Tybalt Archer could not quite believe what was happening. He had been working so hard throughout the seven years at this school for this moment and yet it being here filled him with amazement. It was strange to think of all the things his year had been through all the exams, all the heartache and friendships was at a close. It was funny to him that he'd worked so hard and now it was over. Today was graduation day and in Ty's mind he honestly couldn't believe it. Tybalt had worked hard over this last semester, and he was hopeful about getting his NEWTs and being able to become a healer. He was hopeful about all the things he might be able to do when he left this hall one final time. There were so many emotions running through Ty that he didn't quite know which one to latch on to. It was as if the head boy could suddenly feel everything under the sun. He'd dressed nice for this occasion, he'd attended two previous graduations both of which in his uniform but this time, he'd worn a suit. He had been given it by his mother over Christmas. Where in first year his clothes were all much too big for him, with too little money in their house to get him better fitting ones to replace them, now he'd grown and the clothes he bought fitted him with ease. His family had come along way since that fateful day he arrived at Hogwarts. He'd grown in confidence, found part of his family and his family had started to move on. Tybalt was nervous, he'd grown in confidence but the thought of speaking in front of this large crowd made butterflies flutter in his stomach. He had something prepared, well, he had a few things in his mind that he thought he should mention but other than that nothing concrete. He'd tried to prepare something but all he'd really managed was just awful. This felt so huge, so momentous that whatever he wrote did not quite cut it. Tybalt Archer knew as the headmistress got up to speak that it would soon be over to him. He looked to her, and found a smile reaching his lips. A nervous smile but really his pride and joy shone too. All too soon, his and Rosie's names were mentioned and he knew it was time. Time for him to get up and address all of these people. Himself and Rosie had agreed that he would go first, so with a small nod, the boy got up and stood at the podium. He looked out over the audience and remembered the first and only other time he'd stood up and faced the hall like this. To be sorted, to have the next seven years decided, and now that was at a close.
"Good afternoon folks," he started, knowing he should probably be more formal, but this was his graduation. "First I would like to offer my congratulations to my fellow graduates, and offer my thanks to our friends, families and professors who join us today." he cleared his throat slightly. "It's funny, don't you think? The last time any of us got up on to this stage it was when we first arrived to get sorted. I was about half the height I am now, and nervous about what the future would hold. I was in a new country and just desperate to not fall on my face" He paused slightly "Being a small first year in such a large and magical school is daunting, you are desperate to find a place, find friends and find out what path you'll take. Somewhere down that line we grew up. Sat our OWLs, forged bonds that will last lifetimes or that we'll happily break off the minute we leave this room. We found a place, friends and maybe a path. School teaches us about the values of friendship, about strength, about being true to ourselves and of course it taught us a little bit of magic." Tybalt took a small pause and a little breath, "In our time here at Hogwarts we've learned a good many things. Like don't annoy Professor Styx unless you want to sign your own death warrant, try to not fall asleep in Professor Spenser's history class, don't question the usefulness of turning a chipmunk into stone in Professor King's Transfiguration class, or even why do so many electives involve telling the future. We've learned that being a professor at Hogwarts is hard because a lot of them don't last very long, and that the new first years were always more bratty than any of us ever remember being." he smiled glancing towards where the professor's were sitting, hoping they didn't mind what he'd said. "We came here as young children, with brand new wands, and a new house, we leave as smart, young adults who can achieve anything but will likely need to get a new house. On the matter of houses, after we leave this hall our Hogwarts Houses will no longer matter. The core values that each of them teach us however is something we should carry with us, the determination of Slytherin, the wisdom of Ravenclaw, the courage of Gryffindor and the loyalty of Hufflepuff."
"Today is the first chapter of the rest of our lives. Today, we graduate. We should hold our heads high and be proud of everything we've done so far. We are amazing young people who will continue to be amazing in whatever we do next. Find love, find a career, explore the world, do nothing. The world is ours, it is at our feet. We leave the comfort of this home today to join the wider world, it's scary but we can do it. Congratulations fellow graduates, I wish you all of the best. I hope you achieve all that you want. Graduates of 2038, let's show all these old guys what young people can do." Tybalt smiled slightly, "Thank you" He finished. A smile on his lips, he wasn't sure how good his speech was, but he was glad it was over. He felt good about it. Happy. He made his way back to his seat, he had been nervous about leaving Hogwarts, but was feeling pretty confident now. He knew he could do it, he would miss Hogwarts but he was ready to move on.
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