We Are Finally Free Tonight

[Casey Carlin]

Casey couldn't believe the day she had been waiting for had finally come. It seemed as if she and Izaak had talked about when she would finally be free for years, and the day always seemed like it'd never come, but finally it was here. School had never really been her thing anyway, it was just a formality for her, so she was glad to be leaving it finally. HNZ had been nice while it lasted, but it was just another school she had attended with a few fun times here and there, nothing memorable to hold on to. After this was when her life really started.

She didn't know what she was going to do after school was over - her plan had always been to move back to France, the place she loved most, but now things were a little different. The last time she'd ran away to Paris it hadn't been pretty; but that was years ago, she was a rebellious teen then, she liked to think she learned from her mistakes. Besides, she was no longer under her parents roof, there was no need for rebellion just to piss them off. Now she was considering staying in New Zealand, since the place was rather nice, and it wasn't too far from Izaak's beloved home, the beach, in Australia. There was also the fact that Bella's daughter Autumn was still in New Zealand with her uncle Leighton, and Casey wanted to be able to visit Autumn regularly. Secretly Casey wanted to remain close to Autumn and Leighton in case any news of Bella's whereabouts came up, though she never admitted that was the reason she was considering staying to anyone.

Casey pushed those thoughts out of her mind, however, while she was here at the ceremony. She had just graduated, the only thing she wanted to do now was celebrate her freedom.

 

[Izaak Finch]

Izaak Finch couldn’t remember ever having been so ecstatic in his entire life. He was set to be married to a girl he loved so deeply, he had a home by the sea, a job he wouldn’t trade in for the world and just to top it all off, today was the day his best friend was graduating from the school that had kept her prisoner for the past two years. Still awed by the simple fact that she had stuck it out for so long, he whistled and cheered for Casey as she stepped up onto the stage to receive her diploma. They’d finally be reunited for keeps this time around; no more Brightstone weekends or relaying of big news in owled letters. She’d have the freedom she had longed for now and it was a high hope of Izaak’s that she’d stay close by. There had been far too much she had missed out on already.

There was a certain difficulty trying to spy her amongst the flood of graduates. Surely being a Veela would mean she’d stand out above the rest but even Izaak’s keen eye was struggling. It had taken him several minutes to finally catch her head of blonde locks and then another to squeeze past the swarm of people that seemed intent on swallowing her whole. But through them Izaak reached out a hand and grasped what he knew to be his best friend’s before pulling her towards him. “Casey Andrea Carlin,” He addressed the blonde with a smile to match hers and a excited glimmer in those oh so blue eyes of his. But she would have only noted his expression for a fleeting moment because he was quick to throw his warm, strong arms around her and engulf her in an overwhelmingly big hug. “I am so, so, so proud of you! Congratulations.” It was such a joy to finally be able to embrace her again rather than imagining doing so through her letters. With that and his last words in a whisper, the twenty year old drew in closer to breathe in her sweet, familiar scent and press a friendly kiss to her forehead.

 

[Alexis Richarde]

Alexis clapped eagerly with Izaak as Casey received her diploma. She was so happy for the girl and hoped for her love's sake and the newly graduated girl that she was intending on staying in Oceania because she knew how down trodden Izaak was about not being able to see his best friend. Once the whole class had gone through, she noted Andromeda, Katalina and Kiera and waved the the group before following Izaak towards Casey Carlin, Hogwarts New Zealand, Gryffindor Alumni. She was proud of the girl but of course, not knowing her as well as Izaak she let the two have their moment as she watched with a smile.

so sorry, there was nothing to post and my assumption was that alexis was able to post in this topic because she was invited?