Graduation Ceremony 2049

[Katherine Alicastell]

From the end of the hall, the Headmistress stood waiting for graduates and guests alike to enter and take their appropriate seats. Gone were the long tables that usually resided in the hall, leaving a large empty space for rows upon rows of padded chairs. Gone too, were the usual banners and drapes depicting the four individual houses and their respective colours, replaced now by banners depicting only the Hogwarts insignia on a plain, black background. Today, the seventh years weren't Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs or Slytherins. They stood together as one, the graduating class of 2049.

As everyone settled into their seats, Katherine strode across the stage to take her position at the podium. With a raise of her hand, the murmur and chatter of those present ceased, and she spoke. "Welcome all of you, family and friends, students and staff, to the graduation ceremony of twenty forty-nine. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the long journey of our honoured graduates, and in commending their seven years of growth and dedication at Hogwarts New Zealand. Truly, each and every one of you have been the heart and soul of this school." There was a brief moment of applause, and once that too had died down, Katherine continued. "To the class of twenty forty-nine, remember that your lives are only just beginning. You are all the future of wizardkind, and it is your actions and achievements that will continue to shape the world we live in. With that said, I'd like to call upon our head students, Jerara Tapsell and October Alcott to take the podium. Please give them a warm welcome." The Headmistress finished, stepping off to the side to allow the two students to take her place and present their speeches.​

Out of Character:

This thread is for Graduates and Speakers to post in. Guests and Spectators can post in the 'Guest' topic.

 

[October Alcott]

October couldn't believe today had really come. It felt surreal, relieving and terrifying all at once. She was really about to leave Hogwarts, for good. To step out into the adult world and begin life on her own terms. She had been lining up auditions by letter over the last few weeks of the semester, and the thought of moving away from the magical world all together was strangely freeing. She could start completely fresh, away from everyone who had seen her humiliations this year. It was a sorely tempting prospect, and yet, as October looked over all her classmates quietly, she felt a deep, painful yearning to go back in time and do this all again. There was so much about her time at Hogwarts she would miss, and so many people she had never been brave enough to be friends with. As she approached the podium Professor Alicastell had vacated, October felt for the first time in months an aching regret, not for her failures, but for the chances she had never taken; the friends she had never made, the things she had been too scared to do. The speech in her hands somehow no longer felt good enough, although October had spent days trying to craft the most generically perfect graduation speech she could. Glancing down at the page and then looking out over her classmates faces again, October decided to discard the prepared and for once speak from the heart.

"Class of 2049, this is both the end and beginning of an era. We are saying goodbye for good to the home and people that shaped us for the last seven years of our lives. I know that there are a thousand stories each and every one of us could tell about our time at Hogwarts, moments that none of us will ever forget. Whether you studied hard or not, whether you joined clubs, made friends or were alone, followed the rules or broke them, whatever form your time at Hogwarts took, we are all the people we are today because of the experiences we had between these walls. Each and every one of us owes the adults we become to the people around us right now... the classmates who were by our sides, the professors who supported and guided us, the school staff who made any of that possible." At some point, October became conscious that her cheeks were damp, but she couldn't figure out when she had started to cry, simply letting the tears flow as she continued to speak. "We may never all be together in the same place at the same time again. Most of us will never walk these halls again, all of us are saying goodbye to this time in our lives for good. As we move forwards into adulthood I know that we'll all be grateful for everything Hogwarts gave to us, and I hope that we all strive to become people who would make the eleven year olds who first walked through those doors proud. Thank you very much." October stepped back from the podium and returned to her place, covering her mouth with a shaking hand as silent tears continued to flow down her face.

 

[Jerara Tapsell]

Jerara had been looking forward to this, finally the end of school. Finally he was able to leave, finally, all of the hours of pointless reading about things he cared less about. He was looking forward to leaving school, figuring out his next steps and most importantly of all, reading all of the little things he hadn’t had the time for in school or had hit a deadend. The ravenclaw knew this maybe wasn’t the best time for his own personal feelings towards the education system but it was certainly the only occasion he’d gotten for it so far. Graduation. Where he would have to stand up and say something...something about this place and a send off to the classmates he’d had. He’d be happy to not talk to most of them ever again. He’d be happy if his only friend leaving this place was Tristan, since that had been his only true friend since first year. Oh how far they had all come. He sat politely with October as the head mistress began the ceremony, in a fashion that he had largely grown accustomed to in the last few years of having been able to actually go to the ceremony. He stood up with October and walked to the podium, allowing her to go first as he surveyed the hall. He’d almost invited Ellie, but had worried that she wouldn’t want to go and decided against it, none of his family could either afford or be able to go, so it was just him, with no one left to impress. No one left to act properly in front of. ​

Jerara listened to October’s speech, a classic graduation speech, filled with platitudes and empty statements. He was surprised to see that she was crying, he frowned a little at it, thinking that it was a bit much to cry over this, but perhaps her schooling, her seven years had given her more to cry over. Perhaps she would incorrectly miss this place. Though, she finished and it was his turn. He stepped up to the podium and looked over the hall, letting a little silence encompass the room. ”Welcome everyone,” he started, leaving another pause as he just looked about the hall, ”I’d like to start by thanking the professor’s for all of their work, teaching us only what we needed to know to pass exams and nothing more. I’d like to thank them for all of the pointless trips we took, I’d like to thank them for keeping all of those books in that restricted section well out of our hands. Our education system pitted us against each other, our memories of this place will always be jaded by the fights for who was first in classes, quidditch, duelling, house points, prefect and head people positions. Education should focus on learning for the sake of learning not for some reward, some pointless and meaningless award,” Jerara smiled politely as he spoke, ”Additionally fellow graduates, there is so much more that they never bothered to teach us, there are magical subjects we never even got the choice of looking at.” he couldn’t help himself really, he liked learning and the school had always kept so much of it from him. ”I look forward to leaving this place, saying goodbye to this time in our lives for good, because outside of these walls is a whole world ready for us to take over, that will allow us to strengthen our magic, to learn entirely new branches of it and to make our own choices as to what qualifies as good or bad magic. The world is ours for the taking, so, class of 2049, good luck out there,” Jerara stepped back with a little smirk. It was over now, he was done. He was done with this place anyway. He didn’t have anything to lose. Maybe he hadn’t thought he’d deserved the position, but he might as well make the most of this opportunity to speak up in front of an unfortunately captive audience.​

 

[Katherine Alicastell]

Katherine applauded Miss Alcott as she gave them all her tearful speech, offering the young woman a warm smile as she vacated the podium to make way for Mr Tapsell. The Headmistress listened to the head boy speak his piece, the smile on her lips falling into a tight-lipped grimace. It was blind-siding, to say the least, having to listen to one of the students she had picked as a role model for the school to speak of it in such a negative light. But as he finished, and a beat of shocked silence fell over the room, Katherine raised her hands to break the tension with a slow, deliberate applause, stepping up to take her place at the podium once more. "Thank you, Miss Alcott, for that heartfelt speech. And a special thank you to Mr Tapsell for his colourful and honest piece. I hope that everyone here can feel particularly inspired by these words, to leave with the confidence to speak freely and voice your opinions, before you find it too late to do so. It does not do well to remain silent and dwell on bitter thoughts and regrets. Everyone has a right to be heard." The woman spoke, her eyes wandering over both the graduates and younger students among them, who still had many years left of life in school, before landing pointedly on Tapsell. Perhaps if he had voiced any of his own concerns sooner, he would have left happy. Katherine wasn't fazed by too many things, but to a degree it did hurt to hear the school she worked so hard on, and the staff she was so proud of, be so thoroughly disrespected despite how much effort they put in.

"To hear such differing views on the same topic is important for all of us to hear, whether we're young or old, to keep our minds from growing too narrow. Hogwarts isn't perfect for everyone. Nothing in this world is perfect for everyone, but we are here, and we do our best. We've all had our struggles, each and every one of us for one reason or another, but that is simply the way life goes. Which is exactly what we are here to prepare you for - life. Hogwarts is but a small fraction of your entire life. For most of you, it's all you know, but adulthood is it's our journey, and it's a long one at that. Your life doesn't truly start until you've left this castle, at which point you are free to learn and pursue whatever you desire, with all the time in the world to do so. So please, go out there and make the most of it. Enjoy it, learn new things, meet new people, and make the difference you want to see in the world. I look forward to seeing what each and every one of you do."

Katherine finished and laid her hands against the podium, a small smile returning to her features as she unfurled a roll of parchment. "Now, let's move on to why we're all here. When I call your name, come up to the stage to receive your diploma." The woman said, taking a moment to look across the sea of faces in front of her, many for the last time. Her eyes dropped to the parchment she held, and she called up the first of many names.​

Out of Character:

It's time Graduates. You can now RP your character coming on stage, getting his or her diploma and then sitting back down until the end of the ceremony.

 

[Tristan Collins]

The great hall was filled with Tristan's fellow graduates and their guests. Most other students had their parents with them, and for the first time Tristan regretted not inviting his own. He hadn't even asked if he could, but he assumed that muggles couldn't just go to Hogwarts even for this. But he hadn't made sure, because a part of him hadn't wanted the two worlds to mix. Maybe they could have been here, but it was too late now.

Tristan had chosen a seat near the other prefects, the younger ones who were always in attendance much like he had been up until last year. He had his hands folded in his lap and listened attentively as Professor Alicastell opened the ceremony. He still felt a stab of envy when she called upon Jerara and October to give their speeches. Even after a year, he wasn't completely over getting skipped. He should have been on that stage. But he still clapped as they took the stage, like he was supposed to. October's speech was good, just as he had expected from her. But she became sentimental, which kind of ruined it in his eyes. He would have done a better job, without crying. Tristan wasn't sure what to expect when Jerara took the stage. He hadn't made much of the speech at the start of the prefect meeting back in the beginning of the year. Tristan ignored the burning envy as his best friend started to speak, reminding himself that after today, this wouldn't matter. But then Jerara's speech began, and Tristan's eyebrows shot up. He let out a laugh he couldn't quite hold in, both in both surprise and admiration. His gaze turned to Professor Alicastell as the speech continued, and he looked at her for a while. Was she regretting not picking him yet? He would have given the perfect speech up there, swallowed all negative feelings. He'd never be as openly critical as Jerara. Tristan smirked, then looked back at his friend. Maybe some criticism wasn't a bad thing. It definitely shook things up a bit. Tristan applauded after Jerara finished, thoroughly amused.

The professor did some damage control, and did a decent job of it. But then it was suddenly time to actually graduate. The speeches and the surprises had almost made him forget that was happening. Suddenly, he missed his parents again. Why hadn't he even asked if they could come? He pushed the thought away when his name was called. Perfectly composed, he made his way up to the stage to get his diploma. He shook Professor Alicastell's hand, and for a moment considered saying something about her choice for head boy. But he didn't, in the end. He was still a rule follower at heart. Instead he thanked her, then took his diploma and left the stage. He had done it. He had graduated. A future at the Ministry was waiting for him. That was all that mattered.

 

[October Alcott]

October couldn't quite gather her emotions as she sat back down after giving her speech, overwhelmed with feelings she hadn't really realised she had about Hogwarts until just now. She had thought she would be glad to be rid of this place for good, to step away from all the pressure and failure and embarrassment, but now all she could think about was the opportunities she had missed. That was, until Jerara started speaking.

October had imagined his speech would be about as long as his speech at the prefect meeting at the beginning of the year, but as he went on, October could feel her eyes widening, all her worries about her own life fading away. How could he just say things like that?! He was insulting the entire school, in front of the entire school! Not to mention the headmistress, all their teachers... it horrified October, the thought of being so outspoken, being so negative about a place that had given them so much... and yet at the same time, some of what he was saying rang true. It had been a nightmare trying to line up auditions for professional dancing jobs after school, because although she had done her best to practice and self-teach, the only real training she had in her future career was whatever tuition she could get in the holidays. There were so many things Hogwarts hadn't taught them, and October wondered how many of her classmates were feeling this way, as though their future goals had been damaged by the limited subject material available at Hogwarts. It had been a long time since she had thought about how much she missed her muggle school subjects, but the thought had plagued October for her first few years at Hogwarts, and it came back to her in a rush now. She missed Maths...

As Jerara's speech wound down though, October was struck once again with the horrifying reality that this was it. Whatever they had gotten out of Hogwarts, whatever the school had neglected to teach them, it was all over now. She barely listened to Professor Alicastell's speech, swallowing back a fresh wave of shock. It was really time to graduate, to say goodbye to Hogwarts forever. October felt numb all over, even as her time came to stand. She barely felt her legs moving as she made her way onto the stage and shook Professor Alicastell's hand, accepting her diploma with a shaking hand. "Thank you, Professor..." October could barely manage to make any sound at all, before she descended from the stage again, heart racing. She hadn't even thought to look for her family - they were probably applauding, but October couldn't percieve anything outside of her bubble of numb shock. This was really it. School was over, forever, and now she had to figure out how to move on, into her real life. Taking a seat, October stared down at the piece of paper in her lap, a representation of seven years of her life, over, forever. She somehow felt very old and incredibly young all at the same time.

 

[Rose Holland]

Rose's leg was jiggling and there was nothing she could do about it. She was anxious, nervous, and scared. And maybe a little bit excited too. Even though she had spent her whole last year marveling about it, she still couldn't quite believe she was finished with Hogwarts. This was the last step: graduating. It was strange and unreal. Rose turned her head to look at her parents who were sitting a bit behind with the other parents. She caught her mum's eye, and quickly smiled at her before turning back to look at the stage. Professor Alicastell was talking to them, and Rose did her best to listen to everything she said. Before long, it was time for the head girl and head boy to do their speech. Rose listened to October's speech and felt a pang of sympathy when it became clear she was getting emotional about it all. Rose was glad she didn't have to give a speech, she would probably be crying much less subtly than October was. The head boy's speech was shocking, though, and Rose's eyes went wide at his open criticism of the school. He said it so... plainly, like it was just a fact. She felt bad for the teachers and for Professor Alicastell. They had all worked very hard for them. She also couldn't fathom having to learn more at Hogwarts. Weren't the NEWTs enough?

After the Ravenclaw boy finished speaking, Professor Alicastell spoke to them briefly again. She reacted to Jerara's speech but did't seem too fazed by it, which Rose admired. She wondered what the other teachers were feeling, though. She hoped they didn't think everyone thought that way about them. But she couldn't worry about that for long, because names were starting to be called. Rose grabbed Hayley's arm for support, suddenly too nervous to even make a sound. But when her name was called, she somehow managed to get to her feet and walk over to the stage without falling over. She received the diploma with shaking hands, and managed to say something that was on her mind. "I... I liked Hogwarts, Professor. A lot." She said quickly, just in case Professor Alicastell was more bothered by the speech then she had let on. She then quickly nodded, and left the stage to return to her seat. She was a graduate, and had no idea what her future would bring.

 

[Harley Tsuji]

Graduation had felt a world away to Harley for so long, but finally it was here. The Girl Gang had had their last hurrah, and now they were off to start their lives as adults, at last. Harley didn't know what she was going to do with a diploma filled with grades as abysmal as hers yet, but that was something to figure out later on. A rebellious part of Harley wanted it to go the way of the pile of letters she had thrown out this morning, but she figured it would be good to hold on to for nostalgia if nothing else. Harley's parents had made it known how disappointed they were that she hadn't even bothered to invite them to her graduation, and there was a small sense of satisfaction in that. Finally, she had managed to disappoint them. Years of breaking every rule and never studying hadn't dethroned her from the pedestal they had put her on after learning Jason was a squib, but if being mildly rude was enough to finally do the trick, Harley would claim that. She was much happier with both of her siblings supporting her anyway, and the less her friends had to know about her nightmarish parents, the better.

Harley had never been to graduation before, but both of her best friends being prefects somehow, she was pretty sure she knew the drill. Long boring speeches, grabbing a piece of paper, everyone cries, blah blah blah. She sat back in her seat, planning to mostly zone out during the speeches, but something about October's caught her ear, and Harley was embarrassed to find herself actually a bit choked up. She hated studying and rules, sure, but October had a point. Hogwarts was the first place Harley had ever felt at home, and the place she had met the most important people in her life, and now everyone was going their separate ways. It was... a lot to be saying goodbye to, and Harley found herself actually feeling sentimental, something she hadn't expected. Today was supposed to be a victory lap, having beaten school, and Harley didn't think she was the kind of person to cry at graduation. Luckily for her, any feelings of nostalgia brewing inside her were suppressed as Jerara spoke, and Harley found herself filled with a sense of glee. Such a scathing speech coming from the Head Boy, of all people, now THAT was something! Harley couldn't hold back her grin, pleased that the Girl Gang hadn't been the only ones planning on leaving Hogwarts with a bang. It made her reevaluate her whole opinion of Jerara, and Harley wished she had gotten to know him better. When his speech was over she cheered, pumping her fist in the air. "HELL YEAH, STICK IT TO THE MAN!" Harley called out, clapping loudly. That was a speech she didn't imagine Hogwarts would soon forget.

Jerara's speech had hyped Harley back up enough that she almost forgot what was coming next. It was hard to resist the urge to make a mouth fart while Professor Alicastell was trying to save face but she held back, the sudden reminder that this was the end of her time at school striking her once again. Time to be... all serious and stuff. Plus, Rose's mum was here, and Harley didn't want to make the worst impression on the Minister, if she was going to be flatting with her daughter after school. She just listened quietly until it was time to actually start getting their diplomas. She clapped and cheered for her friends as they crossed the stage, whistling enthusiastically for Hayley, and then finally, finally Harley's turn had come. She bounded onto the stage with a grin, unable to wipe the cheeky expression off her face as she shook the headmistress's hand and accepted her diploma. This was it! She had finished school, forever! Harley couldn't hold back the impulse to whoop as she leaped down the stairs off the stage, and ran over to rejoin her friends. Adults now, with their whole lives ahead of them and nothing to keep them back.

 

[Odette Madison]

As Odette sat with her fellow graduates in the great hall, all her mind could focus on was that this was the last time she would be sitting here with these people. Somehow, that thought wouldn't leave her mind. She was graduating, leaving Hogwarts. It had been such a big part of her life over the past years, and even had been a home to her when her own home didn't feel that way. And now... she would be leaving. Odette had a home now to go back to, and she had plans for her future, but it was still unsettling to just leave Hogwarts behind. So much had happened here, and everything about the castle was familiar to Odette. There was a lot she would miss.

But there was a lot to look forward to as well. Odette was sitting near Margo and gave her girlfriend a quick smile during Professor Alicastell's speech. It was good to know she wasn't going into her future all by herself. And she would have Maria's support too. Professor Alicastell stopped talking, and October Alcott took the stage for her speech. October mostly tuned her out, not really interested in what she had to say. They had never gotten along, and Odette was sure her speech would be absolutely tuned to perfection. It was a bit of a surprise to see her become emotional, though. Odette had always seen October as someone who was a bit more cold and calculating. Maybe she had been wrong. But as Jerara started to speak, Odette realized that everyone would soon forget about October's tears. This was what would be talked about after the grauation ceremony. It might even circulate at Hogwarts for a few years after they left. His speech was awful and bitter, and Odette listened to it in distaste. There were better ways to complain about things than doing it so publicly, after you had been asked to speak as an honor. She wondered if he would suffer any consequences for this, but guessed there was nothing any professor could really do. That was probably why he waited this long to say anything. Or maybe he just relished in the chance to shock some parents and teachers. With a start, Odette realized he'd been saying these things with the Minister of Magic in attendance. Hopefully he wasn't aiming for a job there. Odette didn't clap for his speech, but of course Harley had to shout out loud about it and apparently agreed with it. She rolled her eyes, but there was a slight feeling of fondness there too. Of course Harley would react that way.

The speeches were over, and Professor Alicastell commented a bit on what Jerara had said. Odette was sure it had taken her by surprise, but she recovered pretty well. Then, their names were called. Odette's heart started pounding in her chest. It was time to graduate, and even though that was the entire reason they were here, it still felt very sudden. She clenched her hands into fists as she waited for her name to be called, watching her classmates accept their diploma's in turn. When it was her turn, she got to her feet and walked over to the stage. She quietly accepted her diploma, looked over to where Matthew, Maria and Emily were sitting, and gave them a small smile. Then she headed back to her seat almost automatically. She looked down at the paper in wonder. It was hard to believe this was really the only proof she had of the seven years she'd spent at Hogwarts.

 

[Corrine Lagos]

Corrine couldn't believe it was finally graduation day. She had been dressed for hours, a plain navy dress under her graduation robes. She waited until her roommates left to quickly dig into her trunk and place a small box and a card atop Rose's trunk. It was nothing much, a few snacks, though she'd written much more in the card, giving her friend her mailing address and her sincerest wishes they'd keep in touch and that Rose succeed in her next steps. The young woman took her time heading to the Great Hall but was still early, finding a seat and craning her neck every now and then to spot her parents and her sister. When she finally did spot them, a sense of relief washed over her and a grin crossed her face. She gave them a big wave and tried to get Cullen's attention to point them out.

As the ceremony began, Corrine shifted her gaze to the Headmistress. She nodded slightly at the woman's words, both excited and anxious for what was to come. She had fresh copies of her resume ready to go and it would be only a matter of time before she'd be sending it off to the ministry along with her application. As October took the stage, Corrine smiled. She was happy she'd had the chance to get to know her a little. Her words rang true to Corrine and she dropped her gaze a few times to compose herself, especially when she noticed what looked like some tears on October's face. Corrine knew she should visit Professor Josephs one last time and thank her for everything. Her advice had been well received. As Jerara took the stage, Corrine found her smile again. She didn't know him very well, but they'd come to know each other a little through work. She was eager to hear his words. And then he began and Corrine's eyes widened, a gasp escaping her as he went on and trashed the school. The teen's eyes drifted to the Headmistress and Deputy Headmaster and all of the other professors to see how they were taking this speech. It was...Corrine couldn't decide if it was brave or cowardly. She didn't clap as she had when October left the stage, still in a state of shock.

Thankfully, the Headmistress moved the ceremony along and Corrine didn't have to wait too long, certainly not as long as Cullen would to cross the stage and get her diploma. She smiled, saying a quiet thank you as the diploma was placed in her hand, before heading off the stage, giving it a little shake as she grinned in the direction her parents were seated. She was officially a graduate.

 

[Sofia Rosenberg]

Sofia was kind of ready for her graduation it wasn't like she was the best role model student, she was far from that. She still didn't felt home here and she dealt with her problems and she needed to fix them. One thing she did know was that she wanted to help her father in the shop. She had no dreams or even an idea of the future. She needed to help her father out. And look out for her younger siblings. Gabriel would graduate next year already and he had a very bright future ahead of him as he told them. But Sofia knew better she didn't want him to play quidditch. Now she couldn't be there when he played a game and when something would go wrong. The blonde walked towards the great hall and saw how many people there were. She tried to find her father and other family she had invited. She was glad they came but one person who should be sitting there wasnt't there and would never be there. Her mother.. Sofia hoped that she would be proud of her. She had screwed up with her grades. Sofia was also gratefull for the moments she spend with Maria the councellor here on the school. Sometimes Sofia didn't said much, but she took the time at least for her. And now she had to deal with her issues outside of school and becoming and adult.

When her name got called out she stood up and walked towards the headmisstress. She couldn't actually believe it that she made it. But she did. And she together with Beaubelle her cousin. The blonde shook the hand of the woman and took her diploma and quickly went of the front of the crowd. Sofia didn't liked to be in the picture and she was fine with leaving the school now. She had met some people she liked, but mostly she was dealing with her own. But she had made progress in reaching out to others and making friends. She tried to let people come closer to her and that succeeded more than in het first year at least. She walked back and waited until Beaubelle would be.

 

[Beaubelle Waldgrave]

Beaubelle couldn't believe how fast the time went. She was an seventh year and now graduating! Beaubelle didn't even figured out what she wanted to do but she figured she could go into her mothers footsteps as a healer. The white blonde would graduate together with her cousin and that was fun. Her uncle would be there too and Liam ofcourse since he was a prefect. Beaubelle still found it funny that her brother made it so far. But she was proud of him, but at home they had to listen more and more confident talks of him. He felt like a god right now it seemed and sometimes Beaubelle was done with listening to him. And she wasn't the only one she figured. But now it was her time and she smiled as she saw her parents. She had been having a hard time sometimes with missing them. But now seeing them and they would sure be proud she figured. Beaubelle felt proud of herself too and when she listened to her friend Jerara his speech she kind of had to grin. It was kind of brave that he spoke that way, but he was right. Beaubelle would not be so brave as Jerara and she saw the world as scary still but, she wanted to explore it a bit more now that she was becoming older.

When it was Sofia her turn Beaubelle clapped as her cousin took her diploma. When it was her own turn she pulled at her ribbon in her hair and than sighted. She didn't want to be clumsy at there where everybody looked. She walked towards the headmisstress and shook her hand before getting her diploma. She smiled shortly and looked at her family and over to Jerara. Beaubelle hoped that they would stay in touch, they were always good friends. And this year they had found eachother again. She looked back at some nice seven years on the school. And even for Odette, the blonde clapped although she didn't always was happy with what the girl did. But she forgave her and she wanted a fresh start for everyone.

 

[Vivian Brackenstall]

The Vivian of a year ago would have had entirely different feelings about his graduation, but a lot had changed, and now Vivian was... surprised at what he felt. Relief. Hogwarts was over, and from here his future was his own. He could leave all this behind and go his own way, and hopefully never see any of these people again. He had plenty of regrets, but this felt like the opening of a new chapter. Finally he could make his own decisions, go where he wanted, start completely fresh. All the people he had been too scared to talk to for seven years would just be a blip in his past. The last few months had been the freest time in Vivian's life, and he was ready to start over as this new, happier version of himself.

He hoped the headmistress's speech would be over quickly, forgetting for a moment that the head people would be speaking too. Vivian could never bring himself to look right at October - it had been clear after the incident in the Great Hall how badly hurt she was by what he and Tristan had done to her, and Vivian didn't think any apology he could muster would be enough. He kept his eyes down slightly as she spoke, surprised at how heartfelt her speech was. With how sad she had seemed recently, Vivian had thought it would be shorter, more relieved, but October seemed genuinely upset to be leaving Hogwarts, even after everything. It was a feeling he couldn't imagine. Vivian kept his head down for the Head Boy's speech - although he was relieved it wasn't Tristan up there, Jerara had still been the only person to stand by Tristan even after the entire school knew what he had done, and Vivian couldn't fathom that. Surely loyalty had to have a breaking point. It was clear though that whatever Jerara's was, he hadn't reached it yet. He expected the Head Boy's speech to be similar to October's, but Jerara immediately took on a very different tone and Vivian looked up, shocked by the audacity Jerara had to say such rebellious things in front of the very teachers he was criticising. It also surprised him that Tristan would be friends with someone so critical of the system - Vivian hadn't been acceptable enough for him, but Jerara trashing the entire school was just fine? Really?

Vivian snorted at Tristan applauding for Jerara but set the thoughts aside, listening to the Headmistress's speech. He was impressed that she actually seemed to listen to Jerara rather than devalue his criticisms, and he clapped politely when she was finished. And then it was time. Vivian's surname was early enough in the alphabet that he knew he would be called up early, standing quickly when he heard his name. It felt almost silly, doing something so formal and choreographed after such an unconventional speech, but Vivian played his part, stepping onto the stage and shaking the headmistress's hand before taking his diploma. He didn't look out into the crowd even though he knew his mum was here, head down instead as he left the stage and returned to his seat, waiting for the ceremony to be over. The sooner he could get out of here and begin his life, the better.

 

[Signy Forstrom]

Signy couldn’t believe her graduation was upon her, she couldn’t believe that she had come so far in her schooling for this to be it. For it to now be nearly over. She had worked hard, she had achieved good grades, she had really come so far in all of it. The hufflepuff had dressed nicely for this ceremony, knowing it was the last one she would get at Hogwarts and given how important it was she felt that making as much effort as she could would be for the best. Signy took her seat in the great hall, folding her hands over her dress and looked at the front, everyone looked so nice and she knew her parents were within the crowd, they were proud of her, she knew it and soon she’d be working with her dad for most of it. She’d had a good hogwarts experience. It had been nice and fair, she had made friends, found love and lost it. Everything hadn’t been perfect but it had been nice. She was sad that her cousin had dropped out and switched schools before they could graduate together but she had certainly learned at Hogwarts that life didn’t always go the way it was supposed to, but that didn’t make it any less good. Signy smiled as the headmistress got started, bringing the whole ceremony to order and getting them started. Signy listened to October’s speech, she had seen from the sidelines how tricky the last few months had perhaps been, with Tristan’s revelation and then quidditch but, she couldn’t help but think that October was handling herself with grace. The speech was nice, it hit all of the nice little points of a speech for graduation and Signy made sure to applaud loudly for it. ​

​

Then the head boy, she could admit she didn’t know the boy nearly as well as she knew others. He’d always been around, he’d been in most of her classes, was a mostly silent studious type really, but it seemed he had a lot to say. The tone, the overly critical manner of his speech, she could hardly believe it. Her hand flew to her mouth in shock. How could he say such things about the professors, the school, everyone here. She could admit he wasn’t wrong in some areas but, was this really the point at which to say it. So openly, to be so critical. His speech ended with a little scattered applause, and at least one loud voice of agreement. Perhaps this was the only occasion at which he could say it, but how this would dominate her memories of her last day at Hogwarts. She wasn’t too surprised when the head mistress did a little damage control and then promptly began reading out the names. Not too long after her name was called and Signy crossed the hall to the headmistress took the diploma and shook the woman’s hand before walking off the stage. This had not gone how she had expected it to but she had still made it. Managed it. She’d graduated Hogwarts. ​

 

[Jerara Tapsell]

Jerara’s speech had done exactly what he had wanted it to, the silence that had followed him when he’d stopped speaking, the light applause that had followed. He spared a glance towards Tristan and smirked a little at it. He nodded as someone yelled out in encouragement and then looked towards the headmistress as she took the podium back, with a little smirk. He knew that he was burning a lot of bridges with all that he had said, he had insulted a lot of the school here with his speech, he knew that Rose Holland’s minister of magic mother was in the crowd, but how else would be ever get such a captive audience to say his piece. The head boy rolled his eyes at the head mistress’ damage control as he took his seat once more. But he’d taken his seat and the graduation ceremony got underway. The names being called forward, but the ceremony itself seemed to still be somewhat lingering on his words. It probably didn’t help that Jerara was one of the last names to be called. He heard his name and proudly crossed the stage, head held high and seemingly little remorse for what he had said. He shook the head mistress’ hand as he took the diploma with a little smirk on his face. He looked towards the audience one last time as he finished crossing the stage, already thinking about what book he was going to start with given his whole new life of freedom. ​

 

[Hayley Elridge]

Hayley could hardly believe this was it. This was it. Seven years of her life, seven years that had changed absolutely everything, and she was leaving it all behind. Hogwarts had changed her perspective irrevocably, exposed her to a whole new world and all the complexities and injustices it contained. It was strange, to see her mum sitting here in this hall, her two worlds merged just as they changed for good. Hayley sat with her girlfriend on one side and her best friend on the other, the girl gang together just like always, still riding the high of their last great prank.

As a prefect, of course Hayley had sat through graduations before, and she expected the speeches to be as dull as they were every year. Sure enough, October's was pretty generic, although there was more genuine emotion there than Hayley had expected, and she found herself responding to it; this was the end of . . . of a lot, and while Hayley would be glad to leave most of it behind, things would never be the same again. But then Jerara started to speak, and Hayley looked at him in awe. She hadn't realised the head boy of all people was such a rebel. Hayley didn't care much about academia, but she agreed with a lot of what he was saying, and the sheer audacity of it . . . Hayley wouldn't call out like Harley did beside her, but she found herself grinning through his speech. Maybe she should have gotten to know him better.

Professor Alicastell attempted some damage control Hayley couldn't help but be amused by, and then, at last, it was time. The ceremony would be interminable and quickly become boring, Hayley knew, but her name was early enough in the alphabet that she she spent the time before it was called in restless anticipation. Finally she was leaving, finally she had the chance to make her own way in the world, with her best friends at her side. Hayley hadn't made the impact she'd wanted to at Hogwarts; her ill-considered little attempt to make people consider revolution had only given her a reputation, and she hadn't known how to try again. Out in the real world, maybe things would be different, or maybe she could find a way to encourage real change. Hayley squeezed her best friends' hands as her name was called, then bounded onto the stage, a wild grin she couldn't resist spreading across her face. This was it, this was it. Hayley glanced out over the crowd, but she couldn't spot Mum or Ainsley in the brief moment she had. The moment that would change everything. The whole rest of her life stretched out ahead of her, full of fearful uncertainty and glorious potential. She took a meaningless piece of paper from a professor who would soon hold no power over her, and she was free.

 

[Syrus Stilinski]

Syrus didn't want to depart from Hogwarts. These past recent years had been his time to shine, and shine did he did as Gryffindor's seeker. He still could not believe he made it on the team and kept his position ever since he made the cut. Quidditch had become the center of his attention while the first few years had been on magic and learning everything about magic. The switch happened once he made it on the team, and he doesn't regret it one bit. He felt he was good at the sport, a natural at the game. As much as his muggle mother disapproved of the sport, Syrus can't deny that he was born to play. And he was lucky to have the support from his gorgeous girlfriend, she was another great thing that happened to him in recent years. What started out as a chase and idiocy on his part, turn unexpectedly to something more sincere and meaningful. It wasn't the perfect romance, but it was something he could never let go even if they were to breakup. Rama was his first, serious girlfriend after all.

No, Syrus didn't want to go. His teammates, most of them became close friends. From Jess to Lizzie, and Willow. He wasn't too close to Jake, but that was alright. Jake was okay, Syrus can only wish him good luck as co-captain with Morales. Then there was Gabriel, Jemma, and Fleur, he wished he had more time to get to know them. Perhaps he will get his chance someday if they followed the same path as him. He was feeling really sentimental, and it didn't help with October's speech. She let her emotions show, while Jerara's speech was more on the cynical side. Syrus shook his head, snorting. Someone was feeling some type of way. Syrus never talked to the boy. He's glad he didn't, he can be just as arrogant sometimes.

Diploma time. Syrus stood up firmly once his name was called, he travels up the stage to get his diploma. "GO GO, GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor shouted one last time, shooting both fists in the air. His teammates might be in his presence, but they were definitely in mind. Syrus exited the stage and went to find his girlfriend as soon as the ceremony ended.

 

[Margo Ellis]

Margo never forgot how lucky she was to be a witch. Her elder sisters, Cynthia and Brogan, didn't have a drop of magic in them, in spite of sharing the same magical ancestors. She often wondered where she would have ended up if she hadn't gone to Hogwarts, though she didn't tend to consider the possibilities for very long - none of them were very happy. For one thing, she wouldn't have met Odette. Margo flashed her girlfriend an encouraging smile. It was silly, really. All the hard work was over. There wasn't anything to be afraid of. Yet somehow the prospect of getting up on stage and accepting a piece of paper was more frightening than taking a NEWT.

Margo had never really talked to the head students, in spite of them both being in her house. October seemed like a nice girl. That was probably why Margo had never had the courage to approach her. She was beautiful, and intelligent, and mature. What interest would she have in being Margo's friend? Margo clapped as October stepped down and Jerara mounted the stage. After October's touching speech, she expected Jerara to follow with something equally heartwarming. What he said instead made her blush angrily. She wasn't just embarrassed for herself - she was embarrassed for everybody. Especially the professors. It was perfectly OK to feel the way Jerara did, but this was neither the time nor place. She scowled, refusing to clap as he stepped down. How had somebody so rude been made Head Boy in the first place?

The atmosphere in the hall was uneasy after that. Margo applauded in turn as each graduate collected their diploma, though she really only cared about herself and Odette's. She let out a whoop as her girlfriend's name was called. This was it. They were really leaving Hogwarts, forever. Suddenly Margo's vision flooded with tears. She didn't want to go home. Just as soon as she could, she was going to get her own place, and then she and Odette could live there, and, and... the possibilities were endless. Finally it was Margo's turn. She stood up on shaking legs, wiping her hands on her robes as she climbed onto the stage. It didn't help much. Her hand was definitely sweaty when she shook the Headmistress's. Accepting her diploma, she quickly got down and scurried back to her seat. Now she just wanted this to be over so that she could give Odette the biggest hug in the world.