, no longer the youngest he had taken the big brother seriously. This one for you Liam, he spoke silently as he accepted the parcel of certificate. It would've all been better if someone else came, but he didn't see her, he knew he blew it big time with Jessica Reed. But who could blame her, he had done wrong not her. He looked away from his family and walked down the steps to reclaim his seat. Kathryn would be next or so he thought. He waited for his girlfriend to accept her diploma, before everyone went wild and celebrate. Maybe its a good thing Jess not here he thought silently. Something would've happen, but still he loved her just the same as anyone close to Jake. He watched clapping, as the rest of the seventh years went up.

 

[Katheryn Kingsley]

Katheryn Kingsley had taken her time to get ready for Graduation. She had made sure her white dress with a green dress jacket thrown over it. She took the time to pin up red her hair and fix it. The last thing she did was put on her white heels and the pearl necklace around her throat. The blue eyed girl wanted Jake to see her as beautiful. He had yet to answer her about moving in together which was something she really wanted. The young girl looked at herself once last time before heading down to the Great Hall.

Kat was seated beside her boyfriend during the Graduation ceremony. She held his hand as she watched Mike give his speech, wondering why Zazuka didn't do the same. Kat remembered that both Kiera and Alex gave speeches at their graduation but that was the only other graduation she had attended. Katheryn clapped politely as Mike finished and then the other graduates all stood. They filled along the stage, each recieving their diplomas. Katheryn smiled out into the audience, spotting her brother with his Professor girlfriend and her sister with her famous husband, though Kiera was pretty famous herself these days. Kat flashed them a smile and a quick thumbs up as left the stage and went back to her seat next to Jake.

 

[Serena Vanderhol]

So graduation day had finally arrived and Serena couldn't have been happier. She had thought that returning to school to finish out her last year would be a phenomenal experience, but turned out that she spent more than most of her time alone. She thought for sure that at least Kat's old friends would have made her feel like part of the gang, but that in itself proved to be untrue as Andromeda hadn't exactly made her feel welcome at all. Sitting quietly Serena listened as Mike made his speech before the audience and was a bit taken aback when Zazuka couldn't deliver hers at all. When her time came the blonde walked across the stage, curls bouncing along, to accept her slip of rolled up parchment to confirm that she was indeed a graduate of this magical institution. She laughed as she heard her sister call out after her in typical Kat fashion and she caught a glimpse of Harrison in the back right before she took her seat again. Serena beamed brightly because she wasn't sure if he would have been able to make it or not. So it turned out that today was a perfect day. The Gryffindor had graduated and most of those that she loved the most were there to celebrate with her.

 

[Stephen Duquette]

Stephen sat along with the rest of the Seventh Years as they awaited the Ceremony to start. When Stephen started school seven years ago he never imagined that his Graduation would come so close, let alone it being in a completely different school – seeing as he had started out in Beauxbatons. Soon, the Headmistress took to the podium and started the ceremony. He was surprised just how emotional it turned out to be. He didn’t shed a tear during her words or during the HeadBoy’s speech, but he did feel sad about the fact that it was the end of an era and he had enjoyed his time at Hogwarts to say the least. If he hadn’t come here he wouldn’t have been able to reconnect with Becky and finally declare his love for her and become his boyfriend – the second most greatest moment in his life. The next greatest moment was when he had been accepted on to the Thundelarra Thunderers as a first string chaser for the up and coming season. His training would be starting soon now that he was about to Graduate and he couldn’t wait for his life to start. When the names started to be called out for all the Seventh Years to go up to the podium and receive his diploma Stephen took a deep breath and followed the same path as everyone before him. Taking his diploma and shaking the Headmistress’ hand he looked down to the crowd and saw his father beaming up proudly at him with his younger brother sitting beside him making a goofy face. Scanning the crowd quickly again he saw the one face he had been looking for, Becky’s. As he caught her eye he gave her a beaming smile. Making his way back down to the speech he waited for the ceremony to conclude before he went in search of his girlfriend.

 

[Simon Blackmoore]

It would have been nice to imagine that Simon could have graduated with a "best-friend-in-the-world" kind of person, or even a twin like Bess and Connie had in each other. As it was, he sat mostly by himself, chatted frivolously with a few other seventh years and brooded about being alone. He couldn't even say that his ex-boyfriend might have been beside him, since he was a year younger and would probably only join the guests on behalf of another friend. A tiny bird whistle from across the room made a few look up, including Simon, and all at once his spirit soared to see his baby sister Artemis, waving frantically at him as she stood on a chair and looking not in the least out of place because of it. Well, thought Simon wryly, Not entirely alone. No one form out family can ever be alone if Art is around. The Ravenclaw fifth year had changed dramatically in some areas, and in others, not a bit. It was delightful to mentor her through the school years. She was lucky to have been able to start directly at Hogwarts, where at Simon had left all his old friends from Third Year behind at Hogwarts Scotland. Sometimes it was lonely at HNZ, but at the moment his name was called from the podium at the end of the hall, life couldn't have been more beautiful.

As Simon got up, he towered above the other students that were returning from the podium with their graduation certificates. Ruffling Arty's hair as he went past the guests, Simon gave the headmistress at the Head Boy and Girl a delighted grin as he accepted his roll of parchment. Even as he crossed his feet beneath the bench that he'd had breakfast on for four years, now facing the front of the room, freedom didn't exactly sink in. Besides; what was he going to do afterwards? So perhaps he'd told the Head of House that he'd wanted to start a bakery in his home town of Yorkshire, and no one was really surprised or expecting anything more magical or exciting, but did all he really dream about burying his hand elbow-high in dough and being covered in flour? A small grin was working its way over his face. Maybe he did. And maybe he wanted a girl to go with it. "Pretty please with sugar on top?" mumbled Simon to himself, and unrolled the parchment to have a good look and a think.