One Final Get Together

[Kate Archer]

Kate was delighted. After seven years she had finally graduated. There had been a lot of blood,sweat and tears but she had done it. She was mighty proud of herself and of her friends and family who had also graduated. It hadn't been easy but they were finished. She wouldn't have to look at another RHI magazine again or face some of those horrible people again. For that she was glad but she was going to miss the halls of Hogwarts, the grounds, the classrooms. It had been her home for seven years, a place where she had wonderful memories and amazing friends and an amazing boyfriend. She was leaving the bad stuff behind and starting a new. She couldn't wait to get out there and make her mark on the world. Even if that meant living a quiet, happy life that would suit her perfectly. She couldn't wait to go home and show her parents. It was a shame they couldn't come to the graduation but Star, Sammy and Ryan were here to cheer her on, not to mention Stefan, Sara and Tara. There was no one missing and she couldn't wait to see them all. She felt good after saying her speech she hoped she had done a good job and that some people connected with her speech and got what she was trying to say. No one had expected her to get Head Girl and she was still shocked, she had after all never been a prefect but she was delighted to have gotten Head Girl, it had been a bonus to the year. All in all it had been a good year. She had finished her NEWTs, there had been barely any drama and things had been going perfectly with Stefan. It had been one of her happiest years in Hogwarts and least eventful, thankfully.

She had met various students from the year after the Graduation. She would probably never see a lot of these people again and that didn't bother her really, she had her friends and she hoped they would stick together. She was glad she and Sara had hugged and she hoped things were good between them both. They were twin sisters after all and even if they were no longer close it was still nice to know things were okay. She and Tara had also hugged and Tara had gone off with her family. Now she hoped the Moon siblings, Stefan, Tybalt and Sammy were also hopefully coming. She would like to celebrate her last meal i Hogwarts. She had picked the Great Lawn, a more secluded section. She had set the table up under a huge tree, the same place where they had had their picnic in First Year. The table was set for seven. Kate had some lights set in the tree for when it git dark. Since it was winter, the days were shorter and though it was a lovely day there was a slight chill in the air but Kate had some blankets and she hoped to have a little bonfire with marshmellows etc later. She had left the Graduation slightly earlier then the others to set up the food. It was all cold food that she had made with the Elves yesterday. All she had to do now was wait for everyone to arrive.

 

[Samual Kaster]

Samual Pace Kaster was so excited to see that some of his friends were graduating. He was really proud of them, it must have been so exciting to actually be graduating. Unfortunately, that also meant that they wouldn't be at school anymore. He couldn't believe that. It felt so strange to know that he was going to be in his final year next year and that some of his friends were already graduating. The graduation had been absolutely lovely and he was so happy to have heard Kate's speech. He really liked it and it sounded and looked like it was right from the heart, too. It certainly brought a smile to his face. in fact, the smile was still there. he was sure his face was threatening to crack in half. He headed out of the castle quietly and looked around. They were to meet at the Great Lawn. He wasn't entirely sure who else was coming, Kate had been a little vague with that, but he hoped that they'd all have fun and that Star would be there. He had neglected to talk to Star lately, and it just didn't seem right. He had to show her what he learnt in Transfiguration! It had been so much fun and she hadn't been there, she just had to see, so did Kate.

Samual ducked around the trees, searching for where they were to meet. The Gryffindor had forgotten, because he was too busy being excited at the fact that the meeting was happening, he'd forgotten to listen to where they were supposed to meet. He knew it was the Great Lawn, but that was about it. He narrowed his eyes slightly when he saw a table. That had to be it. Sammy walked quickly to the table, which was set out for seven. How exciting! Samual pulled out his wand, he had yet to see Kate yet, but she was surely around. With a quiet incantation and some heavy thinking, Samual conjured a pink tulip. He wasn't aware of Kate's favourite flower, it had never come up in conversation, but pink was a nice colour and tulips were really pretty. It was also the first flower he was taught to conjure, so it held a special place in his heart now. That was when he finally spotted her. "Kate!" He ran and pulled her into a big hug, before letting her go and presenting the flower. "Here you go, it's a tulip. I hope you like tulips." He then looked at the table. "Who else is coming? Is Star and Ryan and Sara coming too?" He hen rolled his eyes at himself and shook his head. "That was realy silly. Of course they're coming, they're family! So how are you? Are you excited?" he was speaking very quickly, but that wasn't anything different. The only thing that really changed about Samual over the years was his height and curls. "Because I think I'm excited enough for you, to be honest."
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[Sara Moon]

Sara walked down to the grounds, she'd spent quite a while up at the castle, saying goodbye to people, talking about the past. She couldn't imagine leaving Hogwarts, but now it was happening, and the tears were welling once more. She was so lost, but she wasn't going to let it get to her, not today. It would be fine once she'd gotten used to the idea, but that could only happen once she was gone. Her sister had spoken well, so had Isaia, very well. She'd always seen Isaia as a future Head Boy, and she'd always thought he'd be Quidditch Captain, but the role had gone to her. It was amazing to have finished on such a high, to be the Quidditch Cup Champions in her last year. She was sure Yerik would look after the team; she trusted him. Her heels kept slipping into the ground, so she took them off, with her hand so close to the ground, she bent down and picked some grass, putting it into her handbag. She'd always have a bit of Hogwarts with her this way. She smiled at the thought. even when she left, she could still be here in spirit.

She strolled over the the table, her heels swinging in her right hand; "Hi Kate!" she called, raising her left arm to greet her; "Hi Sammy!" It was odd, being down here, so close to where she'd first met Kayden, where she'd first kissed Jake, where they'd eventually broken up. She'd first met Willow here, at the picnic. Wait. This was the same place. She smiled at the memory, but bad things had happened here too. Willow had collapsed here in second year. She could see the Quidditch Pitch. Quidditch, which had so often comforted her, helped her deal with any problems she had. "You chose the perfect spot Kate." she smiled, as she got closer to the duo. "It's weird thinking this is it, isn't it?" she frowned, she would miss Hogwarts. She scrunched up her toes, liking the feel of the familiar grass between her toes. This was her home. "The food looks great, and you spoke very well Kate." she smiled; "How about you Sammy? how's Sixth Year going?" she asked. She had a small undetectable extension charm on her bag, and she pulled out a box of chocolates, and some Butterbeer. Doing this always made her feel like Mary Poppins.. "I figured these might be useful." She handed them to Kate, not quite sure where to put them.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan Archer had been happy to receive the invitation for dinner, or lunch, whatever it would be called, he was more than happy to attend. His school career was in the process of finally ending. He would be entering the world finally an adult in every respect, he no longer had to worry about social services, he no longer had to worry about adults mistreating him, because he was an adult and he could fight back, without the high likelihood of being beaten to sh1t. He had overcome everything that his life had so far faced him with, what could be possibly more difficult than what he had already been through. Obviously things were about to change. Drastically, but nothing that he was sure that he wouldn't be able to handle given the time. This new belief in himself had almost come out of nowhere. The prospect of leaving school had made him realise many things about himself that he had once been too unsure about to even think of. He was sure that his friends were more like family, than his real family, and that his real family were at least trying. Tybalt's parents had been kind enough to send him a card for his graduation. Oddly it was the first card he had ever received from any Archer. Signed from the Archer family. How odd it had been for him to read that name, and for it to not be his parents. The card was pretty dear to him. He received so little in life that everything was pretty important to him. Just like the friends he had made, and the people he had met. Those were the people he thought of as he made his way to dinner. He thought of the friend who had sworn to protect him, James, or the girl in his first year who'd like him been a little different. Not in eye sight, or family background, but she too had been different. Stefan couldn't remember her name. He remembered the girl who he'd run into during one of his truly horrible nights during that first year. Sam, or something. She'd been nice. Willow. The girl he had always loved the company of. She had understood him, where he stood on the magical side of things. How difficult it was to just walk into a world like this, forgoing all knowledge and logic that said the magic world was simply not possible. Those friends who had been in his life so briefly, the people he had met once then never seen again. He thought of Elvera, Professor LeFey, all the good she had done for him. He wanted to speak to her, maybe, just one last time before he left. Thank her once more for everything she had ever done. For all the hope and happiness she had provided without knowing. The support that a parent was supposed to provide for their child. The woman was a friend, and Stefan would always be grateful to her and her family. Were it not for them, he would not have seen this day.

Stepping out into the grounds, the monochromatic slytherin adjusted the glasses on his nose, pushing them up slightly. He felt like he was finally seeing the school. For so long he had been without glasses, this new high definition vision felt like he was breathing fresh air after being submersed in water. Sure, he would probably never really see the school. He would never enjoy the true beauty of the magical school, but he still loved it. It was still beautiful to him. He wondered if the rest of the world, if the other magical schools, and areas were as beautiful as this. If the rest of the world would in any way be as stunning as this school was, keeping in mind the boy's monochromatic-ness, being a rather large hindrance. Stefan Archer was sure that with all this new time, all this new hope he would be able to find out. He had no real career prospects just yet. Even at school the classes were hard for him, and he was sure that no matter how hard he tried few were going to employ someone like him. But, he knew that such things could wait. He could do odd jobs around the town that he lived close to. He had no ties to any place, he could go anywhere. He had no plans. Nothing. His only main thought was of Kate. Since he loved her, and would try to move mountains for her. He would follow her if she wanted him to. Whatever she decided he would support. Which was why, as he approached the area that he had been told they would be meeting, he felt the smile grow on his lips. This was perfect. The perfect goodbye to this school. He had not had a perfect time at school, but that was okay. He was pushing through that. He believed in his heart, that his mother would've been proud of him for this, that some where in the very depths of his father's heart he would've been happy for Stefan, to see him graduate and actually achieve something. That he wasn't a good for nothing piece of dirt, he was a Hogwarts Graduate and that made him pretty damn amazing. He saw the table, and he saw Kate. "Kate!" Stefan called, he had grown up a lot in the past few years, being on his own had done a lot for him, a lot of good. He had grown a little taller, but he had become more confident, more comfortable with physical contact. He spoke more clearly and was less wary of just about everything. Thinking back on the small, affection starved, and malnourished boy who had arrived at the school, what little he managed now, was what he had never thought possible.

As the monochromatic Slytherin approached the table, he smiled at the group already there. Kate, Sara, and the boy who was friends with Kate, Samual or something. He smiled at the group as he approached, Sara was just pulling things out from within her bag. He wanted to thank her, for everything she had ever done for him, for all that she had tried to do for him and for Kate. For her harsh words that had at times been necessary. For the her part in the three musketeers that they'd once been. Stefan put his arm around Kate, and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Stunning, as usual" He smiled at her, then looked to Sara. "You look beautiful Sara," and he went to give her a small hug, maybe it wasn't a perfect hug, but it was more than he would've been able to achieve over two years before. He then glanced to the person he didn't really know all too well, "I assume you're Samual? I don't think we've ever properly met." Stefan held out his hand. While he was able to hug Sara, new people he preferred to not. Not really. "It looks great, Kate."
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[Star Moon]

Star was feeling an array of emotions. She was so proud of her two sisters for graduating. But she was also sad they would be leaving. They had been there for advice and comfort. Also a part of home. She figured she wouldn't be seeing much of them. They had their lives to live. Star was insignificant to them now. They had more important matters. Star wasn't surprised though. She had never been first on anyways attention meters. Well maybe Ryan? Maybe even Sammy but she hadn't seen him in a while and she kinda missed him. He was her only real friend other then family. That would kind of embarrassing to say but it was the truth and to be honest Star didn't mind that much. She wasn't sure what she had done with her life so far or what she had achieved. So far it was getting Prefect which had shocked her completely. She had made no impact in school. The more Star thought about her life the more she didn't really care about what people thought about it. She was quite happy with the way she was living. She didn't really know what she wanted to do with her life. She loved photography but whether she had a future career there was another matter.

She was really looking forward to the little gathering later on. She had never met Stefan properly and Kate always talked about him so she was looking forward to meeting him. SE didn't know who else was coming. She guessed Sara and Ryan would be there and she was looking forward to spending time with them. They hadn't spend time together as a family in a long time. She loved spending time with her family. She had dressed up for the Graduation. Actually putting quite a lot of effort into her appearance which she didn't do much. She made her way down to the Great Lawn. She looked around. She saw a table and a group of people near a tree.A smile lit up her face when she recognised the familiar curly hair of Sammy. Her heart started to beat faster. She walked over and recognised Kate,Sara and the person she guessed was Stefan. "Hello everyone"She said shyly. She wasn't very comfortable about people she didn't know like Stefan. She smiled shyly at him. She gave the Kate and Sara and hug and stood beside Sammy. "this looks lovely Kate" She said smiling. She noticed seven placings on her table. He wondered who else was coming.

 

[Ryan Moon]

Ryan was sitting in his dorm. He was throwing a ball against the wall. He was bored. He had been to the graduation ceremony and he must admit he was very proud of his two sisters. They had achieved a lot. Kate being head girl and Sara prefect. He was the failure of the family really. What had he achieved in the past six years? Nothing. Maybe at the beginning things were going good. He had actually enjoyed his first two years of Hgwarts but then everything had changed. He hadn't been the same since. He basically had no friends, other then his family nothing to live for. Well maybe his music. Tht was pretty important to him. Star was very important. Things were great between the two. Finally they were like close twins again. He really didn't know what he would do if he lost her again. Sure after next year they might be going their separate ways but as long as things were okay betwee the two he didn't mind.

He stopped throwing the ball and sat up. He supposed he would go to whatever Kate had planned. He wasn't really keen on meeting new people. He had no idea who was coming which made him slightly nervous. How many people were coming? He didn't even know where in the Great Lawn this was happening. Ryan sighed. He had to go though. If Sara, Star and Kate were there and he wasn't that would just look bad. Ryan walked out of the dorm and to the Great lawn. The were other graduates with father familes and also fellow students just enjoying the evening. As he walked into the Great Lawn, he looked around for some sign of his sisters. Finally he saw Star walking towards a group of people. Ryan followed. There were a couple of people here. He recognised his three sisters,, the Samual guy and was it Stefan? He had heard a lot about him but had never actually met his sisters boyfriend. He walked up. To the group, his hands in his pockets. "Hey" he muttered to the group before going to stand beside Sara.

 

[Tybalt Archer]

It had been his first graduation, and while he was sure it would not be his last, considering that he was yet to graduate, the young Gryffindor had been pretty excited and happy during the entire affair. He had been surprised at the invitation from his cousin, of course in the young boy's eyes they were family, but he could sense the resevation that the elder of the two had at times. However, even with that being said, Tybalt had enjoyed the ceremony. He had enjoyed sitting amongst others supporting the graduates. He had happily clapped with the others. He had smiled and listened during the speeches. He had given an extra large cheer to the first graduate Archer at this magical school. It had been a pretty amazing, and it had gotten the young teen thinking about his school career, about his time at this school, and everything that that entailed. He had a while to go yet, but it didn't stop him thinking about it. He wondered what his own graduation would be like. He wondered about if Stefan would attend his, or if he would just invite both his parents. So many question swirled around in Tybalt's brain. However, this all didn't stop his excitement from growing. it was the end of term, and this was the end of another year. Even if this year for him had little importance for a school career but he was closing another door and heading into another room. He was happy, and he was glad to have finished the year. Third year, he knew would have endless possibilities, it would be filled with endless opportunities for him. The young Gryffindor knew this. However, this day was not in the slightest about him. Or about how much he would achieve with all his remaining years at the school. This was about his cousin, and those people his cousin was friends with those people graduating. Ty would not ever lose sight of that, even if his mind wandered back to thinking solely about him.

After briefly returning to his dorm, the Gryffindor headed out on to the grounds. He was still wearing his suit that he had worn during the graduation. A smart suit with a skinny tie and a blazer that he was still to grow into. He looked a lot younger than he actually was with the suit on, that was really due to his height. he was heading to the great lawn for food with his cousin, Kate, and a few others. People he didn't actually know but was fairly excited to meet. He was a pretty excitable young boy so meeting new people was really one of his favourite things to do. He was heading towards the table when he noticed everyone. Ty had opted to wear his usual contacts and soon as he approached wondered if maybe his glasses would've been a better choice. Ty jogged the rest of the way, as he counted all the people, he noted he was perhaps the last to arrive, but was also that he was the youngest of all the people. He glanced to his cousin, and went to stand next to him. Though wondered if he should really just take a seat. He wasn't sure how this was going to be done. The young Gryffindor looked round at the people. He knew Kate, and he knew Sara. The two people who had ever brought it to his attention that he looked like Stefan. The others he didn't know. "Hi, I'm Tybalt, or Ty" The usual broad southern american accent rung through his words. "I'm Stefan cousin."
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[Kate Archer]

Kate was actually quite hungry. She hadn't eaten this morning. The nerves about the speech getting the better of her. Her stomach had been full of butterflies. So the fact she had to look at all the food in front of her was getting to her. She had held out before though plenty a time. She was looking forward to this. It would hopefully be a nice time. The Moons would all be together which would be nice. Plus she loved spending time with Stefan. She loved him, he was perfect. Kate now needed to focus on what she wanted to do in the future. She really had no idea. She would probably need to talk to Stefan about it sometime. Or maybe they would just go with the flow and see where life takes them. Kate shouldn't be thinking about tha today though. Today she had Graduated! She should be celebrating. She heard a voice behind her. Kate smiled and hugged Sammy bag. "Sammy"She said. She looked at the flower "It's beautiful"She said smiling. She gave Sammy another hug. She conjured a vase with water on the table and put the tulip in. "Yes, they are coming as are Stefan and his cousin Tybalt" She said. She laughed at his giddiness "I'm good and how are you"She asked. She hadn't talked to Sammy in some time and she was going to miss him when she left school. He was always so happy and his happiness was so infectious. "I think so too"She said laughing.

"Hey Sara"She said smiling as her sister joined them. "I thought it would be appropriate"She said smiling. For the three people graduating, they had made a lot of friends here. A lot of things had happened by this tree and she had thought it fitting to have their last get together here. Kate smiled sadly "Yeah, I'm gonna miss this place a lot"She said looking up at the castle. She tried to drink it all in. She wasn't going to forget the place, ever. "Thanks"She said smiling. Kate was about to thank Sara for bringing the food when she heard someone else's voice. Kate's face lit into a grin "Stefan"She called out, turning to face him. She put her arm around waist as he pulled her close. She loved how she felt in his arms. She couldn't help the reddish tint to her cheeks, she looked away shyly but a wide grin on her face. She didn't think she'd ever be able to keep her cheeks a normal color. Instead she gave him a kiss on the lips and locked eyes for a second before breaking away and facing the rest of the group. "It's only something small"She said. Star joined the group. "Star"Kate said smiling, she broke away from Stefan as her little sister hugged her. Kate held on tight. She had seen little of her sister. She looked so beautiful in her dress. She realized this would be Sammy, Star and Ryan's first time meeting Stefan. She started to feel a bit nervous. She slipped her hand back around his waist feeling comfort from his arm around hers. Ryan arrived a few minutes later. Kate sighed as she looked at her younger brother. Kate stepped away from Stefan again and gave her brother a big hug. She smiled at him before walking back to Stefan once again. Tybalt then arrived a few minutes after. "Hey Ty, so great you could come"Kate said smiling. It seemed everyone was here so they could get down to business. "Okay lads, everyone seems to have arrived so ye can all sit down"Kate said, leading them by taking her own seat.

 

[Samual Kaster]

Samual smiled happily when he learned who was coming. "That sounds fantabulous, I can't wait 'till they all show up." They shouldn't be too long. He was also glad that she liked the flower, his only fear about it was that she might have been allergic. Now that would have been awkward. "I'm quite fine, just really excited." When he saw Sara approaching them, he smiled. He had not spoken to her for quite some time, but she had been a lot of fun to talk with. "Hello Sara!" He looked around the place as the sisters spoke. He didn't feel comfortable with interrupting them, because it'd be rude, and they were sisters. If the weather held up, this would be an amazing day, but even if it did start to rain, he was sure they could all work something out. He was pulled back from his thoughts when Sara address him, and he shook his head. "Sometimes, I feel like my head is going to implode. But I like it, I'm really happy to be in Sixth year." The only downside to Sixth year was that Seventh year was coming way too fast. Stefan soon joined them. Sammy hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Stefan yet, but he looked really nice. Usually, Samual greeted people with hugs, but he was always a little more unaffectionate when he didn't know the person, and Stefan didn't really seem like a hugger, so he restrained himself. Sammy happily shook his head. "Please, call me Sammy. It's nice to meet you." Samual still remembered when he found Kate crying in the dungeons over Stefan, but he looked like a nice person, and they seemed really happy now. It made him feel good that they were better.

Sammy smiled when he saw Star, she look really nice today. "Hello Star, you look great today!" He gave her a quick hug. He was glad that she was here, Star was a really good friend. he was sure everything would be fun, even if she seemed to be a little shy right now. When he saw Ryan, he nodded politely to him. When they met before, things didn't really go the way the Gryffindor hoped they would. Hopefully everything would be much better this time. "Hello Ryan, you look well." Samual than looked at a new person he did not know. He looked far younger than everyone else and Samual smiled at him. "Hello Ty, call me Sammy." So far everything seemed to be going nicely. He doubted that anything bad would happen, everyone appeared to be nice. Samual looked at the seats and sat down in one that enabled him to still be able to view the castle. He had no idea what else they were going to be doing, but he was sure Kate or someone else would think of something.​